Swirls and Twirls: November 2009

From the Past: Graduation

Over the long weekend, I stumbled upon these! My degree graduation was way back in August, 2006. It was my first time on University Sains Malaysia's (USM) campus grounds and I must say, it is a really beautiful university. I took a Mass Communication twinning programme between Taylor's and USM; so, I didn't have the chance to study in the Penang main campus. I must've missed out on the fun campus life.

Me and bro.

I am so waiting for his graduation next year! I'm going to buy the biggest teddy bear and make him hug it in front of everyone! HAHAHAHA!

Miss Gan Pooi Mun! I <3 you! I don't know why I did not manage to take pictures with Priscilla and Chin Pooi Mun. :(

My complexion looks so perfect in this picture. You wanna know the secret?

I piled on soooo much make up in the morning. Foundation. Powder. Concealer. Eye shadow. Mascara. Eyeliner. So that it lasted throughout the ceremony and the sweltering heat. My face is actually full of sweat. Haha.

P/S: Do I look better with long hair or my current shot one?

Why Do I Blog?

Every now and then, someone passes a comment about my blog that makes me kinda uncomfortable. It's usually something along the lines of, "Wah, your blog all about food, food, food. No wonder you fat already!" or "Wah, your blog very pink ah.".

Granted, these are perfectly normal comments with no harm intended. However, comments like these are also unnecessarily redundant. I like food and the colour pink IS my favourite shade and naturally, my blog would evolve around the things that I like. So, why repeat it? The nicest thing anyone has probably said about my blog is... "Nice photos". LOL!

Sometimes, I fall into a lazy spell and stop blogging. True, I'm more motivated to blog when there are pictures involved. Hey, I enjoy photography. I like pretty pictures. Umm... posts with pictures still constitutes as blogging, no? Anyway, during bouts of laziness... I contemplate giving up blogging. You know, ignoring this blog until it falls into a state of boring neglect. But then, I can't (so far)! Slowly but surely, something will come along to spark the blogging bug and I am back to posting about food, myself and umm.. myself.

All bloggers have their own reasons to blog. Some do it for the money. Some do it for the fame. Some do it because they are bored. Some do it simply because they enjoy it. I think I've sorta fallen in love with blogging. I started over two years back because I wanted something to occupy my disturbed mind (and heart) and now, I find myself voluntarily typing away for www.mcallie8.blogspot.com.

I blog mainly for personal satisfaction and for family and friends. Nothing pleases me more than a finished entry complete with pictures and text. It's the same proud feeling seeing your author byline in the papers. Most of the time, I blog about fluff... nothing serious and nothing that hits too close to home.

It's always assumed that just because you blog, you blab away everything on your blog. I can't speak for others, but for me... I'm always cautious. Everyone uses the internet. So, you never know who's reading right now! I've read blogs where people bitch about their jobs and bosses. How super dangerous! Bosses could be reading every gripe that their employees make online! Eek! Hi Boss! I LOVE MY JOB!!!

I'm really straying from my title and I guess it is because my thoughts are all over the place. I hope this post is reminds myself on the days I feel like giving up, that I actually enjoy doing this shit. It would be pretty cool that if in ten years I'm still at it. I would have 12 years of my life archived online.

Semangat False Eyelashes

Last year, I had a desire to master the art of wearing fake lashes. I was so into it that I bought the best fake lash glue -- Shu Uemura's Eyelash Adhesive. Then after several attempts, I got lazy and forgot all about wearing falsies... until yesterday during lunchtime. I was so inspired that I bought new falsies and wore them this morning.

And, it looks pretty good! Even Mom gave them the thumbs up!

Surprisingly, it did not take me very long to put them on. Take eyelashes out of box. Practise sticking them on eyelids. Put on Shu's glue. Stick em on. Adjust, adjust a little bit. Batt lashes to make sure that they don't drop off. Examine corners to ensure all nicely stuck on. Done!

I promise not to be lazy anymore. After all, there's no such thing as an ugly woman... just a lazy one. LOL! A make-up artist told me this once.

Got mine for RM8.90 from the FaceShop. I chose this pair because of its rather unique lash pattern.

Mask Me

I've been super paranoid about my complexion lately. Getting old. Will soon be 30! Wrinkles and sagging boobs all come hand in hand with age. Damn you, TIME!

I want to have my 16-year old body forever. You know, cos I stopped growing taller somewhere around that age and since then, I have been expanding sideways! How sad indeed.

Thus, I've been indulging in masks to try and preserve and pamper my skin. Of course I don't use everything all at once, but each periodically.

These Montagne Jeunesse masks have been sold at Guardian for several years now, but I never felt the urge to buy them until recently when I was on the hunt for masks. What attracted me? Well, the models on the packaging looked so deliriously happy with those stuff on their face.

Look at her... her eyes are covered by some leaves and strawberries, but still smiling like damn syok.

I bought the strawberry souffle and I tell you, it smells so freaking good. Like got damn alot of strawberries all squashed and smeared on my face. Bliss.

Sometimes I get very stressed out

Everytime I use this mask, I do feel somewhat calmer and more zen. It smells great!

Some two for RM9.90 mask that I bought from Sasa. Have not used it yet!

