tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18614730693476524802024-03-13T23:19:41.910+08:00Dondake?!Cam-whoring, materialistic, drama queen in love with love, life and everything in between.akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-51704724623987355552009-09-23T10:56:00.004+08:002009-09-23T11:34:31.360+08:00Guess what I got....<div align="center"> A brand new Black MNG Trench Coat!!!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Look, look, look....</div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498500526196802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh001FEvgcnabXHmhpCBl1sle65E2hOdosM4_JW6hez9VR3VrNo-fEaBAHrybJEFxQ7DQrFtiUwTW3xTAaHC29nfUyX8e7WX_pnNe0eeKx910y-Ai12hW7or1n-s-yo1lDvdDHO_XQSHSU/s320/DSCN3219.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">It's got 8 buttons and a lovely waist-tie belt :) </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498486951093090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_Vo4bpGlLVKYch4Nr7ddn88DhV9uhRQiY8ab4ay65dB6_477eftV8wPaj33eVlSQFN5oj3QjpGgp9GE_34nNV_QN6A92uESqAFY7HurMItEmJtJm3H5j8yN2Sw35aW2u7vh5e5wFJ8s/s320/DSCN3218.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">A closer look at it...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It's matte black material and not shiny like the usual widbreakers.</div><div align="center">But it's water-repellant!!! Perfect for the winter showers I may have to face in London and Portugal in December :)</div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498477254997250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeutZvBGbrfW_iKbR53O6V0zh-LAHWQc0xKw5X19B1xE3WDRew_3LWT8oyYL2auvLC18rHfJO3fPhpfI6g5eAyRxaU7b-yNBr9KAA0M9H4rOVblU_-0wL9_wVpLJn53pef37YqYRMQ63Q/s320/DSCN3217.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">And finally me in it...what do you think? </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I just need some killer boots and lovely, colourful sweaters to complete my winter look.</div><div align="center">So excited!!! Can hardly wait for December now ;)<br /><br /><br /></div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-46472509188435861372009-04-23T17:24:00.003+08:002009-04-23T17:55:27.964+08:00Belly dancing baby ;)<div style="text-align: justify;">Last Friday I went for my first ever belly dancing class. I've been wanting to start it for so long but I've been procastinating for one reason or another. Work's too busy. Classes are too expensive. Lessons are too short. Dance studio so far away. The list goes on and on.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyways, I got to know about this belly dancing class that was organized by Lim Kok Wing University through a friend who's works there. She actually helped to organize the lessons that are being held now at the KL dance studio they have at Bukit Bintang. They have Latin dances on Wednesday, HipHop on Thursday and Belly Dancing on Friday. Since they're just starting up, the classes for the month of April are FREE!!! Plus, the lessons are 90 minutes long...50% more than the usual lessons at other dance studios. And I have a friend there, so I won't be so awkward and shy all the time.It seemed to be the perfect way to finally check out Belly Dancing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After some encouragement, I finally went for it last Friday. And it was great! I think all I needed was the push to go for the first class coz once I started I just wanted the class to go on and on. It really helps that belly dancing is usually an all girls thing so you don't feel self conscious about guys looking at you and stuff (I'm extremely self conscious when there's no alco in the blood). And belly dancing is so feminine and sensual but strong at the same time, so you really get a workout.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I can't wait to go for class tomorrow. Nevermind that it's all the way in Bukit Bintang (I have to drive to a monorail station and then take a train to avoid the jams). But it's finally something I think I can stick to and maybe even get really good at. Maybe one day, I'll be able to dance like...Shakira! hehehe</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipYj-ZMfQRS-gCy_ak1GiZgCJI2uc52V_-DHG41_6BSkdkHt3eLm35mFj6rDTy5Jzk2RdyTdgwv2NRqZXa6BuQ-QECci9oS6LwYdA9C-3fpNyXXrZ2PCEyIKeqp06dpsc3uszE2ehFfw/s320/26shakira.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327822800251417506" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-13505413865956680482009-04-22T17:29:00.009+08:002009-04-23T11:01:49.879+08:00Lovely Macau<div align="justify">I’ve wanted to blog about Macau since I first went there last July. Last year, I only spent about a day there…just enough to see a couple of the many things that make Macau a great place to visit. From the little bit that I saw, I knew I wanted to go back there. Lucky for me, I got to visit there in March this year with the bf.</div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327449814445346834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYJQU2uu7JTIv0JzJsf5Rn486tubItU_3IvWZNzvV0bh5-ZRcTYo1U1McTt8oa7Ndna0w7ikS1xvHs-VPtPxIjMCZs5UDU0aRcK6rJAVt_nEDD9xSXYSOQduFmoyc6WAELLY0j5IJ5w/s320/DSCN1578.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:85%;">The view from a fort...can't remember the name.</span></p><div align="justify">Macau has a lovely blend of Eastern & Western and Old & New cultures. You see it in the buildings all around the city, you taste it in the food that you eat and you can feel it in the mood that surrounds you. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705988698263410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY0RQFDhwdfTzBpMg5-BbFLV3tmoBH_qaSBcdBF0qrDyc5RsJeDLHjOWBSfFVacdIfR4-XOCzSUAZdNAD9qs-bp27kr7Z0VlU3xL-Kjsmu-jZD6mB5dl1hii-H6fVcgSaBbm06ikkh9g/s320/DSCN1646.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">A lovely coutryard which makes you think you're in Europe.</span></p><p align="justify">My visit there this year didn’t start out very good. See, I kinda forgot that I should check the weather…so when we arrived there, casually clad in T-shirts and jeans, we were met with the chilling cold of 17ºC! In Immigration, we looked around to notice that everyone else was warmly clothed…some a bit too warmly; I mean who needs gloves when it’s only 17ºC?<br /><br /></p><div align="justify">Anyways, after leaving our luggage we went on a shopping spree of sorts. I really needed a parka or something coz there was no way I’d survive with my incredibly breezy, summer clothes. Funny thing is, we ended up getting matching parkas from Bossini (which really was a lifesaver both in terms of fashion and budget). Only after that did we finally get started on the sightseeing.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327449807751103042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkG1wlaGz4fgk_FYlb_QBlTDDADCxokdxPZNpsa0S7OOfMzu-4HOQB5m07Ojcm5MMhdwO69J4LCgievK8CQ7RTTj4R_CGHpP09FRXs_JbV_7m-vGLC_nBwFJV53r2kw67mabVJqbPHl4/s320/DSCN1569.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">The famous Ruins of St. Paul's Chruch</span><br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Honestly, there’s a lot to see in Macau especially if you like European styled churches and other structures. We went to so many churches; I can’t even remember which is which. Some were ornate while others were nice and simple. There are some forts too and lovely little parks and courtyards. </div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOs9uubcPjP8wIt9msCJMxBEPRjTpZqUYvPxCv9XY4UCB0F7kwomCU8gKesHwMO6wVAjdPgxr26pjEbGyKlj37DOQVdeg9mWk6moAi5hIge8w4SexXDq_4S16emlmLJX9s6zydLaYInw/s1600-h/DSCN1658.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705994577688066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOs9uubcPjP8wIt9msCJMxBEPRjTpZqUYvPxCv9XY4UCB0F7kwomCU8gKesHwMO6wVAjdPgxr26pjEbGyKlj37DOQVdeg9mWk6moAi5hIge8w4SexXDq_4S16emlmLJX9s6zydLaYInw/s320/DSCN1658.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">The facade of one of the many churches we visited.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327449803252437074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_OQxSHN34CP_OMACjpTxjA1wO_3XNXHr-6d6ehkNZZ607RH2BLDIJfod3M1zgYMwZXk-q6OsJVUSMVijqDwAmfS2_5pXwpYQyW9HFElx-Tr-Zh4ZqEPbXmEZbn3dz1p9QC7x3An01Dg/s320/DSCN1560.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the more simple churches...</span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVdmEahI_C4J1TL3Tu1HJQi-KrSbROSaDyNyNYfFb2BrECdmDrxsTASJuQQO0K19XpaxecVBlibp4dKvMb5gKRossjIjvkMUYkkUgMner_wEFNuUPIJGa1_wpigdwMf_Bs0O3hh7UBfE/s1600-h/DSCN1645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705979202320978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVdmEahI_C4J1TL3Tu1HJQi-KrSbROSaDyNyNYfFb2BrECdmDrxsTASJuQQO0K19XpaxecVBlibp4dKvMb5gKRossjIjvkMUYkkUgMner_wEFNuUPIJGa1_wpigdwMf_Bs0O3hh7UBfE/s320/DSCN1645.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">And probably the most gothic church in Macau.<br /></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq8Yfy5vX4rW0-0MxRGmF4_mGYPNBgt426rNN0gpHWxDAKtPIlUcsgqoBaJ-11mzroOnbtblkr5bdxqbOvQwTCsuq8km4eW18LIe73o324iMDd8bbexgzzbliVc-T79xF7UPHR8tQVoU/s1600-h/DSCN1625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705975147018098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq8Yfy5vX4rW0-0MxRGmF4_mGYPNBgt426rNN0gpHWxDAKtPIlUcsgqoBaJ-11mzroOnbtblkr5bdxqbOvQwTCsuq8km4eW18LIe73o324iMDd8bbexgzzbliVc-T79xF7UPHR8tQVoU/s320/DSCN1625.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> A pretty butterfly :)<br /></span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Of course, recently Macau has made a huge name for itself as the Las Vegas of the East. There are casinos everywhere in Macau…okay, maybe not everywhere, but almost. Most are huge, mega projects that dominate the Macanese skyline. Some look amazing while others are just gaudy.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327449812783251570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgh0bJ8Alenk3VIEND88ildkBLcG_2ftlf36nGPlwIV4yasUG-BkaGTp3nm7tmq6F9V-Aa54xJ1_sDnDz_j4Fma28UI1nBG2EwNwiZeUex7P-e3_4pVs7g9xTfy49By8qMdrsPxqlU3s/s320/DSCN1573.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Me trying to shoot the Lisbon Casino...one of the most attention seeking buildings in Macau.</span></div><br /><div align="justify">But their casinos are light years ahead of our boring Genting Highlands. Take the biggest one, the amazingly beautiful Venetian…it’s got so much floor space for casinos…the casino literally goes on and on; and all the tables are full (as far as I could see anyway. Plus, they also incorporated the best shopping into the hotel and fashioned it after the streets of Venice with each section sporting a different color for the sky…as in for dawn, noon, dusk and night. It’s mindboggling! I actually felt like I was in a totally different place.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327452353527402562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVjORXfT2HD7SS9IpY2juecrM2CPPz4ENcx_zh54OqUPnQYqGx3m2CIP8-U2HGTU30_LKsKOn4uQngXsO0Oj5D1_BErsJ0hrr64aEe1ljmmWf1HZGraWBtB-HX-XTd7iHq4LGsld81tA/s320/DSCN1616.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;">The Venetian!</span></div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327452347668243474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeVlfF5FduzgkTilzSYidOad7T7bC7Zt3cHrJ82rs5kFrcPWaPiBrdkQBfSXmdDCiYjCEEEHI2MIYVBYm_aaaX-ZZBAB066ayYrGFwq-lC6_xNDyeZY6oZNhkyPTWkkISn88B8Ukw9Z0/s320/DSCN1609.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;">Feels like an evening in Venice...sigh</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327452344607700498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2e3Xzf5rkFyApMKjFO4Fjj70yk1MRD-DhP41kNeug9dqMLpHMpbmh_oa_Z3FqKdHzXsrAKG7gL2ebseBSuwluvOmWJc4S2xxIvDj7RjFAGrtEmrKiIPWBj7PTeQb9Gk8qnMLJxv44FU/s320/DSCN1605.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Lovely frescoes.