I cannot believe it.

I am really, officially on a One Whole Month's Break! XD

What am I gonna do?! Where am I gonna go?! I have so many things speeding and flashing through my mind but just so do I have that much time and money to do all of them? Well maybe not... but still it's a good opportunity and well deserving treat after all that stress from studies and work before I head back to more to come right? :P

Wish me luck! (and pray that I won't become broke and depressed again after over-spending in this unpaid month ><) *both fingers crossed*


My Unbelievably Believable To-do List (Hopeful)

1. Trip/ Travel/ Soul Searching
2. Take lotsa pics, write down what I see/ feel & experience on my 'Travel Journal"
3. Write stories - own collection (help from Ciaee's illustrations? Collaboration?)
4. Cooking & baking!
5. Handicrafts & DIYs for friends and folks
6. Paint/ draw/ design
7. Solo shopping/ pampering
8. Spring clean room & closet!
9. Tune body clock and healthy living patterns
10. Hit the gym already!
    
11. Bring Kei Kei for a day out (my student)
12. Finish my books & novels =_=
13. Bring Julius for walks more often! ><

The Worst City Names in the World

*lol*

Alright, maybe it's a little surprising to see 'this' appearing in my blog... but hey, I stumbled onto this when I was browsing for city names by accident and it's just freakin' hilarious! And I just got to share with everyone right?

They are the worst city names existing in the world. I don't know if they still do now, but oh well, who cares?! As long as they make me laugh! XD

You HAVE to check this out. It'll make your day. I promise.
Enjoy! XD

1) Cockburn, Western Australia

Although this name is often pronounced "Coburn" by those who stand to lose from its awfulness, who actually reads that when they see this word? Oh, how it burns.

2) Twatt, Orkney, Shetland Islands, Scotland

The Shetland Islands, pronounced "Shitland Islands" by the locals. Oh the pride...

3) Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapok-
aiwhenuakitanatahu, New Zealand

Locals call this hill in Hawke's Bay "Taumata" because... Well. Just because.

4) Muff, Ireland

They have a town called Muff. Har har har.

5) Looneyville, Texas, United States

Little Looneyville was named for storekeeper John Looney in the early 1870s. But who gives a shit. This is a hilarious name for a town in the state that brought us Dallas, the Bush Twins and Waco. How awkward must that be when you go to college? "Hey guys, my name's Johnny and I'm from Looneyville!"

6) Titty Hill, Sussex, England

Falling squarely into the extensive Stupid Place Names From England category, Titty Hill is probably located just north of...

7) Thong, Kent, England

Which actually is south-east of...

8) Gravesend, Kent, England

Oh, come on, England. Graves End? What a nasty, depressing little name. You could have at least gone all the way with this one and called it Corpse Feet.

9) Wetwang, Yorkshire... yep! England again!

Okay, so I'll cut England some slack. It's an old country. You know, if the United States is Google, then England is IBM. Their country is older than freakin dirt. They can't be blamed for having names that sound funny in 2007. But this is kind of ridiculous. Wetwang? I'm surprised they don't have towns called Squishy Vagina or Infected Scrotum.

10) Spread Eagle, Wisconsin

If I were mayor of Spread Eagle, I'd be making diplomatic advances towards the city leaders over in Wetwang to form a Sister-City relationship. Or maybe more of a Platonic-Friends-City relationship. After that, we'd just take thing slow and see what happened.

11) Bald Knob, Arkansas, United States

Well, I guess it's better than Hairy Knob. I assume England already has that one covered.

12) Cockup, Cumbria, England

Cumbria is a county in the very north-west of England. What the backwoods of Alabama are to America is what Cumbria is to Britain. They talk funny up there. Thus, it isn't thoroughly surprising that they have a town called Cockup. What do you call someone from this place? A Cockupper? Cockupeleite? Cockuppian? Cockupican? I suppose it's mildly better than Wetwangger.

13) Whiskey Dick Mountain, Washington State, United States

As hard as America tries, it can't compete with Britain's high standards. This was a good effort, though. Well done, Washington.

