Still Fantasy

Hello everyone!! I have an announcement to make... *ahems*

The reason I listen to chinese music has a new album out in the market and it's called "Still Fantasy". I know this is stale news and almost everyone already knows... but bear with me ok! This is MY blog and I haven't announced it here yet!

Back to the topic at hand, I have no idea what "Still Fantasy" actually means, but his second album released years back was called "Fantasy". So naming this album "Still Fantasy" could mean that he's in the state that was in previously(?) *scratch head* errm... I doubt he'd be in the same financial state as he was previously but whatever lar. Excuse the digression.

Anyways, I'm talking about Jay Chou here if you guys haven't figured it out already (it's a no brainer, really!). The one and only JAY CHOU!~ He is really the reason behind me listening to Chinese music. It's true! If you give me lame old stuff like S.H.E. or F4 (I shudder at the thought!), you might as well just shoot me and get it over with. Of course I listen to many others, like David Tao and Lee Hom, but it's only Jay Chou the singer-mumbler-songwriter-composer that gets me grooving.

Another digression:-

Have you guys ever wondered why the music industry is churning out more and more lousy untalented artistes by the year? (I could list them all out here but I think I'd offend some narrow minded people :p .... ..... I cannot resist!! Lemme give you an example of such amoebas in the music industry today:- People who apparently cannot sing and in turn, try to learn dance moves to make up for it, hence naming their debut album "Body Can Sing". NO DUH! *smack forehead* I agree with Mel that this guy HAS to name the album such because if he were to name it "I Can Sing", he would be doing injustice to his minions of fans by insulting their intelligence. In short, he had to name it "Body Can Sing" because even the deaf knows that he, for the life of all the other genuine singers out there, CANNOT SING! ). These lame-o's can't sing and they can't compose the music or lyrics (apparently they get other songwriters to write them songs). Oh and I just remembered one more thing, they can't play musical instruments either! (the stupid recorder doesn't count!) Basically, all the females wear as little clothes as possible or act shu nu, fluttering their eyelashes and speak in high-pitched voices while all the males work out their bodies and grow their hair long (androgyny is back once again?) and just smile adorably at the camera.

*grab a pail and hurl*
*and hurl some more*

Oh what, what has happened to the good old days when these people are really known as singers and not artistes??? They can really sing!!! I guess the term "artiste" was coined to be fair to the more talented ones who can actually be labelled singer/songwriter/composer. I guess this is one of the main reasons I like Jay Chou. He can sing (okok.. he can mumble!), he can compose his own melodies and he can compose the lyrics. Hah! <-- ok, I don't know why I said that but it just gives me a sense of satisfaction. And he can play various types of musical instruments!! Double Hah! ;D I don't know but men with guitars, drums and pianos turn me on ;) Just imagine, would anyone listen to Hinder, Nickelback, Fall Out Boy or The All American Rejects if they did not have the abovementioned characteristics!? I mean, they're super ugly (ok, maybe not The All-American Rejects, but still!... come to think of it, the guitarist is pretty hot *grin*) fine.. other examples... Guns 'n' Roses! Pink Floyd! The Offspring! Oasis! MARILYN MANSON!!! David Tao! Jacky Cheung! (please note that Westlife did NOT make the list. They should be called NoLife, not Westlife, but then, that's just me :p and Lee Hom doesn't qualify either cos he has boyish good looks *winks* We're talking about beautifically-challenged people here. Not exactly ugly but just slightly lacking in the looks department )

Good grief.. my post about Jay's new album has been overshadowed by my ramblings. Whoopsies... Anyways, these are the list of songs in his "Still Fantasy" album:


01. Twilight's Chapter Seven (Ye De Di Qi Zhang)
02. Listen to Mama's Words (Ting Ma Ma De Hua)
03. Faraway (Qian Li Zhi Wai)
04. A Herbalist's Manual (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
05. Retreat (Tui Huo)
06. Red Imitation (Hong Mo Fang)
07. Heart's Rain (Xin Yu)
08. White Windmill (Bai Se Feng Che)
09. Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang)
10. Chrysanthemum Flower Bed (Ju Hua Tai)

Apparently, he's adopted official English song titles for this album :D *woot* (for bananas like me, Chin Aun would like to add)
I like songs no. 5, 7 and 8. It seems song no. 3 is really hot right now, but it really does nothing for me.

