Smiling Kelly, 潘嘉丽!?

Who is 潘嘉丽 oo0... If one listens to Mandarin Songs often, 潘嘉丽 will be a familiar name to them.
She's from Singapore, winner from the 1st 'Super Star' Singing Competition and her English name is Kelly. She came to my college to promote her latest album aka her third album 'Smiling Kelly' last Friday.

She's not very tall, around 160cm, skinny and she got rabbit teeth. <--cute
She's energetic, smiling most of the time and very friendly.
She sang a few songs from her latest album and play some mini games with the chosen students.

FYI:
She studied in NanYang poly, joined an airline as a air-stewardess, quit the job and became what she is today. Basically she's not that young anymore. She's 1983 which makes her 26 this year.

A gift from my club: Student Action Club aka Stact Club. She's the club's chairperson.






潘嘉丽 posing with a fan who bought her album. I did not take any photo with her because I did not have her original CD.

Proton's MPV photo leaked

The following leaked photos of Proton's soon to be launched MPV (schedule on April 09) is believed to be taken inside Proton's Tanjung Malim plant (most probably).

Sleek exterior which resembles Toyota Wish's and Mitsubishi Grandis' design. It's said to compete with Nissan Grand Livina and Toyota Avanza.

Meter gauge illuminated in red, Toyota Wish's owner might be familiar with this color and meter gauge design. On the other hand, Honda Civic, City, Jazz owner might be familiar with the steering design.

Dashboard mounted transmission, 1st try from Proton. Simple and conventional dashboard design.
Let's wait patiently for the official launch to see the real thing and specification. Btw, Perodua, where's your leaked photos for your MPV?

Kau Lui Guide

This Kau Lui guide was mentioned at Kennysia's blog and i find it interesting so i decided to copy and paste it here and share with those who never read it before.

It's actually written by a blogger Elaine:
http://www.xanga.com/Elaine_CYL/509905460/item.html
P.S.: The 'me' or 'I' mentioned below is not Martin (me), it's Elaine the blogger.

Oh be a MAN already.
Have you ever been in this situation? You're at a bookstore/gym/cafe/party/conference. Things seem uneventful enough. Until *bingo*, you see someone cute. As in, really cute--you can't keep your eyes off him. Every twenty seconds or so, you casually scan the area, and are not satisfied until you know exactly where he/she is. And lo and behold, he/she is showing signs of interest as well! Your glances are reciprocated each and every time, and he seems very co-operative in the most important event in the Pre-Acquaintance Flirting Olympics: 'casually walking past each other'. And so you eagerly wait for him to approach you.

But. He. Never. Does.

And you leave the place not only feeling terribly disappointed, but with a hideous gash in your self-esteem. Was it because my butt looked fat? Was it because he hated what I was wearing? Was my hair frizzy? My skin too pale?

I've been through it countless times. And all my friends have to say about it is, 'maybe he's waiting for you to make the move.'

That is it. Once and for all, the rule should be set: The GUY does the approaching. Kapische? The GUY. If you're interested, and you let the chance slip by just because she didn't make the move, that's just pathetic. If you hold back because of nerves... what the heck have you got to lose anyway? The worst that could happen is that she's a total bitch, in which case she wasn't worth it to begin with, in which case you are free to walk away and try someone worthier. Yes, it's that simple. Now do the male thing already and gravitate, baby, GRAVITATE to the female that registers in your head as 'hot'.

As is the nature of my greatness,
I am here to help.
Here are some ideas on how to strike up a conversation with a stranger that catches your eye.

First of all, there is nothing inherently wrong about just walking up to someone and asking for her number, as long as you're nice about it. If anyone says it's a rude thing to do, punch him/her in the face and say 'Oh yeah? Well how's that?'

Not that that's any nicer, but it's just your personal favour for me.

Anyway.

