Monday, January 17, 2005

Phantom of the Juara Lagu?


The Phantom of the Opera is here..inside my mind.. Posted by Hello

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The whole day was a girl's day out. From morning to evening, 6 gals, 2 agendas, 1 Meen. Fyuhh.. I was dead tired when I got home. But it was a good day!

In the morning, I left the house at 10.30am, and I was crusing along the NKVE & Kerinchi highway listening to relaxing songs. It was a sunny day. I reached Midvalley at 10.58am, parked right next to the P1 escalator. I met up with Hema first, then quickly bought Serena an early Chinese New Year card (since we won't be seeing her after this). Once she came, we had lunch at the usual's..Super Sandwich! Then we qued for the Phantom of the Opera movie, and managed to get front row seats! woah! But luckily, it wasn't too front. There was an empty space in front of us before the screen, so it was just right!

The movie? Love it! It was so sad (Emma, who were right! But, I didn't really cry! hehe). The whole story has similiar traits as 'Hunchback of Notredame', in a opera style. Christine (played by Emma Russo) was SO beautiful..she reminds me of Anna Hathaway from 'Princess Diaries'. And the Phatom? well, he reminds me of Antonio Banderas.. (maybe is due to the "mask" effect...you know..Zorro?) Overall, I love this movie. I can't believe that even simple dialogues can be turned into opera style singing. But oh well, that's opera for you. Now I feel really regret for not going to the real theater play of the Phatom when I was in London few years back. My parents said it was a complicated story, "theater in a theater" concept.. but based from the movie, I did get the storyline. Maybe in theater is different, I dunno.. I wonder how they implement some of the scene in a theater format.. Mental note: next trip to London, watch Phantom please!


While waiting in line..the hot sun was shining on us.. winks!Posted by Hello


Yes, we watched phantom of the opera, but not in gold class! heheh... Posted by Hello


Mama, China-doll Baby & Woman.. Posted by Hello
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After the movie, I headed to Shades' crib & change my attire there. After the football match last time, we didn't want history to repeat itself. So, we left the house at 6.30pm, picked up Zaf, and went on straight to Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil for the live performances of Anugerah Juara Lagu-ke19! (I bought the tickets about 1 week ago..one of the events I've been waiting for!)

After a few rounds searching for the place (we kinna got lost!), we reached the stadium by 7.15pm. After the Maghrib prayers & some "alas perut", we entered the stadium at 7.50pm. We were quite early, and most seats were still empty. Our view was not that bad, we were able to see the whole stage,& some artists too. Soon, the orchestras were rehearsaling some songs. Technicians were everywhere on the stage. Cameras were all ready. People started to fill up the stadium. Being as excited about live shows, I was seated at the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting for the show to start..(Ask zaf, I was rather hyper that time..) And finally, live at 8.30pm, lights..camera..action, the show was on.

We were entertained by a group of dances dancing the theme of the night "Simfoni Alam Seribu Ilham". And as host, Sarimah & Najip introduced the artists that were competing in order of their performances.. There were loud cheers for mainly Ruffedge, Anuar Zain, Spider & Misha Omar. Cheryl, who hosts the current Muzik-Muzik Show, interviewed the artists before they peform their songs. When she interviewed Anuar Zain, he actually kneeled down on his knees, held her hand and sang 'Semuanya Untukmu' to her.. aarrghhh...wish it was me instead! hmmphh.. :p

Anyway, 3 artists (from each genre) sang at one time before the commersial break. The first three were Syura, Ruffedge & Anuar. I kinna expected more from Ruffedge.. I thought perhaps if they had sang the original version of Tipah Tertipu.. and more hip-hop dancing, it would created an impact.. but, they were not bad...As for Anuar...(*faints!*) Anuar, oh Anuar.. I think the WHOLE stadium (all the ladies in the house) were screaming when he started to sing.. Me & Shades cccaaiiirrr gilerr...(Shades was SO happy! first time seeing him seeing live!) He sang the whole song beautifully......(Btw, he trimmed his hair..he looks neater now) I recalled after his performance, my chest felt tired, and I was breathless (perhaps due to too much screaming! hehe)

In between the commersials, we (the audience in the stadium) were entertained by Kuman (the extra big fellow), Apek & Yassin from Senario.. Their jokes were entertaining, but it had to cut short due to the commersials.. Sarimah & Najip kept on teasing each other, being their crazy self... We got a good view of them as they were hosting right below us..

