a poem about weddings

http://www.photobycatherine.com/gallery/gal_church.htm

The Wedding

The moment the church door swung wide open,
A hush swept across the congregation.

Holding white calla lilies in her hands,
The bride blushed in crimson pink as she stands.

From the pews, one and all rose to their feet.
Gushing over the bride, stunning and sweet.

The wedding march began to resonate,
And daddy’s little girl’s no longer eight.

Father and daughter, they walked down the aisle.
Both joy and sadness veiled under his smile.

A step at a time, closer to goodbye,
He gave away the apple of his eye.

As she’s about to start a whole new life,
Daddy’s little girl will soon be a wife.

At the altar where the bridegroom awaits,
He recalled how they used to be classmates.

Over math, they became soul mates and friends,
Lovers and partners, each other’s godsend.

Now, she by his side and he by her side,
Their bond and union never to divide.

She looked up at the beaming boy-turned-man,
Who went down on one knee, yes, in Japan.

From the corner of her eye, he teared up.
Daddy was careful but sadness caught up.

Her eyes gazed at the man-turned-boy daddy,
For her, he would give up his world gladly.

She hugged daddy, all happy and teary.
“How lucky I am that two men love me!”

© Copyrights Reserved 2008
galflower
=================================

I think I'm in love with calla lilies now!


http://www.thedelightedeye.com/images/bride-calla-bouquet-lg.jpg

european keyboard

This keyboard was the reason why I was unable to update my blog when I was in Europe.

Look carefully.

M, W, Q, A, Z were displaced.

I had to type with just my index fingers!

when friends reunite in Chicago

After many years of begging and pleading, Xian finally charged her card for flight tickets to Chicago to visit me!

I'm going to miss the Chicago skyline!

weather.com promised good weather and it was supposed to be sunny and temperatures were supposed to be in the 20s.


Liar, liar, pants on fire!

We left my apartment around noon in short skirts, tank tops and flip flops just to be greeted by incessant cold breezes. We felt ridiculously stupid in the very little clothes we were wearing compared to everyone else who were still wearing long pants and long sleeves on.

*sweat drop*

It got colder and colder, so much so that we ended up buying a new cardigan to wear!

note: we chose the same cardigan!

After doing some shopping, we headed over to Millennium Park for some touristy photo-taking, you know, to prove that Xian was in Chicago.


"The Bean", which I just found out is actually the "Cloud Gate"



in front of "The Bean" in our short skirt, tank top, flip flops and the new cardigan!

Guess how much this 'bean' structure cost?

$6 million?

$11.5 million?

$23 million. $23 FREAKING million.


our reflection on "The Bean"...look so short here!


look! I have a Siamese twin!


The Pritzker Pavillion, which looks like an aedes mosquito to me!


Don't you think so too???


it's not easy climbing up with our skirts!

some sculpture in Millennium Park...you can see "The Bean" in the background!


This is one of the most interesting building in Chicago!

I never knew what the building was called and I always referred to it as the va-jay-jay building. As I was researching for this post, I just found out that its real name is the Smurfit-Stone Building. Smurfit-Stone Building! How boring is that?? I think I'll stick to the va-jay-jay building.

Someone told me during my freshmen year that the building was designed to be more feminine since all the other high-rise skyscraper buildings were very masculine. Thus, the design looked like a va-jay-jay. I repeated that story to everyone who visited me in Chicago.

But apparently...

An urban legend states that the building was designed to resemble a vagina, but a spokesperson for the architectural firm that designed the building denied that it was supposed to be an anti-phallic symbol.

(wikipedia)

So there goes my story!

Proud of U

Someone told me today that she was very proud of me because I have changed for the better.



Waaa you all must be thinking that maybe in the past I was this terrible terrible girl who's notorious for this and that.

Maybe, maybe not.
;)

I feel somewhat comforted with this "seal of approval" at a time when I somehow feel that I still have lots to change before I'm ready to face graduation and work very soon.

