Day 7: Your Zodiac and traits.

So, according to this, the traditional Virgo traits are:

Modest and shy
(Eh, I guess it somewhat applies)

Meticulous and reliable
(Maybe so. I'm reliable but not meticulous LOL!)

Practical and diligent
(Not me. LOL I'm emotional but perhaps this works for Ziad since he's also a Virgo)
Intelligent and analytical (Hopefully :P)

Fussy and a worrier
(Worrier. Yes)

Overcritical and harsh
(This is more Ziad than me.)

Perfectionist and conservative
(Kind of ish)

Will bold whatever I think is me ... lol.

Virgoans love preciseness, refinement, fastidious love of cleanliness, hygiene and good order, conventionality and aristocratic attitude of reserve. They are usually observant, shrewd, critically inclined, judicious, patient, practical supporters of the status quo, and tend toward conservatism in all departments of life. On the surface they are emotionally cold, and sometimes this goes deeper, for their habit of suppressing their natural kindness may in the end cause it to atrophy, with the result that they shrink from committing themselves to friendship, make few relationships, and those they do make they are careful to keep superficial.

But the outward lack of feeling may, in some individuals born under this sign, conceal too much emotion, to which they are afraid of giving way because they do not trust others, nor do they have confidence in themselves and their judgments. This is because they are conscious of certain shortcomings in themselves of worldliness, of practicality, of sophistication and of outgoingness. So they bring the art of self concealment to a high pitch, hiding their apprehensiveness about themselves and their often considerable sympathy with other people under a mantle of matter-of-factness and undemonstrative, quiet reserve. They are still waters that run deep. Yet in their unassuming, outwardly cheerful and agreeable fashion, they can be sensible, discreet, well spoken, wise and witty, with a good understanding of other people's problems which they can tackle with a practicality not always evident in their own personal relationships.

Badum pshh.

So far, this is what I've done for the flier. As you can tell, we're having our exhibition at Stellar Boutique in Subang Empire Gallery. I managed to scoop up some pictures of the space thanks to their facebook page.




That's in there!


The hallway.




Before ...






And After!

Looks good ey? Let's hope for the best folks.

Day 6: Write 30 facts about yourself.

1. I'm incredibly emotional.
2. I shower way too many times a day than most people.
3. I love eyeliner. Period.
4. Black is the new black. And will always be.
5. I used to be a fat girl (still am but slightly less so lol)
6. Thai steamboat aka Johnny's is my vice.
7. I love driving eventhough I complain about it a lot.
8. I'm only 1.55m tall/short.
9. I love learning about new cultures.
10. I do a really good imitation of different accents.
11. I don't smoke.
12. A lot of my friends aren't Chinese despite being one myself. Hmm.
13. I'm learning Urdu/Hindi as I go along.
14. I love to travel when things are on my time LOL.
15. That being said, I'm a little selfish at times.
16. I cry a lot. Har har.
17. I get too attached too quickly to things.
18. Lord of the Rings took over my life.
19. So did Anime.
20. I fear being alone.
21. I can't sleep in conditions which are too dark and too quiet.
22. I'm more mainstream than you think.
23. Designing is fun if you're not constricted to ideas by others (sadly so)
24. I love to dance to bhangra music. Or at least I try to.
25. I own 2 very cute doggies Hannah and Mystic.
26. I am of Peranakan heritage. (wiki says: It applies especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya)
27. I can understand Hokkien but cannot converse. And no I can't speak any other form of Chinese.
28. I love to cuddle. Who doesn't?
29. I get pissed way too easily (see 1)
30. I love meeting new people.
    

Day 5: A time when you thought of ending your life.

Not too long ago actually. Felt pretty low about things. But it wasn't as severe as it had been in my teen years. Yeah, I went through that whole emo kid era when I was 14 and wanted to slash my wrists open. Not a good place to be in. It still comes to me from time to time. It all depends on how you look at things I guess. I try to keep patient. :) But suicide is a no no. Not at all.

