Pizza Slice

Yes! Finally learnt how to make a proper pizza today. So easy but a bit troublesome. But kneading dough is another tale. The dough kept stick itself, annoyingly, onto my fingers, it's like my hand was dipped in a big pot of stickiest green slime. Hate it...

Pizza sitting lazily on the baking tray, waiting to be eaten...
Up close and personal with it. Too bad there's no pineapple cubes...

Used up all my mozarella cheese for good this time. Grating cheese is such a tiresome job... Will copy this recipe when I'm free.

Not very delicious (the dough mixture was a bit off, with too much flour and too little butter), yet still pass. Hehe...

Final Chapter of The Diary of Someone Waiting

30/1

Today you asked me for my identity again. This time in MSN. You confirmed my departure date and wished me luck in my studies. Then it was a bit of an awkward silence. I wished there’s more we could talk about than just your 3-months English course, driving lessons and other general stuffs. I wanted to know you better, not just a regular friend. Haiz…

Wished we could be eternal friends. Wish I could talk to you about my daily life in university. All the happenings and gigs. Perhaps share some “handle your boyfriends tips” with you. Maybe share a drink or two when I come back to this town. Sadly, I’m beginning to find a reason not to come back at the end of the year. I can’t imagine what would it be like if I see you again. Will I be tongue-tied again? To ask you for a photo. Will our conversation be a dead silence again? To show your total ignorance in this seemingly minuscule freindship. I wish I could turn back time and never hurt your feelings all the time. I’m a jerk I know that. I feel so guilty. Yes, that song keeps replaying in my mind all the time. I’m attempting hard to make up for our lost time. I wish I’ll get the chance I want.

Is Gemini a very unpredictable horoscope? If it is, then you are a typical one my dear :) I have something to tell you actually. My presumptions about your horoscope based on our interactions is true. You are a Gemini with wits and brains. A sense of flexibility. Yet at times agitated, nervous, dual personality in all. I have to stop assumping a person's horoscope based on first impressions. It's killing me...

Again, I failed to ask for an opportunity take a photo with you this time. I’m getting helplessly voracious. I wanted more and more opportunity for your company. Yet due to my incurable introversion I failed to do so everytime you come so close to me. I feel that we’re separated in terms of social interaction and spiritual connection ever since we stopped talking in 30/6. You feel oddly detached and so am I. For some unspeakble reason, I can't just drop it like this. Yes I’ll always remember this date. Hope I’ll forget about it soon...

The Prologue of The Diary Of Someone Waiting

23/1
It was today that I receive a message from a friend of mine about your handphone number. At first I wanted badly to call you. But somehow I hesitate. I dunno why. Perhaps I’m too much of a introverted person. A withdrawn person I am one. In the end, I decided to put this thought off till one week from departure. I wished I got your e-mail instead. So I could just casually add you in MSN or even in facebook if you happen to have an account. Perhaps then we could chat casually like old times. Sadly, no such facilities was provided as I fail to uncover your e-mail add.

But ever since that day, the initiative to call you keep immersing in my little head from time to time.

27/1
I wanted to call you today. I could just simply wish you a Happy Chinese New Year and nonchalantly chat with you over the phone. Let the conversation flows on its own without prior manipulation or scheming. Unfortunately I was too caught up with virtual killing spree that I forgot all about it. Only remembered to do so after 11 p.m. Could you be asleep by now? I had to put the mouthpiece of the phone away for another day. Guess I’ll have to wait till the next day.

28/1
When I wake up today, the first thing that popped in my mind was the important phone call. No matter I get an unexpected chilly voice or the other way round, I must get it done today.

Throughout the whole afternoon, I was preoccupying myself with the gaming world so I wouldn’t be such an idiotic nerve-wreck when I’m making the actual phone call. It’s just a simple call yet I have to be so tense and uneasy about it. In my mind, I keep thinking what if our friendship wasn’t as much as I thought it would be. What if I get the idea of our friendship all wrong? What if I’m just a casual, ordinary person that you meet everyday? Would I be thinking too highly of myself in your social circle? Seems like I'll never get over my people phobia anytime in the near future...

By dinner time, I know I just had to do it before 9 p.m otherwise I’ll have to wait another day But I just so timid. Whenever I picked the phone and was about to dial in the phone number Rachel gave it to me, I hesitate and my dial-punching fingers becomes numb and eventually stop the whole process. Yes, I am very timid. You don’t have to repeat that to me.

I uncovered the rare self-proclaimed “confidence and bravery” at 10.08 p.m. Yet without realizing what the heck I am doing, I dialled my friend’s phone number instead. She advised me to just simply call and see what happens after the trail of train. So I meekly follow her advice and dial in.

Unfortunately you didn’t picked up, so I hung up feeling weak. I can’t take this kind of denial. I hate rejection of any kind.

I decided to give it one last shot. We're friends after all. What could possibly go wrong about it? My heart leaped with joy and excitement when I heard the click coming from the receiving end. Then it dropped slightly when I realised it’s not your voice. It was your brother who answered the phone. And much to my frustration as I attempt to jolt your memory of this inconspicuous character in your daily life, you can’t recall. You give me your real phone number and finally remembered who I am. God, I’m feeling like an idiot and honestly feel like crying by now. I wished I didn’t call you in the first place as bad as it sounds. Thank god you remembered who was making this mysterious phone call after 3 minutes.

We chat about our post-school life. Learnt that your mode of life in the future would be revolving architecture. Perhaps we could see each other in the future since you’re taking Form 6. I don’t know what is your mood or tone when I tell you about my departure next week. You don’t sound sad or anything. Maybe we’re not as close as I thought we were.