Who invented 'growing up'?

my ideal guy=my man

I found a post that I wrote almost 2 years ago and it was really interesting to read back on the qualities 'MY GUY' should possess.

MY IDEAL GUY...

1. MUST NOT smoke (or take drugs or gamble...lol)
I think this is pretty basic...I really really cannot stand people who do any of the above...smoking I cannot tolerate on my guy...can't stand the smell or the smoke or anything related to it...eeewwweee...I would absolutely NOT kiss a guy who smokes!

2. MUST BE patient
I...need a guy who can be patient with me. I'm absolutely stupidly stubborn and hot-tempered at times and very difficult to deal with...and things will just not work if the guy ain't patient. I DO try on my part to be less...sensitive to certain things...but I need support from the guy too!

3. MUST be able to cheer me up
I...get upset at stupid and not-so-important things...and a guy who knows how to make me smile again is my kind of guy...how to make me happy...better still, without him realizing that he's trying?

4. MUST love me for who I am
I...am actually full of insecurities...I don't like the way I look, I don't like the way I walk, I'm afraid of losing friends...I'm insecure about many things that I don't talk about...and I absolutely absolutely need a guy who LOVES ME FOR ME. I remember one ex who suggested that I use make-up and shit...totally ripped my already-battered self-esteem. I love a guy for who he is and it is only fair that he loves me back for who I am!

5. MUST know how to listen (and talk to me!)
I talk a lot...and at times, I talk a lot of nonsense that makes no sense. Sometimes I want to talk about how I feel about things and it would help to have a guy who actually listens! Or at least, be really good at pretending to listen LOL. I demand attention at times like this and it hurts when people are not paying attention...and talk to me! It's hard if it's just me doing all the talking! And awkward silences ain't going to fly by me because it makes me feel insecure!

6. MUST keep promises (except in circumstances...lol)
When a guy actually remember his promises and KEEP them, it makes a girl feel appreciated and loved. It's really not that hard, is it? If can't keep promises, why make them? Girls remember promises that guys make...and so do I!

7. MUST let me know from time to time that he loves me
Like I said, I'm full of insecurities. A guy who actually makes the effort to let me know that he loves me melts my heart. I'm absolutely a sucker for romantic stuff (watched too many chick flicks, read too many love stories) and it would be nice to be treated like one of the girls in the stories!

Almost 2 years later and things have not changed much
*wink*

whirlyball, laser tag and hooters!

Have you played whirlyball?

What is WhirlyBall?

Agility. Speed. Strength. None of these qualities will be of any use in the highly-competitive world of WhirlyBall. Although it combines lacrosse, hockey and basketball with bumper cars, WhirlyBall has caused great athletes of every stripe to laugh and holler their way to a crushing defeat.

If you choose to accept the challenge, you’ll use hand-held scoops to propel whiffle balls at your scoring target. In a team of five, and with the help of a professional referee, you’ll have a bang-up time trying to outscore the competition.

After whirlyball, we played laser tag...so tiring! My arms and legs were so sore after that!



In the end, we went to Hooters because Vincci thought that we should expand our American experience here in the States.



People told me that the chicken wings at Hooters are a-ma-zing but I was greatly disappointed! The mild ones were really bland and the hot ones were ok. But we didn't try the 9-1-1 super spicy ones so maybe next time we'll have to go back to Hooters for that.

Obviously, Hooters is more famous for the Hooters Girls.

Read: boob-filled tank tops and orange hotpants.

The conversation at the dining table:

Girl 1: Where are the hot Hooters Girls?
Girl 2: Yalor, no big boobs or nice backside one.
Girl 3: So disappointing! (jabs at Guy 1 sitting next to her) Right?
Guy 1: (Turns eyes away from basketball game on TV) Huh??

Why are the girls more excited about seeing the Hooter Girls than the boys?