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327452356894153282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZgtOEwPCBlhUWBDswYiZdZM2iajJqoN1Y_w6wuFEJeY4emZIIklxS34S_SzbbzOGgk_vSicNaaeNonaRs5kZVVssTFCTXxvcfXR_IaxwwFk5LMjnshDXhCf5lPZmbFT7hYk-nRcK4QY/s320/DSCN1619.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">A replica of Lisbon at one of the casinos.</span></p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327707931791093490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMrj-QfbMVj0SYH8LTHapJE1W2uwkOulZO26d7J_UTS8mFSsWM556AFr8VRKKRHVY2dveM4sd7HQb3qseNfQMUxDQEH8kABQHUoirqkJeEuL_X_ijsrCKTjS9YoX25rcJl9h7ptlDh2g/s320/DSCN1685.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">The inside of the Sands Casino</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327707935283968402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3YRL0h9NZSdKZzE8oq8HbNR7OXtgx___83pj500TcifGFMZMryYFLfsLkWEFsBGi05Lw3eW8OmVvNy6wlNMCTBdf2mEno6yGHroOVSij8zY-XM_R7y-3K7evuooNdLdvoNGXwSGwkkg/s320/DSCN1691.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">A replica of the Coliseum at the waterfront</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="justify">Ooo….and how can you go to Macau and not have an Egg Tart, right? The Egg Tart there are quite nice actually and what I love about them is that they are always served with Cinnamon powder…Yummy! I also got to try some Portuguese and some Macanese food. Both were really good. </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327707925402175842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7kuhWHcfv-IYX9pKNfxQLjlOfuyO8F8GBBEJZSaRzmYo5-0EZ_Gsgk1m6W23gl2l_wcV46IVoKKgrKbBWRvW3cppTNG8gDM44bfFq6ckoCkksauOeFkeiwy3xjR-Lvb5z1JUyK8T4Ds/s320/DSCN1700.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Egg tart with cinnamon powder ;)<br /></span></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327446789168166514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMgs9QqOFKKNAdNB_QDK0HYEjUKxkeGCaHn7HQJVz9xZps4HdWUaLZ-8havmbZN_B9YCHNYtnB_VeMloK9LC8FjaL2zyTzjE7AogHwUyZQGfs5XvENnf3ZVtjkRseJOyx0Tx1iD8i5t8/s320/DSCN1597.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;">Macanese and Portuguese food</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705969405127490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MMUaLxbCHY9JYrpU2tlvO7Uv8rQXn18NQcZPlDpvnmO3PWqxGNAgZqmj4lmRhcYlrFN75cdS6vCc7YZLeMw3P8H8YDpxirORtNQpp303T9OSpPkT_uOH8oRVVUHG599Crk-dQAfsS-A/s320/DSCN1587.JPG" border="0" /> Super Bock!!! Portuguese Beer :)<br /></p><p align="justify">All in all, Macau is my kind of city. It may have it’s dodgy sides (very dirty looking, old flats ala Hong Kong) but the beauty of the contrast in culture is just wonderful. You can actually walk the whole city and truly it’s the best way to see it. Otherwise you might miss the little things like a hidden courtyard or an out of place butterfly. Sigh…I can’t wait to go again.<br /><br /></p>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-3687821868014209102009-04-21T16:35:00.003+08:002009-04-21T16:57:40.065+08:00I’m going to Hong Kong…again<div align="justify">Last year was a year filled with travel to places I’d never been before and would never have gone were it not for work. One of the places I visited was Hong Kong. I have two friends from Uni that were pursuing their specialization there whom I hadn’t met since I graduated. So when I got a pretty reasonable ticket (with AirAsia , of course) I made a decision to go.<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327063605033623762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFx_pQbZ1jBdphH5ZcAyk1Qk9C5Cv3OrCDDNEgw7TRi-ElJKALGmUHh9FzaRKlUH2VBt3WbT1xYCz77baOESuoy_g-ehYQer8wJdl7m5m4HAlLqwlKk-jQgRdX98tQ4_dNIQlwdfkRQw/s320/DSC04074.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">With my uni friends</div><div align="justify"><br />Now, Hong Kong has never been on the top of my travel list. I’m one of those people who prefer more to visit countries where English is the main language…very closed minded maybe but at least I know that I won’t be in a situation where I don’t understand anything and can’t even be sure of what I eat! Hence, I'm staying away from China...for now. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327063604842576626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJnLy_JOOUoo8gagb1N-r06o20ZP31m5ZH6Zo3Q5E5UBfui7MXGyl1HGMHqyuopOWzldgHRuhlcGeBcNPaOCI_VGqw2gOCEmLKvDFu2qcblgdT7Z4goi9ZsdQoCzCTiA84bq9rTi7QGM/s320/DSC04087.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">The lovely night skyline of Hong Kong from Victoria's Peak</p><p align="justify">Anyways, so I bought my ticket to Macau (it was cheaper than flying direct to HK) and thought that I’d make the most of it. Truth be told, both Hong Kong and Macau exceeded my expectations. Of course, my expectations were pretty low in the first place…Young Padawan had scared me with enough of her Hong Kong stories to make me really wonder if the trip was a good idea. And no one I knew had actually been to Macau recently so I didn’t have anything to go on.<br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327063606769772802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2N9I6tSi3Yx9o2XTsnxNeAQirjfqkROy5CJXIev1Tw7rmKRUcOtm4SdCvY0NATsGxJO57kMNPZ5fIxjfiPSbp8RDrkHLIaA1-QEarXkhLC09xd2fZuEnuwHSXlJj071lLWasSm2CNTs/s320/DSC04069.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">The amazingly huge Coach store at Causeway Bay</p><p align="justify">Hong Kong truly is a great place for shopping…if you’re into harajuku-ish fashion. But, I did manage to find great bargains at the Zara and MNG. Also, I got to go to my first ever H&M store. My bf had been telling me about how good it is and all but I was pretty skeptical…I mean, guys don’t really get women’s fashion right most of the time. Well, shame on me for ever doubting what he said :)<br /></p><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327063608316767442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKqlPbcn1gK0lz0WKyGVejSoqGJVLG9OXaiMA4T3g4LQ9yuwDJUOkxoHIVrO-3EA3wtzYzA7duvIVPjyG_wcokEvtkjKpf1zP6QGFFJQilui4uu3CQHk50McVUenvApxgEHurcvvHe2s/s320/SP_A0420.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">H&M at Langham Place, Mongkok Station</div><div align="justify"><br />It was fate that there was an H&M store just 10 minutes from my hostel room. And from the moment I stepped into the store, I knew that H&M was just perfect for me. With that began my love affair with the brand. I got really lucky when I went to the US for my training as well because there was an H&M store just a 5 minute bus ride away. Needless to say, in the two weeks that I was in the US I visited the store 5 times! It was fate I tell you<br /><br />Anyway, the point of this terribly long post, is that I shall be making a trip to lovely Hong Kong again next month. It’s for work this time around but I’m pretty sure I can cram in a few hours to pay homage to H&M. Now, I’m just waiting to find out where my hotel will be so I can find the closest store and plan my trips…hehehe. </div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327063613182481874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9JMiQtWpBETcmjzhKcvHXaQJtBu8oGkRSOpy30rw71LuYGfMx0A1Q7aEcdR85IMxpH5tQLcRNCXyJiDQKubGY9N9KfzcCslLMQXV_wG-ZHKMNNmHkkfB6MdEr8O73Qyhw-RrYtmKYoQ/s320/DSC04125.JPG" border="0" />Hong Kong Times Square...I think there's an H&M here ;)</div><br />Hmm…I should really start figuring out what I want to get…and save some $$$.<br />Happy, happy days ahead.akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-47369531287782193952009-03-03T15:07:00.002+08:002009-03-03T15:18:32.514+08:00DepressionFor some reason, I just feel sad...depressed. I feel as if I have no control over what happens to me and the more I try to steer things in one direction, the more things go off course. It's frustrating and ridiculous. I know I'll get better somehow...I'll figure out that I can't control everything, that life never goes as planned and that sometimes we should just let go. I've gone through this many times, and that's why I know I'll get out of this rutt. But, it just seems like these bouts of deprression are occuring more often than they used to before. I wonder if I really need to see a shrink or something...maybe I'm just being paranoid; or maybe even acting like a drama queen. I really don't know...I just know that I don't feel happy, and that really sucks.akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-82929770849818175712009-02-03T11:34:00.002+08:002009-02-03T11:45:38.531+08:00CryBaby<div align="justify">I'm a cryer (is that even correct?). It's amazing how much I can cry. Sometimes I cry because someone's hurt me, sometimes it's just a release mechanism...when the world seems like an incredibly unfair place and I'm immensely depressed that the only thing that will help is to cry all my depression away.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">But, I wonder if maybe my crying is too much. This morning I woke up to see my eyes swollen despite having at least 7 hours of sleep. I wonder if people can actually tell if you've been crying a lot? I wonder if crying that much actually makes any difference at all to the situation that made you cry in the first place.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">One thing I do know...there are some situations when crying doesn't always make you feel better. Sometimes crying just keeps you in this very sad, sad place. Somehow in your mind, the world is not a happy place and even consuming insane amounts of chocolate doesn't make things any better. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Right now, I'm in that place and I'm not a very nice person to be with. But I want to snap out of it...I just can't figure out how. I can't cry anymore coz it's too damn tiring. And eating all the chocolate that's in my fridge is just ridiculous coz I don't want to be a fat, sad and depressing thing. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I need to snap out of this sorry state...someone, help me!</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-83990820377972490922009-01-05T10:15:00.000+08:002009-01-05T10:16:30.458+08:00It was an amazing year...<div align="justify">2008 started out very unsurely for me. I had just got my PR application rejected, just started a job I didn’t know much about and I was adapting back to a more serious life than the one I had been living in Japan just months before. I had no real aim, no goals, and no purpose. I just went through the motions and lived day by day.<br />But somewhere along the way, I think I found all that I was looking for.<br /><br />When I first came back from Japan over a year ago, the only thing I knew I really wanted was to migrate. The aim was Oz…I’d been to Perth before and I absolutely loved the laid back lifestyle there. I had applied for PR and was just waiting for a reply. All my plans rode on it because I had made no other backup. Imagine my shock when I got turned down…I cried. Now I had to plan all over again.<br /><br />So I started looking for a job and was lucky enough to get one really quickly and in KL. I moved back to the old place with old friends and slowly got back into the swing of a normal, working life. Thankfully this time around work was normal office hours and not the crazy shifts I used to do. I began to appreciate the new pace and a new routine set in quickly.<br /><br />New Years Day 2008 came and went. I realized that clubbing in some places were not as good as before. Still had to cope with my excessive love of alcohol that left Young Padawan extremely amused after the NYE house party…Sigh, there are still pistures of my sorry state. But at least I was entertainment for some.