Jersey Boys

Been a while since I've seen a musical.
Thanks to Sam's mum, Sam, Cheryl, Lynn and I got to see Jersey Boys on Broadway yesterday at the August Wilson Theatre. A light-hearted juke box musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

For those who are still not familiar with Frankie Valli, he was the lead singer of the major hit group in the 50's who originated the song Can't take my eyes off you, Walk like a man, and many many other hits.









Daddy, would love this musical just like how mum loved Mamma Mia. Totally their time.

Sam & I

Roomies *hearts*

I am awed by what defines a hit back in the 50's and now. Everything back then was about the beautiful harmonies that tie the song together, and now everything is about the beat and auto-tune. Not that I think it sucks. It is just so different now. You can practically create an entire track with electronic percussion and make it a hit these days. What will it be in another 50 years? How would our children look at Beyonce and David Guetta?

What is your favorite oldies hit?

Random Ramblings... as usual.

Hi lovies,

Sorry that I have neglected the blog for a while.
I would love to update as much as I can, but it is difficult without pictures to express my day without a whole lot of typing. I am a firm believer in 'A picture speaks a thousand words'. Mainly because I was never good at articulating the gazillion things that go on in my mind without sounding like a broken record that goes on and on with no finale to the song.

Hah! There you go, I just did it again.


Anyways, I've been good. Dancing. Loving the people who I love. Food. Trying not to bake without an occasion. Lol.

I just received an email from my dance school notifying me that my program is coming to an end at the end of this month. I am pretty devastated. After spending 6 months as a dance student with 11 classes a week, I have grown accustomed to early morning ballet classes and am enjoying my progress as an artist. I feel satisfaction seeing myself improve from day one and am excited realizing that I should move on to a more advance class.
And now, it is finally coming to an end. What am I going to do after this!!! :(

I also loved being a student again. The fact that I was not allowed to work allowed me focus on nothing but my skills. No worries (besides trying to save as much as I can). I like that. Sigh.

However, I must say that I do miss the financial freedom that I had while I was working like a mad dog before leaving to do CHICAGO last summer. Hopefully my catering company will load me up with a bunch of jobs so I can keep myself busy (and more money in my empty bank account) before I leave for MISS SAIGON in May.


So, what do you think I should do now?
Nobody wants to hire someone who cannot commit for less than two months.
I would LOVE to continue dancing but I literally am empty in my bank account. Anybody wants to sponsor me? $150 for 10 classes!!

Meh.




Personal Goals for the next month.
1. Keep juicing.
2. Nothing to eat after dinner time.
3. Fast once a week.




Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........

Hi World,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Loved the fact that so many people on the streets are wearing red.

Loved that my Jazz teacher gave our hugs and chocolate.

Loved that the weather is pretty instead what it was forecast to be. Yay no rain!

Loved that I see men carrying bouquets of flowers/cakes/chocolates on the way home from work.

Loved that I came home to this!!

To everyone out there, single and coupled, Hugs and Kisses!



LOVE.

Things That Could Possibly Go Wrong While Planning a Surprise Party

and What You Should Do to Save It.




1. Be ready to change plans and switch days (including the prepping and shopping days) at least 24 hours in advance because the person whom you plan the surprise party for does not know that there will be a party for her. Don't forget to let all your guests know too!

2. Communication. Call your accomplices the night before to make sure they have everything you need ready because as I have learned, people often disregard and not reply to your emails even though you know that they have already read them.

3. Think on your feet if they say, "Oh... I still have not gotten x, y, z......... everything."
It's might be better to get everything on your own.

4. Figure out what to say when you are baking the cake in your house when she is not suppose to be around. And don't smile while you are at it. Cuz she can tell that you are lying, especially if she is related to you.

5. Don't leave specific ingredients (especially the ones that screams her name) laying around while you are at it. Keep them right after using it because it might catch her attention, and she just might say, "OMG, I LOVE Baileys! What is it for?!" And you simply can't say, "Oh, it's for the Guiness Chocolate Ice Cream Cake with Baileys Cream Cheese cake that I am baking for you that is not really for you, but it is for you."

6. Prep everything you need to bring in bags prior to taking the ice-cream cake out of the freezer so you don't have to rush out of the house worrying about the cake melting and forgetting all the other things you would need.

