Week 15 : Pole stars 2010

A while ago I wrote that I had taken a pole dancing class for fun. The Boyfriend of course, was not an avid supported of me trying out the class but I insisted that it was more for fitness than for any other negative connotation.

The class was fun, albeit a little challenging. Some things that you should know that they do not tell you about - you should wear shorts. Not so that you can show off your sexy legs, but more so that you can have better grip with the pole. Imagine wearing long workout pants and then trying to wrap your leg around the pole. Insufficient friction = fall flat on your face.

After one class, I never did manage to bring myself around for another. Not that it wasnt enjoyable, I was just too lazy to drag myself there.

So I jumped to the chance when my sister invited me to watch the Pole dancing fitness competition in Quattro. The contest is meant for serious pole dancers only and not not serious in the sexy way. Each contestant will perform a routine that will incorporate varying degrees of difficulty in their show e.g. the different stunts that they can do. They are then scored based on the difficulty level of each act (as well as some aesthetic performance showmanship Im sure). The contestants are not allowed to dress sexily (sex does NOT sell here).


(Men compete as well)


(Contestants are scored on the level of difficult 'stunts')

The semi-finals at Quattro saw two different categories for competition. Exotic pole and fitness pole. The contestants were really good and the routines entertaining to watch. Though, in the end only a few people made it through to the finals which will be held at Opera in Sunway on May 22nd.

(You gotta have mad skills to compete)

If youre interested in catching the very last leg of this competition (no pun intended) head on over there to watch the finals. The winner will represent Malaysia in The International Pole Dance Fitness Championship 2010.


(Look Ma, no hands!)


(He made it to the finals)

For more details on the championship, visit http://www.mypolestars.com/
For more details on pole dancing classes, visit http://vivavertical.com/

Week 14: Relax

Even I cant travel around every weekend, and especially not when half of your Saturday is already wiped out by having to be in the office and attending a meeting. I didnt want to waste my Sunday by doing things that would tire me out even more (and without sufficient recovery time), so I spent Saturday night at Mandarin Grill. The newest 'hip' restaurant to be at. The decor is incredible (sorry no pics, next time). The service was good. I loved that they come by with a whole selection of steak knives for you to choose from. The food was pretty good as well. The foie gras burger with truffle mayo... MMMmmMmMmMm..... Ive tried twice to get reservations at this restaurant, and got lucky the third time round. The restaurant was never full that night even though they kept on telling people that it was, so I dont know, maybe they have some special reservations or something.

As for Sunday, I went over to Amante in Mont Kiara for a nice massage after spending Sunday brunch at Bijou. (The big breakfast is excellent!) and the ambience amazingly cosy. Perfect for breakfast, coffee and a read. The rest of the day was spent boringly completing errands around the house which included one of my fav activity...

Reading from my reading corner with the amazing view.

Hope you had a good weekend too!

Week 13 : Music and mayhem

I typically bring my mother out on weekends for shopping trips. She and I enjoy the cool mall, walking around and trying on clothes, catching up, and having cups of coffee. Its a little ladies meet and greet and I think its nice to just spend some one-on-one time with my mom.

My dad, now, thats a completely different story. My dad likes watching Formula 1 (what?!) traditional and world music, and eating in back alleys. He also likes cars, motorbikes and all that stuff. Since my brother (only son) lives in Japan now, Ive always felt that my dad gets the shorter end of the stick as he doesnt have someone to really 'hang out' with.

That being said, I decided to bring my dad out for a Ghazal show tomorrow. Its at 11 a.m. at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall in KLCC. Entry is RM10

(hmm, I just checked out the website and its not there, but its listed in Time Out)

http://www.timeoutkl.com/music/events/Ghazal

Blurb from Time Out
This Music Appreciation Session will bring Ghazal – an ethnic music genre originated from India and Persia. Musicians from the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group will guide participants through the absorbing intricacies of a traditional art form which is still very much alive till today. Ticket for general public is RM10 whereas Encounter Club members and students can buy them at RM5

Location : Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) Level 2 Tower 2, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, KL
Number : 03 2051 7007

As for tonight, will be heading out to Alexis at Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang to listen to a "Crazy Japanese pianist" (synthesizers involved) - assuming I remember to make bookings. Eepps!

The coffin exhibition

We headed over to the coffin exhibition at the National Museum. Entry fee is RM2 per adult. Its actually a separate exhibition from the main gallery. Parking at the museum is also ~RM2



The exhibition is arranged chronologically. From neolithic times all the way to the present. The infamous Perak man was from Neolithic times and is buried in a feotal position, sideways. They also had really cool coffins found in the Niah caves.


There are coffins that were slates of rock stacked on top of each other.



There were also coffins from Borneo. A lot of different styles based on the different indigenous groups.



Sometimes I think things can be a bit spooky. Like walking around and looking up a tree to find a coffin and a body lying sideways.


I have more pictures of course, but why ruin it for you. Check it out from now until April 20th at the National Museum. They also have interesting coffin exhibitions from Indonesia and Philippines.