Unforgettable Movies I Had Watched This Year (2018)

Movies. That's one word that can get me weak in the knees. I mean...I love movies. From finding it, watching it, to hell - I sometimes even reviewing about it thru my little page in here. To me, watching movie is a very precious experience. A lot of my memories timeline are based from those movie I had watched in that particular year and that's how I been living my life all this time (if I am being honest). To me, watching movie is one of the way to get to know yourself. You get your mind into the unknown, unsure what to expect and what you getting yourself into, then fast-forward one to two hours later - find a piece or two about yourself in there. So far, I had watch more than 1000 movies and I'm really proud about that. All the time I had wasted couldn't be compared to the experience and knowledge I had gain from these movies.. There's a couple of good one, as well as bad that I luckily able to get away from (ratings, review, and synopsis helps a lot). 

But, that's not why I'm here. I'm not here to teach you how to identify a good or bad movies. I won't do such a thing (it's not my place, anyway). However, I'm interested to dissect some I already watched this year that are simply unforgettable for me. Up till now - I already watched around 190 movies over period of eleven months and oh boy, wasn't that a weird, roller-coaster journey for me. I had laughs, cried, terrified, and every other verbs of emotions in English dictionary I could find - but it all still wasn't enough. I needed more!!! lol 

So, in order to recap some of the movies I had watch this year and how much it had impacted me - here's the very creme' de la creme' list for my unforgettable movies. I might praise or rant a bit; which ever that come first - we'll see. I also put down the date if you're interested and so you could search it on your own after reading it on my blog. Anyway, with that being said and done - please, enjoy...

01.) Hush (2016)

A deaf and mute woman decides to stay at a remote recreational home to finish her writing sounds like a pretty terrible idea IRL, but a good pitch for a beginning of horror movie - nevertheless. I know what I'm getting myself into, even before watching the trailer nor sit down for the first fifteen minutes (that's how much time I would take to decide either a movie is good or not). Despite of her shortcomings - this woman is brave. She's not afraid to live in the recreational home all by herself and all in all - seems to be living the ordinary writer-life. Everything changes when an intruder decides to barge in (with no apparent reason), and when he realize that she is deaf and mute and remain oblivious about what's going on - he decides to play the game of cat and mouse with her. Killing her wouldn't be enough, so he needs to scare the poor woman in order to become satisfied. Anyway, our poor heroine wasn't ready to give in to his threat thus she retaliate in the best possible way she can and through her bravery and survival instinct - she tries to finish the intruder once and for all.

02.) Memoirs of A Murderer (2016)

I recognize the main actor, Tatsuya Fujiwara from Death Note 2006 fame before even reading the synopsis. Then, I read the synopsis and boy - I was sold. The movie is so interesting and riddle with layers of secrets that I couldn't even turn my back for a second because I'm afraid that I might missed something. I remember watching this with my brother and even he couldn't leave until he knows the ending (he usually hate watching a mystery-thriller movie like this and would opt to walk away). All I can say is that this movie is beautifully crafted that even by the end of it, I kinda wishes there's more Easter eggs laying around (like a potential sequel or something). So, the story is set when several murder cases that about to pass the statue of limitation are shoved into a new light when the alleged 'serial killer' made a public appearances through his confessional tell-it-all book. Just in overnight, he become a huge celebrity in Japan and able to evade capture due to loophole in the law. Another man soon claim to be the real murderer and step forward, but it's later revealed that both of them are fraud and the real killer is still out there. The ending would leave your surprised and wanting more.

03.) Tag Riaru Onigokko (2015)

A 7 minute clip from this movie on Youtube bring me closer to this movie, probably more than I want too. The movie starts with a bunch of highschool girls (Japan, what do you expect) on their trip to somewhere when an unseen-able supernatural force comes along and chops-off the heads of entire students inside of the bus but the main protagonist. Pretty whack right? I know, but that's just a beginning. Later the movie starts to show more and more set of alternate realities that left me more confused than when I first started and it is almost, if not always - ended in bloody carnage. Honestly, gory and blood movie wasn't really my cup of tea, but for this one - I'll have to make an exception or else I know I'm going to regret it. I get through this movie until the end but I gotta say, this ballsy movie really get me at the first 7 minutes... 

Can you spell, d-e-c-a-p-i-t-a-t-i-o-n?? 

04.) Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce 1080 Bruxelles (1975)

I gotta admit, I love the routine in this movie. A possible divorced/widowed woman wakes up in the morning, then she cooks, after that she cleans, then her son come home from school, she puts the dinner on the table, they went to their own bed at night and the cycle repeats the next morning. It's such a simple movie, yet so revealing about how a person choose to spend her 24 hours in a day. Behind that perfect facade, what people didn't see is a time-bomb waiting to explode. She might seem like the perfect mother, but she sleeps with male client in the afternoon to get money (which she later kept on a bowl and used to buy groceries with) and being secretive, yet well-rehearsed for it. It didn't take long to see her simply breaks down after her dinner is ruined and instead of eating out - she opt to cook back from scratch. Her uneventful daily life finally escalated  when she murders one of her client after sleeping with him. All and all, Jeanne... seems like a boring movie, but I like that minimalistic as it leaves the movie open to your own interpretations. 

05.) The Shape of Water (2017)

I know some old movies floating in Hollywood have some kind of fetish around man-alien or man-beast copulation, but I was never one of those people whom actively seek for it. It wasn't until I first saw the trailer for this movie that I thought... okay, this could be interesting. So, I sat down and spend around 2 hours trying to figure this movie out and the verdict is that - I think it is quite beautiful. Again, almost like the first movie on this list, Hush - this woman is deaf. But unlike first deaf/mute woman in Hush, she is isolated and withdrawn. In one of the weirdest chances, she find out that the lab facilities she been working for as a janitor is hiding a man-fish in the lab. She grew interested and tries to sneak a peek, only to falling in love with the creature itself. Together, they struck an odd relationship which blossoms into something beautiful; a bond that's shared between two people. It's one of the weirdest movie I had seen on this list, but I know for sure it wouldn't be the last.

