Happy 80th Grandma!

I never seem to have much luck with Raleigh Intro Weekends. And despite promising Tanes that I'd be available to babysit during the weekend, I had to pull out last minute due to family commitments.

Nope, I'm not lamenting my fate for having missed out on yet another IW. But, watching Grandma celebrate her 80th over the weekend is certainly an amazing thing. *lols* And yes, the Pandan cake is customary.

To have lived a long and joyous life like hers is certainly something to be proud of. And yes, I could see the joy on her face during the celebrations; together with her children and grandchildren.

I'm glad to have been there to witness and join in the celebrations.

Happy 80th, Grandma!

-LV-

Turning 25

Timed post (Written 12th July 2008)

I turn 25 today

And I just got out of the jungle yesterday

I'll soon, in a couple of hours time, embark on a trip around Sabah, and conquer the highest peak in SEA
____

The past year had been great for me

For this, I'm thankful
____

From September 07 - September 08, I have

Resettled down nicely in Malaysia, and will likely be here for the next 5 years

Sat for my CLP exams (results soon to be announced)

Have just completed one of my 'unfulfilled dreams' i.e. Raleigh expedition

Gotten used to driving, and enjoy doing it now (except for the parking bit)

Got to know a lot of new friends

Come to realise my priorities in life

Have learned to loosen up a bit, and to let go at times
_____

And my hopes for this year

To pass the CLP (when results are announced later this month)

To find the right career path and a job that I'll love and enjoy

To take time out to enjoy the company of my loved ones

To learn to take disappointments

To criticise less

To be less cynical

To avoid judging books by its cover
____

AND
____

As always

To live life
____

Happy Birthday Babehhhhhh!!!!!!

-LV-

Happy 25th!

A be-earlied celebration yesterday. My tiramisu slice, courtesy of my dear expedition mate- Louise. And yes, along with my favourite Green Tea Frappucino!

For VCKY...

The heavily edited be-earlied birthday card...


And the Green Tea + Red Bean cake

Happy 22nd!!!!!

-LV-

Turning 22

To the one who knows my deepest, darkest secrets and understands the solemn duty not to divulge any of them

To the one who knows my likes and dislikes; and of my wishes and dreams

To the one who's often at the receiving end of my rants and knows when to leave me alone

To the one who shares the slightest and most insignificant news with me, and vice versa

To the one who texts me over some crap, and vice versa

To the one who listens to my lamest jokes, and gives me an approving laugh

To the one who's as lame (or lamer) as me

To the one who's just the complete opposite of me

Happy 22nd, TY!

-LV-

Pa's New Toy

I swear! There's supposed to be more fishes in that aquarium. Alas, all gone hiding!

He MMS-ed me this picture of his new accessory for the indoor aquarium; 'faux plastic grass' this morning. Poor fish-ies left with more place to hide, but less place to swim.

Happy Father's Day, dad!

-LV-

Happy Dumpling Festival

Am back in 31900 for the Dumpling festival this weekend.

Got lots to read/brush-up on, plus a couple of errands to run....

The plain (sweet) version of the dumpling; served with Gula Melaka! *heaven on earth*

-LV-

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's to the day to honour the celebration of Love! *toast*

Your significant other, your family, your friends or even your pets...

Have a lovely Valentine's!

OR

Alternatively; SAD

(Single Awareness Day)

(according to Steph, in her text message to me this morning *lols*)

-LV-

*Amazing Race Asia Final tonight! Will it be the hunky Marc & Rovilson; our neighbours from opposite the Causeway Adrian & Colin; or Vince Chong's (no VCKY not you :P *sorry, can't resist a jibe!* Ampun Tuanku, beribu-ribu ampun.) sisters Pamela & Vanessa????

CNY: The Food

CNY, like many other Chinese festivals is mainly about family reunions and FOOD! God knows how many tonnes I gained this CNY. Btw, think I overdid on the Mandarin Oranges. My palms have started to turn yellow/orange... *omigosh*

The fare for the Reunion Dinner on CNY eve.

And noodles for breakfast on the 1st Day of CNY

We had this to 'open the New Year' （开年）(literally) on the morning of the 2nd day of CNY


Served these to the guests at Grandma's （外婆）place on the 1st day of CNY

Only some of the titbits are shown; not all

And *drumrolls*... my favourite food...

Grandma's (paternal) （奶奶？？？）herbal chicken

Mushrooms! *love*

Kuih Bangkit that melts in your mouth *slurp*

Last but not least, I shall pay homage to my favourite(-est) food of them all! Mandarin Oranges!!!!! *yay*

Btw, read in The Star that day that one mandarin orange contains the same amount of sugar as in a slice of bread. *Darn!* As if that helps!

-LV-

Dengan ini, tamatlah siaran siri Tahun Baru Cina untuk tahun ini. Jumpa lagi tahun depan... Tahun lembu???

The Result of Discovery

When a kid discovers a new toy... You know you're in trouble.

