Today went to eat steamboat at Chiau Hui's house. Brought some crabmeat, cabbage and chicken balls. Literally one minute after I entered the house we went out again to let Louise in, who was quite peeved she wasn't the first. (smirks) Then we watched a little tv while raiding CH's DVD collection while waiting for the Qin Kum Xiu Che, Miss Gloria Chan, who was running late.
Then Glor arrived and CH taught us how to play Chor Dai Di (dunno how to spell, my Cantonese is crappy) and we were playing the second game when CH's mom asks if we wanna eat yet. We were ready to leave the cards there but someone (I think it was Glor or CH) said, 'Haiyo, we put the vege and all that in, must wait for it to cook right? So while it's cooking we play lah!' All said in Chinese. So we figured, what the heck.
Only we never got to play the game while waiting (and Lou had such nice cards too!) coz we, well, I was busy relating stories to everyone. Somehow I've got plenty of stories for every topic they were talking about. Told them about the Sexual Harasser and Glor offered to thump him for me if the guy was in Scouts. (Unfortunately not!) Then Louise told how she got a stalker after she broke up from Anselm and how this stalker asked her parents to be his godparents (they're Catholics) even though they barely knew each other!
So we started at 11.00 and ended around 2.45 pm. Finished two cans of Revive myself, then we went out to play Chor Dai Di again. Won the first two games and everyone got so mm song they started to pakat against me! We played till four and Lou had to dash off. Fifteen minutes later Glor's mom and dad came to pick her up and I suggested to CH that we walk Glor to her car and all that. CH then joked that we do that to receive ang pow from Glor's mom. Surprisingly Glor's mom really gave us Ang pow wei!~
Went home after that. Ate dinner. Typing at comp. Tomorrow gotta go out and see my aunt and uncle (the lawyers) and their three brats. Gonna post another Girls Night Out chapter for you, okay?
Cheerio!
Friday, 30 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Girls Night Out [Part 3]
Lou's eyes shone. She loved having her friends around for company; even better when they were all having fun on a night like this. Elle had pulled out a deck of cards, shuffled them and given them to Gwen, who was apparently tonight's magic victim. Lou had to smile. Elle had a thousand and one interests, magic being one of them, all of which she never completed, and all of which she could talk about or demonstrate whenever she felt bored.
With Piper dancing to Jessica Simpson's Public Affair, and Mina finally taking a sip of the Cosmo she'd liked--instead of the Sex on the Beach Piper had tricked her with--Lou watched as Elle told Gwen to cut the deck into half, and half again from both decks, resulting in four smaller decks of cards.
'Right, now, you do exactly as I say, yeah?' Elle ordered in her British-accented voice. 'Now, you take the first deck, take the first three cards, and put them under the deck.' Gwen took the first three cards and slid them under the deck she was holding. 'Alright, now. You deal one card each on the other three decks, yeah?' Gwen dealt the cards. Elle was beaming. 'Right. Then, you do the same with the other decks. Go on. Do it.' She leaned back on her chair, and lifted her White Russian to her lips, catching Lou's eye as she gave a saucy wink.
'What now?' Gwen had finished dealing the cards. Elle made a show of licking the cream from her lips, and gave a smug smile. 'Now, you've noticed that I've not touched the deck in anyway whatsoever, hmm?'
Piper and Mina nodded in earnest. 'Yes.'
Elle continued. 'Ergo, I couldn't have tampered with the deck at all, can I?'
Lou couldn't resist a jibe. 'Unless someone's managed to learn telekinesis in the past 5 minutes...' she left the sentence hanging as Elle managed a mock glare at her good friend.
'Guess what?' Elle turned back to Gwen. 'If you open the first card on each of the deck, you'll find the Four Aces.'
Gwen snorted in disbelief. 'Let's find out.' She turned the first card of the first deck over slowly, creating suspense, before throwing it on the table. Smiling up at her was the Ace of Clubs.
'There's one,' Elle grinned delightedly. Shooting Elle a scowl, Gwen turned over the first card of the second deck. 'There's two,' Mina chimed in as the Ace of Hearts was revealed.
Piper reached in and flipped the first card of the third deck. 'Ace of diamonds, people,' she announced proudly. She proceeded to the last deck. Now everyone was certain they'd find the last ace waiting for them there. Gwen flipped the top card, and everyone found themselves looking at the Queen of Spades.
'Whoops!' Elle chuckled wickedly as she threw a card down. It was the Ace of Spades. 'So sorry,' she added cheekily.
Gwen and Piper proceeded to pummel her as Elle shielded herself with her forearms. 'Lou!' she cried, half laughing. 'Help!'
Lou tsk-tsked her. 'You brought it on yourself, baby,' she replied, unperturbed to her friend's pleas. Her cell phone buzzed, and Lou read the display. <Message from Kate>A smile lit her lips as Lou opened the message and started scrolling.
Hey peeps, sorry. Can't come for GNO, but will meet you at P's place 11.45?
xxx Kate :)
'Who's it from?' Mina asked curiously, trying to see the name on the message.
'It's Kate,' Lou informed them. Everyone cheered. 'Yo, Katie!' Piper yelled. Fortunately her scream went unnoticed as everyone was busy dancing to the loud music. Gwen shook her head wryly as Elle ordered another White Russian.
Kate Morris was one of the Six, and she just happened to be a famous supermodel. They were all anxious to hear from her as she'd just returned from Milan for the Fashion Week and said she had some news to tell them.
'What could her big news possibly be?' Elle wondered aloud. Gwen chuckled. 'Knowing her, it's probably a new man.' She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. 'You know, one month it's Horatio, the next is Fabrice, then two days later she meets Yurik.'
'Well,' Lou commented. 'You have to admit, she'd got good taste.'
'Even if she changes her mind like a girl changes clothes?'
Everyone turned to look at Piper. 'Aw, no,' Mina moaned. Piper grinned devilishly and played a new song. The familiar beats of Katy Perry's Hot N Cold started playing.
Lou shook her head in despair. 'Not punny, Piper.'
Her friend just smiled.
With Piper dancing to Jessica Simpson's Public Affair, and Mina finally taking a sip of the Cosmo she'd liked--instead of the Sex on the Beach Piper had tricked her with--Lou watched as Elle told Gwen to cut the deck into half, and half again from both decks, resulting in four smaller decks of cards.