Let's compare the Hooters Girls from its homeland of USA and the Hooters Girls from China!

A Hooters waitress serves customers at the opening of the US restaurant chain's first outlet in Beijing, 10 September 2007, and fourth overall in China. Hooters offers it customers a taste of the US with its signature combination of cold beer, chicken wings and waitresses in clingy shirts and orange high-cut shorts. (Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images)

The guys who go to Hooters in China must be greatly disappointed!

I stole this from elizabeth who stole this from vanessa

APPEARANCE
I am shorter than 5′4″.
I think I’m ugly sometimes. (actually almost all the time! and I hate how my photos turn out too because some people are either pretty in person or in photos but I'm neither!)
I have many scars. (I used to be fall a lot although I was a school athlete...)
I tan easily. (omg, I'm more than just tan.)
I wish my hair was a different color. (I love my not-so-black hair =).)
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
I have a tattoo. (no way in hell!)
I am self-conscious about my appearance.
I have/had braces. (I wish I did! I NEEDED braces.)
I wear glasses. (only in class because I can't see the blackboard =p.)
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free. (hmm...)
I’ve been told I’m attractive by a complete stranger.
I have more than 2 piercings.
I have piercings in places besides my ears.
I have freckles.

FAMILY/HOME LIFE
I’ve sworn at my parents. My dad and I cuss at each other all the time. (NEVER EVER!)
I’ve run away from home.
I’ve been kicked out of the house.
My biological parents are together.
I have a sibling less than one year old.
I want to have kids someday. (at least two...and no, I do not have names for them yet!)
I’ve had children.
I’ve lost a child.

SCHOOL/WORK
I’m in school. (true only up till June 14th.)
I have a job. (well, technically not right now.)
I’ve fallen asleep at work/school. (LOL duh!)
I almost always do my homework.
I've missed a week or more of school. (not all at once...)
I’ve been on the Honor Roll. (there's only Dean's List here...does that count?)
Within the last 2 years I failed more than 1 class.
I’ve stolen something from my job.
I’ve been fired.
I’ve skipped school. (seriously, who hasn't?)

EMBARRASSMENT
I’ve slipped out a “lol” in a spoken conversation.
Disney movies still make me cry. (are you serious? all the time!)
I’ve peed from laughing.
I’ve snorted while laughing.
I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried.
I’ve glued my hand to something.
I’ve had my pants rip in public.

TRAVELING
I've driven over 200 miles in one day.
I’ve been on a plane.
I’ve been to Canada. (Vancouver only.)
I’ve been to Mexico.
I’ve been to Niagara Falls.
I’ve been to Japan. (I LOVE Japanese food!)
I’ve Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
I’ve been to Europe. (Paris, Nice & Barcelona!)
I’ve been to Africa.

EXPERIENCES
I’ve gotten lost in my city. (well, in parts where I have not been to.)
I’ve seen a shooting star.
I’ve wished on a shooting star.
I’ve seen a meteor shower.
I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas. (my pjs=tshirt + shorts)
I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
I’ve kicked a guy where it hurts.
I’ve been to a casino.
I’ve been skydiving.
I’ve been an abuse victim.
I’ve gone skinny dipping.
I’ve played spin the bottle.
I’ve drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
I’ve crashed a car.
I’ve been skiing.
I’ve been in a play.
I've met someone in person from the internet.
I’ve caught a snowflake on my tongue.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights.
I’ve sat on a roof top at night.
I’ve played chicken.
I’ve played a prank on someone.
I’ve ridden in a taxi.
I’ve seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I’ve eaten sushi. (are you kidding me? whoever have not tried sushi yet should go do it now!)
I’ve been snowboarding. (and my bum was in a lot of pain after that.)

