Estrella

It's been like what, 3 weeks since I last updated? It's been hectic la, with all the schoolwork and stuff, not to mention I have writer's block =( Sigh, it's a problem that plagues me all the time... But let's put that aside for the time being.
Let me introduce a band that have made it into the airwaves with their song 'Stay' quite recently - ESTRELLA!!!Actually, they were formed 2 years ago (I got this info off their blog... I didn't realise they were already around for quite some time) and they were a hit with their song 'Take it Slow'. Estrella has that bossa-nova influenced kinda sound to it (if you're wondering what it means, you have to listen to their songs to truly understand). Umm, kinda like those jazz-type songs that you would hear in pubs and jazz lounges. As you can see from the picture above, its the cover of their debut album, titled Estrella. I just bought their album(yes, the original one in fact. I'm not kidding, no pirated ones! =P) today only, so I'm trying out all ten of their songs.
Of the ten songs offered in the album, my most favourite ones are 'Stay' and 'Take it slow'. 'Stay' is very upbeat and it's very energetic compared with the other songs. 'Take it slow' has a slower tempo to it, but the vocals makes the song enjoyable. There are songs that are sung in Malay as well, such as 'Ternyata' and 'Masih'. I have to admit though, that some of the songs are just too DANG slow!!! I mean, it reminds of of Norah Jones, with that slow, surreal kinda feel. However, being a local band that happens to sing English with a splash of Malay, they are giving the Malaysian music scene a facelift (if not, then at least a botox injection into the wrinkly face of local music industry). Enough noisy, not to mention SUCKY, malay rock songs and cliched love songs that just reach its saturation point de! Hence, I will show my support for them! Me buying their album has become a testament to that!
Oh ya, the lead singer was also one of the reason I'm all for Estrella. I dunno about you, but I think she's kinda cute =) For those who are interested to know (if you are not, you can just keep it to urself, Haters!!!), her name is Liyana.















My first impression of her was that she's Chinese. First impressions are usually wrong.

Public Apology to Tan 27

Dear Tan 27,
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the constant abuse and torture I put you through. You are by far the best car that I ever laid my hands on (probably cause' you're the only car I can drive). You didn't only bring me from point A to point B, you were also the provider of food and entertainment for me, as you were the only link between me and the food heaven that lies outside the accursed food hell that I like to call Nottingham Uni. As it is convention to list out all transgressions one have when seeking forgiveness (refer to Catholic rite of Confession), I would do so too, in hopes that I will be forgiven.

To the engine, I have wronged you in ways unimagined by any car enthusiast or car lovers out there. I did not observe the unwritten rule that I must accelerate at a gradual rate. Instead, I always step down on the accelerator just to get the kick out of the sheer speed. Even though I could clearly hear your groans and wails of exertion, I choose to ignore you just because I want to push you to your absolute limit. I felt a deep remorse after touching the 160 km/h mark, as I know I'm putting my life and your wellbeing on the line. How selfish I was back then. Not only that, I have also hurt you due to my negligence. I didn't know that the gear was still at neutral when I attempted to turn you off. I was struggling to turn the stubborn key as it wouldn't nudge, when it fact you were reminding of my idiocy.

To the tyres, you have always been there for me, no matter how much I have mistreated you. I can still remember the times where I went up curbs numerous times, because of the lack of driving skills on mu part. Those wild sessions of 'drifting' along the windy roads of Broga also placed a lot of strain on you. That time when you screeched out loud , was when I realise you were the ultimate victim of this lofty pursuit of mine. Parts of you were left on the road, causing your wondrous treads to slowly disappear. Those tyre marks on the road were signs of my humiliating inability to drive well.

To the exterior of the car, I'm sorry you have to suffer silently for my sloppiness and 'tak apa' attitude. I'm suppose to give you a bath, but I have always neglected that important task. I'm also sorry that you have to experience the kampung treatment, i.e. dusty roads, countless potholes, pebble-laden streets, an overflow of lorries and trucks on the road... The bottom of the car suffers the worst of these mistreatments. The streets of Semenyih are dominated by bumps, and unless I travel real slowly, the bottom would hit the bumps HARD! Every time my ears catch the painful cries of 'kkrraaakk' or 'BOOM', my heart breaks into two.

I must also apologise for subjecting you carrying loads that you don't deserve to carry. You are already at your limit when there are 5 people in the car, but 6 is way too much. You have always strive hard to carry these bunch of people and didn't complain at all, and I have ignored your struggles and pain.

Tan 27, I am sorry about all the above sins I have committed against you. At the bottom of my heart lies a deep regret, and I hope that you can find in your mechanical revving heart to forgive me. I will give you that shower of yours that you have long awaited, and I will try my very best to not abuse you again.
From,
Undeserving Driver

The Art Of Gambling...

