farfromhome

Plane Lagged

2010-08-27T13:04:00.000+10:00

Of course it's Jet Lagged, but watch the Karate Kid and you'll get it. I finally have managed to take time to start working on my thesis again! The lecture in RMIT has been completed. Strangely, the very first lecture I've attended in Australia is the one where I was the lecturer! hahahaha. Anyway, it went pretty well I think, the students were very responsive and were very cooperative. Good bunch! I'm still sleeping in a lot, trying to adjust back to the Melbourne time zone. So, been waking up late these few days! Otherwise, all's good! Losing weight again, as usual! Hahaha. Jules and LanSin were here. But it's just a shame that I couldn't spend much time with them! Oh well, I think that they did enjoy their stay here! I believe it won't be their last!

My Engrand vely the powderful ah Day 8

2010-08-11T10:31:00.004+10:00

Today Adrian Lee experienced his Renaissance. Today Adrian Lee has been civilised. Today Adrian Lee has been cultured. Today Adrian Lee has moved a class above. Or supposedly la to all the above. Hehehe. Why so? Today, Adrian Lee went to a museum, went to a church, went to Harrods, went to Oxford Street for shopping, went to New Regent Street for shopping, went to the National Gallery to see paintings from the 12 century onwards and also saw van Gogh's Sunflower, went to Royal Albert Hall and finally went to watch Oliver! So I shall now speaking my the Englrand with a Engrish Accent. Hehehe.

It has been raining the entire day. Really spoilt my mood and made my mood as foul as the weather. Otherwise, the visits were good, except that everywhere was damn packed and crowded with people! Oliver was fantastic! I feel that I have fell in love with theatre. When I go back to Melbourne, a group of us will be watching West End Story. Tomorrow's my last day in the England, UK and Europe. Seems so nice that so many good things seem to be happening at the same time. I guess all I can say is that, this is the best Birthday Blessing from God. AND, I also heard some good news from my best bud Adrian. I hope that it'll be a double blessing and birthday joy! There's been so many "unexpected" during this trip. Firstly, coming to London, UK and Europe was totally unexpected. Then there was Wembley, Oxford, Cambridge, Madame Tussauds, Oliver and the list goes on and on. But the best thing was actually catching up with Soon Lock, meeting his wife, Chia Ye, meeting Jye Horng and also meeting with Ping. I think I need to get a list of things I want to do before I turn 30. Right now I can just think of skydiving!

Oh well, it's been a drink a day. An ale a day, a beer a day and also I have to mention that London's full of sirens. Police, ambulance and fire engines. Whatever la, there'll be one for sure every hour. Cheers to good time! Oh yeah, my card reader has spoilt, so I won't be uploading any pics for the time being! I can't believe that it's around 9am in Malaysia as I'm writing this. I'm actually chatting with friends from Msia as I'm finishing my drink and preparing to sleep. Oh well, I think 3 drinks I(which is agak agak 5-6 servings for me) for tonight is more than enough d. Think I'd hope off to bed now. I'm not sure if I should greet my friends with good night then, OR good morning! Anyhow, Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers from London!!

My Engrand vely the powerderful ah day 7

2010-08-10T07:55:00.003+10:00

Yes I was part of history yesterday. Manchester United 3 Chelsea 1. It was really great being to Wembley. My initial plans were to actually visit Old Trafford and just to have a look see of the place. But then Adrian gave me the idea of catching the Community Shield and I thought well that's even a greater idea! So, with Soon Lock's help (which he has given tonnes of so far) we managed to get a couple of tix and off we went to Wembley! I've actually seen the Man Utd team last year when they were in Kuala Lumpur. But to watch an (almost) competitive match was even more exciting! Plus, watching 4 goals in one match and the full strength teams of both Chelsea and MU was just priceless. Jye Horng and I both cheered, scolded, laughed, and booed. Oh well, it was every penny well spent! At the end, when the trophy (or shield) was presented, I just sang my heart out, Glory Glory Man Unitedddddddddddddddd....until my throat hurt and I had no more voice! Hehehehe. Oh well, the only thing I failed to bring was my 200mm lenses, which would've captured even more better pics. Anyhow, I then managed to "appreciate" the match rather than kept focusing on taking pic! Plus as an added bonus, Tomorrow's my 2nd last day in London. I'm just going to walk around the city, do some last minute shopping and MAYBE watch Les Mis. Oh well, "we're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley!"

"This picture says it all!"

"Here we are!"

My Engrand vely the powerderful ah Part 6

2010-08-08T19:15:00.004+10:00

I've kind of lost count how long I've been here. I think today's either my 7th day I guess. Was awoken up by some bad news this morning, that a certain friend of mine had passed on. Well, I've not really met her for a good 10-15 years, but anyhow, I do hope that she's in a better place now. Hence, life's so short la. No time to waste on useless worries and hate. So just live life la. Will be off for mass in a while, there's a church just down the street from here. I've been praying for my family and friends and had some special intentions at churches all over Cambridge, Oxford and now in London. Of course I'd pray for the general wellbeing and health and happiness for all la. Just returned from mass. It's the most unique feature that struck me was that they had the Hail Mary at the end of Mass to give devotion to our mother. And they had 2 deacons too, who were very very young! Mass was very full of tradition, yet rather casual at the same time. The peace be with you session was a scatter of people everywhere, who went from front to back to greet each other!

Yesterday we "tried" to see the change of guards at Buckingham Palace. I couldn't really see much because of the "ocean" of people there! It was crazily madly packed! I can't imagine being a copper and having to direct and maintain the order of the place. So after catching glimpses of the event, we proceeded to London Bridge! More of that in the pics section la! And after that I proceeded to meet my cousin, Ping, whom I've not met for a good 5-10 years?! So, it was very much catching up and of course reminsicing about the good old times. It was really nice to remember and know that after all that we've been through, us cousins always have this special memory and bond of growing up together!

It then rained and rained and rained, and Les Miserables was sold out! Hence I shall be uncultured for yet another day! But, today, Jye Horng and I will be going to Wembley to watch Manchester United versus another team that I don't really recall its name. Hahaha. Yalar, Chelsea la. Speaking of Jye Horng and my former students in particular, they still call me Sir! So during dinner one day, he went SIR SIR! And I said, eh don't call me Sir here, not in this country! Get it?! Anyway, today's my chance to sream and shout but what I actually would really love to absorb the atmosphere in the stadium! Jerseys ready!

"Visiting the location of the childhood nursery rhyme...after almost 30 years!"

"On London Bridge, looking at that funny looking pedal powered machine that has a table in the centre, whereby you can have drinks! So how does London Bridge look like la?! Usually in pictures they look like this..."

"Right?! But then...that's TOWER BRIDGE!"

"London Bridge...ini macam je...biasa looking one! So for almost 30 years I've been conned into believing something else! Hehehe...Oh well, nothing beats the experience of being there!"

"And you can walk on top of the bridge as well!"

OFF TO WEMBLEY!