BOOKSTORE

1. Glance at the bookshelf she's standing in front of, and pick a title at random. Then pretend to scan the shelf with a vexed expression for a few seconds, then approach the girl and ask her 'Excuse me, did you happen to see this book--The Interpreter? It's supposed to be on this shelf but I can't seem to find it...'
   
2. Check out the book she's reading, then go up to her and say 'No way--you like Ian Holt? Have you ever read "..."? It's my personal favourite.' Of course, you'll have to do some homework before using this trick.
3. If she's walking around, go up to her and ask 'Miss, do you know where the law section is? I'm a bit lost.' Then tell her an elaborate tale of how you usually shop at 1 Utama, not Mid Valley, and the store layout is completely different here... then say 'I'm John, by the way' and put your hand out for a shake, LET GO OF HER HAND before she yells for the security guards, and ask her if she prefers Starbucks or Coffee Bean.

CAFE
How perfect is that? She's already sitting down and won't be going anywhere for a while.

1. Ask her if the seat next to her is taken, and if she would mind if you joined her.
   
2. If she isn't alone, buy her a drink (I recommend a bottle of Esprit fruit juice--you don't know her taste in coffee, and she can take it with her if she's already ordered a drink and wants to save yours for later) and have it sent to her table, making sure the waiter tells her exactly who it's from.
   
3. If she's just having a drink and not eating anything, order her a slice of cake. Don't order cheesecake--not everyone likes it. And the prettier the cake the better.
4. Big spender? Order cake for everyone at her table.
   
5. If she smiles at you and graciously accepts the drink/dessert, walk on over to her after a while and ask for her number.
6. NEVER leave her with the bill, even if she refuses to give you her number. That's just horrid (plus I don't think the cafe staff would let you get away with it).
   

CONFERENCE

1. Sit. Next. To. Her.
2. Or, after the conference, grab a coffee, stand next to her and raise a friendly (FRIENDLY) debate.
3. Gawd this one is easy.
   

GYM

1. Juice bar juice bar JUICE BAR.
2. Is she joining a class? Go in with her. After the class, mingle a bit. Talk about the class, complain a little or show off a little (note: a little), then let the conversation flow from there.
3. Is she using gym equipment and good at it? Unless you're covered in tell-tale rippling muscles, tell her you're new at the whole gym thing and ask her how to use the 'thingy' next to her. Don't call it a stepper/butterfly press/whatever. You're a noob, remember?
4. If you are covered in rippling muscles, tell her you usually work out on the football field/dragon boat (dragon boaters are pretty much an instant hit with me) and you're only now using fancy gym machines.
   
5. Is she using gym equipment and bad at it? Teach her laaaa.
6. Is she watching a show? Just slide onto the gymcycle/stepper/treadmill next to her, and ask her which TV channel she's tuned into. Then watch the same programme, and whenever something interesting happens, laugh together/comment on it.

PARTY

1. I will not insult your intelligence by showing you around this one.

And because I'd know,
COLLEGE

1. Smart classmate: Ask for homework help.
2. Not-so-smart classmate: Just ask for her number, she won't say no.
3. Non-classmate: Ask the girl about your most recent assignment--any recent assignment, as long as she hasn't a single clue what you're on about. And then 'Oh you're not in my Journalism 101 class? That's weird, because you looked really familiar. My bad. I'm John, by the way. Well, thanks for your... potential help (reward self for joke with short chuckle). Oh right, one more question--do you know where the photography lab is? I've been looking everywhere...' Chances are you won't walk away with her number, but you'll have had a pleasant starter conversation, and the next time you see her, you'll be exchanging smiles, and a few more smiles later--BOOM!--friendship.
4. 'Hey, are you a mass communications student? Yeah, I was thinking of maybe transferring into that faculty, so I wanted to know what it was like. What's your major? Oh sorry, I'm John, by the way...'
5. Crowded cafeterias are perfect: join her table because all the other tables suck/are taken.

WHY WOMEN THINK YOU SHOULD GO FOR IT

1. It's flattering.
2. Once you have the confidence to approach a girl, even one you don't know, and properly, you really will be regarded as 'A Class Above' all other males.
3. It's flattering.
   
