Spot new songs with Spotify

Music is part of everyone's life, music plays a huge part in my life. I started listening to music only during car rides where the radio is the only companion. Then I started purchasing cassette tapes and CD  in my high school years and continue to do so for years until I discovered downloading. I remembered that I used to blast the radio while studying. After leaving home to study in the UK, I was constantly alone, music became increasingly important, I will never leave the house without my ipod, it makes the bus rides, the tube rides and the waiting much more tolerable. Then when I started working, the car radio once again became my best friend, blasting it through the long car journey to work and to endure the traffic jam while going home. Now, back to the UK, the only constant item in all my bags is my ipod. This is how much music means to me.

I pride myself in looking for non-mainstream songs from indie bands, those that aren't Katy Perry or Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. Mostly from tv series I watched, but now I had a whole new platform to discovered these new indie bands to add into my ipod- Spotify.

Spotify is a streaming service that holds lots and lots of songs from musicians, from the famous billboard songs to indie bands and songs from 60s and 70s. It is sorted in different genre in their radio function where you could pick only the genre that you like.

You will also have the option to save songs that you like and customise your own list. And whats best is IT IS FREE and available in Malaysia (launched just over a month ago)! Of course, you could opt for the premium accounts where there is no advertisement in between (basically it is like a radio where it will have an advertisement in between 10 songs or so.)

I learnt about Spotify not long ago and had been using it everyday when tv series had proved to be to much of a distraction when I am doing my revision. I really love this new streaming app, its easy to use and you don't have to download each & every songs and take up space in your computer, just stream and enjoy.

These are a few of new artists that I've discovered (they are not new per se, but new to me) and bands that I found from Spotify and enjoy.

Agnes Obel

Mumford & Sons

of Monsters and Men

Happy browsing through old songs, new songs, indie bands or the most current hit songs. Ok, now I think Spotify should give me free premium for a month or so for promoting.

50 things to do to live a full life, if you don't have a list, here's a guide for you

After reading this article on Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2320201/Lose-stone-perform-stage-stay-night-drinking-night-stand-50-things-live-life-full.html), I figure its fun to write about what would make me think that I live my life to the fullest.

Here's the list of 50 things that people think you had to complete to "live life to the fullest". I personally think that although the list could be a "guide", living life to the fullest is a state of mind, not how many things you could strike off in your "list". Agree?

That being said, you still need a guide, just like a country still need a government no matter how poor a job we seem to think the government did. I think that the list is not as difficult to achieve if you put your mind to it, for example 70% of us have a driving license and almost 90% of my peers have a degree, its not THAT difficult, see what I mean. But somehow not everything is as easy as putting your mind into it, the depth of human heart is just unimaginable. And of course, there had to be some tweaks because not everyone share the same sentiment in life.

1. Stop worrying about money 
2. Stop worrying about what other people think 
3. Take two holidays a year 
4. Enjoy little comforts in life 
5. Experience different cultures 
6. Work to live rather than live to work 
7. Pay off all debts
8. Be true to yourself
9. Concentrate on what you have instead of what you don't have (current goal)
10.Use money on experiences rather than saving for a rainy day
11. Make time for family and friends
12. Try all types of food
13. Find true love
14. Travel to at least 25 different foreign countries
15. Go outside more
16. Learn a new language
17. Be well thought of by family and friends
18. Help a member of your family out when they really need it
19. Lose a stone in weight
20. Treat each day like it's your last
21. Visit all of Britain's historical landmarks
22. Book an impulsive last minute holiday
23. Volunteer for a good cause
24. Take up a challenge
25. Go on safari
26. Blow a load of money in one shopping trip, just because you can
27. Learn a new instrument
28. Be married for longer than 20 years
29. Have enough money left for the grandchildren to enjoy
30. Start a family
31. Earn more than your age
32. Have a pet
33. Drive a really fast car
34. Travel alone
35. Be able to keep the kids on the straight and narrow
36. Meet strangers
37. Move away from home to an unfamiliar place
38. Have a one night stand
39. Pass your driving test
40. Get a degree
41. Rescue someone so that you're a hero for a little while
42. Date someone exciting but completely wrong for you
43. Get a promotion
44. Reach the desired career peak by age 40
45. Have an all-night drinking session
46. Perform something on stage in front of others & be a star in a music video with songs played in the background like in the movies. (who wouldn't want that right, having a soundtrack of your life)
47. Snog a stranger
48. Plan a surprise party
49. Embark on adrenaline packed activities such as sky diving or bungee jumping
50. Spend time with children even if they aren't yours

I must say that I had gradually crossed off a few from the list, but 2012 and 2013 had been a good so far, I crossed off more than one from the list in the span of less than 6 months time. I must say I am really proud of myself. A lot of things in the list, I don't think its for me, like no. 41 - I don't think I am that heroic and perhaps no. 48 because I sucked at surprises. But other than that, I either don't have a kid or I don't have a job to start fulfilling on that yet. I really wanted to be able to do no. 46 because I never am comfortable standing or talking let alone performing in front of others, but I think if I can, it would feel pretty awesome.