I was sitting around the living room with my cousin when I 'graciously' granted her utmost liberty to fiddle around with my phone. Taught her how to take pictures and fiddle around with the "edit" function.

Yeah, she looks innocent...

And this is the end result. Cha dou!

*lols* It cracked me up. I think I don't look too bad as a guy!

-LV-

CNY: The Prayers

Grandma's house is situated right next to the temple, which has its pros and cons.

As a young child, I recall watching the annual lion dance performances at the temple from our house. *he he* No need to stand and jostle for the best spot along with the rest of the crowd. Got VIP seats (kononnya) from our house compound. :P Ah! Life's little pleasures! Anyway, failed to wake up early this year. Hence, I missed the performance. There's something about the firecrackers and lion dance performances that bring about the spirit of CNY. Sad to say, these are a rare sight nowadays.

We only get to see the lions in shopping malls nowadays.... (minus the firecrackers) Mana ada syok man! :(

A crappy pic of the lion dance performance @ 1 Utama. Badly taken due to 'height restrictions'. (what to do! ONLY 123cm tall!)

Random dance performance @ 1 Utama, taken on the eve of the eve of the eve of CNY :P

And well, the downside of living next to a temple is the fact that we have to make do/bear with the huge amount of ashes and smoke that 'billows' from the temple every year as a result of the burning of joss-sticks; prayers for peace, prosperity and good health throughout the year.

Prayers for good health and prosperity; Tokong Cina Kampar

Anyway, made a trip to the temple on CNY eve with the gang. Although Grandma's place is just next to the temple, it's my first trip to the temple in 25 years. I've been to others, but ironically not to this one.

We intended to get some 'numbers' initially; for betting purposes. *lols* But, our plan never did materialise. *angelic smile*

Anyway, off for our annual Chor 3 reunion dinner tonight. *tee hee*

-LV-
PS: Having some issues with my phone lately, pls text me if you can't get through.

CNY: The Decorations & 'Ornaments' *tralalalala*

CNY Eve today. *tralalalala!*

Tonight's the night.... for Reunion dinner... Makan again!!!!

I've been home for 2 days now. *yayness!* Si Wira's having his annual break too! (Resting outside my house) No need to make the 45 minute commute to BTC everyday! *ooh lala!*

Put the fresh flowers that mum bought in a vase, replanted some cactus, and I went camera crazy he he he he.... (yeah, this is the only time of the year we have fresh flowers at home)

Chrysanthemums, CNY you have them, prayers or at the altar ada juga... Funeral also digunakan juga! Oh yes, guai los buy them for Valentine's Day! *lols*

Grandma put some angpow packets up too!

Some lucky bamboo that used to cost a fortune moons ago. Only RM5.68 at Tesco this year. *lols* So I beli la! Since they looked so cute.... (OK! I know I'm cuter! :P)

Mandarin Oranges... *slurp* Ok, I admit... I'm crazy for oranges, mandarin oranges, clementines, satsumas, tangerines....

Alright, the real ones are not allowed now, so we make do with some paper ones. Equally flamable, nonetheless!

Pomelos.... Ipoh is famous for them. Although we have them often, but it is a must during CNY. Lovely fruits!

And pineapple(s)... Yeah man!!!! :P

Oh yeah, the fish-ies are swimming happily in their habitat... Bet they are all set for CNY too! Dad's pride and joy! He dug out that enormous hole in the ground all by himself! *salute man!* I think he will disown me if I happen to 'genocide' the fish-ies in the pond someday... Which btw, I think my kura-kura ran away again! Haven't seen it in the pond today... Surely eloped di! *lols*

And those domiciled indoors...

-LV-

*Suffering again! Nose rajuk!* All due to spring cleaning! And I think the flower pollen in my garden! :(

Coming soon to the computer screens near you.... "The Food"

CNY: The Countdown *tralalala*

CNY isn't complete without these....

It's been my annual duty to fill up these lil' red packets with crisp RM1, RM5 and RM10 notes since time in memorial... It used to be a 'responsibility' I shared along with my cousins on CNY eve. But, since I dropped by at Grandma's place today, I helped her sort them out earlier.

The 'raw material' - Angpow packets, crisp bank notes of different denominations

Tools of the trade - Stapler (to seal the packets), rubberband (to group the angpows in specific 'categories' according to its contents and intended recepients), Sports Toto slip (to label the angpows according to category), pencil

And *tadah* Grandma with the end-products aka fruits of my labour...

-LV-

*tralalalala* Just back fr CNY food hunting/grocery shopping at Tesco

CNY: The Haircut *tralalala*

Chinese tradition - Haircut before CNY.

And so, being the dutiful daughter *ahem* (exaggeration), I went for my haircut today. Alright, rephrase.....

Therefore, in line with tradition, I went for a haircut today.

This is how I looked before the haircut.