06.) Revolutionary Road (2008) 

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet stared in one of the best tragic melodrama movie I had seen in years. After almost a decade since their first collaboration in Titanic, the two struck a husband-wife relationship with their two children at Revolutionary Road as a couple who are bored with the tenacity of their marriage and lives. While he starting to hate his job, she hates her position as a wife and failed actress and both just completely desperate for a change. When she suggested that they move to France and she would start working while he find something he wanted to do - things started to looking up for them. However, upon the discovery of her third pregnancy and his so-called job promotion -  their short-lived plans begins to fall apart and the couple find themselves at odds again. Finally, a tragedy strikes and finally altered their lives forever.

07.) Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Usually, war-themed movie doesn't bode well with me not because I'm a pussy and couldn't take it, but because I hate to see to many flying limbs and a bunch of innocent man dies. I know I will always cry when I see that and this movie helps nothing than to add to the statistic. Honestly, I didn't saw this movie because there's Andrew Garfield in it - but more to what the movie is bringing into the table. For the first time in a war-themed movie, the main protagonist refuses to carry a gun as it goes against his values and faith. Now, like I said earlier, I hate to see a bunch of limbs and innocent man dies, so this movie is like a fresh breath of air for me. I sat down and watch it until the end, and despite my tears falling down at the end - I was left satisfied with the entire movie. Come to think about it, this is probably the second war-themed movie (aside from Apocalypse Now, 1979) that I couldn't wait to go back to and re-watch.

08.) Ritual (2012)

Ritual is a 2012 horror-mystery movie by Indonesian director Joko Anwar from The Forbidden Door (2009) and Satan's Slave fame and is almost a shame I didn't find this little gem a bit sooner. The synopsis is very simple; a father on vacation found himself wakes up separated from his family and races through the woods to find them. Pretty standard for a mystery-horror movies, but wait... there's more. Things wasn't exactly as it seems and just when I thought that he's finally gonna see his family again - the plot twist rolls in and boy - I am left impressed. Every scene from this movie only puts me further on edge and I wouldn't lie - I quite enjoyed the journey. Anyway, I couldn't think of any more words that could make me blab this entire movie so trust on my words that it's pretty cool psychological thriller I have seen by this year.


09.) Siccin 1 (2014)

This Iranian movie grew a cult following, mostly thanks to the person who dare to upload it on the internet. I swear, when I first saw this movie - I don't know what I'm getting myself into. Good or bad, that wasn't my main goal while I was watching it. I was more curious to how  this movie manage garnered more than a million views. Is it really THAT scary? I mean, what so special about it? Eventually, after sitting down and finished watching the first installment from this franchise - I finally understood. There's enough of scary, fear and gory presented in this movie that might lead you to think TWICE before you started pissing anyone's off (with or without realizing it). Anyway, I watch up to the third movie until I couldn't watch it anymore but I'm sure there's always a new movie lurking in the corner for this franchise.

10.) The Killing of A Sacred Deer (2017)

Supernatural. High Power. Boy Seeking For Justice. There's many words I can use to describe this movie - but logic isn't one of them. 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' is a movie that is plotted around revenge of a young man, Martin toward Dr. Steven who he accused to have killed his father during an operation. Dr. Steven, drunk as he is, fails to save his father and Martin seek for revenge. He begin to surround himself around Dr. Steven under a false pretense to help him cope with grief, when in reality he's using that reason to get close, not only to the doctor - but also his family. Strange things began to occur towards Dr. Steven two young children after they're associated with Martin that left them paralyzed and in a brink of dying. Eventually, Martin give Dr. Steven with an ultimatum - kill one of his family members to repay the lives of his father or lost both of his children. There's no logical explanation behind how the children were affected and how Martin is doing it to them - but it's strongly implied that they got better when they're near him and grew worse without him. If you're looking for some strange movies that is also poetic and tragic - then this movie might be the one for you.

11.) Forgotten (2017)

Never has a movie able to manipulated an audience, twisted it so badly to the pointed of unrecognizable - only to become whole again and finally starts to make sense. A guy move in to a new house with his family member; consisting a father, mother and an older brother. Things were fine at first and they look like a well-functioning unit until the older brother were kidnapped and became missing for 14 days. His return to home only raise more suspicion, especially towards the younger brother about what actually happened during the duration of his disappearance. His suspicion leads him conduct his own investigation and little by little - truths begins to emerge. Personally, I would think that this movie fall under horror genre and ghost will appear somewhere around the movie, but no such thing ever happened. This movie is straightly psychological thriller and it almost a shame that I didn't catch them deceiving me right from the beginning of this movie. Shame, indeed.

12.) Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

Before the arrival of Fred Rogers film scheduled released in 2019, we're served with this treat in a form of a documentary of the kind-hearted man himself. Despite passing away in 2003, Mr. Fred Rogers legacy lives and it's such a happy coincidence for me that I have to include it inside of this list. Mr. Fred vision is simple - to change the entire TV programs game especially the one that is directed towards the children. He loves children, genuinely cares about them, and would take his time to explain how basic to difficult things works in the name of children entertainment. His style isn't aggressive, bored, or clowning; he's a real-deal nurturer. Children loves him and immensely enjoys his show, while parents are comforted with the way he carries certain difficult topics such war and assassination. To top it all off, he also wouldn't mind taking a stand in the US government to request for funding for children entertainment not to be cut in half and get it doubled so that children everywhere can watch a quality show. All in all, Mr. Fred Rogers is truly the epitome of kindest human being I have ever known (posthumously) and I won't mind being his neighbor if he's still alive by today. 

