Michelle and What She Loves

I have studied and worked in other states but in the end, my hometown beckoned. It is a city unlike others because life is more slower paced here and the quality of life is rich. None of the hustle and bustle of the other cities. Even the air is less polluted here.

Ipoh is known for its White Coffee, Chicken Kuey Teow soup, Bean Sprout Chicken, Curry Noodle, Dim Sum, Pomelos and yes, I am crazy about food and really appreciate it! We have some beautiful Chinese Temples built in caves. Oh yes, not to mention Tempurung Caves which runs about a distance of about 2km under the limestone hills.

Photo taken from Wikipedia

I just loved maple leaves. They are so beautifully formed and in such gorgeous colours. They may appeared in various shapes but usually have three or more pointed lobes.
This brings me to Maple trees. What a majestic sight.
And now maple syrup. I loved it on my ice-cream.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/299307680/ - Photo credit

Reading gave me immense pleasure as a child. I was encouraged to read by my parents who themselves always have a book in hand. My dearly missed dad always took me out in the evenings and by the time we reached home, I would have a comic in my hands. Beano, Dandy, Dennis The Menace, Knockout, Mandy, Little Dot, Richie Rich and tons more! Then it was fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. What would my life be without Enid Blyton? I would dreamed of studying at Malory Towers and St. Clare's. I loved tremendously her mystery series - The Five Find-Outers and Dog.

From then on, I was glued to mystery stories. I would buy Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcook whenever I could. Somehow along the way during my teenage years, I detoured to romance novels. Even to the point of reading my mom's Barbara Carland novels! I loved the olden days of elaborate costumes and majestic and mysterious castles. Mills & Boons and Harlequin became my staple diet. I also enjoyed reading Danielle Steel novels. I adored classics like Jane Eyre, Mill On The Floss and Anne of Green Gables.

Finally came back to my first love which is mystery and suspense novels. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha Christie (again!) just to name a few of my favourites. I especially prefer murder mystery. Who can resist those whodunit stories? Oh yes, Jeffrey Archer was another author whose books I enjoyed. Nowadays I like to read heart-warming stories.

I also loved crystals for their sparkling colours, shapes and textures.They make truly spectacular jewellery. Designers have added them for the shimmering and glamarous effects on their handbags and clothes. There are also watches adorned with crystals and beautiful gleaming figurines. They also made for wonderful gifts (hint to my friends!) such as photo frames, glasses, keyholders, mobile phone accessories, vases and jewellery boxes. Of course there are also exquisite art objects (for which I would not be able to afford!)

I loved music more for their tunes rather than lyrics. It's the tune that catch my ear first. I loved slow rock, classical, country, pop, ballads just to name a few examples. I am not really into rap or hip hop but Eminem - Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna was fantastic probably because of Rihanna's singing! Well, to each its own!

I am just going to showcase one of my favourites that is OneRepublic. This is an American, self proclaimed "genreless" band from Colorado. The group was formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkinsc Group in 2006. They released their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud in 2007.

OneRepublic achieved chart success with their first single, "Apologize". The band also achieved national success with their second single, "Stop and Stare". Dreaming Out Loud was certified gold in the United States, Austria, Australia and Canada.

The band's second album, Waking Up, was released on November 17, 2009. The lead single from the album, "All the Right Moves" charted in the top ten in Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland and in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be - Abraham LIncoln

You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him. ~Leo Aikman

Don't wait. The time will never be just right - Napoleon Hill

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending - Maria Robinson

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory - Betty Smith

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for - Allan K. Chalmers

What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise - Oscar Wilde

When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~ Author Unknown

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. ~Author Unknown

Letting go has never been easy, but holding on can be as difficult. Yet strength is measured not by holding on, but by letting go ~ Len Santos

Photo credit : http://www.quotesarcade.com/graphics/happiness/happiness_quotes_graphics_02.shtml

Is there anything more delicious than these three? Yes, probably but excuse me, we are talking about what I like, remember? Ha! Ha! Just kidding.

My hometown, Ipoh is famous for white cofee. The coffee beans are roasted with palm-oil margarine (no sugar), and the coffee is served with condensed milk.

I just love the taste of creamy delectable cheesecakes. My favourite is just the basic cheesecake. Came to think of it, whatever food that I like, I like it in its original flavour. However if anyone were to treat me, say, blueberry cheesecake, raspberry cheesecake, cappuccino cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake or chocolate cheesecake, I will gladly accept it!

Which brings me to another favourite food that is chocolate. Hmm, is there anything more delicious and satisfying than that first chocolate bite?
Chocolate bar, chocolate buttercake, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate chip cookie, chocolate drink, chocolate fudge and tons more varieties. The good point is dark chocolate when taken in moderation helped reduce heart disease.

Photo credit : http://www.reallynatural.com

An absolutely fantastic and absorbing medical drama. The main character is Dr. Gregory House (portrayed brilliantly by Hugh Laurie), an unconventional and unkempt medical genius who heads a team of expects at the fictional Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital (PPTH) in New Jersey.

Dr Gregory has absolutely no bedside manner. In fact he has to deal with his own inner demons and constant physical pain. He always uses a cane that punctuates his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. Despite his antisocial behavior, House is a brilliant diagnostician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts earn him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he thrives on the challenge of solving medical puzzles in order to save lives.

House heads an elite team of experts who help him unravel diagnostic mysteries, including plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson), enigmatic Dr. Remy Hadley/Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) and surgeon Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer). He has a confidant and good friend in oncology specialist Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), and maintains a volatile relationship with Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), the Dean of Medicine and hospital administrator. Though the two are in constant conflict over House's duties and unconventional behavior, even she would admit that his brilliance is worth the trouble. Neurologist Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) serves as Cuddy's eyes and ears on House's team.

HOUSE has been honored with four Emmy Awards, 23 Emmy Award nominations, 2006 Humanitas Prize, two Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two NAACP Image Awards as well as being honored by the American Film Institute as one of the TV Programs of the Year, and it received a Peabody Award for Best of Electronic Media, as well as three consecutive People's Choice Awards for Favorite TV Drama, two People's Choice Awards for Laurie and two Writers Guild Awards.

The first time I watched Glee, I had a thoroughly marvellous and entertaining time! What a fantastic series! I enjoyed the energetic performances and infectious songs performed by the cast.

Glee is a musical comedy-drama television series that focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit. The show also deals with relationships, sexuality and social issues. The main cast featured club director and Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), Will's wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), and eight club members.

The series focuses on a high school show choir in the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) takes over the glee club after the former teacher (Stephen Tobolowsky) is fired for inappropriate contact with a male student. With a group of misfit teenagers, Will attempts to restore the glee club to its former glory while his relationship with his wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig) grows more strained each day. Meanwhile he started developing feelings for his co-worker Emma (Jayma Mays). At the same time, he has his hands full protecting the glee club's existence from the scheming cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch).

Photo credit : idolator.com