www.sarahlow.net-Sarah May Low

And there goes the first month of 2012.....

2012-02-02T11:00:00.000+13:00

This morning, while on Skype with one of my high school best friend who is in Perth, another high school best friend who is working in the HR department in a company in Singapore Skype messaged me...

*Messages are written in Malaysian English*

Friend: A guy in my office committed suicide.... This morning he hanged himself. He is a Msian...Same age as us...So sad....

Sarah May Low: WTF? speechless.......

Friend: He came to me last month to resign but he came n withdraw n tender n withdraw again abt 5 times. Then finally he decided to resign. When I was abt to proceed, his boss called to stop me so in the end he didn't resign

Sarah May Low: why his boss stop u?

Friend: He says the guy wants to withdraw after discussing wif him.

Sarah May Low: the boss also must feel so guilty

Friend: Not his fault. I think a lot of factors also like family n frens support

Sarah May Low: why so "tai em hoi"??? sighhh...work stress oni ma....wasted 23 years of life

Friend: Really lo....But we can nvr understand

Sarah May Low: but really is it becoz of work stress?are u close to him? is he like the nerdy type?

Friend: Dunno we suspect la. But his boss nvr stress him oso. Not very close .. He's not nerdy, Good looking n very gd results (I'd believe her since our "bench mark" for good looking is Wang Lee Hom)

Sarah May Low: WAHHHHHHH!!! good looking somemore arrhhh!!! maybe got relationship problem? they say men only got 2 problem....either career/money or women

Friend: Not sure...But got gf in KL... I think he wants to resign n parents don support cos wan the son to work in Sg tell him don't come back to msia.... So he got no where to turn to

Sarah May Low: Committing Suicide is a big sin lor!!!will go to hell!!!wth.... I no money/bf/career/haven't graduate/no property also I haven't kill myself yet....no singing career also...

"Leng Chai, Good in Studies, Engineer & Earning Sg Dollar....Hmmmppphhh............"

Seriously?! I even faced public humiliation after losing out in Miss World Malaysia 2009....Shouldn't I throw myself into the VOLCANO (New Zealand has one of the World's Super Volcano...go google!) when I was in New Zealand? The whole WORLD knew about me losing leh! My relatives, friends, colleagues, agents, the whole Theatre industry, My WHOLE primary & secondary schoolmates and also the WHOLE Puchong, FRIENDSTER, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOG FANS, MY HOST FAMILY IN JAPAN, FRIENDS IN TAIWAN & NEW ZEALAND.....

Yet I'm living my life damn full & happy happy only....or am I in D-E-N-I-A-L??? O__O"

I finally went back to church this year and the first sermon by the priest was "God gives life, that is why it is a sin to KILL life (abortion/commit suicide/murder)

No reason at all to die....Think of all the people who love you and trusted in you and you turned out to be a SELFISH *SSHOLE!


Source: Internet

Anyways, back to the topic of my blog post title...January came and left....OMG....so fast!!!

It's been a lazy January for me....procrastinated a lot even though I've got SOOOO many other things to do...T__T

How's my resolution going??? Actually I already FAILED majority of them....Zzzzz

But THANK GOD, I'm CHINESE!!! Hence, there was a 2nd chance at my resolution for me (Chinese "New Year" mah)...tee hee~~~and I hope it'll go well....

2012 (the english one) turned out pretty crappy for me....A lot of the things that I was seeking and aiming for did not materialise...They say it ain't a good year for Dragon people eventhough it is the year of the Dragon.....but as they say

There's a silver lining after every storm

And I got my first silver lining today!!! Just a small silver lining but enough to cheer me up :-)

Gonna go get my Feng Shui reading after CNY and I hope I get a super duper awesome reading!!!

Was just thinking to myself, what would I do if the Feng Shui Master tells me that

I WAS SUPPOSE TO BE AN ENGINEER/ASTRONAUT/FEMALE FOOTBALL PLAYER???

O__O" GG.COM

I doubt I'd be interested in studying for another 5/6/7 years in a field which I'm not interested in...We'll see what the Feng Shui Master says :-D

S.O.S-DOG UP FOR ADOPTION

2012-01-29T03:08:00.001+13:00

Dear Everyone,

I am in DISTRESS.....

About a month ago, my dad decided to adopt a 2 year-old MALE beagle dog from his cousin....though people who have seen the dog says that it looks more like a 4 year-old dog...so I'm not very sure myself...

My dad's decision on adopting a dog was made when he was mentally and emotionally unstable a.k.a D-R-U-N-K....and yes....I'm not very proud of it myself....

The reason why the family have decided on giving the dog up for adoption is because WE ARE HARDLY AT HOME & WE ARE NOT ANIMAL PEOPLE (no offence to animal-loving people/animal activist/vegans out there)....

Just like Jay Chou....I acknowledge that he is a really good musician (even though his singing sucks) and he writes beautiful tunes and melodies but I am not turned on/attracted to/like lala looking guys who can't speak English....hence, you can;t force me to like Jay Chou when I FREAKING DON'T!

It's the same with pets...my family are JUST not PET PEOPLE....

Here are some pictures of the dog:

I know it's EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE and CRUEL to agree to adopt a dog and now trying to ~~dispose~~ ~~get rid~~ set the dog up for an adoption....I totally agree with you and I am angry at my dad for his rash decision(s) too....

But please forgive my dad, he is going through a middle-age-life-crisis coupled up with a history of lungs' cancer and in terribly in denial that his children are growing up, etc....my dad just felt that he needed a COMPANION.....

It was also due to the STUPIDITY of my dad's cousin who should be mature enough to judge and advise my dad to not adopt a dog when he (my dad) is physically not well & mentally/emotionally unstable to look after the dog....
Ok...long story short, we are NOT capable of looking after a dog....neither do we have a big garden for the beagle to run around....I've learnt that beagles are very active and requires a large amount of space/garden to run around or not it'll be depressed.....

So, If you would like to adopt the dog or know someone who would like to adopt the dog....please e-mail me at lowmaypoh@gmail.com

Thanks A MILLION!!! May you be blessed with good karma this year!

Live well & prosper!

Happy Chinese New Year 2012!!! Rawr!!!

2012-01-26T22:39:00.000+13:00

Hello everyone! Year of the water dragon y'all!!! How was the first few days of Chinese New Year everyone???

Must be great with the the firecrackers, ang paos, reunion dinner, cookies, yee sang and of course the gambling!!! as they all say in twitter/FB updates...HUAT AR!!!

Here are some pics of my cousins and I on the 1st day of CNY at my Grandparent's house :-)

Boys & Girls

Girls! Pageant style, excluding my newly married cousin Samantha who's working in Melbourne...the smallest girl in white cheongsam in actually my niece :-P old liao lorrr!!!

How was it for me???......wells.....one word.....

STRESSFUL.COM!!!!!!!!

Every year I look forward to collecting ang paos, visiting my friend's home, yum cha and catching up with friends who are back from overseas and also the cookies!!!

But not this year...I've never felt so stressful in my life!!!

I know all my relatives MEANT WELL and are just BEING NICE creating conversations with me.......

But somehow and sometimes....Ignorance is indeed a BLISS!

U finished your studies already ar?

What you planning to do now?

Going back overseas?

Found Job edi or not?

Got boyfriend or not?

So you still singing/dancing/acting/doing events ar?

Why so fat edi?

Wah you lost weight hor? (The fact is I gained weight =__=")

I next year don't want to give you ang pao edi ya...I expect you to be married by then....(how is it even possible unless I get myself shot gun=__="...but impossible as my mum did not raise me that way :-D)

Who and who is getting married....

Who and who are having babies....

I don't like being questioned and interrogated in what I do!!! I does effect me emotionally....

Don't get me wrong...I'm not talking about the marriage part, after traveling the world and seeing sooo many marriages break down( and cheating men)....I am NO WAY rushing to get married...

I'd RATHER get married later and have a marriage that last forever and be financially capable to provide for my children and wise/mature enough to make decisions as a wife/mother....The fact is, love alone CANNOT put food on the table....

Future more, I'm reasonably good-looking, capable and smart...scared nobody want meh? CHOI!!!

What I AM talking about here is the WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? part......

Frankly, I've always been someone who's had all these ideas and ambitions for the future and for the past 1-2 years.......I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT ALL!!!!!!!!

And I am sooo stressed out!!!

Unfortunately, the answer that I really want to give will definitely bewilder my relatives....

"Me ah??? Doing nothing now lor....Lady of Leisure....I also dunno what to do right now....See first la...."

I really NEED to get my feng shui/patchi chart/astrology check.....I am a confused 25-year-old (Chinese age) who infacing a QUARTER AGE CRISIS right now!!!

Ask me "What I want to do in mylife?" 6 months later ok? Kaythanksbai!

Oh yah...I also stressful coz myyounger cousins are getting married and giving me ang pao next year...veryembarrasing okay!!! T__T eventhough I love ~~taking people's money~~ collecting ang paos XD....

I LOVE HIM!!!!

2012-01-22T03:45:00.005+13:00

I LOVE HIM!!! I LOVE HIM!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HIM!!!

SARAH!!! Stop it already!!! Who is this dude you are talking about?

The one and only!!!

AMOS YEE!!!

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Was having a terrible horrible and vegetable day yesterday and the only thing that cheered me up was when my bro Nick showed me this video

again, HAHAAHHAHAHHA!!! If you don't know already, I love Justin Bieber! in fact I always ask my anti-justin bieber friends why they hate him and then proceed to ask them 2 questions

1. CAN YOU SING LIKE JUSTIN BIEBER?
2. ARE YOU AS RICH AS JUSTIN BIEBER?

and an extra question if my friend is not much of a looker :-P sorry! I hope you are not reading this

3.DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND AS HOT AS SELENA GOMEZ?

ALL THE ANSWERS ARE NO RIGHT? I FREAKING REST MY CASE! SHUT UP ALREADY!!!

You are nobody to bitch about someone else when you yourself can't be as great as the other person...

It's like people calling me a drama queen when I actually earn money from being iin theatre...like WHAT? SERIOUSLY? don't hate me coz I'm better than you! piss off! UNFRIEND OFF FACEBOOK!!!

BACK TO MY NEW AWESOME POSSUM IDOL AMOS YEE (yes, you can piss off WANG LEE HOM since I read the news that you got back together with the porn star SHU QI >:( I HATE YOU!!!)

AMOS IS SOOOO DAMN FUNNY AND HIS EDITING SKILLS IS AWESOME TOO (if he's the one editing)!!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORE HIM especially after he cheered my day up!!!

I LOVE HIM!!! and I SOOO WANNA MEET HIM!!!

DAMMIT SARAH MAY!!!!! The guys I fancy keeps getting younger and younger!!! T__T Oh yes....I'm a CERTIFIED COUGAR O__O

HE IS ALSO MUSICALLY TALENTED TOO! watch this

OMFG!!! Absolutely my "type" of guy!!! Cute, Funny, Musically -Talented, Confident!!! haven't seen the entrepreneur/business-man-ish in him yet....but considering he's still sooo young yet soooo creative, I think he already has it XD

Though he has received alot of flak and criticism for this Chinese New Year Video of his:-

I STILL LOVE HIM!!! It's a free country dude!!! and don't we girls just love our boys bad & a lil rebelious?

