Minz is Back!

For those who were following my old blog in 2006 would remember me working in Bangsar Village. It was for Minz which is ran by Sister No.2 and 4 but we, the others pitch in wherever we can. At that time, it was child labour for me but I was fed very well and emptied their pockets efficiently with purchases from Starbucks and Auntie Anne's :D

Way back then.

3 years later...
..and we're back ;)

Well, we're back this year at Bangar Village once again with fantastic sales and bargains. Definitely NOT to be missed! If you're looking for a gift for that beautiful woman in your life - be it your mother, sister or wife, Minz has something for everyone's style. We are after all, your style salvation ;) So, do drop by! If you're lucky, you might catch me there but SPM is hindering me from helping out. You will, however, get to meet The Sisters so go and say HI and maybe a "Are you Sandra's sister?!". Things to note: don't freak them out and buy something x.

Christmas is fast approaching, uh-oh!

Buying A Camera

I have been wanting a new camera. I have been using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 for far too long and sharing it too though it is practically my own because The Sisters don't blog or take much pictures unless absolutely necessary. So, for my 16th birthday, the Sisters said that they'll get me a camera of my choice. Oh wait, didn't I just turn 17? Yes, I have taken that long to decide. So, this camera would sort of be a double-birthday present which means bigger budget! ..or some add-ons (like shopping money *HINT*).

Anyways, I have asked around a bit to what cameras I should get etc. and as much as I would love an Olympus Pen or a Leica, I would rather spend that money on a Chanel.. For the choices, I have narrowed them down to the final three.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

My current Lumix has done me well and manages to take exceptional pictures all the time so it would only be right to consider a newer, better, upgraded version of it. The only issue I have with it is the limited zoom 2.5x when my current one can go up to 5.7x. Some people wonder why I need the zoom and the reason is for concerts, events when I see a drool-worthy victim 500m away from me and well, you get the drift. Further details on their website.

Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS

Honestly, the only reason I am only considering this camera is because I really value my friends' opinions espesh when they're pretty camera-pro-kinda people. However, 10 Mega pixels and a 4x zoom aren't even able to make me overlook its body a slightest bit. To be frank, I HATE THE DESIGN. Even I'M surprised at myself to be actually considering it. Further details here.

Casio Exilim EX-G1

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that this camera was MADE FOR ME. It's water-proof, dust-proof, 14 degrees Fahrenheit-proof AND shock-proof. Like the Brother-in-law said, "You can drop kick the camera and it'll still be okay." As you all know how I love to go out and about and also, how accident-prone I can be, this would be perfect. It has a decent zoom and it comes in chili red - oohlala much? ..and the conventional black too, if you'd like. Boasting itself as the World's Slimmest Shock Resistant Camera, as I type this, I seem to like it more and more. Details here!

Anyways, what do YOU think? Take the poll on the left sidebar. Whichever I choose, that baby's gonna be taking all the pictures here so vote wisely x.

YES 2009

Talk Bits: SPM has begun. Summary so far: BM was shits but I never liked the language anyways, history was good, English was English and EST felt good but it's one of those things that you'll never know. Surviving but heck, add math awaits me. It feels funky to know that I won't have to touch Malay or history ever again. Did I mention I get to burn give away those books&papers now?

Some of you were probably quite sick of #yes2009 appearing on your Twitter dashboard; some of you might have been grateful and some of you might have been confused. So, what's the hype? What's YES 2009? As quoted from their website (http://yes2009.asia/), "The Youth Engagement Summit is a platform to create a cadre of engaged, active youth leaders dedicated to making positive changes happen in their communities and in the world. "

Just to clarify some things, I did not PAY for the conference but was given the opportunity as a Star BRAT so thank you editors for the opportunity :)

As a delegate, I was provided accommodation at Malaya Hotel which I only stayed at for ONE night. Why did I go? To meet people! Why did I not stay? Because it was dingy and dodgy but also because I needed some sleep. I simply COULD NOT sleep AT ALL that night. Anyways, I met up with the other BRATs who were with some Vietnamese. Our first stop was the Central Market because it was a walking distance.


They didn't buy anything because obviously, their stuff at Vietnam markets are a lot nicer and not to mention cheaper! They are however, extremely friendly and happy and cheery.. gosh, I could go on! I am envious of their constant hee-hee-ha-ha-ness. SPM isn't the cheeriest thing around.



