Bad, Bad Naveena

It's that time again- that time of the semester where suddenly spring cleaning your room becomes something you HAVE to do today, even though it's autmn now. Suddenly, you realize you haven't caught up with so many friends and you go blog surfing just to see what they've been up to. Then there are all these TV shows that are suddenly so interesting you can't take your eyes off the idiot box, when previously those very same shows would put you to sleep.

Yes, folks. It's that time of the semester for me- assignments are coming to their deadlines and as usual, I've barely started. I was gonna pull and all-nighter to finnish one yesterday, but after a walk along the infamous K'road (don't ask me what I was doing there and no, I wasn't drinking), I decided against it and went to bed at 10pm, thinking I will have an early start today, but here I am- blogging. Gosh, I'm so bad, aren't I? Normally finnishing an assignment 2 days before the given deadline would be perfectly normal for me. But there's a catch this time; I've another paper due two days right after at 10am.

So, here's to a long day and an even longer night. I should probably buy a bottle of instant coffee...or I could just pop by the cafe 5 minutes away and get one to go. But for now, I think black tea would have to suffice, Earl Grey, no less =)

Cheers!

Home and Away

I moved out of my father's house and into my own appartment yesterday. In the words of a friend, this is "one big step for Naveena, one giant leap for Indian-kind", you know, because I moved out before getting married. For those of you who find this difficult to understand, let me put it this way; It's unusual t move out of your parents' house before you get married in the Indian culture and unless they disown you, there really is no need (or to some no WAY) to live n your own.

That said, I myself had to face the huge hurdle of convincing them that it would be better off letting me go (there was plenty of crying on my part and initial disapproving looks on their part). I must have done a decent job at it because, here I am in my stark cold appartment room. It was suppsed to be one of the happiest day of my life but instead, I felt like everyone else's misery was gathered up and dropped on me like a ton of bricks. Not so good an analogy but whatever. I mean, independance is supposed to be a good thing. Someone else also told me if I could help get her 25 year-old son out of her house! She reckons it's a good thing. And she is right. I know she is. But I'm not so sure I made the right choice.

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the fact that I now don't have to drag myself out of bed at 5.30am for an 8am class. The library is just minutes away. All I have to do is step out of the appartment and the whole city is mine for the taking. I can do anything at virtually any time I please. But as I layed on my big white bed, starring at at my lava lamp trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but feel a little bit like crap. It doesn't help that I'm not too happy about my appartment either. It felt more like a cold hotel room rather than an actual homey (if that's even a word!) personal space. Perhaps I should look for another place, but then again it's only been a couple of days.

Only time will tell. For now though, Micheal Buble's "Home" echoes in my mind, every word of it. Let me go home. I've got to come home.

None but Jesus

It's been a while since I had a listen to anything new from Hilsong United, only because I have not bought anything new. So today, when I got my hands on their "United we Stand" album I was psyched! Super late, I know...and there was this one song in particular that just gripped me. It's a faily simple song but the words were so powerful. Well, I thought so anyway. You know, it's just one of those songs that you can't explain just what IT is but IT is just there. thought I'd post it up here. I absolutely recomend buying the album- really awesome set of songs!

In the quiet, in the stillness

I know that You are God

In the secret of Your presence

I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse

Each newday again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me

None but Jesus

Crucified to set me free

Now I liveto bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion

Iknow You’re Sovereign still

In the moment of my weakness

You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay

This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord

All of my hope, all of my strength

All my delight is in You Lord

Forevermore!

None but Jesus, Hilsong United, 2006 (I think)

Lessons and a Beautiful Stranger

Gosh, I can't believe it's already the third month of the year! Excuse the cliched and over-used phrase but seriously, I'm still getting over the new year and my course, let alone the month! I had an intense week and I learnt a few important lessons.

