Fresh Start

I've been blogging on blogspot ever since I was 17, being highly bored during my two week break in between my SPM exams.

And it's been 5 years ever since!

Well, I guess I just wanted a fresh look and so I am now moving to a new page :

www.eemay101.wordpress.com

I hope you'll continue to enjoy snippets of the nonsensical things Lee Ee May finds herself doing in life.

=)

EeMay likes...

Missing Kai

I really miss Kai, my two-year old nephew in Adelaide.

I miss the way he calls me "Ehh Mei".

The way he knocks at my door, wanting to come in.

The way I'd take him for evening walks and then to the playground.

The way we'd run and pretend to catch the wind or touch the sky. And his torrid laughter each time I put him on the swing or the slide.

The way he dances to the Wiggles and jiggles his bum.

And his excitement every time I blow bubbles. He likes to pop them.

The way he'd run towards me with arms wide open, knowing..trusting that I'd catch him when he falls.

The Week Gone By

Last weeks was interesting in a sense.

I listened to Michelle interestingly yak about the adult ballet classes she was attending while we were munching on pop corns before getting into the cinema to watch '17 again'.

How I SOOOO wouldn't want to be 17 again. SPM all over again??? NO utter WAY!!!!

But the movie was enjoyable and I laughed the whole way. I think I have a secret crush on Zac Efron now!

I also tagged along a few friends, and new found ones, to Taman Chiling at Kuala Kubu Baru. An hour's drive from KL heading towards Ipoh. 

Where after crossing the river 6 times at trekking for an hour plus, you'd reach this gorgeous waterfall. 

It was really fun except I had a sustaining knee injury from my time at Aussie which still hasn't heal. And by the end of our trek it was too painful too even hobble.

It was nice of a guy to piggy back me all the way back. For a moment, I had a glimpse of twilight. (Only 100 miles per hour slower)

I also had fun leaping from the rocks into the icy cold pool!!!

Thanks Crissy, Gadiy and Tim for the fun time!

I also had the chance to eat practically the WHOLE day at Malacca for my church cell group retreat. Josh and Xin were with me so it was really REALLY fun!!!!

Other than that, I had my last session for Elijah House, my prayer counseling course and I slept over at Nadia's as well.

So it was good week spending time with Friends.

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will at least be a little bit different for our having passed through it.

- Harold Kushner, American Rabbi

Bali

The last time I was in Bali, I was fourteen. And like any typical fourteen year old, the only thing that took me away at Bali was the countless stores with the sign boards- QUIKSILVER , ROXY, BILLABONG, RIP CURL and the likes.

Coming back 8 years later, I am surprised at how Bali charms me in such a different way this time.

The Balinese architecture and the colours they choose that so blend in with one another. Unlike Malaysia where you get horrendous choices of colour combinations, its like each and every building fits in with one another in unison. Nothing stands jarringly out.

Or their love for beautifying spaces with greenery. Although there has been extensive development, I love their love for the extensive use of trees, plants, flowers. It's like the whole island is a beautiful

 garden, a jarring difference from Malaysia's concrete blocks. I keep thinking that if the gardens of Bali can be so beautiful, how much more stunning would Eden have been.

It is really such a beautiful place that sometime I try to take a picture, hoping it would encapsulate, capture the beauty that I see. But my camera doesn't do enough, doesn't do justice to what is before me. It's like you have to be there.

To smell the crisp air, the result of morning's rain. To see the lushness of the greens, the beautiful gardens that you can't help but to feel at peace. To see the waves of the sea that breaks out in different shades of blue you

 can't explain. To take in the bustling charming terraces where the island sings its tune amongst the people. To behold the mighty sunset while you're overlooking a cliff, or sitting at the beach. 

And there's always something to find, something to be charmed by at Bali.

Whether you whiz by the quaint artistic shops of inland kampung-like Ubud, the quieter upper class resorts and restaurants of beachfront Seminyak, or prefer the livelier atmosphere of commercialized beach-front Kuta, there's always something that is sure to mesmerize you.

I really enjoyed my time there and it was good rest for me. I went for a spa, snorkeled, ate, swam, shopped, walked around a lot, drove around even more, ate some more and had cheap pedicure that I very much regretted. (It felt like they were chain-sawing my nails!!!!)

We even went to a restaurant called Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck) that Mick Jagger got married in. It is, I would say, one of the most beautiful restaurants I've been to. You feel like you're sitting in a beau

tiful balinese garden, overlooking a little jetty-like boardwalk that trails out into the paddy fields that surrounds the restaurant. And

 beneath the paddy fields is the monsoon jungle-like forest, still intact, enchantingly painting your horizon. They are also famous for their crispy duck.

Gosh, it was just so beautiful I just had to look for pictures online to show you but really, it is NOTHING like being ACTUALLY there!!!!

The view, but really it is NOTHING like real life!!!!

