I found ruby slippers!

Red shoes and generally the colour red is very hot this season.....

Which is fabulous news for me.... When high end designers start a trend like this, it filters down and then you can find many variations on the theme in cheap outlets in local shopping centres...

Yesterday was a very normal day.. almost boring....

I was at a local shopping centre and even though I don't walk into every shop I walk past, I do look from the outside just to see if anything catches my eye from a distance...

When I was walking past a shoe shop, just looking... something red and glittery caught my eye...

coud it be....? Oh My God!!!

The closest thing to Dorothy's ruby slippers I have ever seen!!!

I couldn't believe my luck... at only 35 ringgit, I bought them on the spot...

They don't have a little one inch heel like dorothy's did, they are ballet flats, but they look so incredibly cute and gorgeous when I wear them... I'm actually thinking of going back to get a second pair... one pair to actually wear and one pair to keep. They are fully sequinned and have little bows on the front. Now THESE are the shoes I was looking for when I was shopping with my mother 15 years ago for the perfect shoes to wear as I acted the role of Dorothey in a school play. Better late than never!

They look so magical and eventhough my brother saw me wearing them in the house last night and said I look so stupid wearing big childrens shoes... I don't care!

The good witch would be so proud, the wicked witch would be so jealous and Dorothy would get home.... (If you haven't watched the Wizard of Oz, please do so)

Now just waiting for a great opportunity to wear them...

Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Deepavali!

Hello!

Haven't written in ages!! I know the festive season is starting to wind down but hey, still better to wish everyone.. better late than never!

I'm sure the Hari Raya open houses were fantastic and there are more to come!

Enjoy...

For me, Raya is both a fun time and sad time... 2 years ago, my dear grandmother passed away on the first day of raya...

Raya will never be the same....

I like to think that she is with both my grandfathers now with Kira and Milago in heaven.... They all deserve to be there...

The Red Kebaya

Last night was an exclusive preview of the upcoming movie "The Red Kebaya". Starring the who's who of the local theatre industry I was excited and nervous..... excited because I wanted to see the preview but nervous because this movie is the first movie I have appeared in!

The very private and exclusive affair was held at a lovely restaurant off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng called Ginger. Serves Thai food and has beautiful decor. In my mad rush to get there on time, braving the pre buka puasa traffic, I forgot to take my camera! But not to worry, I have these photos taken during the shooting of the movie last year.

On the set of "The Red Kebaya". Hair and make up done. Just playing with handphone while waiting for it to be time to change into costume.

Like I said, I was nervous when the preview started. Where they going to show my scenes? They did! I look very different to my usual Explorace host self ok!!! But that's a good thing... I should.. cause in the movie I am a super bitchy joget dancer!

After watching the preview, I myself cannot wait to see the movie. The cinematography is beautiful, the special effects are amazing and the acting is polished.

It opens in cinemas on the 23rd of November. You must see it. I promise you, this movie is worth the time and money. To read more about it, visit www.theredkebaya.com. There is a trailer shown on the website... a very short one... we saw a 15 minute one last night....

In my costume made by Shamsu of Margaret McCallum. This dress has the most gorgeous cut!

On the set of the backstage of the joget club scene

The movie's premiere is to be held on the 22nd of November.... Will keep you posted!

GLAM

In this month's issue of GLAM, I contributed an article in their 'makan angin' section. To view it online, just go to www.glam.com.my.

I share my experiences during the Jakarta, Bangkok, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh races of explorace Season 3.

I haven't been my usual chirpy self lately. I miss Kira terribly. Coming home at night and not seeing him at the door waiting for me is totally heart breaking. I heard a cat meow and I turned around desperately hoping it was him.... of course it wasn't... it can't be... I have to keep reminding myself that he's dead... I keep wishing it was all a bad dream and that I will wake up any moment...

Such is the reality of life and the sadness of death...

To all my friends who are fellow cat lovers and have offered their most sincerest condolences, thank you so much... It's always comforting to know that I'm not the only way who had to lose a dearly loved cat in such a horrible way...

In Loving Memory of my little Kira

I wrote a few days ago that my little Kira went missing. So after 4 days of not seeing him, my mother and I went around to our neighbours houses asking if they had seen him.

No one had... I started to feel sick...

I was standing out the front of my house trying to decide with an electrician the best position to install some lights, when a Chinese guy on a motorbike came up to me..

Him : "You cari kucing hitam kah?"

Me : "Ya, kenapa?"

Him : "Dia sudah matilah!"

Me : "APA??!!! KAT MANA???!!!"

Him : " Di atas....."

My brother heard and came running and got onto his motorbike with him and told him to go to where Kira is...