<br /><br />With the new job came many new opportunities especially when it came to travelling. In this past year alone I have been to 3 overseas business trips, 2 beach holidays, 2 shopping & sightseeing holiday and finally 1 Xmas trip. I can safely say I spent 2 months of this year overseas alone…a huge thing for someone who never, ever travelled for work before. I’ve been to places I never thought I’d ever go…Seoul, Hong Kong, Macau, San Francisco and Phuket. I’ve seen so many things and learnt so much. I’ve come to realize again how small I am in the greater context of the world. There’s still so much to see, so much to do and so much to experience. I would only hope that 2009 brings me just as much travelling…if not more.<br /><br />2008 also brought so much in the relationships department. I met so many new people; some nice, some not. One I got to know a lot about but nothing ever happened. Another turned out to be a very typical ‘Asian Boy’. Then there’s the one who was the total opposite of what I imagined I would want, but turned out to be the very person I needed. He changed me in ways I though would never be possible and every minute with him is a gift. Happy or sweet, angry or sad; every emotion has made me grow. I am so thankful for it and I love every moment of it.<br /><br />I got closer to old friends and grew distant from others. With each passing year, I think I’m finally realizing the friends that are worth the effort and the ones who need not my time. I’m also realizing that time is short and every moment is precious. Each one needs to be cherished. I have spent far too many nights regretting my recklessness of not appreciating what little time I have been given and I hope I learn to never to make that same mistake again.<br /><br />With the end of such a wonderful year so near, it makes a person hopeful. And though every year resolutions are made and almost never followed, there is something so lovely in just sitting down and looking forward to the future, and making plans on how we will live it the best we can. With so much to worry about…recession, wars, politics and a world on the brink of disaster, it gives me a little comfort just knowing that there is so much happiness to be had, so much love to be felt and so much life to be lived. I hope 2009 makes me grow as a person and I look forward to every second of it.</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-76856391334294430862008-12-26T17:56:00.000+08:002008-12-26T17:57:21.550+08:00I miss you...<div align="justify">10 days seemed like a really short time…especially when we’ve been apart for longer. But somehow, it didn’t matter. Just knowing you’d be so far away made me sad. I almost cried when you left…thinking about how we wouldn’t have our long talks for 10 days made me want to cry. It hurt…so much.<br /><br />Although we’ve kept in touch, through messages and short calls, it still seems lacking. Nothing can replace having you by my side, knowing that at the end of the day you are there for me, to make me feel better no matter how bad things were. I miss you so much.<br /><br />But you’re coming back soon and I’m counting down every hour. I’m thinking of how I’m going to be when I see you, when I finally get to hold you again. Just the thought of it makes me smile…<br /><br />Never thought I’d miss anyone this much. Never thought I’d let anyone into my heart the way I have with you. Never dreamt I’d be so much in love with you. But I’m so glad, so happy and so overwhelmed. I just want you back…because with you around, everything just seems better.<br /><br />Less than a day to go…I can’t wait.</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-18174377188228566952008-11-13T17:40:00.002+08:002008-11-13T17:45:11.995+08:00I need to start editing my thoughts.<div align="justify">Sometimes I feel I should really knock myself on the head for the silly things I say. Just a few days ago, I was complaining about how life seemed to be so boring. Both my work life and my personal life seemed to have hit a wall of some sort and it was just annoying. I felt a little stuck…like things were not going anywhere and I had just lost my motivation.<br /><br />But as always, just when I think things start to look bleak, something (or somethings) happen and make me regret even saying I was bored. Right now, I have 2 trips to Phuket, 3 training days and a huge product registration thingy I have to deal with. Mind you, all of this is work related and has to be dealt with within the span of a month!<br /><br />It may sound really ridiculous, but I actually have plans for all my weekends from now until the end of the year…actually, make that until the middle of January 2009. How does that even happen? There used to be a time when I wouldn’t have any plans for the weekend at all. It used to be filled with the usual clubbing, sleeping, lazing about and shopping routine. There never was anything else to do. Now, I have to allocate time for friends and even boyfriend…heck, it seems like I’m even going to have to allocate time for myself just to recover from all the activity.<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong though…I’m no social butterfly, nor am I a socialite of sorts (if only I were…Imagine all the wonderful parties I’d get to go to and all the lovely bags and shoes I’d have…sigh) But somehow by just being a normal person who wants to juggle work, play, family and friends, I seem to have ended up having 2 months of plans without even breaking a sweat.<br /><br />Then again, it could just be ‘that time of the year’. When bosses get bored coz there isn’t much to do with sales as all accounts are being closed. Or when Christmas is around the corner and suddenly everyone dear to you seems to be of top priority (not that I’m Christian, but I just LOVE Xmas). Or maybe it’s just my luck for speaking too soon about how bored I feel with life. Hmm…I should really edit my thoughts more next time (as if...LOL). </div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-40279533168133604822008-11-07T17:39:00.004+08:002008-11-07T17:59:04.993+08:00Rubbed the wrong way...<div align="justify">Have you ever met someone for the first time and instantly clicked with them? Like somehow you may have known them from another time or something. Conversation just flows, jokes are immediately understood and before you know it, you're like best friends. I know a few people like that and can honestly say that they've been among the most important people in my life.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">On the flipside, have you ever met someone that instantly just got under your skin? Someone that rubbed you the wrong way with everything he/she says? Most of the time, when you meet someone like that, you'd probably just turn around and run in the other direction. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">But...what if that person turned out to be your new colleague? What the hell are you going to do? Quit your job?!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I guess the penalty for having a pretty okay life in all other aspects is that my work life has to have some issues. And though most aren't really huge things (i.e: too many projects, multi-tasking to the much and not really doing what you thought you'd be doing), they usually are issues that we deal with and move on. We convince ourselves that it's part of the job and get on with it...like the responsible adults we're supposed to be.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">But...an annoying colleague? I mean, the guys just started 5 days ago and I'm already an Ice Queen to him. For some reason, he just rubs me the wrong way. I don't know if it's because of his extremely pretentious manner or that he seems to get overly personal with his questions...or perhaps it's just the ways he speaks and acts too much like a child that makes me just want to smack him across his head and tell him to "Grow UP!!!". Hmm...I dunno...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Doesn't help that my boss is soooooooo impressed with him just because he's a Toastmasters Champion or something. Doesn't matter that he has no experience in sales at all. Nor does it matter that he can't seem to put himself in other peoples shoes (He says everyone has the same speaking ability when I tried to explain that some of the staff came from more Chinese speaking backgrounds and hence aren't used to using English much).</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Argh...I dunno. I just hope this passes. Maybe once he gets his ass whooped by some customers, he'll finally start having some level of humility and empathy. I'm so mean...sigh...</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-66588974279212581922008-10-31T17:45:00.004+08:002008-10-31T17:54:07.849+08:00I'm in lust<div align="justify">Lust…<br /><br />Dictionary.com defines it as the following :<br />1. intense sexual desire or appetite.<br />2. uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness.<br />3. a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually fol. by for): a lust for power.<br />4. ardent enthusiasm; zest; relish: an enviable lust for life.<br /><br />See, very recently I managed to snag myself a lovely white leather gold trimmed Coach Bag. It looks sooooo lovely and it’s perfect for work (and going out, and travelling…basically, it’s perfect! Hehehe). And the great thing was it was cheap coz it’s from the outlet store. So, good bargain + great bag + Coach = very happy Shireen. Anyways, it’s been paid for and is on it’s way to me. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263252583978432034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8RL0897zZMFlngBY5-1J7rfrW71Pt5vL3Hug6uYOzXFiHoRt8YbkYtO0v3rN0Wp0jWjcJ2Ie1HELCUTGXxxpKh_R4wqfglfZCvdPoiWDLyH2ZZZIthk1Hc4h_1qwb9dDZxeT3ZAxnkk/s320/IMGP1187.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><br />Now, I usually don’t check the Coach website too often. I mean, why ogle at bags that have price tags I could almost never afford and taunt myself with the fact that I may never, ever own one in this lifetime…okay a bit extreme…in the immediate future. The last I checked out the website was back when I was in SFO and at that time nothing really caught my eye other than a purple planner. In the end, I never got the planner…but I bookmarked the page in my laptop anyways.<br /><br />So, you can imagine my surprise a couple of days ago when I checked out the page and saw that the same planner now came in…GOLD!!! I was floored when I saw it…it looked absolutely gorgeous. So bling, so JLo…so ME!!! I wanted it, I needed it and I had to have it. There was no question about it. To me, it was like a sign from God. I mean, I got a white bag with Gold trimmings…how great is it gonna be to have a beautiful Gold Planner to go with the bag? It’s just perfect!<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263252593462107234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Nxtlp8fviNBtBIOqr7WeAcJJmnLK1GyOqX3ry6X1MK7YGjZgaw-ATcYf3igi32rnWIBMLl_-oVCjSQawa33Bqt3BT7B7arQ4TDh3bvpUmfnU3b2lnZqP1WdWcE1oAfQsOXcF2gEjpg/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><br /><br />And with that one look, my lust began. All I could think about was how I was going to get my hands on that beautiful gilded planner. The first thing I did was to go to the nearest Coach Store (The Gardens) to have a look if they had it. So, after getting off work a little early yesterday I decided to go check it out. Imagine my anguish when the store staff told me “I’m so sorry, but Malaysia doesn’t carry the planners”. I was like “WHAT?! But does Singapore have it?”. She then says she’s not sure and she can’t check. Damn it!!! Damn it!!! Damn it!!!<br /><br />I came home dejected…what was I going to do? How was I gonna get it? And that’s where Young Padawan came to my rescue yet again. You see, she has a friend, J who is currently in Singapore. So to help me out, she emailed J and asked her to find out if the Singapore store had it. But guess what? Turns out that J’s husband was actually in Oregon and going to return to Malaysia on Saturday! So, with messages flying back and forth, it was finally decided that J’s nice husband would see if he could get it there before he got back to boring, no Coach Planner carrying Malaysia.