a taste of honey

Monash Ball 2011

2011-09-30T23:51:00.000+08:00

Monash Ball at Marriot Putrajaya last Friday:

Black.

Psychology and business undergraduates.

Smexy.

Marketing tutorial mates.

With my date for the night.

Same same but different

2011-09-29T21:59:00.000+08:00

In the three years (and a bit) Paul and I have been dating, we have been told that we look alike. Some even say that we look like siblings.

According to Little (2006), there is a widespread belief that couples, particularly those who have been together for many years, look similar to each other.

But Paul and I have only been dating for a while. And we've been told that we look alike, even in the early stages of our relationship.
________________________
So I've been trying to figure out which of our facial features are similar.

His eyes are bigger, and his double eye lids are more prominent.

His nose is bigger and more flat, compared to my slightly sharp nose(I got if from my Momma).

I think we both have nice cupid's bow, although his is more defined.

We both have okay-ish cheek bones; they're not high.
________________________

So I guess the most obvious similarity is that we both have asymmetrical noses and mouths, which is very obvious when we smile (and when I don't angle my face).

Pandan and santan layered jelly

2011-09-05T21:27:00.002+08:00

By request of the boyfriend, I made the pandan and santan layered jelly again this year.

I learnt to make this jelly from my Granny. If you try to Google it, you won't actually find anything about it. I asked Momma why is that so. She said that Granny actually learnt to make it on her own.

To begin, soak the agar agar strips in some water for a while, to soften it.

Fresh santan and pandan extract.

Boil the agar agar till completely dissolved, then add in some rock sugar. You will need two pots of this: one for each flavour.

Pour in the pandan extract into one pot to get a nice green colour.

And pour the santan into the other pot.

Pour in a layer of santan jelly into the tray. Once the layer has completely hardened, add in a layer of pandan jelly.

Repeat until the tray has been filled till the top.

By right, the layers are supposed to be consistent and thin; Nyonyas are senonoh like that. But ~~I can sometimes be rather un-senonoh in the kitchen~~ I panicked because the jelly suddenly became too thick and I didn't have Momma at home so I didn't know how to fix it, hence it was reflected in the jelly.

Note: Much patience is required to make this jelly.

Pineapple rolls

2011-09-02T20:48:00.000+08:00

Ingredients for the dough: Butter and icing sugar, sifted flour, milk powder and pinch of salt, egg yolks.

Cream the butter and sugar until light, then add in the egg yolks gradually.

Then add the flour in.

Cut and fold.

Use hands to get a nice, smooth dough.

Pineapple jam, which my Momma made.

Cut the dough into desired size.

Roll the dough over some pineapple jam.

Egg wash before putting it into the oven.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Ready to be distributed.

Cameron Highlands

2011-07-26T23:33:00.000+08:00

The first born and the last born

Enjoying the view

Steamboat dinner

The young ones

After an episode at the hotel tower

What would I do without my sister..

My brother lives dangerously

Nanny goat and her newborn kid. Note the afterbirth.

Then and now

Happiness is homemade

2011-07-26T22:23:00.001+08:00

My past few weeks were spent sleeping, eating, baking/cooking, and sleeping.

Nyonya chang

Lemon poppy seed cake without the sides.

Because the best part of a cake is the crust, as soon as the cake is taken out of the oven.

Wu kok

Carrot walnut cake

Pineapple rolls

Virginal white

2011-07-08T14:57:00.002+08:00

In bed until 2 in the afternoon.

Leather

2011-07-06T00:00:00.002+08:00

For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London Town
The sun was shining everywhere

Cupcake

2011-07-03T17:07:00.000+08:00

Today, my Momma, Jean and I made lemon poppy seed cupcakes!

The dry ingredients: self raising flour, toasted poppy seeds, brown sugar, lemon zest.

The wet ingredients: Eggs beaten into yoghurt.

Cut and fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, then add in the melted butter.

Bake in the oven for approximately thirty minutes.

Dry spell

2011-07-03T01:50:00.000+08:00

I've not been on a holiday since February, and my backside has been itchy for some time now.

___________________________________________________

During my last trip to London, I went to The Wolseley with Paul and his family.

I've always been indifferent towards scones, but then I had scones at The Wolseley and I absolutely loved it!

Back in Bristol, Paul and I tried to recreate the afternoon tea we had at The Wolseley.

The cake we bought from Sainsbury's was too sweet, the scones were just OK, and we bought the wrong type of cream (whipped cream instead of clotted cream). What a disappointment! So I was left kempunan for good scones (I think I'm using the word correctly).

___________________________________________________

Since my brother Paul and I are on our uni breaks now, I suggested that the family go for a holiday to Cameron Highlands!

Soon enough I'll be enjoying cream tea!

Luna Bar

2011-07-02T19:45:00.000+08:00

Luna Bar with Kar Munn and Mary on Wednesday:

Twenty!

2011-06-24T01:43:00.002+08:00

This year's birthday was different from the ones I'm used to having for the past three years. This year, Paul and I were not in the same country to celebrate our birthday. So the few pictures we have were taken only over Skype.

Before my dinner on Wednesday:

Love his morning hair. Makes him look younger. (Not that I'm into prepubescent boys..)

The family went to Millisime for dinner.

My brother Paul managed to join us from Singapore!

And you wonder how I'm still tiny despite having a big appetite..

The baby is all grown up now!

23rd June:

Ma made mee suah and red eggs on my birthday!