RELATIONSHIPS
I'm single
I’m in a relationship. (with mr. boyfriend!)
I’m engaged.
I’m married.
I’ve had someone cheat on me.
I’ve gone on a blind date.
I’ve been the dumpee more than the dumper.
I miss someone right now.
I have a fear of commitment.
I have a fear of abandonment. (I like to blame it on the middle-child syndrome.)
I’ve cheated in a relationship.
I’ve gotten divorced.
I’ve had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back. (come on, high school crushes?)
I’ve told someone I loved them when I didn’t.
I’ve told someone I didn’t love them when I did.
I’ve kept something from a past relationship.

SEXUALITY
I’ve had a crush on someone of the same sex.
I’ve had a crush on a teacher.
I love to flirt.
I’ve been kissed in the rain.
I’ve hugged a stranger.

HONESTY/CRIME
I am a terrible liar.
I’ve done something I promised someone else I wouldn’t.
I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t.
I’ve snuck out of my house.
I have lied to my parents about where I am.
I am keeping a secret from the world.
I’ve cheated while playing a game.
I’ve cheated on a test.
I’ve run a red light.
I’ve been suspended from school.
I’ve witnessed a crime.
I’ve been in a fist fight.
I’ve been arrested.
I’ve shoplifted.

DRUGS/ALCOHOL
I’ve consumed alcohol.
I regularly drink.
I’ve passed out from drinking.
I have passed out drunk at least once in the past 6 months.
I’ve smoked weed.
I’ve taken painkillers when I didn’t need them.
I’m a stoner.
I’ve snorted cocaine.
I’ve eaten shrooms.
I’ve popped E.
I’ve done hard drugs.
I have cough drops when I’m not sick.
I can’t swallow pills.
I can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.
I have been diagnosed with clinical depression.
I shut others out when I’m depressed.
I take anti-depressants.
I’m anorexic or bulimic.
I’ve slept an entire day when I didn’t need it.
I’m addicted to self harm.
I’ve woken up crying. (I had a terrible dream which I was crying in...)
I’ve cried myself to sleep. (I missed mr. boyfriend terribly when we were apart)
I see a therapist.

DEATH AND SUICIDE
I’m afraid of dying.
I hate funerals.
I've seen someone dying.
Someone close to me has attempted suicide.
Someone close to me has committed suicide.
I’ve attempted suicide.
I’ve written a eulogy for myself

MATERIALISM
I own over 5 rap CDs.
I own an iPod or MP3 player. (mr. boyfriend gave me an ipod nano for christmas.)
I have an unhealthy obsession with anime/manga.
I own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 a piece.
I own something from Hot Topic.
I own something from Pac Sun.
I collect comic books.
I own something from The Gap.
I own something I got on ebay. (I do not trust ebay at all.)
I own something from Abercrombie.

POLITICAL/SOCIAL ATTITUDES
In general, I don’t like people.
I’m a feminist.
I’m outgoing.
I listen to political music.
I’m Democratic.
I’m Republican.
I’m liberal.
I don’t like Bush because he is dumb.
I don’t like Bush with my own reasons to back it up.
I am for Bush.
I’m religious.
I dress fairly modestly.
My attitude is, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”

RANDOM
I can sing well.
I’ve stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant..
I open up to others easily.
I watch the news.
I don’t kill bugs.
I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for the sake of being able to rhyme.
I curse regularly. (who doesn't nowadays?)
I sing in the shower.
I am a morning person.
I paid for my cell phone ring tone.
I’m a snob about grammar.
I am a sports fanatic.
I twirl my hair.
I have “x”s in my screen name.
I love being neat.
I love Spam. (spam=luncheon meat...beats me why it's called spam.)
I’ve copied more than 30 CD’s in a day.
I bake well. (wanna try my banana bread?)
My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, red or blue. (blue blue blue!)
I would wear pajamas to school.
I like Martha Stewart.
I know how to shoot a gun.
I am in love with love.
I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
I laugh at my own jokes.
I eat fast food weekly.
I believe in ghosts.
I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
I’ve not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class. (don't you wish?)
I can’t sleep if there is a spider in the room.
I am really ticklish. (like, really really ticklish!)
I love white chocolate.
I bite my nails.
I play video games.
I’m good at remembering faces.
I’m good at remembering names.
I’m good at remembering dates.
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Earthquake in Chicago

Apparently, on Friday morning, there was an earthquake across the Midwest. It was felt in Chicago around 4 a.m. and the aftershock was felt around 10 a.m.