My Engrand vely powderful ah part 5

2010-08-07T09:33:00.004+10:00

I can't imagine that it's 930am in Melbourne and 730am in Malaysian as I write this. I'm so used to being 2 hours ahead of Malaysian time. Plus, I'm not used to the thought that I'm kind of "behind" Malaysian time! It has been an awfully tiring day in London. The one thing that I've experienced the most here, is the hearing of sirens. Ambulances, fire engines, police cars. It's almost 1 siren every hour! Today I travelled to Buckinham Palace to have tea with Her Royal Highness. Hehehe. The place was packed and congested with people who had come from everywhere. It was nice to just stand in front on the palace gates and appreciate its beauty and to also appreciate the fact that I am actually standing at the gates of Buckingham Palace. It's really nice being here. After hearing so much about the UK, and about England (not Engrand, hehe) it's really nice to finally be here! As such, I always say, who knows what tomorrow brings?! In early July I never would've expected that I'd be here in August! I also got to see No. 10 Downing St. But there was no sight of David Cameron. I mean seriously, most of the time we see all these on TV or read about them in books and such. I was also the unofficial photographer for quite a number of people for I stood at the gates for a rather long time. So they went, excuse me, could you help me take a picture? Until the end I jokingly told a group of girls that I charge 5 pounds per pic! And of course I too needed some help from others! I then just walked around St. James Park. The highlight of the day was seeing the change of guards at of the imperial guards! And I got to see it twice! Really interesting to see these event live. Also, I seriously feel that London can be toured on foot, provided one likes to walk! I finally met Jye Horng today in London. It was nice meeting up. It's even nicer, the thought of him actually travelling all the way up to meet me. I finally met Soon Lock's wife, Chia Ye and I must say they make quite a great couple! Hehehe. Finally I had Chinese food, YES, I know, eating Chinese food in the UK. Well, we were in Chinatown, so what else to eat better than Chinese food. Not too bad I must add. Hehehe. Speaking about food, the best thing about living in his place is that he lives above a fried chicken shop. Literally! Seriously! And I go to bed smelling the delicious aroma of fried chicken, and I also awake smelling it! What else can you ask for?! Hahahaha. So what's on tomorrow? Seriously, I know I'm going to begin the tour with the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace. Then who knows what tomorrow brings eh?

My Engrand vely powder ah part 4

2010-08-06T18:06:00.002+10:00

Although my Engrand is quite powderful, I still find it a bit difficult to understand the Brit accent. And I do know that there are also all sorts of different accents depending on which part of the UK you come from. I'm currently back in London, having brownies for breakfast. I actually bought them for dinner that I can have at the bus station in Oxford whilst awaiting for the bus. But, along the way I saw a shop selling pizzas for 4 pounds. So the brownies were forgotten! The pizza was good, I had one which was some African styled one, then name I had of course forgotten!

Oxford to me wasn't as nice as Cambridge. I just felt that the place was too congested and that there wasn't much space to move about. It was basically "Sydney" while Cambridge to me was "Melbourne"! Hope that sums it up! I just toured Oxford by foot. I took the map of the tour bus and followed the route by foot. Tagging along my luggages! I did manage to follow most of it, but was a bit disappointed for many colleges were actually closed. So in the end I decided to go on a walking tour that explored 2 colleges, Trinity and New Chapel College, where parts of the Harry Potter film was filmed. The tour was really good, informative and insightful. It costs around 7 pounds but we entered 2 colleges. Plus I got to visit the "old" site where Oxford was originally located. I'll be meeting up with Jye Horng today, who'll be making the trip up from Wolverhampton to see me! Woooohooooooo! I arrived in London last night at around 8pm. The bus ride wasn't so bad. I guess just passed out most of the way. I then met Soon Lock here. Of course there was so much confusion, cause there were 2 Marks and Spencer, which was our meetin point. I had 10 chicken wings for dinner. And after that I really just knocked off!

After breakfast, I'll be making my way to Buckingham Palace to see the change of guards. Might pay homage to the queen. Hehehe. I'm doing my own itinerary of where to go all la. No pressure tours. Just want to be free and easy and do whatever I can! OK, I shall be posting my pics on FB from now on.

My Engrand vely powderful ah Part 4

2010-08-05T08:08:00.007+10:00

I woke up and went back to sleep numerous times today. The weather was just too conducive for sleeping. The keyword for today is, water. Most of everything I've done has something to do with water. When I woke up, it was raining. Then I went out in the rain. Or rather went back to sleep numerous times and awoke again and again. Finally, at 11ish I decided to get out of bed. Went to visit the conference location for a while before heading out to the city again. Rain. So I decided to drop by a gift shop to buy a cap, which was priced at 3.99P which someone else bought for 9.99. Of course I won't tell her la. Hehehe. And of course, after that, the rain stopped. So I proceeded to walk down the street and went to King's College. The place was simply magnificent. The pics I shall upload onto FB. I'm just too tired to describe each picture as it is! But seriously, it was one of the nicest places to be. It was very peaceful and serene. A good place for thinking and for ideas to develop. Then the rain came and went and came and went. Then I proceeded further down the street and went to a museum. Can't remember the name but it was incredible. I managed to see paintings from the 14th century onwards, a Bible from the 9th century, weapons from the 14th century onwards and a full metal iron casted Knight on a horse. Man, it certainly looked intimidating! The highlight of the day was ironically, meeting a former British soldier who said that he served in Malaya during the Communist Emergency. Ironically, in a museum! I managed to chat a while with him and shook his hand, telling him that it was an honour to meet him. 2 hours wasn't enough to cover the museum, so I then decided to make one last round in Cambridge city before leaving tomorrow. Finally went punting! It was nice and really relaxing. Would've appreciated the punter's commentary more, for there was a man who was speaking more about his experience in Cambridge, and was trying to challenge her knowledge on Cambridge! I was like, diam la woi! Bising je...But of course he wouldn't have understood so I also kept quiet la. Alas, I had fish and chips for dinner! With a pint of ale to wash it down. Top class! Tomorrow I shall be travelling to Oxford and then meeting Soon Lock, whom I've not met for a good 10 years in London! Need to catch the 7am bus tmrw to Oxford, so gonna crash now. Gd nite!

"Inside King's College"

"Outside King's College"

"In the courtyard"

"After punting"

"Finally, some original fish and chips"

My Engrand vely powderful ah Day 3

2010-08-04T17:08:00.004+10:00

Today's actually day 4. I just went out flat last night after my bath. I tried to stall the bath as long as I could so that I won't want to go to bed. But after the bath, I was out cold. Till 4.30am. Yesterday was just a whole day tour of Cambridge. It was really nice walking the streets and experiencing the old city. I touched the walls just to have a feel of the "oldness" of the place. I swear I had a sniff of Chow Mein yesterday morning after I had my breakfast. Maybe I'm starting to miss Malaysia. Again, the subject matter of a Chinese dinner was brought up. We even went into a Chinese restaurant, had the menus etc. Decided on what to eat. Then left. Hahaha. Well, this was due to 2 reasons. 1. We felt that it wasn't worth eating Chinese all the way here, plus after converting it's darn expensive. 2. The service sucked! So we went over the SNUG, and had somemore Brit pub food. Which was pretty good. I had a free pint on the house, Hehehehe...guess I should stay back in the UK then! It's really cold outside now. I just feel like snuggling in bed the whole day and not doing anything. But I can always do that when I'm back in Seremban or in Melbourne. I'll tour Cambridge again one more time, and then leave for Oxford tomorrow. I wanted to go today, but then the journey's 3 hrs 30 mins each way! So I might as well go tomorrow, then from Oxford go to London. Check out some of the St. John's College pics I posted on FB. It was so magnificent. Words can't describe them! OK, stomach's a calling. This maybe my last breakfast in Cambridge!

