PS I Love You

You HAVE GOT TO try TERRACOTTA, the brand new chinese restaurant in Beeston!
(I mean it! Got To!)

Personally, I've been there several times, and each experience has never been a let down!
Can I first say that for someone who's trapped in smelly ol' Broadgate Park for weeks on end, I expect my occassional excursions out of the accommodation to be smashingly worthwhile.

Credits go to Milton who has spent much of his ATP convincing me that dorm-air is bad for my health, other than assuring me that I don't want to be a BGP Zombie with no life for all eternity. Others worthy of mentioning are Angil, Tim, Che Zi, Fred and Xie Chong for the car rides (I miss the smell of car seats!), singing, invitations, toasting, alcohol and the wonderful company of course! Multi-National Chinese Hospitality at its best I must say, with American, HongKee, China Chinese, Taiwanese and Malaysians sharing their genetically programmed love for good chinese food and karaoke.

Let's now go over the most important thing, PRICES! I wouldn't say it's expensive. If you had spent time looking around Beeston, you will know that the price is definitely not a discriminating factor here.

I've the "Seafood" page here to totally tempt your tastebuds.
Well, the seafood page is always more expensive than the "chicken" page, mind you.

Tim and Che Zi waiting impatiently for their food.
To be honest, this place looks and feels better than the Tai Thong Restaurants we were so used to back in Malaysia.


All the while not skimping on the warm and inviting decor.
Though I do find the statues a little too creepy because every time I look up from my food, I see them staring at me stony-faced and all.
*GULP* and the food I swallowed landed in my stomach in a stony-sounding thud.

After your meal, you can always opt to digest them with a good round of singing at their karaoke rooms. They cost 8 to 10 pounds an hour for a small room, not to sure about the big ones. On weekends, they even open till 4am. Just for you to sing the Mr.Sun of out of his bed.

Tim telling his Karaoke Kakis that he's starting without them!

Our "regular small room" beautifully hand painted, comfortably furnished.
The negotiation of who gets the mic first, before the kakis come pouring in.
Haha! Just kidding.

And that is just ONE HALF of Terracotta! Be sure to check out their BAR, it's GORGEOUS!!!
(Sorry, forgot to take pictures in the bar because I was too distracted *winks*)
I'm in love with the tasteful decor and furniture, and sexy barmen *salivates* Allow me to assure you it's totally westernised on the other half of the restaurant! Get your liquor and cocktail fix without going all the way into the city.

Flaming Lamborghinis are available on request. I've tried the Mojito that was slightly different from the ones in Malaysia and PS I Love You which was totally sweet and yummy. Both were awesome. At some point I also downed or shot of something no one wanted to tell me. It tasted great, but I felt a little whoozy not long after. Lol. Yeah, they have a DJ on weekends too, and a bouncer to keep everything in order. In terms of the girls, well, I did see some chinese girls (majority of the patrons are chinese obviously) and they will let you buy them drinks =)

Whoever's planning to go to Terracotta please bring me along as well :D I promise I'll be good.

its about milton

After a nights worth of tossing and turning in my bed, I woke up an hour earlier than what I normally would do on a 9am-class-day. Waking up several times in the dead of the night to realize that I'm probably the only soul alert and conscious at this ungodly hour, did nothing to help my mood. Frustrated, I dragged my shivering self to the bathroom, hurriedly grabbing a towel along the way to wrap around some exposed limbs.

While I was brushing my teeth, I saw this girl frowning back at me in the mirror. Her eyebrows were brought closer together across the nose bridge, connected by a wrinkle of the skin. It's 7.10am in the morning and my brain is already reeling away at the issue I've been troubled about for 3 days now. When I deemed enough enamel polishing has been done for this morning, I spat out my toothpaste, hoping that my troubles came out with it, and wishing that I could wash that thought down the basin with a flick of my hand on the tap. What a silly girl I was, if it were that easy, it would've been done 3 days ago. And I wondered, at 19 going on 20, is a girl allowed any room to be naive and hopelessly hopeful?