14) Hookersville, West Virginia

Undoubtedly named before "hooker" meant "prostitute who picks men up on street corners," Hookersville combines two crimes of place-naming. One, a dirty sounding adjective (they couldn't have chosen "Pleasant"? "Sunny"? "Happy"?) And two, they added "ville" to the end of the town's name. Affixing "ville" to the end of a town's name is like dressing your silly little dog in a cardigan and letting him carry his leash around in his mouth. It just makes the poor animal look stupid.

15) Hell, Michigan, United States

The people in this town at least seem to have a good sense of humor about their home's unfortunate name. Although, I'm sure there's some midwestern idiots in Hell who get all offended and defensive when the town shows up on lists like this. I'm looking forward to reading their insightful emails and comments.

16) Toad Suck, Arkansas, United States

So that's what they do down in the big AR.

17) Middelfart, Denmark

I guess it's not so funny to them, but how do we know that "Seattle" doesn't mean "Big Fat Stinking Turd" in Danish? That's right, we don't. And it probably does.

18) Horneytown, North Carolina, United States

Its proximity to Hookersville, West Virginia is no coincidence. I also assume that, like Hookersville, the naming of Horneytown took place before "horney" meant "aching for a hot piece of ass" with an extra "e". But I'm starting to wonder why, pride and tradition aside, the townspeople in these little places never saw it fit to change their homes' names? Do they enjoy being ridiculed by the entire English-speaking world?

19) Shitterton, Dorset, England

I wonder if they bleep out the first part of Shitterton's name if it's mentioned on the Disney Channel?

20) Disappointment, Kentucky, United States

Le sigh. Never mind. You live in a small town in Kentucky. At least it was appropriately named.

21) Fucking, Austria

The idiots who live in Fucking, Austria had a vote in 2004 to determine whether or not they should change the town's name, and you know what they did? They voted against it, preferring instead to put up with international ridicule, numerous stolen road-signs and horrific Google results.

22) Last but not least: Whakapapa

Why is this the worst place name in the world? In Maori, the native language of New Zealand, the "wh" sound is pronounced "f". Say it aloud in your office and see what happens.

p/s: Ooh guess what?? There's more!

My Way by Jidi

Jammy, my colleague brought this beautiful comic titled "My Way" by Jidi to work today.
I was really amazed.

'Beautiful' is just not enough to describe this full coloured, more like a very illustrative storybook rather than a comic to me.

I was once again in love when I laid my eyes on this pretty colours and such unique looking characters, chipping in a little melancholy. But... I regrettably announce, that this is another wonderful masterpiece by an illustrator from China. In other words, it is written in chinese... and to make that even clearer... it means I couldn't read it. *cries out loud*

I could only tell that it is a story about a magician. (as far as I can guess).





























































And I suppose this would be another illustration by her, non-related to this comic. There are some I found even way better than this image I found online (from the book). Equally beautiful that is.
p/s:
1) Looking up on this artist and this work was how I got stumbled upon Jimmy Liao as well. (refer to previous post and do check out the video please? ><)
2) Please forgive me on the weird spacing and layout of the images. (blogspot has never liked me in the beginning *sobs*)

The Fish With A Smile

Although I did not understand a word from it, it made me teary-eyed.

Such pure and sincere illustrations show innocence and feelings clearly. It's moving and beautiful both the art and the message. It simply wakens the inner child in us, triggering our emotions. Other than being close enough to bring me tears, it painted a smile on my face.

And so, I found myself another favourite illustrator, Jimmy Liao.

Moody Monday

Like every weekday morning, a drowsy, grouchy, lazy wake-up from a less than 6 hours sleep.

Especially being Monday, I ought to follow my routine of tapping on the 'power' button on the radio, in hopes of letting the wacky pair (morning crew) to cheer up my morning...

I fell back on my bed, listening to the tune being played, and my heart wrenched. Without an apparent reason.
I curled up even more on my snuggly bed, comforting me warmly in this cooling temperature in my sanctuary, I felt even more dispirited.

With the heaviest of disinclination, I got up... switched on my pc at 8:45 am Monday morning (45 mins before being late at work), and wrote this.

Here 'I' go again.

Good morning 'World'.

