Archive for the Category »Raves «

26
Jul 2010

What’s In My Bag?

Stephanie @ Monday, 06:24 pm

Feeling: Crampy
Weather: Cool
Listening To: My Chemical Romance- To The End

Well… since I’m home for the whole day today (Part languishing, part helping to do some chores and part recuperating since I have the cramps) and dearest Louis won’t be home so early since he has his weekly meeting after work… I figured might as well :P

I admit, I do have a lot of bags (I am one of those who love bags, unfortunately >_>), but I’m going to just showcase the one I’m using frequently at the moment and what’s usually inside of it.

My current bag is the Lowepro Terraclime 100 in Plum :3

Before this I was using a bespoke black leather bowling bag from a Danish brand called Cottonfield, but shoulder bags are beginning to take their toll on my shoulder… so I was on the lookout for a sling bag that isn’t too big like most messenger bags, nor do I want a small one… until I remembered that dearest after all, sells Lowepro bags, and that the Lowepro Terraclime 100 is made of over 95% recycled materials and part of its proceeds goes to Polar Bears International (Bears!) :D To be honest I’ve always wanted one (But didn’t need it at that time), and in my search for a sling bag I forgot about it until one day it just popped back into my brain @_@

Hanging on the side of the bag is a wooden keychain carved with dearest’s surname as it is in Chinese (梅) and my beloved Coach “S” bag charm- one of my first designer buys!

The Lowepro Terraclime 100 open. It’s a lovely, sturdy fabric bag on its own (Not too slouchy, not too stiff!), and the purple colour is unique! I normally prefer black (Occasionally, brown or white), but this colour really stood out for me, more so that the stain-resistant black colour XD The insides are vivid green as pictured, which makes it pop further. The gear wrap the bag came with is in the same green colour and is well-padded and made, but obviously I am not using it, so it’s stored safely with my Cottonfield bowling bag. My HTC Hero phone usually goes into the left pocket in front.

A close-up view of the insides. It’s just the right size for all my necessities, really! Any more and it wouldn’t fit, unfortunately.

Generally these are all I need for my day-to-day activities, every day. If I need to take photos I carry my Panasonic Lumix LX-3 camera separately (In its vintage-looking brown leather case, and it has a neck strap, a wrist strap and a carabiner), and if I go to University I carry a separate lightweight, cotton book bag (Bought by dearest!) with my notebooks, textbooks and pencil case in it.

What’s usually in my Lowepro Terraclime 100 bag- medium-sized LeSportSac cosmetic pouch which contents will be showed later, Braun Buffel bifold wallet (I forgot which collection these two items came from already, sadly T_T) which contains my money, credit/debit/bank cards and identification, Guess Osaka checkbook clutch wallet which contains all my loyalty and membership and other miscellaneous cards, Longchamp inspired coin purse and Ray-Ban RB3211 aviator shield sunglasses in it’s protective case.

What’s inside the LeSportSac cosmetic pouch- tissue paper, a bottle Dettol hand sanitiser, RohtoC Cube eyedrops, a compact mirror, Badger Balm Organic Lip Balm Stick in Tangerine Breeze and Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment. Occasionally there’s some Strepsils, Ricola or breath mints in there, but not pictured XD

Contrary to its name I do not generally carry my makeup and/or cosmetics around >_> I’m a little OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) about hygiene and scratches, and wouldn’t want my applicators and/or sponges to be contaminated or the cases to bear even tiny little scratch or scuff marks :x Plus, I technically don’t use a lot of makeup- only face powder and the occasional eyeliner (Plus mascara for formal occasions), so there’s no need for me to touch up anyway :D

So… yeah… that’s basically what’s in my frequently used bag. Wow, that was not as climactic as I expected or hoped it’d be, though, but still, it was worth a post and a good way to while away the time :P

Dearest also sells bags from Acme Made (Lovely and of extremely high quality, but they’re expensive!) and KATA, as well as other camera accessories such as tripods from Manfrotto and whatnot. You may check out B.Y.O. Ventures if you’re on Facebook or search dadarouch for his sales threads if you’re on the Lowyat.NET Forums :D Come on, support this young entrepreneur! XD

And no, I did not get this bag for free, nor was it sponsored for this article XD Though I do wish!

Filed Under: Raves  3 Swirls Or Inkblots
20
Jul 2010

34th Bon Odori 2010

Stephanie @ Tuesday, 09:13 pm

Feeling: Slightly Hungry T_T
Weather: Neutral
Listening To: Tokio Hotel And Kerli- Strange

All the photos here are taken by dearest Louis using my Panasonic Lumix LX-3 camera ! ;)

Long, photo-filled post warning.

The 34th Bon Odori was held on the 17th July 2010, a Saturday, at it’s usual venue which is the Panasonic Stadium or also known as the Matsushita Sports Centre in Shah Alam.

It’s my second time (My first being last year), and the first time for dearest, so naturally we were excited.