Do you know I wanted to ask you out to take photo with you and play basketball some time? I became so tongue-tied that I was dumb like a dumb cluck before learning you had to hung up. At least I managed to ask you for you e-mail add like I wanted to. But I wished deep down I could do more than that. Oh well better than nothing I suppose... I’ll remember you always :)

The Pros and Cons of Chinese New Year

It’s the time of the year again where all you can think of is angpau, firecrackers and lots to munch on. Yep, sport, you’d got that right. It’s the happy Chinese New Year. And this time, I’m gonna go insight into the heart of this insane event.

Warning: For those unopened-minded people, better stick with your Chinese New Year spring clean, instead of reading below. You’ve been warned…

Pros # 1: Profit-making
You can unleash lots of profit in 2-3 days by just wishing all your relatives “Gong Xi Fatt Chai”. A simple phrase like that can help you to gross a good RM10 in no time. Think of how many relatives’ house you can visit per day. Go figures. See Chinese are so smart, they can earn money even in holidays!

Cons # 1: Overspending
To earn so much money, you have to waste lots of money and time on buying festive goods like cans of beer and cookies, not to mention a new wardrobe makeover. Those who have the hearts of a good Samaritan would spend fortunes throwing parties.

Besides that, you’ve gotta look good right? You’d spent tons of money to get a new haircut, colouring, perms and stuffs like that. That’s about to create a big dent in your wallet if you’re not careful. The other day I was getting myself a new haircut and was charged RM30 for no reason. The hairdresser just look at me and said simply, “It’s Chinese New Year, so everything has got to be doubled…” Ok, guess I didn't know about this invisible rule.

Pros # 2: Visiting relatives is always something to look forward to
Oh yes, how could a Chinese New Year celebration be completed without some relatives dropping by our house? You get to bully your younger cousins again after one year. Hooray! And get grilled about your previous academic performance again. Parents would start comparing their offspring’s exams results and ended up with last year’s drawn conclusion: my son/daughter is still a loser.

Cons # 2: Unwanted guests = Not welcomed
Some of the unwanted guests just don’t even get the idea that they’re not wanted around. Why? ‘Coz they create lots of garbage during their visits when we’re not suppose to sweep during CNY. Not to mention, the overall idea that they’re foul and disgusted keeps popping in your head and sends chills down your spine. Hello? Ever heard of get lost before?

Pros #3: Angpau frenzy
Referring to Pros# 1, angpau is the favourite moments and desirable feature of CNY, especially for those money-minded bachelors and greedy children. Earn lots of money to be spent. Yeah!

Cons #3: Seeing red packets all around
This is the one thing I don’t really like. It seems like Chinese are training their children to be money-minded since young. Kids have the red thing popped up in their little heads every CNY occasion. Don’t believe me?

Take for instance, a married relative drops by and what’s the first thing your dear parents wants you to say? “Gong Xi Fatt Chai!” And you’ll get your red packet all right. We seemed to have forgotten the main idea of CNY: FAMILY REUNION. The first important thing that happens during the first day of CNY is greet your parents and getting angpau from them. It’s so automatic and I beg to differ.

Worse of all, those uneducated people use the angpau money to gamble their CNY away. Why do I have to be so rude to call them unliterated? Of course they are! They should know the probability of winning in a Mahjong or Poker gamble is a fraction, instead of a whole number. Or even worse, some of them don’t even know the have the word misfortune painted all over their faces, yet they insisted on gambling and losing. A poker match can only have one winner, not all are winners. If they’re smart, they would know what to do with the extra money. It starts with a S and ends with an E. (Save)

Pros #4: There’s no such thing as hunger in CNY
Surely your house would be stock with lots of goodies during CNY right? Sweets, cakes, carbonated drinks, beers and basically all the food you won‘t see around when it‘s not CNY. It would be a miracle if you’d starve during these days. If not, there’s always those open house parties thrown by the Datuk-datuks and OKK (orang kaya-kaya). Another Hooray! for the beggers in town. Famine is not an option, it’s a total goner if you ask me.

Cons #4: Gluttony
As a result, we ended up eating too much than we can consume. And often ended up begging for tooth and tummy trouble. One of my friend used to message me to ask me about a dentist recommendation ‘coz his molar literally cracked when he greedily sank his teeth into a huge China peach, instead of slicing in half with a knife and share. Ever wonder why the dentists are overwhelmed by appointments during and after CNY? This is the reason why. Don’t gag now.

"Open wide..."

Pros #5: Reunion dinner
Yes, this is one thumbs-up feature about this holiday. You get to spend some quality time with your family. No matter what business you have, you have to come home for it. It’s a must for Chinese. Steamboat is often proposed for the occasion. It’s just one of those sweet Kodak moments.

Cons #5: Accident prone.
In order to rush back in time for the reunion dinner, we often ended up with pathetic traffic issues. If you’re lucky, you’ll get speeding tickets from traffic police for going 130 km per hour down the highway. If your middle name is Unlucky, you probably ended up crashing your car into other’s and be spending your CNY in hospital or worse, losing your life because of it. Those intoxicated idiots driving after drinking may as well get into this unfavorable situation or come up with murder charges as they take other people life with their SUV.

Pros #6: Cleaning up
It’s high time for you to start cleaning the garbage stored in your house like last year’s expired jam store in the refrigerator. What’s the another perfect occasion to do it if not CNY? Toss those unwanted books, papers, plastics spoons and forks, inconsumable food products, garbage and who the hell knows what’s in your house.

Cons #6: Ridiculous superstitions crap
Who created the stupid no-cleaning regulation in the CNY rulebook? We pass on this silly credulous crap from one generation to another without realizing what we’re doing. Without cleaning, your house would be the biggest dust collector on the planet by the time CNY is gone, especially after those rubbish makers aka unwanted guests dropped by your house.

