best 20 minutes of my life

Community is bacccckkkkk!!! Oh my heart! With Dan Harmon back in the creator's seat, the show seems to have received a new leash of life after a somewhat disappointing Season 4. But this season we are saying goodbye to two of its main cast: Pierce (Chevy Chase)(whom I never really liked, so I didn't mind his departure)(he had a fallout with Dan) and Troy (Donald Glover a.k.a. rapper Childish Gambino)(whom I really, really liked)(he's leaving cos he wanted to focus on his music career, and it does not help that the show's constantly on the threat of being canceled)(I meeesh you already Troy, and how will Abed cope with you going off? Gosh, I'm genuinely heartbroken as one can be... over a TV character, and yes I feel silly crying cos obviously it's not real but.. but.. like the lava on the floor (farewell episode reference), it was real enough for Abed, it's real enough for me. I hope he comes back next season :( These guys are the best, I tell you, THE BEST!! =) Okay, I just want to say that I'm totally stoked about Community's return, even if this is a short season. #sixseasonandamovie yo!! *HEART*

Since we're on the subject of sitcom... I started and finished catching up with all five seasons (and the ongoing sixth) of Parks and Recreation over the past two weeks, and it was awesome. Not as awesome as Community, but it definitely made it into the list of my top five favorite sitcoms! It took me more than a year after downloading the first season to get into the motion (and I only did because all the other series I was following was on Christmas hiatus) but boy, am I glad I did. I just love the character played by Amy Poehler, the ever earnest and always optimistic government servant, Leslie Knope. And Nick Offerman's portrayal of Ron Swanson is stuff of internet legend by now. They are my two fav chars. I also love how cute Adam Scott is as Leslie's love interest and was also charmed by the impulsive and weirdo couple, April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt)... and the rest of the cast is great too. It's literally* the best show there is and I'm just delighted to be on this wagon.. ;)

* that's one of Chris Traeger's (played by Rob Lowe) catchphrase, a blatant abuse of the word "literally"

Last but not least, a quick mention on the much-welcomed finall season of How I Met Your Mother. Much I had loved the show, my patience was wearing thin by the long winded stories Ted have been telling his kids - nine years! Like.... get it done and over already! I know I will definitely miss the show once it's over, but I guess it's better to go out in glory than defeat. They revealed Ted's wife (played by Cristin Milioti) in the last episode of the previous season, and she's pretty much incorporated into this season's plot and I love her already, so I guess everything is going on just fine and we're all just waiting with mixed emotions for the B(ig)-Day... so bring it on!

I just caught up with S02E11 (The Diabolical Kind) of Elementary, and this song by Radical Face played in the episode. It's not the kinda song I usually listen to (not these days), but I found myself repeating it. I'm glad that it came my way and want to note it's my song of the moment. I suppose it would be one of those songs I would forget but for now, I want to remember it as the perfect song for a great episode. :)

Some get dealt simple hands
Some walk the common paths, all nice and worn
But all folks are damaged goods
It ain't a talk of "if," just one of "when" and "how"

So, collect your scars and wear 'em well
Your blood's a good an ink as any
Go scratch your name into the clouds
And pull 'em all... down

Radical Face :: The Crooked Kind

So yesterday I had the worst bout of food poisoning I've ever experienced. Honestly I didn't think that I'd last the night, because you know, drama mama. But here I am so you know I survived.

My tummy started rumbling when we boarded the flight home from Sandakan (another exciting adventure, that, with delayed flights at Lahad Datu and rushing to the Sandakan airport three hours away to catch a direct flight home (instead of waiting at LD and missing the connecting flight in Kota Kinabalu which would probably means I'll only be home late at night) and reaching the airport literally moments before the gate closed) and the pain got progressively worse in that 3 hour flight. Asked for diarrhea pills from the flight steward, but they didn't seem to work. I got a seat right next to the toilet which under normal circumstances I would have complained about, but it was a definitely blessing in that flight for I spent most of the time hogging one of the cubicles. Touched down and got my cabbie to rush me to the clinic in SP (we didn't want to risk hunting for one because we were unfamiliar with the places near the airport). I honestly thought I was going to pass out from the cramps.