13.) Taking Lives (2004)

Before there's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Angelina Jolie starred in this underrated crime-mystery flick 'Taking Lives' alongside her co-star, Ethan Hawke. Little is known to me at the time, either this movie is going to be great or just about the worse movie ever, but I stick around and immediately get hooked. Between reality, fantasy and red-herring, the lines are really blurred in this movie that I have some difficulty believing between the good and the bad guys. Naturally, the movie comes to a close and after the real culprit is revealed - I would say I'm not disappointed at all. Things escalated pretty quickly for our brave detective heroin as she seek to a serial killer who had been killing and terrorizing countless of men since the late 80's. Honestly, after I finish watching this movie, I quickly begin to write my review @ letterboxd.com because I want everyone else to start watching this movie as well.

14.) Sling Blade (1996)

Billy Bob Thorton, also widely known as 'the-guy-who-once-married-to-Angelina Jolie' starred in a movie called 'Sling Blade', a movie not only he wrote, but also starred and direct. I have no idea what Billy Bob is capable off (haven't seen much of his movies up to this point), so I came in with a little hope that this could be a good movie. The premise seems promising. A mentally-challenged man who had been put in an institution for more than twenty years are released to the outside world  - what could possibly go wrong? From a viewer perspective, I already could sense that something bad is about to happen, but the movie setting is so volatile, that I hardly could predict what's about to go down. As the movie reaching it's end, I finally saw the direction of this movie and thinks that it wasn't such a bad movie at all. It's melo-drama at its best, and I think it deserves all the awards and critical acclaims that it received when it first comes out.

15.) Gattaca (1997)

Kill Bill (Uma Thurman), Dead Poet Society (Ethan Hawke) and Alfie (Jude Law) get together in this 1997 sy-fy movie to shows us how far would science had advances in the future - that you could determine a person success and failure by just taking up their DNA right after they were born. Biology wasn't too kind to Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), and hence he was treated as a second-class citizen (in-valid), more than he feel what he actually worth. It's really a tragedy when a talented-man, being denied for a chance just because he's 'slightly different' (double-standard at its best). However, Vincent defies the system and instead keep on pushing his limitation as he knows that he's in it for the right cause. To help him with his plan is Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a 'valid' laboratory-engineered who had been paralyzed for months after involved in an accident. Together they concocted a plan that would benefits both of men. Meticulous and precise, they left no loose ends but things begin to get a little dicey once Vincent falls in love with his co-worker, Irene Cassini and unintentionally help risking his and Jerome's plan. I love this movie as not only that premise feels new and exciting, I can also watch the blossoming romance between Uma and Ethan. It didn't feel great to learn that they seek for divorce just a couple of years later, but it's still beautiful to witness how their love started (kinda like Brad and Angie). 

16.) Wonderful Nightmare (2015)

I saw a clip taken from this movie on Youtube a couple of months ago and believe me you - it's one of the most exciting clips I had seen in years. 'A woman died and wake up to handsome husband' - it says, and I couldn't be more than willing to click on that clip right away (I like funny titles, what can you do?). Nearly at the end of fifteen minutes clip - I was sold and decided to watch the rest of the movie. I wasn't disappointed. It was such a beautiful movie. Imagine a beautiful female lawyer who always puts her work first, feelings last... Then I imagine the same woman drive on a slippery road one night, failed to see in front of her windshield and then BAM - dies. In afterlife, they told her about her untimely death and offers her a grace period before they can put her soul back into her body. That grace period is where she had to live with a family with a husband and two children. DAMN you korean movies always know how and when to reel my feelings like this. So, yeah... things happens and I love this movie - from the beginning to finish. Kinda feel like watching it again, to be honest. I might after writing this post. :)

17.) Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988)

Elvira... Elvira... the Mistress of the Dark. I think I know about its existence after stumbling upon an old failed tv-pilot someone decides to put on Youtube. I saw the pilot, laughs a little, then proceed to watch something else. I leave it like that for a year, maybe two... until I started prepping my autumn vlogs. I seen this name being thrown a couple of times - which needless to say, enough to probe me to seek for it. I watch it the first time around and I'm in love. Elvira is such a funny character, and yes - just like the poster on your left - a little bit sexual for her own good. You know, as a female being, I have no issues with woman wanting to show-off her asset a little bit here and there, but when sexual jokes were also thrown into the mix - that's where I draw my line. I could never understand it and my response towards oversell sexual jokes aren't always the greatest (call me conservative, but that's just how I feel). Still, I love Elvira and her confidence, and it doesn't hurt to see a woman so happy and 'eager' to play a character as Cassandra Peterson. That woman is a Halloween legend! I saw this movie all-f'en-time on Halloween and I'm sure to keep this tradition when the next one rolls by. 

18.) Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)

Another Korean movie that manage to surprise me is this movie - Along with The Gods series. I'll be honest, I was only paying attention of this movie because of a Netflix trailer I saw from another movie (aren't we all, that's why they make them, right?). In an ironic-but-this-time-I-wasn't-too-pissed-with-this-ad - I decide to seek for it and boy, don't I love what I just saw? The story-line is great, the actor performance is great - to sum it all up, everything in this movie is just great (which is quite rare coz sometimes I found a movie a that doesn't live-up to the trailer and vice-versa). Anyway, I didn't want to talk more about it in fear of dragging this post and spoiling it for the rest of human being that still haven't watch this series, so this is where I left my review. I encourages you whom still virginal of this movie to go and watch it. I can give you a guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

19.) Simple Favor (2018)

 Hmmm.... Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in a movie called 'A Simple Favor' seems like a forgetable chick flick, but wait a minute... the forgetting part is not going to be THAT simple. This movie carries a heavy mystery and suspense banner that I almost regret (almost) for not watching it sooner. I totally digs this movie and after reading the book (A Simple Favor, Darcey Bell), in a case like Fight Club movie vs novel - I think the movie is far superior as seems to open up for the next sequel starring Anna Kendrick and maybe some new gal pal (frenemies/nemises). Seriously, compared to Big Little Lies sequel which may hits sometimes next year, I prefer a sequel from this movie. There something about it, perhaps the neo-noir setting from this movie that feels so great for a mystery/suspense movie that set it different from those other similar themes movies. The movie is about Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger who seeks to uncover the truth upon her best friend, Emily sudden disappearance from their small town. Her quest brings her closer to Emily past and her pristine cotton candy color life might be not as it seems.  