I felt all the blood drain from my head.... I started to run after them but of course they were moving much faster than me on a motor bike..... A few minutes later, my borther comes back... I take one look at his face and I knew...

Kira is dead....

Found by the side of the road... Badly decomposed... He had been hit by a car...

For the second time in less than 18 months, my family has had to endure the pain of losing a dear cat... We are all very upset...

The electrician didn't really know what to do so I just told him to put up the lights wherever he thought was best...

We wanted to bury him in our own garden. So undignified to be left by the side of the road. But we couldn't move him because he was too badly decomposed. So we went to a nearby house being constructed, borrowed a wheelbarrow and shovel and started shovelling earth into it so we could cover him up.

We said a prayer....

Then we had to all try and re compose ourselves because we had plans for the night.... Such a difficult thing to do when you are SO NOT IN THE MOOD TO TALK TO ANYONE!

To people who don't like cats/ animals, don't have cats/ pets or have never felt the pain of losing one, I can totally undertsand that you have no idea how my family and I feel right now...

Thank goodness I have some close friends who understand.....

To my baby Kira, we miss you so much... but at least we have closure... we would have never stopped looking for you... we found you..... but this is not the ending we hoped for...

It's not fair...

May you have and enjoy all of the smoked slamon in Kitty Kat Heaven now....

I love you...

The other coloured painting

As promised, here is pic of the other coloured painting I have done..

This one I did almost 3 years ago now. I did it after work for two days in a row. I just put the unstretched canvas onto the floor and painted away. There was no real planning, what does it mean, what am I try to say... nothing really... I just did it...

This painting hung in my office at Istana Budaya during the last year I was there. Again, many didn't believe I did it...

After I resigned from Istana Budaya, of course I had to clear out my office. Some colleagues asked for this painting but I didn't want to give it away. It was just sitting in my lounge room at home when my good friend Linda Jasmin Hashim (you know her as the Akademi Fantasia choreographer) whom I've know for many years came over, saw it and wanted to buy it! I was so flattered, cause Linda is someone who's taste I've always admired, so I said she can have it, but should she ever not want it anymore, she has to give it back to me....

As for a title... It doesn't have one.. I'm not good at naming my paintings....

Maybe you can offer a title?

A Coloured Painting

Several people have shown interest and been surprised when they find out that I enjoy painting. Even more flattering, they seem to really like them! But I'm always asked..."Only black and white paintings?"

Well....no... I have done 2 coloured paintings. My biggest painting is actually a coloured one about one metre long and 4 feet high... Done almost 3 years ago now. It's hanging in a friends house and I don't have a picture. I've asked her to photograph it and email it to me.

The other one is the one below...

I did this one almost a year ago. For my Explorace promo, they wanted to shoot all the different activities I enjoy doing. So I specifically did this painting for the promo and I was recorded doing the finishing touches on the painting. I completed the painting in one night. It's not that big. About 3 feet by 4 feet. No title... Can't think of one... But the form of the three organic shapes in the centre is based on the shape of lilies (my favourite flower, I just love their smell!) and abstracted..

Once I have a photo of the other one, I will show that too...

By the way, Schizo didn't come home for 2 nights after that heavy rain. When she did, we noticed she had a cut on her leg and mouth... No idea how she got it... And now Kira has been missing for two days..

Why do they do this to us????!!!!! Sigh!!!!

Rain, Rain go away...

I wrote my last blog half an hour ago, and ended it saying I was going to bed...

Well, now it's raining really heavily... with strong winds blowing in various directions, loud thunder and lightning.. and now I can't sleep... Why?

Two reasons - Heavy rain, strong winds, thunder and lightining scare me.. I can't sleep with weather like this.. - The other reason is cause my two furball babies (Kira and Skitso) are not home yet..

Yes, I may be the host of Explorace, happily and willingly taking the opportunity to abseil down towers, free dive in huge aquariums.... all kind of things but I can't sleep in this kind of weather... embarassing huh!

And as for the cats, I'm worried they are going to get drenched in the rain, come back cold and get a chill, get sick and die... You may think I'm being over dramatic, but I lost one kitten before like that while I was still working at Istana Budaya. His name was Milago.

I wrote the following article one day, before I started blogging, just to tell Milago's story. It's never been published before. I invite you to continue reading to find out about Milago...

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It was another typical day for me after work at Istana Budaya. It had rained heavily in the late afternoon and I was heading to the gym for a workout I wasn’t really looking forward too. When I arrived at the gym, I saw friend and owner of the gym, Terry having a drink at the coffee shop. Still debating the importance of a work out, I sat down with him for a drink and we started talking as we always do. There are always a lot of stray cats and kittens in the area, and it was always tempting for me to take one home, but as we lived in a small apartment and my mother doesn’t have a fondness for the cats, most of the time I just bought extra food at the coffee shop and fed them.

