Confessions of an Undisguised Drama Queen

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Audiophile

Have I mentioned that this is possibly the best week of my life?

I think I have.

Man, I'm so high even after 15 hours and I didn't even drink last night.

I was at Timbre again (nothing comes between me and my blues!!) with the same hardcore audiophiles (a much better replacement for "fanatics") and the band just keeps getting better and better.

Music, awesome. Company, awesome. Weather, awesome. Crowd, awesome. Trevor, AWEsome.

Most people who read my blog would know that Trevor's already hitched (awww...) but guess what, he has a cousin!

Before I'm accused of being a psychotic stalker or something, let me clarify that he's much too young for me lah... The lad is only 17 this year, but he already plays a mean guitar. Gosh, what was I even doing when I was 17? Figuring out the chords on my guitar and up till now, still not much progress *hides in shame*.

Special guest yesterday was a saxophonist (who was wonderful, of course) who used to play with Christian in Soul Satisfaction. Another person who just took my breath away. (I realise my vocabulary is very limited for the feelings I would like to convey. Well, put simply, damn good lah!)

Best moment of the evening was when the band finished their last song at the climax and was ready to leave the stage when Francis just sat in and started his bass playing. The band members went back in position and took up their instruments again - everyone started to anticipate a final 'encore' song. Then Francis sang, "I can't get no... satisfaction..." and the crowd just began to sccrreeeeeaamm....

But then he just stopped playing altogether.

Silence.

Then he laughed and yelled, "You've been PUNK'D!"

Ultimate!

As again, many pictures to show! Even with the whole band... will upload them soon!
Meanwhile, I'm going to gear myself up for their final gig... and pray I will be alive enough after to rush my tutorials. Yikes.

[Time of Confession] 5:32 PM
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Thursday, July 28, 2005

Hair Begone...

I got my hair cut! Yes, AGAIN!

I've had it with the growing out phase... it's taking so painfully long!!

My fringe is now really short (my stylist said that the current trend is no longer the sloping fringe, which i like alot! the full, uneven fringe with tousled locks is the IN thing now. according to him lah)

Apparently I haven't gotten used to the full fringe covering the entire forehead, hence the very existent side parting. No choice, I need my hair out of my face.

At an angle, you can see the tousled effect = clay in my hair!
I'm back to the need2wakeupearly2wash&stylemyhair days. But it's alright lah.. at least I think the new hair makes me look much more 'alive'.

Now I'm thinking if I should complete the hair makeover by adding some highlights.
But then again, I still wanna keep my virgin hair leh (undyed, untreated, 100% natural) - it does deserve a good break after all these years of 'chemical labour'.

So how?

[Time of Confession] 9:45 PM
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Rollin' Blues

Tonight is the night the musicians of UBLUES are reunited.

Coming together for the launch of TIMBRE, an alfresco diner and bar opened by Danny, they sure shook the house. Or tents.

The place was amazingly packed we couldn't even find a table to sit when we arrived (which was supposedly quite early) - we ended up having to squeeze at a tiny table with the band members.

Then the first wonderful thing happened. Trevor (whom everyone knows I'm the biggest fan of) saw Grace and I and recognised us! And he even remembered my name! Wahahah... (altho he didn't know which one of us is JOY. Haiyo...) He walked over and talked to us a bit (Here, it was a bit awkward. Lack of conversation topic... yikes) before moving on to chat with his other friends.

At the table with the band members, I saw a certain Ms M. Lee (someone made 'famous' via Singapore Idol). Didn't really fancy her from what I saw on TV and seeing her in person only further substantiates my dislike for her. She was aloof and unfriendly, barely even glancing at Grace and I when we were introduced by Christian; yet chummy and pally with the guys. Eewww... how sickening.

Anyway, the evening was kick started by EIC, a popular band among the youngsters and the Wala/Balaclava groupies with some familiar popsy tunes. It sure did put me in the mellow and laidback mood.

Then UBLUES came on stage and man, did they groove!

