Sunday, March 17, 2013

Inspiration

8:19 AM

I just wrote a whole goddamn post about feeling disconnected and it self deleted. Yes. Self deleted. I don't know how it happened! And it was a pretty good composition too. But here's some pictures of some of my recent baking stints. Got my baking mojo back.

So here's hoping I get my writing mojo back soon too!!

 Oat cookies which I made from bananas, cranberries and oats ONLY. Made these after I learnt that my family has a history of high cholestrol and how oats has the capacity to reverse the effects.

 Baked these vanilla muffins to raise awareness for my Run for a cause 10 km speed run in aid of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). I've collected RM 1040 so far and it really inspired me to get back into baking. I've been doing the baking thing and spreading the love in the office to spur people to make a donation and also to thank the ones who made a donation.

Banana nutella swirl muffins, the favorite of the lot. Making these made me feel like a muffin connosieur. 

A lot has been on my mind lately which has churned more blog worthy stuff within me. But I have been really considering switching to word press. Perhaps a change in blogosphere is exactly what I need to get my creative juices flowing again. 

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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Reality Check. Check...

6:00 AM

"You work at the Big G?" exclaimed a cheery Starbucks barista from behind the cash register after repeating my low fat, green tea sans syrup, sans whip cream frap order for the day.

Let's assume for a second that I have spent the last one and a half years working for a company called 'the Big G'. I am ultimately weary about mentioning any names at all on a public blog - forget freedom of speech. I hear that lawsuits are quite rampant these days.

"Yes! I do", I mirrored her interest and instantly I felt, what was it? - Pride? Could it have been? For the rest of the day, that seemed to be a defining moment for me. It was apparent. I was still proud of the Big G for the heart warming experiences and smiles that it brought to the faces of many despite battling my own demons with questions regarding its objectives and path a couple of years down the road.

People thought I was lucky for being a Big G employee for different reasons. Many gave me questioning incredulous looks when I divulged information about my wages. Some applauded the social circle I had the opportunity to mold with most part of my work allowing me the priviledge of meeting new people and not being bound to a desk. And others indeed found it to be a blessing because I did not have to battle a massive traffic congestion to get to and from work everyday. Yes. I was blessed for all these reasons and even more that the Big G had made possible.

So then it was even harder for me myself to fathom how I went from being a person who constantly questioned whether I was good enough for the job to someone who begun to question whether the job was good enough for me. Perhaps I went from being someone who was easily pleased to an ungrateful being. But the more logical answer, I would assume, is that I had outgrown certain things and had ultimately grown as a person. In no way was I a master of all trades just yet when it came to doing what I did, but as time evolved, I saw and heard things I wish I had not. Witnessed incidents that clashed with what I thought was the right purpose. And found that I had gone from helping people achieve their goals to helping myself achieve my own goals.

I found this realization to have made my job a little mechanical and routine. I saw less of a reason to put more soul into it and thus it progressed into a robotic trend. Every day I grapple with my own conscience. I try to find a needle in a haystack. One that will enable me to light up like a bulb and pour all my heart and soul and emotions into. But these rare needles sometimes do not bear the fruit that the Big G calls for and so all that is left to deal with is hay. Hay. More hay. Hay that we are so accustomed to that we jump through them like circus clowns, knowing exactly what to do.

I wonder if everyone discovers in their first jobs that the world is not such a pretty place after all. Yes. I have met some of the best people and made another serve of life long friendships. But some friendships come under the pretense of being hardy and sturdy only to falter abruptly once the goal of both parties are not aligned. I guess, as we grow older, people just spend less effort nurturing friendships because everyone has a million things running through their minds. Being the over sensitive person that I am, this is one reality in life that I have to learn how to deal with. Letting go. People come, people go. Best lesson learnt to date is to just make the most out of the present because no one ever knows when things are going to change. For better or for worse.

