No Strangers.

The Deutschland is a place I never thought I'd visit this year. I'd never heard of anything peculiar about the place except the BMW automobile showroom that most engineering undergraduates gushed about like little girls. So, it's true when I say I never really wanted to go Germany at all!

When I was sick for a short while back then, my friend asked if I want to go Germany with her. I was like... sure! Mostly because I was under medication and I couldn't think straight. Thank goodness the tickets to Dusseldorf was cheap... and so the plan materialized.

I didn't do much research, was out having a good time on Monday night at the Kings of Leon concert and the trip was on Wednesday morning itself. I kept telling another friend that I'd be so dead for the trip... hoping that the friend who's joining me had done enough research.

Our first destination was Cologne. It's quite a huge city separated by a river. We were lost the moment we got there and we met a good Samaritan on the underground train who showed us the way. He was shocked, when he found out that we're touring Cologne and told us the best nightlife is in Berlin. Soon after checking-in to the hotel, we decided to try out the kebap (that's how they spelled it in Germany) restaurant which was HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by my friend. Got lost on the streets while trying to look for the underground station. I tapped the shoulder of a man and asked for directions. My goodness... he was such a gentleman!!! His looks were comparable to a prince and his accent was... unbelievably clear for a German. My friend was on the other side and once she saw his face... she hopped over like a bunny and asked him for directions... -TWICE. Just because she didn't hear what he said the first time she asked him to repeat... drowned in his good looks. So, dinner time. Kebap is a Turkish cuisine and the people serving us were Turkish people who speak German; not so much of English. Others had to queue, pay and get their food before entering the restaurant but we've got the special service. We sat down and the waiter tried to take our order. He asked BIG or SMALL bread... we're like what are the exact sizes? Guess what, he went into the kitchen and came out with the breads to demonstrate to us!!! We laughed our heads off! Then we're eating, halfway through I saw bottles of yellow liquid on the table. So I grabbed a waiter and asked him what it was. He couldn't speak English, so he dragged another waiter to explain to us. But he too, couldn't speak English. Final resort, he went into the kitchen and took out a slice of lemon to show us. Once again, we laughed our heads off at their funny demonstrations.

The next day in Cologne, we started off our journey well just because I finally grasped the routes for the underground. However, once we entered Heumarkt, we got lost on the way to Marienplatz. I told my friend to scout for hot guys so we can ask for directions. Just as we're scouting the people on the street across, the traffic light turned green and they crossed over. One lady walked directly to us and asked if we need help. Okay, so here comes my theory; take out a map, put on the very confused and lost look... people will come to you.

I tried this tactic twice, in Berlin and it worked wonders for me. I cannot list the number of good Samaritans that we've met in Germany but all in all, we met a wonderful lady in Berlin. She's 80 years old, walking alone in the freezing streets just to get flowers from the other end. I didn't put on the "lost" face on purpose but she was kind enough to offer her help. She was going the same way as the place we intended to go, Bebelplatz so she walked us there. On the way, she told us that she was once at the East Berlin side and she condemned Communism though living in it. I imagined, what if we just sit down at a nice, warm cafe and spend the afternoon just listening to her stories. I mean, since we were not enjoying Berlin. She's 80. She lived through everything. Too bad we didn't and she could only share the stories as far as her experience with the Embassies and the European Commission building. And the best part was... she knew where Malaysia is!!!

She really inspired both of us to try to enjoy Berlin. Maybe most of the sights that we saw were around East Berlin; we didn't enjoy them. Communist buildings are so dull and the highly anticipated Marx-Engels Forum with the Holocaust Memorials were just... disappointing. I guess Cologne, Fussen, Munich and Liepzig were too exciting that Berlin fared much worse compared to them. I really loved Cologne for the people and the culture. I wish to go back there again.

Lost in Transition

Do you believe in reciprocity? It's like an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; albeit in a good way. In certain circumstances I believe giving back should be more than what I've taken from others. It just feels as if I'm indebted forever if I don't return with a surplus.

However, sometimes enough is enough. There is no point of having insufferable feelings over things that don't matter. Give and take. No giving? That's it. I'm moving on. What makes me feel really awful is when these people return to me and behave as if everything is still normal. You don't sustain a strong bond on a come-and-go basis. You make effort to keep in touch, you stay through the thick and thins and more importantly, you share.

I told some friends last year that I wish I could be more selfish, more conceited. That way, I can tell others what I want and get what I want more easily. However, I just cannot put myself through it. Lost in transition. Stuck in between.

This is not a warning sent out to my readers/friends but I'm just trying to inspire myself to be a more positive person. Sometimes letting go is the key to happiness. I appreciate everything that comes my way but unfortunately most people I know don't really share the same trait; let alone preserving it.

Seeking Warmth.

Christmas Markets in the UK are so dull if you compare them to the Night Markets in Malaysia. There are not much varieties and the things are mostly for decorative purposes. Worst of all, you have to endure the cold and it's not just normal chill but -3°C type of chill!

