The Return

Hi!
This feels like entering an alien territory, my fingers doing an awkward dance on the keyboard not sure of WHAT to tell. How about "it has been sooooo long since I bla bla bla" - scratch that. I think i used that line once and to run it again feels like a horrible cliche. Or maybe a wistful "things have changed so much that I don't know where to start bla bla bla" and that sounds like an emotional rant waiting to happen.

Truth is, I'm in a middle of reality shake-up. It's that blackout phase in your life in which nothing seems to go according to plan. Instead, carefully planned plans spawned into something unexpected, but-not-always-bad-sometimes-shocking sort of thing. Like that plan to take dancing class. Too busy, no time. Or learn how to bake banana cake. No time, too busy finishing novels (let's face it, Jess is no domestic goddess). Or that person you thought you can't live without. Turns out you can and he wasn't what you wanted. How about that dream trip that wasn't suppose to happen but will happen soon (God willing) because you're just THAT crazy to face the possibility of being broke for months?

I dreamed of something else a year ago. An entirely different story line, with different cast, different theme song - masterpiece la konon.

Suddenly, as if the earth didn't move and the sun stopped shining, I'm on a completely different path weathering bitchy currents and (un) pleasant surprises. The only thing that God let me keep is the amazing group of people that I love dearly (you know who you are). So shit happens and you cry, you lament, you got angry, you regret, you rant, you accept, you forgive yourself, you let go and you move on, you keep your head high knowing that at the end of the day...

the best part is just about to start.

Stay positive people! #prayforsabah

Welcome February :)

Hello February!

It's the month of loooove. 

Chocolate, candies, heart-shaped balloons, outrageous valentine surprises, candle light dinner for two..and all that jazz.

I had a memorable February last year  *starry starry eyes*

Let's hope the magic continues this year :)

One Step Forward

For all the awesome things that I'm known for (ceh! :P), being a domestic goddess is not one of it. I'm not a good cook or should i rephrase that to "I can't cook". Up until my first year in Uni, the only meal i could cook with confidence is fried rice. I've been harboring desires to learn and get busy in the kitchen but the workload plus laziness hampered all attempts on my part. =_='

However everything changed when SPM happened, and I was no longer a Kitchen Virgin. As the story goes, I stayed back in Pinggan-Pinggan for a couple of weeks to fulfill my duty as an SPM invigilator. With so much free time and the sudden appearance of recipe books everywhere (I've got Kak Asnah to thank for that. Those books are among our entertainment during the long hours of invigilating).

So this particular recipe called "Ayam Kelapa" caught my eye. Mainly because I recognize all of the ingredients and the steps are explained clearly. After 3 days of contemplation, I told myself "stop being a lazy ass and own that kitchen, woman!". On Sunday, Ani and I drove to Kota Marudu to buy the ingredients needed. Highlight of the day? I found out what Daun Kari looks like.

The cooking part was quite comical. Well, I was all alone without anyone to tell me if I'm doing things right. The outcome was quite unexpected. I would like to think that I pull it off! *happydance* The chicken didn't taste weird, it's a bit spicy (due to the Cili Padi & Lada Merah) and there's a hint sweetness to it. (Really Jess? -_-) Sorry,  describing is not really one of my strong suit! Now, on to the pictures :-

PIC 1: This is hpw it's suppose to look like

PIC 2: JESS' VERSION (In Progress)

PIC 3: JESS' VERSION (In Progress)

PIC 4: JESS' VERSION (Completed)

I'm also glad to report that there was no case of diarrhea afterwards.
Hey, this is one thing I could get used to.
One step forward. My next challenge is that banana cake recipe.
Wish me luck readers! :)

Of That Dinner (where I didn't win anything)

I'm such a procrastinator!
>_<
I was swamped with blogging ideas since my last post on November 7 but I put it off, and now i can't seem to remember a single thing about the so-called "ideas". Maybe it wasn't as interesting as I thought. Let's see...ermm...ermmm.. (thinking hard)

(lightbulb moment!)