7. Don't trust yourself to plan anything unless you have full control of all circumstances. In other word, DO NOT TRUST ANYONE even if she was your sister's best friend, even more so if she has the record of tardiness. No-no.

8.  Have a Plan B if the person you were suppose to meet at 12pm could not be gotten hold of until 1.30pm, especially if you have the TIME & TEMPERATURE BOMB aka. The Ice-Cream cake in your car's backseat.

9. Make sure the bags that you use to carry all your food items and bottles of wine are durable and tough because you don't want them to break in the middle of your journey, especially if your are travelling uptown, then across town, then downtown, and uptown again via public transportation and on foot (not including the cab just because you are poor).

10. Make sure you know when your Metro card expires because you don't wanna be carrying a handful of bags and getting denied at the turnstiles with 6 other people behind you. You don't wanna waddle your way through the crowd with all those bags again.

11. Prioritize what to buy first. You don't wanna look like the lady (aka me) with 6 pink and green balloons tied to her wrists shopping at a grocery store ignorant of the fact that her balloons are bumping into everyone she crosses.

12. Know where you put your personal items even if your hands are full and there are balloon strings around your neck. You don't want to lose your new MTA card that costs $104 while you are already going through such a treacherous day, and it has not even started yet!

13. Breathe.

14. Don't forget to eat while you are running errands and dreaming of pulling all the hair off your head because of frustration. Dad says, "A hungry man is an angry man."

15. Rant and maybe even cry your frustrations away prior to the party. You don't want no negative energies in a happy occasion!

16. Think, 'Everything is going to get better from here.'
The worst has already happened. Only good things from now on!!!

17. Remember that melted Ice-Cream Cake of disaster?! Think of a creative name for that.. or you can say you didn't make it. After the melted ice-cream hardened with the cake, it looked like an art piece that belonged at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Because of it's deep valleys and flat mountainous formations, I named it after glorious rift in the Colorado Plateau, The Grand Canyon.
Thank God it still tasted like how it was suppose to.

18. Maybe getting everyone to drink a little would be a better idea before serving the cake. People might not think that it looks as horrible as it does.









I had one heck of a crazy day planning for my sister's surprise birthday party yesterday. The night ended great and I am thankful for those who came and made it happen. Hopefully we'll see the pictures soon!




Have you ever planned a party that almost did not work out?
Share!

Dragon Year

One of the best Chinese New Years since coming to the States. Chinese New Year is a huge event for us. In Michigan, my friends and I would drive 3 hours to Chicago just to get a decent Asian meal or we would have dinner parties at a friend's place.

This year, besides having the typical night before Chinese New Year Framily dinner, a Malaysian friend whom we got to know invited us over to his apartment to celebrate the New Year with his family. Stepping into his house brought me back to the times when we were in Malaysia. Yes, we always celebrated Chinese New Year, but it was different without family.




Day before Chinese New Year


Mum would be pestering everyone to clean the house. Last minute laundry, dusting of windows, tables, making sure everything is clean and spotless. Oooo!! And last minute Shopping! I always had brand new clothes for the first three days of Chinese New Year.
Family dinner at our Grandparent's place (mum's side). My grandmother makes the best home cooked food. Typical dishes include Sharkfins' soup, steamed chicken..... GAH!! I've not had her cooking in SO LONG!
Obviously, we get our Red Packets from that side of the family that day :)




Day of Chinese New Year


Mum makes breakfast (Which is almost rare). We would have noodles (represents longevity) in clear fragrant broth and an egg each (represents growing a year old). After that, we would serve mum and dad tea and they would give us Red Packets. We usually visit an orphanage and/or old folks home. Mum and dad made it a tradition to bless other on the auspicious day.
The rest of the day would be spent visiting family and friend's houses, collecting red packets, and of course eating a whole lot at it.






Hope everyone is having a wonderful time. To new resolutions, hopes, and dreams.
Have a wonderful, prosperous, healthy, fruitful dragon year my lovelies :)

The Flowers of War

I heard about this movie from my Lynn a couple weeks ago. The only thing that I remembered her saying was that Christian Bale is in it and it's set during the Nanking Massacre. Two days ago, I was on facebook and the ad for the movie appeared on the right side of my facebook page. I clicked on it, and the next thing I knew, I had to stop myself from reading further into it because I had to see this movie without any spoilers.