I have broken my sleeping record. About 20 hours straight the night before. And no sleep at all last night. XD

Looks like I am returning to the 'Freak-Manda' back in college days battling in between assignments and life. Heh. Not that I'm saying this is a good thing... but, I feel more like myself. Rather than the routine-paced-robotic-figure waking up at the same time every morning, go to work, lunch, long hours at work, dinner, then even longer hours, and sometimes slot in supper AND some more hours then only head home. This kinda life only suffocates me in no time. But again, I know, life is but a routine after all. I can't be running and flying around astray forever no matter how much I would love to. There is one day that I have to learn how to grow these legs and land. But meanwhile, it's still too soon to the find the right ground to land if I don't be a freak to roam around and search for it first, no? XD So let's just 'fly' for now!

These rebellious behaviours give me a sense of freedom. At least I am breaking the structures and rules again. Strangely, only these kinda living patterns give me inspiration. Really. That is why I am writing now after all that while.Well, these kinda impulsive and undisciplined acts happen for a reason. Like... I am troubled? Very likely. So I am going to make an important decision today. And that will break into some freedom for me. I think I deserve a break before I pump-up my power and continue my road ahead, no? I haven't really gotten a proper well-deserved holiday since I finished my hell-college days, I have jumped straight to hell-reality-working-world.

Graduation Ceremony on the 26th April 2008, last Saturday was pretty awesome ^^ followed by a crazy After Party at Bar Celona, Sunway Pyramid 2. It was great to see the wacko fellow design mates again and then go wild after all the hell-days in college. The ceremony itself was... well.. how should I say this, as usual... fun but kinda stupid XD it's just typical The One Academy style of everything. With the Giant Plush Teddy Bear (our Principal) with shattered English unprepared speech, the funny song they picked when we went up to receive our scrolls which made my worries of tripping while going up and down the steps worse (it was every girls worry and fear!) and just like how the 'this guy' would direct us to take the group photographs on stage saying "Give more space to the others. COMPRESS more" .... ?!?!?!? (Compress??)

Overall, it was memorable and I had fun =D






















That's a picture of Graduate-Teddy & Porky-bun 'Manda at The One Academy's Graduation Ceremony at Sheraton Subang, 26th April 2008. More pictures to come on the next entry.

And now I gotta get ready for work. =) Wish me luck!

This Penang Trip

So it was 4 days after Christmas. Now that I remember, seeing the date on the edited pink tortoise picture(for this is an unforgivable LATE post). It was another cannot-afford-anywhere-further-but-we-still-need-a-holiday trip, to Penang. So since there's nothing much other than the non-exciting slithering reptilians in a temple, the sleeping buddha, the bridge? and more temples... there is of course (the best of all things in Penang) -> F O O D.

But honestly... there really isn't much to say about them other then muttering "good, good. very nice." while spitting bits of food from my mouth when eating the famous kuey teow, laksa, cendol, (you name it). There is something more, something better and unforgettable about this trip.

Dad's friend from Penang, Uncle Tony met up with us (my family and I). Brought us around for the best Hou Jien (fried oyster) and what not. And then, he mentioned about having 3 kids. 2 girls and a boy. 3, 4 and 5. "Do-Re-Mi" he said. I don't dislike kids. Not anymore at least. I have grown to love them, especially after I started tutoring. But I still don't fancy 'every' kid. You just can't. Trust me. But then he said to me with utmost assurance in his tone, Uncle Tony, "I am sure you will love them".
And I did. We all did.

2 beautiful girls, Francesca, Eveanna (not sure how to spell her name) Geez, why didn't i ask her? stupid. And Clarence (the little one)

This is Francesca. The eldest, sweet, very obedient, a very good girl. (above)
And Eveanna, (below)


And that will be Clarence. (above)


Absolutely unforgettable.

Rewind: B'day & X'mas 2007

Things just came and gone like a 'swish' and then a 'swoosh' altogether. So speedy I could hardly catch up. I turned 21. I have graduated. Christmas and New Year is over too. And now I am just dumping my pics everywhere in this entry for this one whole section of 2007. (before we move on that is)
Oh yea. And not forgetting my Penang trip towards the very end of last year. (this would be on the next entry)
=) enjoy.



















