Good stuff

America is good for me. I've been told that I emit a happy glow; definitely an improvement from how a friend described me some years ago - she said there was an 'aura of sadness' about me. I'm more comfortable in my own skin and less conscious. A karaoke session with my high school cronies at Red Box, The Curve proved that for sure; I crooned without caring if I sounded like a nightingale or a bullfrog, and didn't stop singing from the moment we arrived till our session expired.

Speaking of which, that karaoke outing got me thinking how certain songs are lyrical rubbish, while others are works of musical maestros. Some musicians who wow me with their words are Owl City and Katy Perry. Lyrics are often taken for granted. Or maybe it's simply harder to pay attention to words with so much sound filling our senses. This also happens vice versa, meaning that words distract listeners from sound. Listening to International music sung in foreign languages is a queer pleasure for me; it evokes the same feelings as when I choose to read a book instead of watching its movie adaptation. You visualize what you want.

My parents and I went through quite a lot of hassle to make sure I got all the immunizations required for my volunteer program in Ecuador next month. The yellow fever vaccine is only proffered in limited quantities in KL, so that was the most mafan to gaotim, but we finally found a clinic that keeps it in stock. The painless injection left a huge purple-green bruise on my left arm. Adversely, the slightly painful Hepatitis A injection on my right arm left no mark. It's not weird at all that your doctor asks your dad for bar recommendations WHILE drawing blood from your arm -_-"

This trip to Ecuador also requires shopping for so much stuff that I would never buy otherwise. I've been kept busy stocking up on insect repellent, compiling the contents of a First Aid kit, looking for rain pants (wtf are rain pants??), et cetera. Have yet to buy my travel pack and hiking boots! RARH! On top of that, I have to do some thorough reading on the country and its culture before the trip commences. But I keep telling myself that all this effort is worth it, because I'm going to have an unforgettable time in Ecuador :o)

No holiday is perfect; I had my down days too.

As opposed to what most people think, I tend to spend a lot of time by myself. An especially good time out with friends throws me off course my habitual routine. I've noticed that I actually experience withdrawal symptoms the day after being surrounded by a ton of jovial activity: boredom, depression, scattered thoughts and indecision.

It didn't help that Jim and I got into a rift over Skype and stopped talking for a week. Long distance was making me edgy. I spent the next few days in a frump. Pouring out my concerns to mommy made me feel much better; she makes me see the sensible side of things. Dinner with Chew at the new French restaurant in BSC, 'The Press Room' was the happiest I'd been all day. Unfortunately, supper with him the very next day didn't go as well. I broke down in the middle of dinner owing to stress on different levels. Jim and I still weren't talking. However, we finally resolved things (also over Skype!)

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend :o)

The following are mostly photos on my laptop that help draw a picture of pleasant memories from my recent 'balik kampung' trip.

NEW CAR
In the driveway of Number **, Jalan Batu Laut 2, Taman Bukit Seputeh:
Me: Where's Chili Baby?

My friends & baby (the sexy one in fire-engine red).

Mom: Um........ Didn't we tell you? Nah, here's your new car! Actually, it belongs to everyone.

Roll your eyes at me for saying this, but I was NOT pleased. I was looking forward to driving my Yaris. Isn't it natural to have a soft spot for your first car? The Yaris was super fast and fiesty. I definitely had some good times with it.

But then I discovered the Mini's 'SPORT' button.
Fuyohhh... Syok betulzzzzz!
Let's just say that any mata or polis could have flagged me down and (almost) rightfully demanded a generous tip.

NOSH

Donashi (how inventive) from Big Apple Donuts :D I had to get a box to satisfy my affinity for stuff that looks like other stuff :o) It came with extra large chopsticks and a dessert 'soy-sauce' (dipping chocolate)!

'Sake' and 'Toro.'

The bowl of noodles that made me want to compose an ode to cod. I think bee hoon has a very unique flavor. Simmered in soup flavored with preserved vegetables, and topped with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of cod fish...^_^ Then again, at RM32.10 for a bowl of noodles (about $10), it should be good!

Cod fish Bee hoon can be found at my favorite haunt.
Any true-blue KL lad or lass should immediately recognize this eatery :o)

Newer establishments are borrowing an idea or two from Delicious.

