Hokkiens rock! :D

On Wednesday my mom's godsister and her son came down from the UK and so we went out for lunch at Anderson Cafe (awesome food there! lunchtime - North Indian cuisine, dinnertime - South Indian cuisine) The last time I met them was when my mom, sis and I went down to Singapore just before they moved to the UK. Which was when I was around 7 years old? Wah...15 years already! She always sends out Christmas greetings, which is a family photo with contact details and a letter written at the back of the photo. And the last time we were there, we were (or rather, my sister, because my handwriting sucked - and still sucks! haha!) copying out those contact details and letter onto hundreds of photographs! That was one memory I'll never forget...hahaha...and honestly, its the one thing I remember vividly about that trip to Singapore...hmmm....

So my mom and her godsister were blabbering away in Hokkien + English and she was talking about her daughter getting married n all and suddenly she turns to me and says:

"Eh, got boyfriend already ah?"

Whatttt!!! Oh mannn! Not in front of my parents!!

So I replied: "No lar aunty...ha ha ha (nervous laughter)"

Why lar why aunties like to ask that haiyoyoyo...

Anyway she said this later on when I replied to my mom in Hokkien:

"Wah...ane gao ah lu eh kia! Eh heao kong Hokkien! Ho loh!" (Wah so smart ah your kid! Can speak Hokkien! Good loh!) (Not sure bout the spelling but it sounds like that lar...haha) But we assured her that our Hokkien is very basic and quite broken =P

And continued to talk in Hokkien about how good it is to know alot of languages when my mom interrupts her and asks her to speak in English cause my dad can't understand! wahahaha!

After that we went to my mom's godsister's relative's place in a few places in Ipoh, (all retired and mostly in their 70s/80s and still going strong!) They were really nice to us, even though we just met them =D We had coffee and biscuits and all kinds of snacks! By the time we got back it was almost 7pm, and our original plan was only to have lunch with them!

Some pics:




I feel so Chinese! =D

The Muppets vs Ocean's 11

So cute and funny! hahahaha!

I love the Internet!!! =D

Economic crisis?

Found this video that explains the crisis of credit in visual form...simple n easy to understand!





This is definitely more info than what Jeremy Clarkson wrote before for Top Gear magazine, where basically all this happened because money was easily lent to people who can't afford to pay them back (Mexican bloke??) and so the banker's/investor's/whoever's little scheme fell apart!

Yeah...im feeling a little financial because I went to the bank to put in money for the ASW2020 scheme(?) but by the time it was my turn it was all full (thanks to the 49% only quota for non-Bumis). At the bank this morning, It was definitely dominated by the Chinese (95%), followed by Indians (4%?) and the rest were Malays who looked like they came to do normal transactions...hmmm....can you imagine if there was no quota? The Chinese will sapu everything, but on the upside, the Government will have all the money it needs, which is the main target anyway, right?

It was so packed that people were lining up way before the bank opened at 9.15am. And then once they opened the doors (somehow they didn't think of giving out numbers when people are civilized and lining up properly) everyone rushed in and there was some kind of stampede at the number-taking counter and I felt like I was waiting to board a KTM Komuter at KL central(people pushing to get in, and some to get out)! After a while I decided it was too funny and wanted to take a picture but by then the crowd was smaller so I didn't bother taking a pic...so sorry guys no visual aid here :P... When money is at stake, people don't play-play!!

Oh ya....I'm not being racist or anything ok, its just that sometimes circumstances make people racist.

Soon, it will be the survival of the fittest, and we all know who's gonna survive...

Copycat

see more dog and puppy pictures

So cute I couldn't resist!!!

Will update soon...once I clear all the stuff I have to do!

One of the best days of my life!

Friday was one of the best days of my life! Why? The things I did were mostly impromptu!

