Bend it like Bikram

Lol. Ok quite lame lah my post title. ;) (ps. Bikram is a special sort of yoga..)

But yes, in case you guys don't already know, you'll be seeing me in pretty stretchy positions around Singapore and Malaysia ..

This photo was taken from www.trueyoga.com.sg. :)

Go check the classes out, try 0ne even, and I guarantee you'll love it. Warning though: don't bite off more than you can chew, because yoga can be pretty intense! :)) Start slow, and you'll be surprised how quickly you feel and see the effects!

I won't be able to go for yoga over the next three weeks tho. Cause I'm going to LONDON and PARIS! :D :D :D its going to be such blast, I've always wanted to go to Paris and how I finally will! And London to see Lucas my nephew (wait I think I've blogged about this already, but i'm just so excited that I can't help but keep raving on about it, sorry ah!). :)

Oh and to those who have replied to my post below, thank you.

Anyone knows anywhere good in Paris? ;) Let me know!

Would you "settle"?

This thought came to me as I was on my trip back to Singapore (from KL) as I was answering some interview questions...

Would you "settle" for someone?

If he or she was "good enough" but not "great"? If that person was "alright", but didn't blow your socks off? Would you wait enough long in a relationship and possibly waste both of your time, or hope that your love for him/her would grow and eventuate into what you always dreamt your lovelife would be?

Its possible to eventually fall in love with someone. Hell, I've been that person that someone 'eventually' fell in love with. Was I happy being in doubt? No. Did I trust him? No. But was I esentially happy...? .

...No.

The excuse that, "Hey, is alright. I could do alot worse.", is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Sorry. If you could do alot worse, you could also do better. And deep down inside, you know that.

The fact is, if you're seriously with someone (we're talking about living together here), that person should know, and feel, that he or she is your world. And there should be no doubt. At. All.

Why do some people then choose to 'settle'?

Insecurity, the inability to be alone (strong factor), amongst many other reasons.

How would I approach it?

Well, I'm comfortable enough to be on my own now, than to be with someone for company's sake. I choose to have enough respect for a person than to choose to be with them just 'cause they're *there*. When I'm with someone, I want it to be because I *know* that he is someone that I would be proud to be with, that I can reflect with and upon, and whom I know is someone of calibre that... well, deserves me! Is that being narcisistic? No. I think its just a level of self assurance, and knowing one's worth.

Because if deep down inside I *know* I can do better, then deep down inside, I wouldn't be happy. We should always work towards obtaining the best that we can in life; be it being the best person we can be, being the best friend we can be, the best daughter, friend.. why should we not strive to be have the best partner we can have?

But then again - here's me playing Devil's advocate with myself again - maybe its easy for me to talk. I'm in a happy, fulfilling relationship. *heh!*. Paul's an amazing man, and I am truly lucky to have him. I actually can't imagine my life without him - and that's a sign of what I believe to be true love. Its not when you can imagine your future with that person - its when you can't imagine it without.

Maybe its because I feel every good soul in the world deserves to have and feel what I do; A partner that fulfills every essence of our being.

I will try to fix you

One of the most amazing songs ever written - absolutely selfless and sincere. I cry everytime I really 'feel' the song..

Hope you guys enjoy this. :)

Oh and, if you guys are wondering what i'm up to: I'm still in KL at the moment, just did a shoot for Shape magazine Malaysia, will be doing another shoot tomorrow for Clive magazine's 1st year anniversary edition. I came to KL a few weeks ago 'cause my Dad was home alone (my sisters and mum are in Spain for a fantabulous holiday; i didn't go cause I needed to work. :( ), and so I thought I'd keep him company. Its been nice just catching up with him, spending time with him - his health's doing alot better lately, he's eating well.

Will be back in Singapore soon for another press interview with the Berita Harian. Flying to London and Paris on the 9th of May, (yes will take lots and lots of pictures don't worry! ;)), will be going to visit my sisters and my nephew, I can't wait I'm so excited! Will be there for two weeks, back in KL for the month of June to begin shooting the movie!

*phew!*

Almost out of breath just typing all of that out! *laughs*

Ok. Picture Time! :)

I was here.....

For a James Bond themed party. This is Ho Fei Fei, my bestie.. and we were comparing, er, "packages"...
Us posing - Face-Off!

What happened next???

........

..........awwww. ;)

Miss you Fei, come back to Singapore soooooon! :D

FHM International's 100 Sexiest Women 2009

Hey Guys!

I've been nominated to be in FHM International's 100 Sexiest Women 2009, feel free to vote for me at http://www.fhm.com/girls/covergirls/andrea-fonseka. :)

Thanks lah! :)

Updates!!

