Recap of Year 2008

It's come to the last day of year 2008.

I clearly remember the exact same day this time last year, I was feeling anticipated about the new year. I made resolutions, kept half of it, and maintained the other half for 2009.

I knew 2008 was going to be a bumpy ride for me back then, I knew it would be a turning point of my life, I knew things were going to get pretty exciting and I knew I was going to take a huge leap in life.

And it did.

Things did turn out extremely well in 2008 for me.

It was good year. It went so well that I hardly ever noticed it going by, by the time I realised, the year has walked passed me swiftly, like the wind, and I have grown another year older and wiser.

Let's do a recap.

Since the begining of 2008, I was convinced that the year 2008 was going to be splendid for me. I had a good feeling about it. Everything was going to be fantastic, I just knew it.


In January, I organised a fund raising campaign for the first time in my life.




Raised RM3400 in cash and over RM10,000 worth of goods. Found happiness is making others happy.


I wanted to travel the whole of Malaysia, covered every state as a mark of my life long globe trotting journey. You know, as a start.

I did more than that.

By February, I changed my decision and decided to start my globe trotting early.

I flew to Kota Kinabalu, (Total: 2 weeks)



obtained my first diving license in Sipadan.


In March, I travelled to Laos. (Total: 5 weeks in Indo-China)




In April, travelled to Thailand.




Celebrated Songkran festival, in Bangkok & Chiang mai.




Crossed border to Myammar for a day.




Cross over to Cambodia on train and taxi.




Visited the Angkors on a cycle.

Become Angelina Jolie wannabe for a day.




Given an offer to become a weekly columnist in Starmetro by the the month of May.




Got a new laptop.

Got a new phone (from my brother).

Picked up wine tasting.

Sailed on a yacht for the first time in Langkawi. (Total: 4 days)




Fell in love with Westin Langkawi's heavenly bed.

Travelled to China in June. (Total: 2 weeks)




Hangzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to be exact.

Moved out of my condo in Puchong.

Organised my first Blogger Familiarization Trip to Southern Thailand. (Total: 5 days)




Created I LOVE TRAVEL group on facebook.




Went back to Langkawi again. (Total: 1 week)

Had lobster sashimi.




Travelled to Australia in August. (Total: 5 weeks)




Picked up snowboarding.




Met Juan Mann, Free Hug Guy, in Sydney.




Featured on FHM in September.




Became a contributor and wrote three travel articles for FHM.




Missed a flight to Shanghai in June.
Missed a flight back to Malaysia from OZ in September.
Missed a flight, again, to Manado, in the same month.

Flew to Manado, Indonesia for diving. (Total: less than a week)




Moved to Thailand. (Total: 3 months)

Went to another two Familiarization trips in Thailand: I-san province in the North East and Hua Hin in central Thailand. 6 days trip each.


Won best cowgirl costume during Isan trip.


Took photo with Minister of Sports and Tourism of Thailand.




Launched my online boutique in October.




Moved back to Malaysia in December.

Went to Singapore for Christmas. (Total: 10 days)




Had my heart broken. Then had my feet swept off the ground.

Finally finished my last master thesis.

Like every year, lost quite a few friends, met lots of great friends too.

In total, spent about 214 days travelling in 2008. 200 days of which out of the country.


Was it an eventful year? Maybe.

If you asked me, I thought the year flew by too blinking fast.

What does 2009 have installed for me, seriously, I don't know. And to be completely honest, I'm actually rather scared of the year 2009. What kind of fate does life bring forward to me this time round? I really couldn't bear thinking about it. I can't quite put it in words as to why I feel this way. I just don't anticipate the new year like I did last year, for some odd unknown reasons.

Maybe it's because of recession, maybe it's because my change of perception on love, or the fact that I have finally completed my last paper and awaiting my markings from my professor. Am I to graduate soon? What then? I've fiddled with the idea of pursuing my PHD, but my parents would probably kill me. Part of me still wants to see the world, part of me wants to settle down.

I have plans. Yes I do. And I can see them being carried out slowly in the year ahead. No doubt there are a lot of uncertainties, and I can't help but to feel edgy about all these possibilities, good and bad.

But heck, what else can I do, but to brace myself and shout back at life:




Whatever it is, Bring It On!

My New Sunnies

My new fetish.




Glasses half the size of my face.

They're the new in thing.




Everyone has to got to have one.


ps// last two days of year 2008. OMG. I'm scared~!

pps// the new year eve cruise has been postponed due to insufficient paid passengers. Sigh~ Guess god wants me to spend time with my family this year. Not bad actually~

It's been some time

since I actually feel very enthusiastic about blogging.

Every other time it just feels like I have to blog because there were so many places I've been to that I wanted to share with my readers, but I feel like I'm rushing against time to get them posted up before any of them get too backdated till there's no point blogging about them anymore.


Nose-flaring glare


But as the holiday sinks in and with so many people going offline or just not active online, I feel myself unwinding after a week of relaxing, waking to go online, chill, chat a bit, write a few lines, log into my friends4sale in facebook to earn that $100,000, really allowed me to take a FAR step back, re-evaluate my objectives.


Self re-evaluating


And blog, is, really, afterall, for fun.


FUN


Anyway, after years of planning, I've finally took the plunge to camwhore with the one, not the only, MER-LION.




Yea, it's not your signature Merlion that spits water, this one squirts from the back and it's way bigger than the original one. It's the one at Sentosa.




Lesson of the country: NEVER EVER EVER EVER visit Sentosa during peak period, like Christmas season of any other festive holiday, in fact, don't go to Singapore during Christmas and for New Year Eve at all.

