Revived

During my time of weakness, I long for the days that someone would call out of concern to see whether I'm still alive, shout at me when discovering I haven't eaten the whole day, offer (more like force) food delivery service to my house and watch me eat till the last drop of food.

---

I failed the first day of punching my card despite my best intentions the night before.

Oh, I feel as if I my bones turned into lead. Couldn't get out of bed. It's like my whole body were asleep. Thank God for the potent coffee at work. I came home during noon to sleep, skipped lunch because there was nothing to eat, back at work, home, continued sleeping, skipped dinner because I really couldn't move, finally woke up because Ryan called, online, wanton mee, ham bun...

Lesleh and classmates came over Ipoh yesterday for research to create a corporate identity for Ipoh. The following happened; dimsum, exploring Old Town, railway station, missionary schools, 100 yen shop, Greentown, the temple caves, pomelo and Ipoh leng lui sighting, playing with my dogs, chilling at my house, nyonya dinner, yum cha at Kinta river front.

I felt belonging because everyone had a DSLR. I'm so hyped about getting my 50mm.

Got the chance to 'kau chim' at the temple for fun. You know, shaking a bunch of sticks in a can like we always watch in TVB costume dramas. Was so noob, like asking how much do I need to pay, where's the can, do I need to kneel down to shake the can, who can explain the 'chim'? Lols. I only got it half deciphered because the rest of it was too complicated. My 'chim' was - It's raining now, but the sun will be out once the rain ends. Money is yet to come. Regarding love, do not force the issue, all will come naturally.

Aih, will just listen to advise with an open heart from now onwards. My heart is burdened and tired as it is. My brain has no more power to argue. Right now, I just want to live without conflict and put certain things behind me, because it's easier. The road towards an 'easy' life is hard too. So many compromises and adaptions to make, beliefs to be altered, you need to constantly be mentally and emotionally convinced of what you're doing. If this is what's best, why is my heart and soul so unsettled and not at peace?

Been spending the past half a year reading self improvement books on every aspect of life, only to realize there is no specific answer. You can be 'wrong' in doing the 'right' thing and be 'right' in doing the 'wrong' thing. It all depends on your core values what perspective to see things.

I did some soul searching and realize that if without any restriction or objection from anybody, I just want to live my life peacefully and happily using my gifts for the well-being of everyone around me. I'm sick of the rat race and the constant need to live up to expectations. It never ends. First, I'm promise it'll stop after getting my Law Degree, but look at now, I'm expected to take up the Bar, chamber, work in a Law firm, practice, go to court and to open my own law firm...

As of today, I'm just a humble conveyancing clerk, not intending to practice, learning my way to handling REIT investments and bank/business financing in order to earn my own life in my own way. I ultimately want to have business running on the side and spend most of my time being a homemaker and freelance artist. I honestly just want to live in peace, without everyone making a big deal about living up to my family standards. Maybe I won't be as filthy rich, but I'm determined to give my kids no less the life and education than what I received myself.

Heaty Weekend

Firstly, OMG!!!!! My ex-HOP is on FB. Will definitely not add him because he would have unlimited access to my gambar paling kurang siuman... Definitely detrimental.

I slept 14 hours; Saturday night (10pm)~Sunday noon (12pm). It's like a weeks worth of sleep, been sleeping at 1-2 every night (reason: hardcore gaming beginning after dinner). Playing games somehow makes a person more easily irritated; I've been cussing and screaming a lot this entire week at minor annoyances and interruptions. Tonight, I moved my laptop into my bedroom.

The ultimate con of staying with your parents is restricted freedom. There's a curfew to everything; outings, Internet, shopping, visiting friends etc. Parents have the need to pass a comment on everything you do; how u walk, talk, sleep, eat, spend, drive etc. Nothing you do is right in their eyes. They just have the OCD to win every occasion.

Me, being the awful passive aggressive I am, will grasp any available opportunity to piss them off, make snarky remarks on their bad behavior and when possible try to convince relatives to my side. I suppose that's how we maintain leverage. When you're living in Ipoh plus there's a severe lack of entertainment, all there's left to do is to create drama yourself.

Visited Po today (haven't seen her for ages). Gong is good to talk to, and we kinda thought that we should be spending more time around in Ipoh since our grandparents are really old (even though Gong can walk faster than a teenager) even though sometimes our parents piss the crap out of us everyday.

OMG it's 4 and it's off to work tomorrow. I don't mind working, but then... I'd love my work to start at 10am instead. Anytime before 9:30am is like exposing a vampire into the sun. Good night.

Drowsy

It's the crazy heat this morning! It's cloudy at the moment though. I'm so sleepy, I'm about to faint on my desk.

Yesterday was mama's day (How I'd wished every day was so). Had lunch at Citrus. Surprisingly, it wasn't jammed packed during lunch time which was a good thing.