I NEVER follow anyone on Youtube since being a member in 2006 but I'm SOOOO ABSOULUTELY gonna follow this kid...My first kid crush (sound wrong though)....don't need to keep your 13-year old brothers from me yet people.....I'm very choosy when it come to liking someone :-P

On a separate note, here is a project that I am participating in to help my lil bro, Nicholas improve his guitar skills...:-) Love the fact that he is following me in my artsy fartsy footsteps.....however, my dream now is to be able to guide him to pursue his own dream NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!...like the saying goes "he ain't heavy, he's my brother"

Do leave constructive comments for us...would very much appreciate it

~Sometimes when I miss you, I put those record on~

~Talked about our future like we had a clue, never plan that one day, I'd be loosing you~

~If you love someone, set them free, if they come back to you, it's meant to be, if they don't....it NEVER WAS~

Mystical Eve 2012

2012-01-19T15:38:00.000+13:00

[ADV]

Hey everyone! On New Year's Eve 2012 I made my surprise "COME-BACK APPEARANCE" at Mystical Eve 2012!!! To be exact, the party was held at Red Carpet Avenue in Encorp's The Strand, Kota Damansara.

~~This year~~...I mean LAST YEAR also marks the FIRST TIME ever I've celebrated a New Year countdown :-S No Joke! Told you I'm a late bloomer....more like a realistic person, always hated traffic jams and cramming up with sweaty smelly people. :-P

But I decided to take a chance since it "could be" the last year to experience this (*touch wood* better not be!!! I haven't even had a chance in achieving my "SUPER-STARDOM-NESS" status yet :-P lolx!) and also the honor of being a part of Malaysia's Hottest Blogger, we got to party VIP-style at the VIP area! No sweaty smelly people!!! yay!!!

Traffic on that day was SURPRISINGLY smooth!!! Did everyone else went out of the country to celebrate? :-S

Malaysia's Hottest Bloggers...Weeee!!!

Actually my "appearance" wasn't really a surprise coz majority of the MALAYSIA'S HOTTEST BLOGGERS girls are TOO SMART!!!! and also due to the fact that I gave away some clues to my whereabouts on NYE's Mystical Eve 2012 on Facebook and Twitter, so I kinda "kantoi" myself :-P

Nevertheless, I was sooo happy to meet my blogger babes and also new blogger babes after not seeing them for 6-7 loooongggg months!

‘Mystical Eve’, ENCORPStrand’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party was hosted by well-known TVpersonalities Julie Woon and Megan Tan.

The amazing countdownparty featured some of Malaysia’stop-notch local entertainers, world-class aerialists ala Cirque de Soleil, a “Laserman Experience”, 3-D projectionmapping and fireworks, which brought together 5,000 party-goers from all walksof life on a highly-charged evening of diverse entertainment, street-partystyle, with fun and frivolity.

Laserman Performance

At the party,Red Carpet Avenue featured performances by international pop princess Mizz Nina; hip hop doyenne JoeFlizzow; rock band, Pop Shuvit;indie-darling, Reza Salleh; Neo-Soulcrooner, Najwa Mahiaddin; and violinvirtuoso, Dennis Lau and hiscompatriot, world-ranked beat boxer, ShawnLee.

Mizz Nina

Taking the stage wasinternational pop star, Mizz Nina, whosedebut solo album What You Waiting For,is a pleasure dome of beguiling beats, innovative melodies and top-notchproduction containing local and international collaborations from the likes ofUno and AJ of Pop Shuvit, Noh from Hujan, DJ Fuzz, Koko and Syaheed of BedstyMusic, Sakke from the Netherlands and Koolade from Croatia to MC Dandee fromBangkok’s Thaitanium Entertainment, Mawar Berduri from Ahli Fiqir, Teeflii andGrammy nominee, Planet Asia, got the crowd jumping to her string of hits suchas “What You Waiting For”, “Away With You” and her latest hit, “Takeover”featuring international rapper, Flo Rida.

Pop Shuvit

Slightlybefore the clock hit midnight, emcees for the night introduced highlight of theevening: independent rap-rock band, PopShuvit. Comprising Moots! (vocals), JD (guitar), AJ (bass), Rudy (drums) and Uno(turntables), the band who got its name from a skateboardingtrick of almost the same name began making waves in the localmusic scene in late 2001, has had 4 successfulreleases under their belt and gained a sizable fanbase in Asia notably inMalaysia, Japan, Thailand and Singapore. The band did not disappoint andbrought the house down with their eclectic blend of hip hop and rock, leavingboth Megan and Julie just minutes to prepare for the countdown.

3D Projection

Counting downto 2012, and with the crowd’s energy at an all time high, both Megan and Julieintroduced the 3D Projection Countdown, which broadcasted images onto giantscreens, highlighting their overall development and architectural mastery.

According to Mystical Eve Project Director, JasonVoon, “3D Projection Mapping is the latest interactive building art phenomenonthat has taken the world by storm, and ENCORP is among the first bold adoptersof this technology in Malaysia.”

Was LITERALLY standing UNDER the beautiful fireworks XD though my neck kinda hurt abit after that from turning my head straight up for a whole 5-8 minutes :-P

At the stroke of midnight, skies directly aboveENCORP Strand were filled with multi-coloured fireworks, befitting theinaugural launch of ENCORP Strand’s New Year Eve Countdown.

What is a party without drinks eh? We had the SUPER AMAZING Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve to celebrate this special NYE occasion!!! Yayness XD! Do visit http://www.facebook.com/JohnnieWalkerMalaysia for more info.

Was sweating like CRAZY!!! What was I thinking? wearing a long sleeved dress....I'm NOT in NEW ZEALAND anymore!!! T__T

Me, Nicole, Mei Sze & Emma

I was having a conversation with one of MHB's New Girl, Emma and I was asking her whether she and her sister are fraternal twins??? She said "No! We are 4 years apart!!!".....Making her 1 year older than I am!!!!! O__O Evil Tim Chew laughed and then went on to take the picture below as her wanted to ask his readers, who looks older...=__="

I know I look older...=__="

But I'm the same age as Brigette Liberty and Helenness ok!!! What to do! Sales Person need to look "Mature" lor!!! Or not will kena bully supplier and clients will doubt your level of knowledge and experience! (true fact!)

For more info on Red Carpet Avenue visit http://www.facebook.com/encorpstrand

Last few moments of December 2011 & 2012 RESOLUTIONS before The END OF THE WORLD O__O

2012-01-14T01:42:00.000+13:00

Hey all!!! Yes I am back in Malaysia already!!! Unfortunately, my schedule is fully booked till after CNY.......can't help being popular..lolx! :-P

I'm still not use to the weather back here in Malaysia yet :-( It's killing me!!! and it's only gonna get hotter and hotter towards CNY!!!

Anyways, here is my overdue DECEMBER 2011 updates :-D

In December 2011 I had an ADVENTURE of a LIFETIME with 2 of my friends, Juwinn & Sharon (both single & available btw :-P)

Scorpio Juwinn is a graphic designer and used to be my accompanying pianist when I perform in shows back in Malaysia...my dear Capricorn Sharon is a interior designer and aspiring businesswoman....the friendship between Sharon & I were "united by tragedy" (inside joke) :-P

More on my adventures in later posts....need at least 5-6 blog post to finish @__@

In December I also made my "HIGHLY SECRET" trip back to Malaysia and left part of my heart in Auckland with my dear dear friends and relatives (my uncle told me he'll be reading my blog so I better mention him and say good things about him :-P)

KAYLEE'S BIRTHDAY

Celebrated my dear cousin Kaylee's 6th Birthday...a super energetic girl and is always excited-ble!!! gonna miss her and her sisters Jessie & Lisa loads :'(

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Found this chinese-sy looking lion statue at Westcity's Westfield! Oriental flavour! Nice :-D

You can sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you want...

I was joking with my friend Mariska telling her to sit on Santa's Lap and ask for what she wants...he might give her a "candy cane"...lolx.....dirty joke...bad sarah bad sarah!!!!

While shopping, LO and BEHOLD....

Guess what I found!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Twilight HAIR DRYER!!!! OMGWTF!!!!

Twilight HAIR BRUSH!!!!!!

Which teenage girl is gonna wish for something like this????=__="

Speaking of Twilight, I freaking hate Bella Swan...in fact all Mothers should ban their daughters from watching Twilight...!!!

I despise her because Bella Swan's dream is to:-
1.Finish High School
2. Get Married
3.Get Herself Pregnant
4.Become a Vampire...

Wow.........how inspiring.....NOT!!!!!!

If she is my freaking sister, I'll slap the shiet out of her!!!!!!!

Which liberated women in the 21st century would do that??? actually I know a lot of girls/mistresses who were contented to do just that but that's not the point!!!

*thinks to self*but then again, if there are so many liberated women out there then my competition would be damn high lor??? shiet!!!

Okay...you can let you daughters watch twilight :-D (so that my future daughter would have less competition :-P)

Shopped loads of stuff...!!! XD

Had this Okonomiyaki thinie for lunch....but by memory...isn't it suppose to be flat??? hmm....

Candy Cane House :-)

FAREWELLS

I thought I'd be used to farewells now since I'm always joining new activities and then leaving to venture and explore more new opportunities....

Unfortunately, I was actually a bit teary during my office farewell party for me :-( I couldn't even make a speech as I was lost for words....

A colleague of mine decided to push me around the office sitting on a trolley ala pageant style (lol!) so that I can say my last farewell to everyone....hated it actually...made me emo...

My dear friend Mariska organised a farewell dinner for me at Davinci's an Italian Fine Dining restaurant...Love her for that! :-)

My hair is crappy coz it was raining in Auckland the whole of December and I got drenched =__="

Jess texting, and Verdi stoning :-P the other friends that joined us were Tyler and Simon...

The next day, we continued drinking/partying :-D

Went club hopping for a bit and I think we manage to stop by 3 clubs? :-S

Lastly, we stopped by a Korean Karaoke place which made me feel so cheated....the freaking controller was in Korean and all the navigational sign was in Korean and it was sooo freaking expensive!!!!

I hate getting ripped off!!!

We all ended the night having supper at the infamous roadside stall "The White Lady"...

What a wonderful 7 months it was :-) I left Malaysia clueless on what to expect and I went home with new found experience and friendship :-) That's what life is all about aye?

