Turning 18 doesn't quite hit you until.... well, until you're yearning to watch an 18+ movie and the thought strikes; "Hey I'm...18!!".

Either that or when you end up celebrating it TWICE.

My Eighteenth Birthday.. Without doubt, my BEST yet.

Thursday started off nice and easy, almost lazy really, with me waking up at every beep of my handphone signaling the arrival of yet another delightful birthday greeting.

We had crab that night. Oh boy, .. It was an absolutely scrumptious dinner. I did though, sustain a minor injury. What happen was, while trying to break off the crab's pincers, I pressed down too hard and the shell sliced into my right thumb. But even though it stung everytime cili padi seeped into the cut and made contact with raw flesh, who, in their right mind would/could turn down CRAB? That, would be plain crazy. Anyway, according to the prosa "Raja Bersiung", blood is suppose to.. ENHANCE the taste of one's dish. Yummm...

Saturday's birthday party was a pleasant surprise. I had no idea! Heh, guess that means the 'surprise' was a success.

A big big big, THANK YOU to my parents, Kak Meera, Stan, Sook Jean, Yeen Lynn, Han Yang & Kok Hou.

(clockwise from top left) Yeen Lynn, Kok Hou, Han Yang, Stanley, Kak Meera, Aqeela, Sook Jean, Iskandar, me, Adila

Yummy photo by Han Yang

Amazing gifts, from some of the most amazing people you could ever hope to meet...,

from Kirstin

'Kon' doll from Sook Jean

from Eugene

from Stan & Han Yang

from Stan's mum

from Yeen Lynn, Grace & Yuvha

from Abang Faqih & Nazrul

from Kak Meera

(YESSS! It is THE POST SECRET book!! Seriously man, how COOL is that?!)

P.S: All photos were taken with my Minolta DiMage Z1. It was my dad's actually. He gave it to me that Thursday morning and said that if I had to leave to study abroad, he'd want me to have this with me. God, I had to hold back from tearing up.

from Daddy =)

I can't thank you guys enough for the two fantastic days. No words can truly express how much I appreciate all that was done for me.

The smses, cards, gifts and simply the company,

THANK YOU all so so much.

I feel grateful.

So immensely grateful.

The joy on my parents face,

The smug on Kak Meera's as she said those ever familiar words;"Told you so",

Shared laughter and smiles with my dear friends,

Endless string of calls from delighted relatives,

It was a moment way beyond 'wonderful'.

It was PERFECT.

The Rise of True Evil

Gaspard Ulliel

Alright boys and girls, time to stop that drooling and please, shut those hanging jaws.

I give you, Gaspard Ulliel.

This 22 year old French model turned actor, plays the renowned fictional character, Hannibal Lecter, in the prequel to the ever popular, Hannibal.

Hannibal Rising, in short, tells the tale of how Hannibal Lecter came to be.

Hannibal Rising trailer

Through the trailer alone, you witness how Gaspard carries the role with sheer excellence, staying true to character; cold, cunning and cruel. His feat is piercingly brilliant and boy, does he look good doing it.

I have yet to have seen the movie unfortunately, but I can say the trailer did not fail to capture my immediate attention.

It is undeniable that Anthony Hopkins portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in all three movies; Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal (though I personally think there wasn't quite enough of him in Red Dragon, but that's a whole different story altogether..) was disturbingly incredible.

And although it would do no justice to compare an honoured veteran to a rising star, few can disagree that Gaspard's performance is most definitely, nothing short of a worthy follow-up.

I say bring it on. Violence, bloodshed and all.

a•lone

Pronunciation: (u-lōn'), [key]

—adj.(used predicatively)

1. separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.

2. to the exclusion of all others or all else: One cannot live by bread alone.

3. unique; unequaled; unexcelled: He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.

4. leave alone,

a. to allow (someone) to be by himself or herself: Leave him alone--he wants to rest.

b. to refrain from annoying or interfering with: The youngsters wouldn't leave the dog alone, and he finally turned on them.

I don't think I've ever been very fond of big crowds, aside from that involving family and not-so-distant relatives or close friends.

I've always dreaded weddings,

And parties,

And large gatherings,

And big group outings,

And funerals, no, not just cause it means someone died.

A "reunion" loses its meaning when its done much too frequently. Lets say, twice every god forsaken month. It's one thing to miss and want to cherish fond memories but it tips at the edge of being completely preposterous when constantly obsessing over that of which has come to pass..

It's all just way too tiresome.