Dessert and Nightcap at Una's

I love dining at Una's, a restaurant with a European pub ambience located at the sleepy stretch of Broadway. There is never a want of ambience when I step into Una's; there's usually a crowd, and the music's so European that I can't help feeling as if I'm in a tavern somewhere in charming Europe rather than Sydney.

I went to Una's after choir practice, craving for something sweet, and mildly alcoholic, something to chase away the cold and windy night before I brave the walk back to college.

I've always thought that Irish coffee was Bailey's, and that Irish coffee would be sweet to drink. So when I ordered Irish coffee, I was surprised when the waitress asked me if I wanted sugar in it - I said no.

Oh, bless me for my ignorance in all things alcoholic. The moment I took a sip of the drink, I knew that I have made a grave mistake. It tasted bitter, because of the black coffee, and the whisky burnt my throat. The irony is that I can't drink coffee; it gives me a headache.

Thank goodness for the cream on top, and for the rich caramel choc cake that I ordered. For each sip of Irish coffee, I took a generous bite of caramel choc cake. Even the richness of the cake couldn't quite cover the bitterness of the Irish coffee.

I felt quite stimulated after the drink; I'm not quite sure if it was the coffee or the alcohol. I had a headache - so I knew it had to be the coffee that I responded to, and I expected that I'd have trouble falling asleep.

Well, I found out that Irish coffee is a paradox in itself - a drink with both sedative (whisky) and stimulant (coffee) ingredients, so which of the sensations would a person feel after drinking it? Drowsy, or hyper-active? As for me, I found myself yawning not long after reaching college.

No, I don't think I would be having another Irish coffee for a long while. Unless, of course, if it's Bailey's. ;)

Dessert and Nightcap at Una's

明年今日 (This Year Today)

明年今日 (This Year Today)

我要快乐

又被爱伤了一遍

无所谓 当作成长

刚刚走开的人烟还点着 味道却淡了

我并不是天生爱寂寞却比任何人都多

就算把世界给我我还是一无所有

我要快乐我要能睡的安稳

有些人不抱了才温暖离开了才不恨 我早应该割舍

我要快乐 哪怕笑的再大声

心不是热的 全都是假的

只有眼泪是真的

把从前想了一遍

谢谢了 伤我的人

想做乐观的人每种雨声 听了都不冷

我并不是天生爱寂寞却比任何人都多

就算把世界给我我还是一无所有

我要快乐我要能睡的安稳

有些人不抱了才温暖离开了才不恨 我早应该割舍

我要快乐 哪怕笑的再大声

心不是热的 全都是假的只有眼泪是真的

我要快乐我要能睡的安稳

有些人不抱了才温暖离开了才不恨 我早应该割舍

我要快乐 哪怕笑的再大声

心不是热的 全都是假的

我的决定是对的

我要快乐

100 Trivial Facts About Me

Amelia had this list of 100 facts (as shown below), and the idea is to emphasise statements in bold lettering if they are true, italicise statements if they are wished to be true, and leave out statements which are not true. I'm going to try it out and see... I'll highlight true statements in green. Here goes:

1) I miss somebody right now.

2) I do not watch tv these days.

3) I wear glasses or contact lenses.

4) I love to play video games.

5) I have tried marijuana.

6) I have been in a threesome.

7) I believe honesty is usually the best policy.

8) I have changed mentally over the last year.

9) I curse.

10) I'm totally smart.

11) I've broken someone's bones.

12) I'm paranoid sometimes.

13) I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.

14) I need money right now.

15) I love sushi.

16) I talk really, really fast.

17) I have long hair.

18) I have lost money in Las Vegas.

19) I have at least one sibling. (two younger sisters)

20) I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.

21) I couldn't survive without Caller ID.

22) I like the way I look. (I sometimes wish I look prettier? haha)

23) I am usually pessimistic.

24) I have a lot of mood swings.

25) I have a hidden talent. (must be so hidden that even I don't know about it)

26) I'm always hyper.

27) I have a lot of friends.