I somehow managed to miss both tremors because I woke up at 10.30 a.m.

And I live on the 23rd floor of a 37-floor building.

Scaryyy...

************************************************

5.2 earthquake rattles skyscrapers, nerves across Midwest
By JIM SUHR – 11 hours ago

WEST SALEM, Ill. (AP) — Bricks shook loose and fell from buildings. Walls cracked. Books tumbled off shelves. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake centered near this southern Illinois town struck before dawn Friday, rocking skyscrapers in Chicago, 230 miles north of here, but doing little damage and seriously hurting no one.

It was the kind of tremor that might be ignored in earthquake-savvy California, but the temblor shook things up from Nebraska to Atlanta and rattled nerves in Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky., where bricks toppled to the pavement.

"We thought it (the house) was falling on us, we really did," said 85-year-old Anna Mae Williams, who was shaken awake at 4:37 a.m. in tiny West Salem, six miles from the epicenter.

Dozens of aftershocks followed, including one with a magnitude of 4.6.

The quake is believed to have involved an extension of the New Madrid fault, a network of deep cracks in the earth's surface, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The fault is at the center of the nation's most active seismic zone east of the Rockies, something that's known to Midwest residents, even if they forget it now and then — the last severe earthquake in the region was a 5.0 magnitude quake in 2002.

Williams said she knew exactly what was happening because it reminded her of an earthquake back in 1968. Others had no idea what was going on.

Janet Clem of nearby Mount Carmel thought a nearby power plant had exploded, and was just as afraid when she realized that what she'd heard — "a heck of a rumble then a loud kaboom" — was in fact one of the most powerful earthquakes in Illinois history.

"I'm terrified, I'm not going to lie to you," she said after the earthquake collapsed her porch. "I've never experienced anything like that and I don't want to experience it again."

The earthquake was the talk of towns throughout much of the Midwest.

"I just saw my house just shake. Golly," said Mike Morrow of Mount Carmel, his eyes widening during an aftershock.

Morrow's two-story apartment building was evacuated because of loose and falling bricks. The initial quake woke the 30-year-old and startled his pit bull.

"He was about as scared as I was," Morrow said. "We both just froze."

Though nowhere close to the power of the nation's most famous quakes — including the devastating temblor that hit San Francisco exactly 102 years ago Friday — it was enough to remind people of the risk that exists in the Midwest.

In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid fault produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater said to be felt as far away as Boston. They were centered in the Missouri town of New Madrid (pronounced MAD'-rid), 140 miles southeast of St. Louis.

Experts said that with the much higher population in the Midwest, another major quake along the New Madrid fault zone could destroy buildings, bridges, roads and other infrastructure, disrupt communications and isolate areas.

Road crews in Kentucky and Indiana were out early Friday inspecting bridges and overpasses, and work crews took a close look at skyscraper construction sites in Chicago.

Early homeowner damage claims received by State Farm, the largest provider of earthquake coverage in the area, were mostly for cracks in drywall and foundations, spokeswoman Missy Lundberg said.

Many residents said they felt helpless.

"I tell you, it was scary," said Williams. "There was no warning at all."

David Behm of Philo, 10 miles south of Champaign, said he was awakened by the quake.

"Windows were rattling, and you could hear it," he said. "The house was shaking inches. For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California."

Associated Press writers Don Babwin in Chicago, Bruce Schreiner in Louisville, Ky., and Jim Salter in St. Louis contributed to this report.