The thing that bothers me most, I think, would be the fact that I can't share it with anyone, but the one person that is part of the problem. Oh, how I dread these moments when I am being tested, mentally and emotionally, in such brutal ways. Moments when you know what is the right thing to do, and yet, your heart is not at all keen to oblige. What the hell is the right thing to do then?!

I cared, maybe a little more than I'd like to. And that was more than enough to make me "do the right thing", and it lasted long enough for me to not feel the guilt towards my own heart, until the moment that person left. All these years of being told what is the "right thing to do", is starting to get on my nerves. And I admit, most of the time, the "right thing to do" involves swapping your selfish needs for another persons happiness. Would that be a Selfless Deed, or just Plain Stupidity? Tough choice, I guess.

Perhaps, one day. One day I will find a reason to justify my doing, if it didn't turn out the way I'd like it to. What are the odds? With my current unlucky streak, it's probably going to take a turn for the worse. Subconsciously knowing that, I surprised myself when I realized that I cared enough to have a nightmare about the worst ever outcome. Obviously the mug lying on my table is half empty at this point. I'm looking forward to a chance when I can just be selfish, and be happy for myself for a change. All that thunderstorm in my heart kind of business has got to stop. I find myself at the brink of crashing down.

The only difference between me and others is, there's not going to be anyone there to call 999 if I did. How I wish I could say I'm coincidently going to be so very close to Bedford.

Kitchen On Fire

You know those cooking shows you watched on TV? With professional chefs, drizzling in some wine/ oil, and with a little toss, the pan goes in flames for a brief moment, only to disappear, leaving food looking and tasting (and pricing) better than ever?

I had that "awesome experience" on Friday night.

Yes, something like that, except, imagine me instead of him, holding a pot instead.
You'd think, "Wait a minute, I thought there was no fire stoves in your studio"
Bingo. There wasn't. I was just heating up some oil in a pot.
It wasn't unsupervised, so I pretty much witnessed it lighting up!
Was about to put my chicken in, had I leaned a few inches closer, my face would've been burnt with my hair going up in smoke.

The Notorious Pot of Oil.
The flames were huge, and I must admit I panicked. Like, Whoa...
Not my first mishap with fires. Apparently, we don't have a history of getting along well.
Then I remembered the fire blanket in my room.
One tug, and one throw later, the fire was contained in the pot, and I can see it getting smaller.
Just when I thought the situation was under control, there was too much smoke in my room the fire alarm went off.
Great. A full scale evacuation was all I need.

I have been cooking for a few years, and I know that you pretty much can't cook without heating up oil. Which brings me to the deduction that I can't cook if every time I heat up oil the pot will catch fire? Or maybe it was too long? I don't know... I am damn sure it was heated for less than 5 minutes. Sigh. Another streak of bad luck.

My kettle a little burnt, but most of it were removed after cleaning.

My cooker hood suffered a little more, as the flames were so huge the flames were licking the hood. Cleaning managed to remove most of the dark stains, which were more like smoke stains. But there are some burnt areas that couldn't be salvaged. Sigh. I have a bad feeling I'm not getting back my deposit.

Thank God, everything else, and myself was alright.
Badly shaken, but I'm alright.

I pretty much trembled for the next hour or so.
I was so frightened I lost my appetite for a few hours, but I knew there was one number I could call. Gratefully, he knew what to do with me, and that was just what I needed after a horrible night.

Huo Guo Rou @ The Pink Wing in Beeston!
This, my friends are super yummy.
We ate, we chatted, we sang karaoke, we downed some Jack Daniels and Chivas along with some new friends and dice games.
The mood was sometimes merry, at times it was low.
I guess we were both in a similar situation right now, and somehow we were there to support each other. Someone said, God planned for him to find me, because he felt like I was just what he needed right now, and he appreciated the fire for bringing me to him last night.

I went into deep thought and had another mouthful of whiskey.

I don't know anything. I don't know if God exists. If I can help him. If the fire happened for a greater good. If I can pay off the damages to my kitchen. If I have completely gotten over my past relationship. I don't know.

