Special Prayers

"Today, Danbo made a special prayer. He prayed that one day, the world will be free of cancer. He asked for God to give strength for all the fighters out there. He asked God to be with them when they are in need."

-- Sathyan Ram (23rd July 2011)

Somewhere Only We Know

I walked across an empty land

I knew the pathway like the back of my hand

I felt the earth beneath my feet

Sat by the river and it made me complete

O simple thing where have you gone?

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So tell me when you're gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree

I felt the branches of it looking at me

Is this the place we used to love?

Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

O simple thing where have you gone?

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So tell me when you're gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

If you have a minute why don't we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go

Somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know

O simple thing where have you gone?

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So tell me when you're gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

If you have a minute why don't we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go

So why don't we go

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go

Somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know..

- Keane

Fashion is an expensive word

I have never been bothered about fashion. I just feel I'm bad at it. I don't know what's in and what's out. I don't know what cool and what's hot. Well, at least, I used to be like that.

Until I learned the importance of presentation. That too through food photography - almost always you choose a food that has a picture on a menu and we often go for the one that looks most pleasing to the eye. Presentation is important. Translated to our human clothing terms, it's called fashion.

Indeed, fashion comes with a price. As I was walking along the mall last Friday (decided not get caught with the balik kampung jam), I stepped into GAP store obviously being attracted by the signboard "New Collection."

Skimmed through the stuff they had and I got the shock of my life when I saw the pair of jeans that I bought just a month back suddenly costs 50 bucks more than what I paid last time! It was just the same thing! And almost all their pants (short or long) cost just the same and obviously it were so darned expensive.

I continued walking and stepped into MANGO store. They certainly have brought in some new collections. But I don't understand how a shirt that is as thin as a paper could cost RM99? Fashion - yes that's right. It's the fashion. Wait till the end of season and the same shirt would only set you back RM39. Even that is still expensive for a product that probably won't last through 10 cycles of machine wash.

So most of the time when we buy clothes, a big chunk of money is actually being paid for the fashion and the brand - not the quality of material. However, there are some brands that do charge their products in accordance to the quality of the material being used. You will see this apparent in products such as luxury handbags, shoes and writing instruments. When you see these products, you will also see how beautifully the design, the quality and the brand blend together to create an exclusive feel which makes you, the buyer, feel elated to actually own one. 

That is why, I do not mind spending my hard earned money on products that really stand up for their price. I do hear people commenting my purchases as "she is rich, of course she can spend." Although the fact I am rich is not true, but I do see my purchases on good quality products as a form of investment. If I spent RM500 for a genuine leather bag and it serves me for at least two years, I have received my ROI (return on investment). Generally, these bags lasts longer than that - if it is well taken care of. I don't have to be rich to invest in a bag - I just need to manage my finances well in order to save enough money to buy something that actually doesn't require a repair or replace! In the long run, I am putting my money in something that is worth it.

Which means, that nice shirt I saw in Mango - it's not the time to buy yet. :P

Something to keep you looking up

The Hot Ticket

It has been quite some time since I've gotten myself a new pair of shoes. The last pair I bought was in 2008 - a pair of Hush Puppies which Sathyan got for me after much persuasion (he was persuading me to buy one, not the other way round!). 

The shoe served well for 4 years! That's what you get when you pay a premium price for something that is really good - it lasts for as long as it could. In fact, the shoe is still in good condition - except for the sole, which is worn out due to daily use. Yes, I used it every single day for 4 years.

I have been scouting for a good pair to replace my worn out HP shoes but it appears to me, Hush Puppies are going backwards in style - their latest collection is called HP1958 and God-knows why anyone born in the 80s would even think of buying one. The designs doesn't appeal to me anymore. So, time to move on then.

I did most of my search online, as I didn't really have the time to look for the shoes in the malls. I dropped by Adidas, Puma and Nike - found one or two that looked appealing... but wasn't calling out... come buy me...

In the end I found what I wanted at Skechers! These are called Biker shoes (because it is laced up already). When I was trying to put it on, it was difficult at first, but the moment my feet got in, the shoe snugged it and it felt really comfortable. That alone screamed, "Buy me!!" :)

I feel the design is just so very cool. I have not taken this out yet - planning to tomorrow, and let's see how well it stands up to my torture. It really is a great shoe and it works well for casual everyday use, running errands or even light workouts at the gym (I consider my workouts at the gym as light).

By the way, the shoe is called Hot Ticket. I didn't invent the title up :P 

Also, thank you to the wonderful soul who actually paid for this shoe! Yes, my pocket didn't get hurt this time as well :) Hehe...

Time and tide waits for no man.

Malaysians seem to have a fetish for free stuff. Even if it costs less than 10 ringgit, they are willing to queue for hours just to get something for free.

Just look at the queue below, to get a free scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

If you're interested, drop by any Starbucks on Friday after 6pm, and you'll be left wondering why the heck the queue to get a cup of coffee is so long.

We often think getting something free means value for money (you pay nothing and get something in return). But these people either have too much time in their hands or they think their time has no value - hence willing to spend their time queuing up to get something which doesn't even cost much on normal days. Unless of course, the item that is being given away is something of a much bigger value that on normal circumstances you have to work at least for a month to have enough money to buy it, then I would say it's worth it.

Sheesh...

Anyway, work these past few weeks has been hectic - as usual. With my friends missing from action at the office, I am almost zombie-like. Eyes are becoming darker and by the end of the day, my brain buzzes with some weird noises - like the one that comes out on TV before the broadcasts begin. Irritating sound for sure.

Sometimes, I wish I can have a change of environment though. It's almost a year now and probably also.. a time to move on.

Time and tide, my friend, waits for no man. :)