I had my my 21st bash at home. Most of my dear friends from everywhere possible came.. It was quite a blast. Despite the tiny bit feeling of embarrassment for doing the old skool birthday song, and food as the 'main' thing of the whole party.




















Zmun & I. Mian Yee & I.















Jenn & I.















Juno, Jeff & I.

And now the presents..















When they were still all in bags..















And here are some of the lovely gifts... These I took in the morning.. like 8 or 9 am. After coming back from BarFlam at Sunway and the yumcha & supper sessions. I was still awake after the long night. So long yet so quick it has passed. There were these really sweet deliciously smelling Strawberry and Cranberry bath set from Body Shop. A feminine, fresh and sweet L'Occitane Eu De Toilette. And finally... my long waited Black XS Paco Rabanne perfume!! It has this wild, mysterious yet sexy and a hint of deep dark sweetness scent. Omg, I just can't stop smelling myself with all these fragance on me! And then I wondered.. what's with all these perfume and body soaps for me now? Do I smell THAT BAD that I need them so desperately in these amount? -_-" *hmph*















On the way home from BarFlam. Canice & I.















And then the very next day, It was time to bid farewell to Azeem once again. He came all the way to KL from Sabah to attend my big day! *hugs* Not only that.. He brought me this friend.. In a slightly crumpled box who fled with him on the plane.. Who's dark.. Has HUGE red eyes..















(I really couldn't help but take more and more peeps before I finally couldn't resist and.. opened it.)











































It's Charco! A DooDoll! He's under my horoscope, Sagittarius that has almost very compatible attributes that I do! *lol* He looks utterly, blur+adorable.
























Thanks to Azeem once again. Lots of love, silly u! ^^




















My xmas was quiet..chilly and memorable =) *nudges Omar* This one is one of the magnificent fairie trees in Mid Valley. After some effects from my phone that is. Looks even dreamier to me now. Love it.

My Lair.

Last term in our 'creative & marketing' class, we were told to write about our room but in a none descriptive way. "Tell it like how you would a story", Rico said. So here is mine..

This crack on the door, tells a story of a rebellious person behind it. While the angry note saying "KNOCK!!!" shouts at you. Thus the ambiance upon entering is far from what you might had in mind. The most important asset, is strangely a double-decker that only accommodates one. Frustratingly, it never fails to create another bump on the head. This, a closet-sized room had often been suspected to be the cause of her 'dwarf-height'. Nevertheless, she never gave in to trade for a larger, more spacious room. When the curtains are down, the walls are cool, it feels like heaven to sleep in.
To recall, it's been a while since the curtains were up. The last time, it was the existence of a feline mother-and-child right outside the window. It brought a whole new life to this room. It was a story of its own to bring smiles on the face of this girl living next to them. She watched and waited everyday and sometimes even night. Hoping to be small and invisible enough to not catch their sight. Sadly the kitten did not last long enough to widen her smile. Nevertheless, this tiny space had compiled tears, laughter and secrets that reflects more than anything about her inside-out.





































































'Angel of my god, My gurdian dear,
To whom gods love entrusts me here,
Ever this night be at my side,
To light and guard, To rule and guide.
Amen.'

A little prayer someone once taught me.

















Prints on my comforter. If you 'get' it =)




















Oh, and this.. if you see what I see ^^ *lol*

Expired - Part 1(Redang)

It's a pity if I am not going to share my last term break's lovely holidays and trips after those hectic workloads (though nothing compared to this term) oh well, but those trips were wonderful and satisfying, not posting up the pretty/'stupid-looking faces' (that's me) pictures (at least) would be really really sad. ^^ So here it is..
*note: yes, this is pretty outdated but who cares? XD

Pulau Redang - 2/5/2007
















While waiting for the 'very bumpy' boat. Pui Yee, Pei Chyi & I.





























