The Body Shop Heroes of the Earth Launch, Subak.

I was pretty excited about this I must say - mainly because it was held at Subak which I've always wanted to go, but never managed to...

The place was kinda hard to get to... but it was well worth it.

The welcoming banner... as you can see, the place is pretty tucked into the foothills and is very much inspired by nature

Their cool display. They actually transported an actual rain shower over just for this! The Earth Lovers Shower Gels are finally 100% biodegradable which is great news for the environment! Now you can even take these on camping trips with you to shower and not worry about polluting the soil or water!

They come in seven gorgeous smells - Apricot & Basil, Cucumber & Mint, Watermelon & Eucalyptus, Fig & Rosemary, Lemon & Thyme, Pear & Lemongrass and Aloe Vera for Sensitive Skin.

A guessing game. Every table had a basket with some of the ingredients as well as unmarked bottles of the body gel range. We were required to rely on our sense of smell to identify which was which... unfortunately for the people at The Body Shop, they didn't cover up the ingredient list at the back, so it was pretty easy for us :P

You can see why I fell in love with the place.... it's SO inspired by nature, it's actually got water running down from the hillside filling up the pond and instead of completely clearing the land to build the place, they built the place around the land.

The Body Shop's Citronella candle. These candles are made from 100% vegetable wax which is safer for both the consumer and the environment. This is the one where each one sold, contributes to raising funds for Sisters in Islam. There are a few more. Check out The Body Shop's Candles of Conscience campaign here.

A close up of the display. Of course the fruits and vegetables that were used for the body gels were on display too.

Get those creative juices flowing and make your own juice! You know when I first heard of this, I though we get to really make our own... turns out a guy will make it for you, you just tell him which ingredients you want *facepalm*

(L-R) Oranges, apples, lemons, watermelon, celery and mint, take your pick; mine was a apple, celery and mint which wasn't that all good, but heck, it's real fruit juice so I have no complaints and Steph's watermelon, apple, lemon and mint.

Pick your plant and be your own gardener!

They had sweet basil, rosemary and mint.

And if you didn't know how to do it... they had staff on hand to help or show you the right way to do it as well as offer advice you on how to take care of the plant.

While waiting for my turn, I saw these! I haven't seen these items in real life! For the life of me, I can't remember what it's called, but the one on the left is some sort of mortar & pestle, but instead of pounding the ingredients, they're rolled across the 'board'.

The next one, is a grinder. I'm sure they use it for other stuff as well but I've seen it more commonly for soy - to make soy milk or tofu.

Anida, who had the patience in the world to neatly transplant her mint.

My rosemary and Steph's mint. I walked past the planting area and saw that there were extra plants so I asked if I could get another and they said yes... so now I have a rosemary and mint! :)

Oh, and remember that guessing game (that we pretty much cheated on)? Well we won it! So each member of the team won a complimentary The Body Shop Shampoo set.

I'm what...?

Yeah. For the first time in my life, I'm dog-less.

I know, it sounds trivial. But I've never lived without a dog in my life before and the reality of it sounds kinda weird... and scary at the same time...

Bo girl :)

Mum called earlier. Bo left us. we knew this day was going to happen. She's lived a healthy 17 years with us and I really couldn't ask for more.

Today, I lost my pet dog.

Today, I lost my (almost) life long companion.

Today, I lost my best friend.

Today, I lost Bo to heaven.

I'm pretty sure she's up there hanging out with Ben and just chilling out.

She deserves it.

Bo, I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'm sorry things had to be this way. I want you to know that I loved you with all my heart.

My little girl, when she was about 6-9 months old. She was always the bully at home despite her tiny size.

She always came up to me for cuddles no matter what I was doing. Bo also loved to try digging a hole next to the palm tree and sit there on a warm sunny day :)

Bo loved me so much, she'd let me do almost anything to her... like hold her snout... or her tail... which was pretty sweet

So many things have happened since you came in my life that I can't even begin to summarize it at all.

Thank you :)

You think you know, you have no idea

I loved that line from Mtv Diary. It was one of those early reality-ish documentary type tv shows about celebs and how their lives are. It was pretty much a-day-in-the-life-of-(insert pop star's name here) and I liked how that at that time, they were showing us that being a celeb isn't that all as glam as we'd like it to be.

Which brings me to this article I read online today. What she might be hiding from you. I like to perceive myself as a private person, sharing what I only want to share, portraying the side I want people to see and obviously being someone I'm not.

I am not entire proud to say this, but I will admit I am guilty of six (out of the 10 points mentioned in the article) and I'm pretty sure many of you out there are too!

Seriously?

I get very annoyed, when people ask me "So you guys are getting serious..." with some sort of self pride/doubt.

Scenario 1
I'm out with a group of old school mates one night and there was this one girl, we haven't met since we last left school (we were 17. We're now 29.)

So as usual we talked about what we were doing and who we're seeing and what our future plans are, so I told her that the puppy and I were planning on a migration.

And she smiles at me like she knows better and says "So you guys ARE serious..."

Scenario 2
This is my best friend, whom I've known since I was 13, and she knew the moment the puppy and I got together because she was there. We were talking about our CNY plans when she mentioned she's going over to her boyfriend's home town so I said "Wow... that's nice..." and she mentioned that it's not the first time that she's gone back.

So then I said "Yeah, I'll have to go over this year..." and she goes "OMG so you guys are serious!!!"

Seriously... WTF?!?!

It's been a while

It really has been a while since I've dreamt of her.

This morning was no different. She was flirting with my man as usual and for once I actually confronted her in her face.

She shrugged it off - it was as though she doesn't care. I know I might be biased but I'm quite sure she doesn't care. I can't help feeling that way, not after everything.