Rubble from a building lies strewn along a sidewalk in an old section of Louisville, Ky., Friday, April 18, 2008, following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake, centered in southern Illinois. The quake rattled skyscrapers in Chicago's Loop and homes in Cincinnati, but appeared to cause no major injuries or damage. (DAVID HARPE/AP)

3 girls and...

It's 4 a.m. and we're only getting ready to sleep now! Xian is visiting me in Chicago and we took the bus up to University of Wisconsin-Madison to see Fang Yun. The three of us have not seen each other since our winter break trip during first year! It's definitely girl-bonding time and lotsa fun...

I'm hiccuping and I can't stop!

Alritey...gotta sleep! zzz...

A series of unfortunate events...in MDG

After Fiqa's elimination, my faith in the Malaysian Dreamgirl competition has somewhat trickled into this huge pool of disappointment. Fiqa's Wella Inspiration picture was the best of the bunch and the others failed miserably in capturing nice photos (the truth is, the other pictures suck!). Why la the voters sooooooooooo BLIND?

Obviously, the 3Fs (family-friend-fan) have definitely taken over the competition. The judges don't judge and the host doesn't host. The rest who actually spend money to sms their honest votes of who truly deserves to stay are most probably wasting their money because in the end, the 3Fs will do ANYTHING to keep their MDG in the game.

This week's Savanh Too photoshoot says it all. Two words: HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

Adeline's facial expression is the SAME all the time. ALL THE TIME. It's like, no matter what make-up or hairstyle she has, YOU KNOW IT'S HER because her facial expression does not change! You can't be a model with just ONE LOOK!



I do not understand why she feels the need to purse her lips in the photos. Perhaps she should try relaxing her lips, so her pictures might turn out better. MIGHT.



Cindy cannot take good manly photos because she does not look good at all with all her hair up! She does not have high cheekbones nor a defined jawline.


See what I mean?



This is a couture photoshoot, so if Hanis had arched her back more, it would have been perfect! Also, Datin Hanis just needs to relax her fingers and place them to look more graceful. It looks like a haggard old witch's hands.



Let me juxtapose Hanis's hands and the witch's hands.


See!!!



By letting her teeth show (again!), Jay has taken haute couture out of this photo. Otherwise, it would have been a pretty decent shot of her!


Close your mouth, Jay!!!



I cannot take my eyes off the flab of flesh that is squeezing out off her sides. Facial expressions, SAME again. At least Nadia's Wella Inspiration shoot looks decent. Her Savanh Too shoot is...mediocre, to be kind. And what was that whole speech about her feeling "AYU" as a Malay wearing batik? LOL I couldn't stop laughing. If she's AYU, then Hanis is...super duper absolutely AYU? And what was that whole debacle during the photoshoot where Sazzy asked her whether everything was ok? Hellooooo...information?


Same old, same old. Actually, the second one is worse.


Ringo, Ringo, Ringo. The bubble skirt did not overwhelm her like most other people think. All she has to do is to arch her back more and stick her shoulders outwards and stand slightly off. This could have been a perfect haute couture shoot!


Same profile. Same cute cheeks. Same lack of cheekbones and jawline.

Did you guys notice that most of the Savanh Too photos look similar to their Wella Inspiration photos? Does that mean that these girls have learned absolutely nothing??? Very likely.

Everyone seems to have forgotten that this was a haute couture photoshoot. Haute couture photoshoots are all about weird body angles and contortions. Like I said, DISAPPOINTING.

Here's what haute couture photos should look like:




Hmm..Cindy and Ringo do not have to be worried about elimination although their pictures are mediocre...because Cindy has a daddy (oooh it rhymes!) who will "make sure she stays in the competition" and Ringo has her fans who will do the same.

*yawn*

Hmm...if that's the case...if it was down to the 2 of them, who will win? Cindy's daddy or Ringo's fans?

Haha...see! It's not even about Cindy or Ringo.

LOL. 'Nuff said.