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Sunday, 14 September 2008

  • agitated....

    sigh.

    Gosh, if one day that my world is filled with sufficiency of what i lacked, my life would be perfect and perfection would lead to satisfaction and content; and i would lead a life of self-content and slowly die of boredom, out of boredom i will seek meaningful purposes, out of purposes i will find out what my spirituality lacks and out of those lacks i will find assumption, certainties and God.

    therefore,
    life filled with or without sufficiency, i still need God/Abba.

    end of babbling.
    bullet point#1-- I am fasting but the more i fast, the more temptation i meet in the name of bingeing.

    bullet point#2-- I am badly bitten by the travelling bug, i hope to go to bali indonesia by next year. mom and i are already headin for shenzhen, China in 2009.



     

Monday, 08 September 2008

  • I kissed Colin Firth in vietnam!


    A good trip is define by the quality of the companionship never the quantity of the people. Just the 3 of us, Sunny, Narcea and I is enough to call it a laugh during our trip to ho chi minh. I am blessed to have good friends who loves me even after seeing me through the days of blunder and dooms. Like-wise to both Ha Oi and Nash. Lots of local pho bo (beef noodles) was consumed, jackfruit stirred fried with shredded pork and peppermint leaves, cockles sizes of ladybird stirred fried with peanuts and peppermint leaves, korean kimchi, more vegetables and peppermint leaves, vietnamese coffee, vietnamese ice cream...... Lets just say our trip is darn fun-loving, appealing and in the words of nash: "Woo-Hoo~"

    Introducing Sunny Le Viet Thanh Ha and Narcea K. Salim. I got to know Narcea through highschool since age 14 (12 years of friendship and still going strong) and then there's sunny, she is a vietnamese pursuing further studies in Malaysia, thats how we meet, she never fails to brighten up my days of blunder (5 years of friendship) whom i called her affectionately as Ha Oi. (Meaning: Sister Ha in vietnam)

    This hotel is from Zurich, Switzerland; they even have a chain here in vietnam. The reason we went there is for the SPA name QiSpa, one of vietnam's many exclusive spas. We are crashing over at Sunny's beautiful apartment.
    It cost me 702,000VND for a mudwrapped body detox. talk about currency exchange, for once, i am a millionaire before 30 years old. Everything is in huge figures, i bought a toothbrush for 14,500VND. Thank god, its not in USD.
    After a day at the SPA, we had fish for lunch. Its a hotpot soup, containing peppermint leaves, pineapple, tomatoes, a kind of lake water fish, parsley, vermicelli and lots of bamboo shoots. Not something malaysian eat as their daily staple, but it was refreshing. I love the tanginess of the fish together with the sweet sourness the soup gives from the pineapple and tomatoes. Yum. And all this for 3 people, only cost RM25.

    We took a visit to the church of NotreDame Cathedral (as shown above), there was service going on when we walk into the chapel, therefore, not much picture was taken inside for respect of the congregations. Its like walkin into the ancient orthodox church of England.

    The inside post office of Ho Chi Minh City, its so English. Notice there's a painted portrait of Late Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam's capital was Saigon City before it was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon City means City of Cotton. Some people say that this name originated from the many cotton plants that the Khmer people (Originate inhabitants of Vietnam) had planted around Prey Nokor. (First Origin name of Ho Chi Minh City)

    Ho Chi Minh city's core is adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. The most prominent structures in the city center are Reunification Palace (Dinh Thong Nhat), City Hall (Uy ban Nhan dan Thanh pho), City Theater (Nha hat Thanh pho), City Post Office (Buu dien Thanh pho), State Bank Office (Ngan hang Nha nuoc), City People's Court (Toa an Nhan dan Thanh pho) and Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nhà tho Đurc Bà). Unfortunately, the reunification palace was closed early due to rehearsal held for a public holiday in commemoration of the country's national day.

    Whats a trip without our own version of Bollywood "crazie tourist" picture perfect shots. park strollers are gazing in amaze at the 3 of us. Including Sunny, many mistaken her for being an american vietnamese. And there's alot of wolf whistle towards Narcea for her non-asian status.

