I wana be a rock star!

I have been listening to a lot of songs lately. Not that I have not been listening to a lot of songs all these while. HAHA. And no, not my existing playlist kind of songs, but songs that I conveniently and carelessly did not listen, because maybe I did not have them for one, and also due to committments to studies and parties. (They rhyme! HAHA again.)

Also, I have been playing all three versions of I Will Be on my computer over and over again. You didn't know there are three versions of it? Yeah there are three versions of it. First one is by Leona Lewis. Second by Avril Lavinge. And the third version? A duet between these two.

I love all three. Like how you and I love Baskins. Jamoca Almond Fudge, Mango Tango or World Class Chocolate? How can we possibly decide?

I connect to this song (all three versions) in a rather funny way. You might not get it. Because I shall leave the innermost thoughts to my old-style diary. But for sake's sake, let's just say it is a bit like how a hot-blooded-and-cash-loaded-30-year-old-bling-bling-rapper's latest bikini's-on-what-it-seems-all-lookalikes-especially-their-pouty-lips-babes music video connects to an equally-horny-14-year-old-virgin-nerd. A little bedazzling? Tell me about it.

So what's in a good song?

A good song resembles a best friend. That one soul who soothes you. That one person who can stay awake with you all night long. Without any complaints. Heck, not even a little yawn. The song accompanies you during your most joyful, sorrowful, stressful, wonderful times.

:)

Feel like dancing naked in your room, and need a dance partner? Speed-dial that one song!

Feel like wanting to pretend you are Katy Perry in her Thinking of You music video just so you can pretend you are riding a bicycle with the insanely-cute-Matt-Dallas? Speed-dial that one song!

So, until I can sing a song without going off-pitch.......

:)

I'm off to be my own Mariah.

His Story...

History, we can confidently assert, is useful in the sense that art and music, poetry and flowers, religion and philosophy are useful. Without it -- as with these -- life would be poorer and meaner; without it we should be denied some of those intellectual and moral experiences which give meaning and richness to life. Surely it is no accident that the study of history has been the solace of many of the noblest minds of every generation.

- Henry Steele Commage-

Thanks Valkyrie.

Valkyrie. This movie was an out-and-about typical high-budget Hollywood film. An A-lister as the lead actor. Lots of suspense. Thrilling trailers. Based on a true story about an attempted assassination on Fuhrer Hitler. You know the drill.

But that is besides the point.

What then, is MY POINT?

Valkyrie served as the little but significant reminder to me of how much I loved History.

I could read books and articles of historical facts for hours and hours. I could go on and on and on. Page after page. Word after word. When I was doing my A-Levels, I took History and that was when I really fell in love with it all.

I read a lot then. At first, I read because I had to. And then, I read because I simply loved it.

From Napolean Bonaparte to the Bolshevik Revolution. From the Potsdam Conference to the Warsaw Pact. From the Sino-Soviet split to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Hugely. Mind-opening. Man.

Then I took Law. Now, no regrets on that. Oh never. Reading law gives me intensity and zeal, of which I absolutely adore. But taking up law means I have less time for History. And it is something I want to change. I want to continue History-ing because the sentiment, the affection and the lessons that these events and turns of fate brought obout.

I cannot even begin to explain.

As a law student, by the way, it is important that I have sufficient understanding and appreciation for History as these two are very much coherent and banded.

To quote Sir Walter Scott, "A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect."

I wonder now why I have once said I hated History. I think it was during my Sejarah days.

I loved it. And yet I hated it. And I blame the system in which Sejarah is taught for my "hatred" towards it. It was always the textbook huh? The textbook and what it says. There was no room for further reading. No room for our own opinions. No room for our thoughts. No room. At all.

List the "lima faktor yang mempengaruhi...." et cetera.

DEAD. BORING. OUR. MINDS. WERE. NOT. ALLOWED. TO. THINK.

Well now, I am not tied up anymore. I can read anything I want. And entitled to my opinions.

