January 30, 2007
another day to see the world
FLOWER POWERGirls....have the power to influence AND to be influenced so easily.
Today was the first day of the official Loreal sales at Park Royal hotel. It was JUJU-BONKUS alright. It was a continuous (and I REALLY mean non-stop!) running streams of women pouring in and out of The Orchid Ballroom. There were, however, some sesat-ed man there, probably being pulled against their will, solely because they have THE Cs. (Car, Cash and Credit Card of course. Pretty much doubt it is their Craving for Cosmetics.)
What I was truly astonished...was my ability, my competence to keep my dear customers entertained and yet corrupted by the really random and survival-based-instincts, uncertain information regarding cosmetics that I could come up with (In less than 2 seconds). Make ups. Hah! I am such a hypocrite. And a liar. To tell you dear readers the truth, I have absolutely nei idea how to tell which is a mascara and what on cow's world is an eye liner before being exposed; only recently. I mean really, in my world, even the existence of lip gloss sinks into oblivion.
And today, I have seen it all.
Most women are just purely manipulated, as though they are so deprived of self-gratification. Today, more than 40 women asked me, ME, the instruments suited that would get them to be defined as beautiful by the society. So polluted....So.....salah. When I see all these women, you know what I see? I see natural beauty gleaming by itself. They strive too hard....for nothing that is. Jostling and pushing like mad people just to get one lipstick. *Doosh* Is it an obsession or is it just plain fetish? They are pretty-ful as they already are. But yet, they still are not satisfied. They still...ask me for beauty tips. *Cynical laughter* Mean. Mean.
FILLED WITH GLITTERY GUILTFor almost half the day, I was dealing with Lipsticks. My hands were filled with those shiny stuff from letting the customers crayon my hands out of their curiosity (For the colour of course, not my durability of my hand or anything silly like that). I was nearly getting to the point of breakdown when I was stationed there so the very last minute and everything there had no samples, no proper lipstick sort-outs or whatsoever. Girls and women were just snatching and making subtle growls at one another for many reasons. "Taking my colour." "Touching my handbag." "Elbowed my breast." ???? Scary.
Anyway...Nearing the closing time of the sales for the day, the 2 erm, co-workers of mine went for a toilet break, leaving me all alone to handle the whole row of cosmetics. Among everyone, I know least of what their product is all about. Some 3-in-1 foundation thing and a number of weird stuff. All of the sudden, all these customers came surrounding me, inquiring about almost everything. "Which is the colour suitable for my skin ah?" " You think I look nice ah? Recommend recommend." GOD. I know NOTHING about the stuff they asked! But I somehow manage to make up a grandmother story about how powder and foundation cream came about and how different colours would make your skin look bad and how you should always buy Natural colours. For THAT particular toilet break of theirs, I sold all off their Natural coloured foundation..And a few more stuff. I was AMAZED.
At the end of the day, I felt like as though my upper body was running away from my lower one. Mad day.
10:31:00 PM
January 28, 2007
fantabulous!!!!
KUDOS!
Okiku. I FINALLY WATCHED IT! *jumps up and down shaking head left and right*
At 7.35pm, Regina, Faye and I reached KLPAC and whoa. The long stretch of road before getting into that building area was dark and winded. That whole garden was meant to construct a few projects or some sort. Housing area and all. Like a mini Sunway. Both of them were busy admiring the scenery (Yes. In the dark) while I was so restless and fidgety! I have been waiting for this for almost a month!! "HE" doesn't want to accompany me, resulting me desperately having to seek for a substitute (But it was FUN going with you too Regina!). Hmmmph. But it was all good.
We entered the room of black walls after waiting for an eternity outside. When we were assured nice seatings (second row from the front! I feel like I can almost touch them....), I began to calm down. Teeheee. The settings was superb. It really did felt like we hit Japan for a while. They played some soothing Japanese music while everyone was taking their own sweet time to get in. Annoyingness.
I think I should very well brief you on what Okiku is all about. See, Okiku....is a legend. She (Yes. It's a girl's name. Not an object or a mix-breed animal nor is it Okeke, Pheng Aun) is a lowly maid accused to having broken one of a set of ten precious plates belonging to her master, the Samurai, Lord Aoyama Tessan. This is ALL due to greed and horniness as part of the nature of men alright. (Not being stereotypical, just revealing the truth. Teehee) Long story short, he couldn't get the best of her because honour is all she has left and she refuses to give it up. In order to own her, he framed Okiku by using the plate (Yeah. Sounds silly. He was given the task to guard some plates by Tokugawa. Sort of like their superior). She was sentenced to death, but she claimed her innocence before jumping into the well. Later on, she came back to haunt the man till insanity does him death. He ended up killing everyone in that house. HOWEVER, there are many other versions to the ways of how Okiku was forced to die. And this is the version for this play. You can always google it.