But right about now, if I were to be able to wear a sundress and a straw trilby, basking myself in the sun surrounded by pretty daisies while puffing a cigar, drinking coffee (substitute it with alcohol and Eugene would be so proud of me). I think I might have live life to the fullest.

So, do you agree with me that "LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST" is a state of mind? If not, do have a list? how would yours look like?

Anne Frank Remembered....

Disclaimer: This post is only to tell people to appreciate what they are having at the moment, don't complain so much because as one of my friends said "Could be worse." Me included, I had to remind myself from time to time, stop complaining.

I always love reading about the history, as a story at the very least. Not for academic purposes though. In the chaos of Malaysian General Election, I know that we are now in the modern world, modern - advanced time, but a part of me can't help but think that even in these times, if there is something horrible happening to the world, we - human beings - will still resort to serve their basic instinct. Yes, even to the most developed and advance countries in the world. But remember, at least we are free to do what we wanted. Imagine having to live like them. Imagine having to be separated by the war, having never to see your parents again. Imagine that.

Ok, this is to tell you to go watch the movie and in the midst of protesting against our government, be thankful that we are not in the situation.

Here is a small part of the documentary. I believe its the movie that is constantly on the loop at Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam because I recognised part of it.

Anyway, enjoy the documentary and be grateful we are not in this situation.

I can't wait for today's exam to be over, collapse on my bed and sleep to my heart's content, wake up start the whole cycle again for the next exam.

Oh ya, I have a lame metaphor for you guys. "I always wear black to exams, not only it represent my mood, its because exams are like funerals to my knowledge, as soon as its over, its gone, with only some memory of it lingering around." Agree with me? Hahaha.

Do you believe in your dream?

Dream Interpretation, to be more accurate. You could dream of anything and interpret it in a million ways and there you have it, a million interpretation.

I rarely dream, I only dream when I am really stressed out in life or when I was carrying a thought consciously for a while. Yesterday, I dreamt of a shipwreck and I lost everything in the shipwreck, when I say EVERYTHING, I meant everything. I remembered I genuinely felt afraid for the first time in life. The fear is not the fear that arise a few moments before you are about to find out your exam results. But real fear. Nightmare.

So naturally, I googled and these came up.


Shipwreck

To see or dream that you are shipwrecked suggests that you are experiencing some emotional conflict or are having difficulties in expressing your feelings. Additionally, the dream means that you are you ready to confront some issues in your subconscious.

To dream that a ship has crashed or sunk suggests that you are feeling emotionally out of control. You are expressing some fear or uncertainly within your emotional state. You are afraid of losing something close to you because of certain difficulties.


Shipwreck

To dream of a shipwreck represents being or feeling curtailed. Problems arising or unforseen distractions that take you off course while trying to confront a problem. Feeling stuck in a situation you don't want to be in.

What's really odd is right now besides examinations and dissertation, I honestly have no conflict, not physically and sure as hell not emotionally. I am sure if you know me, you will know I have no problem expressing my feelings. I recognised what I wanted in life, be completely honest with myself (and the partner - and he is pretty cool with it, I guess he knew that I am that ambitious and the worst thing he could do is repeat the same mistake the "not so smart" former boyfriend did) *I am a bird with no legs* (Chinese saying) , had decided and established what I wanted later on.

It never been clearer, I just had to take things one at a time. If there is something that I've learnt, things really happen when you least expect it. I even told my mother I took extra things & locations into considerations and I've long took love out of the equation because as selfish as it sound, I realised that I DO NOT  want to repeat the same stupid mistake all over again.

I apologise to those that did sacrifice for love, but it doesn't work out for me and my subconscious knew it before I realised it. So, apart from focusing on what I am going to achieve, I stopped freaking out about my insecurity towards my career or in relationships. Because to be honest, there really is no point in worrying and I don't want to waste my time worrying. True, I am still emo and I still like drama.

So, I hereby dismissed the dream interpretation. It is a fluke. =.= Good night, going to go relax now.

Tattoo No. 2

I am actually toying with the idea of having a second tattoo for sometime now. I had my first tattoo after a major life changing event less than 2 years ago. Now, I am thinking that since my life changed, I wanted to celebrate the change. This time, I planned to have it on my rib area because its more mysterious and sexy, of course.