Saw him on Skype, and I started laughing, because we were in the same colour. His expression says it all.

"What day is it today?"

Power Couple

2011-06-19T17:07:00.001+08:00

From Urban Dictionary:
A couple who seems to have a fairy tale romance. Also, both parties involved in the power couple have tremendous influence over people around them because of their devastating good looks and seemingly perfect relationship with their significant other.

Bleeding love

2011-06-01T22:34:00.000+08:00

Maybe in the months to come you could baby me when I don't feel like doing anything?

Winemaker's Dinner

2011-05-28T00:51:00.001+08:00

On Friday night, the family attended a winemaker's dinner at Lake Club. It was a first for me, and I could only manage three out of the four glasses of wine over the two hour dinner.

Love and kisses

2011-05-27T14:47:00.002+08:00

In Bristol, Paul and I sparked laughter among the guys when we very confidently expressed what we thought xoxo meant, when our interpretation was actually incorrect.

Just a few days ago I found out about this Paloma Picasso® Love & Kisses ring from TIFFANY & CO.

I love how it's all xoxo rather than a plain band. Very cute!

If all goes well and I do graduate in November (Or would it be March, since the graduation ceremony is only in March 2012?), I am totally going to buy this ring as a graduation gift to myself!

What a feeling

2011-05-18T02:11:00.000+08:00

It's that time of the university academic calendar where I get all worried about my coming exams, then I try to calm myself down by telling myself not to panic, that there is time to study, but then when I'm studying I feel like I'm going too slow, and then I start worrying again.

Truth be told

2011-05-14T01:15:00.006+08:00

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.

Really now?

If you didn't even have the chance to have it and then grow to love it, you won't feel any hurt which comes with losing it, would you?

Hot and cold

2011-05-10T00:00:00.001+08:00

The past few days have been ridiculously hot. Even in a singlet and the shortest of shorts. (My room is not equipped with air-conditioning because I stay high up in the clouds, it's actually cold on normal days, so cold that when you sleep at night you could even catch a cold).

Which brings me to this:

I think I'd rather be cold, although I didn't manage well the past two winters. Actually, there were some times where I just didn't want to go out at all because I know I'd be so uncomfortable. Yes I could pile up on the layers(tights, jeggings, and skinny jeans on the bottom singlet, top, cardigan, and thick jacket on the top), which I did initially. But then my body got really tired from all the weight (yes, I'm THAT light), and it also made me look so stuffed up, and I decided to just wear my skinny jeans and top, covered by a jacket.

Back home I can always wear a tank top and shorts, but then there's a limit to how short I can go. I mean, I can't be wearing shorts and a singlet to church now can I? I've never not gone out just because it's too hot. But it annoys me that I get hot even after I take a shower (which is usually warm, cos I like hot showers), and start to sweat while picking out what to wear.

I hate how it's too hot that I can't even fall asleep easily. The cold doesn't even do that to me.

I'd totally go run out of Springfield House in my shortest shorts again! (Like we did before)

I need to go somewhere colder, like maybe, Cameron Highlands!

PPBNKLS Annual Dinner and Dance

2011-04-17T16:43:00.000+08:00

1/4 Nyonya and 1/2 Chinese.

Ee B and children.

Best friends forever.

Even without my brother Paul around, my Momma still has her Peter Paul Mary Anne.

Momma and Paul, so happy to be in the conga line.

Mother and daughter

Cousins

Your best friend

The Diary of Adam and Eve

2011-04-06T19:49:00.000+08:00

'This new creature with the long hair is a good deal in the way. It is always hanging around and following me about. I don't like this; I am not used to company.'

ADAM

'All week I tagged around after him and tried to get acquainted. I had to do the talking, because he was shy, but I didn't mind it. He seemed pleased to have me around.'

EVE

"Yes, I think I love him merely because he is mine and is masculine. There is no other reason, I suppose. And so I think it is as I first said: that this kind of love is not a product of reasoning and statistics. It just comes- none knows whence- and cannot explain itself. And doesn't need to.
It is what I think. But I am only a girl, and the first that examined this matter, and it may turn out that in my ignorance and inexperience I have not got it right."

Lost in Translation

2011-03-26T01:31:00.003+08:00

That night, she merajuk with him before going to bed. It could be because of that, his snoring bothered her and she had a hard time falling asleep. She contemplated whether she should wake him up. After some time, he turned onto his side and held her. The snoring stopped. She said, Sleep on your side. Your snoring is disturbing me. He then went back to lying on his back, and the snoring continued.

She meant: Sleep on his side.
He thought: Sleep on his side of the bed.

This Is Me...

2011-03-21T21:08:00.000+08:00

Through the eyes of Szehui Tham.

World's easiest quiz

2011-03-14T22:30:00.000+08:00

This was in today's Lending Decisions lecture slides. The lecturer must have included it to wake us up (Lecture starts at eight! in the morning, when everyone is still half asleep..)

How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
Which country makes Panama hats?
From which animal do we get cat gut?
In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
What is a camel's hair brush made of?
The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
What was King George VI's first name?
What colour is a purple finch?
Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
What is the colour of the black box in a commercial airplane?

The other side

2011-03-11T21:17:00.003+08:00

Last weekend the family went down to Singapore to visit Paul.

We played air hockey at Tanglin Club.

First place: Paul

Second place: Me!