Tried a namecard design. If I get positive feedback from the people I ask, I'll send it in to print this week :) Fingers crossed. Will be sending out resume/portfolio all over this week/after Australia.

Day 4: Your views on religion.

I'll be honest and say I'm not religious. It's a love hate thing. I never really believed in an organised religion. I believe in God. Yes I do. There IS a higher power in the universe (no not the Scientology way) but I've questioned it a lot. So many good things happen because of religion but so do so many horrible things (wars, marriages never allowed because 2 individuals aren't the same religion), arguments among families/friends etc ... However, since I met Ziad (and since Mum converted into a hardcore Christian), religion has been thrown at me from all directions. I don't know how to think of it. I kind of resent it in a way that people need to (and please don't take this the wrong way. I'm just saying what I think. Feel free to discuss if you wish) rely on a holy book to understand what is right and wrong, and those who don't read it or follow religion are "lost causes". I was brought up without much religious believes and I can say that I am a good person (for the most part anyway lol) and I know what is right and wrong.

Day 3 Your views on drugs and alcohol

Drugs: Well, despite knowing a lot of people who have tried it and do it on a reg. basis, I don't think I can ever bring myself to dabbing myself into the world of drugs. I've been tempted I won't lie but for some reason, I'm too chicken to take that first move towards it. Doesn't matter though, I'm proud of myself. I don't want to do drugs and no one can convince me otherwise. The only drugs I'll ever take is the panadol/tylenol sitting in my med. cabinet.

Alcohol: This, on the other hand I can involve myself in. I've been lightheaded to completely puking on the side of the road. Not a proud moment but I've been there and now I can stop wondering how it feels to be so over the edge till you have to hurl everything out. I don't really like alcohol in terms of a "drink it with dinner" sort of thing. I just drink it when there's people around and everyone's drinking ... sans food. Still, we all make those mistakes haha. I can't drink a lot mind you. I can take half a can of Carlsberg before my face turns a shy shade of pink and my hands start to swell/itch. So when I was puking that night it was bad. Really bad. Try 2 towers bad. Never again. Now it's just in moderation thanks

Day 2: Where you'd like to be in 10 years.

Hopefully with a great job which I love going to everyday (or working from home isn't too bad of an idea) with a great home in a suburn not too far from the city. Not to mention with a family of my own. :D I know, generic. But I do want these things. And with a better physical appearance along with emotional growth.

Day 1: My relationship is a good one. For the most part. I have been with him for about a couple of years now. We've been through a lot of ups and downs with many more to go. It's been fun so far. I can only hope for the best now. We fight, we make up, and then joke about it. Sometimes we're both a little too silly for our own good but we pull through it and smile at the end of the day. Cheers Ziad.

Today, let's talk about one of modern cultures icon. Kim K. Controversial is one of the descriptions one may label on her. She has made many a mistake in her past (and perhaps still is) but somehow she manages to stay in the limelight for "okay" reasons. C'mon. Lindsay Lohan and (crazy) Britney make Kim look like an angel. I'm not judging her by what I see on Keeping up with the Kardashians. That stuff looks more scripted than realistic but there's still something about her which makes me say "She's not so bad you know." She does have good opinions with realistic thoughts behind that over volumed hair. She doesn't sound as daft as some other celebs/personalities out there (like a certain heiress). She does have close family ties and is a smart businesswoman. She comes from a privileged family (with famous dad Robert Kardashian) and has had a cushy life but she honestly could have turned out a lot more spoiled than what people think she is now.



And that all aside, I think she's got massive style. It may not be for everyone but she has the guts to do it. And I love her body LOL. It's not size 0 like most celebs out there. And she makes it look good! She doesn't feel pressured to be small. She embraces what she has and is confident with it. That's probably why I admire her most. Confidence in a tough world. You go Kim!

Have I turned into that "girl who posts too many pictures of her animals"? Nah, not really. These are merely photos that Mum demanded I take to send to the relatives in Australia. Still, I have to admit some of them are pretty cute.



