LDR

I've just read that fav blogger broke up with her bf. I'm surprised and slightly disappointed. Their relationship has got nothing to do with me, I know, but it still leaves an impact because I'm in an LDR myself. And I think they've got a stronger relationship than mine.

Sometime ago, just before I decided to come to UK, Bf had an opportunity to work in Singapore. I thought it was a great chance to get away from earning Ringgit. I was supportive and all but I think it was all but a mere facade. I knew if he'd gotten the job, I'd have broke up with him because I don't think I'm cut out for an LDR. Well, what happened in the end was that he didn't get the job, that's what he tells me at least.

6 months ago, prior to leaving home for UK, the same issue popped up again. This time, I was the one leaving. He knew what I had in mind but he wanted me to give it a try. I thought, why not? The first week was difficult. Everything was new and strange. Being alone again makes me feel uneasy. During Christmas, he came over for a week. It felt slightly awkward in the beginning but it quickly dissolved because we missed each other so much. I cried a lot that week because I knew the next time I'd see him in person again will be 7 months later.

Now, it's been 3 months since he left UK. I feel very comfortable. Our lives are filled with more activities and friends. For the past 3 days, I've been spending it in Loughborough with the loveliest couple I've met in UK. I've never felt so at home. They remind me of what I shared with Bf. I'm satisfied and contented. My LDR is still working because we both moved on and the relationship we now share evolved into a bond that's not necessarily physical. I know he's kept me safely in his heart and that's enough for me for now.

If I Have Short Hair

I'd look somewhat like this (itching to chop off my hair)

Ghibli Music

I've always been a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki's animes. My very first encounter with Ghibli productions was Totoro. I was rather young, probably about 7 years old or something. I still remember the movie so clearly in my mind. I loved it to bits. I've never found anyone else with similar interest as me until Spirited Away came along.

It was then everyone around me started looking into Hayao Miyazaki's work. Totoro was reintroduced. I began to find his work available in stores and I found more interesting works of his eg. Howl's Moving Castle, Laputa, Princess Mononoke etc. I love the mysterious fantasy storyline. I love the music that goes so well with it.

Joe Hisaishi is the producer behind these songs. His music tells a story. It's the kind of music that I'd listen to with my eyes closed, with aromatic candles dimly lit. It's the kind of music that reminds me of what I'd like to do. It's the kind of music that stimulates my imaginations. I hope someday, I'd be able to hear them in real life orchestra.

Negotiation

Yes, I'm done with it! The last experience during mock examination had been unnerving. Alright, I was too weak to put my client's case at its highest and there were so many points that I should have argued on. This time, I tried, I really did. The opponent still had an upper hand, especially on the main point. I pondered on what I could have brought up for my client but nothing came up. Is it my problem that I only see the weaknesses in my cases?

A funny thing happened today. My predictions were right on who'd be my examiner and opponent! This is so weird and it's not the first time! Well, at least I like my opponent. We had a great chat catching up a bit after the exams. Ah, friends~ It's so much better ending a negotiation on a positive end.

Shuv, I didn't say hi to that bloke even though he stood beside me talking to everyone else. XP Is it an improvement? hehe...

Uncomfortable

I'm feeling very unsettled right now. I have no idea what's wrong with me. Is it the uneventful evening? Is it the exams? Is it the stress about what I'm to do soon? Something in me feels very uncomfortable now. I feel like I've done something that made others feel uncomfortable and as a result I'm making myself uncomfortable. I feel like I need to confront and apologise. I think I'm thinking too much and leaving my head free to roam is a dangerous thing to do. I just need some good scolding from a good friend to wake me up.

Rant

I served horribly during mass today. Don't know what's wrong with me. I think I need to focus. Focus, focus, focus! And Holy Week is just round the corner. I doubt they'll let me do anything for the Holy Week after today. :( Now I need to start worrying over what to cook. And figure out what exactly the instructions for Tuesday's negotiation exam are. It's quite confusing. If only I have Instructing Solicitor's number whom I can call to clarify matters with.

It's Mother's Day in UK!

