Loved

Dec 23rd, 2010

Girls day out with my angels/princesses! Too bad I was rushing to another event that evening that I had to leave them early heart-brokenly. :( Anyways, the girls are as awesome as always. We laughed the hardest when all of us are together and I truly cherish the moment.

Dec 26th, 2010

The Sakandarians gathering in Lagaoh, Kelawat.

Our family sans Uncle No. 1 & Uncle No. 3

Nina..Kristi's family

Mama..Kitot's family

Lip is absent. Aki Dupalan's family

Fanny's family was on their way when we took those pics, so no pictures of Aki Apal's family. :(

Good food brings the family together! My fav of the day was the cinnamon bread Iat baked. It was so delicious that Jaime & Joy couldn't stop eating it as well. :)

Again, too bad that everyone has multiple agendas clashed in the 26th and the gathering was cut short coz everyone had to leave early. :((((

I am blessed with lots of good things in life, but if I am allowed to have my favorite blessings, it would definitely be FRIENDS & FAMILIES!

Luncheon

Event: Clifford & Florainie's Engagement Luncheon

Date: Dec 27th, 2010

Venue: Hibiscus Hall, Lembah Impian Country Homes

Candid but I like!

Clockwise: Roscoe, Ron, Cafferil, Frank, Carolyn, Friendee, Charlie, Casey, Crystal, ME!

Commentary: FOOD WAS AWESOME! Especially the hinava and tuhau. Glorious!!

Congrats brother and Polo on your E day! We look forward for the BIGGER day ^^

And another special event...

Birthday kisses to my dearie sista Carolyn Lhudz! Mmuahx..Happy 21st birthday (hopod toun digulu..lol)

More festivities to come! December, I don't want you to end. Please.

Merry

And the feasting continues..mercilessly. What should I do with my expanding waistline? (>.<)

You gotta love December.

Am perfectly aware of the paganism origin of celebrating Dec 25th, but hey, I am NOT celebrating the day but I am celebrating the season. Where families and friends get together doing happy stuffs.

The first half of December was undoubtedly MERRY. The second half could be anything..ranging from crazy to insane. In terms of feasting, of course. But behold, thou shall not forget to be modest. Jan 1st, 2011 we shall fast then! ^^

Save me from the sugars!

Birth

It has been a year since I was twenty-two. I am a year older, (hopefully) wiser and definitely heavier.

birthday dinner with familia at one of our fav eatery, Kahve's

I should do what makes me happy,

Be with who makes me smile,

Laugh as much as I breathe,

and Love as long as I live.

ChaCha is indeed 23 now

There are many things in life that will catch my eye, but only a few will catch my heart...I am going to pursue those while I am twenty-three. After all I am going to be 23 for only a year, and that is a short time!

Striving to be a better person. And happier.

Eskrim

Ice-cream is exquisite-what a pity it isn't illegal. -Voltaire-

Seriously craving for ice-cream, especially on this Sabbath.(=.=")

Colors

Tis the season to put up colorful ornaments!

Spent the weekend on a camp and it was loaded with fun lessons. Breakout activities consisted of more than ten classes to choose on. I chose these four classes.

• Class #1: Reflexology

This colorful chart indicates the pressure points in which will release our body's natural painkillers, the endorphins. Google can help you understand on how it allegedly works. (:

• Class #2: Grooming (LOL-ness)

I was busy gossiping with sista during this class, so the only point I can clearly remember is DON'T WEAR MORE THAN 3 COLOR in an outfit, or else you'll look like a walking Christmas tree. And I believe, the best color is the one that looks good on you. ^^

• Class #3: Juicing (haha..)

Pr. Jibil playing Jamie Oliver and taught us how to juice stuffs. That magic juicer can perform wonders, I want! ;p A variation of colors makes the juice healthier, thus any creative combo is encouraged. Starfruit+pineapple (yummy), apple+carrot+ginger (uhm), cabbage+pineapple (ugh), spinach, beet, zucchini, name it. I heard even balatung can be juiced. Uhm.. And there's no sugar or water added. Can't be any healthier than that.