<br /><br />Somehow, I think the stars were aligned in my favor coz he managed to get it! I was beside myself at lunch today when Young Padawan called me and told me that I was now the proud owner of a stunning, Gold Coach Planner. I think I looked like a goof ball and I’m sure the other people at Sushi King thought I was crazy. But, who cares…I am going to get my Coach Planner!!! Yeay!!! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263252594148687074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpQb88-1OyQF2OSyU93TCv_wIE31BT-u6RxUh7ykJUPZWqUVwTsa2uf4MmcwqvxomzDETGsHWKzdZSyKJE0iqD-EKTKboK7aydnOQbEfYCoYlTLMe3p8h9U9VSuoPs4hIfkIJw-IpLdg/s320/coach2%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">By this time next week, I’ll have my lovely planner…Now, all I have to do is figure out how I’m gonna get my shopaholic hands on a lovely purse to match my Coach bag and planner. Sigh…<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263252601614637186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmM0x4litVj0msW9MPD8mABEp6wOj8IdNjjD4AX5gVgh3MQyC4CSXB94YoIUjbyrm9NoO-qjGckKcj9GQ7zJd8-eRtxLi4NXGzmenf8VatZDK4SDlyqNxQ1w1kObIQmN6G9fhN7M2gMuE/s320/coach1%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">Now tell me...with such pretty packaging, how can you not lust after COACH? :)</p><p> </p>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-62807613444597915712008-10-23T16:58:00.003+08:002008-10-23T17:21:23.192+08:00Excess of RomaticismI was talking to Young Padawan today about my previous post (me envying my friend who has a extremely romantic bf). It's always great to have a friend who puts things into perspective for you...Here's a snippet of our convo (I'm <span style="color:#6600cc;">Aki</span>, in <span style="color:#6600cc;">purple</span> coz I <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">LOVE</span></strong> <span style="color:#6600cc;">purple</span> ;) and <span style="color:#006600;">Young Padawan</span> is <span style="color:#006600;">YP</span> in <span style="color:#006600;">green</span> coz she's the neutral voice of reason)<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Aki : so, it's not right for me to feel envious and stuff?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">YP : .......cant tell u whats right or not..........but i think u taking it overboard if u expect al the flowers, poems n such</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Aki : yeah, i know....I don't expect that of him...I know he's not that type<br />he does other things...and if I think in a more adult way, all those things are way more important than any rose will ever be...<br />hmmm.....I really need to stop having cinderella fantasies....<br />sigh.....growing up sucks.....</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">YP : think u hit it in the head ADULT. i was about to say its girlish to envy and its the lil drama queen side throwing a petulant tantrum .......</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Aki : yeah....can't always be an adult right....it's a bit tiring</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">YP : there is no need for excess of romanticism. it covers up for lack of trust n insecurities.<br />if HP helps u grow up n yr relationship is based much more solid on copied poems n frivolous flowers then it s good thing</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Aki : ur right....</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">YP : *racous applause for ME!!*</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Yeah, she's right. Fairytales and love stories are just plain idealistic stories designed to make us think that love is a much more simple thing than it really is. About time I finally grow up and realize that romance alone does not make a relationship work. Love, trust, comfort, kindness and loyalty is what I need...and that's exactly what I get with HP. </span><br /><br />The master has now become a student...akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-84726726658149701152008-10-22T16:09:00.002+08:002008-10-22T16:28:53.887+08:00Hmm...One of my ex's has got a new gf...who happens to be a friend of mine back when I was a tween. I never kept in touch with my ex and truth is I don't feel anything about this whole new gf business. But, I somehow feel a little envious of her...See, he was incredibly romantic and from the looks of things, he still is. He read classics, wrote me poems and gave me roses for no reason at all. And being the total romantic I am, I was a sucker for all those things. I thought I found the perfect guy...<br /><br />That is until all the other things about him started to get to me...his football obsession, his annoying sarcasm and his "my way is the right way" attitude. Behind the beautiful exterior of a prince, hid a very typical MCP. I broke up with him and I've never regreted it.<br /><br />So, why is it that I feel so envious of my friend? I think my inner romantic side just wants some attention. Is it normal to feel like this? Is it bad to feel like this?...especially when I have a really nice bf who puts up with me (trust me I can be a right bitch at times). I really don't know. Maybe I should watch Ever After and just realize that there are no such things as fairy tales and prince charming really doesn't exist. Sigh...akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-188832446669592872008-09-04T13:40:00.002+08:002008-09-04T14:09:05.254+08:00Are you from Boston?Apparently, my English is really good...either it's my English or just my accent. A few of the Americans have commented about it and one guy even asked if I'm from Boston. Hmm...so I can pass off as a Bostonite (Is that what they're called?). I just told them that it's all thanks to watching lots of American TV Shows...hehe...well, it's the truth.<br /><br />Anyhoo, on another note, I went shopping today and I loved it. Bought stuff from H&M and also got a pair of jeans from GAP. I just love the styles here...it's so simple and sophisticated. Very much like the stuff you get in Australia and New Zealand. And the prices are so great, especially at H&M. I mean USD5.90 for a tank top? How am I supposed to stay away from that? It's just too hard. And the jeans from GAP...it's in the Curvy style which is just perfect for me. All the jeans back home always make me feel like a fat cow, but GAP has the nicest fit for me...and I don't feel so fat in it. Yeay!!! Am hoping that I'll be able to get so more nice jeans when I head to SF City over the weekend. Fingers crossed.<br /><br />While out shopping, I also took the liberty to people watch. Seriously interesting lah...I mean you have these really plus-size ish African-American girls who are wearing incredibly short, shorts and having seriously frightening, fluorescent colored acrylic nail extensions. Then there are the typical A&F boys with their nice jeans and sunglasses on, looking so 'high-school' cool. Of course, there's also the rasta like dudes with their dreads and extra baggy clothes. Also, the usual 'I think I'm so cool I'm gonna blast gangsta music while I drive' skinny black guys. Oh, and there are some fine looking latina girls with their super fit jeans and long hair, looking so fine. It's simply amazing the many different kinds of people you can see in just one short shopping trip in a small town outside SF City. Imagine what SF City is gonna be like...I can't wait to see now.<br /><br />Oh, and finally...I simply adore Starbucks. They have my lovely Chai Tea Latte and it tastes exactly the way it tastes back home. Plus, the people at the Starbucks outlet were so cool...so funny and open, just like back home. Nice to know that you can always count on Starbucks to provide you a little comfort when you're so far away from home.<br /><br />But, even so, I miss the Starbucks at Amcorp Mall...it's the company you're enjoying your drink with that truly makes the experience special. Can't wait to get back ;)akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-78131829824485581222008-09-02T12:57:00.003+08:002008-09-02T14:31:33.354+08:00Oh, America...I'm finally in America...more specifically, in Oakland-Emeryville California. I got here (at the hotel that is) yesterday, around 3.30pm. After a long 16 hours on 2 planes, 3 hours at airports and an hour in a cab...I finally got to my room. Check in was quick and the guy was nice and friendly.<br /><br />The flight from HK to SF was an ordeal though. Firstly, 1/3 of the flight was filled with Indians...as in direct from India with a thick Indian accent and weird habits, Indians. I'm a bit racist I guess...but is it considered racism if I myself am of Indian origin? Anyways, I consider myself Malaysian so they're still odd to me.<br />Anyways, with the flight being so 'Indian' it wasn't surprising that I ended up sitting next to an Indian mother and son team. Thing is, my seat was the one next to the window...but guess what? When I got to the row, the mom was on my seat and her son was on the middle seat leaving the aisle seat for me. I got so annoyed but I didn't want to fuss since she was old and all. So I sat down in my aisle seat and just tried to fall asleep.<br /><br />things were okay for a while until after dinner was served. I was watching TV and then the mom starts needing to use the restroom. At first I was ok, but after she wanted to go again in like 30 mins, I started getting annoyed again. I mean, if you know you're gonna want to use the restroom often, then why don't you just sit on the aisle seat like you were supposed to? Somehow I guess the son sensed my annoyance and asked if I wanted to switch to the window seat...apparently his mom has diabetes and will need to go to the restroom often. So we switched seats.<br /><br />After about an hour, I was in semi-sleep mode when suddenly there was some sort of a commotion going on between the son and an air-stewardess. His mom needed a shot for her diabetes and therefore he needed a syringe. After a few rather loud discussions (for some reason the stewardess was a bit loud even with my earphones on), the situation was settled. But by then, I lost my sleepiness and as much as I tried to fall into snoozeland, I couldn't. So, I just kept watching movies until it was time to land.<br /><br />Once out of the plane and immigration cleared me, I went to the baggage carousel to get my luggage. Firstly, it took ages for the luggage to arrive. Secondly, the whole area around the carousel was packed with people and there was absolutely no space for me to push through to get my bag. I saw my bag twice but couldn't get through to get it. Meanwhile all the other incredibly "kiasu" Indians and Asians were taking their hugely over sized bags and ensuring that no one got to the carousel until they got their stuff. In the end, I decided to go where the white people were at and noticed a little space where I finally got to drag my bag off the carousel.<br /><br />Once that was over, I finally got outside and got a cab. Thankfully there were cabs lined up and getting one was not an issue. The cab ride was kinda long though...took more than 30 mins and cost USD 60. But I totally forgot to tip though...didn't realize until today when a friend was telling me about it. Oh well, the cab driver didn't really chat much either so maybe he's ok about it. Or maybe he's thinking "cheap-ass Asian" lol :P<br /><br />The hotel is nice. It's also located just next to an outlet shop district. There's a Pack'nSave, Best Buy, Babies'R'Us and a few other shops. But honestly, after all the flying and waiting, all I wanted to do was sleep. And that's exactly what I did. And I've never slept so good...