Sweeping can cause you to lose your fortune? Get a good hold of yourself. In my house, we would just vacuum and sweep as we like. Does that makes a vacuum cleaner a wealth accumulator? You tell me.

And what’s with the no-breaking stuffs during CNY fable? It’s really odd if you ask me as some of the people just have clumsy limbs. I'm one of them.

Pros #7: Exotics alert
We get to see some bizarre food products showing up on the table, e.g. shark fin, sea cucumber and abalone. Not to mention some flammable ones, like firecrackers.

Do we ever realise Chinese are actually very money-minded? It seems to me every greetings from people are related to phosperity and good wealth fortune. Even the dishes in reunion dinner is related to phosperity and wealth. Look at the phrase "Gong Xi Fatt Chai" and you'll see why I made this comment.

Cons#7: Firecrackers mishap
There’s a reason why the governments impose the no-firecrackers rule. Innocent children are bound to lose an eye after playing with these dangerous goodies. Legends has it that firecrackers were used to scare the Nian Monster away in the old days. Do we look like legendary idiots? No way! We play firecrackers (smuggled firecrackers that is) for entertainment and and leisure. For the sake of seeing some rare flashing red and green light, accompanied by loud noise that threaten to bring the bomb squad to evacuate your house. For the sake of light pollution (now that's a new one). And of course we are rich Chinese people who like to waste money. We don't care if we lose a limb or our life.


My rich neighbour used to spend a good RM 1500 on firecrackers as his after-hours entertainment open house party specials. Shocking it was! With firecrackers shooting above our roof tops at the rate of RM50 every minute, you bet our house is starting the new year with a big capital BANG. Not to mention his RM1500 was gone in just under 30 minutes. It's a wonder police didn't come down and arrest the rich man. Lols!

That outta wrap up your Chinese New Year. There’s more but I still have some spring cleaning to do. I’ll leave it to next year.

So, Happy Chinese New Year everyone^^ Have a great one.

Hanging Out With IS Mates

Yesterday, went to skol at around 7.30 a.m. Yes, I am mad to go to skol that early on my holiday to get some silly official papers. Haiz... Waited for almost an hour before Fun Yau showed up. She did showed up around 8.20 a.m. I beckoned her over by waving madly at her. Seriously miss her company lots since holiday.

So we started to chit-chat happily , exchange endless supply of news, busybody with wat the other is up to. Haha! Girls talk...

Then, out of my no-surprise (she told me the day before), she gave me my early birthday present. Why so early? According to her, I'm a person who is hard to invite to hang out 'coz I'm usually busy with other things (playing games, music class...) or no transportation.


A box containing a mysterious present that will only be revealed after my b'day.With a small purple note embedded on it.
And a letter comes with the package. A love letter? Haha!



Anyway, we chit-chat a while before going to the office to get our result with Har Wai Lin. Won't disclose their result here without their approval. Hehe...

My result slip. The result is "sensored". Buhaha! I'll let you know in private if you're really a person who likes to poke your nose into other ppl's affairs. Not straight A's is all I'm telling.

Then, Pheobe arrived whist I'm reading the letter Fun Yau gave to me. took me a long time 'coz I was always interrupted by both of them, giggling and it's obviously in Chinese, the language that's not my cup of tea.

Soon, we were discussing where to go. Pheobe had a brain wave of inviting all the available Intensive Science members to a gathering dinner, so she started to sms everyone on the name list except the outstation students. We decided to go to the new KK Times Square.

And so, the three idiots once again set on a road trip to the town in an amazing vintage car. Oh man, I really love the ride, Pheobe ;)

Too bad there's nothing to be seen in KK Times Square. It's literally asleep 'coz there's not much things in it to see. We exited the building after a 10 mins stroll. We even got some rude stare by the staffs in the Orange Channel 'coz we went in, thinking to exit from the other door but to our horror the door was bolted shut. Crap... But the builiding's design is marvellous! I love it!

So in the end, we went to Pheobe's house AGAIN. Haha, after eating a fish and some veges we played a board game Risk! Since it's my first time, the "kind" girls demonstrate to me while we're busy playing.
A addictive yet time-consuming board game, Risk! Love it^^
Our new kakak, Pheobe.

Initially, the board looks like this.

Fun Yau = Blue (she conquered Australia, half of Asia)
Pheobe = Green (Europe, South America, the other half of Asia)
Me = Grey (Africa, North America, Japan and another country on Asia that I forgot the name)


The game was going well at first. I mean, going well for me 'coz I kept conquering Pheobe's and a bit of Fun Yau's territory and occupy a gradually increasing area of Asia. Both of them got so bored with me 'coz I took a long, long, loooonnnggg time to arrange my armies, that they ended up chit-chatting. They are seriously petrified of me and to end the game faster, they made a pact to join forces in pursuit of defeating the talented great general aka me. Haiz... I lost the game, my first game...


Risk! is a fun game but the cons is that it's really time-consuming. By the time, the two evil brains defeated me, everyone was nodding like the Hello Kitty decoration that we put on the dashboard of cars with nodding heads that bob on every jerk of the car. Haha! Pheobe went to take a nap while I was chit-chatting with Fun Yau, praying hard it won't rain during the gathering and had lots of pillow fight with *ahem* the God's pillow. Haha, we had fun "Sms" too after Pheobe woke up from her beauty sleep (i wonder if she's even sleeping when I was confiding private conversations with Fun Yau). Lols!


We spent the rest of the day listening to Pheobe and her loud piano. She taught me the tick-tock-tick-tock tempo thing (what's that thing again, pheobe?) and she was soon pretty much crawling with the alligators. Alligator Crawl... Haha! Ok, lame much...


