Two Drinks In

Busy, busy, busy!

2010-08-02T12:39:00.002+08:00

I've been back in KL for almost a month now and haven't had much time to even switch on my Macbook, to be honest. Weekdays are filled with work (which for now consists of online training), weeknights are filled with more online training live sessions and the occasional sneak out for a pint of Guinness, while weekends are spent with the people who matter most to me.

In between everything, I've been car-shopping and looking at apartments for investment with my Mom as well. On the bright side, I may have found just what I'm looking for (and can afford) so we'll see how that goes.

I've cut down a lot on my other commitments and have instead focused a lot on keeping myself healthy. Because dieting will NEVER work for me (I love food too much), I'm trying to go for pilates classes at least twice a week (it was thrice a week when I was too ambitious) and I've also joined pole dancing in KL with Viva Vertical for 1.5 hours every week.

Pole dancing with Viva Vertical here is a LOT more challenging than with Pole Divas in Melbourne because Pole Divas focused a lot on dancing, making up routines and learning basic tricks while Viva Vertical focuses solely on aerial tricks, no dance routines and what not. The days when tuck spins and inverts were the hardest things in the world is WAY past now and I've got a lot of catching up to do! Now we're doing inverts with no hands, tuck spins into extensions, and a lot more flashy, scary tricks which is a lot of fun, especially if you know no fear :)

That's about it for now, will try to find time for more later! Loves.

Selling ASOS Top (UK8)

2010-07-14T12:00:00.004+08:00

Bought this top on ASOS and discovered it's too big for me :(

Brand: ASOS
Size: UK8 (true to size, I'm a UK6 and it's slightly too big)
Color: Chartruce (yellowish green)
Condition: Brand new
Description: Soooo pretty <3 It's a cross-over top with an asymmetrical hem
Price: I bought it for RM55 not including postage, selling for RM50 with free Pos Laju

First come first serve, e-mail me at hi.mellissa(at)gmail.com.

Click here for photos (change the colour option to Chartruce).

SOLD - that was fast! Hahahaha :P

Kay Ell, Kay Ell

2010-07-13T15:09:00.002+08:00

Been super busy max since I got back to KL. Can't believe it's been only a week, feels like ages! I've been averaging on about 5-6 meals a day now (gulp) which is all going to come to an end as Project Fit Lee begins effective 9.30am tomorrow. I signed up with Pilatique for a monthly unlimited pass and I intend to make full use of it for the next 10 days before I start work :D I've also finally managed to join a pole dancing class here in KL with Viva Vertical and I'm going for an assessment tomorrow to see what level I should join. Think I might want to join Beg-Int though because the perfectionist in me NEEDS to perfect every single move down to every single toenail.

People keep asking me what I'm going to buy with my first pay cheque and I keep saying it's a no brainer situation for me.

I want to get a PS3 with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and FIFA. Mwahahahaha. My Mom's currently confused about whether she has a son or daughter BUT I DON'T CARE, CODMW2 FTW.

Can't wait for Call of Duty: Black Ops to be launched in November. Cold War era. Woo hoo.

It's reaaaaally good to be back :)

Goodbye

2010-07-04T11:20:00.004+08:00

Leaving Melbourne always feels bittersweet, but this time I'm really not quite sure how to feel because this time, this is it. This is goodbye to a place I've called home for 3.5 years.

So much has happened here, it'll always be a special place to me.

I remember all the late night parties, the stupid shit we did, the new experiences, the new friends, the new life. I remember our endless Band Hero days and board game nights, the midnight road trips to Pancake Parlour, the 2am walks to Crown, the nights that were filled with sticky date pudding and girl talk. Ahhh, good times.

The hardest part is leaving behind close friends you won't see for awhile.

Bye bye for now, Melbourne, see you real soon :')

Cross-Posting

2010-07-02T16:27:00.001+08:00

Tried something new for my Tongue in Chic article this week - featuring Terry Richardson. It's actually something I feel pretty passionate about, and I normally won't do this but click here to read.

Freedom is another word for nothing left to lose

2010-06-28T12:08:00.002+08:00

There's nothing quite like the feeling of being completely, 100% free. Free from university life forever. Free from 2000-3000 word essays on environmental politics, Chinese politics, Middle Eastern politics, the European Union, global movements, feminism, sexual politics, cultural studies, political theory ... I could go on and on and on.

Knowing that I'll never have to sit in front of my laptop at 6am feverishly churning out word after word ever again is BLISSFUL!