And so, she asked me. "What do you want to do with your hair this time around?" She's been my hairdresser for time in memorial, and I do trust her with my hair. So well, I gave her the utmost liberty to toy around with it. So she suggested a shorter style. And me, being me, with the mentality of "Hair only mah! Cut already can grow one! Be adventurous!" said yes. I agreed despite my prior intention to grow my hair long again. *lols* The random and ad hoc LV again; I guess. :P

Snip, snip, snip went the scissors.

And the end product...

For the first time, bro's hair is longer than mine! *Omigosh!* I think I look like a boy now! *lols* Or to quote bro, I look androgynous. Think I need to wear skirts and/or dresses only for the next 2 weeks. Otherwise, instead of "Ah Moi" I'll be mistaken as "Leng cai!"

Please be my judge.

-LV-

*lols*

CNY Shopping List

Ouch! Haven't been too well recently and I'm back to the act of popping pills again. Haih! This time around, its a slightly oblong-ish blue coloured Viagra LOOK-ALIKE for my jaw problems! *lols* Anyway, hope the new drug will at least do something to alleviate me of the symptoms as this is a chronic problem, with no hopes of permanent cure. Die man! Assuming that I have the general lifespan of 72 years, it will be another 47 more years of pain and suffering! And yeah, the vertigo episodes are killing me too!

I honestly think I'm paying back for the abuse and lack of sleep I caused to my body during the whole of 2007.

______

Anyway.... back to the main topic.... My CNY Shopping List...

1. A nice pair of ballerina flats .... or Mary Janes ... or heels....
- Point is; I want shoes!

2. Some tops

3. Jeans
- Just noticed that my favourite pair is starting to show signs of wear and tear.... Memadai la... It's almost 7 years old now.

4. Lip gloss

5. Handbag
- Those huge ones would be lovely

6. Nail polish
- Probably the clear ones or some nude shades

7. Skirt/Slacks
- Formal looking ones...

8. Acessories
- How could my shopping be complete without them! :) I simply love my acessories!!!

Over and above that, I need a trim before CNY... :P In line with Chinese customs and tradition... *teehee*

*lols* The above is nothing but a wish list.... Alas, not working, still leeching on parents' money, where got money to shop le!?!? This makes me miss the financial freedom I enjoyed during my bancuh kopi part-time days!

Alright, 1238am now. I shall excuse myself and retire early in-line with my new resolution to sleep early and wake up early. Let's see how long I can last in this new little routine of mine!

-LV-
back to pill-popping mode again. Viagra look-alike here I come!!!

My Promises for 2008

My resolutions for 2008:

1. To relax and be less uptight
"... Let go and you will see new beginnings flow through you like the life-reviving rays of the Sun..." (so says Madam Zorra http://livyen.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-year-heralds-new-beginnings.html)

2. To eat less junk
- Eating too much of these rubbish nowadays...

3. To study more
- Need to be more focused on my CLP papers; been slacking too much recently. 7 more months to go, so just suck it up LV!

3 simple resolutions; not that hard to keep eh? (I wonder, how long will no. 2 last...) Keeping resolution no. 1 should be simple enough; just relax and enjoy more, with less cyncism and resolution no. 3 even simpler; when desperation arises I would have no choice but to sit down and study! Buck up, girl!

-LV-

The New Year heralds new beginnings

Madam Zorra's predictions for 2008

Virgo
"... This is a wonderful year for the Virgo especially in love, marriage and personal relationships. Let go and you will see new beginnings flow through you like the life-reviving rays of the Sun. The year brings renewed courage to face adversities especially in money matters and health.
The reticent Virgoen must shed all doubts and inhibitions and step outside of the box. This will bring refreshing change especially in love and relationships. To give you courage and uplift your spirits, wear fresh tones of sky blue and lavender especially close to your face..."

The Chinese version of Madam Zorra (according to KH) says likewise too....

-LV-

Season's Greetings

Hari Raya Haji yesterday...

Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) tomorrow....

and... Xmas is looming near!!!

The crowd waiting for 'snow' (foam in reality) to fall at The Curve.... *heh*

The Centre Court; The Curve

-LV-

A Taste of Home

Attended my first big 'makan' today, after 3 years of absence. It felt good...

Ah, back to normalty. Who am I to complain!

PS: Dear God, please grant me a parttime job soon.

-LV-

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

A celebration of 24 wonderful years of life, and many more to come!

Just got back from a be-earlied birthday dinner with the girls at Slug & Lettuce (Slut & Legless according to Sarah :P) Dinner was good, but laced with bittersweet feelings considering that this will be the last time I'm actually gonna hang out with them in Manchester. So to the girls, thanks for the memories and the simple but lovely night out. :) *Toasts* Here's to my first and last birthday celebrations away from Malaysia.

Lovely presents I received as well. Cuppies from Steph, cute shoes that I absolutely adore from NS, lovely bangle from CC and sinfully delicious chocs from Jenny. *Darn! Need to find someone to share the calories...* :P

*Here's to 24 and more to come!*

-LV-