28) I have pecked someone of the same sex.

29) I enjoy talking on the phone.

30) I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.

31) I love to shop.

32) Enjoy window shopping

33) I would rather shop than eat.

34) I don't hate anyone.

35) I'm a pretty good dancer.

36) I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.

37) I have a cell phone.

38) I believe in God.

39) I am an adrenaline junkie.

40) I watch MTV on a daily basis.

41) I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.

42) I've rejected someone before.

43) I want to have children in the future.

44) I have changed a diaper before.

45) I've called the cops on a friend before.

46) I'm not allergic to anything. (not that I know of anyway)

47) I have a lot to learn.

48) I'm shy around members of the opposite sex.

49) I have made a move on a friends significant other or crush in the past.

50) I have tried alcohol before.

51) I own the South Park movie.

52) I would die for my best friend.

53) I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.

54) I have used my sexuality to advance my career.

55) I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.

56) Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.

57) I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.

58) I am happy at this moment!

59) I'm obsessed with girls/guys.

60) I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.

61) I study for tests most of the time.

62) I am comfortable with who I am right now.

63) I have more than just my ears pierced.

64) I walk barefoot wherever I can.

65) I have jumped off a bridge.

66) I love sea turtles.

67) I spend ridiculous money on makeup.

68) Plan on achieving a major goaldream.

69) I'm proficient in an musical instrument.

70) I hate office jobs.

71) I love sci-fi movies.

72) I think water rules.

73) I went college out of state.

74) I like sausages.

75) I love kisses.

76) I fall for the worst people

77) I adore bright colours.

78) I can't live without black eyeliner.

79) I don't know why the hell I just did this stupid thing.

80) I usually like covers better than originals.

81) I can pick up things with my toes.

82) I can whistle.

83) I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snake's slither.

84) I have ridden/owned a horse.

85) I still have every journal I've written in.

86) I can't stick to a diet.

87) I talk in my sleep.

88) I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.

89) I have jazz in my blood.

90) Climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.

91) I wear a toe ring.

92) I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.

93) I am a caffeine junkie.

94) I cosplay or know what cosplaying is.

95) I have been to over 15 conventions.

96) I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical the better.

97) I'm an artist.

98) I only clean my room when necessary.

99) I like a person of the same sex.

100) I love being happy.

100 Trivial Facts About Me

It's How You See Things

So the saying goes:

A picture speaks a thousand words.

Well, if it were up to me, I'd have pictures saying things like:

Lady doctor: "How? I have to plaster his leg no?"

Three wise men: (in unison) "Mmm..."

Lady doctor: "Like that, then ok, then patient has to lie on stomach... easier to put the plaster on..."

Patient: "Aiyoyo, doctor, cannot lie on stomach, I just had dhal and chapati for lunch!"

Lady doctor: "Ambulance bring you in to argue with me is it? You don't lie on your stomach, see how you going to crawl out of hospital! Dhal and chapati as if!"

Patient: (thinking to himself) "This time you don't die? If my Indian feet don't make you faint, my fart will by jolly good!"

Lady doctor spaces out after breathing in the toxic stench, the three wise men act busy and talk about politics.

Haha... sorry KP (my bestest sai lou in the world), I just couldn't resist. Don't worry leh, there's no sugar, only plaster ;) Thanks for the pics though!!!

It's How You See Things

On Tomatoes

Tomatoes are just about the most versatile food that I can think of.

They can be eaten raw or cooked, whole or mashed, diced or sliced.

They can be eaten without any flavourings or seasonings, or sprinkled over with salt, sugar, pepper, or herbs.

They add colour to dishes. They even serve as garnishing.

They can be made into juice, sauce, soup, stew.

They can be served cold or hot.

They can be eaten any time of the day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, as snack.

Other than rinsing with water, the skin doesn't need to be peeled, and even the pulp and seeds can be eaten.

Best of all, they're healthy to eat.

I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like to eat tomatoes...

Are you a tomato-eater?