The first being that one of the most important rule in TV land is NEVER FORGET TO HAVE AT LEAST 5 SCONDS OF PRE-ROLE before and after a shot! Either I didn't bother to pay attention in class, or nobody told me that; I'm banking on the latter =) As a result, post production was a huge problem- I'd rather not bother with the details- and come submission, all I can say is I didn't like the final outcome that we handed in. I think it may very well be grade altering. It was an expensive lesson which I don't intend to repeat. EVER! Better now than in the middle of my first career defining movie I suppose...but I'd like to sulk about it a little more. I'm not ready to move on just yet. Perhaps at the end of the week. Perhaps in a few more hours. Perhaps.

But, on a totally different note, I did something I never thought I'd ever do. See, I've always been a wee bit shy when it comes to meeting total strangers. It's usually no more than an acquaintanceship (yes, it IS a word; I checked!) and it takes me quite a while to move past that into the friendship stage. However, I was at the movies the other day by myself when I was walking away from the ticket counter after purchasing "Notes on a Scandal" (bad movie; I wonder how it received nominations at the recent awards season). There was this someone who was pacing the lobby, clearly still undecided on what he was going to watch. From a simple "not sure what to watch?", we snowballed into a nearly 2 hour conversation about nothing and (almost) everything at the same time. I was blown away by the fact that I actually held up a chat for so long with a total and complete stranger; a regular passer-by. Apparently, he was too. I surprised myself. It was a good surprise though.

Life really is filled with little surprises that come every now and again. I think it's these little surprises that make all the difference in the world. On that note, have a super weekend while I become a total geek for another weekend. I've plenty of readings to catch up on, which will prove to be quite challenging seeing as how I was so looking forward to putting my feet up and sipping wine and having some downtime this weekend...

Jesus and Anna Nicole Smith

I'm sure many of you would have heard about the whole James Cameron finding Jesus' coffin shebang. I was of course, personally really skeptical about it, as I always am about issues like this. For those of you who have no idea what this is all about, allow me to shed some light. James Cameron has aparently made documentary, claiming that he has foun Jesus' remains, alog with those of Mary Magdeline and a little baby, Judah, who was alegedly the son of Jesus.

Today, while I was on my way home from university after a bitch of day, I heard something on the radio that totally made my day, in regards to this issue. One of the disc jockeys played an excerpt from a recent Jay Leno Show. This is what Jay Leno said (well, not verbatim, but something along these lines)

"Apparently they can do a DNA test and prove that Jesus was the father of this child. I mean, ... (really)...they can't even determine who the father of Anna Nicole Smith's child is!"

And that just totally made me laugh out loud...before realizing I probably looked like a lunatic sitting in a bus-load of people smiling like a crazy person. Oh well, but it was so worth it. I reckon it was the best thing I heard all day, and beleve me, I DID hear a lot of things!

It never ceases to amaze me how people are always trying to disprove the fact that Jesus is not who He says He is. Why?

I am a university student.

I am contented with my field of choice.

I am doing my Bachlor's Degree in Comunication Studies.

I am a television major.

I am loving every minute of it.

Life is amazingly beautiful!

Cupid Should be Fired!

So, I went blog surfing again- I thought I'd savour my last moments of "freedom" by avoiding doing anything that required me to leave my little palace. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Naveena is finally going back to university after a very very (I cannot stress the word enough!) long break- 6 months to be exact. By george, I swear NEVER to take such a break again. EVER! And so shall begin my journey of becoming a Bachelor of Communication graduate, a television major.

Anyway, back to what I wanted to say, I was blog surfing and I noticed a common thread that ran along those blogs- dissing Valentine's Day and how overrated it's become. Personally, I am all up for the dissing. I mean, for one thing Cupid has been sleeping on his job. Either that, or he's been too stoned to aim those arows where they SHOULD go. Why? Take a peep at the divorce rates in the country and you'll know what I'm talking about. Someone said I should take one of his arrows and shoot it right to his ass- because I apparently have a good aim- so he'll get a taste of his own medicine. Perhaps I should. But that would mean I'd have to find him, which frankly is something I don't want to bother doing.