The final presentation of the Graduate Folio is out of the way! It went really well thank God. I got a little questioning for my Dove Ad about my beliefs but I managed to sell the idea and in the end they loved what I had to say. Plus, I got an extra lecturer (most had 3 people while I had the extra lady who asked that Dove question) but it was cool. Loved it. I'm glad I ended that part of my academic life in Limkokwing with a bang. Next up, submissions for the journals + the Exhibition.

My last trip to Australia (as a person who gets free tickets) will start on the 9th of December. Which is roughly 3 weeks away. I don't know how I feel about this trip. The first thought that comes to my mind is that I might have missed out on a chance to go somewhere totally different for once (India, Sweden, New Zealand, Dubai, Russia, ANYWHERE ELSE) with my last ticket. Australia was the best option for me financially which is why I chose it ... and my India option came a little too late once I had booked my current ticket. So, Down Undah it is. At least this time I get to say I went solo. May the Roos be with me.

With me laughing at Harry, it marks the end of an eventful night. Workwise. My graduate folio is ready for assessment tomorrow. It all boils down to this. Fingers crossed guys!



Watched this with Ziad just now. It's comical to think how much people go through for weddings in Pakistan. But it was definitely fun to watch. Would I want this kind of wedding? Mmm, sans horse. SURE WHY NOT?! I told him to start saving his money RM10 a month and maybe I'd be able to get this wedding in 10 years. LOL! But jokes aside, I thought it was a really fun looking wedding. Now, if only anyone would dance at mine. ATTN Mei Anne and Nisha. 2.40 mins. That's YOU GUYS. But basically everything gets AWESOME at 4.20 mins. THATS WHAT I WANT.

I can't believe I just wrote a whole paragraph on weddings. LOL. It's 3AM. I'm going to bed. Shab bakhair~

In 12 hours (or so) I will be presenting my graduate folio to the Curtin Moderators. I only have 15 mins to present 15 pieces of work. Am I nervous? YES I AM!

This is what everything is right now. A blur of lights and sound in darkness. I am lost and I need someone to rescue me from myself. My internal battles have only begun. It's more than just what you think and what I understand. Hold onto my hand and tell me everything will be OK and I shall believe and follow.

While Mistique is getting used to her new home, she seems to have gotten into a little bit of trouble and now looks like this:



Yeah, my dog now adorns the latest in canine fashion: The CONE OF SHAME. LOL. It'll be 2 more weeks till she can take it off.

Just took a whole lot of sleeping pills. I'm gonna crash till tomorrow. Out.

Im so pissed right now I just wanna strangle someone half to death. I have an idea on who that someone is but unfortunately that person isn't around to face my anger. Seriously. I'm so sick of this person. There's no point being nice to them if they just fuck you over.

Today was productive, both physically, dramatically and financially.

Productive: Worked out a lot today and my body feels like jelly now. Painful jelly. I got my self promo video done. Hosted on facebook.
Dramatic: Dad found out about my summons. I just lost a premature RM100. I am CASHLESS.
Financially: I was kidding. I don't have any money.

My mind is so messed up. I couldn't care less who else I piss off today. Maybe it's PMS. Whatever screw people.

I had time + ImageReady + Clips + Photoshop.

Been feeling rather blue (or EXPANDED) lately when some individuals passed some comments that I was gaining weight. I felt pretty bad about it. I was even told WHILE I was slugging it out on the stepper that I was slightly meatier than I was a few weeks ago. I need to re-motivate myself.

Gonna change my daily workout a little bit tomorrow. And I'm gonna start on the whole Fitnesse 14 day cereal thing. I heard it works. Fingers crossed.

I've done all I can do for whatever time I have left. The exhibition is taking a toll on me and it's a waste of so much time, I cannot begin to explain how much I despise it. It's run by a group of power hungry, horrid leadership skilled, stuck up, queen bees who only know how to listen to their own opinions instead of the 10+ other people who are sitting in the same room. That, I have no problem with. The best part of it is, they think they can reschedule anything they like according to their personal convenience at the expense of others. For example, I was told there would be a shoot for the video presentation on the day of the Exhibition. I turn up to uni on a day which I don't even need to be there. I waited for a solid 2 hours before I had to track someone down only to find out it's POSTPONED (insert echo here) till Wednesday.

