[Review] The World is a Dark and Lovely Place

The World Is A Dark And Lovely Place by Carol Chu Mei Yin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars ☆

Synopsis:
-- A collection of 19 beautifully-written poems. The poems have influences of Early Modern and Late Modern English. Most of the poems display the feelings and thoughts about life and other issues, written in the first person point of view.

Likes:
-- My favourites are "Rainbow's End", "A Friend", and "Trust Not Your Broken Heart". I love reading these three poems especially. Despite being a Linguistics graduate and having learned a minor course in Literature, I am not good in poetry and have not read many (apart from what I've learned in school and university). I'm amazed how people can write poems so beautifully, and this collection of poems is a really nice read. Thank you, Carol. :)

My review on Goodreads

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I received this poetry e-book from the author herself, Carol Chu Mei Yin. I've been following her for awhile on Instagram via the bookstagram/bookish community. She had wanted to give her e-book to several readers in exchange of an honest review. With more or less 42 pages, it is quite a quick read and an interesting one too. Like I have said in my Goodreads review above, I haven't read much poetry, and Carol's poems are beautiful. What I love about poetry is that it makes readers become more aware of life and the surroundings, and expand readers' knowledge and vocabulary as well.

One of my fave poems in the poetry e-book

About the author, Carol

If you would like to read the poems, do contact Carol on the following links. Let's support our local poets and writers (・ω<)～☆

Email

Instagram

Twitter

Goodreads

Wattpad

Thanks for reading and happy blogging~!!

[Review] Wiro Sableng: Pendekar Kapak Maut Naga Geni 212

Assalam & hye everyone~!!

Have you ever heard of KLIPS? It is a Malaysian movie community managed by SAYS.com. You can read about new information regarding the latest movies, trailers, along with frequent giveaways of movie passes and official merchandises. You can check out KLIPS via website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Last month, I started to join in the giveaways held by KLIPS. Lucky for me, I won the premiere screening passes for "Wiro Sableng: Pendekar Kapak Maut Naga Geni 212". It is an Indonesian action comedy, which started showing in cinemas on 27th September 2018.

The email I received from KLIPS

The premiere screening of the movie was held on 25th September 2018 at GSC 1 Utama. It was my first time ever going to a premiere screening. There were many people queueing up at various counters to claim their free movie passes. There were also famous celebrities and people who came, but  no, I didn't snap selfies with them.

My movie partner was Hannah. At first, I thought that this would be a boring movie. However, Hannah and I (and the rest of the people in the hall) were laughing throughout the movie. Wiro Sableng was a very funny character and loved to make jokes. Yet, he was also serious when it came to fighting with the enemy.

This action comedy showcases the art of silat and displays fantasy-like fictional characters. Overall, the movie is entertaining, funny, and enjoyable. I give it 3.9 ⭐. And I believe there might be a sequel (maybe).

Special thanks to KLIPS for the movie passes! Have you seen the movie yet?

Thanks for reading and happy blogging~!!

"Kena Main" @ Istana Budaya~!!

Salam n hye everyone~!!

I know I'm don't deserve to be called a blogger because I rarely update. I've been extremely busy with my studies, freelance work and crafting.

Last Friday (3rd April 2015), me and 4 of my classmates went to watch a theatrical play at Istana Budaya. The title is "Kena Main", hehe.. A classmate of mine got free tickets to the play, so he invited anyone who would like to come join. Of course, I immediately agreed, as this was my first time ever watching a play.

There are ethics if you want to watch a play at Istana Budaya. You cannot wear slippers or sandals, torn jeans, round-neck t-shirts and revealing clothes. You can go to Istana Budaya's website to obtain more info.

"Kena Main" is written and directed by Khalid Salleh. The play focuses on the lives of a group of blind street musicians (or buskers, as you may call them): Jusuh, Daud, Mona and Pie. One of them, Mona, is in trouble with the police because she ran away from home. Daud feels guilty as he was the one who invited her to come to Kuala Lumpur. A drug addict recognises Mona from a newspaper article and threatens Mona to send her to the police. As Mona panicks, a committee member of a welfare organisation and the organisation's lawyer help Mona with her police case. Meanwhile, Jusuh and Pie tricks Daud into giving himself in to the police. Daud, full of guilt, goes to the police station nervously, not knowing that he has been tricked by his friends. Lastly, the case is settled, and the four blind musicians are offered to play music at the welfare organisation's charity night.