'Right, now, you do exactly as I say, yeah?' Elle ordered in her British-accented voice. 'Now, you take the first deck, take the first three cards, and put them under the deck.' Gwen took the first three cards and slid them under the deck she was holding. 'Alright, now. You deal one card each on the other three decks, yeah?' Gwen dealt the cards. Elle was beaming. 'Right. Then, you do the same with the other decks. Go on. Do it.' She leaned back on her chair, and lifted her White Russian to her lips, catching Lou's eye as she gave a saucy wink.
'What now?' Gwen had finished dealing the cards. Elle made a show of licking the cream from her lips, and gave a smug smile. 'Now, you've noticed that I've not touched the deck in anyway whatsoever, hmm?'
Piper and Mina nodded in earnest. 'Yes.'
Elle continued. 'Ergo, I couldn't have tampered with the deck at all, can I?'
Lou couldn't resist a jibe. 'Unless someone's managed to learn telekinesis in the past 5 minutes...' she left the sentence hanging as Elle managed a mock glare at her good friend.
'Guess what?' Elle turned back to Gwen. 'If you open the first card on each of the deck, you'll find the Four Aces.'
Gwen snorted in disbelief. 'Let's find out.' She turned the first card of the first deck over slowly, creating suspense, before throwing it on the table. Smiling up at her was the Ace of Clubs.
'There's one,' Elle grinned delightedly. Shooting Elle a scowl, Gwen turned over the first card of the second deck. 'There's two,' Mina chimed in as the Ace of Hearts was revealed.
Piper reached in and flipped the first card of the third deck. 'Ace of diamonds, people,' she announced proudly. She proceeded to the last deck. Now everyone was certain they'd find the last ace waiting for them there. Gwen flipped the top card, and everyone found themselves looking at the Queen of Spades.
'Whoops!' Elle chuckled wickedly as she threw a card down. It was the Ace of Spades. 'So sorry,' she added cheekily.
Gwen and Piper proceeded to pummel her as Elle shielded herself with her forearms. 'Lou!' she cried, half laughing. 'Help!'
Lou tsk-tsked her. 'You brought it on yourself, baby,' she replied, unperturbed to her friend's pleas. Her cell phone buzzed, and Lou read the display. <Message from Kate>
Hey peeps, sorry. Can't come for GNO, but will meet you at P's place 11.45?
xxx Kate :)
'Who's it from?' Mina asked curiously, trying to see the name on the message.
'It's Kate,' Lou informed them. Everyone cheered. 'Yo, Katie!' Piper yelled. Fortunately her scream went unnoticed as everyone was busy dancing to the loud music. Gwen shook her head wryly as Elle ordered another White Russian.
Kate Morris was one of the Six, and she just happened to be a famous supermodel. They were all anxious to hear from her as she'd just returned from Milan for the Fashion Week and said she had some news to tell them.
'What could her big news possibly be?' Elle wondered aloud. Gwen chuckled. 'Knowing her, it's probably a new man.' She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. 'You know, one month it's Horatio, the next is Fabrice, then two days later she meets Yurik.'
'Well,' Lou commented. 'You have to admit, she'd got good taste.'
'Even if she changes her mind like a girl changes clothes?'
Everyone turned to look at Piper. 'Aw, no,' Mina moaned. Piper grinned devilishly and played a new song. The familiar beats of Katy Perry's Hot N Cold started playing.
Lou shook her head in despair. 'Not punny, Piper.'
Her friend just smiled.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Clubism
I don't know if you know how to pronounce this word or not, but Glor and I pronounce it 'club--ism.' She coined it today, quite an interesting day as it was.
You see, today it was the co-curriculum (actually, the word doesn't even exist. It's just curriculum, no co) registration day, and everyone had slips of paper on which they'd written their names, particulars and their club/badan beruniform of choice.
So Gloria, Chiau Hui and I were in my classroom, which was really crowded, and we were talking when all of a sudden, two Form 4s came into my class, and informed me that Pn. Doreen, my English teach. had asked me to write a 200-word report on the Registration Day, due Wednesday. Yes, yes, did I forget to mention that I'm on the Editorial Board?
Well, it was cool but scary, 'cause you see, the writing part's a snap. It's the "make a boring event sound not boring" part that's much difficult. I can write well, but how am I supposed to turn a boring article (one that I myself even skipped over in the Samudra - that's the SMK Taman SEA's school magazine) into an article that will, at the very least, capture the attention of the what- the whole school?
Was mulling over that when Glor and I walked up to 5 Mawar to register for Christian Fellowship (CF). Then as we were walking down the stairs, Glor and I started talking about the whole thing.
Me: Hey you know, CF very crowded lah! But I think out of the many people that sign up, only half of them turn up in the end. Same like scouts and KRS. I think many people join CF coz they wanna get marks since, you know lah, CF gives lotsa GERKO marks and all that. Sure a lot of people wanna join Leo and Interact Club and stay away from the not-so-popular clubs.
Glor: Yalorr, that's like...Clubism!
So that's how the whole thing got started.
Anyway, after we left 5 Mawar, we went to the canteen to sign up for scouts, after which we went back to class and brought our bags down 'cause after that we had our Annual House Meeting. At first it was in 6 Atas Teratai, but we couldn't find the class and spent fifteen minutes or so walking past the KRS registration classroom which was on the ground floor of the block 6AT was supposed to be. So we hung around the KRS, laughing with Xin Wei and Tim, the only two people I know quite well there. Glor was surprised to find out that Tim played volleyball.
Then when I finally found the 6AT class, I dumped my bag there and lepak a bit. When I went back up, was so freaked out to find that I was all alone in the class. So I grabbed my bags and started climbing down the stairs. Was almost late for the meeting. Seems like they'd moved it to 5 Angsana. *bites back a groan of annoyance* Anyway, nothing much at the meeting. Didn't vote for anyone 'cause I don't know how capable they are and frankly, I couldn't care less. Besides, it was hot and stuffy. So I just hung around till the bell rang and I went back, trying to figure out my report.
And here I'm waiting, listening to Kenny G (of all things) trying to find inspiration while I wait for Lou (my oh so brilliant bestie) to finish her dinner (she's in the EdBoard in Catholic as well) and give me a call, yeah?