It's insane.

The crowd is insane, the people are insane, the humidity is insane, the construction and amount of buildings are insane.


This is called construction sights.


I never knew I have claustrophobic till I went to Sentosa two days ago.


Singapore is to tiny, everywhere you turn, there's people, crowd, and people queuing up.

To take photo in a supposedly for-display-only santa slay, for ice cream, for donoughts, for bakgua, for restaurants, for LV bags (no queue at Chanel though), even to go up a melaka-look-alike observational tower in Sentosa (i know i know, Melaka's copied after theirs, but it still reminds me of Melaka).




I wanted to go for this 4D magix and Cineblast rides in Sentosa but was immensely put down the amount of people.




I mean long queue.




No, I really mean LONGGGGGG queue.




Like shit, that's like a 3-4 hours queue, easily.

Queue 3 hours for a ride?! I rather fly to Hong Kong disneyland and back. -.-



PS: I love love Singapore. OMG, their pork ribs at Tony Roma's are AMAZING!
And and and I AM SO going to Takashimaya and Robinsons to finish my shopping tour today!!!

My Christmas Night

Christmas came. Finally.

As the evening approached, I applied my Geo contacts and eyelashes, fluffed up my hair (which was curled later in the evening by the amazing hair curler guy in Vivocity), put on a stunning a gown bought as a Christmas present, and heels too high for my own good, called a cab and headed out for a promising evening.




This was the first Christmas I spent with my brother, over a lovely dinner at Sushi Tei, a Japanese restaurant I've come to fancy in Singapore's Vivocity.

In trio we took a stroll around the sky park where festive lights greeted us in delight.




It was a very romantic evening stroll.







Big bright X'mas trees never failed to impress in Singapore.
Everywhere I turn there's a larger than life tree erected from the ground, showered with balls and rainbow color lights, garnished with a star too bright perked happily on top.




We bought a wine from the mall, and headed down to Clark Quay for a quick last minute drink. Big brother left home after guiding us all the way there. So sweet! ^^

Walking down Clark Quay brought back a lot of memories, creating new ones with each step laid.










Over the years I've come to realised the journey of life I've walked on. How difficult, long winded and ironic it has been. How life turns out the way it is and how we all, from different parts of the world, would meet under the same sky, the same starry night. How we've been hurt, healed and learnt from our mistakes.

And as the end of the tunnel, it still turns out. Like it always has been. Better, if not then worse. It didn't matter, for we live as we live, and appreaciate who we are, what we have, how we come along in life.

I treasure this hand I'm holding. This moment of bliss, of pleasure, of happiness.

This very moment.




Forgive me if I ever trance out, muting every period of so, for I am drown in the wordless world, full of love, imagination, admiration, and everything that is beyond words.

And how every gesture made's breathless, remarkably kind, amazing and sweet.




How long can I keep this hand, clasp tightly in mine? Embrace this warmth? How long till the road ends, till life decides to put a full stop?

What is ours to say? For life is as uncertain as the ripples on the water on a rainy day.

Is forever ever after's a decision our right to keep?

Nay.

But for as long as I can wake up every morning, sleep every night, as long as the senses are still tingling inside;

I will treasure every living second,

fight to keep this warming hand,

savor every chance of peering at that adoring curve of lips, that cheeky grin, that alluring smile, those infectious laughters.

That broad shoulder,
that tight grip,
that soft gesture,
the kind words,
the sweet smell of cologne,
those annoying silly accents,
that deep husky voice,
those tears of care, empathy, worry and love,
that warm feeling when I lie my head to sleep on that lap,
those sweats on that forehead when an alio pasta's specially whipped for me from the kitchen,
but most of all,

that sweet, indescribable, overflowing, intense, comforting, soft, heartbreaking and everything beautiful under the sky...

that love.





Yes. That love.

Merry Christmas 2008 from Singapore!

Merry Christmas everyone!!



All the way from Singapore.



Oh yea.. the MOST famous "bak gua" (bbq pork) in Singapore that cost a bomb during CNY. Thank god it's Christmas so there's no queue.


This is my famous Christmas tree.




Things I do during Christmas Eve 2008 in Singapore:

1. Have dinner with my be-awesome brother.




First time in a long time. Woo! PROGRESS!


2. Eat Mushroom Swiss Melt in Coffee Club in Orchard road.




An unexpected discovery two years ago when I was being a vegetarian and landed in Coffee Club, it was the only thing without meat.

And god it was the yummiest thing I've ever tasted.


3. Eat Bak Gua.




Fine dining style.

No la, it's just the coin shaped bak gua from Lim Chee Guan topped with a piece of parsley.
Must eat with style one ma~!


4. Look at expensive car riding down Orchard Road.



White Lambogini. Oh la la...

One day.. mark my words, one day.


5. Wear a mini santa hat




Don't see it small small. Cost bloody SGD 5 le~ (Charity ma~)


6. Stand in the middle of the street to take snapshot of the street lights.




Kids, don't attempt this anywhere else. Nicolekiss is not liable for your safety.


7. look at kids and Blagadeshies (or Indians) spray foam all over the street.




You can join in the fun if you want.




Be warned, it might get nasty (not as bad as Songkran festival in Thailand but this is foam we are talking about)




8. Finally. Find the biggest grandest prettiest Christmas tree in Orchard road and take photo with it.




Tree. I chose you!




Happy Holidays everyone! Ho Ho HO!

What to do on New Year Eve

Okay, so tomorrow is Christmas Eve. So what's the title all about?

