My Aunt in U.K. bought the shorts for me last year. I have it in white color too. The baggy cut pitches me into the outgroup among Malaysians living in K.L. I did not quite fancy them, despite them hanging easy and comfortable on my hips.

Out of curiosity, I had a look at the brand this morning. It’s an Eddie Bauer!

My aunt has a knack at shopping for bargain prices and finding good quality clothes. Her daughter worked at Marks & Spencer so half my wardrobe is made up of Mark & Spencer summer wears. One year, she bought me a good pair of jeans. ‘One Pound!’ she proudly proclaimed.

There is an Eddie Bauer outlet where Eddie Wong the Cooknengr lives. I went looking in there, twice, without knowing I actually have them at home!

Here in K.L. many of us go gaga while shopping at Forever21, Zara and TopShop, swept away by the thrills of fast fashion. But fast fashion means, quality is always compromised. Whereas brands like Marks & Spencer and Eddie Bauer are made of better and longer lasting fabric. Their designs are simple, so you don’t have to worry about falling out of trend.

This pair of shorts can easily last 10-20 years. Just wait and see.

By the way, which picture do you prefer? The original or the brightened one?

Near the market at Petaling Jaya OldTown, across Public Bank, a young man braves the afternoon heat to sell Tau Fu Fah by the road everyday.

For only RM1.20, you get a tub enough to fill my tummy and call it a meal. That’s PJ OldTown for you.

Extremely soft. It doesn’t cut like jelly or turn watery like those cheapskate Subang Jaya sellers produce for nearly double the price.

This book is currently unavailable in Malaysia. I found it on the net when looking for info on theories of attachment. A blog reader ordered a copy on Amazon and had it sent to my home.

Many Psychology Majors at my college do not intend to work in the field. Can’t blame them. To attain a career in Psychology is a long process which requires perseverance and dedication. As I become increasingly focused, my days have turned to evolve around college, my home, and academic texts. It wasn’t until I went back to posting messages at the local community forum and sparked some controversies did I realize how my way of communication has changed. Someone said I am propositioning these days. Isn’t that what academics do? Every research paper is about establishing some sort of finding.

At some point, technicalities of the scientific study disturbed me. Am I going to become a social recluse? I can’t imagine anyone writing those mechanical-sounding reports, armored with the tonic lab coat, can still remain active outside. A hermit life is certainly not one for me. So I considered entering other fields when I graduate.

Then I read Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain. Its title contained the notion of love, which touches something so simple it reaches out to every man on the street. The following byline suggests that science is being used to substantiate the author’s claim. This book appeared to me as something non-elitist, balancing between and bridging both worlds.

Indeed, Why Love Matters is a suitable read for both academics and non-academics wanting a glimpse into the humanity of science. It is divided into three parts. The first explains the biological model of attachment and the lack thereof, and how depriving a kid in early childhood days can impede brain development that can cause lifetime damages. Beginning with heavy stuffs might turn off the random shopper who tends to decide whether he likes a book by reading the first few pages. This potentially drags down book sales, but Routledge, with it’s focus in publishing academic texts, does not seem concerned. Telling readers the scientific basis of this book and the author’s findings upfront is like laying down foundations for building a home. The planned reader who bought this book for it’s sake, like myself, is likely pleased to grab the bull by it’s horns. But if you find this too heavy, just skip to the next part.

I would call the second as the Psychosocial Model. This part is no less scientific but there is more. It forms a bridge between science and the social world. Gerhardt applied her findings to various social issues, often supporting or criticizing past authors on their ideas. One of them was Steven Pinker. I remember him because one of his books is sitting on my shelf. This section engage readers by showing them how close science is to home, What I like about Gerhardt is her way of replicating her idea in every form and shape. Others may have sounded repetitive, but for Gerhardt, repetition is necessary in showing why she feels every issue mentioned is related to early childhood attachments. She dissected key juvenile crime cases and analyzed the behavior of famous people. The views of other writers were mentioned and examined too.