One of the best movies that I have seen in a long while. I rarely go to the movie theatres because they are so expensive here in the city. But this was definitely the best $14 spent on a movie.


The movie left us feeling really sad and emotional.
Funny thing was that we saw the movie right before attending a Chinese New Year framily dinner. If you are Chinese, you would know, 'No bad thoughts during Chinese New Year', 'No wearing black!', 'No cleaning of the house because you would sweep away the good luck!'
So here we are heading towards the Malaysian Restaurant feeling all gloomy and beaten up by the ever so realistic film. Mind you, it wasn't a bad thing. It was damn darn good movie that kept us thinking. Also, the reason why we were so effected by it was because it hit close to home. Malaysia too suffered from the Japanese invasion and we've heard and read about the rape and deaths in textbooks.

I was told that my mother's grandfather was once a rich banker and one day he went out and never came back, killed by the Japanese. My grandmother on the other hand would have to disguise herself as a boy when she went out or else she would probably be caught and raped!

Yup, close to home.

About The Film

---

From internationally celebrated director Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, Hero, House Of Flying Daggers) comes a story of love and war - and a band of outcasts who emerge as unlikely heroes from the shadows of a city's occupation. At once lyrical and visceral, the film enters the apocalyptic world of Nanjing in 1937 only to find a vibrant human story about the invisible people of the city and a series of unexpected relationships that lead to a resonant act of sacrifice.

It begins when the danger in the streets of Nanjing throws together a group of opposites --a flock of shell-shocked school children, a dozen seductive courtesans, and a renegade American (Academy Award winner Christian Bale, The Fighter, The Dark Knight) posing as a priest to save his own skin, or so he thinks - all seeking safety behind a walled cathedral. Trapped by marauding soldiers, over the next few days the prejudices and divides between them will fall away as they unite around a last-ditch plan to protect the children from impending catastrophe.

Shot over 5 1/2 months in the most extensive production ever undertaken in China, the film recreates the reality of Nanjing after Japanese troops invaded the Chinese city, setting off one of the most shocking episodes of civilian suffering in the modern history of war. Yet THE FLOWERS OF WAR is not so much about the deadly battles in the street as it is about all the life that continues to go on behind the closed doors of a city in hiding.

THE FLOWERS OF WAR is directed by Zhang Yimou from a screenplay by Liu Heng (The Story of Qui Ju, Ju Dou) and Yan Geling based on Geling's novel The Thirteen Flowers of War. The film is produced by Zhang Weiping (here marking his tenth collaboration with Zhang Yimou) under his New Pictures Film banner. The executive producers are David Linde, ChaoYing Deng and Bill Kong.

Joining Christian Bale and leading lady Ni Ni is a cast that also includes 13-year-old Zhang Xinyi in her film debut as the narrator Shu; newcomer Huang Tianyuan as George, the boy who takes it upon himself to protect the school girls after the death of the local priest; Tong Dawei (Apple; Red Cliff) as Major Li, a war-weary soldier determined to save the life of a wounded compatriot; Atsuro Watabe (A Quiet Life / Shizukana Seikatsu) as Colonel Hasegawa, commander of the occupying Japanese army; Shigeo Kobayashi (Todai) as Lt. Kato, his ruthless sidekick, and popular Chinese television presenter, Cao Kefan, as Mr. Meng, a Chinese civilian who will do anything to save the life of his young daughter.

It is only airing in 2 movie theaters in New York. 

Landmark Sunshine Cinema at 143 East Houston Street

and

Regal E Walk Stadium 13 & RPX at 247 West 42nd Street


For other locations *click*




~adapted from www.theflowersofwarthemovie.com










Please do watch it and tell me what you think! :)








And yes, 
HAPPY DRAGON CHINESE NEW YEAR everyone!!!!!!!
To Health, Prosperity, Love, and Success!!!!

Feeling so sick :(

First Video of 2012

Been working on this song since I heard it about 2 weeks ago. I was going to record it on last Monday when my smoke detector ran out of battery and was beeping it's head off every 3 minutes.
Well, this is the first video of the year! Hope that there is more to come :)

Please enjoy and share! :)



Love

Hope you had a wonderful countdown

cuz I did with my favorite people :)

Let's rock this dragon year!!!!