Being overly punctual, we arrived at 4 p.m., when the gates actually open at 5 p.m. :P Actually, we arrived early partially because dearest wasn’t so sure of the exact location, and I also got dressed really early because wearing a yukata was not as easy as it looks… although I believe that after several tries the night before and with help from dearest on the day itself, it’s much more easier. And also, I’m really particular about the folds and creases and how it looks overall… much like the Japanese do :P

On the way from the car park to the stadium! Notice how empty the roads are XD It’s not a far walk, thankfully, since we were early and got a place at the car park.

The entrance. There was a booth selling Japanese-ish knick-knacks such as headbands, pouches, handkerchiefs and even yukata sets (Though they’re really not to my liking or up to my standards of quality) on one side, and the organising committee members were sorting through the numerous fans for distribution on the floor.

The main stage, set up in the middle of the field. Surprisingly there were… not much rehearsals, unlike last year. They were rehearsing again and again until it was almost time to begin @_@ This year there was only one brief rehearsal, actually, or at least I managed to catch just one rehearsal.

Crossing the field on our way to the stalls! XD My main main main agenda for attending this year was to haul Kodomo Beer, a type of soda, which I tried last year and fell in love with. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and my heart was broken when they didn’t sell it this year T_T I wanted to get and stock up 2 dozen bottles. No joke :(

So anyway, we had one whole round of walking around the stalls, looking for any signs of it, and when it was confirmed that they don’t have Kodomo Beer this year, we decided to get food. After all, we were early, there were little people at that time and it would be terrifyingly packed later >_>

The stall placements were exactly the same as last year’s- the Yakult stall, Beard Papa stall and the stall at the corner with Asahi beer.

Since we were early, some stalls were still setting up. I forgot what this stall is supposed to sell, sorry :x

Ah, a stall selling local delights such as sandwiches and nasi lemak!

This stall was selling some cupcakes-on-a-stick o_O The guy kept hollering on his loudspeaker to get people passing by to stop and buy them XD Didn’t try this one, though.

Dearest’s and my first (real) Japanese couple sighting at the Bon Odori XD I am so getting dearest what the Japanese guy (Who is tall!) is wearing for next year’s Bon Odori, though I forgot the name of the outfit. Anyone? :(

Now this was good. Ice cream from Dessert’s Bar. We got the double scoop ice cream, since single scoop was RM 6 and double scoop was RM 8, in vanilla and vanilla macadamia. It was heavenly! And really cooled me down from the walking in the sun XD

Anyone who frequents Jusco should see a familiar name (And font? To me XD) here. I got their takoyaki (Paul!), ikayaki (Which ended up being dearest’s supper) and unagi don for RM 25, and it was nothing short of being delicious! Just like how they sell it normally.

The mandatory Sushi King conveyor belt still in the process of being set up. Didn’t try them either.

A new addition: Sakae Sushi! I bought their gyu don and teriyaki chicken don, for RM 8 each, but to be honest it sucked. Nothing like the food you get in their outlets. Oh well, I guess that’s the price you pay for it being cheaper, after all! Since the gyu don and teriyaki chicken don would be around RM 12+.

Me with the fan tucked into the back of my obi.

See? Even the RELA guards have gotten into the act of tucking the fan to the back of their belt :P So hilarious!

The Bon Odori about to begin. The crowd around the stage is one whole thick layer of photographers, then revellers.

By nightfall, this is the amount of people that have gathered. It’s so interesting and nice to see the people slowly dancing, and the dancing spreading all around the stage and into the crowd, like a virus. Particularly liked the second song, where they use their fans, as you can see a wave-effect of fans on the field! Dearest and me sat on the grandstand the entire time, with Hippo, Tibbar and Tibbar‘s brother. Wanted to go and join in the dance with dearest, but we were tired from the day actually. It’s OK, there’s a next year! ;)

A group photo with Hippo, Tibbar and Tibbar‘s brother. A motley crew consisting of a guinea pig, a rabbit, a wolf and a hippo XD Bear not in photo due to being photographer.

And here are two photos of me in my yukata for this year, before we left.

We left at about 8 p.m. because there was nothing much already, having seen the first set of dances, and dearest needed to go back to Banting, so yeah. There were still people entering though, and the cars lined the roads on the way out! Talk about a huge crowd @_@

Summarised thoughts for this year’s Bon Odori: It seemed more… pleasant this year, actually, despite the lack of Kodomo Beer (My heart T_T). There was an increase in men wearing yukata and I didn’t see any cosplayers or cosplayer-wannabes, which is also a good thing. Though as usual I did see a lot of badly worn yukata- the wrong type, the wrong style, the wrong accessories. The list goes on and on >_> As Hippo and Tibbar said, it’s too bad they weren’t wearing their obi in front :P There were lala-wannabe-Japanese, though D: Also, there was an increase in people TRYING to take my photo… I said trying, because I see them pointing their camera at me, but I was normally with dearest and they seem to have chickened out somehow XD I wonder why?