Well I'm going to be in Singapore tonight, so that pretty much sums up where I am going to be spending Christmas at. :D :D

Christmas Eve I will be having dinner with my brother, who's an awesome engineer (fuwa... be-awesome profession) (anyone who watched BOLT will know what is be-awesome), then then... I wanna visit Sentosa! Then the Maid Cafe! Then then... I don't know... stroll around Orchard Road, see pretty Christmas lights and bla bla bla.


But New Year Eve closely follows Christmas. So what then, what am I going to do by New Year Eve?

Well.. I am to tell you what I going to do.

Prepared to be awed!! Muahaha...

I will be give you a few photos as hints.








Got it yet?

No?


Okay, here's more.








Know what yet?

Dinner you say?

Well, close.

But no, not exactly.

Okay, ONE more hint.




Oh yea~~

You got it now.


I'm going to be on this little baby.










A 279 ft baby. The Lili Marleen is going to carry 150 people out to sea on New Year eve, and have the grandest private countdown party ever. A be-awesome DJ is going to be on board too. Oh yea..

Imagine, cocktail party, pretty dresses, handsome young urban professionals mingling, sophisticated chitter-chatter, under the starry night (god hope it doesn't rain, but still there is a covered deck, no worries), on the sea in the middle of no where (well, technically still within Malaysia region),

feels like Titanic man. But a mini version, and hopefully no drowning. I don't mind a cute Leonardo though :p


There is a price to pay though. RM400 to be exact, per pax. Oh yea... private function don't come cheap. But it's cool! First time for everything!

I will definitely blog more about my be-awesome New Year cruise after the event. Oh la la...

But hey, if you're interested, here's a poster my friend sent me. (I'm not paid to write this aight)




Come on board!! Woo Wooo... Let's dance under the voyage moonlight.

Cherry Blossoms in South Australia

When I was on a road trip in South Australia, I came across some absolutely beautiful cherry blossoms, or in Japanese: Sakura, and couldn't resist taking some photos.




These are the products of my trusty Canon Ixus 860 (I have too many people asking me this so I decide to post it here, is it not an ad, but if someone wants to sponsor me a free DSLR I would be greatly gratified. :p :D)










These were taken in August, if you're wondering and have no knowledge of the Australian seasons and weather, during the midst of the beautiful winter turn spring moment.













Awe... I love Sakura. They are so pretty. I love love love them.

I got something from Oprah Winfrey!

Now that I have moved back from Bangkok. (why? I don't know. I miss Malaysia? Got bored of Thailand? Maybe a bit of both. you tell me)

It's ok, I think, to reveal where I was staying before.




Months ago I received a parcel from the states.

Guess who it's from?




Haha. It's from Harpo! (reverse spell the word, what do you get?)

I even received an Oprah Winfrey cup, cap and t-shirt as souvenirs.




Now I can have a taste of Hollywood. Woo~

No Pork

The other day, I walked into a kopitiam restaurant with some bak gua in my hand.

Just as we were preparing to sit down to order, I walked passed this sign with half a slice of bak gua stuck in my mouth.


My expression signified that I didn't know whether to laugh or freeze in shock.


I mean, what was I supposed to do then?

Spit the damn bak gua out or chew it down really fast?

Last Minute Christmas Buys

Have you got anything for your love ones yet this festive season?

No? Well, it's time I do a bit of self promoting.

You know la, recession la. Times are difficult. (haha, anything for an excuse :p)

Anyway, it's the Christmas season and Nicolekiss Boutique has decided to throw a sales bash!!!

Wait for it. Wait for it.

Ready?


20% off everything! *until 26th December*

Free Delivery to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei!

3-day delivery to all Malaysia destinations!
(for all last minute shopping buys ;) )

(one week delivery to Singapore and Brunei, plus minus la, you know Pos Malaysia la? Everything also damn slow one, something things disappear also like that, bloody hell)

Free Christmas Wrappings!
(woo hoo, see so nice already, don't complain I never give service okay?)


Some of the new additions for this festive seasons are slightly HOT and SeXy if you don't mind. Course you don't, why am I even asking? duh~

Now here is a very street purple candy full set lingerie, complete with garters!


Item code: KM0019 *SOLD OUT*


I mean, any girl and woman out there has to have one piece of bedroom garment with garters in their wardrobe, else their wardrobe will never be complete.




You know how they say that a girl will never be complete until she has a full set of lingerie in her closet right? Well, in this case, owning lingeries without garters is like eating ice cream without topping. Something is just never right, never complete.

Some other amazing pieces are like this blue garter-ed lingerie


Item code: KM0018


Or pain the town red with this red chili padi.


Item code: KM0017


And everyone has to have a little black corset (or lingerie in general sense), it's a must. Equivalent to having a little black dress.


Item code: KM0016 *SOLD OUT*

It even has a very sexy thong to come with. meow~




oh la la, see through one le u know.


Now moving onto something more Christmas-y now.

Remember the two santarina outfits I wore in my previous entry? Well, they're on sale too!


Santa's Little Helper




Item code: KM0015
Price: 199 (omg, this means it's only RM159.20 after discount! o.O)


Santarina Bunny





Item code: KM0014 *SOLD OUT*
Price: RM260 (holy shit, this one only RM208 after discount! o.O)


Some other very nice collections are more fluffy and nice and comfy!! ^^
Imagine wearing this beside a rug and a fireplace. Careful not to burn it, but hey, why not either! LOL. All the better.


Item Code: KM0012
Price: RM69 (oh yea, you know why it's priced at 69 *wink wink*, but then after discount RM55.20 d)



Item Code: KM0011



Item Code: KM0010



Item Code: KM0009



Item Code: KM0008

Or even a slightly different devilish red.
Introducing KM0007




Check out the necklace section too. New rhodium items simply magnificent and gorgeous.