Rai from EIC joined the band on stage for one of the songs, "Superstition", and Danny joked that when you put UBLUES and EIC together, what you get is UIC. Hahaha...

I really missed hearing them play live. It's amazing... their chemistry, the connection with each other and the audience... it's really beyond what I can describe with words. Simply awesome!!

I won't miss the opportunity to hear them play for anything in the world... well, almost. And to think that this is only going to last the week before Trevor leaves for Perth again... sigh :(

We took MANY MANY pictures... keep a look-out for the pic of Trevor and me!! (can only upload the pics this weekend when I get home)

Come this weekend, it's more blues and soul!

[Time of Confession] 2:15 AM
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Have you heard?

*psst* Have you heard the news?

UBLUES IS BACK IN TOWN.

Exclusively this week only!!

And guess what, TREVOR JALLA IS IN SINGAPORE and he's also playing for the launch of this new bistro, Timbre.

I have never heard better news.

This is going to be the BEST week ever.

[Time of Confession] 11:44 PM
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Monday, July 25, 2005

Yuki

I am the proud godmother of a two month old!

My goddaughter's simply adorable and is really one playful girl.

I accompanied her for her health checkup today and helped to carry her when my friend, Bernice, was busy with the medication and all. Goodness, she sure is heavy for a two month old. 8.5kg, no less.

Here's a picture of the darling, Yuki:

Doing her favourite thing: Lying around

Expectantly waiting for her food...

Still no food??

Looking forlorn... 'Where's my milk?'

It's finally meal-time... check out the lazy bum (literally). I mean, which dog SITS and eats?

That's my girl; the aspiring basketballer (she must have heard of Air Bud)

[Time of Confession] 9:40 PM
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Metaphorically speaking...

I've seen people playing in the pool.
Most of the time, they seem really happy.
But sometimes, it's as if they hide some kind of emotional pain within;
Trapped and helpless,
Looking at me with a longing that I cannot fathom.

I'm satisfied being where I am, although there are times when I yearn to trade places.

One day, I pass by the pool.
The gleaming waters looked so inviting, I moved closer and closer to it without thinking.

As I approached the poolside, I felt a cool, tingling sensation wash over me.
It's like nothing I've experienced.
I let myself immerse into the waters completely, soaking up the very strange feeling.

Before long, a storm gathered overhead and I was left drenched.
Cold and alone.

The misery and pain in the surrounding emptiness gnawed hard. I swore never to come close to the pool again.

Walking away from it, I never regretted my decision, although sometimes, I did think about how the waters used to sparkle in the sun.

Time passed and the old wounds healed, but a silent fear still continues to grip insidiously.

Then I find myself in front of the pool again.

I stand at the water's edge, hesitant to move closer.
The internal quandary persists.

My feet touches the water and I remember what it's like again.

To be happy...

[Time of Confession] 5:41 PM
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Sunday, July 24, 2005

A Bossa Nova Angel

Her voice is mellow and rich.

Listening to her sing is like having a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day.

Learn more about Lisa Ono HERE

[Time of Confession] 11:50 PM
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Saturday, July 23, 2005

Burp burp giggle giggle

All the pictures can be found at the NEW photo collection

Last night was a girls' night out with my JC classmates - I can't believe that it's almost 4 years since we first knew each other. Well, it doesn't seem like they've changed much, maybe because we meet up so often =)

[Time of Confession] 1:18 PM
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I love candid shots (when I'm behind the lens)! I sure did catch them by surprise!

[Time of Confession] 1:17 PM
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Love the caption for their advert - so witty! It says: She'll tell you size doesn't matter. She's lying. Haha!

[Time of Confession] 1:15 PM
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A very LARGE and tasty chicken club sandwich. Super delectable - I actually finished the entire burger *burp*

[Time of Confession] 1:13 PM
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Yummy chilli cheese fries - tastes like the Coney Dog from the now defunct A&W

[Time of Confession] 1:11 PM
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After shopping, some of the girls (in particular, Bernice la) complained of hunger (??!!!) so we headed to 'Crepes and Cream' for dessert. Don't be fooled by my good photography and the dim lighting - apparently the ice-cream tastes blah. Worse still, the place is seriously understaffed and the service is HORRIBLE.

