Facade Treatments

The Sepet question: Malay x Chinese pairings. Do they work?

2011-11-27T17:56:00.018+11:00

PREFACE: I doubt anyone reads this blog anymore- but if you live in KL, and you're in your 30's, you'll sort of know who's who here. You might even know me.In this post, I want to explore relationships between Chinese and Malays within the framework of a love affair. the late great director Yasmin Ahmad started this dialogue with her movie Sepet. Yasmin Ahmad was malay and had a chinese husband.

Death of a friend

2011-06-12T22:25:00.003+10:00

Have you ever searched for a long lost friend on Facebook? On Google?A friend who may have been an important part of your life during a phase?I have. I last spoke to him in 2004(?) he had just changed companies, and was very happy in his new position. I looked for him on Facebook for the past few years and couldn't find him. I called his former office when I was in KL last, I heard he had left

My father-complex

2011-01-24T13:18:00.004+11:00

Do I hero-worship my father so much to believe all these years that his success in Malaysia was due to luck and acute business acumen? I think I wanted to believe it so much because I wanted this one man in my life to be on a pedestal.But the truth is: He has many offshore accounts that his less-than-perfect dealings in Malaysia go into. His "golden handshakes".I don't blame him. (After all, I

The Life Cycle of a Blog

2010-11-01T02:52:00.006+11:00

Reference: A typical Sigmoid curve.INCEPTION:The Genesis- You develop your raison d'etre for blogging. A time of discovery, mostly introspective.GROWTH:Building momentum- Fueled by your convictions, you blog straight from your heart. The blog begins to creep into your life. You start to make connections and form a network.MATURITY:Climaxing & Crescendo- At the height of your popularity, you gain

Malays = Malaysians?

2010-10-28T20:07:00.007+11:00

Australians tend to think Malaysians are all Malays. Even Chinese Malaysians and Indian Malaysians are Malays. And all those "other" races are also Malays. It's naive but it's a nice notion...Girls from Tourism Ads wearing costumes of the main races in Malaysia:The girl in the middle is Malay, she is flanked on either side by an Indian and Chinese girl.While the two girls on the far left and

1 million Malaysians reject the proposed 100-storey Merdeka Tower.

2010-10-23T16:28:00.009+11:00

Any Malaysian with a facebook account has probably come across this Facebook page with the same title.Malaysia was once a young, new nation eager to prove its worth. Malaysia gains respect in the international arena in the 80's, buoyed by an economic boom, under its ambitious leader Dr. Mahathir. He urged Malaysians to "Look East" (post-war rise of Japan as an example to follow) and oppose

"All you Asians look the same."

2010-10-20T10:50:00.006+11:00

Here we go again- yet another experience at the front door this morning.Some background:A new Asian neighbour is moving in and in the process of renovating in the last few days.Their house is number "X" on our street- two houses away. Our house is number "Y".My husband is in London. I am alone with a child.Before 7am this morning, two burly guys show up downstairs at the door. I answer the door,

What I'm wearing today.

2010-10-07T12:25:00.003+11:00

Yet another frou-frou hair post

2010-09-23T11:12:00.006+10:00

Tired of my big 90's hair, I walked into a Korean salon in Chatswood and described an "Otome" (means young girl or virgin, neither of which I am) haircut in my best Japanese (two different and mutually exclusive languages, note to self).An otome haircut:*WAIL*And I end up with a bishounen haircut. What's that, you ask?It's the haircut of choice for Japanese MALE actors/popstars/idols.A bishounen

Tom Ford

2010-09-22T12:51:00.017+10:00

Tom Ford is born with the maximum amount of design talent in a beautiful package.His most memorable collection, to many was A/W Gucci 96: I was obsessed with my long velvet jacket with wide lapels in the 90's. Dark maroon. I think I took a photo of myself for a blog post in that jacket last year. Yes, I'm still wearing it. I still have big hair. I love heels to death.I am still faithful to the

