My favourites are Parisian Love (surprise, surprise!) about an American who finds love in Paris…

… and Graduation, about a Vietnamese mother who moved to the US so that her kid could have a better life.

*tear*

Well, I made my own one, which I happen to really like. Okay, no, more than that. (No point being modest on my own blog.) I. LOVE. IT.

How I Met My Fiancé

I can’t believe it was only last year! Anyway, what do you think?

George W. Bush’s cover of U2′s “Sunday Bloody Sunday”.

1) You cannot stick your tongue out and look up at the ceiling at the same time.  That’s a physical impossibility due to the tendons in your neck.

2) All idiots, after reading (1) will try it.

3) And discover (1) is a lie.

4) You are smiling now because you are an idiot.

5) You will probably share this with another idiot.

6) There is still a stupid smile on your face. I sincerely apologise for this, but I am an idiot and I needed the company.

Oh, dear.

This is a really sensitive topic so I won’t go there, yet having said that, it seems every nationality or ethnic group gets negative comments.

Why are Malaysians…

• so rude?

I wouldn’t say we’re especially rude. Personally I think it’s the Asian culture of introversion, plus the majority of Malaysians aren’t fluent in English, and often silence is seen as unfriendliness. One thing is for sure: Malaysians turn into rude psychopaths once they get behind the wheel. If you thought Italians were obnoxious drivers, I’ve heard from friends that Malaysians are worse.  Thanks to haphazard road planning, lack of public transport options and shoddy law enforcement, Malaysians have evolved into aggressive animals on the road. It’s like survival of the fittest: you have to battle your way through or you won’t get far.

Note: I later realised that just about every nationality is deemed rude.

Driving in KL is super fun

• lazy?

We’re not lazier than Americans, Indians or Russians.

• racist?

The "main races" (l-r): Iban, Indian, Malay, Chinese, Kadazan

Should I even touch this? Like with any country, there are bound to be stereotypes. I believe that people tend to make snap judgements because of the human need for simplicity, hence why we put things in neat little boxes and label them.

• Muslims?

Easy one. Not all Malaysians are Muslim, but all Malays are required to be Muslim by Malaysian law.

Why are Americans…

• so fat?

What if Hollywood used actors that represent the majority? Would super hero films still work?

• so ignorant?
• so stupid?

Why are the British…

• called poms?

I first heard this term in Australia and the myth that “pom” stands for Prisoner of her Majesty or Prisoner of Mother England”. But the Australian National Museum states that the word came into use in 1912 long after the time of convict deportations. The Oxford English Dictionary supports the theory that “pom” is short for “pomegranate”, referring to the sunburnt immigrants of the British in Australia.

• army in Afghanistan?
• teeth so bad?

My parents complained about the dental care they received in the UK when they used to live there.

Why are Chinese…

• girls so easy?
• people so smart?
• people so good at math?
• building ghost cities?
• so cruel to animals?

Some favourites

• Why are Singaporeans kiasu (afraid to lose)?
• Why are the Japanese so polite?
• Why are the Dutch so weird?
• Why are the French cowards?
• Why are Italians so loud?
• Why are Swedes so good-looking?
• Why are humans so fascinated with understanding the universe?

Can someone tell me why humans are so bitchy? ;)

Back when both had a good head of hair.

I thought this might be a silly question, but my friends didn’t know either! And why should we? We’re not British!

A quick Google search returned this result from NBC Washington following an official answer from the British Embassy:

“Members of the Royal Family do not commonly use a last name. Historically, kings and princes were known by the names of the countries over which they ruled. This is why Prince William can also be referred to as Prince William of Wales.

The most widely used title for Prince William would be His Royal Highness Prince William. If a surname were ever needed, that name would be Mountbatten-Windsor. This historical name is used by any descendant of Queen Elizabeth II and first appeared on an official document in 1973 during the marriage of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.”

Widdle Wiwwy and Hawwy.

On a completely unrelated note, here is a make-up tutorial to get the Duchess of Cambridge’s look. I mean Kate, of course.

Ever since we started planning, all I can think about are wedding ideas. I’m torn between what I would love to do and what I can do realistically. Common problem, I’m sure!

Snippet and Ink has been a fantastic resource so far. I came across the wedding film of the actual blogger of S&I, and all I can say is, awww! I loved her engagement photos, and I love the film!

[Kathryn + Ryan's Wedding Film from Sandbox Love on Vimeo.]

Love, love, love! Couldn’t you just die from the overdose?! :D

Upside down

Holy smoke, I love this idea!  So pretty, so simple.

*steal*

Source: Annie Selke from Pine Cone Hill

Beans and blooms

I love that this costs only $6.

Who knew some dried beans and a few tablespoons of water in a tall glass would make such a lovely vase for a flower?

Also works as a wedding favour.

Source: Genevieve Gorder from Trading Spaces

Glass houses

Take one cake stand, cover with leaves, vines and a few blooms. Top with a glass dome et voilà! A sophisticated and fresh-looking “glass house”.

Source: David Tutera

Shredded topiary

Shred regular printer paper in the colour of your choice, drizzle Styrofoam balls with glue and roll them in the strips. Then prop them up on dowels or chopsticks, and place them in flower pots filled with more paper.

Probably not the most environmental-friendly option, so please use recycled paper, if possible. Hmm, wonder if old magazines would provide a colourful effect.

Source: Robert Verdi

Striped Vellum Candles

Print stripes on vellum, wrap around vases and place votives inside.

Another option in lace.

Or wrap the vellum around the candles.

So chic, although I don’t know how cheap vellum paper is or printing on it.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Paper Magnolias

Those babies aren’t real, but they sure are pretty! The trick is to use real leaves with the paper blooms, which also helps prevent the wilting-flower syndrome!

Learn how to make the flowers here.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

A Tree On Your Table

If you can’t have an outdoor wedding under gorgeous trees, why not bring nature in? Maple or crab-apple for fall, wince and birch in winter, and olive branches in summer.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Stamped Candles

Rubber stamp, white ink, and glass candle-holders are all you need to make these delightful decorations. Frosted glass holds ink best.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Ice-Breaking Place Cards

When guests pull out the card, they’ll see 2 arrows, each pointing to the person on either side, with a brief note about that person.

For example, “Dave slept with your wife last summer.”  Or “Sarah thinks your ass is fat.”

Cute idea for helping people settle in and getting a conversation going. Depending on the number of guests and the paper used, this might not be the cheapest way to go!

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Limelight

Who says your centrepiece has to include flowers? Fruit and ribbons do just as well!

Personally I’d like a big durian smack in the middle of my table.

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Le rouge et le noir

Stack a few cake stands of different sizes and fill them with old poinsettias (you know, the Christmas flower). Add a few votive candles and you’ve got a gorgeous centrepiece.

This one’s a bit gothy but I’m sure it works in other colours, too.

Source: Jane Packer

I’ll keep updating this as I find more cool ideas.

We all have one. Whether it’s an annoying neighbour, parasite friend or colleague you’d like to strangle.

Chill.

These people are there for a reason (besides entertainment when they fail). They teach you patience, understanding and boost your karmic credit, if you believe in that.

It’s like what Master Shifu says in Kung Fu Panda 2: anything is possible when you have inner peace.

Inner peace, you must seek, young Pandawan.

When nothing bugs you, you’ll be a lot happier. It’s like bliss without the ignorance.

So the next time you see that cretin, give him a big smile and thank him. If he weren’t such a shithouse, you wouldn’t be so awesome.

Kick arse without lifting a toe

The beautiful blushing bride.

Must be nice to be royalty.