Third place: Mary

Afterwards we went to Marina Barrage.
The girl whose legs do not meet.
The boy who refuses to smile for the camera (This was a candid). My Pauls are the same when it comes to pictures. I'd say to Paul Chua, Why don't you go stand with that thing over there and I'll take a picture for you. He will say, Tak nak la, what for? Err so that I can get a picture of you with something which I think is nice? Similarly, my brother was not interested in posing for the camera.
Us girls.

I hear the secrets that you keep, when you're talking in your sleep

2011-03-01T23:12:00.001+08:00

It was nighttime. They were sleeping. Suddenly, she yelled "I don't know what you're saying!"

It woke him up. Confused, he asked "Are you okay?"

She was very embarrassed. "It was my dream"

Carrot walnut cake

2011-02-28T13:40:00.000+08:00

Ingredients: Butter, caster sugar, superfine flour, self-raising flour, cinnamon powder, eggs, carrots, chocolate chips, walnuts.

Sift the flour, and add the dry ingredients afterwards.
Cream the butter and sugar.
When light, add in the eggs one by one.
Then, add in the dry ingredients. Cut and fold.
The mix is ready to be baked.
For the frosting: Cream cheese, butter, lemon juice.
Cream the butter and cheese. Then, add in the lemon juice and some icing sugar.
The cake!
Ready to be eaten.

Big sister

2011-01-09T12:58:00.000+08:00

How can I ever forget how pissed I got at you and lost my appetite to eat lunch after you told me that the Myvi has been dented!!!

But I'm glad that I have you to disturb every day at home, be nosy and go to your room to see what you're doing on the laptop, scream at you to start studying/stop spending so much of your pay on shopping and you actually get scared of me (hahahahhahahahaha), tell you a lot of nonsense things like Today, I was driving on this highway, and I saw a roadkill!, get you to try to do my hair because I have absolutely no idea how to do it myself, bicker about who's the better daughter/cooks better...

Every girl needs a sister.

Happy birthday, Mary!

Papa turns 64!

2010-12-05T14:17:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, the family celebrated Papa's 64th birthday at Iketeru.

Here's to many more birthdays and even more candles on your cake!

Christmas is Coming

2010-12-02T23:09:00.001+08:00

Tonight, we finally got around to putting up the Christmas tree!

The bare tree.

With the star and fairy lights.

And then we added ribbons.

Finally, we put up the baubles and such.

The wreath at the door.

The debut

2010-11-15T12:07:00.001+08:00

Two weekends ago, Peter and Jean hosted their housewarming (or rather, Halloween, Oktoberfest and Housewarming + Deepavali) at Empire Subang.

The host.

The hostess.

There was an abundance of food.

Pop Pop brought along with her a bag of paraphernalia which kept everyone amused throughout the night.

In costume.

Double-cross legs. Go, skinny!

I was trying so hard to not laugh but I failed.

Nice masks which Peter bought from a bookstore.

While the ladies were having a discussion, the girls decide to eavesdrop.

Business meeting.

All of us.

Do I know you?

2010-09-30T23:06:00.000+08:00

Bali

2010-09-30T22:07:00.000+08:00

Our last trip this summer was to Bali.

All happy after lunch.
Huge durian.

Huge coconut.
At the entrance of Kuta Beach.
All waiting for the sunset.
After dinner we went back to the beach.
We walked quite a distance along the beach, then we found this beach club with really nice cabanas.

The next morning we went back to the beach.

Then we made our way to Tanah Lot Temple.

Sunburnt. Compare the colour of my neck and arm.

At night we went to Jimbaran Bay for dinner on the beach.
The next day we hired a van to take us to Ubud.
We had lunch at Dirty Duck Diner.
Monish realised that I always pour the drink for Paul if he has a soft drink.
Afterwards we went to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
This reminds me of Paul lying down and getting me to scratch his back until he's satisfied.

Next, we went to a temple.

Serendah

2010-09-30T18:23:00.001+08:00

A few weeks ago, we went to Serendah, a place in the middle of nowhere. We stayed in a glass shed for a night.

The dining area.

The living area.

The bedroom.

In the evening we went out for a walk.

Then we went for a dip in the pool.

The glass shed at night.

Cooking our dinner.

At night we played poker.

We went swimming again the next morning. The water was too cold for me.

Singapore

2010-09-30T17:10:00.000+08:00

Some time ago, we went to Singapore with Paul's friends Vic, Monish and Jaber.

On the first day we walked around Orchard Road.

At night we walked to Little India, where we had dinner before going to Mustafa's.

The next day we went to Sentosa in the afternoon.
It was too hot, we had to rest under some shade before deciding what to do.

Then we took the beach tram because we were so worn out from all the walking.

At night we went to Chinatown for dinner.
Afterwards we made our way to Clarke Quay.

And stopped to have some beer.

The next day we walked around Marina Bay.
It was too hot and sunny, we jumped from tree to tree to get some shelter from the sun.

You'll never get away from me

2010-09-21T15:09:00.000+08:00

We have been doing the long distance thing for two years now. We've even had a very nice long summer together.

But I am still starting to get separation anxiety.

Yes, he is flying off again soon.

Let's hope that this last year will pass quickly.

Hello, baby

2010-09-14T21:31:00.000+08:00

Oh we've been busy.

Penang, Singapore, Serendah.

Off to Bali this weekend!

Mini

2010-08-02T19:08:00.001+08:00

Isn't this Mini the cutest thing ever? I want one of it. It's just nice to fit me and my bag, or even Paul (if he wants to ride with me). I like how it's so mini, it's as if only mini people can fit inside.