"The pastries were just excellent. Usually I don't like pastries, but these were just darn good. And yes, I finished everything on those plates!"

"On top of the Sighing Bridge in St. John's College"

"Rum and raisin!"

"To preserve the structure of the building"

"On the streets"

"In a park, somewhere"

"Burger kerbau, good, but a bit burnt"

"Everyone's so tired! Only one person is showing his true emotions!"

My Engrand vely powderful ah Day 2

2010-08-03T06:58:00.007+10:00

After waking up, at 4, I decided to go back to sleep! I did wake up with a cramp on my left calf, I think due to the lack of water and maybe because of the long flight. Of course, I can never sleep if there's light, not even a bit, or if there's noise! Then I woke again and again and again, and my alarm set for 735 only went off after I had taken my shower. Went for breakfast at the main dining hall, and was asked what was my purpose for being there? Aiyah, customs deja vu la! Hehehe. Actually it was cos there was some sort of summer camp for some kids there. So the lady was nice enough to help me jump queue, which I felt so bad for doing, as if I was bullying the kids! It was a pretty good breakfast, an English breakfast (AT LAST!) and it consisted of a whole buffet line of mushrooms, bacon, hash browns, deep fried french toast, red beans and so many others. Of course there were fruits which of course I didnt take la. Hehehe. I had breakfast with Huan, or was it Kuan, a Malaysian who works in Kuwait. After breakfast I had my conference registration and called my mom just to tell her YOUR SON'S GOING TO PRESENT IN CAMBRIDGE. Hehehe. Oh I can't get enough of saying that. Hehehe. And I checked the list of participants. I'd say that 90% of them were lecturers. And doctors and professors. I went, I'm gonna die! And I even met an English knight, or a sir. A real Ah Sir I guess. Hehehe. He was almost 90 but still was actively writing! Hmmm I took a pic of him using my camera but I can't seem to locate the pic now. Oh well...

When I walked along the streets, I felt like as if Mr. Bean were to drive up in his yellow mini cooper, or that I'd meet Harry Potter at the next corner, or when I saw the cooks in the kitchen, I felt as if Ramsay was going to pop up out of no where and started shouting at everyone! The weather here is pretty gloomy, being at around 20 degrees, and it's summer! My presentation went pretty well, I had a very long Q&A session and it was pretty productive. At the end of it, I had this feedback from a Dr. from the USA. She said, Well done Adrian, your research is very good and interesting. Your presentation was good. It was brilliant! Very very very motivating words indeed!

After that I headed back to my room, met this couple from Tunisia, now living in France and the husband tried to help me with my internet. Aiyah, dont know why but I couldn't access the internet on the wireless. Now I can, cause a kind soul, whom I think was half drunk, gave me an ethernet cable for the room's internet! Before that I had a stroll around the city of Cambridge, checking out the old buildings. It was so lovely just being at the heart of it all. The buildings seem so old and the architecture is just splendid. The experiencing of seeing them with your own eyes, touching the surface of things with your hands, smelling the fresh air and just walking around this historic city was such a wonderful experience. At this moment I realised how much God loves me by giving me the opportunity to travel, meet new people, experience other cultures and just to be here!

For dinner, I had some sort of English ale beef pie for dinner washed down with warm ale, which I didn't really like! I explored Cambridge with 3 other lecturers...and Ezekiel! We met his dad here, Mr. Lotus, who served as a damn excellent guide. He really knows his way around here and there and could explain the history of the place, as if he's been living here for years! It was so good having him around to learn more about the place. Well, gotta sleep now. Still feeling rather jetlagged and my calf hurts plus I'm feeling the "after conference presentation" tiredness. Tomorrow we'll tour the city again and starting out tour at 10am. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep more. I still feeling a bit not used to the idea that I'm in the UK. Anyway, I'll take more pics then. I'll post all the pics I've taken onto Facebook.

"After wondering the whole night why the college was named Churchill, I finally saw the answer!"

"My very cosy and comfy bed."

"You too wouldn't have figured that the door opens to a wash basin right?! I think the housekeeping people left it open for me to see! Hehehe. They must've gone, this 3rd world fella! Hheheeh. I still don't know how to operate the shower. I did bathe la, that's the thing. I had to take a bath and not shower cos I don't know how to turn on the shower! But I did have a bath!"

"C'est moi!"

"Presenting my paper at Cambridge!"

"Taken in one of the many colleges in Cambridge. There's a total of 31 residential colleges here. This is one of them"

"At the entrance of the same college"

"Sorry la, still feeling very jet lagged!"

"This picture is for my dearly beloved parents"

"They really are everywhere aren't they?!Someone suggested Chinese/Malaysian food. Of course, it faced serious objections!"

"One of the 4 round churches in England"

"Dinner! I couldn't finish it!"

"Bought this for 1 pound! The man at the counter went, such a waste, the best player NEVER to play for England! I felt his pain, somehow! Hahahahaha"

My Engrand vely powderful ah Day 1

2010-08-03T06:22:00.002+10:00

This IS REALLY HAPPENING! I am really so far away from home. The furthest I've every been. I'll try to recap as best I can, what had happened, from Malaysia till now, which is approximately 9pm plus. I've just had dinner a really warm pint of ale (not really to my liking!). I'll keep my writing short, so that more pics can be put up. Hence, less cheong hei-ness! I didn't take any pics for this blog. There'll be others in the next blogs.

Yesterday, I finally had my fishball noodles or as my lil sis says, FBN. After that was the drive to the airport, which took me around 30 mins from Seremban. Yes, I was F1-ing all the way there for I was afraid that the check in counter would be closed by then! But, although I've already done the webcheckin and just needed to do a baggage drop, it still took me around 20-30 mins to get checked in! So what's the difference then right? Plus the baggage drop counter was soooo long, I ended up lining up at the normal check in counter. OK, so after boarding the plane, Air Asia being Air Asia was delayed for around 15-20 mins. Reason, one piece of luggage was lost! More bout this later. Then we finally took off, and I felt, this is gonna be one roughtflight. I flew with my Macha, or brother in law. Yes I have a macha now! Hehehehe. And I had the honour and privilledge to sit beside, not one, but two aunties. AND their whole cohort of aunties! I think cohort sounds too few, maybe batallion?! And it was basically surround sound, DTS, dolby all the way la, if you get what I mean. So I just put on my headphones and went to sleep. With really loud music, I could still hear them chit chatting. Again, chit chatting seems too mild. It was as if they were in a pub! Hehehe. So, 13 hours left to go in the flight. I looked to my right, brother in law or BIL as lil sis calls him. Fast asleep!

