Living Days

Living Days are over....

2007-06-25T18:46:00.001+08:00

No lah, not committing suicide.

I just moved here.

Interlude

2007-06-24T20:45:00.000+08:00

On my right, I could hear sounds of automobiles passing by and sometimes a hint of the screeching of tires. In front of me was a live band playing a very noisy and heavy song. On my far left was a big crowd giving their fullest attention to the band. Far behind me were people clearing up their stalls for the day. Just next to me, over my left shoulder was a dear friend saying something to me, laughing at the same time.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion, or going really fast that I couldn't seem to take notice. As though I'm the only one observing everything.

For one moment, I felt I was alone, in that big crowd.

Just for one moment.

....

2007-06-23T21:32:00.000+08:00

I CAN'T WRITE! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE!

My mind is as empty as....as....see?? I don't even know what to compare it with!

URGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

*goes berserk*

All-Rounder Performer

2007-06-18T16:54:00.000+08:00

Forget about the iPhone. I admit, I gaga-ed over it when it was first announced. Now, I think it's overrated and yes, overpriced. I don't want to say anything bad about the iPhone in details here cos there may be others who are still very much hyped over this.

However, I found this....Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Sony Ericsson W960i codenamed Maria.

Walkman. 3.2 megapixels camera with autofocus. 2.7 inch screen. Slim. 8GB as standard memory. WiFi. Touchscreen. 27 hours music playback. 30 frames per-second video recording: DVD quality. Certified Smart Phone with Symbian Operating System. And lots more ultra-cool features.

Step aside Nokia. And iPhone.

Arriving at the 4th quarter of this year. Price yet to be announced. I'm am so saving up for this. Unless someone wants to get me this as a birthday present. It's three days before Christmas - and I don't believe in Santa.

A Funny Little Thing Called Passion

2007-06-15T00:32:00.000+08:00

As Edgar and I waited in the car for Tania to get the bus tickets the other day, he asked me, "Vern, what's your idea of passion in life?" A few months ago, Christon asked me the same thing.

I gave them both different answers.

When Chrise asked me, I told him that preserving heritage was my utmost passion. I gave him a long and detailed description of why preserving heritage means so much to me. So much so that he finally said, "Wow, you're really into it huh? If that's what passion is, I don't think I have one."

Poor guy. Maybe he'd felt better if I told him what I told Edgar instead.

I didn't think twice when I answered Chrise. That does not make him any less important even though I paused and thought for awhile before I answered Edgar, the answer that probably made the most sense to me after all these years. What I'm about to write, is an elaborate version of what I answered Edgar.

To each of us, passion is very subjective. For some, it could be as simple as cooking, getting good grades (ok, maybe that one's not so simple), or playing computer games. Or, it could be as deep as watching their kids grow up, being a parent, running the country (or other people's country) or waking up to see another day.

For me, passion isn't about something that I do. It's the reason why I choose to do the things I do. I like a lot of things - playing basketball, writing, taking part in preservation of the heritage, music, reading, making people laugh and lots more. But calling all that my passion would seem rather unfair, because I don't necessarily enjoy every aspect of those things I mentioned. Playing sports is pretty tiring, and even more so when you do not have the mood. Working with heritage research is actually a lot of work, and I can get fed up at times. And what about those writer's block moments?

Then it dawned upon me - why do I keep doing those things when there are so many cons about them? Why do you go to work everyday even though you know your boss will find something to tick you off? Why do you even wake up when you know today's Monday? Why? Why? Why?

Like I said, passion to me, is more of the reason behind the things I do. And what's that reason? To make a difference. In other people's lives and also in mine. I participate in heritage preservation because I want to make a difference - to show other young people that heritage is actually a 'cool' thing. I play basketball, tennis because I want to make a difference in my own life - I want to do as much as I can when I am still young and healthy. I write because I like to let people reflect on the things I say, perhaps it might make difference in their lives for a day or two? I don't care, a small difference is still a difference. You can't say that purple and dark pink are the same, can you?

Passion is the ultimate motivator. My passion to make a difference has enabled me to dab my fingers in so many things, things that I enjoy and do not enjoy - simply because I have a reason to do them. I don't care if people call my passion a cliché - because it's the very thing that encourages me to wake up everyday, do the things I do, and be who I am.

To those who think they have not yet found their passion because they can't cook nor play the guitar or take beautiful photographs, why not just search a little deeper and think why you're still here and have not given up on this seemingly cruel world? Surely something is making you think twice. And that something, could just be your ultimate passion. Your passion to live.

So, what's your passion? =)

The Woman That Once Was

2007-06-14T19:36:00.000+08:00

She was once young,
She was once adored.
She was the envy of other women,
She always owned the floor.

Men listened to her words,
Even when she whispered.
She sang with heaven's chords,
When others only whimpered.

She has loved and been loved before,
She had her share of fun.
But as swift as the wind blows,
Her journey ended as it begun.

The finest dresses that she owned,
Would not fit her anymore.
As she is left in the darkness alone,
The floor was hers no more.

Like any diva, her prime time is over,
The glamour and glitter have gone away.
Now all that's left is a little shimmer,
A shimmer of hope? Or the colour grey?

She now stands in the street,
Looking no paler than a ghost.
I wonder how she feels,
To be the woman that once was.

Written by Vern.

This poem was inspired by a ragged looking old lady that I saw when I was running some errands with mom today. Around her were other women about the same age, clad in modern clothes, hair permed and dyed, driving or driven in posh cars with homes to go to. That ragged-looking lady however, seemed...lost. I see this kind of thing almost everywhere I go, but I don't know why it just hit me a little harder today. I don't know why...

In the Arms of the Angel

2007-06-13T16:57:00.000+08:00

This video is dedicated to a fellow blogger Alice. May your whole family rest your burden in the arms of the angels.

Of Music, Lyrics and Stories

2007-06-11T23:30:00.000+08:00

*A boring post for those who yawn upon hearing the word "musicals".*

There are ~~many~~ few things that I pity my parents, neighbours and even roommate for having me around, one of them would my my endless replays of musical DVDs and soundtracks. If I like a scene, I'd play it over and over again until I can memorize the lines -- and it gets annoying if you do not appreciate it as much as I do. Or maybe I'm just...obsessed.

It all began with those Disney cartoons with happily ever after endings. I would learn how to sing all of those 'feel-good' songs and I had a childhood friend who would sing-along with me as well everyday on our way to and from primary school.

Then mom introduced "The Sound of Music" to me. It wasn't long before "Mary Poppins" came along and at once, I declared myself as Julie Andrew's number one fan. For those who have watched "My Fair Lady" starring the oh-so-beautiful Audrey Hepburn, it was Julie Andrew's voice that made "Wouldn't it Be Lovely", "The Rain in Spain", and all those lo-ve-ly soundtracks come alive.

I love movies. I like watching anything on the screen that moves and tells a story. What gets the better of me are those that can sing.

But nothing beats a stage performance.

This is where stage musicals come in. By far, I must say that "Les Miserables" is my favourite stage musical. It's a story based on the book by Victor Hugo about the French Revolution and how the lead character Jean Valjean started out as a fugitive who turned over a new leaf and became a hero. Recently, I upgraded my "Les Miserables" pirated VCD to an original DVD copy and I have been playing it for three days in a row now, yes, since the very day I bought it. And that does not include the number of times I played my poor, overused pirated VCD copy. Now that I don't have to get off the couch to change CD's...wahahahaha....

Of course, then there are the famous ones such as "Oliver!", "CATS", "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Woman in White" which made Andrew Lloyd Webber a very wealthy man. Not that he doesn't deserve his overflowing back account, as a matter of fact, the world of musicals owes him and other musical geniuses such as Steven Sondheim, Boubill & Schonberg, Tim Rice, Cameron Mackintosh and many others a huge debt for writing and producing masterpieces that I believe will be remembered for centuries to come.

Then there are also the not-so-talked-about ones which in my opinion are just as wonderful and could have been just as great if done on a larger scale, such as "Joseph and the Technicolour Coat", "Gypsy", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "The Little Shop of Horrors" and loads more. And by "larger scale" I mean spreading them over to the Asian region.

For one to be so interested in musicals, it is not surprising that I have a favourite singer/performer. This performer first caught my attention in "Les Miserables", and I have never forgotten her voice ever since. This person is Ruthie Henshall. She sings, she dances and heck, she can even act! In "Les Miserables" she played Fantine, a single mother who had to work as a prostitute to support her daughter. The emotion that she displayed, that voice...whoa. Everytime I watch that scene I could just feel her pain. It's not some drama queen kind of acting - which is what makes it so real. As you know, stage shows often have different casts, but by far, Ruthie Henshall plays the best Fantine ever. She IS Fantine. Another talented singer, Lea Salonga who starred in the famous "Miss Saigon" also played alongside Henshall in the 10th Anniversary Concert and is currently the latest Fantine. She's good, but Henshall is better.

I would give anything to watch a LIVE theatre performance, not through DVDs, but sitting there among the elite (though I'm not one myself), with the full orchestra accompaniment and an array of talented performers on stage. My dream concert would be one held in Her Majesty's theatre or the Royal Albert Hall, with casts including Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, Michael Ball, Colm Wilkinson, and Julie Andrews (she can still sing!)! And I'd die happy if I could meet Ruthie Henshall face-to-face and have a nice, long chat with her! Please...can anybody sponsor me????

I shall leave you now with several videos of Ruthie Henshall's performances. The first would be the scene from Les Miserables, the second one proves that she can ACT (from Law & Order) and the rest...just have fun. =) For those who are interested to get a copy of Les Miserables you can get them now from Borders at just RM26.90! Yeah, re-distributed version-lah...

Ronggeng Penang: Chronicles of the Chicken, Duck and Pig.

2007-06-08T16:25:00.000+08:00

Day 1 - 04/06/07

Tania and Edgar arrived at the jetty around half past four in the evening. I was very excited to see them and couldn't wait to show them around. After dinner my parents brought us to Teluk Bahang to watch the Ronggeng Merdeka performance by Anak-anak Kota. The performance was short, but nonetheless it was a great one. If only the crowd was more responsive, then again, it was held in Teluk Bahang - hopefully the performance on the 16th in Armenian Street will receive better response and participation from the audience. After the show, Dad brought us all to Gurney Drive for a walk. It was low tide but that didn't stop us from having fun such as snapping random photographs in front of the fountain of Evergreen Laurel Hotel. Edgar's the photographer throughout this whole trip --and am thankful that he let me post his photos on the blog. Of course, I won't post all of them, just a few, so that Edgar will have more photos to be posted on his.

Day 2 - 05/06/07

We woke up early today, as Yu Jean and I brought Tania and Edgar to the inner city for a personalized tour. We went to several places like the worship places along Pitt Street, the traditional coffee maker, the Penang Museum, picked up some skills along the way such as making joss sticks and flower garlands, ate really good food in Little India and Ecco's Cafe in Chulia Street, went to the jetty and had some dessert called O-Kio along Weld Quay. It was a long day, but it was definitely fun. Too bad we missed the Cheong Fatt Tze tour, but Edgar claimed that we have already showed them the real side of Penang that everyone should experience.

Day 3 - 06/06/07

We declared today "Movie Marathon Day", a first for Tania. We watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and Shrek 3 in a row at Queensbay and we felt that Pirates was a bit overrated. Somehow we enjoyed Shrek more. We also agreed that of all the trilogies, the best "last movie" was Lord of The Rings. After the movies, we proceeded with shopping and went home just in time for dinner. We spent a total of 9 hours at Queensbay. Oh, and I finally bought myself a new basketball.

Day 4 - 07/06/07

We woke up earlier than usual simply because we wanted to do some morning exercise. The three of us headed to the park where Edgar and I joined some new friends for a game of basketball while Tania jogged around the park and 'burnt some fat' by using the public exercising machines. For lunch, Mom brought us all to Lorong Selamat for the famous Char Koay Teow, ice kacang, popiah, loh bak and...oh yes, fried oyster. Met a group of juniors from Uni who came to Penang for a few days of holiday and makan-makan as well. Finished up some 'unfinished' shopping as they are going back tomorrow. At night, we watched "Freedom Writers", a movie based on a true story starring Hilary Swank. We did not know what to expect out of this movie - but it is one of the best we have watched so far. A simple storyline with a powerful message -- it's definitely a must-watch. Please, get the DVD from the nearest ~~pirated~~ DVD stall near you.

Day 5 - 08/06/07

Mom, Tania, Edgar and I packed as we are all heading for KL today. Edgar will be visiting his sister, Tania will be taking a flight back to Kuching while mom and I are going to see my brother. After more than 4 hours of travel, we parted ways at the LRT and said our goodbyes. Am now in my brother's place and extremely tired. Some of the photos taken the past 4 days are posted below:

I would like to personally thank mom for making sure we don't die of hunger, Yu Jean for being such a gracious host to my two friends, Edgar for the great photographs and Tania for the chit-chats we had before we sleep. All in all, it has been great having them at my place and the company could not be any better. See you guys next sem!

Sneak Preview

2007-06-07T19:37:00.000+08:00

Home. Officially.

2007-06-03T00:14:00.000+08:00

I spent the entire day with mom and dad today. I was suppose to unpack my suitcase but as usual...I didn't. Haha! I'll have to do it tomorrow, or at least before my friends come over to stay so that they will have the space to put their things when they get here.

It's quite unusual for me to spend an entire day with my folks though - I haven't done that since...since...gee, I can't even remember.

So today my parents and I went to shop for groceries - though I still don't know why we did that FIRST because we ended up not buying a lot of stuff as we still have places to go after that and we didn't want the food products to go bad in the heat. Anyway, although I had a hard time choosing which parent to follow cos they always shop in different directions and I am always the one with the trolley... overall it was rather fun. Actually I like going to supermarkets -- not shopping malls, but supermarkets. I don't know why, but I just do. Hmmm...