One minute she was showing me her proud collection of clothes and soft toys (so that I can wear one after bathing), the next Pheobe was talking excitedly about going to see the sunset in Tanjung Aru. I really don't get this girl sometimes... We all agreed with the idea even though Pheobe warned me that watching sunset can make you feel sad and down b'coz it resembles the end of something.


So we went after taking turns to use the bathroom...

First view of it, oh yeah! I like it^^ So pretty

A killer smile from Pheobe
Hello earth to Pheobe, your prince from drop from the sky just like that.
Me with smart girl, Fun Yau. Gonna miss you girl...
Another phenomenal view of sunset...
15 mins later... I started to realise what Pheobe meant. Sad....

Went to First Beach Cafe and after enduring several mosquitoes bites, Adrian, Tee Hong Tat, twins, Willie and Ah Bing showed up. Joined tables and ordered the food and drinks. More showed up after that. And everyone was happily chit-chatting and eating the same time. Laughters erupted as everyone took turn spinning recent tales about himself/herself. Haha! Ms. Koo and I was listening gaptly to Adrian's ghost stories with big unblinking eyes. Haha! Everyone was having fun except the poor Ronan who took a wrong turn and went into the wrong location and only joined us when everyone had the last bite of bits and drank the last drop of water.

Soon a group of entertainment singers took the stage and started singing loudly. Everyone found it annoying to scream at one another in conversations, so we reluctantly paid up (or is it Adrian doing all the paying thing?! Haha) and left.

We took group photos...

Gloomy atmosphere...

Better...Even better, guys^^

Pheobe and Gilbert.Me with the famous Bio Queen.

The girls. The guys joined us.

Smiley faces of everyone, except Pheobe the camera girl.

Poor Adrian. Ronan took this without the group leader's consciousness. Haha!

Ronan strikes again... Haiz...What's wrong with these people?
Oh ya, Ms. Koo gave me this. Quite a surprise actually. Same story, disclose after the actual day.

That's all. Have fun^^

Moodless

I feel "moodless" after going out just now. I don't knw why. I'm a bit overwhelmed with emotions, sad emotions but the other part of me seems indifferent. Won't see all of the people I met just now unless some kind of miracle happens I suppose.

Didn't see certain people I wanted to see when I go to school to get my result slip today. Phyllis, Shim Yee, Ah Liau, CKB, Sam, Clive, Charlene, Mei San, Mdm. Emily (lols!), Ms. Joanna, a year 1 student I wanna take photo with and Mr. X... Oh well, I guess there's no chance now. Giving up....

I'm feeling sad b'coz of certain things that happen just now. I won't type what's the commotion but will let you guys know what happen today soon. Only those related people I will let them know. Wakaka! Secrets... I feel sad when...

But for now, good night. Probably will write a post on Friday night (reminds me of a song). Nitez.

Doubtful Sloth

I've been wanting to write two posts actually. One of them is some thoughts and the other is about things that happen today.

But I dunno why. I seem to hesitate to type it out. It's not like I'm lazy... I still have a bit of flu. And ever since this flu took over me last week, I feel really uninterested with things around me. Yes, these include blogging. And no, I still like to kill people and monsters in the virtual world.

I haven't start packing yet. This is a nightmare. Only 12 days left. In less than forenight later, I'll be in a completely new environment. Just the thought of it makes me wonder whether I've made the right decision. What if environment science doesn't suits me? What if I ended up jobless? 'Coz most environment science graduates I know ended up jobless. It's a really big gamble that I can't afford to lose. How my new hostel going to be? What am I gonna eat everyday?

Till now, I tad to feel a bit regret for not studying art as I wanted to. Perhaps I shouldn't accept the offer that early, before A-Level. I could have lots of time to think about it. Lots of things that are supposed to be completed, yet undone...

Maybe I'll type it tonight and post tomorrow. Then again, I'm not sure. Gotta go for now. Need to run an errand.

Need A Rest

So long didn't update my blog 'coz I was too busy being sick since yesterday. Why does a strong and healthy girl like me would fall sick? Simple pimple. There would only two factors that can contribute to this: heat stroke or stress. Since I'm officially school-less for two months, the obvious answer would be HEAT STROKE. As how I fell into this condition, I'm lazy to clarify now. Maybe would do it when I feel better.

Great, now the only exciting gigs that happen in my life for these two days are medicines and porridge...

If I remembered to bring an umbrella when I go out, I won't be sun-baked like a salted fish and succumb to heat stroke.

If I wasn't stubborn to walk in the rain to buy games the other day, I wouldn't be chilled like an igloo and caught a flu.

If I eat fruits and veges like mom said everyday, I would have a better immune system.

If I exercise more, my T-cells and B-cells would be invincible to these pathetic pathogens and menacing microorganisms.

If I practise music everyday, I wouldn't be so stuck when trying to do sight reading the last minute.

If I washed my clothes the other day, I could be packing my luggage now.

If I packed my luggage earlier, I wouldn't be so dead-worried bout it now.

If I didn't play computer games for 6 hours and watched TV till 2 a.m. everyday, my brain won't be so restless.

If my brain was more passive and lazy, insomnia would be out of business in my daily life.

If I didn't drink tea that contains caffeine everyday, I would be sleeping like a pig every night.

If I didn't have insomnia every night, my biological clock won't be topsy turny.

If my biological clock was not upside down, I won't get sick so easily.

If I didn't get sick today, I could have do other exciting things.

Time to get some well-needed rest. Ciao.

The Diary of Someone Waiting

28/11 - A sunny day goes by as I was waiting for you. Slightly anticipative that you and me will bump into each other in the park which has always been our secret hideout today. Humming my fav song, enjoying the delights of the golden afternoon. Tuning in the mood for the afternoon. My heart was wondering what the topic of our conversation would be about today.