I also loved the Balinese accent and felt that it was a FAR cry from the train-like accent of other parts of Indonesia. It was audible, somewhat slow even, which to me reflects the relaxed dancing tune this island sings.

But after five days, I was yearning to go back home. Or maybe I was yearning to call Justin and hear his voice even more. *Lol*

Which made me wonder which is worst. Being really sick or depressed and not having him there. Or seeing something entirely enchanting or beautiful, and not having him there to

 witness that magical beauty with you.

Oh well, a month's time and I will be getting on the airplane again. And this time I know who will be at the other end at the airport waiting for me. =)

World Issue: History Ransacked

I was sitting in one of the oldest garden restaurant in Bali last week and reading the Herald Tribune.

The front page headline led me to feel miserable every time I thought of it.

China is razing to dust an ancient Islamic city situated where the northern and southern branches of the Silk Road converged. 

The donkey-cart alleys and mud-and-straw buildings of Kashgar was once sacked by Tamerlane and Genghis Khan.

Today, it is going to be sacked again. This time by the Chinese government.

Their reason: “The entire Kashgar area is in a special area in danger of earthquakes,” Mr. Xu, the vice-mayor said.

But in its place, will supposedly rise a new Old City, a mix of midrise apartments, plazas, alleys widened into avenues and reproductions of ancient Islamic architecture “to preserve the Uighur culture.”

A history enthusiast and a person whose dream travels involves journeying through the ancient Silk Road, I am entirely disheartened by this. A thousand-year-old culture and civilization, priceless, unexchangeable, will see 85% of its once glorious sites torn to dust, all in the name of modernization. This is a BLOW to China's THOUSAND YEAR OLD Islamic and Uighur culture, which is named by historians as “the best-preserved example of a traditional Islamic city to be found anywhere in central Asia” !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

It is bad enough that Beijing has lost a lot of its charming ancient buildings to modern high-rises, the Chinese government is tearing apart invaluable pieces of its history and culture in other places too. To what extent will they exchange history for "modernization"???????

I AMMMM JUSTTTTT SOOOOOOOOOO UPSET!!!!!

In KLIA airport lounge now going to Bali for 5 days whee!!!!

Dreams

Living and dreaming are two different things- but you can't do one without the other.
- Malcolm Forbes, Magazine Publisher.


A DREAM IS AN IDEAL involving a sense of possibilities rather than probabilities, of potential rather than limits. A dream is the WELLSPRING OF PASSION, giving us direction and pointing us to lofty heights. It is an EXPRESSION OF OPTIMISM, HOPE, AND VALUES lofty enough to capture the imagination and engage the spirit. DREAMS GRAB US AND MOVE US. They are capable of lifting us to new heights and overcoming self-imposed limitations.
- Robert Kriegel, Business Consultant

Freaking OVER Freakonomics

SO YES!!!!!!!!!!

I finally purchased this highly-awaited-by-moi book that uses behaviour economics theory to explain like...the weirdest questions ever!

For example:

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool?

What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?

Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?

How much do parents really matter?

How did the legalization of abortion affect the rate of violent crime?

I've scouted countless bookstores for it and there was always only ONE left! And that very ONE left was always dog-eared or had pages crumpled or something not very nice like that. So THANK GOD Borders, Tropicana City had a lot of stock.

So yay!!!!!!!!!!

The ULTIMATE F1 experience!

So this, my friend, is the ULTIMATE sepang F1 experience!!

1.00 pm. - Your sister barges into your room, demanding to know RIGHT now if you are interested in tagging along with her and her friends to watch F1 because she has some free tickets.

5.00 pm. - Be STILL stuck at the traffic jam right outside the F1 circuit even though the race is about to begin like.... RIGHT NOW.

5.15 p.m. - Finally reach the carpark. Realise that carpark is a LONG WALK from your sitting area. You proceed to walk for about 30 minutes to the OTHER end of the circuit while hearing race cars whiz by and you feeling tormented over not being able to SEE it!

5.23- It begins to drizzle. You realise umbrella was left in the car.

5.49- You finally reach your designated area- the hilltop. Which is basically an uncovered grassy hill where everyone just stands around. By now, it is starting to pour cats and dogs. You're cold and drenched. Your probabilty of dying due to being striked down by lightning has increased multiple fold.

5.51 p.m. - You slip and fall RIGHT SMACK on your butt due to slippery muddy ground. Teenage boys behind you chuckle. You turn around and give them your biggest SMILE. (Like I'm not used to embarassing myself!!! HAH!)

5.55 p.m. - After watching the race for a GRAND TOTAL of 5 minutes, race is stopped due to torrid rain. You, by now, are soaking wet and the rain is still hitting hard mercilessly. You walk out and a group of other teenage boys, under nice BIG golfing-size umbrellas look at you with the same look an avid RSPCA volunteer would render a poor little puppy. One of the teenage boys proceeds to hand you this mini umbrella which you'd have to plop on your head and makes you look like Doraemon. "Here, take it!" he says. Beggars can't be choosers so you SQUEAL in upmost apreciation and delight!

