Sunday Tea #2: Photo Challenge

Something exciting is stirring for this week's Sunday Tea with Superpeppers! We have decided to take on the photo challenge. A photo is worth a thousand words and we thought, why not take some photos to depict certain questions or words?

1. My Favorite Beverage!

Sorrano : Definitely tea. I drink all kinds of tea and  love my tea sugarless and milk-less. (Yes, even Earl Grey) My favorite tea brand is Ronnefeldt. Favorite tea type is fruit tea.

Cayeneese : Nothing beats a gulp of chilled 100 plus (isotonic drink) after an extreme sweat out or even when you are dehydrated.

Junapeno : Red wine. ZE BEST! I secretly aspire to be a wine connoisseur. Favourite is Cabernet Sauvignon!  

2. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Sorrano : Stinky tofu is not everybody's cup of tea. For those who love it, beauty really lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Cayeneese : Three bachelorettes, believing that someone will appreciate them for who they are one day. (choosing this pic due to that awkward jump, oopss)

Junapeno : Hell yeah. Anyone can be a beauty queen. Mmwacks <3

3. The most artistic photo you think you have taken.

Sorrano : Japanese Nettle Jellyfish. Taken using my boy's iPhone 4S at SEA Aquarium. Well, I am sure if this photo is taken by a S4 it will be better! LOL I AM A HARDCORE Samsung/Android fan.

Cayeneese : Sunset view in Butterworth, Penang. Not really an artistic photo, but this is the best scenic photo I've taken so far.

Junapeno : The SpaceShot ride.  Perspectives decide what your mind perceives.

4. Eyegasm

Sorrano : I am not sure if this fits the theme of eyegasm but oh well, who can resist a smoked salmon sushi shaped like a blossomed Sakura?

Cayeneese :  I was mesmerized by this spectacular seaview in Kenting, Taiwan. Totally in love with the waves.

Junapeno : Exactly my facial expression when i was in The Louvre, Paris. The ceiling art impressed me way more than the framed artworks did.

5. Most annoying expression

Sorrano : Gave my friend a Bieber birthday card on his birthday to irritate him. Worked wonders.

Cayeneese : Trying a different expression, yet I find this super annoying.

Junapeno : I'm not sexy and i don't know it.

6. Something precious

Sorrano : In a moment of despair like the winter cold, you are the sole beauty that lifted me up.

Cayeneese : An old picture of my grandparents 60 years back. This is definitely something priceless and a precious memory for my grandma.

Junapeno : The sweetest girl i met when visiting a slum in the outskirts of India 2 years ago. I gave her an old soft toy of mine, and it became the most precious belonging she'd ever had. That smile on her face was priceless, and the most precious gift in return :)

How to be a Licensed PADI Scuba Diver

Hey guys!

So about a month ago, i managed to fulfill one of my little life goals i.e. to be a certified scuba diver. 

It sounds quite daunting at first, when you think about the big borderless ocean, underwater wildlives and sharks, and a monster load of water that could drown you. But really, it's nothing too scary! 

I honestly had one of the best experiences of my life.


To those of you who are interested, here's how to get started.

1. First of all, you need to make sure you can swim. Don't worry, you don't have to be a pro at it, just as long as you're able to do a few laps, and you're comfortable in water, then you're good to go! 

2. Do some research & choose a diver training organization that best suits you. I highly recommend PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). If you have zero experience and qualification, you will have to opt for the Open Water Diver Course, which was exactly what i took.

3. Next, you just need to pick a destination for your diving course. There are many many PADI dive centers around the world, so it's entirely up to you! (I did mine at Dive Down Below, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia). 

DownBelow Dive Centre, Gaya Island, KK, Sabah.

The View from DownBelow Dive Centre.

4. Once you've decided on the destination, contact the particular dive centre and start planning your vacation! It's as easy as that.


My experience at Dive Down Below was beyond amazing. I traveled alone, but i instantly felt at home the moment i arrived at the dive center. Everyone was warm, fun and friendly! I could say it felt like the asian version of Hawaii - sunshine and blue skies, crystal clear blue water, divers in bikinis and surfers pants, tanned and toned Sabahan dive instructors with sun-kissed skin and golden hair who were constantly humming some chirpy song. Only things lacking were the ukulele and a cocktail shack, but too much alcohol is prohibited when diving so NEVERMIND. lol.

My Open Water Diver Course was for 4 days, and each day filled me up with new skill lessons and challenges. But there was nothing to worry about, cause my instructor, Tim is a macho man!

my instructor, Tim.

Dropping into the water.

Splash!

Can you spot me? hehe

Assembling the scuba gear. Freakin heavy! 