Because we can

2010-07-30T17:39:00.002+08:00

Last Friday we went to Penang in the evening. On Saturday we went to St Anne's Church in Bukit Mertajam.

The old church at night.

Early Sunday morning we went to the beach.

Our failed attempt at building something.

Paul's aunt's weekend home.

It was a short, tiring trip. We were sleepy throughout the weekend.

So where do we go next?

Just one of the things

2010-07-16T00:07:00.005+08:00

One night, they decided to watch a movie. He's Just Not That Into You. They started playing the movie, got comfortable, watched it. Soon after, she realised that he had fallen asleep. He is snoring. It is music to her ears. The snoring was a bit loud, but turning up the volume for the movie might wake him up. Also, she did not move an inch during the movie, in case it wakes him up. And then the movie ended, and she had to wake him up because she did not know how to stop the movie.

The End.

Brother in law (school)

2010-07-09T22:02:00.005+08:00

Last night there was a gross lizard (Yuck gross eeyer) on my bathroom door. Kicked the door open, the lizard moved a bit, then I saw that it had fallen into the toilet bowl. So I shut the lid, flushed it, and reminded myself to flush it frequently (to make sure it went down) and to not use the toilet anytime soon.

So before going to bed, as usual I had to empty my bladder. But I was too chicken to use my own toilet. So I went to my brother Paul's room to use his toilet. He asked me why, I told him the story. Then my brother Paul the hero went to check my toilet, to make sure that the lizard isn't in there anymore.

And this is why girls need an older brother, if not two (another to help you go on holidays).

Cotton

2010-07-06T11:31:00.003+08:00

So we've had fun in London(among other places), now we need to go to Paris and New York!

Thank you so much

2010-06-28T20:50:00.000+08:00

Monday: Dinner with the family at The Orchid.

The June children with the parents.

This is my brother Paul and I in 1993. He was 5 and I was 2. We had the same hairstyle.

The family.

With my Pauls.

All of us.

Tuesday: There was a small makan among some church members at SFA. Paul and I tagged along with his mum. When it was mentioned that it's Paul's and Anne's birthday, some went Oh it's her birthday, others went It's Paul's birthday, and someone even said Is it their anniversary? It so happened there was a cake which was actually for Father's Day, so they sang for us. It was very sweet.

Wednesday: Lunch with my boyfriend the working man.

And dinner after mass in the evening. This birthday was different. We didn't get the whole day together, unlike the previous years. Okay fine we did have our meals together, but I guess I'm just a little greedy.

Thursday: Dinner at the penthouse with Paul's mum and her close friend Aunty Ranjit.

Isn't the view so pretty!

Friday: Dinner with the Monash girls at Delicious for birthdays and farewells. Tsi Yin and Cynthia are leaving for Berwick soon.

The birthday people. Fharyl made cards for us the night before. It was really cute.

Szehui and I. We used to fall asleep during Investments lecture. The time was just not right. It was at 8 in the morning on Mondays.

The girls are actually Mary's friends from MUFY. But then they all went to Monash, and then they became my friends too.

Another birthday with Paul has come and gone. I wonder what's in store next year. Not even sure we'll be at the same place on our birthday :-S

Twenty-two

2010-06-23T16:19:00.001+08:00

To the boy who keeps me up at night,

Happy Birthday!

Twenty-six

2010-06-20T22:52:00.003+08:00

Paul reached home yesterday. It was a bit odd, although very nice, to see him sitting next to me while eating. We could talk without getting interrupted and going The video is stuck, I can't hear you, Sorry what did you say, Hold on I'll call you back too often on Skype. It was so nice to see, touch him, rather than just staring at the laptop screen (okay fine I actually alternate between looking at him and looking at myself, to make sure I look pretty).

It's not only odd for me. He said he's forgotten how small I am. Kept on going Why are your thighs so small?

We've been doing this leaving and coming back for about six times now, but I'm still not used to it. It's odd whenever he leaves(I'm suddenly at home the whole day, with nothing to do). And I have to admit that it's also odd when he's back. It's like Oh now I have to give in to his needs.

In his words: It's nice to have a girlfriend again.

Pfft.

Whiter than white

2010-06-12T22:27:00.005+08:00

Someday, I'll have a 20 inch thick mattress with white bedding. It will be so high, I'll have to jump to reach up to the bed.

Silly people

2010-06-05T17:28:00.002+08:00

Paul sent me an e-mail about hard boiled eggs. It's one of those forwarded messages which is usually taken with a pinch of salt. In this e-mail, the person said that Cooking hard boiled eggs can be a hassle because you have to jaga api or jaga air.

The method of cooking the eggs without having to worry about it being over or undercooked is shared:

1. Place two pieces of tissue paper inside the rice cooker and sprinkle them with water.

2. Put the eggs in.

3. Close the lid and press the Cook button.

4. Wait for the button to jump up, and turn of the power supply. Do not leave the eggs in the cooker unless you want the yolks to be harder.

5. The eggs are ready.

The message goes on to say that it takes less time than the ordinary cooking method, the shells can be peeled off easily, and the yolk will turn out just nice.

And the best part is- you do not have to do any cleaning or washing at all!

While the idea may be innovative, I do not see the need of it. It's as if boiling eggs are such a hassle, you need to find a simpler way of doing it. I just put the eggs in a pot, cover it with water, boil it over a big flame for fifteen minutes, and tutup api once the timer goes off. I have no idea why the person said that we need to jaga air or jaga api. And about the yolk turning out nice, the yolks in the picture do not look all that mouth-watering.