6.03 p.m. - Your proceed your 30 minute walk back to the carpark! In the POURING WINDY RAIN. While wearing the colourful doraemon-like umbrella hat. And have EVERYONE stare at you as if you were a 22 year old with horns sticking out. (Which technically, you kind of do.) And then make your way to the venue of the Jamiroquai concert!!!!

Voila! So that's YOUR ultimate F1 experience!








This is me trying to show Justin on the webcam how GORGEOUS I looked in my doraemon-like uber patriotic UMBRELLA hat!

Of Dengue and Earth Hour

So the day people figured how to observe EARTH HOUR, I was discharged from the hospital after spending 4 days there for having dengue.

It was a horrible week before. Being ill and all that. So I was SOOOOO happy to come home.

My sister planned for us to have Korean bbq at home. With candles and all. So we had our own Earth Hour longer than needed be.

And after dinner, we took a stroll outside and I saw all these notices stuck outside a few houses on my street!!!!Oh...! And these are the lovely flowers that Xin, Josh, Justin Lee and Viv got for me during my stay at the hospital. I love the way it looked it my room!

The Fashion Salon

My gorgeous stylista second sister whose fashion sense I've always admired has her own online boutique!!!!

Aaaah, shopping has never been made easier for me. All I just do is walk out of my room next door into her room and *voila*, I can shop!!!!

But for the rest of you, do drop by http://www.thefashionsalon.blogspot.com/ and pay it a visit!

Some of the items that I personally love are:

This black tube bubble dress!!!!



























This Purple Chiffon Top!!!! Available in blue and white as well!!!


























This black V neck sequined dress!!!

The Cake!

So Justin Lee* messages me asking me to get the cake for Xin's surprise birthday dinner.

I think, well WHY buy it when I can make one?

I mean I've always wanted to make a nice-looking birthday cake with layers and cream and all that.

So I did! And here's the result!

I sincerely think it is a stark improvement from this cake in 2007 and this cake in 2005!

Happy 22nd Xin!

* Xin Xin's Justin, not mine.

Two Months into my Long Distance Relationship

So 20% of my phone conversations with Justin goes somewhat like this:

Me literally shouting on the phone:
JUSSTIIIIIINNNNNN!!!!!!!!!! COMEEEEEEE BACKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! I DON'T CAREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I'll WORK !!! I'll earn money for the both of us!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST come BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin as if he was explaining to a 4 year old:
No, I can't. Because I have to study.

Me continuing to shout on the phone:
JUSTINNN!!!! JUST!!!!! COME !!!!!BACK!!!!! I ABSOLUTELY DEMAND THAT YOU DO!!!!!!!!!! COME BACK TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ok, you'd probably think that I've gone hysteric. And yes, it is rather surprising that Justin has volunteerily chosen to remain with someone that insane.

But well, it is only in our phone conversations that I'm like that. Partly to annoy him. Partly because I really do miss him.

Two months is the longest I've ever been away from Justin. Ever since we first got together.

But surprisingly, I am not really missing him in the I-can't-live-without-my-bf-I-am-so-sad-I-just-wanna-die kind of way.

I mean I do miss his presence. His voice. His smile. His laughter. His cooking. His company. Him just being..there.

But I'm not sad. Or unhappy. I'm not dying to get on the next flight to Adelaide to see him.

It's like two years isn't that bad. I can do it.

It's funny because when I talked to Xin about how she felt when her Justin left for a year, she said that she started crying 5 months before.

And so I went home and 'tried' crying but couldn't. (This was about two weeks before Justin Chai left)

Well, I did cry right before I left for RBS. The last time I saw him. But after that it was swooosh. Back to my own world. Back to life on my own. Back to independent me again. Someone I've quite forgotten for a while.

I remember a conversation in Sydney with Su Yin. I even remember where we had that conversation. It was when we were walking passed the beautiful state library. About would you be the kind of girlfriend that sticks with your boyfriend wherever he goes. Sacrificing your own dreams. Or would you rather chase those dreams, even if you had to embark somewhere else. And take the risk of a long distance relationship, not being able to be with that special someone.

I remember so many people asking me, in response to my decision to leave Adelaide to pursue my masters in the UK, "WHAT ABOUT JUSTIN?????"

Well, Su Yin said she wouldn't think twice about chasing her dreams. She's just that type of person, she claimed. Not needing to be continuously there with that someone. Wanting her space.

And I guess in this case, I'd have to agree with her.

I don't want to lose part of me for a guy. These dreams I've made, I've made them years ago. They're who I am.

And even without those dreams, I've come to realised that I do really enjoy being by myself. Back to the self-reliant, self-dependant, self-sufficient Ee May.

I love Justin. I miss him heaps. But even so, I want to live out my life before giving it to him in marriage.

And if it is going to take two years, three years or even four years. So be it.

But in the mean time.....

JUSTIN CHAI!!!!!!!!! COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!