1. Had lunch with Daniel Sen.
2. Waited for 3pm to collect thesis and then submit to COE office. (ok this part wasn't that fun)
3. Collected thesis, then sent Agnes and Adam to KTM Serdang (they were goin for a family holiday to KK) before submitting thesis
4. Sumbitted thesis at around 4pm. Janice and Kiran saw me and asked me to go with them to McD's. At first declined cause was just gonna submit thesis but when they said they can wait, I said OK!
5. Came back and met up with Harish to give him his present and also for some picture taking (Harish, if you're reading this, email me the pics please? eheheh)
6. Came back sweating like mad because it was so hot! Then went to disturb WZ and discuss dinner plans. We decided to go to 'lat thong' or rather 'spicy soup'. This place always wins when deciding where to go! They have the awesomest spicy pork+curry pork+spicy soup! Can cry if you eat this combo cause its so spicy but it is AWESOME!!
7. After a while WZ asked if I wanted to go watch a movie and I smiled like a weirdo and so she got the hint that I wanted to! And so thanks to EasyAccess on Maxis I checked the list of movies showing in Mines and they were showing Fast & Furious 4! So ok set we were gonna go for the 9pm movie :D We were wearing shorts and didn't bother dressing up earlier because it was just dinner, and WZ asked if I wanna go back and change. I said it doesn't matter because nobody's gonna remember its me and besides, it would be months, possible years before I set foot on Mines again. So off we went, and I was crazy happy because I haven't really done anything that I wanted to do in a really long time! (usually I teman people only because usually nobody wants to do what I want to do =_=")

Was a pretty unusual day cause I seldom go out and meet/hangout with people (I'm a bit of an antisocial..but it also depends on the situation) Anywayz it was a pretty happy day for me, and a nice way to end the sem =)

Spent today cleaning and packing until my nose also gone psycho with all the dust! So much to pack and clear and throw...im almost done!

Home here I come! =)

Guess who...

....I saw at MPO?

Josiah Ng and his fiancee, Kim Ong!

I saw them as they walked in after intermission, but sadly I had no one to share the info with, as my parents wouldn't know them..(I tried to tell my dad but he was blur)...haha..so I was just spying trying to act nonchalant...:P .. btw, he's our Malaysian track cyclist and his fiancee is a famous local blogger (Ipoh-mali!). So I guess not that famous lar...hahaha...but...if either Josiah or Kim Ong comes across this post, I greet thee with a hello!!! :D

Checked her blog and there's a brief mention of her attending MPO, as part of her busy schedule. So I guess they're not regulars at MPO...hmmm....I would know, right, cause I'm the MPO freak :P

KLCC was packed!!! All because of PC fair. Never seen so many people there before, even on normal weekends...

MPO was awesome as usual, but the guest pianist played such a short piece (Haydn Piano Concerto in D major)!!! Not enough ahh!!! But anyway after that he played a French piece because his brother was there (usually he plays a piece related to the piano concerto) Oh ya did I mention he's French? :P

Oh and I wonder if MPO cut their budget due to the recession? Cause the bouquet of flowers they usually give after the performance (to the guest and conductor) seems to be smaller than usual....hmmm....but I thot Malaysia no recession wor...cause everyone still shopping like there's no tomorrow....hmmmm...

Gotta go to sleep now....Blessed Easter! :)

Haydn

Going for MPO today! It will definitely lift my spirits! Been feeling kinda sad and stressed lately after finding out that my FYP 2 presentation was postponed to next tues afternoon (supposed to be last wed afternoon) Only found out about it on wed morning. Was so angry and had no mood to do anything after that. Especially since if I had my presentation already I can go back tomorrow. But anyway I'm so excited to go for MPO tonight with my parents!

11 Apr Sat 8.30pm
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Kees Bakels conductor
Cédric Tiberghien piano (He's French!! Check out his page here :P)

HAYDN Overture: La fedeltà premiata
HAYDN Keyboard Concerto in D (HobXVIII/11)
BRUCKNER Symphony No.5 in B flat

RM95 | RM75 | RM55 | RM25

A little preview of the Keyboard/Piano Concerto in D:
Movement 1: Vivace


Movement 2: Un poco Adagio


Movement 3: Rondo Allegro assai


In these videos the pianist is George Li, and he was 9 years old during this concert! He's good! I jealous! :P

OR

Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
Frans Brüggen, conductor
Paul Badura-Skoda, piano

Movement 1: Vivace


Movement 2: Un poco Adagio


Movement 3: Rondo Allegro assai



Since I'll be jobless, maybe I should practice the piano more...hmmm....

MPO here I come!!

No more finals!

I finished my final final exams on Saturday morning...last paper was Basic French...it was kinda easy...hmmm...so I left the exam early...was so sleepy!! No need to study for exams d!! :D But that depends on what I do after this....study summore of work? We'll see if I get a job...

Now stressed because of FYP. Sucks man! If we didn't have FYP I would be the happiest person on earth!...but wat to do..

It also sucks when you keep requesting for data and nobody seems to want to give em to you...they say their busy..really now? The data I request would probably take you half an hour max to get!! Arrrggghhhh!!!