    After the visit to the church, sunny took us along the chain of streets which resemble alot like the ambassy located at Jln Ampang. "Time for Hi-tea" said Sunny enthusiastically, and so, she took us here........
    Alright, normal looking shop house. In fact, I think its quite worn down, kinda feeling I am going to hit a Kopitiam.......
    Old flight of stairs....this place was built since late 60s. Only to be welcome by the following scene!
    La Fenette Soliel, it means "Window of the Sun". This cafe was a home and workplace for the founder here. It was a beautiful blend of the old and new in this place! Chipped window, pink vintage painted ceiling hung low with chandelier and an oak bed by the entrance, lazing lounge by the window for customers to chill. It is simply blissful.
    Lady sunshades!!!!! at 7-ish in the morning.......at the ferry deck. We really couldnt get up because of a late night outing at a new club named accoustic, i fell in love with the guitarist so badly, i "bugged" the girls to go back again after the trip at the beach. hehehehehehehe........
    mocking the japanese annoyingly "face shrinking" finger pose. love to take the mickey out of those "kawaii ne" culture adopted by the asian girls. bad narcea, bad sunny and bad yvonne!! ^_^
    This was taken at Vung Tau (Pronounce Vom Dau) beach on a 1.5 hours ride through ferry. i was badly burnt from the sun b'cuz yours sincerely was smart enough to not apply any Suntan Lotion; my shoulders is peeling as we're speaking. We got to meet a teenage boy named Dick, he thought that me and sunny are from the states due to the english slang we carry around("No la, where got?" I purposely replied towards Dick, just to send him through waves of cultural confusion. Mean prat! *LOL), and narcea is from India. Hahahahahahahahahaha............

    Given an option, i wont be wearing that 'sarong' but i left my extra pair of shorts back in sunny's apartment. My left hand is not clutching the sarong in a pretentious poise, the reason is because its a high slit all the way up to show my entire left thigh! Therefore, i was clutchin it for my dear life the whole afternoon after 'beaching' around. Nash took this shot and i think it was fashion tragic if it ever reach the pages of fashion mags. *cringes*
    Mobile phone, Shades and lots of liquid to keep our skin from dehydrating. This is what u get with 3 ladies in the sun.

    Next Stop; Night scene at Ho Chih Min City.
    Dress to kill. Check out our tan after the trip from the beach. Flushed at Lush. The club reminds me of The Loft at Jln Doraisamy.
    I had a margarita for only RM11!! Met a new friend, Phong (Pronounce 'Foam' means wind in vietnam), we went back to Accoustic club- Emotions talk!!!! I am sooo happy but sadly, magic fingers was not around. :(Anyhoo....introducing the band, the guy next to me is a philippino (ahem...), he's been living in vietnam for the past 12 years already. He used to play for alleycats when he was touring in KL band many years back. Now, he was one of the many shareholders of this club. These musicians work hard to serve because they are the "bosses" for this club as well. Well done.
    Sax N' Art. I secretly cried a tear at one of their classical jazz number, plus the spirit is high at the moment. *blush* Nothing gives me the kick compare to contemporary jazz and a good vibe of the classical percussion.
    as u can see from that glazed complexion of mine, i am slightly tipsy thanks to whiskey.....
    hey, whats music without our turn to sing? after a good lunch at La Catina!! Mexican food in vietnam!
    Karaoke at Happy Day karaoke center for 3.5 freakin hours. Talk about sing your heart out.


    more singing in the evening. We went to watch Mamma Mia in Vietnam. 2 thumbs up for this movie. no, its not dub in vietnamese language, mind you. *roll my eyes*

    (You are my dancing queen, young & sweet, only...Twenty-Six/Five/Four, Dancing queen, feel that beat from the tambourine, O'Yeaaa! *strikes a pose*)

    last but not least....... I kissed Colin Firth in Vietnam!! The movie has sooo many similarities for the 3 of us. I recommend Mamma Mia for music lovers, its really a chic flick. Colin Firth broke my heart in the end, Meryl Streeps role questioned my life about Pierce Brosnan and dot dot dot is a good sing song in our conversation after the movie, right girls?






    NEXT STOP------------> watch this space.................

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

  • Dancing feet...

    there's a proverb in chinese that goes: "U may master/habour a talent when you're young, it doesnt mean u will be an expert when you've grown up."

    like-wise.

    when i was on the dancefloor watchin the regulars prance and lyrically dance to the contemporary, i smile nostalgically.
    boy, have i gone really really rusty. its more than just rythmn, we're talking alot of bending, stretching, squating, leg lifts and handsupport movements.

    I remember the conversation exchanged between me & the newcomer yoga instructor named Indra. She is from Indonesia and she is a certified nutritionist as well, i told her that it is my 1st time joining the yoga and soon contemporary dance class. Her opinion humbles me, "Its good that its your first time, that way you have a clean cut foundation and u can learn everything the correct manner. Some people who stopped certain lessons in other dancing classes elsewhere usually hold the notion that they can be quickly put into shape after stopping for few years. But, training is everything to result and discipline."

    I quietly take those words in and as i was standing at the studio room watching the young girls this evening (say, those girls are just 2-4 years younger than me) naturally flex their body to a sychronised choreographed move, I am sure that I could use alot of discipline to whip back into "that" shape again.

    But i am excited.
    Because all this are beautiful on how u can intepret music through your body. Be it jennifer lopez, contemporary jazz or classical, it is important that I must not be afraid to try  new things and make mistakes. Because only mistakes helps me to rectify the right from wrong, putting myself into this activity can help me train my mind into a quicker reflex.