Keys and a locket. Item Code: SKN0078



Freedom and Commitment. Item Code: SKN0075


Now head over to Nicolekiss Boutique and shop till you drop. Damn it.

For all products. Please place order here.

Last Dinner in Gold Coast - Hooters Bar

Ever since my first visit to Shanghai's hooters bar, I made it a point to visit every single hooters bar in the world. As long the country has one, I'll be there.




So when I landed my arse in Australia, I googled availability of Hooters bar in OZ and found three branches! And one of it, fortunately, is in my first and last stop of Australia trip - Gold Coast.




Stuart and I decided to drop by this bar for a proper dinner on my last day in Gold Coast before I travel further down south, it's like a first few days' splurge. ;)




Check out my review on the food there here.

Personally I think the Hooters bar in Gold Coast Australia was much better than the one I went to in Shanghai, simply because they live up to the name of Hooters.


Boobies? Check.


And their food was, if I may, idiotically humongous.







I know the photos don't do them justice, but trust me when I say these portions are HUGE. OMG, there was so much food it's enough to feed an Asian family of four.

What's more, the service was great. Because when I realized that my tuna steak of overly done than what I wanted (which was medium rare), I have already finished half my curly fries (yea I prefer to eat fries first before the meat).

I asked them to re-do a steak for me. Instead of taking my plate back into the kitchen like most restaurants do, the Hooters girl asked me to keep my plate, and they'll have a whole brand new dish re-make for me. With the fries and the salads!

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.

We were so stuffed that night I nearly puked.

But it was so gooooood. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE curly fries.

Hey Alvin, Clare, Gerald, we should have a curly fries party soon.


The bill came up to a hefty AUD50+, considering that it was RM3 to AUD 1 when I went there, it was pricey.




And for a backpacker, that's hefty price for a meal.

But what the heck, it was a good meal.




I love Hooters. Don't you?

Santarina Nicolekiss

Christmas is just around the corner. I am totally in a Christmas-y mood.

So to celebrate Christmas this year, I decided to, for the first time in my life, become santa's little helper this year~!




Presenting Santarina Bunny Nicolekiss!




Meow~
er.. I mean.. growl?
Wait, that sound does a bunny make?

......


Anyway, this Christmas, due to recession, I have my heart set on Singapore (instead of Japan which was the initial plan, or hong kong, since I'm going there for Chinese New Year), again.

This would be the 3rd time I were to spend Christmas in Singapore. To be honest, I don't really know what else is there to do in Singapore during Christmas, I've practically done most that's needed to be done during Christmas there.

I guess revisiting Max Brenner would be a good idea, though I have been overdosed on that and many other chocolate cafes in Australia.

Anyway, here's another Santarina costume from me for all of your readers out there.







Have a happy Christmas! :D


Costumes above can be purchased from Nicolekiss Boutique - Santarina Bunny and Santa's Little Helper.
There are more selections available for Christmas this year too.
3 days delivery for all Malaysian buyers. One week for Singapore and Brunei.

The Origins of White Coffee

Disclaimer:
To all readers who read my column today on star metro, I would like to clarify that it was not my statement to offend Thai women (it was mistakenly edited), the original article was meant to protect and defend women in general.

Quote of original copy of the last two paragraphs are here:

"When this Australian guy compared girls between Thailand and Malaysia as though we girls are some birds waiting to be caught and played with, I felt immensely insulted. Normally I would respect most people twice my age, but "grossed out" would be the term to describe my feelings towards these farangs now.

I am, by far, no way cheap. I have a Master degree, probably speak more immaculate languages than he can (Mandarin, Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay, partial Hokkien and even partial Thai and Japanese), earn a decent income, been to more countries than some of these young-girl-seeking farangs ever travelled. No, far from that, I am priceless. And so are the rest of us in Malaysia!"

Sorry for the editorial misunderstanding and the distress it has stirred.


The other day I walked into Kajang's Old Town White Coffee for an afternoon snack. Half seating and waiting for my drink to be served, I saw a door opened and closed before. So I glanced over and saw this.




At first I thought it was just a normal toilet door with a wallpaper. I disregarded it immediately.

But something else caught my eye.




The origins of white coffee?!

What?!


NO! EW!!


I don't know about you. But I do not want my coffee to come from poo poo and pee pee land!!

Like shit!! (literally)


Next thing you know, you'll see drinks popping out from behind the door.




WTF?!

Isan Fam Trip - Nakhon Ratchasima (Minister of Tourism likes me!)

New items in Nicolekiss Boutique!

Venus and Mars

Keys and a Locket

Freedom and Commitment

Apple on a Tree, and a Bird

Jack-o'-lanterns

Fly o' Butterfly

Love Bird in a Cage

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Beauty of Thailand.




Full of vibrant colors.




Uniquely Thai.




There's nothing more fascinating than watching Thai people sit at a machine and with utmost efficiency, produce silk.




Trust me. I had a go at it. I was clumsy as a monkey with rubic cube.

The most I could manage with sewing is wheeling strings.




We were finally approaching Nakhon Ratchasima, the most south west corner of Isan province. Not forgetting to stop by a traditional handmade silk factory to become the victims of these tourist traps.


Traditional Thai house and all


But it was as educational as every other handmade silk factory I've been to this year across Indo-China (5 and counting) none-the-less.

Sitting in the bus got as habitual as it could get.




That's the good and bad thing (mostly bad) about a scheduled tour trip: there's never enough walking, too much eating, and no tan (yay!).


hot sun? no problem. sunglasses enough.