Of course, the venue is always nicer and they have different themes for the markets. In Manchester itself we have French and German themed markets. However, the price of the things sold here are not cheap especially if you convert back to Ringgit.

I had a lot of fun at the Leeds' Christkindlmarkt last year. Downing pints of Pilsner, eating hot German hotdogs, sipping hot muled wines and eating the German bon bons! Didn't really enjoy the salty pretzels though. I went there for 4 times I guess and a lot of alcohol was involved every time I stopped by. The one is Manchester was way too cold for me to hang out for long... and I came across a really cozy cafe in the High Streets. It will totally be my hangout place next time.

Sipped on a small cup of Americano Latte.

Then a good cup of hot Mocha.

Unlike other chain coffee houses, the hot coffees served there were REALLY hot. This cafe will really make a good spot for me to sit in online and write... (when I start doing freelance writing).


Though I don't think any of them would be reading this shout out but, Happy Birthday to both Yun See and Jian Bin! Good luck in your assessments this week.

The "Awww..." Factor

I've been a big fan of Tegan & Sara for a very long time... And they've never been much cuter than their appearances in Margaret Cho's latest song, "Intervention". Sara, my favorite half of the twins had always been quiet and grumpy as compared to the noisy and outspoken Tegan. Though they're both lesbians, you don't see Sara at the parades while Tegan joined the rally against Prop 8 by the California government even though she's CANADIAN. Tegan's a LGBT rights advocate all right.

On to the cute pictures:

SARA IS SO CUTE WITH HER NEW HAIRSTYLE!!!

Tegan had stopped straightening her hair it seemed
and CHECK OUT SARA'S CRAZY GOOGLY EYES!

Shoving the finger back at Margaret. This scene is epic...
look at Margaret's parents at the back and the American flag.

They had one of the best onstage banters -EVER. If you ask any fans: "What do you enjoy most during T&S's concert?" they'd reply: "Their onstage banters."

Sara is always the sarcastic one while Tegan is the joker. Dissing Justin Bieber and also Sara... And if you happen to listen to their songs, you would know that both had very different styles of making music. Tegan, self-professed rockstar and while Sara is just making "weird" music.

The Creation.

Let me ask a simple question: "Why do you blog?"

This question suddenly popped in my mind while I was preparing a post; well, now that post can wait while I write a more serious piece. Back when I started blogging, it was on that Friendster network site thing. Yes, Friendster... ring a bell? I posted up some really bad short stories about some people (non-fiction, unfortunately) and worst of all, there were people reading and commenting on them. The attention came in during college and new friends I'd met made some comments about my Friendster page. I'm not exactly a famous person you see, but the contents I had going inside there were pretty awesome. That's when I felt noticed, like people getting to know me by reading what I write.

Shortly after, I removed all my short stories posts mostly because I grew sick of writing them non-fictions. Starting anew, I blogged about my life, music and thoughts; the blueprint of most blogs. I emphasized on one thing though; language. My passion for blogging grew bigger and I started reading others as well. Then the tag games started and more private information were shared online. Blogging on Friendster was restrictive and so I moved to the famous Blogspot. Started tweaking with HTML codes to decorate my blog site and then adding more links to mine.

On to the second year of my college, the passion was so overwhelming I had 4 blogs under my wing. One main site, one for music, one for entertainment gossips and another for politics. Call me crazy but I really wasn't studying I swear. I started earning by blogging and though they're quite little, I felt proud because people were reading; traffic were coming in. I blogged just about everything but then I felt sick of it once I entered the second year of Law. I knew some people from the Law School were checking up on my posts as something-somewhere-somewhat happened and I was on the radar. I had a lousy social life, my studies were bad and I felt bitter about just everything.

I closed down three of my sub-pages and kept the main site though I didn't update it as frequent as I used to. I've lost my sense of humor and in reality, I was quite a mean person with a long streak of sarcastic remarks. I wonder how my roommate put up with me really, I thought I was a monster back then. I found comfort and solace in music and movies. The indie scene really grew on me. The way they make their music, their background, their interest and their passion. I wanted to enjoy something which is uncommon, unheard and unpolluted. I want to do the same with my life. I don't want to live the same life as others. Not that I aim to be a revolutionist or rebel; but I just need to step into a higher phase.

Back to the main point, I then used my blog as a means to keep in touch with people. We all know what happened next... FACEBOOK. Don't really need a blog then? True. I started blogging again albeit an occasional one and switched my style of blogging. Never really asked opinion on it; I don't really care if I have any readers at all! I suppose blogging is really my sanctuary for random thoughts and, CRAZY HOME-COOKED RECIPES.

The Whirlpool of Doom

I finally seized the chance to meet my idols... JENNY LEWIS & JOHNATHAN RICE! I was standing right at the middle of front row; between the two and within the distance of 2 metres! I really love the up-close and personal stage in Ruby Lounge!