And I'm so bored that I'm multi-tasking: checking my Facebook (which I've not gone to in ages - only go in, like, once a year?), reading Pride&Prejudice fanfiction, blogging. And I've just realized that the laptop clock is slow by one hour, so I went and changed it.
Tomorrow I'm going to school though it's Saturday 'cause of the CNY replacement. The next replacement is on Valentine's Day. Thankfully, Pn Doreen is going to be there for Double Period English and hopefully I'll be able to finish a rough draft and show it to her to see if it fits or not.
Besides, I really need to work on my story. NOC is currently on hiatus until my brain-dead brain is able to connect the dots on how DR meets CP, and how SC and LK gets to Russia and all that bit. Mind you, I've already got all the plots planned out; the transition from brain to laptop, however, takes much more work than that 'cause of the amunt of research you gotta do just to make sure it's all right, that everything's leading up to the grand finale, and all that.
Girls Night Out is another story I'm planning to post about quite soon. Hopefully I can figure out the whole thing. Another one I'm trying to revive is Murder on Campus, which I started last year with Candice and Elaine during one of our particularly deviant moments.
It's about this counsellor/psychiatrist, Adel von Gideon, who's contacted by the police when her students are murdered one by one on the Harlan Academy campus. The first victim, Carly Davidson, was killed in one of the most deviant ways you can imagine: her roommate found her decapitated and multilated body stuffed inside a washing machine when the poor girl was trying to do laundry at night.
The next victim was found lying on the sidewalk, her head crushed in. Everyone thought it was either and accident or a suicide, but when lab results showed she was intoxicated, everyone starts to think that it was homicide and that the two murders are connected somehow.
Foul play is, naturally, suspected, and several leads turn up, bringing to light a secret society that's been around for almost as long as the school, which includes Juliette Keynes, the young but brilliant fencing champion at Harlan Academy who seems to know more than she lets on.
The police and academy staff are trying to figure out the whole deal, but when the murderer outwits them at every turn, Adel and the cops, Greene and Mercer, starts to shove back. It's absolutely but brilliantly dark, and the ending is such a brilliant one.
Yep, gotta go now. Kenny G is being replaced by Vanessa Mae, and gotta get ready to call Lou later for the assignment help.
Cheerio!
You see, today it was the co-curriculum (actually, the word doesn't even exist. It's just curriculum, no co) registration day, and everyone had slips of paper on which they'd written their names, particulars and their club/badan beruniform of choice.
So Gloria, Chiau Hui and I were in my classroom, which was really crowded, and we were talking when all of a sudden, two Form 4s came into my class, and informed me that Pn. Doreen, my English teach. had asked me to write a 200-word report on the Registration Day, due Wednesday. Yes, yes, did I forget to mention that I'm on the Editorial Board?
Well, it was cool but scary, 'cause you see, the writing part's a snap. It's the "make a boring event sound not boring" part that's much difficult. I can write well, but how am I supposed to turn a boring article (one that I myself even skipped over in the Samudra - that's the SMK Taman SEA's school magazine) into an article that will, at the very least, capture the attention of the what- the whole school?
Was mulling over that when Glor and I walked up to 5 Mawar to register for Christian Fellowship (CF). Then as we were walking down the stairs, Glor and I started talking about the whole thing.
Me: Hey you know, CF very crowded lah! But I think out of the many people that sign up, only half of them turn up in the end. Same like scouts and KRS. I think many people join CF coz they wanna get marks since, you know lah, CF gives lotsa GERKO marks and all that. Sure a lot of people wanna join Leo and Interact Club and stay away from the not-so-popular clubs.
Glor: Yalorr, that's like...Clubism!
So that's how the whole thing got started.
Anyway, after we left 5 Mawar, we went to the canteen to sign up for scouts, after which we went back to class and brought our bags down 'cause after that we had our Annual House Meeting. At first it was in 6 Atas Teratai, but we couldn't find the class and spent fifteen minutes or so walking past the KRS registration classroom which was on the ground floor of the block 6AT was supposed to be. So we hung around the KRS, laughing with Xin Wei and Tim, the only two people I know quite well there. Glor was surprised to find out that Tim played volleyball.
Then when I finally found the 6AT class, I dumped my bag there and lepak a bit. When I went back up, was so freaked out to find that I was all alone in the class. So I grabbed my bags and started climbing down the stairs. Was almost late for the meeting. Seems like they'd moved it to 5 Angsana. *bites back a groan of annoyance* Anyway, nothing much at the meeting. Didn't vote for anyone 'cause I don't know how capable they are and frankly, I couldn't care less. Besides, it was hot and stuffy. So I just hung around till the bell rang and I went back, trying to figure out my report.
And here I'm waiting, listening to Kenny G (of all things) trying to find inspiration while I wait for Lou (my oh so brilliant bestie) to finish her dinner (she's in the EdBoard in Catholic as well) and give me a call, yeah?
And I'm so bored that I'm multi-tasking: checking my Facebook (which I've not gone to in ages - only go in, like, once a year?), reading Pride&Prejudice fanfiction, blogging. And I've just realized that the laptop clock is slow by one hour, so I went and changed it.
Tomorrow I'm going to school though it's Saturday 'cause of the CNY replacement. The next replacement is on Valentine's Day. Thankfully, Pn Doreen is going to be there for Double Period English and hopefully I'll be able to finish a rough draft and show it to her to see if it fits or not.
Besides, I really need to work on my story. NOC is currently on hiatus until my brain-dead brain is able to connect the dots on how DR meets CP, and how SC and LK gets to Russia and all that bit. Mind you, I've already got all the plots planned out; the transition from brain to laptop, however, takes much more work than that 'cause of the amunt of research you gotta do just to make sure it's all right, that everything's leading up to the grand finale, and all that.
Girls Night Out is another story I'm planning to post about quite soon. Hopefully I can figure out the whole thing. Another one I'm trying to revive is Murder on Campus, which I started last year with Candice and Elaine during one of our particularly deviant moments.
It's about this counsellor/psychiatrist, Adel von Gideon, who's contacted by the police when her students are murdered one by one on the Harlan Academy campus. The first victim, Carly Davidson, was killed in one of the most deviant ways you can imagine: her roommate found her decapitated and multilated body stuffed inside a washing machine when the poor girl was trying to do laundry at night.