• Class #4: Sushi Making!!!

This was our first homemade messy vegan sushi (June 2010), made using common sense and tv (or YouTube). Instead of sticky rice, we used BROWN UNPOLISHED rice. The choice of rice really made a difference.

White Japanese rice mixed with vinegar are used here. The color are slightly different but the taste are significantly different.

The other classes include:

Basket weaving

Flower arrangement

T-Shirt applique, hair grooming & styling, chair & foot massage, vegan cooking, pancake, local food cooking, car & machinery maintenance, and so forth. And it is only for one day. Fun Friday indeed.

Sabbath was fun too. Performed impromptu puppet show for the kids and learnt about the powerful little hummingbird who have the ability to broadcast its color depending on the light source and angle of the viewer (more from Google...again). Interesting story about this little birdy told by the man in pink! (:

Candid shot of Kelawat participants with our guest speakers Dr Miriam from Southern Asia Pacific Division (based in the Philippines), Mrs Glenda from Central Philippines Union Mission and Mrs Sim from Southeast Asia Union Mission (based in Singapore). The only pic that I had that shows my fav colorful skirt..teehee..

The puppeteers doing another puppet show on Sunday. As Mrs Sim said in her facebook, this three girls became good friends with the (cheerfully colored) puppets!

Random shot of a beautifully colored butterfly.

Don't be fooled by the bright blue sky. It rained hard all throughout the camp and there's burutak all over.

'Twas an educational camp and the devotional lessons are inspiring as well. I'm sharing the lessons and blessings I had during the camp here because it is so wrong not to share. Especially with the jolly season forthcoming.

Care to color up someone else's life today? December luv peeps!

Google and Life

Google makes life a lot easier. But still, Google can't answer everything.

Recently, the most active keyword that directs googlers to this blog is Moon Jae-Shin. If you're looking for SKKS spoilers/recaps, I don't do it here. The final episode was aired like three weeks ago in Korea, and as expected, my extreme admiration over the drama had passed. Moving on to SBS Secret Garden and KBS Mary bla-bla. Sites like Thundie's Prattle and Dramabeans are my haven. They're doing an awesome job feeding k-drama addicts! (:

But I still stalk this guy. He is just too good-looking to be ignored.

helping to spread the virus from here ^^

It is terrifying that now the North K is firing artillery to the South K. Just hope that it won't turn out like the Water Festival tragedy in Phnom Penh. Losing lots of lives.

Speaking of lives, last Sunday I joined the 5k Charity Walk which highlights the importance of road safety and remembering the lives lost in traffic accidents. I had fun.

Did this shortly after the walk.

Then, this. With a lots of water sliding. Sioooook!

But then, it's crazy. My head is still spinning now.

Lesson learnt well. Don't go water sliding after you lose one pint of blood. The aftermath includes dizziness and sleeping in the next 48 hours. Though I'm not sure which one causes my sleepiness. The 5k walk, the blood donation, too much soaking in the pool or just plain spending too much time staring at this screen.

Life's a wonder.

Boredom and Badminton

I have piles of leaves at home, but doesn't seem too comfy to be jumped in. :p My point is, it was a boring Sunday at home yesterday.

Fortunately, there was a badminton tournament, Proton Malaysia International Challenge held in Likas. I was not really a fan, but my brother(s) are super fan(atics). So, we went.

There were no big names amongst the player. Nevertheless, all of them played an amazingly good game. Congratulation national team on being the champ and second on mix-double, champ on women's double, champ on men's double and second for men's single. I've learnt that even if you're ranked number 86 or 163 in the world's ranking, you're still VERY good! Definitely wayyyyy beyond amateurs. I also learn about the Abdul Latif siblings..interesting facts. Well, badminton isn't only about Lee Chong Wei or Lee Young Dae. It is a very big world in this sport. heh.

Yah. The boredom finally kicks in. Christmas come fast please~

Eat.Play.Sleep

Life as it is now. Eating, Playing and lots of Sleeping. What else should I be doing?