All I know is, I will do my best and hope that "I can make it through the rain".

if i were a boy

These are times when I do random searching on YouTube, all I found was... myself. The lyrics to this is written so perfectly, I had flashbacks of my life throughout the song. *Sigh* I hope everyone enjoys this too.

Wish I have my guitar here, so that I can try playing this song. *EMO* There are some lines I want to emphasize in purple...

If I Were A Boy Lyrics
Beyonce Knowles



[Verse]
If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I’d roll outta bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted then go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
And I’d never get confronted for it.
Cause they’d stick up for me.

[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he’s taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

[Verse]
If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it’s broken
So they’d think that I was sleepin’ alone
I’d put myself first
And make the rules as I go
Cause I know that she’d be faithful
Waitin’ for me to come home (to come home)

[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (wanted)
Cause he’s taken you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed

[Bridge]
It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say its just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

[Chorus 2]
But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah you don’t understand
How it feels to love a girl someday
You wish you were a better man
You don’t listen to her
You don’t care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
Cause you’ve taken her for granted
And everything you have got destroyed
But you’re just a boy

tagged by Suet Tyng

Tagged by Suet Tyng
(This is me indulging in some brainless activity for my sadistic pleasure)

Pass this quiz to 10 people.
1. LeoRaj
2. Lilian Wong
3. Dominic Teoh
4. Michael
5. Eric Chay
6. Brian Teo
7. Siu Sien
8. Gary Chooi
9. Kenny Yap
10. Diane Shak

Who is no.6 having relationship with?[Brian Teo]
Not having one anymore apparently.

Is no. 9 a male or a female? [Kenny Yap]
Male, at least that's what he told me.

If no. 7 and no. 10 are together, will it be a good thing?[Siu Sien and Diane]
What? Eewwww... what kind of stupid question is this?

What is no. 2 studying? After high school?[Lilian]
Bachelor in Computer Science. And very good at it =)

When was the last time you had a chat with no. 3?[Dominic Teoh]
About 2 weeks ago?

What genre of music does no.8 like?[Gary]
Oh that's easy. EMO of course!

Would you ever woo no. 3?[Dominic Teoh]
No. Never. Nada. (Dom, you're a good man, but I like fatter men)

How about no. 7?[Siu Sien]
Her boyfriend would kill me.

Is no.4 single?[Michael]
Oh yes he definitely is.

What is the surname of no.5?[Eric]
Chay. No really, it's Chay.

What's the hobby of no. 10?[Diane]
Smiling =)

Does no.5 and no.9 get along well?[Eric and Kenny]
Let me introduce them and then maybe we can find out.

Where is no.2 studying?[Lilian]
Graduated and working now =)

Say something casual about no.1.[LeoRaj]
MDB! Malaysian Dream Blogger!

Have you ever tried developing feelings for no.6?[Brian]
I have developed much love for him, as a friend of course.

Where does no.9 live?[Kenny]
Terengganu, Malaysia. Where they get Fridays and Saturdays off.

What color does no.4 like?[Michael]
Doesn't matter as long as you can find the colours on Ultraman.

Are no. 5 and no. 1 best friends?[Eric and Leo]
No, they can't be more far apart from each other.

Is no. 7 the most talented person in the world?[Siu Sien]
Talented? Of course. In the world? Raikkonen takes that spot.

There. Brainless activity accomplished. Now, for some brainfood....

Anti-sick people campaign

I'm tired of mumbling, "NOT ANOTHER ONE" to myself. So this is going to public, once and for all! For I am not a very happy sick person now.

I hereby proclaim war against Stubborn Sick People.

Before anyone start abandoning me for discrimination against people with ill health, please hear me out. Ill people are MY BUSINESS you know. Pharmacist-in-training, hello?

There is a particular SUBTYPE of Sick People, you qualify if you fulfill all the conditions below.

-Has been sick for more than 3 days, or have been sick more than twice in 1 month
-Don't take care of your health, eg: not eat, not sleep, not clean
-Live in a poorly hygienic environment
-Have people around you who are also sick
-Think you can "handle" it
-Not going to the doctor/pharmacist
-Not taking medication for it

Congratulations. You are selfish.