4. We're sick of you men (1) wolf-whistling, (2) staring, and (3) taking not-so-discreet pictures of the girl with a cell phone.
5. It's flattering.
   
6. We spend fortunes on our shoes and wardrobe, spend an extra two hours on our hair and makeup, go through nightly three-step routines to fight breakouts, and prance around looking and smelling wonderful so that this sort of thing can happen to us. So yes it's exactly What We Want!
7. It's fla... Yes, and I'm a woman, so I should know.
   

RULES OF PLAY

1. If she seems too nervous/annoyed that a stranger is talking to her, stop it.
2. If she is younger than 16 and you are older than 20, please refrain.
3. If her friends are being bitchy, leave her alone. If you date the girl with bitchy friends, you date the bitchy friends as well.
4. Be not creepy.
5. This falls under (4), but it's worth stating clearly: DO NOT use the puckered-lip-squeaking noise to hail for her attention. It's very, very rude and I swear there was a guy I once quite liked but the minute I heard that monkey squeak I was put off him forever. The monkey squeak ruins your chances, period.
   
6. If she doesn't give you her number, don't disregard my ideas as crap--you're just not good enough for her. Or, she already has a boyfriend. Or, she's a lesbian.
7. But most likely, you're just not good enough for her.
8. Haha. Just kidding.
9. ...Psyche.
   

I know, I know: I'm a genius. Here's where you can thank me.

P.S. I will not wave my wand of self-appointed dictatorship over same-sex relationships, as there are those couples with parties of equal femme/butch proportions. Do not make me go there.

2009: 2nd round: Proton VS Perodua

The 1st round of battle between Proton and Perodua was on 2005. Perodua launched its Myvi and later Proton launched its Savvy. It was a huge success for Perodua and Proton was the big time loser. Perodua managed to sell around 7000 units of Myvi per month until now but Proton only sell less than 500 units of Savvy per month until now.

Proton's sales, was badly affected after the failure of Gen-2 and Savvy, given up the Malaysia no.1 car company title to Perodua. Proton doesn't satisfied with that of course, since Perodua is Pero-'DUA', it cannot be the no.1 in Malaysia right?

Then Proton kicked out its Mahathir connected CEO and hired a Ex-Perodua Senior Staff to replace him and came out with more practical models like Proton Persona and Proton Saga MK2.

Perodua on the other hand, after releasing Myvi, introduced Viva and Nautica to the Malaysia public.

Saga and Persona generates high volume of sales each month and helped Proton a lot in regaining market share. However, the total sales of both models still cannot beat Myvi+Viva( sales volume for Viva is around 5000 units per month). Then Proton thought of releasing something even more practical for Malaysian, a multi-purpose-vehicle, so called MPV.

Unfortunately, Perodua also thought of the same thing as well, releasing a MPV for the public. What's interesting is that both of them gonna release thier MPV on 2009, repeating the case that was taken place on the year 2005 which was releasing the same type of vehicle on the same year.

Toyota and Daihatsu, both mother companies to Perodua (Daihatsu holds Perodua and Toyota holds Daihatsu) released their all new compact MPV on Christmas. Since all Perodua models were from Daihatsu, this model will very likely to get a plastic surgery and a Perodua emblem and become Perodua's all new MPV.


It's powered by the almost-the-same 1.5 litre DVVT engine which can be found on Toyota Avanza and Perodua Nautica.

On the other hand, Proton's MPV, which was Researched and Developed by Proton, will released on March next year. It's powered by 1.6 litre Campro CPS which can be found on Waja and Gen-2.

Who's going become Malaysian's favourite national MPV? Time will tell.

Abnormal Breakfast

I recieved a sms from my brother this morning, around 11.15am. It says:' Starbucks 10yr anniversary, get your free coffee. Until 12pm. Quick!'

