Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Temples in Johor I've seen recently

Time during Chinese new year is reserved for visiting temples

Shi Ba Luo Han temple, Semerah


Da Bou Gong temple, Samchun


Chong Long Gong temple, Segenting


All temples are located near Batu Pahat. There's so many people there around Chinese new year. It's hot, humid and everyone is burning incense. So, if you want to experience pure Chinese temple culture, go for it. But if you're a peace-seeking person, skip now and return in 2 weeks after the Chinese new year festivities are over (or just look at my photos).

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Jennifer Aniston to Pose for Playboy?



Don't get too excited yet!

The National Enquirer claims that Jennifer Aniston was offered upwards of $10 million dollars to pose for Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine. Word is she turned it down.

Hugh was hoping Jen would climb onboard after seeing the almost nude (except for a necktie) shots of her in GQ recently.

[WENN]

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Jessica Burciaga is February 2009 Playmate of the Month



25-year-old Jessica Burciaga is the Playmate of the Month in the February 2009 issue of Playboy magazine.

Jessica broke into show business after graduating from high school, beginning with extra parts in TV shows and music videos. While enrolled in junior college and sports broadcasting school in Huntington Beach, she worked at a Hooters restaurant in Anaheim. Her break came with a photoshoot for the now-defunct Stuff in August 2005. Since then, she has been featured in Maxim and has been on the cover of Modified Mag, Performance Auto & Sound, Latino Future, and Open Your Eyes.

Currently a spokesmodel for Hot Import Nights and 2007 Miss Copa Swimwear, Burciaga can also be seen at the Playboy Club in Las Vegas.

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Russell Brand Sleeps with 90 Women a Month!



It's no wonder that Russell Brand sleeps with a gazillion women.

But it is a wonder that so many sleep with him despite his reputation.

Brand was recently asked exactly how many women he ensnares during any given amount of time. He nonchalantly replied, "Work out how many days and, here's a simple rule, triple it!"

Just think of as many STD's as you can off the top of your head - and triple it..


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Is Lindsay Lohan Anorexic?



Lindsay Lohan was seen in recent photographs looking exceptionally thin.

Lohan, who admitted in 2006 that she had battled with bulimia, is feared to have resurrected an eating disorder.

However, her rep is denying that the actress is suffering from any medical condition.

She said, “Lindsay is aware that she’s lost some weight due to stress, but we recently did a photo shoot and she ate two full meals.”

Now that's convincing. Someone give that woman a raise.

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Pamela Anderson Drunk [Photos]

PRIMAL  ATLANTA

Pamela Anderson loves her cocktails despite having Hep-C, which promotes the proliferation of hepatitis C virus in human liver cells.

And she claims she's not a dumb blonde.

Pam partied it up last weekend in Atlanta, where she danced and, of course, drank the night away at Primal.

PRIMAL  ATLANTAPhotobucket


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Chinese new year is here! 恭喜发财!

Happy Chinese new year! That's what I wish to all Chinese people and that's what I've been hearing all the time lately. I barely have time to go online, because we're going visiting relatives every day, going to some temples, meeting with friends and late in the evening playing majong until the early morning. Everyone is so excited and happy.
I learned many new things about Chinese culture during these days:

1 The reunion dinner: It's 1 day before the New year. Every sister and their boyfriends or husbands came. We all wore something red and eat the famous 'steam boat'. It was fun.
2 Visiting the relatives: This part is interesting, because you see how important are family ties in Chinese culture. You get to know so many people, distant cousins, uncles, who come from various places just to go and visit grandma. First day of visiting everyone must gather at the oldest living relative's house, in this case grandma's house.
3 Chinese new year songs: You hear them everywhere! They have a catchy melody.
4 Oranges: Everytime you come to somebodie's house, bring 2 oranges, it's a custom. If not you're in trouble.
5 Tings that bring good luck: Hong bao (money in red packages), red colour, touching a particoular fish, oranges... many many things.
6 Mahjong (Ma jiang): Chinese people love to play it during Chinese new year, they like to gamble as well, but luckily just for small amounts of money.
7 Eating extensively: Food is abundant. I think I will gain some weight! :)

So, I will be full of impressions during this Chinese new year. It is a unique experience for me and I will update you all on the things ahead. We're just half way thru. Chinese new year is celabrated 15 days!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Janet Jackson Weight Gain [Photos]



Janet Jackson canceled her Rockwitchu tour back in October saying it was due to a medical condition. But now she has indefinitely canceled the last leg of the tour claiming the economy has forced her to do so.