After window shopping, we brought them to the mamak for the mandatory roti canai and teh tarik. We also ordered murtabak, thosai and roti tisu for them to have a taste. All of it on Tristan too so thank you Tristan! ;) They were very amused by our cuisine when they asked me what is Malaysian - it's so hard to pinpoint on anything so I gave a huge list which left them :S The language is a bit of a problem but I was surprised at how well some of them spoke English!

Day 1! She wore the traditional costume - pretty cool.

OMG PENGUINNNN. SO CUTEEE.

With fellow ACTs-ers ;)

This is just a scratch on the surface of how interesting YES 2009 was. Some of the speakers really blew me away and I stress on some. Some were bleaugh. More on that tomorrow; will try to make use of the weekend to update! Don't bail on me just yet, folks x.

One Cloudy Day

I think clouds are remarkable or really, God is amazing for making them. I can stare at them all day for they always look like something else at the second look. When I was young and whenever I was on a plane, I would look out the window and imagine myself hopping from cloud to cloud. Bounce bounce bounce. Of course, there came an age where I learned that they were really water. What a way to burst my bubble of dreams. Nonetheless, I still adore them for their fluffy-looking-ness and of how they remind me of cotton candy *yummy* :)

One wonderful evening after a WOD at PushMore, I saw the most AMAZING cloud in my whole cloud-seeing-life! Sister No.2 was nice enough to stop at a red light for me to snap some shots. IT WAS HUGE and SO FLUFFY - I was in a literal jaw-dropping awe.

Hiroshima bombing.

McDonald's ice cream.

The original. Unedited.

So pretty :) God never fails to surprise me with his wonderful creations which continue to amaze me everyday. 2 more days, form fivers and it'll be over before we even know it ;)

"Ex" (Leadership Night 2009)

I have spent the last 5 minutes staring at this blank space, thinking of how to begin this and honestly, I still don't know. At every end of one's life chapter, they're bound to become an "ex" of something; be it a relationship, graduation or a new job. Well, I am now the ex-Deputy Head Prefect of Sri Cempaka Damansara 08/09. I stepped down last Wednesday and it's hard to believe because it seemed like it was just the other day that I was being installed *CLICK*.

The new ties *eek! so excited!*

My first Juniors, so proud of you.

Clowns. Al & Boon! Be good! Hee :D

It has been a wonderfully crazy year. Event after event, assembly after assembly, issue after issue; many beloveds would remember my stressed out days, super tense shoulders and occasional spurts of insanity & frustration. It was truly an experience I will cherish forever. I could not be more grateful to all my Prefects for their support and cooperation, the Probates for patience and understanding (at least, I hope ;) and my Head Prefect, Tan Sien Yi for being a great Boss ;) - it's been real great assisting you in the past year.

Pre-installation. Remember your humble beginnings :)

Juniors *sigh* so young and free..

To the newly installed, I pray that none of you slack because I see so much potential and it would be sad to see them go to waste! Seize the moment and make everything you do worthwhile. Being a Prefect has had such an impact on me and I hope that you will learn from being one as much as I have. I've seen each and everyone of you through probation, watch you fail, watch you succeed and grow into the Prefects you are today. I have done my part and it is time for me to bid farewell. Prefectship is beyond the red tie, the sassy uniform and the express lunch line; may you continue to grow as a Prefect everyday but everyone has their own journey - make it memorable.

Junior boys, so young, so tall - nyeh, how annoying :P

With her spankin' new tie!

Goh Mei Jing, I am beaming for you. Do me proud, Munchkin ;) I know that the Board is in good hands and that you'll be able to fill in the Big Shoes I left - oh wait, you're too small! :P Kaylyn Chandran, I doubt you can be another Tan Sien Yi but I know you'll leave a mark of your own. Best of luck to the both of you!

