I Have A Dream

So today, while reading the papers on my lunch break (yes,yes, I know, how very old skool of me to be reading the newspaper while everyone else reads the news online :P) I came across this cartoon sketch from the Opinion section of the Herald Sun:

I don't know about you but this sketch to me is an indication of revelation.

When I was about 10 years old, I was watching a documentary on TV2 (Saluran Emas, oh boy! Now we are getting really old skool here) with my brother about March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. I remember asking my big brother while pointing to the TV,“Who is that guy ah?”. My brother who was only 13 at that time explained to me who he was and what he did and why he did what he did. Is my brother so smart or what?? The dude always knew so much in general knowledge I tell you. Ok let’s not stray away from the topic.

Anyway then my brother went “Shhh, listen this..” And there I was, listening to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” for the first time. All I could think to myself at that time was “WOW” mainly because at the age of 10, my vocabulary was limited :P, but to say the least, it was the most inspiring thing that I have ever heard, ever!

“………

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today my friends - so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

……..

Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring - when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children - black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

He had a dream…….

....and perhaps Barack Obama is close of being the living proof of that dream.........

Too hard to think of a title

Hello, I am alive. Believe it or not.

I think I am going through one of those phases again. You know, that phase. What's it called?? Ahhh yes- The Transitional Phase.

So weird. So annoying. So exciting. All at the same time. It's a reoccurring phenomenon that we just can't run away from. Someone once told me "Comfort zones are not meant to be permanent. Once you know you’re in a comfort zone, it’s time take the next step and move on. That’s what life is really all about”. Well I guess that’s what I am currently doing. Won’t elaborate on it for now. We shall leave that for another day or at least when I, myself have digested it well enough to spit out on a post.

For now I do apologise for the senseless gibberish.

Anyway do like my new banner??? I took that picture today, yes today I say, while I was waiting for the train. Mind you I DO NOT HAVE PHOTOSHOP. So this was done using ms paint and ms office picture manager. Given the time span of 30 minutes, I would like to think that I have done very well.

I choose to call this banner the “Transitional Banner”. This means that it may not be permanent, like everything else in life.

Nite.

Snail Mail

Having a blog definitely helps sometimes. It is possibly the best excuse that I have to not
(i) study, (ii) do the laundry and (iii) cleaning :P

Anyway remember the postcard swap that I took part in last month. You've seen what Karen's card is like now you'll get to see what did I make for her :P

Photo from Chookooloonks
As you can see mine looks ok only compared to the other cards that she's received :P. It's the one with the red arrow pointing at it

And just went I thought the snail mail frenzy was over look what I got again:

Another Snail Mail from Espana *weeeee*

It's a letter come recipe all the way from Spain.
So cute!

So can't wait to try it out. Probably will try it on this upcoming long weekend :). This is vegan dish because Fon's a vegan but tell you what, when I was reading the recipe I was like almost drooling. If only I had a personal chef, I would ask him/her to make that for me instantly!

Fon's sketch attemp of the Portabella Mushrooms; though it does look more like a Big Mac to me hahahha ;)

Hopefully I won't be lazy to take some photos and update on the recipe :P!

On a different note, here are some blogs that has unintentionally become my daily blog surfing routine (apart from my close friends blogs that is):

Chookooloonks
Rebecca Woolf
Shutter Sisters
Matt Bites
Jenifer Altman
Martha Stewart

OK so you if you're looking at Martha Stewart's name and going "what da", well I happen to like her and her works, so bite me! :)
Anyway that's all for now. I'm hungry and so am going to have some instant noodle-YUM!

I will.....

[WoW! 4th post for the month!!!- Now that's something we've not seen in awhile aye? :P
I use to take blogging seriously but now I guess you should realise that this space is here for my blues and pimping stuff.]

I will find it in myself to not be so angry. I will find it in myself to not be so sulky. I will find it in myself to not worry so much. I will find it in myself to be hopeful, optimistic, forgiving and happy, and I will find it in myself to sleep on things before I take drastic actions. Most of all, I will find it in myself to not regret the things I do ( good or bad), and to learn from them.