2012

Oh my! Oh my! 2012!!! The world is GONNA END O__O

What if the prophecy is true? at the end of the day, what really matters to me is my family :-) Been wasting A LOT of my time pleasing assholes who took me for granted...In 2011, I realized, I have had F***ING ENOUGH! I really do not need fake opportunistic people in my life. I hope you'll receive your KARMA and die a terrible death when the world ends on 21 DECEMBER 2012...:-D *Big smile*

Funny how some people were bitching about me to other people. Yet other people know that it is UNTRUE coz I AM SUCH an AWESOME person. Now those "some people" are trying to be friends with me again due to my AWESOME-NESS and they think that I have not heard what I have heard.....but being the AWESOME me...of coz I know how to play the game la...Keep your friends close and your enemies closer....On the outside I'll be (^__^) but on the inside I'll be ┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐.....See you in HELL! Oh wait! I'll be going to Heaven due to my AWESOME-NESS & Mother Theresa-ness! AMEN! So May You Rot in Hell :-D

"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools speak because they have to say something"

At the meantime, Here are my RESOLUTIONS for 2012 :-D

1. To do more Charity Love and Learn to be more loving than hateful (though the 2 sentence above was a bit contradicting...lol!) :-)

Spread the Love :-)

2. Go Back to Church, learn to forgive, seek forgiveness & inner peace
3. Start my Masters Degree course
4. PR PR PR Career Career Career!!!
5. Travel!!! First location this year: AUSTRALIA in 2012...I'll be Melbourne bound on April 18th. After that it'll be Brisbane, Gold Coast & Toowomba for my Graduation :-D

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or material things"

In the words on Fergie a.k.a the Duchess

"Clarity.Peace.Serenity."

25 Truths about me-The 2012 version

2012-01-08T21:05:00.004+13:00

Being in New Zealand I felt that I could "take on anything" which is very true....the "Kiwi" experience toughened me up!

At the airport waiting for my flight I thought to myself with a smile "I'm fearless"

While waiting for my transit flight in Singapore, my good conscience said "This much closer to being back to a place where I know I would be filled with sooo much warmth and familiarity"

Once, I got off the plane at KLIA, it wasn't only "warmth" that I got.......It was a FREAKING HEAT WAVE! and that was only the beginning........

The hope, dreams and ambitions in the first week turned into disappointment and frustration in the second week and now anger, sadness and despair in just the third week....

I started asking myself, "Why the hell did I come back?"

What I'm about to say next may surprise you as words like this would have never come out of the Sarah May Low that you once knew pre-New Zealand....

When I was in NZ I was free!!!!!! never once I needed to think about responsibilities, money (not that often anyways), the image that I would need to portray, career, studies, relatives, friends, people I use to work with and worst of all......MY PAST!

In New Zealand, I forgotten all about the above, started anew and just learned to live happy everyday being an unknown person with a new group of friends who does things together which were new, spontaneous, fun and most importantly, WILL NOT probe me, interrogate me and mention things that I do not want to hear or think about...

I hate meeting familiar faces (not that I don't love them as a person, I LOVE ALL MY TRUE FRIENDS to bits!!!) as they know too much about events from the past and start questioning me which brought out the anger, sadness, etc, etc. that I have forgotten when I was in New Zealand....

Probably, their intention were innocent or maybe they were just being nosy (can't blame them, human nature!) but coming home, instead of starting FRESH! I got a "blast from the past" and a "rude & shock awakening" that made me realized that there is sooo much more to deal with here in Malaysia than just coming back "for a holiday"

I realized how difficult it is to dis-associate yourself from your past even though you tried you bestest best to erase all memories of it! Like a criminal, once you've done something wrong (and get caught for it of course!) that is always that "black dot", doesn't matter how much you've achieve before and therein after and no matter how PERFECT the rest of your resume is......that one tiny black dot will taint your 10 pages of resume and haunt you FOR LIFE!

But then again, even though I've realized and found out (unfortunately) many things since coming home to Malaysia, I know that I am a big girl and they are things I need to deal with head on.....Maybe part of the reason I'm back is that I know I have some unfinished business?

I really do not know what the outcome will be, whether I'd end up sad or happy, hurt or relieved, in tears or with a gigantic smile, I prepared to face it all.....

What I've learn in this very short few weeks is that "Growing up is not about being able to run away from fears, problems and the past but being able to face and deal with it!#likeaboss"

While doing some "spring cleaning" on my personal Facebook page, I found a note that I have written about some " funny truth" about myself way back in 2009.

Just decided to share with you all and to ascertain how much I have changed as a person after 3 years :-) 2009's 'me' is in BLACK current 'me' is in RED

1. I don’t smoke.
still don't smoke.

2. I don’t drink (ok…not all the time…..only when I’m overseas…which is not that often).
lolz! was in New Zealand and drank loads of liquor there to keep me warm in winter. No joke! i was shivering in my bed when I went to sleep at night and fell sick my 1st week there T__T

3. I don’t take drugs.
I still don't do drugs and will NEVER approve of this.

4. I don’t gamble.
More like lazy to learn (mahjong/poker) and for 6 months I always forgot to buy LOTTO T__T...or not I millionaire now...

5. I don’t club.
Starting going to clubs in 2010 to attend events (PR purposes) and friend's birthday parties and loads when I was in NZ! reason being there is NOTHING ELSE TO DO AFTER 5pm WHEN ALL SHOPS ARE CLOSED!!!! and NZ have NON-SMOKING CLUBS!!! #ftw

6. People always misjudge me and think that I’m a wild party girl that has had at least 50 boyfriends.
Still look very wild and boyfriend mark haven't even reach 50 yet...or even 2...lolz!

7. But I’m more innocent than any of you people who reading this:-P and I’ve NEVER had a boyfriend.
Still more innocent than any of you reading this. No comment of the 2nd statement.

8. I have a “people to assassinate list” (but I won’t kill anyone coz it’s wrong and I’ll go to jail and eventually go to hell…it’s just to make myself happy).
People to assassinate list has had an increase in candidates

9. I don’t forgive and forget. I believe that people must pay for their mistakes. MUAHAHAH!!!...oh yea…I’m suppose to be innocent ***innocent big eyed look***.
Learning to forgive and forget so that god won't send me to hell when I die in Dec 2012

10. I believe in superstitious stuff like feng shui, horoscope, star signs & karma.
Oh YEAH!

11. If asked in the future, which secondary school I am from…I would say Assunta.
I have chosen a smarter answer...I'm home-schooled :-D

12. I believe that my stinky enemy from high school should die from suffocating off her bad B.O (body odor). She's still not dead yet. Damn!

13. I am currently holding 2 jobs….one as a publishing editor…..another as a kindergarten teacher (most of my friends can’t believe that I’m a kindergarten teacher…I’m not that bad ok….I’m better than MOST kindergarten teacher….some can’t even speak proper English…eish!!!).
Currently jobless. #nuffsaid

14. I have a 5 year career plan…..in which IF I fail, I’ll marry a rich man and live the rest of my life spending his money. Muahahahah!!!!!
Career plan has changed numerous times since 2009 (4 years ago!) and if I fail this year, I'd have to look for a rich man candidate to marry.......=__=" #damniwasshallow

15. I hate MALE CHAUVINISTIC PIGS!!!! (MCP=men who thinks that a women’s job is to stay at home, raise the kids, cook, clean, polish her husband’s shoe)….I CURSE them….they should go **** themselves!!! It’s already 2009!!! Both men & women should have equal responsibility in household chores, raising their kids, etc.
Still feel the Same

16. I can’t stand good looking but DUMB people (Himbos & Bimbos)…..their lives are so worthless and it’s unfair that they get things they want by using their looks alone.
Still feel the Same

17. I can’t wait for the day till I get married!!! (But I do not know whether I am really ready to get married or just obsessed with the idea of getting married…the princess gown….grand reception….etc)........
totally forgot about this naive statement! lolz! after seeing many marriages break down, cheating men, broken promises.....I'm now undecided! I'd rather wait than make a wrong decision. As they say ~wise man says, only fools rush in~

18. I love singing, dancing and being a drama queen…I would die of depression if I have to live without a single one of it.
Don't need anymore explanation.

19. I can cook but I don’t cook (I’m knife, fire and hot oil phobic)…I prefer baking.
My Cooking has improved by leaps and bound since I became a babysitter in New Zealand and having chefs as friends. It's too expensive to eat out over there too!

20. I am claustrophobic……I get nervous when I’m around a lot of people in a small confined places…..that is why I don’t go shopping during sales.
still the same.

21. I will NEVER marry a guy who smokes.
Learned that NOBODY is perfect. would tolerate a bit if he is a good person and loves me unconditionally :-)

22. I’ve had crushes on 5 gay guys (because most gay guys and super hot & super smart…..but on the bright side, they make VERY good friends).....
still love them to bits!

23. I attract players but I prefer smart nerds:-D
still love em!

24. I believe that my prince charming is out there ***twinkling eyes***
Oh yes :-)

25. I look pale and sick without makeup…but guys like me that way…
I don’t understand why…. still don't understand why they don't appreciate my SUPERB makeup skills which took me so many years to learn>__<"

No. 26 (just for the kiasu-ness (cannot lose) factor in me) - I’ll be leaving Malaysia in a year’s time. (Don’t ask where….I wanna disappear and come back really successful)....
disappeared many times already...still not successful....FML!

*btw, my "past" mentioned above is actually only a small issue...haven't killed anyone.....yet! :-P

Mystical Eve New Year's Eve Party :-D

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000+13:00

[ADV]

Hello everybodeh!!! I've already been in New Zealand for 6 months already ~~a.k.a home-bound and party deprived for 6 months arghhhh....FML....~~

After 6 months of "RESTING" the dragon in me is ready to come out to greet everyone and welcome the year of the DRAGON a.k.a ZAMAN KEGEMILANGAN SARAH MAY LOW :-D

A little bird flew all the way to Auckland (winter migration mah!) and told me that the MHB (Malaysia's Hottest Bloggers) Babes will be partying at MYSTICAL EVE 2012 at The Strand!!! check out facebook.com/encorpstrand

MYSTICAL EVE 2012 will feature performances by:-

MIZZ NINA

Picture courtesy of http://2.bp.blogspot.com

The Famous Mizz Nina has definitely made Malaysia proud. Seen her performing many times already and always spot her at Events. Mizz Nina was a member of the Malaysian-based band Teh Tarik Crew. She released her debut solo album, What You Waiting For in July 2010. Her debut single "What You Waiting For", featuring Colby O' Donis, topped the charts in Malaysia

Mizz Nina has teamed up with the American rapper Flo Rida on a song called "Take Over".The music video was filmed in Miami. When it was released, the music video earned 140,508 views on YouTube. The song "Take Over" charted at #1 on Malaysia's radio station, hitz.fm, on MET 10 (Malaysia's English Top 10).

POP SHUVIT

Picture courtesy of http://3.bp.blogspot.com

I first saw Pop Shuvit perform live back in High School (a kampung school on top of a hill in Puchong) when they performed for my Leo club's IU day...this was way before they have won any competitions etc...and they have definitely come a LOOOONGGG way...