Prepping for the Open Water Dive! 

and we're good to go!

As you can see, there's a white lady beside me taking the same Open Water Diver course. She's 59 years old but she has the spirit and determination of a 20 year-old. I wouldn't say this diving course was the easiest, because lots of underwater skills were required, and at one point we were required to do a swimming test - 200m swim in the middle of the sea with no gear at all, no goggles no mask no fins, but with strong seawaves that could eat you alive! She couldn't make it on the first try but did not give up. When she finally made it on the second try, i was honestly moved, was so proud of her i gave her a big tight hug!

On that very day, I learnt that AGE IS REALLY JUST A NUMBER. Such an inspiring lady :)

I even met the youngest diver Josephine, 10 years old!

However, this course did torture me a little when it came to studying & revising the theories of diving. Every damn evening when i came back from the island all tired and roasted, all i wanted to do was sleep and die in bed, but i still had to do homework & revision, in preparation for an MCQ theory exam. LOL SO MUCH FOR HAVING A BEACH VACATION.

Well, what i can say is, it was definitely worth it. Now i'm a certified open water diver, and i'm licensed to dive in any part of the world :)

I've got my diving licence. When is your turn? ;)

How To Rip/Distress Your Jeans

Too tired of wearing that same pair of jeans? Too bored of that same look? The solution is simple. RIP YOUR JEANS.

Ripped jeans have established themselves in the fashion world decades ago as a bold, edgy yet tasteful vintage piece. They have become quite an essential piece of fashion statement in every woman's wardrobe. You can wear them to the grocery stores, to the movies, to picnics, basically to any casual events, looking cool, edgy and laid-back.

I tried ripping my own jeans for the very first time, few weeks ago. Surprisingly not difficult at all!

Here's how you do it : 

1. You only need a tweezer, scissors, and a great deal of patience!

2. First, use the scissors and make a slit on your desired part of the jeans to be ripped. It's usually horizontal. Then, make a similar slit above or below the first slit, the distance between both slits is entirely up to you.

 3. Using a tweezer, pull a few horizontal strands from the upper and lower margins of both slits.

 4. Then, gently and slowly pull the vertical strands out, one by one, as illustrated in the photos below. A lot of patience is required!

 5. Keep pulling the strands out, leaving the horizontal strands behind, until you get something like this :

 6. You may want to make a few more slits on different areas and repeat the same process. Where to cut, is entirely up to you! Be creative!

 7. You can also make little distressed areas on the jeans like this one.

8. Play around with your scissors and tweezer, add a little creativity, and you'll finally turn your once boring jeans into a new personalized fashion statement with that extra edge :)

What are you waiting for? Try it!

Till next time. Junapeno signing off!

Sunday Tea with Superpeppers

Hello! It's always nice to have a relaxing afternoon tea session on Sunday with your family and friends, isn't it? All the gossips,the debates, the chatting while sipping your favorite cup of tea. We have decided to start a fortnightly column---Sunday Tea with Superpeppers, where all three of us will come together and have a good chat about random things. We welcome your feedback too! It's always good to have some two way communication with our readers.

This week we answered some common questions on Guys and Relationships. Have fun reading!

1. Johnny Depp, Adam Levine, or Channing Tatum? Pick one and why.

Junapeno : We all love Johnny Depp for his mysterious charm and sex appeal, but he’s too quiet in real life. So I would pick Adam Levine! Hot, sexy, talented, witty, charming, and the way he gazes into your eyes (not that he’s ever done that to me) can make you float to Jupiter. And, sexiest voice ever. <3

Sorrano : None. I have yellow fever. I prefer Asian guys. LOL. Why is  Lee Byung Hun or Kim Soo Hyun not in the list?

Cayeneese : Adam Levine. He is such a hottie with a charming smile. As a judge in The Voice, he is so fun and entertaining, that is why I love him.

2. What type of guy attracts you?

Junapeno : A guy who is confident in who he is, what he says, and what he does. Doesn’t have to be extremely good looking, he just needs to be ambitious, smart, well-travelled, witty, fun, and someone who inspires me to be a better woman. I’d like a guy who would go to a jazz bar or a rock gig with me, buy me a drink, and dance with me ;)

Sorrano : I like big guys. Don’t have to be tall but they should have a rather big/muscular physique. And it should be complemented with a big personality.  I am also drawn to independent and opinionated guys. Because of some unpleasant experience, I am really sick of guys who will have the girl do everything or make all the decisions.

Cayeneese : A guy who is confident of who he is, at the same time good in jokes. Oh oh.. Musicians especially drummers do attract me.