P/S: How many of you are still in par with your New Year's resolution(s)?? Man! I am finding it EXTREMELY difficult- but I am not going to give up just yet. I mean come on! It's only February for Pete's sake :P

Postcard Swap: The Love Edition

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

I just got back from (a tiring day at) work. I went to my snail mail box and there in a pile full of boring mails and bills I saw this envelope addressed to me in bright pink writing!
And it came all the way from:

Texas-U.S.A

A few months back I stumbled upon this AMAZING photography come blog called Chookooloonks. Tell you what- I am so in love with it- the blog that is ;) Anyway sometime last month the author of this blog; Karen had organised this thing called postcard swap: The true love edition. I thought the idea was so cool that as uncreative and boring as I am, I should give it a go and emailed her expressing my interest to be apart of it. A couple of weeks later, I didn't hear anything from her and it turned out that she didn't even received my email to begin with. Anyway I emailed her back saying that it was ok and that hopefully I will get a chance to participate in the next postcard swap.

She replied back saying how sorry she was and said that she will send me a card instead! What a serious act of kind gesture :)

She's such an amazing photographer!

After seeing her card, I now feel like really bad for that card that I made and send to her :S. I mean seriously mine is just so crappy compared to hers. I am not even sure whether has it reached safely at Texas.
If you're reading this Karen- I'm So Sorry! :P

All I have to say for now is Thank You! This has definitely put a big smile on my face. *HuGs*

Two to the Five at NOBU

25!

I've just turned a quarter of a century old on Chinese New Year this year!AND would naively like to take that as a sign of some sort of great prosperity coming up my way ;) ha-ha!

My journey from 24 to 25 has been a life lesson that no money can buy,no book can teach and no degree can gain. The older I get, the more that life has thought and reminded me of what's important for me. Although for now I can't really say that I have found my true calling, however, there's no doubt in my mind that I am getting closer to it. It's a gut feeling.

As much as I am not keen to admit this, I am now an adult. I have responsibilities that I try to carry them out as well as possible. I have to make decisions that may not always favour me or to the people who are close to me but it is the best possible solution to the situation. I have learn to face problems with courage and strength. Life cannot always be fair to me or be served in a silver platter.

All these years, when I woke up on in the morning of my birthday, I always wished, wished for things material and non material. But this year I woke up not wishing for anything. Instead for the first time in my entire life I said Thank You. To me, that was sign that I was no longer a child or a teenager but an adult who is eagerly looking to forward to what life has to offer.

OK. Enough of the sentiments :P

I didn't do much on the actual day instead of going to work and later in the evening decided to treat two of my closest friends in the whole wide world to dinner at NOBU!!!!

Let the Snap shots do the talking:

With Miss Gooi

Jol and Cyn- sharing the Birthday together for the 3rd year in a row!

First meal of the day: Tacos (Japanese style)- Salmon, Lobster, Crab and Tuna

Mocktails: Laici and Lime-S0 refreshing!
New style Sashimi: I swear I could easily have a giant bowl of this :P!

An all time favourite: Crispy OYSTERS!
The Oyster Monsters :P
The Black Cod: YUM! is all I have to say.
Moreton Bay Bugs with Jalepino

The best shushi and sashimi platter ever! The soft shell crab sushi was AWESOME!!!!

Desserts:

The only thing that didn't amuse me at all. God knows what it was.
This one on the other hand was a pleasant surprise: Can't go wrong with chocolate can we ;)
The green tea ice cream was so far the best that I've had!!!!!!!
The (very) contented Birthday Girl :P

And what better way to end the night then shamelessly cam-whoring :P

Ha-Ha :)

I also had another small celebration last night with a few more other friends. I didn't bring my camera (though this shall not be a problem in the near future :P) so I have wait to be tagged with the photos on Facebook (hopefully soon) and I will blog more about that FUN & AWESOME night!!!!!!!!!

In the mean time- you have to rely on this
Love you all.
Nite Nite!

12 Embarassing/Weird/Quirky/ No-So-Proud-of Facts about MOI

[Now if you look closely to your screen (at this blog of mine), I bet you can see one or two cob webs. Seriously.]

1. I H-A-T-E ironing. I hate it with a passion! I am now trying various washing and hanging tactics that will result in less ironing.