Anyway, it was to be our fourth day. So we decided to be sophisticated for a day and visited a fossil museum set in Nakhon Ratchasima, following the silk factory.




The lady researcher here is a pretty and young 27 year old PHD holder, who took it in her hand to guide us through the museum in her very thai English.




Inside the museum, we hugged some fossilised wood. Or fossil wood.







Which was basically a log of wood turned to stone after centuries of burial deep underground.




Posed with some elephants.


fossil elephant bones



Have you ever seen a four-tusked elephant?






Elephant cave?


Kissed some giant lizards.







O o.. let me tell you a bit about dinosaurs.

Here above, is what I assume to be a Brachiosaurus, judging from the size, since it's not as big as a Argentinosaurus. Whom all belonged to the sauropod dinosaur family - largest dinosaurs known.

The big lizard reached 25 meters in length and could raise its head as tall as 13 metres.





I'm 170cm thank you.


Means... I can barely reach its hind leg with my height.


I can hug its leg though.


Okay, enough about lizards. They taste like chicken btw.

We then checked into our hotel at Dusit Princess. A rather swanky hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima.








Cam whore in the room


Changed, and went back up the bus. Sigh. Bus again.




That night, the local Tourism representatives had all medias gathered at the central to pass us some welcoming awards,





Looks like an oversized chatukam to me (chatukam is a thai buddism symbolic piece)


for every country,




and brought us around town on a tram while their tour guide spoke away in broken English.










There wasn't much deep impressions I have on of Nakhon Ratchasima except it's a quiet small town, secluded, a bit like Chiang Mai (North Thailand) and Melaka (South Malaysia).

We ended the night with a nice simple Thai dinner and a stroll down the smallest night bazaar I've been in Thailand.

However, the next day was a big day for us. It was the FORUM day.
Yep, the forum was what all these media/fam trips were about. It's where all the medias gathered and have a massive discussion (like 2000 ppl in a hall) under one roof with the representatives of TAT Thailand.

So I put on my sunday best on the fifth day morning.




Put on my name tag.




Which proudly beared the title: Blogger. I bet I was the blogger in the entire hall man~ Phewwit.

The thing about introducing yourself as a blogger to a whole bunch of professional journalists and top travel agents around the world, is that, you will receive two types of reactions.

Let me explain.

Reaction 1
Journalist A: Which publication do you work for?
Me: I'm a blogger.
Journalist A: Ooo... Okay.

note: journalist A dragged the O. Which signified that he's either unsure what to react. These are people who usually are sceptical towards new media people like us, or they have never heard something as ridiculous as having a blogger as a media before. Yep~


Reaction 2
Journalist B: Which publication do you work for?
Me: I'm a blogger
Journalist B: OOO... Wow. *continue on with questioins as to how we earn money and such*

note: instead of dragging his O... he emphasizes it, making a loud OOOOOO sound. This sort of reaction is a positive reaction, which means my answer intrigues him. He's interested, probably heard about us before, and finally have met one, or two in real life. Communication channel therefore established.

I enjoy both reactions. They entice me to understand more of how people nowadays perceive bloggers.


Okay. Back to where I was. After the forum, the Minister of Sports and Tourism arrived for the press conference. Which I was supposed to attend, but seeing that I was not exactly a JOURNALIST, I self exempted the conference. LOL




But by god I have to tell you, the Minister of Sports and Tourism Thailand, H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, is one FINE GOOD LOOKING CHAP.

He's young for a minister, early 40's I presumed, HARVARD graduate. And has a smile that can charm the whole world. Very well groomed at all times.

This was the second time I saw him, but the first time in such close proximity.




And you know. I saw him glancing my way several times! OMG. He totally made my heart skipped several beats.

I tell you, I was 100% sure that every time I flashed my camera up at him for a photo, he would glance my way. And no matter how long I took to actually snap the photo, he won't look away till I put down my camera and gave him a nod indicating I have taken his photo and a gesture to thank him!




He was such a sweetheart OKAY! OMG. I was so totally in love with him.

Hey, I'm a travel addict, he's the minister of tourism. Like elo? Can you not see the click?


The best was yet to come. That night, we were to have our final grand dinner at a Khmer historial temple. (hey Richard, what was the place called again?)







It was an ingenius idea. Though I was a bit distressed about exploiting such ancient and sacred historical place and turn it into a public dining area with performance and such, I could not deny this was their best selling point. It has provided a complete cultural indulgence to its visitors, a true introduction of the Thai culture, through food, location and performance. It was perfect.











We were the VIPs. Ho Ho Ho~ Got people come and serve us one~



Pinky from Keris Travel gave me her flowers as my hair deco


Nice or not my hair? I curl it with a heat-thong that cost me 70 baht only. :D







Back to dinner and performance.

The dance was breathtaking. The best I have ever witnessed. Considering that I have seen a lot of Thai cultural dance in my travel expeditions, being blown away to such extend was a first.




The choreography was excellent. Dancers were like swans, delicate yet graceful. Every single movement, hand gestures, postures were trained to close to perfection.




The synchronized dance, were, well, very synchronized!




The presentation and costume? Beautiful.




The ending? Grand.




O.. did I mention that I was sitting on the floor (since the VIPs were all front area floor instead of tables set up all the way behind and below stage platform) next to the minister group! ^^ (OMG I was such a fan girl)

He stood among the performers at the end for all media to take photograph. And guess what?!




He looked at me again!!! There were a LOT of people crowding in to take photograph, journalists from all around the world, random people who just want to partake in the shooting frenzy too, and TAT representatives of all countries who just have to have this final photo of the trip cramped up at the front to take a shot of the minister. YET!