Resolutions for 2012

None.

Because these are the things that I should be working on long term and not just for the first few months of 2012. One thing though, I want to live like this is the last year on earth. Don't you worry, I don't believe in the 2012 end of the world craze. You gotta live life to it's fullness right?

:)


1. Keep a food log.
Just so, I can scare myself by seeing physically how much crap I put into my body.

2. Keep juicing.
I love what it is doing to my body. I rarely feel stuffed up anymore, and I love the fact that it feels me up. In a way, it's a meal replacement :)
I'll be posting on of my favorite recipes soon!

3. Keep fasting once a week.
I've done it for at least a month before Christmas and I kinda broke the Tuesday Fasting cycle. I want to get back into it. No more snacking damn it!

4. Record more covers.
I realized that I almost never do it (although my roomies are pressuring me to), because I am afraid of being judged my my super-singer friends who are subscribed to my youtube account. There's just way more pressure because I don't wanna upload anything that I don't think is close to perfect because it is what I do.
Sigh. I gotta find more ways to do it without feeling conscious.
Hmm... we'll see.

5. Get an agent.
I've been in the city for a little over a year now and I think that it is about time that I get more serious about being seen and submitted for projects. Been doing it myself, and it takes a motivated person to really get it done right. Will be scouting for agents after getting my Greencard (hopefully sooooon!!!!)







I like writing down resolutions just cuz I can see them literally and be embarrassed about not following it.
Lol. Some self motivation eh? I guess it works!




What are you doing for NYE?



Happy glitz and glam! Cheers to the New Years!

Finally!

After weeks of waiting, I finally heard the good news on Dec 23rd that I will be performing in an equity theatre in Philly for the production of Miss Saigon!!!  I can't express how happy I am, and even better, I had my framily to celebrate with on the same night of the Holiday Dinner Party.

I am cast as the female ensemble (gotta start somewhere eh), and I will be understudying the part of Gigi (which is awesome!!!!!!!!)

Now I really gotta tone up to fit into that teeny weeny bikini on stage.


:)


Cheers!

Walker Christmas

Aside from having a marvelous dinner party in conjunction of the holidays, Sam and I headed an hour west to his family's to celebrate Christmas. Just like last year, I got to sing in the choir at the local church which I really enjoy. I cannot recall a Christmas without performing in church. I have been doing it every since I could spit words out of my mouth!! In fact, I think the first solo I had was when I was about 6 or 7 at the First Baptist Church. I was going to sing 'Silent Night' on Christmas eve and being the excited kid I was, I practiced every day until I lost my voice the day of. Boo.

Worst, the pastors daughter who was about a year or two older than I am said that I ruined the entire performance because I sounded like a frog. Hah! How mean kids can be.

Anyways, here's the super tall tree!!

Look at all the presents underneath!

I had a lot of wonderful presents myself this year :)

A traditional Walker Christmas dinner.

Really Juicy Roast Beef, Homemade Gravy, Scalloped Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Steamed Broccoli with Homemade Hollandaise Sauce, and Yorkshire Pudding.

 Yorkshire Pudding

The first time I had Yorkshire Pudding was also this time last year when Sam's mum made it for Christmas.

One word, amazing. Must be all the butter. That's why you only have it once a year :)

The pretty table setting. China plates, silverware, and crystal goblets.

Dinner Guests

Look how pretty the tree is at night!

You almost don't see the old school C7 lights anymore now that LED lights took over. 

The best part of Christmas away from the city.

A real fireplace. I love the crackling of the logs and the warmth that it brings. So good. 

Truly, best Christmas in the States :)

3 days till 2012!!!!

Any resolutions?

Christmas 2011

Through the years, we all will be together,

if the fate allows,

hang a shining star above the highest bough.

And have yourself, a Merry little Christmas now.

Although there is no white Christmas this year, I feel that everyone had a little more holiday cheer in them.

I came home last Tuesday to my roomie feeling super excited that she even offered to give me a manicure just so I could look Christmassy!