On Tomatoes

Kundun

Kundun, Tibetan for "the presence", is the title by which the Dalai Lama is addressed. The 14th and current Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso visited Australia from 06/06/2007 to 16/06/2007. We had the opportunity to listen to the Dalai Lama's talk in The Domain, Sydney.

We arrived late at the venue, so we walked around looking for a good spot to view the screen and listen to the Dalai Lama. The first thing that struck me as we made our way past the throng was how familiar the Dalai Lama's voice sounded. I could have heard his voice on television; I don't remember. It is the voice of Buddhist monks - calm, soothing, yet compelling you to listen - the sound of gentle waves lapping. On a deeper level, it is the voice that I imagine my paternal grandfather had - the grandfather I have never seen in life but in photos, whom my grandmother and parents speak of with such admiration.

Incidentally, the Dalai Lama's tinted glasses and face shape remind me of two people, one of which is my paternal grandfather.

The Dalai Lama spoke on the power of compassion. It moved me so much that I cried. The Dalai Lama talked not of religion but of what could bring people inner peace and what could make the world a better place.

The Dalai Lama didn't pretend to know all the answers, too. The host asked the Dalai Lama to describe the meaning of life in the Dalai Lama's own words. The Dalai Lama scratched his head, and looked absorbed in thought, and yet genuinely perplexed, and replied a simple "I don't know".

The Dalai Lama said that perhaps the meaning of life is happiness.

I looked around. I saw adults listening to the Dalai Lama, children playing in the mud, babies in their prams. Everyone seemed happy. I thought of myself, am I happy?

My reply is a simple "I don't know".

Kundun

The One I Can't Forget

There is someone I can't forget. It's been slightly more than a month, and yet I can't, and won't, accept the fact that I won't be together with him. Every time I look at his face, it hurts me more than I can imagine, or choose to acknowledge. Everything that reminds me of him is bittersweet.

Yesterday, I read two things that are relevant to my life at this point in time: a book titled "An English Psychic in Hollywood", and the other: my daily horoscope. What I find most interesting is that the reading revealed my inner thoughts, and here I include the excerpt of it:

"The desire for marriage is very strong, and it is possible that the planets can bring someone into your life who will benefit you financially and fulfill your need for love and affection. The necessity for a close relationship may draw some of you into a hasty marriage"

It's interesting what life indicates to us: seemingly small, insignificant details. It just depends on how we see things. It's how we see things that govern how we react to those things.

The One I Can't Forget

What Big Eyes You Have...

"You've got big eyes, so you'll have lots of space to put them in."

I have an aversion to sticking things into my eyes; I can't even instill eyedrops into my eyes without getting someone to instill them for me.

So when the optometrist put the contact lenses into my eyes, I had to force myself from shutting my eyes, up to the point when she told me to relax the eyes...

After getting them in, it was all smooth-flowing. I couldn't believe it that I got the lenses in to and out of my eyes, not once, but THREE times! (the optometrist wanted me to practise so that we could be sure that the first time I got the lenses out of my eyes wasn't just good luck. :P)

So yes! Now I have a pair of contact lenses to try out for two whole weeks before my next appointment!!! Woohoo...

Wide-eyed doe look here I come...

What Big Eyes You Have...

Musings on 8th June 2007

8th of June 2007 is a day to remember.

I just had a read of Audrey's blog, the 8th of June 2007 entry. Her entry sure packs a punch - have a read of it (Malaysians should especially read it) and you'll know what I mean.

I agree with her about education. It's through good education that drives progress.

I had a late-night discussion with a few college mates, essentially about the differences between Malaysia and Australia. We touched on the subject of education - how Malaysian education plays an important role in shaping Malaysians and how we think.

I feel that Malaysian education doesn't empower students to think outside the square. Give a Malaysian student a circle, and the student might pengsan trying to find corners.

I guess that's one of the advantages of Australian education - students are taught to think beyond facts - to question facts and to take the initiative to seek out answers.

The grass is always greener on the other side - but there's nothing wrong with admiring the greener pastures and wanting to make the grass on this side just as green.