Sit on a bench as I waited, feeling the tufts of grass with my bare feet as shades of ultramarine blue painted across the horizon. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all sorts of emotions whenever I saw any people walking past. Frustrated that they were not you. I'm confused with my feelings again...


17/12 - Time is making a fool of me. Could you be leaving for a collage by now? Worse, leaving this town without my knowledge? I can't help it but feel bad about the ignorance I poured on you on 30th of June. You were sitting beside me, waiting for a conversation to take place in bus but I pretend to fall asleep to cut the awkward silence...

I secretly wish I could turn back time. Remember the first time we met? We were a bit shy when first acknowledge each other. The next moment we were stamping on each other's shoes like we've known each other for a long time 'coz I remarked your black shoes should be resistant to dirt. Your black shoes has always been your proud status quo symbol. A big-headed prefect that's for sure.


22/12 - I was strolling at the park, remembering the good times we had. Those special moments with you and your brother. How you always hang by the swing and your mischeivous bro was "stair-walking". Haha! How I almost led you into a fit of asthma when I drag you to jog with me. Do you still remembered the time I did that jump shot and caught everyone by surprise including you? How I fell down when I was doing a lay-up, struggling to my feet, ignoring a look of shock plastered on your dummy face. How I almost ran into a shocked you with my bike as I ran downhill with my gang. I lost that race, thanks to you blocking my way.

In some way, I wish we could retain our pure genuine friendship. That we will be in contact in the future. Will you add me in Facebook? I never get to know your e-mail add or your birthday. I still haven't get a chance to tell you I'm leaving soon. But that seems impossible now, considering we haven't spoke to each other for months. I wish you won't remember me the way I was on 30/6. It amazes me how two unlinked individuals could be besties.


30/12 - A brain wave was moulding in my head. I stopped short when I was press the doorbell in front of your house. What would you do when you open the door? Would you smile at my presence? I'm petrified. Basking in the warmth of the magnificant sun, I walked away before I could do anything stupid.


6/1 - A totally unexpected meeting with you as I was walking back home. A familiar vehicle whizzed by. I looked the driver and then at the side passenger. There were you sitting in front. Caught a glimpse of you. Didn't seem to change in any way. I waved at you, beaming. But somehow, you didn't see me till you went past. Whether you had acknowledged me or not, I'll probably never know.

Perhaps you are working as a part time, I made a mental note to myself. That's ok, considering there's a probability we'll meet again. Sometime, somewhere. That's fine by me.


15/1 - I'm typing this post so that I will not forget you or put you behind in anyway as time passes. I pray sincerely that we'll meet again soon and talk. I'm sorry I ignored you now and then. I always like to act cool even though I obviously care.

You've always been the real thing that ever happen to me. Just like the smooth guitar and piano melodies in Eric Darken's The Real Thing. Entrancing and discernible. Yes, this heartfelt song will always remind me of you. Friendship, companionship, associate and everything that is labelled genuine camaraderie. I'll always remember you the good moments we had and the way you were. I miss playing basketball with you ;)

Some Pictures

Took these photo when I went to Lye Huat Garden in Alor Setar two years ago. Might as well post it here...Beautiful drawings in the hall.These statues are the famous terracotta in China.This sure looks like a sleeping lion. Zzz...These two are actually some sort of jungle cats, even though they looked like dogs or lions. They even purred you know when I approach them near the cage. So cute^^

Ha! This is a yellow boa constrictor if I didn't remember wrongly. It's so huge! Its diameter is around 18-20cm, sure will give you a bone crushing squeeze.

These fish will glow in the dark. Haha! Some kind of fresh water fish.
For god's sake, don't you think I'm mad for posing with a bunch of "weeds"? It's not weeds actually, i'm at a paddy field... can you see some malay kampung at the back?
No, this is not the actual leaning tower of Teluk Intan. It's a picture that is hung inside the tower. Teluk Intan, also known as Anson, is loacted in south of Perak state. My relative's house that I stay in is approximately a 10 minute drive from Selangor.

Alor Setar is quite boring actually 'coz there's only one shopping mall that looks like one, but with all the Malay clothes inside. But the food is still OK if you have a good tour guide to take you to it.

Sun Sign (A Long Post)

I was busy playing games this morning (nope, not CS this time :P) and suddenly I remembered a conversation with a friend about different types of aquarius and I wondered which category I'm in in the middle of Chess Titans. So I decided to check it out, since the smart computer is beating the crap out of me, instead I found out this really cool and amazing website: http://www.lilycat.net/aquarius.html

Here are some bits from the website:

The eleventh sign of the zodiac aka Aquarius is concerned with:
* scientific analysis, experimentation, detachment
* friendship, courtesy, kindness, tranquility
* mystery, intrigues, magic, genius, originality
* eccentricity, independence, humanitarian issues
* fame, recognition, politics, creative arts
* electricity, magnetism, telecommunications


Elemental Quality
Aquarius is the fixed air sign of the zodiac. It can be likened to a paraglider, jumping off the earth to explore a rainbow, yet aware of the practicalities of thermals and how to ensure a safe landing.

Air represents the mind and the ability to think; Aquarian ideas may be unusual or even original, but once formed, they tend to remain fixed. Fixed air, in brief, is a metaphor for fixed opinions.

The Aquarian Personality
These are the general personality traits found in people who are typical of Aquarius. An unhappy or frustrated Aquarius may display some of the not-so-attractive traits.
Positive
* Communicative
* Thoughtful and caring
* Cooperative and dependable
* Scientific
* Strong belief in humane reforms
* Independence of thought and action
* Intense interest in people
* Loyal friendship
* Inventive

Negative
* Unwilling to share ideas
* Tactless and rude
* Perverse and eccentric individuality
* Self-interested
* Unwillingness to fight for beliefs
* Uncertainty and lack of confidence
* Voyeuristic curiousity about people

Secret Aquarius
Inside anyone who has strong Aquarian influences is a person who is extremely uncertain of his or her true identity. The Aquarius ego is said to be the most precarious in the zodiac, probably because Aquarius is the sign of nonconformity. Intellectual genius, practical eccentricity and mental oddity are all linked with Aquarius.