Okay so last week was massively hectic, involving friends coming down from KL to visit, FHM's Top 100 GNDs, catching up with old friends. In Singapore at the moment, for some work, before I head back to KL to be with Daddy, who's home alone due to Mum being overseas.

My shoot for the next cover of FHM (wow its been like, two years since the last one!), is on the 6th of April, and I'm so excited! It'll be out on a very special issue, so watch out for it in the coming months!

AND. Just recieved confirmation that I will be working on a movie in Malaysia. I don't think its appropriate for me to talk about the details before the press conference, but lets just say it'll open nationwide, and will probably be released in Singapore as well. :D Its going to be fantastic to be working back home again, with people who are at the top of their game. AND it'll be in Malay, which will be a new experience for me. AND I'll be back home in KL which is always great for me.. :)~ (Mmmmm.. Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa, anyone? Heh.)

Will be keeping this post short, have an early morning tomorrow for an interview with MyPaper. So will sign off for now, and leave you with this really sweet song from Jason Mraz. Enjoy! :)



No prizes to guessing who this song goes out to. ;) I love romantic duets!!!

The best year yet

2009 has been really, really good so far. :)

I think I'm finally finding the perfect balance between work, play, love and life. Here's a quick update with that.

Work
Work has been great. My campaign with True Yoga will launch in a few months, the photoshoot was so much fun! I worked with Mr. Universe 2004 (go google!) and he's HUUUUGE! Like, literally! Also he's the new Terminator in Terminator Salvation. Am currently working on a few independent projects, short films which will be taken throughout the world on film festivals, and am looking forward to working more in KL. :)

Roland and I. He's HUGE!

Like, SERIOUSLY HUGE!!!

The man who taught me to bend over. Backwards.

Play
Just attended a friend's wedding in Perth recently. She got married to her first love, whom she met at the tender age of 16! They went out for a while before going their seperate ways, and a few years later, Voila! They met, realised they still loved each other, and got married! In the words of the Emcee that night (Mark Pieri, awesome job): Love is like a motorcycle. Sometimes you need to kick it twice to get it started. I've never been to a wedding in Oz before, and I have to say. Its VERY different from weddings in Asia. It was loud (in a very good way), there were loads of jokes, laughter and DRINKS. Man can they drink. My poor Asian liver couldn't keep up at all, and I knew it so I didn't even bother trying.

The New Mr. and Mrs. Potger.

Love
:) Am very happy. Paul's still as fantastic as ever, and everytime I visited Perth I found a fresh bouquet of my favourite flowers (pPink starburst lillies) on the table. He said the sweetest thing the other day: that he never knew he could be so happy with anyone, and that his life was complete with me in it. *Awwwww* (try not to gag).

And you wouldn't believe it >>>> HE BOUGHT ME A CAR. (okay so maybe I'm 'boosting'a little here *guffaw* but I'm just so happy with it I just HAD to share it with everyone!). See the thing is, I visit Paul pretty often here in Perth, when work permits. And because he knows I can't drive his manual car (with absolutely no power steering), he bought me a Honda Accord Euro. So I can use it everytime I came to Perth, and not be stuck at home while he's busy at work. :D

Life
Family is doing well. Mum and Dad are missing their children, which is why I'm flying back to KL for Mum's Birthday mid March! :) Cant wait to get home, and have lots of Mum's cooking. Dad's health is steady yet, knock on wood. Miss them both heaps lah, can't wait!!!

So there you have it! A v. brief update on things at the moment. As I am not at my laptop right now, I can't post any pics up, but they will be edited in with time. Meanwhile, take care, and I hope 2009 has been good so far for you guys too. :)

Mum, myself and Dad taken during Chinese New Year. Dad found a hat that I got in a goodie bag and decided it was perfect for gardening. Heh. Bless!

Super Big Long Post

Hurroes!

Okay so its been a while, I've been eating mandarin oranges and collecting angpows all week. This has honestly been one of the best CNYs ever, I only wish the entire family was back for it. Natasha Lena and Adeline were all overseas, so it was just Mum, Dad and lil' ol' me here in KL. Awesomely good nonetheless.

So I've got a few things to do in this blog. First Up!

Answering some Questions that you guys wrote in. Note: Sorry can't answer all of them in a go, we'll come it coming as I keep posting ya? ;)

So here goes!:

1.Back then, you won the pageant pre-marie france. But in your personal life, do people around you pay more attention to you, or suddenly take more interest in you just because your are hotter & slimmer now?

People definitely started paying me more attention when I started appearing on magazine covers and on TV. Often times I got calls from acquaintences who never used to want to catch up, and now they're all like, "Oh Andrea come to my place for dinner!". I go like, wha? I mean I appreciate it and all, but its kinda funny when people only want to get to know me better when I got a little famous.