Queen Elizabeth gets iPod from Obamas

Royal couple gives president, first lady signed portrait of themselves

John Stillwell / AP President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are welcomed by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday. View related photos updated 6:48 p.m. ET April 1, 2009 LONDON - It's not every day the American president's driver is told to move his bulletproof car. But Queen Elizabeth II's handlers made the request Wednesday after President Barack Obama's reinforced Cadillac limousine was found to be blocking the garden entrance driveway at Buckingham Palace. After it was moved, Jaguars carrying Prince Charles and other members of the royal family pulled up for the queen's reception for leaders attending Thursday's G-20 summit. Obama and his wife, Michelle — wearing a black and white dress, pearls and a black coat — were two of the first dignitaries to meet the queen, who wore a salmon-colored dress and her trademark pearls. During their private meeting, President Obama and the first lady gave the queen a personalized iPod with video footage of her 2007 visit to Washington and Virginia. She was also given a rare songbook signed by composer Richard Rodgers. In return the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, gave the Obamas a signed portrait of themselves. Queen Elizabeth has met with 11 of the last 12 U.S. presidents, including a meeting that took place with Harry Truman when she was a princess, according to Buckingham Palace spokesman David Pogson. The only president she did not meet was Lyndon Johnson. His widow later met the queen after the president's death. The queen and her husband entertained the Obamas in her private audience room, which overlooks the palace gardens where thousands of daffodils and other flowers were in bloom. The room, which is part of the queen's private quarters, is frequently used for private meetings with visiting leaders. Recent visitors included the prime ministers of Canada and Australia. 'Her majesty is delightful' After her meeting with the Obamas, the queen held a reception for all the world leaders attending the summit. They gathered in the palace's picture gallery and were served champagne, wine and canapes of chicken with zucchini on skewers, mini Cornish pasties, smoked quail eggs, foie gras and tiny rolls of duck filled with melon. Click for related content Obama plays down rifts over economic plan Slump takes swagger out of once-booming U.K. Michelle Obama visits London cancer center The queen chatted with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi while French President Nicolas Sarkozy held an animated discussion through an interpreter with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Prince Charles shared a joke with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva while his wife, Camilla, held a long talk with Michelle Obama. "It was a wonderful visit," Obama shouted to reporters as he and his wife left the palace. "Her majesty is delightful." Several hundred people gathered outside Buckingham Palace and cheered as soon as they saw President Obama. Earlier in the day, Obama used a press conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown to say how much he and the first lady were looking forward to meeting the queen, praising her as a model of "decency and civility." What's for dinner? Brown and his wife, Sarah, were holding a dinner at Downing Street for all of the leaders attending the summit. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was cooking dinner for the G-20 leaders. The main course was slow-roasted Welsh lamb accompanied by wild mushrooms, asparagus and potatoes from Jersey in the English Channel. Vegetarian leaders were being offered potato dumplings and asparagus. Appetizers include baked Scottish salmon with vegetables and goat's cheese from Hertfordshire with roasted shallots. Bakewell tarts and custard is on the menu for dessert. France's Sarkozy, who had hinted he would walk out of the G-20 if leaders didn't agree to concrete plans on tighter financial regulations, was the last to arrive for the dinner. Obama sat next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel — who has joined in Sarkozy's calls — while Chinese President Hu Jintao sat between Brown and Sarkozy. Obama's iPod gift includes 40 Broadway show tunes President's gift The iPod to Queen Elizabeth II came loaded with 40 songs from popular Broadway productions, including "The King and I," "West Side Story" and "Dreamgirls." Songs included on the iPod are: "Oklahoma!" "If I Loved You," Jan Clayton, "Carousel" "You'll Never Walk Alone," Jan Clayton, "Carousel" "There's No Business Like Show Business," Ethel Merman, "Annie Get Your Gun" "Once in Love with Amy (Where's Charley?)," Ray Bolger "Some Enchanted Evening," "South Pacific" "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," Carol Channing, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" "Getting to Know You," Gertrude Lawrence, "The King and I" "Shall We Dance?" Gertrude Lawrence, "The King and I" "I Could Have Danced All Night," Julie Andrews, "My Fair Lady" "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," Rex Harrison, "My Fair Lady" "The Party's Over (Bells Are Ringing)," Judy Holliday "Maria," "West Side Story" "Tonight," "West Side Story" "Seventy Six Trombones," "The Music Man" "Everything's Coming up Roses," Ethel Merman, "Gypsy" "The Sound of Music" "Try to Remember," Jerry Orbach, "The Fantasticks" "Camelot," Richard Burton "If Ever I Would Leave You," Robert Goulet, "Camelot" "Hello, Dolly!" Carol Channing "If I Were a Rich Man," Zero Mostel, "Fiddler on the Roof" "People," Barbra Streisand, "Funny Girl" "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)," John Cullum "The Impossible Dream," Richard Kiley, "Man of La Mancha" "Mame," Charles Braswell "Cabaret," Liza Minnelli "Aquarius, Ronald Dyson, "Hair' "Send in the Clowns," Judy Collins, "A Little Night Music" "All That Jazz," Chita Rivera, "Chicago" "One," "A Chorus Line" "Tomorrow," Andrea McArdle, "Annie" "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Patti LuPone, "Evita" "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," Jennifer Holliday, "Dreamgirls" "Memory," Elaine Paige, "Cats" "The Best of Times," George Hearn, "La Cage Aux Folles" "I Dreamed a Dream," Aretha Franklin, "Les Miserables" "The Music of the Night," Michael Crawford, "The Phantom of the Opera" "As If We Never Said Goodbye," Elaine Paige, "Sunset Blvd." "Seasons of Love," "Rent" ============================================================ OMG! How cool are the Obamas???? If Apple didn't already have everyone drooling over their stuff, I'd say this is a publicity stunt! Hehe....but look at the selection of songs also....how personal and thoughtful! Oh wow...other's are gonna have a tough time getting the Queen a better present!