Furusato, 2424 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki

2010-09-21T23:16:00.007+10:00

A view of Kalakaua Avenue (the main drag) from the corner table at Furusato.Around Christmas last year, we were in Hawaii. In the artificially tailored for tourism (Japanese tourism to be exact) world of Waikiki. We kept going to a little sushi joint called Furusato. The days were muggy and hot at best- sushi and sashimi were best washed down with Sapporo beer and grape soda.Memorable days.View

Peace

2010-09-07T12:46:00.006+10:00

So it's all ended again. In a 3D ultrasound, about 1.5 weeks ago, I saw my surviving twin 7 week 2 day baby. Without a heartbeat.I had no bleeding or cramps after.I did have a few great big crying sessions.And after the D&C, I jumped on a plane with my daughter and took off to Malaysia. I am resting away in my grandma's house. My mother has joined me here too.Good bye, swank hospital.I have my

Hope emerges after tragedy

2010-08-20T08:18:00.008+10:00

I went through one miscarriage earlier this year, just after New Year.I was about 7 weeks along. I thought I would have a breezy pregnancy just like the one I had with my daughter 2 years ago. I took it all for granted. I thought nothing of the brownish blobs that showed up on my underwear along with mucus. I thought it was "old blood". Too much information? Tough luck. This is the part about

Puis-je encore parler français? Non.

2010-07-07T12:58:00.001+10:00

Je ne veux pas oublier comment parler français, alors je vous écris ce message blog en français.L'hiver est le moment le plus terrible de l'année.Être à l'intérieur est une nécessité, je répandrai mon énergie dans la création d'une cuisine. Reconnaissants aux Masterchef! Et ma mère!Mettra à jour bientôt. Probablement sur Twitter.Toutes mes excuses pour ma grammaire imparfaite.

Life and Death

2010-06-21T17:02:00.003+10:00

To every person who has lived through watching someone die slowly before their eyes.Nobody knows what comes after death. Religions of mankind tell us of paradise, of rebirth, purgatory and of eternal damnation. And perhaps it is the promise of a place. ANY place at all after death- the comfort in knowing that you'll still continue to exist at another level of consciousness. That you are not

Asian Fetish/ Asiaphilia/ Yellow Fever

2010-06-14T18:23:00.007+10:00

Asian Fetish is a U.S. slang term which usually refers to an interest, attraction or preference for people, culture, or things of Asian origin by those of non-Asian descent. (Source: Wikipedia) The term Asiaphile and yellow fever is also used in the same context. According to slangsite.com, Yellow Fever is: "A term used by Asian women to describe European or other Western men who exclusively

Culinary forays in the last month other than previous post.

2010-06-05T08:20:00.004+10:00

Made beef rib stew in a slow cooker. It was in there for 24 hours.Added Cabernet Sauvignon to it in the last 2 hours- BIG mistake. Epic fail.Friends stayed on for dinner- This is your usual asian meal with a few shared dishes served with rice. The ingredients were lying around in the fridge and pantry.Clockwise from top left: Wagyu beef teriyaki, stir fried veggies (broccoli, tomatoes & mushroom)

Quick catch up.

2010-05-31T00:31:00.004+10:00

I live my life in point form. Do you? Doesn't everybody?Back at work. BUT this time it's different because I'm no longer working for someone, I'm working for myself. It's not about being better than your competition, it's about fulfilling your own potential. OK ignore this motivational speaker spiel for a minute... suffice to say it's very liberating.The world isn't always your oyster, so get out

Listening to: The Cure - Mint Car

2010-05-29T15:31:00.000+10:00

It's SO good to be an 80's girl.*Old lady voice* BEFORE all you young hipsters deemed it fashionable.

A breather

2010-04-19T08:24:00.001+10:00

Took a breather for a while. We all need it so that we can regroup and restart.Life is what happpens when you're too busy.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin- a man in exile.