Oh no doubt I'm going to miss the carefree lifestyle of a student living independently in Melbourne, but for now, I'm just enjoying having absolutely nothing to do :D

Oh, The Places You'll Go

2010-06-19T20:55:00.001+08:00

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

Butterscotch

2010-06-17T14:34:00.004+08:00

I swear only cats can make you feel this stupid.

Was wondering where my cat was so I walked to the front door, opened it and started calling her. She'll normally come running within a few seconds, but a few minutes later she was no where to be seen. Started getting irritated. Still wouldn't come. Closed the door, locked it, turned around and nearly fell over her.

She was sitting a few inches behind me the whole time just staring at me like I was completely mental, trying to wake up the whole neighbourhood. Turned around to catch her and give her a squeeze, and she darted, dashed up the staircase, into my room and hid behind the door waiting to jump out at me as I walked pass.

Ah, the wonderful world of cats.

Moving Sale Pt. 1

2010-06-16T14:24:00.007+08:00

Okay, time to start clearing out my massive mountain of clothes before I go back to KL for good! I need to know what you KL peeps want and what I can list on eBay. I'd rather bring it back to KL honestly because eBay charges you all sorts of fees urgh. The only downside is that I will only be back in KL on the 5th of July so you're gonna have to wait until then to get your item(s)!

Alternatively if I get a lot of people interested, I will post items from Melbourne to KL for a RM5 shipping fee.

Authentic Louis Vuttion Key Change Holder (Amarante)
Authenticity guaranteed, will provide the receipt. This product has been discontinued in this colour.
RM550

Sportsgirl Butterfly Necklace
Worn once or twice, in brand new condition.
RM15

Bib Necklaces
Brand new, never worn.
RM20 for one, RM30 for both

Delicate Gold Ribbon Ring
Brand new, never worn.
RM10

Black Top w/ Gold Dots (UK6)
Brand new, never worn.
RM15

Gray Bib Puffy Shoulder Dress (UK6-8)
Brand new, never worn.
RM25

Dark Gray Mini Dress (UK6-8)
Worn a bunch of times but in brand new condition.
RM20

FCUK Tank Top (UK6-8)
Preloved, great condition.
RM12

Hot Pink Party Dress (UK6)
Brand new, never worn.
RM25

Paint Splattered Shorts (UK6 / 25-26" waist)
Brand new, never worn.
RM20

Gray Colourblock Tank (UK6)
Brand new, never worn.
RM10

Brown Vincci Sandles (Size 6)
Brand new, worn only around the shop to try.
RM15

Miss Selfridge Cowl Neck Backless Dress (UK8-10)
Worn once or twice, too big for me.
RM15

Bardot Pinafore (UK6-10)
Worn a few times, brand new condition.
RM20

Salabianca Embroidered Top (UK6)
Worn a few times, brand new condition.
RM15

Forever 21 Striped Knit Top (UK6-10)
Stretchy, preloved, brand new condition.
RM18

MNG Brown Polo Shirt (UK6-8)
Worn once, brand new condition.
RM15

Black Satin Top w/ Roses (UK6-8)
Brand new, never worn.
RM18

More to come when I'm not feeling particularly lazy anymore.

E-mail me at hi.mellissa(at)gmail.com if you're interested in anything. If I don't get any responses within a week, I'm gonna put everything up on eBay.

Faithfully

2010-06-15T16:56:00.002+08:00

Highway run, into the midnight sun, wheels go round and round, you're on my mind. Restless hearts, sleep along tonight, sending all my love along the wire.

They say that the road ain't no place to start a family. Right down the line it's been you and me. And love in a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be. Oh girl, you stand by me. I'm forever your's.

Faithfully.

1 Year

2010-06-14T15:05:00.001+08:00

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,

But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".

--------------------

Can't believe it's been 1 year, Grandma. I miss you everyday.

Mojo Jojo

2010-06-10T00:23:00.001+08:00

I think I've lost my mojo.

Hibernating

2010-06-08T14:47:00.003+08:00

I have been hibernating indoors for three days.

Yes, literally hibernating.

All I've been doing is eating, sleeping and studying. (And of course watching Law & Order and Masterchef which are the given)

I left my apartment twice: to grab some basic groceries from the IGA opposite and to visit Ju and Allegra, hee.

I think it's the sudden cold front in Melbourne and all the rain, urgh, it just doesn't make you feel like leaving home AT ALL. Thank god for Foxtel.

I think I've forgotten how cold it gets in Melbourne during winter because I can't even sit on my balcony and use my laptop anymore without shivering within 5 minutes and having my fingers FROZEN. Wargh.