Musings on 8th June 2007

So Heiress It Is...

So Paris Hilton goes to jail, and gets back out again. It's not Monopoly, she doesn't have a "Get Out Of Jail" pass. It's reality, baby.

Seems as if an heiress is entitled to do anything she wants, even if it borders on a breach of law. What to do? The golden key hanging from her mouth also opens jail doors apparently.

Or does it? Seemingly the US population aren't too happy with her being sent home and put under house arrest (assuming that the over 400 emails and hundreds of phone calls from people around the States represent the true population and not just the people who are anti-Hilton administration), and she's now ordered back into jail.

So what next, Miss Hilton? The Simple Jail Life?

So Heiress It Is...

Does This Title Catch Your Eye???

Magazines do it.

Newspapers do it.

I reckon the way to increase the readability of my blog is to make the titles of the postings EYE-CATCHING.

Example: How I Nearly Got Molested by a Guy on the Train!!!, or

A Day in the Life of a Pimp,

Something along those lines...

because I don't think A Day in the Life of a Pharmacist is going to do it for anyone...

It's just something innate in humans that we prefer to know about sordid things... like how I like to read about the lives of the rich and famous in the tabloids... the more scandalous, the more it catches my eye...

So, here I invite the readers to pitch some ideas of what the next posting should be about...

Does This Title Catch Your Eye???

Only Human

I'm only human, made of flesh and blood...
I feel as any human would...
I err as any human would...

Only Human

Return to Sydney

Tonight I leave for Sydney.

Return to Sydney

I Don't Need Your Concern

From the instant you dealt me with the blow,

I no longer need your concern,

Whatever hopes and dreams are truly illusions,

We've past the point of no return...

Do you wish to see me better so that you won't feel the guilt or conscience?

I don't need your sympathy,

Whatever hopes and dreams are truly illusions,

This is the way it has to be...

Shall we be friends and pretend we've never happened?

What is the point to this whole charade?

From the instant you dealt me with the blow,

The dice have been thrown, and destiny has been made...

I Don't Need Your Concern

No Reprieve

No sleep for me tonight, I'm afraid... too many shadows for my liking...

No Reprieve

World No Tobacco Day - Tak Nak!!!

31st May 2007 was World No Tobacco Day. The 2007 theme was Smoke-Free Environment. I didn't even realise that yesterday was World No Tobacco Day. :P

Yesterday I spent the evening with my family at a buffet at this hotel in KL. Most air-conditioned "high class" eateries in Petaling Jaya / Kuala Lumpur are divided into two sections - smoking and non-smoking; this hotel not being the exception. We were seated at the non-smoking section, with the buffet tables dividing the smoking from the non-smoking sections.

I often wonder about this division concept: the same air is distributed in a fixed space, and tobacco smoke particles also distribute themselves in that fixed space - this is plain chemistry. What is there to stipulate that if there are non-smoking and smoking sections, the tobacco smoke particles are confined in the smoking section?

My sentiments are echoed by the World Health Organisation.

After dinner, we waited at the hotel foyer while my father went to get the car. To my surprise, the hotel foyer was also a "designated smoking section"; people were sitting down having a good smoke. I didn't look around to see if there was a No Smoking sign put up in the foyer, though. Don't tell me that the hotel foyer was also divided into smoking and non-smoking sections? If so, then why were all the chairs placed in the smoking section? Is it assumed that because non-smokers are healthier, there is no need for them to sit down?

As an aside, have a look at the list of activities to be organised by several countries around the world in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day 2007 - Malaysia is not listed as one of those countries.

It's high time that we Malaysians say "Tak Nak" to smoking and push for smoke-free environments. Enough has been said. Let's do something about it. Not just on World Tobacco Day. Every day.

World No Tobacco Day - Tak Nak!!!

Reprieve

I hope to sleep well tonight... I don't know how much more I can dream... and how much more I can fear...

"I have lost the music of the night,

Whence comes the dawn to save me of my plight?"

Reprieve