My long time favourite peel off mask or 'masque' as it says on the packaging. I like to analyse all the dead skin and blackheads stuck onto the mask after I peel it off my face. Satisfying.

I used to buy Pure and Mild's hydrating mask, but since that brand has been discontinued... I decided to try ZA's. Not bad lah, it's very cooling and my face feels soft and supple the next morning.

Was introduced to this brand by Jean. This L'Occitane mask is damn cun ok! Can feel my pores tightening and being cleansed the five to ten minutes I have it on. Smells fab as well.

Please ignore my horrid nails. I didn't buy this Biotherm mask, it was a freebie that Vic got. Whenever I wash my face in the morning after applying the mask at night, I can still feel it there! Quite a lasting eh!

And the last...

Bedak sejuk! (Cold Powder)

Cheap, smells nice and effective when having an outbreak of red angry pimples!

Take a few pellets, dissolve in cold water and apply on face. If you have a stand fan, put your face in front of it for the ultimate chill. Cold cold cold!

Remembering

A long time ago, I was in an unhealthy relationship that left me less than whole when it ended. I didn't know who I was. My individuality was chopped off to fit in the image of his ideal girlfriend.

I vowed to never again allow myself to be treated that way... and I have not ever since. I guess, in some ways I'm lucky. That experience made me realise how easy it is to be confused and consumed by 'love'.

Nowadays, I believe that if someone loves you...

They want the best for you
They will be your biggest cheerleader
They will always be there
They make time
They recognise you as a top priority
They listen
They care about your feelings
They give you the freedom to explore yourself
They encourage you to be the best tht you can be

This is love at it's greatest.

However, if 'love' for you means crying yourself to sleep, starving to be skinny, feeling constantly insecure, having to put up with substandard treatment... then my friend, that is not love but instead an ugly emotional imposter.

Before I sleep tonight, I'm gonna pray n hope that all those stuck in bad relationships get the perfect and pure kinda love that everyone is entitled to.

- Posted from my iPhone

RIP Pantyhose

You kept me warm and comfy for two days.

- Posted from my iPhone

Sulk

My CFO says cannot buy the Canon S90 ANY TIME SOON. I iz very sad :( Bah!

- Posted from my iPhone

The Night I Ate Sperm

It was a rainy night a few weeks back when this incident occurred. It was a special night for Vic and I, so we decided to try something we've never done before

SPERM

I ate sperm. Well, to be exact, BOTH Vic and I digested sperm!

HAHAHAHA! I bet a few of you grossed out at the title of this entry, but I assure the all mentioned above did take place

Since everyone assumes that bloggers blog about every disgusting little dirty detail in their lives, I'm going to give you the low down of that scandalous night

Where the sinning took place: Xenri D'River View in Wisma Elken, Old Klang Road

What it sperm tastes like: Chawanmushi

What sperm costs: RM28

What sperm looks like:

Wha? What? Waitaminute.... I'm talking about food. Not whatever xxx things I lead you into thinking that I was talking about. Teeheehee

The picture above and below are of Tara Shirako also known as Cod Fish Sperm Sacs. And they taste pretty much like chawanmushi, folks. Texture wise, it was rather mushy with a buttery feel

Vic and I have been meaning to try Xenri for the longest time when I first heard about this place from Chze Hong. Thus, to celebrate a special occasion for the both of us, we headed over to Xenri for a royal feast

Everyone has been commenting that Vic lost a lot of weight and I am positively jealous because I am getting nothing but fatter. *glares at Vic*

And no. I'm not naked, just wearing a black tube dress with pink flowers

The Mizuna Salad (RM18). We were told that this was a very special Japanese salad dressed with wasabi sauce

Next up, Igloo Sashimi! At RM138, this is the most expensive dish we've ever ordered for the both of us. But this is also the best sashimi we've both ever had in our 59 years of living (25+34)

The sashimi is insanely fresh. The tuna oh-so-freaking-soft-that-it-really-melts-in-your-mouth! Salmon uber yummy and the other fishes were so so lovely. Sharks must have a grand ole time eating raw fish. Haha. Bonus points for the cute igloo and decor that came along with the sashimi; though Vic believes that they priced all that in

Ta-ta-tasty!

Grill Tuna Jaw (RM68) was also another highlight of the dinner. That jaw came from one big Tuna! It was the length of my forearm and was grilled to perfection. Crispy skin with soft tender flesh. Gawd, I'm salivating thinking about this dish

This is a must for all fish lovers

Cute teapot here is Dobin Mushi (RM16), seafood soup

A squeeze of lime adds zest to the soup. Yums

Garlic fried rice (RM9). Nothing terribly fantastic with this one, but it did not disappoint either. I guess, it is almost impossible to screw up garlic fried rice?

I heart Hotate Ringgoyaki (RM25) aka Scallops in an Apple. Another aesthetically pleasing dish that made my tums happy

Scallops with apple cubes in some kinda creamy custard-like sauce

Master of the Obvious: pictures of the menu

The green tea ice cream (RM8) was pretty good! One of the best I've tasted in KL, but still losing out to Ma Maison's in Singapore

Xenri is located at a quiet corner off Old Klang Road. You would never find this place unless you blur blur make wrong turn. At night and weekends, there's ample free parking.

For reservations, call 03-7783 8118.