Mad World by Adam Lambert

My AI 8 favorite contestant, Adam Lambert delivered a rendition of Tears for Fears' "Mad World" that was phenomenal - totally mesmerizing! I am still spellbound. Adam's version was reminiscent of the Gary Jules arrangement, rather than the original Tears for Fears.

This song was so awesomely haunting and beautiful and its definitely my favorite performance of the entire season so far. He managed to pull of a very rare thing that evening: a standing ovation led by Simon Cowell.

The show was running overtime to the break so only Cowell got to speak. “Adam, the bad news is we’re running out of time. The good news is that I’ll be the only one talking. I think words are unnecessary, because I want to give you a standing ovation.” said Cowell, who then stood, clapping.

In the history of AI, never has any one contestant risen to such great fame as Adam has. His fan base has no limits on age, gender, or race. He has certainly got my attention. Gay, bi or straight is not relevant to me, what matters to me is his authenticity and heart. My applaud to him for being himself. He deserves to be the Top 1.

Adam : You know what, I have nothing to hide. I am who I am. And this is about singing... nothing else

If you have not heard him sing, here is a full studio's version:-



Mad World
by Tears for Fears

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
And their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cos I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cos I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World

8 Wonder Ways For A Flat Tummy

Here are a set of workout and physical activities, which when combined with an ideal eating plan and cardio workouts can assure you of the killer abs that you always dreamt of...

1. Naukasana - A common yoga posture that works wonders on your abs. Method: Lie flat on the ground, with your back on the floor. Raise your upper body and legs to an angle of 30 degrees and hold the posture for 30-40 seconds, then relax. Repeat this asana for 10 times to begin with, graduating to 30 times. Breathe normally all through the work out. “Holding onto the posture tightens and contracts your upper and lower abs while repeating the movement tones them up,”

2. Ushtrasana - It is the counter pose to naukasana. Method: Stand on your knees, with heels facing upwards. Arch your back, placing your hands on your knees one by one. Hold your head behind pushing your belly outwards. Hold this posture for 30 seconds and repeat 30 times. “During naukasana , the ab muscles contract building up tension in the area, while ushtrasana releases the tension by giving your tummy a good stretch. It is important to practice ushtrasana after naukasana to save one's back from injury,”

3. Basic crunch

-The good old crunch still remains the best exercise to bag the perfect abs.

Method: Lie on the floor with your legs off the floor in a right angle. Keep your shoulders just above the floor. Breathe in and bring your knees in towards your chest, while lifting your upper body to an angle of 30 degrees and breathe out while you relax. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times to begin with.

“Don’t arch your back. The crunches will help you contract your abdomninal muscles giving them an effective workout,”

4. Bridging

- Stretch till you feel the burn!

Method: Lie flat on the floor with your hands resting by your sides, feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and knees bent. Now, contract your abdominals, lower back and gluts and slowly lift your midsection to form a bridge from your knees, through your hips to your shoulders. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower.

“Avoid this exercise in case you are suffering from lower back problems.”

5. Lying Torso Twists

- Twisting motion stretches the oblique muscles.

Method: Lie on the floor with knees pulled over your chest. Place a ball between your knees and stretch arms to the sides like an airplane, palms facing up. Contract your abs and twist your hips to the right, bringing knees towards the floor Don’t touch the floor, but use your abs to bring your knees back to the start and go to the other side.

“Make sure your shoulders lie flat on the floor and keep breathing normally,”

6. Cycling

- Not on the cycle, but on the floor.

Method: Lie on the floor and raise your legs. Make slow pedaling motions with both your legs alternatively. Keep breathing normally. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.

“The slower and controlled are the motions, more is the pressure exerted on your abs giving better results,”


7. Side plank

- Targeted to your oblique muscles or side abs.

Method: Lie down on your side with elbows supporting your body above the ground. Now lift your body sideways. This will make you feel the stretch on your oblique muscles giving them a good workout. 2-3 sets of 15-20 movements are ideal.