Then we headed for lunch at some place with really good sambal curry prawns, followed by a visit to both my grandmothers. At my dad's mom's place, I noticed that her rambutan tree was bearing fruit and most of them are ripe. Somehow, feeling like the 5-year old in me, I started to jump and jump, trying to reach the rambutans with my bare hands. Silly, but fun. Heh. =D

When we came back, I actually went for an evening walk with mom around the park. I was rather reluctant at first, but yeah, some fresh air was great for a change. Later, mom and I headed to Queensbay to have dinner and buy more things. We had dinner at Swensen's and I ordered the ribeye steak, medium done. When my meal came, the meat looked rather...red. And there was red juice slightly oozing out of the meat and seriously, I don't know if that's blood or just some sauce. But I finished the whole thing anyway, much to mom's disgust.

As we grew tired of browsing more than buying, we headed home. And for the first time in a long, long time, Mom, Dad and I actually watched a DVD together. It's a movie staring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore called "Because I Said So" -- a movie mothers should watch -- especially those who "hover around their daughters like a helicopter" as said in the movie. Heh. And I must say, out of the female pop stars I've seen so far, I think I respect Mandy Moore the most. She's got talent, and she's got character. Most stars that I've observed have got no character -- or sometimes even both.

And now, I am officially beat. Haha. Will post something more solid soon.

Good night. =)

Out of Stress and Boredom...

2007-05-27T19:24:00.000+08:00

Good luck ya'll!!
Let's do our best and let God do the rest!
Will be back in FOUR LONG days.

This Is My Now by Jordin Sparks

2007-05-25T14:02:00.000+08:00

There was a time I packed my dreams away.
Living in a shell, hiding from myself.

There was a time when I was so afraid.
I thought I'd reached the end,
But baby that was then
I am made of more than my yesterdays.

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around I can't believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts
That was then, this is my now.

And I have the courage like never before, yeah.
I've settled for less now I'm ready for more,
Ready for more.

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around I can't believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts.
That was then, this is my now.

I'm living in the moment
I look around I can't believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts.
That was then, this is my now.
This is my now.

***Haha! Semangat right for exam next week?

PTS. Preposterous Test Syndrome?

2007-05-20T11:25:00.000+08:00

Everyone's heard of PMS. Wait. You don't know what that is? Go ask your mom.

But does everyone know what PTS is? Well, some would and most wouldn't know because Penilaian Tahap Satu was abolished few years ago -- but I was 'lucky' enough to undergo this exam which tests a student's level of intelligence.

When I read the articles in the newspapers recently saying the the abolishment of PTS has deprived "gifted" students a chance, two things came to my mind:

1) People do not know that passing PTS doesn't mean passing academically.

I have a confession to make. I passed the exam and was given the chance to skip Year Four. PTS was my first and probably the ONLY major exam I did not study for. Let me tell you what PTS is all about. Students are given a book (don't worry, only one to two questions a page) filled with numbers, shapes and patterns and we're supposed to solve those puzzles with logic and a bit of thinking in a certain amount of time. So when I see parents buying revision books about writing essays and Math and Sciences to prep their child for this test, I can't help but laugh. Come on-lah... what do you expect a Standard Three kid to do? Study as if he or she was taking a university entrance exam? Wouldn't the kid be more confused when he or she sees a page filled with shapes? Won't that child start to think "Oh no...mummy did not let me study this subject...." If that's EVEN a subject.

PTS is nothing more than an IQ test. You see those free IQ tests online? The ones with 110 questions, certified by the board of don't-know-what and they give you a long report after you've taken the test to show you how you've done? It's the SAME. Getting a score of 130 and proving you're a genius does not mean a guaranteed string of A's in your exams! Look at Albert Einstein. He's a genius who by the way, is a school drop-out!

Students who do well even after they skipped Year Four feel obligated to live up to people's expectations. Come on, even those who do not skip already feel that way, what more an express student? Hence the endless tuitions and studying. When you're labeled as a "PTS student", people automatically go "Wah....must be very clever then..."

Which is why, ladies and gentlemen, I prefer to keep my little achievement a secret...until now. Because I'm not clever, neither do I do extremely well in my exams -- and it wouldn't help by making others expect so highly of me.

2) What's the hurry??

Ok, so when I got a phone call from mom saying that I managed to get a chance to skip Year Four, I was ecstatic! Only 6 students in my school obtained this chance, so evidently I felt...smart. It was an IQ test - so passing it just proves I have high IQ. Ok, enough of boasting. Anyway, from happiness came another feeling. Indecisiveness. Yes, I did not know if I wanted to "melangkau" or 'jump' to Year Five. Thought hard and long, discussed it over and over with mum and eventually I decided to stay. Here's another confession, I'm a very, very playful person. I didn't want to leave my friends behind and grow up too quickly. I'm a December baby, which means I'm already a year younger than my peers, and taking that leap is just going to widen that gap. I think 4 out of 6 of them took the offer, including my best friend at that time. As usual, we drifted apart not long after.

My friend who took the offer did not find life easy after that. She was swarmed with tuition EVERYDAY and she felt left out in class. She grew up so fast that I could not catch up. When I was in Form Five, still in school uniform, my friend was already in college, dressed up everyday and putting on make up. Maybe she likes it, I never really asked her -- but it definitely helped her fit in the KL crowd then.

I met several 'brainiacs' in tuition who did not take up the offer as well. We did not let it bug us, we had loads of fun, playing Digimon, and keeping up with the latest craze that time. One of them is studying dentistry in Australia now and the other is doing extremely well in a local college - academically and socially.

I cannot imagine life without the friends I have right now, or even the fun, crazy and playful times I had (and am still having) with my friends when we did not have to worry so much about our studies. We just took things as they come, and did not ask for more. As a matter of fact, Year Four was probably the best Primary school year I ever had. I even went for "Sewing Class" that year!

To parents out there who yearn for PTS to return, here's what I have to say. If you're so concerned that your child may be the next Einstein and the world probably doesn't know, then bring your child to the nearest MENSA center and let your child take the IQ test. And if your child is as "gifted" as you think, guess what, he or she will be certified as a Mensan, one of the top 2% most intelligent people in the world! In the world!!!!

Now, knowing your child is a genius and letting him or her experience a normal childhood life seems like a good deal, no?

And to students who simply cannot wait to graduate and earn their degree, why not take the SAT Reasoning Test when you're in Standard Three and make your way to a prestigious university at the age of 9? By the age of 14 you'll already have your degree! And by the age of 15 you'll be supporting your family and your parents can retire! Once you're of legal age, you can get married, have babies and start a family!

Seriously, why make a big deal to skip just ONE year of your academic life and lose out an entire normal, journey of growing up?

Preposterous, I tell you. Preposterous.

The Taboo Four-Letter Word

2007-05-18T21:12:00.000+08:00

E.X.A.M.

Yeah. It's back to haunt students at this time of year. It appears about twice a year, waiting to pounce on students who love to procrastinate, burn the midnight oil and dozing off in classes. Like me. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf (still very much at the trying stage) and been surfing the Net for useful study tips. All I can say is, there's not perfect studying method. It's a trial-and-error journey until you find one that is right for you. I'm still on that journey though.

Anyway, I did come across one article that caught my attention. It's a report about a test where 1500 Harvard students had to take and from it they made quite an astonishing discovery. Check it out.

Harvard Report

As an experiment, Dr. Perry (psychologist), Director of the Harvard Reading-Study Center gave 1500 first year students a thirty-page chapter from a history book to read, with the explanation that in about twenty minutes they would be stopped and asked to identify the important details and to write an essay on what they had read.

The class scored well on a multiple-choice test on detail, but only fifteen students of 1500 were able to write a short statement on what the chapter was all about in terms of its basic theme. Only fifteen of 1500 top first year college students had thought of reading the paragraph marked "Summary", or of skimming down the descriptive flags in the margin.

This demonstration of "obedient purposelessness" is evidence of "an enormous amount of wasted effort" in the study skills of first year students. Some regard it almost as cheating to look ahead or skip around. To most students, the way they study expresses "their relationship to the pressures and conventional rituals of safe passage to the next grade".

Students must be jarred out of this approach. The exercise of judgment in reading requires self-confidence, even courage, on the part of the student who must decide for himself what to read or skip. Dr. Perry suggested that students ask themselves what it is they want to get out of a reading assignment, then look around for those points. Instructors can help them see the major forms in which expository material is cast. Students should also "talk to themselves" while reading, asking "is this the point I'm looking for?"

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

Hope that helps! And all the best to everyone who will be sitting for their exams soon! :)

It Rained!

2007-05-15T15:20:00.000+08:00

Yes! After weeks and weeks of scorching heat and unbearable humidity -- it rained very early this morning, around 4a.m. when the rest of us were still snoring away in our beds. It rained so heavily that even the sound of rain was so comforting, a perfect lullaby. So we slept. And slept. And slept. My roommate and I woke up at 7.50 a.m. Our class was at 8a.m. We rushed. And rushed. And we made it to class eventually. But guess what? Our lecturer couldn't make it! Shucks! To think that we could have had an extra hour of sleep.

After class, which was about 10.00 a.m. we returned to our room, and yes, to our beds. It is indeed a perfect day to catch up on our sleep! And the surprising thing was, my roommate who probably sleeps ONLY about 4 hours a day slept as long as me! Haha! We hope this continues throughout our study week because it would be so much more comfortable to ~~sleep~~ study in such a cool weather.

Ok, this time I've been tagged by Edgar and Philip on the same thing. So, let's just get this over and done with.

[Seven Things I'm Experiencing Now]

1. Sleepiness (did I mention that it rained??)
2. Entertained ("Hey, Mr. Producer!" is playing as I type this)
3. Contented (my room is neat, NO assignments, AND my laundry's done)
4. Loneliness (I miss my best friend Lily)
5. Worried (exams are near!!)
6. Hunger (cold weather kinda does that to me)
7. Active Imagination (that happens with "Hey, Mr. Producer!" playing)

[Seven Things I'm Thinking About Now]

1. "When is this tag going to be finished?!"
2. "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" (hehehehehe...)
3. My best friend
4. Things that needed to be done today.
5. "What's for dinner?"
6. "Will it rain tonight?"
7. "Am so going to get Edgar and Philip for tagging me....@#$%#$&!!"

[Seven Things I'm Worrying About]

1. Exam

Actually, that's all I worry about for now.

[Seven Things I'm Happy About]

1. My room is neat!!
2. It RAINED, finally!!!
3. I got to SLEEP and SLEEP today!!!!
4. The holidays are near!
5. My favourite DVD "Hey, Mr. Producer!" is playing!
6. The people around me --family & friends.
7. I'm part of God's master plan.

[Seven People I Treasure]

1. Dad, Mom, & Bro.
2. Jesus
3. My best friend, Lily
4. My ol' friends back home and everywhere around the world.
5. My new friends in campus.
6. Andrew Lloyd Webber!! (I cannot imagine a life without your music!)
7. Cameron Mackintosh!!! (For bringing Webber's music to the stage!)

[Seven Things I Always Touch or Come In Contact With]

1. My laptop keyboard.
2. Books
3. My BED!
4. Clothes-lah (duh!)
5. The toilet.
6. Food.
7. My cellphone.

[Seven Things I Want to Improve]

1. My studies.
2. My faith in God (which also include my consistency in reading the Bible)
3. My guitar skills.
4. My piano skills.
5. My motivation TO study.
6. People skills.
7. My self-confidence.

[Seven Things I'm Strong In]

1. Putting others ahead of me.
2. My personal principles.
3. My interest in musicals!
4. Thinking.
5. Listening.
6. Talking.
7. Having patience and high level of tolerance.

[Seven Things I'm Weak In]

1. Putting others ahead of me. (Yes it can ALSO be a weak point)
2. Saying "NO".
3. I am extremely fickle-minded.
4. Expressing my feelings VERBALLY.
5. Warming up to others in an instant.
6. Remembering birthdays.
7. I feel guilty so easily to an extent that it annoys others.

[Seven Things I Adore Eating]

1. Mom's cooking. (I believe this is compulsory? No-lah...I really mean it.)
2. Italian food. (I'll blog about my favourite Italian restaurant soon)
3. Escargot in garlic and butter!! (Yes, in French, it means snails.)
4. Haagen Daaz Vanilla ice-cream
5. Herbal Tea Egg
6. No.6 aunt's Hokkien Char and Tauhu Th'ng
7. Granny's Kiam Chye Boey (salted vegetable soup with assorted leftovers)

[Seven Things I Adore Drinking]

1. Water
2. Carrot juice
3. Frappucinoes (Thank God for Starbucks!)
4. Bubble Milk Tea
5. Vanilla Coke
6. Root Beer
7. Teh O' Ais Limau

[Seven Things I Detest]

1. Lizards
2. Dishonesty
3. Kiasu-ness
4. Fanatics in religion
5. Hypocrites
6. Spam
7. People who blow things out of proportion

[Seven Things I Cannot Live Without]

1. Water
2. My laptop
3. Music
4. The Seven People I Treasure
5. My bed
6. Food
7. Washing Machine

[Seven Things I Fear to Show]

1. My fear.
2. My closet. (Technically and literary speaking)
3. Eh, if I fear to show means I musn't say right? Ok, I won't continue this question.

[Seven Things I'll Never Want to Talk About]

Er... I pretty much talk about anything.

[Seven Things I Will Want to Do]

1. Sky Diving
2. Bungee-jumping, Zorbing
3. Travel around the world!
4. Write a musical/book.
5. Participate in missionary work at least ONCE.
6. Inspire people with the life that I lead.
7. Make my parents proud.

[Seven Things I Will Never Play Around When/With]

1. LIZARDS.
2. Glass.
3. Drugs.
4. Sex.
5. Sharp objects. (I am rather careless, I might hurt you)
6. Religion
7. Ok, on a more hoo-hah scale, my future.

[Seven Things I Wonder About]

1. How did people live without computers and televisions?
2. How will I do in my exam?
3. How does God look like?
4. Which idiot invented money?
5. When will enough be really enough?
6. Where are my ancestors from, EXACTLY?
7. What is heaven like?