Hundreds and thousands if not millions books and articles are out there. Calling my name....JARYN! JARYN! :)

Oh sure, I feel obliged to end this post with a third quote, of which History is beautifully interpreted by Maya Angelou.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."

The Inter Mission!

The Champions League resumes tonite.

United will be heading to San Siro to play Mourinho's Inter Milan.

Our travelling squad to Milan is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak.

Defenders: Ferdinand, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Fabio, Eckersley.
Midfielders: Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Possebon, Gibson, Fletcher, Ronaldo.
Forwards: Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck.

Well the main worry is obviously our defensive line-up.

He-who-orders-Big-Mac-at-Burger-King-and-gets-it-Nemanja-Vidic is suspended.

Gary Neville and Wes Brown have been ruled out of the game.

There are only Ferdinand and Evra for sure.

Evans limped out of the field on Saturday. And according to Gemma Thompson who travelled with the team to Milan, all the players who went trained, except Evans, who watched from the side.

O'Shea is recovering from a sore-heel and therefore quite doubtful, but did some light work on his own.

It is quite scary considering Inter Milan will go all out and get a good result before heading to Old Trafford for the second leg. Ibrahimovic will be the man to watch. Our defence will have to fight hard to keep him and his team quiet.

Mourinho said he is expecting United to play a less offensive game.

But Sir Alex have other ideas, of course. He said, "I'm sure Jose has seen us enough to know that we very seldom go into a game not trying to win".

Also, getting an away goal (or as many as possible) is vital. Sir Alex said, "We still have the opportunity to take Inter back to Old Trafford with a good result. If we score an away goal it will give us a great chance."

Can't wait for the match! Go UNITEDDDD.

Drops of Jupiter..

This is a long-overdue post. My apologies.

Tagged by Kok Quin.

1. Put your iTunes/mp3 player/Cellphone etc on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Write the name of the song, regardless of however weird :D
4. Tag some friends who might enjoy doing this.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?

Save Me; by Remy Zero

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Over My Head; by The Fray

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Red Dress; by Sugababes

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Ugly; By Sugababes

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Push The Button; Sugababes

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Dare You To Move; Switchfoot

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Marvellous Things; by Eisley

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
1973; by James Blunt

WHAT IS 2+2?

Secret; by Jay Chou

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Hey there Delilah; by Plain White T's

(Hey there Paulynn and Sharon!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Telescope Eyes; by Eisley

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Sorry Put The Blame On Me; by Akon

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Jenny; Click Five

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

You're my everything; Michael Buble

(Whoa spot on!)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Wake up call; Maroon 5

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Looking For Water; by ALan Parks

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

One more night alone; Friday Hill

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Chariot; Gavin Degraw

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Yue Ding; by Guang Liang

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Operator, the line is dead; by Jason Lo

HOW WILL YOU DIE?

Gemilang; Jaclyn Victor

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Breakaway; Kelly Clarkson

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Crash Into Me; by Dave Matthews

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Pyramid Song; by Radiohead

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Time is Running Out; by Muse

(LOL LOL INDEED???!)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

Nothing is Sound; Switchfoot

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

Just Want You To Know; by Backstreet Boys

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Shine On; by Ryan Cabrera

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

You and Me; By Lifehouse

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

Drops of Jupiter; By Train

:)

Mehhh!

Typed. First attempt : Was thinking of a football post. Some yay-ing and ooh-aah-ing on how awesome Ronaldo's freekick against Blackburn Rovers was.

Mehhhh. Deleted them.

Typed again. Second attempt: About how we should not judge people when we do not even know one freaking truth about that person.

Mehhhh. Boring. Deleted them again.

Typed again again. Third attempt : Wanted to blog on the theory of evolution as well as Creationism VS Evolution debate, which recently captured my attention after being featured in The Star. Have been reading up a lot on this controversial issue.

Mehhhhh. Not in the mood to do a thesis. HAHAHA. Will do it some other time.

Deleted again again again. Fourth attempt: The Above!

CONCLUSION: I need to fight my blogger's block or whatever it is! HAHAHAHA! :p

Go and watch....