Then there's this whole red roses and a box of chocolates enchilada. Seriously, why anyone would spend an obscenely large ammount of money on those things, which we all know is half its price a mere 24 hours before and after, is really beyond my comprehension. And while we're at it, let's throw in the "fancy" dinner at a "fancy" restaurant scenario; you know, the one with 50 other couples starring into each others' eyes, ALL saying the same thing, ALL extremely aware that their meals are rediculously overpriced. All this just to impress him/her? Gosh, if I had a boyfriend, he'd be the luckiest fellow because he wouldn't have to bother with that hassle!

Now, having said all that, I have to say that I'm not one of those bitter will-grow-old-and-become-the-cat-lady-in-the-appartment-next-door kind of girl either. In fact, if anything, I'm quite the hopeless romantic. I cried watching A Walk to Remember and The Notebook so that should give you an affirmation =). Allow me to paint you a picture of what I think is the best Valentine's would be:

Place: In a park. Actually, even the couch in the living room would do.
Menu: Spaghetti (because it's comfort food and doesn't take much to prepare) and wine (or beers if you're on a low budget, or champagne if you are feeling particularly generous)
Flower of choice: Daisies or White Lilies
...and a bar of Cadbury Old Gold dark chocolate- without that silly red heart-shaped box.

It's not at all fancy or fashionable or whatever it is you want to call it. I don't care, really. As cliche as this sounds, to me, it is all about the person. I could be stuck in traffic with a very bad selection of songs playing on the radio for all I care but so long as I'm with him, I don't really care. I don't. Seriously. I don't.

So, my point is that Valentine's is sooo not about the overpriced menu or the roses or the heart-shaped boxes or trying to impress the other person. I can understand why many people think it's overrated. It's all about the other person, or at least it should be. It shouldn't be a competition about who can make the other feel more special. It's about just being there and wholy present, spending time with the other person. And if I had that special someone, I'd make the effort to do this at least once a month, not just the 14th of February.

Oh, and I'm fully aware that it's waaay past the 14th of February. My point, I believe, is all the more substantiated. I rest my case.

Tomorrow is a new day, a new year, a new semester, a new begining to fix all that I've stuffed up in the past. More on this another day.

The Smell of Green

I learned someting new today: how to use the lawn mower. Back home (yeah, somehow I can't seem to shake of the fact that home is no longer Kuala Lumpur), I never had much of a lawn to mow- all I had was this green patch of unruly grass growing that we refered to as our "garden". But now, ah, now is a different story altogether. So anyway, I thought I'd give Daddy a break this week since he was helping me fix my curtains and let me tell you, mowing the lawn is NOT a piece of cake. But I actually found myself having a wee bit of fun against all odds. Okay, so it wasn't as bad as I had pictured it to be.

So, about 45 minutes later, I stood at the end of the lawn and breathed in the pride of my work. It was one of the best smells ever: the smell of freshly cut grass plus my great achievement. This, my friends, is the smell of green.

I think I shall give it another go sometime soon.

10 things I've Come to Love

1. The colors red and purple
2. The smell of clean laundry- fresh out of the dryer
3. Having pasta and beers with my girlfriends (gosh, I wish we could do this more often)
4. The smell of freshly cut grass
5. Peanut butter and banana sandwich
6. The TV show 'Lost'
7. Skirts and black T-shirts
8. The smell of hot pancakes in the morning
9. Bunderberg ginger beer (I hated ginger beer of any kind- with an absolute passion)
10. The fact that I'm not playing the game of life alone (the ambiguity is intended, sorry)

I am beginning to see that happiness is not just about getting the best things in life that money can buy; it's being able to have time for the simple pleasures in life and having amazing all-the-money-in-the-world-can't-buy intercontinental friendships.

Defining My 20s With a Song

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined

I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines

We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

I Can't Believe I Was Awake Watching This

So, I was awake, along with perhaps 70% of the Hollywood population and 7% of its journalists, to see who got nominated for what category of this year's Oscars, though they were probably not as relaxed as me. They were probably glued to their idiot boxes (they very medium in which thousands of others get glued to their idiot boxes watching them) anxiously waiting to see if their names were up for nominations and who they were competing against.

