Book Club -ish

Due to the fact that sometimes my life can be quite stagnant, I've decided to form/join in a book club together with a good friend and colleague. We love books for sure (sometimes wish that books in Malaysia are cheap, but it's soooo not!) and we despise the idea of using kindle or ipad as e-book. What? Buku boleh tekan-tekan ke? No way! Book is book. The smell of it, the smooth silky cover and the illustration of it.. aahh, satisfaction.

Anyhow, we decided to embark ourselves to a journey of reading a book (fiction or non fiction) AT LEAST once a month. Sadly, I only managed to finished only a book for the whole of 2011. What the hell has happened to me? When I was in UK, I bought more books than clothes and I managed to read at  90% of the books that I bought. (Imagine 4 kotak penuh dengan buku, baju 2 kotak je).

So, we, in this book club-ish ('ish' dulu, takot tak jadi LOL) will meet outside of work and discuss the book based on the criteria that we set.

Our first journey will be..

Written by Tash Aw, a Malaysian but was born in Taipei. He wrote this novel in London after he graduated from his Law degree from Cambridge and Warwick.

I can't wait to start! ;)

Hornbills with Hornbills

Wanna challenged yourself with Malay proverbs that are direct-translated to English? I had a hard time translating it back to Bahasa Melayu though because all of these are hilarious.

Here's one short story by a local writer, Amir Muhamad. Never dull, but tasty, crunchy, spicy and juicy, as what he claimed.

The Breakup

To the front of Wati who is now in Bukit Tunku, whom I hope is well.

Wati,

I think our relationship should end here. My love for you was real but I have been clapping with one hand. You were so mean to me at your becoming-day party, just because you were with your rich friends while I'm from a difficult family. I never knew there was a prawn behind the rock all this while; you were using me to make your ex jealous. How my liver hurt when you showed your true self. I guess what they say is true: hornbills with hornbills, sparrows with sparrows. Let me now bring myself.

    Maybe it was the Satan-water talking, but why did you have to call me such names? You dropped my face-water and scribbled charcoal all over my face. Once is enough. I don't want the banana to fruit two times.

   I know I am just a dispatch guy but I still have feelings. I thought you were my liver-fruit but you saw me as just a pick-up brother at best and a joke at worst. All those times that we ate the wind at Lake Gardens, feeding the ducks and rowing the boats, I thought a love was blossoming. But you were planting sugarcane at your lips. I gave you my body and soul but after the honey had been extracted, the husk was thrown away.

What your friend Suzy said to me still plays in my ear: " Your fish-hook is so small, don't try to contend with the ocean!" How did she get this information about my fish-hook? Have you been telling stories from inside the mosquito-net?

I know my school is not as tall as yours. But I still have self-price. So just pretend I never existed in your life.

Yours in sadness,

Sham

Haha.

Can you figure out the peribahasa and simpulan bahasa in this short story?

Rojak, Muhammad, A (2010), ZI Publications Sdn. Bhd

Terima Kasih Cinta

Go grab your tickets now! Yang paling murah pun, murah la, I can see them clearly and it was worth my every penny! GO!

The Classics

Do you guys read classics? As in by Charlotte Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Enid Blyton, Roald Dhal and the like? British or American, it doesn't matter as I'm always a fan.

I used to read lots of classic literature growing up as my mum is an avid collector.  She has a wide collection of all of those authors I stated above (and more!) and  she straight away passed it all down to me the moment I knew how to read. The thing I like about our parents' era of education is that they are exposed to all of these classics, name it they just know it. No wonder their proficiency in English are way greater than the kids nowadays. During those times, the children that lives far away from the city can actually speak a good clear English. My mom was just a desa girl from Teluk Intan, Perak and all I could say, her English is superb.

Ok, back to classics. As I remember, my first ever classic I read was 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. I clearly remember when mom forced me to read the abridged version of the book. I was seven or eight at that time, I don't think I could do the unabridged one. I became more and more fascinated with 'Little Women' after the movie became a hit played by all stars actresses, Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst. It is basically about the lives of the March sisters during the post Civil War in America, and how they struggled of boundaries of the 19th century society placed towards females. At that age, how do I know about all of these? Civil War? Women's right? Nah. I am too young to comprehend all that. Nevertheless, the message that I got from this classic (and after much explanation by my mom) is the importance of family ties and friendship between sisters.

 The book cover

 The blockbuster back then!