I asked Terry about some really cute white kittens that had been around and he said he hadn’t seen them so they must have left. ‘But I did see a little black one just now, but the workers put it outside near the drain…..’ Terry said. I decided to go looking for it to give it some food. I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see. I found the poor tiny creature, absolutely soaked sitting in the drain, sitting very still. I thought it was dead, but suddenly, the cold thing shivered and miaowed. My heart melted for the little kitten who had been heartlessly dumped out in the rain and drain. I immediately picked him up and started to dry him off. He wouldn’t stop miaowing! He must have been so cold….

I totally abandoned all work out plans for the evening and started to wonder what to do. I drove to the SPCA but they were closed. I had no where else to go but home, and despite knowing my mum would freak out, I took him home anyway. My mum did freak so to ask for advice on what to do for the little kitten, I called my grand mother in Australia who is really good with animals. Not fully satisfied with the warm milk and blanket remedy, I convinced my sister, mother and friend to accompany me to a 24 hour vet.

When I walked into the vet and saw other cats and kittens in the waiting area, it was only then did I realize how tiny this little kitten was. “He’s chances are not good, you know…” my friend Yani tried to tell me. The vet saying the same thing didn’t dampen my determination to do my best for the little kitten to get him better. At the vet, we found out that he weighed 250 grams, had fleas, worms, hypothermia and a very low temperature. “Even adult cats have trouble recovering from trauma such as what this kitten has been through. Left out in the cold and rain for probably hours….” Said the vet. “I’m going to try anyway. Give me everything to make him better….” I said. For the first time in my life, I didn’t care how much something was going to cost me.

Besides the stuff from the vet, my sister, Yani and I stopped on the way home to buy a hot water bottle to keep him warm. We put the kitten in a box with hot water bottle and hoped he would make it through the night. He did, but then came the next problem of what to do with him during the day, when everyone was at work… My sister, brother and I took it in turns be at home in various parts of the day to feed him. I had to come home during lunch home to do so. After a few days when driving back home became too time consuming for everyone, I did something I never thought I would do. I put him in a box, still with water bottle, put his milk and syringe in one of my small make up bags and took him to work. I kept him under my desk, fed him throughout the day and took him for little walks outside in the sunlight during lunch break. I managed to do this for two days without any of my colleagues or bosses finding out. But then one day, my boss comes into my office with documents to find me with a kitten bundled up on my lap and typing at my computer. “What’s that?” Zue asks. “It’s a sick kitten I found in drain and he needs a lot of attention to get better so I brought him here” I explained, hoping that I wouldn’t get into trouble. She took a closer look at him, smiled and she says “He’s so tiny and cute. Hopefully he gets better. Here are the documents I wanted to give you.” With that, she walked out of my office. Phew!

He started to go everywhere with either my brother or I. We got a little green basket for him and my brother took him out for dinner with friends at local coffee shops. I took him to a photo shoot for a dance production I was in at the same time. He attracted attention and melted hearts everywhere he went with his cute face and big eyes. The photographer at the shoot, Suzanne Lee took a whole heap of photos of him and us together. He even melted my mother’s heart and said we could keep him! We were amazed! No other creature had won my mum’s heart like that! Time for a name then. After several internet searches for a suitable name, I chose the name Milago, meaning miracle….

I took him back to the vet several more times over the two weeks that I found him. Everytime I took him, something bad was still ravaging his little body. Different kinds of worms, diarrhoea…. I just kept spending more and more to help.

He wasn’t getting any bigger, he was still the same size as the tv remote, but Milago’s personality had really started to come out. He liked to sit on dirty laundry, my father’s briefcase and my silver shoes. His photos were also admired by the dance production team because he just looked so cute. My family, friends and colleagues had really grown to love him.

My family were happy that he seemed to be out of danger. I stopped taking him to work and he started to eat semi solid food. The euphoria suddenly changed when one night when I came home about 11pm after rehearsal to find him in his little cage writhing in pain and gasping for air. I panicked and started to rush to the 24 hour vet, calling my brother and friend on the way. When I got to the vet, he said to me the exact words no pet owner wants to hear from their vet, “There is nothing I can do.” It seems his lack of immune system strength could not kick the various viruses in his body.

My brother arrived and burst into tears when he saw Milago on the vets table, almost dead by this stage. A few minutes after that, he took his last breath….

My friend arrived at the vet to find my brother and I inconsolable. My brother called my parents who were at a conference. My mum was devastated too.

Driving home with his little body bundled up next to me was the most painful drive I’ve ever had to make. My brother and I buried him at 1am that night near our apartment staircase.