Wikipedia is my God

2010-06-06T21:46:00.003+08:00

Person X: So where do you look to for answers if you don't believe in a God? Who answers all your questions about life?
Me: Wikipedia

-----

No seriously, I've just realized how dependent I am on Wikipedia. It's scary.

Small note: Hello 60 people who read my blog a day, wtf. I opened comments again. I closed it last time because it was just Huai Bin commenting on almost every post before hahahahahahaha

Party Peopleeeeee

2010-05-31T20:37:00.002+08:00

You have never partied like Mellissa until you have snuck a bottle of champagne on to the dance floor, and proceed to down it from the bottle throughout the next few songs.

Sigh. Can't wait for June 25th.

Damn you, chicken

2010-05-30T00:40:00.003+08:00

I just had a chicken bone stuck down my throat for almost 2 hours, and I think it's finally out now, but my throat is still sore from where it was lodged.

I puked twice. Bone still there. Googled and realized I shouldn't because it could hurt a lot more coming out.
I swallowed a whole tub of rice. Bone still there.
I don't have bread so I started swallowing naan bread. Bone still there.

Ryan Googles and tells me to gargle with vinegar or soak the bread in vinegar, so of course I did, and I ate about 400g of naan bread soaked in vinegar. IT WAS NOT PLEASANT.

Next step was to down a raw egg. I stopped at that.

It was really freaky because it was really lodged in my throat to the point where I couldn't turn my head a certain angle because the bone would poke into my whatever and hurt a LOT. So I watched Glee with my head tilted at the most comfortable angle I could think of. Two episodes of Glee and it was still there.

I think all the naan has finally pushed it down but now seriously I am so full of carbs I feel like a walking stuffed potato.

Sigh.

2010-05-26T21:17:00.002+08:00

And with time, this too shall pass.
For you were only given this life
Because you're strong enough to live it.

Chicken Shit

2010-05-23T15:58:00.001+08:00

If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, you'll know it's meant to be.

That has to be the biggest crap heartbroken people feed themselves instead of facing reality.

Ouchies

2010-05-22T00:04:00.003+08:00

Anyone who follows me on Twitter or knows me well enough would know that my latest fitness addiction is pole dancing.

Don't be judgemental because I can hang upside down from a pole and you can't so fuck you!

It's an insane workout, but after one Pole Power class, I somehow managed to injure my metatarsal or something and I still can't walk properly even though it's been almost 3 weeks. Sigh.

Marc claims I sent my body into shock there, it's never worked that hard in its life. In his exact words:

"It's like the Eastern European states turning into democracies"

Sigh!

Just Be

2010-05-20T19:12:00.001+08:00

I think the more you think about something the more hopeless everything seems and the more frustrated and useless you feel.

Hence from this day forth, I shall not use my brain anymore.

I think it's time to just be.

Mmmm

2010-05-15T23:58:00.003+08:00

Well we'll see. I don't want to simply rush into something just because I can.
Wow Mell, that sounds so weird coming from you.
Shut up. I like to think I've grown up and am all worldly now.

SVU

2010-05-12T00:27:00.001+08:00

Currently extremely hooked on Law & Order: SVU. Seriously, best show in the world, zomaigod! :D I do watch Criminal Intent too but SVU is seriously so much better!

BRB!

2010-05-08T20:40:00.001+08:00

.... sigh.

Boo Freaking Hoo

2010-04-29T14:42:00.001+08:00

I think we all start out as bright doe eyed first year Political Science students who think we can save the world, and then by the time we hit third year, we realize the world's already fucked up anyway, there's no point doing anything about it.

Rice Wine Chicken Soup

2010-04-25T22:37:00.009+08:00

One thing I've learned about Chinese cooking is that there are no real measurements - you have to go by your taste buds acquired from years of watching Mum in the kitchen, and decades of familiarity with all the Chinese herbs and their various smells. I particularly detest Chinese food in Melbourne because it's chock-full of MSG and artificial flavourings (the sweet and sour pork here is HORRIBLE!!!) and I believe Chinese food to be really healthy and minimal.

So one day a tweet from Koi who was making chicken soup at the time suddenly brought on a craving for ang chiew kuay mee suah (rice vermicelli in drunken chicken soup). Googled for a recipe and found a lovely one over here. Of course, with everything I do, I couldn't resist modifying it a bit to suit my taste.