Apparently, all these years I've been fundamentally mistaken. I assumed that Mother's Day is a universal celebration. I thought, globally, Mother's Day is celebrated in the second Sunday of May every year, that's how it's done in Malaysia. But this is not so in UK! Mother's Day here falls on 22nd of March each year. I am now stuck in this weird dilemma, do I wish my mom "Happy Mother's Day" on Sunday or should I do so in May? Maybe I should do it twice, hehe~

Why I Think MDG 1 is better than MDG 2

Malaysian Dreamgirl is a successful online modeling reality show in Malaysia, there's no doubt about that. Because it's only in its second season, there are plenty of room for improvement. There are thousands of voices about the show online, whose to adhere and whose to ignore is a hard decision for the producers. But whatever they choose to change, it should make the show more interesting and captivating, not otherwise.

It was painful to watch MDG 2. Putting aside the auditions (I personally don't like watching auditions in general), I think MDG has become a long advertisement. I couldn't help but fast forward almost half of the show. It wasn't so bad in MDG 1. I was quite looking forward to some real action in MDG 2 Episode 6 but 6-3 to 6-5 was boring and draggy.

What I didn't like about MDG 2 and what I think should be done:

1. Too much time spent on promoting products for example the "Beautilicious" make up product. I understand that the producers need to make their sponsors happy. I enjoy learning about new products. But what is the relevance of it all with MDG when you just go on and on blabbing about how great my product is and where you can buy them? Or the "Wacoal'' part in the end. Why just go around showing which bra is cute or which bra they like? I suggest, like MDG 1, make it a make up challenge or something. Challenges are always fun to watch. At the same time, give us some make up tips too! I'm sure everyone would like to know some tips on how to take great pictures in front of the camera :)
2. Too much emphasis on trivial matters. Spending half the episode going through everybody's phone call is just too much! I don't want to know how much you missed your mother/father/bf/dog/cat bla bla bla. I know you miss them alright, so do I. I am also not interested in the girls telling their parents about what they had for dinner (I know this sounds ironic because I post about what I eat in my blog all the time but for a reality show it's just so wrong~). What I think should be done is more editing work. Each episode need not be so long if there aren't anything much to highlight. Chucking in all the phone calls of the girls (From "hi" to "bye" literally) seems to me rather unnecessary. I'd rather have a short gist of what went on than a long windy grandmother story.
3. Trying too hard to create havoc. Everybody loves gossip, that's a fact. When you put a group of people under one roof, there's guaranteed to be some conflict. But why spend almost 5 minutes just listening to one girl after another complaining about this and that? Why not make it more energetic instead of just hearing girls sitting down at night with nothing else to do? I think conflicts can start off being subtle. Maybe a line or two from a few girls, build up the tension and boom!
4. More activities for the girls. Show us when they practice their catwalk at home. Their living condition. Who's messy? Who's lazy? Who's the chef? Who's the leader? What they do during their free time? I don't know why they have to be locked up in a house but do ensure that there's always something for the girls to do besides sitting around talking. Are they on diet anyway? Do they exercise regularly in the house? I heard one of the judges say some girls need to work on their weight, do the girls know that? Anything done about that?

I wanted to recommend this show to a friend but after watching it, I decided to wait till the tension builds with more difficult challenges and the show becomes more interesting. I'm sure it'll get better. As for now, I'd rather watch the bimbotic Paris Hilton's British Best Friend than MDG 2.

Desire

I want to eat Korean food.

I want to eat chocolate bars.

I want to eat chips.

I want to eat fish and chips.

I want to eat japanese food.

I want to eat steak.

I want to eat salmon.

I want to eat bear bear biscuits.

I want to eat Ritz.

I want to eat Tiramisu.

I want to eat cheesecake.

I want to eat chocolate brownies.

I want to eat muffins.

I want to eat cookies.

I want to drink miso soup.

I want to eat pizza.

I want to eat chicken wings.

I want to eat curry mee.

I want to eat hokkien mee.

I want to eat pan mee.

I want to eat sushi.

I want to eat sashimi.

I want to eat kimchi.

I want to eat steam fish.

I want to eat paella.

I want to eat ostrich meat.

I want to eat pork burger.

I want to eat fried lettuce with fermented tofu.

I want to eat tofu.

I want to eat white rice.

I want to eat nasi pattaya.

I want to eat roti canai.

I want to eat banana cake.

I want to eat banana leaf rice.