2009-10-03T10:38:00.003+10:00

"Famous Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin speaks for the first time since his alleged escape from Malaysia. Now branded as a fugitive, he talks about his experience with the Malaysian police and the Special Branch, solitary confinement in the Kamunting Detention Center, his meeting with murdered Mongolian model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu's father and other topics that are sure to keep Malaysian's

Jelly Belly Bean Boozled (TM)- "Dare to compare!"

2009-10-02T12:06:00.004+10:00

"These are just FANTASTIC! It's like Russian roulette with very poor odds. And like Bertie Bott's Beans in Harry Potter, you're guaranteed to get some weird and wild flavours! Each box of Bean Boozled contains pairs of identical Jelly Beans - In each pair, one is tasty and the other is revolting. No, you can't tell the difference by smelling them, the only way to tell is to actually EAT THEM! And

TLC Introduces Kate Plus Eight : Jon

2009-09-30T13:05:00.001+10:00

TLC Introduces Kate Plus Eight : Jon & Kate Plus 8 : TLCPosted using ShareThis

Problems in the suburbs.

2009-09-29T13:08:00.005+10:00

Not everyone has a garage or a garage large enough to accomodate all their cars on my street here in North Shore suburbia. People love to park their cars on the kerb over here- maybe because there isn't enough car theft to deter them from parking on public property......So that makes life difficult for those of us who park our cars in our garages. It's so hard to negotiate your way around these

Men to marry vs. Men to have sex with (Part 1)

2009-09-25T23:12:00.003+10:00

Man to marry: Actor Simon Baker from TV's "The Mentalist" and "The Guardian".... bankable husband and father material. - Australian actor based in the US, down to earth and low-key father of 3, married to the same woman forever.- Rugged bloke- doesn't take himself too seriously and does not buy any of that hollywood crap.- Looks like a REAL man, not a pretty boy. Looks like he belongs in a Ralph

Frou frou post..... aack.

2009-09-23T11:13:00.003+10:00

Got hair extensions on a whim.... will see how I like it as the days progress.

Marriage. Some advice from an old lady (not me).

2009-09-14T16:36:00.001+10:00

Rais Yatim is an embarrassment to Malaysians

2009-09-11T19:43:00.002+10:00

This guy is your Information Minister? REMEMBER THIS AND VOTE HIM OUT IN 2011.

Those @#%$#! "Things I Want to Achieve" lists

2009-09-08T11:46:00.003+10:00

Saw this on the blog of some [rich ex politician's kid who's pushing 40 yet still lives at home because he/she has fluff for career] self indulgent drama queen's blog:"Things I Want to Achieve" and then obviously crosses out what's been achieved. Pfffffttt.HILARIOUS. SO FUNNY. It proudly sits on that person's sidebar like a joke.If I wanted to look like an achiever of any sort, my list would look

O Malaysian Politician, will you ever learn?

2009-09-02T13:26:00.003+10:00

My absence from blogging has been due to the fact that I needed a break from the renovation drama around me and I wanted to spend some time with my family.The family time was great- we all enjoyed our time together. Uneventful and happy.Over a family meal in KL, I spoke to a relative who is currently the long standing MP of a certain seat. I've always been close to this relative (I use that term

Down with the dreaded flu

2009-07-30T08:52:00.003+10:00

Today, I am very crook. Going to see the doctor soon. I'm worried about passing this flu onto my baby. She's still so little. Even the nanny looks worried to be in my presence. Worry is the keyword here.Been too preoccupied to write a blog post of late.The weather has been sunny and crisp lately so I've been out and about quite a lot. Twittered a lot lately, too though. Gah. Will twitter kill

Have you ever lied on your CV?