The next victim was found lying on the sidewalk, her head crushed in. Everyone thought it was either and accident or a suicide, but when lab results showed she was intoxicated, everyone starts to think that it was homicide and that the two murders are connected somehow.
Foul play is, naturally, suspected, and several leads turn up, bringing to light a secret society that's been around for almost as long as the school, which includes Juliette Keynes, the young but brilliant fencing champion at Harlan Academy who seems to know more than she lets on.
The police and academy staff are trying to figure out the whole deal, but when the murderer outwits them at every turn, Adel and the cops, Greene and Mercer, starts to shove back. It's absolutely but brilliantly dark, and the ending is such a brilliant one.
Yep, gotta go now. Kenny G is being replaced by Vanessa Mae, and gotta get ready to call Lou later for the assignment help.
Cheerio!
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Girls Night Out [Part 2]
Mina Josef sipped her drink tentatively. The bright red concoction was something she'd never deign to try before. Sure, she was almost 23, but being a chemist working for a pharmaceutical company just didn't fill one's life with enough Oomph that potential boyfriends looked for. It resulted in Mina becoming what people might describe as 'homely'. Had it were not for Mina's group of very loud, party-crazy group of friends, Mina would certainly have never step foot inside a nightclub.
'What's this called again, Piper?'
Piper Langley chuckled. 'It's called,' she leaned in closer, and whispered something in Mina's ear that made her blush. Gwen Seams, their other friend, laughed at the expression on Mina's face. 'What did you tell her, Piper?'
'Just the name of a drink,' Piper shrugged nonchalantly. Mina was still blushing, biting her lip anxiously.
'And here comes the lady of the night, Miss Lauren Knightley!'
Lou grinned delightedly as she dragged Elle towards the trio. Dressed in a light blue tank top and jeans, Elle's sophisticated look was complemented by the tan leather jacket she had slung over her shoulder. What amazed the rest of the girls were the wedges on her feet.
'Oh...my...God!' Piper cried out. 'Elle is wearing heels! And look, no glasses!'
'Of course,' Elle nodded gravely as she took a seat and placed her red one-shouldered messenger bag on the seat next to her. 'I'm sure it's a perfectly good reason to celebrate.'
'She's right,' Lou acknowledged, completely missing the sarcasm. 'All thanks to her wardrobe manager, Louisa deRossi!'
Gwen applauded. 'Very nice, Lou! I'd offer you a job with me if you weren't working here.' She took a sip of her drink. Dressed to impress in a red halter-neck top, a black leather skirt and sunglasses propped in her hair, Gwen looked every inch the professional stylist for the stars that she was.
Piper, on the other hand, was running the club's music system in a sleeveless collared shirt, paired with a plaid scarf wrapped stylishly around her neck - with help from Gwen, of course - and a fedora sitting sideways on her head. The studded belt on her jeans added to the DJ look Piper portrayed.
'Thanks for helping out, Pi,' Elle shouted over the music as Piper danced around the DJ music booth, which was conveniently situated close to the girls' usual seat.
Piper saluted. 'No problemo, boss.'
Lou flopped down on the chair next to Mina. 'Hello, Mina. How is work at the pharmacy? Are they still making you slave over drugs and chemicals?'
'No..' Mina replied shyly. 'They're very nice actually.'
Lou laughed gaily. 'Of course they are.' She caught sight of Mina's abandoned drink. 'Hey, Mina. Why aren't you drinking your Cosmo?'
Mina blinked. 'Cosmo?' Her gaze immediately shifted to Piper, who was turning away. Lou nodded. 'Yeah. Cosmopolitan.'
'You sure about that?'
'Yes.' Lou seemed amused; somehow she had an idea she knew what was going on. Piper was hiding her laughter poorly while Elle and Gwen looked bemused.
With a quick flash, Mina jumped into the DJ booth by climbing onto the cushioned seats, alarming many people, including her friends, as she started pummeling Piper, who was laughing too hard to notice. Gwen and Elle exchanged looks, and Gwen spoke. 'Piper?' she asked, seeking clarification.
Piper just shook her head, laughing harder.
'Piper, what did you tell her the drink was?' Elle asked calmly, her steely gaze even more prominent without the obscurity of her glasses. Piper just kept on laughing, trying to dodge Mina's fists as she jumped around the DJ booth.
'Piper!' Gwen and Lou yelled together just as she started playing Pink's So What. 'What did you tell her the drink was?'
Another gale of laughter, then Piper spoke.
'Sex on the beach.'
'What's this called again, Piper?'
Piper Langley chuckled. 'It's called,' she leaned in closer, and whispered something in Mina's ear that made her blush. Gwen Seams, their other friend, laughed at the expression on Mina's face. 'What did you tell her, Piper?'
'Just the name of a drink,' Piper shrugged nonchalantly. Mina was still blushing, biting her lip anxiously.
'And here comes the lady of the night, Miss Lauren Knightley!'
Lou grinned delightedly as she dragged Elle towards the trio. Dressed in a light blue tank top and jeans, Elle's sophisticated look was complemented by the tan leather jacket she had slung over her shoulder. What amazed the rest of the girls were the wedges on her feet.
'Oh...my...God!' Piper cried out. 'Elle is wearing heels! And look, no glasses!'
'Of course,' Elle nodded gravely as she took a seat and placed her red one-shouldered messenger bag on the seat next to her. 'I'm sure it's a perfectly good reason to celebrate.'
'She's right,' Lou acknowledged, completely missing the sarcasm. 'All thanks to her wardrobe manager, Louisa deRossi!'
Gwen applauded. 'Very nice, Lou! I'd offer you a job with me if you weren't working here.' She took a sip of her drink. Dressed to impress in a red halter-neck top, a black leather skirt and sunglasses propped in her hair, Gwen looked every inch the professional stylist for the stars that she was.
Piper, on the other hand, was running the club's music system in a sleeveless collared shirt, paired with a plaid scarf wrapped stylishly around her neck - with help from Gwen, of course - and a fedora sitting sideways on her head. The studded belt on her jeans added to the DJ look Piper portrayed.
'Thanks for helping out, Pi,' Elle shouted over the music as Piper danced around the DJ music booth, which was conveniently situated close to the girls' usual seat.