I don't buy any of it. I think it has to do with her breakup with Jermaine Dupri, and quite possibly the fact that she's getting fat again.


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Jessica Simpson Fills Out Her Mom Jeans




Jessica Simpson wore a black tank top, thick belt and high waisted jeans.

Not too flattering on her these days!



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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Encounter with a Chinese hairstylist

Today I went to a hair salon in Batu Pahat. All the hairstylist were Chinese guys. The boss was over 40 and fluent in English. Since I haven't cut my hair for 2 months, it grew a bit too long. So I told them, I want my hair about 2cm long or about 2 fingers long. I said it in English and the guy nodded. To be sure, I asked my girlfriend to tell him in Chinese, he listened and nodded as well.

The guy looked like a korean boy band singer, totally metro, the front part of his hair covered his left eye. When he began to cut, I already had a bad feeling. They way he cut my hair, I've never seen something like that! He put a pin in my hair and cut underneath, like 20 times. My inner self already shook his head... But I kept smiling and hoped that he will finally cut my hair 2/3rds shorter. But I was wrong. He cut such tiny portions of my hair, so I asked my friend, please tell him in Chinese that I want my hair much shorter. She told him and he replied: Don't worry, it will be much shorter. Well... He cut about 30min already, I boiled inside... But... he just didn't cut as short as I want. So after 30min cutting off snippets of my hair, I decided to smile and say: It's ok. While I thought that's it, he put some gel on top, which is fine to me. But to my big surprise, he made me a fauxhawk! I was like WTF? But as pissed I was, I just smiled and said: Nice! I had a feeling he will put a cherry on top of the cake.

Well, one more thing happened. As I was paying, the boss told my girlfriend in Chinese, that unlike other Western people, whom he cut the hair, my hair was very clean. How judgmental and prejudiced! It supposed to be a compliment, or what? It sounded racist to me. What if I replied to him: Your hair salon is surprisingly fragrant and all of your hairstylists are clean as well unlike other Chinese. Would that be a compliment? I'm sure it wouldn't be.

So, as soon as I came out of this horrible place, I flattened my fauxhawk and said to my girlfriend: This was crazy! Now I have to go elsewhere and fix my hair again.

Friday, January 23, 2009

My grandpa's funeral

Today was my grandpa's funeral. I couldn't attend, since I'm in Malaysia. He's ash now. May he rest in peace and may the memory of him be kept alive for a long time. I'll try my best. Will be quite unusual to return home and see that everything's changed. But we must face the unavoidable.

Good luck, grandpa. I hope you have finally found the peace you sought all your life.

Nino

天坛大佛和我

The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau island in Hong Kong is an impressive 34m tall bronze statue on top of a hill. In Wikipedia they say: »The Tian Tan Buddha appears serene and dignified. His right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction. His left hand rests on his lap in a gesture of giving dhana. The Buddha faces north, which is unique among the great Buddha statues, as all others face south.«
But what struck me most about this, is the sheer greatness which is seen, it's impressive in size, but it's so humble at the same time. It feels as if you find your inner peace when you are below the Buddha, he gives you confidence that things will eventually be alright. That the disharmony of the bustle and hustle of Hong Kong, or any other chaotic megacity in that sense, will be again restored in harmony between the nature and the mind, between the momentary and eternal.


[Sources: Photo by MKL and Wikipedia]

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Marissa Miller Bikini Slip


Victoria's Secret model Marissa Miller has been enjoying her stay in the Caribbean and has been playing in the ocean daily. Unfortunately the paparazzi are there to catch a quick nipple slip as the model comes up out of the water.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The 44th President of the United States

So, there he is. The new president with the new first lady. The inauguration is over, people are relieved that W is history now. He won't call the shots anymore. New pragmatism, new progressive approach - that's what we need now. The world needs America as a role model, not as a world bully. Please, mr. President, make this world a bit of a better place. We'll see what will change in 4 years. Good luck!


[Photo: HuffPost]

Paris Hilton Sex Tape, Part 2?



Is there another Paris Hilton sex tape?

If you believe a new book by Mark Ebner, Six Degrees of Paris Hilton, there is.

Pamela Anderson's ex-husband of two months, Rick Salomon, is her leading man. Shocking! Ha.

Mark’s book is the story of DARNELL RILEY, a man who took ‘Girls Gone Wild’ millionaire JOE FRANCIS hostage at gunpoint, went on wild nights out with MICKEY ROURKE and boxed with Salomon - all of who he connects back to Paris.

Darnell claims he bought 14 hours of video of Hilton from two “Russian kids” who had stolen it when they broke into her home.