The next day was a really long hard day for me at work. My office felt empty without Milago. I was also beginning to enjoy the maternal instincts I never knew I had…. I hardly said a word to anyone. When I told my boss Zue about it, she was so disappointed for me….

My family really felt his loss. My mother, so upset about his death imposed another ‘no cats’ ban on the family household… “I can’t go through this again!” she cried between tears. We almost agreed with her..

But life had other plans for us. Going to buy food for his cats one day, my friend found an abandoned kitten. He brought it home and as soon as I saw her, I adored her. White and black with big eyes, she was the feistiest creature I have ever seen. With my family moving to a new home soon, he agreed to foster her til we moved. She was named quickly - Skitso. How right I was!

My family moved to a house and my mum knew her children were going to bring home another kitten. After bringing Skitso over from my friend's house, I decided she needed a companion. So when I saw little Kira, he came home too…

As I write this, a photo of Milago and I taken during the photo shoot for my dance production is at the frame shop being framed up to hang in our new home. He may have only been with us for 2 weeks, but none of us will forget his brief presence. I am so thankful his presence has been documented in the beautiful photos taken by Suzanne.

Now with Skitso and Kira causing endless havoc in our house with their antics (somehow turning on the washing machine is just one!), we have a ‘no more cats’ ban….. but we’ll see about that… I would like a little tiger looking cat…..

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Well, now rain has stopped. Kira is home. A bit wet so a towel dried him and gave him some food. He should be fine now. Don't know where Schizo is... Aiyoh! Stress me out I tell you... This must be how parents worry...

Now, let's try and sleep again...

Buka puasa with friends

It's ages since I've written...

I've cleaned my room. It looks much more presentable now!

Since fasting month has started, it's a great opportunity to meet up with friends to buka puasa and to chit chat about the latest happenings in our lives.

Tonight, was Vernon whom I met at Alexis Bangsar. First thing he gave me was a salt lamp as a birthday present which he swears makes the air in a room fresher. Hmmm.. I've read about it but never tried.

We had dinner. Food was great. Vernon photographed everything and I'm sure he will be putting all those pics onto his blog (www.mrmanager.blogspot.com)

sorry picture is dark.... use flash = over expose... no flash = this picture...

Since he has not come to my house despite many invitations, tonight I wasn't taking no for an answer! I convinced (forced maybe?) him to follow me home just for a while. He did and could not believe the number of shoes and black dresses I had..... Yes, he will write about all that too I'm sure!

I've already put on the salt lamp... Let's see if it really does work... I hope so! Clear air is such a luxury...

I still haven't finished the painting I wanted to finish... sigh!!!

So much to do, so little time. I wish I didn't enjoy sleeping as much as I do. If I never slept, I could get so much more done!!! Paint more, read more, work out more, write a book maybe.. What to do, we were created with sleeping as a necessity.

On that note, it's time to sleep... Have a photo shoot tomorrow.. Will write about it then...

Good night and pleasant dreams...

Black dresses

I wear a lot of black.... Just take a look at the photos from all of the events I've been to recently and you will see that the base of all my outfits, is black....

Besides ruby slippers, another iconic item of clothing I absolutely love is the black dress. Again, a love influenced by movies...

According to Nancy Macdonell Smith in her book - The Classic Ten - "No one woman or man invented the little black dress. The little black dress was a product of necessity. As women's lives became busier and their status depended less on displaying the wealth of the men they were married to, they needed clothes that were stylish but easy, chic but versatile, beautiful yet practical. The little black dress fit the bill."

But many honour the legendary Coco Chanel as the creator of the modern day black dress. She designed it in 1926 with black jersey material and at the time, many were horrified as jersey was considered an underwear fabric and black was associated with mourning, evil and negativity.

Coco Chanel in one of her black dresses

A movie star legend who wore some of the most beautiful black dresses in her movie star roles has got to be the one and only - Audrey Hepburn. In 1954, she did the movie Sabrina. The character used chic black dresses to prove to all those around her that she was all grown up after her trip to Paris. Audrey's partner in crime in creating the still copied "Audrey look" was Hubert de Givenchy.

Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina

And who could forget the black dresses in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961?

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

I don't know of any modern woman who doesn't own a black dress... or several... Do you?

I must confess, that I just counted mine... I have 18... believe me please, they are all COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! It's a variety of beaded, day dress, velvet, with ruffles, see through portions, plunging neckline, vintage, short, long, mid length..... they all have a very individual look and feel. I have to keep telling myself to try and buy other colours....

Why do I personally love black dresses? You can't go wrong wearing one. If you spill something on yourself or if someone else does, a quick wipe off with the nearest bit of tissue and some water and you will be able to get through the night's event without looking like you had an accident. A simple change of accessories can completely change the look. Example, Last week, I went to work in the morning with a black wrap dress on with no accesories. Time for Harper's Bazaar event, add pink belt, change shoes, hand bag and earings to pink as well to suit the theme. For Anya Hindmarch launch, keep black dress on, take everything else off, add red jacket, change bag and shoes to match and you get a completely different look....