Anyhoots, there are other classics that I read back then and still is reading now. Yes, it does take ages for you to finish one classic. I have a habit of changing my book in the middle of the process of finishing it. Black Beauty, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, etc etc. Those kind of books can actually be your lullaby. It's either you love it or just hate it. I just stand in between.


How about Enid Blyton? Does the Famous Five and Secret Seven ever ring a bell to you? Those aren't really my favourite, but the best of Enid Blyton for me were of course, the one and only adventure series situated at a boarding school in Cornwall, Malory Towers. It is such an escapism and I still read that book until today. Will keep it nice and tuck for my future daughters soon. LOL. Enid Blyton has 5 series of Malory Towers between the year 1946 and 1951. Basically, it is about a girl, Darrel Rivers, who enters boarding school for the first time and her adventures sailing through school experiences such as friendship, music, academics and being independent. Remember the tuck shop? Tuck shop is an old fashioned sweet shop who specialised in retro  traditional sweets and confectioneries. Imagine lemon sherbets, all types of fudges, liquorish, and jelly beans.. I love being in a candy shop! (There's one in Oxford called Mr. Sims. It's traditional and it is exactly like the ones Enid Blyton described in all of her books). Basically, the term tuck shop is normally used within the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, basically other parts of the British empire. I am surprised that mom used it when she was small. (She was in a convent school di kawasan kampung yang memang ada penjajah di sekolahnya, so that's why). It's was because of these books (and tuck shop.. heeee), I wanted to enter boarding school. so badly. Pfftt.


Here are the titles of Malory Towers series that maybe you could be interested in. Give it a try (for those who hasn't). The girls in the books may surprise you!


1. First Term at Malory Towers (1946)
2. Second Form at Malory Towers (1948)
3. Third Year at Malory Towers (1948)
4. Upper Fourth at Malory Towers (1949)
5. Last Term at Malory Towers (1951)

Ok, back to my reading. Till my next post. 

 ******

"All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality -- the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape."

- Arthur Christopher Benson

Cest La Vie in Paris

Paris. My first time ever in Paris. How can I not be jakun? The romantic cliche of Eiffel Tower,the 'Mona Lisa' Louvre, Notre Dame, the movie Amelie situated in Monmarte, the parisian cafes along the street, creme brulee, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, macarons!, the bridge that Carrie Bradshaw walked on in one of the episodes of SATC and many other Parisian things related.

I was there for 3 nights and 4 whole days as we arrived in Paris as early as 8 am and departed as late as 10 pm. 4 days for me was not enough.

Here are my favourite top 5 things (not place) in Paris.

1. Monmartre

My favourite part of Paris is..not the Eiffel Tower or even the Louvre. For me, the soft spot goes to Monmartre. Montmartre is known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Cour on its peak as well as it is famous for its nightclub districts. Not that I went to the club there, but the view especially at night was spectacular.

The exterior of Moulin Rouge nightclub, Blvd de Clichy, Metro: Blanche. It is situated beneath Monmartre, as I was here first before going up the hill to Monmartre. Built in 1885, famous for its high-kicking Cancan dance. It's expensive, therefore, I can only afford the exterior. Will make a point to watch the show with future husband or girlfriends.

Another nightclub in Monmartre situated next to the Moulin Rouge.


Sacre Cour in the evening



At night. Cantek sungguh.

Monmartre was also a mecca for artists, writers and poets gather together doing what they do best. The best for me is Place du Tertre, specifically a square situated in Monmartre where all the artist exhibit their paintings (since the 19th century). The famous Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani lived and worked in a commune in a building called Le Bateau - Lavoir during the years 1904 to 1909. Vincent Van Gogh had also worked in the area and drew some of his inspiration from here.

Spot the artists trying to sell their paintings


French musical. Didn't get to watch till the end as I could not comprehend!


French basker.Gorgeous girl with a gorgeous voice.


Jeng jeng jeng

2. French Cafes

The one thing everyone must try when in Paris are their cafes. It's not about the food or drinks, it is just for the sake of being in a French cafe. Yes, I must agree that their menu is very French indeed, as they have their very own cafe au lait, french crepe, croissants yang sangat sedap dan berlemak, creme brulee, french crepe and many more. Food in Paris I have to admit that it's a bit expensive compared to UK and other European countries, but what the hell, I'm in Paris!

Cafes along the street of Monmartre


Happy me!


Banana and nutella crepe. Yum!