Pop Shuvit is a Malaysian independent rap-rock band. Comprising Moots! (vocals), JD (guitar), AJ (bass), Rudy (drums) and Uno (turntables), the band who got its name from a skateboarding trick of almost the same name began making waves in the local music scene in late 2001 and since then, has had 4 successful releases under their belt and gained a sizable fanbase in Asia notably in Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Singapore. Known for their adrenaline-packed live shows and eclectic blend of hip hop and rock, Pop Shuvit are being touted as Asia’s leading Hip Hop Rock band.

SHAWN LEE BEATBOX

Picture courtesy of http://www.kinkybluefairy.net

First saw Shawn Lee performed at City Harvest Church when I tagged along an ex-colleague of mine to mass (which turned out to be a rock concert :-S). Here's some information of Shawn (stolen from his FB Fanpage), a talented beatboxer who is much younger (and richer T__T) than me....

Shawn Lee - Born in 1991. Beatboxing is Shawn's passion. He also represented Malaysia For the Beatbox Battle World Championships and was the Best 16 in the competition and he was the youngest in the Best 16.

Not forgetting, This event is also hosting by the oh-so-sexay

Julie Woon (pics from from the internet) AND

Megan Tan! (pics taken from the internet)

AND THE BESTEST PART of Mystical Eve 2012 IS!>>>

FREE ADMISSION!! XD

The little bird also told me to share these info to my darling readers :-D:-

It’s time to cap a year of great leaps with a big bang! ENCORP Strand is proud to present MYSTICAL EVE 2012: an anything but ordinary countdown event at its prestigious Red Carpet Avenue, happening on new year’s eve (31 December 2011) from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

For the very first time in Malaysia, the ENCORP Strand building will move, transform, and come to life in 3D to the beat of pulsating music, light effects and fireworks. Beams of laser light are hand-manipulated before your very eyes, bent, stretched and spun around like a light sabre by the electrifying Laser Man.

With aerialists twirling through space to a dreamy rhythm and a contortionist pushing the limits of human flexibility, the crowds will pour in - mystified! Expect a stellar line-up of local celebrities too, including Joe Flizzow, Mizz Nina, Najwa, Pop Shuvit, Reza Salleh, Shawn Lee Beatbox + Dennis Lau. Not to mention famous DJ acts Aurology, Davern & Jee Hoe, and DJ Xu, pumping up the Red Carpet Avenue with unstoppable energy.

When was the last time you let wonder take over? Themed “Tonight, Extraordinary Works Overtime,” MYSTICAL EVE 2012 is bound to kick-start your new year in high gear.

Here is also a preview of what you can expect on that day:-

So tell me!!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Go circle your calendars already and welcome the year of the Dragon with Malaysia's Hottest Blogger at The Strand, Kota Damansara on Dec 31st 2011:-D

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:34:00.000+13:00

Merry Xmas everyone!!! Tis the season to be jolly and gain weight :-P....almost the end of the year 2011 already...without fail, around this time, I would always become nostalgic and reminiscence what has happened throughout the year so that I can improve and plan my next year's resolutions :-D

Let's leave all the sappy nonsense for my New Year's post ok? since it's the day to feel happy and jolly!!! here's some of my favourite Xmas tunes to share with you all :-D

My cousins in Auckland came back from school singing this NASTY X'MAS song...really LAUGH DIE ME!!! Enjoy XD

Grandma got run over by a reindeerWalking home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog, And we'd begged her not to go. But she'd left her medication, So she stumbled out the door into the snow.

When they found her Christmas mornin', At the scene of the attack. There were hoof prints on her forehead, And incriminatin' Claus marks on her back.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now were all so proud of Grandpa, He's been takin' this so well. See him in there watchin' football, Drinkin' beer and playin' cards with cousin Belle.

It's not Christmas without Grandma. All the family's dressed in black. And we just can't help but wonder: Should we open up her gifts or send them back?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.

Now the goose is on the table And the pudding made of fig. And a blue and silver candle, That would just have matched the hair in Grandma's wig.

I've warned all my friends and neighbours. " Better watch out for yourselves." They should never give a license, To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.

Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house, Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe

Another of my favourite...yet the irony of the song to sing it this year...haha! oh wells :-)

"Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me baby
Do you recognize me?
Well
It's been a year
It doesn't surprise me
(whispered) Merry Christmas,
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I love you"
and meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I know you'd fool me again"

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy

I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?

He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue

Just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes

To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses

I only like hippopotamuses

And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then

Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage

I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs

Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes

To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses

I only like hippopotamuseses

And hippopotamuses like me too!

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night
Well, she didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peek
She though that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep
Then I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white
What a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had walked in
And saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night
Well, she didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peek
She though that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep
But I know I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white
What a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had walked in
And saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
And saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night (One more time!)
And saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night
On the Lips!

New Zealand: November 2011 Updates

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000+13:00

Hello All!!! I know it's already mid-December and my updates are sooo long due....but what to do, busy person with a busy AND EXCITING life :-D

What have I been up to so far?

1. Moved House (More like my uncle moved house and I followed along)
2. Now a Serial Public Transport User (which i terribly hate!!!)
3. Studying like crazy for my final semester before I FINALLY GRADUATE :-D
4. Partied and Dance like there's No Tomorrow
I'm somewhat of a late bloomer I guess :-P Only started partying after living in New Zealand for 5 months :-P Oh wells, might as well make up for lost time I guess....

Absolutely love the NON SMOKING clubs here in Auckland...even though I guess it can never beat the vibrancy and familiarity of Zouk in Kuala Lumpur. At least, people here don't get cigarette burns by assholes who smoke in clubs....I know many of my friends smoke in the clubs....But I'll still call them ASSHOLES for ruining their life :-D #ngoemdiu

The Facebook trend right now is the post "Words of Wisdom" wall pictures and so far, I really like this!!! :-D

Karma....something that I really believe in and have seen it happening to the people around me, often, I would like to run up to them and point at their faces and go

"DAI LEI SEI!!!" translation "Serves You Right".

But then again, I'd rather play safe since Karma might turn around and attack me instead @__@"

Until today, other than my fast temper (from my Aries ascendant), One of my biggest obstacle/flaw is NOT being able to forgive someone....

Now and then you'll hear people say "Forgive and Forget"...I don't think I'll be able to ever Forget a betrayal unless I suddenly start suffering from amnesia....so what for forgive???

90% of the people that has betrayed me (I keep a mental list) has seek forgiveness and some even seek forgiveness profusely.....But then again, would I trust them again? Nope. Never. Yadda.

The other 10% REALISES their mistakes and have yet to apologise yet talk to me as if we are so "close"/ji mui/heng dai......:-) oh wells, I play the game really well my dear. Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer :-)

But at the end of the day, Forgiveness and FORGETTING how a person has wronged you is a FANTASTIC trait to have. As the saying goes "holding a grudge is like letting someone live rent free in your mind" or "holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping that your enemies will die"....something like that la...lol!

It'll probably take me another 20-30 years of soul searching, meditating, etc....to be able to completely forgive someone....but at least, I would like to change and am taking baby steps :-) ~~though it is EXTREMELY AMUSING to watch those idiots suffer from their Karma I must say...MUAHAHAHAH!!!~~

Sometimes I wonder......

What would have happened if I were to have stayed in Malaysia? boredom perhaps? stuck in a job I don't love? Never to learn how true my friends were?

Life is always a journey and I'm learning more and more each day :-)

Back to my post, November was the month after all the Rugby World Cup 2011 hoo-haa and New Zealand won!!! If you don't know already...how shallow can you be???

After 5 whole months of working back to back 3 JOBS, I decided to finally let my hair down and party! :-D All work and No play makes Sarah a dull girl. Hence, after working all day, I shall party all night :-D

After working for soooo many years, I've forgotten how it's like to be young and just have fun.....years of working did indeed made me a VERY mature person in the working environment but I've became such an uptight, too serious "anak dara tua" a.k.a old maid......thank god I made such new wonderful and GORGEOUS girlfriends here who literally saved me :-) I always have fate with beautiful, smart and talented women, too bad I'm not a man :-P

Here's some bloopers of me when I was tipsy....lol....it's interesting to watch how people act when they are drunk/tipsy....I just found out my tipsy pesona (at 23 3/4 years old...told you I'm a good girl :-p).....I'M IN MY OWN WORLD and CAN'T FREAKING STOP SINGING WHEN I'M TIPSY!!!! How typically Sarah May Low :-P


EPIC-NESS OF DEM ALL!!!! HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Waiwera Hot Springs!!!

I absolutely love this place!!! sadly only found out about this god-sent paradise after sooo longggg!!!

Had fish and Chips by the beach :-) <3

Dinner with friends!!! The typical life of an overseas student...house parties and more house parties!!!

If I did not tell you all already, the people I hang out here are CHEFS and CULINARY students!!!!!!

and my WORST trait is cooking T__T..... I'm only damn good at eating coz I am "Tam Chiak" a.k.a GLUTTON!!! T__T

French Chef Simon choosing Mussels for dinner :-D

Chef Mariska cooking her "special" mash potato

Mussels: Help me! Help me!...my chef friends are sooo damn hardworking...cleaned each and every shell one by one....so dedicated to feeding me :-P

Chefs in action with another chef Verdi behind who do not need to do anything since it's his birthday!!!

Handmade cakes...wrapped in plastic....

My friend's 1st Black forest cake attempt...better than mine la...lol....

IT WAS OMFG-AMAZING!!!! Had 3 servings!!!

I really admire people who can cook damn well....but at the same time I hate them coz they make me feel damn self-conscious T__T.....

I asked all of my Chef guy friends "Would you marry a girl who cannot cook?" (even if they themselves can cook damn well)

all of them answered "NO!"

T__T FML.....

Then I rephrased by question and asked them again "Would you marry a girl who cannot cook but is damn good in bed?"

All of them unanimously (and pervertedly) answered "YES!!! ABSOLUTELY!!!"

=__=" Boys will always be boys...........

Thank god I'll be putting my gymnastics and ballet experience into good use....lol *jokes* mummy don't kill me...I'm just joking :-P but then again, you always told me you wanted LOTS of grandchildren right? wakakakakak!!!

Also thank god, I'll capable enough to employ a personal chef in the future :-P

Something told me it was over
when I saw you and her talking,
Something deep down in my soul said, ´Cry Girl´,
when I saw you and that girl, walking out.
I would rather, I would rather go blind boy,
Than to see you, walk away from me child, and all.
Ooooo So you see, I love you so much
That I don't want to watch you leave me baby,
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't want to be free no

I was just, I was just, I was just sitting here thinking
Of your kisses and your warm embrace, yeah,
When the reflection in the glass that I held to my lips now baby,
Revealed the tears that was on my face, yeah.
And baby, baby, I would rather be blind boy
Than to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah
Baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind now

New Zealand: Belgium Bar Food Review (The Post)

2011-11-26T17:30:00.000+13:00

I've actually been here a few times already and I ABSOLUTELY love the mussels there :-D

The first time my uncle brought me there I saw this sign at the entrance....