I love the glitter on em. Aren't they pretty :)

I must say, this year's Christmas is one of the most memorable ones that I've celebrated in the United States besides the one that was celebrated with my friends in Disneyworld in 2008

I was feeling extremely Christmassy and wanted to do something to celebrate the holiday. After contemplating on what to do and where without dropping a bomb, we've decided to hold a holiday party at DMC's place. Obviously, after spending nights salivating over what I would call food porn, I was extremely excited to have the chance to make something for the hungry crowd. 

Baked Brie with Sundried tomatoes and Pesto in a Puff Pastry.

Super delish. Super easy to make!!! 

I think this will be my go to appetizers from now on until I find something better and easier.

Besides, who doesn't love melted cheese?

Sam described this dish as a 'really rich and yummy pizza'.

Success!

I also made Cheddar Black Sesame Breadsticks.

Ah!!! So darn good!!!

They require a teeny bit more work than the baked brie but this is worth it.

I also made Bacon wrapped Asparagus, which I don't have a picture of. It's really good and easy do make.

We had tonnes of food. After all we are Malaysian, hence we are all foodies. 

DMC made a superb Shepard's pie and Artichoke dip.

Lynn made a Ham, Mac and Cheese (delish!)

Alice brought homemade salad with pineapple chunks and Italian dressing

SueLai bought Peruvian Chicken

Kevin got us Chicken Satay

Cheryl, FooJin and Tony supplied the vodka, wine, and whiskey that got us all shit-faced

We did take the dinner party seriously.

DMC probably is having em leftovers for the next few days!

We played Secret Santa and here I am jumping into the present pile!

I was so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

My original gift that I picked was an awesome On-the-go-blender.

Perfect for my juicing craze. But it was stolen from me.

My second gift that I picked was a pair of headphones and 2 movie tickets!!!

Mr. Sammy and I :)

Cheryl Love and I.

Gosh, I cannot imagine this party without her. 

Thank you for such a fun time hunn!!!!

My dear sister and I. 

I thank God that I have you as a sister. Really, I wouldn't be where I am without you.

MUAH!

From left:

SueLai, Kevin, Lynn, FooJin, and I after dinner

Here's the clan!

It was such a wonderful time.

I can't trade the best company in the world, the best homemade meals, the alcohol (omg), everything was perfect. Thank you all for making this happen.

This was also the 2nd time in my life that I woke up with a hangover. Mind you, I almost never get drunk. 

I guess we did eat, drink, and be merry :)

Happy holidays everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa!!

3 years ago

I played Marcy Park.




One of the best shows I have had the most fun doing. Hopefully I will do this again one day.


Happy Thursday!

Casserole

I've been feeling the need to bake and cook so much lately. Maybe because I have a lot of time on my hands now compared to a couple of months ago. Honestly, I would cook more if I had all the money in the world to buy the most random ingredients. I know that they are usually not as expensive, but imagine having to buy 12 different bottles of spices just to make one dish! Ah, so much you can do if you have money.
Unfortunately, I don't.


Anyway, I came home today feeling like I need to make something that would fit the cold season. Something easy. Something... CHEAP.



Spicy Italian Sausage, Peas and Oven Roasted Tomatoes Casserole

It doesn't look as good here because of the the color of the peas. But it is awesome alright!


Ingredients;

1 Tb spoon of Olive Oil
1 Tb spoon of Sweet Butter
1 box of pasta (I used tri-colored Fusilli)
4 Spicy Italian Sausages
1 can of Sweet Peas
4 Tomatoes
4 White Button Mushrooms
3 Dried Chillies
1 (5.3 oz) Fat Free Yogurt
1 Tb spoon Black Sesame Seeds
1 Tb spoon Flax Seeds
1 Ts spoon Salt
1 Ts Grounded Black Pepper
3 Tb spoon Parmesan Cheese
As much Shredded Mozzarella Cheese as you want ;) 

*Pre heat oven at 350 degrees*
1. Dice Tomatoes, Slice Mushrooms
2. Boil Pasta
3. Heat Olive Oil
4. Remove skin from Sausage, saute in Olive Oil and add Mushrooms
5. Cut Butter into pieces and spread around Casserole Pan.
6. Mix cooked Pasta with Yogurt, Sesame and Flax Seeds, Dried Chillies, Salt, Pepper
7. Spread Tomatoes on the bottom of the pan.
8. Add Pasta on top of of Tomatoes.
9. Add Sauteed Sausage and Mushrooms on Pasta.
10. Add as much Mozzarella Cheese as you would like and top it with Parmesan Cheese.
11. Cover top with foil sheet and bake for 20 mins.
12. Remove foil sheet, and set to broil at 450 degrees for 10 minutes (or until brown).