In her website, someone said that this book should be read by politicians and policy makers. It made me curious as the first two chapters did not seem like something our Subang Jaya ADUN Hannah Yeoh would have the time or interest to read. Then came Part 3 which answered my question. Gerhardt proposed a number of strategies and ways society can work as a whole to reduce faulty childhood attachments, which often result in criminality, social apathy, and a lot of money, by implementing policies that would change the way we live. Gerhardt did not fail to admit inevitable resistance toward this aim. I am pleased to end my reading with this chapter. It has shown me how the science of psychology can be applied in politics and national social welfare - areas in which I hope to pursue my life purposes. It also tells me Sue Gerhardt isn’t just any researcher, but a scientist very real to the world in which she lives and hopes to change.

I think every Psychology major, particularly ones concentrating in neuroscience, cognition, and development, should read this book some point in their lives. I may not or may not remember the various combinations of norepinphrine and seratonin in triggering the level of cortisol or the kind of aggression they produce, but one thing for sure, this book has shown me the humanity of science.

This is one book I would want to go back and read again throughout my career.

Click here to visit the book’s website.

Have you heard Elton John’s tear-jerking composition When sorry seems to be the hardest word?

Well, I only knew the song when Wang Lee Hom collaborated with Kenny G.

The word ’sorry’ is inevitable when people are SO BUSY working their butts out.. Or if you’re like Ujen, you’d spend so much time on facial, you commit the mother of all sins on Valentine’s Day.

Yala. Lawyers very busy la. Every word in contracts must be spot on accurate. What? Coffee break also spent in the library? Oh, living up to client demands. That’s why he forgot to shop for present.

So the lament goes, flowers are overpriced on valentine’s Day. In protest, they argue that it’s all a hype to make an extra buck.

Ahem That’s cuz you ALWAYS buy last minute.

If you make an early attempt, affordable gifts can be found everywhere. NO TIME AGAIN? Go online.

Surf Heartbeat.com.my. Pick a t-shirt, keychain, jigsaw puzzle, mousepad, cup and PERSONALIZE IT.

No, no, not with Mickey Mouse. That’s so old.
Valentine’s Day is supposed to be special. Upload your own photo!

Dig out any high resolution photo you have and upload it to Heartbeat.com.my. Erm, that was the best I had of John Ling. You should find a better one.

Once your order is placed and payment made, a Heartbeat staff will send you an e-mail preview with the photo embedded into your choice of design.

Heartbeat will keep working until you’re happy. Wait a couple of days, and WALLA! Delivered to your doorstep!

Thanks HeartBeat.com.my for the complimentary mug. HeHe!

When bloggers Minishorts and Kenny Sia reviewed Pixart products, I wanted to do the same. So I sent Pixart an email requesting to write about them, in exchange they gave me a free photobook–I chose the pocket-sized one–and when I wanted to buy a Pixart prepaid CD for Cordy, they gave it to her for free.

That was last year. Before I could review, I went to the United States for a much needed brain surgery on October 25th 2006. How time flies, huh, Dominic?

Thanks to the folks at Pixart, my dear photobook accompanied me across the Pacific Ocean and throughout my stay at the hospital.

It’s been a year now. Christmas! Time to honor my promise.

So what exactly is Pixart Photobook?

Using the conventional book scrapping method means….

photo printing + photo album + slotting = mess.

A Pixart Photobook, however, is one with your printed photos on high resolution pages, made into a book, A REAL BOOK, no kidding!

No, not recycled paper like some mass-produced trade paperback. Pixart uses high quality paper that shines — whatever it’s supposedly called. Haha. And the pages are THICK!

My pocket-sized photobook has covers that feel like matte finish. Very nice to hold.

If you like, the Coffeetable Photobook is an option. Bigger, fits more photos, and the cover is made of woven twill fabric.

Pixart Photobooks are thread bound. They definitely last!

High-quality printing. I made this photo of Eva surrounded by a drop-shadow border. Looks so real! Like 3D!