2. Has being sexy and slim now made people unwittingly focused on your looks rather than your personality?

It surprises people who just get to know me that I'm a Law Graduate. Whats the big wow about? I don't get that. At Miss Universe '04, Miss Peru was a doctor. That's right. DOCTOR MISS PERU. None of us even blinked when she told us, (I just think that's awesome), and we all respected each other. People seem to think that just 'cause someone's good looking, they don't need to focus on other aspects of their lives, or don't want to. I think that's just wrong.

3. Do you get alot of unwanted stalker attention from guys when you are in Singapore or Malaysia? Being a pretty gal and all, do you get random men coming up to you wanting to be your friend? And if so, how do you differentiate the genuines ones?

Proposal to be a 'kept woman'? Check. Random hitting on me? Check. Stalker? Double check.(<<<--- that's why I don't like to post where I'll be eg. events etc, until the very last minute or unless necessary. Infact, I'll be changing my phone number soon.) Difference between them and genuine interest? Just the vibe I get from the person, you gradually begin to be able to tell. When I met Paul, he had no clue who I was, or what I did for a living. All he knew from a common friend was that I was a Law graduate, and that's how we started talking. He lacked all 'sleaze-vibes', which is why we got along so well. So maybe I'll pose this question to him and ask him how he did it. Lol! 4. About your cover shots etc, most are stunningly hot & sexy. How does your parents react to that, especially dad?

*Laughs*! Yes. Daddy doesn't approve of FHM shots, but has come to realise that the industry is as it is, and allows me to do what I need to do for work's sake. But he did shy away from watching Carrotcake Conversations though, simply cause he didn't want to see me act as a prostitute. Even though it was nothing like the real thing! Lol. He's cute. Mum understands more, but urges me to not do men's magazines anymore... so I told her that I will only do so if the shoot is something exciting that I want to do. So far FHM has been very good to my career, I pointed that out to her, and she can't help but agree so.

5. Has being beautiful been more a blesssing or a bane to you?

First up, I don't see myself as being stunningly beautiful like Michelle Chia or y'know, like Nadya Hutagalung. I'm answering these questions under the assumption that I am because of what you guys thinks, and also on how my life has changed post Marie France. Honestly speaking I look in the mirror and I see the same girl that looked back at me six years ago. Andrea. Same eyes, nose, mouth, large ears, goofy grin. Blessing or bane? well, I think its pretty even. I actually find it harder to meet more sincere people these days, and people always have an assumption about me (good or bad) based on what they read me as. But I always try to keep it as real as possible, so hopefully that shows.

(The above questions were sent in by Cheng Eu-Hahn. Thanks luv! Hope that answers it for ya.)

Will be getting to the others soon.

Now. On to the next topic,I attended a CNY dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Sin (who own Rafflesia and Mandalay, they specialise in Pearls, Jades and Rubies). Beautiful event, flanked by heaps of supportive celebs such as Jimmy Choo, Ning Baizura and Anita Sarawak.

Mrs. Sin herself

So glam right. Lol. I have this really bad habit of late being really lazy to take pictures, but I made it a point to do so I can blog about it and show you guys. All together now *AWWWwwww*. ;)

I used RMK makeup for this event. They have a fantastic range of foundations which I find really really suits Asian skin. They have a counter at Isetan Scotts, I swear I am a new fan. Their make up base is really really good as well, and smells glorious! Just incase you guys would like to know, I'll let you in on what I used to create my look that night. Btw, it may look like I wasn't wearing alot of make up.. well, cause I wasn't! *laughs* I was going for a more 'natural' look since my dress was already so loud... but on hindsight I think I could've used more blusher. oh well. :) Live and learn. You can use this simple step-by-step for any big day really, or even a casual meeting.

1. Cleanse face, apply oil-free moisturiser and make up base.

2. Use a highlighter - I used RMK's highlighter in Coral. Apply only to cheekbones, undereyes and nose.

3. Apply foundation. One shade lighter around eyes, cheekbones and nose first, maybe along the bottom of your forehead a little. Any area you'd like to highlight basically.

4. Use one shade darker foundation along your jawline, top of forehead, temples and just below your cheekbones. Any extra areas that need a little more coverage and highlighting, (such as undereyes), use the Radiant Touch pen by YSL. I've blogged about this before, its a miracle worker!

5. Apply loose powder. Dust a lighter shade of blusher along the highest point of your cheekbones, with slightly darker shade from your temples down to your jaw. BLEND WELL otherwise you'd look really funny. I like YSL's blushers, they have a little glitter in them.