2009-07-06T10:36:00.005+10:00

What's the biggest lie you've ever seen on someone's CV?Big-ass, hairy, great lies. Lies so big you can't see the forest for the trees.Scenario: Malaysia, mid 90'sI was lucky (read family connections) as an intern to land myself in the midst of mega project teams (this was during the Mahathir era) in big name firms.I knew an expatriate (who flocked to Malaysia, just like they're flocking to Dubai

Self-censorship.

2009-07-04T21:04:00.008+10:00

Lately, blogging isn't what it used to be. I used to spew forth all my guts on each post. Let it all hang out. Fun, actually.That was 5 years ago. I was about to turn 30.That was a year before I took my MBA hiatus (from blogging and from my life).When I started blogging again, I was so lost.BUT during my hiatus from life, I DID change.I sensor myself a lot more these days. For example, I don't

Facebook-induced syndrome.

2009-07-02T21:11:00.005+10:00

There should be a name given to all these new social situations that we're put in just because we have Facebook now. A sign of the postmodern world we live in, eh?Ghosts of the past come out to haunt us. And every one of us has a past we'd rather forget.Curiousity got the better of me tonight when the wanker-banker husband is working late and I'm working on a few bits and bobs (I've mentioned a

Door to door sales people. Don't even try.

2009-06-25T17:11:00.005+10:00

Now that I no longer live in a secure building and I'm in house in the burbs, I have one extra headache to deal with- besides fussy old neighbours and their protests to council against the renovations to our home messing with the "character" of their street, AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!At around 4-7pm everyday, there will be a variety of door knockers (from salesmen, charities who want a donation,

Rich Moms are Bad Moms: Vogue Italiaâs âVagaries of Fashionâ

2009-06-24T23:04:00.001+10:00

Rich Moms are Bad Moms: Vogue Italiaâs âVagaries of FashionâShared via AddThis

Food: details and Kano's Customer satisfaction model

2009-06-23T12:16:00.016+10:00

Been going out for meals quite a fair bit lately. I found myself unable to resist grabbing my camera and taking a picture of a dish that I want to remember.Sometimes I think asian people in Sydney like certain asian restaraunts here only because they WANT to like it, not because it's actually good.Presenting the Kano customer satisfaction model:source: http://www.gembapantarei.com/2007/07/top_10_

Factory Girl

2009-06-12T10:58:00.002+10:00

I recorded Factory Girl on Foxtel IQ and finally watched it.The synopsis:"FACTORY GIRL imaginatively unfolds the comet-like rise and fall of 60s “It Girl” Edie Sedgwick, the blazing superstar who came to define both the glamour and the tragedy of our celebrity-obsessed culture. Sedgwick appeared to be the quintessential American princess, with her blue blood, her trust fund and her Harvard

Impulse buying in Surry Hills

2009-06-10T15:47:00.007+10:00

Spent an afternoon with my best friend and his husband in Surry Hills.I come back with one Alessi and two Marc Newson for Magis objects d'art. There should be a danger sign hanging around gay interior designers' necks.....

An anonymous email

2009-06-05T14:51:00.003+10:00

I received yet another anonymous suggestion as to what my identity is.I have had a few emails like this one in the last few years I've had this bloggie.But this one suggestion was something I took some offence to."Anonymous" suggested I was a daughter of a politician from the "old guard" who fell from glory in a very spectacular way. Now, I actually know the daughters and sons (use the term

Ladies (and bubs) luncheon

2009-06-03T15:06:00.005+10:00

Yummy mummies of the lower north shore (TM).........hoping to make it into a reality TV show really soon. We're the ones with bugaboos and Phil n Teds parked next to our table.....We're dressed in Jigsaw or Veronika Maine.We're the ones who take turns popping out a boob (or two) to feed our hungry babies.....We're the ones with a noisy (but well dressed) toddler or two in tow......View Larger