No, I didn't set my alarm for this. I couldn't sleep is all. Frankly, I couldn't care much about the announcement ceremony or whatever it is they call it. If anything, I'd just watch the delayed (not even live) telecast of the actual night. I personally would much rather watch the Grammys for the simple fact that it's heck of a lot more entertaining but I'm in no way belittling Hollywood award shows. It's just a personal preference.

So, at 2.30 in the morning, and here I am watching Salma Hayek punching in the air going, “YES!” at the announcement of Penelope Cruise being nominated for best actress for her role in Volver.

What do I have to say about the nominations in general? Well, I'm glad Meryl Streep was up for her superb performance in The Devil Wears Prada, though I think the movie as a whole was nothing much to shout about. She however, was a-may-zing- the only reason that made my 8 bucks worth while. Also, I reckon it's about time they included Kate Winslet in for an award. I've always thought she did good work. It's hard to say if she'll bag it seeing as how she's competing with really great actors, but then again, who's to say, ey?

The fact that Helen Miren, Jennifer Hudson, Kate Blanchet, Kate Winslet, Will Smith and Leonardo DeCaprio are all in the list means I should go watch these movies. Only then will I dare to say anything else. I should probably see for myself what the hype is all about.
I thought blogging about this might get me sleepy but no! I'm still WIDE AWAKE!!! Gosh, now what am I gonna do? I need to sleep! Should I take a pill or something? I mean, I don't know WHY I'm still awake...

Little Boxes made of Ticky-Tacky

This song has been on my "most played" list recently: Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds. It's a really old song though I only heard it probably about three days ago. It's basically a mockery, if I may, about the perfection and idealism of Suburbia and I just find it absolutely hilarious! Do have a listen when you have the chance. Meanwhile, here's now it goes:

Little boxes on the hillside,

Little boxes made of ticky-tacky,

Little boxes, little boxes,Little boxes, all the same.

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses

All go to the university,

And they all get put in boxes,

Little boxes, all the same.

And there's doctors and there's lawyers

And business executives,

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf-course,

And drink their Martini dry,

And they all have pretty children,

And the children go to school.

And the children go to summer camp

And then to the university,

And they all get put in boxes

And they all come out the same.

And the boys go into business,

And marry, and raise a family

And they all get put in boxes,

Little boxes, all the same.

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky

And they all look just the same

Oh, and ticky-tacky just means flimsy, breakable things...or something to that effect.

I AM NOT READY...

...to be 20 yet!

God, I know you won't turn back time, but could you at least slow down what's left of it? Yes, I'm terrified of growing up, but you already knew that, didn't you?

Living in the Moment

You know how some people like writing one of those year-end entries, looking back at the year in retrospect, that sorta thing? Well, honestly, I'm one of those people. Although I've only been blogging for about two odd years now, I've always done the this-year-in-retrospect thing; personal diary, taking a moment or two to just ponder on the events of the year in a corner silently, or otherwise. But this year, I thought I'd forgo it. Besides, I was at a party (at which I ONLY stayed because it was partly mom's birthday) and the moment kinda just passed me by...

Now, I feel so "unsettled" because of it. I didn't take no moment to look back and think and give thanks for that has been given unto me. I didn't do it and now I feel a wee bit weird.

Why? Does that make me someone who can't go a day breaking routines? I wonder if I've become one of those I-have-to-do-this-or-else-I-won't-sleep-a-wink kinda person. There ARE people like that, aren't there? It's not always good to be one of those people, right? It means I won't live i the moment and take things as it comes. I always have to know what happens next, I always have to do all the things on my to-do list and I always need to know everything around me (not in a nosy kinda way).

But on the other hand, I procrastinate like I still have 100 years to live, I don't bother to clean up my room unless I can no longer tell the difference from the floor and my clothes, and I can be quite a sloth at times. And I've stopped making resolutions since I was 17 because I know breaking it is inevitable.

But on yet another hand (not my own of course, as I only got two of 'em), I want to live in the moment. I think I'm finally beginning to understand the importance of taking life as it comes and letting things be. I don't want to make too many plans, for fear of things not going the way I had planned.

So, is this living-in-the-moment thing going to be a possibility for me?

I don't know.

But I'm sure as hell gonna try.