—————

All you gotta do is

1. Download the free photostylist software. Install the program.

2. Pick and download a theme if you like.

Click for larger view.

3. Start uploading photos and designing your pages!

4. When you’re done and ready to order, click on the “purchase” tab, fill in the blanks, and click *UPLOAD FILE TO PURCHASE PHOTOBOOK”. Your entire creation will be sent to Pixart. Don’t forget connecting to the internet beforehand.

5. You will then be required to pay. Don’t worry it’s not that expensive.

6. Your photobook will then be couriered to your doorstep within days.

How muchie?

A Pocket Photobook costs RM50.00 for 12 double-sided pages. Or an an extra RM1.50 for every additional double-sided page.

A Coffeetable Photobook can cost from RM69 to more than RM89, depending on the specifications you choose. Click here for more pricing info.

Check out this site that compared Pixart to a U.S. based Photobook company. Pixart won!

Jiggle Bells, Goodies swells. Good news from the team.

(a) Pixart has NEW stylish themes that were previously unavailable to me or Kenny Sia. Boo hoo hoo.

(b) Since it’s Christmas time, Pixart wants you to share memorable snapshots with friends and family. Hence, when you order one copy at the full price, you can purchase a duplicate at 20% discount. Good deal, huh? Especially cool for HIM and HER.

(c) Finally, a new option now available at Pixart is GIFT VOUCHERS! Get a voucher for someone. So when they download the Photostylist, create a book, and submit for printing, they only have to present the voucher as payment. Makes life so simple!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Go make yourself a Pixart Photobook.

For my next compilation, gonna snap some chio
photos at Stephen and Foong Ling’s wedding next month. Heh Heh.

Veronica’s Closet
C5-1, JLN SS16/4D, Subang Jaya, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 603-5632 3693

Attended the AYA Awards Night at KLPAC last Sunday. Was invited to give out the award for the Moth Outstanding Youth Of The Year. This year’s winner is Dr. Kenny Lee Kian Yee. (just so you know, I prayed the name would be easy to pronounce before opening the envelope)

The award for the Youth Friendly Company of the Year went to YouthMalaysia.com. No wonder the founder looked familiar from where I sat. My secondary school senior! What’s his name again?

I had a great time catching up with old friends , AYA members and affiliates I had not seen in awhile.

Thank you Josh Lim who played chauffeur and accompanied me! Good training eh? He eventually learned to help me around.

The best gift bestowed upon Malaysians, is access to a variety of food. These days, I crave for Indian food. Don’t know why. Maybe since I don’t enjoy sweet and salty food like everyone else, I resort to the taste of curry and dahl. Yum!

Went to this food-court stall at Midvalley Megamall. Just a humble Indian man and his spatula. Yet his cooking beat others hands down.

I am talking about authentic Indian food. Not mamak.

This humble Indian man was generous. Mom, dad and I were all given big portions. Mom the vegan was most glad.

My dish consisted of rice with dahl, two servings of vegetables, and one pappadam costs RM2.00-RM4.00. Sorry, forgot the price. You need to pay more for meat.

Authentic Indian food is hard to find. There’s one restaurant near my house, but a tad too pricey to eat there everyday.

You know any?

Voting for the AYA Most Outstanding Youth of The Year 2007 begins today!

CLICK HERE to cast your votes and view the video interviews.

Way to go, Poh Si!
Ciick here for Poh Si’s resume.

Ayumu and Naomi decided to spoil me yesterday. They came over with two tubs of Cold Stone ice-cream. Chocolate Devotion and Cream De La Berry.

That was great because I don’t always feel well enough to walk to the bus stop and take the bus downtown for a feast on my own. And Eddie only comes back late in the evening.

See, I even chose to eat using Naomi’s handmade cup! Have you tried Cold Stone at Brea Mall? I had their Chocolate Devotion but it tasted NOTHING like this. I thought it wasn’t nice and regretted not buying Cheesecake Fantasy. How strange!