I'm surprised it took me so long to actually start using Google's secret weapon to dethrone both IE and Firefox - the minimalistic and very efficient Chrome browser. I've always been a huge fan of Firefox, and have been using that for many years now.

But I'm starting the conversion into a Chrome fan now ;P And that's only after 1 hour or so using it! 

Even the themes on Chrome are so much cuter! Check out this robot theme that I'm currently using. I LOOOVE the extensions that come with Chrome too. And of course, the big obvious question: does it really load faster than Firefox? I'd have to say yes, actually. 

So for now, I'm sticking to Chrome. It helps that it automatically transfers all my bookmarks heheh :) 

Speaking of discoveries, try this http://soytuaire.labuat.com and you'll be impressed. I am, anyway. Doodle doodle.

***

Had delicious lunch today with a handsome boy, Xander ;) 

Why don't we have yummy Indian food like this in east Malaysia?!

I find it silly to have only found out about certain Msian food after coming to NZ. Ok I'm definitely planning a food tour of some kind end of this year when I go back to Msia :)

Brooke Fraser tickets!!! YAY :D Just a month away, can't wait!

of loops and stitches

I've recently started a new hobby - knitting!

Don't laugh!

Yes, it's often associated with old women/grandmas knitting ugly sweaters and jerseys that translate to unwanted Christmas presents, but it can be (not yet for me, though) quite a fulfilling task. Seeing the finished product, of course.

And so what started out as the ladies at work bringing their hand-knitted jerseys, the new postdoc at the lab recently (successfully!) knitted a lovely scarf and beanie, turned into them bringing me to the knitting shop to pick out a few rolls of yarn and a pair of knitting needles! (who knew the needles come in so many different sizes!) They're just so patient in teaching me :P

Knitting is no cheap business. The wool yarn I picked out (PURPLE!! yay) Total expenses + a 'learn-to-knit' guide book (not very helpful yet, I prefer demo) costed me over $50! (add a little more to get a Country Road scarf already!)

Knitting is no easy business too. I'm still waiting for the 'therapeutic' part that supposedly comes with knitting... During my first try, everything that could go wrong went wrong. I lost stitches, picked up extra stitches, too loose/too tight (pardon the knitting terminologies) etc. But now, after countless times of redo-ing, it actually resembles the early stages of a scarf!!! :)

So I've got about 7 rows done now, only 113 more to go to make a complete scarf! -_-

Anticipation

I was browsing through countdown widgets and decided against putting one on this blog (to remind me the days before I finally go back to Msia again, that is). Reason: it's still 130 days away! Looking at it often would raise the impatience level in me even further heheh :) I still can't believe it's going to be 2 whole years since I've been back (by end of this year)!!

Part of me misses the oily, good food. I won't even start thinking of them right now or my tummy will start growling. Another part of me wants to say I miss high school/church friends. But I have to say, I'm missing my parents the most, having last seen them last February. 2nd on the list would be looking forward to the wedding and all the chaos/fun it'll bring. And of course, food, GLORIOUS food.

Brooke Fraser tickets go on sale on Monday! Awesomeness as this time, seats are arranged in tables of 10! Ticket prices are up to almost $60 this time though, I'm blaming it on the GST increase come this October. hmph!

I've recently received my passport back from Immigration, in it proudly bearing two new stamps- one Residence permit and the other the Returning Resident's Visa (allowing me to go in and out of the country for multiple times for free). YAY! :D

I can't wait to see what next year will bring. Life in a new city, perhaps? ;)

All things beautiful

Brooke Fraser Album Trailer from Sideways Media on Vimeo.

Don't we live in exciting times?

For one, I'm glad that I'm born in the same generation as (in my opinion) one of the greatest ever singer-songwriter and live performer, Brooke Fraser. Having been to two of her concerts already here in Dunedin, and listened (and sung) her songs sooooo many times, I still find her lyrics and music so beautiful and real.

Which is why I (and a few million others) am excited for her new album "Flags" to be released on Oct 12 AND her nationwide tour, wait for it, kicking off in Dunedin on Oct 26!!! I'm so buying the tickets the minute they're out ;P And then going super early to the town hall to get front row seats teehee.

Oh, and that's the video featuring her new single "Something in the water" off the new album. Can't wait to hear the rest of the songs, which are of course, going to be equally, or not more brilliant.

Speaking of which, my bag ordered from Moop arrived yesterday thanks to the wonderful team that handcrafted this bag that I now proudly carry around :D So well-crafted and pretty! Loving all the strategically placed compartments too. Definitely worth every dollar spent.

  The Letter Bag in rosewood

Came across this website which they describe as the FML for optimists. Me likey. Go along to GivesMeHope (GMH) and its sister website Love Gives Me Hope and you're bound to feel a lot better no matter how bad your day has been and say a few "awwwww"s along the way. Truly inspiring and refreshing from the usual embarrassing stories in FML.

Thank YOU, God, for giving us creativity. Without it, the world would be so boring.

The July update

This is turning out to be a monthly thing :P 

Just finished watching "Mr. Nobody", featuring the blue-eyed cutie Jared Leto. He kind of reminded me of the used-to-be Domino Pizza's Aussie manager (incredible blue eyes gosh). Anyway, the film amazed me in every way; it has the vibe of the movie "The Fountain"- spanning centuries of time zones, beautiful visuals, confusing in every single way, yet it ties in quite beautifully (still confusing until I started reading the forums on imdb) at the end. Love the soundtrack too: 'Mr Sandman' and all the other oldies teehee- I love Buddy Holly's "Everyday" especially.

I'm itching to watch Inception. After all the raves and reviews it had gotten, and the awesome trailers on youtube. And despite the major spoiler (SIGH) someone told me and how I think Dicaprio is looking more and more like Jack Nicholson, I CAN'T WAIT!! Next Tuesday, fingers crossed.

I've FINALLY got my passport!! Well, not now as it's on its way (or already in Wellington?) to the immigration to get my residency stamp :) Turns out that the Msian Immigration wasn't too bad at all; they had in fact sent me my passport a few months ago, but had trouble getting the letter of notification to me as I had moved a few times at the beginning of this year. Oopsy.

Ooooh, and I'm getting back some income/tax rebate $$$ from the government in the next few weeks YAY. I'm limiting myself to one big buy, the rest would go into my savings account. I've been spending heaps on shoes (more specifically boots) lately, so this time it'll be my best BAG yet :P A lot of research have gone into this AHEM, and I'll get it as soon as the US currency drops (or NZD gains) even more.

Sneak peak of what my the bag looks like -->

In my defense, the current bag I'm using for work was bought during my first year of uni (2006!), and is getting too small to fit in all I need to carry around. Linings have started peeling off etc. So this is a more sturdy and roomier one and should last me the next few years. A Saben bag would have to wait- I'm opting for practicality first before I can afford a leathery Saben *drools* at their winter collection.

It's ski/snowboard season! A weekend at the slopes soon, maybe? :)