So, additional information for you people who love Japanese erm, horror movies. By that I mean, the green background, long hair girl, well, you know the works. This is some sort their backbone to most of the ghost stories seen in cinemas. For instance, The Ring. The well, girl, green, crawling, screams, death? Yeah.
The casts of Okiku were really living up to their character. As I was seeing this people, at the back of my head I was really applauding them. I went to the show on the third day before last and it truly amazes me how till the ending days, they can still play the same roles over and again and yet have such enthusiasm, such spirit. They pulled it through without any slightest error. Aren't they nervous? Aren't they at any point doubtful? It was....so real. Even the repetitive evil, cynical laughter projected by the 'noble' Samurai. Muahahahahahhahahaa....
That is why I love plays. Admiration comes with observation of these live stage objects.
5:28:00 PM
January 21, 2007
odd day
WEEEEEiiiiRRRDDDD
The title speaks for itself. I have encountered some TRULY bizarre incidents today.
Well, after luncheon with the church peeps, I decided to flee to the Times book clearance. HAH! Bet you have a shockingly excited facial expression, thinking, "Book clearance?? Where?? How?? Who??" Nyeh nyeh nyeh................or not. ANYWAY, as I was saying.....Book sale. Yeah. I spent about 4 hours there, unconsciously. Well, you should see the amount of piled, jumbled-all-over, random random books thrown all around at that place. It was crazy. People around you will SOMEHOW or rather keep an eye on the book you are holding, and at the VERY moment you put it down, those people GRABS your book and see what's it all about that makes it so worthy of your attention. Kiasu betul...I finally gotten Frank McCourt's Teacher Man!!! *Shouts for joy* One book crossed off my wanted-for-century-booklist! Yipppeee.
Hmmm yes. After splurging at the book yard, as I was walking towards my car, I heard the echoes of some good ole Chinese oldies coming from the ledge on my right. I didn't really bother at first, assuming that it was some Chinese security guard uncle listening to his radio. As I gotten into my car, while putting on my seatbelt, I glance through that ledge. And my God. It was a Singh! A Singh uncle, holding up the radio near his ear (Well, I am not going to elaborate why), appreciating some of our Chinese music! Woohoo! Hidup semangat Malaysia!
Yup yup.
Driving back to my home was madness; there was traffic congestion from PJ all the way to the LDP highway. I was a little groggy and the hot sun was literally barbecuing me alive. So I was just driving along right....And from one of my side mirrors, I glimpse a red Avanza going in between 2 lanes. Then it overtook the car on its right and came parallel to mine. I turned and look over to see how the nutty driver looked like. And AHHH! One whole Indian family (I REALLY don't mean to be racist or any sort k) in the van stared and smiled at me. All of them started moving their lips to mumble something or rather after smiling. They looked like they were re-enacting the freaky Money Money Money video by ABBA. *Shivers* It was.....SOoOo WEIRD....I've got goose bumps at that time alright...
6:54:00 PM
January 18, 2007
seriously....
TAKE A CHANCE, DO THAT DANCEIf any of you reading this post are by any chance using the Firefox browser, like myself, you should be very surprised by what I am about to tell you : Firefox was the idea of a 17 year old kid, well, not forgetting his colleagues.
Blake Ross. (Oh so good looking!) 15 when he took up an internship with Netscape. See, for Netscape, they have this 'open-source' policy, whereby, they don't exactly hire geeky dudes to sit in their cubicles to write a specific programme for their company to earn those bucks. The 'open source' idea is as simple as this : You come in, you make a draft. Anyone else joins in and improvise. So when Ross took up the internship and decided to start a new revolution and further the distance for Netscape, Firefox came to the picture. It was a crazy hit.
"It clocked 2 million downloads in the first 24 hours. Web surfers are switching at the
rate of 7 million a month"
Opportunities really make anything possible. Anything at all. There is no point if you have what it takes but not take a chance to pursue it. Cliche? I would say that I think most of us are guilty as charged when it comes to this. As my dear friend would put it, "expect nothing and don't get disappointed". So you end up seeing more 9 to 5 robots rather than Zang Tois, Jimmy Choos, Nicol Davids or ermm....reluctantly saying it but DATUK Michelle Yeohs.