That's basically what I wanted to say when I first started this post and now all my words are used up and I am too tired to say anything else, except "ENJOY" and Jay Lives!! And I feel kinda sad without Chia Jiun and Aun Boey here to celebrate the event and translate the lyrics for me :( They would sing with me and teach me the actual pronunciation. Depending on Chin Aun to do the same would probably take another decade and Jay Chou would have had another 10 albums in the market already :p hee hee...

A little trivia: I can only write 3 persons name in Chinese. Mine, Chin Aun's and Jay Chou's! :D Syiok!~

We Are The Reason

We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

[Avalon - We Are The Reason]

This is an amazing equation:

The size of a person's car is directly proportional to how small his brain is.

:- The bigger the car - the smaller the brain.

This equation can be used another way. Consider the word "size" a variable. Assuming "size" = X, then replace variable X with the word "price". And you get another equation that bears the same results.

Both equations, however, are based on the assumption that the vehicle "Smart" (fortwo, forfour, doesn't matter) does not exist.

(When you work in SS2, you get to see validation of the abovementioned equation. EVERY-BLOODY-DAY!)

Book Fest!

I've been shopping for books! :D if there's anything more satisfying than shopping for clothes and shoes, it's definitely shopping for books.

I stepped into Kinokuniya and I thought, "this is my kinda heaven!" *drools* books, books, and more books, occupying every corner of the room! I immersed myself with browsing and totally lost all track of time and space - just detaching myself from Chin Aun and my parents.

I'll never understand why people don't like to read. I mean, what's there NOT to like about reading?! *scratch head* that fact it's even more difficult to digest than programming! Take Chin Aun for instance, I just don't get why he has no interest in books at all! Sure, he reads stuff like the boring old cliched "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" *yawn* and other similar books (which I might add, I wouldn't read), but you will never catch him with his nose in interesting books like "Angels and Demons" and "Blood Canticle". At these times, I really need Mel here with me so that we can knock each other out with our stories on books we read. Without Mel here, I also have no one to show my two nice new bookshelves bought especially to display my collection of books *hmmph* It's kinda like singing to a deaf audience *double hmmph*

Anyways, here are some of the books I bought this month :D

Nicholas Sparks - A Walk To Remember

** I bought this from "Pay Less Books" :D for only RM21!! What a steal!~ I've read this book before, when I was still in Uni and I've watched the movie numerous times. Nicholas Sparks is really expressive and you'll learn more reading the book than watching the movie.







Sidney Sheldon - Are You Afraid of the Dark

** I've finished reading this already... Very typical Sidney Sheldon book... It's an interesting read, but I wouldn't say it was out of this world. Until today, Mr. Sheldon here has yet to write one that is as good as his earlier work "If Tomorrow Comes".






Judith McNauaght - Every Breath You Take

** I love her works! :D This is the one I'm currently reading now. Judith McNaught writes romance novels but her writing style is not like those typical romance novels where the hero is a muscled hunk and the heroine is some damsel in distress! I'm so proud to say I've read ALL her books! haha... and my favourite would probably be "Paradise". This book and her previous one "Someone to Watch Over Me" has some elements of a thriller too, much unlike her earlier works like "Almost Heaven" and etc.



1. Cecelia Ahern - Where Rainbows End
2. Cecelia Ahern - P.S. I Love You

** Now this... I never expected these books to be this good. Especially "Where Raindows End". I mean, I really cried reading it! I'd recommend all those who love books to read this :)






Sophie Kinsella - The Undomestic Goddess

** I've read her entire Shopaholic Series (during my study week *hangs head in shame* - which would explain my results *sigh*) and her other book "Can You Keep A Secret?", but I have yet to read this. All are classified as Chic Lit, so it's basically easy reading! I'm hoping that this one would be just as good .