Piper saluted. 'No problemo, boss.'
Lou flopped down on the chair next to Mina. 'Hello, Mina. How is work at the pharmacy? Are they still making you slave over drugs and chemicals?'
'No..' Mina replied shyly. 'They're very nice actually.'
Lou laughed gaily. 'Of course they are.' She caught sight of Mina's abandoned drink. 'Hey, Mina. Why aren't you drinking your Cosmo?'
Mina blinked. 'Cosmo?' Her gaze immediately shifted to Piper, who was turning away. Lou nodded. 'Yeah. Cosmopolitan.'
'You sure about that?'
'Yes.' Lou seemed amused; somehow she had an idea she knew what was going on. Piper was hiding her laughter poorly while Elle and Gwen looked bemused.
With a quick flash, Mina jumped into the DJ booth by climbing onto the cushioned seats, alarming many people, including her friends, as she started pummeling Piper, who was laughing too hard to notice. Gwen and Elle exchanged looks, and Gwen spoke. 'Piper?' she asked, seeking clarification.
Piper just shook her head, laughing harder.
'Piper, what did you tell her the drink was?' Elle asked calmly, her steely gaze even more prominent without the obscurity of her glasses. Piper just kept on laughing, trying to dodge Mina's fists as she jumped around the DJ booth.
'Piper!' Gwen and Lou yelled together just as she started playing Pink's So What. 'What did you tell her the drink was?'
Another gale of laughter, then Piper spoke.
'Sex on the beach.'
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Girls Night Out [Part 1]
It was two p.m. By this time, everyone working should've already been back at their offices, ready to face the mundane tasks of working again after a hearty lunch. Everyone working a seven-to-five job should not be lingering at the bar. Like what this particular young woman was doing.
But the rules didn't apply to her. The reason why? She owned the bar. And the restaurant next to it. Yes, Othello Restaurant/Bar is the property of one Lauren Knightley, chef and sometime security consultant. And she was proud of it. Barely out of her twenties, she'd managed to single-handedly bring the now-famous and sought-after restaurant into the eyes and tastebuds of various food critics, all of which had given Othello very good reviews.
It wasn't all managed without a couple of bumps in the road, though. When Elle, as her friends fondly called her, finished work on the restaurant and started on the nightclub, she realized that her budget for the club wasn't enough. Sure, she had some money left, but if she didn't get a loan - and soon - the club would only be half-completed.
Too proud to ask money from her family, Elle then contacted one of her best friends, Louisa deRossi, who agreed to invest on the condition that a. Lou gets to live in the empty apartment over the nightclub, b. She gets ten percent from the bar's profit, and c. She gets a job as a bartender.
The last condition made no sense to Elle, but hey, if her investor wanted it, who was she to argue? So it was then settled, and Othello managed to rise again.
Elle snorted cynically. Still dressed in her chef's uniform - yes, she was one of the few people who like to partake personally in the managing of her restaurant, and besides, she was a very good chef - she had one eye on the calculator, the other on the money bills that were placed methodically on the bar's table top, and both hands rubbing her temples tiredly.
'Whatcha doing, Elle?'
She winced at the chipper tone her friend's voice carried as she bounded down the staircase that led from Louisa's apartment to the bar. 'Can you tone it down a little?' Elle raised an eyebrow blearily. 'I'm getting a second migraine.'
'Whoa, a second migraine.' Louisa deRossi chuckled. 'You sure you're not hungover?'
Turning around in her seat, Elle shot a glare at her friend. 'Unlike some people,' heavy sarcasm here. 'I'm very responsible. Speaking of responsible,' she took a sip of the glass of OJ. Instant painkiller. 'Did I see some guy climbing up the stairs to your apartment last night?'
Lou scowled and threw a pout. 'Elle, you know I'm not like that!'
Elle shook her head. 'I know. It's them I don't trust. Ditto for Patrick.'
'Uh-oh.' Lou knew who she was talking about. Even though Elle was the rightful owner of Othello, Lou was sometime put in charge while Elle was out doing her security consultancy, which, according to Elle, brought in a huge paycheck.
'What about Patrick?' Lou asked warily. Patrick was an old hand, a college boy who'd been promoted to tiller duty at the bar after he did a good job as a waiter in Othello's restaurant side for several months.
Elle shrugged, her hand pulling off her chef's hat and throwing it carelessly on the table top. 'Tiller's missing around fifty dollars every night. And Patrick's in charge of tiller duty.'
Lou frowned. 'You think he stole it?'
'I don't know what to think,' Elle murmured, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes were shut, and a hand was absentmindedly rubbing her neck. 'Our profit each night is around five to seven hundred. Fifty dollars a night isn't hurting us. Much. But still, I'd like to know who stole it.' Now her eyes opened, and her gaze was steely. 'And I'd like to know tonight.'
Lou bit her lip. 'And how are you going to do that?'
'Dunno,' she answered. 'I'll need to figure that one out. As well as planning the menu for next week,' Lou groaned. 'And auditoning the bands.' Lou gave another groan. 'As well as auditioning a back-up just in case something happens. And I'll have to renew the contract with the people who supply us with our fresh produce. Not to mention a chat with the fishermen, and the butcher...' At the end of this, Lou had her hands clasped over her ears, and Elle had a wry but tired smile on her face.
'Gosh,' Lou finally replied. 'I can see why you're so exhausted. Do you even sleep?'
'Couple of hours, maybe four, five a night?'
'Four a night,' Lou repeated. 'You realize you can get sick on four hours of sleep a night?' Elle didn't answer. 'C'mon, let me help you. I can audition te bands and I'll help with the contract. You talk to your produce people and plan the menu. Hell, I'll even help you deal with the Patrick thing. Alright?'
'No, not alright,' Elle spoke up. 'I appreciate the help and all, but I need to do this stuff myself. Alright?' She stood up and glanced at her watch. It was almost three. And Lou was giving her the puppy eye look. 'C'mon, Ellie.' she said, her hands clasped together. 'Pleeeeeeeeeease?'
Elle had to smile; it was that contagious. And the moment she smiled she regretted it, because a few moments later, she started laughing; it was good though, she thought to herself, to have a friend who could make her laugh every once in a while. God knows it helped keep her sane. 'Okay. You can audition the bands, but everything else I'll do myself.'
