:: sabahan bloggers gathering ::

Here's a SHOUT-OUT! This coming Saturday (August 2nd), there will be a Sabahan Bloggers Gathering at Imperial Hotel, Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu. The event will start at 6:00pm and for those who wants to attend this event, they would have to register first via email.

I'm going to the event! ^_^ I've already registered and more or less planned my clothes for that night. *ahaks* anyways, gotta see who is going to the event. Here are the details for the gathering.

SBG Itinerary:

6.00pm: Registration
7.00pm: Speeches
7.20pm: Dance Performance (& Serving of Buffet Dinner)
7.30pm: Dinner
8.00pm: Singing Performance 1
8.15pm: Lucky Draw 1
8.30pm: Singing Performance 2
8.45pm: Lucky Draw 2
9.00pm: Singing Performance 3
9.15pm: Special Lucky Draw
9.45pm: Lucky Draw 3
11.00pm: END

To register, send an email with your name and blog url to Jacq at "caneeliea [at] gmail [dot] com." I think masih sempat bah kalau mo pigi. ^_^ Ikouze~
Mood: busy, yet at a steady pace
Muse: Rihanna - Disturbia

:: Natsume Yuujin-Cho ::

I took a look at the list of animes being release in Japan for Summer 2008 and i have taken a BIG liking towards Natsume Yuujin-chou! *hugs Sara* Thanks for recommending this anime to me, Yunyun!! XD! For anyone reading this post, i totally recommend you to watch this anime!

I've already watch the first few episodes and i like how the clean the drawings look like. The music is very nice too. Its one of the few animes that have very meaningful songs as for both the opening and ending theme, in which i like very much. *dreamy eyes*

Title: Natsume Yūjin-Chō (TV)
Alternative title: Natsume's Book of Friends / 夏目友人帳 (Japanese)
Genres: Drama, Supernatural
Release Date: July 7th, 2008

Official Website:
テレビ東京・あにてれ 夏目友人帳 (Japanese)

夏目友人帳 (Japanese)

Plot Summary
Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, which he has long kept secret. However, once he inherits a strange book that belonged to his deceased grandmother, Reiko, he discovers the reason why spirits surround him. Containing the names of these spirits, a binding contract was formed between the spirits and the owner of the book. Now, Natsume is determined to free the spirits and dissolve the contracts. With the help of a spirit cat, his days are filled trying to return the names to these spirits.

What i think about this Anime
This anime has the best mix of story, humor, OP/ED, and voice acting. The first episode was very well played. Kamiya Hiroshi (Takemoto in Honey and Clover) and Inoue Kazuhiko (Kakashi in Naruto) delivered their excellent voice acting as usual. Hahah! It was kinda weird hearing Kakashi's seiyuu voice change into a silly and childish Nyanko sensei. *sheepish smile* It took me a while to figure out that Natsume's voice was voiced out by the same seiyuu as Takemoto.

As the story develops, i start to get drawn into the plot and i feel like i can understand what the characters are going through. There were slices of life here and there and the sadness in the story could be felt strongly. The ending of the story was done in a nice way. Even the ending song was good. All in all, this anime is a mix between xxxHolic and Mushishi, in which i totally love to watch. ^_^

OP Theme: 「一斉の声」 (Issei no Sei) by Kita Shuuhei - AVI Version (12.1MB)

ED Theme: 「夏夕空」by Atari Kousuke - AVI Version (12.4MB)

For those who are interested in downloading the anime, visit BSSubs.Net for the MKV version; or visit Anime Haven for the RMVB version.
Mood: working/busy
Muse: I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry

:: starbucks summer party 2008 ::

Last April 15th, there was a Starbucks Summer Party being held at Citymall. I did this post before in my previous blog. This is a revisit of the post with photos included. ^_^

At first, Me and Arthur arrived at the Starbucks Citymall at around 650pm. We registered and got our goodie bags first then Fabian went to register after us. We sat and chat for a while waiting for the other guests to arrive. Arthur went around taking photos as usual. ^_^ Talissa join me and Fabian a few minutes past 7pm. By the time it was 730pm, Andy started announcing for the guests to sit at the designated chairs as the party is about to start. We were separated according to teams, which was Columbia, Kenya and Sumatra. Jim managed to come in the nick of time to join us. I was in team Columbia with Fabian, Jim was in team Sumatra, whilst Talissa and Arthur was in team Kenya.