All is not bleak. There are many valuable lessons that I have learnt from my experience at the Big G. Interestingly, I find working has thought me a lot more about people and their behaviors than psychology at uni ever did. Every second of it is enlightening and every twist and turn brings me deeper and deeper into adulthood.

Strangely, I do not feel like I am alone in this journey. Everyone I know seems to have their own christening from a an innocent being with child like fantasies to a real adult with inner and outer demons to deal with. The experience may strip you off your confidence, put strange thoughts in your head and make you feel naked amidst a sea of eyes. At the end of the day, it's best to remember that you are stronger than any self help book will ever push you to become because you still wake up the next day and strive to mask all those thoughts and feelings under a blanket of hope.

And with hope comes so many beautiful things. Like the laughter in the eyes of the people you truly love and the moments that take your breath away.

Nothing ever lasts. Not the good. Neither the bad. So I would tell you to make the most out of it. But then again, I think you already know that.

xoxo

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

One last post to end 23

8:07 PM

I turn 24 in 3 days. Makes me look back in retrospect and think how 23 was significant to me. Apart from having to turn older quicker than everyone else,I kinda love how my birthday falls in the month of January. Everyone's still in a festive mood from the remnants of Decembers' partying and fired up with new resolutions to take on the new year.

This year my birthday falls in that odd wandering period of the Chinese New Year holidays. I mention "odd wandering" because although it isn't an official public holiday, a lot of people are still on leave continuing to enjoy the prosperity that the dragon year hasushered in.

Truth be told, I am not even the least bit excited to be turning 24. Maybe it's the roll of the tongue when you say those numbers or the fact that as I write this I feel that there is little to look forward to in the coming months? To eliminate the lack of enthusiasm, I forced myself to be inspired enough to come up with this blog post so I could recap all my achievements in 2011
and hopefully put 2012 in perspective. After all, I should remain an optimist because I hear that 2012 is a good year for the diplomatic rabbit person (yours truly).

So 2011 kicked off with me starting all over again in the motherland.

taken from SkyBar durig Allan's 24th Bday celebration (Jan 2012)

I did not know if I was going to be back for good or if it was just a phase I would grow out of once I revisited the place I called home and reconnected with my family and friends. At that point in time, deciding to work in Malaysia was one of the least likely decisions that I would have made.

The Internship

taken during Louis Vuitton's annual dinner, theme 70s (April 2011)

Interning at Louis Vuitton Malaysia in the public relations department was yet another venture that fell onto my lap pretty soon after I returned to Malaysia. All I knew was that I needed and wanted an internship to pass my time not very long after my return so that I could pick up some useful skills. Also, it didn't hurt to beef up my CV with written achievements. I have to admit that I only accepted the position because LouisVuitton was an exclusive name and to be associated with it was an honour on my part. And additionally because it was the highest paying internship that I had come across.

Besides, I was curious to find out if public relations was something I wanted to venture into in the future and before I knew it, I was frequenting a posh penthouse office in the luxurious Starhill Gallery smack in the center of KL everyday. It mattered at first that I had to take the LRT back and forth to KL everyday and that my life was like a flashback of scenes from Devil Wears Prada but it all played out to my advantage at the end of it all.

I realized that it really paid to be organized and I got a taste of working directly with media publications. I even got a chance at writing one of my very own cover letters which was circulated to the most exclusive magazines and which I will be endlessly grateful to the Assistant Public Relations Manager, Jasmine for. I suppose although it felt like I was moving from day to day in a routined manner, I managed to inject some form of creativity into the job scope and I am ever so grateful to have left my mark on LV in a way.

Travels

2011 was a year that really took me places which I find quite ironic given that I was forced to be rooted in Malaysia even though my thoughts strayed about starting a life in a different country.

It started off with Singapore once my internship ended. Felt like I needed to get away and see Akash for a bit which is exactly what I did. But Singapore turned out to be as much as a holiday as it was a reason to spend quality time with the person I loved. I knew from this trip on wards that there were many more to come for us.

