Paris-based Korean artist Tae Gon Kim’s shimmering, ethereal dress is made of fibre optic cables. Its mysterious, ghostly shape can be glimpsed by eagle-eyed passers-by in a disused shop on Saddler Street.(From www.lumieredurham.co.uk)

I’m happy I decided to go for Lumiere tonight. 

LUMIERE is a four-day festival that will brighten the historic city of Durham, bringing a sprinkle of winter magic to the North East. More than 50 artists will create a breathtaking series of installations, illuminations and performances using light. Lumiere will turn the city into a winter wonderland, transforming its stunning buildings, streets and riverbanks, with a nocturnal winter festival that will amaze residents and visitors alike. (From  www.lumieredurham.co.uk)

I got a taste of winter magic alright. My friend and I made our way there right after class. Weather forecast predicted that it’d rain, and unlike weather forecast in Malaysia which no one bothers listening to, here it’s like the gospel truth. But that didnt deter me from going. Needed to let off some steam from the demanding study load.

The light artwork was stunning. I wish I had a video camera instead of a point and shoot. Cos my pictures really dont do any justice, at all. I was cold from the rain, my camera was wet, so rain droplets were all over it, which made it hard for me to look thru the eye piece. So shots were blurry, etc etc. Disappointed that I didnt get any good pictures.But I’ve loaded some here. Finally I decided, nah..forget capturing the moments, freezing or sharing them on Facebook! I’ll just soak it all in right now. The music, light effects was just amazing. My favorite has got to be the son et lumiere at the cathederal..description from the website below,

Durham Cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage for a thousand years, its extraordinary architecture and stunning stained glass providing a place of contemplation and sanctury for thousands of visitors every year. Now the building provides the canvas for an ambitious installation which uses the latest technology to transform one of England’s most beautiful Norman buildings into a spectacular illumination, 100m wide.

Projection artist Ross Ashton has worked all over the world, and has been chosen to illuminate buildings from Buckingham Palace to Sunderland Acquatic Centre. Now he is working with composer/arranger Robert Ziegler and sound designer John Del’Nero to create a son et lumière that will take your breath away. Using images drawn from the powerful history of Christianity in the North East, the visual material has been drawn from inside the Cathedral itself and from one of the most richly decorated, and important books of all time, the Lindisfarne Gospels, created in the 7th Century on Holy Island off the Northumbian Coast, and now housed in the British Library.

Walked all around town to see the artwork. Was great to see so many people coming out for Lumiere despite the rain. We couldn’t catch it all tonight, cos it got a bit too cold. So am gonna go this Saturday and soak in some more winter magic. And this time I hope I’ll be able to take better pictures.

I am absolutely crazy over this cupcake design by Mrs Foo (real name: Su Ee Juen ;p), my  friend/workstation neighbor, whos’ also a baking goddess.

The cupcakes were for some of her friends that were migrating to Canada. I love em because of the purple planes! purple is only like my favorite color. and cos I will be flying off soon. have i mentioned the purple planes?? ahhh nice!

Check out Mrs Foo’s blog www.ribbonsandcakes.blogspot.com

It’s been so long since I last logged in to my wordpress account, that I just found out WordPress has a new look!

Well what drew me to my long-left-not-visisted-for-a-while blog was the coming of Ramadhan and the absolutely beautiful weather that we’ve had the past 2 days. A must to document in my blog. Rain in the morning, followed by clear and sunny skies. I could see further in the horizon than I usually can, which is refreshing after too many months of hazy weather.

Ramadhan has always been a special month for me, and I am sure it is to all Muslims. But I have an extra dose of “specialness” ….cos it was Ramadhan last year that the Nu Yorka asked me out on our first date, for iftar (buka puasa). It was certainly special..we had dinner and broke our fast together, not the typical dinner, or coffee meet up.

My doa during Ramadhan last year, consisted of constant prayers to the Almighty for him to murahkan my rezeki and to bless me with a companion (yes, I was feeling a tad worried about my single status set against the ever diminishing pool of good men). And so it was that on one fine day in Ramadhan, the Nu Yorka made that move and asked me out. I am most thankful that God buka his hati to ask me out, and buka my hati to accept his invitation…after that, it was the many chats, long conversations, trips to Pasar Ramadhan, iftars and more…and we’re where we are today.

God knows best. He really does.

I cant wait to celebrate our first iftar anniversary.

this was at Zoey’s place last year – after our first iftar date..both still shy-shy flirt flirt haha. We had a Scrabble/Partini party after iftar. (L-R : the Nu Yorka, AB, Epool)

Accessorize is in town! KLCC to be exact. No points for guessing whether or not I’ll be making my way there sooon.

the Nu Yorka

Two nights ago I kinda pulled an unnecessary girlfriend-merajuk-for-something-small stunt (cant believe I admitted to that, but hey, I very rarely pull it – so cut me some slack ;p ) and i felt really bad after that, cos the Nu Yorka took every ounce of effort to pujuk me. yes ladies, this one is for keeps!

 from Wondermilk

So to say sorry I pulled a stunt + thank u for pujuking me with every ounce of effort + i luv ya.. I gave the Nu Yorka..

a bag of jelly beans,

4 cupcakes,

a toy soldier and

a postcard scribbled with a luv note…

~simple, sweet, quirky treats

image from www.mtv.com

I dont really follow that many series religiously. Am certainly not one of those series buffs that can spill the dirt and join conversations on Lost, Entourage, West Wing, 24, Greys Anatomy right down to True Blood. Dont seem able to find enough time to squeeze for too many series.