So, I guess that's it everyone - my top 19 list of unforgettable movies I had watch this year. I know what you might be thinking... Why don't you just round it up to 20? The answer for that would be quality over quantity. Anyway, I have so much fun writing this (even though it took me almost three months to complete with this post as I was busy tending some other stuff) and I really glad to be able to share it here with you, passerby of my blog. Thank you so much for reading this, hope you enjoy yourself and see you soon on my next one!

Bye!

Sincerely,
Mimi Said. 

Re-title: Angelic Confessions

So, I have this blog for over eight years now. Started off as a time-filler, then slowly progressing into a hobby, and today - I don't even know what it's anymore. Lately I had been thinking about re-branding my blog and to re-title it seems like a good start. 

Honestly, I had used 'Angelic Confessions' for quite some time now, so it wasn't a total 180-degree change, but this post shall mark my declaration and making it official. I had realized that every two or three years; I would have this sudden urge to wiped out my old post as I'm not a same person I was, and I won't be the same person moving forward. So, I'm saying goodbye to my colleges/university days post (even though I thought it was a great post at the time, it's time to move on). Nowadays, I just wanted to write things that I love, things that matters to me and I deeply cares about. Those would have a high chance to be posted in here. I'm ready to move on to other stuff that makes me happy and would put a smile on my face.

I'm not only doing this to my blog. I also decide to delete and scrub clean my Instagram photo's. I only follows a couple of people or pages that I deemed interesting instead of doing it for the sake of old times. This is exactly how I wanted to lead my life from this day forward. I don't care for anyone to understand, nor would care less about what they think. This is also my reason for my disappearance from all of my social media (I had a private Instagram account now) and why I never bother to come back. My departure from public eyes has been the best thing I had ever done, and I'm so happy with my life now that I almost regret not doing it sooner. 

Thus, I concluded my re-title introduction for my new blog: Angelic Confession. I solemnly swear that I'll make this blog more fun and exhilarating than its predecessor. That's it for now and see you soon on my next post.

Yours sincerely

Mimi Said

Cameron Highlands: Finding Hydrangea & Strawberries

Cameron Highlands adalah sebuah tempat percutian yang banyak meninggalkan kenangan manis untuk aku. Kali pertama aku kesini adalah sekitar May 2007. Tahun tu aku ambil peperiksaan PMR (now known as PT3). Time kelas tambahan lagi melambak. Pedulik pe aku pergi gak. Siap missed kelas extra lagi. Huhu, cuak gak time tu kalau aku tak score straight A's ke apa sebab terlepas kelas. Thank God berjalan pun dapat, straight A's pun aku sebat. Bagus kan? Ya, memang kena bagus kalau tak, gerenti dah kena sebijik dengan bapak aku. lolz

So, the other day aku tengok balik gambar-gambar lama time vacation aku tu. Serius, kelakar kot... Dengan chubbynya aku berserta fashion sensenya yang ntah apa-apa. Terus terang aku cakap, aku tak suka nak look back benda yang aku dah buat or achieve, but untuk trip ni - aku kentalkan jugak. And guess what? Aku tak regret pun tengok gambar-gambar tu semua. Why? Ya, walaupun aku chubby dan takde fashion sense - I remember being happy because I was having a good time with my family.

Anyway, getting back to the point of today's post, aku nak update yang aku ke Cameron Highland buat kali ke-duanya a few days ago. Yes, I know Malaysia je (kot), ko takyah update pun takpe (lainla kalau gi oversea) but what do I care? Bagi aku, asalkan aku puas hati dengan trip tu dan rasa macam ada something worth sharing - aku akan post di sini. Dah memang itu function blog ni pun. Personally, travel oversea bunyi memang best, tapi domestic lebih hassle free. Also, kalau travel oversea kena fikir budget (different currency rate and all). Leceh. Travel kat negara sendiri - boleh spend dengan lavish sikit. Lush life katanya...

R&R Dengkil: Sempat order ice cream dekat Baskin Robins sebab ada promo sempena demam bola.
This ice cream is on of my favorites - Royale Chocolate Mousse 

Bila aku compare antara trip aku ni dengan 2007, aku dapati banyak kelainannya. Antaranya, location guide. Kalau dulu nak pergi melawat Strawberry Farm ke atau kebun bunga mesti kena tanya orang atau sibuk cari tourist guide bagai. Sekarang, dengan adanya teknologi seperti smartphone, internet & aplikasi (waze); tidak perlu lagi. Taip je one word, berpuluh suggestion yang akan muncul. Dari rating dua sampailah the most popular tourist attraction. Dari yang di tengah-tengah bandar hinggalah ke rural area. Dari free hinggalah berbayar. Aku ni dah tentu-tentulah nak yang free admission je pasal I like to win. :")

Yes, muka happy pasal dapat tidur hotel yang memang mantap.
Kalau ada sesiapa yang nak spend weekend di Cameron Highland,
aku cadangkan tinggal di Avillion Cameron Highland.
Memang cecah beratus semalam tapi hotel ni baru, modern dan
sangat family-friendly. Service pun tip-top je.
Satifiaction level = 100%

So, trip ni aku pergi 3 days 2 night with my family members. First day mainly hanya lepak di bilik hotel dan selfies jer. Banyak gak selfies dan video yang aku ambil. Yes, video. For those who don't know, aku dah lama quit FB dan Insta sebab aku lagi prefer vlogging. Masuk tahun ni dah nak dua tahun dah aku daily vlog dan total video yang aku produce dah nak cecah ratusan. Quality pun makin lama makin best. Di sebabkan I like vlogging so much, aku tak miss langsung social media aku. Haha, that's a lie. Gambar-gambar di Insta baru pun sudah mencecah ratusan tapi masa buat dulu aku terus set mode private sebab nak jaga privacy dan lifestyle aku. Mohon jangan cari atau request pulak.