So in the end, I decided to do my work. I out my notes and I noticed at the corner of my eyes, a set of eyes peeping at my work. The question came: Are you a doctor? I said, no I'm not. Then, why is there a signature by a Dr.? I replied, oh I'm going for a conference in Cambridge..And other questions like, Are you from Malaysia? Are you Malaysian? Are you really a Malaysian? Are you sure you're Malaysian? I said YES! I am Malaysian! I even showed her my passport and still she didn't believe. She said in Mandarin, after she somewhat managed to con me into admitting that I do know (a little bit of) Mandarin, you look like WAI GUO REN. I said, no I'm from Malaysian. WHERE? I said SEREMBAN...OH SOLOMON?! SOLOMON ISLANDS! NO WONDER YOU DON'T LOOK CHINESE! Still...13 hours left. Then are your parents Chinese la? Got girlfriend ah? Married ah? Working as what...So after politely speaking to them, I decided to sleep la. THEN, lunch. What is that you're eating? I watched a movie on my laptop...Can I watch with you? I said, oh no sound la...Nevermind, I see the pictures only...We aunties are very noisy right? And she asked me that 3-4 times! In between were singing sessions, food sharing, I'm not joking. Turn right, BIL sleeping! I don't know why my area became the "gathering space" where everywhere came over! One auntie even asked me to swap seats with her so she could be with her partners. I said no la, I'm also sitting with my friend la. Then she gave me that sad sad sad sad sad sad look. But I guess it would've have made a difference! Imagine the noise if the 3 of them sat together! So it was some sort of aunty fellowship going on la. There even was a priest involved, apparently they were going to Lourdes, Fatima etc.Then I decided to play Sudoku, then realised I had a partner playing with me! Hahahah.

Otherwise the flight was ok la. My very first long haul flight. I met 3 other Malaysians who were going to present there. And a baby...Ezekiel who I visited during my walks around the plane. In the end, I was so hungry for dinner, it was around 530pm UK time, and I had no idea where we were. And it was around 12-1am Malaysia. Lapar lah of course! So I kept asking in between for snacks etc. BIL was nice to buy some snacks for me. Then in the end, they served dinner. Fettucine, which I thought YES LA! But then when I opened, I went, surely not enough one. So I asked for RICE, nasi lemak, briyani, anything la! Then it was sold out. But the attendants were kind enough to go search for a packet of rice for me. But came back with...tadaaaaaa...another pack of fetuccine! So, BIL was kind enough to swap his nasi lemak with my extra pack of fetuccine. The attendants were really kind. The male attendant went, cari lah nasi untuk dia. Dia dah lama tunggu makan. Kesian tau...And then there was some "dispute" between him and another female attendant, who kept wanting to serve me. I could hear, you nak serve dia? you nak serve? HMMMMMM...I wonder why...Hehehe. Well, I would say that AA's service has indeed improved by leaps and bounds. So much better than the other that proclaims to win so many awards for hospitality! And they're getting prettier as well. The attendants were really pretty on the flight. Aiyah, don't ask BIL la, he just got married so of course he'll say his usual "Pretty meh? SO SO only la". If he says otherwise, ah kena la...

Arrival at the airport was OK. Not too long a line. I got asked questions like what's your purpose of visit. By the way, I made a new passport to replace my "terrorist looking photo" passport just in case I get denied entry! Another 4-5 questions and I was in ENGLAND! Upon arrival at the customs, it seemed rather relaxed la. I saw a couple "ta pao-ing" their nasi lemak from the plane. But I'm not sure if they managed to get it past customs. Bought a bottle of wine for Soon Lock for I'll be staying at his place, BUT I dropped the bottle and it kinda damaged the cover. Well I'm not much of a wine fan, but then what the heck la! Hehehe. Later BIL walked me to the train station, and before that I had my first taste of hostility! But, I won't talk bout it la, just that a lady was a bit unfriendly! Then I took the train to Cambridge, along with Ezekiel as well. Hehehe...Arrived and then took a cab, the journey was 8P. I almost went, what's P?! Hahaha. The taximan seemed a bit grumpy at first. But the he said, thank you I think nearly 5 times. So I had to campur campur the you're welcome, cheers mate, no worries...I was hoping for those black taxis, but instead rode in a van! Came to my room and serious knocked out. Till this morning! I was confused! It was around 8-9pm. So I asked BIL, I'm confused, should I be feeling sleepy or hungry for dinner now?!

Around (half) the world in (almost) 80 days

2010-08-01T05:10:00.006+10:00

Tomorrow I will be the furthest away from home as I have ever possibly been. I will be travelling to the University of Cambridge to present a paper. No la, I didn't bribe my way through! Heheheh. I just submitted an abstract, for fun, to test if my work seems good enough for Cambridge standard. They said they'll reply in 2 weeks. I received mine in a few days! Hehehehe. Seems strange that I'm studying transnationalism for my thesis. I've been from Australia to Malaysia to Singapore to Malaysia now to UK and soon to another destination that shall be revealed in good time! So it's going to be moving across at least 3 different time zones and 3 different continents!

It's 3.10am now, and I'm still awake practising my presentation till perfect, well at least almost! It's just a few more hours till my flight. I've already done the webcheckin on Fri afternoon! Hahahaha. I checked the list of presenters. Professors! Doctors! And then here comes this Ph.D fella from Malaysia! Aduh, stressnyer! I hope I don't get grilled! It'll be my second conference sine coming back to Malaysia. Singapore's NUS conference was great. In many ways, it has given me a lot of hope, confidence and the bravery to dare to dream again! I have since adapted the motto, "Well, you never know what tomorrow brings! Seriously!"And I've really seen this happening in the past month! Seriously, Cambridge was a surprise. In truth, I'm supposed to be back in Melbourne at this moment! But see what tomorrow has brought me!

And I believe that life has been surprising me at every turn since! I've never laughed so hard for weeks as I had in Singapore. I learnt to love others again, for I learnt that others loved me too. I also realised how great an influence others play in my life, and I accept this positively by only being positive back towards them! Oh well, a lot has happened since, I got hurt and burned real badly, but I'm leaving it where it belongs, in the past! I've moved on la and I once wrote before, I'm a Leo and a Rooster, when I go down, I go down kicking and fighting till the end. And then I come up again. Even bigger and better! I live with no regrets and I don't regret whatever decision that I've made! Strangely, life seems bigger, better, more satisfying and more joyous eversince!

Well, it's been awhile since I've last written on this blog. It's also partly because I am not far from home at the moment, hence the silence! Yes, I am in Malaysia! But tomorrow my journey starts again, I'm just feeling so darn excited! I shall start trying to speak in a Brit accent-LAH! Hahahaha. I'm not sure if I have any pics of me at the moment. I'll try to "steal" some from FB.