Don't think you're very strong, that you can "handle" it. You can't, and you're weak. That's how you got sick in the first place.

Don't complain about your sickness to others. Complain it to The Doctor. Sympathy and attention ain't gonna cure any sickness. The Doctor, however, can do something about it.

Don't avoid taking medication, or explicitly exhibit your medical symptoms in class. By then it won't be difficult just for one person, but for hundreds of other students who really wants to hear the lecturer and not your cough/sneeze. It's bad enough that you can't study, don't ruin it for others, they can teach you if they can hear everything.

Don't come into close contact with others. If you don't want to save yourself, fine. But don't go around spreading your germs to hundreds of other people. Because if you really cared about other people, you would want them to stay healthy. It's bloody selfish to let hundreds of other people suffer, just because of one person is just thinking for him/herself only.

Don't go about telling the whole world about it, just to ignore people's advice. Isn't it obvious there? Wasting a few minutes of someone's life while they listen to your complaints, only to reject their conclusions and advises when you are satisfied with the number of germs that have escaped from your mouth. What's your damn point? Oh I know, attention.

And finally, don't go out with very little clothes because everyone knows it's 6'C out there. Summer clothes are best left for summer, and sometimes, your skin is better kept away from direct contact with the wind. Anyone with common sense and functioning receptors would dress appropriately to the temperature. It's either you have no common sense or you asked for it. You asked to get sick.

Call me cruel, call me selfish. Because I am not sympathetic, and going all gushy and "poor you" over the sick person. I don't do it because I believe that is NEVER productive. I am, however, generous with constructive advices and chicken soup =)

I am definitely not snubbing sick people here. As a confession, I am very vulnerable to diseases. For a change, I DO care whether I get sick. That's because when I do get sick, I get it BAD, like REAL BAD even with medication. I'd say at least I'm sensible enough to not put anyone else in the same rotten condition as I am. These are somethings that I never SHARE with friends or family. Simply because I care.

But guess who's more selfish by not considering the benefit of MANY OTHERS.

Disclaimer: Does not apply to people who doesn't fulfill all of the conditions above. If you think I'm talking about you, just think, do you really have this problem? If you do, shame on you.

Nottingham Malaysian Games 2008

What better way to start the Nottingham Malaysian Games 2008, than in typical Malaysian Fashion?! I slept like a Malaysian, overslept like a Malaysian, and rushed over like a Malaysian to arrive beautifully on Malaysian timing!!!

MUST WATCH THIS AWESOME VIDEO OF THE GAMES!!!

Perfect =D Lucky for me, I did not have any significant duties in the morning.

But then I crossed paths with The Bouncer in his "Leather" Jacket. Uh-oh...

Big Birds back view look super ganas.
My legs turned into jelly...
A smile and a joke later, I was squrming past the Big Bouncer into the Opening Ceremony!
Wee...!!

Got a bird eye's view from above.
At that time, I did feel quite sad that the people had to sit on the floor.
Like kindergarten Story Time like that. Ahah!
Despite the crowd in this shot, the other half of the crowd is actually OUTSIDE this hall.
They were denied entry because they were late.
Come on la, can't blame Malaysians for being Malaysians mah!
In contrast, Very-late-me can go in because I'm The Volunteer with a green shirt.
Man, I love the extra privileges, teeheehee~!

Hand shaking because I came out without breakfast =(
A few shiny looking trophies, the VIPs.
It took FOREVER for the speeches to end, seems that the cold weather won't stop them from berleter-leter panjang lebar.
*I would write this entry in Malay, but my tatabahasa is getting from bad to worse*
*And I know most of us don't miss Malay that much anyway =P *

Emcee, "Please raise your right hand"
Me, "OMG, don't tell me they're gonna do the ikrar behind our little brown exercise books"
Emcee, "Kami berikrar..."
Me, "Aiya, forgot all the lines already!" *Sweating like mad*
Emcee, "...went on with another kind of ikrar..."
It's just doing some sports and exercise, like that also need to ikrar?