Time aku ke Cameron dulu aku budak lagi. Mana tau apa benda semua... Sekarang ni leklek je aku navigate jalan di yang berliku-liku tu pakai apps. Bukan susah pun. Signal 4G kau lagi-lagi bila dah sampai kat Tanah Rata. Itenerary aku ke Cameron adalah untuk a.) Beli Strawberry and straight makan kat situ b.) Singgah ke Cameron Valley Tea House untuk menikmati secawan tea panas serta enjoying view ladang teh dan c.) Cari bunga baru untuk garden dekat rumah aku. Achievable goals, kan? Which is why, semua yang aku plan runs smoothly...

Aku ingat nak kena travel Europe atau Jepun je untuk jumpa spesis bunga ni... Rupa-rupanya dekat Cameron
 ni pun ada. For those yang tak tahu, bunga ni namanya Hydrangea atau Bunga Tiga Bulan. Cantik kan?
Bunga ni merupakan bunga favorite aku.

Antara benda menarik (bagi aku) yang terjadi masa trip aku ke Cameron adalah bila aku terjumpa dengan bunga di atas ni. Pergh, excited gila aku jumpa Hydrangea secara live. Dah la live, besar lak tu... Yes, when it comes to flowers - the bigger the better... Sebagai self-proclaim green thumbs, aku sangat menghargai tumbuh-tumbuhan ni. Sebab tu lah every year on my birthday - akan ada satu ritual di mana aku bawa new plant into my home. For the entire year aku akan jaga plant tu elok-elok. Then, after a year is over and after aku rasa pokok tu boleh hidup sendiri, aku akan bring another plant dan jaga plant tu pulak and the circle continues. So far dah ada 6 plants under my care and semuanya masih healthy and alive. I love bringing a new life into my world.

Memang cantik gila. Aku sebenarnya nak bunga ni warna biru
tapi dah takde tu - color pink ni pun jadilah.

So, kenapa aku suka sangat bunga hydrangea ni? No particular reason. Cuma rasa affinity yang tak terunggap around bunga ni. Anime yang aku tengok tu pun selalu buat reference pasal hydrangea je so mungkin subconsciously telah di brainwashed untuk menyukai bunga ini tanpa sengaja. Huhu. One of the best thing pasal hydrangea ni adalah once ia berbunga, ia akan terus mekar sehingga tiga bulan! Lama tu so memang untung kalau tanam. Also, bunga ni pun special juga pasal boleh bertukar-tukar warna mengikut keasidan/ kealkalian tanah tanaman dia. Ha, tu yang best tu.

Ok. Dah jumpa Hydrangea & Strawberry.
This post is now complete.  

Like I said, itinerary pertama adalah untuk menikmati buah Strawberry yang manis lagi lazat. Selalu beli kat supermarket aku for sure akan dissapointed pasal buah rasa masam dan mahal gila (RM7+). Beli dekat sini baru RM5. However, aku perasan yang buah Strawberry besar sebenarnya lagi manis daripada yang kecil (around RM10) so aku recommendkan beli yang tu je. Memang mahal sikit tapi kepuasan hati tu terjamin.  

Ah, these Hydrangea beds feels GOOD~
Kalau nak ikutkan, nak je aku tidur sini sampai malam.
 Adakah ini yang dinamakan obsesi?

More picture aku dengan bunga ni. Lol.
Serius sama besar dengan muka aku.
I'm so jelly... jelly...~

Antara roses breed yang ada di sini.

Actually dekat Cameron ni ada banyak lagi pokok bunga yang lain seperti Roses, Orchid, Cactus dan sebagainya. Nak beli bunga bawak balik rumah pun takde hal. Cuma jangan petik bunga sudahlah pasal awal-awal lagi dia dah bagi sign dilarang memetik bunga kat situ which is obvious through this picture below.

No plucking, alright?

Selain daripada pokok hydrangea, aku enjoy pine trees jugak.

Setelah melawat ladang Strawberi, my family and I decide nak go for lunch and jalan-jalan pulak dekat sekitar town centre dia. Niat nak beli souvenir memang takde tapi found this cute Strawberry headpiece pulak so I decided to put it on. Boleh tahan cute. Oklah nak buat modal bergambar sebab nak beli rasa macam takde function pun.

Here's the Strawberry Headpiece

Like I said, aku suka bawa balik new plant into my home and life. Before leaving the place, sempat je aku beli sepasu Hydrangea dan 6 mini succulents. Tujuannya bila hydrangea tu dah berkembang biak, aku akan expand kat tempat lain. Mini succulents pulak for indoor decor because aku ada plan untuk built my own terrarium.

Ni lah dia succulentsnya. From left top - n/a, Mammillaria (Pincushion Cactus) & n/a
Left bottom: n/a, Sedum morganianum (Donkey Tail) & Cactus.
Sorry aku tak tahu name everyone yet.

Night time di sini memang best. Sejuk and redup je. Biasa kalau lepak kat kedai makan lama-lama boleh berpeluh la tapi sini rasa cam nak tidur pulak. Dinner kat Old Town sambil menikmati angin malam memang mengasyikkan. Cuma yang tak bestnya makanan mudah sangat sejuk disebabkan cuaca sekeliling yang hampir mencecah 18 darjah Celcius.

Dry Mee Curry from Oldtown Cafe.
Again, my favorite to-go menu kalau makan kat sini.
Air Sky juice je sebab dah banyak sangat minum minuman yang manis-manis sedari pagi.
Aku tak bolehlah nak minum air manis banyak sangat dalam satu hari.
Nanti aku jadi anxious.

Try golf cap my dad sebab rasa cam comel.

So, moving on to the next day, second itinerary adalah untuk singgah ke Cameron Valley Tea House untuk menikmati secawan tea panas serta enjoying view ladang teh. Yang ni aku save last day sebab senang on the way balik. Trip 2007 aku pergi jugak Tea House ni tapi time tu macam takde apa sangat. Menu kurang, service pun macam nak tak nak je. Mujurlah this time diorang dah tambah menu dan  dah ada varities of drinks to choose from. Customer pun ramai je. Viewnya masih sama macam yang aku ingat cuma aku tak singgah melawat ladang teh.