And the best part is- you do not have to do any cleaning or washing at all. And why wouldn't you wash the rice cooker after using it? In Bristol, I was so shocked to learn that the guys (Paul and his housemate) do not always wash the the rice cooker lid after every use. It was so berkerak. *Shudder*

Or maybe it's just me being anal retentive.

Bipolar

2010-05-26T19:20:00.001+08:00

While completing a biological lab report on The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Sleepiness, Sustained Alertness, and Mood, I suffered from lack of sleep. Oh the irony!

But now that it's done and submitted, I can't just relax and fly kites. Because there's an Investments assignment due next Friday, which is just a week before my first exam paper, it's making me all stressed up and panicky, I feel like crying when I'm driving home from uni, because there's just so much to be done when I get home. There goes my afternoons sleeping in. But how can I start on my work if Investopedia.com would not even load. I do not like Investopedia. I lost money after managing my portfolio for ten weeks.

So I have been studying psychology for one and a half years now, and many people have such a huge misconception on what psychology is.

Upon hearing that I'm studying psychology, they'll go: Oh so now you can read people's minds la? What do you think I am, a telepathist?

This response is even better: So now you can psycho people la. Excuse me, what does that even mean?

Ahhhhhh all this work is making me go crazy! And angry!

By the way, psychology is the science of mind and behaviour (Passer & Smith, 2009).

Skipping in ballet flats.

2010-05-17T13:40:00.001+08:00

4. Always be alert and observe what's happening around you. Especially if you're trying to take a nap in public. It is an acquired skill which will really benefit you, because you'll get to notice any oddities at an early stage, before things get out of hand.

I am especially good at this, I somehow opened my eyes before my friends managed to take a picture of me snoozing.

"Do not mess with me," Paul Chua.

Bananaphone

2010-05-16T00:55:00.000+08:00

Yesterday he insisted that we Skyped for a while. When the video started, I found out why.

It's as if I'm his five year old sister that needs to be entertained. I am your eighteen year old girlfriend, and you can entertain me in a different way.

Anyway, now I know what to get him for his birthday!

It takes two.

2010-05-13T11:50:00.001+08:00

Are you okay? Did you fall on your head?

No, but my mum fell while carrying me.

-----

Hello their phones are locked.

Hello.

Are you Lionel Richie?

-----

I'm not going to tell you exactly what it is. It's black, and it's something electronic.

Is it a new phone to replace your current other phone which has cellophane tape at the side?

*Starts laughing* How do you know??

Whoever said that I don't know everything. Think again.

-----

Good that Skype isn't clear, I can't hear you scolding me.

Shaver vs Epilator

2010-05-10T23:26:00.000+08:00

For a few years now I've been shaving my legs. Yes, I started young. I especially like the Venus shaver because it is quite flexible, and easy to shave the knees without getting cut.

But then I realised that I started having small red spots on my thighs, which I find very unattractive. After getting some opinions from Jean when she was in Bristol, I considered getting an epilator.

While it saves me the hassle of spending long hours shaving in the shower till my fingers get wrinkly, I actually became extremely to use it. It works like a tweezer, so it's best to use it after a shower, when the hair is soft and the follicles open. And it's difficult around the knees, even after I move it in all directions. The biggest downside is that it still leaves the small red spots, on top of a million more red spots where the hairs were tweezed from. The only reason I'm still using it after almost three months is because I spent over a hundred ringgit on it.

Girls, just go on shaving. It's so much more convenient.

Fear no more.

2010-05-10T13:01:00.000+08:00

That's why when we resolve an argument, we really have to leave that baggage behind. I'm only allowed 32kg even with my silver membership.

You started the laughing thing and now we'll never stop.

Oh and I thought that you had 42kg baggage allowance.

Dance upon a time.

2010-05-07T20:20:00.000+08:00

Last night we went back to Sunway to watch our friends dance in the Monash Dance Fusion Club 2010 Annual Concert.

Tsi Yin.

Szehui.

I love my headband. Giorgio's girlfriend Karen gave it to me when we went to Manila.

After the concert we went for supper at the A&W nearby.
Sashi, Cynthia, Szehui, Mary, me, Fharyl, Tsi Yin and Nicole.

Skipping in ballet flats.

2010-05-06T17:56:00.001+08:00

3. If cosmetics are supposed to enhance your appearance, why do you still look so ugly (if not uglier)? I have made that mistake too. Last year, for the Monash Cultural Night, my face got all made up, and because it was done by A Cut Above, I thought that it wouldn't turn out too bad. I was so wrong. I ended up looking scary!

That's me on the left.

I think that I look decent enough without make up anyway.

Undeniably, some girls do look better with cosmetics. If you do, then by all means pile up on the make up! But if you look worse, then I'd suggest that you stay away from it.

It's not that you're that bad looking to begin with.

She be the one.

2010-05-04T18:31:00.000+08:00

She wakes you up early in the morning,

She tells you baby I feel a little horny,

She brings you up and then you know you want it,

I like the way you give it girl,

Your mouth is dry,

Your heart is beating faster,

You wanna die but you're too afraid to ask her

She pops a gun

Your prayer's already answered

Tick tock bang

Thank you ma'm

Every Tuesday when I see this on the my.monash portal, I dread the next day arriving.