<br /><br />Got up today in the afternoon, something I've never done in all my life. Now I totally understand what all the fuss about jet lag is. It messes you up...and it's a great excuse to get to sleep in ;) hehe Anyhoo, the day was not a total loss though. I went over to Pak'nSave to get some groceries. And the funny thing was the cashier lady seemed a little upset that I didn't have a discount card that gives u extra discounts. She used her own card to give me the discounts though and she was nice...it was weird. Don't think that would ever happen back home.<br /><br />Anyways, I'm just watching reruns of shows on TV until I get sleepy. One side effect of sleeping too much...not being able to fall asleep easily hehe. So, hopefully the TV helps :)akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-50122195302404658882008-08-30T08:47:00.002+08:002008-08-30T08:59:25.422+08:00The honeymoon is over...It sucks when reality hits you like a tonne of bricks.<br />It sucks when you're not treated the way you want to be.<br />It sucks when you feel that the other may not care as much.<br />It sucks to be the one that will be all alone...<br /><br />I always thought that i would be the one who was taken care of....but the reality is far from it. I feel like I have to bow down to some selfish needs and let my own wants be trampled upon. Then I wonder if maybe my wants are too much. But then again, maybe I'm being way too nice by letting things slide and not standing up for myself. Why should one benefit over the other? Isn't it supposed to be mutual? Isn't that what compromise is about?<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder whether it's really worth it...whether I should be investing so much into something that doesn't fulfill me completely. Maybe I'm just being to extreme with my emotions...maybe it's just the hormones...<br /><br />Whatever it is, I hope it passes quickly so I can move on. So I can be happy again...akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-47333769545274831562008-07-28T23:48:00.003+08:002008-07-29T00:46:26.792+08:00Moments that make you sigh...<div align="justify"><strong>*WARNING* Incredibly mushy and soppy post ahead. Please do not read if you believe that public declarations of affection and love should not be allowed.</strong></div><br /><div align="justify">Now that I got that over with...I just have to say that I have the BEST boyfriend in the whole, wide world. I mean, seriously, he's wonderful...and his most recent act has brought me close to tears. So I just had to blog about it.</div><br /><div align="justify">I just got back from a trip to Hong Kong and Macau today. I stayed 2 nights in Hong Kong and 1 night (last night) in Macau. The trip was planned way before I even had a bf and the main aim was to go meet a couple of Unimates and also check out the hype about HK and Macau. </div><br /><div align="justify">For those of you who know me long enough, you'll know that I'm mostly an independant traveller. I don't mind going to a place by myself and do the whole tourist thingy alone. I never usually have to go somewhere with a companion because sometimes, it's just much easier travelling without having to pander to the whims and fancies of a travel mate. But, this time I wasn't really going to be alone...not in HK anyways coz I have 2 Unimates doing their masters there so they were my tour guides & shopping buddies for the 3 days I was there. However once I got to Macau yesterday, I was on my own.</div><br /><div align="justify">See, my bf is Portugese and as we all know, Macau was a Portugese colony up until about a decade ago. So imagine the excitement in his eyes before I went as he told me what I should see and what I should eat and all. He truly did want me to get as much a taste of Portugese culture as possible and being a curious person, I really wanted to know if Macau would be all it was cracked up to be.</div><br /><div align="justify">Thing is, once I got to Macau and checked into my hotel room, it was already 4pm. I got out as quickly as I could coz I wanted to see as much as possible before it got dark and all. Somewhere around 5.30pm after I had seen the Ruins of St. Paul's church, it started to rain so heavily that I was forced to take refuge at a cosmetics store to wait out the storm. At that moment, surrounded by beautiful Portugese buildings, the heavy rain pouring and being all alone in a sea of couples, families and tourists, all I could think of was "I really wished he was with me now"... </div><br /><div align="justify">30 minutes later, the rain subsided and in my damp and lonely-ish state, I continued to walk around some of the popular streets of Macau and check out a casino or two before heading back to the hotel.</div><br /><div align="justify">Now come the mushy part. Today after getting home, I called my bf up and told him I missed him like crazy especially when I was in Macau. With so many things being Portugese and all it was hard not to think of him and I really did wish he was with me coz he would have made the experience so much better. Then he told me "I was going to come see you...in Macau". I paused...what did he mean? He then went on the explain that he had tried all week to reach his cousin, saying that he thought he'd fly in on Saturday, spend a day with his cousin and the on Sunday when I came to Macau, he wanted to surprise me at the Ruins of St. Paul's church. </div><br /><div align="justify">He had told me about his cousin in Macau and he had even said that he wanted his cousin to meet me and pass him something for him. All week, I was aware that he was trying to contact his cousin but he couldn't seem to get a hold of him. His frustration at this got me annoyed coz I thought why not just give my number to his cousin and when I get to Macau, we can just co-ordinate a meeting. He had asked if his cousin could meet me at the Hotel I was staying at but I didn't tell him my hotel details coz I thought it would just be too troublesome for his cousin. So since I didn't get any calls on Sunday from his cousin, I assumed that the meeting wasn't going to work out.</div><br /><div align="justify">Imagine my surprise then when he tells me today that he wanted all the info so that he could come see me himself...just to be with me and visit Macau together. He even talked to my brother about it...But when he found out that his cousin was in Thailand until the end of the month, and he didn't have the details of my hotel nor the exact plans of my travels (I don't really have a set travel schedule I stick to, you know), the whole plan couldn't work...so he didn't come. But the thought that he actually was willing to just buy a ticket and come be with me, all the way in Macau...it really touched me and I nearly cried. No one has ever done anything so remotely sweet and romantic for me...ever. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">His plans may not have worked out but he has given me something far more wonderful in return...the feeling of knowing that I am wanted by a loving and wonderful man who makes me feel on top of the world with his beautiful gestures. Now I simply can't wait to go to Macau again, and this time with him...sigh :)</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228106882422274386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpE2hhZv0SRq1OzLiawXr940mwj5JGnZPEYSfWqXe9tAjxKriY57Niz67u2899AWIqa1MIW5xKr90JJydx7LXqp-j9XZ1iMIebxIdRFMkBAISo463HCgh4OO2kqzyn3O3qnNw_d5hqbU/s320/SP_A0405.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"></div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-79684301301408208682008-06-06T16:22:00.002+08:002008-06-06T16:40:23.568+08:00The toast<div align="justify">The past few days have been carzy at work...so many things to do and most of them have to be done by next week. Not a very easy task when it's already Friday, I have jam-packed weekend ahead and absolutely no mood to do work at home. Anyways, I'm just gonna hope and pray that when I was told next week, what was meant was Wednesday and not Monday.</div><br /><div align="justify">In between doing work and daydreaming about the weekend, I remembered something from the movie 'Hitch'. I watched it last Friday night, alone at home and was reminded about why I love the movie so much. Will Smith is gorgeous and hilarious, Eva Mendes is HOT!!! and the story line is realistic albeit the predictability.</div><br />Anyways at one point in the movie, Hitch says the following :<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>"Never lie, cheat or drink. </em></div><div align="center"><em>But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. </em></div><div align="center"><em>If you must cheat, cheat death. </em></div><div align="center"><em>And if you must drink, </em></div><div align="center"><em>drink in the moments that take your breath away"</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="justify">It's a really nice toast, no? Of course in the movie he ended up getting veggies thrown at him shortly after but in another time and place, I bet it would have worked wonders. I don't know why I thought of it, but I did and just had to write it down somewhere so I never forget.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Oh well, back to work then...thankfully it's only and hour and a half before we can all call it a week and head home to our much needed R&R. Sigh...if only we could have 3 day weekends.</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-63733507013620855622008-05-08T16:14:00.006+08:002008-05-08T17:36:04.480+08:00Random thoughts<div>It's 4.15pm and I'm at my office...preparing a presentation for a meeting tomorrow. The air-cond is soooooooooo super cold that my fingers feel frozen and typing is getting to be a bit annoying. Not to mention my brain is slowing down a bit coz the blood circulation to it is being cut down to prevent my heart from stopping due to the chilly weather. Okay...so I am exagerating. What can I say? I'm a drama queen.</div><br /><div></div><div align="justify">Anyways, I'm supposed to be focusing on work but somehow I keep thinking about random things...totally unrelated to work... </div><div></div><br /><div align="justify">1. Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte</div><div></div><br /><div align="justify">Ever since I first had this drink a few years back, I've been hooked. Sadly, it's not a permanent fixture on the Malaysian Starbucks menu and when I had it back in the day, it was just a promotional thingy. Imagine my glee when I found that it's part of the menu in Singapore and Japan...yippee!!! I swear, while I was in Japan I looked forward to my trips to the Nagoya train station coz I knew I'd be getting myself this lovely drink...Sigh, imagine sipping a hot cup of chai tea as you watch the hustle and bustle of commuters pass you by. Makes you appreciate the simple things in life even more. </div><div></div><br /><div align="justify">By the by, last Sunday a trip to the Gardens Starbucks outlet revealed that they now have the drink again...sadly, it's only a promotion thingy and started on the 1st of May. Will have to wait and see if they make it permanent. In the mean time, I've already gone twice to get my fix ;)</div><div></div><br /><div align="justify">2. My tattoo design<br /></div><div align="justify">Last Sunday, I set a date for my very first tattoo. I've always wanted one and I had a design in mind...and somehow, this year seems like the right year to do it. My inital design is a tribal design that I drew some years ago when I was still in Uni.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197925253666212114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixet0QeTsYE205BsaCQaLYpTHoJaZ92_MIIXNEOCknxIpGMlGV1pg2OSXcOutG03nwS2SKFrARoiXD2JkGcmL1FKr14tiJp_DRHsVzrCR_FkKPAqjLpy_1jjeSfrjF4U8TSVdY82Dm7Tw/s320/Tattoo.