The typical Aquarius personality has a magnetic and powerful intellect. Putting this to good, practical use is the best way for Aquarius to build an identifiable ego.

Ruling Planet and Its Effect
Uranus and Saturn both rule the zodiac sign of Aquarius, so anyone whose birthchart has a strongly developed Aquarius influence will tend to have original, unexpected ideas. In astrology, Uranus is the planet of the unusual and the unexpected, and Saturn is the planet of applied wisdom and forward planning.

Aquarian Physical Appearance
* There is a distant, dreamy look in the eyes. (haha!)
* Body: taller than average.
* Head: in profile always noble with fine features.
* Neck: bends to allow head to drop forward or tip to one side when thinking.
* Movement is not graceful but has purpose.

The Aquarius Male
* is unwilling to reveal his feelings
* is friendly toward everyone
* is a group person
* is fair minded and has his own very strong, but personal, moral code
* is attracted to the mysterious and the secret
* is an intuitive thinker with a very practical streak
* does not usually aim to become rich but to develop his ideas and communicate them

The Aquarius Female
* has a wide circle of friends from all walks of life
* is adept at getting people to settle feuds
* can be totally unpredictable
* has a wide variety of interests and a mind of her own
* will have a basic lack of self-confidence
* can be easygoing and accepts the many differences among people

Young Aquarius Behavior and Personality Traits
The typical Aquarius child:
* is a quick thinker
* is sensitive and intuitive
* is outwardly calm, relaxed, and delightful
* is unpredictable and full of amazing ideas
* wants to analyze everything and everyone
* does not like emotional demands
* rebels against commands and rules but comes to sensible conclusions when allowed to think things through for himself or herself
* is generous to friends
* has a huge number of friends of all kinds
* tends to be absentminded
(see how many i scored? all is all i m saying...)

Typical Occupations
Anything that involves experimentation, ideas, investigation, analysis, and innovation attracts Aquarius. For example: dancer, scientist, photographer, astrologer, singer, TV or radio presenter, writer, charity worker, inventor, archeologist, radiographer, electronics engineer, humanitarian aid worker.

Aquarian Leisure Interests
On the whole, typical Aquarius pursue the following leisure interests:
* radical arts and theater
* music, rhythm, dance, controlled exercise
* clowning, juggling, witty comedy
* flying, parachuting, gliding
* writing his or her autobiography or a personal diary
* scientific or creative hobbies
* local politics

Aquarian Likes and Dislikes
Likes
* fame or recognition
* thinking about self
* privacy
* rainbows, dreams, magic (oh man... this is ridiculous. I can't be seen chasing a rainbow in the rain after this. sob...)
* change, eccentricity, surprises
* credit cards (no way...)
* telling others what needs to be done -- then watching them get on with it
* weird friends
* living within their means

Dislikes
* emotion and intimacy
* people who show off
* being taken for granted
* being pinned down in any way
* any kind of hard sell
* violence and fighting
* making loans or borrowing
* conventional authority
* revealing own motives
* extravagance

Aquarian Health
A typical Aquarius needs lots of fresh air, plenty of sleep, and regular exercise to stay healthy -- alas, they often do not give themselves enough of any of these.
Young Aquarius is usually very healthy, except for the odd complaint which seems undiagnosable and goes away on its own accord.
When mature, Aquarius may suffer from nervous complaints due to their intense mental activity. They may also acquire a series of phobias. Aquarians may respond to hypnosis.


Aquarius at Rest
Any opportunity to lie in a hammock in the garden and dream the day away is wonderful for Aquarius's well-being. (true, true!)


P.S. I have omitted some currently unrelated details about aquarius, namely, my love life, my work life, my parenting life...

Construction Completed On A Monday Morning

Haha! Finally the much-needed blog makeover is completed. I like this new design template a lot. It gives me space to breathe and simple white makes the space look more well… simple. Goodbye to you, green mossy background. All the elements that makes up this blog fits my laptop screen perfectly. Too bad the blog title picture can’t be resized. It was supposed to look like this:

But never mind, it looks cool, nevertheless, though I’m still figuring the font colour aspects in this blog… Now that it is completed, I can resume typing what’s on my mind habitually.

Today is Monday (duh, obviously) and Monday has always been my favourite day in a week. I was greeted by a surge of chill and grayish atmosphere when I woke up. I like it a lot. I adore gray colour. Dunno why. It makes my day b’coz it’s less sizzling searing I suppose. Was presumed to join the wonders of washing clothes this morning but the weather is not holding up for the whole day. *sigh*

Instead of playing computer games this morning, I managed to catch my favourite series, Seconds From Disaster: Fire on Star and Air Crash Investigation: Out Of Control. Not bad to kick start my Monday morning. Fire on Star enlightens me how improper crew in a ship (in this case the crew are Portuguese and the passengers are mostly Norwegian), faulty material usage (using a flammable varnish on the walls of corridor that releases hydrogen cyanide upon combustion) and inadequate fire training could cause 150+ people meet their sealed fate of annihilation. Out Of Control hints me how a simple wrong maintenance could bring down a Boeing 747, killing 520 people. Safety precautions are there for a reason, yet we seems to neglect the utter significance of them till it’s too late.