The Triplets I have known since they were Form 1. They were SO SMALL then :D

flash & flubber

His wonderful speech that started with 4 REMARKABLE words:
"A very good evening..." (inside joke :P)

To sum up everything I have learned would be difficult but I'm gonna try. My first lesson was that you cannot do everything - always delegate! I learned that leaders have to sometimes play good cop/bad cop. No prizes for guessing who was the bad cop! :O -.- It was hard to always make the right decisions and to stick by the correct ones. Not everyone appreciates the decisions you have to make but through this, I found true friends. I learned that it's easier to communicate with students when you know their names *a tip to the new prefects* ;) - they respect you more and you get to know them better too. I learned that you should always focus on the solution than the problem itself and to always understand and to hear them out first. On a general note, I have organised more than enough events to last me a lifetime - err.. bye bye PR job :P, been the bad cop on far too many occasions and learned how to respect the peers I work with as well as the school of students I deal with day to day.

The old, the present and the new.
(Spot meeee! My legs seem to be the most parallel ehehe.)

That is merely a peanut of what I have to say. Call me for coffee and I can go on and on and on and on. It's so hard to end this post because I can't seem to find a proper way to end it or a way worthy enough! 3 years of Prefectship. 3 years that have played a huge role in making me who I am today. 3 years of my life that I will always look back at and be grateful for.

Head & Deputy; good times x.

The best way to end this chapter of my life is with the words I started it with...

I, Sandra Tan Min Wan, mindful of the duties and responsibilities of a prefect, and always conscious, that upon the bearing of a prefect, rest the tone of the school, hereby accept, the office of Prefectship. I solemnly resolve, to carry out my duties and bear my responsibilities, to the best of my ability.

- Deputy Head Prefect 08/09 -

THE END.

MIF-W: The Hair Show

Talk Bits: Updates have been awfully irregular and not to mention short (and sweet! Riight? :P). As you all know, I will be sitting for my national examinations in EIGHT days. God's been helping me to study and He's gonna be my side all the way! Aiyah, will survive la. Well, it only determines the rest of your life right? Of course not -.- There's this big misconception about SPM that if you fail it, you're a failure in life. Don't let them psychos get to you. It is important but not the end of the world; it gives you a head start but does not determine your future. Fret not, do your best and all the best to all my lovely co-SPM-ers ;)

It's Malaysia's International Fashion Week so I took just one hour out of my very busy week of gym sleeping stoning studying to support my hair stylist, Miko Au's Hair Show. I started going to him when I was just 13 years old and when he was still based in SETAPAK. Yes, we Sisters would arrange a day each time for all of us to head over to SETAPAK (which is like the other end of the world) to get our hair done. No land too far shall hinder women from their rights to beauty ;)


I'm not sure whether this is Malaysian culture or fashion culture but none of these fashion events everrrrr start on time. I could have eaten at the food court, shopped at TOPSHOP and prolly walk over to Ch'ng Ee's crib AND back to be in time for the show. So, when there's free time at these kinda things, you can't help but be a critic to everyone around you 0:) Lets just say it wasn't entirely pretty. Thank goodness it started.. eventually!

Themed White Lies or White Noise - I can't really remember :S

I would think it was White Noise if my memory serves me right due to the distinct white noise they played for the runway. The look + the music = ZOMG is this a cult?! Then again, I respect his artistic views; it just doesn't tickle my fancy. On a brighter note, Mummy attended Eclipse by Sonny San's and Tangoo's the day after which made her want to buy ME a dress. See, good things really do come out of these things ;)

The clothes are by locals.

Furry box with HOLES for him to see. Fascinating seems to be the only word to sum it up.
The female models were not exactly model material because they weren't tall, they weren't skinny enough which I now understand why models have to be and one had a really bad scoliosis. Yet I suppose it's the hair we're looking at, no?

The Walk.

I didn't love him on the runway but I definitely adore him in the salon. He is now based in Salon Esprit, Pavilion and yes, he's the one responsible for all my funky dos. From my first BIG CHOP to China doll failll to my boy-short punk look... I loved all of them even if they took me a second look to embrace them ;) Well, wait a month more and something foo-resh (inside joke :P) awaits my locks. I go in, say "DO WHATEVER YOU WANT" and he never disappoints. It is afterall, his canvas.

With The Man of The Hour.

Tujuh Belas

Best birthday cake EVER.

I am 17 years and 9 days old. Still relatively young and younger than most people and definitely very young at heart. I still have this weird peeve with birthdays :/ but had fun eating to the beginning of my 17th year (Sandra Tan syndrome!). Thank you for the presents, fooood ;) and love!

October 30th babies x.