3. What are some guy habits that turn you off?




 

Junapeno : Eating noisily. Please, I don’t need to listen to that party in your mouth! And guys, don’t drag your feet when you walk. Burping triumphantly after a meal, no matter how delicious or magnificent that meal was, is a big no no.

Sorrano : Guys who don't shave. Guys who keep moustache or goatee. Yea I am weird like that.

Cayeneese : Farting and sneezing loudly in public, cursing while they are driving.

4. Define a sexy man.

Junapeno : SPONTANEOUS, CONFIDENT, FIT, WITTY. EYES LIKE ADAM LEVINE. SINGS LIKE ADAM LEVINE. Teehee. (Okay screw Adam Levine he’s engaged T.T)

Sorrano : A sexy man is someone who loves food and enjoys eating but at the same time exercises and keeps fit.

Cayeneese : Self-confidence, independent and strong-willed. A gentleman who is nice and caring, and a good physical appearance.

5. Do you think girls should make the first move? Or woo a guy of interest?

Junapeno : Well i’m not fond of playing hard-to-get or any mind games. So i certainly wouldn’t mind approaching a guy and saying Hi. Done that a few times and it’s really no big deal. Outcomes were good :)

Sorrano : I will. But! The guy should reciprocate. I do not like guys who will just sit and do nothing and expect the girl to do everything. Or play hard to get.

Cayeneese : Why not. It is worth the try going after the guy you are really into.

6. Would you agree to go on a blind date?

Junapeno : Why not?  A blind date would be fun! Well, as long as he doesn’t eat too noisily or buy me lousy wine, and tell me grandfather stories about his grandfather who died of syphilis.

Sorrano : Whattttttttttttttttt. Never really had to consider blind dating but if I am 40 and single, maybe yes.

Cayeneese : Yes. Who knows something magical might happen.

7. Do you believe in long distance relationship?

Junapeno : Nope. I wouldn’t like to be tied down by a person living a thousand miles away, not being able to be with him, and restrict myself from living my life to the fullest.

Sorrano : Yes. I m a sucker for true love. If the guy is worth it, if the guy is my Mr. Right, it wouldn’t be hard. If anything, the distance will pull us closer together because I believe in absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Cayeneese : Yes. If two parties are playing their role in maintaining their relationship, I believe distance is not a factor.

8. What is your ideal date (that probably will not come true)?

Junapeno : First of all, the guy has to be spontaneous. We would go to a beautiful lakeside with a ukulele/guitar and beers, play some music sing a lil bit, drink our beers, and then jump into the lake for a swim! And then get on our bike ride to a blues-rock bar, grab a couple of drinks, enjoy good music  and maybe invite ourselves on stage to play and sing a duet! Haha. And after that, we try to sneak into a club and dance our hearts away, and after the bouncers throw us out, we get on our bike and ride all the way up to a hilltop, star-gaze and busk in each other’s company, until sunrise :) OR HE COULD JUST TAKE ME TO ADAM LEVINE’S CONCERT AND WATCH ME DROOL OVER ADAM. 

Sorrano : Guy picks girl up from her house in a vintage car. He is smart in a clean cut suit; she is alluring in a long red gown. Guy brings girl to a french restaurant for a candlelit dinner but forgotten to bring his wallet. Only has 20 dollars in his pocket. Guy brings girl to a water fountain. He asks her to wait. He comes back with hot dogs and a beer. Guy and girl eat and drink happily and joke about their misfortune. It starts raining. Guy and girl laugh more. Then stop. Then stare deeply at each other. Guy leans in to kiss girl. Then tickles the girl. They start to play in the rain.

Okay. Alternatively, I wouldn’t mind killing zombies.

Cayeneese : Flying off to any island we want on a private jet.

9. What would you do to spice up a dull relationship?

Junapeno : I would put masala powder in his tea and say, ”Oh look! Masala chai to spice up our boring relationship.” With a straight face.

Sorrano : Is this blog X rated? Hahaha. Never mind that. Anyways, I feel that to maintain a relationship, the couple must occasionally do things that are out of their comfort zone. Being too comfortable can harm a relationship because there is a fine line between comfortable and boring. To spice up a dull relationship, I would definitely consider doing something spontaneous or wild or just, out of the norm. Triking? Bungee jumping? Karaoke in public? Pole dancing lessons?

Cayeneese : Go for a holiday and try something dangerous together.

10. What is the lamest pick up line a guy had used on you?

Junapeno : I was in London just walking on the street when a  guy suddenly came walking next to me and said, “Hey how are you. Looks like we’re heading in the same direction.”

Sorrano : So I was dancing with my girlfriends at a party. A  guy came up to me and whispered in my ears:” I am rich”. I was like WHAT THE FUCK.

Cayeneese : You are as sweet as honey, I would love to be your honey bee