小电影 The Dream Boyz

Hello! I'm done with Semester 3 :)

Currently on break, happy to do things I can't do during my study days ^^

Last year about this time, I went to Paradigm Mall to watch the famous local Chinese movie 'The Journey 一路有你' with my family and the casts popped out from nowhere after the movie ended.

I got lucky again this year. Out of nowhere, just a message, then the next thing was my buddies and I were at Paradigm Mall (again), attending the special screening of the upcoming (when I got to watch it :P) local Chinese movie 'The Dream Boyz 小电影'. 

They invited students from colleges and universities, so we suddenly became representatives of our uni :O

Us before the special screening :P

The complete casts were there with the director to have a small movie sharing session with us :)

*Pardon me for this photo as I sat at the 2nd last row for optimal movie viewing experience :P

Some photos with the director and casts :)

Thank you director for sharing your stories with us :) 70% of this movie is based on his real life experiences!

The friendly cast - Joe (MYFM DJ, emcee and tv host) who offered to take a selfie :P keep up the good job, you're really good in your fields :)

Then the female lead - Wang Qie (model) joined in! :D she really has something in her pocket for acting, thumbs up even though she's a first timer!

Gonna share about my views and thoughts on this movie. Since the movie is in Chinese, I think some feelings are better expressed in mandarin so I'll blog bilingual this time. Scroll down for the English version :)

小电影

真实，

所以引起共鸣；

有共鸣，

所以深入人心。

这部电影，是非一般的激励片。

它是说着我们当初奋斗的斗志，但在现实中，并不是每个人都能一路带着那份斗志，持续地走下去。

因此它从人类的丑陋面出发，诉说着被巨大的遗憾和挫折狠狠打败的人类，追求理想的赤子之心如何被他的过往 - 他曾经的坚持，唤醒。到最后，自己当初说过的话，狠狠地当头棒喝。

“是你自己过不了自己，自己的情绪困住了自己。”

很多时候，只要转个念头，事情看起来就没有那么困难了，不是吗?

同时，身边的人也是不可或缺的一部分。

这部电影带出了亲情和友情的重要性，他们的支持、提醒和陪伴。

这个农历新年，和朋友聚一聚吧 :)

爱情的部分，哈哈青春片少不了的 :P

爱可以是祝福，也可以爱得轰轰烈烈。

有时不说，就真的让他溜走了。

总的来说，很多时候，我们因为眼前感觉巨大的挫折和遗憾，而离开梦想的轨道。殊不知，奇迹一直在身边，只是小得我们没发现，没发掘。

其中一个奇迹，或许你没发现，是在茫茫人海中，你能和你身边的朋友们成为同伴。那个机率，不也是一个奇迹吗?

这部电影，有演员的倾情演出，他们都说，这次把筹码都投进去了，不成就去卖糖水了 哈哈。

很多第一次演戏的，不说我真的看不出。大家的角色都很鲜明，但合起来却不冲突。

导演和众演员付出了他们的所有，看了就会感受到他们的诚意，做电影的赤子之心。

用一句导演的话；

大马人不要因为大马人的身份而支持本地电影，

而是给本地电影一个机会。

2月12日，给小电影一个机会，体验最初追求梦想那份勇气的感动。

希望你们能和我一样被感动，有所感触，真心推荐给大家 :)

______________________________________

The Dream Boyz

Actually it's not all boys, there's a girl too :P

This movie is about us humans who were so brave back then working hard to pursue our dreams. Some are brave and persevere till the end, some have their focus wrongly on the failures then lose hope.

Which one are you and me?

Sometimes, the key to turn the table around is us.

It's our heart and mind that often hold us back.

Although failures seem big but miracles that seem small are everywhere if you realize :)

In the midst of so many people all over the world, we actually get to have and know a bunch of people well who can walk with you and support you. Think of the possibility and probability, miracle ain't it?

Of course there are elements like friendships and romance. We all know how important friendships are in our lives, and in this movie, it'll refresh your views again.

Well written script, it's so related to all our lives that I'm so absorbed until I don't think it's just a movie. 

Great choice of casts that paid in their all, no hold backs at all. All In or Never, they said :)

A few of them are first timers who I don't think so at all, they are so natural and great!

A wise phrase from the director, 

"Malaysians should give Malaysian movies a chance, 

not just blindly think that we should support."

12 Feb, give this movie a chance, you'll be touched. 

It's today, 12 Feb! 

So grab your movie tickets and be inspired! 