Before the Games begin, camwhore a bit first...
SayYuen, Myself, Big Bird The Big Bouncer and Brian Pota-Teo.

I look like I'm cheerleading with 2 x EXTRA LARGE green Pom-Poms.
Big Bird and Kelvin have like giant hands, you can't see my body anymore.

Manja with Daddy How at the Table Tennis room first...
Could I have been *secretly* trying to influence the Table Tennis scores?

... Because my friend YukChang from UCL was competing.
That one on the other side of the table.
His opponent looked so huge and intimidating in comparison.
Now you see him...

And now you don't.
Where did that big guy disappear to?
Poor YukChang continued playing on his own and went on to win this match =D

Finally caught this Long Lost Friend, whom I have not seen since my A'Level days in Taylors College. Only heard him once when he called me from UK when our darling Kimi Raikkonen won the Drivers Championship in 2007!

A box of Krispy Kreme that he bought me =P
Thank you YukChang, you're the best.
And you're in Ling's Book of Records for supplying me my first ever Krispy Kreme!

Met Tad-Song-the-Great.
After a bit of IM-ing a few years back, free-parking on my MSN list for another few years...
I have finally managed to stand in his towering presence. (seriouslyhedamntallidon'twanttostandsonearagain)

Myself, TadSong, YukChang and the famous Michelle Lau.

The Volunteer's Free Lunch as promised by the Nottingham Malaysian Society (NMS).
To be honest, it was no where near free. Had to walk so much and so far for it.
As if that is not enough torture for The-Hungry-Volunteer, have to "Treasure-Hunt" it down some more. This is too much ah! *Saying it like Phua Chu Kang*

The Volunteer was still very hungry, so she went around foraging food from people whom she thinks can lose a few pounds.
Thank you Brian. May God bless you.

Another picture with Big Bird.
I sayang him loads. He so give face, never once shied from my camera. *HUGS*

This picture speaks more than a thousand words for sure!
Brian's ultra rare uncool facial expressive frozen, in this picture, on my blog,
for ALL ETERNITY!!
Bwahahahahaha...

Oh yeah, and then I went to lepak with the Chess Competition fellas after lunch.
Now I realise how interesting it can be watching nerds battling nerds ,
all to be crowned the nerdiest of them all! *Cheers*
Just kidding, I love nerds. What would we do without them.
Check mate, yo!

Okay, so maybe chess can be a wee bit draggy...
So while waiting for the nerd's next big move, we camwhore!
Introducing Shy Lih and Elaine, both live directly underneath my floor.
Eeee... see all my dark eye circles! Gross!

With SiowChin who practically lives next door.
How can she look younger than me T__T

Simon and I look like muka baru kena belasah.
Hahaha. I've got him addicted on my massage now =P

SiowChin and Grace having their "Appetizer" before we start work serving dinner.
With food in their hands, they really can't be bothered with who's capturing their gluttony on camera! Lol. Girls and chocolates. Whatever makes them happy.

Me and my Grace darling with her Million Dollar Smile.

Setting up the VIP's table.
It was then we realised that none of us have pay attention in Kemahiran Hidup.
Pharmacy girls scratching their head, and squeezing brain juice on table arrangements.
Sad case la.

Everybody rejoicing with the arrival of FOOD!!!
FOOD!!! Isn't that what Malaysians are all about?
No? Slap you. Malaysia should disown you.
LOL.

Us pharmacy girls then have to serve food to everyone.
Green shirt ones get extra drumstick with my compliments! =D

Appetizer: Salad

The crowd favourite of the night: Curry Puffs!
There was this guy, who came back 5-6 times just for the puffs.
And yes, he took the very last one.

Spicy Rice, slightly different from the local Nasi Briyani.

I was the Drumstick and Curry Puff "Guardian".
Serving like a crab like that, a tong in each hand.
Ish, the chicken is like SUPER TASTY!!!
So tasty we EACH secretly tarpao-ed HALF A DOZEN back home to last us the week!
I know, very cheapskate! But lazy to cook ma, plus got plenty of leftovers, don't waste.
Looks like I'll be spending less than 5 pounds again this week =P

Main course: Curry Veggies

Main course: Curry Chicken

Dessert: Halwa
No idea what it really is, but it tastes super duper nice. Sweet potato with butter me thinks.
Makes a lovely warm dessert! Wondering where to find this again in UK.