[Seven Questions I Hope My Friends Would Respond To]

1. Have I been a good friend?

That's the only question, really.

[Seven Things (or People) I Would Love to See]

1. Andrew Lloyd Webber
2. Cameron Mackintosh
3. Robin Williams
4. My maternal grandpa who passed away before I got to say "hi" to him.
5. My best friend who's far far away in Russia.
6. My blogger friends whom I've never met personally.
7. When the time comes, St Peters welcoming me at heaven's gates.

[Seven People I Wanna Tag]

Aiya, now exam season and seems like everyone's busy. So those who are not caught up with the hype, feel free to tag yourself! :)

OK. FINISH.

It's Never Too Early To Celebrate

2007-05-12T16:51:00.000+08:00

My brother and I aren't exactly the best people to remember birthdays and special occasions. As a matter of fact, both of us USED to forget our parents' birthday, much to their disappointment.

However, as years passed we both grew up and realized that remembering such occasions AND doing something about it actually means a lot to a person. So this year, my brother and I planned ahead for Mother's Day. On Friday my brother drove back from KL and fetched me on the way. Initially I told mom that I will be heading home by bus, which means she did not expect my brother at all. On our way home, we were both wondering what would be the best gift for mom, from juicers, to ovens and other weird things that we could think about. My brother asked me this question, "What's the budget?"

I simply told him, "Mom never had any budget when it comes to getting things for us. Why should we have one for her?"

Ouch. The truth hurts, I know.

Anyway, when we reached Penang (mom thought I was still on the way home in some bus), we went to a couple of electrical appliances shop to browse the prices of the items we thought of in the car. The baking oven was too expensive, and would probably earn us a scolding from dad when we get home, and the juicer was... well, there were so many varieties that we didn't know which one to get. Randomly, I suggested something that mom has been yearning for a long time. Somehow, it sounded like the perfect gift. Immediately, we drove off to another place to complete our quest.

So we browsed....shook our heads....browsed again....shook our heads......and FINALLY, we found what we were looking for. My brother whispered, "I need to get to the atm machine." I replied, "Me too." So once we had our fill of "ka-ching" we proceeded with the purchase.

We wrapped it in a nice wrapping paper (ok, we made the lady who sold the wrapping paper do it --hey, at least we thought of it!) and made our way home.

Boy, was mom surprised when she saw not one, but TWO of her beloved children home! As if that was not enough, we presented her her present. Being mom, she SLOWLY opened the gift and THIS is what we got her...

A brand new Samsung handphone! Yes, one with BIG, CLEAR numeric display that my mom has always wanted for her grandmother eyesight, FLIP style so that the screen won't get scratched among mom's clutter in her handbag and what-more, it's NEW! Yes, poor mom uses hand-me-downs when it comes to handphones because she feels that all she needs is a basic one. Previously, mom had been using my ol' Nokia 7210 Limited Edition and it gets cranky like me from time to time. So my bro and I decided to get her a user-friendly handphone that doesn't require her to bring out her glasses to view its content. And it looks pretty stylish for a basic phone, doesn't it?

Anyway, to all the moms, grandmoms, great-grandmoms and er....all kinds of moms --

Have a happy and blessed Mother's Day!~!

Intermission

2007-05-10T17:00:00.000+08:00

As I am waiting for Les Miserable's "Attack on Rue Plumet" and "One Day More" to be downloaded, I thought I'd scribble something here.

Few months ago, my forefinger got caught by the car door and I actually wrote a post about it in my old blog. You can read it here. Some of my blogger friends actually ask me to do a day-to-day post about the fingernail - a complete process of it turning blue and dropping off (sounds wrong I know). Somehow after a few days of swelling and pain, the fingernail didn't seem so interesting anymore, even though everyone who saw it would exclaim, "What happened??!!" and I would take a deep breath, and explain everything from A-Z and let them laugh at how stupid I was to slam the door against my own finger. Ok. Laugh.

So I never did a follow-up on the fingernail, and to those who think that it's still stuck there all black you must be out of your minds. After several weeks of observation, the fingernail was half black (blood clot) and the other half was pretty much normal... I think that was why the fingernail just would not drop off normally like others.

I'm quite surprised myself that I did not write about the interesting event on how the nail finally came off, as it is actually a checkpoint for me. Anyway, here's what happened.

I was taking my Math test, and at that time, half of my fingernail was loose and pretty much bothered me when I wrote or scratched. Or, I would just play around with it, hoping that would loosen the nail even more. But since half of it was still in good condition, there was a limit in moving that nail. I was getting rather worried about the nail as the blood clot has hardened and wouldn't seem to come off when I scraped it. So, after finishing my last test question, I headed towards the clinic. My course mates, always eager for something new and gross, came along.

As all five of us marched into the clinic...

Med. assistant: Er... siapa yang sakit?

I raised up my hand as though trying to answer a question in the classroom.

Med. assistant: Tak nampak sakit pun.

At this point she was quite right because all five of us were busy joking and laughing away about what was to come. So I showed her my finger and said,

Me: Kak, saye nak cabut kuku.

Med. assistant: HAH?!! Cabut kuku??

She takes my finger and went "ooooh....."

She led me into the examination room where ALL FIVE OF US went in, and mind you, the other four are guys haha! The medical assistant assumed they were my bodyguards. She is quite a nice lady, and had a weird sense of trying to calm her patients because she actually asked me,

Med. assistant: Ok.. so you want the saw or the axe?

Me: Ha..... I'll take the tweezers, thank you.

The guys couldn't help but joke throughout the whole session, making everyone laugh including the medical assistant as she gave me two jabs of GA on my finger, making it numb. The jabs hurt, though cos I could feel the needle on my bone. One of the guys took his N73 and shot videos and photos of the procedure. Until now he hasn't send any to me.

Anyway, so after several tests to make sure my finger was entirely numb, she took out the sterile tweezers and started to er...extract my fingernail. Removing the blackish part was easy, no pain at all, but when she began to pull at the fresh part of the nail... ouch. I mean, imagine someone trying to pull off your fingernail for no apparent reason, no matter how much GA she has applied, your nerves aren't entirely dead to not feel anything. Hello, she was pulling the root of my fingernail! By then some of the guys have already left the room as they could not 'tahan' seeing the procedure. So, they continued to make their jokes outside.

When it was done, I walked out of the room with a new sense of pride. Woohoo~! I did it! One of the guys then asked me, "Boy or girl?" That got everyone laughing again.

I called mom after that and she was very surprised that her daughter actually decided to do this by herself! Then like any mom, she told me not to eat this and that, don't do this and that, etc. As a celebration, all five of us went to the Tronoh town to have a good hearty dinner (with all those cautions in mind of course).

Now, the new nail has already grown though it looks a bit out-of-shape. It's a tad bit too short to strum the guitar, but at least my forefinger does not feel that naked anymore.

So that's the story of how my fingernail was removed and how much that event meant to me.

Ahh, the download is complete. And I've got a tennis appointment.

Time to leave!

Opening New Doors

2007-05-07T21:13:00.000+08:00

Much to everyone's surprise, I declined the post of Head of Department in the ICC committee. What more, I completely removed myself from the committee.

It is rather surprising for me too, to take such a drastic step. After all, I was doing pretty well, having won an Award of Honour during the Anniversary Dinner few weeks ago. Even the department I was in (and was supposed to chair) bagged the Best Department Award.

So why did I let go such a big opportunity?

I must say, making this decision wasn't easy. I thought long and hard and asked opinions from various people.

I have nothing against the club. No, I did not leave because I disliked the club. I left because I wanted to try something new. There are a lot more activities that are out there in the campus that have nothing to do with ICC, and I don't think I can give the same amount of commitment to club like I have done if I were to participate in other events because I would be extremely busy. I'm not a person who's crazy over high posts and power (and I'm not saying those "up there" are) which is why even though I am honoured to be offered such a position, I am willing to give it up to make way for new experiences.

Although I'm no longer an active member of the club, the committee still wants me to be a part of the next year's Euphonious and also to design a new logo for the club. Should I ask for payment? Haha! Nah, I'm doing all that out of pure interest and yes, respect that I still have for the club.

This is just a short post, nothing much to be proud of or brag about. In a way, it's a resignation.

My journey with ICC has been meaningful and has led me to see a part of UTP that I have never seen.

It's time for me to explore the other areas of this campus.

Some friends ask me, "Do you regret leaving?"

I tell them, "In life, you make choices and you don't look back."

At least not for awhile. ;-)

Rare Things Aren't Necessarily Good

2007-05-03T22:37:00.000+08:00

Like today. I almost lost my cool.

I have mentioned before that I seldom get angry. And even if I do, my anger goes away as fast as it comes. But today - I almost lost it.

Let's do a bit of flashback to see what happened.

It's a test week, and so is the week after this. Which means everyone is busy preparing and studying so much that tension rises and no one wants to be nice to anyone anymore. Okay, it's not that bad, but, yeah it's that bad. Hehe.

I think it's the 6-super-long-chapter ICIS (Introduction to Computers and Information Systems) test that is coming which is causing all this (for engineering students that is). Mind you, six chapters of ICIS is almost equal to 20 times more memorization compared to Form Five's redundant Pendidikan Moral. Even Physics seem a bit harmless now. Also, we were busy preparing for our English drama presentation.

"So what's the big deal?" as some may ask since they are also involved in the presentation. Here's what different from our group. Out of five members, two of them have been hospitalized in a span of one month. Yes. One severely broke his arm and the other had to go for appendix removal - causing us to delay our drama presentation AGAIN and AGAIN. And because our group isn't complete whenever we want to practice - it only meant one thing: last-minute preparation.

Personally, I don't mind last-minute preparation, I'm quite used to that culture here and I am also not blaming my friends who were admitted to the hospital. I think it's just that everything seems to be happening at the same time that I no longer know how to plan my schedule.

During our practice, the drama was better - maybe it's because everyone was more relaxed. However, during the real thing, a few things cropped up - such as out-of-the-blue very much extended scripts, wrong slides, etc. Eventually we worked it out and we can't blame anyone because everything was done at the VERY last minute. Still, the outcome of the play was not impressive - I really expected more.

I'm just disappointed because I have sacrificed a lot of study hours to write the whole script (it was 9 pages long), complete the slides (there were TWO presentations) just to have a draggy one hour presentation thrown back. I think we were all very tired because we did many, many rehearsals in a row THE NIGHT BEFORE and somehow on that day itself - the light wasn't there. We were already put under the pressure of giving a good performance as we were the last group to perform due to all the postponements- so much so that we had to get dinner for our tutor who had to skip her dinner to allow us the extra hour of performance.

We went to Tronoh for dinner - just to find that ALL the shops have stopped selling for the night. Then we decided to head on to Pusing - about half an hour from here - to get our dinner and yes, our tutor's dinner as well. All the time I was bothered by the things that I had to do including the Chemistry lab replacement that popped out of nowhere tomorrow and Saturday. Thank goodness the food was good - otherwise I'd be even grumpier now. By the time we got back, it was only half an hour before she left. We realized that we ordered some soupy koay teow for her so I had to rush all the way back to my room to get a bowl and fork and spoon for my tutor.

This is where it happened.

My roommate was reading and told me some stuff about another friend's drama performance. I was in a rush, and mostly not in any mood to listen to anything regarding drama. My roommate started to tell me things like "Aiya, wasted loh you didn't see the drama....etc.etc." and sometimes she tends to have that manja, exaggerated tone which I think was all I need to set blow my fuse. SERIOUSLY, I DO NOT BLAME my roommate for anything - but I think I did raise my voice - you know, the kind that you don't even know it was that loud and deep? So before she could finish I went,

"I HAD TO GO GET FOOD FOR THE TUTOR OKAY?!" and rushed out of the room. Oh, not before slamming the door. Okay, that, I did not do on purpose. The door is easily...slam-able ok? If my parents were there they'd most probably tell me, "MUNN, OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN AND CLOSE IT BACK PROPERLY." Heh. But the effect was there.

Yes, within seconds I felt very very guilty. No, the tutor did not use my bowl after all as it was already late and she decided she'd take the food home to eat. After she left, I took a slow walk to the minimart to get a cold drink to "cool" it - I don't think it really works but I was parched anyway. When I came back, I apologized to my roommate for raising my voice and she went, "ha? Where got? No lah..."

Maybe she was being polite but I know she has a very big heart. Such things don't happen very often - raising my voice towards people I have just come to know (yes, one year is considered recent to me).

And I also realize that I don't do this at all that I don't even know what it's like to be really angry. But to me, that was anger.

I'm okay now, no worries. I feel much, much better after writing it out. And tomorrow it's going to be as though none of this happened. I'm just going to take one day at a time as I am given. No point cramming it all up and shortening my life right?

Ok, I'm going to get a nice, cold shower and put on my studying cap once more for the tests to come.

To my drama members, thanks for everything - we work together, play together, win together, lose together and stay together alright?

To my roommate, so so sorry about that little 'scene' and I am so so thankful to have such an understanding person as my roommate.

And to mommy, sorry if I was a little abrupt during our phone conversation.

Five For Fighting - Two Lights

2007-04-29T13:02:00.000+08:00

Remember the famous "...it's not easy, to be me..." line from the song Superman? The first time that song was released it immediately swarmed the radio stations and MTV. Being a fan of piano-accompanied songs, this song immediately captured my attention. What more when its lyrics is so meaningful, makes one look back and think for a moment. Then came along 100 Years, another though-provoking song of being 15 years old, describing it as "There's never a wish, better than this. When you've only got a 100 years to live."

Yes, Five for Fighting is back with their newest album Two Lights. Well, this album was released last year but it's their latest to-date. Performing the usual ritual of visiting my favourite CD shop "Disc 'n' Dat" opposite of Prima Tanjung, next to Island Plaza back here in Penang, this time, the battle was between the soothing voices of Brian Littrell and John Ondrasik a.k.a Five For Fighting. Even though I chose Five for Fighting, I have a gut feeling that it won't be long before I go back to get Littrell's album as well.