My favourite crepe au fromage, aka cheese crepe


Croissant and baguette with butter and jam


Creme Brulee and cafe au lait



Scrumptious breads and desserts

3. Champs-Elysess

The next best place in Paris, is the avenue des Champs-Elysees, where it is a prestigious avenue in Paris. It is one of the most famous street in Paris, where all the luxury cafes and designer boutiques situated. LV, Chanel, Dior, Gucci etc, name it..you got it. Oh oh.. I saw Anne Hathaway lunching in one of the cafes in Champs-Elysees, but I was so scared to go up to her for an autograph (or photograph) because she had her big bulky guards all around her. She was gorgeous. The cafe that she was in was so posh and and there were so many gorgeous looking people sitting there (and men in black suit with bluetooth ear set standing outside of the cafe), so we kinda assumed that cafe is where all the celebrities dine).

Fact: Coco Chanel used to lived above this boutique!


Mighty Christian Dior


Louis Vuitton

A tip to not feel like an outcast or 'left out' when walking at the Champs-Elysees is to dress presentably. I know, you must think I'm a fashion conscious or maybe shallow to even say (or write) this, but everyone who goes there are so presentable, from up to toe. Don't even think of bringing a replica of Chanel, LV, etc. They will spot it instantly and you will be banned from their boutiques forever. And it has happened.

The policewomen along the Champs-Elysees. I kid you not, even their uniforms were designed by Armani.

4. The Palace and Garden Versailles

Visiting Versailles needs a whole day. Possibly you have to start in the morning (at 10ish am?)and a closure in the evening by the garden of the palace. Versailles is a MUST go if you are a fan of French history (French Revolution, ring a bell?) and the famous (or infamous perhaps?) Marie Antoinette. The palace is so huge as it is being divided into many sections; South Wing, North Wing, Madame de Maintenon's apartments, Queen's apartment and private suite, King's apartment and private suite, Coronation room, Hall of Mirrors, Chapelle Royale, L'opera and many more. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go all to the sections mentioned above as there were so many people. Penat wei. Tapi best.

So many visitors. It was Sunday.


The main gate of the palace - this is the entrance to the Ministers' courtyard

Check out the queue man!


Marble Courtyard - This courtyard is decorated with marble paving, urns, busts and a gilded balcony.


Chapelle Royale - The chapel's first floor was reserved for the royale family and the ground floor for the court. The interior is richly decorated in white marble, gilding and Baroque murals.



Sheena at the Hall of Mirrors - Most great state occasions were held in this multi-mirrored room full of mirrors. Everything is made of gold.

A must place to go after the Chateau is the garden. It is situated to the west of the palace, and the gardens cover around 900 hectares of the land. Most of landscape of the garden depicts 'French Garden' style and it was designed(?) and maintained by Andre Le Notre.

Standing right outside the palace. See how huge it is!

Can I have a garden just like this?

To know more on the history of the Chateau and Garden of Versailles, I recommend you to watch the movie 'Marie Antoinette' (2006) acted by Kirsten Dunst as Antoinette.


5. Musee du Louvre


The louvre. Tak sah pergi Paris tak pergi lawat Louvre. The louvre is one of the world's largest museums and the most visited art museum in the world. It is situated in the central of Paris and by the right bank of the river Seine. Nearly 40000 objects and paintings from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited in the museum of the Louvre. (Wikipedia, 2010)

The Louvre - The main entrance designed by architect I M Pei, was opened in 1989


Perrault's Colonnade - The east facade with its majestic rows of columns was built by Claude Perrault, who worked on the Louvre with Louis Le Vau in the mid-17th century


Pavillon Richelieu - The 19th century pavillon is part of the Richelieu Wing was once home to the Ministry of Finance but now converted into magnificent galleries.

I went inside the Louvre, but only managed to see a quarter of it which was the Denon wing. (most of the famous paintings and sculpture are in this wing). The museum was so huge and it has 4 wings altogether. Satu wing pun penat wei.

Seciput je si Mona Lisa ni. Penat la dok excited. LOL

So, these are my top 5 favourite things in Paris. There are many more monuments in Paris that I visited such as Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, but I prefer these 5 things more.

Coffee by the Eiffel Tower

Night cruise by River Seine. A must.

Notre Dame

So friends, I would suggest that before you plan your visit to Paris, read up on Paris (or maybe watch movies that are Paris related).Paris is such a vibrant city as it is rich for its own history, literature and art. Paris is different than many other European countries. It has its own characteristics with different architectures, music, cuisines and even the people.

Planning to visit Europe? Paris is the way to go!

I would definitely come back again soon ;)