Let this movie go through its first week and let it inspire more people :)

From the bottom of my heart, I recommend this movie to all of you.

Note that this is not a sponsored post or anything, I wrote it voluntarily :P

Take care and share with me your thoughts after you've watched it,

would love to hear from you lovely people :)

Thirty Seconds Cafe :)

Hey peeps! And hey February :D 

First month of 2015 had past in much hectic in studies for me. Having finals for Semester 3 for 2 weeks now, friends are bored of me bringing notes to study around them :P Left with one last paper, fingers crossed that I can do well! Then I'll bid this semester a goodbye and welcome the holidays :D can't wait for this hahaha.

February started with lots of love, completed filming that took the team 3 consecutive weeks, got to know people in my team better and listened to many stories that touched our hearts. Will post up the video once it's done, stay tuned!

Had some self-time during dinner back on the first day of the month. I personally think it's important for us to have a break from interacting with people, and have some time with ourselves. One thing that's kinda lacking in us humans is that,

We often forget we, ourselves, are sources of energy and love.

Much often we seek love (support, affirmation) from others and we do pay love forward too. However, what if when we're alone? 

God has always supplied us with His love, so we do have love in us already, right? :)

So back to my dinner, I went to a cafe that I've yearning to go but somehow always pass by and never get in - Thirty Seconds Cafe, Bandar Sri Damansara.

Simple and homey, feel very comfy once I step in with the soft and light music. 

Temperature is just nice, not too cold with the air conditioner :)

Wooden furniture with simple colours, minimalistic that I love :)

Little typography and details that will put smiles on faces :)

Small corner for magazines, books and some games :) plus point for a good place for gathering!

Self service hence everyone will have to drop by at the counter :) nicely decorated counter ^^

Oh and there are tables outdoor too, reminded me of Garage 51 somehow :)

Let's move on to F&B part of the cafe!

Oh I didn't mention, this cafe is ran by the Phua family, where the mum is the chef behind the scenes and the son is the barista who makes good coffee! Didn't meet the dad that blog reviews said he should be welcoming me though, haha so yeah.

They have a range of food, from brunches, sandwiches to pasta and more locally cuisine. Price are cheaper but the portion doesn't disappoint!

A glimpse of the menu :P

I ordered Chicken Pesto Pasta for the night :)

IT'S THE BOMB.

Love the pesto sauce and everything in! The flavors and the aroma :)

Moving on to the coffee, I ordered Flat White. It's more towards the sour and bitter side! Love love love hahaha :D

More photos of my food :) and love the table of mine here, note the plants :P

Had an enjoyable time here, will try out their desserts and their signature 30 Seconds Breakfast next time! :D

Opening hours ;

What they serve ;

Thirty Seconds Cafe
7-G, Jalan Margosa SD10/4A, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur.
03-26323919
Closed on Wednesdays, open from 0800-2100

Check out their Facebook page :)


Final paper of my finals is tomorrow! Can't wait for semester break :D


Till then, take care :)
x

2015 :)

Hola! Mel signing in 2015 :)



Sharing with you all lovelies is my piano cover from last December, feel free to play it while you continue reading :D

Happy New Year! :D (bet no one is as late as me :P) and have you made your resolutions for this year?

For me, I didn't have the urge to have a list out of it, but somehow am setting some goals and things to be changed from time to time, then I post on Facebook haha.

2014 had been fruitful, and I'm really grateful for that. Gained new experiences, explored new places and country (Japan!), and had experienced growth in terms of emotions and managing my own thoughts.

Well, for this year, as usual, I hope

IT'S A GOOD ONE.

and it will :)

Be loved, be happy, be healthy, be open, be brave.

To feel, to love, to care, to enjoy, to connect, to create.

My kind of resolutions :D

What's yours? Do share with me and I may get inspired from 'em :)

Have a great year ahead people!

Till then, x.

Look At Us.

Heyy.

Finally get back to blogging after a semester of my degree life, officially ended Year 1 :)
This is probably the longest break I'll get in my entire degree life, so here I am!

Well, look at us.

What is happening to us humans?

The tragic incident of MH17 that has broken many hearts around the world, why would you fire the missile to a passenger plane at the first place?

We can never understand and exactly feel the pain of the families and friends of those on the plane ;

We cannot tolerate the inconsiderate and selfish decision of the party that fired the missile.

Deepest condolences to the families and friends who have lost their beloved, and may God do justice to the land.