Idea No.1
I am actually thinking of the word "Inspire" but think its too similar to my first tattoo.

Idea No. 2
Then I've thought of having my birthday tattooed on me because of this quote
"There are two great days in a person's life- the day we are born and the day we discover why" - I still haven't discovered why but having my birthdate on me was always at the back of my mind.

Idea No. 3
Then, another idea popped into my mind - a dream catcher - to capture my dreams. Dreams I have in life, dream of where I wanted to be, what I wanted to be. I always like the idea and the design of a dream catcher. But then I realised it is a tad cheesy and too much like Miley Cyrus.

http://www.popstartats.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Miley-Cyrus-Dreamcatcher-tattoo-bathtup.jpg

So, any ideas? Which one you like the best? Should you have a tattoo?

It is over, get over it. Just be glad that in 5 years time, you get to try again!

I did not have any exam today but I am starting to think that some people are crying over spilled milk.

Did any of you realised that media nowadays are flooded with the Malaysian General Election nowadays. Truth be told, I never care but now it gets a tad old. I am generally not interested in a lot of things but after the huge incident of 2011, I vowed to change. But I must say that I remained unchanged in my political view.

These are my reasons:
1. No matter how much you want it to change, certain things just wouldn't change. Like your past, its going to haunt you for the rest of your life and its up to you to make the full use out of it. You know that I am pointing the obvious here. Our country's name is MALAYsia. I don't think I need to elaborate any further. But be thankful that even though CHANGE didn't come round this time, at least we are one tiny step closer to "CHANGE".

2. I am not a fighter. I am a Chinese, business people at heart. A firm / corporation's sole purpose is to get profit / benefit out of anything. If I don't see me getting any benefit, there is no point for me to fight. Same goes to everything, I fought, I lost and I moved on. Hopefully, the more I moved, the better I get.

3. With a leader like that, truth be told, are any of you really surprise of the outcome. I think deep down a lot of people know that there's a certain fixed outcome, well, a rigged game will always favour a side, but I suppose the consolation here is we knew how to fight. We are 50 years too late, but as what my lecturer once said "BETTER LATE THAN NEVER". Also, my advise is, start campaigning now, I know Bersih had been going on for years, but perhaps we should be more enthusiastic about it through the 5 years instead of at the remaining few months. Just like studying, there is so much you can do if you start the day before.

I am glad there is no such rally or protest here because its a shameful matter that a certain someone is so proud of.

I am very thankful that Malaysia is my home. No matter where I go or end up in the future, Malaysia will still be my home. Where I grew up, where I learnt the way of life, where I took my decision to be what I am to be, where I got my heart broken, where I fell hard and also where I regain my strength to stand back up.

Malaysia is a good place to grow up, good place to learn and my kids will spend their summer at Malaysia where they would learn not to complain about the cold weather because having 4 seasons is a blessing. Hahaha. Making the assumption that I am living at a 4 seasons country.

Paying homage to The Rib Man's Holy Fuck sauce...

Every time I have a fresh new post, on that day, I have an exam, just to let you know that even with the exam, I still did managed to blog. =)

After weeks of nonsense from me and I hope the General Election 2013 hype had long died down, finally some pretty pictures to look at. I am still lazy to write up a proper update for my recent trip but here's some snippet of my life during exams month.

 On the 3rd of May, seeing the sky was beautiful and it will mark the end of a quarter of exams, Ipek and I decided to pay Street Feast London a visit. There are lots of markets and festival popping out starting spring because the weather gets better and eating outdoor is actually fun and relaxing, not torturing. I've tried eating outdoor during beginning of Winter, its not fun, you have to race with the cold to finish your food before it gets cold. 

Everyone was in a good mood, friendly, laid back and ready to have a good time. You would be amaze that why aren't Malaysian in better mood seeing we have great weather all year round. Appreciate what you have Malaysian, the length that British went to just get some sunlight, make us seems spoiled and unappreciative. Though its a tad warm for me, it beats freezing your fingers off fumbling for the burger, plus I get the chance to wear my sunglasses and no jacket. Why not?

First attempt to Panoramic picture and I think I did a good job for first timers.

We got the burger from The Ribman (http://www.theribman.co.uk/), they have a sauce called Holy Fuck. Its a spicy sauce, the owner was inspired by his customers that goes "Holy Fuck, its spicy." I suggested to Ipek to get the Holy Fuck sauce because it feels nice to say Holy Fuck. The owner smile and said he couldn't agree more. =) Malaysians, stop being so uptight. Its a fucking joke ok. 

End with a great view of Regents Canal and the sun. Life doesn't get better than sitting by the river / canal with drinks and nothing to worry about. Relatively. =)