I finally owned a ukulele!...

Hey I only remember 4 chords! Apparently that's nearly enough to perform one song. Can even play 'Making Love Out of Nothing At All - by Air Supply' with only 6! (Two I needed revision with...). When I first started learning at 18 years old -- which is a lifetime ago -- dad had this ukulele songbook, and one of the easy songs was 'Home on the Range'. Oh yeah, those were the days. Howling for the roaming buffaloes to come home...

This is a concert size ukulele... the smallest and sexiest among its siblings. Came with a canvas bag (bought separately) with back-carry-mode and enough pads to hold it safe and sound inside. My very own first ukulele which I bought with my own money. No matter that it was procured out of pure whim.

She's reddish in colour -- mahogany, I think. Look at the distinguished white linings... made it look pretty elegant and classy. Well it better be because it certainly didn't come cheap. Strings are soft and make really sweet twang. Not that I know how to twang it. I'm learning still. Daddy didn't teach me enough chords before somebody broke the old ukulele.

But it would go really well to compliment a guitar. My baby bought this acoustic for me last year as a pre-birthday present from Lepo Music Store. It's not a Taylor, but it may sound almost as good as a Taylor in my head because it's pretty special. <3 

So yeah... I got half a band at home and all we need now is to teach le hubby to play one of these. And a mini-amp, and a cajón, or a tambourine, and a bass. :)

By the way, bought the ukulele from a friend who sells uke and guitars via Facebook. I saw one on his page, enquired enough to state my interest, and 3 weeks later it was on my desk! Of course online shopping is the way to go these days. Completely safe and worry-free transaction, because I know this guy from a church in Alor Setar which is pastored by a family friend who solemnized my sister's wedding ....... okay long story. Well if you're interested, give him a message. I won't tell you how much I bought mine, because that is strictly between me and Shion. :) He can give you a good deal, right Shion?

But hey don't ask for public performance ya because I'm raw and this particularly stage-shy raw talent shall always be, like they say, hidden. :) ... unless a really special function calls for one.

Ahem. Ahem. *clears throat*

Home... home on the range.... where the dear and the antelopes play.... where seldom is heard a discouraging word... and the skies are not cloudy all day. <3

Valentine's Day Home and Away...

So last month, I was planning ahead for a couple trip up north to see the first-ever-of-its-kind event to be organized in this State. I mean, country music right? I'd be insane not to go!... even if I don't know half of the bands they're featuring. But no matter cause that's the whole point of going, to get to know the bands. 

Excitement got me going making all the necessarily arrangement in advance. Flights, accommodation, tickets, and even mentally listing down what we should do on a daily basis throughout the short trip. Nah... kidding. Hey I even bought a pair of boots just for this occasion! Haha. We were supposed to be on a relaxing Valentine's Day getaway anyway.

Alas. A week before our scheduled trip, my office received a directive about holding an official event on the same date and in the same vicinity - Miri, at the same time the concert were supposed to start. To summarize it painfully, I would be working. Instead of linedancing at the Festival. And I would expect to finish at least two hours to midnight. In which... I hope to get off a bit early and scram to Park City in record time!

Well, when you gotta work, you gotta work. I could have said no and justified it, but that won't be practicing what I preach to my peers and subordinates about priorities and such. Plus... I'd have to deal with the inner conviction of letting my colleagues down when that's actually my job. (Note: I am not a class A employee. I just do what I need to survive.)

So there it is. I would still be where the Festival is, I hope to even drop by no matter how late, and by God, I hope to get reimbursements on my flight at least! Sucks that it has to be on the same weekend huh. Otherwise I would've enjoyed this adrenaline rush that work brings all the time.

If you happened to be in Miri this Saturday, do go over and tell me all about the first many sessions I'll be missing. Ticket is at RM80 for a whole day event (2pm - 12am) and is also available on sale at the entrance.

MEANWHILE, have I wished you yet? Happy Valentine's Day all my lovely punchkin munchkin lambikin pumpkin readers you all! If you don't celebrate, that's ok.

 My forever Valentine... 

By the way, those roses and other bouquets and huge teddy bears they're selling by the roadside since two days ago... well, if you like to splurge, go ahead. Am sure your chosen partner will love the gesture. <3 I don't mind being at the receiving end either, just not huge teddy bears.

Not that I'm even making any fuss about it, but this just happens to be our first V-Day as a married couple. And yes that's kinda a good deal to at least do something special about it (now that the V-Day getaway is as good as half spent on some other business).

And that's how I found myself in the kitchen, spending an hour fixing an easy recipe that comes with tedious preparation. And voila!! The Pre-Valentine's Day home cooked dinner filled with love: LAKSA SARAWAK!

My serving: using vermicelli rice and everything else supplied in abundance.

For the record, this isn't my first time fixing this Sarawak specialty dish. This is actually my second. :D And I like to believe I nailed them both times! (Or at least close lah...) Note: It's simple to make, it's just the tiny accompaniments that made it a little laborious.

The husband cum Royal Food Taster preferred yellow mee (prawn mee) for his ...

I'd like to bring my parents but daddy's not really into big crowds nor smoke-filled areas. His eyes won't be able to stand it. Me neither (on the ciggy smoke) but some stuffs you just gotta brave to get what you want.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

HAPPY ROCKIN THEM TWIN FIDDLES AND STEEL GUITARS!