'On one condition.'
Elle cocked an eyebrow. 'I'm listening.'
Lou broke into a mischievous grin. 'You're going to chill tonight, with your friends, in your nightclub. And I'll be choosing your clothes.' She ended her sentence with a strong stance, crossing her arms over her chest, and Elle suddenly wondered what would happen if she turned it down.
A beat. Then, 'Okay.'
'Brilliant!' Lou cried, giving her friend a hug. 'Now you go and do what you chefs do, and I'll pick you up at eight. It's a date!'
Laughing all the way to the kitchen, Elle shook her head in despair. Lou had better not pick anything to embarass her tonight.
Or else.
But the rules didn't apply to her. The reason why? She owned the bar. And the restaurant next to it. Yes, Othello Restaurant/Bar is the property of one Lauren Knightley, chef and sometime security consultant. And she was proud of it. Barely out of her twenties, she'd managed to single-handedly bring the now-famous and sought-after restaurant into the eyes and tastebuds of various food critics, all of which had given Othello very good reviews.
It wasn't all managed without a couple of bumps in the road, though. When Elle, as her friends fondly called her, finished work on the restaurant and started on the nightclub, she realized that her budget for the club wasn't enough. Sure, she had some money left, but if she didn't get a loan - and soon - the club would only be half-completed.
Too proud to ask money from her family, Elle then contacted one of her best friends, Louisa deRossi, who agreed to invest on the condition that a. Lou gets to live in the empty apartment over the nightclub, b. She gets ten percent from the bar's profit, and c. She gets a job as a bartender.
The last condition made no sense to Elle, but hey, if her investor wanted it, who was she to argue? So it was then settled, and Othello managed to rise again.
Elle snorted cynically. Still dressed in her chef's uniform - yes, she was one of the few people who like to partake personally in the managing of her restaurant, and besides, she was a very good chef - she had one eye on the calculator, the other on the money bills that were placed methodically on the bar's table top, and both hands rubbing her temples tiredly.
'Whatcha doing, Elle?'
She winced at the chipper tone her friend's voice carried as she bounded down the staircase that led from Louisa's apartment to the bar. 'Can you tone it down a little?' Elle raised an eyebrow blearily. 'I'm getting a second migraine.'
'Whoa, a second migraine.' Louisa deRossi chuckled. 'You sure you're not hungover?'
Turning around in her seat, Elle shot a glare at her friend. 'Unlike some people,' heavy sarcasm here. 'I'm very responsible. Speaking of responsible,' she took a sip of the glass of OJ. Instant painkiller. 'Did I see some guy climbing up the stairs to your apartment last night?'
Lou scowled and threw a pout. 'Elle, you know I'm not like that!'
Elle shook her head. 'I know. It's them I don't trust. Ditto for Patrick.'
'Uh-oh.' Lou knew who she was talking about. Even though Elle was the rightful owner of Othello, Lou was sometime put in charge while Elle was out doing her security consultancy, which, according to Elle, brought in a huge paycheck.
'What about Patrick?' Lou asked warily. Patrick was an old hand, a college boy who'd been promoted to tiller duty at the bar after he did a good job as a waiter in Othello's restaurant side for several months.
Elle shrugged, her hand pulling off her chef's hat and throwing it carelessly on the table top. 'Tiller's missing around fifty dollars every night. And Patrick's in charge of tiller duty.'
Lou frowned. 'You think he stole it?'
'I don't know what to think,' Elle murmured, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes were shut, and a hand was absentmindedly rubbing her neck. 'Our profit each night is around five to seven hundred. Fifty dollars a night isn't hurting us. Much. But still, I'd like to know who stole it.' Now her eyes opened, and her gaze was steely. 'And I'd like to know tonight.'
Lou bit her lip. 'And how are you going to do that?'
'Dunno,' she answered. 'I'll need to figure that one out. As well as planning the menu for next week,' Lou groaned. 'And auditoning the bands.' Lou gave another groan. 'As well as auditioning a back-up just in case something happens. And I'll have to renew the contract with the people who supply us with our fresh produce. Not to mention a chat with the fishermen, and the butcher...' At the end of this, Lou had her hands clasped over her ears, and Elle had a wry but tired smile on her face.
'Gosh,' Lou finally replied. 'I can see why you're so exhausted. Do you even sleep?'
'Couple of hours, maybe four, five a night?'
'Four a night,' Lou repeated. 'You realize you can get sick on four hours of sleep a night?' Elle didn't answer. 'C'mon, let me help you. I can audition te bands and I'll help with the contract. You talk to your produce people and plan the menu. Hell, I'll even help you deal with the Patrick thing. Alright?'
'No, not alright,' Elle spoke up. 'I appreciate the help and all, but I need to do this stuff myself. Alright?' She stood up and glanced at her watch. It was almost three. And Lou was giving her the puppy eye look. 'C'mon, Ellie.' she said, her hands clasped together. 'Pleeeeeeeeeease?'
Elle had to smile; it was that contagious. And the moment she smiled she regretted it, because a few moments later, she started laughing; it was good though, she thought to herself, to have a friend who could make her laugh every once in a while. God knows it helped keep her sane. 'Okay. You can audition the bands, but everything else I'll do myself.'
'On one condition.'
Elle cocked an eyebrow. 'I'm listening.'
Lou broke into a mischievous grin. 'You're going to chill tonight, with your friends, in your nightclub. And I'll be choosing your clothes.' She ended her sentence with a strong stance, crossing her arms over her chest, and Elle suddenly wondered what would happen if she turned it down.
A beat. Then, 'Okay.'
'Brilliant!' Lou cried, giving her friend a hug. 'Now you go and do what you chefs do, and I'll pick you up at eight. It's a date!'
Laughing all the way to the kitchen, Elle shook her head in despair. Lou had better not pick anything to embarass her tonight.
Or else.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Tagged by Louise
Have I mentioned how much I HATE tags?
1. The last person to tag you is?
Lu-lu! jkjkjk
2. What is your relationship with her/him?
Really best friends. Like, since Standard 4 till now. That's about, 7 years of friendship?
3. What are your 5 impression towards him/her? [I know you corrected the grammar and all that, Lou, but this question sounds a bit...weird. Let me know]
- Fun
- Good-humoured
- Articulate in English haha big words XD
- Brilliant artist/author
- Partner in crime oops anti-crime?