What's a big meal together without a huge ass...
YUM SENG chant...
YUM.....YUM, YUM, YUM, YUM SENG!!!

My Malaysian buddies. Paris Adventure Gang. Yeah!
Kelvin, SayYuen, Julyan, Myself, Big Bird, Daniel, Simon and Daddy How.
Woohoo, I'm the centre of attention! Perasan-nye saya =P

The family and Little Illegal Me.
Muka tembok go gatecrash people's photo.

And finally, the event was a success because all the hungry volunteers were fed.
The Nottingham Malaysian Society 2008 everybody.
*Cue: Applause*

Thank you.

guy fawkes day

On every 5th November, is Guy Fawkes day.

They told me its a massive must-go event, with fireworks and bonfires!

Why is there a huge celebration for this guy? Did Guy Fawkes win British Idol or something?

Not one to miss out on hot celebrities, I wiki-ed Mr.Fawkes. To my disappointment, he's not a star. He has a beard. And he's dead.

*shiverrrsss*

That aside, I had a good time.
Just the 4 of us, celebrating our virgin GF (Guy Fawkes la, what are you thinking) Day.

Michael & Gary (PRO-camwhore) both from Hong Kong.
Myself and Say Yuen both from The Land of Pan Mee *SLURPSS*

My random scribblings on the bus.
Unfortunately for me, as always, it was raining, and the wind was strong that day.
And it was colddd, so so very colddddddd....

However, the beautiful city of Nottingham at city made it all worthwhile.

The Cinema. So romantic right?
The photo below is much better than this!

Told ya, told ya, told ya, told ya.... repeat x infinity!
This my good people is Old Market Square. The heart of Nottingham.

From here, we take the Tram to "Forest", where the fair is.
Allow me to show you bits and pieces of the fair.

Not the cheap rides you get in Genting ok.
These travelling fairs have some VERY GOOD rides.
I mean, I don't even have the balls to go for this one.
Not that I have any balls. Just an expression.

Some very interesting rides don't you think.
Unpredictable, refreshing, and definitely exciting.
For 2 or 3 pounds/ride, they will attempt to bring out your dinner.

Bumper Cars!
The story behind this is more than a thousand words.
Warning: NEVER EVER get into a car or vehicle (not even a bumper car) with Michael on the wheel, if you value your life, you will want to trust me.
My knees were totally weak from laughing at Say Yuen freaking out, and watching the car disobey Michael's feeble attempts to conquer it.
Michael was so OWNED by the car.

Something familiar at last! But they're kiddie games here.

No story here, just a random shot.
They do have something similar to the Solero in Genting though.
Travelling fair only ok, pro or not?! Genting you cheat peoples money lo.

Even the games also also extra cute, and the toys, well, I want one too!!

While waiting for the fireworks and the bonfire to start, we wait for it, the lala way!
What lala way, you might ask? Camwhore, of course!

Firstly, IT'S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS!!!
I was going to try and "smoke" because my breath was creating vapours!
And then Gary damn busybody come interrupt my photo.

Sharing cotton candy!
The wind so bad la, ruin my hair.

Lookie's who I caught?
Note: That's not my hair. I swear.

Another masterpiece from the Mr.Pro-Camwhore himself.

Doughnut & Toffee pieces with chocolate fondue!!

Michael and I showing off our cotton candy and quarter pounder burger!

Cravings for hot food in cold weather.
You know what they say, street food IS BETTER than restaurant food!

Gay. Ewww...
Don't look so much, later you get a growth in your eyes.

People marching to light the bonfire.

It started small, very small!

And then it became HUGE!
I could feel the heat although I'm about 20 metres away from the flame.
Instantly, I turned from freezing to warm and fuzzy!

*Video of fireworks*
Will be uploaded soon. Can't be done now because of internet problems.
Check this space.