"Right, this seems to be the most "professional" looking pic I've ever taken in my life la! I think!"

"Well, nobody told me to wear red ma! Hehehehe...The second newest edition to the family, Bryan Kua. Well, he's got a little sis now!"

"It was really nice meeting up with these ex-students, and Dr. Ooi P. Ramlee. Of course I remember all your names la. You'd really want me to name you here online?! Hehehe. Yalar, I know that I don't always, not it should be, always don't remember people's name on the first meeting, but when I remember, I never forget! Visiting Penang was great and made even greater when so many friends were inviting me for meals and above all, treating me! Yummmmmmmmmmmmm. Strangely enough, I didn't have one single bite of hawker food! Hahahahaha"

Next stop, Cambridge!!! I'll of course make a trip to this place...and sing out GLORY GLORY MAN UNITEDDDDDDDDDDD!!! (Eventhough there's no match going on at the moment and the squad's not even there! Hehehe)

This Facility Cannot Accept: Dirt

2010-05-25T19:48:00.006+10:00

My emo song. Been listening to this song for more than ten years when I'm feeling down and out. EH, men also can feel sad what, ex-lecturers also can feel sad what, Ph.D students also can feel sad what. So what's bothering me, I'd rather not say la. Everything seems to go south but as always, let me put on a huge smile and spread it around. Adrian Matthews said, that's exactly what a clown is. Am listening to the song now. I don't know how to upload a video here, actually more of not really bothered to. So here are the lyrics:

Down in a hole, by Alice In Chains

Bury me softly in this womb

I give this part of me for you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers
In a tomb...in bloom

Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
You don't understand who they
Thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now a man
Who wont let himself be

Down in a hole, feelin so small
Down in a hole, losin my soul
Id like to fly,
But my wings have been so denied

Down in a hole and they've put all
The stones in their place
Ive eaten the sun so my tongue
Has been burned of the taste
I have been guilty
Of kicking myself in the teeth
I will speak no more
Of my feelings beneath

Down in a hole, feelin so small
Down in a hole, losin my soul
Id like to fly but my
Wings have been so denied

Bury me softly in this womb
Oh I want to be inside of you
I give this part of me for you
Oh I want to be inside of you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers (oh I want to be inside of you)
In a tomb...in bloom
Oh I want to be inside...

Down in a hole, feelin so small
Down in a hole, losin my soul
Down in a hole, feelin so small
Down in a hole, outta control
Id like to fly but my
Wings have been so denied

Usually I feel better after listening it around 15-20 times. Hehehehehe. I'm at the first go. Anyway, I prefer the unplugged version.

Layne Staley, R.I.P.

Maydays

2010-05-19T21:07:00.002+10:00

Very:
Busy
Injured
Cold
Underslept
Overworked
Stressed
Tired
Spiritual
Loved
Happy

=)

School

2010-04-20T11:51:00.003+10:00

I have no idea why I'm writing this blog for. It all started because I was using a pencil sharpener. Then I had this thought, how many of us, today, actually still uses one of these? Plus it's been ages since I've actually used one. Well, most of us have adopted the pen for work. And I guess amongst all my friends, as in the ones I have grown up with, are all basically working already, unlike me who's still studying. Never ending!

Then last night I was talking bout SPM with Missy E. Wahhhhh...turns out, she's secretly a genius. I promised not to say 10 As anymore, so I'll just use Straight As Student from now on. Hehehe...Then I remembered getting my SPM results back then. PLEASE dont ask me how I did! =p And I called Annessa, whom I was very close to back then. She still does remain one of my closest friends till today, one of those friends I can really fall back on! And I asked her today bout that call, and she says she still remembers it!

Yesterday Navin, a friend from school posted up an old photograph of us when we were 17-18. My goodness, how time has flown by! Looking at these pics just brings me into another "dimension"! That's basically more than 10 years ago! Let me try to download that pic so that I can post it here. Of course, all credit goes to Navin for it's his pic! How time has passed and how things have changed. Looking at the pic, I think I've lost contact with almost half of my friends in it! But, thanks to Facebook, I've managed to keep in touch with a few. It'll be really nice if I could have a few of the photographs I had taken in my school days. I've actually lost a lot of pics when I moved to Penang, and then there was the termites in my old house in Seremban. I feel that a huge part of my life has just gone missing! I guess all of us are pretty much doing well these days. A big part of it has come from the friends who we have mixed with, how they have shaped us to become who we are today. Plus, not forgetting our teachers, whom we terrorised and were terrorised by! I guess in the end we all grew to love one another, I think! But the only thing that comes to mind when I look at this pics is: FOOTBALL!!!

"Yesteryears. Our class teacher, Mrs. V. Sam isn't in this pic. Many thanks to her too for "disciplining" and guiding us!"

"The skinny days! Let's see: Seated bottom row, from left, Roeshan who now has 2 beautiful daughters, then it's that crazy PhD fella in the centre, so skinny then. Ken Soon whom I believe is working in Seremban running a successful business.
2nd row, Jared, who's now in Adelaide, Dennis (in blue shirt), who's in KL and also has a daughter. Sunil (in MU Jersey) who I believe is now in the UK and Stanley who's an engineer working in a big firm in Cyberjaya.
Backrow, Timmy, who's successfully running Live and Inspire, Navin, who's doing well in KL, Soon Lock I believe is in the UK and Adelphy Papini Peter who I believe is doing well in JB!" Speaking bout football, I believe that this is a picutre the class team that played in many games when we were in Form 4 and 5!"

Ph.D(ed)

2010-04-13T11:02:00.004+10:00

Is the abbreviation PHD short for PsycHoeD? Hehehe. We've always been "bashed" by the Permanent Head Damage, uhhhh... tease? Add in Pretty Heavy Drinker also la. Hehehehe. After all that endless hours of researching, studying, writing, reading, typing, drinking, absorbing, depression-ing, procrastinating, PRAYING, eating, starving, table and computer keyboard bashing, Facebooking, MSN-ing, Mafia Wars-ing, hey after all I'm still human right?! RIGHT?!!! Hehehehe. Oh yeah, I left out cursing in the long list of what PhD people do. Hehehehe.Strangely I still haven't spent any time crying over the stress of doing this thesis. Luckily. Well, I just hope that it'll be all worth it in the end. Strangely, I'm listening to Korn's A.D.I.D.A.S as I have this thought: I would say the PhD's mind goes, A.D.I.D.A.S, All Day I Dream About STUDYING! Sigh, what were you thinking? Hehehe. True enough, I've had dreams whereby I'm actually generating thoughts and ideas related to my thesis! Sometimes I wake up with some ideas in the middle of the night and quickly write them down! Ph.D(ed)! Speaking of adidas, I just suddenly miss my black jacket ='( Still missing my black adidas Jacket...sigh...Oh black jacket, where art thou?

"Myself climbing out from the PhD prison to escape this needless endless mindless torture. Hehehe...No la, it was my second visit to Puffing Billy. I was trying to climb onto the window rail. This trip will always be remembered as the bestestest, ever. I didn't even know this picture was taken! Hmmmmm...wonder who took this pic? I feel violated!"