“Make sure your body is in one line without any bends and arches. If indulging in a strenuous workout is on your mind, hold in the position and pulsate,”

8. Dancing wonders - Feel the pulse “Stomach muscles are core muscles involved in any kind of dancing. A toned stomach accentuates your moves, while dance movements make your stomach sexy. It’s a co-related process,” Some of the dance forms that can help you tone your stomach include Lindy Hop, Jive, cha cha and belly dancing. “All these forms of dance involve lots of lifts, dips and tricks which give a great workout to the stomach muscles”

The above mentioned abdominal muscles are required to be repeated over a period of time to get desired results. “Give sufficient rest between abdominal exercises and sets. Increase the amount of repetitions that you perform each week by two times, until you can comfortably perform 20 repetitions of each abdominal exercise,”

“With adequate diet and a regular workout, the effects can be felt in as many as just seven days”

American Idol Top 8 Prediction

Here is your official list of the season’s Top 8 performers.
Which remaining American Idol do you think will win it all?

American Idol 2009 Top 8:

• Danny Gokey
• Kris Allen
• Allison Iraheta
• Adam Lambert
• Lil Rounds
• Scott McIntyre
• Matt Giraud
• Anoop Desai

One of these 8 singers is your next American Idol! Who do you think it will be?
Well, my prediction is as you can see .............from the top photo ....to the bottom. But Kris is coming up based on his singing last week.

April Baby

Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous.
Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and
sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does
work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive.
Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good
memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look
for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or
make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and
others. Understanding. Fun to be around.
Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive.
Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and
traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

American Idol Top 13

American Idol Season 8

I am a great fan of American Idol. Now it is down to Top 12 finalists plus 1. It is special this year, the 4 judges decided to have an extra place in the final of American Idol. Yep, call it Lucky 13 for Anoop. He was picked as the last of Idol’s new Top 13.

Let get personal with Top 13 contestants:-

1. Danny Gokey

He is 28 years old from Milwaukee, WI who lost his wife just 4 weeks from his audition night. . He is the oldest among the finalists and a church music director. He has a great voice when he sang 'Hero', a Mariah Carey version. He is 1 of my favorites.

2. Alexis Grace

Alexis Grace (21 yrs) is a singer from Memphis, Tennessee. Grace has been singing since she was 7 years old. She was a member of the Concert Choir at the University of Memphis, and enjoys dancing, playing the guitar and taking care of her daughter. This is her 3rd times audition for Idols. She sang Aretha Franklin’s “Never Loved a Man”.

3. Michael Sarver

He is 27 years old, married with two children and hails from from Jasper, Texas. This family man has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, as he works on an oil rig. He sang 'I don't wanna be', a song by gavin mcgraw.

4. Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert is a stage actor who is currently in the cast of "Wicked." Adam Lambert began singing at age 10 and has been involved with musical theater for the past eight years. Adam Lambert grew up in San Diego, California but currently lives in Hollywood. Adam Lambert is 26 years old. He is a flamboyant guy or gay? He sang The Rolling Stones' classic "Satisfaction." The judges were blown away, amazed that the singer could display such a range. He is also 1 of my favorites.

5. Allison Iraheta

She's only 16 years old. This Los Angeles native has appeared in a few commercials and lists volleyball, soccer and running as a few of her favorite activities. She sang the song "Natural Woman" as part of her initial audition and chose "Alone" by Heart for her semifinal performance.

6. Kris Allen

Kris Allen is 23 years old from Conway, Arkansas. He is a student at the University of Central Arkansas. He has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Kris Allen made the bold choice to sing Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" during the semifinals. It paid off.

7. Lil Rounds

Lil Rounds hails from Memphis, Tennessee. She made quite the impression on American Idol judges during her eighth season audition. Randy Jackson said she is a mix of Fantasia Barrino and Mary J. Blige. The 23-year old mother of three blew viewers away last night with her rendition of Mary J. Blige's “Be Without You." Her voice is incredible power. Another 1, my fave.

8. Scott MacIntyre

Scott MacIntyre is 23 years old from Scottsdale, Arizona. He is almost blind and plays several instruments including the piano guitar and drums. He started college at 14 years old and earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University at age 19. He then attended graduate school in London, England. He sang Bruce Hornsby’s 'Mandolin Rain' and the judges like him.

9. Jorge Nunez

Jorge Nuñez is in his fourth year at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. In addition to English and Spanish, Jorge Nuñez is also fluent in French. Jorge Nunez-Mendez currently lives in Carolina, Puerto Rico but is originally from Cidra, Puerto Rico. Jorge Nunez is 20 years old. He sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" a song by Elton John.