Reached SP and rushed into my usual clinic only to find out from the nurses who were staring at me blankly that the doctors were changing shift and no one would be available for the next 30mins. Thank God there was another clinic two doors away, I hobbled over and demanded to see the doctor immediately. Thank God there was no other patients as I would have felt bad jumping queue. The doctor gave me an injection (to which I still asked if there was an alternative while I curled up writhing on the examination bed because that's how much I fear needles) to my butt to stop the pain, and it kinda helped. With the cramp gone, I began to feel so nauseated and the aches in my body was getting more pronounced. Got home and as I was washing up to go to bed, I brushed my teeth, which kinda induced vomiting, and that's when I -- brace yourself, I'm getting graphic here -- puked and shat in my pants simultaneously. Yup. I just knelt there while liquid was shooting out uncontrollably from the two orifices. Gross right? I was just so thankful I was in my bathroom so cleaning up was easier. And gross as that was, it made me feel better. So I got into bed and slept for 13 hours straight.

So there, that was my food poisoning saga - the worst I've ever had it. I didn't think I would make it through the night, and when J offered to bring me to the hospital, I was so tempted to do it. And then I vomited.. so phew! Feeling better today - thank God! Going to Miri tomorrow for the HQ's annual dinner. Tried on a dress I wanted to wear and found out that I couldn't zip it up. I have a long way to go to lose all this unwanted weight. Boo hoo!

classic schmellis

We left home for church early this morning for breakfast and church, and when we got home from lunch and a hospital visitation (and a quick stop for cendol + rojak), we found our door and grille wide open like this:




Immediate thought: We've been robbed!!!
And shortly after: But why are my keys hanging there?
And then, OMG I LEFT IT LIKE THAT!!! FOR SEVEN HOURS!!! IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!!!



I really really reeeeallllly hate how careless I am. *kicks self repeatedly* This was just so outrageous that even the husband had nothing to say. I... I... *cries and hangs head in shame*

Thank God, nothing is missing (afaik), but urgh!

fading west

Ah, today is a good day, having someone remarking on my weight gain notwithstanding. I wasn't offended because it is the truth. :/ Still a good day, because today Switchfoot dropped their latest album, Fading West. Wheee! I've just downloaded it from iTunes (USD6.99 only!) so excusez-moi s'il vous plaît while I go off into the sun and surf with the boys.. I've missed them so much! They have a long list of touring dates ahead, but all venues are US-based. Still, I have hope that they will be back. ^_^

So, Leehom, this leaves only you whose album (from a list of albums whose arrival I actually do care about) is still baking in the oven. Should I hold my breath? ;)

nothing is forever

The writing muse is still on Christmas holiday so it's going to be quiet for a while here. Anyway, I heard this song over the radio the other day and went on another trip to way back when. I don't remember when I first heard it but it was one of those songs that I liked immediately and would have looped forever. I was 18 when this song came out in 1996, and it's literally a lifetime ago -- this song is 18 years old, and it's almost two decades since I left school. Man. Anyway, take a walk with me. Here's The Wallflowers with One Headlight.

Hey, come on try a little, nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than in the middle
But me & Cinderella, we put it all together
We can drive it home with one headlight

The Wallflowers :: One Headlight

bread, b****!

Okay, didn't mean to be rude there in the title, just imitating Aaron Paul's Breaking Bad character Jesse Pinkman. Been meaning to continue with Season 2 but just can't seem to (but hey, it's on my NY reso list haha). Someday soon, I hope. I'm on my Parks and Recreation roll right now, like whee!

Anyways.... so I made bread from scratch for ze first time! The kneading process is kinda tiring but on the whole it was quite exciting hehe. I've done two batches so far. The first was hard-as-rock herb bread, while the second one was almost-there honey bread. Only time will tell if there'd be a third attempt... :)

Unintentionally-hard bun. : /

Was genuinely excited seeing the dough doubling in size. :)

Attempt #2 yielded a more edible result :)

Soft center, hard crust. But why?

sing me to sleep

Leehom held his annual New Year free show so, so close to home this year... in Singapore! While I knew it was happening, I had like almost zero expectation that I would get hold of a ticket (there were only 210 available this year), so I wasn't really bummed out. That said, I would have jumped on the first bus heading south had I managed to snap one.

