Meeting my childhood idol

I'm still pretty chuffed about this whole thing. About 2 weeks ago I got a phone call telling me that I've won tickets to the Richard Clayderman Romantique Concert in KL. 

To top it off, it was a pair of gold tickets + a meet and greet!!! I'm finally meeting  my childhood dream musician play live AND I get to meet him! How great is that?

I won it via a Facebook contest and I really couldn't believe my ears when they called to let me know. 

So I called mum up to tell her that we're going to see Richard Clayderman play live, I cried. I really couldn't believe that I would meet the man who inspired me to play the piano.

This is him playing Ballade Pour Adeline. The only disappointment I felt during the entire concert was that the Gold seats were a bit TOO far away. I could barely see his face, I mean, they could put some other dude in place and I wouldn't know any better. Thank goodness for the two projector screens!!!

He's definitely aged quite a bit since, I mean I'm already past 30 :P but his playing is impeccable. I cried so many times throughout his performance because I felt sooo incredibly lucky and humbled to be there!

Then to top it off, we got to say hello to him! It was rather strict though, like they would only allow 10 people in at any one time and we were to only take group photos.

Unfortunately (or rather fortunately for us!),  there was a bit of a problem as we were about to enter. They pulled mum in without me and we really wanted to go in together. Then there was this little girl in front of me, whose mum wasn't allowed to go in with her (because they had only one pass), so I offered to accompany her in, just so that she wouldn't be alone. 

But after a bit of confusion here and there, they let the little girl in with one of the staff and I went in to join mum.

The best bit of this entire evening? Mum and I were the only ones in there with Richard so we got a personal photo with him :)

Just a dream....

I was lucky enough to score two complimentary tickets to watch Just A Dream at KLPac today with the pup.

Although it was a play targeted at children, we thought heck, why not? After all, we're both still kids trapped in an adult's body :P

Of course, any sort of photography was not allowed during the show so I can't actually show you how awesome it was... so you'll just have to take my word for it!

Now I haven't been to a play in ages, and from what I remember, most plays that I go to are targeted at adults and the trials and tribulations of adulthood... which IMHO - BORING!!! I mean it's bad enough that we go thru it daily... we don't need to be reminded about it in a play...

Just A Dream is a really simple play. Walter is this boy who doesn't think too much about recycling and litters quite a bit. One night he has this really long dream (or nightmare) about how terrible the world can become if we all littered.

Comical. Interactive. Good ol' wholesome fun.

I'm definitely recommending this show to any one, because no matter how old you are, it brings out the child in you :)

The stage.

Look at all the kids!

The pup and I, waiting for the show to start.

Just A Dream plays at Pentas 1, KLPac, Sept 15-24.

Prices start from RM38 per child or adult

Call 03-4047 9000/9010 or check out www.klpac.org

bling bling

So another cousin broke the news, her boyfriend popped the question during the Christmas holidays...

So I have two weddings to attend next year... two who btw are younger than me :P no, no that's not resentment or bitterness, just a dash of disbelief, really...

But do I wish it was my turn? Oh of course... which girl doesn't?

When it's my turn, it won't be a big do. Much as I am a romantic, a big hoo-hah is just too much work and too much effort for a party - yes, P-A-R-T-Y. You heard right. Because to me, it's the marriage... not the wedding.

For all you know, I might just have a super simple ceremony with immediate family only - then break the news to the rest.

Until then... I'll just keep focusing on the big picture :) we've got A LOT ahead of us!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Went over to the puppy's for Christmas Eve dinner and same as every year, I head over there in the arvo to help out

So the bunny and big bro toiled over peeling, chopping, slicing and dicing......

The extra tough pumpkin that took me forever to slice.... even Mr Kitchen man took his tools off to a corner to hide!

Anyways, as I was saying, while we were toiling away, the puppy was doing this O_o

(Clockwise Top L-R: Stuffed turkey with bacon strips, honey glazed ham with pineapples, pigs in a blanket and oven roasted brussel sprouts with beets)

The whole works. A table for fourteen!

Someone picked this up and said 'OMG you have a Jewish drink???'

Anne who showed us a magic trick earlier decided to test out our IQs. Needless to say, we ALL failed miserably :P

And right after that.... SCRABBLE time!!! iStyle :P

Look at the amount of Apple products these people have

Even the dogs were bloody content after the whole meal!

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Baby Cherrie

Look how grown up she looks now! I still can't believe that my cousin Nick has a kid... and you know what's so funny about that? She looks EXACTLY like him as a baby!

having kids

The puppy and I were discussing this article we read about spirituality and that how this guy theorized that having kids is just this way of the devil suckering us into getting more people into this world where all that happens is suffering, growing old and dying.

I do agree with the article at one point because, let's put it this way, we're not entirely enjoying ourselves in this world - we're always worrying and wondering what will happen, the responsibilities of bringing another life into this world

Then he said "You know, that is kinda true... why do people want kids anyways? To feed their egos! To take care of them! Because our forefathers had already done that and implanted that thought in our minds,"

Which then made me wonder... how much is he agree with the article?

From what he's been telling me, he comes off as completely agreeing with the article and saying that we should just be responsible humans and not bring anymore humans into this world to suffer.......

*sigh*

Happy Friday peeps... I'm working this weekend... bleh!

baby Cherrie and me

Finally got to visit baby Cherrie... OMG she's just SOOO adorable (yes I'm being all clucky/broody/whatever you call it)

She's kinda boring though. All she does is sleep... scream... have some milk... stare at you for a bit... look a bit confused... sleep....

That's her right after a nap. She looks very confused because I've been kinda shoving Poppy in her face :P

But OH.MY.GOD she's so adorable...

