Last post of the year!

Goodbye 2011, and hello 2012!

So here it is, the last day of 2011. Has it been a good year for you? Or do you wish it could've been better? Whatever the case, I do hope you've learned from it, and will be bringing the best with you into the new year! Leave behind the bad, as it's only motivation for you to do even better tomorrow! =)

Today marks the end of a roller-coaster year for me. There's been good, there's been bad, there's been moments when all you can think is "huh?".. There's been the exciting moments, the boring moments, the just nice and cosy moments.. But what it really brings, is the end of an adventure.

I've had a great time these 2 years, living in Kuala Lumpur. I've met amazing people, built up friendships that I hope will last a lifetime, had some fabulous experiences, and learnt so, so much. But I guess there comes a time when you must return home, and returning to KK will be a new beginning for me in 2012. I have no plans as of just yet, but I hope that 2012, the year of the dragon, will be a year for advancement in life, of happiness, of decision-making and of more travelling! (That travel bug just wont quit biting! ;p)

I'm not one to make resolutions, but I guess my resolution for 2012 would have to be to find my path, and not be here, there and everywhere.. As I'll be 25 in about 2 weeks, I guess it's time to find some direction! ;p

Do you make resolutions every year? How many do you achieve? What's your resolution this year? Do drop me a comment, would love to know! =)

Happy New Year 2012 everyone.. Have a blast bringing it in, but remember, always party safe!
xxxxx

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

It's Christmas eve! How's everyone doing? Shopping all done? Turkey defrosted? Invitations sent out? Presents all wrapped? =)

I foresee a good Christmas this year! Having two friends over for Christmas dinner with my family, we have a turkey, a pile of presents, and enough time for extra plans to be made! =) How about you? What are your plans?

I gotta run now though, gotta go squish with the rest of the last minute shoppers in KL!! Wish me luck guys!!
xxxxx

The Countdown...

...To Christmas!!Omg, Christmas is in 4 days!! I foresee a very hectic week ahead, seeing as NOTHING is done yet!! =O

Spring cleaning to be done before the 'rents get here.. In 2 days!! Not to mention all the X'mas shopping that has to be done! *nail-biting*

Although we wont be having a tree this year,I know Santa will still be coming to townWith pressies galore for me and my loved ones!And after so many years, we'll be having Turkey!! =D
Too bad no roast potatoes though.. =( Although - latest news! - Adrian might be doing something about that!! =D=D=D)

I havent even planned the places we want to go after the 25th.. Hmm.. A few nearer-to-home places we've never been before? Or a road trip? Decisions decisions!!

How are your plans looking? Ready for a very merry Christmas everyone? =) Drop me a note, I'd love to know! And if you have any suggestions on where I should take the family, I'd LOVE the help! =D

'Tis the season to be jolly!xxxxx

Credits to Fame Cherry and Marcus Low for the awesome Santarina photos!

North Korea's Christmas Present to the World?

Whether it's a gift or a curse, this has yet to be decided.

The announcement of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-il death (by heart attack, aged 69) was met with joy, fear and uncertainty. To the North Koreans, if we are to trust the short video clips that were released, the sudden death of their "dear leader" was met with grief and anguish.What happens next, is anybody's guess. How will the unofficial successor in the form of youngest son Kim Jong-un decide to rule? Or will he even have the military support to become the "Great Successor", as he has been named? At only a rumoured 28 years old, will the powers-that-be give him any room to have his say? This is one of the main reasons the world (in particular, South Korea, the US and Japan) is on tenter hooks - for fear that the young and "untested" successor will feel the need to show military strength to help establish his position. An optimistic hope is that he will begin to lead the hermit nation to peace with the world, and in turn, help his starving people.

Kim Jong-il was known for his secrecy, unpredictability and harsh rule. He was ranked 31st in Forbes Magazine's List of the World's Most Powerful People in 2010, and is in the news often, mostly for threats of nuclear testing or attacks on South Korea.

North Koreans lead a surprisingly normal life, though famine is one of the main problems faced by the self-sufficient state. The state is also said to have one of the worst human rights records in the world. All media and telecommunications are controlled by the military, and phones and the internet are not available for the public. Even so, many North Koreans now illegally wear clothes listen to music and watch videos of South Korean origin. The majority of North Koreans are atheist, as freedom of religion does not really exist (though it is always "said" to). Despite the border separation between North and South Korea, the two still share the same language (though dialects may differ), and traditional culture.