It was so meant to be my dinner :-D

The place is called De Post because it was previously a very old Post Office

It's also one of the 4 franchise of Belgian Beer Cafe

Specials of the day

Upstairs, the ambience is quite romantic and I love the old school feel of the Original Post Office

Diet Coke

Leffe Brune comes in 3 sizes-250ml (NZD$8.50), 330ml (NZD$10.50) & 500ml (NZD$14)...more on the sweet side...but I still don't like beer!

Chai Latte :-D My favourite...

The Hoegaarden here comes in 3 sizes-250ml (NZD$8.50), 330ml (NZD$10.50) & 500ml (NZD$14)...surprisingly, the Hoegaarden craze haven't caught on yet like in Malaysia. But then again, Kiwis have soooo many choices to choose from!

Was recommended the steamed mussels. They have a grilled varity too..

Coconut Cream & Lemon Grass Curry (1 Kilo). Before Discount NZD$23 after discount NZD11.50 :-D

Garlic, Celery & Onion (1 Kilo). Before NZD$23 After discount NZD$11.50

I prefer the Coconut Cream & Lemon Grass Curry version. Definitely will come back for more mussels :-D Their promotion has been ON for every Monday....No idea whether they will stop having promotions :-S

RATINGS
Price: 7/10. Affordable. But only with discount. A bit on the high side without discount
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Taste: 7/10

DE POST
466 Mt Eden Road,
Mt Eden
Phone: 09 630 9330
http://www.depost.co.nz/

New Zealand: Denny's Restaurant Food Review

2011-11-24T17:08:00.000+13:00

A diner is what you usually see in American movies, drama, music videos....it's an eatery that serves mostly western food like your good ole' beef steak and hot cakes/pancake for breakfast.

Everytime I hear the word "Diner" I always burst out in the tune

"Dinner in a diner, nothing could be finer!" a line from a famous american classic hit called "Chatanooga Choo Choo" :-) A song I learnt in Choir :-D

On this particular weekday, I had Dinner in a diner :-D

Went over to Denny's after work for dinner on a Friday evening...this was not after my uncle complained the whole way in the car that he "have to follow" my protein/meat diet...which my uncle say "affected his eating habits" also :-P Oh wells, takes a very tough and strong man to handle me :-D

Talk about fusion! They also serve Nasi Goreng too :-D

Rolls and rolls of seating

When all else fails, there's ketchup to save you :-D I mean save your dinner...

My uncle commented "Why you always take picture of food only? Take picture of me la!" So here you go....my soon to be 39 year old uncle and "boss-at-work" who is the youngest brother of my mum...born in the year of the Rat hence the 2 front tooth :-D

My uncle had Moroccan Lamb NZD$25.00 which came well-done eventhough he requested medium...

I had Roast Beef Meal NZD$15.00 with Mixed Vegetables....I absolutely LOVED the pumpkin/squash above!!! I was sweet, creamy and at the same time savoury from the herbs on it!!! Anyone knows the recipe??? teach me??? :-D

My uncle had a few glasses of Heineken NZD$7.00

While I had Coffee which actually came with my Blueberry Pie NZD$5 (not pictured)

Also had a pot of tea which came together with my Mixed Berry Pie NZD$5.00 ( I know I'm greedy :-P)

Inside the restaurant...there's a play area for Children so that parents can *hopefully* have a peaceful dinner

They also sell momentos there for you to take home :-)

RATINGS
Price: 6/10. Affordable compared to other "Steak" meals around New Zealand
Ambience: 5/10. Noisy family environment
Service: 6/10. Very attentive but hard-selling & sneaky (as me personally :-P) waitress
Taste: 5/10. So-so. Good enough to just fill the stomach.

Denny's Restaurant
Pakuranga
19 Aviemore Drive
Highland Park, Auckland
(09) 537 0712
(09) 535 3225
https://www.dennys.co.nz/

New Zealand: Nuffield Street Cafe Food Review

2011-11-22T10:15:00.000+13:00

Probably my Uncle's new favourite hang out place...Nuffield street cafe is located at Nuffield street (duh!) in Newmarket, Auckland CBD.

It's just had a makeover which my uncle said is sooo much more better looking with better ambience. In fact, the menu is much better (according to my uncle).

They always have offers for their Peroni (es)

Soy Milk Chai Latte

A new drink that I've discovered!!! SPIRULINA JUICE :-D

Had dinner here one day and I ordered this fish dish...loved it...forget its name though :-(

Even had their grilled chicken breast which was quite tough :-( but the mashed potato that came with it was good :-) (no pictures unfortunately)

RATINGS
Price: 4/10. Just too expensive to eat here everyday
Ambience: 6/10. Very clean, warm & cosy
Service: 7/10. We get personal services by the manager himself :-D
Taste: 7/10. Not bad :-)

Nuffield Street Cafe, Bar & Bistro
11A Nuffield St

Newmarket
Auckland City
09 520 2240

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri 7am – 10pm
Sat & Sun 8am – late

New Zealand: Confucious Restaurant Food Review

2011-11-19T18:27:00.000+13:00

This restaurant serves Sichuan Cuisine

Chinese Tea

During the day, this place is almost empty...but by night...just don't be surprise if you are unable to get a table...

Salty Lamb

Spicy Beef

Spicy noodles...REALLY REALLY SPICY!!!

Sour & Spicy Soup...this was the only dish that failed...

Mixed Vegetable with chicken

RATINGS
Price: 5/10
Ambience: 5/10. Noisy & slippery and oily floors
Service: 3/10. S.L.O.W and do not have enough cutlery + cookery
Taste: 8/10. The only saving grace is its nice food.....

Confucious Chinese Spicy Restaurant
49 Nuffield St

Newmarket
Auckland City
09-524 5733

Opening Hours:

Mon – Sun
11:30am-2:30pm / 6pm-11pm

New Zealand: Sushi Donburi Food Review

2011-11-16T18:14:00.000+13:00

This place is my uncle's favourite fast food place...

It was actually Winter when I ate here...

By day it is Sushi Donburi, By night they sell Gyoza (a Japanese meat dumpling)

Yupe! Winter special! I'm such a proscrastinator I know! :-P

My uncle's Favourite! Breadcrumbed lamb with rice + vegetable

Another proper look at it....

The beef + rice & vegetable is not bad too though it would be less dry with sauce...

Fried Salmon Cakes

Vegetable Tempura

Sushi Roll

Water served complimentary

The Location & contact

RATINGS
Price: 5/10.
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Taste: 7/10

New Zealand: Asian Food Galore!!! (Tandoori Plaza, Chinese Place which I forgot, Malay Restaurant & Silk Thai Food Reviews)

2011-11-14T18:06:00.000+13:00

I find it funny how I get to taste more authentic Asian food in New Zealand than in Malaysia.....not really surprising though considering Malaysia has a longer history compares to New Zealand and ALL CULTURES in Malaysia has actually blended well making the dishes fusion and authentically M'sian....something that we should learn to appreciate:-)

TANDOORI PLAZA

My uncle was craving for Beriyani one evening...so me being the obedient niece, googled for Beriyani on the net and the GPS took us to this location :-)

Pineapple juice...cheap cheap only 1 (NZD) Dollah!

Some of the prices

Chicken Tikka Beriyani with Yogurt Sauce

Cheese naan with yogurt dipping... The BEST Naan that I have tasted so far over here though It is still no match with the Williams, Steven's Corner & Murni back home...

The Location

RATINGS
Price: 9/10. Very afforble...bill only came up to NZD$15 for 2 person O__O
Ambience: 4/10...floor is a bit oily
Service: 8/10...very friendly waiter and helpful too!
Taste: 8/10...LOVED IT!

This second place that I am about to show you actually have REALLY GOOD FOOD!!!!! and you know what the heck did I do? I was sooo busy savouring the food that I forgot to note down the restaurant address and NAME!!!!! So damn silly......>__<"

Anyways, this restaurant specialises in Lamb...stumbled onto this place while driving around and looking for food to eat....

Lamb Noodle Soup

Spicy Lamb dried noodle

Fried noodle

If anyone know where is this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me!!!

RATINGS
Price: 6/10. Food items are between NZD$8-NZD$13
Ambience: 5/10. Floor a bit oily
Service: 5/10
Taste: 7/10.

*UPDATE*
Did a bit of research and I think this is it :-D
Kung Fu Noodle Restaurant
636 Dominion Rd

Balmoral
Auckland City
09-623 6298
MALAY RESTAURANT

Another Malaysian restaurant in Newmarket

The interior

I have no freaking idea why I keep going back to Malaysian restaurants eventhough I know the food sold here can NEVER match the ones back home...

Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang

Hainanese Chicken Rice

The location

RATINGS
Price: 5/10. Food items are between NZD$10-NZD$15
Ambience: 6/10. Very spacious & clean
Service: 5/10
Taste: 6/10. One of the better Malaysian restaurants that I have been to.

SILK THAI

Located at the Asian Food Hall in Newmarket...near Kent street

Thai Fish Cake... Light snack as I was having a No Carb diet...though there are definitely flour inside to hold the meat together in the Fish Cake

RATINGS
Price: 6/10. Food items are between NZD$6-NZD$15
Ambience: 5/10. Food court ambience
Service: 5/10
Taste: 4/10. So-so

Asian Food Hall

11 Kent Street,
Newmarket, Auckland,
New Zealand

New Zealand: Night Owl Food Review

2011-11-12T17:35:00.000+13:00

Night Owl Bar & Restaurant is your typical Asian Hangout place....downstairs there's a pool centre and upstairs there's a restaurant and karaoke centre...not only that! One of the tenants on this building also teaches ballroom dancing :-)

Despite being cosy, a lot of the furnitures here are pretty old

Pearl Milk Tea....this cup was sooo freaking dirty...had like some black stain on it! TURN OFF!

Beef Noodle Soup

Claypot Rice with Pork...was expecting the Malaysian version one where the sauce that came together is black in color.

RATINGS
Price: 6/10. Pretty affordable. But not worth it....
Ambience: 5/10
Service: 5/10
Taste: 5/10

Night Owl Bar & Restaurant
295 Ti Rakau Dve Botany Auckland

09-272 8600

New Zealand: October 2011 Food Review Diaries (Crazy Noodles, Singapore Dried Pork & Beef Limited and Dunkin Donuts)

2011-11-11T16:47:00.000+13:00

Not many food nowadays as I'm religiously saving up money for my South Island trip :-D If you've been to South Island in New Zealand you'll know how FREAKING EXPENSIVE it can get!!! Especially when you go for outdoor activities like bungee jumping, sky diving, water rafting, etc....

Someone left a message on my blog asking me why review Asian Food in New Zealand when you can review Kiwi food in New Zealand?

Good Question!....reasons are:-

1. There are not many varieties of KIWI food around. In fact, there is no such thing as authentic Kiwi food

2. Even the native Maori here do not own restaurants that sells the traditional "Hangi" food item.

3. Western food (Steak, Pies, Spaghetti, Pasta, etc) are sooo freaking expensive here....A plate of Spaghetti will cost you NZD$20++ but a set meal which also includes drinks will only cost you NZD$10-15 at an Asian cafe/restaurant. Asian food establishments also ALWAYS have complimentary drinks!