I want to eat grilled fish.

I want to eat taiwanese sausage.

I want to eat taufu far.

I want to eat black glutinous rice dessert.

...

I need to go to bed now. Goodnight.

A Windy Stroll

The weather today is perfect for a little stroll to Tesco and Aldi. My weekly groceries shopping now includes Aldi because they sell cheaper tomatoes and fruits. I bought some bananas and apples. Wanted to get some grapes but thought it was too much of a luxury that I can't afford to spend. I bought the chocolate hazelnut spread that sis recommended. I'm hoping it'll last for a month at least.

Walking back with a wheeled bag, three quarter full with groceries for the week was quite enjoyable. The wind was so strong that taking one step ahead was difficult. Walking back was more interesting because I was walking against the wind. Have you ever experienced the wind so strong that breathing in seems difficult? I felt like I was going to blown away if not for my heavy groceries holding me steadily onto the ground.

As I walked pass Guildhall, my gaze was held up by two lady statues on the balcony above. One of them was wearing an armor. The year "1887" was carved on its grey walls. I wondered what brought me here and the only answer I could figure out was my father's sacrifice for me. I am so blessed to be here.

Language

Here are some daily words and phrases I learnt here in UK that differs from the English language back home:

1. It's "mobile", not "handphone". There's no such thing as a "handphone".
   
2. Say "cheers" instead of "thank you". It's a common word to use for example when someone opens the door for you, you say "Cheers" and sometimes the other person will reply "Cheers" too. "Cheers" can also be used as "goodbye".
   
3. Greetings: "How are you doing?" (Instead of saying "hi")
   
4. It's "trousers", not "pants". Pants = underwear.
5. "Quote" is pronounced as "ku-oat", not "coat".
6. "Croissant" is pronounced as "kua-sont", not "cru-sont"/"croi-sont"/whatever I've heard back home.

Primark Wonders

I had a good feedback for my Closing Speech advocacy today and I'm glad I went to catch up with some girl friends @ Yo Sushi (and successfully not spend anything :D). On the way back, Shuv and I decided to stop by FCUK to check out some dresses. Saw a few nice ones but overall still looking for the "perfect one". We then head to the happy land of Primark. I laid my eyes on some dresses and decided to just try some on for fun ^_^ They were quite nice and cheap. On average, it's about £15 each. Good deal eh?

Shuv's pick: I like it except that the top part does not fit when the bottom part does :(

Always wanted to try something like this but it does accentuate my butt a bit too much

Best pick. Reminds me of a dress I saw in Karen Millen.

Tuna + Corn + Potatoes + Tomatoes + Spaghetti

It's been awhile since I revealed my food intake, not like it's particularly interesting anyway. Here's something I just tried today. It's recommended by sis. I never really liked mayonnaise but this dish is almost tasteless without it. All you need is a can of tuna, mayonnaise, potatoes (optional), tomato (optional), corn (optional), pasta and anything else you like. 

Here's how I made it:

1. Boil spaghetti, chopped potatoes (small cubes) and corn together (just because I'm just too lazy to boil them separately).
2. Slice a tomato while waiting.
3. Open up a can of tuna. Use half of it and keep the other half for tomorrow's lunch.
4. Add mayonnaise in the tuna, some pepper and salt.
5. The boiled stuff should be done in about 15 minutes max so drain the water and put them on a plate.
6. Put in the sliced tomatoes and mayo-ed tuna.
7. Mix.
8. Finally, add some salt, pepper, basil and oregano for taste. The herbs are entirely optional but personally recommended.

Surprisingly delicious

It's Time

Instead of worrying over what lies ahead for me, what I should be doing is start planning my own life. What is it that I want to do with my life? How to achieve it? With who? Where? So many questions, I guess I will need to spend my entire life finding it out. That's why they say, life is so full of mysteries.

I Eat Because...

...it's my way of stress relief, besides the fact that I love good food of course. That's why I finished the loaf of bread I just bought, which was supposed to be for tomorrow's breakfast. It didn't survive the night :(

I'll be rather broke if I continue eating like this, not to mention - FAT.

迷茫的夜晚

不见窗外星星闪烁的夜空

想不起感情牵伴的感觉

无法实现的未来计划

啊，路还很长呢...