Mukhsin opens March 8 in cinemas! Hope it comes to Penang - or I guess I'll just have to drive down to KL, which isn't all that bad, considering how bored I am in Penang.

Check out the trailer.

Read more about what Yasmin Ahmad has to say about the two awards that she recently won at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival and what Faridul Anwar Farinordin from NST has to say about the film at Yasmin's blog.

Penang is S-M-A-L-L

It's official. Penang is a tiny, tiny island. In two days, with absolutely no effort taken on my part, I've bumped into two ex-boyfriends and one ex-crush. It's a sad, sad world when that happens. Some call it being home, I call it ridiculous.

So here I am, back home in Penang, where they've gentrified Swatow Lane, raise the prices of hawker food, gawked at many confused 15-year-olds trying to pull off the Harajuku look while I'm left constantly wondering why anybody would wear tights in 90F weather. It's become pretty depressing when there are four main activities for an entire island of people -- walking aimlessly at Gurney Plaza, gambling at Bed (if you ask me, if there are beds, you can't call it Bed), clubbing at Momo's and eating at strangely named places (Audee's?). Here's my deal, it's difficult enough convincing me to go clubbing in Penang in a club called Momo's. There's no way in hell I'm getting all dressed up in the middle of the week to go clubbing in a club called Momo's. Ish.

What's worse, I can't watch my Grey's Anatomy online! It's only available to people in the US, damn it. So I've resorted to downloading the torrent, which, in Malaysia terms = slow ass connection.

I have waaay too much time on my hands. Look, I even have time to take a photo of myself being bored. Last time that's happened was...at least 2 years ago! Hah.

Long time coming

After 4 long years, it's time for me to return home. Yup, home. This time round, I'm packing up all 4 years of living and loving in San Francisco with me, as I hop on the plane home to Penang. The only hitch is, I don't intend to stay in Penang for long. Hoping to move wherever my job in a couple of months. I'll be home for CNY, leaving from San Francisco on February 15 and will be back in Penang on February 17.

This is insane, can't believe I have to pack up and ship everything and meet up with all my friends in the next 13 days. Selling my furniture a piece at a time, can't wait to see my house empty. Just sold my car today, could feel a lump in throat seeing someone else drive my poor lil' Beetle away. Sigh, it's been good to me. Very very good. I miss my car already!

I've been doing all I can do make the best of my time here. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to come home. This part of my life, living in the US, working, traveling and learning is done. It's time to close this chapter and start a new one. What's amazing is I have no idea what's next. Which I love. Hey, that's the only way to live.

Came back from New York on Friday - love the city. I now understand why people love this extremely flawed city so much. It's real. It's not LA, it's not SF, it's not Chicago. The pace is exactly what a real metropolitan city should be like. Just stepping off the train in Grand Central, the city feels alive. Visited NYU and Columbia and sad to say, Morningside Heights where Columbia is located was highly disappointing. NYU in The Village however, rocks. Doggy parks and discounted cupcakes - count me in ANYTIME. So it looks like moi will be making a comeback in the US, but in the next 2-3 years. Hey, one has to save up, especially if it means living in Manhattan. As Samantha would say, "I don't do boroughs."

Celebrated my 25th birthday (yes, don't give me that look. I know I'm a quarter of a century old) at Gary Danko's, one of SF's best restaurants. Gorgeous setting, private and posh without being too uptight. The food was to-die-for! Service was immaculate and overall, definitely an experience worth repeating. My best birthday meal so far.
I had:

• Risotto with Lobster, Rock Shrimp, Winter Root Vegetables and Oregano Oil
• Juniper Crusted Venison with Braised Endive, Chestnut Spaetzle and Cranberry Compote
• Souffle with Pear Sorbet

On Zhuang's plate:

• Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Red Onions and Fuji Apples
• Pancetta Wrapped Frog Legs with Sunchoke Garlic Puree, Potato and Lentils
• Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb with Soft Polenta, Olive Tapenade and Pepper Ragout
  

Gary Danko's foie gras was heavenly and the cheese platter was yummmmy. The souffle was the best dessert I've had -- well, the best dessert that I've had that's not made of chocolate or cheese. It was goooood.

Okay, back to packing. My 18 pairs of shoes aren't going anywhere by themselves. Damn it.