This play has actually been staged before in 1998 and was entered in the Malaysia Book Record for being the first play to have real blind actors. However, this year, the play is acted by famous actors on a bigger stage, namely Eman Manan, Ebby Saiful, Aida Othman, Sani Sudin, Azizah Mahzan, Sabri Yunus, Fauziah Nawi, Azman Hassan and many others.

I had absolute fun watching the play. The theater was full of laughter. "Kena Main" (which means "tricked/getting tricked") is funny, inspiring and thought-provoking. And watching a live play makes you feel more connected to the characters played out.

Here are some pics, hehe..

 

My free ticket!!! ^_^

Me & Liyana

Selfie before the play starts, hehehe...

All the actors lining up after the end of the play

The director/screenwriter, Khalid Salleh

Taking a pic with an artist!!! >w<

I took a pic with an artist. I seldom watch Malay dramas/movies, but I seem to recognise his face. I asked my friends who were with me that night, and even they could not recall his name. Do any of you know his name? I would be honoured if you could help me out on this one, hihi~....

Thanks for reading & happy blogging~!!

Links for more info:
* Story about the director/screenwriter & the play: http://www.utusan.com.my/hiburan/khalid-salleh-8232-pentaskan-kena-main-1.59687
* Review of the play: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Arts/On-Stage/2015/04/01/Teater-Kena-Main-Are-you-the-trickster-or-the-victim/

[J-Movie] Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X 2014 Movie Sequels~!!

Salam n hye everyone~!!

For those of you who are fans of the well-known animanga, "Rurouni Kenshin" (a.k.a Samurai X), the 2nd live action movie is now showing in cinemas~~~~~!!! Yatta~...

"Rurouni Kenshin" is basically about an ex assasin-cum-samurai (or known as battosai) named Kenshin Himura who is now a wanderer and is pledged to protect people without any more killings. Along the way, he met with Kaoru (who later became his love interest), Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi, and Misao who all help him with the battle that runs havoc in Japan. This story was orginally written & drawn by Nobuhiro Watsuki, my fave mangaka~! ( ˘ ³˘)❤

Poster of the 1st movie, "Rurouni Kenshin"

"Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno" is actually the sequel to the 2012 movie, "Rurouni Kenshin". Although I'm a big fan myself, I haven't watched the 1st movie yet. But my brother, Ayep, has it, so I'll watch it later when he comes back home from India, huhu~..

The interesting part is that there are 2 sequels showing this year, in the same month!

Official poster of the 2 sequels

"Kyoto Inferno" started showing on 6th November 2014, while the other sequel will be available on 20th November 2014. And both movies are only shown in selected GSC cinema outlets.

My fren & I have watched "Kyoto Inferno" last Thursday at GSC Mid Valley. The cinema hall was packed with Samurai X fans. Lucky we bought the tickets 2 hours earlier...hehe..

And....last Wednesday, the both of us managed to meet Samurai X cosplayers during the movie's premier screening event at Mid Valley.

From left: Megumi, Misao, Kaoru, Kenshin, Hajime & Sanosuke

Finally got to meet my animanga kareshi, Sano-kun~... Woohoo~.. 

My fave animanga character has always been Sanosuke Sagara. So, I was beyond excited when I got to meet a Sano cosplayer, it was like meeting him in real life! ヽ(*≧ω≦)ﾉ

I can't wait for 20th November to come~.. Teehee~...

Thanks for reading & happy blogging~!!

INFINITE LOVE BY TIAMO

Salam n hye everyone~!!

Ever heard of Tiamo? Tiamo, which means "I love you" in Italian, is the first and probably only store that sells designer ballerina flats and pumps. Its founder is Korean designer Jung Eun Ju.

Tiamo occasionally offers discounts and sales on their shoes, which is the second thing I like about the store. The first reason I like Tiamo is because their shoes, especially flats, are owh-so-adorable. Since I'm a flats fan, Tiamo is my fave place to shop for shoes. (●♡∀♡)

Recently, Tiamo launched a new collection named "Infinite Love", in conjunction with their 4th anniversary celebration. This collection reveals more cute, unique and elegant shoes, in which some of them have matching pouches and handbags. Therefore, fans and customers do not have to worry about matching their shoes and bags, hihi... ^_^ Below are some pics from the "Infinite Love" collection:

Source: Tiamo Malaysia FB page (link)