Up and there I go!
The boat ride from the jetty to the island was incredibly, unbelievable bumpy and actually got me really excited and I was actually enjoying it XD it was FUN! It bumps, and jumps and almost flying in the air bumping on the surface of the sea and waves. Not forgetting occasionally we would get splashes of salty sea water all over our faces! *lol* I guess the others were getting really sea sick but I think I choose this over a roller-coaster ride. XD































Once we arrived, we cannot resist not strolling along the beach can we? Accompanied by the strong wind. All giggling and splashing. ^^

Mood Amplify

*Listening to: Untitled #8 - Sigur Ros

I dress according to my moods. Unlike what people would advise me to, I dress down when I feel gloomy. I don't care if I appear sloppy. I choose darker colours and those that I feel most comfortable with. Sometimes the outfit I pick at the moment, I wish I could just camouflage with it. Or perhaps, something that makes me invisible once I wear it. When I am happy, I go for brighter colours? or maybe something that flatter me most? or favourites? or I would just about do anything to make myself look good cos I feel good. I wanna feel and look pretty when I feel great.

*Listening to: Glosoli - Sigur Ros

I listen to music according to my moods. I pick sad and depressing songs when I feel broken. I listen to emo/louder songs with stronger faster beats when I am angry. I like Chill-Outs and Lounge when I work on my assignments and projects. It gives the flow and calm me down from panick-ing too much. De-stress a lil'. *heh*

Oh yeah, I just noticed that I even choose the colours for my text everytime I blog an entry according to my mood too XD *lol*

But I notice I write more when I am down, clouded and lost. Which is good I presume. A therapy to de-stress as well. To let out the 'things' which are troubling me. It feels good after that. I read blogs from my friends talking about their trips from vacations, special memorable occasions and such.. it's really lovely =) and I admire them (not that they have such moments and I don't) but I meant, for spending time effort and enough thought to create something to remember that special moment and generous enough to share the happiness, technically, globally online. With friends, family and practically everybody who reads them.
Then, I often been asked why I am not updating my blog (okay, that question is understandble) and they asked why don't I blog about my trip from somewhere somewhere and all? Well.. (aside from the cause of the lazy-bugs biting my fat ass) sometimes I wonder, what is the main reason I am blogging anyway? To share my thoughts and opinions on matters that matters? To rant, complain and just shout at the screen (through typing)? Or to report about my life? What I do, what I like, what I don't, what happened, what I want, how I feel?? It's like exposing myself to the world?? Is that what I want? Normally in the end we would just shrug it away and forget about in a second. I would.

*Listening to: Into the Ocean - Blue October

But don't get me wrong though, I am not going against anything here of course =) it's great sharing what we have and all. I personally LOVE sharing. Believe me. Really. I basically don't mind sharing stuff about myself. Unless they would bring trouble in the end, of course. *sigh* Which is always unpredictable, no?

*Listening to: 18th Floor Balcony - Blue October

So, I most likely would, share stuff about my Bukit Tinggi trip here with pictures and all like how everyone would XD

*Listening to: Tonight - Martin Grech

**Latest Obsession: Martin Grech [ Open Heart Zoo]











#My friend Wei Han called me a Music Hub for sharing with him my food-for-my-soul daily supplies from time to time XD and I simply love that term. *haha* XD

*Listening to: Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros



I YEARN

I've had a strong yearning for something all of a sudden. Something non-existence, something un-reachable. Something far-far away.

This may sound crazy. Although it has brought me much pain and sorrows, it has been there for sooo long. And it was part of me. It was 'me'.

I miss Kittyfish.
Alot.
If Shadow is listening, I hope you're doing well.
Wherever you are.
Kittyfish is there with you, I know.
Hold her close. Don't wander too far.
To Both of you.

My Rising Sun

*Listening to: Only Hope - Switchfoot

I love to write.

Why am I not writing anymore lately?

I think, I care too much about what people would think, what would they 'know' or perceive from what I write that, I may not want it to be perceived as such? Then I felt as if I am not being true to myself. I want to write what I want. What I feel. I have slowly lost that 'side' of me. I feel sad. I want it back. Maybe minues the gloomy part, but I want that sensitive, compassionate and always craving for new inspiration Amanda.

There was a day just like any other, only this time, there was a sun. Rising in between my clouds in my sky. It was beautiful, it was uplifting. It was great to see light and feel warmness again. I guess I have longed for it so much that I ran towards it too soon. I must have got myself burnt.

