Kantoi

My friend, Alina... just told me about this Malaysian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and ukulele player named Zee Avi who is currently touring US.. I was curious, who is she?

Have a listen to one of her Manglish song.. and enjoy! :)



Her other song "Monte" was featured in the second season finale of Private Practice. Click on her name to link for more details or just search in youtube for her other songs.

I really like how she sings in a little teasing, naughty way. Plus when she plays with ukelele, it's just too adorable not to listen! :)

What happens....

What happens when life gets dull?
What happens when the thrill in your life subsides?
What happens when you feel down and depressed?
What happens when you just don't think it's fun doing what you love anymore?

Well, the first step is give yourself a smack on your face.. yes, I'm serious.

Second, repeat after me outlod, "I am fortunate to be alive and healthy with all my body parts intact."

Thirdly, just yell out loud (as loud as possible) in your room, in your car or anywhere acceptable to do so to vent out your frustration.

Fourth, call a few close friends out for a simple outing : window shopping, a walk around, drinks and gossip, etc.

Fifth, dress to the nines for your outing..

I tell you, somehow, it'll just boost yourself a little and you'll be back on your toes in no time. In the meantime, while doing your activity, you might find a spark back into your life! Good luck!

Soothy's Goodie Bag

Miu is giving freebies again for her loyal readers and that's one of the good thing about reading her blog.

Picture kidnapped from her blog. :P

The Sothy's Relaxing Treatment Package consists of:
1 x Pre-facial anti stress & tension release theraphy
1 x ampoule treatment facial
1 x active eye treamtment

To win this, all you have to do is this:
1. follow Miu's blog [pls leave your follow id for her to check]
2. introduce yourselves! [silent readers here's your chance!]
3. leave your email for her to contact u!
4. and tell her why you follow her blog!
5. blog about this contest & your winning chances increased!
[don't forget to give her your blog link!]

Introduction
Coincidentally, small world.... I used to study in the same school as Miu.. hah! She recognised me... and so sorry, I couldn't recognise her despite us having common friends.

Why do I follow Miu's blog?
Well, it started from me googling about "stila workshop" which led to her blog with precise clear description of the workshop. :) Then I found out about her updates on goodies during sales. Hence, since the Stila clearance sales, I'm hooked on makeup. Don't know to thank you or not for enticing me to be broke with all these sales.. ha ha...

The best thing about Miu, is that sometimes you don't have to trouble yourself to go to warehouse sales. She can help you scout out the items your heart desire with a low fee. But since she's overwhelmed with requests these days, I normally check out her "little shop" for any goodies she's willing to let go.

Yes, I'm one of her loyal readers to who will open her blog few times a day to check out if I missed any good bargains around.

Well, dear Miu, I hope all the retail (e.g. Stila, RMK, Clarins) out there realised how much you have contributed to their increased sales and reward you according. ;)

Body Shop Makeup Brush Set

I’m broke.. from indulging my sudden obsession with makeup brushes. Ha! You should see my collection now. (Will blog about it one of these days). Yet, I only use about 3-5 brushes only.

Well, I can control my expenditure since my pocket has a hole but my eyes have no restriction! ;)

I was in Bangsar Shopping Complex last Friday for lunch and I noticed a tremendous difference to the place. I couldn’t find the eatery I ate AGES ago… and settled down for Chilli’s which was well located in front.

However, I noticed new outlets in the newly-renovated portion like Kiehls, Body Shop, Locotaine.
Guess what I spotted in Body Shop? Some promotion for the opening of the store and a set of brushes I have never seen before in a pink coloured brush roll. I decided to google about it and found this:Imagine that! The people in the States can buy it for only USD19 from the normal price of USD90 with any purchase during a duration in March!

Sighh… how I wish Malaysia can have similar bargains… Shall I sneak the urge to have a second look or just close my eyes and try to find another obsession to replace this? (Preferably a cheaper one with no need to “buy”) tsk tsk..

Gladiator Heels

I guess I've been suppressing my shopping urges and trying to go to the opposite direction: Declutter, downsize, removal, donation, reselling, anything to reduce my stuff...