08:00 PSY2031 Lecture [ 120 mins ] MA_LT_6007
10:00 AFW2851 Comp-Lab [ 60 mins ] MA_Clab02_9406
11:00 PSY2051 Lecture [ 120 mins ] MA_ClassRoom_6207
15:00 AFW3121 Tutorial [ 60 mins ] MA_Tutorial_2641

What if I get too sleepy and cannot concentrate in class? What if I get too tired and can't drive home?

But then I remember that I don't have any classes on Thursday (and even on Friday, on alternate weeks) and the depression goes away.

Talking about timetables, my exam timetable has been published! I end on the 18th of June, which is perfect because Paul will be heading home on the 18th, reaching on the 19th.

And then we can have a nice birthday celebration together.

Skipping in ballet flats.

2010-05-02T22:58:00.001+08:00

2. Always be calm and retain your composure. Even when you are faced with someone you completely loathe. Do not start screaming and chasing that person with a cleaver, that is not what a lady would do. Rather, keep your head high and be civil. It is not necessary to make small talk with that person, although that person may talk to you. Offer a fake smile if you have to, and flash those perfect teeth you have.

Case in point: Boy from my Financial Management class last year refers to me as Anna, or even Aeng(Yes the pronunciation is so weird, I wonder how he even came up with it) when he talks to Szehui.

One day, he says to me: So Anna, will you be going for Dance Upon a Time? Szehui corrected him and said: Her name is Anne. And then he says to me: So do you want me to call you Anna or Anne?

*Rolls eyes*

Call me by my name Anne, please thank you.

*Big smile*

The age of innocence

2010-05-02T15:15:00.001+08:00

I used to go to school everyday with perfect eyebrows although it was not allowed, and I've been told by the teachers to stop shaping it.
But I just wanted to look pretty.

My heart belongs to daddy.

2010-05-02T01:17:00.000+08:00

If your dad says that you're still under his care, you should have asked him how come he's not taking you along on his trip.

My boyfriend is such a genius. But we should have thought of that much earlier, when they were at the stage of buying their air ticket.

Skipping in ballet flats.

2010-05-01T21:13:00.004+08:00

1. Moderation is the key. Never exaggerate your facial expression while having your picture taken.

Compare these two pictures. In the first picture, I just look plain scary, albeit in a very pretty sequin dress.

In this one, I didn't smile too much, and I look so much better.

There.. Now you'll have much nicer pictures to post up on Facebook. XX

We are the perfect couple, we're just not in the perfect situation.

2010-04-30T14:22:00.001+08:00

I miss the snow! Although it was too cold, and I was so uncomfortable outdoors.

And I miss you!

Don't go.

Okay I'll stay inside of you.

Don't you forget how lucky we are.

Who's that woman?

2010-04-29T01:40:00.004+08:00

This is Momma at age 19.

And this is Momma(seated on the right) at age 22:

So tall, so thin, so pretty.

This is me at age 18:

I am my mother's daughter.

She's so high

2010-04-28T10:30:00.003+08:00

Sometimes when Paul sends me home at night, we can see the lights from Genting Highlands very clearly, and we'd go We should go there one day. After a long time, that one day finally arrived. On Tuesday 6th April we drove up to Genting in the afternoon.

We stopped at Gohtong Jaya for tea.

Then continued the journey up.

Where we went for a walk at the garden..

And walked around First World Plaza..

The smallest thighs you've ever seen.

We had dinner when the time came.

After dinner we went for a walk outside.

At night we took a foggy drive back home..

Halfway around the world

2010-04-26T23:37:00.000+08:00

Mirror, mirror

2010-04-18T23:15:00.000+08:00

Glasses, watch, wallet, Blackberry. It's so easy to be Paul.

Your wife and daughter.

Pilipinas

2010-04-18T23:04:00.001+08:00

On Tuesday 30th March, we flew off to Manila.

On Wednesday, Paul's cousin Giorgio brought us to Mall of Asia, where we also met his girlfriend Karen.

Some pig and chicken innards. Yum!
Ice cream!

Then we went to Giorgio's restaurant OR-G for tea.
More innards. Yum!

With Karen.
With Giorgio.

Driving on the wrong side.

After dinner, Paul persuaded me to try balut, an egg with nearly-develpoed duck embryo inside. Yum!
Drink.
Peel.
Bite.
Yum!

On Holy Thursday we went on a road trip to visit various churches for the Stations of the Cross.

Messy telephone and electricity lines.

Uncomfortable bus seats.

Do not let the outlook fool you; the inside was very nice!

Carrying the cross as an alternative of confession.
Outdoor seats!
Outside the Holy Land. On the way here Paul and I were sleeping. My head was on his shoulder, and he rested his on my head. The road was so bumpy, our heads were knocking non stop.
Kampung girl.

We finally reached the last station! It was starting to get dark.

The most comfortable sleeping position.

On Good Friday we joined in the procession after the service.
The place we stayed at.

At night after dinner, Giorgio brought us up to the roof of the flats nearby.
It was so windy. A very nice change from the usual hot weather.
Your hidung mancung. One you're afraid of breaking.

The view from the top.

Piggy-back.

On Saturday we went to Baclaran.

And then we went to a market nearby.
Raybans.
It was Paul's cousin, Ginger's birthday, so we had a big makan for lunch.

Giorgio bought this pair of glasses which made Paul and I laugh every time he puts it on.

At night we went on a double date with Giorgio and Karen.
So cute!

I like Ginger's Barbie pink Raybans. Oh if you look closely, you can see my reflection in their sunglasses.