Ok, so what's so great about this album? John Ondrasik has a way with lyrics. And as most of you might know, lyrics play a huge role in getting me interested in a song. When I previewed the album, the first song"Freedom Never Cries" caught my attention immediately. It reflects us humans taking things for granted - we don't know what we have until we lose it.

The thing that I was concerned about was whether this entire album is going to carry the same beat throughout- moderate piano melody accompanied by a very soothing voice. Don't get me wrong, such music is nice but when you listen to them ten times in a row - it gets pretty monotonous. Ondrasik probably knew that as he heated things up with tracks like "65 Mustang" and "Johnny America".

He wrote "Road to Heaven" when on the way to his grandmother's funeral his son asked him, "What if there was a road to heaven..."

What if there was a road to heaven
That's what came to me today
Would there be Traffic jams with diamond lanes
Potholes filled up with rain
Would there be Tolls still left to pay

If there was a road to heaven
Made of gold or made out of clay
Would the Angels wave me up the hill
Or in my mirror just fade away

In a nutshell, I'd give this album a 5 out of 5. If you enjoyed 'Superman', '100 years' and his latest 'The Riddle (featured in Two Lights)' this album is definitely worth the buy. It was RM43, but being a regular customer I got this baby for RM40.

I'll leave you with the lyrics of "Freedom Never Cries", one of my favourite songs from the album.

Freedom Never Cries

I took a flag to a pawn shop
For a broken guitar
I took a flag to a pawn shop
How much is that guitar?
I took a flag to a pawn shop
I got me that guitar
What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

Saw a man on the TV
In a mask with a gun
A man on the TV
He had a ten year old son
I saw a man on the TV
His son had a gun
And it says that he's coming for me

Chorus
I never loved the soldier
Until the wars awoke
I thought about tomorrow
'til my baby hit the floor
I only talk to God
When somebody's about to die
I never cherished freedom
Freedom never cries

I wrote a song for a dead man
To settle my soul
A song for a dead man
And now I'll never grow old
I wrote a song for a dead man
Now I'm hollowed in the cold
What's a song to a dead man to me?

Chorus
I never loved the soldier
Until the wars awoke
I thought about tomorrow
'til my baby hit the floor
I only talk to God
When somebody's about to die
I never cherished freedom
Freedom never cries

You can cry for her
Die for her
Lay down your life for her
Kiss and wave goodbye to her
Anything at all
You can cry for her
Die for her
Make up your mind to her
Anything at all

There's a baby on the doorstep
Wailing away
There's a baby on the doorstep
Longing for the day
There's a baby on the doorstep
Who'd give his life to take
A flag to a pawn shop
A flag to a pawn shop
May he forget why he is crying
Someday

If you're looking for rare albums, dating from way before you were born or even old records, then make a swing by Disc 'n' Dat. Even if you cannot decide which you prefer, the shopkeeper will help you out. Looking for something rare yet they don't have it? They'd be happy to make orders for you. Soon, they're going to be your best friends in music. Oh, and they're tall people. Some CD's are pretty high up and rather hard to reach...

...like this one.

Thank God for (older) Siblings

2007-04-26T21:46:00.000+08:00

Yes, no matter how hard it may seem for the younger ones including yours truly to admit it – older brothers and sisters do come in handy. God didn’t just place them there to annoy us without a price. It wouldn’t seem fair then, would it?

Let me give you a real life situation which happened very recently to show you that there is more to the brother-sister package that your parents bought for you and your siblings.

Two nights ago, as I came back from drama practice I found my roommate crying. Thinking it was because of very bad results in her tests (since she is very used to getting very, very high marks) I asked her what was wrong anyway. She then told me she lent her car to a friend to run errands for a huge university project called Engineering Design Exhibition (EDX) within the campus. Little did she know that after he and his crew have completed their task, they decided to bring the car out of the campus to go to the nearest mamak stall. People who have traveled the roads of Tronoh would know that the roads are not well-lit at all – as a matter of fact, the entire stretch is so dark that it makes my 24-7 lighted campus look like heaven’s gates calling out to us from afar. So, traveling at 70km/h (that is what I was told) with the beam turned on, they still managed to ram into something big, heavy and very much alive that was slowly crossing the road.

A buffalo.

Yes, outside of the campus there are hangout spots for both students and buffaloes. I remember once walking towards the mamak stall with my friends when we realized something was staring at us. We looked behind and saw a big black buffalo gazing at us with its big, oval black eyes - reflected by the lights of the cars passing by. Since then we have been very weary about these big things whenever we’re outside of the campus compound.

Back to the accident, here’s the tip of the iceberg (and a rather funny one too, though I dare not say that out loud to those involved): the buffalo lost its balance and fell ONTO the car’s bonnet! Did I mention that the car was a Kancil? Yes, obviously when it comes to brawn, should there be a match between a kerbau and a kancil the kerbau is sure to win. Not only were the bonnet and headlamps smashed, the engine was also reduced to half its size! How do you make a small car even smaller?!

Obviously, my roommate was devastated when she heard the news – furthermore, her mother had already warned her not to lend her car to anyone else. I’ve met her mom before, and also based on the things that my roommate has told me (that I will not disclose here), her mom pretty much means business. Of course, if it was just damage on the surface and the engine was fine then perhaps she could get the thing fixed without her parents knowing (should she choose to do so) and let it be a personal lesson learnt. But the damage is serious and would most probably cost a few thousand ringgit - even her friend who borrowed her car was in tears when he broke the news to her. The rest of us advised her to tell her parents, and told her to be prepared for a very, very long nagging session. A friend of mine who has experienced an accident before said, “First, they’re going to ask you if you’re ok. Then, once they know that you’re alright – the grilling session comes.” Which is very true – except that she wasn’t in the car at that time which makes it even worse since she wasn’t allowed to lend her car to others. I’ve never felt more sorry for anyone at that time.

When it comes to situations like these, that’s when your older siblings come to the rescue. My roommate told the news to her older sister who then helped to tell it to their mom and probably added some sweet words to soften her heart. Her mom is supposed to give her a call today – and I somehow have the feeling that things aren’t going to be so bad after all. And even if her parents were harsh, her older sis will always be there to tell her things like “Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon” or “Let them nag first, because they care. Take this as a lesson…etc.”

See? Our older siblings serve as some sort of filter or a semi-opaque shield from the harms of the ultimate power (a.k.a. Parents). They can’t filter it completely because it’s just not in the rule book to do so. Anyway, our parents put so much effort into their naggings that we have to give them the benefit of doubt by listening and absorbing part of it somehow.

So yes, the people whom you’ve despise more than love for the first five years of your life are actually a bunch of nice and decent people. Have you thanked them lately?

33 Lighted Candles

2007-04-20T03:04:00.000+08:00

A massive killing of 33 students in a college is bound to make headlines.

Especially since it happened in a country where such a crime is so common that people are more concerned at the numbers to see if the record is broken.

33 people. Dead.

Yet, only one person made it to the news – every news program, newspaper, magazines, you name it.

Why is the person responsible for this – the killer – given all the publicity? Why are wise comments and so-called deep investigation made after it has happened? Lecturers and classmates claimed that the killer was a very mentally depressed and often expressed gruesome and terrifying elements in his writings – when he was alive. One of them even had the nerve to say that “he’d be shock” if the killer was not who he suspected. Does it make it better to know that he “guessed that one right”?

What about those 32 students who died in vain? You read pages of news about the killing – only a small column is allocated for the victims’ friends and family. Those who grief – those who are still very much in pain for losing their loved ones.

If someone highlighted on the grief and suffering these people endure, perhaps the world would realize how devastating this is. Instead, they prefer to think that big numbers and the background of the person responsible would send that message across. Or would that just challenge somebody else out there to “break the record”?

I don’t give a damn about what has been done when someone should have paid more attention to a mentally-depressed boy who would soon commit such a horrible crime. But there’s just this feeling of dissatisfaction for the other 32 victims. What have they done to deserve this? 32 young people who were on their way to earning their degrees and make their parents proud are now earning nothing more than unimaginable grief and pain for their loved ones.

To all the Virginia Tech students who have lost their friends, and the families who are left behind – my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I like to think that things happen for a reason – though I don’t know what the reason is, I’d like to think that part of it is to remind the rest of us how grateful we should be to be safe from such events. Life may be tough in university, but there are some out there who will never be able to get the degree that they want – when one gun shot can put an end to years of effort and hard work, and create a beginning to grief and sadness.

Appreciate every second ya’all.

You Know That You're The Hottest Lecturer In The Campus...

2007-04-17T12:23:00.000+08:00

...when suddenly ALL the boys in the course attend your Introduction to Computer and Information Systems class - with extreme enthusiasm.

And she has an American accent too.

You Know That The Brains of Your Students Are Saturated...

2007-04-16T18:00:00.000+08:00

...when you get "Syok Sendiri" as an answer to the meaning of S-S compounds in stereochemistry.

And it's not even funny.

"You Don't Look Like The Type...

2007-04-15T19:07:00.000+08:00

...who has gone through National Service before".

Strangely, that's the response I get whenever I tell my friends (those from different secondary schools) and even my juniors!

And when I ask them, "What do you mean?"

They'd say...

"You don't look like someone who would like to take orders..."

"You look like one of those who would defer to pursue higher education..."

"I can't imagine you in the NS uniform..."

And the worse one would be...

"You're not geeky or sporty enough to be chosen."

Ouch.

Not geeky? Fine. But NOT sporty?? Eh, excuse me madam/sir, I used to represent the school in basketball ok? And I was even selected to go for the state selection alright? I was also chosen to join the state floorball team but gave it up because of basketball. And now I play tennis almost every week in campus AND basketball too. Not sporty?? Tell that to my once dislocated bones and swollen wrists and ankles and my worried-sick parents. Pffftt....

PLUS, I even contributed an article to The Star back then regarding National Service - but I guess no one remembered cos my photo indicated a fat, puffy, out-of-bed version of me - courtesy of my uncle who cropped that from a Christmas photo. OR, no one's been reading the papers.

Since I came to campus I have been keeping a very low profile. Actually I did try to keep a low profile during my secondary school days but since it was a very small school - it's not easy getting around unnoticed once you've achieved something. So when people in uni find out more about me, they tend to be very surprised. Somehow, I don't know if I should be proud of that haha!

ANYWAY, this issue spurred some memories during my National Service days. And yeah, maybe I just need to post some photos up to prove that I was once sun-burnt, scrawny (sort of) and forced to receive orders. And maybe prove the sporty part too. Geez.

So here are some photos that were taken during my stint there - where I had a real-time experience of what cultural integration is all about, where I learned how to speak Mandarin and best of all, made a whole new bunch of friends who enjoyed doing push ups and taking baths together.

Me and my Mandarin sifu's in front of Tun Mahathir's old house which is now some sort of museum. Can you spot me?

I MISS THEM!!!

Love them, loathe them. I live with them. =)

F10! Our very own cottage. We named it Funky 10.

Yes! Best roomies ever!! Proud owners of Funky 10! This was the day the two of us (the ones in uniform) went home because of college. It was a teary affair. Not only did I learn how to speak Mandarin, I learned the Kelantan dialect as well and tried all sorts of Melayu food that I've never eaten before! I love all of you!!!

There are more photos but due to the lousy connection here, I only manage to upload five of them. Hopefully good enough to give you an idea of how much I liked it there. I was based in Dusun Minda Resort, Kuala Nerang, Kedah. It's the one and only 5-star camp in Malaysia. Despite some hardships and unwanted incidents during my stay there, I must say that I kinda miss it. One of them actually called me up the other day, and it was definitely great just to catch up. She's now living her dream as she joined the Air Force. I wonder what happened to the others.

Quote of the day from my mentor Dean: "Why can't we work on Saturdays and Sundays and have Monday to Friday holidays?"

A Rather Morbid Post - Not For The Close-Minded

2007-04-12T12:03:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine told me, "You know, I've been thinking about death lately."

Pause.

"And I even cried just thinking about it."

THAT got me thinking.

Death is a topic most people would shy away from. It's a topic mom would always say "Choi!" (something like "touch wood" in Cantonese) every time I bring it up. It's ironic how people would avoid the very one thing that is certain in life.

Usually, it's not "our time" that is the big issue. It's usually somebody else's "time" - someone we care about and love - that we dread. Some would say that it is a sin for a child to 'go' before his or her parents. Emotions can be heavy especially if that person is very close to you. Some may be struck with overwhelming grief that all they portray is numbness, while some need time before reality sinks in. And there are also those who accept such things as it is - life stops for a minute, and goes on for many many years.

For me, I am not very sure to which category I belong to. But I guess as my parent's daughter - I'm a little bit of both sides. Like mom, I would be selfish and would prefer not to see the people I care about die before me and like dad, should such things happen, life stops for a minute (okay, maybe weeks) - and takes its normal daily route again.

Death is one event no one has lived to talk about; which is why most of us are scared and sad when it happens to the people around us. All we know that it is about loss, pain, and a lot of memories. As humans, we are always afraid of the uncertain -like what happens when you die. So you see, we worry for our loved ones when they're alive - we also worry about them when they've gone to another dimension. It's the ultimate price we all have to pay once we purchase the gift of love.

I came up with this poem when I reflect upon the things that are happening around me. I've seen people lose their loved ones, people constantly bugged by the issue of death and people who are about to experience it themselves.

This is to all who have loved, lost and lived.

When death comes,
Selfishness follows.
We'd choose to go first,
And let others dwell in sorrow.

For we fear that moment,
When our loved ones close their eyes.
We don't know where they're going,
And we hate to say goodbye.

We count the seconds of the day,
As though they will never pass.
Life goes on, most of them say,
Until it turns to dust.

Some may regret as they say,
"I never had a chance to say goodbye".
But someday we will look back and think,
"I'm glad I knew her while she was alive".

Through it all we'll cry and grieve,
And pray for God's amazing grace.
We learn to accept and receive,
That they're in a better place.

~Vern~

I apologise for such a serious post. But some things are inevitable, eh?