From a booklover (I only go to bookstores in my teenager years) to clothes I've somehow accumulated these few years (must be a suppression of not shopping in my younger years). I have TOO much stuff like most people do. Storage places are overloading and my dad repeatedly mentioned that my room is like a store room.

I've started an inventory of each of my item and my goal is to reduce 50% of my belongings (Can I succeed??)

However, my eyes caught something I was eyeing early last year but never found the right one- a pair of lovely gladiator heels which is eye catching and makes a lady walk with a swing!

After a few weeks of controlling the urge, I tried it on and fell in love with it. Alas, the shoe size was not right and it is out of stock! Sob!

Sigh! So how now? Shall my search quietly continue (and then the trend would have fizzled off) or back to my initial goal of NOT-buying (like a fasting from buying altogether)....

Air Optix Aqua Breathable Contact Lens

I managed to get a free pair of Air Optix contact lens yesterday during their roadshow in Berjaya Times Square. I have been wanting to try this "upgrade" version of contact lenses from their previous one: O2 Optix contact lens, and thank God, I got the opportunity! :)

Why?

Well, somehow, after a few months of not wearing contact lenses, my eyes cannot take O2 Optix anymore. I can only wear for few hours before my eyeball become a red irritated eyeball. Hence, I've kept them to occasions like weddings, dinner and special events- interviews... This newer "model" is supposedly made from a better material which is more permeable to allow more oxygen into your eyes.

What is the difference?

My current contact lens: O2Optix

It's O2OPTIX, breathable contact lenses that transmit up to five times more oxygen versus traditional soft contact lenses - for whiter, healthy-looking eyes, no matter how long you wear your lenses each day. They're so breathable, you can nap in them or even sleep in them for up to six nights extended wear

Do take note it is a fortnightly contact lens and not a monthly one. I even called up Ciba Vision to reconfirm this because the optometrist who sold me my first pair of O2 Optix told me they were monthly lenses! (Arghh to think my eye have been overwearing those lenses)

The new Air Optix Aqua

CIBA VISION introduces its latest silicone hydrogel innovation – AIR OPTIX™ AQUA breathable contact lenses*, which deliver an advanced combination of oxygen and moisture for a healthy, natural feeling. The lens also offers excellent initial as well as all-day comfort.

This new lens can be worn up to 4 weeks (according to the website).

Well, I can do a review of it since I've just got myself a pair. Perhaps I'll share with you all when I've tried it later. Meanwhile, here is the picture showing the freebies I got during the roadshow: 1 pair of contact lens, 1 box of Solo Care Aqua multi-purpose solution 60ml and 2 packets of Lid-Care sterile wipes (interesting).

I guess it's really important to remove all the eye makeup carefully or wipe your eyes before you remove your lens too. Will try out the wipes to see if they are just ordinary wipes or more for the sensitive eye lids. This solution comes with a contact lens case inside which is really handy for traveling.

Something to note, there was a free cornea eyetest during the roadshow which needed me to remove my contact lens. A table was provided with mirror, new contact lens case, solution and hand sanitizer for people to remove their contact lens for the test. I used the sanitiser and it irritated my eye! Don't think it's a good idea to expect people to clean their hands like that. In fact, somehow when I put on my lens, it wasn't in place properly and I couldn't find it. After asking the sales assistant around to look into my eye, they insisted I have dropped my lens and pointed to a broken one on the floor....

I shouldn't have believed them and should have believed the annoying feeling in my eye. After few hours; back home.. I discovered my lens somewhere hidden around my eyeball.. :P

Told you, it's still in my eye! Naughty lens!!

Post-exam blues

Well, been kind of lazy and not bothered to do much in the name of "post-exam blues"!

2 weeks have passed and the feeling of "merdeka" has long gone with our lunch buffet on Saturday. Some of us were rather grim, while others don't care as it'll be a long wait before the results will be out. But it was a memorable day with the presence of one of our friend's bubbly little son - who so loves the camera! He would smile happily when anyone takes a picture of him.

Since I'm done with the exam, what shall be my next goal? Kind of feel a sense of loss from the energy and stressed needed to study weekly. Ha!

Study again? Nahh... but don't mind continuing the momentum to catch up on lots of reading. The books I've bought these past few years lay untouched. Time to do a marathon of reading! (I did so.. slept at 3am this morning. Amazingly, the coffee I had this morning still keeps me awake till now.)

