Hollywood Stars!

For the first time in my life I had won a contest! One fine night while watching the CI channel, I caught an advertisement about a contest to win meet and greet passes to meet Kurtwood Smith and Omar Epps. In case these names are not too familiar, Kurtwood Smith is the guy who played Red Forman on That 70's Show. Yeah, Eric Forman's fierce father who was always threatening to put his foot up everybody's ass.

Meanwhile, you may remember Omar Epps as Dr Eric Foreman in House M.D. (Funny how Red's son was also Eric Forman in That 70's Show). So I thought, hey how neat would it be to meet Red Foreman, right? He's no Keanu but I still grew up watching him on TV and he gave me a lot of laughs over the years.

Both men now star in a brand new TV Show called Resurrection. The show is about an old man (Kurtwood Smith) who lost his son in an accident about thirty-two years ago and suddenly one fine day, an FBI Agent (Omar Epps) turns up at his doorstep with his lost son, still a child, not having aged a day over the past thirty-two years. 
This show has already made its debut in the States and ratings are encouraging. So this contest was basically Lifetime Asia's effort to introduce would be fans 

Mak tak pernah menang apa-apa contest in my life, nok. So I was not very optimistic but I tried anyway. All I had to do was answer a simple question and finish the sentence "I would like to meet Kurtwood Smith and Omar Epps because..."
So anyways the dinner cum meet and greet was last night. I wore my best outfit, best shoes, carried my best clutch and got myself over to Aloft. I bumped into an old colleague, Aimi over there and we took a selfie, hoping to win the selfie contest while waiting for the actual meet and greet session.

The criteria to win the selfie contest was to make your selfie unique so we picked our noses. Unfortunately we did not win. Haih. Penat korek hidung tapi tak berhasil. 
Finally the meet and greet session started and I lined up nervously. I had so many things I wanted to say to the both of them but time was not on my side. When it was my turn, all I managed to stir up was, "Hi Red Foreman. Hi Eric Forman." To which, Kurtwood Smith replied "We are the Foremans!" Lol. Omar was not as amused. He seemed thoroughly exhausted. He just gave me a tiny smile.

I met an old friend, Devi Da Lil Devil (I don't know why she calls herself that, she is the exact opposite of the devil) while lining up and she helped take the photos for me. Thank you, love!

Ooops not quite ready...

And here we go, my muka jakun plus super shiny forehead. Yay! Achievement unlocked! If there was only one thing I could complain about, it would be that Omar probably needs to go shopping. That shirt... oh gurrrrl, I don't think so snap! Snap!

At the end of the night, I took a full photo of my outfit of the day, just to show you the dress I picked out especially for the event.

This dress is from River Island. I purchased it through Zalora after seeing photos of Nadine Ann Thomas (yes she was previously Miss Universe Malaysia) wearing it to an event. I thought to myself "Omaigawsh I want to look like Miss Universe, like totally". 

I love River Island, the cut fits me like a glove. Will show you a few more River Island pieces that I have, next time.

Ohhhh and if you are wondering what is the outcome of my cupping the other day, well, I still have the bruises but the pain has worn off. My back feels lighter and the nagging pain I had just above my buttocks has disappeared. I will definitely go for another session next month. 

Thule Bike Battles

Last month I was involved in a shoot for Thule Bike Battles. It was a whole day challenge for cyclists. And when I say cyclists, I'm talking about pro cyclists from all around Malaysia.

From national cyclists to people who have cycled all around Malaysia, to people who have won a segment of the Le Tour De Langkawi, these people have achieved impressive things as far as cycling is concerned. 

The first episode is up on youtube and I hope you can join in the fun. Don't be shy to subscribe! 

Hating on K-pop?

As we all know, The Shout Awards 2012 took place on Friday and all your favourite celebrities came out to play. (I was seated at the same table as Amy Search and I wanted a photo with him so very badly but was way too shy to ask! Sigh)

It was an awesome event with loads of surprises, special performances and did you see the robot at the start of the show? I mean, did you see the robot? Absolutely mind blowing! 

Now to the matter at hand. With K-pop gaining a huge following here in Malaysia, it was only fitting that we had not one but two K-pop acts perform at The Shout Awards. Now, I understand that some people don't understand the big fascination with K-pop while others are willing to go as far as learn the Korean language, just to show their love and support for their favourite K-pop bands/artistes. 

Of course, with every big trend, there are also big skeptics. Examples range from Justin Bieber to the Hipster trend to the Gangnam Style dance. More often than not, skeptics have no real reason to deny these trends, yet they have a lot to say.

For instance, skeptics are known to tweet things like "Gangnam Style is the lamest thing I've ever seen." or "Justin Bieber is so annoying." or "Hipsters are wannabes." 

Yet Gangnam Style has become the most watched video in youtube history, Justin Bieber is laughing all the way to the bank, carrying along his truckloads of awards, and Hipsters are celebrating life and art and not the slightest bit affected by skeptics' hateful social media postings.

Same goes with K-pop. Skeptics have so much animosity for the vast K-pop trend and following that they are willing to post the most ridiculous things on Twitter and Facebook. Unfortunately on Friday, skeptics took their hostility to a whole new level. They boo-ed and threw things at the two K-pop acts who performed on stage at The Shout Awards.

If you weren't there, don't believe what you hear. VIXX and Nu'est did not get hit by water bottles or other random objects thrown at them and the boos were not even loud enough to reach the stage. I was seated right next to the stage, I heard soft boo-ing but it wasn't detrimental to the point that these two acts will swear off Malaysia after this.

Having said that, the boo-ing and the throwing of paper fans (kipas kertas, not literally throwing K-pop fans) still should not have happened. K-pop fans who were at the venue were so upset as they were there from the beginning of the show and they were good sports with every local act that performed. They screamed, they cheered, they danced and they clapped. 

Basically these K-pop fans came to the show, endured the jam, stood in the rain so they could watch their two favourite acts live. Yet, they still supported all the other acts which they were not particular fans off. Why couldn't the others do the same for the K-pop fans? 

After all, it's a party. You come to have fun and enjoy the music and music is universal. So why act in an uncivilized manner? 

I admit, I am not a K-pop fanatic myself, however ever since I started hosting 8TV Nite Live, I have learnt to appreciate the K-pop trend and their die hard fans. If you say you don't understand their fascination with K-pop, I'm sure they also do not understand your fascination with Michael Jackson/Britney Spears/Guns n Roses/Justin Bieber and whoever else you used to or still love. 

All I can say is that, everybody has their own unique preference, be it music, food, fashion, art, or even cars. 

Respect their preference and they shall respect yours. 

Last but not least, don't try to make this K-pop issue a religious issue because it has absolutely nothing to do with religion or race. Don't be stupid. 

Thank you for reading. Spread love!