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Problem is due to the details in the design, it's gonna have to be much bigger than I initially planned. Another thing is, Young Padawan feels that it doesn't seem like a design that fits my character too well. At first I kept justifying how it does represent me and all, but the more I think about it, the more I feel that maybe I should re-think the design. I mean it looks cool now but 30 years down the road, will I still be happy with it?</div><br /><p align="justify">So I thought I'd do a little more research into the design...I'm thinking of something romantic like a red rose and hearts. It's not going to be very unique but at least it's a safe bet. I love roses and all things romantic so I'm probably gonna be happy with it even when I'm old and grey. </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzbR7laG1FzFYdQVMmd_gEZ2WaZwaeFEfB4fvXdb3_YevgzeO5qT8DJ5-9VbSoY8qNH-IhuoXKu8yFadD9EgwpGLu6clE7S8E5cEjZII5tohi226P_fUjBWM2mnOuI0t0ea1lY7pZjZ4/s1600-h/NWF-00017_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197928118409398578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzbR7laG1FzFYdQVMmd_gEZ2WaZwaeFEfB4fvXdb3_YevgzeO5qT8DJ5-9VbSoY8qNH-IhuoXKu8yFadD9EgwpGLu6clE7S8E5cEjZII5tohi226P_fUjBWM2mnOuI0t0ea1lY7pZjZ4/s320/NWF-00017_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaq2TdDURFUuABNV4c8woadByc0YRFXO77IsvgqY-ugklLW5TpyJdbG8ZeEoRP1vtfMFYgEAq_MU5aHdfPgCiPthHwiMWMMYxdu-sHgVNzHky7TFF5H6G42XYnGyjGf0bRdPa4Evnyvis/s1600-h/L1F-00250_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197928118409398562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaq2TdDURFUuABNV4c8woadByc0YRFXO77IsvgqY-ugklLW5TpyJdbG8ZeEoRP1vtfMFYgEAq_MU5aHdfPgCiPthHwiMWMMYxdu-sHgVNzHky7TFF5H6G42XYnGyjGf0bRdPa4Evnyvis/s320/L1F-00250_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeBo7pngUKB7tVMPzAVVS1SuRLX9Nu9_a6zMAEjC9tpwVpbr8aSAX0xdWW27SO46Ra170_7YZTYYNpxXH_cx8ZpKEIi-lxwBzaVJ2VU_YChclW0m6v2lEfZyLMFZ_X5fEj4s-oDqJx5s/s1600-h/ACF-00063_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197928126999333202" style="WIDTH: 114px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" height="145" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeBo7pngUKB7tVMPzAVVS1SuRLX9Nu9_a6zMAEjC9tpwVpbr8aSAX0xdWW27SO46Ra170_7YZTYYNpxXH_cx8ZpKEIi-lxwBzaVJ2VU_YChclW0m6v2lEfZyLMFZ_X5fEj4s-oDqJx5s/s320/ACF-00063_thumb.jpg" width="136" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPmwfMh09cwe2ucizuhypb6MG3qLNK4eDZteZnmHcubHM4ObCCSXVlSaHXHua3z-y89gxaHDzazhQELYw94wjNge5lu9_S6ZjAfOisAc9KVTEAi_cSH6PlNJN-c-1dSKvnOuzlKb4nFg/s1600-h/SXF-00030_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197928122704365890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPmwfMh09cwe2ucizuhypb6MG3qLNK4eDZteZnmHcubHM4ObCCSXVlSaHXHua3z-y89gxaHDzazhQELYw94wjNge5lu9_S6ZjAfOisAc9KVTEAi_cSH6PlNJN-c-1dSKvnOuzlKb4nFg/s320/SXF-00030_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><p align="justify">Any thoughts? I kinda like the 3rd one with the 3 roses and dragonflies...maybe I'll chnage the dragonflies to butterflies to better suit me...still thinking about it though. The date is set for the 19th of July, exactly a month before my b'day. So by the time it's my b'day, my tattoo will be ready for the world to see...muahahahahaha.</p><p align="justify">3. American Boys</p><p align="justify">Not talking about real American boys but about the song...I heard it this morning on the way to work and I got hooked. Sung by Estelle and featuring Kanye West, it's got an infectious rhythm and I love the lyrics and the way she sings...simply lovely. I wonder what category of music it falls under coz it's too pop to be Hip Hop and RnB. Whatever it is, it's I wanna hear more!!! :)</p><p align="justify">4. My trip to Korea</p><p align="justify">While I was in Japan, I kept wanting to go to Seoul for a holiday since it was so close to Nagoya and it was relatively cheap. The plan never materialized coz I obviously appreciate drunken escapades in the clubs of Nagoya more that immersing myself in another foreign culture.</p><p align="justify">Anyways, I'll be going there for a training next weekend. I leave on the 17th and return on the 21st. My boss was nice enough to give me 2 free days there to do whatever I want...so, I'll be doing a little site seeing and hopefully some shopping. Am soooooo excited coz it's a fully paid for trip and I love travelling. If only I could do more of it :) </p><p align="justify">5. Coach bags</p><p align="justify">Inspired by the fact that I'll be able to do some duty free shopping during my trip to Korea, I've been looking at Coach bags a lot these past few days. The bags are way too expensive coz of the duty and exchange rates here but I'm hoping that in the duty free place, the prices may be closer to the ones they have in the US. And after looking at the website so many times, I've narrowed down the possibilities to a few choice items...</p><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197936850077911394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWtIpgfeF8Bphxl_hU-8gSLampCiyc8esr5xY6QwKN8858-Gnz0ItLZCipzpvvn4ewHogHSrzw230_N-UES-TV2T-0JUDjE0z098kDghOHwJDvrty254zfOyyNUTGbw2nMD2sWAbFgCg/s320/Wallet1.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197936854372878706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBdwphXRU54ewQ0D8xYeMl-vSgJ78ANpb3lx_JnSMnrfc-bMOWjSED7CXZCR3ZR_nUAwMcp5Uu5XyD7Y0OxbVpwF5fADPKDcAYCx_edeJaLakwB7PcX6LKP7cTlcLsa1iVJj_Ol9sVe4/s320/wallet2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197936862962813314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE_5bos7jT0aKlU3DZnz_i1vbq8Ic3DuSxcYOWSKXqcHDpd1sP42EpT0XrGlwpKawTZC50AZHK0O8D60weDHFG9hHm6flIEzIYskkE7Fn_qey7rOdbER2xHoNyFpSy53R31L2Ywxdo6g/s320/Patchpouch.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197936867257780626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvJ-hd6zqS1LKXWj5Z9JTU0tFP3gB_p9mtUFMRUx6zj2PCskVExHlRdN1BprD3DBsEakaKeWhNOIKQ70y8bvb7CeWtiXVokJP_5FUQQAetleGdwH2vS_y5uH2D6-Nvr-RELY6ICapOBo/s320/Patchtote.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197936871552747938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qNlv2qUFL7IpLA2M_2thVyXkhXHY4lq5l0kYYjOcdIoDA6xtOec2gGEXg8mVZgcXkDiBF6vYFgrbyiEF3zTiIx0SrRanW_rYthlkL8TtdNIaILI4dgflt1fwk5DScWNEg1wYYDZX5iY/s320/blackbag.jpg" border="0" />You can see that I'm getting a bit carried away and a little too excited with all this...sigh...what can I say. I want a Caoch Bag! So, hopefully it will be cheaper there and I can treat myself to at least one of them...hehe</p><p>Damn!!! It's 5.30pm already...and my presentation is still not done (no surprise why it's not done though lol). Better get to it then...</p>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-29142745751523501002008-05-04T23:58:00.004+08:002008-05-05T00:36:55.230+08:00Cat got your tongue?!<div align="justify">Sigh...I notice that the time in between blogs seem to be getting more and more. I could say I'm busy with work and all that but the truth is I've just been a lazy bum. LOL I've been doing lots of stuff, though. Both at work and at play. Last 2 weekends have been eventful and although I'm too lazy to write down all the details, I thought the least I could do was to put up some of the crazy pix I took...hehe<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I joined a group on Facebook called Cat Got Your Tongue about a month ago. I liked what they stood for and seriously, it just seemed like a good way to network with like minded people. Anyways on the 24th of April, they had their first event at Heritage Mansion. For those who do not know, Heritage Mansion is like this super exclusive club that you can get into only if you're one of the 'beautiful', 'rich' or 'well-connected' people in KL...or so I was told. So, I thought why not just go and check it out. Naturally, I dragged Young Padawan...y'know, for support and entertainment since she loves doing this whole psychoanalysis thing on the place and the people she sees. Besides, I told her if the party (as in music and crowd) did not meet her standard, we could always just drop by Maison since it was RnB nite. </div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">Anyhoo we got there earlier than most people, managed to get a nice place to sit, talked to Rudy of Hitz.fm and also met KinkyBlueFairy herself. Oh, forgot to mention that we had to bring a toy to the party...hehe. I brought my lil pink haired Troll that I've been having for more than 15 years now. So while me and Padawan were waiting for the party to really take off, we got creative with my Troll...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196557677154670514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdWE9lpRQT1EeaIWT_w7MedU1fdPa13SMxDmZmeNzwvGtullolEGOuElysXfgGxm9Hb8rXzMolOBuHc7pvfe_l6NQI_t_BNlk56SsleTUrZ2ho9VUzTVSJ3Yqho0rm7weTqMl2T8eq4o/s320/SP_A0123.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0VuCcYSM3_nzbZrr29_l_vGygYm-TeAogndqiVIQc5sZWVG2Z48z1zcE1biZ9NV-Ve-EOgCj03ojw5qZU1kTsviPPS_4komyaS6F05JH7Qsp4H8psS-Zj5i_NtrLhTY-zUqSaPB_hvs/s1600-h/SP_A0114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196559365076817874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0VuCcYSM3_nzbZrr29_l_vGygYm-TeAogndqiVIQc5sZWVG2Z48z1zcE1biZ9NV-Ve-EOgCj03ojw5qZU1kTsviPPS_4komyaS6F05JH7Qsp4H8psS-Zj5i_NtrLhTY-zUqSaPB_hvs/s320/SP_A0114.jpg" border="0" /></a> First he wants to taste the beer...then he decided my Mojito looks yummier...</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzfPTpHR5NvxDK612lejVggOuYp-prmoWKeJMZr5QKxwaxytwxbPxVKsgKpa6IOOE5EFmAQOTi28zS2fpyFr48W1QGyTTAAKb3pcZVFidatYfHNjUJhD4E4XC9YDhbyZlx0_tNjNQS9M/s1600-h/SP_A0115.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196559369371785186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzfPTpHR5NvxDK612lejVggOuYp-prmoWKeJMZr5QKxwaxytwxbPxVKsgKpa6IOOE5EFmAQOTi28zS2fpyFr48W1QGyTTAAKb3pcZVFidatYfHNjUJhD4E4XC9YDhbyZlx0_tNjNQS9M/s320/SP_A0115.jpg" border="0" /></a> After that, the lemon slices in Padawans drink got his attention.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ33seEtnhYgykVNBMAUAlbp4u_Tf-H7EsMb_4Uaf6jeZIenBNbIF-JKdJTCAPIDAVXrnCazISaaV9MTt28IavIEblFsUFbfyxbmYTKgE1Z4S0UYCUuwA2mApX5XXCLbzTwzRoquAjuSk/s1600-h/SP_A0117.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196559373666752498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ33seEtnhYgykVNBMAUAlbp4u_Tf-H7EsMb_4Uaf6jeZIenBNbIF-JKdJTCAPIDAVXrnCazISaaV9MTt28IavIEblFsUFbfyxbmYTKgE1Z4S0UYCUuwA2mApX5XXCLbzTwzRoquAjuSk/s320/SP_A0117.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAK7FbfBCPXTBHuFRK3LPAopPo9Rw32rdhQwyiLTmUbNJAAwxKmbjPVaUrUb4B-XzSfIniKg1HFS5UUaWXJP5pVf2hXMWCkz4KeN5J-PaSPL85E03BlCo68rHQ3uDiAClRF35ADHi84hM/s1600-h/SP_A0118.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196559377961719810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAK7FbfBCPXTBHuFRK3LPAopPo9Rw32rdhQwyiLTmUbNJAAwxKmbjPVaUrUb4B-XzSfIniKg1HFS5UUaWXJP5pVf2hXMWCkz4KeN5J-PaSPL85E03BlCo68rHQ3uDiAClRF35ADHi84hM/s320/SP_A0118.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>I think he felt that he needed to fit in more by wearing some stuff to cover himself up...</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBGvpA0P0MjhtOX3d4LBPDudEdJOLC86N3jrSeZy6uUrsUkXGLgnX-s1uWcEF7-9gmMWgu2OqBKFMDiEDV7bC337XoKgo8NfWKLLZ5TYDVGzaoKasRCWRVb9nfriRoFrJG43-kb2lH98/s1600-h/SP_A0119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196557647089899394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBGvpA0P0MjhtOX3d4LBPDudEdJOLC86N3jrSeZy6uUrsUkXGLgnX-s1uWcEF7-9gmMWgu2OqBKFMDiEDV7bC337XoKgo8NfWKLLZ5TYDVGzaoKasRCWRVb9nfriRoFrJG43-kb2lH98/s320/SP_A0119.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hehe...doesn't he have a cute butt?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMyU6qnN5dqQVDsOM349kZ9b3TIvYmygAgEny49cssPeaJ3hY-C6F6tM-05dN33aZeQSvzqlVUxOlICzB4pdcxA8EI4yTFA7Vou6XO5Ln7H3RA3h5qhGQQtpsNC5lWw9Hr7TPKwQSi-A/s1600-h/SP_A0120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196557664269768594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMyU6qnN5dqQVDsOM349kZ9b3TIvYmygAgEny49cssPeaJ3hY-C6F6tM-05dN33aZeQSvzqlVUxOlICzB4pdcxA8EI4yTFA7Vou6XO5Ln7H3RA3h5qhGQQtpsNC5lWw9Hr7TPKwQSi-A/s320/SP_A0120.