- Arthur and Fabian relaxing before the party -

- Patrons registering at the counter -

- Jim at the par-tay!! -

The party started with a few introductions to Andy (WS Manager), Ronnie (CTMall Manager) and Mr. K (District Manager). then it was introductions to coffee tasting by the coffee master. The coffee for this coffee tasting event was Muanjai (Thai). The coffee had this earthy taste and its a medium coffee. Muanjai brings the meaning of "whole-hearted happiness" and the language is from northern Thailand.

- Andy's intro -

- Patrons listening on -

- Baristas on stand-by -

- Coffee tasting -

After the coffee tasting, it was some short briefing by our group leaders, about the new drink, Dulce de Leche and some facts about it. Team Columbia's group leader was Michelle (apparently she's in love with Columbia coffee). Michelle told us that the Dulce de Leche means Milk Candy in Spanish. Its made with a special Starbucks Caramel and lots or milk. It available in Blended Coffee, non-Coffee Blended Cream, Frappucino and Lattes. I liked the taste. its quite sweet.. so the next time i drop by Starbucks, i'll probably ask for more cream but less caramel. ^_^ after the delicious explanations by Michelle, i was slowly getting hungry. -_- oh woes me..

- Putting the caramel on the cream -

- Having a taste of the Muanjai Coffee drink -

- Listening to the explanations -

- Barista serving Dulce de Leche -

After the explanations, its time for games! *yay!* the first game was Scrambled Words. We had 5 envelopes and a mounting board. We had at about 5 minutes to finish the game in time. We could only open one envelope at one time until we finished the words, then we'll be able to open the next envelope. My team was so excited that when Andy said "GO!" we practically ripped the envelope apart. the clue inside was almost ripped together with the envelope. *hahah!* we were going "ok! everybody open the letter's sticker at the back. when i say the letter, quickly stick it to the board." so we went on a spelling shoutout. hahah! by the time we reached the last word, we were practically shouting to hurry up. and when we finished the words, we went "HURRAY!!" and almost forgot that the Muanjai was spelt Wuanjai! hahahah! it was so exhilarating. :P yay! Team Columbia wins!

The next game was putting our hands into a covered bucket to figure out what is inside the bucket and whisper our answers to out team leaders. what we didn't expect was that the bucket was filled with ICE WATER which will definitely freeze our fingers if we let our hands into the bucket too long. First it was Jim's team, then it waa Talissa's and Arthur's team. My team was the last one. While it was going on, i noticed that Jim, Talissa and Arthur put their hands into the bucket. And i was like, "I wanna try too!" :P I was the second person to put my hand into the bucket. it was so DAMN COLD! ouch! i tried guessing as much as i can but i couldn't guess the last gooey item. i couldn't stand it anymore and quickly pulled out my hand. My hands was so red, swollen and cold. took a while to let my hand recover. Huhu~ Then the time was up and everybody had to stop guessing. -_-

- Andy and K giving instructions -

- Jim putting his hand into the ICE Bucket! -

- My teammate putting his hand into the ICE Bucket -

By this time, Joannah arrived at the party was was too late to join in the games. i went out to greet her and we both went in to sit at my team's table. Andy was explaining what was inside the bucket. I only managed to listen a little bit. There was an espresso cup, espresso saucer plate, padlock, banana treats and something else. i didn't catch the rest. oh well, after that, Andy ushered us to have some treats to eat. I loved the chocolate cake and chicken puff cake. the marmalade cake was too sweet to my liking.