6. Apply *a little* bronzer all around your T-zone for healthy glow.

7. Use eye make up colour of your choice (again, RMK has a great line of eye colours), line lower and upper eyelids. I use MAC's waterproof pencil eyeliner, its really really good. And Shiseido's liquid pen eyeliner for the upper lid.

8. Curl lashes, use mascara (Dior Blackout is amazing), and use lipstick and gloss of your choice. I use Benetint lip and cheekstainer (LOVE IT! looks really natural and doesn't rub off!), with YSL's lip gloss pen with glitter in them. It isn't too sticky or shiny, but stays on well.

All done! :) A little tip: instead of using lipstick which tends to kiss off very easily, use a lipbalm, followed by a lip-liner to colour in your lips. The colour from lip-liners tend to last better.

Hope you girls found that helpful. :)

Alrighty then, I've got to get some sleep! Hope you all had a fantastic CNY!!

Andrea Bites Back *Meow!*

Okay am feeling particularly brave, and slightly politically incorrect at this time of the night (or should I say morning). So here goes.

Its a New Year (still, I feel, since we're in January yet), and I reckon for the past four years since winning Miss Malaysia Universe 2004, I've been pretty polite (read: quiet) regarding criticism/comments/questions thrown my way. So for all of you, who have faithfully been following my blog, lets set the record straight, shall we? ;)

1. I look like a Transvestite.
I actually take this as a compliment - there are ALOT of really HOT transvestites out there. ;) Seriously though, I think this comes about due to my frame, and the fact that sometimes when I have makeup on, my features may tend to look rather strong (masculine almost? I don't know). Anyhoo, it doesn't bother me at all. Infact, I was mistaken as one when I was in Phuket (albeit from the back). Funny story, my girlfriends and I were in a Ladyboy district area in Patong Beach, and I had to use the bathroom... and the bathroom caretaker lady who saw me walk in (so she only saw my back), tried to tell me that ladyboys had to use the Mens. Eeeek! I just went, "harh?!" as I turned around and she apologised when she heard my voice. Good thing I didn't have a sore throat, otherwise I'd really sound like a man! Heh!

2. I got my nose 'fixed'.
Er. NO. I think its cause pre-Marie France days I looked like I had a more bulbous nose....but that's cause I was, well, more bulbous everywhere else too. I lost weight everywhere when I went through the treatments, which includes my face as well.

3. I starve myself now.
Again, NO. Ask anyone who has worked with me, I still eat normally, and healthily - four meals a day (sometimes five): Breakfast, Lunch, Tea(4pm), Dinner (7pm) and sometimes supper. Full, hearty healthy meals with lots of fruit, veggies and protein. :D How do I maintain my figure? 1. everything in moderation, be it exercise, or food. 2. regular trips to Marie France.

4. Err. I can't seem to think of any other issues here. *laughs* - how uncontroversial is that?! Heh. Try also cannot. ;) If anyone has a question or a notion they'd like me to answer, here's your chance! You have one week, just email me the questions, and I'll answer them in my next post. Howzat? :) This should be interesting..

A very honest post.

You know, its tough once you get out of Uni. I never thought I'd say that btw. Lol.

See, in Uni, your life is somewhat planned for you. No matter what goes on, you know you have a purpose, you know you have something to *do*. When you leave Uni, its the weirdest feeling ever (especially if you don't dive into the area of study). Its a "now what?" feeling that washes over you. Fear grips you as you realise that the decisions you make today or tomorrow may affect the rest of your life.

That's how I'm feeling right now, really. Is this industry, as good as its been to me, something that I want to do for the rest of my life? Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I love everything about it. But the longevity of it is doubtful, the need to always be "hungry" for work is tiring. And I have so many other parts of my life that I could explore.

What do I do?

Do I continue what I'm doing because I've already started? Do I explore other means of making a living? Do I travel to see the world - after all we only have one life? Should I *shock horror gasp* practice law?

I don't know. I do know its never too late to change your mind about what you want to do in life. I have friends who live by that mantra, and have explored every part of employment as a means to experience new things and learn new skills.

All these questions plague me, at 4.14am, as I sit in my room in KL, before I fly back to Singapore tomorrow afternoon.

I suppose it all boils down to the question of: What makes me happy?

Its much harder to answer than you think.

Take a Bow

Babyface wrote this song for Madonna, and out of nowhere I started singing it in the bathroom. Lol. Its an amazing video, and awesome song.
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Anyhoo so on to other things - Christmas is coming!! *big big smile* I can't wait to get my holiday shopping done. :)

Have a few thing lined up this month, will be going home for about two weeks to be with Mum and Dad, will be coming back for the New Year Countdown on Ch 5. That's going to be fantastic fun, will be doing a little performance too! ;)

Hope to see you guys there! Thank you for reading, take care and have fun this holiday season!