Below are the Wild Card Finalists selected by the judges:-

10. Jasmine Murray

Jasmine Murray 16 years old and currently lives in Starkville, Mississippi but is originally from Columbus, Mississippi. She is a high school student who attends The Mississippi School of the Arts. Jasmine Murray loves being on stage and has been singing since she was 3 years old. She sang 'Reflection', a song by Christina Aguilera. She is very to be lucky to be selected in the Wild Card Show. That night, she made quite of mistake in her rendition though she has good voice. Wrong choice of song, I guess. She wowed me in her earlier audition.

11. Matt Girard

Matt Giraud is a life-long resident of Michigan who graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007. Matt Giraud is a dueling piano player who sings and plays in local clubs and hotels. Matt Giraud currently lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan but is originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Matt Giraud is 23 years old. He sang 'Who's loving you', a song by the Jackson 5. He is a smooth singer, very entertaining.

12. Megan Corkrey

Megan Joy Corkrey is a font designer with a 2-year-old son named Ryder. She has been singing since age 3, and is a self-professed "foodie." She currently lives in Sandy, Utah but is originally from Taylorsville, Utah. Megan Corkrey is a 22 years old. The judges loved her sound during the Wild Card audition, as a rendition of KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" made Corkrey dreams come true. She is a unique person. She got originality in her.

13. Anoop Desai

Anoop Desai is working on his master's degree at the University of North Carolina. During his undergraduate years, Anoop Desai was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group. Anoop Desai is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Anoop Desai is 21 years old. He sang "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown. He is luckiest guy as the judges saw something in the affable singer and brought him back as a wild card.

American Idol 4 Judges, Randy Jackson, Kara Diogardi, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell with the host, Ryan Seacrest.

'American Idol' Season 8 shows on Star World (Astro Ch 711). You can also catch it on 8TV.

March Baby

Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity.Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered.Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.

Sunday Morning Market at Gaya Street

When you are in Kota Kinabalu Town for the weekend, you should visit the Sunday morning market at Gaya Street which is an interesting place to shop, bargain or just watch around and have a good walk at the same time.

You can find local traders displaying their goods under shady trees and over-sized umbrellas, such as local arts and handicrafts, batik sarongs, fake branded bags and clothing, fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, jewelleries, antiques and souvenirs, drinks, local delicacies, cakes and foods, medicine and herbs, animals such as chicken, pet puppies, cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds, fishes and lot more.

The market fair is held at the Gaya Street and the street is closed to traffic from 6.30 am to 1.00 pm. During this time, the street is crowded with all kind of people, so be extra careful with your bags and wallets. If you are thirsty, hungry or worn out, just pop into one of the many coffee shops and eateries along the street.

It is an enjoyable outing for me at the Sunday Market. There are so many interesting and unusual things to look at or even study and in fact I have gained more general knowledge.

Here are photos taken before the Chinese New Year:-

Feng Shui Products for good luck for the coming chinese new year

Flowers to beautify your living room during Chinese New Year

CNY Homemade cookies

More photos taken during 1st Sunday of Chinese New Year:-

Hats hanging on a line

Wooden tree roots ducks

Parrot in a pink cage for sale

February Baby

Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

Underwater Heritage of Sabah

This is my first visit to Aquarium and Marine Muzium situated at the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Campus. It is one the best marine aquarium facility in Borneo to date. Luckily for me, it is opened on Sunday and you need to pay RM5.00 for an entrance pass.

UMS Aquarium & Museum

When you enter, look up! (Imagine Sipadan Deep Dive)Coral Showcase

You can see these at the museum ~ marine mammals
Hanako the Dolphin

Culvier's Beaked Whale Skeleton

Dead Tortoise

Seascape

January Baby

Your Personality will be:

Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.

See, if it rings true for you!

New York New York in 1Borneo

Here we go again, New York New York! 3rd time been here, another try for different dish

This is good. Cheese Garlic French Loaf

Mushroom Soup to dip in with. Can have a try.

Salmon tuna sandwich. No 2nd time order.

Fettuccine pasta with fried fish. Look at the size of the fish.

Hawaii chicken ham and pineapple pizza. Thin and crispy pastry. Nice.

Ha ha, haven't try this Giant Yankee Burger yet. Heard that the meat is very juicy and tender. It is their signature dish which is an 8-inches wide, 4-inches high burger with 2 pounds of juicy ground beef served on a large bed of fries. The serving sizes are enough for 4 persons.