Teh dekat sini ada macam-macam jenis. Yang aku pilih ni regular dan harganya RM15.00
for one mini pot & 4 cups. Aku also add on Matcha Cake & Strawberry Cheesecake. 

Here comes the cake! Rasa takyah explain mana satu
 Matcha, mana satu Strawberry Cheesecake kot...

On the way balik, sempat je aku singgah dekat farmers market. Aku pernah nampak dalam blog yang ada orang beli bunga from Cameron untuk decor dekat rumah. Even though I know the flowers will confirm going to wilt in 2-3 days, aku beli juga. Tak mahal pun bunga warna-warni ni, cuma RM5.00 je. Bunga ros dia mahal sikit (RM10 for 8 stalk). Tak apalah, dah layu nanti boleh buat potpuri untuk letak kat tandas. 

Balik rumah je terus masuk dalam pasu kaca.
Tu pun dah boleh nampak dah bunga rose tu dah start layu.
Jadi potpuri la kau lepas ni....

Harga asal RM6.00 tapi dia kasi discount sehengget.
Maybe because I comel kot? teehee.

Antara teh yang telah dibeli. Aku tak berapa suka sangat souvenir.
But I love tea so aku tak rasa membazir bila beli ni.
Aku pilih mixed flavour because nak rasa semua tea under Cameron Valley flag. 

Oklah, sampai sini jelah dulu update family vacation aku kali ni. Insyaallah ada rezeki ke tempat lain pulak lah kita. Destinasi dah lockdown, tinggal implementationnye je yang kena diusahakan. Anyways, thanks for reading this entry. See you soon on my next post. Bye bye.

Yours Truly,

Mimi Said

JUNE.

Eight months after MA.
Six months after starting my minimalism journey.
Five months after involved in intermittent fasting.
Four months after starting my home-improvement project.
Two months after my 26th birthday.
A month after fasting month 2018.

Now JUNE is here.

My current feelings? I honestly don't know.
But I know what makes me happy...
Debt free and liberty.
Damn people changing themselves too much.
I hope they know what they're doing, up to where their life is heading
I won't wish you the best, nor pretend like I care
I don't honey, and I won't.
My Life is unique, and so are YOURS
I forget an old friend, but it wasn't my choice
Still, a life is a life - and I tend to live it the best way I can
Just live yours, and forget about me

Even from start, I wasn't yours to keep
To steal or to borrow
To touch or to hurt
To love or to kill
I'm here for you to forget
Strong as an ox, hostile as a fox
You took four leaps, and I'll spread a thousand over
Sorry, babe - but our times is finished

I can't wish you for the best nor pretend like I care.
The girl you know, is the girl you need to forget
Why?
Because she doesn't exist at the first place.
June finally takes her over, and she's finally awake.
Goodbye friend.
Farewell, sweet Nightingale.

Your's truly
Mimi Said

Things I Got Rid of on February 2018 (minimalism series)

Edited: This entry supposed to be posted on February but for somewhat reason - I had completely forgotten about it. A few months had passed since then and since I feel bad about deleting it, here's for your eyes to feast on. Enjoy reading!

I used to think that if you love something - then you gotta 'show' it. Writing comments, liking some random pictures, or whatever you do to make your intention well-known... Well, I don't really do that anymore. These days, I prefer to like/love something anonymously. In other words, I like to be inspired, but not really disclosing to anyone of what had actually inspired me... It seems like a cunning little thing to do, but I love it. Over the years I had grown to love my privacy and anonymity so much, it feels natural for me wanting to protect my sources.

But, not today. Today, I feel about talking about something that had inspired me.

It's had been more than 2 months since I began practicing minimalism. I never feel so much happier. My mind feel so at peace and there hasn't been a day where I feel of regret after getting rid of my stuff on January. I have a lot less stuff now, but that fact doesn't bother me that much. Each day feel fulfilled and simpler. I can walk into any store, look or try on any clothes - but come out without buying anything. That made me feel strong. Temptation is a worst enemy, but I make sure to stick to my budget and reminded myself - you don't need stuff and shit to feel happy. All you need is, YOU.

I used to buy a lot of things. From bracelet, to DVD's, to anime poster, hell - I even brought a air purifier because it looks like a novelty thing to have. It feel good to purchase them at first, but none of them leave a lasting impression. Some of those things I bought I haven't even touch in weeks or years (for that matter)... It feel like such a waste, but as soon as I start embracing minimalism - things finally makes sense. I feel so much in control now, instead of letting my desire and selfish reasons controls me. Come what may - advertisement on TV, Youtube videos, website, or even some shitty magazine - I couldn't be bothered.

Come to think of it, just about a week ago I deactivated my Facebook account because there's way too many people trying to sell stuff there. I found it too bothersome and honestly, too tempting... I figure that I don't need this bullsh*t, so I left. That's how serious I am about my minimalism journey. I get rid the temptation before it get to me.

On my first month of minimalism, I get rid about ten stuff on my list. Here, I had come back with another 10 more items for Feb 2018;

1.) Another 6 more books in donation pile. (Old romance novel)

2.) Old school bags ( there's about 4-5 of them. Also, in my donation pile.)

3.) A few more pieces of clothing (donation pile)

4.) Old condiments and expired spices 

5.) Old Tupperware and plastic storage (resell them at recycling centre)

6.) Old white paper (resell them at recycling centre)

7.) Old carpet

8.) Dead plant (and replant a new plant in its place)

9.) Boxes (minimize the boxes that I use to store my stuff; 5 into 1)

10.) Worn out undergarments

Honestly speaking, getting rid of stuff is one of the most liberating moments of my life. I used to be careful on my purchase and the thought of giving my private possession to someone else is unfathomable. Now, I couldn't even care less... As long as I know where my possession is going - then I'm fine about letting them go.