Taken on the Boardwalk from Sentosa Island to Singapore City (April 2011)

I can still recall clearly how thrilled I was to finally visit Universal Studios in Singapore. It was really all that I had ever imagined. (April 2011)

Flinders Street Station. Melbourne's trademark. (April 2011)

Next up was Melbourne where the sun shone brightly and city bustled with vibrance. The countless markets and ad hoc street shows and events were all a real entertainment and I could tell why so many choose to flock to Melbourne and make a living there. I enjoyed everything really, from the diverse food choices to the museums which boasted culture and the shopping although I was overwhelmed with frugality. Will definitely visit Melbie again.
Reconnecting with old friends. (April 2011)

At Yarra Valley for wine tasting with the family. April 2011.

Taken from the Park within Queenstown. May 2011.

I think one of the highlights this year was Queenstown but in a very subtle sort of way. Queenstown was breathtaking. The views were amazing although the weather was slightly too frigid. Definitely one of the most serene places I have ever visited. I mention that it was a subtle highlight because it was actually our last stop during our three week holiday and we were all pretty worn out by then. So it was the perfect way to end the awesome trip. My mum, aunty Purni and I made this our to go destination after my graduation in Auckland.

Breathtaking Milford Sound. A place you definitely have to visit at least once in your lifetime. (May 2011)

taken from the peak of Kings Park. June 2011.

And then there was Perth, Western Australia. Perth, again, was as much as a trip as it was a getaway to spend time with the person I loved. There was so much about Perth that reminded me of Auckland. The laid back lifestyle, the rolling hills and acres of parks, even some parts of the city itself. So much so that when I walked hand in hand with Akash down the walkways that felt somewhat familiar, it seemed perfect. Like we were back in the days when we had just met and everything was funnily uncomplicated.

My second visit to Perth. Taken at Freo (Oct 2011)

Achievements

I guess my biggest achievement was finally graduating with a double major in Economics and Psychology. I finally ended my phase of education this year to move on to another phase in life - WORK. I think I was high on life during my tenure at Auckland Uni. I loved being busy, loved being part of an organisation, loved the exam buzz and most of all, I loved the people that uni allowed me to stumble into. I started the journey alone but came out of it with a whole throng of people I learnt to love and trust along the way. It was one of the most amazing journeys I have been on to date and to finally have it end, I felt like part of me was left behind. But here I am, having started anew, with the sweetest memories that I took with me. And with many relationships that stand strong til now.

A picture with the family. Taken at Aotea Center, Auckland. May 2011

Another with my UMSA mates, people that made Auckland feel more like home to me. Taken in Albert Park, May 2011.

Groupon office (Sept 2011)

In July 2011, I became part of the Groupon family. I think this was the peak of my year. Joining Groupon was one of the best decisions I have made to date. There were other job offers, there were other opportunities, one of which was to apply for a work and travel visa and leave my family once again to live abroad. And in place of all those, I chose this. Groupon has been a roller coaster ride for me. The first couple of months plunged me into an unexpected twist of events and for a moment, I was convinced that I had chose the wrong path for myself. But resilience took over hopelessness and as I strove to achieve perfection, I began to really live for each and everyday and cherish the moments that went by. This was what completely differed from my experience at LV where I just lived through the phases. Groupon allowed me to actually enjoy every single moment while gritting my teeth to achieve what was expected of me.

In sept 2011 I graduated as a Groupon employee.

Months into it and all thoughts of quitting has left my mind. I keep learning from the experience everyday and the friendships that have culminated with time keeps me rooted even during the most trying times. Groupon beams with a culture that is hard to come by in a society that swears by pure achievement. It challenges you to speak up for yourself and allows your voice to matter. It allows you to be involved and feel like you are involved. And its rewards are endless, be it in the form of incentives, learning or people that you will meet along the way and within the organization. Of course I would really be appreciative if I were given the chance to expand my skills and acquire a position of leadership. But I am grateful everyday for the life that Groupon has enthralled me with because I am the sort of person who lives for an outlet like this.