1. Marian Keyes - The Other Side of the Story
2. Marian Keyes - Sushi For Beginners
3. Marian Keyes - Last Chance Saloon

** haha... MORE CHIC LIT!! Easy reading and happy endings... I've yet to read these... Haven't read any of her works before, so hope they'll be good.



1. CSI - Killing Game
2. CSI Miami - Cult Following
3. CSI Miami - Riptide

** CSI Movie Tie-Ins! :D I love the series and I love the books as well. I've read all other titles preceeding these and these are the newest in the market. There are 2 more I haven't bought, "CSI NY - Dead of Winter", and "CSI NY -Bloody Murder". Anyone care to get it for me? :D

And... a book that I didn't buy myself... but was a gift from Chin Aun :) hehehe... He may not read much, but at least he knows I like to read and he got me a pretty good book too! :D

Lauren Weisberger - Everyone Worth Knowing

** the author of "The Devil Wears Prada"! I've been dying to read that book but I thought I'd wait until I see the movie. Save myself the disappointment if the movie doesn't match up to the book. But this book is not bad :) Quite a nice read, happy endings and all. Another Chic Lit :p




So, that about sums up my salary for last month and this month. I actually wanted to get a travel guide to Southern California and Korea but ended up buying all these instead! *whoops* looks like I'll be getting my information on what's good in Anaheim and Incheon from the Internet. At least I know I won't be bored for the rest of this month with all the books I have! :) I have found another reason why I need more money... I need more books! And it doesn't matter that Chin Aun has started refering to me as "the bookworm" ;)

**********
There's a secret path I follow
To a place no one can find
Where I meet my perfect someone
I've kept hidden in my mind
Where my heart makes my decisions
'Till my dream becomes a vision
And the love I feel
Makes him real someday

Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart

**********

[Vonda Shepard - I Know Him By Heart]

I love the songs that Vonda Shepard sings on Ally McBeal. To date, my favourites are "You Belong To Me" and "Neighbourhood". I like this song too... "I Know Him By Heart". All you Ally McBeal followers would know this song well... it's so obvious that this song paints everything that Ally is and ever could be in that movie. How she's loved Billy from when they were kids and how she's grown to love him more throughout the years they were together. And one day good old Billy just leaves her and marries Georgia. After a couple of years, Ally thinks she's over him, but in the depth of her heart, her soul still pines away for him, comparing all the other men she gets involved with with Billy and how they can never compare to him...

I like this song... especially if I am in a melancholic romantic mood... I guess it all depends on how you look at it. After all these years, I am still divided in my opinion about this particular song. Sometimes, I feel for her, I really do. Especially when I'm feeling melancholic.

But most of the times, like right now, I just can't push the thought that this poor deluded soul is so out of touch with the real world... I mean, hello!!! wtf(!) how can you be in love with someone you haven't even met!? Someone you conjured up in your mind?! Being in love with a person means accepting that one person, for the good and for the lesser, and it's not about comparing him with that perfect-little-someone-in-your-head to see if the characteristics fit!

*smacks forehead*

maybe I'm sleepy today.... Maybe I'm just too tired after a full working week with another half day tomorrow. I loved watching Ally McBeal, I still do! Honest! I cried when Billy died and I cried in many other episodes, but, now, today, at 12:18am, I just think that Ally is a neurotic, deluded soul who brings all those ill-fated love affairs on herself.

Or maybe she isn't and I'm just being a grump cos I gotta work tomorrow...

Miami Ink

I've been busy watching watching a reality-type TV series called Miami Ink recently. The show revolves around 5 guys who opened a tattoo shop in (where else!) Miami. Of the 5 of them, 4 are renowned tattoo artists - Chris Garver, Ami James, Chris Nunez and Darren Brass, while Yogiro Harado is their apprentice, learning from the masters of tattoo on the art of inking.