2. I am addicted to cook shows and BBC.

3. Given me the chance I would have instant noodles like everyday. Every time I go to the Asian Grocery, my shopping basket will be filled with instant noodle from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea. I would like to consider them as my form of comfort food.

4. I would like buy a house in 12-18 months so that I will have a place called Home.

5. I would like to go to New York. So far the plan is to go by 2009.

6. I haven't cut my hair in almost 12 months because for some strange reason I can't get around to doing it.

7. I have a silent passion for photography but still have a lot to learn. By the time no.5 comes I would want to own a nice SLR camera ;).

8. I'm turning a quarter of a century old next week :S.

9. I've learned that life is too short to be in an unhealthy relationship (romantic or otherwise)

10. I can't stand people who are so picky with food. Why can't they just be thankful that have food to begin with.

11. Bookstores (Readings, Borders) are my place of refuge.

12. I love sea food! Just had 12 chili mussels and damn they were good!

P/s: My recent trip back home was absafreakinglutely fantabulous!!!! It was such a joy to have met up and spend some quality time with all of my family and friends. What a blessing I tell you.

Merry Xmas & Happy 08

I know that we have at least a week to go before the whole xmas come new year she bang, but I am still going to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
I am pretty sure that I won't be blogging for the remaining part of the year. Why you ask? Well simply because I will be busy with work, trying to finish as much as possible before my trip back home!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After almost 4 YEARS I am finally making a trip back to MALAYSIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time in 4 YEARS I will spending NY's at home!

For the first time in 4 YEARS I will seeing my brother, relatives (well not really keen on this one to be honest) and friends.

OH! The joy! The Food! The Love! The Break!

Till then, once again Merry Xmas and A Happy NY!!!
See you next year (hopefully)!

Thank you

Today I had a minor scare.
I felt fear, sad, angry, frustration and disappointment all at that same moment.
My mind was cloudy, my heart was pounding intensely and my blood was flowing like the angry waves in the sea
Maybe it was an indication........
Maybe it was a sign........
Maybe it was Gods way of telling me......
That I should never ever take things in life for granted or;
Maybe it was a test to see how strong I was but,
Whatever it is (was),
I thank you for answering to my prayers.

Coz I'm Just a girl who has nothing better to blog about!

Ok so after a short absence I've decided to resume blogging by putting up post to show how much perving and drooling I have done over the past year (s)....;)

Drool No1.
I have blogged about him before, but now I know who he is!

Daniel Hanney

OoooooOOOOOooooooo is all I have to say ;)

Drool No2 & 3

Chef Jun Tanaka

Chef Matt Tebutt

Ever wondered why have I been so addicted to the Food Channel. Nuff said.


Drool No 4

Danny Bhoy

Funny and uber cute at the same.....seriously.....need I say more!!!!

Drool No 5

Mads Mikkelson

Confession: I've always had a slight weakness for yummy looking Scandinavian villians. God I feel like having some Danish pastry now :D

Drool No 6

J-Depp

You will always be in my heart!


Aiyo Holy Mothers of All Masalas! Can someone kill me!!!!!

Whoa!

I want to blog but at the same time I want to sleep.

So I choose SLEEP.

Good Night and Good Luck.

*will resume the leisure of blogging and reading sometime soon (ish)*

Nat King Cole

I don't know why but I just love looking at this particular photo of the legendary Nat King Cole.

Fifteen!

Honestly I can't really remember when was the last time I went out on a Friday night!

So anyway decided to give myself a break and joined my fellow working class heroins for a night of pure pleasure and indulgence at Fifteen! .

Entrance.

Fifteen Bar.

The interior was simple but cozy and gorgeous at the same time!

What we had [6 course meal from the Degustation Menu, and YES! I had them all :)]:

Starters

Entree 1

Entree 2
My Favourite: Salmon :)

Main 1

Main 2
mmm LAMB at its best.

Dessert 1
Orange & Mango Sorbet

Dessert 2
Prune & Custard Tart with Walnut Ice-Cream

Finale
Fine Quality Cheese Platter

My fellow working class heroins; stuffed and Happy- JoJo and Cyn :) Thanks Girls for a wonderful and memorable night- it's was just perfect.