Poisson d'Avril!

Today is Wednesday, April 1, the 91st day of 2009. There are 274 days left in the year...

It has become tradition to pull pranks on 1st of April ....

While you're out playing pranks on family and friends on April 1, you might want to surprise them with some history and fun facts about the holiday as well. It might take the sting out of the joke you play that involves setting clocks back and thereby forcing your buddy to miss that important meeting he had in the morning. April Fools Day is not an official holiday but plenty of people observe it by cracking jokes and pulling pranks on loved ones (and not-so-loved ones) throughout the day.

History of the holiday
The most popular theory of when April Fools Day started is that it began in 1582 in France when King Charles IX reformed the Julian calendar and made it Gregorian. This made the new year begin on January 1, instead of April 1, as it always had been prior to the switch. Because cell phones, texts, and e-mails weren't around then, the news of the calendar switch took some time to get across to everyone. As a result, some countryfolk (and a few stubborn ones who resisted the change) were labeled "April fools." They were subsequently used as punchlines in jokes, sent on "fools errands," and subjected to practical jokes. Scottish and Fench settlers brought to the colonies of the US in the 1600s. Thus, a holiday was born.

April Fools Day goes global
Believe it or not, April Fools Day is celebrated in a variety of countries. France calls it Poisson d'Avril, which means April Fish. Children will tape a picture of a fish onto the backs of their friends and yell "Poisson d'Avril." One reason for this could be that the zodiac sign for April is pisces, which is a fish. In Scotland, April Fools Day is celebrated for two days and known as Taily Day. Pranks are typically geared towards the bottom and it's said that the origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced back to Scotland. The U.K. only celebrates April Fools Day in the morning as they believe it is bad luck to play jokes in the afternoon. Fools are known as "gobs" or "gobby" and victims of jokes are called "noodles." Poland celebrates April Fools Day very seriously by not doing anything serious that day. Jokes and hoaxes are played and even the media gets in on the fun. Denmark observes April Fools Day with jokes and pranks, and celebrates again on May 1.

Well known April Fools Day pranks
Everyone has a favorite prank or joke that has been carried out on April Fools Day. Here are a few that have been made famous by their ingenuity.

* Left-handed Whoppers from Burger King: the fast food chain announced they were carrying Whoppers for left-handed people that had condiments dripping from the right side. Yep, people tried to order it. (1998)
* Spaghetti trees: A BBC show ran a segment featuring Swiss people harvesting spaghetti from trees. The segment announced that spaghetti weevils had been eradicted. People called the station wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. (1957)
* Bill Gates has been assassinated: Chinese and South Korean websites claimed that Bill Gates had been killed. The Korean stock market dropped 1.5%. (2003)
* Rickroll - YouTube hyperlinked all of the videos on their front page to the Rickroll.

Good luck on your pranks!