HE LOOKED AT ME!!


Not ONCE!

EVERY SINGLE TIME!




See, there again! It's no mistake. Everyone was looking everywhere else but he looked at me!!!

Ooooo.. I thought my heart fluttered like nobody's business that day.

I got so excited I was even among the first to run where he stood to take a photo with the performers.




And you know what. That night, I finally plucked up enough courage to walk up to Minister H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, and


and...



and....




asked for a photograph.




What? You thought I was going to propose to him?

Phlook (It’s pronounced as Flook)

I’m not sure if you have heard about Phlook before.

If you have not, I want to introduce you to it. Because it’s a bloody damn useful and fun feature to play with.

It’s really a nifty little widget (I think) where people can upload and embed photos in phlook.com and in their blogs.

But the fun part of Phlook, not just another photos hosting site, is that you can add and remove comments on the photos on the blog itself. Means that now readers can play with my photo (okay, please don’t do anything kinky ok?), adding notes to the photo on the spots, and read other notes that other readers leave behind too.

Don’t get what I mean?

Okay, I am going to take a photo of me and show you what I can do.




After uploading the photo onto Phlook, click on the photo,




Select “Add New Note”,




You can hover your mouse over and place your note on any part of the screen.




Ta-da!

Then copy the HTML and embed them in your blog.




And oh, I’m going to break my virginity here to upload my first ever slideshow.
You’re going to love this collection of photos. They’re all Lolitas. :D

Yea, if you don’t know already. I’m having Lolita fetish at the moment. Don’t ask me why? Puberty I guess.



If you don’t have a blog, I bet my good ten penny that you surely have a facebook account. Right? RIGHT?

If you don’t, then you can just go slit your wrist and jump off the river or the nearest tallest building you sad excuse for a living.

Yes, Phlook also allow facebookers to add slldeshow feature on their profiles. So cool right?!

You know what is the best part? The best thing about Phlook is that you, as a blogger, as a commoner, as a non-tech-savvy user, can now sell your own photos (that you usually upload on your blog). Yes, you can earn money! Another new way of earning money through your blog. Muahaha.

But first you have to upgrade your account to either Sell-My-Pics or Power Sell at the cost of $3 and $12 respectively.




If you have paypal, they will charge directly from and to your paypal account. It’s damn useful for a paypal user such as me. I wonder when will Paypal accept Malaysia banks.

Since I’ve upgraded to Power Sell, I can select any price I want to sell my photos.


Nifty right?


Guess how much I set my price for my photo to?




Seriously, like who’s going to buy that man. Muahaha.. the one who’s going to break this virginity of my first Phlook sale is going to gain my respect man~ RESPECT!

I can even upload my photo on my blog to sell.




I dare you to buy. Hah!

(The first 50 users who take up the US$3 Sell-My-Pics by Dec 2008 will get a free upgrade to the US$12 Power Sell.)


It’s so fun right?! Okay, let play a little game. Help me with this experiment too; since it’s going to my first time exposing my photo at public’s disposal.

There are three photos for you to add notes to. OMG, I am either going to invite so many haters to comment here, hey supporters, please help flood all the space on the photo before them haters do k?










Have mercy.

Isan Fam Trip - Pak Chong @ North Eastern Thailand

New items in Nicolekiss Boutique!

Chanel No.5 Necklace

Diamante Hello Kitty Earrings

Posh Tartans Bracelet (ultimate fav!)

Birdy Blue Necklace

Dusk & Dawn versus Midnight Love

Keys to Paris

Chair for Thought?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So I decided to change my banner to an icky sickly green look, after several complaints that my site looked out of place with the new green background. Fine! You shall look at Shrek Nicolekiss for a month!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Guess where this place is?




No no this is still in Asia. In fact, it is still in SEA.







Yep. You are correct. It IS a vineyard. And indeed I am not wrong either, it is in SEA. In fact, to be exact, it's in Thailand.

Thailand has its own vineyard and winery about 21 years ago, this is PB Valley in Pak Chong, a beautiful valley between the route Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima (Isan province). About 1.5 hours drive from Bangkok.







Anyhoo.... Back to my fam trip.


Day 3

After the first two days in Bangkok, we departed for Isan province on the third day. Reached Pak Chong to visit PB Valley - a winery established by the prince of Thailand whom imported its grapes from Europe and try planting them here.




So you might think.. yea... Thai wine. Must be damn dodgy.

That's what I thought too. But on the contrary, they've actually won awards before.




I sampled some of their wines and though I wasn't particularly impressed by PB wines, this... this Pirom Red Tempranillo,




OMG, was actually very decent. And I don't normally like red wine!

It's not cheap either. If I remember correctly, I think it's priced at 1280 baht.




Cheers~ *clink glass*


That night we were to have a cowboy-themed dinner, there will be prizes given to best dressed cowgirl and cowboy.

For the sake of good sportsmanship, and to be the sucker of commercialism, we were dropped off at Farm Chokchai store - a store that sells everything wild wild west, for a bit of shopping.







Having bought most of my stuff from Pratunam earlier back in Bangkok, I didn't really need to get anything else. But still couldn't resist getting my hands on this when I saw it.




Weetle Lamb!!!

OMG SO CUTE!




It's actually a tissue cover holder. :D

We then proceed to tour the rest of the Farm Chokchai Camp.




Farm Chokchai, is actually a real farm.




Years ago, before the current owner took place, the farm was managed by his (current owner) father. But it wasn't doing well, so when the son came back from his study in the states, he brought back the concept of having a western cowboy farm slash theme park. And since then, it has been a huge success.