Corn and Seafood Soup

Roasted Pumpkin (5 stars)

Mother's Day Special (Cod and Scallops)

Beef Aglio Olio and Grilled Chicken

Raspberry Crumble & Walnut Ice Cream

Tiramisu (Like a dream)


Strawberry Panna Cotta (<3)


Great coffee to down it all.

Later that evening, we had our immediate family members over to our house for steamboat. Ma and sis were fully responsible for shopping, slicing, making the stock (which has become legendary as of yesterday). As for me, since it was such a special occasion, I wasn't exactly being useless (as usual). I went around town (in my summery green dress, driving my sis's green Savvy, listening to SuJu in the hot sun) collecting the cake, flowers, buying mangoes (even though I was a noob in choosing the right ones) and plugged in the induction plate (and set it in such a way that the wire was barely noticeable and got praised for it).

More updates to come...

Ipoh Traffic Evolving To KL Standards

I swear - the traffic in Ipoh is going to give me a heart attack on of these days. I almost crashed into a Camry today. It refused to slow down behind a stationary vehicle in its own lane and entered my lane without signal. Thank God for my heightened senses and skill (developed only through years of gaming experience). I swerved to the left, missing him by inches and almost hit another car on the next lane but I missed it by inches as well. What a moron. He totally ignored my existence and sped off even after his irresponsible deed.

I know this is absolutely gross but I have to quote what my sister exclaimed in the car:-

"F*king Camry, I got so frightened that I was going to die that my poop shot up my brain."

For somewhat reason, I can relate... Right now, I'm having a blasted migraine and my chest is still tight even an hour past the shock.

I detest people who own big, fancy cars (which are usually purchased on a loan) and act like barbarians on the road. If I crashed into anyone at that moment, let it be his. At least, he'll stop his car and get down rather than I crash into some other innocent person's car and both of us bear the burden of his selfishness.

So what happens if he turns hostile. People should know by now that I have weapons hidden all over my car. Plus, he has no idea the amount of legal background/underground at my disposal. Sis even has the 'kelefer mafia' on her speed dial.

Oh Jo-jo, hope you arrived in Spore safely. Don't accidentally eat your new colleagues. x

[Update]

Sis's poop is running normally now. Thank you for your concern.

Days of the Chico Guild [Part I]: BBQ Rehearsal

Prior to the completion of mama's summer house, we had a raptai BBQ (it's a rehearsal because we're testing out the new settings of my garden patio) on the 2nd of Feb (which was way overdue, I know).

Demonstration Kung Fu Memanggang Zucchini.

Zucchini Cameron Highlands yang sudah masak.

Teknik memanggang ayam gaya Yan Choon.

Dua Batu Api menghangatkan api.

DJ Malat di sebalik kipas.

Sedap betul. Feeling hungry while posting all these pics. And yeah, I was in my office wear while BBQ-ing, so that I needn't waste another set of clothes.

And at the end there were fireworks on display clearly at my back garden. I had to watch it from my bathroom because I was halfway showering. Cis.

The summer house is completed now. Anyone coming down Ipoh, we should go up Camerons to get sweet corn, potatoes, zucchinis, whatever and panggang at my house. We can have official BBQ sessions from now on yay.

Happy Belated Independence Day.

Fireworks. Parades. Crowds. Flags. Sales. Being awakened by dad's shouting of the 'Merdeka!' cry by himself in front of the telly at 12.

I do appreciate everything that has been done for the sake of independence of this country. Honestly. Especially after going through Marion's class. She was probably the coolest lecturer we had last semester. I often secretly hoped to witness the one time that she might fling her slipper at some student for being late/rude/stupid in class... (That could be me; setting the earth shattering record of 1 time absent and 4 times late.*)

*I intend to change this semester. I tried. I kinda succeeded. But it wasn't good enough. Too bad. Keep encouraging me!

Back to what I was saying, Merdeka. Every 31st of the month, Baskin Robbins offers 31% discount on their ice cream. Yes, there is correlation between them.

I seldom remember dates. I believe it was fate that I went to Jusco that day despite the maddening crowd and rain.

Yes boy, I too, am fascinated and indecisive about what I want to eat.

He can name you all flavours available. So can I. (I heard him repeat that 8 times over.)

Ipoh has Big Apple. Surprise! We received a coupon from our previous purchase for 6 free donuts with a purchase of 12 or 3 free ones for 6. In the end, we gave in to our gut feelings that 18 donuts were too big a conquest at the moment and should only be attempted when we have increased in high level party members.

Donuts to accompany DoTA.

Upper right: Ryan's. Bottom left: Mine.

Hence, it shall be marked with the seal of my face.

My craving for chocolate is insatiable.

Chocolate overflow. I stained everything within the radius of a meter.

Of course, we didn't manage to finish all 9 donuts... I left the fate of the remaining 5 to Ryan. God knows how he chose to dispose of them.

Fast forward 7 days later. I returned for my ice cream. (Pralines N' Cream & Chocolate Something) And I realized the strangest thing...

