We were in charge of the drinks. Naturally, that includes ice too. So we bought 4 packets of ice cubes from 7-11.

The evening went by as it should. Eating, drinking, laughing, gossiping, etc. While all this was happening, Raja and I took turns refilling the ice cubes into a bowl. Which by the way, was a stainless steel bowl instead of an ice bucket. How sad is that? I need to start being a better wife and get proper kitchenware.

Anyway, I emptied the first packet into the ‘non-ice bucket’ bowl and placed it next to the drinks. As it got later into the evening, Raja emptied the second packet. When I got to the third packet, I realized that the ice cubes were no longer in small pieces, rather frozen together like a big block of iceberg.

So I stood there in the kitchen alone, contemplating on whether I should actually do something about it. Heck. It was too much work. I decided to let it be. With a hint of optimism, I was hoping it will melt and break into smaller pieces. That, ladies and gentlemen, did NOT happen. What was left was a chunk of semi-melted ice cube. Still the same piece, only much smaller than before.

When the fourth time came around, I decided to teach the stubborn ice cube a lesson. So I whacked it with a spoon. The biggest baddest spoon I had in the kitchen. Whack! Whack! Whack! Just when I thought I was getting the message across, Raja’s voice came from the living room. “Err…Baby, are you okay? What are you doing?”. Apparently my disciplining method was making too much noise. Damn.

In the middle of explaining what was happening, I soon found out that Raja had encountered the same problem while emptying the second packet. Unlike me, Raja and his friend used the pestle. The pestle?! So that’s how it’s done. Raja was warning me about the coldness of the ice against my hands and something about using warm water, but I wasn’t really listening. I was drifting away thinking, Man, I seriously need to hunt down the person who gave us that wedding gift and seriously thank him or her.

Thrilled, I held the pestle using my right hand and push aside the mortar. Because really, what could be better than a huge stainless steel bowl as a substitute mortar? Then I started pounding on the block of ice. Bam! Bam! Bam! Again, Raja’s voice intervened from the living room.

Raja: Baby, is it working? By the way, why is it so loud?

Me: I don’t think it’s working yet. But the ice is turning yellow though, from the ‘kunyit’ stain.

Raja: Don’t use that end. Use the other end.

Me: It’s still not working. It’s just flat.

Raja: Are you pounding on the ice??! You’re suppose to lift it in your hand and knock it, not pound on it. Which is why I told you to let the warm water run incase your hand hurts.

Ooooohhhhh, so that’s what he was rambling about earlier on. Seriously, sometimes I seize to impress myself with my stupidity and naivety. It’s also pretty impressive how I got through life this far.

Anyway, here’s a shot of the devil ice cubes in the ‘non-ice bucket’ bowl.

Side note: I’m kind of bummed because not only do I not know how to “properly” operate a blender, I’m also failing at basic mortar and pestle 101. Just when I thought I had fully mastered it. Sigh.

I have only one reason and one reason alone. I am just plain lazy. The mood to return back to night four has totally slipped away, officially buried somewhere in my cerebral cortex and absolutely refuses to resurface. I apologize.

Then came night five. I realized that if I did not post anything immediately, ‘Midnight Walk: Part Cinq’ will forever be neighbors with ‘Midnight Walk:Part Quatre’ in never ever land. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I’m a girl. A female. A woman. A lady. We’re stereotyped to be hardworking. But it’s just to much hard work. Sigh.

However, I have to warn you that some form of parental supervision is a must for those of you below age 18. There exist violent and somewhat ‘disturbing’ imagery in the following photos. Again, I apologize. The models are way out of control. Tsk tsk.

Afif enjoyed this bit way too much. Makes you wonder.

And he paid a price for it.

Many thanks to the more-than-willing models. And of course a gezillion thanks to Raja for setting the lights for us, yet again. Next time, I’ll learn how. Promise. Wink.

For those of you who have never tried this, let me tell you one of the best part of it. The exercise. By day 3, my abs, gluts, triceps, and biceps have reach to another level. I’m making batman, superman, AND the hulk weep like a bunch of babies.

It’s like going to gym, without the walls. The gym: chosen scenes. The personal trainer: Raja. The cameras, tripods, and flashes: weights (dumb bells). The other photographers: gym members. The juice bar: Mamak. Oh, plus no membership fees! Can you say, “Ooh yeah!”.

Who knows, maybe I can start the first ‘power camera aerobics’ in Malaysia. Or maybe in the world?? Hang on a second while I fly myself back to planet Earth.

Ok, I’m back. Warning: I am NOT (Capital Ann-Ohh-Tee) encouraging people to smoke, but the effects from the smoke can be pretty sweet.

Photo taken by Jo. I love the way the light bounces off the blue wall.

Team Gerila from ‘Kukubesi’ decided to tag along our “so uncool” outing. My only hope is that they did not die from boredom, but I guess they were pretty busy themselves. Slurp!

I can’t really feel my thighs or bum at this point but hey hey, sweat plus fancy body odors makes HAPPY faces!

Apparently, last night’s walk was inspired by me. I mean, how on earth did I not know this? Raja mentioned something about me wanting to snap some night photos. So he made it happen. I’m starting to freak myself out. I wonder what other magical voodoo powers have I accidentally cast on him? Note to self: Need to start memorizing those ‘chants’. Pronto!

Tonight’s walk was inspired by Airul. I’m thinking Airul has the same chanting notes as I do since Raja made it happen again. Such an angel.