Casserole turned out way better than I thought it would be.

This only thing I will change is... MORE MOZZARELLA CHEESE!!!!!!

:)

Try it. Super easy.

Cheers.

You and I

Hey everyone!

One week to Christmas!! Super excited! :)
I just got back from the Candle-Light Service at the Riverside Church on the Upper West Side, had dinner with the family and am feeling super duper Christmassy now. It must be the candles and the carols... and the cookies I baked yesterday!

I love this time of the year. It makes me feel like doing two completely different things:

1. Curl up in the warmest pajamas and coziest blanket with candles, cookies, hot chocolate, and someone to cuddle with.
2. Dress up in the prettiest party dress (yes,the one the hides your winter fats) for a night out with your favorite people in the world, flutes of prosecco, hor'dourves on a silver tray, chocolate, and Christmas carols.

I know, contrasting. But doesn't it sound tempting? :)



Anyways, here's a short video of a cover of Lady Gaga's YOU and I.

Enjoy!!




Feel free to share and comment!



Cheers and stay warm!

Inspiration

I question myself every once in a while on why am I pursuing what I am doing right now. As much as I love being on stage performing and releasing my creative juices, I do have doubts and I crave for stability. Why can't I just have that full time corporate job like everyone else? I would have a set schedule, I would have a stable income, I would be... normal.

I see my creativity as gasoline, I fill up my tank, and I keep running till I am low on fuel, then I would have to get a refill (on inspiration and purpose), and I keep running again. I am sure it works the same for everyone else despite different career choices.

I got a call from my roomie at 11am (I had just woke up from a late night), telling me that there was going to be a premier of the long awaited movie that I have been anticipating ever since K sent me the link to the trailer. The Lady is directed my Luc Besson, starring my long time hero and idol Michelle Yeoh. I hopped off the bed, grabbed breakfast, and rushed out of the apartment. The premiere tickets have been sold out for more than a week and I was determined to get my excited-self to the waiting line, hoping that I could get no-show tickets 10 minutes before the show. I was 5th in that line. After waiting for an hour with a long train of people behind me, I managed to get in.

Award-winning director Ang Lee who directed Broke Back Mountain and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon gave the opening speech, giving us insights of working with the fabulous Michelle when they were filming C.T.H.Dragon. Apparently she filmed most of the movie with her broken knee in a brace. He also spoke about how he taught her Mandarin for the film. Clearly she was a hardworking actress. She lost a total 14 kilograms for the movie for goodness sake! That is almost 31 pounds!

The 127 minute film was heart-wrenching. There was so much that we could see through her eyes even though there were scenes where she did not say anything. I was telling myself to stop crying before my non-waterproof mascara smears all over my face. She deserves an Oscar for this film. 

I loved that the movie was directed showing the more personal side of the story, the love story, rather than the political aspect of it. I felt that because the theme of the movie is Love, it has the capability of reaching out to more people because it is a feeling, or a value that everyone experiences at some point of their lives, be it the love for their country, their mother, or their child. 

This movie is also extremely relevant right now because of the political changes and the need for revolution around the world right now. Think OccupyWallStreet, Malaysia's Bersih movement, the Middle East's fight for democracy, and etc.

A teeny part of the Q and A

After the Q&A session, K and I made our way through the crowd and finally had the chance to talk to her. I was shaking and star struck. I couldn't speak properly. The words that came out of my mouth was literally, "Hi, I-I am Malaysian and-and I am as-aspiring to-to be an actress........oh.. I jjjJjj-ust wwWwant to let u-u-u know that-that you are-are such an inspiration to-to me."

Gosh! I made such a fool of myself. Had I spoken any longer, I would have cried while I harassed her with my nervous words! It was funny that K was there to witness me slowly breaking down in her awesomeness. It must have been hilarious. Michelle was very kind. She told me to keep trying and work hard.