The Long and Winding Road

2007-04-08T18:53:00.000+08:00

The long and winding road
That leads to your door

DocMat and his band are doing a jazz rendition of this famous Beatles' oldie. They are called the 'Jazz Academy' and their music is probably one of the best for the night. I look around the hall, seats were filled, from below all the way to the balcony seats. There's probably more than a thousand people here tonight, I thought.

Will never disappear
I've seen that road before

Just 12 hours back, I actually set up a personal workstation in the Chancellor Hall. It was the final run of rehearsal - everyone had little sleep yet we had to wake up early - well, most of us. Last minute requests kept pouring in, "Vern, can you....?" was heard now and then. It was going to be a long day.

It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

Just a couple hours ago the show began. The opening act itself from the winner of the previous singing competition received great response - signifying a good start. More and more people are pouring in as the show went on. The ticketing booth outside was very busy - people crowding around getting last-minute tickets.I couldn't resist but snap a few shots of the overwhelming crowd that was coming through the door. Alas, I couldn't get a proper exposure from my friend's camera. The security personnels were checking the bags of the people who came in - we cannot risk any more acts of sabotage.

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here
Let me know the way

I left my seat and took a walk around the hall. It feels like a miracle - how an event can attract so many people. No, how MUSIC can bring people together. The crowd was amazing - they gave good response and showed lots of energy in supporting their friends who were competing. Even the judges were impressed. I stood under the huge banner that my department has produced. A strange feeling of pride came to me. As I looked at the crew unified with "Music is Life" t-shirts, I couldn't help but smile.

Many times Ive been alone
And many times Ive cried
Any way youll never know
The many ways Ive tried

There was a girl band - the ONLY girl band, all clad in pretty kebaya tops and jeans. They did pretty well - even one of the judges claimed that their singer was better than the guy bands. The drummer was a tad bit cheeky - she knows when she is on video. They were definitely having fun. By then, I was jumping and dancing to the beat of their music.

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Dont leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

I met many unfamiliar faces during the event - faces I didn't know were involved in this project. But it didn't really matter. Probably the anxiety of wanting this event to run smoothly was enough to allow us to share something in common. There's one more hurdle to go.

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Dont leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

It was voting time. The Adjudication department was put to the test to count the votes. Everyone was rushing about, doing the best they can. Of course, they passed - with flying colours too. The winners were announced - 5 groups of people went home AT LEAST RM200 richer that night.

I was so worried things would not turn out right. But I was wrong.

Last night was fantastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, Euphonious '07 rocked.

Oh, and Happy Easter everyone!

A Journey of Discovery and Disappointment

2007-03-30T02:02:00.002+08:00

Let me tell you a long story.

Last year, a group of creative young minds got together and brainstormed to find a way to create racial integration and mutual understanding among the youth in their campus. They thought hard and long and they know that to bring people to reach to an understanding, they must first find something common that they agree on.

The answer was music.

What kind of music? Music that relates effectively to the young people. Music that young people understand. Music that allows young people to showcase their talent.

Rock music.

They finally came up with an idea to come up with an event similar to Battle of The Bands in their very own campus that they are proud of.

Hence, Euphonious was born.

Compared to the usual rock shows, Euphonious is probably one of the cleanest, and healthiest rock show that follows all protocols - no revealing outfits, blasphemous songs, or wild acts on the stage. Bring your parents along and they'll never worry again whenever you're at a rock concert.

The event managed to ignite the enthusiasm among undiscovered talents and music became a universal language where even non participants understand. On the night of the finale, more than a thousand people flocked to the event and had the time of their lives. A lot of them were very proud of their friends who possessed talent they did not know of. The participants joined as rivals, but left as new found friends. All in all, it was a smooth and successful event.

This time around, Euphonious is back for the second time.

I was very excited when I was elected as Head of the Public Relations and Promotions Department – just like any other kid who has learned how to ride a bike. And I got a few friends to ride along with me too – they’re slightly older than me, but we respect each other anyway. I knew that it won’t be a smooth ride – there will be bumps and curbs along the way; but I never thought that people would come out and deliberately try to push us off our bikes and make us fall.

Our job was simple: Get people to know about the event.

We did the usual thing – printed posters, had them pasted in various notice boards, distributed flyers. In the span of 24 hours, all the posters were taken down. We knew it was not done by the security personnel or the university staff as we had stamps of approval on the posters.

To say that we did not see this coming I wouldn’t be telling the truth. Posters are easily ripped off the wall - a missing piece of A4 paper from a crowded notice board would not be noticeable. And that was what we were worried about.

o we thought we’d do promotion on a larger scale. We made banners – big and colourful ones – hoping that our effort will be paid off. Again, the next day, regardless of the size – our efforts were thrown away, just like the banners. We got together and thought hard and long for more creative ways to conduct promotion.

Then we thought 3-dimensional. We came up with ‘bumpers’ – semi-folded mounting boards shaped like mini bumpers with images and relevant information on them were made and placed on one big stretch. Yes, it sure captured other people’s attention. We knew we did it, I received messages from friends telling me how creative and effective the idea was – I almost gave myself a pat on my own shoulder.

Couple days later – two bumpers were spoiled from the rain water and another two was spoiled in unnatural circumstances – there were footprints on the center of the bumpers that were smashed and ruined. Someone chose to be blind on that day and our bumpers ‘got in the way’.

We refused to give up. So far we have printed and cut more than one thousand flyers – we stayed up past midnight so that we can saturate the entire campus with them by pasting them onto every pillar and wall that we see.

In just a few hours when everyone began to make their way to class, the pillars and walls were stripped clean off the flyers. This definitely is not the job of one person.

I grew tired. I grew very tired. I have done many promotion jobs but this…this was pushing me to the edge. But I cannot admit defeat – I have a department to lead and a task to complete. My dad always tells me, “Finish what you have started.”

Then I designed a blog dedicated to the event so that people can come by with the comfort of seating and clicking the mouse. And this way, no one can sabotage our information. More and more people started pouring into the site especially after the preliminary rounds of the competition. There was a healthy debate on who should or should not enter the finals but I didn’t mind – at least I know there is response.

And then someone came up with this.

I have tried my best not to let my personal judgment get in the way of my work – many guesses have been made on the culprit behind our failed attempts before this, but I have always pushed them aside to concentrate on the task at hand.

Religion is a very sensitive thing – especially in this country where so many different races and religions come together. I have had my fair share of understanding amidst diversity before I came to this place. But upon reading the blog, I cannot help but express a mass feeling of disappointment within me.

I respect all kinds of religion, and I am especially sad when people use it as a tool against others. Isn’t it supposed to bring people together? I believe that all religions serve one main purpose: to teach good values and embed a sense of consciousness in people.

But the only thing that I do not respect and in fact have a disgust for are the PEOPLE who use such holy teachings in such a radical manner to make something good look awfully bad.

Religion does not teach you to sabotage. Religion does not teach you to hurt others. Religion does not teach you to spread its good by highlighting or exaggerating the mistakes of others. And religion definitely does not teach you to condemn nor judge others.

The people who have tried to push us off have sabotaged our event. The blogger whom took pride in pointing out all mistakes imaginable of our event definitely has no idea how much he or she has hurt the feelings of those people he/she has referred to in her post. Those girls who are in the photo? This university is very small. Even if the blogger has tried to cover their identity, who wouldn’t know the only girl band who participated in that event? And what about the judgments that have been made to those poor girls? Why condemn this event? There are so many events in this university that involve BOTH guys and girls mingling with one another but not even a whisper of condemnation has been made on those events but this? What about those who have worked so hard for this event? How are they going to feel about this?

Tell me, where does religion play a role in this?

Two people from the photo are from my department for this event.

And those two people are going to be very heart-broken when they see that post. Two very nice, generous and kind-hearted people.

And when my team members are being criticized, I am not happy. You know why? Because I know them long enough to know the kind of people they are. They are a bunch of dedicated, creative people who try to see the best in others. They’ve picked me up the times I fell, and regardless of the endless requests and work, they were always there to back me up. I have seen so many kinds of people who would quit under such pressure and stress – but my teammates have been there all along. I wouldn’t trade them for anybody else.

I only have one question to that blogger, “Why?” Can’t we try to tolerate one another in this small university?

Religion teaches us to be forgiving. Religion teaches understanding.

Someone missed that part out.

In a span of three months back here in campus, I have seen things that leave me nothing but a sense of disappointment and sadness. Yet, time and time again I have tried to shake it off, get back on my feet and give my full commitment in the things I am in charge of. I am being constantly pressured to come up with more and more ideas, each bigger than the next.

We love coming up with ideas because that’s what we do. And we love executing our ideas and see them turn into reality. We don’t mind if people do not like what we do.

But I do mind when people misuse religion to go against others.

This is a very personal post from me, I don’t even want to put it onto the Euphonious blog because this event has nothing to do with religion nor does it have any intention to contradict with any of its laws. This is something that I have felt for as long as I have been doing this project. No one seems to understand – even those whom I have shared this with.

I don’t want any pity – because that is the exact thing that holds people back from doing anything other than sympathize. I just want a little bit of understanding from others.

I’m going to continue with what I do, and enjoy the process as I always had and gain as much experience as possible. I have come so far, I’m going to finish this by riding my bike in style.

And my teammates? They’re coming to the finishing line with me – as champions.

Click here to visit the Euphonious site.

The Sound of Music...and Irritance.

2007-03-28T19:09:00.000+08:00

What's worse than the sound of a ring tone from a cellphone blasting at the wrong time?

The sound of a ring tone from a cellphone blasting at the wrong time THRICE.

We were in our Chemistry tutorial class today and (to our surprise) our tutor was in a rather good mood today. I think it's because it's his daughter's birthday so he managed to throw in a few witty jokes in between. Mind you, he may be a bit temperamental at times but he is a very, very clever man. I seldom laugh at jokes that are repeated, or those made by one who overrates them. Yes, there are some who really try to make people laugh - I do laugh, but it's out of sheer pity than humour. My Chemistry tutor, however, made very witty jokes today where I was chuckling and trying to contain myself. That was until a song played.

"There's gotta be more to...." Silence.

The tutor turned around and looked at us. No response except for some stifled laughs. He turned back to the board to resume writing.

"There's gotta be..." Silence.

He looked back at us again. And before he could turn back to the board...

"There..."

It was as thought the phone was teasing him! Everyone started to giggle to themselves and the owner identified himself when he ducked his head - not enough to be out of sight of the tutor though. The tutor went, "What is this?!" and everyone went quiet.

LUCKY for the owner our tutor was in good mood today. So he let go of the owner of the cellphone after giving him a hard glare.

LUCKY for us, he continued with his jolly mood. Heh.

Ring tones are nice things to hear, especially when most phones can play mp3 formats nowadays. But they are very, very unpleasant to the ears when they are played at the wrong time. It disrupts concentration in ANYTHING you do. Do you know that even in major tennis tournaments cellphones are to be switched off or in silent mode? Imagine Micheal Buble singing "Sway" when Roger Federer is about to break an ace. Yes, it will definitely sway his focus and may even cause his championship should that be a breaking point.

Then there are the regular so-called business men/women who think that they must not EVER miss a single call even when they're in the cinema. The dashing leading actor is about to kiss the beautiful leading actress. While you're imagining that you're either one of them - Everclear appears out of nowhere and sings their famous rock song "Father of Mine" - wah, 'potong stim kau kau' ah... or, in other words, it just kills the moment.

Sometimes, ring tones go off even when there are no calls. Yes, let me present to you the new generation of portability when it comes to music. Unlike the old school style where teenagers will carry their portable radios in public - now all you need is that small device, the same one you use to make calls and you've got music tagging along everywhere you go. It is alright to play it when you're with a bunch of friends in an open outdoor area - but it gets very irritating when one plays it in a closed, public area. I remember those who would play their music out loud in a restaurant and singing along as though that the place has turned into a karaoke center.

You know what is the best and ideal way to listen to music? To enjoy it one-hundred percent?

Go into a quiet room (possibly your bedroom), close the door and windows, if you're using speakers and you have air conditioning in your room then turn off the noisy fan and turn on the air-cond, set its treble slightly higher then your bass to get the crisp sound - press the 'Play' button and just enjoy! If you're using headphones, get those huge ones that surround your ears completely (and good quality ones also), and let yourself absorb into another world. It's a win-win situation: you get to enjoy music to the max and others just couldn't be bothered by how loud you play your music.

And now, I'm going to do just that. The Phantom of the Opera, here I come!

Mana Mali?

2007-03-28T01:52:00.000+08:00

Aaah.. how I love music. Despite all the stress and havoc, once I put on my headphones and turn on my player - everything is different. Recently, once song has been doing a good job in cheering me up. It's a song sang by our very own Point Blanc and Jaclyn Victor. Even though this song is especially dedicated to people from Ipoh, I still think this song stands in its own class.

Ipoh Mali - Point Blanc with Jac Victor

(Intro)
Yo, this song’s close to the heart, it’s my hometown baby, representin’/Ipoh where you at?

(Chorus)
Ipohmali Ipoh Ipohmali/ I sing it loud and proud that’s who I be/
Cos’ small town dreams do come through/ so stand up and represent where you from too boo
Uh/ Ipohmali Ipoh Ipohmali/
I sing it loud and proud that’s who I be/
Cos’ small town dreams do come through so stand up and represent where you from too boo

(Verse 1)
Yo I was born and raised in a place/ where the hottest women come from /
Ipoh city/ that’s where I’ll always belong/ Don’t get me wrong yo/
I’m KL lite now/ Its just that my roots stay strong/
Growin’ up as a Ipoh chink kid representin’ it/ Ipoh Garden Eastside yo was the hood I was kickin’ it/
I grew up poor but I had the riches memories/ Wooley Food Centre rockin’ arcades religiously/ And after school/ me and my crew/ DFS would be-boy on the sidewalks in front of Fair Park shops/ And as my story drops/ I recollect I never had them fancy kicks, fancy clothes all I had was Hip Hop/
And peer pressure left me with a scar/cos' when kids were rockin’ Airwalks/I was rockin’ Bata/Back then/ I had nothin’ but a dream to be a rap star/
Now who would have thought this Ipoh chink would get this far?