Guess what? I'm not showing up. This exhibition can go shove itself up it's ass. I'm out. I wish I never paid the money I contributed for it. At the rate, I don't even want to attend it. I'm not going to graduation, a meager exhibition wouldn't hurt me either.

I'm honestly not in the mood anymore. It's sad to think that it's my last two weeks left in Limkokwing University and instead of hauling butt, I am lethargic, not in the mood to work, too pissed off with my peers and just flat out f**ked from everything around me. I want to have NOTHING to do with this University once I graduate. Ever.

Reason why I'm not losing any more weight: Plateau. This is the worst thing anyone who has been hauling ass in a gym can hear. Time to switch the workout routine. Oh yeah and to lay off the Mee Goreng at Mamaks ... yes I have been a little guilty of being greedy lately. I need more discipline. But once I get rid of the bloat, I'll be back on track!

My Book for Design Reflective is finally done. All I need to do is print it ... oh yeah and to design a packaging for it.

Today was a good day. Despite a lot of crap which happened (got into an argument with a friend before he left Malaysia for good and got into a fender bender with a cab ... asshole didn't pay for the damages HE caused), I still managed to spend some time with Ziad with a nice cup of teh ais. It was a really good afternoon. Then getting work completed by nightfall, ah bliss. I can rest well tonight.

Some pics from Halloween Night:

So happy I found this font. Or well script to create it. I've been searching for MONTHS!

You know you're Malaysian When:

You're willing to consume sambal petai and durian and gladly suffer the bloating and wind-breaking incidents.

But, petai is AWESOME.

You order Maggi goreng and fried chicken, complain about how oily the food is, and then proceed to finish it anyway.

LOL. Again, but Maggi goreng is AWESOME

You love to talk about food. You're already thinking about what to have for dinner while eating lunch. "I'm stuffed. What shall we have for dinner?"

I know. My mum is a perfect example.

You dive into a communal-style meal the moment the dish lands on the table only to hesitate at the last morsel of food on the serving dish. There are two possible explanations for this: the first is the pai seh (embarrassed) factor, while the other is the myth that the person who eats the last piece will be a spinster.

Really? I didn't know about the 2nd explanation. I don't eat it cause I believe the first pick was the best? LOL but it doesn't bother me so much.

You hit the accelerator the moment the first drop of rain hits your windshield. "Alamak, it's going to rain. Sure traffic jam one. I'd better drive faster."

No lah!

You seize the opportunity to make a U-turn anywhere ... especially where there is a sign telling you not to. Well, so long as the cops aren't in sight.

Guilty. HEY! I don't wanna drive another 10km down the poorly planned highway!

You feel a burning desire to send text messages and even have the gall to give your friend a blow-by-blow account of the movie to your friend on the handphone ? during the screening of the movie. "Okay, now that girl Lizzie is impersonating an Italian singer; she so doesn?t look Italian ..."

It depends. But not with the whole movie thing.

You forsake your loved ones for the all-important four letter-word: S-A-L-E. "Sorry, mum, I can't take you to Aunt Mary?s because I have to go to MidValley before the crowd." You?re also more than happy to be part of the insane traffic jam that forms around malls during weekends and sale periods.

No lah, Thankfully I'm not an avid shopper.

Reality shows like Akademi Fantasia and Malaysian Idol dictate your social life. "What, no TV at the mamak? Count me out ? I'm staying home. Rinie needs my support."

HAHA I know some people like this. I can't be bothered.

You pepper every sentence with lah. "No-lah, I can't see you today-lah. I have to study-lah. You know-lah, the prison warden aka mak is watching me like a hawk"

You don't even need to mention this.

You fail to function normally without your daily dose of teh tarik and nasi lemak.

Used to. Now I need Limau Ais and Bihun Goren. OMG.