Groupon expands with 120 employees, Dec 2011. This was during our christmas Secret Santa revelation party.

The working life has awarded me with independence. I have had three salary increments ever since joining Groupon and incentives which allowed me to formulate a savings plan. My increase in net worth is confusing at the very least and deeply gratifying at the most. Confusing in the sense that now that I have money, I don't know if I should start shopping for more branded items or if I should save the bulk of it for a rainy day. I think I am still a bit tight on my purse strings but I know how to reward myself when the time calls for it. Eitherway, I still have plenty of time to consider between branded or not judging by the number of working years that I now have before me.

Relationships

After joining Groupon, my social life definitely heightened. But I am the type of person who likes to base my life on the depth of relationships rather than the width of it. It's great to have a whole lot of acquaintances but I think what's even sweeter is to have friends that I am comfortable around and who I can truly confide in. 2011 was definitely a year of networking for me. A year of reconnecting with those who truly matter to me like my immediate family and the friends that I have had the priviledge of knowing since forever.

My central support unit. Everyone important to me is standing right here except for Leeza Foo who was away in the US of A during this point in time. Taken during my 23rd birthday party at Souled Out, Hartamas. Jan 2011.

My amazing bestfriends. I just realized that we truly are a travelling sisterhood unit. Lee Hua has been to UK and back and currently resides in Singapore as a posh architect. Cassie was once in UK too (ok, for a short period of time) but I think she has traveled journies of her own within Malaysia itself and within Deloitte to be more precise. Leez has gone to US and back and wishes to end back there someday. And through all of our journeys, we have still come back to each other with hillarious stories and thoughts to share. I love this friendship of ours and wish that in years to come, nothing about it will change. Picture taken at The Hills during Leez's 23rd birthday (Aug 2011).

Pictured here are some of my amazing colleagues who support each other through thick and thin. Without these guys, the Groupon experience would have fallen short. Taken at Brotzeit German Bistro, Mid Valley. (Dec 2011)

All personalities come shining through at Groupon. :P At our Halloween Party at a rented bungalow on Jln Gasing. (Oct 2011)


Last but not least, my relationship with Akash has grown tremendously this year. Ironically, the further a person is, the more you know about them. Things that work and don't work. Our temperaments. Personalities and the mounting of problems. We pulled through. Don't think it was easy, at least for me it was not and for him it was probably harder but at the end of it all, I am that much more grateful that he is a part of my life. There's this funny little thing called love. It drives you crazy but you can never say you have truly lived without experiencing all of it.

Another Beginning...



The social media team at Groupon asked me how I wanted to end my year back in 2011 and I replied : With lotsa love (see above). I think I really did end my year last year with lots of love. I could feel it jumping at me from all directions. Although sometimes I would beg to differ, because after all I am a worry wart, drama queen, slightly pessimistic and partly ungrateful sort of a person. Fact is, I am truly blessed and lucky in every way possible. We all are. We just forget to realize it sometimes. Because every one of us is so immersed and far off into our own little misconceptions of perfection, we forget to pat ourselves on the back for the things we have achieved and beat ourselves up over things we cannot seem to. Think about it.

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Joy to the Worrrllddd.

6:47 AM

Christmas is in the air. I think I actually feel it this year. What with the overly decorated malls in my motherland and all. But more than anything else, I think I feel it because of the sense of togetherness that it seems to be bringing once again. Sister's back, Mike's back, friends from NZ land are back and I feel closer than ever to some people at work AND oddly, Skyping with Akash actually feels like quality time spent together instead of a quick exchange of updated routines.