4.By the way, food reviews are all about variety...Variety and MORE VARIETY :-D

You'll be surprised to see that More Asians spend money eating out than Caucasians.....Caucasians spend more money on liquor though :-P

Had lunch at this place after running out of ideas of where to eat...

Located in Newmarket, where I work...

The ambience inside

Had Century Egg & Shredded Chicken Congee

and also BBQ Pork noodles in black sauce

The information that you would need...

RATINGS
Price: 5/10. Between NZD$8-15 for lunch...Chinese Tea is complimentary
Ambience: 5/10
Service: 4/10. Very very slow
Taste: 4/10. Just so-so. Nothing to shout about.

Located at Meadowlands Shopping Mall near where I live...Landmark: Momo Tea & Somerville in East Auckland

A place to buy dried meat a.k.a ba gua a.k.a yuk kon...

VERY VERY AFFORDABLE!!!

Mee Rebus...more on the sweet side...and don't have the nutty roughness in the sauce like how I like it...

Shanghai Noodles..too oily for my liking...

Hainanese Chicken Rice...didn't try this, but my two little cousin gobbled this down and they liked it...so I guess it was good...

RATINGS
Price: 7/10. The Cheapest Malaysian food place so far! Food items are between NZD$ 6.90-NZD12. Chinese Tea & Plain water is complimentary.
Ambience: 4/10. Open area...so the shoppers can actually watch u eat...
Service: 4/10.
Taste: 5/10. Just so-so...will only go back for the cheap price

I've been craving donuts like FOREVER!!! and I finally get some eventhough I terribly miss Big Apple donuts in Malaysia :-(

Taste exactly like what you can find in Malaysia...

Considering donuts are a form of Western Culture food, you wouldn't find much variety here in New Zealand... In fact, the people here are quite healthy and you'll hardly see people gorging themselves with sweet pastries or cakes...

No RATINGS...coz donuts just taste like donuts O__o...nothing to shout about...

New Zealand: Fuku Sushi Food Review

2011-11-10T15:29:00.000+13:00

My colleague's choices of sushi...one of it seems to be a curry puff??? (a M'sian snack)

Beef Gyudon....Looks nice...

As I dug deeper...it has soup!!! WTH!!! u dun not add soup in Gyu dons!!! It comes separately!!!...

Located at Rialto, Newmarket...

RATINGS
Price: 5/10
Ambience: 4/10. Food court setting
Service: 5/10
Taste: FAIL BIG TIME...never coming back again...EVER!

New Zealand: October 2011 Diaries

2011-11-05T12:43:00.000+13:00

OHMAIGAAD!!! It's already NOVEMBER and in 3 1/2 months time I'll be turning 24!!! 0__0 *hint*hint* February 19th and my wish list is at the side bar TQVM...

Of course, all work and no play makes Sarah a dull girl...here are the other things I've been up to other than work :-D

FUN FAIR FUN FAIR and MORE FUN FAIR :-D

Diwali Festival of Light Celebration

This event was held at Aotea Square in Auckland CBD....I got lost trying to get there....FML...Thank you Mariska for saving me :-D

It was practically crowded and swarmed with people

Loads of Indian Food stalls too :-D

WIth a smaller performance stage

And indian jeweleries...kinda remind me of Brickfields and Masjid India

Had a Mango Lassi...which unfortunately spilled on me (and I WAS FREAKING WEARING BLACK AND WAS ABOUT TO GO TO WORK!!!!) after the stupid asshole indian dude bumped into me...and EFF-ING did not say sorry!!!! curse him for LIFE!!! ASSHOLE!!!

Cheese Naan & Garlic Naan which FAILED BIG TIME!!!! ARghhhh!!! I FREAKING CONFESS!!! I MISS WILLIAMS & CHEAP MALAYSIAN INDIAN FOOD!!!!!!!!

The bigger stage which was held closer to the mall...

All kinds of Southern & Northern Indian performances

They were even having a Bollywood dance competition...quite nice to watch actually :-D

Stephanie met up with me and Mariska left with another friend as she had to do something...

Thanks for accompanying me :-D

The Archway to the Event

First time celebration Deepavali & Diwali outside of Malaysia :-D Unfortunately got no Muruku & Chapati to it...Beriyani too expensive pulak T__T

The decorations at the square

While I was leaving the event to go to work, I spotted this.....

lolz!

2 sohais on the bus with a loud speaker preaching on legalizing Cannabis....

"Stop the Arrest, Live like it's LegaL"...sohai.com

Some street performers on Queens Street...

Ambury Farm Day

Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand boys and girls....this is WHAT NEW ZEALAND LOOKS like :-D

Ambury Farm day was a school holiday event organised by the Auckland Council...basically, families in New Zealand just loves the outdoor...weekend activities often includes Fishing, Road Trips and Fun Fairs :-D

Bee House :-D

Bah bah.....

Preparing the sheeps for Sheep Mustering demonstration a.k.a The Sheep dog chasing/directing the sheeps back into where it should be....

Big Fat Turkey....

Beautiful Clear Sky & Clean Air....until....you start smelling the cow's poo poo >__<"

Damn CUTE!!! Lil girl looking at bunnies while holding on to her bunny doll :-)

Some different kind on sheep...look at my excited face...lol....

BABI BABI BABI OH!!! ~sings in tune to Justin Bieber's Baby~

DAMN CUTE a.k.a Ugly but Adorable :-P

The black sheep....of the family...which is NOT me! lol...

Beautiful flowers!!! I love how flowers can bloom sooo beautifully in this climate...

After a loooonnnnggggg walk looking and patting all the farm animals, I decided to get some food....

6 Dumplings=NZD$4=RM10.50=FML!!!

Also gotten myself a Apple Cinnamon Crepe :-D for NZD$7.50=RM 19=Double FML!!!

Owairoa School Gala

When my dear cousin Jessie asked me whether I'd be able to go to her school gala I said I couldn't as I thought it was at night...but this gala was held in the day....isn't a gala like some kind of ball???

Basically, Gala is a more posh way of saying "HARI KANTIN" la....

My cousin's primary school is the Largest primary school in Auckland...Lucky Her!

Puppet show!

I absolutely love how creative all these kiwis are...they put sooo much effort into a small event like these...even managed to pull in many sponsors...O__O

Barbeque sausages

Gigantic children play thing...

Even go car ride wei wahliaoweh!

Had Fu Yong egg & Mixed vegetables...damn good!!! cooked by the volunteers a.k.a Parents of the kids who goes to the school

Spring rolls & wan tan wasn't bad either...

Children social dance performance...damn cute...*Takes out pen & note book and plans List of things my future children should learn* :-P

Dog collar

Horse Ride

My cousins had a super fun day out! Sometimes I really do envy these children for having the opportunity to study here...eventhough there are only 4 million people in New Zealand compared to 28 million people in Malaysia, there are SO MUCH MORE opportunities here!!!

There's a course for practically everything!!!

Diploma in Adventure Sports, Diploma in Massage, Diploma in Astrology, etc....

and the bestest part is....

New Zealand Ballet Academy T__T

After high school, performing arts WAS (and still is) my dream course to study... unfortunately, where do I do that? Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASWARA)?....but I FREAKING do not wanna learn dangdut or traditional dances...I have no freaking INTEREST IN THAT!!! Other alternative was overseas.....

which I could never afford....FML Big Time!....6 years later....I'll be graduating with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication....yet still a lost soul trapped in my performing arts aspirations...oh wells....

Anyways, I had the opportunity to watch DAME KIRI KANIWA when she performed at Vector Arena!!!! OMGWTFBBQ!!!! So freaking excited!!!!

Dame Kiri is a reknown Soprano and she often sings for Queen Elizabeth.....a.k.a DA BOMB!!! Dame Kiri la...not the Queen...

One of my favouriteeeeeeee Operatic song "O mio Babbino Caro" singing this always makes me cry T__T

And here is Dame Kiri being The great Leonard Bernstein's muse and singing songs from my favourite musical "West Side Story"....Leonard Bernstein is also WANG LEE HOM's (My dream guy) idol...

love the way Leonard Bernstein conducts!!!!! I can see those bunch of people loving what they do.....so is it too much to ask for??? I just want a career that I enjoy doing, makes me happy and PAY THE FREAKING BILLS!!! T__T

While watching Dame Kiri in concert, this song really HIT me! As if I've received my EPIPHANY :-D

Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every byway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!

A dream that will need
all the love you can give,
Every day of your life
for as long as you live.

Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!

Christina Aguilera's rendition :-)

It is probably true!!!!! I'm been searching all my life for something that represents me....climbing every mountain, following many rainbows, ~~QUITTING MANY JOBS!~~ and moving from country to country.....

Some girls wanna be a pop star, some dance stars, I wanna be.....

an OPERA STAR :-D :-D :-D!!!!!!

2012 will be SARAH MAY LOW's PROJECT OPERA STAR year!!!

~~First I have to work extra hard and safe money for all those super expensive classical vocal lessons...fml...talents comes with a price....~~

JESSIE'S BIRTHDAY AT RAINBOWS END

Celebrated my cousin Jessie's 8th Birthday!!! She's a super sweetheart I tell you....Soooo damn bloody courteous, intelligent and talented!!!

She's (according to her dad a.k.a my uncle) the smartest kid in her year...plays the piano & ukelele very well too!!!

And also absolutely LOVE singing...especially after I came over here and introduce all the chun songs to her and ~~teach her how to download free songs...~~

Now Jessie and her sister Kaylee, always joins in with me when I start singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow......." and they would go "Way Up High..."

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! My uncle say I influence them :-p But at least I'm proud to say I'm a GREAT ROLE MODEL *Does wonderwoman pose*

I am actually prefer Pizza Hut to Dominoes...but the Pizza Hut here in New Zealand absolutely fail max!

KFC...

Grape flavoured mountain dew

Another example of how BLOODY COURTEOUS Jessie is when she wanted to drink the soft drink, she asked her dad "Dad, can I please pour myself a cup of soft drink?" WTH...

compared to the 8 year old Sarah May Low " Don't touch it! It's all mine! ALL MINE!!! Muahahahah!!!" or else I'll start throwing tantrums and roll on the floor like I was possesed...

I know....I'M DIFFICULT :-P

We then headed to the Rainbow's End Theme Park

Genting Highlan'd Solero Shot much better

Go Kart Racing

Jessie and I at the 3D Motion Master

THIS ONE IS FREAKING CHUN!!!

I love this Ice Cream...the jelly + chocolate combination makes it taste like Turkish Delight! Yumss!

I just love talented people who inspires me :-D Here are some youtube videos from China's got talent!

~I will find my happiness~

If only my dad is this supportive of what I do...

Inspiring!!!! and she only started learning 3 years back!