His set would usually consist of his own songs and some covers of others. Last year he did Jamie Cullum's All At Sea, one of my all-time favorite songs, but alas, no video (audio only) of the performance popped up on YouTube so I could only imagine how it went. This time around, he performed a cover of Billy Joel's Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), to my absolute delight! David Tao's Lullaby has got to be one of my most played songs, and I think there's always this tenderness to lullabies that makes you feel all warm and contented, plus anything that brings to mind the sweet joy of slumber is tops in my book. :) I haven't really checked out the other songs from the show because I've been looping this one :)

Goodnight, my angel, time to close your eyes and save these questions for another day

I think I know what you've been asking me, I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you and you should always know

Wherever you may go, no matter where you are, I never will be far away

Goodnight, my angel, now it's time to sleep and still so many things I want to say

Remember all the songs you sang for me, when we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean, I'm rocking you to sleep

The water's dark and deep inside this ancient heart, you'll always be a part of me

Goodnight, my angel, now it's time to dream and dream how wonderful your life will be

Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullabye

Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone but lullabyes go on and on...

They never die, that's how you and I will be

Wang Leehom (Billy Joel cover) :: Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

hello 2014!

I usually don't bother with New Year resolutions, because I'm terrible at keeping them, and in the end, they are only reminders of how farrr I am from my goals. But this year, this year will be different, because this year I want to be different (well, not too much, just a little bit, but still.. different). So, this is my list of things to achieve in twenty fourteen:

1. Lose weight for my brother's wedding. I'm aiming for 8-10kg weight loss. That's how far I am from my ideal weight. *cries* But I'll take 5-8kg. -- Failed.
2. Get back on my previous running routine i.e. hit KLCC park once a week and walk/run at least four rounds. -- Failed.
3. Play the keyboard for 15 minutes everyday for 100 consecutive days (inspired by giveit100). -- Failed.
4. Volunteer for a cause.. no idea what but this looks like a good place to start: http://dosomething.gd -- Failed.
5. Be more active on Quora. Contribution-wise I mean, since I'm already lurking so much. And maybe make some friends there, or not. There's a robust online community there, but I feel so... timid and so intimidated. -- Failed.
6. Either perm or colour my hair, maybe both. At any rate, I need to start taking supplement. I'm kinda paranoid at how sparse my scalp is. One of my worst fears is alopecia, but I'm already mentally preparing myself for that eventuality. I'm definitely getting a wig! -- Done! I actually started this list a couple of weeks back, and just so happen when I went to get my haircut the other day, my hair was out of control, and so my hairdresser suggested that I do what he calls "texture control", which tames the frizz, and the result is... I LOVE IT. :D It cost me a bomb though, but really, no regrets! :D 
7. Pick up a smattering of Spanish and French (see, there's this app on my phone.. =) -- Failed.
8. Plan for Los Angeles Spring 2015! *excited* -- Ongoing!
9. Read at least 14 books (under my 14 for '14 project) -- Success (made it by a whisker again)!
10. Discover a new singer/band to obsess over. I wonder who would it be, if there's anyone at all. -- Does anime count? Yes it does! :)
11. Draw or paint or make something. -- Well, I baked my first loaf of bread! :) It was rock hard lol, but edible. Will definitely try again. I bought a box of colour pencils and doodled some. 
12. Post at least once a week on my prayer blog. -- Failed.
13. Watch one musical. -- Yup! P. Ramlee The Musical and Jersey Boy.
14. Attend one concert. -- Could have been PGL Reunion Concert but it's postponed to Mar 2015 
15. Finish Breaking Bad. -- Failed.
16. Get my@$$ into the office by 9, latest 9:15. Which means getting up by 7:15. I can do it. -- Success! 
17. Finish the book project I've been working on. -- Failed.
18. Finish the website project I've been working on. -- Success!
19. Read (or at least skim through) the business and world section of the newspaper every day. -- Failed.

Wow, that's a long list, and I fear that it's not complete, but I'm going to cap it at 20, lest it becomes too overwhelming (it might already be). I will add to it as I think of new things I want to do, such as:

• Identify and name (almost all) countries on every continent on the map -- Failed.
• Memorise the 66 books of the Bible (39 from OT and 27 from NT) -- Failed. I tried.. but not hard enough I guess.

So, hello 2014. What do you have for me in the next 364 days?