Let me set things straight: I do NOT condone gambling in any way!! The gambling that I'm referring to are the Chinese New Year ones where family and friends play for fun, with money involved of course.. What!? I never said one shouldn't bet money! All I said was I do not want YOU to splurge your money on casinoes and those prowling AH LONGs out there. I never said you shouldn't let people you know take your money away.. Just think of it as Sharing Among Kinsmen.
Anyways, the purpose of this entry is to impart my knowledge on maximising your chances of wining money during CNY gambling sessions. However, I only can help out with Blackjack. Mahjong is definately a game which I have nil knowledge about. I'll leave that game to ol' aunties, uncles and lil' children (they don't exactly play the game. They just stack the mahjong tiles up to form forts and structures for subsequent destruction)

Blackjack
I think the general population would be acquainted with this card game. For those who don't, my condolences. Anyways, here are a couple of things you can do to help you win some money.

1. Do something to increase your luck. For me personally, I resort to red underwear =P Bring your lucky pendent, lucky pet, lucky girlfriend. Heck! You can even wear that lucky underwear that you didn't wash for the past 2 weeks. Just make sure you put on enough perfume or cologne to cover up the stench..
2. You have to 'meta' the cards that you want into your hands. *Meta stands for metaphysics- as in the field that deals with things mysterious and unknown. It mysterious in a sense that it WORKS, most of the times anyway.*It's a trick that my foosball playing friend thought of. You have to sweep your hands ever so tenderly towards your direction, to invite the required card into your hands.. I added a personal touch to it. I swept it 3/8 times, for increased luck. Hey, I Cina what! Lucky mah the number..
3. Adopt the expressionless face. Gives you a whole different edge! The banker would not have any idea what is in your hands, so the only way he can bust you is from your facial expression. If you got something nice, don't show that you're happy. If your cards 'paw cha' or exceed 21, don't look disappointed. Just be neutral.. Pour out all your feelings if you want, ONLY after the banker open your cards. DON'T think that reverse psychology works in this case! If you have 4 cards and your number obviously went KABOOM, don't pretend to look happy and on cloud nine. The banker can SO see past that!
4. Do remember that you won't win or lose your money unless the banker open your cards. So just in case your first two cards are 16 or 17, don't go for anymore.. The is a chance you can win even though you only have that much. Just don't let your face betray your feelings. The banker would think you have 20 or 21, so when he takes more and his cards pecah, you WIN!
5. Just in case you have a rowdy British uncle who insist on his ways, DON'T play with him!! I know, cause' I have one! This uncle of mine is quite the rough type.. He insist that we younglings play according the PROPER way, kononnya! Proper as in casino types!! Oii, we're in Malaysia la, playing like normal lo! Not even sure whether whatever you told us real or not... Oh ya, in the end, he took our money away, just like a crook stealing candy from innocent Malaysian babies...
   
6. Oh.. If you find yourself lacking moral fibres or is just oblivious to fair play, you can resort to a lil' pakating... Just pakat with the fella next to you to outsmart the banker... Change cards if you find you're in a vulnurable position. *This didn't come from me*

Here ends my guide to maximising your chances in gambling... So, when the next CNY is round the corner, be prepared to fork out some angpow money for some fun ol' gambling... Just make sure you don't borrow from any loan sharks...
(PS. Malcolm just made a Vs. 2 of this entry. So go check it out. His link is under the name Malcolm-like duh!)

Introducing BLOG 2.0

Well, it ain't exactly a new blog la. It's just that my blog has a revamped look, which is SO TOTALLY RETRO!!! So much better than the dull one I started with last year. All thanks to my pet sis, MELODY!!! *drums rolling* *spotlights shining* She was working her back off to help me redesign the look of this blog, so DROPS ON ALL FOURS, kow-tou thrice! OHH, MAN SUI MAN SUI MAN MAN SUI (ten thousand yrs ten thousand yrs ten thousand ten thousand yrs), which is usually used on monotonous hong kong dramas that depict boring CINA monarchy to show respect for the Emporer. SIS, you memang deserve the credit!! Don't be too humble, k? I remarked once: I don't do blogs, I only do the writing! So thanks SIS!!! =) You keep the petrol money la!!
So what does this new blog have? Umm.................................................................................... *pauses* Actually, I don't know what it has! SHUCKS!! Readers, just look round the blog la. Bet you can find some new stuff.. If not, then just read the entries. I'm gonna check it out myself now =P

Straight eye for this Queer guy

Heard of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy? No? Well, it's basically a show about a bunch of guys who goes around changing problematic people's lifestyle, fashion and interior designing.. That isn't really why I base my title on that show. These guys are actually a bunch of gays, hence my title.
I'm not exactly gay la, so to speak. I just like acting inappropriately to freak out my guy frens. And truth be told, their reactions are, as credit card ads like to say, PRICELESS! Here are some examples.