Chorus 1x

(Verse 2)
Yo I’m a Ipohmali chinaman/ I represent/ small town kids havin’ big dreams so understand/ When I spit this rhyme yo’ I’m spittin’ it right/
My flows divine and miraculous givin’ the blind sight, haha
Back in the day circa ‘95/ In St. Michaels Church where I prayed for my life to get better/
So I can be mah’ family’s provider/ the answer/ was to audition for Poetic Ammunition’s replacement rapper/I dropped the beatbox blew Yogi B away/ got the record deal/ had a choice to make/ leave for KL or do I stay?/ Cos’ everybody sayin’ then bein’ a rapper don’t pay/ From Bingotown to Greentown I was strollin’/ contemplatin’ what mah’ life’s future would be holdin’/ Everybody I knew was all against it/ they said 16 yearold Ipoh kid will never make it/ But I/ persevered/ A boy with no fear/ I had hopes as high as Hotel Excelsior/ For years I proved my critics wrong/ that’s why I wrote this song to tell the world where I’m from cos’ I’m…….

Chorus 1x

(Bridge)
We Ipohmali baby here to show y’all what we got/
Never underestimate yourself/ cos’ you can make it/ no matter where you are/
It ain’t where you’re from but how you make it to the top/
Cos’ we are Ipohmali baby, here to show y’all what we got

To all mah’ peeps all down at JB/ Throw your hands up if y’all hear me/
To all mah cats down at KL city/ Holla at me if y’all hear me/
To all my pheng ew across the sea now/ Penang khia are y’all still down?/
And everybody across the nation/ you can make it just be patient/

(Verse 3)
Now flash forward to the present/ mah’ life at this point/
Nobody knows mah’ real name/ they all call me Point/
I’m an industry veteran/ 10 years in the game/ 3 LPs/ now that’s evidence/
I seen it all/ the ladies, the groupies, the fancy parties, award ceremonies, glory and all that money (money)/ But I learned the hard way that fame came with a price/
For Point Blanc to be more famous than Ipoh chicken rice/

(Outro singing)
Ipoh, Ipoh, if y’all afraid go call the popo/
It’s your boy Point lettin’ you know/ the hottest chink hollerin’ from Ipoh/
(Repeat 1x)

(Outro adlib)
Voyeur Records! It ain’t where you’re from/ its where you at/
So be proud of where you’re from baby, cos’ I am/

VERN: Gua Penang Mali!! :D

When A Week Seemed Like One Second

2007-03-26T10:37:00.000+08:00

After a week of mid semester break, I'm back in campus.

What? You didn't know I have a break?

Don't worry, neither did I. Well, I knew I did, and then I just gave up hope.

My entire week was filled with work and phone calls and messages. Since the Euphonious event is reaching its peak, the whole committee are busy as bees and somehow their hive seem to stretch all the way to my home. How busy can I get, you ask?

The moment my instant messaging programs are connected, I receive tons of messages.

When I have breakfast/lunch/dinner, I receive calls and messages on my cell. Yes, my computer too.

In the middle of a movie in the cinema, I get endless messages. And there was once when somebody called. Imagine the hassle I had to go through to get out of the cinema to answer that call.

I actually couriered A3 posters to campus.

I don't even have time to hang out with my friends!

I stayed up til 4 in the morning just to finish up designs and email them over to those in campus.

I actually quarreled with my brother as we were both simply stressed out.

See? And when my friends ask me, "So, how's your holiday?"

I go, "What holiday?"

Now that I am back in campus, even my English lecturer did not want to spare me some agony. Yes, we woke up bloody early on a MONDAY to attend ONE CLASS at 8 just to find that she has stood us up for the FOURTH TIME out of what, EIGHT CLASSES? Whoa, 50% attendance! Then she'll suggest replacement classes AT NIGHT. I really don't understand...

Ok. So much for ranting. I have another class to go to now. At least this tutor makes it - and she's fun. And yes, it's Math.

Tata.

Pit Stop

2007-03-21T01:26:00.000+08:00

I know I have not been writing much, so I'll just leave you with something someone else wrote. I read this a few times already but it always cracks me up. Here's to all the Malaysians:

Murid : Selamat pagi, cikgu.

Cikgu : (Menengking) Mengapa selamat pagi sahaja? Petang dan malam awak
doakan saya tak selamat?

Murid : Selamat pagi, petang dan malam cikgu!

Cikgu : Panjang sangat! Tak pernah dibuat oleh orang! Kata selamat
sejahtera! Senang dan penuh bermakna.Lagipun ucapan ini meliputi semua masa
dan keadaan.

Murid : Selamat sejahtera cikgu!

Cikgu : Sama-sama, duduk! Dengar sini baik- baik. Hari ini cikgu nak uji
kamu semua tentang perkataan berlawan. Bila cikgu sebutkan perkataannya,
kamu semua mesti menjawab dengan cepat, lawan bagi perkataan-perkataan itu,
faham?

Murid : Faham, cikgu!

Cikgu : Saya tak mahu ada apa-apa gangguan dan selepas ini saya
Akan uji kamu semua simpulan bahasa!!!

Murid : (senyap)

Cikgu : Pandai!

Murid : Bodoh!

Cikgu : Tinggi!

Murid : Rendah!

Cikgu : Jauh!

Murid : Dekat!

Cikgu : Keadilan!

Murid : UMNO!

Cikgu : Salah!

Murid : Betul!

Cikgu : Bodoh!

Murid : Pandai!

Cikgu : Bukan!

Murid : Ya!

Cikgu : Oh Tuhan!

Murid : Oh Hamba!

Cikgu : Dengar ini!

Murid : Dengar itu!

Cikgu : Diam!

Murid : Bising!

Cikgu : Itu bukan pertanyaan, bodoh!

Murid : Ini ialah jawapan, pandai!

Cikgu : Mati aku!

Murid : Hidup kami!

Cikgu : Rotan baru tau!

Murid : Ratan lama tak tau!

Cikgu : Malas aku ajar kamu!

Murid : Rajin kami belajar saya!

Cikgu : Kamu bodoh!

Murid : Kami pandai!

Cikgu : Cukup!! Cukup! !

Murid : Tak cukup!!Tak cukup! !

Cikgu : Sudah! Sudah!

Murid : Belum! Belum!

Cikgu : Kurang ajar!

Murid : Cukup ajar!

Cikgu : Sudah, bodoh!

Murid : Belum, pandai!

Cikgu : Berdiri!

Murid : Duduk!

Cikgu : Saya kata UMNO salah!

Murid : Kami dengar KeADILan betul!

Cikgu : Bangang kamu ni!

Murid : Cerdik kami tu!

Cikgu : Rosak!

Murid : Baik!

Cikgu : Kamu semua ditahan tengah hari ini!

Murid : Dilepaskan tengah malam itu!

Cikgu : Gila lah kamu semua ni!!!!!!!!!!!

Murid : Siuman lo saya tu???????????

Cikgu : Senyap lah !!

Murid : Bising lo??

Cikgu : Jangan bising, bodoh, bodoh, bodoh!!

Murid : Boleh senyap, pandai, pandai, pandai??

Cikgu : Sudah, sekarang saya akan uji simpulan bahasa!!

Murid : Belum, selepas kamu belum uji peribahasa??

Cikgu : Ringan tulang!!

Murid : Berat gnalut??

Cikgu : Salah!!!

Murid : Betul???
Cikgu yang garang itu segara lari dari kelas itu.Murid-murid berasa lega dan
gembira kerana berjaya menjawab pertanyaan cikgu mereka.

:D

Putting Smiles on Faces

2007-03-11T22:34:00.000+08:00

I get a day-off today. Yes, just the day. At night, I'm busy all over again. But I'm stealing some time to blog about something special today. It's also the reason why I gave myself a day-off.

I woke up with my hair standing straight up like Fido of the 7-Up carbonated drink brand. I had to use some gel to hold it down - well, not exactly - but at least better than before. Christon and I took a bus down to Jusco, headed to Glad Sounds to buy a Chris Tomlin CD and a birthday card.

It's Tania's birthday today. Her roommate, Mildred decided we should do something to surprise her. In UTP custom, usually during one's birthday we would just buy a cake, drag the poor birthday girl/boy down to the cafe at midnight and make him/her blow candles and cut the cake. Once everyone is full is satisfied we all head to our rooms to sleep. But this time, we wanted to do something different because if we were to drag Tania down during midnight it wouldn't be a surprise anymore.

So we decided to meet up at Pizza Hut - Jusco - all thirteen of us including the birthday girl. Of course, Mildred drove Tania and another 3 of them there so Tania thought it was only a usual day out. As a matter of fact, I made it even less suspicious yesterday when I asked her,

Me: So, you guys going anywhere tomorrow? Ipoh?
Mildred: Yeah.
Tania: Yeah, we plan to go to Ipoh. Want to come along?
Me: Cannot la, got work to do.
Tania: Oh... you want me to get anything for you ah?
Me: If I have anything in mind I'll tell you la.
Tania: Yeah, if you want anything just sms me ok?
Me: Yeah, sure.
*Mildred and I exchanged looks behind Tania's back. Hehehhe....*

So, when we all arrived Tania was at the saloon as she wanted to do something to her hair. Eventually she decided to do it somewhere else (I still don't know what it is that she did) and headed to Pizza Hut to meet her friends whom she assumed were the ones that went with her in the car. Boy, was she surprised to see all 12 of us there grinning and a big pizza with and a Happy Birthday sign and candles on it!! She sat down, delightfully shocked and tears of joy (I think it's joy-lah) entered the scene. We began to shower her with presents and after Tania led the prayer, it was 'chow' time. We met new friends as well, and had a good share of fun and laughters! When we were done eating, Tania began to open the presents. Obviously her face was glowing when she saw all the stuffs she got! We parted ways after that as Tania went on with her mission to beautify her hair!

When we got back to UTP (thanks for driving us Mildred), we randomly decided to take photos near the Chancellor Hall. So, all in all, the day was very tiring but satisfying nonetheless as everyone had a great time - especially the birthday girl. And yes, here are the photos:

If you want a clearer view, click on the photos to get a better resolution. I've resized them, so it wouldn't take a long time to load.

That's all, folks. Now, back to work... and one more time...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANIA!!!

Greeting Cards -To write or not to write?

2007-03-03T22:05:00.000+08:00

I have a friend who sends greeting cards on every relevant occasion. Be it Chinese New Year, Christmas or even birthdays, those in her circle of friends will definitely receive cards from her every year. And if she's in a mood, she may throw in a Deepavali or Hari Raya card too.

I'm the selfish type. Okay, okay, the stingy type too. I rarely send greeting cards because I'm usually hesitant to buy them. The thought is always there - but the money isn't. And before I buy a card, I'd take a very long time to choose one. Well, truth be told, before I buy anything at all, it takes me days to decide on what I want. The things I buy must seem like they are calling out "I FOUND YOU!" to me. If there's no "feel", then there's no purchase. Yes, even if it's buying for others.

Usually, when I remember someone's birthday and plan to send a greeting card over, I'd make one. That way, it's cheaper, and I get to design it the way I want. It does take some time and effort - but I don't mind because it's fun. If I don't have the time and there's a perfect card somewhere out there then I'll resort to buying.

So for a person who rarely sends cards, it's not a wonder that I find it hard to figure out what to write inside. Recently I bought one (because I have NO time and yes I found a very nice card) for a friend of mine. Now that I live in somewhere other than home, it's quite fun to send letters and cards to friends far away. I opened the card, and began,

Dearest XXX,
Just dropping by to wish you a happy birthday and etc etc. (the usual)

Then I got stuck.

I wanted to write more because there were a few things on my mind that I wanted to say to her. However, the fact that I'm sending a card and not a letter made me think whether it was appropriate to write such a long content in the card. Will it spoil the design of the card? Will it be too draggy? Maybe I could attach another note. But then, will it spoil the purpose? Will it be a little too much?

Anyway, in the end I decided to keep it short and sweet. After all, I'm going to meet that friend again so I'll save those questions for later.

I guess sometimes this depends on the person you're writing to. My best friend, for instance, prefers her card to be filled with words as much as possible as she enjoys reading letters, and so do I. And the fact that she's now all the way in Russia, I try to maximize the content.

I wonder what others write in their cards. And those who send cards very often, do they take the time to write in detail for each and ever card? Or is it a copy and paste thing - especially for greeting cards during the festivities.

This Post Has No Title

2007-02-27T20:49:00.000+08:00

So tired. I know I've been guilty for being out-of-sight-out-of-mind towards my blog and others as well lately. The thing is, work has been coming like the tsunami flood that I can barely catch my breath beneath the crashing waves of deadlines.

Wow. Did I just write a metaphor?

Anyway, I've been so busy with almost everything that even blogging seems like a chore than a getaway now. I don't want to blog just for the sake of making sure I have one post a day - I want to write about something that people can think and reflect upon.

I have a more-than-ten-pages-long Physics report to write. And a two hour replacement Chemistry class tonight - with quiz. Yippee.

Quizzes this week, tests next week - when will it all end? I've just been back in campus from the CNY break and now I'm yearning for the mid semester break already. And I'm doing all this WITHOUT coffee. It get pretty tempting to make myself a big pot of 3-in-1 Nescafe and pour it straight down my throat through a conical tube.

I just scored highest in my Physics quiz yet the joyous mood isn't there.

Thousand apologies to my fellow Blogosapiens for neglecting the blogging world lately. Will be right back once I have something substantial to write. I promise.

I'm going to write that report now.

Gridiron Gang

2007-02-24T22:26:00.000+08:00

Last night Tania and I had another one of our movie nights. And we watched this DVD that I randomly bought when I was back in Penang called "Gridiron Gang" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

I like sports movies. Somehow I find the combination of sports + drama to be very interesting. The storyline is almost always the same in every movie but no matter what I will always end up feeling inspired and touched after watching one.