And most of all, it hides every single possible physical flaw...

I try to avoid buying black dresses now, since I already have 18, but deep in my fashion loving heart, if I try one on that makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn, I will be bringing it home to introduce it to the other black dresses in my wardrobe...

PS - If I carry Kira when I'm wearing a black dress, you seriously can't see him!

Red Shoes..

I love red shoes....

When I was still in school, at age 10 I think, I played the role of Dorothy form the Wizard of Oz in my school, Sri Inai's school play. So of course, the MOST IMPORTANT item of costume was the famed ruby slippers or red shoes. I remember looking in many shops with my mum looking for the perfect pair of red shoes for me to wear. I really wanted glittering ones.... but we were running out of time... and we still couldn't find a pair. The best we found was a pair of red patent leather flat shoes... At least they were shiny...

Besides Cinderella's glass slippers, Dorothys red shoes are probaly the most famous shoes in movie and musical history. I have watched "The Wizard Of Oz" movie SO MANY times, I could still watch again now, and always loved the close up shots of those shoes.... all fantasy filled and glittering, and the most perfect shade of red.... One thing I don't like about the ending of the movie is that she doesn't get to keep the ruby slippers!!

Marilyn Monroe also wore a pair of red shoes with matching glittering plunging neck gown in the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". This is my favourite Marilyn movie. The costumes play a very big part in this choice. It seems Ferragamo designed and made the red shoes for her for the movie.

what I would give for a pair of shoes like these!!!!

Below is a pic of a pair of shoes I received for my recent birthday as a present. I was so excited when I saw them. I haven't had a chance to wear them yet. Still thinking of the perfect outfit to show off these shoes!!! it definitely won't be long dress of pants.. don't want anything obstructing the view!

I recently spotted these red shoes on the Stuart Weitzman website just recently. I excitedly dropped by the store at KLCC when I went there recently for the Anya Hindmarch launch only to have them tell mke that they are not bringing this design in.....

AAAAAARGH!!! When I asked why, they said cause they don't think it would sell here in Malaysia.... But I would buy them!!!! Sigh...

So I'm still looking for the most perfect fully glittering red pair of shoes in the perfect shade of ruby....

It's the weekend!!

It's the weekend! Bulan Ramadhan / fasting month starts tomorrow. I actually have nothing planned for the weekend, besides menial jobs like clearing out the junk that has accumulated in my car over the past week... washing, clean bathroom, watch CSI, play with cats and some painting..

Above is the latest painting I did. It was inspired by Medusa but these three women look too nice to be evil Medusas! Never mind... now they look like 3 mermaids. I've started another one and promised my friend Sarah I would do one for her... Hopefully I can do that this weekend. You may wonder why black and white. I've always liked black and white imagery.... black and white photos can be dramatic, subtle, sexy yet demure all at the same time.... Colour in art sometimes is too distracting for me.... I see the colour, not the form, lines and sometimes even miss content cause I like the colour... So at the moment, the art I'm doing is all black and white...

I just took this really cute photo of Schizo... She looks so adorable and innocent... Looks only!

Thank God it's Friday

Friday morning, I'm starting to feel exhausted...

But there are things to do and time is passing on...

I was stressing all morning about the shoot I directed in the afternoon... As Explorace shoots are now complete, I am now assigned to "Apa-Apa Aje" (a fun talk show on Monday and Thursday 10 - 11 am) and coordinate and host two segments called "Smart Living" and "A New Me".

So Friday I had to direct a shoot for "A New Me". I was hoping that there would no problems... anything can go wrong when you deal with 2 talents, a cameraman, camera booking, transport booking, hair and make up appointment, booking with store owners....

Thankfully, nothing went majorly wrong!!! Jebat who was a cameraman who travelled as part of the Explorace crew was the cameraman assigned to me for the day... so since we have worked together before, it was easy for us to communicate ideas on how to shoot.... My two talents, Hanida, a former colleague from Istana Budaya and family friend Margarita looked gorgeous and were so comfortable in front of the camera. A Cut Above did a lovely job on their hair and make up and totally transformed them.

Hanida then modelled clothes from the shop "Poya" in Bangsar Shopping Centre and Margarita modelled clothes from "Intoxi-Kate". Both paraded their dressed up looks for the camera!!