I’m liking the new light settings. This time we were only 3/4 spoon fed. Had to do some of the thinking ourselves unlike the previous night. Bummer. Really need to find those ‘chants’ quickly for full service.

The guys found this little booth and decided to form a boy band.

The band didn’t exactly kick off. And then there were two.

Although I smelled twice and a quarter as bad from the day before (this time from the run with the infamous Afif), I had a blast. Thanks guys!

It started from a badminton game, to having some drinks at the mamak, then Bam! we’re on top of a hill, with our cameras. Despite smelling like rotten eggs and dead intestines from the badminton game, I absolutely digged the whole thing.

Raja had this idea of photographing with additional lights to create a more 3D look of the subject in hand. Of course, Airul and I let the “master” work his magic. For me, whatever Raja was doing, was like learning algebra AND a third language at age 4! Ok, make it 3 1/2. I was so clueless, all I wanted was my pacifier and my ‘Power Puff Girls’ water bottle at this point.

Anyway, when Raja was done with the camera and light settings, like a bunch of kindergarten kids, we copied everything. Seriously, we would’ve eaten the camera batteries if he told us to. But he didn’t. We HEART you. Big time.

It’s nowhere near fantastic but here are some of the end results.

May there be more midnight walks to come. Me like!

Apparently my friend,  Afif, went crazy and got himself committed into entering a marathon run early next August. Evidently, this meant frequent practice runs in the evenings. The craziness caught on and the next thing I knew, Raja and I were conned, I mean volunteering ourselves to join him for one of those evening runs.

Oh boy, were there many excuses. Not from us but from the “marathon runner” himself. Every lame excuse from “haze” to “I have no suitable running pants” were coughed up. But eventually, we made the impossible happen. We got our lazy bums to the track and ran a few good rounds. Ok, perhaps running is too big of a word. We struggled. Well, at least I did. I could have sworn death was waving at me. Then again, maybe that was Afif.

Anyway, here are some shots. And my bad, he really wasn’t kidding about the pants.

Side note: Raja ended up eating 3 times after the run. At this rate, exercising might actually result in obesity. This must be a first.

I met these 2 lovebirds several years back. Back when Raja was in a band. Yup, a Band. Called Premelodic. Erik was the bassist, Bob and Amin were the guitarists, and Raja was the singer. Believe it or not, he’s an awesome singer. Don’t be deceived by him. Pass him the phone book and he will work it. Oh yeah.

Anyway, back then, Kak Azzu and Erik weren’t an item yet. But I remembered how she talked lovely things about him. How she blushed at the sight of him. How much she was in love with him.  And how much she wished they were together. I don’t exactly know what happened in between but alas, wishes do come true.

They’re incredibly perfect together.

Did I not mention they were fantastic models? Extremely sporting. Extremely photogenic. Beautiful.

Congratulations guys!

Which by the way also happens to fall on her birthday. And being a good, no, great friend, I only found out on that day itself. Apparently, I have the tendency to forget this significant event every year. She claims that I always got the month right, just not the date. It’s not my fault. I was born with short AND long term memory loss. Getting the month right is as close as it gets. Note to self: Please fix poor memory.

Anyway, Happy Birthday for the next 50 years. I am now guilt-free.

Some shots of Naf. Looking fabulous!

Hana, getting down and dirrrrrtyyy.

Congratulations! Can’t wait for your wedding.

Asrif met Yulia during their company’s parade where she was holding the playcard. She was truly mesmerizing. From her high cheekbones to her lean posture. No doubt, Asrif was hooked.

Ever since then, he was determined to get in touch with her. After many attempts, he finally managed to find a way to communicate with her. Through Instant Messaging (IM). How sweet. A litle over a year later, here they are, tying the knot. Alhamdulillah.

Day 1. Preparation.

Check out their Kitty, Gebu. Say it with me now. Awwww…

The best part. Akad nikah.

One of the things I love about weddings are the ‘hantaran’ giveaways. Gorgeous decorations. Ornaments. Flowers. Feathers. Ribbons. Laces. Etc etc etc.

Some from Yulia’s side.

And some from Asrif’s side.

Day 2. Reception in Manjung, Perak.

Day 3. Reception in Ipoh, Perak.

Outdoor shots. Taken by Raja Azrie. Fantastic work.

Congratulations guys!

Wishing both of you an eternity of happiness. Call me if you decide give Gebu away.*winks*.

Below is a photo of Onny performing his prayers before the akad nikah.

Look at his expression as he tries to memorize his lines.

I’m not sure but maybe it had something to do with the people surrounding him as well as the cameras pointed directly at him. Heart thumping. Sweating. Stuttering. Must focus. Must try really hard to focus.

Rus, enjoying Onny’s hilarious act throughout the whole akad nikah.

After his fourth attempt (I kid you not), they’re finally husband and wife. Alas. More shots of the bride.

Day 2, Reception @ Bride’s hometown. Check out the paddy field behind her house. You just can’t find anything remotely close to this in KL. Stunning. I was loving every moment despite the heatwave. Totally worth it.

The rendezvous-ing of the bride and groom.

Onny and Rus unwrapping the “mystery box”, while secretly chanting to themselves “i love the sun, i love the sun, i love the sun, smile, smile, smile”.

I really love this bit of “sweets & coins” throwing in malay weddings. It looks like fun. It feels like fun. I bet it really is so much fun.

In they go…

To throw more sweets and coins!

One of my favorite candid shots.

Congratulations Onny and Rus! A beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple.