AIDILFITRI FAMILY PORTRAITS

Since Syawal is fast approaching, I thought it would be appropriate if I posted our Aidilfitri family portraits. We started taking portraits every Syawal when I was just a little girl. But Mama said after Zaid got sick, there was no time to continue that particular tradition. We started taking portraits again when I was in secondary school (I think..). But it only became something that we just HAD to do until a few years back (circa 2005)...

So every first day of Syawal, we would first perform the Solat Aidilfitri at the local masjid. Next, we would have breakfast , usually nasi impit, rendang and kuah kacang. Then we'll have the salam-salam, where the actual picture taking session begins. This is also where we get (or give) the duit raya. After that it's portrait time!! Usually we would go to the studios that we were familiar with (most are Chinese operated, which is why they're open on Hari Raya) and get our picture taken.. After the portrait is taken care of, then we could properly start our Hari Raya where the first place we head to is my hometown, Gombak.

Below are the portraits that we have taken thus far, according to timeline (I think)...

And as my usual last say, DBSK says SALAM AIDILFITRI!

HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH DBSK

In conjunction with the release of DBSK's 4th Album, I just felt like sharing this...

I first got to know Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK) in 2006, sometime after my industrial training. I was just beginning my korean drama craze and found out that there was this segment in MTV Asia called Asian Takeaway where they'll show two music videos (henceforth shall be shortened to MV) from any Asian artist back to back. The catch is they only show 2 songs every hour.

Initially I was following the segment religiously because I was trying to catch the Perhaps Love MV from the kdrama Goong aka Princess Hours. Since they only show two songs per hour you can imagine how determined I was to see that MV. This segment is also one of the reasons why I was always late for my first 'job' as Research Assistant in UIA. Heh..

Anyway back to the true objective of the story. While I was happily watching the MVs, one MV caught my eye. I thought it was really cool coz it has this really powerful dance and the song suddenly breaks into this interesting bridge that I had never heard before. I didn't really pay much attention to the singers (it was a boyband) but their music was really interesting. The music went from having hard beats to melancholic without jarring the flow of the sound. I forgot about the MV but I guess the uniqueness of the music stayed with me because some time later I heard the same song.. But in a different language!!

At first I was a bit confused because the MV was different too. So I made a mental note of the singer and the song. The display read

Artist: TVFXQ

Song Title: Rising Sun

I had no idea how that could totally change my life. With the name of the artist in mind I did some searching on the Internet. I found out that their name can switch according to region, they are more popularly known as Dong Bang Shin Ki in Korea, as Tohoshinki in Japan and they like to use the name TVXQ (or TVFXQ) when promoting themselves outside of Korea and Japan. I managed to download some of their other songs and was just basically a fan of their music. I found out that I had heard (or saw to be more precise) both versions of Rising Sun, in Korean and Japanese.. Can't really put a finger on which is first..

Edit: At first I wanted to post the videos but for some reason I can't seem to find the Japanese version online. So, here a few screencaps I made of the two MVs.

Korean version: I love the mood of this MV. I made caps of Jaejoong and Changmin because they were the ones that drew my eyes first.

Japanese version: I really loved their looks and energy in this MV. Actually Changmin also looked hot in this version but I made caps of Junsu and Yoochun because they were cute. Haha...

Later I found out that a couple of my friends were also into DBSK and they provided me with some of their performances, videos etc.. )I wasn't really good at finding KPop stuff then).. I got to know the five boys better and slowly fell into their charm.. I'm still falling, actually..

So, basically Rising Sun made me fall in love with DBSK. It is still one of my most favourite track for DBSK, not only because of its nostalgic value but because the song itself never gets old for me. I've listened to the fourth album but none of the songs can top Rising Sun (for me la...). So, to celebrate the fourth album (titled MIROTIC), here's the cover of the album (version A). Till next time...

PERFUMES!!

Mama and Abah just got back from New Zealand last night and they bought each of us a perfume. I think thay just didn't know what to get us. Plus they wanted us to smell nice for Aidilfitri. Haha.. But the thing is I just bought myself ZEN from Shiseido, but I don't mind. The more the merrier, right? It's a good thing that D&G's Light Blue is one of my favourite scents..

Aimi-Light Blue (Dolce & Gabbana)

Zaim-Eternity for Men (Calvin Klein)

Huda-Be Delicious Chamingly Special Edition (DKNY)

Zaid-Cool Water For Woman (Davidoff)

Husna-Believe (Britney Spears)

I did not mistype Zaid's perfume. It really is "For Woman".. Weird but to each his own.. Husna is not loving the Britney Spears perfume so she might be buying another more to her liking. Word is she's getting Paris Hilton's. What's up with this girl and these blondies? Beats me...

Anyway, like I mentioned before I just bought Zen from Shiseido (for RM356.00, wooot!!).. Somehow just got addicted to the smell.. I like refreshing and not the typical fruity sweet scents..

ZEN (Shiseido)

But later this year I might get myself Hypnose from Lancome. I wore it when I was in India and it just takes me back there everytime I take a whiff of that perfume..Well, here's hoping...

Hypnose (Lancome)

DBSK is releasing their fourth album next week!! (screams for a bit)... Two of the tracks has been (intentionally?) leaked: Maze (MIROTIC) which is their title track and HEY! (Don't Bring Me Down) presumably the SMP song of the album. I've been listening to the songs the whole day and all I can say is the wait is pure torture.. I almost drooled when I saw the teaser.. It seriously is torture...

SUDOKU

Taken from Wiki...

The name Sudoku(数独) is short for "数字は独身に限る" which is read, "Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru", meaning "the numbers must be single", or "the numbers must occur only once".

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku)

I started playing Sudoku somewhere in the middle of 2007. It was one of the games provided with my phone at that time (Nokia 7390 L'Amour collection). But I only became truly addicted when I bought a Sudoku book. Last week I bought my fifth and latest Sudoku book even though I haven't finished even one of the previous books.

I don't know why but I only buy Sudoku books by Alan W.S. Tan. So far I've had Volume 4 to 7 and one Super Collection. Maybe I'm just too familiar with the style of the book. Each book has five different sections, starting with beginners, gentle, moderate, challenging and tough. At present I've never attempted a tough puzzle and constantly stuck in the challenging area. But I've always loved a good mental challenge and this definitely keeps me occupied for a few minutes every day.

Almost every weekend you can find me at home listening to music while soving a Sudoku puzzle (I seem to focus only with music which is why if you step into my office there will definitle be some type of music blaring).. Solving Sudoku puzzles also helps me to focus and provide that desperately needed distraction from office matters.

You must never underestimate the addiction power that Sudoku has.. So far two of my closest friends and some of my colleagues have been addicted to the numbers puzzle. Sadly, none of my family members appreciate or had the chance to appreciate the game so I would usually solving the puzzles alone. Not their fault though, I would solve all the Sudoku puzzles in the papers because all my Sudoku books are at my office. Heee... No DBSK, just 2U for now since I couldn't find any pix where the boys are studying...

ODE TO A LOST FRIEND

I had a dream about you..
We were so happy to be with each other..
It felt like nothing ever happened..
I'm sorry that I hurt you..
I feel bad whenever I think about how we ended things..
Still feel rotten to the core when I think of you..
We definitely had something special..
We connected on so many levels..
And you were constantly there..
It's just, I was too unprepared.. Too scared.. Too immature..
Too stupid..
Do you believe that I sometimes look for your face in a crowd?
Even though deep in my heart I know you'll never be there..
I've missed you..
So very much..
But..
We are just too far apart now..
I heard you moved on..
I wish for nothing but happiness for you..
And I pray that somehow you'll find it in your heart..
To forgive me..