I'll definitely remember that. 

K., Michelle Yeoh, and I

She is so gorgeous! I look like an ogre next to her :(

I left the night feeling super inspired. I want to do this. I want to make people feel this way. I want to be like Michelle Yeoh. It is not just the fact that she an amazing actress. You could really see her work hard for what she want and that is what I want to be.

"Please use your liberty to promote ours."

“I don't believe in people just hoping. We work for what we want. I always say that one has no right to hope without 
endeavor, so we work to try and bring about the situation that is necessary for the country, and we are confident that we will get to the negotiation table at one time or another.” 

“You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right.”

 ~ Aung San Suu Kyi

Happy weekend!

Auditions

Hey all!

I feel like I have never actually blogged about my auditions. Weird because that is what I do.
There's a saying that an actor's job is not to act. It is to go for auditions. Acting is the playing part of the job.
So true, many times the audition process is harder than the actual gig!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



I had an audition this week. Well, yesterday.
It's been a while since I auditioned because things were pretty slow (audition season is usually between January-March). Last week I was browsing through playbill and auditions for Miss Saigon caught my eye. I had to catch my breath for a second just because it is not often that I see an audition for a show that is perfect for me. *I can hear it call my name!*

I quickly jotted the date down in my calendar, and planned the song that I would sing.
I told myself that I have to do this perfectly, I want it so damn bad. It is my dream show. My dream role.

Mind you, I have not been to a Miss Saigon audition in the city just because there were always so many people and I couldn't never get seen! How annoying right? I even got typed out of it once. Can you believe it?!


So I woke up at 5am in the morning yesterday (I had warned my room mates that they were gonna hear my cat wailing warm ups), went into the steaming shower, and belted my face off for 50 minutes. I know. Poor room mates. It really sucks to have paper thin walls, but I have no choice. This is my job. When I make more money, I'll get a place that is sound proof. But until then...

I hopped on a bus at 6.10am and got to the audition building at 6.30am. See, in the past, during the audition season, I would be at the door at bloody 7am and I would be number 173!!! So I made sure I left early this time. I was desperate to be seen. As I walked in the door, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist, telling me that I would not be able to enter the building until 8am. Crap. However, instead of letting me wait out in the cold, he offered to let me sit at the back of the building, right by the freight elevator. Awkward, but I had no choice, I didn't want to wait out in the cold.

Thankfully, I brought different reading materials or else I would die of boredom. I remembered waiting in full make up, heels, and no books, no internet on my phone for my first equity audition in the city. I waited for 8 whole hours, and did not get seen! Never again. So I learned through experience. This time, I rolled out of bed, got in the shower, and headed straight there with no make up, looking like a zombie.

I finally made my way into the waiting room. I was the first to arrive. Obviously, there were no other crazy psychos like me to get there at 6.30am since this was only for Miss Saigon. The competition has already been cut in half by the fact that all the female roles are Asian besides one of the lead roles.

At 9.10am, they called out the names of the equity ladies who have signed in. They got in line, and went in for their audition. I was part of the non equity call because I am only an equity membership candidate (I have not received enough points yet), I was second in line for the non equity group (because some sore loser jumped line). But as long as I know that I would be seen, I was fine. Wasn't about to ruin my mood by being calculative.

I finally went in the audition room, gave my music to the accompanist, introduced myself, and sang my 16 bar cut from a cabaret song. The casting director leaned over to the director and whispered something and and then asked me if I had another song, something beltier. Then he said, something for Kim (the lead role). I then sang her big ballad, they told me to stay to dance, I left the room feeling all my nerves in my fingers and toes.

The dance part of the audition went extremely well. I was always terrified with dance auditions because I may be a great mover but I never consider myself a dancer. I guess my 3 months of dancing 16 hours a week paid off. I felt confident in my leotard, tights, and heels as we learned a short technical combination. We were separated into groups of 4 and took turns performing the combination that we just learned.
After they released the girls, while getting back into normal clothes, the casting director called 4 girls (including me) back to the audition room to dance individually. I guess that's a great sign right?

Dance auditions look like this!

It is one of the best auditions that I've had since moving to the city. There wasn't too many people, I took my time, I wasn't sick. It just felt extremely good.