Mum was worried that I haven't started contributing to the gross domestic product for the nation, or even helped in the growth of household's income. As someone who is not in the labor force, I am not much significant to the economy of the country...or easier to say, economy of my family. (:

To say that I have been working hard to find a job is a complete lie. I am still too caught up with the hallyu wave. I have plenty more dramas to watch. Girls cross-dressing as boys seems like a popular theme and even guys wear make-up (EYELINERS!) now? Geez. Anyway, Korean writers (and of course, Japanese) have my utmost respect. Somehow their creativity and humor really hit the head of the nail. Stories with real essence and not merely playing with emotions. But too much of it brings stereotype. Sad. Good-looking actors (that can really act) sells, but a good plot is required as well. Either one will affect the ratings, and even though I couldn't care less about ratings, I needed both to make sure it is download-worthy and watch-worthy. But when you have too much free time, nothing really matters. Even Dream Team excites me. =.=

I am having hard time remembering Korean names, it bothers me! Except for Yoo A-In (or is it Yoo In-Ah?). I am going to remember that name for a long time. (:

Enough on totally random ramblings about good looking people. Now on more serious issue. Career. One of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I am going to be a teacher. Well, to make it clear, so far I am not yet traveling down the path of teaching-dom. I have my own stu*id reason why I am not one. Don't get me wrong, I would love to teach..but maybe someday. (: Having so many friends in the education field humbles me, I don't have that educator soul. Honestly, I don't know what's next. I am at the right age where it is okay to mess up and make wrong choices. That way I'll learn more. Kinda tired of what I should be, and not doing what I WANT to be.

If I were asked what I really want now is = A Job I Am Passionate About that Pays Loads of Money. Kinda shallow, but true. But then, I am contented by just having evening walks with Kiro watching the sun sets and feeling the soothing breeze everyday. I am at peace with this kind of life. And of course, anticipating for the next episode of One Piece every week. Life's complete. ^^

Wow. Words and more words. It is natural for a jobless person to spend hours typing and surfing the net. This rusty brain could use some exercise.

And before I forgot, thanks for dropping by dear readers. I'm surprised that I DO have readers. Stat counters don't lie, right? I have another stu*id reason why I disabled commenting (:

Cheers!

Moon Jae-Shin..again

*faints*

My heart is breaking for him! *faints again*

Sadly, I favor the fictional Moon Jae-Shin over the real Yoo In-Ah. Maybe that is the power of imagination, where reality can't beat. Imagination takes you everywhere.

And I am least interested in the non-believable main love story. Who needs love story when you have bad-boy Geol-Oh and pretty-boy Yeorim (his skin is wayyyy smoother than mine..@#$!%^%$&!!)? Expand their bromance in another drama and I would watch, seriously.

Anyway, give me a month or two and this admiration shall pass. SAD! But still, I can't wait for ep 19 tonight. Come quick!

Moon Jae-Shin

The effect of sleeping at 4 a.m. every day finally kicks in. Feeling weak all over.

Been streaming for Sungkyunkwan Scandal! I don't have free time because of this drama. A very good one. It offers much more than just typical melodramatic love triangles (or squares). Confucius teachings, richly-developed character, corrupted politics, struggles to survive, extreme poverty, the heart of scholar that seeks the truth, looking up to your father, charm of gisaeng, complexity of five(or more)-sided relationship, greed for power and of course, beautiful friendship of the Jalgeum Quartet! I don't want to over-analyze coz it takes out the fun but this is one drama that truly feeds my soul. Kinda heavy but in a very fun way. Watched episode 17 and 18 without subs but thanks to other hardcore fans that did live recaps, I managed to understand. The Internet does amazing thing, no? It is true that actions speak louder than words but there are time when you need WORDS to understand actions..otherwise you'll misunderstand it.

I have a habit of falling for the second hero. I always do. Except in Cinderella's Unni (Gi Hoon is so hawt!!). Same here, I am rooting for Geoul-Oh Moon Jae-Shin even though it is obvious he won't end up with the heroin. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE WAY HE LOVES! Yeorim Gu Yoong Ha is my fav character anyway, always by the sidelines and admitting he is afraid to fight and afraid to lose. A characteristic I know very well. :)

The last two episodes will be aired next week in Korea I guess, and I could die of anticipation! KBS Astro 391 will probably air the last episode in Dec perhaps?Good luck waiting Mum. I don't have that much patience. Again, the Internet does LOTS of amazing wonders. Ha Ha.