New Zealand: Mcdonalds

2011-11-04T12:05:00.000+13:00

Mcdonalds....a worldwide fast food icon...I Love Mcdonalds...though I do not eat it often and the size of my waistline is more important than my constant fast food cravings....

Went to the Drive Through one night after work as I was freaking hungry...

The only thing that is 24 hours is their drive thru...the restaurants does not open 24 hours unlike Malaysia and alot of other countries in Asia...

Despite it being 11pm-ish...there were quite a number of cars in queue

Oh yeah baby!!! Ordered a Mighty Angus...

The meat was just.....FOODGASMIC...no other words to describe it...funny how using premium with will change the taste of what is normally known as a Beef Burger....

Bacon + Egg + Sausage for Breakfast...

Accompanied by a cup of Coffee

BIG MAC!!!

I've been fortunate enough to have been to Mcdonalds in many locations around the world-Malaysia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan. New Zealand etc...

All of the Mcdonalds have their own specialties and strengths...Thailand has Pork Burger, China has red bean/yam pies, Hong Kong has triple meat patties, Japan's beef is quite dark in color I have no idea why and Malaysia....well...CHEAP!!!

Amongst all the Mcdonalds I've been to, New Zealand hands down has the best tasting Beef!!! ANGUS BEEF!!! :-D Prices for a burger ranges from NZD$2 - NZD$10.

RATINGS
Price: 6/10. Pretty affordable in NZ standards...just don't convert
Ambience: 6/10. Like all other Mcdonalds around the world
Service: 6/10. Fast. It's called fast food for a reason...
Taste: 7/10

New Zealand: Hulu Cat Food Review

2011-11-03T13:02:00.000+13:00

Went to this infamous student yum cha place to meet up with a blogger friend........3 months ago :-P

Yes, that is exactly how late this blog post is...

I ordered the Original Pearl Milk Tea which somehow looks yellow here while my friend ordered the Strawberry flavoured variation

My friend ordered their Cheese Fries which was Oh-SOOO-Good....yet Oh-SOOO-Fattening T_T

Had their waffles as I was craving for it for days!!! Came with Vanilla Ice-cream, whipped cream and frozen strawberries...first time is my life tasting frozen strawberries...YUMSSS :-D

Here are more pictures of the place...

Chinese comics are available for patrons to read

Took away the rest of my tea as I couldn't finish it

On the train with Mariska, this was I was still semi-blond....don't you think I actually look better now in black hair? and also SO MUCH MORE healthier looking now :-D

New Zealand: Heiko Japanese Teppanyaki Food Review

2011-11-02T12:52:00.000+13:00

Randomly chose this place for lunch one sunny afternoon...

Turned out to be a treasure

Love the quiet ambience of this place...suitable to catch up with girlfriends and for lunch dates :-)

Seated right in front of the humongous teppanyaki pan/plate

Green tea NZD$2

The chef preparing our meal

Miso Soup that came with the set

Sour Cabbage Salad that came with the set

Just in case you guys were wondering, I ordered the Beef Lunch Set which came with all the above (excluding the tea)...sorry that my memory is ailing me but the price was between NZD$14-NZD17 per set...

Was surprised to see this here....My mum's room have the EXACT same curtain thingie which I bought from Japan 7 years back....damn I'm old T__T

Ratings
Price: 6/10. Worth it!
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 8/10. Very attentive waitresses
Taste: 7/10

New Zealand: Hansan Vietnamese Restaurant Food Review (Revisits)

2011-11-01T12:43:00.000+13:00

If you have read my past post on Hansan, you'd know that I LOVE this place for several reasons:-

1. Cheap considering the HUGE portion. About NZD$8-13 for food per person.
2. Coveniently located where I work
3. Variety! albeit the Beef noodles can't be compared with the ones available in M'sia...

My uncle's favourite Curry noodles

BBQ Chicken with Rice

Combination Beef Noodles

One of my favourite... Beef Tomato Noodle soup

Took away this for lunch one day...barbeque pork rice noodles

The sweet sauce that comes with most dishes

Another one of my favourite! pork roll with rice noodles..

Ratings
Price: 7/10
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Taste: 7/10

Hansan Vietnamese Restaurant
Open 7 days a week
11am-10pm

Newmarket
55 Nuffield Street, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand. (09) 523 3988

Panmure
525-529 Ellerslie Panmure Highway, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand. (09) 570 6638

Glenfield
Unit E, 31 Link Drive, Glenfield, Auckland, New Zealand. (09) 4433 816

New Zealand: Sal's Pizza Food Review

2011-10-31T12:35:00.002+13:00

Had a taste of this for my company's lunch

This was how big one slice of it was...Pepperoni btw

The information you'd need for online order

New York pizza...hence the gigantic-ness

The whole Vegetarian pizza

Ratings
Price: NZD$ 20 ++ per pizza...pretty pricy compared to Pizza Hut etc...
Ambience: N/A...takeaway
Service: N/A...takeaway
Taste: Not something that I would like to try again as it was really salty and becomes EXTREMELY hard once cold =__="...I have no idea why my boss like ordering this over and over again...PHAIL.COM

New Zealand: Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC) Experience

2011-10-30T17:12:00.001+13:00

O HAI!!! I know I've been on hiatus for oh-sooo-long....but....but....I've got a good reason for that!
It has been a dramatic/chaotic/exciting and busy busy month for me :-D Working hard (7 days a week!) to pay off my University Fees yo!

Seriously can't wait to graduate!!! I know it's naive for me to think that my struggles will end after I graduate coz the fact is LIFE STRUGGLES NEVER ENDS! The only time I'll rest is when I die....yet I still can't wait for this ongoing chapter of my life to close :-D hmmm....maybe MASTERS next year? :-D

Here's what I've been up to (There were actually more dramatic things that happened than the below...ask me personally though T__T)

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

KAPA HAKA

The infamous Kapa Haka ritual for the All Blacks before every game...

RWC2011 New Zealand Army Band

Hardly can find videos of this brass band but their performances for all the games are FANTASTIC! Love the Kapa Haka version too :-)

HAYLEY WESTENRA Vs ELIZABETH MARVELLY

Hayley Westenra singing the national anthem God Defend New Zealand at the RWC 2011 Finals.......I guess she's pretty overrated!

This singer who sang for the other games kicked Hayley Westenra's ass big time! Much better version of the National Anthem...just that Hayley is prettier la!

Another song by Elizabeth Marvelly :-)

Here is Eden Park, the main venue of the Rugby World Cup....There are other stadiums involved too but this is where the Opening and Closing was held :-D

Caught this Beautiful Rainbow right before the FINALS...probably a good sign for the KIWIS!!! Go All Blacks :-D

Inside the stadium before the game :-)


My entry tickets...there were more actually but I forgot to take pictures of it :-P

For the first 2 weeks, my friend Juwinn came up from Wanganui (Where she is working) to come work with me :-)

I eff-ing hate the uniform...made me look 8 months pregnant...but then again, I was wearing 5 layers inside :-S

It may have been Spring but it was still FREAKING COLDDD!!!

Got promoted to CORPORATE!!! a.k.a VIP area...that's more like it :-D

Love this bodyguard look :-D

I even got EXCELLENT feedback from the Heineken (One of the corporate boxes) Security Head :-D

A career as a Female Bodyguard perhaps??? NAHHHH!!! I'd rather be the Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard than the Bodyguard...Love the limelight tooo much XD

Speaking about the Bodyguard, I'm sooo hooked from this song "I Have Nothing" from Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard eventhough this is only ranked 2nd after her infamous "I will always love you" which is my favourite song ~~that I can't seem to stop myself from crying everytime I sing it T__T~~. This version is from X Factor US which I'm religiously watching every week :-D Damn good show!!! Malaysia!!! Y U NO MORE SINGING REALITY SHOW??? I wanna join!!!

Share my life, take me for what I am
Coz I'll never change all my colors for you
Take my love, I'll never ask for too much
Just all that you are and everything that you do

I don't really need to look very much further
I don't want to have to go where you don't follow
I won't hold it back again, this passion inside
Can't run from myself
There's nowhere to hide

Well,don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me...
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you, you, you, you, you...

You see through, right to the heart of me
You break down my walls with the strength of your love mmmmm...
I never knew love like I've known it with you
Will a memory survive, one I can hold on to

I don't really need to look very much further
I don't want to have to go where you don't follow
I won't hold it back again, this passion inside
I Can't run from myself
There's nowhere to hide
Your love I'll remember, forever

Don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me...
I have nothing, nothing, nothing...

Well,don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me no...
Don't walk away from me
Don't you dare walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you
ooohhh,ooooh
if i don't have you,oohh..

I also wanna share these performances with you...I haven't been performing or singing Karaoke for oh-so-long edi T__T....What is Sarah May Low without singing and performing...I feel as if god is punishing me...DEPRESSION...anyways enjoy these videos :-) Some of my idols...

~Sometimes when I miss you, I put those record on, In another life, I will be your girl, we'll keep all our promises be us against the world and in another life, I would make you stay, So I don't have to say you were the one that got away....~

The BEST part about the job I have to say is the people watching!!!


I absolutely loved how the patrons dress up to represent the team they were supporting for all the events

And I have to say the winner is..........

lols! just joking

The French were the BEST DRESSED is ALL THE EVENTS :-D Sadly, I couldn't obtain much pictures from the internet...

There were also many street parties after every game throughout Auckland...

The Heineken Beer Can design just for this historical event :-D


This blue colored jacket people were the volunteers for RWC2011...we name them the smurfs :-P

Unfortunately, despite the win of the Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand a.k.a The All Blacks, New Zealand realised that there are many things that need to be improved on :-( Honestly and Surprisingly, Malaysia's public transportation system is actually sooo much more convenient and efficient than in New Zealand....

New Zealand: First Class Mentality, Third Class System
Malaysia: First Class System, Third Class Mentality

I guess we will never win as nothing and no one is Perfect :-)

USQ Online Journalism: #7 The survival of investigative journalism

2011-10-23T23:12:00.000+13:00

Today, publishers are obsessed with cutting costs, editorial staffs are smaller, editors are less likely to invest in investigation. But we are still, happily, concerned about the integrity or lack of it, of those in power over us and we still see one of the roles of the media as holding them to account. Publishers are mostly concerned on expensive investment, no guarantee of materials and sales and risk of court case and legal actions if materials were obtained illegally.

The future of investigative journalism is shifting away from just the standard "professional" journalists and expanding to include individual and group blogs, community crowdsourcing, citizen journalists, non-profits and hybrid models of all of the above.

The internet is well suited to detect scandals that require lots of bloggers to spend a little bit of time searching for bits of incriminating evidence. But it's no substitute for serious investigative reporting that requires weeks of intelligent inquiry to get to the heart of the problem.

In countries where regulators are constantly monitoring the media, journalists tend to play a more cautious game which does, at times, border on self-censorship.

Unlike majority of global newspapers and agents whose main concern in investigative reporting is the funding of an investigation, This is not the case in the media suppressed Malaysia where publishers and journalist face many restrictions in reporting. Unfortunately, Investigative Journalism in Malaysia is still in an infant stage.