Writer's traffic jam

2010-04-07T19:49:00.005+10:00

I am stuck stuck stuck. Trying to write a thousand words but can only think of 680 so far. Hmmmm....how nice if writing the Ph.D thesis was like writing this blog. I can go on and on and on and then post pictures some more! Hehehe. I've been writing for almost 12 hours now and can only come up with 680 words. Hmmmmmm...kinda sad I guess. Sometimes the days are just like that, sometimes I can write on and on and on for my thesis. Oh well, good days and bad days la. When is the weekend going to come? I am really really really looking forward to the weekend. How I wish the weekend consisted of 5 days and the weekdays consisted of 2!

OH YEAH, today I made Claypot Chicken Rice. Or rather, just Pot Chicken Rice. With salted fish of course. I didn't have a claypot so I just used a pot and put it over the stove. And it did have the "burnt" crust of rice. Heheheh. Good luck to whoever's going to wash the pot. Somewhat, I feel it will be me! Hahahaha...Well, was it nice? I think it was OK la. Although my cousin said, Thank you very much, it was very well done. Hmmmmmmmmm....Hahahahaha. No picture la, too lazy to go down and take one, so just imagine la, how a plate of Pot Chicken Rice looks like! Hehehe.

Very rare, or rather almost never, or rather I've never really re-posted someone else's writing. It's probably because I've always got so much to say myself. I think I'd like to start doing that, copying and of course, crediting the original author, because of the person's job well done. Of course recently I found a blog "scolding" me la, hahahahahaha...not the first time anyway, but let that be la. Of course I'm not going to re-post that!

So to begin with, I somewhat "bumped" into this blog, written by an ex-student of mine. It basically sums up very well, how we could always turn a bad situation into a good one. Of course I'd like to add on to it, but I think I'll just leave it as it is for it is very well written. So, I thought I'd like to share it with everyone else, in all its glory, and re-posted in its original PINK colour! Who knows, it might just help someone along the way! Well done Jocelyn Lim Cheng May. Bravo. This is really beautiful!

Finding Positive Out of Negative

by Jocelyn Lim Cheng May

I am grateful.

For the clothes that fit a little snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For the noise I have to bear from my neighbours, because it means that I can hear.

For the bedroom I have to share with my brother, because it means that we are close.

For all the nagging I got from my parents, because it means they care me always.

For the bunch of assignments I have, because it means I am capable of completing them and I am thankful that I can study.

For the curfew that I have to listen to, because it means that it is dangerous to linger on the streets.

For the worries in my mind, because it means I am aware about the things.

For the mistake that I have been made, because it means that I learn it as a lesson.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

Last but not least, for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

p/s: think positive and get less trouble today~ you will find out your day would be happier. C=

14 August

2010-04-06T11:38:00.005+10:00

Just out of curiosity, and taking a break from writing some endless abstract, and waiting for lunch time as well, I searched for 14 August on Facebook. And! Apparently it's Pakistan's independence day. Woohooo! I'm born on the same day as Pakistan! Hahahaha...Now, that's something I really really didn't know. Then I searched on Google. 14 August. It says, the 226th day of the calendar. Similarly, there's a country named Tannu Tuva, later known as Tuvinian People's Republic. Seriously, aren't you a bit curious to just search for Tuvinian People's Republic? OH, and apparently it's now called Tuva Republic. Hmmmmm...And from what I read on Wikipedia, 14 August seemed to be a rather "violent" day. OK, I guess many will go, and...? SO.....? Well, doesn't really matter that much since my birthday is on 31st September. Hehehe...

Interestingly, this weekend I've received word from friends I've not heard from, or heard of names I've not heard of for more than 10 years! Right, and I've also been told things that I've not remembered for maybe a good 10 years as well! Like...believe it or not I was once in the school choir. BUT, I never ever sang one note. Hehehe. Treasurer some more. Hahahaha. I totally forgot about that part of my life. Anyway, it's always good to hear from friends whom we've lost contact with for years! It's also amazing how life brings about unexpected twists and turns. I always try to give people who are down hope by saying, let's see what happens tmrw la, who knows what tomorrow will bring? And true enough, the past few weeks have simply been amazing!

Such as, the last weekend was very very very very very very very very *breathes in* very very very very very very very very incredibly special! So why was it so special ah? Some will go...must have spent it with a girl one laaaaa...WALAWEI! Got meh? EHHHHHHHHHHHH...last weekend was Easter weekend what! Would I not be talking about how grateful I am that Christ died for me (and us) and that He rose again on Easter? Hmmmm....? Errr...dunno... *with pouty lips* Or was it spending time with someone special? Christ is also special to me WEI!...Hahahaha...So what's the answer? Well, up to you....Am I going to give an answer? SEE FIRST! HEH HEH HEH...

"OH, don't bother searching for me on that ferris wheel. I'm not on it. Hehehehe..Just took it last weekend and thought I'd post it for fun, since I love riding on ferris wheels...weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Lost and (NOT) Found

2010-03-24T10:13:00.005+11:00

I kind of miss my jacket already. Hmmmmm...I dropped it on an overcrowded tram while trying to get down yesterday. Feeling kind of sad though. It was one jacket that I really liked a lot. I don't think that I even have a picture of it. Oh yes I do. Hehehe. Well, anyway, yesterday seemed like a really bad day, when things just don't go as well as planned. Just one of those days. BUT, it did end pretty good! I realised that I had dropped it only after I got down from the tram. And when I tried to get onto it again, the tram was already moving. And this guy went,"Hey, you're looking for your jacket? I saw you drop it!" I was like...DUHHHHHHHHHH....Well, no one else is to be blamed but myself. The day ended really sweet, so I'm not gonna let a lost jacket spoil it all! I did call up Yarra Trams a few minutes ago, and they said no jacket found. (AHEM, and someone was supposed to remind me to call Yarra Trams, or was it, I was supposed to remind her, to remind me to call? Hahahaha =P) Oh well, guess someone most probably needs it more than I do!

"Good times with my jacket. Guess it'll be keeping someone else warm now!"