I feel that even if I don't get to work with this theatre company, I am still satisfied because I gave my all and they have seen the best I could give. No regrets.
However, cross your fingers for me. I really want this!

Fwens

I love when friends are here for visits.

Feels like it's a family reunion :)

I love romantic dinners. Candles. dessert. Wine. holidays.

25 days till Christmas. I am really broke. does it mean that I have to take up a bank loan to buy presents?

Tuesday

omg this made my day

9gag.com

Day 2 of fasting.

So I have decided to make Tuesdays my fasting day. Classes in the morning and I'm trying to keep myself busy after that because I know that most of the time I eat/snack just because I am bored. I probably experienced hunger less than ten times in my entire life. We are such a spoiled generation. Think about back in the day when men had to hunt for food, and that was the only time they would eat. If they don't have a catch, they have nothing until the next time they hunt... or harvest.

I am planning to keep to this intermittent fasting at least till the end of this year and we'll see how it goes. 

December resolutions! 

3 more hours to go!

:)

Thanksgiving 2011

I had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. A super long weekend I must say. I was on vacation from Wednesday through Sunday! No doubt the best Thanksgiving I've had since I've been here.

Pretty turkey out from the oven.

Picture was taken by my dear sister who accompanied me to the Walker's residence.

This was turkey numero uno.

There was a second turkey just in case the hungry crowd of 26 didn't have enough.

A family affair.

Sam helping his parent's draining the turkey juice to make turkey gravy.

The best I've ever had!

Making really good turkey gravy is like making really good risotto.

It requires very little skill but a lot of time and patience stirring and stirring so that it doesn't stick tot he bottom of the pan. Well worth it. 

H'orderves before the 4.30pm Thanksgiving dinner.

This was only half of the variety! 

Hummus, babaganoush, smoked salmon, cream cheese, greek dip, white tuna salad, roasted tomatoes, crudites, fresh mushrooms... So much food!!

I had to consciously remind myself that I have to save room for the actual dinner and desserts!

Funny thing is...

We got so excited come dinner time, we forgotten to take a picture of the amount of food that was served.

LOL.

But obviously, we had the usual Thanksgiving menu.

Turkey, homemade mushroom stuffing, homemade cranberry relish, homemade turkey gravy, mash potatoes, french beans, mashed rutabagas (mmm.. soo darn good), creamed onions, and etc.

Fortunately, Lynn got to snap a picture of our dessert table :)

Heavenly ain't it.

Homemade pumpkin pie, homemade whipped cream,apple cranberry pie, apple crumble, lil 11 year old Maddie's vanilla and chocolate frosted Oreos, vanilla ice-cream, chocolate cake, an assortment of cheesecakes, coffee, and prosecco.

Seriously, how can you NOT get fat?!

Sam Pants and I during the turkey dinner

Big sis Darlynn and I at the dining room after dinner.

The night was filled with laughter, card games, music, and love. A true family occasion.

I felt loved :)

We spent the next couple of days eating glorious leftovers, bonding with the family over more card games, wine, and music. Thank goodness for the great weather, we were able to go for a pleasant walk in the woods to the river, and take fun pictures.

The lil river that we saw during our walks. So pretty and peaceful.

Lil Maddie and I stretching our limbs

Pretending to be a graceful dancer :)

Look how beautiful the weather was!

Lynn who took most of the pictures, playing with Jupi.

I wish I had more pictures. Looks like we gotta make that up the next holiday.

:)

I am thankful of where I am right now.

I am thankful of having the chance to pursue what I love despite how difficult it is.

I am thankful that I am surrounded by the people that I love and love me.

I am thankful for the support I have from everyone.

I am thankful to be alive.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving 2011.

xoxo

Day One

Okie. So I have been fasting for about 23 hours.
An hour more to go!
Best part, my dear sister is cooking dinner in front of me so I know that I have something to eat once I get to break fast! And yes, I will not over eat.

The good thing is that I don't feel hunger really. But the feeling of wanting that piece of chocolate or something small and random to snack on is definitely in my head. I also do know for a fact that I love to snack just because I am bored. no good.

I just gotta keep myself busy and hydrated with water. Flush flush flush!

I'll post day two next week. We'll see if I discover anything new :)