So, back to Gridiron Gang.

The Rock stars as a probation officer Sean Porter who is desperately looking for a way to reduce the percentage of the young people who step out of the Kilpatrick Camp from going back to their usual ways of gang fights and murder. And one day as he was on his way to visit his sickly mother he saw a group of college football players in training. That sparked an idea in him to start a football team in the camp called the Mustangs.

The group of boys from different "hoods" (or clans) have no choice but to tolerate one another throughout the trainings and matches and also to overcome their personal fears - not without some bloodshed of course.

There are funny moments in this movie, like the part where they underwent their training for the first time and they had to do star jumps while spelling MUSTANGS.

Boys: M....U.....S......T.......T................

Porter: A!!!!! Gawd, don't tell me you can't even spell Mustangs???

And it gets funnier when the new batch of boys (at the end of the movie) repeated the same thing.

Then there's the punchline. Oh, how I love this one when Sean Porter (The Rock) was defending his decision to begin a football team when the head of the camp claimed his idea to be impossible.

Sean Porter: Then let's do the impossible! Because the possible doesn't seem to be working!

Needless to say, there are lots of moments in this movie that make you go "Aww..." in front of the screen but I won't reveal them here as I would be spoiling the movie for you.

But here are two more words that I would like to share with you about this movie:

MUST WATCH.

The Person Behind Living Days

2007-02-22T12:48:00.000+08:00

About Vern:

She suffers from identity crisis since the age of 3. She thinks she's 3/4 'gwai loh' (white) and 1/4 Chinese. She used to have very thick American accent and only started to learn how to speak Hokkien during primary school. Her condition has improved since.

She was almost named "Tong Tong"(in Mandarin which means "cold, snow, chilly, WHATEVER) because she was born on the 22nd of December 1988 which also falls on the day of Winter Solstice. Luckily, her parents have good taste but according to them "Vern" was a last minute name. It was meant to be Wen, but daddy changed it when he registered her name. She believes she has inherited Daddy's randomness.

Ever since she participated in various heritage programs, she is very proud to claim herself as a true Penangite. Do not question her love for her state - she may bite. She now studies Mechanical Engineering in the Petronas Institute of Technology.

Random facts:

Vern didn't know she possessed any artistic skills until her days in upper secondary. She used to dread art lessons and preferred the calculator to a paintbrush anytime. Now, she believes that art is the only way for her to maintain her sanity in the midst of the hustles and bustles of life. She reads, sketches, sometimes paint, write and even singing while playing the guitar.

She hopes to watch a live Cameron Mackintosh's Broadway production in the Her Majesty's theatre someday.

Vern wants to write a book. Vern wants to write a book. Vern wants to write a book.

For a girl, Vern is quite tech-savvy. She likes to be updated over the latest electronic toys and gadgets and hopes that someday she will be able to build her own computer. Any sponsors? Vern's current baby is her Sony Vaio of the SZ series. A Core-Duo processor running at 1.83 GHz, with 1GB of RAM and an nVIDIA GeForce graphics card, she wouldn't trade it for anything else.

She likes to think, a lot. Be it just before bed time, during shower, while tying her shoelaces, watching TV, eating or even in the midst of an active conversation she would always seem to have 'a world of her own'. And when a fresh idea pops up, that's where randomness comes in. The thought that always scares her is whenever she thinks about her purpose in life.

Vern cannot stay angry. She can be angry, but she cannot stay angry. She forgives easily but some things stay etched in her memory. She doesn't use to past to get back at people - she uses them as lessons for the future.

She is extremely careless and forgetful. The cause of those two symptoms remain a mystery until today.

Vern has mild Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She makes sure that she ends her steps on the staircase with her right foot, she counts the syllables of long sentences (especially the subtitles on TV) and always makes sure she ends with an even count - if it's odd, she'll continue counting the following sentence until she reaches an even count.

She is a public speaker. She competed in the Nationals twice in a row and was the champion during her second attempt. However, she maintains a low profile in university because she doesn't really like the idea of "speak to compete". She prefers to "speak to inspire." She really thinks she might end up as a preacher one day or even a motivational speaker.

Vern is, in a way, a loner. She likes spending time by herself and doing things her way. However, she appreciates good company and making new friends but it takes her some time before she regards someone as a friend. In rare cases she has stumbled upon several people who 'click' with her instantly and has forged a good bond with them since.

Vern believes in Christ, and that everything -good or bad - happens for a reason.

And Vern also believes in living like there's no tomorrow.

A day is to be lived, and life is to be treasured.

3 Days Ain't Enough

2007-02-20T23:45:00.000+08:00

In a blink of an eye, I'm already back on campus. Even though I was back for only a short period of time, I did manage to celebrate Chinese New Year with my loved ones. The first was a steamboat on the eve of the eve with my family including my brother's girlfriend. On the eve we had a reunion dinner with my dad's side of the family. The photo below was taken on the night of the steamboat dinner. (From left: Bro, me (with the brighter version of my dyed hair), and his girlfriend.)

On the night of the first day of Chinese New Year my brother and I had a barbeque with our friends at the playground. It was another night of reunion and getting to know new friends. My university mate Tania from Sarawak and her also Sarawakian friend Ruth stayed a night at my place - they wanted to experience the Chinese New Year atmosphere here in Penang. Different friends of different groups came along - my ex-schoolmates (Daphne, Yvonne, Swee Queen, Jo Ni), my uni-mates (Tania, Hun Pin), my heboh-mates (Emily, Chin Eng, Faizah, Yu Jean) and not forgetting my new friend Ruth, and the great thing is that we all got along just fine. We talked and laughed our hearts out until 1.30 in the morning before everyone went home.

On Tuesday afternoon Ariadne organized a small gathering for a group of us ex-CGLians at a restaurant in a motel near the Penang Chinese Swimming Club. The food and drinks were expensive - but that wasn't really the issue. The important thing was we got to catch up and had a very good chat. It was nice to see my old friends again - changed or unchanged - as most of them will be going abroad to further their studies. Right after the gathering, I made my way back to UTP.

Like I said - three days ain't enough.

About a Blogosapien

2007-02-17T22:56:00.000+08:00

Somewhere in October last year, someone hopped to my blog and dropped me a comment on my post "The Importance of Being Ernest". It went:

"Vern, I finally managed to get into your blog through Marsha's. I tried yesterday through your comment left on my blog but to no avail.
Hey, I see you go to Hope Church? Is this the Hope Church that was founded by Dr Kriengsak from Thailand?
I have yet to read all your archives and will find time to do so over the weekend. Nice to meet another Christian blogger. Praise God! I like this post on Ernest... "

We started exchanging comments ever since - and soon, her blog became like a daily newsletter to my breakfast routine. She writes about everything - food, and all those little things in life that we sometimes forget. Regardless of what she writes, she always manage to get me to ponder and sometimes let out a small chuckle simply because her posts are so down-to-earth. Even my mom is a fan of her blog.

I added her on MSN not long after and we began to chat even more. All I know is that whenever we begin chatting- be it 10 minutes or even half an hour - we always have a lot to say and would only stop when either one of us has something important to do and must leave the computer.

Whatever it is - she always makes me smile.

However, just yesterday, I hopped by her blog as usual just to find out that she has decided to stop blogging. Why? Only God knows. No, really - that's how she put it. I was (and still am) quite sad about it but I guess she knows better. So no matter what, she has my full support of her decision (okay to be honest maybe only 3-quarters - the other quarter is still unwilling to let go) and I wish her all the best in whatever she thrives in.

The first time we 'met', I know her as Dr ve Thru, just another fellow blogger.

Today, I know her as Judy Leese, a friend.

Of Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens (Part II)

2007-02-17T13:45:00.000+08:00

Ok. In 15 minutes I will be heading off to the hairdresser's to get the colour of my hair darkened. So much for my frail attempt of trying to do something 'different'. I wonder what my friends' reactions will be like when they come over for the bbq tomorrow night. Yes, I'll be having a bbq - you're all invited.

Was just watching Travel&Living - this time the feature destination is none other than our beloved rojak country Malaysia. They featured the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion and the Gurney Drive hawkers' food in Penang - with the host commenting the 'ais kacang' looking like a disaster but tastes absolutely good. Oh, he also said that the soup of 'assam laksa' looks like Thames River - in its not-so-good days. Our Malaysian rep for the day actually tells him that "women love assam laksa". HUH?! Oh, and when the host went to Langkawi they simply had to introduce to him Tongkat Ali or also known as "Ali's Walking Stick". I'm proud that Malaysia got featured in the famous TV program but I honestly think that our Malaysian counterparts could have done a better job in promoting the country.

I have decided to buy another sketchbook. Since it is almost impossible to work on my graphics assignments with the home desktop I have resorted to the old-fashioned way. Sketch em out and let em choose. I'll do the soft version once they have chosen on the design that they want. Ha, now I feel like some fashion designer! Oh, and I haven't touched my Physics book so far.

Okay, going off for now. Will continue later.

Judy's gonna stop blogging. Which also explains the half-crappy mood today. Sigh.

Of Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens

2007-02-16T22:24:00.000+08:00

I'm home. Yes, finally! But wait. Let's do a little flashback to the start of the day.

I woke up an hour earlier than usual - maybe I'm just excited to end the day and go home. I packed the things I wanted to bring home - a dirty towel to be washed, my Physics book, my laptop, and my phone charger. My Physics quiz is postponed to next Wednesday which means I also have to do revision over the holidays. The other quiz is alright - though the last question out of five did put a stumbling block in front of us. But overall, I think we did pretty okay.

Just as I walked out of the lecture hall my brother text-messaged me telling me that he was already at the cafeteria. I went over to meet him, his girlfriend and her granddad - all revved up to go home to celebrate the new year. I took my stuff, waited for another Penangite friend of mine and we were on our way.

The journey was okay - I turned on my laptop as my brother's girlfriend and I watched an episode of House. Amazingly even though I did not charge the laptop's battery it could last the entire show before it konked out. We dropped everyone off their respective destinations and my brother suddenly had the idea of going to the mall to shop for his very last-minute new year clothes. Mom insists that we must all wear red on the first day so we went hunting for red tops. Instead of getting one as my brother planned to, we got two - the other for dad. Now, everyone thinks it's too red for dad - mom says it makes him look too young and good-looking (wonder what that meant). After that we had some pancakes at Paddington's and goodness, the portion is so big that even my 'tong sampah' brother had to take a break in between. I didn't manage to finish mine but nevertheless it was good food.

Mom told me to get a haircut (why didn't I see that coming) and I randomly said I was going to dye my hair. Surprisingly mom agreed and gave me the money for it. So I drove myself there - at the same time driven to do something different to my hair. Greeted my favourite hairstylist as I told her about my 'adventurous' plan. Here's the catch: My campus does not allow its students to dye their hair. Anything other than black? You get a RM30 summon.

ANYWAYS, it's my hair. I'm an aspiring engineer, not a nun. So I went on with it as I thought I picked a 'safe' colour - not too bright or obvious. I was wrong. The moment she washed off the dye I was speechless. Whoa. Even a person wearing sunglasses can tell that I dyed my hair. I was a bit worried at first, but now I think - oh what the heck. I'm 18. Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow? It's not like I'm doing illegal drugs (or even legal ones) or sleeping around like nobody's business. And speaking of sleeping around, there is a rumour that some 'naughty' people distributed 'naughty' vids of themselves in the campus' intranetwork of file-sharing. Therefore, I think they have other things to worry about than the colour of people's hair. Which by the way, marks another checkpoint in my life.

My bro's girlfriend came over as we all had steamboat for dinner. It was really good, and until now I'm still pretty stuffed up like a turkey ready to be roasted over Thanksgiving. Okay, the 'stuffings' entered through the mouth.

Just as I wanted to charge my laptop's battery and to resume some work, I realised something - I didn't bring my adapter home! HOWAMISUPPOSEDTOFUNCTIONWITHOUTMYLAPTOPFORTHENEXTFOURDAYS? No, seriously, I have some heavy graphics work to do and the family desktop isn't exactly up to par for it. But I guess I have no choice - I'll have to tolerate the constant hangs and stalls as I painstakingly draw inch-by-inch on Photoshop.

I'll put on the photos later - and now Mom thinks my hair is too 'orange'. Sigh.

Should I go back and 'darken' my hair a little?

Tired.

2007-02-15T15:43:00.000+08:00

I have three main tasks to achieve tomorrow:

Introduction to Computers and Information System Quiz.
Physics Quiz.
Go back home.

Somehow I'm only interested in the third one...

Clothes+Books=New Getaway

2007-02-11T17:02:00.000+08:00

Lately, I have found a liking to do my laundry.

Unlike last semester where I mostly hand-washed my clothes, now, I have decided to switch to using the washing machine that is provided on one floor below me.

So what took me so long to convert? Well, initially, that ONE machine is provided for the whole of Block D, four floors altogether - which means that there is always a long line of clothes waiting to be dumped into the machine to get some good washing and rinsing. And it seems that the line can never end - you put your clothes at the end of the line and come back several hours later - your bucket of clothes is still at the end of the line.

Then, I thought I'd try something. I brought down my bucket of dirty clothes, sat on the counter, and began to read a book that I also brought along until the present pile of clothes are washed. Here's the thing: These people don't wait for their turn - so when the next 'lucky' person comes in and the previous pile of washing has been done, then she would be able to toss her clothes inside albeit the long queue simply because no one came back to check to see if it's their turn yet. We can't say it's unfair - after all, we can't wait all day for the supposedly next person to do her laundry!

A standard washing time lasts about half an hour. So I decided to wait while I indulge myself in a nice novel. I've tried that several times now, and I find it very relaxing. After days of hectic university work, it's nice to be able to sit down in a quiet place and enjoy a piece of literature that has nothing to do with school. Since the laundry room isn't anyone's favourite hangout place, I always had the whole room to myself. It's not enclosed - there's actually a balcony next to it that allows fresh air to come in. Well, sometimes I do get visitors that pop their heads in to see if the laundry is done, only to see a patient me sitting right there waving and smiling at them.