[Time of Confession] 1:05 PM
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I'm just faking with the spoon... skipped dessert coz dinner was still churning in my tummy

[Time of Confession] 1:02 PM
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Frolicking in the sun, sand and sea

Missing the sandy beach terribly, Grace and I headed to Sentosa on a weekday (to avoid the massive crowd). First was a walk amongst the greenery along the jungle trail. Lush vegetation and the moist air was a delight, if not for the pesky mosquitoes. Yikes.

[Time of Confession] 2:20 AM
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Stuck at crossroads...

[Time of Confession] 2:19 AM
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Next stop, for some National Education, to the supposedly revamped Fort Siloso. Honestly, I don't find it any different. Oops...

This is from the wreckage of a Japanese Aircraft Engine

[Time of Confession] 2:18 AM
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How a haircut was charged during the wartimes. The signboard reads: Price for standing - 5 cents; for sitting - 10 cents; with mirror - 15 cents; with rumours (about the war) - 20 cents

[Time of Confession] 2:17 AM
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Ten cents and one cent - in NOTES

[Time of Confession] 2:16 AM
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Finally, we set foot (literally) on the sandy beach! Trying to look like the monkeys we just saw at the animal encounter...hehe

[Time of Confession] 2:15 AM
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The lucky tree gets double kisses

[Time of Confession] 2:14 AM
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We've got flatties in the same shade

[Time of Confession] 2:13 AM
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My favourite picture!

[Time of Confession] 2:12 AM
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Another nice shot. Good job, Grace!

[Time of Confession] 2:10 AM
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A spontaneous idea of mine which I can use to display my narcissism. Hahaha...

[Time of Confession] 2:10 AM
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At the end of the day, a picture with my favourite coloured alphabet in S-I-L-O-S-O

[Time of Confession] 2:05 AM
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Thursday, July 21, 2005

Need to focus...

There are a zillion reasons for screaming and crying that life's not fair and pound my hands into the air, asking the eternal question that can never be answered... 'WHYYYyyyyy????'

Why do good things have to end (my holidays)?
Why do my moods swing like crazy and outta control without warning?
Why are there so many gnawing thoughts in my mind?
Why am I afraid of something I don't even know what it is?
Why do I seek the advice of others when it turns out to be something I do not want to hear?

Of course I will probably never find out why.

But it doesn't matter.

Life's not about what could have been but what will be. So instead of questioning why some things are the way they are, I need to embrace them and do my part in making my peace with them so I can live in harmony with the nitty-gritty that will promise to stay and bug me for the rest of my waking life.

If I learn to use my heart instead of my head all the time, then maybe the gnawing thoughts will go away.

Fear reflects my insecurity and my lack of faith - a reality check to remind me that I may be strong, but I may still falter.

Sometimes what was intended as help and good words of advice only create more confusion. I need to learn to take things in with a pinch of salt. No one can tell me exactly how my life is going to turn out if I do this or if I do that. This journey is for me alone. The choice is mine and so is the responsibility. No one else should bear the blame or the glory.

Life is really beautiful when you focus on the good things and surround yourself with the people you love. I will count my blessings and thank God for everyone of them.

[Time of Confession] 10:02 PM
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C'est magnifique

'Music filleth the emptiest souls with comfort and tenderness.' - JC

Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you...
And the way you look tonight.

Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.

Lovely ... never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ? 'Cause I love you ...
Just the way you look tonight.
Mmmm.. mmmm...
Just the way you look tonight.

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There are two kinds of jazzing (read: nights out for live jazz music; cos it's definitely not clubbing, and not quite pubbing too). The good ones and the awesome ones.

Tonight was the latter.

My darlin' Lena is back from Australia for 2 days and we met up this evening for dinner at Boat Quay with PC - this quaint little North Indian restaurant with the most breath-taking decor and since most of the patrons are Caucasians who prefer eating outside beside the river, we had the whole upstairs area to ourselves. It felt as if we had the place reserved just for us; like we were some maharajas.