And here’s (one of the) best part(s) about this year’s Bon Odori…

A couple with matching Domo-kun t-shirts and even a Domo-kun tote bag! XD Huge Domo-kun fan(s) eh? XD

Everything is so much better with you! :3 Dearest camwhored with me XD The way he’s hugging me… is like hugging a pillow, though >_>

Filed Under: Events, Raves  4 Swirls Or Inkblots
16
Jul 2010

One Year With You

Stephanie @ Friday, 10:08 pm

Feeling: Excited, Anticipative, Relatively Hungry
Weather: Cool
Listening To: All Time Low- Painting Flowers

A very belated post :P Been meaning to get this up the day after, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, it’s been delayed until now :x My holidays have officially begun today, as I’ve sat for my final paper earlier this morning :D Holidays until the end of August… which is short, but better than nothing!

On Sunday, 11th July 2010, it’s one year since we’ve been together, dearest Louis :3

My anniversary present from dearest- a Thomas Sabo charm bracelet! He promises a charm for every year, although sometimes he gets a bit impatient and wants to get me a charm XD He apparently loves the idea of charm bracelets… hence the gift :) Isn’t he the sweetest thing ever? ♥

Oh yeah, mushy post ahead.

I look forward to years and years and years together with you dearest :3 When you told your parents, and my Mum as well, I know from that moment on how serious you are with me. How badly you want to be with me and spend the rest of your life together with me. I know, we both have our shortcomings, so of course our year together has been riddled with lots of ups and downs… but that’s what makes us grow individually and together. And we’re different, you know what I mean by that, of course- different than others ;) I love you so much Louis Boey! ♥

*Ahem*

We had our anniversary dinner at Betty’s Midwest Kitchen, because it’s been a long time since we’ve been there, and I really miss the food there. Plus, it’s pretty hard to get a place there as well. We went there at 5.45 p.m. (They re-open at 5.30 p.m. after a break), and by 6.15 p.m it was full house. It’s crazy I tell you!

Delicious food as expected :) That’s the reason why it’s always so packed. I love the lemonade, for one :D I had the Classical Meatloaf, whilst dearest had the Beer Braised Boston Butt (Not technically butt, though… I think/hope D: And of which I liberally took portions of!) and the Chicken Noodle Soup. I don’t think I need to rave on and on about the quality and taste of the food… just thinking about it makes my mouth water now. It is, in a word, simply marvellous.

Dessert. The Apple Crumble is made out of fresh, real apples, and the ice cream is simply superb! I love the Bread And Butter Pudding too, though, but most of the time we take the Apple Crumble because of the ice cream :P The crust is also fresh and buttery, and it has cornflakes, which makes the combination a simply yummy treat.

Pardon the quality of the photos- I forgot to bring my LX3 camera, and so took the photos of the dinner with my HTC Hero instead.

Bon Odori tomorrow with dearest! I can hardly wait! @_@ I promise I will get more photos of tomorrow (I bet, courtesy of dearest)- especially of me in a yukata XD

Filed Under: Raves  Leave A Swirl Or Inkblot
31
Dec 2009

Malacca Trip Part 2

Stephanie @ Thursday, 05:14 pm

Feeling: Slightly Tired
Weather: Cool
Listening To: Michael Buble- L O V E

I won’t be going anywhere for the New Year’s celebration or countdown this year (As usual, I don’t every year anyway XD), since traffic is going to be unbelievably heavy and everywhere will be jam-packed with people @_@ Just not really worth getting worked up over people banging into you or trodding on your feet, etc. At least, that’s my opinion >_> Celebrating with other people can be fun, but sometimes depending on the situation it’s just not for me :P I’d rather stay home and have a quiet countdown snuggling Louis this year ♥

So… what are you thankful for this year?

For me, the most major thing I am thankful for is having met Louis, and having him in my life as well as being in his life. Yes, ever since we got together, life has not been easy for the both of us- him with his business, studies and work (And his parents moving to Sarawak for work), and me with my family and studies, etc. But the both of us have chosen to ride this out together, so that we may be stronger and able to go through the worst of the worst together :3 And I’m glad that I have made this decision. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world ♥

I’m also thankful for the people I’ve met the entire year, and for those whom I’ve got to known better (You all should know who you are :P), even if we’re not too close in the end, or even if we have gotten closer. I’ve learnt to love people as they are, flaws and all, and not hate instead, because hating someone is a terrible burden.

So all in all, it has been a wonderful year despite all the setbacks and obstacles that may have appeared. Goodbye 2009, hello 2010 :3 Happy New Year, everyone! ♥

And as for resolutions… what resolutions o_O

This post is continued from here :3 Dear dear and my trip to Malacca.

Pictures and travelogue for day 3 after the cut

Filed Under: Raves, Travel  1 Swirl Or Inkblot
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