For us, treasure your life and people around you as we don't know and will not get any warnings on when will you lose them, or when will they lose you. Follow your heart and be yourself, live the life to the fullest, in the good way of course. Especially to those who are closest to you, please don't show them your worst as you know they can tolerate. Instead, love them more than you can. Let's practise this together, okay? I'm learning as well :)

Beginning of July, I joined the 100 Happy Days program, that is self-voluntary and free. I post a photo a day about something happy on that day, on Instagram (or you can choose to post on Facebook or other sites). I think it's a good way to push and motivate ourselves to eye on the positive things in life, instead of focusing and lingering on the negative ones that will not make life any better in any ways. Visit http://100happydays.com/ for more details and more convincing statistics! :D

Glad that the black boxes have been found and are in secured hands, may the truth be revealed and us humans could wake up from what we've done, make the Earth a better place to live in :) 

Have a great week ahead, feel the love and pay the love forward! :)

没那么简单。

你, 好吗?

写东西的冲动来了。几天前，中学时期一起写写的朋友和华文老师找上，说一本文学季刊向我们学校征稿，还问我手上有没有稿子可以交上的。

想想，我几时停止了，写，那我曾经很爱的文字。

虽然不像朋友们又投稿又得奖的，但文笔算是比上不足，比下有余? 

我真的，把它撇下了。

曾经想过，部落格内容的界限在哪里?

我被不同的答案影响过，所以风格改了又改。

真实的自己，似乎也在修修改改中，

被改掉了，被藏起来了。

正式宣布，

我回来了。

我写我喜欢的文字，让我在生活中，在思绪中，理出个所里然来吧 :)

或者，用文字把自己表达出来吧。

2013, 2014.

女孩上大学啦。

明天，

是第一学期的最后一个上课日。

从迈进象牙塔前，到如今身在塔内，一直都在听的‘大学 —— 人生的转折点’，

并没有发生在我身上。


学业，我一生没有那么无助过。
不如以往，真的出乎我意料，我没有表现好。


是真的不好。

我还在摸索中，还在适应中。

是，很慢。

我深信我站得起来，但是一次次地被打倒，我开始犹豫了。

我开始质疑自己，
自己的能力，自己的选择。

就这样，在振作和质疑的循环下，

值得庆幸的，

是

我还没放弃，

而且我还有一群人在背后的支持鼓励安慰骂醒。

虽然我知道，

我没什么值得让你们这样为我。

谢谢你们的包容，

谢谢你们的坦诚，

谢谢你们的真实。

感谢有你们。:)

不需要一一列出吧，

心知肚明就好，对不?

没那么简单，但我会好好的。

届时不要被那真正站起来的巨人吓着了:P

愿你，一切安好。

2nd Piano Cover ; Henry - Trap

Hello people! :)

2 weeks ago, made another piano cover as you can see from the title, K-Pop this time :D

Unlike my first cover, I didn't instantly blog about this cover cuz uni life has been reaching a mad hectic peak and finally now I get a year end break to catch some breathe of the world :P

So now, a little story about this cover.

As time goes by and I'm growing up, people tend to ask me what do I look in my boyfriend or future partner.

I always hope that he is that someone who can play music well. 

So I can lay back to enjoy his music, or me playing music for him, or playing a duet maybe and etc etc etc hehee :P
I believe many girls share the same hope as I do, right? *wink* Although mine has already faded, almost completely. (focusing on better qualities than the music in him can give :P)

Well, I do find guys charismatic in a way when they're so focused and enjoy in playing their music.

Of course, their music have to be beautiful as well :P

Back to the cover, this guy Henry from Super Junior-M first attracted my attention was through his first solo track - Trap.

He played his violin for the intro of this song and it's so beautiful that I clicked that replay button just to listen to the intro again lol. His vocal didn't attract me though (so sorry~).

When I searched for the official MV of this song, I was fascinated once again when he was on the piano this time, playing the keys so effortlessly. 

Always am admiring guys for how effortless they can be when playing octaves and some big big stuff,
that girls will have to put so much effort in to achieve.

Henry's musicality is superb and it's a really grand intro for this solo track of his.

Then I decided to give it a try, to see what extend I can reach this time :P

In a nutshell, I decided to make a cover for this song due to that intro, and the song is good as well :) Not a K-Pop lover but I do listen, but not into it though.

Played everything by ear this time as well, and improvised some parts.

It's quite tough for me as I'm not good with octaves and all, but I'm glad that I pulled it off although it's another rough work from me, tried my best.