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYfTF2rGSND3uxhrQGV3K6tLR-CNEzxLcehNn3Yl6VuTfLJAwn3eg6pGo7fG8w59jXbkdd7j5GbrxqGQyNCciK4GQuxrASNNECdfCIapgwt5eywS9if-GYd7yXtJBM42IBlP3HII-iLM/s1600-h/SP_A0121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196557668564735906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYfTF2rGSND3uxhrQGV3K6tLR-CNEzxLcehNn3Yl6VuTfLJAwn3eg6pGo7fG8w59jXbkdd7j5GbrxqGQyNCciK4GQuxrASNNECdfCIapgwt5eywS9if-GYd7yXtJBM42IBlP3HII-iLM/s320/SP_A0121.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Sigh...who'd have thought the mint leaves in a Mojito has so many uses...</p><p align="justify">Maybe we should always bring toys to a party. It really does add to the fun and it can be a cool conversational piece...or maybe it's the toy owner that makes the difference. I don't know...just rambling at this point.</p><p align="justify">But, it was a nice party. There were deifinately some pretty people there and at least, I can say I've seen the inside of Heritage Mansion. Oh, and I met Rudy and KinkyBlueFairy...hehe<br /><br /><br /></p><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-69013200933666752352008-04-06T22:50:00.014+08:002008-04-07T00:48:06.345+08:00Room makeover and new phone<div align="justify">So, it's been awhile since I've gotten down to blog about stuff. Truth is, I've been incredibly busy...with work, holiday in Singapore and more recently, making over my room. Now, before I go on about what I did to it, here are a couple of pictures before i got to doing anything.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186166163032158786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUuKINnP2sUWtFH-AKE_NDA8rSd0emQKIrtZXy8SRRzkoSOFQ4_JJnUzMJmkVRjsq-wKO9GmQx60pz06JqXnHNzwEk_6vsaE9rRBpwsasOhGoLoVa6G3jluf9m_QSi9zwKMJzWb3zHMQ/s320/Photo-0047.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186166562464117330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqdtS4XRrooei4kjMHCDxDeWuIfEG2gewjea_z5HGfEsi1ky7_AIrc6lG3Nz9YJD9saw4lqHhwDyIZsaE1-FECVr2t0jgg3jlO4keDGvqgpjqdk3vZ2ZmGjjc3-mWZ9jsHbv1lpGSthY/s320/Photo-0048.jpg" border="0" /> My work on the room started last weekend at Ikea. For 3 years I've been dreaming of getting the Meldal daybed and I thought it was high time I finally just get it. So after figuring out where all the furniture would go in the room, I made the purchase and happily went over to the delivery counter to organize the delivery of my lovely, new daybed. Sigh...I could hardly wait until Tuesday :)<br /></p><p align="justify">On Monday, I got home after work as quickly as I could to begin work on painting my room walls. When we first started renting the apartment, our lanlady had painted the walls a beautiful, clean white colour. Unfortunately, the paint had started to yellow and didn't look too attractive anymore. Hence I decided that it'd be good to repaint the walls. For some reason, I'm totally in love with purple right now...so, I painted the walls a shade of Lilac. The colour seemed lighter on the colour chart at Ace Hardware but, after the paiting was done I must say I'm kinda happy that it's darker coz it gives the room more colour.<br /></p><p align="justify">Anyways, it took me about 4 hours to do it but I managed to finish painting my room before getting to bed that night. The next day, my furniture and more importantly, MY BED, arrived. After the Ikea guys set up the bed and chest of drawers, I got to arranging the rest of the furniture. And after days of organizing and a final clean up today, my room is finally ready. Take a look...</p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186167382802870882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVcxfMLZP_OgT0vkM6dmtdOtHUFbYqVH3U7J0q0JMCDWF-N94AeLUCxzlFsa5FF5iFW60Tf6NoHYJfYhyphenhyphenRNIwjCwonArAGvavDGsEj0DQla4E7f5hs0nNyfoQTDNap99gJ2_LOw_mZpw/s320/SP_A0015.jpg" border="0" /> </div><p align="center">Ah, my lovely Meldal daybed...sigh :)<br /><br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186168125832213106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JQAhXQFLkMpR91WLEsY5MVNw3Eql5_HfJc0i2gO71P_g9SIrzScH_nvomDbgRi0EL0LyPxMeQF0L7kGccH9iQWrvJ2zgvKg58P7Ex3sAmg1AfabumnSXOgxSzJIXPLAf51Eq3Mj8hWY/s320/SP_A0016.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">My mirror that has yet to be put up and the corner storage area with odds and ends<br /><br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186168847386718850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkxEops-SGSjD6_2h0kU1sxacwk2zXBKxgIroLwFNrROeD5KniUiTAF6_fTx3d6z4qmiOmyoms5-rxUx-i3_lRa4bHmHX-mGCZLDxFqy3wUQLfRv3YKCYsuEvmzMYF1v8dr5Zcvho_Ng/s320/SP_A0022.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Pink table and the purple carpet bring a little more colour into the room<br /><br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186170144466842258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh2cQy5rnGeBJtLy4n93SfoWa_JxEQpXkBO-D90ZEXhXkKCFNeZb5CABGQ6NDPiUbJGJNcAicf62ng9hyphenhyphen9NU43QFHchgxkqEn1w8IYNfLmVU7cd_Sice99cM9akrNuehNBos6Kjk1sKo/s320/SP_A0023.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Laundry basket, Closet and Chest of drawers...</p><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186171119424418466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8-J-xq-POcV02EjEcCSdFHps1C2ty0M1BC_xSePLX6hLv5fB4oY4MXV7PGqtuq9YD8OSCHfRPTVhHrpwfXI5Qgalk-d3TRuLLNM2PIh3YkKmmryppvE4z30rpp74K1x20UwMZrm3v3A/s320/SP_A0020.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">I just love this little corner with the mirror </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186171987007812274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEnCUMkBRR868WaIuzhkqBN57VClAFqjhNOKAPrI_jMNkqfE-vo7znNg_DMuO0LXwJZAA0l8TgcexG4odv1Hj0daSHLkhXC9xGxHOxKm1AciIlJKe4oYJoYITJj1F8rRA_kceCepklo/s320/SP_A0019.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center">My earring display...i really have too many</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">On another note, I finally got a new phone. For those who don't know, I had my D500 for 3 years and recently it's been showing some signs of aging. The keypad was a bit annoying and the exterior looked terrible. Plus, the battery was dying. So, after talking with Tracy about it, I decided to just get a new phone. I got the Samsung U600, part of their Ultra Edition 2. I'm still fiddling around with it so once I get more stuff to say about it, I'll blog again ;)</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-8924278165067939202008-03-11T23:52:00.007+08:002008-03-12T01:08:58.257+08:00A drive in the countryside...<div align="justify">Part of my job description is to maintain relationships with clients and to find out if they have any issues with our products. This entails having to visit the clients, where ever they may be. Just my luck that we have few clients in the countryside and when I mean countryside, I mean more than an hours drive from KL and in the middle of palm oil estates or paddy fields.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Yesterday, I drove to Sabak Bernam. For those who do not know where that is...it's actually a district of Selangor about 2 hours drive from KL city centre. Truth be told, I had absolutely no idea how to get there. I usually only use the NSE, NKVE, Sprint, LDP, etc...basically, any higway that is on the traffic news on Hitz.fm. I have not been on any trunk roads in ages, let alone drive on them. So, going to Sabak Bernam was truly an adventure especially since I went by myself.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Anyways, thankfully it was a beautiful day with wonderfully blue skies. And the scenery was amazing. I haven't been on a drive in such a long time that I felt like I was in another country. The roads were not fantastic...but the bumbs and irregularities did make for an interesting drive. Hehe. There were lots of palm oil estates, some paddy fields and even a herd of cows! So cool! Yes, I have seen cows but, it's been a while.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfbc6k54qg-FdKvTWApwnqF3oOw3WYGkTcv6vj2a_NNGP6zEAUYG0p3yVpu-UsEfqMCvGD5W5Ii1Iu5PsYEDYR9tAD-M_ow4g2ur_c_vqFynbk47G7mFo0aqwBeB_0f-kBFgJJFa8kyY/s1600-h/Photo-0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176519051692386530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfbc6k54qg-FdKvTWApwnqF3oOw3WYGkTcv6vj2a_NNGP6zEAUYG0p3yVpu-UsEfqMCvGD5W5Ii1Iu5PsYEDYR9tAD-M_ow4g2ur_c_vqFynbk47G7mFo0aqwBeB_0f-kBFgJJFa8kyY/s320/Photo-0001.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />The long road to Sabak Bernam</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9qtZaVLIcPkrJR3dmVrVtVP7zyU9CbuEgMZUNX0Jghuj2qm2Xp0H-XnD9bmO78Z2t5giqgnWh4jXkSOZ9hNg71FWgi001I0dcKBu5fXcV_1FgZGubeHxnZS7Y0amkCy8YVAesvCGw3I/s1600-h/Photo-0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176519476894148850" style="CURSOR: hand" height="269" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9qtZaVLIcPkrJR3dmVrVtVP7zyU9CbuEgMZUNX0Jghuj2qm2Xp0H-XnD9bmO78Z2t5giqgnWh4jXkSOZ9hNg71FWgi001I0dcKBu5fXcV_1FgZGubeHxnZS7Y0amkCy8YVAesvCGw3I/s320/Photo-0002.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Just look at how blue the sky is...sigh<br /></p><p align="justify">After 2 hours I reached my destination...a small town called Sungai Besar. While trying to look for my clients office, I called him to let him know where I was. But...he tells me that he has a last minute meeting with his boss that he absolutely just has to go for. He then tells me that he'll call me as soon as he's done because it shouldn't take too long. So to kill time, I thought I'd look around the town.</p><div align="justify">Since the town is so small, it didn't take me long to find a place that seemed okay for me to waste time at. There was a KFC, a The Store and a few other shops. I parked my car and proceeded to look around. What can I say, there wasn't anything too out of this world (not too sure exactly what I was hoping to find though). Managed to buy some stuff for the apartment. Tracy sent me an sms and asked me to get dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent. So, I thought why not just get it from The Store.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">For lunch, I decided to eat at KFC...it seemed like the most single-friendly place around and I wasn't feeling too adventurous to try any local stuff. Since it was the school holidays, KFC was packed. Luckily, I got a table for 2 just by the door (how pathetic but beggers cannot be choosers).</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176525605812480258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBjBAnGITM4tAFm2cUINuk9eYmisG6E0sd6KsMUseyaaRS9MAT8WjCiNoQDp8SFSM3xt9GT_g8MLeEyacJ97_NRgne7BdMI2HllMeBLZTdHVSyZfsrFnH_G7SMbg6bA8HO0N40AvtDug/s320/Photo-0003.