A range of restrictive laws governing the media industry act as prohibitive catalysts against investigative reporting.These acts include the infamous Internal Security Act (1960), the Printing Presses and Publications Act (1984), the Sedition Act (1948), and the Official Secrets Act (1972) .

The Western press prides itself on freedom to information, and throwing in requirements like “ethical practices” can result in confusion. The recent phone hacking scandal in London revealed that over-enthusiastic journalists have either forgotten their limits or become too bold while their supervisors glossed over their news gathering practices.

This is not to condone illegal tactics by the press but the nature of investigative journalism is such that it needs some amount of freedom for the information to flow in.

In coming down on the media, regulators should therefore be mindful of the role that investigative journalism plays.

They should not get carried away and impose too many restrictions on the media. For one, it will indicate their level of insecurity and desperation.

Owners and supervisors of media companies also have to behave more responsibly. They ought to be conversant with the laws and rules of journalism, check on their writers all the time and not let slip any suspicious looking piece of information.

On hindsight, this would be easier said than done. But these are practices going on in a lot of media organizations.

At the end of the day, we in the media would have to search our conscience on the implications of all our actions as we are answerable to many parties the Almighty, readers, bosses and society at large to name a few.

Amid the hand-wringing about the downward spiral of print economics, one recurring fear has been the fate of expensive, time-consuming investigative journalism. With less money, fewer reporters and the need to feed the twenty-four-hour news monster, will newspapers and magazines still be willing and able to invest in investigative projects that tackle the tough issues of mismanagement and malfeasance in their own backyards or in the world at large?

References

The Survival of Investigative Journalism, Christine Russell, March 24, 2008, Columbia Journalism Review, http://www.cjr.org/the_observatory/the_survival_of_investigative.php
Reporting is only part of the Investigative Story, Donald L.Barlett and James B. Steele, The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100077
Investigative journalism “dying a death’, Josh Halliday, 4^th November 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/nov/04/investigative-reporting-sheffield-docfest
Is Investigative Journalism Dead or Alive? August 27, 2011, CUtoday, news from Coventry University students- http://cutoday.net/2011/08/27/is-investigative-journalism-dead-or-alive/
Collaboration: is it the future of investigative journalism?, Amber Jamieson. 1^st September 2009, Crikey- http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/09/01/collaboration-is-it-the-future-of-investigative-journalism/
Columbia Journalism Review, The Survival of of Investigative Journalism, http://www.cjr.org/the_observatory/the_survival_of_investigative.php
ICIJ Journalist-Malaysia, The International Consortium of Invesgative Journalism, http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/icij/journalists/profile/791/
A Research Proposal on Investigative Journalism in Malaysia, Associated content, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7739588/a_research_proposal_on_investigative.html?cat=4
Hurdles to investigative Journalism, Stanley Koh, September 8, 2011, Free Malaysia Today, http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/09/08/hurdles-to-investigative-journalism/
Samuel Ihediwa, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), 2011 International Conference on Social Science and Humanity. http://www.ipedr.net/vol5/no1/41-H00089.pdf

New Zealand: Easyway Drink Review

2011-10-14T12:24:00.000+13:00

Finally found THE BEST (in my books) bubble tea/pearl milk tea in AUCKLAND!!! Still nowhere as good as Chatime and Gong Cha in Malaysia though :-(

Located near where I live in Howick...in Somerville to be exact..where all the Asian restaurants are...

Love it!!! Not too light...ngam ngam ho :-D Paid NZD$ 6 for these though...=RM15 T__T.. That's like 4 regular Chatimes/Gong Cha....

Visited this place in the evening...looks comfy and they were playing lots of Hong Kong Artiste concert video...Think Andy Lau & Sammi Cheng...considering how secluded this place is...I don't know how the night crowd is :-S

Ratings
Price: 6/10. Expensive!
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 4/10
Taste: 6/10

Verdict: Would love to come here for drinks more often but unfortunately I'm on a low carb diet....so no Tapioca Balls for me T__T

New Zealand: T-Mark Lunch Bar Food Review

2011-10-14T11:53:00.001+13:00

Came here for lunch one work day as this place was recommended by Foodie Doodie and I had serious craving for Taiwanese food...I Miss TAIWAN!!!

This located upstairs...

The Menu...Prices are between NZD$5-NZD$15

The really "turn off" part about this place was that it looks like a run down canteen :-(

My uncle had dish...can't remember what it was >__<"

I had beef noodles and I added dumplings too coz Imma such a greedy pig :-P came up to NZD$13

Self-service at the counter...

RatingsPrice: 5/10
Ambience: 3/10
Service: 5/10
Taste: 4/10

Verdict: Sorry Foodie Doodie...but this place was abit overrated...it was only so-so nia...but then again, your review was 2 years back...

USQ Online Journalism: #6 Ethical and legal issues in Convergence Journalism

2011-10-09T15:18:00.000+13:00

Convergence journalism in the 21^st century has changed the way a journalist communicate with their audiences by including various types of interactive multimedia elements that they think would benefit their audiences.

Convergence journalism however, also has its drawbacks as it allows the public who are not trained or well versed with media ethics to breach ethical laws and also get in trouble with the law.

As stated in my previous blogpost, how much press freedom a journalist has depends on his or her country of origin or where they are based.

Map of world freedom 2008, based on rankings of Freedom House.

Green - "Free".

Yellow - "Partly Free".

Purple - "Not Free".

Many people own laptops, Mac Notebooks, iPods, MP3s, cellphones and access to a myriad of other video and audio equipments however, It’s not just about the technology. Many people fail to follow media ethics. These days, most audiences are just as likely to suck the content off social media, which raises the question of whether this is really breaking news at all. If it has already been published, is already being discussed via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, what juice is left for the squeezers of mainstream media?

And it’s a nice question for the media studies theorists: if a story is playing out on social media, but doesn’t attract the attention of the mainstream, is it still a story, in the journalistic sense of that word? Have you broken news if you only do it to your followers on Twitter? Or, if you Twitter in the forest and nobody hears, have you still tweeted?

Social media is a major driver of what we choose to consume in media content. We read or view what our extended online network suggests to us is worthwhile. But social media is also itself a collection of channels and subscriber services. Young people were discussing the bullying video, and soldiers were discussing the racist comments, before the mainstream media sucked the content from the friends networks and made it into headlines.

However, the increasing news prominence of social media is also an issue for government regulators.

In Australia, one of the big media stories of the next couple of years will be the Convergence Review, the very broad terms of reference for which were announced by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy this year. The review is prompted by the realisation that all media is becoming one, and that this presents multiple challenges for standards, both ethical and relating to things such as Australian content. There won’t be an aspect of media in Australia that remains unexplored, if the review committee do their big scale job properly.

Does the Australian community want the government to try to regulate social media, trying to prevent, for example, a YouTube bullying video or other abusive material from being posted? Is it even possible to do so? Though there is no doubt that the issue is urgent.

Through multimedia, the content distribution comes together online. The convergence is actually at the end of the process. One got to learn how to use the different tools to tell a story. One must be clear that the story is the bottom line no matter the platform.

Reference

http://www.worldaudit.org/presstable.html#
Reporters without Borders for Press Freedom, Press Freedom Index 2010, http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html
Reporters without Borders for Press Freedom, Countries Under Surveillance, http://en.rsf.org/surveillance-malaysia,39718.html
Crikey, Digital Media Convergence: where legal and ethical lines blur too, http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/28/digital-media-convergence-where-legal-and-ethical-lines-blur-too/
The New York Times Company, http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html
Society of Professional Journalist, http://www.spj.org/rrr.asp?ref=76&t=students

New Zealand: Subway Food Review (SOHAI ALERT!!!)

2011-10-07T18:28:00.000+13:00

The fact is I LOVEEE Subway...back in Malaysia, Subway was my staple lunch and also my rehearsal food, meaning the food I usually Tah pao when I'm on the way for my performance rehearsals coz KL is sooo freaking jam and I always have to eat in the car while driving there...of coz when the car is not moving la...lol...or maybe not :-P

DO NOT FREAKING GO TO THIS SUBWAY IN BOTANY TOWN CENTRE!!!! Bloody cursed place!!!!

Went to Botany Town Centre, near where I lived and I decided to have Subway for lunch....
While taking all the pictures you see her, I accidentally ter-switch my camera flash on when I was snapping away....

The stupiak Indian owner noticed as he was sitting at one of the table came over me and scolded me while I was lining up....IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE LINING UP!!!!

BLOODY SONOFABITCH! he said "No pictures! This is private property!"

KNSMCB!!!!!!! I told him "Look! I did not know, I'm a tourist! You can speak to me properly!"

CCB#$%^&*() Hello! Cannot talk nicely ar you bloody sohai....!!!!???????? you think you freaking GORDON RAMSEY or what is it? your food got Michelin star one and a lot of people wanna copy is it???

BLOODY SOHAI!!! I freaking hope you "chap lap" and die in a horrible car accident!!!!! I Freaking curse you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How dare you give me a freaking bad impression on one of my most favourite sandwich!!!! MCB MCB!!!!

The point is, if you are visiting NEW ZEALAND, and you wanna have Subway don't freaking go to the BOTANY TOWN CENTRE branch!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, the breads here however has more selections and taste better then the ones available in Malaysia T__T......screw that stupid man

New Zealand: Red Elephant Thai Cuisine Food Review

2011-10-07T18:14:00.000+13:00

Had my first taste of Thai Cuisine over here at this Thai restaurant...they have parking spaces for patrons too!

Sawadi-ka

Pina Colada...The cocktails here are NZD$14

Beef on hot plate

Super expensive Assam fish...it was like NZD$ 70!!!

Spicy Chicken Salad

Tom Yum soup...what is Thai Cuisine without Tom Yum Goong? But then again, this version FAILED...too watery =_="

Ratings
Price: 3/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Taste:6/10

Red Elephant Thai Cuisine
195, Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket
Phone: 397 8704
Lunch: Mon-Fri (12.00-2.30)
Dinner: Everynight (6.00-10.30)

New Zealand: Nando's Food Review

2011-10-02T23:50:00.000+13:00

Finally had the chance to try Nando's over here...as my friend Juwinn told me somehow it taste better over here than back in Malaysia O__o...hai em hai arrr???

Was here was lunch. My uncle ordered this tandoori chicken-ish/Chicken Tikka breast...

I had the normal roasted chicken breast....that came with that pathetic pieces of grass...=__="

By memory, my dish was NZD$7.50 and my uncle's was NZD$10 ish....

Location: It's located at Rialto shopping mall along broadway...the building right next to Yoobee and at the top floor

Ratings
Service: 4/10...self-service
Ambience: 5/10
Pricing: 4/10
Taste: 4/10

Verdict: Does not taste better than Nando's back home in M'sia...in fact for that price converted back into riggit, I would have gotten a FREAKING good meal back home....I DO MISS THE CHEAP FOOD back home...boo hoo T__T