I follow one or max 3 at a time. Right now, it’s The Hills, Gossip Girl (cos Nasha insist that I watch it), and True Blood. I’ve dropped Lipstick Jungle, will resume that once i get my hands on the box set. The reason why I can watch the above 3 is because

1. The Hills – all i need to do is go to the MTV website and watch it online. Free of downloading hassle. My girlfriends have been pestering me to watch it for the longest time, and alas I am. I’m not going to get into the debate of whether it is really all real or scripted etc. I just love to watch it cos it’s easy on the eyes..l the featured spots in LA, the wardrobe on the cast. Helps me wind down before bed.
2. Gossip Girl – well this is like my sister and I’s sisterly-ritual to pop the laptop, place it on the bed, and watch. But i must admit that after watching the Hills, watching Gossip Girl feels a bit OTT, with the drama and all. Not like the Hills doesnt have its share of drama, it obviously must have drama or else no show la. But somehow with the Hills it doesnt feel too over.  image from www.tvworthwatching.com
3. True Blood – ah yes, age old vampire tales with a 21st century twist. On Astro, so makes tuning in very easy. As you can tell, am not fond of downloading stuff. if its a click away, then am on it.

Am also watching “the City” which is a spin off from the Hills, but  right now waiting for the new episodes to load on MTV..

So there you go..what I watch on telly..or these days, in bed,using my Macbook .

image from http://aletorro.files.wordpress.com

My dearest Nu Yorka parted with his mother last Monday, 11th of May. She had cancer.

Arwah and the Nu Yorka had only returned from Umrah the day before she passed away. She was admitted to the hospital in Mecca in the second week of the trip. But Alhamdulillah she managed to complete her Umrah before that.

Every call and text from the Nu Yorka  got me smiling & anxious at the same time. Pleased to hear from him, but worried about his mother’s condition, and how he was coping.He was the only male in the group and had to manage almost everything from medical to travel arrangements on his own. Their stay in Mecca was extended as his late mother was unable to travel on a flight.

To say he was strong would be an understatement. He was always calm when he spoke to me, and truly handled the situation like a man. Of course he was worried, who wouldnt be when watching your own mother ailing away.. but he always kept a steady head on his shoulders. Not a hint of panic, desperation..when the situation certainly would’ve permitted him to be so.

He managed to bring arwah back to Malaysia that Sunday, which was Mother’s Day. Although she did not have the chance to go home, as she was admitted into the hospital upon arrival, but she did set her eyes on her loved ones one last time before taking her last breath the next morning.

There was a point when I wasnt sure whether the Nu Yorka and his mom were going to be able to come back to Malaysia, and he wasnt sure either. I had already made travel arrangements to go there, as all I wanted to do was to be by their side. If they werent in Saudi but any other country (travel restrictions, mahram requirement etc), I would’ve flown out already.

I told the Nu Yorka..while every son, daughter today is busy whisking their mothers away to a hi-tea or fancy dinner for Mother’s Day, you gave your mother the best give ever..you helped her fulfill her hajat to perform umrah, was by her side constantly with love, affection and prayers and overcame all obstacles and fulfilled her wish to return home.  For me what the Nu Yorka did for his mum beats a Mother’s day card, dinner, tea, spa anytime.

It is never easy to part with a loved one. Time may heal the feeling of loss, but it will never erase the memories that will make you feel rindu. His late mother was a lady that was loved and respected by many. I will fondly remember her everytime I eat durian now, cos there was once when she ajak me masuk rumah and makan durian. May God forgive all her sins, accepts all her ibadah, good deeds, and bless her soul.

Just remembered that I have to submit a budget proposal for a corporate responsibility project my division is working on. It involves setting up learning spaces at orphanages. Fitch, Fairy and I went scouting for orphanages a few weekends ago, but didnt manage to find any that was “in need”. Have to start hunting again soon.

we stopped for cendol at TTDI

This is one of those times when I wished I could go to my boss and say “Boss, look at my face, I’m having breakouts, I dont feel like coming in to work till the visitors on my face decide to ciao”. But of course that shall remain wishful thinking – breakouts dont impede my ability to work..tsk tsk.

I’m having one of the worst breakouts ever.  I sometimes get one or two harmless pimples (that are not so obvious) before the time of the month, but this time around it’s more than two, and very obvious. Causes are:

• its a few days before the time of the month
• i’ve been missing the Nu Yorka
• the weather that has been a bit more panas than usual lately

I hope my face clears out before Thursday – I have to emcee two events, one on Thursday morning,and another on Friday morn. a bit shy la to emcee and face a crowd while spotting unattractive spots on my face. sigh. ok i shouldnt get myself stressed out over this, God forbid another pimple erupts!