Calculator

My office do not provide calculators. So I am happy using the calculator in Windows for any of my calculation. However, my colleague decided to bring his calculator to work and it's worth showing you all! ;)

Compare it with the safety helmet and handphone.. see how huge it is.. :p

Random pictures of drinks

Just some thoughts since I have taken pictures of these drinks during the past year.

Aik-Cheong Kopi-O

I'm not a coffee-holic but I do enjoy a cup of coffee once a while; besides the need to drink to prevent sleeping when staying up late (although I don't know if it works because I normally can stay up late without caffeine.. hehe)

My best local coffee would be Aik Cheong Kopi-O. I really love the aroma of the just-brewed coffee... Mmmmm.... I know perhaps there are better coffee around but so far, this will do for a quick cup of coffee.

Kickapoo Joy Juice

When I was in primary school, a packet of soft drinks was only 20 cents. Now, how much do they sell in the canteen? Anyway, we would get them in a transparent plastic bag with a straw. I could easily sipped finish a packet by the time I walk from the canteen to the main gate of the school. It was a luxury to get to drink soft drinks then. I don't really recall drinking straight from the glass bottle though... but remember drinking from plastic bags.

The soft drink that brings back yesteryear's memories is Kickapoo Joy Juice. Despite being tease because of the word "joy" in the drink, I really liked it. I think some people say Mountain dew can come close to it... but ask any early 80's and late 70's babies about Kickapoo Joy Juice - it will sure bring a smile to their face. (Trivia: the drink was named after the citrus-flavoured soda in the comic strip 'Li'l Abner')

Hence, when I do come across it, I'll just grab a can of it and have a nice sip with a silly grin on my face. :p

Celebrity-inspired drinks

We have designer-inspired bags and also celebrity-inspired drinks. ;)


I remember the first time I saw a menu with a drink called "Michael Jackson" more than half a decade ago. I was puzzled. By now you all would know that it is actually soy milk with cincau which was widely marketed by Yeos with a big pack of soy milk and 2 cans of cincau attached to a pack. The individual items are seen in the pictures below (first pic: cincau, second pic: soy milk).
Another drink I stumbled upon is named after the Hong Kong actor, Koo Tin-Loc in Char Char Teng. Is there a resemblance? :p

Well, so what's your fancy? What would be your drink? :)

Short fingers vs Long fingers

Have you noticed that some people have longer thin fingers, while others have short stubby ones?

Well, I'm one of those people with short, stubby fingers. It is so unfair... because my brothers have long slender fingers!! Girls would prefer those slender fingers!! I do anyway..

Not my palm, googled this image.

So, what's the big deal? When I was younger, I always asked my parents, why are my fingers so short? It's definitely from their genes. (childish me then.. blaming parents.. hah!)

It was really annoying when I had to play the piano. My fingers can reach an octave maximum, and I really had to stretch my fingers! Tried playing the guitar few years back... difficult maneuver (my fingers had to do yoga. lol)

I used to think short fingers also don't really look nice wearing rings. So, pity my poor little fingers.. I always leave it bare and look down upon them; wishing I had fingers like my brothers... :P

Then, God made me realised that at least I have fingers. Some don't... but then when I noticed some other people's fingers, I tend to be thankful of my fingers.

I noticed my fingers is short, stubby and consistent. Some people have stubby fingers with shorter tips - very obvious difference. Some have even shorter fingers!

Conclusion; I don't really get so irked with my short fingers as I did when I was younger. (Despite being laugh at by people with longer fingers and bigger hands.. ahem) I'm just thankful for fingers to type these few words and hope when I do have a daughter, she'll get longer fingers so she doesn't have to complain like me. Ha!

Oh yeah, googled a bit on fingers.

"Generally, short fingered people don't need, or want, as much information from their world around them as do long fingered people. Short fingered people operate on a small amount of information plus their own "gut feelings". They are more inner directed than people with long fingers. " - Is it?? Never noticed

"Long fingers are seeking more contact with, and information from, the outer world. Long fingered people love details, need more data before forming opinions or decisions, and are outer directed. They are interested in the details of stories and events. They like to mentally take ideas and things apart, and put them back together again to better understand them before taking action."