The unveiling of christmas this year is made even more interesting by:-

1. Groupon's Secret Santa stunt

I have to admit, talent management pulled off a pretty spectacular one by materializing this. My office social e mails have been going berserk with colleagues thanking their Secret Santas to no end. No offense to whoever my Secret Santa is, but I think he should be upping his game. All I got this week was a sweet note with a choki choki stick beside it on Wednesday and today, I got a second note on my desk asking me to head to the microwave to check its contents. There was nothing in it when I opened it, only a note on the ceiling of the microwave staring back at me saying : "Must have been the rat... Better luck next time". And here I was thinking Secret Santas were supposed to be everything apart from manipulative :P

Why you so disappointing wan my Secret Santa!!!

On the flip side, I've been a pretty awesome Secret Santa thus far. I've come up with catchy notes and interesting little surprises to keep my victim on his toes. I feel like making it a little more interesting, but we'll see if I do end up having the time to inject interest into the entire process.

2. My sudden generosity when it comes to purchasing gifts for other people

I don't know what has gotten into me off late but I seem to be overly keen to spend money on other people. Today I donated RM 10 to a perfect stranger who came into Starbucks, mind you! to pitch about how he was collecting money for children who had no milk to drink and who were malnourished. He showed me his license for collecting money and everything and so I thought what the heck! If it was for a good cause then I'm in. I also have this unfaltering surge to bulk purchase like toys or something for orphans OR perhaps to donate my unwanted clothes to some form of cause. It's almost as if I feel like my increase in net worth should be shared a little with those who are less fortunate and who may appreciate the spirit of giving.

3. The fact that the year is almost over.

The first half of this year was messy, so to speak, on my part. I didn't know where the hell to start with my life and felt like I was just bobbing up and down with the flow. But then again, when I look back to evaluate what I've actually achieved, I think it adds up to pretty damn heaps. For one, I graduated from Uni. I found a job AND graduated from it. I took on an internship which helped me somewhat figure out a certain industry. I survived an entire freaking year in a long distance relationship. I managed to travel the most this year compared to any other year. I reconnected with old friends and it felt amazing. I scored the best first job ever (like every Groupon employee says : it all goes downhill from here). This year was challenging in its own way but hey, it's almost the end, and we're all still here. So that must account for something, right?

ahhhh. christmas. new year. life. bring it bitch. i'm here. and i ain't going nowhere.

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Breadth of Life

6:11 AM

There was a quote I stumbled upon recently. I can't recall if it was from a book or if it was from a movie that I watched. But the fact that I remember it to this day means it struck some sort of chord with me. Life is about living the breadth of it, not merely the length of it.

I'd like to think that I've been really living it up both ways. But fact is, I know that there is more breadth to life. Or my life at least. Look how long it took me to reconnect with my love for pouring out my feelings in words. Long enough for blog parasites to invade my chat box, that's how long

I've been itching to cook up a storm in the kitchen for the longest time. Be it a simple dish of tom yam soup or a more complicated concoction of stuffed ravioli. I remember how life in Auckland granted me permission when it came to making a complete mess out of the kitchen and in the process a masterpiece was somehow created. Be it a darn good cake or a recipe I never knew I had it in me to prepare. Things just aren't the same in the comfort of my own home. And not in a bad way either. Whenever I get back from work, there's always a warm meal prepared by my darling mother. The only thing I dislike about this arrangement is I don't know how much salt/sugar/oil goes into each meal. Conclusion is, I miss the autonomy that I once had when it comes to preparing my own meals and the only way I am actually going to go back to doing that is if I live by myself and am forced to start being completely responsible for what goes into my mouth. Right now, it just seems too much of an effort and I will somehow have to ease myself back into it.

My teeth are falling out just looking at these!!!

Despite my current state of contentment, there are a couple of other things that wouldn't really hurt if it were positioned at my advantage just as well. For instance, my physical wellbeing. I actually miss the uphill walks I used to take ever so often back in uni. Not having a car was somewhat the best thing that happened to my calves. Walking from my place to the Foodtown at Britomart and then refusing to take the bus and lugging everything back with my bare hands (and the help of my bf/bffs) was the best decision I had ever made. The walks allowed me to really connect with what I was doing (lugging), with the stretch of my hamstrings and glutes, with the chill that ran up and down my spine during winter and the red imprints that the plastic bags left across my palms from the weight of the groceries. Call me psychotic but I miss all that dearly.