You have owned at least one Proton in your lifetime. Cheap, cheap. That is until you start to make enough dough to buy that Honda you've been salivating over.

No lah, We're pro Perodua. LOL! Protons can kiss my ass.

You'd rather park your car along the main road outside the mall, where there's a yellow line, rather than pay RM1 to park inside where there are adequate bays.

FORGET THIS. PARK INSIDE GODDAMIT.

You plead, bat your eyelids and relate a sob story to the officer at the town council office to let you off the hook (or reduce the amount considerably) for the fine you incurred when you parked your car on the double line.

Bleh, I just told her off. Stupid incompetent retard.

You make an appointment for 10am and conveniently show up a half hour late ? Malaysian time, what ...

Exactly. Malaysian Local Time.

You pop open the wet tissue packet at the Chinese restaurant by squeezing the trapped air to the top of the packet before proceeding to smash your fist into it. The louder the pop the better.

HAHA, when I was a kid anyway.

You greet your friend / neighbor / acquaintance on the street with "How are things?" or "Have you eaten?" or better yet, by stating the obvious: "Went to market ah?"

LOL! It depends. If they're local then yeah. I tried it with foreign friends and they were like "Why do you care if I'm hungry?" :D

Ramlee burger is the "piece de resistance" of your growing-up-years cuisine.

Hmm. No la ... Chicken Rice. Ramlee is my sisters vice.

You catch all major televised events at the mamak.

Only EPL mah. Even then, with Astro at home in HD, who needs milo ais? LOL!

You have roughly six meals a day (breakfast, mid-morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper). Then there's the snacking ? keropok ikan, pisang goreng, muruku, jam tarts and the like.

Oh. My. Gaw. I miss keropok lekor ... with goreng pisang. And air kelapa. On a hot day. SHIT!

Your accent and language style vary according to the race of the person you are conversing with.

True, true. I like messing with people. But for the most part, I keep it standard. No one needs a faker on their hands :) Speak teh Inggeris.

You diss our country all the time, but as soon as something good happens (like winning the Thomas Cup), you morph into a proud Malaysian.

Haha. Or when Malaysia and Singapore played in the Tiger Cup. Woahz.

You never travel abroad without a bottle of chilli sauce, or sachets which you can sneak into restaurants.

Mum did this once. It was a LIFE SAVER!

Some things you can't live without.

As you can see, the Tan home has undertaken some changes lately.

1. We got the house painted. No more chipped off or cobwebbed filled corners of the house!
2. We got new spotlights installed. These are from IKEA.
3. We got rid of a LOT of furniture/junk. Although I have to admit, my shoe collection has moved to the boot of my car :(
4. The front door is white! I know I've said this many times. I seriously can't get over how much I love it.
5. We got new cabinets installed in the kitchen along with a hood on top of the stove. I would have opted for this masterpiece from Elica at £999 (RM4,949.66) but I didn't think anyone would agree. LOL
6. We got new curtains as well but I didn't photograph the living room area.

All and all, I'm quite pleased with the house now. Things to look more put together. There's some things we need to touch up on and hopefully along the next few weeks, everything will be sorted out. With minimum stress I hope.

Mum decided to adopt a Golden Retriever from her friend. We're not too sure on our opinions of this. I certainly wasn't for the idea for 2 very good reason. One, we already have a dog (as you can see in the image above). We're content with her and I already have enough on my plate running around after her as it is. Two, another dog means more work, more getting used to and more arguments among us. To put it simply, I know we'll be returning it by the time I leave for Melboure. Watch this space.

Gonna concoct up a mock for my booklet design for Design Reflective. I've more or less come up with a name for the book, I've got the content, now I gotta put it all together in what I hope will work out perfectly. I was inspired by pieces like these:





Point is, long and soft edges. It's simple. I don't need any fancy pop ups. If I can manage a few die cut shapes in the book, I'll try to work it out. Hopefully this all works out. I don't have much time till the semester ends.



Someone got a haircut. Phew!