4. What was the most memorable thing he/she has ever done for you?
She gave me her friendship XD
Calling all units. Calling all unit. Number 5 is missing. Description of Number 5 is a short horizontal slash with a vertical line leading downwards, and a backward lowercase c attached to it. Suspect is considered hostile for trying to escape the TAG. If seen, please apprehend immediately.
Moving on.
6. If he/she becomes your lover, you will...
God forbid! I will change my name, change my appearance and hide out as a recluse in the mountains. Gosh. Men only. Strictly men. Women need not apply.
7. If he/she becomes your enemy, you will...
Seek immediate asylum in some distant land with heavy firepower. 'Cause Lou's scary when she's mad.
8. If he/she becomes your lover, he/she has to improve on...
Gee. What can I say?
9. If he/she becomes your enemy, the reason would be...
We've reached an impasse and had a biiiiiggg falling-out. New word of the day: impasse.
10. The most desirable things to do for him/her is...
What's this supposed to mean? Sheeesh! English.
*Ditto Lou's answer*
11. Your overall impression towards him/her is...
She's brilliant. Absolutely brill.
12. How do you think the people around you feel about you?
*scoffs* Let's see...I've got people say I'm naive, one friend said I'm a cynosure though she implied it harsher than I would like...someone said I'm self-centered...look, you guys say what you like, K? I don't care.
13. The character of you for yourself is?
I'm a perfectionist, always nit-picking on the little details. Also a stickler for English, something Lou and I share in common. I have mood-swings, and I absolutely adore songs - preferably intrumental/piano - that sound so sad they make me cry.
14. On the contrary, what do you dislike about yourself?
I don't like the fact that I speak before I think sometimes, so much so that I hurt people's feelings. And I also get sick a lot.
15. Describe the ideal you.
Free from sickness, sinuses, rich, young, healthy, successful, have a family...Is that asking for too much?
16. Say something about someone who cares for and likes you.
Gee...thanks?
17. Bra or panties?
Uh, both?
18. Chocolate or ice-cream?
Both! But actually, chocolate ice-cream doesn't really taste that nice. Unless, of course, it's Baskin Robbin's Jamaica Almond Fudge! JAF rocks.
19. 10 people to tag.
- Tim
- Erina
- Louise (no one said anything about no tags back, and I want to know what you feel about me. You could just do question 1-5 and skip the rest if you like)
1. The last person to tag you is?
Lu-lu! jkjkjk
2. What is your relationship with her/him?
Really best friends. Like, since Standard 4 till now. That's about, 7 years of friendship?
3. What are your 5 impression towards him/her? [I know you corrected the grammar and all that, Lou, but this question sounds a bit...weird. Let me know]
- Fun
- Good-humoured
- Articulate in English haha big words XD
- Brilliant artist/author
- Partner in crime oops anti-crime?
4. What was the most memorable thing he/she has ever done for you?
She gave me her friendship XD
Calling all units. Calling all unit. Number 5 is missing. Description of Number 5 is a short horizontal slash with a vertical line leading downwards, and a backward lowercase c attached to it. Suspect is considered hostile for trying to escape the TAG. If seen, please apprehend immediately.
Moving on.
6. If he/she becomes your lover, you will...
God forbid! I will change my name, change my appearance and hide out as a recluse in the mountains. Gosh. Men only. Strictly men. Women need not apply.
7. If he/she becomes your enemy, you will...
Seek immediate asylum in some distant land with heavy firepower. 'Cause Lou's scary when she's mad.
8. If he/she becomes your lover, he/she has to improve on...
Gee. What can I say?
9. If he/she becomes your enemy, the reason would be...
We've reached an impasse and had a biiiiiggg falling-out. New word of the day: impasse.
10. The most desirable things to do for him/her is...
What's this supposed to mean? Sheeesh! English.
*Ditto Lou's answer*
11. Your overall impression towards him/her is...
She's brilliant. Absolutely brill.
12. How do you think the people around you feel about you?
*scoffs* Let's see...I've got people say I'm naive, one friend said I'm a cynosure though she implied it harsher than I would like...someone said I'm self-centered...look, you guys say what you like, K? I don't care.
13. The character of you for yourself is?
I'm a perfectionist, always nit-picking on the little details. Also a stickler for English, something Lou and I share in common. I have mood-swings, and I absolutely adore songs - preferably intrumental/piano - that sound so sad they make me cry.
14. On the contrary, what do you dislike about yourself?
I don't like the fact that I speak before I think sometimes, so much so that I hurt people's feelings. And I also get sick a lot.
15. Describe the ideal you.
Free from sickness, sinuses, rich, young, healthy, successful, have a family...Is that asking for too much?
16. Say something about someone who cares for and likes you.
Gee...thanks?
17. Bra or panties?
Uh, both?
18. Chocolate or ice-cream?
Both! But actually, chocolate ice-cream doesn't really taste that nice. Unless, of course, it's Baskin Robbin's Jamaica Almond Fudge! JAF rocks.
19. 10 people to tag.
- Tim
- Erina
- Louise (no one said anything about no tags back, and I want to know what you feel about me. You could just do question 1-5 and skip the rest if you like)
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
The Vodka Entourage - Vodka Delight [Part 1]
Blue. It is a well-used colour. Used in expressions like "she was so blue today", meaning, of course, sadness. Or "It came like a bolt from the blue", meaning it came as a sudden surprise. Blue is also used in painting, blue for the sky, for the sea, river. Blue flowers are also very charming indeed. And blue flowers were usually looked upon favourably by young women. Especially this particular young woman.
But this bouquet of flowers did nothing to cheer this young lady up. Considering that they were sent by...
'He actually has the nerve to send me flowers!' Lauren burst out. 'Can you believe that?'
She was sitting at the table, sipping steadily out of a glass filled with vodka. Next to her, Fitz was holding the bouquet gingerly. 'Perhaps it was meant as a sign of goodwill?' he asked hesitantly. Lauren scoffed. 'Good will? Fitz, the flowers were obviously meant as a challenge.' Her tone suggested that she was patiently explaining to a five year old instead of a twenty-five year old.