Yours Truly,
Mimi Said

Fragrance Scents That I Love

Aside from enjoying a sip from a hot tea, I also love applying a quick dash of perfume/fragrance on myself every now and then. Personally, I love scents that are fresh, light, fruity and slightly non-flowery. With my collections keeps growing in the passing years, I thought it only right to put them into a list and posted it in here. Anyway, with that being said - I hope you guys enjoy scrolling this post....

1.) Demeter: Sweet Baby (50ml & 15ml) by Demeter Fragrance Library

2017 Fragrance
Eau de Toilette
30 ml = RM 59.90 ; 15 ml - RM34.90

Demeter Frangrance Library was probably one of the first 'serious' perfume that I choose for myself. It has been around for more than 22 years (est. 1996), but I only seen its emergence in Malaysia on the late 2017. From the first moment I take a whiff of this thing - I know I'm in love. I got my first 15ml bottle from AEON Wellness and even though it was a little bit pricey - I still made my second purchase (30 ml) a few weeks afterwards. They had quite limit range sold in Malaysia (about 10-12 scents), despite having gigantic fragrance collection in oversea (they have about 300 scents in U.S). Among of my favorites are Sweet Baby, Daisy, Laundomat, Clean Soap, and Tears. 

2.) Peach Vineyard Body Mist by The Body Shop

2017 Fragrance
Body Mist
100 ml = RM59.00

The Second fragrance that I chosen in the year of 2017 was Vineyard Peach from The Body Shop. Since I already spent about RM500.00 from this store in the year of 2016-2017 alone, it probably weird not to include any fragrances into my purchase. I choose this scent because I enjoyed the fruity smell (along with raspberry and oranges). I brought this from the online store so I got to knock a couple of ringgits off from the discount they had offered. The scent is nice and very peachy. I enjoy applying it so much, especially after a long, hot shower at night.     

3.) W. Dressroom Dress & Living by W.Dressroom New York 

Fragrance 2018
Cologne
70 ml = RM25.90

W. Dressroom Dress & Living is a perfume that I brought in 2018. It's probably my favorite fragrances by far as not only it have fresh and floral scents, but it also have anti-bacterial purposes (2-in-1). It's also one of the fast-selling fragrance in South Korea and the price is pretty affordable with discounts. I brought my first three bottles from an online store called Shoppe.com. Since its a cologne, the scents are expected to last about 1-2 hours, but mine lasted for more than 12 hours after I sprayed it into my clothes. I think that's pretty cool. And also because I like it so much, I return to the store the following week to purchase another three bottles. This fragrance have about 10 different scents and among of my favorites are (45) Morning Rain, (97) April Cotton, (47) Fig Leaf, and (43) Always Happy and (02) Coconut. I will probably purchase more from this brand in the future.

4.) Summer Swing Cologne by Johnson's and Johnson's

2010-2017 Fragrance
Cologne
100 ml = RM6.90-7.90

Last but not least is this Summer Swing baby cologne from Johnson & Johnson's. A friend introduce it to me back in 2006, but it wasn't until 2010 that I decided to purchase it and turn it into my signature scent. I don't know if it's my old age or the fact that there's a lot of other fragrance out there - but I had grown tired with this scent. My last purchase was back in December 2016 but because of all these other perfumes and fragrances I had purchase in 2017 - I never look back.

So, these are some fragrance scents that I been loving lately. I think having your own signature scent / fragrance is very important as it would not only refreshing to wear, but makes your presence more memorable. Thank you for reading this entry. I'll be seeing you soon on my next post.

Yours Truly,

Mimi Said

Konmari Method & Goodbye,Things - The Nice Guide of Minimalism for Beginners

Today is 16 February 2018. And it has been more than a month since I decided that;

"Screw shopping. Screw stuff. Screw having to tidy up things every single day! I'm going full on minimalism starting 2018."

It was an idea that struck accord to me after reading so many articles detailing about the new 'minimalism' movement, how people having so little or next to nothing in their life. Living to the bare minimum puzzles me at first, though I didn't really chastises anyone who choose to do it. That's one thing I always try to remind myself - never judge people before getting to know them. So, I did a little more digging, watch more videos, read a couple more articles and books just to be sure that before making any comment - at least I am knowledgeable of the subject. As a result, I found out a couple of things. I realize that aside from having so little in their possession with theme color most constantly being white; most of minimalist also seems have one thing in common...

Most of them seems to be happier than they were before. 

I was skeptical at first. Yeah, you get rid of stuff and you're happy about it? Throwing, giving, reselling... a hundreds dollar of money spent, now all gone. Where's the logic in that? If it was me, I would be angry of the lack of profit return. But, that doesn't seems to be the case with these minimalist. For some reason, they're pretty content and more than willing to let go of their stuff even if it pays next to nothing. That part perplexes me somehow so I did a little experiment to test out if I can do the same thing and not feel mad nor cheated about it. So what did I do? I start off really small, of course.

I get rid all of my anime and movie posters. Yes, I did. 

Left pic: Before; Right pic: After
Look at my smug face. At the time, I had just finished decorating
my wall and was so proud about it. But, fast forward four months later...

So, I clean up my wall and left nothing there. Now, what? Any minute now - I was looking forward to start feeling happy and content. So, I look at my now almost barren wall, but yet - I felt nothing. Already I thought this is a failure... Perhaps minimalism wasn't for me, you know? I was ready to let it go but then decide to give it just a few more days. Which is exactly what I needed. 

I'm sure a lot of minimalist can tell you about the same thing - but it does take some adjusting after you just start to de-cluttering. 

So, a couple of days later - I look at the wall again and began to see its true worth. Sure, anime and movie posters might look nice at first; but a barren wall somehow have calming effects to me. No longer did I felt like the wall is 'screaming' at me - now, I can imagine whatever it's I wanted. I don't know quite how to explain it, but it was a good feeling to have and this is when I started to look minimalism in a different light.

