Archive for August, 2005
Patriotism
Posted on August 31, 2005, by soph, under Politics.
Happy Birthday to Malaysia.
I’ve never been the patriotic sort, but even I wonder what it must have been like to stand in Merdeka Stadium August 31, 1957. To see before your eyes the British flag lowered for the first time and a new one rising to take its place. To experience literally, the birth of a new nation. And what was it like I wonder, to shout “Merdeka” with everyone else, and when the night was over, leave the stadium knowing you were part of a new country, with a new name and a new identity.
It must have been somethin’ awesome.
Some official in Sabah wants to set the record straight; Malaysia, he says, is 42 years old, not 48. Technically, Malaysia was only formed in 1963 when what we call East Malaysia joined the merry crew. I always wondered why we never celebrated September 16, 1973 - the day we became Malaysia. Because if you think about it, that official is right, East Malaysia is only celebrating 42 years of independence today, and “Malaysia” - if you wanted to get down to it - is really only 42 years old.
I highly doubt we’re going to celebrate birthday number 43 after this year’s 48th year announcement, but it wouldn’t it be great if we had 2 public holidays to commemorate our country’s beginnings instead of just 1? I’d all but forgotten about September 16 (is it the 16th?). I believe in Singapore-the-land-of-kiasu-ism, they get several days off for their independence bash. But then again, I believe they also send their dogs to obedience school and eagerly await their graduations, complete with pooch mortarboard and cutesy little tassels.
I think I’m still recovering from that bit of news. Call me toad in a well, I’d never heard of anything like that in my life before. No wonder the country is having problems reproducing. Everyone is too busy spending money on their pets to bother with a real kid. I suppose I don’t really blame them, I mean, who on earth can afford a kid and a dog when they both require expensive toys, regular grooming and an education?
Hmm. Maybe I am patriotic after all. You don’t get any more Malaysian than taking a stab at our Southern neighbours on Independence Day I reckon.
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Tall Buildings
Posted on August 31, 2005, by soph, under Reading and Writing.
Skyscraper.
I’ve decided that I really love the word Skyscraper.
Maybe because it’s an uncommon word; maybe because I really like the way the sk- and the sc- work twice in those 10 letters; it has a certain ring to it don’t you think?
Skyscraper.
Yes, definitely liking it very much.
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New Addition
Posted on August 30, 2005, by soph, under Web Stuff.
One more for the favourites.
A gem for those who appreciate quality corny remarks.
I swear I have never met anyone who reels them off like Penny does.
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Newbie
Posted on August 27, 2005, by soph, under Celebrities.
Did you hear about the latest oestrogen obsession? He’s a Korean who goes by the name of “Rain”. Apparently I have missed out by not watching every second of the Korean serial that has endeared him oh so greatly. It was called Full House and ended its run last week. But it’s alright, because he also has an album out. And a poster that was discreetly tacked onto a wall in the office one evening. The name of his album is “It’s Rain-ing”.
How corny is that?
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steal of the week
Posted on August 24, 2005, by soph, under Web Stuff.
If you thought our English subtitles were bad, read this.
Thanks Eddie.
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Muchos muchos gracias
Posted on August 23, 2005, by soph, under Learning Curve.
One Berlitz Spanish Guaranteed all-audio Spanish course - RM76.90
One The Everything Sign Language Book - RM39.90
One blue Pilot pen - RM3.20
Total - RM120
Paid in - MPH gift vouchers.
To the four of you who contributed - a very big Thank You. As you can see, I am embarking on not one, but two language courses. Oh, the ambition. It’s a good thing I have seven years to learn them in.
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10.10am on a Tuesday morning
Posted on August 23, 2005, by soph, under Celebrities, It's a Girl's Life.
In the hustle and bustle of days gone by, I totally didn’t realize it’s been almost a week since I last blogged. Interestingly enough, the day after I posted my list of to-dos, Cindy Crawford came to town. And so half my team found ourselves at Starhill Gallery Thursday lunchtime craning their necks for a glimpse of Ms Crawford. She looks beautiful if you only manage to see her face, but she is Absolutely Stunning when you see her walk. It’s a combination of her height, poise and gait I reckon. Yes and her beauty too. Absolutely Stunning.
But if you’re wondering, I won’t be crossing anything off my list soon. The list calls for me to “meet” a real celebrity; not “see” one. Though if I were the feature writer who got all of 10 minutes in a one-on-one with Cindy Crawford that would have been a very different matter altogether.
Friday was another wonderfully lazy day at the office, if only because my dear colleagues took me out for a very belated birthday lunch that lasted til 3.30pm. I even got a very belated birthday gift, which proved to be the first of several very belated birthday gifts over the weekend. Lovely.
In my gusto, I actually attended a hip hop dance class Saturday morning. But that probably isn’t going to happen again (time to change the item on my list), because my colleagues and I found the going just a wee bit too slow. Not the moves mind you, the progress of the class. Of course that was probably due to the fact that the class constituted kids ranging from 10-19 years old (it’s a good thing some of them were pretty big kids), but since the adult class takes place at the very odd hour of 7.30-8.30pm Wednesdays, I’m setting my sights on Jazz Aerobics and maybe even Funky Line Dancing. All for adults of course. Wanna come too?
10.10am on a Tuesday morning and I’m sitting at home. Things to do today: Certify a dozen documents for my Aussie PR application. Undergo medical checkup for aforementioned application. Visit MPH for a lazy hour or two so I can spend my belated birthday gift vouchers. Go to Nike and hunt out a pair of nice sport shoes for my Jazz Aerobic class come Thursday. Oh right, I shoulda mentioned. I’m on leave today. And it’s a beautiful, beautiful day.