'Of course,' Fitz muttered beneath his breath. If Lauren heard it, she ignored it. 'Let's face it, Elle.' He stood up. 'If Mr...Can I see the card?'
His only reply was a glare, but Lauren handed the card over anyway. Fitz's eyes scanned the card quickly. It was a red card, made of some stiff paper, but it was the handwriting that caught Fitz's eye. It was scrawled neatly, black ink on red paper. Leaning closer, Fitz frowned. He was now tempted to think that whoever it was, they wrote it with a fountain pen. Which spelt a sense of anachronism. Come on, who would write with a fountain pen nowadays?
As if hearing Fitz's silent question, Lauren looked up. 'I do,' she aswered mildly. Rolling his eyes, Fitz flopped down next to her. 'That's because you're fascinated with anything and everything. Heck, you even have an obsession with guns!'
'Correction: It's a fascination, not an obsession.' Lauren spoke, turning to him. Her low voice reminded Fitz where they were: at a posh club where they had live jazz and blues singers come in every night. The club was dimly lit, and it served it purpose as a meeting place well.
Fitz took a sip of his martini. 'And the difference being?' The second it left his mouth he mentally slapped himself. Way to get her into lecturer mode again, Fitz.
Predictably, Lauren shrugged. 'A fascination means I'm attracted to the idea of guns, of handling a gun, of shooting a gun. I have nothing against it. An obssesion, on the other hand, means that I'm having really unhealthy thoughts about guns. Like buying a gun so I can brandish it about and shoot people. Or even carrying a gun around me at all times so I can wave it and do some damage. That's an obsession.'
'Of course,' Fitz muttered. It was one of Lauren's favourite words to use when she was exasperated, and it was starting to rub off him as well. He had to stop spending so much time with her.
Conversation stopped as Lauren continued to sip her vodka. Then she spoke again. 'Did you see what he wrote?'
Fitz's attention was once again turned towards the card. '"Dear Lauren, I hope you won't be too displeased to know that I'm on board as well. Hopefully your favourite flowers can help to dispell some of the animosity. Mai la meilleure victoire de personne."' Fitz scowled. 'What the hell is "mai la meilleure victoire de personne"?'
'May the best person win,' Lauren translated fluently. 'Did you notice something else, Fitz?'
'Yeah.' Pause. 'How the hell did he know what your favourite flowers were?'
Lauren shrugged. She was focused on the pianist, a man in a blue suit with grey eyes and burnish hair. Seated at the grand piano, he played a jazzy tune that Lauren thought she recognised. Looking up, he caught her eye, and gave her a smile, dropping a wink at her. She felt herself smile at the exchange.
Then a waiter approached and handed her an envelope. Frowning, her mood changed instantly from mellow to arctic as she opened the envelope and looked at the contents. She exchanged a look with Fitz, and her expression was unreadable. Standing up, she finished her vodka with one eye on the pianist, who was looking at her, and left the club.
But this bouquet of flowers did nothing to cheer this young lady up. Considering that they were sent by...
'He actually has the nerve to send me flowers!' Lauren burst out. 'Can you believe that?'
She was sitting at the table, sipping steadily out of a glass filled with vodka. Next to her, Fitz was holding the bouquet gingerly. 'Perhaps it was meant as a sign of goodwill?' he asked hesitantly. Lauren scoffed. 'Good will? Fitz, the flowers were obviously meant as a challenge.' Her tone suggested that she was patiently explaining to a five year old instead of a twenty-five year old.
'Of course,' Fitz muttered beneath his breath. If Lauren heard it, she ignored it. 'Let's face it, Elle.' He stood up. 'If Mr...Can I see the card?'
His only reply was a glare, but Lauren handed the card over anyway. Fitz's eyes scanned the card quickly. It was a red card, made of some stiff paper, but it was the handwriting that caught Fitz's eye. It was scrawled neatly, black ink on red paper. Leaning closer, Fitz frowned. He was now tempted to think that whoever it was, they wrote it with a fountain pen. Which spelt a sense of anachronism. Come on, who would write with a fountain pen nowadays?
As if hearing Fitz's silent question, Lauren looked up. 'I do,' she aswered mildly. Rolling his eyes, Fitz flopped down next to her. 'That's because you're fascinated with anything and everything. Heck, you even have an obsession with guns!'
'Correction: It's a fascination, not an obsession.' Lauren spoke, turning to him. Her low voice reminded Fitz where they were: at a posh club where they had live jazz and blues singers come in every night. The club was dimly lit, and it served it purpose as a meeting place well.
Fitz took a sip of his martini. 'And the difference being?' The second it left his mouth he mentally slapped himself. Way to get her into lecturer mode again, Fitz.
Predictably, Lauren shrugged. 'A fascination means I'm attracted to the idea of guns, of handling a gun, of shooting a gun. I have nothing against it. An obssesion, on the other hand, means that I'm having really unhealthy thoughts about guns. Like buying a gun so I can brandish it about and shoot people. Or even carrying a gun around me at all times so I can wave it and do some damage. That's an obsession.'
'Of course,' Fitz muttered. It was one of Lauren's favourite words to use when she was exasperated, and it was starting to rub off him as well. He had to stop spending so much time with her.
Conversation stopped as Lauren continued to sip her vodka. Then she spoke again. 'Did you see what he wrote?'
Fitz's attention was once again turned towards the card. '"Dear Lauren, I hope you won't be too displeased to know that I'm on board as well. Hopefully your favourite flowers can help to dispell some of the animosity. Mai la meilleure victoire de personne."' Fitz scowled. 'What the hell is "mai la meilleure victoire de personne"?'
'May the best person win,' Lauren translated fluently. 'Did you notice something else, Fitz?'
'Yeah.' Pause. 'How the hell did he know what your favourite flowers were?'
Lauren shrugged. She was focused on the pianist, a man in a blue suit with grey eyes and burnish hair. Seated at the grand piano, he played a jazzy tune that Lauren thought she recognised. Looking up, he caught her eye, and gave her a smile, dropping a wink at her. She felt herself smile at the exchange.
Then a waiter approached and handed her an envelope. Frowning, her mood changed instantly from mellow to arctic as she opened the envelope and looked at the contents. She exchanged a look with Fitz, and her expression was unreadable. Standing up, she finished her vodka with one eye on the pianist, who was looking at her, and left the club.
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