(Thank you to A Cut Above, Poya and Intoxi-Kate for such a pleasant shoot!)

with cameraman Jebat and Margarita at Intoxi-Kate, Bangsar Shopping Centre

After the shoot, Jebat and I got stuck in the usual after office hours traffic to get back to the office.... Sigh! I was so hungry I started to get a headache! We finally arrived back at TV3. After returning Tv3's car keys to the appropriate department, I got into my car and headed to TTDI for dinner with Explorace crew... a celebration for a job well done.

After dinner, my headache disappeared, thankfully, because my night was not over yet! Next stop was the VIDA! magazine event at 'relish' in Changkat Bukit Bintang. Time to change again... From baju kebaya to black pants, top, gold belt, shoes and bag... don't ask how or where.. I can't believe I did it.....

I arrive at the really cute place (it has chandeliers.... several too!! I love chandeliers) and the first thing the sweet guy and girl said to me at the registration counter was "Ha! You're Explorace!" Yay!!! People who watch my show!!!

I went in and met several people I know and congratulated Jacqueline Pereira on the success of her magazine... Such theatrical covers!!!

As I was sitting down, I saw a gorgeous pair of open toe, black patent leather shoes on someone's slender legs and feet... "What beautiful shoes!" I think to myself.. "I wonder who is wearing them?" I look up to see Clara, Marketing Manager of Fendi wearing them..... I go up to her (it's the third time we've met this week!) and confess that I saw her shoes before I saw her!!! We both had a good laugh...

All of the events of the week finally took their toll on me.... I wanted to go home....

Again, I got stuck in traffic.... sigh..... but I finally did get home and had the most luxurious and longest shower ever.... and changed again... this time, the most comfortable clothes ever..pyjamas...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........................

Explorace Season 3 comes to an end..... (sob!)

In the morning, of Thursday 21st Sept, I was rostered to be the floor manager during the live telecast of Apa - Apa Aje. I was so nervous and I had every right to be... It's a live show and I have never been floor manager (FM) before..... I had to cue the hosts, point to which camera they had to face.... so to be able to do this I need a communication device (walkie talkie or headset) to commuicate with the control room.

First problem, no headset... not too sure why... I was given walkie talkie instead... It kept out of contact with the control.. I asked a techinician to have a look.. "battery weak" he says, and takes it away... so I had NO communication device at all!!!!! I had to manage a whole segment without one!!! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry... Finally got it back for the last few minutes of the show... I was so relieved when the show was over...

After I calmed down from the stress I felt cause by "Apa-Apa Aje", we did a rehearsal for the official prize giving ceremony of Explorace Season 3.... Rehearsal over, time to change and do make up...

It went smoothly and all the contestants were happy with their prizes... Reezman and Azhari are probably wondering now how best to use their money and flight ticket.... RM 100, 000!!! It was so much fun to have so many of the people involved in Explorace, both on and off camera, together again... so much laughter and noise!!!!

I must tell you this though, Reezman and Azhari were the first to arrive to me at the finishing point in the Kedah race.. but for the prize giving, they were the last to arrive!!!! How ironic!! We had to wait for them to arrive before we could start!!!

with the winners of Explorace Season 3, Reezman and Azhari (aka - crazy clowns, jumping jellybeans - I'm sure you come up with your own name for them too!)

Some of the crew of Explorace Season 3 copying Reezman and Azhari's trademark pose

Upon completion of the event, it was then time to change again!!! This time to attend the Fendi launch of the Palazzo bag at Starhill

It was a really nice event and different from others I've been to. Five lovely stylish ladies (Marini Ramlan, Yasmin Yusoff, Deanna Yusoff, Camelia and Joanne Bessey) were invited to emote, and create with vision, their interpretation of "Objects of Desire" through the camera lens. So they all interpreted the bags design/ concept into a photograph.

The super sexy and stylish Marini Ramlan (who is a colleague of mine at TV3) explaining her inspiration behind her photographic composition. Everyday I've worked with her, she always looks incredibly beautiful. At the Fendi launch, she just looked better than I've ever seen here. The Fendi dress and bag really suited her! I could never wear something like that and pull it off. She is going to feel like strangling me when she reads this, but that's ok... (she's got great legs too! I hate her!)

Each set of photographs by the different ladies was completely different!! It was a great topic of conversation for all those present at the event.... Congratulations Clara (Marketing Manager of Fendi) for a new approach to launches! (to view the photos, visit Starhill Gallery, Adorn Balcony, Sept 22 - 30)

Traffic was horrible getting home!!!! I wanted to get home in time to watch the very last and final episode of Explorace Season 3....

I felt sad after watching that final episode... So many behind the scenes memories, so much hard work.... but all good things come to an end...... (sob! sob!)

Thank you to the millions of viewers we had following and watching the show (yes, millions). We hope you enjoyed watching it as much as we enjoyed doing it....

Now I want all of you to begin your very own extreme journey!!!!

Pics from Wednesday... finally uploaded!