Pram on a Tram

2010-03-12T06:53:00.003+11:00

Yesterday I met Hailey. Yesterday for a short moment I felt young again. Meeting her had made me feel all so young again. I met her on the tram on my way to the city. She was the most gorgeous, beautiful, adorable looking girl. There she sat, a few steps away from me. So I told her, "You are way too gorgeous", and she smiled, she laughed, she giggled, and stared blankly into space. What's on her mind, I wondered. The journey was made better with her in the tram. The long dreaded journey that I usually wish were to end soon, I wish would never come to an end. I wished it would not end today. Nothing could spoil my day I thought. And nothing could. And then I met her mom. She made my day even better. In fact, her mom made me feel even younger..Hahahahaha....OK, before this goes too deep, Hailey is a 3 year old little girl sitting in a pram, on a tram la. Hahahaha. By the way, Pei Joo is here in Melbourne with her friend Diane. SO, we were on the tram playing with little baby Hailey. We were teasing her and all la. AND, I helped her mom carry the pram up and down the tram. Then her mom said, Hailey, say goodbye to KOR KOR...(YES! KOR KOR, not UNCLE! Yea, we were also pretty shocked her mom said KOR KOR, cos she was an Aussie. Well, muticultural Melbourne!). Thus, yesterday, I am young once more! Hahahahaha. So, tell me, what was REALLY on your mind eh?! Got mom somemore! See the title laaaaaaaa...Hahahaha

"Anyway, I don't have a picture of baby Hailey, so in the spirit of feeling young again, this is one of the rides in the Moomba I had attended on Monday. NOTTHATHIGHANYWAY! Hahahahaha"

The Acrophobic

2010-03-06T10:15:00.014+11:00

Yes that's me. No, it's not some pervertic condition or anything. Hahahaha. Acrophobia, or simply, having a fear of heights or high places. Yes, I do admit that I have an extreme fear of heights. I remember being at Lakes Entrance, and was standing on the pier, and I went, GUYS WHY IS THE PIER MOVING?! And someone replied, aiyah, even if you were to drop down, it's only until your waist la. BUT STILL?!! So I had to sit down. Another time I was in Penang Hill. AND, of course, there had to be a suspension bridge in the middle of nowhere. And of course, I had to pass it. Hahaha. So, to make matters worse, this bridge has 4 levels, as in you have to pass through 4 bridges to reach the end. Nevermind, it only falls down into a jungle. Somehow I think the branches MIGHT break my fall, OR I break some trees on the way down. AND, to make matters even worse, there were these (OK, I still remember this is a clean blog with no vulgrarity) HANTUS, hahahahah...who were not only shaking the bloody thing, but hopping and jumping on it as well! Aiyoh, never again man! Last I heard, they had closed the bridge. Hmmmm....BUT, I love flying! I guess having the fear of heights and having a fear of flying are 2 different things, but can sometimes can come in a combo of having fear of heights, space and flying. Well, somehow, I just have one la. So that's fear number 1. Fear number 2 is of course a fear of girls la. Hahahahaha, if such a condition does exist! So, I'm so afraid of heights, when I drive up the ledges of Genting Highlands or even Balik Pulau, I'm like "DONTLOOKDOWNDONTLOOKDOWNDONTLOOKDOWN".

What's more I used to live in apartments for the better part of my days while I was working in Penang. Oh, the horror of looking down the balcony. That's why my units were never above ten floors. I think the highest one I had was on the elevent floor. But I did enjoy hanging out by the balcony over the weekends because the balcony overlooked the pool and on weekends the pool was always filled with....uh.....water(?)(!) Hahahaha...Hmmmmmm....SO anyway, I having an advanced condition of incurable and chronic acrophobia had the ingenius idea of climbing up (not literally la, there was a lift) 88 floors or 300 metres or 984 ft above sea level of the Eureka Tower.

"So there it is. Towering in the Southern Hemisphere. Scared? Who? Me?! Hahahahaha...So far away la, no worries la!"

"OK, you have to admit that this looks intimidating right?! RIGHT?!"

"What are they smiling about?! 88 FLOORS you know?! So here, my steps became smaller steps, and my steps became slower steps....HOPING, that when we try to buy tickets, the girl at the counter goes, SORRY, WE'RE CLOSED =p"

SO! What happened next?! Did I pass out from fear? Did I chicken out?! Did my legs turn jello?! YES ALL OF THE ABOVE! Hahahaha...no la, I didn't faint la. I did of course feel a little afraid, eh 2 feet high pier also gives me the chills d, what more NINEHUNDREDEIGHTYFOUR feet! Hahaha...OK, so at the side of the counter was written, NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE WITH FEAR OF HEIGHTS. I wished they could've issued me a with a ban or something. So what was I so afraid of? It's just gonna be in a building 88 floors high right? NO! I had the other ingenius plan of stepping onto this thing called "The Edge", whereby it's a glass platform that protrudes out from the building, hence, The Edge. RIGHT. And I wonder why humans actually pay good money to scare themselves.

"Yes, I survived! I guess a picture paints a thousand words! So I didn't chicken out after all. Just don't look down la!"

Best thing was the experience. YES, I admit I was soooooooo scared inside that 'thing'. Hahahahaha...but since I deserve the right to brag....Hahahaha...OK la I won't la. I'm pretty sure Grace, who was with me could see how terrified I was and also Missy E who was on the phone with me. I think she must've thought that I was having a panic attack or something! But in her words, I was "Funny and Entertaining". Hmmmmmm....HMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Hahahaha. And there was this little girl that was walking here and there, as if she was having an afternoon stroll in the park! No la, I wasn't hallucinating la. She's just not in the picture la!

So, below are just some of the other pics I had taken from the highest point in the city. I must apologise for these pictures are a bit blurry...The conditions were really bad for photography, strong winds kept shaking my camera even though I had it on tripod. Plus there was a metal fencing that made it difficult to take the pics. OK la, enough of excuses la. Amateur! Hehehe. So, I decided not to edit these pics so that they can be seen in their original 'glory'.

"The Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG closer up"

"Melbourne Park and MCG"

"Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang!"

"The Central Business District"

"The CBD closer up"

"The Yarra River"

"I don't remember where this is, but I think it was towards Port Melbourne?"

"The intersections of Flinders St. and Swanton St."

"The corner of "The Edge" on the right hand corner. Somewhat I had forgotten to take a picture of it coming out"

"Somewhere in Melbourne"

"The Arts Centre"

"The Arts Centre, a little more upclose"

" I dunno where this is...some curvey freeways?"

"More curvey freeways"

"This picture is dedicated to Nicholas Chong. Hahahahaha. Taken from behind a glass window, so there's a little glare"

"Somewhere else in Melbourne. I think also taken from behind the glass window"

"Crown Casino. Also with the glare"

I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, but, I'm still alive
Yeah I, ooh, I'm still alive
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

"Alive" - Pearl Jam

Let's love life! Let's live to love - Adrian Lee! Hahahaha..Copyright, ahem.

The Sound of Red Silence

2010-03-01T10:27:00.007+11:00

Well well well...the silence that befalls my ears is just too deafening. Hahahaha. OK, I'm not going to taunt the Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal fans about MU winning the Carling Cup aka League Cup, as it was known to those born of my generation. Of course, I'm pretty sure that these opposing supporters will be flooding Facebook and whereever else they can, writing about MU's defeat in the finals, should MU have lost. NO HOLDS BARRED. NO PUNCHES HELD. Straight taunting. They will go all out.

But, in the style of Adrian Lee, I shall just simply wear my MU jersey out to the city today, proudly. No matter what, whether they win or lose, I'll still wear it out. And, unofficially, it draws for interesting confrontations. Many times, when crossing the street, someone will come up to me and ask "So did they win last night?!" and I'd be surprised there are many Australian Manchester United supporters! Or, suddenly people will start cheering when I walk pass! Hahahaha. Actually, they're cheering at the jersey that I'm wearing la, of course! AND, when MU lost to Everton last week, I had to walk face on with someone wearing wearing an Everton jersey. I could see his face wanting to taunt, but then I think he couldn't think of anything to say! Hahahaha...but I did once have a funny argument with this Chelsea supporter some time back right in Swanston Street.