Food blogging corner

2009-05-31T20:37:00.004+10:00

Tapas for three:salsa verde, roasted garlic and bread entree, sofritos, polenta biscuits, lamb, deep fried zucchini flowers, grilled cheese, artichoke hearts, tapenade, quail, zucchini, tuna stuffed pimento.... etc.Perfect for that mid afternoon pick-me-up.Delicado Foods2/134 Blues Point RdMcMahons Point NSW2060 - (02) 9955 9399Open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm; Sun 9am-5pmView Larger Map

Sunday morning pondering

2009-05-31T12:32:00.007+10:00

Husband is away for meetings in London HQ.Probably to go over the head count during the next round of job-axing here in the colonies.All the bankers here are shaking in their Florsheim shoes, I tell ya.So here I am updating the blog again.Wee hours of Sunday morning. Reading the non-news sections of the weekend paper.Spotted these little ditties.The SMH's Domain: "Concrete Castle" about an

2009-05-29T01:02:00.001+10:00

Should Jon & Kate Plus 8 Be Taken Off the Air?This once-endearing show about raising twins and sextuplets has turned into a spectacle highlighting Kate's inability to handle the daily stress caused by her many hang-ups. Meanwhile, Discovery is essentially condoning her abusive tendencies...http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/506701/should_jon_kate_plus_8_be_taken_off.html

Kate Gosselin could learn parenting lessons herself | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-05-29T00:30:00.001+10:00

Kate Gosselin could learn parenting lessons herself | detnews.com | The Detroit NewsShared via AddThis

Just gonna blog. Not sure what this post will be. It's 4am.

2009-05-05T03:59:00.008+10:00

I can't believe my insomniac ass is sitting in bed trying to waste time.That line is soooo early Green Day. Early albums like Dookie and Insomniac. Wasting Time Wasting time down a bum fuck road And I don't know where it'll go"All The Time"- Green DayMany of life's biggest regrets resurface from the murky depths at 4am.Life is short, who'd want to spend it sleeping, right?Helloooo Google Maps!

Sexy chairs

2009-04-25T01:33:00.008+10:00

I wanna talk chairs. I spent 5 years training as an architect. 6 if you count my year-out.Then I spend 12 years working as an architect (design, construction, planning... you name it, I did it) and getting my licence. So I think I can talk about design with some authority.The Corona chair by Poul Volther.This is a great investment, if it's in leather- and you'd only need one for your study.BE

Interpret my dream? Please?

2009-03-31T08:38:00.004+11:00

Hello. Its been a while since an angsty post.I woke up this morning from a disturbing ex-boyfriend dream thanks to Facebook.Facebook is a funny little old social networking phenomenon that we could do without. But we won't for some deep, dark, ugly reason. (Not something I find as practical as Twitter.)The facebook facts: I know that this ex, a baby faced older man (no, not the divorced one) is

You can't have Dora

2009-03-18T23:20:00.007+11:00

I read a good article in the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend while having my Saturday morning tea. Mia Freedman asks the question what we mothers teach our young daughters when we buy tea sets, fairy outfits, mini kitchens, baby dolls complete with nappies, strollers etc. OR WORSE, Barbie dolls!!! (emphasis mine) How do we teach them to be strong, independent women? Any parent who has a

Real estate hunt. part 2

2009-03-03T09:07:00.010+11:00

We are true blue real estate opportunists. Thanks to the economic downturn, the price of real estate has plummeted somewhat and we're on the hunt for property in Mosman again. Buyers are staying away from the AUD$ 1.5-2 million price range and yes, beautifully designed and renovated water-view bargains are to be found in this area. Check out Mosman's listings on domain.com.auCue vintage Duran

The juidicial system in Malaysia through a theoretical framework. And some free consulting.