    I sincerely look forward to more of this classes.
    Hello dancing feet, goodbye limpy limbs.  Wish me Luck!

Friday, 22 August 2008

  • how it applies to ur life...

    "...busy seeing the seamwork of the tapestry (that) i forgot to stand back to look at the artwork."

    i assume this is how i've been viewing my world the whole time, until i took a step back i have the glance of a bigger perimeter which helps to reflect upon my life in a clearer sounder perspective.

    there are always alot of principles we take up in life but we hardly get to put it in action, like the motto i heard: "slow and steady produces patience and faith." but in todays' world of hustling and bustling, many want to have their results here, now & immediately. aside from fast food, fast lane, fast access to the internet, its almost fast everything, the fastly (vastly) producing efficient nations has forgotten the art of slowing down to understand the reason why 'slow' existed in the first place.

    just through yoga classes, i got to understand the practice behind this exercise.
    knowing as a christian, that one must not dwell too deep into this practice, taking it from the observant point of view, i understand each pose teaches me one moral lesson. That is discipline and patience.

    my body is no longer a bouncing 10 year old where striking into a head touches knees poses comes off as a easy shift, instead, poses such as this:

    yoga poses

    Hatha Yoga Class Downward Facing Dog Pose - Adho Mukha Svanasana by myyogaonline.

    got my jittering all over the floor after 15 seconds. hence, along the way, i got to learn the importance of concentration and stretchin the right muscle in my body helps to produce the art of steadiness and balance on each pose, not only that, unlike aerobics, hip hop classes, where you can dance your way to dropping those pounds whereas, exercises like this strengthen my core muscle.

    i have a heavy frame and it kills me everyday to lose those extra pound, but the principle behind this exercise regime allows me to see that patience and faith is 2 essential factor to acheiving any goals in life. there are days i will hesistate to continue this diet but i think part of the parcel in life is self-control, determination and patience in order to overcome failures, fears and woes. aside from achieving a healthy life, in any aspect of goals in life, i need to have faith in God that he is watching me, guiding me, through those times determinations to overcome is produce, patience over trials and sticky situations is produce and through that, u learn sound maturity.

    its eventually taken from the book of james.Chapter 1:2-4
    "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
    again verse 12 says:
    "blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

    I love my GOD and i have gone through many times through trials which i knew i have dishonour/disappoint him but through those recent journeys i learnt he is like the prodigal who waited for his son even though he has wonder off to the big bad world.i am still coping, learning and trusting God. over this time, leaning not to my own understanding, i continue to pray, persist and pursue heavenly father. even through this exercise regime i am attending, he didnt fail to tell me the art of patience and faith.

Sunday, 10 August 2008

  • First step is the hardest....

     DSC00456teresa
    Spacious huh? and next picture is teresa, she is the dance teacher for living arts.

    I have decided to sign up for a Yoga class this monday onwards together with a free trial of contemporary dance class follow by a belly dancing. After that, i will decide which one will pair off with my yoga class. The price to pay for fitness and beauty involves alot of budgeting, planning and praying.

    Do i need to do this? I asked myself.
    Any jerk of a practical thrifty minded friend* would say this: "Why throw so much money into the river? Go jogging, for crying out loud."
    *a so-called friend whom i judge as an demented individual*

    Well, true. But i've always got this dancing needs in my gene pool, i use to be in the dance team in my primary years but i quit the team due to my upcoming exams in high school. Later on, I sorta went cold feet on the audition to get back in the league and the rest is history.

    So, its now or never. Time to come back to my dancing feet....and so, i said a little prayer, took a shower for the hot sunday afternoon and march over to the dance studio right opposite where i stay. I tell you, I am nervous. Because we're talking about the first step in lessons for not just anything but something my heart will leap at. Music.
    **************************************************************************************
    As I stroll along the clean polished woods of the studio, i notice the studio is mirrorless. The dance instructor Teresa said: "This is to promote a sense of creativity as u aspire yourself into the rythmn and the percussion of the music."

    Ah, how artistic and original. Nothing of a typical studio i see where u feel the pressure to poke ur bulging belly while u admire the lean fast-learners who's busy strutting "their thang" in the front-line since they are the regulars. Nothing like that at all. 

    Teresa gives me a feeling that she's a been that, done that kinda gal who's not afraid to express how she feels. She strictly ask of commitment for the classes if i want to see improvement physically. "I guarantee u will sweat like crazy...." followed by a mischevious smile on her face.

    Oh, boy.
    I will let u know more about this in due course. Meantime, i havent even shop for a pair of sport shoes, do i need it? Its the off-peak for my firm, its time to hit the dance floor and get to core of my first love. Music.

    Wish me luck.

VonElle82

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    • Name: Yvonne
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