As promised, here are the pics from Wednesday's blog titled 'on the move'.

In the recording studio where I did the voice over for the playback video for the Explorace prize giving ceremony.. realistically, this is what i look like with not a scrap of make up on and barely brushed hair.....

My colleagues at TV3 attacking all the good food during our little pre ramadhan pot luck party. Notice how no one is really talking to each other?! All too busy eating or thinking about what to eat!

Nick Munro's jelly mould launched with Harper's Bazaar and Royal Selangor. The two cones sitting next to each other really reminded me of Madonna's conical bra by Jean Paul Gaultier. Agree?!

With designer of the jelly mould, Nick Munro. He conveniently placed one of his cones on my head for this shot!

With the always stylish editor of Harper's Bazaar, Natasha Kraal. I envy her wardrobe!

With Soo Shea Pin, Director of Anya Hindmarch Malaysia. In the background is all of their lovely new collection of bags....

On the move..

Arrive at office and the events of the day begin!

I have to do a shoot for "Apa-Apa Aje" this Friday and almost didn't get a cameraman for it! After much pleading with the facilities department and a little re shuffling on their part, I managed to book one. Phew! Fingers crossed that this Friday there is no mix up!

Another voice over with Kama for the Explorace Prize Giving Ceremony. Brought back a lot of memories watching all the playback from the whole season.. There is so much that can only be felt and not seen on tv!

With the fasting month starting this Sunday, my department at the office decided to have a pot luck lunch party today... There was SO MUCH food!!!! Just look at everyone attacking the food! It all tasted great!

Check watch. Time to start making a move to the J.W Marriot to attend the launch of the Nick Munro jelly mould to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer in conjunction with Harper's Bazaar.

Get into car and apply make up (from scratch!) Since the theme of the event is stylishly pink, I change my shoes, handbag, earrings and add a belt to my outfit.... in the car...

Arrive at the event and everyone looks so sweet in their splashes of pink clothing..

I have a look at the jelly mould and the first image that comes to my mind is Madonna's cone bra designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for one of her world tours... bras are very closely associated with breasts, so I figure it could have been a source of inspiration for the designer...

Speech time! And guess what, Nick Munro, the designer of the jelly mould actually said that one of his inspirations for the mould was Madonna's cone bra!!!!!

Natasha Kraal, editor of Harpers Bazaar's speech brought tears to my eyes as she talked about how her sister passed away at the age of 28 (so young!) due to breast cancer and was given only six months to live when she found out....

It really hit me... I'm 26, and I haven't even begun to do as much as I want to. To find out you're going to go in six months is something I would not wish for ANYBODY!! And the thought of losing my sister in six months and the decline this disease causes in front of your eyes must be unbearable for anybody...

I'm sure there are many others, like me, under 30 who think "this won't happen to me". Natasha's speech made me realise that it could... Thank you...
(check out the October issue of Harper's Bazaar to read more about the collaboration between the magazine, Nick Munro, Royal Selangor Pewter and their strive for greater breast cancer awareness)

The little chocolate treat served here was fantastic... I had so many, I started to feel sick.

Checked my watch and decided it was time to go to KLCC to attend the launch of the new Anya Hindmarch collection at the boutique. Again, I changed my shoes, handbag, earrings and took off the belt and put on a jacket in the car... why???!!!! my Anya Hindmarch bag is red, so I felt the need to adjust my outfit to match the bag... any fashion lover would understand this!

There wasn't that many people at the Anya Hindmarch boutique by the time I arrived... Everyone had come and gone.... I got to see the collection more closely then! I had a nice chat to Soo Shea Pin, the Managing Director of Anya Hindmarch Malaysia..... and have my eye on a few of the bags in the shop now...

Not long after, it's time to head back to the office and home.. time to finish up preparations for another big day tomorrow..... you will hear about it soon....

(I've made MANY attempts to attach pics from the day to this blog, but it just doesn't want to do it at the moment!!!! So frustrating!!!! Promise to post them when connection is working better...)

Intoxi-Kate launch

More pics from the Intoxi-Kate launch

sitting in front row with other personalities

Lining up with the models. This angle really conceals the height difference between the models and I!!!

Intoxicating....

6 am - alarm starts to ring... i hate that sound!

7 am - finally think it's a good idea to get out of bed... the usual morning routine follows

8 am - Start facing morning traffic..... thank God for good morning radio shows..

8.45 - Meet colleagues at venue of the day's presentations and discussions for next year's
programming

1 pm - Rush back to office with colleague to do remaining voice overs for this Thursday's
episode of Explorace. Problem with tape.... aaargh!!! We don't have time for this!
This show goes on air on Thursday!!