Even though I just had my lunch yet I'm still feeling peckish. I’ll fix myself a homemade bread pizza later. Oh ya, I’ve discover the perfect cheese for pizza. Would you believe mozzarella cheese is the answer to your prayers? Cheddar is definitely not for baking. I bought a strong vintage cheddar last month and my feeble attempts of making the perfect pizza (just put the cheese and tomato spread on the bread, silly) went into the neighbourhood weekly garbage collection. It’s ghastly with bits of chunk here and there. Not good.

My good servant tossed my mozzarella cheese powder in plastic ware into trash before I could stop her. So I picked up another mozzarella cheese in Consfood last week that resembles a huge mobile phone. Mozzarella however will melt and gives you the cheesy bites you come across in Pizza Hut or Little Italy.

Wonder what shall I do this afternoon? It doesn’t look like an afternoon at all with all the rolling grimacing gray clouds outside. I’m jaded of playing CS I suppose. Can’t seem to be able to crack one of the levels in the hard missions. Sob… The baddies seem to be able to shoot crazygtown31 down faster than the I can yell Schmidt Scout rifle. Damn it…

Shopping Frenzy

I think I’m frenetic. I must be. I went out for music class today and concluded up by spending some RM 350 on two clothes, one pair of jeans, a cargo pants and four pair of socks in Wawasan Plaza and 1 Borneo. Talk about unwanted overspending… These past 2 months has evolved into some kind of bargain frenzy hunting months for me.

Yesterday I was chatting with my friend and was telling her I don’t do shopping and yet today… I mean, when people go shopping they ended up buying lots of items. When I go shopping, I came home with renewed thoughts about this activity. For instance you know everyone go to supermarket to buy food. And when I see individuals with their shopping trolleys with heaps of junk food, instant noodle, carbonated drinks, anything that is not salt, butter and rice that is more than enough to feed the entire Malaysian army, I would automatically start to think: Uh oh, are these people are for real?

Consequently I would think of these overspending mobs as a huge contributor to pollution because all the wrappers of junk food and instant noodle would be useless after everything inside them was disposed off into their stomach. I can’t help it!!! It’s so robotic of me to do that… That’s why environment science suits me I reckon.

Everyone is so materialistic now. All the supposed relationship are based on expensive luxuries and basically items are the measure of how depth a relationship is. Take an example, a guy who is supposed to propose to his long-loved girlfriend would buy a big-ticket 8 carat diamond ring or jewellery to show his everlasting love. Parents attempt to make up for their neglected quality time with their children during weekdays by taking them out to shopping complexes in weekends and buy lots of stuffs for their children. So this will make the children regard their parents as their mobile ATM which eventually take them for granted.

Not to mention the upcoming Chinese New Year where you will find yourself stuck in the chaos of clothes hunting and festive goods seeking. This is exactly what happen to me today. I was only looking for jeans for uni and was without knowingly join into some kind of shopping mad parade, wondering what the commotion is all about.

Seriously, we Malaysians do have the uncanny natural ability to shop. People working on weekdays are thinking how to spend their well-earned money in shopping malls on the upcoming weekends. Everyone literally live and breathe on the clause “shop till you drop dead” in the rulebook. You’d get rid of whatever’s in your closet to squeeze more newly bought garments into it even though it‘s on the verge of collapsing. You’ll get to want new stuffs more and more even though you have more than enough.

Don’t be shock by all these uproar I‘m typing here. These things are what I contemplate of when I off for shopping. Oh man, call the shrink in town to come down and have a good look at me. I’m so odd and aloof when I go shopping. I seem to like to observe people in shops, analyze their behaviour and then attempt to draw my own set of conclusion about their personality and often find myself trying to read their minds without consciousness.

And what’s the perfect place to do it? Shopping complexes obviously. Those of you around me probably don’t know about this. But most probably I can assure you that I did try to read your mind before at least once. And I would do something about it with this new-found knowledge. One of my Miss Hyde characteristics. Yes, I am scary. Don’t tell me about it…

So my smart friend told me that people are shopping for items and I am shopping for thoughts. Yes, this is very true. I practically shop for some sort of spiritual connection and mind-reading sessions ;)

Update of A Boring Life (trust me it will get better)

I woke up today and found a piece of note on my study table (my temporary computer table).

It was written in red ink:

Jiaming

Please organise your items for your trip to Australia.
- Clothes
- Books
- etc.

Stop playing your computer and surfing unnecessary or immediate effect will be executed.

Daddy

Oh great, daddy's finally giving his lazy-slacking daughter a notice. Finally something exciting is gonna happen today. I dunno if I'm mad but I'm glad to keep the notice.

My life is kinda boring now. No school = my biological clock was all upside down. I was watching late-night TV programme yesterday because I had bouts of insomnia. The only exciting thing that happened yesterday was getting bitten by mosquitoes and got a nasty papercut when I was tidying up my study table. Dunno why a simple mosquito bite could cause my arm to become so itchy and swollen.

Almost every week I'm waiting for Wednesday. 'Coz that's the day CSI Miami was broadcasted. The rest of the week had to be dragged along. Couldn't play basketball this week 'coz practically every late afternoon was showered by the "kind" mother nature.

I decided to read some books for this seemingly boring and uneventful holiday. Namely Principles of Environment Science and An Engineering Approach to Thermodynamics (don't gag). Perhaps I'll cook something every now and then. I just learned how to cook lamb chop on Tuesday. Yes, I'm going it again today but this time I'm doing the marinating. Will be ready in 1 hour, my lamb chop ;) Yummy! Wish me luck on the book thing.

Might as well start packing the stupid luggage. Oh man, what should I bring? There's so many and it's still a bit early... Once again, I will dilly-dally till the last minute of doom.

Here's a piece of Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) info I obtained from my agent titled WHAT CAN'T I TAKE INTO AUSTRALIA.

Must be declared or beware section includes:
1. Daily and egg product such as milk, cheese, yogurt, sandwiches containing cheese, egg products that contain more than 10% of egg e.g. mayonnaise (sheesh who would bring this into the plane anyways?), noodles, pasta and so on.