It has been a while since I last got hooked to K-drama. Even BOF failed to amaze me. Am so looking forward for next week. Please don't let anything happen to Jae-Shin. It breaks my heart!! That smile is so melting. You are a hottie Yoo In Ah.

i sincerely forgot where I got this image from.

You Can't Choose Your Family

It is sad that we have to wait for a funeral to be back in Tambunan. Went to pay our last respect to daddy's father, Apah in St Theresa church yesterday. It is not my story to tell about our grandfather because I never had the chance to know him. But I know that he was a great father and grandfather to our Tambunan family. The measure of your life is the love you leave behind when you are gone. Rest in peace Apah.

That journey triggers different kind of emotions, but some stuffs are better left un-said. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to have Mum as my mother. Seriously words can't describe how highly I think of her and the way she handled things. I don't even have half her strength. :)

You can choose your boyfriend, your friends but you can't choose to which family you'll be born into. No matter how distant emotions can be, the same blood runs through your veins and nothing in the world could ever change that. I am glad Mum raised us NOT to be bitter towards the past.

Kelawat or Mogong, I am blessed with great family on both sides!

And right now, I am typing with a majestic night view of the grand Mount Kinabalu. Cool (literal and figurative) weekend getaway with the family. I couldn't ask for more.

Everyone Ought To Know.

That I graduated. Yes, the whole wide world had to know this. (dengan penuh sarcasm)

Sembilan puloh lapan peratus (sekadar anggaran) recently-graduated friends memakai gambar profil tema yang sama. I am one of them! :) Clearly we're proud of our accomplishment.

Photoshoot with non-coursemate friends..and also friends of a friend.

I wished I had taken more pics with my course-mates. It could be the last time I see them in person. Too sad!

Okay, I'll be working on my FB album soon.

TenTenTen

Sungguh tipikal mau post kisah konvokesyen ini, but I am not going to hurt anyone by being typical. (:

Oct 10th, 2010 marks the day I officially graduated from UMS. It was just some formal ceremony acknowledging our graduation, fake scrolls handed out but it really means a lot. Parents and grandparents were there, and there is nothing more precious than seeing their proud smile!

Thanks for believing in me mum. This is for YOU! And for grandpa, thanks for expecting too much from me. The thought of I-shall-not-disappoint you actually motivates me. (:

Bachelor of Science with Honours (Mathematics with Economics) was one tough degree. Obtaining any degree is tough, no matter what it is, each with it's own challenges. Warmest heartfelt gratitude to my lecturers for letting me pass. Especially Dr A. I am so indebted to her!

Only managed to take picture with Fazli and Nessha amongst the massive crowd. And of course, my lovely besties Adel and Claud.

Pesta bunga-bungaan. Semua berlainan arah pandangan. T__T

Big bro is represented by Spongebob! Thanks siblings for that heavy prezzie, flowers, teddy bears, toys, balloons and Ferrero Rocher. I think I dropped one item during the ribut kuat. And I messed up my hair and the hood!=.="

Thanks Uncles&Aunties for that congratulatory hugs. Am glad I can be another graduate in the family.

Thanks little cuzzies for joining the celebration dinner. Grow up and be better than I am. It's frightening how smart you guys are.

I still can't recite pi value to 10 decimal point even though I am a maths graduate but I certainly have different outlook on any kind of problems now. That is what maths had taught me. As for what's next, I still have no idea. But there's no free lunch, so I'll definitely try to make lotsa money (or marry someone who makes lotsa money). That is what economics had taught me. Being successful means something different to each person, I'll try to keep that in mind.

All those long-winding thoughts and non-edited pictures comes to the conclusion that 10.10.10 was a happy day indeed. The cliché saying about the Lord answering prayers are slightly overused, but yeah, it is true. I graduated.