Despite Darnell having tried to blackmail Francis, he claims the tapes really do exist. He adds that there is also footage of Paris at her grandmother's funeral. He says Paris was very distracted during the service. He says, “She is sitting in the church shooting video of herself. She is paying no attention to the eulogy."

But when it was time for her to say her goodbyes she perked up.

"Paris has Brandon Davis film her when she gets up to say goodbyes to her grandmother.”

Of course she did.

The book hits stores next month.


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Monday, January 19, 2009

Scarlett Johansson as Marilyn Monroe for D&G



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Pamela Anderson in a Bikini




Pamela Anderson's age is starting to show.

The 41-year-old has been photographed recently, strolling the beaches of Malibu
in a teeny bikini and at the side of a new man.

However, this time the only thing accompanying Ms. Anderson was her barely there bikini, no mystery man in sight.

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The Curious Case of Forrest Gump





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Hong Kong: City of lights and skyscrapers

I'm back from Hong Kong (香港). It was a 5 days trip with my girlfriend and it was a unique experience. It was unlike anything I saw before. Hong Kong is the real Far east. If you want density, all kinds of pleasant and unpleasant smells, all kinds of food, modern skyscrapers among old run-down buildings, then you're at the right place.

We flew from Singapore on the 14th January at around 15h and arrived at the Hong Kong airport 3 hours later, it was already sunset when we reached there. The airport is located about 25min away from the Central MTR station. We bought the famous 'Octopus card' at the airport for about 30eur (you get 5eur refund later) and you can use the card 3 full days (72h) to travel everywhere with the MTR trains (Mass Transit Railway), plus 2 rides with the airport express train from the HK airport to HK Central and back are included. First you pay a little more, but you actually save a lot, if you plan on exploring the city. It's definitely worth it.
We arrived at the HK Central MTR station around 19h. There we transfered to another train to Kowloon, to the Yaumatei station. The train was so full, that the door hardly closed. Luckily it was only a 3 stations ride. When we came out of the subway, we saw this (see photo on the left): Nathan road. It's Hong Kong's busiest road, stretched many kilometers, covered by 4 MTR stations (Tsim sha Tsui, Jordan, Yaumatei and Mongkok). It's full of shops and restaurants, shopping malls and markets. I recommend Jordan night market, Mongkok night market and Ladies' street, also in Mongkok.
But Ladies' street was a disappointment for me, I prefer the Tung Choi street in Mongkok. Friday to sunday they close the road and pedestrians are all over the place. You have all kinds of things to shop: bags, souvenirs, fake Rolexes, gadgets, computers, whatever...
Just be careful when bargaining, the people are quite tough. I saw some western people how the bought a fake bag for maybe 10% discount. When I bargain, I beat down the price at least 70%, if not I don't buy. And it works. If they don't give you your price, go on, either they'll come after you and give you your price or you find someone else with the same thing and start over. Sooner or later you will be lucky. Don't buy too fast.
Well, the first day was quite cold, and it was dark already around 19h. We were so lost while walking along Nathan road. A friend recommended us the Evergreen hotel, so we kept asking people about the hotel, but nobody knew. It supposed to be near Nathan road. Well, we wandered around more than an hour, because we were so amazed by the lights and the buildings, so we forgot the time. We snapped many photos. Finally my girlfriend's friend texted us the name of the street and somehow we found the hotel. Funny was, we been so close to the hotel already, yet we turned around and went back... so we wasted a lot of time there, but that's just part of a big city adventure, right? Once we checked in (hotel cost 30eur per person per night, a bit more than we planned), we unpacked, washed up and I somehow convinced my girl friend to go out and see Hong Kong's night skyline. It was worth to go out!
The second day was full of adventure as well. We started with going to the Central, where we walked around, snapped many photos of the highrise buildings. We also went to the piers and then slowly back to the station. The most important destination of the day was the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau island (located on the same island is also the HK international airport) it's 30min away by train, but with the regular MTR train, not the Airport express. One station before is the Disneyland. We skipped it, because we're not into this so much. The station we were headed was Tung Chung. It has a big shopping mall where you have many outlet stores, so if you're shopping for brands like Nike or Puma, it's much cheaper there.
Well, the best way to see the big Buddha is by sky train. If you're afraid of heights, better take a bus or cab, if not, take the sky train! It's a unique experience, it costs about 10eur (return ticket, per person). The ride is about 25min, you rise above the sea and mountains and you see the whole airport and the beautiful nature of the Lantau island. Even though I felt a bit unwell at first, I didn't regret to take the sky train.