Having a car and driving to and from work is a blessing. But a very mechanical one too. These days I feel like I sit on my bottom way too much and in order to get moving I've actually considered paying a fair amount of money for fitness classes at cut throat gyms. I still have not joined one yet by the way because I'm considering between the yoga classes down the road from my place or the zumba classes at an over crowded gym. Last thing I want is to be locked into a gym I hardly use. I mean seriously, how tough can it be to get moving every now and then, you'd think? Even with a sales job that requires me to be out of the office more than cooped up in one, I'd say that it's a pretty tough feat coz rather than cooped up in an office, I'm sandwiched in my car racing against traffic which involves no movement of my glutes what so ever. So there. I know why people start getting fat when their career seems to take off and I am determined to make it otherwise for me. Stay tuned to find out the status of my success (or failure....).

It also wouldn't really hurt if my man was around a little more often and our only means of communication wasn't hunched in front of a computer and in a haste over skype. I love Akash to bits and pieces but sometimes, I really wish I didn't have to sit in front of the computer again as soon as I came back from work so that I could reconnect with him. I mean even the frequency of that has reduced because when I look at the computer screen again after work, nausea squirms through my body probing me to wriggle away. Lucky for me, the sweetheart that he is will never hold it against me. Aside from that, I'm really proud to claim that we made it an entire year apart. I really admire the patience and constant communication that brought us to where we are although the first couple of months were bumpy. I also admire how in our capacity we always managed to schedule in holidays to be spent with each other

2 years. 1 together. 1 apart. and we're still rocking the scene. :) I've learnt that it's all about trust, patience, communication and determination.

Christmas is in the air once again. Look how time flies. Soon the new year will unveil itself and kick me in the butt each time I stop to take a breather. For now, I'm just going to bask in the glory of the festivities and buy as many gifts as possible for all the people I have come to adore because christmas is a time to give. Give and you shall receive.

Here's wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. Spend it with your loved ones. With your friends. And your colleagues. With God or underneath a Christmas tree. In a sock or with a wrapper. Just make sure to feel it in your bones.

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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Graduation 2.0

8:04 AM

2nd graduation for the year

Change. The only thing in life that is constant. Resistance. The only thing that makes coping with change a tad more difficult.

My life of late has been defined by more than a fair share of change. Just when one thing starts slipping into status quo another change comes whooping in to mash and jiggle it up a little, disorientating yours truly. Resistance is probably the only thing I have been familiar with all this while. Whenever there's a change, there is this immediate compulsion to groan and moan injustice. To the point where I am convinced that the non existent injustice reigns supreme and all negativity bursts through like a cracked dam failing to hold back water. So my goal for the rest of the year is to embrace change. It's never too late to slip in another resolution albeit the high speed at which the year seems to be zooming past at.

My life as a business consultant in Groupon has been a series of constant changes. There are some days that suck beyond words. Those days have taught me some of the most valuable lessons. There were days when I was confused and puzzled as to what my main objectives were. Those were the days that got me to question my priorities. There were days that brimmed with rejection which led me to search for an inkling of hope. And then there were some days when I lost good friends who chose to develop their careers elsewhere, those were the days when I reached out and tried to seek comfort in others which ultimately brought me closer to new people. There were days when I lost my way around town and thought I'd never find a way back again. Those were the days I discovered new routes and shortcuts to avoid traffic congestions in the future.

And then, there were the days when I practically jumped out of bed with the excitement of meeting new people reverberating in my body. Days where I laughed so hard I thought I could cry. Days when the people I went out to meet presented me with more opportunities and inspired me altogether. Days when the tenacity and willingness to help of my fellow colleagues really touched my heart. Days when the value of my commission surpassed my salary. Days when I confronted my fear of standing in front of a crowd to speak what was in my mind. Days that I did not resist changes and felt the goodness that came out of it.