Hope you'll enjoy and hereby presenting to you my second piano cover, Trap by Henry :)

Feel free to drop any comments!

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison, Isetan Food Street

Feel so blessed that I get to enjoy food and this restaurant I'm gonna blog today is defo A BOMB.
Had brought some friends to this restaurant and I get 100% thumbs up from them!

Pork, is a non-halal food in Malaysia due to religious reason, and so we hardly find restaurants offering pork chops in Malaysia. In restaurants that serve Japanese cuisine, it's even rarer.

Had my first bite on Japanese style deep fried pork fillet was back in 2012 (it's just last year heh :p) in Taiwan. Was so in love with it and hoped that I could indulge it in Malaysia as well :3

One fine day in March 2013, MY DREAM CAME TRUE when dad brought the family to this restaurant located at Isetan One Utama.

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison

A restaurant located silently at the corner after you walk in the side walkway that branched out from the center circle of Eat Paradise :)

Tonkatsu is a japanese word where Ton stands for Pork and Katsu stands for Fillet. (Thanks daddy for the explanation of the terms^^)


Interior
It's not a big restaurant, but the mirrors on the wall give the whole restaurant a spacious impression :)
Few walls are filled up with pieces of denim in different shades of blue, very unique indeed.

Denim pieces and some framed up wordings on the walls~
with yours truly and her meal :P

Food
This restaurant offers a variety of deep fried food, from poultry (pork the star *heh :P*, chicken) to seafood (oyster, prawn).

Offered by the restaurant, diners feel safer having meals here :) or it's just me? :P
I do think it's a show of respect by the restaurant to us diners, by serving quality and health-concerned food.

A glimpse of side dishes offered here :)

Potato Salad 

LOVE IT!

2 choices to the meals offered here: Ala-Carte or Set Meal.

Ala-Carte consists of the deep fried food and cabbage, while ordering the set meal you'll get a bowl of rice, pickles and miso soup with pork (known as tonjiru). 

Steamed rice or multi grain rice are the options offered by the restaurant, good! Health point +1 :D

And note that, rice, cabbage and miso soup are REFILLABLE! FOC :D really suitable for those who are starving, haha I mean really hungry :)

Sneak peek of the set meal now, let's go! :)

Little radish ball :)

to improve digestion~

Wondering why raw cabbage is refillable?

Answer:

Spot the difference?

TADAAA!

Sesame sauce dressing :D

Testimonial from bro's friend (this is real!)

'The sauce manages to convince me to take in vegetables! :)'

Miso soup with pork (Tonjiru)

So sorry for this low quality picture ><

A little salty for me though it's tasty.

Pork star is here! :)

Love every bite of the fillet, like seriously hahaha.

Juicy and the tenderness is just nice for some chewing! :D

Spot the white stuff on top of the pork fillet?

It is sesame!

Feel free to mix it with your rice or your fillet, super super fragrant and yum! :D

Overview of the set meal :)

There's sweet sauce, spicy sauce and salt for the sauce columns.

Spicy sauce isn't that spicy as the name yells at you haha.

Sauce bottles are on your table, so just add according to your choice and preference :P

Tonkatsu Don

Perfect to those who prefer rice with some gravy, with onions and egg :)

Little tip on choosing your pork fillet:

Rosu Katsu - lean meat with a layer of fats

Hire Katsu - pure lean meat

So to those who love pork fat, and those who opt for a healthier choice, haha you know what to pick :)

and you can request a change to Hire Katsu for Tonkatsu Don, without extra charges^^

To the drinks:

Barley tea

to refresh your mouth for a better sensation of indulging the food :)

Pink guava, if I'm not mistaken.

Once ordered by bro, and it's quite good :)

Overall, food and ambiance are great, price is okay for the big portion of food :D

Just that it's a small restaurant, so maybe can call up earlier to reserve or go earlier. Unless you don't mind waiting, which is sometimes kinda uneasy for me, especially when my stomach is growling for food hahaha.

Do like their Facebook page :) Tonkatsu by Ma Maison

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison

Ma Maison@Eat Paradise, Isetan 2nd Floor,

1 Utama Shopping Centre.

03-7727 3337

contact@mamaison.com.my

Business hours: Mon-Sun 11.00-21.30 :D

Big recommendation from me, alongside with my family and friends! :)

Go grab a bite of deep fried pork fillet and other awesome deep fried food now :D