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Flick Thoughts
Posted on August 17, 2005, by soph, under Movies Music TV.
Seeing as I haven’t done any movie-reviewing on my blog in positively ages (I believe the last one was Kill Bill 2 beginning last year), here’re my 23 second takes on several recent flicks. And this time, I got the guy’s perspective too.
The Island
Starring: Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson
He said:
It’s a stupid show. The hero of the show doesn’t make me want to be a hero, because he only makes like one smart decision the entire movie. It’s probably the worst movie of the year.
She said:
Cute guy, pretty girl, interesting plot (no I’m not telling you what it is). It had the potential, but unfortunately fell just short. Maybe it was the incessant - and not entirely necessary - explosive destruction of everything on the screen, maybe it was because I had a headache and totally didn’t appreciate said explosive destruction of everything on the screen. Whatever it was, I definitely didn’t love it. But worst movie of the year is probably still XXX2.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Starring: Johnny Depp
He said:
It’s nice.
She said:
Johnny Depp is the best! It’s a little dark, definitely quirky, and I don’t know that I like the Oompa-Loompas. But the sets are magnificent, the storyline is classic, and the cast is more than satisfactory. Charlie Bucket in particular is very adorable, but did I mention Johnny Depp was the best?
Stealth
Starring: Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel, Jamie Fox.
He said:
It’s quite nice. I think Tom Cruise would have been better in Josh Lucas’ role though. (Goes out and buys a PS2 flight simulator game).
She said:
It’s better than I thought it would be, I actually really enjoyed this. They did everything right and I really wish I could elaborate on that but I’d give away the whole plot. Tom Cruise would so not have done better than Josh Lucas (who by the way is the cutie in Sweet Home Alabama). I’m getting quite tired of that man, Tom Cruise I mean. I loved the camraderie between Lucas, Biel and Fox’s characters.
Seven Swords
Starring: Leon Lai, Donnie Yen, Charlie Young etc
He said:
Everyone says it’s so bad but I didn’t think it was that terrible. The fight scenes are quite cool, and the blood and gore is great.
She said:
Now this is bad. I spent most of the first part of the movie with my hands over my eyes cos it’s so gory and violent. The only highlight in the entire film is a fight scene which I have to say was really creative in terms of choreography. Unfortunately, that was like two and a half hours into the movie. And the plot is so 10 year old (actually, make it six cos 10 year olds are reading Harry Potter nowadays). I should have gone shopping instead.
Next up… I wouldn’t mind Herbie: Fully Loaded but Yuchun refuses to watch that. He won’t watch Bewitched either, and Jon wants to watch Gol & Gincu.
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Staying On
Posted on August 17, 2005, by soph, under Married.
After much thought, we have finally made our decision…
We’re staying on in the Ngian residence.
Unpopular decision I know, especially considering my blogpoll showed a record 38 votes, with 27 voting against us living with the in-laws. I see this is a matter that many of you feel strongly about, or at least, strongly enough to warrant a vote.
I agree with you. Moving out has definite pros - privacy for one, reducing the chances of in-law politics for another, both of which have definite marriage-breaker potential.
But then, think about not having to wash, clean, cook, dry, tidy, scrub… and the dilemma is suddenly that much smaller. With both of us barely at home as it is, we’ve decided getting an apartment just isn’t worth the trouble - and extra expenditure. Plus as Yuchun pointed out, the everyday noise and interaction of 6 people under one roof is kinda fun.
He’s right. And I have to admit, we do love being pampered.
Coming up in my blogpoll…
Just because I’m married doesn’t mean I no longer notice a really cute guy when I see one. Who’s your favourite? I have to say that for me, Johnny Depp is leading by a mile, but the others aren’t doing too badly either.
Oh and I decided to add one for the guys too.
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That time of the month.
Posted on August 15, 2005, by soph, under It's a Girl's Life.
To give you an idea of how badly I didn’t want to come in to work today, I almost wished I had diarrhoea.
I shouldn’t be complaining. I came in late - well, later than usual anyway, since almost everyone comes in after 9 - and have spent the 2 hours past eating buttered bread with Milo, visiting a dozen blogs, reading the news, and doing some blogging of my own.
It’s the in-between stage of the month for me. The time where I’ve finished one month (in this case, October issue) and am waiting for my products to come in so I can do the following month (November). In other words, unless my bosses have something they need my help with, I’m very much the free bird. If you can call being cooped up in the office all day free that is.
I must say though, the day does seem to be looking up. In an hour or so, I’m off for a lunch-time visit to my sis and grandma. I wonder if I can squeeze in chit chat, lunch and a visit to Cold Storage (to stock up on office junk food) without getting back to the office too late. And a visit to Women’s Secret because a pair of shorts I bought are damaged and I am most upset indeed. And a visit to a store because an earring I bought broke for no apparent reason - I’m serious, I put it on and a minute later it just fell to the ground. Okay, probably not. Maybe I’ll forgo all those errands. I’ll probably need something to look forward to tomorrow.
And tonight, a much-anticipated dinner and girl-talk with Puay Li, with some shopping squeezed in before. I am overcome with this terrible urge to shop, especially in lieu of the mega sale carnival or whatever it’s called. The good news is, it’s not quantity I’m after. I have the shortest list of very specific things in mind. Honest.
On a more newsworthy note, I’m feeling selfishly pleased that the haze has moved on to northern regions. While on the one hand I feel sorry for the choking Penangites, the self-preserving, glad-not-to-be-confined-indoors part of me is thrilled that I can breathe fresh air again. I hear thunderstorms are expected for today. I hope to be blissfully oblivous in 1 Utama when it happens.
I wonder if everyone else is really as busy as they look.