I'm in love

See that look on my face? It's the face of an over joyed aunt.

Cherrie Wong

The long awaited arrival of Miss Cherrie Wong has finally come!!!

My cousin's wife Esther gave birth to a bouncing 3.3kg bub at 2.50pm

Oh I'm so excited. Seriously, of all my cousins having kids, this one means a shit load to me.

Why?

I grew up with this guy. He was always hanging out at my place and we were like brother and sister. Always running around, sneaking off to arcades, doing stuff we weren't supposed to, making weird foods - basically just being kids

And now he's a father....

I think I'm going to cry!

Valentine's Day vs Chinese New Year

Which would you choose? To spend the day with your loved one.... or to spend it with your loved ones?

I had to choose this year. Spend Feb 14 with my puppy and get what could only be described as worse punishement than what Kathy Bates dealt in Misery... or celebrate Chinese New Year as usual with all my relatives....

With the Chinese blood pumping through my veins.... Chinese New Year trumps Valentine's Day.

Besides, I see the puppy everyday... and as he said "Every day is like Valentine's Day for us... no biggie,"

So yeah, it was the usual stuff... went back to granpa's house on the eve of Chinese New Year.... went to the temple to do the usual prayer offerings....

I love how the offering papers always leave silver markings on my hands... it's like proof... "Here grandpa... I made these with my very own hands!"

The usual fare... always too much great food that you don't know where to start and where to end... and always end up overeating.... to heck with diets...

The morning of Chinese New Year... serving tea to my uncle and aunt... of course with good wishes... and in return, I get my ang pows! Yay!

Then it was back to Ipoh for more family gatherings.... this time for a barbecue at my uncle's house and endless rounds of mahjong....

That's me and two of my cousins.... can't tell who is who here though hahaha

Photo courtesy of www.hugolim.com

It's really more of a spectator/consultancy thing than a game.... as we play... cousins or aunts/uncles will walk past and tell you "Keep this tile," or "Hey you've just won..." and most times, we'll have like 3 consultants per player and 10 spectators all together....
Photo courtesy of www.hugolim.com

This is mom and I.
Photo courtesy of www.hugolim.com

Thankfully.... I received a very pleasant surprise this year for Valentine's Day. I was out shopping on CNY eve (Feb 13) when a florist from back home called up telling me that she has a delivery for me... I told her I'll only be home in a few days time and she said alright, she'll deliver then...

My first Valentine's Day bouquet... also my first bouquet... ever...

It was from Andy. I thanked him and asked him why did he do it. He said I deserved to have flowers. I deserved to be happy. This is a way of him trying to make up for all those years. It was a very sweet gesture... albeit a tad too late...

I didn't tell the puppy who it was from. He asked, and I just said "I don't know, came to me without a sender's name..." and he teased me about having admirers....

Well whatever it is, it's just a bouquet... I've never received a dozen of red roses like this before... so let me bask in it... I deserve it...

Requiscat in pace

My uncle just passed away this morning after a brave and courageous long fight with cancer.

I’m feeling neither here nor there.

I’m partly content because now he doesn’t have to suffer any more. But I’m feeling very heartbroken because I have lost a great person in my life.

He was the uncle that I was closest with growing up. We lived one street away and my cousins were around my age. He was always there watching me grow up and I have always had him in my life.

He was my Kau Fu (that’s Cantonese for mother’s older brother) and I was his Chue Poh (lit. Pig woman. It is a term of endearment he used to call me because I was terribly chubby as a child and it stuck on till now. Most people say it’s offensive to have someone call you that, but I don’t care. That’s between me and my Kau Fu). He was the one I looked forward to hanging out with... he was the one who took me on holidays... he was the one who was always there to defend me when mom wanted to reprimand me... he was always there for me.

There came a point in life where I was growing up and drifted apart from the family. I felt that no one really understood me. But then again not that I really sought them out to do so anyways. I felt that it didn’t matter.

When I first heard the news about his cancer, I seemed unconcerned. It was rather surreal to me. It was only until I saw him during a recent trip. He had aged terribly, looked frail, but was still kept a steady and brave front.

The news this morning didn’t really shatter me as much as I thought it would. In a way, we all knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of sooner or later, unfortunately.

I cried when I broke the news to mom.

He really did mean a lot to the both of us. He was her partner in crime and over protective brother growing up. He was also her solace during her tumultuous years. He was a father figure and a devoted uncle to me.

Kau Fu... I applaud and am greatly proud of your fight. It must have taken so much out of you and I am sorry I couldn’t be of any more help. I know I have never said this but I do appreciate all you have done for me. I love you and I will miss you terribly. More than I can ever express.

Rest in peace....

Cousins

My cousin Pin stopped by Malaysia during a layover yesterday and we went out for dinner.

I guess I can say she's one of my favorite cousins... even though she's 20 years older than me. I mean, I barely see her since she's based in Paris/Phuket/Marrakesh - like, I only see her maybe once in two years or so but when we do meet up, we can talk non stop...

She's such a vibrant, gorgeous and generous person it radiates so vividly. I do miss her especially after a visit at times. I guess in a way she's like my big sister. She's always looking out for me and she's not judgmental at all and I'm telling you, the stuff she tells me... just blows me away. She literally tells me EVERYTHING and ANYTHING.

Anyhoo, she's just had a crazy month of traveling Paris-Chicago-Pennsylvania-Chicago-Paris-Bangkok-Phuket-Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur and she's off to Bali now... and she'll drop by Shanghai to visit her sister... and then back to KL for a short layover...

That's me and my cousins during a Christmas party at my grandfather's house :)
(L-R clockwise) Pin, Lin, me, Anne and Cindy/Sandy (they're twins so I can't tell hahaha)