What an enriching experience it has been. An exploration at its very best. And despite the fear that I have of falling flat on my face some day along the road, I am glad that I have learnt that change is not such a bad thing after all once we start embracing it and stop resisting it. I graduated as a permanent employee at Groupon on Monday and it was certainly a milestone for me in terms of achievements in my life. Simply because it was a challenge at the very least which made me leave my comfort zone and explore something that I never thought I'd end up liking.

I owe this blog one too many entries.

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Happy Meals

8:55 AM

You know that really good feeling that comes when you laugh so hard that tears spill out of your eyes and your tummy muscles gleefully cramp up? I am so glad that I have friends and family who give me this rather joyful workout as I readjust to life in Malaysia. These are the things that I seemingly live for lately. To let loose all my inhibitions and enjoy light moments that come by every now and then. Glad to say that I've been enjoying more of my fair share recently.

I spent Saturday night with a group of friends that I met while living in Huia residence in Auckland. They are all Malaysian TESOL scholarship students and after two years of education there, they have returned to complete their training phase in KL. I'm pretty grateful to have them here to be quite honest coz with each person, I hold a different memory of a certain phase of my life in Auckland. Episodic memories that are all simultaneously retrieved when I spend time with them.

We headed to Indian Kitchen in Bangsar where we had an interesting array of really splendid Indian food. I got to taste the chicken, mutton, and seafaood briyani as well as the Goan fish curry with the garlic naan that I had ordered. And everything tasted surprisingly good to me, from the cucumber raita to the refreshing minty lemon drink that one of my friends had ordered. I'd totally recommend this place to anyone. We headed to McDonald's shortly after to for ice cream and a game of saboteur. Call me a nerd but I actually appreciate nights like these more than one with clubbing and drinks on the agenda. Never had I laughed so hard that I woke up the next morning feeling like I had done a couple of hundred sit ups in one go!

This is MY perfect idea of a sweet treat. Soft delicate swirls of vanilla ice cream flooded with warm thick chocolate fudge and great company to match. Heaven. Even more heavenly when shared amongst friends.

Shogi! Funny laugh. Man of his word. Can crack up a joke in the most tense of tense moments. Met this budding teacher to be at Huia where we went on a holiday of the east coast beaches in Auckland together....

Chewy - cutest sane alive. Adelynn - most feisty woman I've known to date. Chew was present every single day during UMSA's lantern fest preparation in Feb 2010. Met Adelynn when we set out on the same east coast Auckland beach road trip and we grew closer while training for futsal for the Auckland Bersatu Games in 2010.

Anita - giant heart. small eater. smile that could light up the world. Anita was an ornament that adorned Huia Residence. I significantly remember meeting her at the Huia Formal Dinner in 2009. Her smile made me smile in return.

whenever I hang out with this group of people in particular, they introduce me to new forms of card games. This time around it was Saboteur - a very awesome game especially if you have the numbers.

My darling grandmother's 82nd birthday was on Sunday. She woke up a little disorientated with cramps but by evening she was up and raring to go so we dressed up and went for a nice chinese dinner in SS2.

the lovely mango cake that mumsy bought her.

The cutest person ever. I noticed today that my grandmother values equality very seriously. She saved me an equal portion of her birthday cake because I was out the whole day and everyone else got to taste her cake. She's also got quite the eye of a hawk in the way that she observes people AND who says old people forget things easily! Definitely not her!

I wonder if I take after her?? Pati and me :) The very fortunate reason for the strange mix of culture and race that we have in our family.

The night concluded with durians because my grandmother adores savoring them just like a tauke would. With her fingers digging right into the yellow flesh and her lips covered in a custard-y concoction of what most non-Malaysian would deem terribly absurd. I'd say that this magnanimous woman was born to defy ;)

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