Not only are Tiamo shoes pretty and cute (and the fact it's made in Korea, hihihihi...o(≧▽≦)o), they're also comfortable and soft. Another bonus about the "Infinite Love" collection is that it is designed to be limited in colour and numbers, thus only lucky fans are able to own and wear these selected one-of-a-kind designer shoes. σ(≧ε≦ｏ)

As a Tiamo fan myself, I have still not yet bought the new "Inifinite Love" collection (but I'm hoping to do so soon~!!) Currently, I only have 5 pairs of Tiamo flats. I was first introduced to Tiamo by my sister, Ijah. So now, we're both Tiamo fans. (Ɔ ˘⌣˘)♥(˘⌣˘ C)

Pic of me at Tiamo Sunway Pyramid recently

I've been to Tiamo stores at Sunway Pyramid, Queensbay Mall and Alamanda. Other outlets are located at One Utama, KLCC, and The Gardens.

Tiamo has recently been reviewed by Cleo (link). Being reviewed by a fashion and beauty magazine shows that Tiamo is the shoe brand to shop for! For those of you who loves ballerina flats like I do, drop by Tiamo and you'll be stuck there for hours, browsing shoes of such cuteness and uniquness. Teehee~... o((*^▽^*))o

*This post is in conjunction with TIAMO INFINITE LOVE Blogger Contest (link)

Thanks for reading & happy blogging~!!

Iftar 2014 with Officemates @ Al-Rawsha~!!

Salam n hye everyone~!!

Recently, on Monday (21st July 2014), my boss organised an iftar at Al-Rawsha restaurant in Seksyen 7, Shah Alam. The restaurant specialises in Nasi Arab besides other dishes such as kebab, seafood and yummy desserts.

My family & I have eaten loads of time at the main branch at Kampung Pandan, KL. And we have once eaten at Al-Rawsha's branch at i-City, Shah Alam. So, this is my first time dining at the Seksyen 7 branch.

My family usually order lamb madghut & chicken mandy. I ordered a lamb kebab (as I'm on a "no rice" diet, hehehe) The food is really nice. It's a bit pricey but if you order a large dish like mandy or madghut, you can share it, so it's reasonable as well.

There's also a Ramadhan buffet, but we ordered ala carte instead. This is my first experience breaking fast with officemates. Quite sad that my phone was out of battery that night, so the pics below are from my officemates.

Raya bonus, hooray~~!!!

If you're a fan of Nasi Arab or would like to eat some, I truly recommend Al-Rawsha. ^_^ The restaurant is shaped like a castle on the outer side, so you probably won't miss it. It has facilities such as surau/musolla & an indoor playground.

Btw, today is the last day of work before Eid. So, we took a pic in the office before leaving. 

I'd also like to wish everyone Eid Mubarak & happy holidays~!!

P/s - my family & I are going somewhere over the seas next week. Do pray for our safety & safe arrival. 

Iftar 2014 with BFFs @ Flaming Steamboat~!!

Salam n hye everyone~!!

Last week during Nuzul Quran (14th July 2014), my BFFs from school & I planned to have an iftar together at Flaming Steamboat at Seksyen 33, Shah Alam.

We haven't met in years due to time constraint, work & other commitments, and luckily, we were all on off day during Nuzul Quran. All six of us are now working in various fields, yet my frens are still single. Only of them will be married soon in August, hihi~..

Breaking fast with a steamboat buffet with frens is really nice. Plus, the food is abundant & tastes good. The price is reasonable as well. After service charges & government tax, I paid RM35+ (per adult) for myself & RM14+ (per 4-10 years old child) for Hannah.

We did a lot of eating & talking, but forgot to snap the pics of the food. We snapped a lot of pics of ourselves. And yes, the monopod came in handy, yet we're still amateurs in using it.. "^_^

Me & Hannah snapping a pic before leaving the house

Cute, right? Hihi...

I gave them each a surprise gift of felt moustache HP straps, which they liked~..

Amateurs snapping a selfie wif a monopod.. :P

For those of you who are keen on trying a steamboat buffet this Ramadhan, do make a reservation at Flaming Steamboat. ^w^ They also have a branch in Sunway & Setapak, KL. Like I said before, the food tastes good wif a very reasonable price. Besides steamboat, there are also fried rice/noodles, various drinks & desserts, ice creams & a variety of drinks. 

Plus, there's a surau/musolla in the restaurant which is quite convenient, the only difficulty is that you have to perform ablution/wudhu' in the toilet.. hehe.. 

Thanks for reading & happy blogging~!!