On Sunday we went to Bonifacio High Street for lunch with two of Paul's mum's friends.
The Curse!

The view outside the house.

In this picture I look like I'm a daughter in law that kena maki from the mother in law.

Sunday night we went to the airport to fly back home..

An adventure a day

2010-04-16T09:10:00.001+08:00

The story about out trip to the Philippines will be up soon!

Never judge a lady by her lover

2010-03-18T23:22:00.001+08:00

One night, she saw that he had fallen asleep before she got into bed. He was sleeping in the middle of the bed. She thought: I'm small, I should be able to squeeze in on his right side. It is by the wall, so I will not fall off. She managed to settle in bed, but could not move because he was taking up too much space. It came to a point where his right elbow was actually poking into her left cheek. If that went one, he may even accidentally hit her in his sleep. So she sat up, tried to push his body to the left. But she's been feeding him so well over the past few weeks, so he's gained weight, and she was not able to move his body. Then she shook him to wake him up. She said: Can you please move to the side a bit, I don't have space here. He replied: I'm already at the edge. (He did not even get up to check that). But he did move eventually. They both merajuk, and slept at opposite ends of the bed. The end.

Fifty

2010-03-08T21:22:00.004+08:00

Paul came home over the weekend to celebrate Momma's fiftieth birthday.

On Friday we had cake for supper. We bought a strawberry pavlova from Alexis. So yummy.

On Saturday we went to Chynna, Hilton Kuala Lumpur for dinner.

Momma and Granny.

Three generations.

Papa and Momma.

The boys.

Anne and Girl.

All of us.

Sometime ago, I went upstairs to my parents' room to sleep, while the cleaning lady was cleaning the second floor. Momma was watching a cooking show on tv. I asked her whether she could lower the volume, because I want to continue sleeping. She did, but it was still quite loud. And she said that she'll be going back to sleep soon. Later on, I asked her again whether she could lower the volume. She scolded me, saying You do not come to my room and tell me what I can or cannot do. Whoops. I said, But the show is in chinese, you don't even understand what the person is saying, why can't you mute the tv. (Kena marah but can still answer back. Haha) Momma then told me to be quiet and sleep.

Momma you know I love you although I do not always listen to you.. Or maybe it's because you don't always disapprove of my plans, so I don't have to go against your wishes.

A little nyonya.

2010-03-04T13:11:00.003+08:00

This morning I unleashed the nyonya in me. I'm only 1/4 peranakan, so that makes me well, a little nyonya.

I made mee sua sama telur merah for Momma's birthday. Granny used to make it for my mum and her siblings when they were young.

It's very easy to make. First, I boiled the eggs. While the eggs were boiling, I boiled some water in a pot, added sugar, and pandan to make it fragrant. Then in a separate pot, I celur the mee sua. Once the eggs were boiled, I rolled them in a bowl of red clouring while the eggs are still hot, to ensure that the dye stays. Then I put the strained mee sua into a bowl, and poured the syrup over it.

The reason to have children: Teenage daughters.

Lovely

2010-02-23T23:47:00.000+08:00

Half of my allocations are on Wednesday.

8-10 Developmental and Biological Psychology lecture
10-11 Accounting Information Systems and Financial Modelling computer lab
11-1 Research Design and Analysis lecture
3-4 Investments and Portfolio Management tutorial

Whee I look forward to go back to studying!

I can do what she can do, so much better.

2010-02-23T23:20:00.001+08:00

This Chinese New Year, the plans changed. We stayed home on the first day. I got woken up by my cousin's son knocking on my room door. Opened the door, saw the three kids grinning at me. Closed the door to get dressed, then went downstairs.

We only went to Melaka on Monday. First we went to Cheng to visit Papa's sister number two. Then we went to Machap Baru to visit Momma's uncle.Hidung mancung.

Wajik.

Then we went to Batu Berendam to visit Momma's aunt and cousins. Afterwards we went to Merlimau to visit my Granny's side of the family. My cousins Melody and Syl Fyn wore matching outfits.

Sent my brother Paul the lawyer back to Singapore on Tuesday.

On Wednesday we went to Ee B's house for dinner. And took pictures in cousin Harmony's room.

On Friday we had dinner at Aunty Mary's house.Peter brought Elwin along! Peter was carrying a diaper, a change of clothes, and a milk bottle. Boleh jadi bapak.

Momma likes to help kids fly.

Elwin and Daniel. So cute, right.

On Saturday, we lunch/tea/dinner at Puncak.This looks very school-like. Lepak on the stairs.

With Vanitha and Edelin.

We played pictionary. I can draw! Ann Jee managed to figure out what I was scribbling.

Sunday, lunch at Ee Hwa's place.

Monday, met Paul's mum.

Words I learnt in the past week:

Neo
Apparently it's a hokkien word, but the peranakans also use it. It means mother in law.

Homia

Another hokkien word, but the peranakans use it too. Momma couldn't really explain what it was, but it's something like fortunate, good, senang. Can be used like this: Lu mia anak dah kerja? Homia lu.

But one of my favourite word would be:

Trampun, meaning terlampau.

The secret lives of teen girls

2010-02-17T01:26:00.000+08:00

Things I learnt from my holiday:

I'm such a baby. On the flight to Heathrow, I adjusted myself to face my seat, rested my head on Paul's lap, curled my legs so that they won't be sticking out to the aisle, hugged Paul's waist so that I won't roll off the seat, and settled myself into fetal position. I slept like that for quite some time. Paul did say it's uncomfortable, but I am his girlfriend, so I guess it's okay. Haha on the following trips I just rested my head against his chest when I slept.