Once it's my turn, I bring the clothes of the previous wash out and place them into the owner's respective bucket. Then, I add some detergent into the machine, dump my clothes in, slot in RM2.00, get my book and head back to my room. I have had a satisfying "my time" and it is time for work again. I go back to the laundry room after half an hour to see my clothes being put away in the same fashion I did for the previous person and hang them to dry.

My latest read? Lydia Teh's Life's Like That. I know, I'm outdated, but when I saw a friend of mine with a copy of it I decided to borrow it from her. I've only read one third of it, but it's been enjoyable so far. I'll continue when I do my next laundry. :)

Change

2007-02-10T21:17:00.000+08:00

This one's for Judy. We had a conversation and I told her about this poem. Judy, you don't have to go and search for it anymore, it's here! And to other readers, enjoy!

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,

I dreamed of changing the world;

As I grew older and wiser I realized the world would not change.

And I decided to shorten my sights somewhat

and change only my country.

But it too seemed immovable.

As I entered my twilight years, in one last desperate

attempt, I sought to change only my family, those

closest to me, but

alas they would have none of it.

And now here I lie on my death bed and realize

(perhaps for the first time) that if only I’d changed

myself first, then by example I may have influenced my family

and with their encouragement and support I may have bettered my country,

and who knows I may have changed the world.

Source: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey. Page 33.

Creatively Dry

2007-02-08T14:00:00.000+08:00

Yes. The part of my brain that spells 'creativity' has been sucked dry. Some people call it "creative juice", "right brain"...whatever. I think 'sanity' will go along with it soon.

Despite dealing with numbers and equations everyday like any other aspiring engineer, it is always healthy to exercise your right brain once in awhile. You know, the part that enables you to think out-of-the-box? In my case, I make sure that I get to use both sides equally as much. I like graphics design, sketching, writing poetry/short stories, composing songs whenever I can. On the other hand, I also like playing around with numbers - I enjoy mind-boggling games like Sudoku, and I used to buy booklets that contain brain teasers.

In campus, it is all up to you to be involved in the things that you're interested in besides books. There are various clubs and organizations around, and I'm an active committee member in the International Culture Club (ICC). It's one of the biggest club around, and it has been organizing various events - more so ever since last semester. One event after another, and three to four happening at the same time - the notice boards are always filled with ICC posters that some people find it hard to notice new posters anymore - even ICC ones.

So this semester, I have been elected as Head of the Public Relations and Promotions (PRP) department (I still prefer the old name - Promotions and Publications - Public Relations sounds so... I don't know) for a major event known as Euphonious. It's a varsity level "Battle of The Bands" where students would form bands and show off their skills on the guitar, drums and what-not. It was held the first time last year when I wasn't around yet and from what I heard, the response was HUMONGOUS. They sold 1200 over tickets that night! However, from what I heard, the promotion process of the event was not easy. Several groups of people (whom I shall not name - did you see the latest lawsuit against a couple of famous Malaysian bloggers?) who weren't (and still aren't) supportive of this event (I don't know why) tried to sabotage the posters that were put up. What they did was they took down the posters, scanned the content, altered it, and printed new ones with wrong information on it. The result? Many people mistook the real date of the event - causing major confusion.

So what makes them think that this small ciku who doesn't know anything about the politics of the clubs in this campus can whip up a miracle in promoting this event second time around? As a matter of fact, these people are more ready than ever to make sure this event fails. My team and I came up with bountiful of posters, put them up all over campus only to see them being taken down the very next day. Here's the thing: They didn't even give us 24 hours! Then some departments will start asking me, "Hey, how come your department hasn't put up the posters?"

We did. We really did.

Not only posters, self-made banners were also taken down! Don't these people know anything about respect? We never take down any of THEIR stuff off the board no matter how ugly their designs are, we never stopped them from holding any events, we acknowledge them as a bigger club than ours - so what is their problem?!

We would like to bring those culprits to justice - we just don't have enough proof. Furthermore, we aren't childish enough to take down their posters as a sign of revenge.

As a result of this, my team and I have been working very hard to produce and produce various ways and designs to spread the word of the event - only to be disappointed the next day. When I am involved in something, I like to give my 110% percent. But now, I'm just plain drained. I'm running out of ideas to handle these people! Thankfully I am still able to keep up with my studies and assignments so far.

Any suggestions of ways to prevent the sabotaging and narrow-mindedness? Do tell.

Someone I Know...

2007-02-07T18:25:00.000+08:00

...have passed away recently. We know him as Mr Teo, the balding, funny teacher who looks too old for his age. He taught us Kemahiran Hidup (Living Skills) back in lower secondary and he was the one who introduced to us the world of accounts.

I clearly remember the first day he stepped into our class. Looking slightly disheveled and as though he hasn't eaten for days, we paid no more notice to him. Instead of listening to what he had in store for us on that day, we continued to do our own work, slightly engrossed in finishing our assignments so we don't have to do them when we go back - it's not homework until you bring it home. Coolly, he told us to stop what we were doing. Still, the sounds of scribblings and discussion continued to reign. He raised his voice a little - this time capturing our attention. He told us to hand in the books that we were working on - every single one of us. We thought he just wanted to "temporarily apprehend them" just to stop what we were doing. We gave our books. And the next thing we knew...

...he threw them into the waste paper basket! We were shocked - appalled and felt insulted that our source of knowledge was being treated that way. He gave us a long lecture of how wrong we were for not paying any heed to a teacher that comes in, and even after he has demanded for our attention. He did not scold us nor put up an angry face - which makes it even more scary (he gave our books back at the end of that lesson). Although we were did not have a good first impression about him as he did not of us, but we knew what he said was right. Not only his lessons, but for other teachers as well, we made it a point to keep our work every time they come in as a sign respect. Even if that act of respect only lasted for a month or two (when you start to receive endless assignments it's inevitable) it definitely made a small impact in us as students.

Mr Teo is not as nasty as the first time we met him. As a matter of fact, he's not even nasty at all throughout the times we knew him. He was the most "human" teacher we've ever met as he was probably the only teacher who sneaks out to get a puff once in awhile. And when there are no lessons conducted in the Kemahiran Hidup workshop, we would see smoke coming out of it - and the next thing you know, he smells of Hacks (the sweet) whenever we talk to him. But despite his "smelly and smoky" habits, he was the only teacher who made accounts fun. He was very practical - as he included some humour into his teaching. I remember the time when he distributes samples of cheques (fake, photocopied ones of course) to everyone in the class and the receivers had names like "Mohd Jumaat bin Sabtu, Mr Seow Ting Tong, Lim Peng San" and many more. He doesn't like us to waste paper, and he knew that we will not be able to finish our accounts manuscript book so he tears loose sheets for us and keeps the remainder for the next class. He retired not long after - and we never heard of him since. Until today when a friend told me via MSN about his departure.

I don't know what he died of - too much smoking? Some disease? Or what? But I'm glad that when he was still around, I had the privilege to know such a teacher. Maybe he's now surrounded by angels and sharing his light-hearted ways somewhere up there. Thank you, sir, for everything that you've taught and shared. You will be missed for sure.

Old Faithful

2007-02-05T23:30:00.000+08:00

"Vern, your sneakers almost spoiled already." My roommate was pointing at my pair of pink-striped Adidas sneakers when she noticed that part of the sole is torn.

I answered her, "It is already spoiled." And then I smiled.

She didn't get it. Why would Wei Vern, the person who owns several pair of branded sneakers stick around with an old, torn one that allows some water to get in whenever it rains?

Because it's comfortable! For sneakers expert like yours truly, the more seasoned your sneakers are the more comfortable they become! Not only sneakers, I get pretty attached to my old pair of slippers as well. Mom would have to persuade me over and over and finally take the action of throwing it away without my knowledge so that I will have to make an effort to buy a new pair. But so far, I have successfully prevented my beloved pair of sneakers from that terrible fate by wearing them as often as I can. I even insisted that I wanted to bring them to campus with condition that I bring a newer pair along as well.

Old sneakers aren't the only items that I get attached to. I get attached to a lot of old stuff like smelly pillows that I have used for years, and over-sized t-shirts. I still keep a small pillow with me that I have used since primary school. I didn't bring it with me to campus though - I wanted it to be one of the things to look forward to when I go home.

It's very common for people to get attached to certain items, and the older those items are, the better. Other than this pair of Adidas, I actually own two more newer pairs, an Adidas and a Nike each. But this is still by far my favourite pair - it is my first pair of branded sneakers.

My cousin still uses the same baby bolster that she has used since she was a baby and now she's already in secondary school. When I attended National Service I met this friend who carries her Spiderman soft toy whenever she can ever since she was in Standard Three. And she hasn't washed it since!

'Old things' also refer to friends. I have read this saying that goes, "The best antiques are old friends". I enjoy hanging out with my secondary school friends whenever I go back home and also with those whom I made friends with during my working days.

Despite the term 'moving on with new things' as I have mentioned in my first post, there will always be some miscellaneous items that I will always treasure and hold on to for as long as I can!

A Story of Hope

2007-02-04T23:16:00.000+08:00

Today, I'm going to tell you a story about faith and growth in a little church called Hope of God Ipoh.

I joined this little church when I first entered university. My senior also from Penang invited a few of us over as he knew we were also looking for a place of worship. I must admit, the first time I entered the church, I was shocked. It was....small. Compared to the Reservoir Garden Baptist Church I used to attend back home in Penang, this was...very different. You could actually count the number of members in that room! Everyone knew everybody's name and shook hands with everyone who entered. In big churches the only people who would shake hands with you are the ushers and sometimes the pastor. The praise and worship was also different - the mission team from Hope Petaling Jaya came over every weekend to lend a hand in playing the guitar. Note: Guitar, not guitars.

Out of the group of freshies that first came to this church, only less than half remained. It was obvious as the next service was rather empty - I admit, I was tempted to go to the more"happening" one that most of the UTP students go to. Funnily enough, I decided to stay. Well, it's not a coincidence, I had this feeling that I should give this church a chance to grow. And I knew there had to be a start. I dragged Christon and Eddy along, Christon felt weird too, as he comes from a much bigger church in KL. We talked about this constantly - and like me, he felt that this church is more than what it seems. A few of us stayed on, day by day and soon became close to the seniors and even the mission teams from PJ.

I brought my guitar to campus not long after, and Teik Keong, Christon and I were given the chance to perform for our care group (some people call it cell group). Soon, we started to perform for Sunday services when the PJ team couldn't make it. Eddy expressed an interest in playing the drums while there was a keyboard that constantly remained untouched. I also started to recall my piano skills as I began to play the keyboard as well. We knew that we were heading somewhere, but we just don't know how. Eddy attended the Hope church conference in KL during the mid semester break, and he learned some drumming skills from one of the fellow members of the church. Other than that he took pointers from Christon and Teik Keong as well as they are both as good in drums as they are with the guitars.

Not long after, they decided to give us a drum set. Even though it was second-hand, they replaced the parts that were not in good condition with brand new quality ones.

Next thing we knew, we have a band.

We had our first performance as a band and it was recorded. It was circulated among the brothers and sisters of the Hope church organization and they sent us emails telling us how inspired they were. Remember, we started out with only one guitar played by the mission team. Now, we're an independent complete band. All in the span of less than six months. Some of those who left earlier returned to the church. We knew we have made a difference.

Christon got Eddy a pair of new drum sticks as his Christmas present.

Of course, church isn't just about assembling instruments and pretending you're a rock star. All these wouldn't have happened if it wasn't by the grace of God. We lost track once, and ended up with a very tiring and draggy rehearsal. We soon realized that we became so engrossed in performing that we forgot our real purpose in doing so. During that particular rehearsal - neither did we begin in prayer nor end with one. We obviously left Someone out.

I've learned a lot ever since I joined this church. No, it wasn't just about listening to sermons until you fall asleep every Sunday but it's learning how to keep to your faith and trust in Him that something will work out. A church is not just about noisy happening music and countless of members - it's about experiencing the growth and sharing with one another about the Word and His works. I learned how to be humble, and to grow spiritually at my own pace. We're all students, so we also make sure that our studies is one of our main priorities. But in the midst of the countless assignments and tasks - it is comforting to know that Someone is there for us and to make sure that everything is okay. We're away from home, yet we know that we can bring all our troubles upon Him anytime at all.

We continued to form care groups for both English and Mandarin speaking students. Trips are organized from time to time as a form of releasing stress and getting together.

From last semester there was only around 16 of us. Yesterday, we had...

I don't know.. can you count? I'm not in the photo because I was the one who took it. Well, I'm in here though...

Our preacher Maggie would ask us from time to time, "Why did you guys stay when everyone left for the other church? Why us?"

We gave all sorts of reasons, but the truth is - we still don't know.

But we're sure glad that we did.

I don't know why I did this write-up, I think I was inspired by a verse one of the preachers shared with us today during service.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:38-39

I hope this post will inspire those who read it, non-Christians alike - it can be just another inspiring story that brings a small grin onto your face. :) Just another checkpoint in my life.

Welcome

2007-02-03T14:47:00.000+08:00

Surprised?

You probably think that if I needed a new layout (again) I could have just done it at the old page. You're right - I could, but I don't want to. The previous blog have been redone over and over again simply because I was never satisfied with it. Just as how I am never easily satisfied with certain things in life. It simply reflects how often changes occur and sometimes make us forget what the real purpose is in the things that we do. I was so engrossed in making my blog "look" good that I forgot the real purpose I started it - to write. I added virtual pets, tagboards, all sorts of pictures, logos, and everything else on the sidebar that the posting area looked so 'empty'. In campus I get so involved in so many things that one day I caught myself asking, "Hey, aren't I here to study?" It's not wrong to take part in other things - as a matter of fact, the more you do, the more experience you gain - but whatever it is, it is important not to lose focus of the main agenda.

So, I'm leaving all those changes and instability behind. Not because I'm running away from it - but I would like to keep it as one of those checkpoints in growing up.

And there are many other checkpoints to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Living Days.