The thing with me and trend is that we never seem to arrive at the same time. I would either be too late to the party or... too late to the party. The minimalism trend had started a couple of years back but I'm just finding it out now. Still, it doesn't matter to me how or when did I arrive... When I look at minimalism; I didn't particularly see it as a trend. I feel it have deeper meaning than that. To me - minimalism is a type of lifestyle that I had committed myself into. It is something that come to me at the right moment and help me deal with some issues in life. Over the years of living in my house, I had grown too comfortable to accumulate so much stuff to the point that I'm beginning to feel suffocated by it. Actually, 'choked' is more accurate... That is when I start researching for new meaning of life, about minimalism movement and long to have similir lifestyle as well.

But, wait... Isn't becoming a minimalist means that I need to get rid of stuff? But, I still need a lot of those things... Some I just brought last month! Does it means I have to get rid of that too? Again, I was feeling defeated before even fully started with anything.

Well, this is where these two books comes in handy...

A tidying guide by Marie Kondo (KonMari).
Truly a masterpiece for anyone who want to
get rid of their stuff but didn't know where to start.
(pic credit: Google images)

Only keep things that sparks joy in your life - that is one of the main teaching that KonMari preach inside of this book. Sounds legit. This books exactly what I needed to validate the need for me to hold on to some of my stuff (when I said 'some', I mean it loosely as 'more'). So, without so much of a feeling - I hold on to things such as my extra lipstick, eyeliner, and books tightly. There's no way I can get rid of these when I can still use it. But, later I realize that I'm just being stupid. Truth is, even though I could lie inside of my head and maybe coax my heart a little - I still can't fooled my own eyes. My eyes recognize a mess when it sees one and slowly, it starts to make sense into my head and undo the lies inside of my heart. Unable to turn a blind eye anymore, I start to choose things that sparks joy to me and began discarding my belongings...

Here's a list of things I decides to get rid of on my first couple of weeks of Jan 2018;

1.) Around 30 books I had finished reading (most of them are around 10-12 years old and still in a good condition. I donated all of it to the Public State library).

2.) My Anime & Movie posters. (I put them inside my graduation scroll. It's so thick and heavy. In case of life-threatening event, I plan to beat robbers with it.)

3.) Ugly physical photo of me when I was a teenager. (I tear it to pieces and burn it right then and there. I don't need this kind of reminder for the rest of my life)

4.)  Expired make up products and toiletries (Instant trash can)

5.)  Old clothes and bags (Donation box for course)

6.)  Old TV, broken DVD player, some other stuff that is recyclable (I brought it to the recycling        centre to be sold and receive some money in return).

7.)  Useless apps that take a lot of space inside of my phone (Delete them without hesitation)

8.)  Old letters and envelopes (tear it to pieces and then burn them).

9.)  Chipped cups and mugs (can be dangerous, so yeah - trash can.)

10.) Knick knacks for art project (also, trash can).

The list might seem short but the work that goes behind it was endless. Everyday I woke up with the same thought; "What should I get rid of today? I don't want it to be anything radical. It must be something I haven't touch or care for in a while..." Once I have decided on what to discard, I began to put my plan into work. Planing and structuring can be fun if you know what your goals are. And so, it goes. My morning starts to unfold.

When I was growing up, my family didn't have much. For a few early years of my life, we didn't even live in our own house. I still remember those days, scraping for bits and pieces of clay so I have something to play with and rejoice the moment I have playing with my cousins. But, I like reading so my dad would brought me a couple of comics and storybook. I would reread them again and again, but never feel tired of them. Fast forward twenty years later, we now lived in our own home and I have about 80 books in my possession; most I only read once (no matter how much I like them) and never bother to give them a second look after I finished. That's how much time had changed. I feel bad as I was writing this because I know that my books deserves better. Thus, I'm planning to reread all of those books again and once I'm finished - I'll be donating it to the library and let someone else benefited from it. 

To say that I had truly embrace a minimalist lifestyle - I wouldn't dare to call it that just yet. A lot of adjustment needs to takes place. One thing for sure - when I decide to let go things; I'll either make sure that I really, really don't need it (thrash can) or it's going of to a better place (donation box, library, etc.). I never throw away things if I wasn't sure. To me, de-cluttering must not only look easy on the eyes, but also soothes my mind and heart. 

There's another book that I read yesterday that also resonates well with me. It's a book written by a man name Fumio Sasaki, titled; Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism. I pick up the book, knowing it had something to do with minimalism but with a slight concern that it wouldn't be good as KonMari method. However, the advice I had received through this book was awesome and better than I expected. Mr. Sasaki is clearly a well-read man, as evident through his references of other authors (KonMari herself included), social and minimalism in Japan, his observation and opinion on what can be define as minimalism, and his very own advice of 55 things you can get rid of today and I couldn't be more grateful and found myself agreeing to everything he said inside the book. 

Honestly, if KonMari book had taught me to choose things that only sparks joy, Mr. Sasaki's shows me that there's another world out there once you start to embarks into minimalism lifestyle. I could go on and on of how much I love Mr. Sasaki book more than KonMari, but at the end of the day - it wouldn't matter coz I already obtain a very useful lessons from both. I also found both authors books compliments each other very well. I love how they talks enthusiastically about downsizing and selecting their stuff, how it had changed their life, and found happiness and joy within a clear space and their tidy houses. Their enthusiasm somehow inspires me on my own minimalism journey and I look forward the day I stopped missing my belongings and start focusing on my own personal growth instead.

This is how the book looks like.
The content is great and I rated it 5 stars.
I do enjoy the simplistic cover art.
(pic credit: Google images)

Even though I had read all of these books and pro-actively dealing with my stuff, I know there's a lot more to learn. My real focus right now is to use whatever STUFF that I still had left behind, and reconsider if I ever going to repurchase them again in the future. Such decision doesn't takes just a couple of hours, but a careful consideration. I'm looking forward for a change that not only benefit me for today, but in lifetime.

Thank you for joining me today and take a peak inside my minimalism journey. I'm looking forward to make more progress in the future. See you soon.

-Mimi Said-