Benefit b.right workshop/ Guinness @ Hakka/ Don’t Duck It campaign

Just a few things that I wanted to share before the year ends. Sometimes I sit on the photos for too long that I overlook them, which is a bad habit that I need to break.

So here are some fun things that I got down to:

Attended a Benefit Cosmetics workshop where they showed us how the b.right skincare range complements makeup application.

Benefit b.right skincare

I already like the b.right skincare stuff, especially the foaming facial cleanser which I think is good for my face. Smells great too, and got my question answered on the fragrance – all natural and no additional chemical to make it smell nicer.

The fun part for me was to watch the Benefit pro teaching assorted makeup tricks. They make it look so easy but I know that it takes a lot of trial and error to get it right. We got to play around with Benefit makeup which was already a reward in itself: they make such GORGEOUS powder and stuff!

Here’s the Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner on Joyce:

Benefit eyeliner on Joyce

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There was a dinner at the famous Hakka Restaurant in KL by Guinness to showcase how well Guinness goes down with local Chinese food. It was quite a fun experiment: eating each item on the menu followed by a drink of Guinness. At the end of the day we learned that Guinness is best enjoyed with salty food. Also the more Guinness you drink, the better the food tasted.

Also, Michael downed a shot of Guinness with fresh oyster + lemon. Apparently that’s how a lot of people enjoy their oysters, something that I’d never find out because I don’t eat uncooked oysters. Ick.

Guinness paired with Chinese food - menu Guinness paired with Chinese food - oyster with Guinness

Here’s just a photo to show you some of what we had that night. Mostly for showing off because Hakka Restaurant’s food is really, really delicious. Mmmm I think it’s time for a family dinner at Hakka 😀

Guinness paired with Chinese food - Hakka restaurant food

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Tock asked me if I wanted to get splashed with paint for a breast + cervical cancer awareness campaign that he was working on. I said ok lor. This is an individual poster of me with the paint et al. Not my exact quote though, perhaps they didn’t have time to edit everyone’s.

Don't Duck It - Suanie

Don’t Duck It was a noteworthy campaign so I should talk more about it. It’s under the Passionately YOU Cervical & Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a collaboration between Assunta Hospital, Asia Assistance, Jaya One and PJ Live Arts. The purpose: support the cause for cervical and breast cancer awareness and early detection.

You know lah, people always put off minor irritants and pain until the last minute because “this can’t happen to me”. Or they are afraid of finding out what’s wrong so they leave it until they cannot leave it anymore. Unfortunately by that time, if something really DID happen, it could be too late. Padahal if they’d have early detection, immediate treatment could and possibly would have made them well.

But you know, manusia. Anyway the campaign also helped raise funds for the Community Treatment Program at Assunta Hospital that provides aid to cancer patients from the low income group. At the end of it, a staggering amount of RM 93,082.20 was raised for the hospital. Well done you guys 🙂

*applaud applaud*

Here are some shots from the shoot, it was quite fun being so messy with paint. My only unhappiness with the shoot was that the paint was not easily washable so my favourite denim shorts was totally k.o. Sad, sad 🙁

Don't Duck It - Suanie and Niki

But I get to spray paint at Niki Cheong. Happy, happy 🙂

Don't Duck It - splashing paint

Here’s one with Helenness, Kal and Harinder. Mei Ying wasn’t in the photo, she had to leave early. I had fun messin’ her up with paint though 😀

Don't Duck It - Suanie, Helenness, Kal, Harinder

To Bangkok, to Bangkok

Off to Bangkok in a few hours for…

Yanni Live  on Tour

😀 😀 😀

We only appreciated his genius after watching his Yanni! Live in Concert DVD which was different from his older, more sombre types of concerts. Until today I can’t go through some songs without feeling those goosebumps!

Thrilled as he doesn’t come to our neck of the woods often. Have much faith in the non-flooding in Bangkok, which if my faith was misplaced, my blog goes to ST who’s probably the only one who knows what to do with it…!

You have a good start to the week too! 🙂

Milestone 30

Yeap, turned 30 today. My glorious 20s are officially over.
Can’t you tell that I’m more peaceful already? 🙂

I don’t have anything to share, except a postcard from Berlin of a wall somewhere in the city.

Suanie birthday wall in Berlin

The neighbour’s kid

Not my neighbour, she hasn’t moved in yet.

Rather, my sister’s neighbour. They are a Dutch family, have been here for a few years and decided to move back this year. They left a couple of days ago. They also left a huge hole in Ryan’s heart.

Actually I just made that up. I don’t know what Ryan thinks about it because I’ve not spoken to him. He has been busy spending a lot of time with the neighbour’s kids’ before they were due to go back.

I’m also trying to dramatize the life of a 6 year old because I can.