My girlfriend was just the opposite, she was so into it at first, when inside, she suddenly felt unwell and didn't want to look down. Anyway, she got rewarded by the marvellous 34m tall bronze Tian Tan Buddha on the top of the hill. It's unbelievably amazing. When you alight the train, there's a small village-place for tourists with restaurants and souvenir shops. I bought me some funny souvenirs, one of which was a photo of chairman Mao supposedly bringing you good luck. Usually these souvenirs have Buddha or some other diety. Weird, but funny. Well, once you reach the Tian Tan Buddha, 5 min by foot, there's a lot of tourists, all snapping photos like crazy. There's a stairway leading up. Once you reach there, you see the whole majesty of this sculpture. It's breathtaking. And the view as well... I snapped many photos from all corners. But I realized, you can't fully grasp this Buddha on photos, you have to see it in real. It's a must if you visit Hong Kong.
We returned back around 19h and we went to the Avenue of Stars, it's the most southern tip of Kowloon, the one facing the marvellous Hong Kong skyline. Every day at 20h, they have a laser and light show from the most famous Hong Kong's skyscrapers. The show is backed up with music. It was nice and also full of people. This place is something like the Hollywood Walk of fame in Los Angeles, just that it keeps the fingerprints of the stars of Hong Kong cinema, like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Stephen Chow, Gong Li and Cecilia Cheung, to name the most famous.
The next day, I thought, since we bought the Octopus card, let's go and take many rides and try to see some temples. So we stopped at some MTR stations that had a temple near by. I recommend you Diamond hill. There's the beautiful Chi Lin Nunnery, a complex of many temples and gardens, clean and peaceful. We reached there in the morning, there was no tourist around. It's definitely a treasure.
After seeing 2 temples, we reached the Central, we made a huge circle from central kowloon to eastern Kowloon, to the eastern Hong Kong and back to the western part, where the entral is located. We went out at night, walked around. There was many western people in clubs and pubs, but we returned back home to the hotel.
For the next two nights we transfered to another hotel which cost us about 17eur per person. The room was small, a double bed and a toilet, small useless window and a TV. But it was nice and clean. It was in Mongkok and recommended by one of my girlfriend's colleagues, who happened to be in Hong Kong in that day, but she was deprating the next day. We had 2 more days. We saved quite some money, which we later spent on souveniers and some clothes and a bag.
After going to so many places, the next 2 days we just took it easy, we stayed in Mongkok a lot, went to eat and shop there, slept longer. We were exhausted! So when we packed all the things for the check out, I suggested to go to the Victoria peak. It's one of the top destinations in Hong Kong, every tourist must go there. We had a whole afternoon to spend, the flight back was at 2020. We checked out at 12h, it wasn't a warm goodbye from the auntie in charge. And we took the train to Central, walked outside, followed the signposts for the Peak tram.
It was so hot the last day and sunny, must be almost 20 degrees Celsius. First day was only 11. Well, it was pretty hard to walk uphill with a 12kg rucksack on my back and my girlfriend's shopping bag. But we made it. The legs hurt like hell, the tram was full of tourists and the ride was bumpy (it cost 3.3eur per person). First time I went uphill with a train. Marvellous. On top I snapped some photos of the beautiful Hong Kong skyline. It's really breathtaking, a scenery full of skyscrapers. I guess only New York can keep up with Hong kong in that regard.
It was a great image for the end of this trip, I will always hold and treasure it.

Who knows how many times I will have the chance to return to this beautiful city. Maybe never again.
But I can always proudly say, I've been there, I saw almost everything and I can advise you. Even though it was only 5 days, Hong Kong is easy to grasp, easy to get the orientation and the feel of the city. I would gladly stay for a longer period in Hong Kong. I could stay up to 90 days, if I had the cash. Maybe one day... Maybe... Goodbye, Hong Kong...

[All photos by MKL, 2009]

Saturday, January 17, 2009

My grandpa died

My grandfather died in the age of 77 due to pneumonia. He wasn't a perfect man, he wasn't a man of warm words and a kindness that I saw in other people's grandfathers. But at last, he showed some fondness towards my mum, my sisters and me. He was a part of my life, because he was always there. But we didn't really know him, he didn't really know us. There was always a wall between us. In the time when he was in hospital, so I was told, this wall began to crumble. But there was no time to tear down the wall completely. It was too late, he was taken away from us. I got the note from my sister while I was in Hong Kong. That was tough. I wished I could see him in hospital, say something like 'goodbye' to him. It just wasn't meant to be. I would just want to let him know: I liked him, despite sometimes saying otherwise in anger. I liked him and I'll miss him.