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">My lunch...all alone...in Sungai Besar</div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176526189928032530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLfgY_8M_2WwfgkCzf2xYQwJfpGTpSHcDAxA2-hM_ff-FpGJKYCozbmRifW7-uHApD-GInP9b8NItIfBEVl9DiVtthFQRP5DFZdbAZN3erc6o0MhE5Z5-ihUfZvbZOJvj3qUP69PG7Rs/s320/Photo-0004.jpg" border="0" />The packed KFC</p><p align="justify">After lunch, it was close to 2 hours since I had arrived in town and taking Tracys advice (I kept calling her coz I was sooooooo bored and lonely during lunch ;P), I called my client again. His assistant said he was still in a meeting. So, I told him to pass on the message that I'd come again another day. After that was done, I headed back to KL. </p><p align="justify">I took a different route back but the scenery was basically the same...only difference was that there were more towns on the way and a little more traffic. I think I prefered the ride to Sabak Bernam more than the ride back. I was thinking of maybe spending a Sunday just taking a leisurely drive there and maybe make some stops, take in the sights. Hmm, sounds like a plan ;)</p><p align="justify">And by the way, is it just me or has the sky cleared up recently...like since after the election on Saturday? I mean, we were having so many weeks of hazy and sucky weather. But suddenly, on Sunday the sky was just soooooo blue and it's been that way ever since. Maybe it's just a coincidence or maybe the so called wind of change has actually come and blown away some of the scum. Hopefully, the good weather is here to stay :)<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></p>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-51612876571550145202008-03-09T17:51:00.005+08:002008-03-09T19:19:22.589+08:00The perfect dress<div align="justify">Have you ever set your eyes on something (handphone, shoes, handbag...whatever), and just instantly fell in love with it? Being the shopaholic that I am, it's happened to me a few times. The first time was with my handphone, the Samsung D500. I saw it before it was formally released in the market and I just knew I had to have it...and I got it! In fact, I'm still having it :) </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Another time, it was with this gorgeous Guess satchel that I saw online. I went to every Guess store I knew in search of it...but somehow, Malaysia just didn't have it. So, I went to Singapore and found it there. Yeay!!! And of course, I got it.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Anyways, back to the main topic. A few months ago, I saw this gorgeous, deep green evening gress at Coast. I went in to have a closer look only to be hit by the harsh reality that a dress that beautiful will most definately carry a price tag to match. The dress cost RM1150...sigh. Tracy was with me at the time and she kept asking me to just try it on. But seriously, there was no way I could afford it and to me, if I can't afford it why even bother trying it. Coz if it fits beautifully, I'm gonna be sooooooooooo upset that I'm too middle class to afford it.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Fast forward to yesterday...Me and Tracy was at Pavillion just looking around while passing time on a lazy Saturday afternoon. There was a Coast shop there too and as always, with a little nudge from Tracy, we go in. The dress I fell for was still there, except instead of deep green, they only had it in purple. So, I casually walk over looking a little interested in it (trying to not show how much I love the cut and feel of the fabric), when I get the shock of my life. I looked at the price tag and it said RM345. I blink a few times, just to make sure my eyes are seeing correctly, and it was right! RM345!!! 75% off!!! Yikes!!!!!!!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">When I told Tracy, she was like "Try it on!". Now that it no longer carries a 4 digit price tag, I figure I might as well see if my perfect dress truly is perfect. After getting the right size and trying it on, all I could say is, "I WANT THIS DRESS!!!" I walked out, showed Tracy, got her opinion and twirled a bit in it just to savour the feeling of being in such a luxurious piece of clothing. The dress made me feel like a princess...now, if only I could find my prince to help pay for it...LOL</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As much as I wanted it, as much as it looked good on me, I still could not justify paying RM345 on an evening dress that I do not have an occasion to wear to. After a final twirl and changing back into my boring casual clothes, I walked out of Coast without getting it. Me and Tracy continnued the window shopping but seriously, my attention was on the dress and the dress alone. I wanted to sulk...</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Then, I got an idea! Let's call mum ;) After all my independance, I am a mummy and daddy's girl. And thankfully, I have a really understanding mum. I told her about the dress and my huge dilemma in deciding to buy it, and this is what she said "If you like it that much, just buy it". Yeay!!! I got support! After a little victory lap (which means I drag Tracy pass a few shops just to fill her in on the coversation with mum), we head straight for Coast and I finally buy the dress. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Sigh...words cannot describe how I felt when the transaction went through and I walked out the shop with my lovely dress in its pretty lilac packaging and bag. Truth be told, I don't know if I really look that fabulous in the dress but, I sure as hell feel like a diva in it. Now, if only someone would get married or have a huge ball-esque party ;)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLQN7yL1_PmtdolqChBIqtuXfkLpyGhwPijNz_iKkLhKiHU6J9EiF-2KDglXec-eu4GXQ2uVQk-1tnSjP2f8JMK2LksBYQHcxWJhjP_A2A670IN-7c8DdRooj7W1c9twZSQMP8w41OlQ/s1600-h/P090308_12.46%5B01%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175695809540958386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLQN7yL1_PmtdolqChBIqtuXfkLpyGhwPijNz_iKkLhKiHU6J9EiF-2KDglXec-eu4GXQ2uVQk-1tnSjP2f8JMK2LksBYQHcxWJhjP_A2A670IN-7c8DdRooj7W1c9twZSQMP8w41OlQ/s320/P090308_12.46%5B01%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s1600-h/P090308_12.47.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175697196815395010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s320/P090308_12.47.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">A front and side back view of me in the dress...now, if only I could find my way to the red carpet :P (Pictures courtesy of Miss Tracy. Thank you Young Padawan.)<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s1600-h/P090308_12.47.JPG"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s1600-h/P090308_12.47.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s1600-h/P090308_12.47.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTyIIYy9qqlXPoCXBWoqtkyQ1byvuOrTk88vnJOVNDw2ebcE1KbsrUv11HhXuUEmv2B2ELV_xjeBVjTzycyrSPMZnXi9_qSJ3PGxjwliWFWwXEhfk75Y-b4P28g0r1Xq7juopsdiuJjk/s1600-h/P090308_12.47.JPG"></a>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-14239378900208814692008-02-22T12:19:00.004+08:002008-02-22T12:51:56.500+08:00The RM54,000 proposal<div align="justify">Right now at my office, the hottest gossip (or news, I should say) is about the RM54,000 proposal that an exec did for his gf here on VDay. If you do not already know about it, you can read all the juicy details <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/15/nation/20336463&sec=nation">here</a>. It happened about a week ago and I did read about it in the newspaper but physically, I had not seen the billboard in question even though it's soooooooo close to where i work. What can I say, I wasn't really compelled to see a billboard of a guy proposing when the guy ain't that hot, the ring isn't really that visible and I'm not the person the ad was for in the first place.<br /><br />Anyways, yesterday when me and some of my workmates went out to lunch, the topic came up. And since most of us had not seen it yet, we decided we'd make a small diversion to check out the now infamous billboard. Okay, I really don't know what we were expecting to see coz the billboard looked exactly like it did in the news article (like DUH! as if it would change just coz we were seeing it in person). But, upon seeing the ad, we all started discussing about the proposal.<br /><br />Here's the deal...if your bf spent RM40,000 on a billboard just to pop the question, what would you do? Personally, I'd smack him in the head for being such a fool. I really don't care how filthy rich a guy is...spending RM40,000 on something that is of no value is just ridiculous. Imagine how many people could be fed with that money, how many clothes could be bought...you could even get a car for that kind of money. Why, oh why, waste it on a billboard??? I wasn't the only one who thought so...a couple of my married colleageus felt the same too, that it was a waste of good money.<br /><br />One of my colleagues though was quick to point out that maybe we'd feel differently if we were on the receiving side of the proposal. I wonder though...I think the initial shock of getting the proposal may restrict all logic thinking for a bit. But chances are, as soon as all normal brain function returns, I'm probably gonna smack him. I think the guy just did it for publicity...he just wanted to show off to everyone that he has pockets deep enough to fund this silly display of love (somebody, gag me please...).<br /><br />Now, you'll notice that I'm not saying anything about the whopping RM14,000 that he spent on the ring. Truth is, diamonds truly are a girls best friend. And more often than not, the more or the bigger, the better. At least the diamond can be worn by the girl forever, but what in the world can she do with that billboard that's gonna sit on the side of the LDP for the rest of the month? Probably burn it into memory and look back on the day when her bf spent sooooooooooooooooooooooo much cash on her. Yikes!!! What happens if the marriage doesn't work out? Damn...that would be so sad. Should've just given her the cash. At least she could get herself stuff or maybe even use it for the wedding!<br /><br />Okay, so maybe I'm being overly critical and too practical. Maybe things are going to be just chirpy for them and they'll live happily ever after. Maybe OTT displays of love like this should be acceptable and should not get the scrutiny it's getting from me. I don't know...Truth is, I always imagined proposals to be quiet and very private events. But then again, maybe that's just me.</div>akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861473069347652480.post-39129306961444770902008-02-21T21:31:00.002+08:002008-02-21T22:25:59.444+08:00I can't think of a title, so...So today i spent a good number of hours reading a friends friends' blog. At first, i just ventured to her site coz it had an interesting name. Then, after reading her latest blog entry, i was hooked. I just had to know more about what was going on in her life.<br /><br />Now, you're probably wondering what in the world did she write about that got me so hooked? Well, she was just bitching about her husband being inconsiderate. How he doesn't appreciate the little things she does to make life a little easier i.e. ironing and cooking. Her previous post was about Vday and how he didn't make much of an effort about it and when he did suggest dinner, it seemed so forced...as if he really couldn't care about it at all.<br /><br />After the next few posts that also seemed to be filled with issues involving her hubby, I decided to poke around her blog and find out more about her. Found out that she is a newlywed and has just recently moved to a totally new place (after getting married and all). And then I poked some more and went back as far as her engagement, how he proposed and even some stuff before.<br /><br />One thing I realised was things were so much chirpier when they were not married yet. And that got me thnking. So many times you meet couples who are totally smitten by each other before they exchange "I do's". But after the honeymoon, reality seems to hit them really hard. Day to day things get so routine and romance takes a back seat. Every little thing seems to be a cause for an argument.<br /><br />My question is, what happens? How do people who thought the world of each other suddenly turn into people who just plod through the motions of daily living when they're together? Isn't marriage supposed to make the relationship better? Take it to another level? Or maybe this is just part of married life...the things that people don't tell you so much about. It could also just be that she's really stressed so little things get blown out of proportion.<br /><br />Thing is I've heard about this thing many times before. And everytime I do, I start to think about what our expectations for married life are. Are we expecting too much?akinotaiyo19http://www.blogger.com/profile/18119395860420416504noreply@blogger.com0