Yeah, so I asked why does she have to do this? Doesn't she feel any remorse or pity or guilt? Doesn't she worry that karma will come and bite her back in the ass and do the same to her what she's doing to me? What did I ever do to her?

It was as if she didn't hear me or refused to hear me. All she did was stare as I rambled and smiled.

Dissatisfied, that was what I was.

I knew I would never get an answer out of her.

Maybe she doesn't know the answer herself...

Anyways, the dream scene changed... I was talking to this python who apparently was kinda getting ambushed by two other snakes on either side. Instead of attacking them, he looked at me sheepishly and just sank its teeth in my foot.

Weird night...

Jumble Sale!!!

Hey peeps. Come join the SPCA jumble sale this Sunday January 23! There'll be lots to buy and it's all for a good cause!

Head on over to the SPCA Selangor at Jalan Kerja Air Lama, 68000 Ampang Jaya.

Click here for the website and here for a map on how to get there!!!

Is it just me?

It's weird, well not really weird, really. It's just the way it is sometimes.

Beware rant post below.

Depending on your thoughts and openness to things, you will get what I mean and if you don't, I don't blame you. But feel free to comment. I'd like to hear what other people think.

I'm talking about the age old question "So when are you getting married?". I've oddly been asked that question by four people this month, and it's only the 14th.

Then the last person who asked the question said "Every other female around your age can't wait to get married. Are you even female? Plus, you've been dating for quite a while now, so don't be surprised if a 5th or 6th person asks you that same question again later..."

Note: It probably is just an Asian thing, but the moment you start dating someone for about at least 6 months, EVERYONE will start to ask when are you getting married. Some mean it as a joke but most people are just curious. I think it's some sort of gage to see how serious the both of you are.

So I told him the same thing I blogged about earlier referencing Johnny Depp about marriage which I really do agree with - and he calls me weird.

"Okay I'm weird. Then YOU define marriage and let's have a little debate."

"Well, marriage is more like a secure thing, you know? It's like, it doesn't matter how long you've been together, but when shit happens, everything ends and you're back at square one. So marriage is at least a more secure commitment, or so I feel."

Note: Most people I know have the same idea - get married so that your partner will not run away from you. Another idea - get pregnant so that the guy will marry you.

Do you see what kind of imbeciles I deal with on a daily basis? And I'm pretty sure a lot of other people I know will agree with him.

I've personally seen many family members and friends who have been together forever and get married, and they're like the most loving couple in the world that every time they come around, you just need the vomit bucket passed over.

But shit happens and now they're in limbo think about whether or not they should stay together for the sake of the marriage, for the sake of the children... but what happened for the sake of yourselves?

Call me selfish. But I don't believe in "securing" someone legally just so that if he/she wants to break up with me it's harder.

Again I will stress my point as I have in my earlier blogs - get married because you want to spend the rest of your life with the love of your life. DON'T effing get married just because everyone else is doing it, you want some sort of social status elevation, peer and family pressure because you'd be better of jumping off a cliff with the lemmings.

To me, if shit hits the ceiling - own up, clean up the mess and if you need to, just stand up and walk away.

Control Animal Homelessness!

Tomorrow (13th Jan) at noon, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) will be handing out leaflets dressed as giant condoms and holding heart-shaped signs to help Malaysians brush up on their ABCs - Animal Birth Control.

Join them and help spread the word. It's in front of Gloria Jeans on Bukit Bintang near the intersection.

I'd go if I could but well, obviously I can't. But it's something I campaign for too - responsible pet ownership. I think it's irresponsible to allow your pets to breed IF you don't have a backup plan for the babies. You know why? Because these little fellas are often abandoned at a vet's clinic, an animal shelter IN HOPE to get a good owner or even worse, left on the streets to fend for themselves.

Much as your pet may seem as 'human' as possible, they're still animals at the end of the day. Spaying or neutering not only prevents unnecessary baby animals but it's also healthier for your pet. Because after the procedure, they have a reduced risk of developing reproductive cancers AND they won't go around accidentally contracting some sort of animal STDs.

Laugh, I know it's funny, but it does happen and don't come crying when it does.

Prevention is better than cure.

For more info, check of PETA Asia Pacific.

Ice cream for lunch, anyone?

Walls launched their new selection - Gold Series ice cream today at the Equatorial, Kuala Lumpur.

Concocted by three culinary experts from the Philippines, they created a gorgeous flavor each - Hazelnut Brownie, Chocolate Truffles and Berry Strawberry.

And it wasn't any ordinary launch... instead of the usual thingamajizz with launches, Walls came up with the ingenious idea of approaching Executive Chef Anthony Edington from The Chalet, Equatorial to come up with delicious dishes infused with the ice cream.

But of course there's the obligatory shot. (L-R) Guy from Walls (Can't remember his name sorry!!!); Hugo Verkuil of Unilever, Malaysia and Executive Chef Anthony Edington

And the results?

A full blown four-course meal!

(L-R) Mescun salad with dried fruits served with a Berry Strawberry vinaigrette, Australian rock melon soup with a Berry Strawberry emulsion and Chicken Mole (made with Chocolate Truffles)

On a side note, the chicken was done sous-vide and then pan-fried to get that gorgeous golden skin. To be honest, it was the first time I tried anything that was done sous-vide and I've gotta say, the title sounds a shit load fancier than anything. But it was nice and juicy on the inside.

Desserts (L-R) - Deep-fried Hazelnut Brownies ice cream dusted with cocoa powder, Chocolate Truffles ice cream sandwich dipped in chocolate and Berry Strawberry Tuile with cream anglaise.

My verdict?

It was okay. I have to say I am much pickier when it comes to ice cream and while the creativity did intrigue me, taste wise, the food wasn't anything much to shout about.

But then again, that's just me. Go try it for yourself at the Equatorial.

Images all courtesy of Walls.