For one, I used chicken maryland instead of chicken thigh fillets because I wanted the soup to have a more chickeny taste (with bone) and I do love my chicken meat on the bone. However, I soon realized why chicken maryland isn't used - it's near impossible to eat with chopsticks! I used thigh fillets the second time around, and it was good, but I preferred it with the chicken maryland though.

First step was to marinade the chicken in oyster sauce, light soy sauce and pepper, and leave it to "soak" for about 45 minutes. Adjust the amount of sauce used based on your meat type and preference. For the chicken maryland, I used about 3 tablespoons of oyster and soy sauce, but for the thigh fillets I used half that. I also made about 2.5 inch slits all over the chicken maryland.

Slice some ginger and fry them until crisp, but not burnt, in about 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. The ginger's used for garnishing so simply take them out and ditch them in a bowl somewhere while you cook everything else.

Next step was to pour hot water over the dried black fungus to allow them to "grow". I love black fungus so I added tons and tons of it, heh. After that, fry the chicken pieces (or chicken maryland) with the fungus in the ginger infused sesame oil. You'd need one thigh fillet per person, if you choose to use that. You want to brown the skin and semi-cook the chicken before moving on to the next step.

Add enough water to just about cover the chicken and leave it to simmer on low-medium heat for about 20-30 minutes. If you're using chicken thigh pieces, you'd want to leave it on for shorter because it cooks quicker. In the mean time, cook your rice vermicelli by putting it in a bowl and pouring hot water over. Drain.

Once the chicken's cooked, add about one standard cup of Chinese rice wine, stir, and taste. If it's too strong, add more water/chicken broth or if it's too weak add more wine. I like mine not tasting too strong so I didn't add too much, maybe about 3/4 cup although the original recipe calls for 1/4 of the bottle!

Leave to simmer for another 5 minutes, pour into a bowl over the rice vermicelli (do NOT put the vermicelli into the soup as it'll suck it all up!!), garnish with the ginger and voila, you're done.

Easier than you thought, aye? :) Really awesome dish for winter dinners, when it's super cold!

Note to self: Try soaking the black fungus in hot chicken broth and rice wine instead of hot water before cooking. Might be interesting.

.

2010-04-24T21:57:00.002+08:00

There's a point in your life when you get tired of chasing everyone and trying to fix everything. It's not giving up. It's realizing that you don't need certain people and their crap.

x

2010-04-19T21:06:00.003+08:00

One thing I've had to repeatedly remind myself over and over again during this incredibly intense 3 year period is to not change. And if that means kicking up a fuss over my ASOS and The Out Net packages stuck in Heathrow because of the volcanic ash cloud instead of over the sheer number of people displaced, etc. so be it. (You know you still have to love me, Mom!!!!)

Yes I had a 25 minute phone conversation with my mother about how I've been tracking my packages online for the past 48 hours, thank you.

I'm never going to be the girl in the dreadlocks wearing army cargo pants, a backpack and rallying for better rights for women. Neither am I going to be the free trade hippie who chains himself to a tree in order to protect the environment. (Well I've kinda almost sworn off McDonalds and Starbucks, so I guess that's a small change right? Heh!)

I guess over that period of the time, in the whole static situation of it all, I've kinda never found my path. Some people just have a passion for something, like off the top of my head, Alex and his whole ziggy thing with Middle Eastern politics. Or like, I don't know, some girl with Gender Politics. I haven't found what fits me yet and duuuuuuuuuude, it's been 3 fucking years.

The only thing I've really established over the past 3 years is that I really am a product of corporate America, something about 90% of the people in my course would probably murder me for. Heh.

It's been 3 years and I'm still where I started. And it's all coming to an end way too soon.

BRB

2010-04-15T10:38:00.000+08:00

Drowning in EU politics, Middle Eastern politics, Chinese politics and Contemporary Political Theory all at once. BRB.

The Art Of Love

2010-04-13T10:21:00.002+08:00

I’m saying sorry in advance cos this won’t always go to plan

Though we don’t mean to take our love for granted

It's in our nature to forget what matters

How when the going is getting tough

And we’re all about giving up

Things that we never thought we’d gonna say, gonna say them

Things that we never thought we’d play, gonna play them

It ain’t perfect, but it’s worth it

And it’s always getting better

It’s gonna take some time to get it right

Cause I’m still learning the art of love

I’m still trying to not mess up

So whenever I stumble let me know

You need to spell it out

You need to spell it out for me

Cause I’m still trying to learn the art of love

The Easter That Wasn't

2010-04-10T12:03:00.002+08:00

Easter this year was an absolute fail. Yet I somehow only got home at 6am. Heh.