And then I wonder..

If I really want a sun in my sky every single day? I don't dislike the rain. In fact I loved it more than anything. Sun is good when you feel cold. When you feel lost and you want some light. But without the rain and the clouds once in a while, I would never be able to cherish the sun as much. Now I miss the rain.

Soon I let go of the sun. And I leave it to the rainbow, breeze, birds and the bees. If it shall come again, it will. I won't run this time. I would love the rain, the sun, the clouds, storm, birds and bees all the same. What comes naturally, is what I want most.

(note: ignore whatever you've have read if you don't understand a thing. you may find it really ridiculous and lame. i just typed what came into my mind =) )















Redang, 03/05/2007, sunrise, at awe.

A Slot Missing.

I've wanted to blog a few entries some time back. Was getting annoyed why couldn't I upload any pictures so I decided to just screw it and forget about blogging. But then I've always had this urge to share.. or maybe to "open up" just because I am sick of keeping it all inside me and the risk the chances of exploding my head when I am crossing the street one day.. Well, okay.. so this "pretty saviour" came to my rescue.. a few hours ago.. If it makes u happy -_-" and so here they are ^^ new pics of my new hair (not so nice now) and taken with my new phone! Finally! (applause).

This were taken..*hmm*(thinks) on 4th March. A night before I need to hand in my logo sketches for my Corporate Identity class. Was terribly tired after staying up without sleep for many nights. To be seen in pictures STILL in this condition.. I am amazing! XD

Oh well.. Almost. XP







































































And then it was CNY days before that..
So this oinks were at the corner tables watching "us" gamble most of the time..




































And "THESE" oinks.. were busy cam-whoring with my new Nokia 5300 XD ok lar. Just ME! *hmph*





































Well.. Many things "seemed" to have happened". But not in the most oblivious way. Even I sub-conciously let it pass me by and tell myself that I hv NOT notice that. Which, seems very contradicting, no? I have thought.. I have been happier lately after I have lifted something off my shoulders and moved on. And then things around me keep progressing at their on pace and then.. I felt.. Left out. Left behind. And thought.. Shit. Now, I'm envious. Why? Have I been spending THAT much time on something that I had all my hopes, strength and even my heart in and realized that in the end.. I am left with nothing?

So what was that all about? Dream?? I wish! Then it means I have only used a few hours to result to this amount of dissapoinment and NOT crushing my hopes and in the end be reminded that I have to go on and start all over again with new BLANK hopes and whatever has happened, was all only in your head darling Amanda. It's time to wake up.

This may sound stupid and I might just get things like "It's okay, the sad times will soon pass and then will soon be over and u'll be happy again." "You will get what you want someday."
Someday.
It's all about hopes isn't it? BAH.
It's alright to sleep this over and look at the glaring sun the next morning. It's alright. Yup. Of course. But once in a while.. It will just *PANG* and then I will *OW* be reminded. So it is now a walking smiling human being beaming at u in the morning when she sees you but she has this empty slot in her heart. Pretty cool eh? ^^

Just maybe.. IF now I actually try the REVERSE. If I stop hoping. And actually totally give this up.. It will come to me eventually? Well, things always come to you when u least expect of them right? Haha.
-_-" I am contradicting myself again. (Am I not FREAKIN, sub-conciously HOPING already when I said that??!!) ARGH.















I have wasted much time again. CNY is over. It is now March, quarter of 2007 gone. Am turning 21 this year. Am having a stiff-neck now and I'm using "Yoko-yoko".

I am still the same. Pretty much. I still work till late nights... Okay let me re-phrase that. I STILL start working only at late nights. And now instead of taking light naps or (power-naps) which is Juno's favourite source of joke-making *, I now take.. *drum rolls* C O F F E E ! Surprise. Well, I did not mention anything about "IMPROVEMENTS" did I?? XD At least I am getting my work done!

And guess what?? Now it is time to do that! 1:53 am! Perfect! XD

*waves Goodnight* =)

p/s: Here I confess, I REALLY love you people who REALLY read my blog. *hugs*