For Goodness Sake, the first izakaya I've seen in KL, has the best fries. The accompanying Tom yam Mayo is more creamy than spicy, but it definitely has a good flavor. Hints of lemongrass play peekaboo on your palate. Which reminds me... I've yet to visit Pomme Frites in St. Marks. I know they have a wide array of dipping sauces, but I've no idea if they have anything Tom yam-flavored. I'd like to see who does it better.

Yam + Red Bean ice blended drink which had to be sent back; it wasn't blended well enough. Rough shards of ice in any blended drink are an annoyance.

Although I constantly convince people that you can get basically any kind of cuisine in New York, it's not completely true. When it comes to some things, the 'motherland' does it better.

Like growing durians.
Your olfactory senses can confirm it's legit stuff.

Aunty Lilee and Mommy.

Kings.

KAWAN-KAWAN BAIK

It's touching how my friends watch out for me even in the smallest ways.

Seth & I over SMS ~>

Me: I'm at a durian buffet! :o)

Seth: Imagine if Jim were beside u. His expression!

Me: Yeah! He would take 1 whiff of my breath n dump me.

Seth: He woudnt dare. I'll rub durian on his bed.

Me: Aww... Thanx!

One of my fondest memories of being home last month is the night Seth and Hwang welcomed me to the boys' favorite haunts with open arms. Analysis of football tactics at Kayu Nasi Kandar, lok-lok with dangerous squirting pork-balls, sirap bandung out of flimsy-to-the-eye but secure plastic baggies, cybercafe and Left4Dead 2! AVOID THE NOXIOUS GREEN TOXIC.

I certainly find it easier making friends with boys. I don't compare myself to them, and I don't care if they judge me.

Pic 'borrowed' from PB&J ;o)

Meeting friends old and new was definitely one of the most rewarding pleasures of my visit back home. There's a cutesy story behind how I met Lih Ren; it was through the use of Twitter's failed nemesis - Plurk. Genuinely nice guy!

PB&J, Ren & I met up at a World Cup event sponsored by Amarula. I'd tried Amarula some years ago during a party at Deborah's house. Back then, you could only get Amarula from Africa or countries than imported the liquor. If you're into cream-based liquors, it's worth looking into Amarula; it's got a more sophisticated flavor than Kahlua. Anyhow, I chanced upon this video about the Amarula fruit. It's a pretty silly clip and I'm not sure it's just for gags or real, but those animals behave a lot like my friends when they're drunk, so I'll assume it's real!

Abby & her new bestie.

I didn't get to hang out with Shann as much as I'd have liked to, probably because she met Mike. I know it feels like life's pretty much complete when your boyfriend is also your best friend, so I don't really blame her.

It's been, what? 12 years of friendship!

Faradilla Hanim drove all the way from Pahang so we could catch up! She also insisted on buying me dinner, to make up for not being able to attend my birthday party. As we parted ways at the KLCC LRT station, she pulled a gold gift box with a sparkly red bow out of nowhere, thrust it into my arms, gave me an awkward hug, and dashed into her train.

EVERYTHING'S CHEAPER!

I thought I'd be visiting Malaysian movie theaters on a daily basis for cheap movies and better popcorn, but as it turns out, I only caught 3 movies :( Ice Kacang Puppy Love, Shrek 4, and Toy Story 3. Awesome, awesomer, and awesomest! My mom and brother was stunned to see my blotched face and red-rimmed eyes when the theater lights came on at the end of Toy Story 3.

I also finally got that massage I'd been wanting ever since Finals period. I thought it would be nice to 'give back' while receiving, so I decided to go to a blind massage center in Brickfields. The place was old, but ridiculously clean. My masseuse was very generous with the amount of odorless oil she slathered all over my body. She wasn't rough, but she did fumble at times. I realized that one of the hardest roles to play is that of a blind person. They have absolutely zero flinch reflex. I had to hold myself back from going, "Tee hee," several times.

Awesome manicure for 1/3 the price in NY!
*Cookie dough tub-like lip balm not included.
Again with stuff that looks like other stuff! :p