Friend or Foe

Reader,

It makes me wonder sometimes -

...

Who exactly reads this cheesetal of mine?

I would really like to know. :)

CUCI The Musical

Reader,

To date, I have been exposed to a fair bit of theatre to realise that productions by our local talents are one that should not be underestimated at all. True enough, not only did CUCI The Musical proved to not disappoint, but to my surprise, it exceeded the minimum expectations of what I would define by a satisfying play.

CUCI The Musical was originally based on a local film, and the storyline revolves around four brothers who aspire to one day become the top window cleaners for Kuala Lumpur's landmark - The Twin Towers, KLCC.

The idea for this play sprung up from none other than Hans Isaac who also performed as one of the leading roles, along likes of Afdlin Shauki, AC Mizal and Harith Iskandar. Although each of them are equally famous in their own rights, I was most starstrucked by Adibah Noor, who wow-ed the crowd with her witty lines and great vocals!

It was nearly a full-house at Istana Budaya, that Friday night. For the first time, I saw Tun Abdullah Badawi in person as he graciously attended the musical together with his wife. The props set-up was very well done, and I was greatly impressed by Afdlin's vocals when he sang.

This musical would be one of the reasons why I would be sure to look out for other local plays to come!

Reflex

Reader,


We each do many, many things as a natural response to different arising of feelings, implementations, scenarios, that it is so mind-boggling to just discover the wonders of such variable extents.

A crying girl in her tweens would devour a bucketful of Chocolate ice-cream so as to mourn over the recent break up with her boyfriend. I've seen aspiring medical students resort to Daytona to neutralize the effects of overwhelming stress brought by tomorrow's exams and toddlers cry over spilt milk.

Millions of people dance in astounding unison to commemorate Michael Jackson's death, while my best friend opts to drown herself in long showers in the middle of the night for reasons that I cannot disclose here.

Never ending possibilities.

Me?

I walk.

There is this inner peace that I find within each step that I take, so much so that I sometimes question the affinity between this action and I; how natural it becomes for this reflex to take place.

Why?

...

Maybe, besides allowing myself some time to recollect my thoughts, it is opening doors that lead to other journeys, or a continuation of my current journey whose ending has yet to come.

Maybe, with each step that I take, I am allowed ample time to pick up the pieces that was once broken; to try and mend it back into place. Maybe, the endless circles that I sometimes take, helps preserves sights and sceneries that I intend to remember forever.

Maybe, it gives me the feeling like I am always moving forward from where I was last left behind; an initiative to continuously strive forward and never look back.

I really do not know.

But, what I do know, is this -

That finally, when I am ready, I walk home.

The Glass Palace

Reader,

'You know, yaar Arjun, over these last few days, in the trenches at Jitra - I had an eerie feeling. It was strange to sit on one side of a battle line, knowing that you had to fight, and knowing at the same time that it really wasn't your fight - knowing that whether you won or lost, neither the blame nor credit would be yours. Knowing that you're risking everything to defend a way of life that pushes you to the sidelines. It's almost as if you're fighting against yourself. It's strange to be sitting in a trench, holding a gun and asking yourself: who is this weapon really aimed at? Am I being tricked into pointing it at myself?'

Cheesetal's FAQs

Reader,

1. Why, Who, When, and How Cheesetal?
   
   The diminishing of Crystal began approximately five years ago, when a few group of people decided that Tal would be a more kinky abbreviation to opt for. At the same time, I remember Alya and I having a fantastic time coming up with all sorts of nicknames for each other and there you have it: Cheesetal was what she came up with!
   
   Since then, Cheesetal stuck through all this years as my cybername, while Tal is what most people would generally call me nowadays, to which I am perfectly fine with it being that way.
   
   


2. Do you have MSN?
   
   You know, most people would only ask this question without questioning the frequency of my usage. (hee) I humbly apologise for being one of those who never hardly responds to instant messages, even when I am in full view of my monitor screen.
   
   I am much more of a Gmail communicator, and Twitter and Skype would be second best. If you have thoroughly understood the answer to question 1, you would have figured out my username(s) by now.
   
   


3. Are there certain people I can look up to pry more information about you?
   
   Definitely, yes!
   
   My closest kin would be my family members whom sad to say, are not very interactive where family details are concerned. Shauna (my brother) isn't exactly your best definition of what docile originally means, you know.
   
   The next bet would be dear friends like Carmen and Weishya, who are very, very nice people, that is, if you bribe them. They'd probably let you in on a tad bit of details if you promise to buy them strawberries and banana pancakes for life!
   
   Then again, you really wouldn't want to know the consequences of them disliking you.
   
   
4. Why Shauna?
   
   Because, once in awhile, I fantasise about what life would be like if I had a sister instead. The best part is that sometimes, he reminds me so much of a girl, it is not funny itellyou.
   
   


5. In a nutshell, what would you like people to know about you?
   
   Family exceeds all other priorities that weigh me down at this moment, yet, I do enjoy the simple joys of being in the company of close friends and random people whom I have not met in very long times.
   
   I am not a recluse; I am just comfortable being, and mostly doing things on my own.
   
   As you get to know me better, you would come to find that I am much more expressive in my writings, than I am in normal verbal interactions. However, that does not mean that I am someone with little to say; I quite enjoy witty conversations and mindless banter, once in awhile.
   
   Travelling is always something I look forward to doing, and I appreciate all those times I was given the opportunities to do so. The people I have met, the places I have visited, and the cultures that I have learned are till now, quite unbelievable.
   
   I would also like you to know, that nutshells are indeed very, very small for such a well of information and biodata.
   
   
   
6. Describe yourself in one word.
   
   L-A-M-E.
   
   
   
7. Are you funny?
   
   Is this a trick question?
   
   


8. How old are you?
   
   I will choose not to give you a direct answer to that; I can however, give you a gist -
   
   In 2010, my university days will commence, and of all the courses I have chosen to pursue, I have chosen to forever imprison myself to examining human jaws and pearly white teeth.
   Such a wonderful life ahead of me.
   
   


9. Dentist? Why not become a doctor?
   
   Marcus and Amanda have finally called it quits when it comes to asking this question, so to the rest of the curious community, GIVE ME CHANCE AND DON'T ASK ME PLEASETHANKYOUAPPRECIATEDBABAI.
   
   
   
10. Do you have a boyfriend?
    
    *Ahem* Refer to question 3.
    
    Remember, Carmen likes strawberries, and Weishya dreams of someday having a papaya plantation to her name.
    
    
    
11. Given the chance, which country would you visit next?
    
    Currently, plans to fly to Hong Kong are still vague, though it has become more concrete with each passing day.
    
    Initially, it was Chiang Mai (Yes, Thailand. Again) that I had in mind.
    
    
12. How would you end this post?
    This post is not meant to end; it is to be continued...