I hesitate for a while, because last time Secret Recipe celebrated their anniversary by giving away free cakes, but not in Sarawak. So i called my brother and checked with him if Kuching Starbucks offers such promotion. 'Dunno leh...not sure', that's what he said.

Since I haven't had my breakfast, I decided to give it a try. I get changed and drive to the nearest Starbucks, which is 9km away from my house, and that's the one in Kuching International Airport.

I managed to reach airport before 12pm, and I'm so happy when I saw the 10yr anniversary poster because it means i can get a free coffee.

I ordered a free coffee from the staff, and it's a hot brew black coffee, the only choice for free coffee. It's ok for me, because after I added full-cream milk and sugar provided by Starbucks, it basically became a branded Kopi-C.

A coffee without light food cannot considered as a breakfast and I was really hungry. Then I thought of McD, also located in the airport.

I ordered a cheeseburger which cost me RM3.90 (McD in Kuching is more expensive than the one in West Malaysia).

Then I had a Starbucks Kopi-C plus a McD cheeseburger for my breakfast.

Overall the breakfast costs me RM4.90 (including RM1 for parking fee).

I know I'm crazy... for driving so far to get a free branded Kopi-C.

I met KennySia today!?

Not really meet him on the street or what, it's actually that i went for this talk organized by Sin Chiew. The talk is about popular bloggers from Malaysia sharing their experience to the public and Kenny Sia is one of them. I think this is the 1st time in East Malaysia to have talk given by bloggers.



So the speakers are:

Kenny Sia (http://www.kennysia.com/)... If you're from Malaysia but dunno or never heard of him before, you've gotta update yourself. He's one of the most famous blogger in Malaysia.

Sze Shyang (http://www.enjoyingboredom.blogspot.com/)...Who is a famous blogger for blogging his comics and drawings about Kuching.

I think this one is funny... In the past( 4-5 years ago) Kuching never have any Starbucks or The Coffee Bean so Kuching people normally go to Kopitiam to have drinks. So the drawing above is about a guy walked into Starbucks Coffee to order a thick-coffee-kosong, just like the way he usually ordered at typical Kopitiam.

钟进贺, RawangBoy (http://www.rawangboy.com)... he is the most active speaker and really talks a lot.

SnowXwhite (http://www.snowxwhite.com)...The only female speaker and the least talkative one. She said she's 20 and still doing university.

Actually i 'm only interested in Kenny Sia, cause i never see him in person before although i'm from Kuching and he's also from Kuching, how ironic.

Jase's Tea House, Kuching

I went to this coffee house/tea house, Jase's Tea House with my brother, located at the new commercial center besides Stampin Primary School. It's my friend, Adam, who introduced this place when i came back to Kuching on July.

I decide to blog about it this time but not that time is because i did not carry camera with me that time. My phone's camera is so lousy on taking indoor photos. However, my brother has a SLR, so I can post better quality photos here.

It's on the 2nd floor and from what i heard it's actually owned by a boss who is famous in selling 'Sio Bee' (A kind of Tim Sam) at open air near Riverside.

Jase's Tea House is something like Starbucks or the local player Bing. However, I'm not sure which one of them make better coffee because I'm not an expert in this field. I guess I'll have to leave it to you guys to find out.

My friend Adam told me that the mango juice made by them is very nice. He is right! Although it costs RM8++, almost reaching RM9, probably the most expensive mango juice I've ever drank, it really worth a try and I would say that it's the best mango juice I've ever drank.

My brother ordered a carrot juice. Not as special as the mango juice I ordered but it's still good. It's cheaper than the mango juice, around RM7-RM8.

They also sell 'Sio Bee' (of cause lah... since the boss sell Sio Bee for living...). This one is a 6 pieces steamed Sio Bee. It costs RM4.80. All I can say about theSio Bee is that it taste ok. Good? I dunno, not a food expert but it's just fine.

By the way, Bing also going to open a branch here. For those who are in Kuching, you can go and try it out or probably hang out with your friends here.