The next three performances were Sharifah Zarina, Erra & Zamani.. nothing impressive about these three.. after them were Noraniza Idris, Ella & Vince.. Noraniza's performances were very synchronized, and this time she didn't use much of the "orang asli" element, which was good..Ella had some help with Man Kidal (the famous rock guitarist) during her chorus..As for Vince, I was quite impressed with his vocals ...it was strong & clear.. his performane concept were about friends who didn't become lovers (sounds familiar? hmmm...)

The final three performances were Dayang, Spider & Misha (or should I say, the 3 winners!) Dayang did an Indian concept (she wore sari! and she wore gold braclets right up to her elbow!) I quite like her performance cause she used lots of props (the diamond-shaped colours that became her wings, the long-wavy skrits..etc). As for Spider, they were surrounded by lighted candles..it was so romantic! loved that concept! it suited the song, and they performed well.. and as for Misha, well..her song wouldn't be complete without a pontianak... and yes, it was pretty creepy (i had goose bums a lil!) and that guy who sings with her during the chorus, he was behind a screen, leaving a shadow effect to the audience.. A superb performance as well...

While the votes were being counted, we assumed that:
Best Peformance : either Noraniza (for her dances) or Dayang (for the props),
Best Ethnic :also either Noraniza or Dayang
Best Pop Rock: Spider
Best Ballad: Misha
Best Vocal: Anuar or Vince
Juara Lagu: Misha-Pulangkan

But instead, the panel has decided that the winners are:
Best Peformance: Noraniza
Best Ethnic :Dayang
Best Pop Rock: Spider
Best Ballad: Misha
Best Vocal: Misha
Juara Lagu: Spider- Relaku Pujuk!

So yeahh..song of the year is Spider! I guess everyone didn't expect that, but that song is nice as well! Me & Shades (and perhaps most of the ladies) were pretty devastated when Anuar didn't win anything..but oh well, we love him anyway! hehe..So, that was the end of AJL ke-19... Lets wait who will compete for AJL ke-20...hopefully Anuar again! hehehe.......

After AJL, we headed for McDs as usual.. Zaf with her fries, me & my apple pie.. Shades ordered Nuggets.. After sending them home, I was dead tired.. What a LONG day for me..a happy one, that is...=)


Upon arrival, about 30 minutes before the show starts.. Posted by Hello


at our seats.. Posted by Hello


A closer look at Najip.. Posted by Hello


Sarimah doing her thang'.. Posted by Hello


Ruffedge performing Tipah Tetipu! Posted by Hello


Anuar Zain sings Semuanya Untukmu.. Posted by Hello


" Tanpa dirimu, hidup tak bererti...." =) Posted by Hello


Best Peformance: Noraniza Idris.. Posted by Hello


Best Ethnic Creative: Erti Hidup, sang by Dayang Nurfaizah.. Posted by Hello


Best Vocal & Best Balada: Pulangkan by Misha Omar.. Posted by Hello


Best Pop Rock & Juara Lagu: Spider with Relaku Pujuk..love the candles! Posted by Hello


Finale..with all the singers.. Posted by Hello


Me & Zaf with the Banner.. Posted by Hello


Although Anuar didn't win, but Shades & I were still satisfied with his perfromance.. Posted by Hello

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Gangster meets the Fockers?




Today was a cousin-movie outing at TGV 1 Utama. In the morning, I watch "Gangster" with the newly weds, Lan & Zu, and at night, I went with Kak Long to watch "Meet the Fockers".

"Gangster" is known as the best action-pack Malay movie by far. I think I would have to agree on it, cause there were many racing & shotting scenes in the movie. However, I wonder why the movie is called "Gangster" when most of the scenes were about racing cars? I mean, there was 60% were about race cars, and about 40% were about the gangster part. Hmm.. maybe the movie should be called "Pantas & Laju", or "Cepat giler!" hehe.. And another thing, the movie shows the dark side of KL. I salute to the director for his bravery to show the reality of KL life.. ecstacy, the girls, loan shark..etc. Overall, the movie is ok, but with a lil bit of improvement the movie would be a superb movie!

"Meet the Fockers" was hillarious! I was laughing all the time. Although some jokes were abit obscene, but it was so funny that I forgot to eat my popcorn! My favourite character in the movie would definately have to be Little Jack! He reminds me so much of Dzhofier (a slightly younger version, that is) choommeell sgt! To all who haven't watch this movie, take time & watch it, and prepare yourself to have a finger licking good time! =)

Thursday, January 13, 2005

from Sungai Buloh to Sungai Long..