Maharaja Lena is comfy in her chair

Duo royalty

Queens of the land

It's my first time trying authentic Indian cuisine and their food is really savoury, especially the butter chicken. Yummy...

Indian Feast of Tandoori Crayfish, Butter Chicken and a cauliflower something...

A very sweet advert

Our intepretation of it

Another nice print ad

The new version starring Lena and Joy

After dinner was a little shopping before I took Lena to Jazz@Southbridge for some good music and boy, the visit completed the evening. The performance was magnificent. The musicians were on fire and they all gave their 110%. I was impressed especially with the individual solos... and an added bonus for me, they played quite a few familiar tunes I could sing and hum along, like Georgia on My Mind, The Way You Look Tonight, All the Things You Are and Have You Met Ms Jones.

The musicians

Deep in concentration

I only had a glass of the Singapore Sling and I started to become tomato-red. Either I react to alcohol really quickly or the mixed concoction is strong; but the drink is still delicious nonetheless. Let's see what's in it:

SINGAPORE SLING
The Singapore Sling was created at Raffles Hotel
at the turn-of-the-century by Hainanese-Chinese bartender, Mr. Ngiam Tong Boon.
In the Hotel's museum, visitors may view the safe in which
Mr. Ngiam locked away his precious recipe books,
as well as the Sling recipe hastily jotted on a bar-chit in 1936
by a visitor to the Hotel who asked the waiter for it.
Originally, the Singapore Sling was meant as a woman's drink,
hence the attractive pink colour.
Today, it is very definitely a drink enjoyed by all,
without which any visit to Raffles Hotel is incomplete.

Recipe
30ml Gin
15 ml Cherry Brandy
120 ml Pineapple Juice
15 ml Lime Juice
7.5 ml Cointreau
7.5 ml Dom Benedictine
10 ml Grenadine
A Dash of Angostura Bitters
Garnish with a slice of Pineapple and Cherry

(so that explains it...)

Lena and Ms Tomato-face

Lena and not so red Ms Tomato-face

My darling is returning tomorrow and I'll be missing her a great deal. I always enjoy being in her company: she's one of my oldest pals who know me inside-out. She's really fun and sometimes we can get amused with the simplest things, like today, she taught me how to flip up a coaster and catch it mid-air. I'm still yet to master catching 2 coasters together and she's already doing 12.

I'm already looking forward to the year-end holiday when she'll visit again.

[Time of Confession] 2:24 AM
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Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Hazy

Am feeling hazy.
A multitude of emotions and thoughts.
Having little control, not knowing what to expect.
Complacent in the status quo,
but the inability to freeze time cripples.

Like a leaf in the flowing stream,
Not knowing where I'm headed.
Lacking the faith to trust the unseen.
A silent desperation, an inaudible cry;
The yearning to hold the reigns once again.

-JC

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I'm suffering from aches again. Went to play badminton with the guys this morning.
I was just telling TY that it's really quite sad that not many girls are into playing sports.

For guys, they can call up their friends impromptu for a game and there'll be enough players to go around.

For the girls? Need to make appointment at least one week in advance.
And the calling list available is desperately short at that.

Another reason why I'd rather be a guy -_-"

I was out with a friend yesterday afternoon and we stumbled upon this new eating place at Taka: Pepper Lunch. It's a cosy mid-range Japanese eatery and their signature dish is beef but you have to cook the food yourself!

The meal is served on this sizzling hot plate that apparently incorporates some new technology that enables it to retain the heat. Thus, you've gotta mix the vege and flip your beef patties so that they're cooked evenly. You can also play around with two of their special sauces (garlic soya and honey brown sauce), pepper and salt - put your culinary skills to the test! (it's quite evident who's the better cook between the 2 of us...someone's tao gay got overcooked...hehe).

And towards the end of the evening, I received a really extravagant gift....
TADA!