After 6 concerts in the UK; I felt really blessed because as a Malaysian, you don't have a chance to do this in Malaysia. The costs, timing and worst of all; lack of indie performances in Malaysia! Now I have 3 more concerts (confirmed ones); Kings of Leon, Maroon 5 and Kylie Minogue's. All three are MAJOR concerts and not the kind of smaller gigs that I attended (save for Paramore). That got me thinking, I'm taking a gap year now, planning to work and then continue my studies for next year... why not I work part-time and go traveling instead?

This idea seemed dumb and a total waste of time to me last time. I'd always thought, why not just graduate and enter the adult working life as soon as possible because you're only wasting your time doing nothing. Now, I had a different perspective on this matter. I only get to live my life once, if I get the chance to do something meaningful and fulfilling with it... why not? It's not like I purposely take a gap year here to enjoy myself. It was all by chance and maybe a challenge from God for me to open my eyes and start accepting failures in life.

I had never encountered failures in life. Never had I received rejections or boulders that stop my track. Everything is so smooth despite no effort from me. Never a hardworking person, never a nervous wreck, never succumbed to peer pressure and just living my own good life. So when disaster struck and I had to take a gap year, many people were shocked that I returned to UK to do this. Most of them were thinking that I'm wasting my parents' money here. Well, the truth is, the University had issued unconditional letter to me wrongly and I had to get back here for that. It's not what I wanted; it's all fated and bound to happen.

I thought of making full use of my time in UK, getting a trainee legal work and work for a year before starting my BPTC course. I might face further rejections; visa, work application and etc. But heck, this is life and I have to learn to live the hard way!

But then, getting used to the easy-breeze lifestyle is a moniker for doom itself... I better not get sucked into it. Heck, I want to be a lawyer!

The Great Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice

I'd never thought that I could realize my dream of meeting my favorite indie artists in the UK. When I first arrived here, I missed out on Uh Huh Her and Tegan & Sara. I was especially sad about the Tegan & Sara one because being a big fan for so many years and knowing how impossible it is for them to ever perform on a stage in Malaysia; I didn't manage to get a ticket to see them in Manchester.

I was lucky to stumble upon the opportunity to see She & Him live in London. Not many people heard about them and I wasn't about to advertise Indie in front of my friends and asking them to fork out money for a band that they don't even know. So, I went alone. That's when I started loving traveling and attending concerts alone. Especially the indie ones because bringing a non-fanatic friend would mean B-O-R-E-D-O-M.

This evening, I'm going to meet one of the pioneers of indie music. Her indie history spanned from indie rock, indie alternative, indie folk and indie country. She's been making good indie music for more than 10 years. Now, she's partnered up with Johnathan Rice; another cult indie singer.


Together, they're Jenny & Johnny. Many of you wouldn't know (as in you really don't know him at all!) Johnathan Rice but he's actually British. His music once appeared in The O.C. and The O.C. is the pioneer of indie music in teen TV shows. Not even One Tree Hill can top The O.C.'s mix tapes. They introduced me to Death Cab for Cutie, Johnathan Rice, Nada Surf and a lot more. Johnathan's "Further North" album was so hauntingly good. I'd always say that his voice is haunting. The album was made possible with collaborations from Jenny's Rilo Kiley and other indie big guns such as Bright Eyes and Johnathan Wilson. He even inspired Ben Gibbard to write "Little Bribes" for the Death Cab for Cutie's EP, Open Door.



When Jenny was a solo artist, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie didn't get a chance to collaborate with her but his then-girlfriend, Zooey Deschanel did. He once collaborated with her for The Postal Service's "We Will Become Silhouettes". So he wanted to hear her new music so badly and when she finally let him listen to her album, he was really fascinated with the title song. Matt Ward said this is the best album that Jenny had ever made. It might be overproduced a little but she really had a fun time collaborating with many other indie artists such as Johnathan Rice, Zooey Deschanel, Matt Ward, Elvis Costello, her old bandmate Jason Boesel and many others.



Her debut not-so-solo album was with The Watson Twins, "Rabbit Fur Coat". If you're a Rilo Kiley fan, you'd be thrown away by this album. The songs are mostly indie country and folk. They're so easy on the ears and you'd be swayed far and deep before realizing the album had finished playing.


The Watson Twins are creepy in some way but they performed so well in complimenting Jenny's voice in the album.

And who would forget the great indie band Rilo Kiley. I was hooked on "The Frug" when I heard it on that old teen movie Desert Blue. Then for some reason TV started infusing indie music into their shows and the culprit here is Grey's Anatomy. They loved putting in Tegan & Sara songs and also Rilo Kiley's most famous song; "Portions for Foxes". Their follow up album and their last was also so amazing. Fans were wondering what they're doing with the new album because it was no longer indie rock; more to indie alternative. The fact of the matter, they're just so good in what they do and anything that Jenny touches turn to gold.

She had contributed her voice to many other artists' songs and the recent was Brandon Flower's "Hard Enough". There is no end to my admiration for her... and I still remember Michelle Branch's twitter update:

Michelle Branch: Jenny Lewis is on my flight to Vegas. I'll try not to fan girl her. Sigh.