2. Animal products such as all uncanned meat including fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, salted or preserved - from all animal species, sausages, salami, sliced meats, airline food, pet food, rawhide articles and handicrafts including drums.

3. Live animals include like all animals? God they even include crustacean and amphibians...

4. Plant material including potted plants and bare-rooted ones, banana products e.g. souvenirs made from banana leaf (Lols!), souvenirs made or filled with straw, including Thai cushions?

5. Seeds and nuts. Cereal grains, popping corns, raw nuts, pine cones, birdseed, unidentified seeds, commercially-packed seeds, ornaments including seeds, airline snacks.

6. All fresh fruits or vegetables.

Who knows there will be so much banned stuffs. I was thinking of bringing two of the above listed items. Sadly, they're not gonna pass through the Aussie custom now. Looks like you're gonna be staying in KK forever, my dear pitcher plant and guitar.

Notification

I'm beginning to think maybe I should give my blog a makeover or something. Gettin' sick of the green moss background. Should be up in like 1 week? Just a simple one. Hehe! Please be patient...

Skippin' School

School reopens today!!!

But I'm ignoring the BIG DAY and skipping school!!!

Why?!!

'Coz I have graduated from IS. Goodbye^^ Wakaka!!!

No last minute rush to find where on earth I put my school socks last year. No teacher's lecture on every first day on every school reopen day (this happens every year). No more canteen food! Haha! Kinda funny to see my sis hunting for shoes and uniform the night before... Life's good...

Ok, cut the crap. What exactly I did today? Well, today is kinda a special day. Why (again)?! My dear friend, Fun Yau, is gonna leave Pheobe and me for National Service... Bummer... So today is kinda a farewell day for her I suppose.

Early in the morning (well around 9 a.m. to be exact), three idiots showed up at school, wondering whether anyone would buy their books. It's good to see them again. So we chit-chat a bit with Tee Hong Tat. As it happens, they are just sitting in the canteen to wait money drop from the sky, literally, 'coz during recess lots of people swarm them for the goods... I sold all my three books for RM 160 in 15 minutes. Haha!

Don't disturb Pheobe! Can't you see that she is busy labelling books for the specific owner? They managed to pile lots of books in a small confined locker.

The paper she used to label every book in her possession. Such a thoughtful girl...

Yeah, lots of it...

P.S. Wondering what's in the plastic bag? Shhh.... The money machine is trying to sell her IS uniform.

Managed to take a photo with Yen San. Haha!

Went to get a few signatures before finally getting another RM 100 (caution money). Lols!

Pheobe drove us to Karamunsing where we sit and chit-chat again in the food court. Wondering what to order 'coz Pheobe's favourite western food stall was closed for the day.

Fun Yau was trying to take a photo of me after eating. Haha! My good sensor never fails me! In the end, I was kinda bored that I let her take a photo of me. See what I mean? Why am I bored? 'Coz Pheobe was still eating!!!

Let's take a group photo for this special occasion, girls^^

Shop for a while. More like, they managed to coax me into wearing a really short black skirt in a boutique shop. Oh man... Too bad I didn't take a photo of it... Didn't managed to buy a new PC game to enjoy during the holidays.

Soon we got bored of shopping and was feeling drowsy, so might as well go home. Trust me, Karamunsing is not a place to shop. The place is literally flooded with electrical appliances.

Whoa! Whom is Pheobe posing for?

Need a 4D number? Try Pheobe's car plate... Wakaka!!!

Drop the parking ticket, Pheobe! It's not edible.

While Pheobe was still busy chewing the ticket, we decided to take a cute photo.

She was supposed to drive me to QEH, but it's only 2 p.m. Another 3 hours of waiting. No way!!!

In the end, we decided to went to Pheobe's house. Pheobe showed me around her house which was like a resort. Haha! And Fun Yau and me went cycling to the Tanjung Aru Beach after they had fun eating mandarin oranges and met *ahem* "Jesus". Lols!

We went to Esso before cycling down to the beach 'coz Fun Yau's bicycle was kinda flat. So while she was busy pumping the tyre with some fresh air, I was gonna take a photo of her but a car nearly ran my bike down. The tyre went out of shape before the lousy driver finally realise what he did. He moved his car forward. sparring the bike from the ultimate fate of total annihilation.

Honestly I was a bit blurred 'coz I'm so used to playing computer till when I go out, I'm starting to see stars and moon around. This is bad 'coz I didn't realise I was nearly ran over if I didn't put the bike in the way, blocking the car from hitting me directly.

Ok, so we cycled, cycled to the beach. Hate it when there's a junction 'coz we had to stop pedalling and wheeled our bikes.

Finally we arrived after like 15 minutes of cycling!!! Meanwhile Pheobe, the evil pianist, was busy practising her piano. Haha!

Went to order some drinks and satay.

Satay and my drink, Starfruit Juice, have arrived. Fun Yau had Mango juice.

Eat and drink while chit-chat again. Lols!

Went to buy maize for Pheobe. Before leaving, we took some more photos...

Take 1. Smile, Fun Yau^^

How about another one? Take 2.

Third time is always the charm.

Dunno how to use the camera function, so it's kinda blurred...

Nice restaurant. Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar. Hope to go there sometime^^

One last shot before we pedal back like idiots.

How do we know which is Pheobe's house? Easy. When you're near her house, you can hear the piano melody welcoming your eardrums.

Pheobe proceed to drive us back after that. It's gettin' late. Still we chit-chat while driving. Haha! I sure had fun. Wonder if they did? Gonna miss you both, Fun Yau and Pheobe. Sure a nice way to spend a school reopen day. Err, I meant skipping it of course^^