The theme park concept went like this, first we were led in by a tractor.



Drove by me.


Nah I'm kidding.


Has many carriages to carry many people into the camp.




Then there were cowgirls and cowboys.


Wei, wear like this not hot meh?


Once in a while, you will also find the typical Japanese tourists.


Seriously, they're everywhere.


Inside the farm, you will find tents.




Very big tents.

With twin beds inside.




And closets and dressing table and aircond.




Like wtf, is this even a camp? I heard it's like RM300+ per night. o.O


Then there's the public shared toilets.




With open concept toilet bowl so you can pee and still feel the nature around you. Just like an actual camp~


And bath in nature.




Shit, this is like six sense villa or something. Where are the sufferings? the mosquitoe bites? The go up river to find water?

If this is how rich people go camping, I don't mind sleeping in the jungle everyday man.

50 years down the road, this is how camping's going to be like for everyone.



The *toot*, got ducky tissue box somemore.


We then went to watch some cute animal show. Too bad it was all in Thai. But we had some good laugh nonetheless, just by watching the little cute cute animals.

There's milking the calf.



By a dog.

There's mathematics.



By a parrot.

There's poodle.



Walking like a man.


It was really cute seriously wtf can die omg. >_<


Later we checked into our hotel to freshen up for dinner. That night we stayed at Greenary Hotel, which was said to be the best hotel in Pak Chong, you know, with swimming pool and al.





O...k....
So this is how 5-star (actually it's a 4 star) in the country side looks like.

(oh, did I say that they have paintball and Zorb activities here too? it's like a mini New Zealand, all the wild games you can find are here)


Soon it was dinner time. Yep, the cowboy themed dinner, at Thong Somboon Club - a cowboy theme park. (wtf again, what's with cowboy fetish in this area?)




It has a vast land, with rides like ATVs, go-carts, flying-fox, etc. All of which I totally love.

And this is my cowgirl costume.



"Howdy~"





With feature and scarf somemore, don't play play.





And guess who I brought along with me?




My little lamb from Chokchai!!!

Now I'm fully propped! :D




Oh, this photo got a "cool" feel.

"Hi, I'm Nicolekiss the Cowgirl".





Meet my partner in crime. Red Indian "Joe".
He's some random flower pot to spice up dinner at the park.

During dinner, we had a grand feast! It was a whole lot of buffet, a lot of food, all around the open area where they set up a stage for performance.



There were sausages, mashed potatoes, steak, chicken, sheesh kebabs, satay, fruits, soft drinks, smoothies, etc.

And a lot of beer.




I am not a drunken. That was purely for photoshoot purposes.




Not an alcoholic I say.




I repeat. Not a drinker! That beer is.. er... er... for little lamb. Yes! It's for Mary's Nicolekiss little lamb.


There were fire stunts by the red indians (or some Thai that pretended to be red indians).



I call this stunt, the perfect-O.

And this one the crazy duo.




This one.. the Streetfigher fire.




This is... the OMG-I-ATE-MEXICAN-CHILLI!!




And lastly, my favourite: Two-Doughnuts-and-A-Pretzel.




Ah.. it was a fun night. Phew. Never knew so many things happened in a day! o.O

Oh... and finally, guess what?

I won the best cowgirl costume.


Won a PB wine each.


:D


ps// we even made it to a page in Vietnamese Magazine. :D

Thailand Mega Fam Trip 2008 - Siam Niramit, Wat Arun @ Bangkok

Let's skip my Australia trip for a while and hope to two months after my OZ trip.

Two months ago (back in Oct), I was invited by TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) to its Thailand Mega Fam 2008,




a grand event where over 2000 agents and medias around the world were invited to Thailand to experience the seven wonders of Thailand.




There were two main routes given out to different media of different countries: Chiang Mai and Isan.

Seeing that I have never been to Isan province, the North Eastern part of Thailand, it was 6 days 5 nights of road trip to Nakhon Ratchasima for me.


Isan Province in the red~


Day 1

After checking in to Swissotel Le Concorde on Ratchada-phisek road, we proceeded to meet at the lobby to head out for dinner.

For me, it was talking a 5 mins taxi from my apartment to the hotel instead of 3 hours flight.




Anyway, Siam Niramit is one of those must do touristy thing in Bangkok.




I've seen a fair share of live stage performance in my life. Some of the grandest can be found in China. However, Siam Niramit prides itself to have the biggest and tallest indoor stage in the world.




The show package usually includes buffet dinner outdoor,


Ours is indoor because we're special :p


and an adult ticket to the cultural village and show.

It's not allowed to bring camera into the hall, so here's a little snippet of what you might see during the performance.




Be amazed, for I was. There are few highlights in the shows that would put you in awe. Imagine an actual river, and elephants (note the plural) all indoor!


Feel free to finish dinner early so you can walk around the cultural village before the show starts.


Pretty fountain



Traditional Thai girl cooking



Sexy Thai aunty sewing



Live dancer - posing for photos


and oohh... Thai boys~




Sorry, I don't find guys in blings blings attractive at all.


After dinner, a few of us, including Richard (marketing manager of TAT Malaysia) decided to hire a few taxi to go clubbing. Woo~~


Khun Richard is damn cool ok! We're like best of buds!



cam whore


We chose Soi 4 because the receptionist at the hotel said so.

And landed in some, well.. dodgy, yet cool, yet dodgy, pub, where all the waiters wear funny costume.




Something must be wrong with me, or the fact that they were playing Thai music all the way, or the fact that it's cultural shock for me. I got tremendously bored after a while..



see how bored I was?