Contrary to popular belief, tourism does exist in the state, though it is controlled. Every group or individual visitor will be permanently accompanied by a "guide", who usually speaks the mother tongue of the tourist. Getting a visa for South Koreans, however, is virtually impossible. Judging from photos that can be found on the internet, North Korea (also known as Democratic People's Republic of Korea) does seem like a beautiful place though. Take a look for yourself!
Baitou Mountain, TianchiLake Samilpo Pyongyang CityRyugyong HotelTomb of King Dongmyeong

And that was your little lesson for the day! ;p On a lighter note, let me leave you with an article that was sent to me. I personally find this hilarious, so read on, and tell me what YOU think of the man who was globally condemned for most of his reign..

xxxxx

Pushing the Boundaries of Fashion

Pretty? This is the latest underwear ad for Dutch intimate apparel brand, Hema.

"What's so special about it?", you may ask. Well, this pretty "lady", is not actually a female model.

Andrej Pejic is an Australian androgynous male model of Serbian and Croatian parentage. The 20 year old model is represented by Storm Model Management. He is said to have been scouted when he was just 17, and has appeared in both male and female fashion shows, most recently for Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jeremy Scott.

His latest gig advertising this push-up bra that is said to enhance cleavage and make breasts appear 2 times bigger is causing controversy galore.
His biggest campaign to date seems to be the Spring/Summer 2011 Jean Paul Gaultier:And he's appeared on magazine covers such as L'Officiel UkraineAnd FollowAndrej has had editorial spreads in Vogue Paris, Italia, and Turkey, not to mention numerous more high fashion magazines every female model would kill to be featured in. Not only that, he is ranked #18 on a list of Top 50 male models, and was also ranked #98 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2011, and caused quite a commotion when a transphobic blurb was attached to his entry HERE.

A few more amazing photos:

So. The question is, dear readers, do YOU find that a man modelling women's initmates has perhaps crossed the line? Or do you think we should wholly embrace the gender-bending trend? Let me know! =)
xxxxx

Highly Anticipated! =D

No words are needed to describe this photo. *swoon*

New single to his upcoming album "Trespassing" will be released next Tuesday! =D It's been way too long.. Just heard a snippet, and 30 seconds is all I need to know that "Better Than I Know Myself" is gonna be on repeat for days! xxx

Sexy-Lee

Saw this on one of the walls in Sunway Pyramid.. Yummy!! ;p

Watch Out Old Klang Road!!

A long mutant is in town!! =O

12 Days Til Christmas!!

But the weather outside is frightening.. O wait. Not in South East Asia it's not! ;p

And the countdown begins! Rush, rush, rush to get all the Christmas shopping done, plans for the holidays, sometimes I dont even know where to begin! =D But 'tis the season to be jolly, and that, my dears, I will be! =D

What's on YOUR Christmas lists this year? Do share! =) One of the things on mine is a new hand phone.. Cz mine is way too close to being thrown at a wall! Lol..
xxxxx

Road Signs That Dont Make Sense

Trying to get to One Rochester in Singapore.. Hmm..

Professional Photography? Hmm..

So I bought one of the local fashion mags last month, the November 2011 issue of Cleo, and it came with a little booklet, the new catalogue from local shoe brand Vincci. Now, as you all know I'm kind of a shoe freak, so I immediately grabbed it and flipped through..

Unfortunately, it wasnt the shoes that caught my eye. Much to my surprise, good photos were ruined by a small detail that none of the editing team seemed to notice: unsightly wrinkles in the skin-coloured tights of the model!

Some were not so bad, like this one is barely anything:But then it gets worse:And the worst one is definitely this one:Out of the 9 images that featured the model (excluding the covers), 4 were crinkled! As an ad campaign, I would've thought small details like this would be important, it's not hard to smoothen out such a minor but distracting thing using photoshop! Not impressed Vincci, not impressed at all..

What do you think? Do you think it's a big deal? Should it have been dealt with before going into print? Or do you think it's fine to leave the wrinkles on the finished photo? Let me know! =)

xxxxx