Colonial Hotel smelled like stale alcohol, barf and ass. And the "Luxy Girls" were a boob flash away from talentless prostitutes.

Should've gone to Silk Road, sigh.

Le Sigh

2010-04-01T20:41:00.004+08:00

Time to start making some life choices.

Don't want to grow up. Don't want to graduate. Want to bum and live the awesome student life in Melbourne forever and ever and ever.

No, cannot be a failure in life *repeats mantra over and over again*

On a brighter note, thanks to 3 weeks of pole dancing, I now have bruises all over both legs but I seemed to have developed arm muscles. Whoaaaaaa.

The Only Exception

2010-03-31T21:08:00.001+08:00

Kinda obsessed with this song. I'm a sucker for love songs which don't exactly sound like love songs, and with very un-mushy lyrics.

I really hate mushy lyrics.

I can't embed it here but yeah.

Paramore - The Only Exception [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

How To Save A Life

2010-03-28T18:02:00.000+08:00

Step one you say we need to talk

He walks you say sit down it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

You begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best

Cause after all you do know best

Try to slip past his defense

Without granting innocence

Lay down a list of what is wrong

The things you've told him all along

And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice

You lower yours and grant him one last choice

Drive until you lose the road

Or break with the ones you've followed

He will do one of two things

He will admit to everything

Or he'll say he's just not the same

And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Snow

2010-03-28T08:49:00.001+08:00

.....

Love and Cigarettes

2010-03-26T14:21:00.000+08:00

I know I'll be happy when I finally find this.

Insatiable

2010-03-25T20:36:00.000+08:00

When moonlight crawls along the street

Chasing away the summer heat

Footsteps outside, somewhere below

The world revolves, I've let it go

We build our Church above the street

We practiced love between these sheets

The candy sweetness scent of you

It bathes my skin, I'm stained of you

Hold On To That

2010-03-23T16:34:00.001+08:00

I've forgotten how to love.

Baking A Pie

2010-03-21T22:30:00.007+08:00

After two nights of intense partying, I think we were all feeling a bit down low today. Decided to stay at home and catch up on some telly, rest and cleaning. I had this beef mince and all these veggies which I wanted to use up so I Googled for ideas and came up with the idea of making a pie since I had all the ingredients I needed right at home, score!

Here's the pastry. I was a bit dubious about making pastry from scratch because I don't have a good track record with that, but I found a really quick and easy recipe and it turned out really yummy despite a few modifications I made!

Take 2 cups of flour and about 3/4 teaspoon of salt and stir them together in a large bowl.
Cut in about 2/3 cup butter and mix it until it's all crumbly. The recipe called for shortening but I obviously don't have that at home so I used butter instead.
Gradually add 6 tablespoons of ice cold water while kneading with your fingers.
Roll and knead the pastry into two balls, one slightly larger than the other. Fit the larger ball of pastry into your baking pan.

As you can see, I didn't make enough pastry! You need to make enough so that it reaches the top of your baking pan. After that was done, I cooked the filling.

Fry 700g of beef mince with 1 large onion and about 4-5 cloves of garlic.
Add water till the mince is covered and add whatever vegetables you have. I used tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower and a few sprigs of thyme.
Season with salt + pepper + beef stock and whatever else you choose (I found a tin of powdered beef gravy and added a couple of tablespoons for the extra oomph).
Let it boil for a couple of minutes before pouring it into your pie crust and then covering it with the other ball of pastry you made earlier. Make sure the pastry hangs over the edge of the baking pan (just peel off the excess then) and press the edges with a fork to make it pretty.
Dissolve about 2 tablespoons of cornflour/starch in water and then pour it in to thicken the soup (never put it in straight away as it gets lumpy, dissolve it first!)
Dump it in a pre-heated oven at 190 Celcius for 30 minutes.

Here's the yummy result! :D

I didn't expect it to be so gooooood, but it definitely was ;)

With You

2010-03-21T00:10:00.003+08:00

You Drive Me Crazy

2010-03-18T21:15:00.004+08:00

See the thing about living alone is that you've got so much nonsense to say, but no one to say it to. Or maybe because you have no one else to really speak to, you're driving all your MSN buddies insane. Or whenever someone calls you, you end up talking for at least 20 minutes rambling on about the most inane things.

So hello Blogspot, let's get reacquainted.

Now when someone asks me what I did today, I can go all "Dudeeeee, I started a blog, man! Woo-hoo!