Further into the series, the gang will be joined by yet another tattoo artist, Kat Von D. Kat's tattoo style gravitates towards realism and her tattoo style favours portraits. These fantastic people even have their tattoo gallery online and the website features tattoos from their show. Tattoo lovers, do check out: Miami Ink
You can even submit your tattoo on their website for other viewers to vote! And those living in the US can actually request to be on the show to be inked by them!! *envious* what I wouldn't give...

What I like watchin the show for the people who come in their tattoo shop to get inked. How they tell the story behind each tattoo, the reasons to why they're doing it and the reasons for what they are getting. What I like most - the way the tattoo artists crack their heads to come out with a tattoo that is perfect for the recipient, and how each tattoo is unique for each individual.

Tattoo lovers - check out the show! It's worth every minute!! :D

My Convo: Part 2

Welcome to the second installment of Soonyee's Convo Series! :D hahaha... I'm back from work early today cos it's my mom's birthday so I thought I'd blog a little before heading out for my mom's birthday dinner.
Before anything else...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!

*thunderous applause*

so... back to the topic at hand... after the convocation ceremony a few Sundays ago in the afternoon, we all had lunch at Secret Recipe (when I say "we all", I mean, me, Chin Aun, my parents, my sister and my aunty). Then we headed back home and rested a little and waited for Daniel (my bro-in-law) to come over. Then we went over to YS Studio in SS2 to take some photos (so that a photo of me in my square hat can be hung somewhere on the wall back home beside my sister's and my cousin's). After the photo taking session (which was a gift for me from my sister and Daniel *hugs* *thanks you both!*), we went over to Tai Thong Restaurant (also in SS2) for a nice family dinner (which is a 'gift' for me from my aunt).

So here are some photos of the 8-course dinner (please excuse the pics cos most of the food were tampered with before I had the chance to take any photos. It was so bad that my mom had to make everyone wait until I took the photos for the following dishes!)

Photos: The Dinner

Dish #1 - some cold dish with crabmeat and tofu...

Dish #2 - Typical Sharks' Fin Soup in every chinese course dinner

Dish #3 - Chicken
(I'm not good with words, so I have no other way of describing this dish)

Dish #4 - Steamed Fish
( I don't even know what type of fish this is; but it tastes good and I guess that's all that actually matters)

Dish #5 - Butter Prawns (now this dish is de-lish! *yum*)

Dish #6 - Vegetables with Garlic

Dish #7 - Fried Rice

There's actually is a dish #8 which was the dessert but the waitress was so quick in scooping it into our little bowls that I had no chance, whatsoever to take any photos :(

Ahh... graduation and convocation would of course, not be complete without flowers, gifts and ang pows *wide grin* I refrained from taking photographs of the ang pows because my mom won't let me do it it doesn't seem right to be posting photos of moolah on my blog. So here are the flowers that made an appearance on my day :D

Photos: Pressies and such

My Sunflowers and Daisies (from my parents, aunty and Chin Aun :D I actually wanted photos of these two bouquets separately but the photo didn't turn out very nice)

My Lilies!!! I love them~! :) From my beebs of course...

My sister and Daniel's bouquet for me - Mix of Sunflowers, Lilies and Lavender

And here I am in the midst of my flowery madness... Whoopdeedooo....

MY GIFTS!! :D
A huge Pooh beanie from Chin Aun's siblings, a hippo that looks like a cow with a red patch, a teddybear in a bag and a flower-power keychain... all from my darling beebs :)

Other Random Photos:

Taken with my sister and Daniel at Tai Thong

Family Photo :)
(why does my mom always look so fierce in photos??? *scratch head*)

And finally, what better way to end a post than with random photos taken on that day, the 13th of August 2006. The day that marked the end of my life as a student and I venture, naive and wary, into the working world, a world where only cunning underhanded parasites survive to emerge as corporate scums of the earth...

OH BULLOCKS! I'm just BS-ing... But I like the sound of that anyway! haha...