So. The neighbour’s boy is a couple of years younger than Ryan. He has big blue eyes and straw blonde hair. He is also very thin and weighs almost nothing. Once I lifted him up and almost hit his head on the ceiling because of the momentum. Nah I’m kidding. But it felt like it and I managed to stop myself.

Most of the time, I do not understand what he is talking about. Ryan understands him but I don’t. I just nod a lot, exclaim a lot of, “REALLY?” then divert his attention. To me, he sounds like a chipmunk. Cute but inaudible.

I saw him the day before he was to go home. Got down to his level and asked for a hug.

“NOOO!”
Ryan whispered to him, “You better hug!”
“Nooo I don’t want a hug”
Me: “Why not??”
“…[insert sounds here]…”
Me: “Really??”

I think I’ll miss him for a while.

Suanie’s experience at the BERSIH 2.0 rally on 09 July 2011 at Puduraya

Long post ahead. Really one, I no bluff you.

In this blog post, I’m documenting mostly of what I saw (not all, ‘cos you really don’t want to know the price of my LRT ticket, do you?), some of what I’ve heard from friends’ own accounts and very, very little of what I’ve read from strangers’ accounts.

Why did I go for the BERSIH 2.0 rally? ‘Cos I believe that its basic objective is to call for reforming the electoral process in Malaysia for cleaner and fairer elections. Did I not think that Malaysia’s elections aren’t fair and clean? No, I don’t believe so. What if you believed? That’s you, not me.

I’m not a member of any political parties, only a Malaysian who loves her country. Doesn’t mean I HAVE to love Malaysia’s current ruling coalition. Doesn’t mean I blindly believe and support the opposition parties. I disagree with the infiltration of certain people whom I highly distrust (read: Anwar Ibrahim) into the BERSIH 2.0 front. But I believe that if the situation was reversed, BN would have done the same.

I believe in peaceful rallies. I see it as a sign of stating your cause and gathering more support. Hey, sounds like the ceramah and walkabouts that politicians do during election time! I don’t believe it is illegal, especially coming from those who cannot handle keris and cow heads.

It’s like changing your Facebook status to show support for cancer patients who have only one wish, that is to kick cancer’s butt so if you agree post this as your status for at least one hour. Or running to help raise money for causes that you believe in. Same principles, really.

I don’t believe the mainstream media can report what they really feel. Have you heard of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984? It’s a draconian remnant from Mahathir’s early leadership. In a nutshell, all print publications have to renew their license every year with the Home Ministry. The Home Ministry can revoke or choose not to have the licenses renewed for their own reasons. The Star has a few thousand employees under its payroll. That’s a lot of livelihoods, you know.

But for elections to be fair, the press has to be free. Of course, not all press and journalists are for BERSIH 2.0. But right now, it seems that all of them are against it. I personally know that it’s not the case. People who were there know what really went down.
[Read more…]

Monday tales about my mother!

There’s a story about my mother that I never tire of telling.

In fact, I had to do a quick search on my blog to make sure that I’ve not shared it before. Doesn’t seem like I have. Even if I did, well I suppose you’ll have to read it again 🙂

As you may know, my mom has been a teacher all her life. There’s a reason and a reaction to this. The reason you’d probably know is because I’ve told you then followed by your reaction of, “Har? You don’t seem like a teacher’s daughter leh…”

To which I may answer, “Teacher’s daughter got look one meh?” or if I wasn’t in the mood, “Yah loh.”

My mom is now retired though she occasionally does contract teaching work. Kids flock to her like moths to a light. Some people are just that good with children. As my mom actually gave a rat’s arse about what she does, she became an excellent teacher. Yes, apparently it’s something to be learned.

One of the responsibilities of being headmistress was to give a speech during the weekly Monday assembly. It can be rather dull listening to the same things over and over again. I know ‘cos I went through many such Monday assemblies during my primary and high school years. Zzzzz…

Well, it wasn’t fun for my mom either as she was also bored of repeating herself. How many times can you remind the students to study hard, always attend classes and pay attention to their teachers? Sometimes she tried to do it differently, give it a twist so to speak.

One Monday assembly, my mom stood in front of her fellow teachers and primary school students, who were probably as uninterested in the Monday speeches as I was during my time.

“Bla bla bla announcements bla bla bla school rules bla bla bla…”
Low buzz arising as the kids begin to stir, impatiently waiting to get back to their classes.
“I want you all to be thieves!”
Silence. Har??
“… and steal your teachers’ knowledge…” my mom grinned.

Until today, I still think that was one of the funniest and coolest thing I’d ever heard.

Happy Teachers’ Day, Mama Lim! 😀

Oh while we’re on the subject of my mom, I might as well tell you another story lah.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom called me on my mobile. I was a bit worried as it was 10.30pm and she’d never called me that late in the night before. She sounded chirpy and excited though, so pheww..