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!

You've better have known (or at least heard ) about this beautiful drama directed by Danny Boyle!

If you've not, google it now because the last thing you want is going "Slum what?"..HAHAHA!

Oh waittttt, you've been living in the cave for the past three months eh? And therefore have never heard of this movie? Oh, too bad then.

When a movie received THIS MUCH ATTENTION and THIS MANY GREAT REVIEWS, I did not want to miss it. And I wanted to watch it before the Academy Awards this Sunday (Monday morning Malaysian time), in which it has been nominated for ten categories.

So I did some research and some reading. Headed to GSC with a rather high expectation.

I WASN'T DISAPPOINTED.

The storyline of this movie is simple. A boy from the slums of India struggling to survive. He grows up and joins India's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and win. Of course, he wins the girl in the end too.

You have the quite typical romance epic and a poor-boy-finally-did-it story at first glance, but look closer, and you see one of the most spectacular movies this year! Danny Boyle surely knew how to make it work!

The movie gave me the feeling of humility, which is one of the reason I love it.

It was not the fact that critics love it and so must I.

It felt more like a real movie, made by a real director, starring real actors.

The fact that it has its commercial appeal is really an icing on the cake.

And don't let me start on the music by A. R. Rahman. SUPERB.

The music goes perfectly well with the scenes of the movie, I WANTED TO JUST DANCE ALONG OR FLY IN THE SKY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

It is all in all a fantastic movie, serene yet dazzlingly thrilling.

I watched it once and I want to watch it for the second time, and third. Maybe fourth.

:)

P.S: I have not watched the other four movies nominated for Best Picture to be able to say which one I love most. Even if I have, I would not have been in the position to critically assess them eh, LOL. But make no mistake that I will be hoping that this movie wins big this Sunday!

I do club afterall, lol!

Everyone's blogging about Valentine's Day.

I therefore bet you do not wish to read anymore of anything related to this overly commercialised, horrifyingly money-sucking, notoriously hard-to-please-girlfriends February the 14th.

So I will write about say, my second home for almost my whole life instead.

Penang Sports Club.

But it's not my second home no more.

Not being able to go to Penang Sports Club anymore is one of the most heart-wrenching evenst of my life, damn it.

I loved that place.

I spent so much time in the club the moment my father became a member up to the very last day I was allowed in (21 years old, that is).

The gym.

The swimming pool, GAWD it was like, MY SWIMMING POOL.

The billiards room.

The playground.

The bathrooms.

The badminton court.

The squash court.

The football field.

The tennis courts.

The restaurants.

The reception area.

The Friday nights live-band.

The many trips to Bangkok, Malacca and Singapore with my father's friends from the Badminton Section.

The library where I studied there everyday enroute to my SPM.

Memories. Very fond ones. Were made.

I will, one day, buy myself a membership in this club.

One day when I shall earn my own money.

Wait for me!

Looooook!!

Some pictures to do the talking!

Super Mario and the Mushroom!

These cute designs are courtesy of Jonathan the Architech-nician.

Paulynn goes shopping!

Playboy & Playboy Bunny!

Two chic (k)s!!

United's new signing :D

"Liverpool will win the league this year? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

I miss you already :(

Lengchiaos just rock big time.

I love you guys, so much!

One day, I'll visit you guys in Aussie for sure.

P.S: More pics available via my Facebook account, LOL!

Van Der Sar!

First, he broke Steve Death's 1978/79 English record of 1,103 minutes of clean-sheet.

Then, after the 75th minute against West Ham yesterday, he beat Chris Woods' British record of 1,196 minutes.

The world record of 1,275 minutes will be next. Let's see if he can do it!

:)

Back home

So much is being said about the Malaysian football scene.

It's heartbreaking for football lovers like me.

Sometimes, to think of it, it is sad that as of now, I am so into football and I know so much about United when I cannot even name five Pulau Pinang players.

It's been so long since I last watched a football match at a stadium.