May he Rest In Peace.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Katrina Darrell American Idol Bikini Girl [Video/Photos]




Katrina Darrell is the bikini girl on American Idol, who is probably going to be tearing up the internet soon.

The 20-year-old from Chino Hills, CA flirted with Ryan Seacrest, promising to land a kiss on him if she got through to Hollywood. Well, Ryan got kissed, but in the meantime, Katrina was much liked by new judge, Kara DioGuardi, who told her to come back naked next time.






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Monday, January 12, 2009

Aubrey O'Day to be in Playboy


Aubrey O'Day, the spunky, wild child, former singer for Danity Kane will be on the cover of the March issue of Playboy magazine.

The blond party girl reveals, "I'm honored to be a part of the Playboy legacy and look forward to my March cover hitting newsstands on February 13th."

Former Hugh Hefner main squeeze Holly Madison even had a hand in the shoot.

Madison explains, "I directed and produced the shoot. I’m really proud of that. I’m just excited to have shot and produced the shoot myself."

February's issue will include three separate covers of Madison and former housemates Kendra Wikinson and Bridget Marquardt in the Girls Next Door farewell issue.

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Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez?


Alex Rodriguez left his wife to be with Madonna, but was shortly after dumped for a 21-year-old model. So who is he after now?

Serial dater, Kate Hudson.

The couple were spotted at Lure Fishbar in New York and then at the Rose Bar, where they met up with Hudson’s good friend, Ron Burkle.

Hudson’s rep is denying the reports of a romance between the two.

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Megan Fox Goes to Golden Globes Alone!



Yeah, so, former '90210' teen idol, Brian Austin Green might be dating one of the most beautiful women in the world, but that doesn't mean he has to be at her side at all times.

The gorgeous Megan Fox, Green's longtime girlfriend, attended the Golden Globe's all by her lonesome last night. And she didn't seem to thrilled about it wither.

When asked where her significant other was, she replied,

"He doesn’t wanna be here. He doesn’t want to be my date. He’s a man, he has an ego.”


- WENN


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Kim Kardashian Sex Tape With Ray J



Have you still not seen the infamous Kim Kardashian & Ray J sex tape?

Kim and her big booty made headlines when the tape surfaced. Kim pretended like she wasn't too happy with it's release saying,
"Everyone is pretty disappointed and very confused as to what's going on and who's behind this. We're just going to get to the bottom of this and do whatever we have to do to stop it."

No pun intended...right?

LINK


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Audrina Patridge Naked Pics



Audrina Patridge in a nude photo shoot before she was a The Hills star!







Layla Kiffin is Lane Kiffin's Hot Wife [Photos]




Layla Kiffin is setting the internet on FIRE and is currently one of the most searched women on the internet.

Lane Kiffin, coach of Tennessee Volunteers, has one of the most coveted wives in sports right now!

Layla Kiffin Photo Gallery for you to enjoy:





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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Life is a journey

In 2 days I'm going to Hong Kong... I'm excited, but at same time a little nervous. It's my first time there, it's a big city. I mean how many global cities are so breath-taking and important like Hong Kong? New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai to name few... I just can't wait to see the unique Hong Kong skyline! I guess when you see it for the first time, you must take a deep breath, before you can fully grasp it.
So anyway, I will be flying again... Planes - I can't without them. I will be flying for the 16th time I think. It really makes me feel I'm always on the move, always traveling, never arriving to where I wanna be. My life is a big journey. I don't know if I will ever settle down somewhere and stay rooted. I will always be on the move. And if I have grandchildren one day, be sure, grandpa will have many stories to tell :-)
[Photo by MKL, 2009]

Saturday, January 10, 2009

KTV in Batu Pahat

Let me introduce you Malaysian karaoke


Few days ago, I've been to a KTV (aka karaoke TV) for the first time. It was a friend's birthday party. When I entered, I saw a group of people, maybe 20 or more, in a room with a big TV and a long couch with few tables. There's even a small toilet and a pool table. You have your own waiters, all dressed in black, going in and out, serving you. Meanwhile the people on the side were playing pool, some on the other side were chatting, while the ones in the centre were singing chinese songs. I think KTV can be fun, but I think if you go with people you know. And the group has to be smaller and you better have few drinks before you start singing. I'm sure it's possible to have fun... because this party wasn't fun for me... But most the important thing was to wish the friend happy birthday.

TV screen at a Batu Pahat KTV lounge.