- Andy and K showing the results -

- Food: Before the storm -

- Food: REBUTT!!!! *omg! hungry people* -

after the eats, it was time to announce the winners. and the winners are... *drumrolls* TEAM COLUMBIA! XD hehehe~ each member of the team went to the front to randomly pick our prizes. I was among the last ones, and i didn't manage to get the tumblers. i got a Pink Coffee Mug! XD i'm much happier to get the mug than the tumblers. hehe~ after prize giving.. it was the end of the party. Me, Jim, Talissa, Arthur, Fabian and Joannah sat at the Kenya table to have our chats and eats.

- After the prize giving ceremony -

After the party, all of us went to Vedablu to get some ice-cream. we sat outside and chatted away. there was a bit of rain but it stopped after a while. After chatting away until 10pm, we decided to go home. I went with Jim, while Talissa and Joannah went to their own cars. Arthur and Fabian stayed back to continue chatting about a project.

All in all, it was great party! We all had much fun! There was an opening of a new Starbucks Coffee Restaurant and Kiosk in 1Borneo in last May. Arthur went to that party but i didn't. Wasn't feeling well at that time. Oh well, ^_^ I PATRONIZE STARBUCKS COFFEE! XD *woohoo!*
Mood: happy-happy joy-joy
Muse: Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

:: jesselton point ::

Lately, i've been going to Jesselton Point with Jim just to hang out in the evenings on weekends. Its a nice place to hang out. Its in the city more or less and its nearer to where i live compared to Tanjung Aru Beach. Its also a nice place to take pictures!! *snaps photos*

- From inside the red telephone booth -

The weather in KK have been rainy and cloudy. But when its clear skies in the evenings, you can just sit back and enjoy the sunset at the benches beyond the ferry lines. Hmm, its kinda nice to have a date there. Hardly anyone bothers you and you have your own privacy. :P

- Just playing footsie -

Mood: relaxed
Muse: The Sore Feet Song - Ally Kerr

:: i won 2nd prize ::

today i received a very interesting call in the office. One of the people from the Citymall Management called me up to inform me that i just WON 2nd prize from the Citymall Car Auto Show Lucky Draw last Sunday. OMG! What luck!

Hoho! Luckily Jim told me to put in my business card into the drawing lot box that day. ^_^ *hugs him* I just won a car sound system (kah? or was it power system, not sure), a DVD player, Celcom goodie bag and a hamper. Jim will be getting the car system cause i don't have a car. :P (if only i won a car instead! T_T)

Anyways, the prize giving ceremony will be at Citymall on Saturday, 26th July at around 3pm. XDDD! Hey, i can use this event as an excuse to have a group outing! *hints*
Mood: feeling lucky!
Muse: Chris Brown - Forever

:: serenadez - the name ::

Someone back in campus asked me this question:
Why the name "Serenadez"?

Well, to tell you the truth, i don't really understand how i got attached to it either. But i'll try to explain. Its something like a play with words. My real name is Serena. The -dez in the end has two meanings.

1. It means "Serenades" (music) by changing the "s" to a "z" at the end. I love music very much and will always be drawn to it no matter where i go and what i do (that's why i keep my mp3 player in my bag). Being a pianist and playing the piano at home since i was a kid is also me-ish. :P
   
   
2. Serenadez = Serena + desu. My love for Japanese anime/manga got me in this. T_T I never did take any Japanese lessons back in campus, cause i took Mandarin instead. But my friends accuse me of studying Japanese in secret. I would say, "Blame my addiction towards Japanese anime!" So-oo, Serena-desu is a way of calling me. The more intimate names would be Serena-chan or Neko-chan.
   

I hope this can put some light into the subject. After being attached to the name Serenadez, i don't mind having this name in my ID. ^_^
Mood: Genki
Muse: Jesse McCartney - Leavin'

:: hey there ::

woohoo! いらっしゃい!
i welcome you to a new chapter of my blogging life. XDDD!

most of you probably found my new blog from my previous LJ blog. well, i've moved to this here blog and will probably stay put for quite a while. anyways, any of you who already added my old blog link; you can change my blog link to the blogspot link instead. i will be adding links to other blogs from here and there. viva blogosphere-dom!

thanks for stopping by. ^_^
Mood: laidback
Muse: Britney Spears - Break the Ice