2009-03-01T22:43:00.000+11:00

Quickie blog:And now folks, let's look at justice (and its decay) in Malaysia through Kohlberg's (1958) Stages of Moral Reasoning. Laurence Kohlberg was a psychologist who charted stages of the development of moral reasoning from childhood to adulthood. There are six stages in all, each two stages belong in 3 levels.Aw, why not? It's hella *FUN*FUN*FUN*. Not that I'm hoping to make a difference

The Oscars 2009

2009-02-27T09:30:00.001+11:00

My best friend may be someone's partner now, but I'm still his hag, and I have my duties to him- such as watching the Live Telecast of the Academy Awards Red Carpet with him and his man. The gay equivalent of the Superbowl.Thanks to the magic of Foxtel IQ, I recorded it and we watched it together after work hours last night. We three and a half people ordered in and had dinner in front of the TV

"Within four seas, we are brothers"

2009-02-25T13:10:00.006+11:00

After reading a post about the Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's visit to a Chinese language school by the very astute and highly enlightened blogger Antares, I spotted a familiar phrase and wanted to share this:Up to 2006, Sydney Chinatown gates had the very same quote by Han Yu San: "Within the four seas, we are brothers."- the English translation is above the Chinese letters.Now,

Elizabeth Wong.

2009-02-25T10:23:00.003+11:00

Elizabeth Wong, the state assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan, is a brilliant ray of sunshine in Malaysian politics. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better example of public service in a politician than this woman.She is also a woman brought down by Malaysian politics. Semi-nude photos of her sleeping on her sofa at home and at an angle showing her er, privates, all taken without her knowledge, have

Cocoa butter is NOT gonna help this woman.

2009-02-23T11:15:00.003+11:00

Nadya Suleyman, the Californian woman who was allowed to have multiple implants which resulted in octoplet babies, has set up a website asking for donations to assist her in raising her children.Have a look: http://www.thenadyasulemanfamily.com/Leave a comment and tell her what you think. I have.I'm pretty disgusted by this woman. Every maternal cell in my body hates this woman. I can't explain

No title as yet, but let's just say it'll gross you out.

2009-02-18T11:56:00.007+11:00

I fell in love with my Sass 'n' Bide jeans when I first laid eyes on them at David Jones- I bought two identical ones. BEFORE I HAD MY BABY. Yep. Dumb move, I kept telling myself for the past 5 months. BUT...I never expected to lose all the weight and then some while breastfeeding a baby for about 5 months. According to the CSIRO, breast feeding demands an extra 3000 kilojoules per day. My baby

2009-02-12T18:09:00.002+11:00

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Facebook's "25 things about me" Meme

2009-02-11T11:44:00.014+11:00

I've been inspired by the utterly amazing GirlJapan to do a raw, cathartic meme based on Facebook's 25 random things. I've already done this meme on facebook under my REAL name, and I only gave answers that were expected of me. (the facade that I hide behind.)So here's my REAL meme- in all its gut wrenching honesty. (Er, some have already been covered by past posts in this blog)My husband has no

TOP TEN GAY ANTHEMS OF ALL TIME

2009-02-10T01:00:00.010+11:00

I love organizing things into these tidy little anally retentive lists. It's my dark secret. So now, with free time on my hands, I'll indulge:TOP 10 80's GAY ANTHEMS:1. "RESPECT"- ERASURE2. "DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY"- THE COMMUNARDS (ref. below)3. "JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH"- DEPECHE MODE4. "TAINTED LOVE"- SOFT CELL5. "REGRET"- NEW ORDER6. "GIRLS ON FILM"- DURAN DURAN7. "DON'T YOU WANT ME BABY"- HUMAN

When we were young, we grew up in a different Malaysia than the one we know today.......

2009-02-08T16:54:00.008+11:00

source: Ebay 70's postcard of Taman Tunku Abd Rahman with Stadium Negara in background. In a different time and dimension: We were less aware of our racial differences in school and kids were allowed to the freedom to explore and play in their surroundings without fear of being kidnapped or worse... as adolescent girls, we wore whatever we wanted without fear that we were "asking for it". We

3 weeks and 2 days in Tokyo

2009-01-19T15:50:00.020+11:00