1. I did this presentation on Hug Shirts (you heard me right) a few months back. So I've been harping on the good effects of hugging for quite some time, even after my presentation was over. In order to show people that hugging is good, I tend to hug people. Since it wouldn't be appropriate to hug a girl just like that, I did the next best thing: I hug guys =) I found out one thing from this: guys don't like to be hug by other guys. So they cringe everytime I offer a hug or when I hug them.. Some like to reciprocate though, by giving even more intimate ones.. These are the people that you absolutely have to avoid.
2. I give guys the seductive look =P Some are actually attracted to me, which means to say my charm trancends gender. Not exactly a good thing.
3. There was this guy who didn't know I was like this, so he squeezed my butt!! WTH!! He got his balasan though. While playing a game of frisbee, he was the one guarding me. I purposely grabbed his ass with all my might! Oh! He was soooooo freaked out.. HAHA!! Then I was like constantly harrassing him, so much so he accidently hit another player with the frisbee!! Now you know you don't mess with me!
4. During valentines day, I was holding my friend's roses while he waited for his girl freind. I was with a bunch of other guys then. Sensing the place was quite packed with people, I went down on one knee and holding the roses up, I asked my GUY friend to be my Valentine! Everybody was looking, so he was obviously at a loss of words.. Sorry, Keng Mun..
5. Oh ya! I forgotten to mention about my BABY =) His name is Rugan, an Indian who shares the same sentiments.. We call each other BABY ever so lovingly.. Too bad he smokes, so I try to keep away from him when he does. In the end, he still comes back to my side =P

All of the above are just a weird behaviour of mine, and not in any way indicating i'm gender confused!! I still like girls, and girls only!! Once in a while though, it's nice to slap a guy's butt =)

Back by popular demand (Kononnya)

I'm am finally updating this pathetic blog of mine after a 9 month hiatus... Well, I'm actually writing this blog in order to entertain this bored friend of mine.. She somehow has a boredom complex that verges on SIENness, a term she uses countless times!! Gets under people's skin, you know!! Since she's the one who I refer to as the 'popular demand', I'll basically talk a bit about her la! *Jia Yi, you better enjoy what I write ah!*
How we met is kinda weird la. It all started with milk powder! Well, it was a peaceful morning, and the Lion Club Walk For Health event was almost over. The only thing left on the agenda is the lucky draw. The prize was actually a can of milk powder (My bones are just fine, thank you! Besides, I much prefer cooled liquified dairy products that always comes with my bowl of KoKoCrunch in the morning) Then, what do you know!? I won the lucky draw!! I was the first fellow called upon some more! Who knew a Horse could be that lucky this year round (My Chinese Zodiac says my luck isn't that good this year round, hence my red underwear) Walking down the stage, these bunch of girls said I needed milk powder anyways, cause' I'm short, OUT OF THE BLUE! And I didn't even know them!
Who are these people leh? They're Samantha and Jia Yi (the person I dedicate this entry to), who DARE mock my not-so-tall stature!!! EHH! Look at the mirror la! Don't think you're that tall, k? Then, we went for makan after the event. Then we talk there a bit, plus a bit of kutuking. So this is where the story zooms a lil into the future--->
I was msning as usual, when someone added me. Hmm, it's Jia Yi. K la, add her lo. First word that appeared- 'hi'. Normal enough. Then BANG! 'Shortman' WTF!? Cakap me pendek again!!! Dah cukup lo. Then I went on a kutuking campaign against her!! Haha! Now I reign triumphant! If I were to keep scores, it would be-(Me: Great!! Ur the best! Her: try again, sista!)
Oh ya, she was the very first one to agree to be my valentines date, albeit jokingly.. Either way, at least I got my first yes..
K la, this entry should be enough to keep her quiet for a while....

The Curse of having SISTERS!!!!

If you think being a single child robs you of your childhood, think again! I have two sisters, one part teenager, one part baby, two parts pain in the butt!! Take my 15 year old sister for example. She is kinda pretty and cute ( I can't believe I'm saying this! It violates the very law of sibling relationships! We are suppose to mock each other!), but when she's mad, all hell breaks loose, literally!! There's this incident where I told her to back off from the computer because she's glued to it, and then I tried to prise her away from the computer when my words feel on deaf ears. All of a sudden, her face changes from her usual sweet demeanor to something that should belong in a freak show. Wow, it was scary I tell you. Until now I've still wondered whether she was possessed or she had natural acting talent in her (You might see her in some local horror movie.....who knows?) One reason that I can conceive for her behaviour during that incident, or other general display of aggression is genetic. She's Hakka you know, but fortunately she's only half Hakka (The Hokkien side soften her. Wonder what will happen if she's pure Hakka!?) And there's my baby sister..........actually, she's already 8, but my family is used to calling her Baby already. She's such a nuisance, everytime she sure 'cha zui' (disturbing other people's conversation by nosing in) one. And she's getting more and more spoilt by the day- metamorphing into my 15 year old sister. NOOOO!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna kena bully again.... There's also this other side effect, for me at least, of having younger sisters. It's kinda......weird, you see. I would never want my sister to have a boyfriend, never, at least until she's an old hag (exaggeration, who doesn't love it). So, this mentality of mine actually backfires on me and it affects me a LOT! How? Well, let's say I wanna ask A (who is pretty by the way) out for a date (It's just an assumption, this haven't happen in my life, yet) and all of a sudden she reminds me of my sister. And well I deduced that if I don't want my sister to date someone, then I must refrain from asking someone else's sister, or girls in general, out. So this is kinda like a dilemma as one friend puts it, and heck ya it is. Aiyo, like that also can one!? Oh, and did I mention my sisters bully me....................A LOT?