Today my dad had a Golf Tournament at Sungai Long Country Club. My mom & I helped with the Prize-Giving ceremony. Since I was already in Sungai Long, I figured might as well visit my good old friend Hema! So yeah, I visited her new house (she moved a floor above her previous apartment), and yeah..basically just chill..we watched the video that she produced (anybody looking for a video editor, come & see her), saw her vacation pictures.. lepak lepak.. and yes, she gave me a xmas pressent..and, taa daaa...it was her HAND! haha..a wax-ed version that is! It's a handphone + ring holder..pretty cool I must say.. I have her hand! hehe..I wasn't long there, as she had her tuition classes, and I had to pick up my bro.. I soon returned to my humble home in Sungai Buloh..=)


my xmas prez from woman! Posted by Hello


the original hand & its wax figure.. Posted by Hello


thats my nose, you hand!! Posted by Hello


hema & meen.. Posted by Hello


Its purpose: handphone & ring holder.. Posted by Hello

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Babysitting Dzhofier..

Dzhofier is one active little boy...always running here, running there..LOVES electronic equipments..(handphones, radio..etc). And right now, he's vocabulary has been improving.. he can more words, and he understands better now.. he says "habis", "nak", "batuk", "beckham" (yes..its mr beckham, my mom taught him that)..theres so many..and he likes to say one particular word repetitively! (like my name, mie-meen, mie-meen, mie-meen...sounds like a siren when he says it over & over again!) he's at the stage where he wants to talk so much, he'll just talk anything at all (although it doesn't make sense..) Here are some pics taken during the babysitting.. Dzhofier in action!


I have a cheeky aunty! hehe.. Posted by Hello


laundry service...anyone? Posted by Hello


can we go now..pweezee? Posted by Hello


baca doa with tuk mat.. Posted by Hello


tuan haji kecik.. Posted by Hello


after hair cut pose Posted by Hello


like abah,like son.. Posted by Hello

Monday, January 10, 2005

A dedication for my nephew..


Dzhofier sleeps while Bluey guards him.. Posted by Hello

While I was babysitting Dzhofier, and watch him sleep peacefully in my arms, then later on the bed, the first thing that came into my mind was this beautiful song by Aerosmith. The fact that I'll be going back to Adelaide soon is really sad for me cause I will be missing some of his "growing-up-into-a-boy" moments. But that's reality, and I accept that. Nevertheless, when I see him sleeping soundly & peacefully on my bed, it makes me want to cherish and embrace life even more, and I'm grateful that I get to endure that special moment. Dzhofier sayang, this song is especially for you..Love you always~ your Mie-Meen..

I don't Wanna miss a thing by Aerosmith..

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Chorus:
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing


Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

Repeat chorus

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Repeat chorus till fade..



Sunday, January 09, 2005

Up, up & away to Menara KL..

Believe or not, I've never been to Menara KL before. It's not that I wanna make a big deal out of it, but the fact that I have been to Riolta Building in Melbourne, to Stratosphere in Las Vegas...but never to my very own homeland's KL Tower.. Finally after some planning, we (Shades, Zaf, Terk & I) for the first time went up to the Menara KL..we all acted like some "jakun" tourist visiting KL.. Zaf's friend, Wan, joined us, and we all took the lift all the way up to the Observantory Floor..It was cool to be able to see the entire city (even up to Genting Highlands & PD!) from there.. Terk was trying to find the best route to avoid the city traffic.. Zaf was trying to see where IBM tower is.. and Shades, well, she saw the trees & said it looks like broccolli from up here (which I agree!) And of course, the main highlight was the view of the Petronas Twin Towers at eye-level..we stayed on till night, but it wasnt as nice as the day time somehow..

So yeahh..finally, I've been to Menara KL...Like the advert on Hitz.FM "If you never been to Menara KL, then you never been to KL wann.." so yeah.. Been there, done that..didn't buy the t-shirt though! hehee...

woaahhh...can you take me higher? Posted by Hello


view from downunder.. Posted by Hello


pepping people..hehe Posted by Hello


A bird's eye view of KL City.. Posted by Hello


The Petronas twin towers at eye-level.. Posted by Hello


Behind me: Telstra Tower in Canberra..Go Aussie!! Posted by Hello


unclear view of twin towers at night Posted by Hello


also an unclear view of menara kl Posted by Hello


back on ground..we can sit now.. Posted by Hello