9:52:00 PM
January 16, 2007
why oh why
ADVERT PERVERT
Out of boredom, I was browsing through some of the brilliant! brilliant! ads online, albeit not the locally produced ones. You should really learn how to appreciate some of these artworks. They are just....ingenius. *Weep*
How do you make some sensitive subjects so subtle, yet so clear to the audience? And how do you test the twisted minds of men yet putting such an innocent message? And of course, there are those which just blow your minds in a direct manner. It is AMAZING what these foreign ads can do to you!
Make no mistake. I meant to invite no advertising mojo. I honestly do admire the blood, sweat and tears (literally 'cause clients can sometimes be very high demanding) and the working till wee hours to finish up whatever they can in the shortest time possible. I do. I sincerely salute them.
However....Well, at this time, I am just going to let the ads speak for itself. You have seen them. To me, though it is the fruit of their months of hard work, it still lacks that....ingredient. That sole key to making a good ad. Imagination.
EAT MORE THAN A HUMBLE PIE
Maybe it is just the nature of us Malaysians. I think Asians are just generally suppressed from able to express themselves freely as being humble is part of the culture. I don't know where along the time line and who has robbed and changed this part of 'humbleness', but they sure have turned Malaysians (not sure about other Asians though) into passive beings. When was the last time you weren't sitted in a convention full of, none other than, absorbing sponges? Ever heard of a response people?
It is like, a circle of influence. People don't respond, people won't talk. There is no mediocre beings. It's always the 2 extremes. Either they yack yack yack or they just sit still as time pass them by. It really drives me off the wall at times, especially when I am leading a group of docile ding -dongs. When I nod, they nod, when I say nay, they just....nay all the way.
In addition to that, the government's "no offense to others" policy narrows down everything to the ground, making that something is left with almost nothing. No doubt, they only wish to protect their people from uncivilized cats and dogs battle. But knowing how to create a healthy competitive atmosphere is one thing and over-protecting everything is another subject all together. Sigh. But then again. Malaysians ARE a little kiasu. May 13th might just repeat.
What is the point of just promoting your own product when competition with others in a direct yet indirect context is a big no no? People get stuck in their own world. Paddling in circles saying they are the best, yet can't really do it in proper comparison. Defeats part and parcel of the purpose of the existence of ads, know what I'm saying? You can't deny that a little head-to-head improves beings. Hmm, this ad may not be the epitome of what I am saying, but it sure is amusing.
Having said that, these ad maniacs could be either, flown out of the country or they just decided to join the medic line instead, I don't know.
IN CONCLUSION
Alright. Yes. This time I maayy be a bit more than opinionated...Need not you agree with me. I am just in a very bleh-ee mood today. I just feel and hope that in due time, things will change around here.
Anyway, I am back to watching some good ole ads. Ooo ohhh. Check this out.
12:24:00 PM
i got tha powwa!
TRIPPIN'
While I was watching Elliot of Scrubs shriek in her highest pitch of voice in a hilarious manner, I turned to place my bottom in the most comfortable position on my black Ikea armchair. This is the moment I felt the sudden adrenaline rush from my lungs to my trachea and head towards my nose. The ticklish sensation on my nose sensed that....
AAAAACCCHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
*Plooop*
It's as though I have the power to kill power. Electricity that is. My sensitive power box tripped again. But wow. The moment of glorious might. Priceless.
*Chuckle*
2:22:00 AM
January 09, 2007
dying souls....
Inspiration
We sometimes are inspired by the most unexpected things, by the most unexpected people. People whom we often glance but not see, hear but not listen. In the midst of feeling so utterly inadequate with the world, I have decided to just sit in front of my PC and let my fingers do its little dance on the keyboard. My dear friend once told me, "Time is precious. Do something or it will be gone." Those cliche words are often than not said by many, but how often is it that we really take its importance into consideration and actually putting it into practice in our lives?
Taking Things For Granted
At times I wonder, as much as we want to live in luxurious lifestyles, is it of worth striving and sacrificing so many things in order to achieve it? We often chase after time instead of living by the moment. So many things are often overlooked or neglected, resulting to be forgotten and it incorporates into our daily lives.
‘In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.”
Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910)
Have you ever stopped and pondered how wonderful God's creation really is? The way He drew and painted the most remarkable and miraculous things. Many are busy questioning on whether God really existed but never see the things He has done. They glance but do not see. When was the last time you even glimpse the sky and admire its nature, the artwork of the Almighty. The way the ray of light that intermittently escapes from the wisps of clouds and shines upon gigantic buildings, buildings which some, have cost the life of many construction workers that we are so proud of. The way the birds form intricate nests hidden among the leaves of our front lawn trees.
It is sometimes really saddening to see that trees, the sole natural oxygen source that God has provided us with are sacrificed to generate income, which does not really matter in the end. How selfish mankind are at times. God created this world and place all His inventions but humans want to conquer the world and 'remodel' by eliminating.
You probably have opinions on my post this time. Well, I think it is really something to ponder about. Did you know that since year 1997 till 2005, almost half the forest in Malaysia is gone due to development? HALF. Does it not scare you? Well, it really did me. It is really sad that only the indigenous people and the biologists in Malaysia are concerned about the condition. Do we really need to be educated in specialisation in order to understand that we have to save nature? It is only common sense...isn't it? What is the use of making so much money when the nature is suffering the consequences?
Oh well, you do the math.
5:12:00 PM
some stuff
t's really disguisting to see how often we actually take things for granted. The postman, the garbage man, mom, good friends....ANYWAY....
Was called up by Adeline, some work agent, and got offered a job. 3 days as a receptionist. Rm150, 50 a day. Man. This is the lowest paying job I have ever had. Not that I intend to boast or anything. But RM50 for 9 hours is undeniably underpaid...But the work experience....Now you can't put a tag on that one. Now, to me, the simple idea of being a receptionist is to just answer calls and erm...perhaps do a little paperwork. But heck. I had to fold, (Yes, I know I have been complaining alot about this. So bear with me for those who heard it too many a times. Teehee.) envelope and frank; postage stamping using a fax machine-lookalike 600 ++ letters and invoices!!!! All bare handed. My poor hands had papercuts and was all red after I finished. In addition to that pile of work, I had to answer countless incoming calls, open the door, entertain the courier man, postman....get more and more work. AAaaarrghghhhh...At times nature calls at the most unsuitable timings! But yeah.....I'll never look at company letters the same again.
12:53:00 PM
Catching up with time....
Woohoo! My internet is finally back and working. It's been such a long long long time since I last touch this PC. Anyway, an old year out, here comes another one in. I've finally given up on setting resolutions which doesn't exactly last for even a week. Pointless. So, whatever comes, comes. Whatever happens, happens.
ANNEEEHOOO......Updates Updates.
First week of December, we go back all the way back to Ampang Pecah, where Youth Quake 2006 was held. Hmm, I would say it was rather a disappointment for me, mostly because I expected more of it. (Blame those who "promoted" this camp like mad cows) But I had....erm, fun nevertheless....I guess. Food is super sucky though. Picture this : Salad leaves, thousand island with fried chicken (super dry) served with rice. I REALLY pity the German, vegetarian chick who joined us. (Love her accent! So the sexy. Teeheee...) Oooo....One day before Youth Quake, met this hunk, James. Super crappy nonsense rubbish bin who so happen to be in the same tribe AND group as me. We hung out most of the time throughout the whole camp crapping away, being in our own crappy world only we can crapmunicate. Huhuhuhu.
Oh. Apparently I was supposed to "babysit" some youths who so happen to be in the same dorm as me. I was called for every restroom-trip, every cockroach crisis, worm conquest....basically everything la.
Ah yes. Last days of camps are always fun days. The curfew was extended to till 2 in the morning. So there we were, sitting down with the boredom cloud surrounding us, till....a squirrel hops along! *POOF* Squirrel poured out so so so so so many the farnee jokes till our stomachs started to overturn. People are seen to swing back and forth, left and right in the HAHAHAs and the HUHUHUs till our jaws cry out for help. I felt like dying, literally, of joy. Teeeheee. One problem with squirrel is that....he has a serious fatal amnesia problem (Teeheehee. And also a major cicak -phobia problem. But shall not elaborate). Why in his case of amnesia, it is fatal you may ask. It's coz....if he forgets me, I don't know what I MIGHT do to him. Teeheee. So, to make sure he DOESN'T get killed for no practical reason, I decided to occupy the whole of his arm with ink with the words RACHEL TAN. Teeheeheeheheee...
Yuuup. Thaaaaats my squirrel.
12:59:00 AM