In the Tropical Rainforest in KLIA.

In the garden behind Paul's house.

I enjoy stepping on untouched snow, I'd even walk in circles instead of a straight line.

Lying on the snow.

I walked down and up the hill in Howth while having my menses.

On the train to London.

Paul can really eat a lot. (Actually, so can I.) We'll have breakfast, lunch, snack before dinner, have dinner, and a few suppers. After dinner we can eat cheesecake or ice cream, crisps, fruits, and have a cup of hot drink later at night.

The illegal picture.

We've been walking around Bristol for a few hours. In this picture you can see that my feet point outwards when I walk.

Crossing the road in Cheltenham. I usually grab Paul's hand when we cross the road.

In Bath.

I'm quite unfit. When we walk up St Michael's Hill to go home, Paul will always ask me whether I'm okay. He'll also ask whether I need to stop for a rest. I usually need to stop. But I did get better. By the time Jean came to visit I didn't need to stop.

Jean and a statue.

While Jean was at the tekan dinding.

Paul said it has the shape of a bullet because it's the FBI headquarters. I knew it wasn't true.

On Tower Bridge.

The cleaning has to be done. At home I can be lazy. The cleaning lady cleans my room, while I sleep upstairs in my parents' room or downstairs in the living room. Some things I can avoid doing, like cleaning the stove. Momma will usually do that because she cannot tahan if it's oily. But in Bristol, I cooked. I couldn't tahan seeing the stove too dirty. So I had to do it. They say Women belong in the kitchen. So that's the only place in the house that I cleaned up.

Peter said the wind was blowing too strongly, it caused the building to move.

He's so strong.

Dinner at Yard, Old Street.

Making roti canai at Paul's cousin's housewarming.

We ate so many oranges.

The value of money. I worked and saved for money to spend there. I couldn't just spend on anything and everything. At home when I drive, I fill up petrol without thinking about how much the parents have to pay. I take highways everywhere and use the Touch n Go card so often. In London when I realised how much I spent on the Oyster card, I felt so sakit hati. Twenty pounds for four days. At first Paul said that 300 pounds will be enough for the holiday. Fortunately I had enough for 400. I only have a few coins left in my purse. That's also because Paul sometimes doesn't split the grocery bill if it's very little. From now on I'm going to record my expenses and see where my money goes.

Paul trying to be as tall as Jean.

Dinner with cousins and aunt at Chinatown.

Tea at Canary Wharf.
The Victoria Memorial.

At a restaurant while waiting for Francis, and Paul's cousins.

Dinner date at Carluccio's.

Going home soon.

I enjoy living with Paul. Momma said that Five weeks is too long. You're overstaying your welcome. You'll get bored of each other. No, we did not get bored of each other. Of course there are differences. He likes to accumulate the dishes to wash it all at once. He even leaves the ones we use for supper, to be washed in the morning after breakfast. I prefer to wash up immediately, so that the sink won't get full, and there won't be too much to wash at one time. But at least he washes up. He likes his food with chilli powder. So I'll scoop out my portion first, then add chilli powder to his.

Such a good housewife, right.

Home is the place

2010-02-14T00:42:00.001+08:00

Chinese New Year's eve dinner at our place this year. I had no time to rest after getting back on Friday. After dinner, I unpacked, then it was work, work, work in the kitchen. This morning, I heard Momma yell Girls! from the kitchen, at ten in the morning, but I buat tak tau. But I was already so awake. But I just continued lying in bed. Then again, Momma yelled Girls! Mary! Anne! Again, I buat tak tau. Some time later she knocked on my door. Couldn't escape that. So I got all ready, went to the kitchen, and she said to me.. Have something to eat first then help me. Momma I thought you know that I don't eat breakfast. Could have used that time to continue sleeping.

I've not set a table for a month. Paul and I always just eat in front of the laptop, with the plate on our knees. (There was once I even sat on the bed to eat while he was at his desk doing his work.)

What does it look like to you?

Paul said I look different. Not fatter, I hope.

There was so much food!

Seven out of the too many cousins.

Such a filial daughter, am I not? Balik rumah for CNY.

Back.

2010-02-13T19:56:00.002+08:00

More pictures from the New Year's Eve Ball at Lake Club, taken by the club photographer.

At the edge.

2010-02-09T14:32:00.001+08:00

Friday morning we went to London again.It was a very sunny day. Nice.

I've probably never carried something as heavy before. (It's just Paul's laptop in the red bag)When I was walking down the hill in Bristol, the clothes bag was really heavy, I was hoping I wouldn't just roll down.

This picture was taken at the garden at the back of the house in London. We stayed with Paul's brother Francis.

Monday morning I looked out the window, saw that it was raining. Soon afterwards it started snowing. Got me all jakun.

This was in Green Park.

Two weeks ago, we came across this building.

While Paul was getting directions on his Blackberry, we saw Buckingham Road and Buckingham Place and Buckingham this and that. I kept on asking Paul what is that building, it's very nice. He said he doesn't know what it is. Plus, the palace would be nearby, seeing how the roads are named so.

Monday I told him that I want to see the palace.

The unknown building was actually the palace. Snow!

Then we went to the Science Museum in South Kensington.

Marble Arch.

Back to London on Thursday to make my way to the airport to fly home..