I remember watching every Pulau Pinang match from the window of my father's old office, which is situation right behind City Stadium. We were there every night when there was a home game. My parents, my brother and my cousins will gather at the place, with a few tools nicely arranged. Some canned drinks. Some Potato Chips.

And we'll sit there cheering for Azman Adnan, Hasmawi Hassan, Ng Kok Heng and Moey Kok Hong. And Chee Wan Hoe. And Ooi Hoe Guan. And Merzagua. MERZAGUA THE HERO. I remember him. 1998 when Pulau Pinang won. By a one point or something. I remember that day.

Gawd these names. I have almost forgotten them.

Once in awhile, we would watch in the stadium itself. So. Much. Fun. To. Be. There. You. Have. No. Idea.

In fact, I was right there among the crowd when Pulau Pinang lifted the Premier One trophy.

I was in the freaking Batu Kawan stadium when Pulau Pinang was last crowned as Champions.

We screamed. Threw confetti's. Hugged. Cried. It was real. I felt like a true football fan.

It was in 2001. Almost a decade sort of.

The old times were deliciously good.

I want them back. The now-time is good, and I am proud to say I am and will always love United. I have come too far. LOL.

But I am not proud that I stopped looking at the nearer pastures.

On one's mettle

You know what I admire about people?

The things we do.

The things we do which we once thought we couldn't, or wouldn't.

We needed some pushings here and some pullings there.

We needed to be stretched to a certain extent before having the guts to do the things we thought we will never be able or willing to do.

When we finally found the audacity to do these things, the fear and timidity will fade.

And the rate of which they fade makes us wonder why didn't we discover the grit and the nerve earlier, for we wouldn't have to suffer through the agony.

Unrestrained. Emancipated. Relieved.

But until then, until we can find that perfect dose of gallantry, the anguish continues...

Everytime (by Britney-pre-all-those-things)

Notice me, take my hand

Why are we strangers when
Our love is strong
Why carry on without me....

Everytime I try to fly, I fall
Without my wings, I feel so small
I guess I need you, baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, it's haunting me
I guess I need you, baby....

I make believe that you are here
It's the only way I see clear
What have I done..
You seem to move on easy

And everytime I try to fly, I fall
Without my wings, I feel so small
I guess I need you, baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me
I guess I need you, baby ...

I may have made it rain
Please forgive me
My weakness caused you pain
And this song's my sorry .....

At night I pray
That soon your face will fade away....

And everytime I try to fly, I fall
Without my wings, I feel so small
I guess I need you, baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me
I guess I need you, baby....

P.S: Siam Ban Luck Fever all weeeeeek!!

Same post, brand new year!

Last year, I wrote the below in LiveBlog Facebook (which I have since abandoned) in my anticipation of Chinese New Year.  

Here's a copy & paste of it. I feel exactly the same so why not let you read it. Enjoy!

***************************************************

People......Chinese New Year is next week! (Well in this case, it's the day after tomorrow!!!)

WHoooHoooooooooooooooo! My fav time of the year, any year!

Why my CNY rocks and I love it love it love it! 

1) Family gatherings - Having a really big and really fun-loving and funny extended family just makes it so merry! Relatives near and far all spending time together. I’m sure I’d be laughing and playing a lot!

2) Steamboat - OMG. The prawn, the home-made fishball, the delicious soup, the everything! Glorious steamboat.

3) Ang Pao’s - Need I say more. 

4) Cookies - It’s not everyday that I can have like, 582 different kinds of cookies right in my living room. (Okay I’m obviously exaggerating, but sure you know what I mean)

5) Puak Kiao (edited: freaking puak kiao!) - What is CNY without this? LOL. Besides, it gives us the chance to bond, right? Teeheee :)

6) Non-stop mahjong sessions - It’s so addictive!

Besides all that I’ve listed of course, CNY is awesome because of its aura,ambience, mood and even the scent 

(of Mandarin oranges plus red packets? Erm, can’t find a better combo).

Ahhh..GONG XI FA CHAI!

Have a good year ahead, my friends! A good good one!

**************************************************

May you have a happy happy Year of Ox!