2 pm - Problem solved, hopefully permanently, and we rush back to continue the second
half of today's presentations

5. 40 pm - Presentations complete. Leave immediately to speed to Bangsar Shopping Centre
for launch of new collection and 1st anniversary of Intoxi-Kate by Richard Tsen.
What time was I supposed to be there.... 5.30 pm!!!!

6.00 pm - Arrive at Bangsar Shopping Centre. Run to lift. "SORRY. OUT OF ORDER" sign.
Damn...... Run to next lift (in 3 inch heels!). Head to nearest public bathroom as
soon as doors of lift open. Change from work clothes into gown for the event (I'm
so not joking!) in the public bathroom! Wash face at sink and apply make up from
scratch. Fluff up hair with fingers, dump everything in paper bag and run to elevator.

6.15 pm - Arrive at entrance of Intoxi-Kate, almost breathless. "Hi Sasha, please take your seat.
We will call your name to come forward and stand with our models to present you as
our celebrity model for the event at the end of fashion show."

Sit down. Sitting with me in front row includes Dayang Nurfaizah, Marion Caunter and
Stephanie Chai. Fashion show begins. Clothes are fabulous! Great colours, versatile,
feminine and flowy..... start making mental notes of which ones I want and where I
could wear them to!

6.30 pm - Name is announced to come up and stand with models. I feel like a midget / dwarf
standing next to these beautiful and tall girls. Smile and carry on! Some are just
lucky to strike genetic lottery..... I definitely didn't get their height!

with designer Richard Tsen and I'm wearing dress from his latest collection

6.35 pm - Refreshments. A nice drink of cool juice.... aaaaahh!

7.15 pm - Almost everyone has left, time to say good bye....

7.45 pm - Arrive home. Am informed there is chocolate cake in the fridge.... yay!

11.00 pm - Haven't seen cats.. where are they? They haven't been fed yet.. Time they go to
bed too....

mental note - don't forget to set alarm for tomorrow (groan!) I hate that sound...

A Cat's Life

It has been a crazy week! First I got sooooooo sick.... the sickest I have been all year. Every joint in my body ached, my nose was stuffed, my throat was sore, my ears blocked, nauseous.... I got it all!

Two days in bed and just as I'm thinking I'm going to be back in the office soon so I could get work done, I get a phone call.. "You're going to Johor tomorrow to be part of the Kembara Mahkota Johor..." I really thought my blocked ears were deceiving me... tomorrow?! yes...

I drag my still aching body to the office to get more info and then make my way home to start packing.... I thought I wouldn't be using my suitcase for a while...

So I go, continue to be sick the whole time I was there (2 days) but still managed to find the energy to smile at all the people waving flags at our convoy as we drove past and for every photo..... It's not glamorous at all when you're sick!

As I'm in the car on the way back, I began to feel nauseous again. oh no.... please!!! I've got so much to do when I get back!!!

I allow myself to rest the rest of the day I arrive back, but come today (Sunday) I looked in the mirror and realised I needed some professional help... a hair dresser!

Before I went to the office, I visited the hair dressers to rectify my hair that was beginning to resemble a disintegrating bird's nest... I decided to get a manicure too...I never do manicures and halfway through I realised why... because to me it takes forever for the polish to dry properly!

To the office.... there is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on... believe me! even on Sundays...

I get home to find my two kitty kats lounging around as if THEY have had the hardest week of their lives! I suppose chasing lizards, cochroaches and frogs is hard work in kitty kingdom...

I wonder if she's dreaming... "mmmm, mountains of smoked salmon"

I'll work hard this time round, but in my next life, I want to come back as a cat! How wonderful it might be to be so amused and be able to be kept occupied for hours by chasing bits of paper or whatever other silly things cats do!

More pics from Art for Nature

Here are more pics from the Art for Nature exhibition at Rimbun Dahan....

This piece was a nice colourful collage of a variety of food packagings, eg bottle caps.. plastic.. as described

" Choy's fantastical collage recalls every casual meal we've ever eaten out"

In other words, to me, all the junk food we've eaten on the run or when there is no other choice! I would hang this in a kitchen...

This series of 4 paintings is by Yau Bee Ling - Contemplation (Kitchen) I-IV reveals the tumult and strength within the artist. Her sophisticated use of colour and form suggest many possible readings. -

I didn't read too much into this work.... I just liked the colour combination and the texture..

"Clickproject's groovy plates humorously update the deorative china plates aunties all over Malaysia display in their living room...."

I liked these! A very fun collection of plates... Very modern, fresh feel....

Here, I'm looking at Hayati Mokhtar's 'Tideline' - beautifully detailed photographs meander in an organic line, chronicling the plastic debris of modern life, mingled with the natural environment-.

A very disturbing piece I feel, especially when one thinks deeply about it...