Cherry L.: There're 2 spoons. Are you eating with the big one or small one?
Ryan: Big spoon is for you. I'm eating with the small one.
Cherry L.: You wanna 'hamhoi' me izit?
Ryan: Muahohohoho. *scoops ice cream 5 times the size of his teaspoon*
Cherry L.: *thinks to self* You give me large spoon also useless. *scoops ice cream 1/6 the size of the tablespoon* *stares at ice cream and makes a shocking discovery* Eh, I thought I bought 1 pint of ice cream, how come the size so big?
Ryan: That's what the guy gave you. I was quite surprised because you mentioned you wanted the smallest one but I thought you changed your mind and wanted bigger.
Cherry L.: No-larh. We had donuts and I'm not that crazy. I paid the price for a pint (RM18.50). It's written here on the receipt. They gave me a quart...

Merdeka.

I Have Issues With Commitment. Period.

I probably won't be updating much unless boredom holds me at gunpoint. Anyways, home is good when all you're interested in is eating, sleeping and... nothing. I've been visiting around, meeting friends, photographing... photographing so much, I don't even know when I can finish posting them up. These are all taken with my K550i because my tendonitis condition is making a slow comeback hence I cannot lift up anything heavier than my handphone.

The sunsets in Ipoh are always somewhat more beautiful than KL. I love the scenes when the rays pierce through the clouds. Another thing I noticed is that the goldeness of the sun is somewhat more cleaner and purer here.

When I have nothing to keep me occupied in the car.

When I relapse into total retardedness in shopping centres and there's no one to stop me.

Something very interesting catches my eye.
(Mum had this sudden bad vibe and started to walk away quickly.)

The real thang. *evil snicker*

We're at Secret Recipe. My brother's favourite pose. (He does it in almost all his pictures.)

Free rose syrup in conjunction with the fasting month. I likes pink (unlikes C, who thinks all thinks all things pink are poisonous =.=").

Chocolate and strawberry are seen together in SR. >3<

Dad's beef pie.

My cornish pastry. (It used to be really nice.)

Mum's chicken kebab. I was surprised they used oregano for this because it's just rare.

Mini burgers for the boy.

Can't help but be fascinated by the goodness of fried food.

I likes SR's apple cheese because it's light, not too sweet and it's quality has been consistent, unlike everything else.

"I was destined buy this eyebrow liner!" *Mum gives a disapproving look* I was feeling absolutely discontented with my eyebrows recently and I saw this in Cleo the day before. Empro was having a offer in Jusco by giving free eyebrow shaping service (worth RM10) and the pencil was on promotion price (RM30+ normally RM40+).

BEFORE
My otherwise lighter eyebrows that gives me my signature dreamy look.
(That's right, I changed into new glasses!)

AFTER
The more defined darker eyebrows. I look more awake.

I shall end the day with my cucumber eye gel patches.

***

Song Of The Day

You Give Me Something
James Morrison




You only stay with me in the morning
You only hold me when I sleep
I was meant to tread the water
But now I've gotten in too deep

For every piece of me that wants you
Another piece backs away

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

You only waited up for hours
Just to spend a little time alone with me
And I can say I've never bought you flowers
I can't work out what they mean

I never thought that I'd love someone
That was someone else's dream

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might call you from my heart

But it might be a second too late
And the words that I could never say
Are gonna come out anyway

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

Know my heart, know my heart, know my heart

The Tuesday Before I Left.

Each time I'm back in Ipoh, I get pestered a lot about whether or not I had 'Nga Choi Kai' (chicken noodles with beansprouts). So to annoy everyone back for annoying me...

Lou Wong Nga Choi Kai, I shall come invade you today.

My lil bro is ready with his Ultraman pose.

Sour Plum, Soya Bean, Lime, Longan... bla bla bla.

I'd drink anything that has longan inside anytime.

Meatballs, fishballs and those famous fat beansprouts.

Chicken feet, a delicacy that I feel disturbed to savour.

The tender, juicy chicken you can never find elsewhere.

And finally the noodles. And it is great because it's made with Ipoh water.
(which is unpolluted, unlike everywhere else ie. KL)

***

There was a pasar malam next to Lou Wong and being easily attracted to anything that glitters under spotlights and unfamiliar places, I had to go and discover what this night market has to offer. (Actually not much since it had only very few stalls.)

Shoes, I heart you. Especially when you're cheap and pretty.

Funky slippers are always in.

Lil bro being fascinated. Not towards jewelry, but why women all get attracted to them.

There's so much variety.

And you can't make up your mind over what to buy.

I heart RM10 wallets! They look quite authentic too!

More cheapo stuff.

Finally, something here manages to catch my lil bro's eye.

2 streets of stalls are nothing.

Yeah, true. I saw a lot of strange, bizarre objects that had questionable origins.

Chicken biscuits are one of the favourite souvenirs to be bought.

We walked to Popo's house which was across the road to pay her a visit.

My lovely relatives from UK got me a cake!

I was really glad that I managed to somehow celebrate my birthday with them. Btw, the cake was coffee flavoured and my brother and I went nuts over the cherries.