“Hey, I made an orange chiffon cake today! It was perfect you know! It rose beautifully, it’s all fluffy and puffy and spongy: perfect!”
“Har.. okay..”
“… but cannot be eaten one.”
“Har?? Why not??”
“‘Cos instead of putting 3 ounces of sugar, I put 3 ounces of salt HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.”
“HAR??? Why did you do that?”
“How I know why I have salt among my baking goods?!? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!”

Damn cute la my mom.

Feeling good, thanks to you

This is a “thank you” blog post. There, I’ve just summarised the content of this blog post so you’d be absolutely clear with what this is about. No? Okay then. This is a “thank you” blog post.

Those who can’t donate their money, donate their time. Or try to, for I know how easy it is to get caught up with our own things. I’ve been lucky to be involved in a few projects at the 1st quarter of 2011. You’ll have to forgive some rambling ons as I write this also for my own life documentation.

#1. BBQ Addicts’ Rumah Hope outing

Rumah Hope outing - group photo
Group photo with volunteers and kids at the outing

I blogged about it here. Thinking back, wow what an amazing trip eh? I helped to organise the goody bags for the kids, and till today I’m amazed at how open and generous everyone has been. From my stationery supplier to my family and friends, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The outing itself was great! I learned a few things about being with kids, and surprisingly about my friends. E.g. It was real eye-opening to see how good Melissa was with the kids. I know she does it for work, but we know how that turned out for some unfortunate kids… Anyway I feel that there are lots about caring for and handling children that everyone can learn from her!

#2. Lenovo laptop giveaway, donate in aid of the Japanese Red Cross Society

Win a Lenovo - Masnaida
Masnaida, winner of my Lenovo Ideapad U460 contest

Who’s the luckiest girl in the world? Me. Who’s the luckiest girl in the world that Lenovo gave her an EXTRA laptop to giveaway in a contest? Me. Say what you will about perspective and angles: my perspective and view is that I have been a very, very lucky girl.

Of course the 1st thank you goes to Lenovo MY: without which, the whole thing would not have happened. A personal thank-you to Blake for being so patient facilitating the process. Next to everybody who helped spread the message about the contest on my blog. Finally, to friends and random readers who donated, thank you so much for your generosity. I don’t know how much the MilkaDeal donation drive raised but at least RM5,400 came from my side. That’s amazing!

#3: Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2011

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2011
Programme for the event. Photo by Nigel

I was part of the organising team for Twestival KL 2009 along with Niki, David, Ling, Radiance and Nigel. Never did blog about it because I was so burned out then. I suppose it was due to me giving pressure to myself and not being mentally prepared for the event. It was very successful, by the way. Our 1st Twestival KL fund-raising. I remember us being so worried if we were ahead of ourselves and that may not meet our target of RM3,000. As Twestival KL history would have it, we raised over RM11,000 in cash for Destiny Starting Point, a home in Klang for delinquent teens.

This year, I went back to Twestival KL and the team has expanded to include Andrew and IcedNyior. Bloody brilliant team, if you ask me! It was slightly tough as Niki is currently based in Singapore for a few months but we pulled through, yeay! On March 24th 2011, we had a FANTABULOUS fund-raising event at Finnegan’s Midvalley. Final count for our donation drive: a spectacular amount of RM26,000 in aid of Pertubuhan Masyarakat PRIHATIN in Kota Bharu, a NGO caring for single mothers and kids living with HIV/AIDS. I’m still doubled over at how we managed to pull that off =)

On my side, I wish to thank everyone I’ve asked for help. Thank you for hearing me out, I’m sure you’ve enjoyed my automated script of explaining what is Twestival? Hah! 😛 If you don’t know what Twestival is, do find out from here. We’ve a GREAT list of sponsors who were so generous, do check them at our Twestival KL blog. I’m just going to quickly mention those that I directly contacted, k.

Thanks to Melissa of Finnegan’s for replying to my tweet then immediately volunteering the venue and food! Thanks Joyce for the really cute Favors Essence souvenir. Thanks Patrick Teoh for vouchers to my favourite steamboat restaurant. David Cheong, thanks for the photos! Thanks Nigel for the STUFF stuff 😉 Thanks Hafiz, the BEST swimming coach in the world and some say Bukit Jalil. Thanks Kel Li for all the lovely Sony Music goodies, and the Adam Lambert CD (WHOA!). Thank you Selva of Original Bootcamp Malaysia for agreeing to sponsor without hesitation. Thanks to my Bootcamp buddies who have been so generous and supportive, you know who you are! Thanks to friends and followers of @TwestivalKL: sekiranya saya salah silap tweet, saya minta maaf.

To end, a big thank you to DaddyLian and Niki for roping me in 2 years ago, and thank you to Ling and Radiance for having me. Mwah! <3