Not so long ago, I blogged about my dress-hunting plan for my school annual dinner. I decided to break away from the usual white, black, brown choice of dresses and opted for teal or turqoise. It's a wraparound dress - one that compliments my - uh - curvy figure. Found it at a boutique in Wisma Merdeka at just RM 60. Here it is :-

But my most prized hunt goes to that pair of gorgeous nude pumps from Maylana Boutique. Good quality, comfortable and absolutely worth every dime.

***

So it was a great dinner. It was held at Perkasa, Kundasang on a Saturday night - good food, good entertainment and it was great catching up with former colleagues who were invited as well. Here's one of me and a few of my good friends.

Unfortunately, i didn't win anything that night. Not even one of the lucky draw prizes -_-"

The next day, we finally set foot at Sabah's very own New Zealand aka Desa Cattle, in awe of the green EVERYWHERE, the cows and the flowers.

However my favorite shot is this one:

The breathtaking view of the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 6.23 am taken from the balcony of our room at Nabalu Lodge, using a 50mm Canon lens. Gorgeous isn't it?


Ok, that's about it.
Hopefully i win something next time =___='

On the brink

The long hols will start in two weeks. The year will end in about two months. At this time last year, I was still basking in the glory of graduation. I was winning with the world spinning at my will. On this day however, or night if to be more specific,  I'm not so sure anymore. I stand to lose a few things that matter. Things that make up the soul of Jess Big Plan. Unless I do something about it. The hardest part there is. I made myself believe I wasn't a quitter. I told everyone the same thing. Right now, I am ashamed to admit that I just might.

Without trying harder.

Without praying harder.

Such conclusion would freak me out a year ago.

But now, there's that unmistakable scent of surrender and acceptance. Hovering. Mocking.

I know I have it in me.

Courage.

Find it.

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.

It's A Small Joy: Butter Cookies

It could be a smell, a flash of color, a smile, a coloring book or a phrase that immediately brings you back to a memory. Of little moments in the past, that hovers just beneath your consciousness. These deja vus are often heartwarming ones, or what some would say 'a small joy'. Well, I had THAT moment while grocery shopping at the supermarket this afternoon. I was looking for Oat Crackers when something familiar caught my eye....wait..wait for it..

.

.

.

.

.

.

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TADAAAAAAA

It's the Danisa Traditional Butter Cookies! I haven't had a taste since.....can't recall when was the last time but it was surely a LOOOONG time ago. I used to think the Danisa Butter Cookies as a "once in a blue moon" cookies because mum seldom bought it, but when she did, the box would be empty at the end of the day.

 This particular sight never fails to take my breath away. Yummy yumm yumm!

So these are the types of the cookies in the box. Believe it or not, I just found out what they are today. -_-

This one's my favorite. Always have, always will. The Vanilla Ring cookie.

I love bumping into remnants of my childhood. This particular one reminds me of simpler times, when all I need to do to feel happy is have a Vanilla Ring Cookie, a hot Milo and my dog Tudy (now deceased). God and His little reminders! :")

It's A Girl Thing

Sofia Vergara's coral gown at the Emmys is a beauty. It hugs her figure perfectly and most importantly, it doesn't blend with the carpet. If only I have toned arms like hers, I would love to wear something like this to my school dinner. Which reminds me, I have one month to find the perfect dress.

Like any other girls, I love dress-hunting but the stress that comes with it? urghh! The shoes comes next, and then what to do with the hair? what kind of make-up? Accessories? Can you feel me dawg?

I still don't have a specific theme in my head. I usually determine one before going shopping. I miss shopping with the girls, now I have to do it all alone :-/

Oh well, wish me luck readers!

p/s TV shows such as Glee, Modern Family, The Vampire Diaries, House etc have returned. Here's to experiencing download frenzy everyone! ^.^