Blow face~


Who's hand is that?! OMG, I just saw that when editing this photo!


So I decided to grab a hat from a random waiter to play...


He looked damn stoned. Kakaka


Day 2

Morning came, after reluctantly woke up from my oh-so-soft bed, I quickly washed up and went out to tour the city of Bangkok with my Malaysian travel agents.

We went to Chao Phraya River for a boat tour.




Had a few floating boat selling fruits and souvenirs came up to us.




And fed some of the fattest catfish I have ever seen.




I mean, these catfish were gigantic! If only I can catch them and pass them to the cook. Yum~




Respect these fish, for they belong to the king? or the monks? I think. All I knew was that you couldn't kill them.


Moving on! We went to visit the infamous Wat Arun.




The temple reminds me of these headdress the Thai loves to wear with their traditional costume.




Correct me if I'm wrong, but everytime I see the Thais wearing traditional Thai costumes, I feel that they're wearing a temple on their heads.


Yes? no?


Wat Arun has some lovely cravings back in their times, like these dancing figurines on the wall.




And this is me emulating them figurines.





This is how you cam-whore at 30 meters above sea level. (was it 30? bah, who cares)


Soon it was almost dinner time. We were asked to put on our best dinner suit/dress because it was going to be a grand gala event. The Minister of Sports and Tourism would be present too!


So I rushed to Pratunam to get myself a lovely black necklace and went back to put on my favourite evening dress, two sparkly teddy earrings.




Twirled my hair and stuck a chopstick in it.




Done!


I met Somboon (PR manager of TAT Malaysia) there. He was leading a group to Chiang Mai.




During the cockail session (or the pre-dinner minggling session), we had a look around and found a lot of amazing showcase of Thai culture.


No, apart from the beautiful Thai women.


Eh hem... couldn't resist. *cough*


Like these skillful fruit carvings live!




I mean, these fruits were so pretty I wondered if anyone would ever want to eat them at all.




Imagine me biting into this delicious looking apple that looked exactly like a flower.




Seriously, sometimes I think these arts are simply waste of food.



And there goes another good honey dew.


One of my favourites was this three people doll performance.




Basically, one controls the left hand, the other the right, and the middle one controls the legs.

Don't ask me why they need so many people to control a doll, but by god, the doll did act pretty lively. As if it was a real life human, only smaller, and if you could overlook the fact that there are three huge human in black behind.


Soon, it was time to move into the ballroom for some wicked dinner.




I was sure somewhere along those periods, the Minister himself did appear on stage, I could have remembered some parts of his speech, but then again, what would I know?

I was too indulged in the table next to me.




Hoo Hoo Hoo!!!! I think I drowned in desserts that night.

another 24 hours~

Just reached Bangkok after 24 hours bus ride.

Still in one piece.

Totally slumped.


Can you believe there are spider webs in my room?! How long have I been away?!


Jeez....

Nicolekiss Twin Sister

Meet my twin sister.

NicolePout.




I know right? She looks exactly like me.

No wait that's a lie.

She's actually prettier than me.

This is me.




Can you tell the difference?

I was invited to Isan province on a Mega Fam trip recently that involved 2000 over medias from around the world gathering in Bangkok, and took on two separate routes: Chiang Mai and Isan for a 6 days 5 nights trips.

We stayed at Swissotel Le Concorde in Bangkok. A delightful 5 star conveniently situtated opposite Din Daeng (red light district in Bangkok).






And in the room you will also conveniently find a condom at the rate of 100 baht per pack of three.




Condoms aren't cheap in hotels.

And a shower room that's transparent. *raise eyebrows*




Can you tell us apart?




No, not me.

This is NicolePout.


THIS is me.




Haha, are you confused yet?


What do you do when you put two cam-princess together in the same room?

Observe~













And now~~~~ NicoleKiss and NicolePout debut appearance.













Nicolekiss' pouts. (pun!)






The ultimate NicoleKisses!






Looking somewhere



Looking straight




Smile~




Nicolekiss readers! Meet NicolePout!
She's on the right hand side btw.


So tell me, who do you like?

NicoleKiss?




Or NicolePout?




Be honest.

Little thoughts....

Would it have mattered?

If words never came, if phone calls never made, if birthday greeting never conveyed, if laughter never persisted, if... you never stayed.


It might have.



I still sense the cologne you wear on me, even though it's been days, and many showers have taken place in between. Am I delirious? I wonder. Else how would at times the scent lingers on around me, have my nostrils gone hay-wired? Or has my memory of scent actually materialized?

The other day, as the car swerved, drifted sideways down the steep slippery slope, for a split second, I trusted you, and fear disappeared. I felt the hard collision against the stony cliff, a thud, screeching scratch, and it stopped. I opened my eyes, and I saw everything was still intact, strangely, I felt calm. For you were there, and we were still there. And nothing has changed, and it still felt like the dream I was living in for the past one week. Did I reached out to touch your hand? I couldn't remember. However, I did remember the first sentence (or was it the first few) that came out from me: "Are you okay?"

We walked on, after being stranded on the side. Slept with legs intertwined on a two-seater sofa in the lounge nearby, waiting for rescue to come. Deep down, I wanted the day to stay that way. It felt like a dream. It still does. I rather stayed in that dream, than to stay awake now, knowing that all those days felt like a dream.


Sorry I didn't say it out loud the other day. I was in too much of a mess.

Thank you for the lovely roses.
They're gorgeous.


And you know what?

I know you kissed me secretly one morning when I was deep in sleep.
Because I dreamt of it.