Hahahaha. I'm actually trying to collect all the MU jerseys from the 90s till today, irregardless if they're brand new or used. Yalar, being the poor kid I was, I could never afford one of those RM200 jerseys then. Still am poor though....and ironically still a student! Hehehehe. So, I'm trying to track down as many as I can for my own personal collection, to relive the glorious days of Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel (my personal boyhood hero!), Ryan Giggs (still going stronger than ever), Gary and Phillip Neville, David Beckham, Andy Cole, (let me see how many I can recall), Andrei Kanchelskis, Nicky Butt, Jaap Stam, Dwight Yorke, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Bryan Robson, Lee Sharpe, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Ronnie Johnsen and who can ever forget, Mr. Reliable, Denis Irwin! OHHHHH...the 'guvner' Paul Ince! Hahaha. Mark Hughes, and I loved to watch Keith Gillespie. Just too bad he was at MU for a short period. The night/morning of the Champions League Finals when they won the treble is so fresh, in my mind it was as if it happened this morning! I was uhhh...17 then? I still remember staying up the late nights, or early mornings. Surprisingly, we never woke the neighbours...I think...well we never saw any cop cars coming up to our houses! Hehehe

OK, so the laughters are back. I hope that they last. Well, as I've mentioned last, it's a roller coaster. Up and down, up and down. So when it goes up, it will go down, and when it goes down, it will go up! It was a pretty good weekend, now made better with this victory. Anyhow, I was once asked, why are we on earth? What is the purpose of us being on earth? And not from a religious perspective...So the only answer I can think of is that, we're all part of a network of people, no la not the Matrix la. So, we're all one part of one big network, and we all support one another through life. Yeah, the week was indeed very difficult last week. But, many people were there to support me. And, I must say that I do owe a very big thanks to a certain friend for helping me get through my difficult times! Of course, this person admitted to not reading my blog, so I'll have to thank the person personally! Hehehe.

So, here's to a great week ahead! Now, I'm fully refreshed and fully geared for the week! Now for the fight to retain the Premier League! And as always, Glory Glory Man United!

"Uhhhh...who are these again ah?! Christiano who?! Carlos who?! There's only one Ronaldo, and he's from Brazil! And they said we will not win anything without them...Then I wonder...

"What they're celebrating about then? Hehehehe"

Rewind, restart, reset

2010-02-24T16:49:00.004+11:00

If only things in life were that simple. We don't like something, rewind. We go through a bad phase, restart. Well, technically, yes it does work as such, but does it really? The lack of blog entries recently indicates the lack of interesting events in my life, or was it? Today, I begin working once again after taking a bit of a break, or was it? Am still currently down with a bad cough and flu, or am I still? Hahahaha...Ok, I'm going to stop questioning myself. I guess it's still not too late for a wish of Happy CNY to all out there. I'm not sure which Chor it is today? I believe, maybe Chor 11 la. I've stopped counting since the 2nd day already! Anyhow, with the new year comes a new beginning, new hopes, new happiness, new purpose, new directions, new clothes, new this and new that. So, basically, being a Chinese means we celebrate the new year twice, one on the 1st of Jan and the other, whenever the Chinese New Year is. So, do we make CNY resolutions as well? Hehehe. Speaking of those, I seem to be unable to keep to one, that is trying to be happy all the time. No worries mentality and attitude. I guess life is as such, one big roller coaster ride. As of now, I'm not too sure if I'm on the high end or the low end of it. Hmmmmmmmm...oh well, at least I am sticking to my one resolution of snapping pictures, editing them and posting them within 1 week!

The year of the tiger is supposedly a good year for me. But, things don't seem to be looking upwards for me. Anyway, before I start adding in a dash of emotions, a pinch of sadness and a trickle of frustrations, sadly, I've experienced the worst CNY this year. Well, while trying to be an optimist, there still are 4 remaining days for the CNY, hoping that things might turn around. Anyhow, I don't want to sound like a teenage boy throwing tantrums by writing emotionally online. I'm not going to write what I'm actually going through at the moment, I don't want to seem emotionally unstable nor offend anyone with what I might write. Plus, I don't really have the mood to write nor do I have any ideas on what to write. Well, there's always a first time. A first time a cheong hei writer suddenly has nothing to write at all. The easiest way of summing up the past few weeks of my life is "everything is out the window". Is there a reset button I can press? However, it is somewhat good to be picked up by friends who try to encourage you to move on. So, Happy and Blessed Gong Xi Fatt Chai to all out there!

Dont really wanna post a pic of myself. So here's an angpow for everyone...

Winter in Summer

2010-01-17T20:21:00.003+11:00

I know it sounds like some Korean soap opera/drama, but that basically sums up the weather in Melbourne. It is said that you can experience 4 seasons in one day, which is, it's freezing in the morning (winter), around 10 degrees, then in the afternoon it's 35 degrees (summer), then it suddenly rains in the evening (spring) and then the weather cools down at night (autumn). Hmmmm...a few days ago we had a top of 35 or was it 38, then the next day there was hail! And the weather went down to around 20 the next day. I do love it when the temp is around 20 degrees. Perfect.

Oh yeah, yesterday, I managed to survive playing basketball, THEN playing street soccer, both in the same day! Hahahaha...it's the first of many more to come! First it was 3 on 3 basketball, which of course I have no idea how to play, just pass the ball to secret basketball player Bernice and she will score a point. Hahahaha. All I did was just apply pressure on the other players, to "throw them off focus". Hehehe. Then, we decided to play a little 3 a side. My goodness, I still can run wei! Hahahahahaha. Miraculously I didn't have a heart attack, but after not playing for years, I could still run! Woooohoooo! Hehehehe...ok la, just wanted to brag a bit. I miss playing FOOTBALL so much. I don't like saying soccer. It's football laaaaaaaaa!

I still remember playing since I was 7 or 8, and got hooked on it eversince. Of course the best footballing days were when I was still in school. Where we could play in our school uniform for hours under the scorching sun, just fold up our pants and we're ready to go. Most of us wore 'Pallas Jazz' shoes, whether it was white or black. It seemed to be the 'officially cool' school shoes back then. And perfect for football too! And there'll be that one hole where we'd use the shoe to kick the ball! We also always wore an extra t-shirt inside, JUST IN CASE, we had a free period. And when there's a free period, please look for us in the field! I can imagine how smelly we were then! And we'll all crowd under the fan to cool down, with shirts buttoned down to the belly. Hahahahha. Then, continue with our classes. No showers in between! Oh man, I'm really missing those days. And that was like, yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarsss ago! And I still remember it as if it was just yesterday. Best were those, unofficial friendly matches of class vs class, or form vs form. Oh man, I miss them so much!

Gosh, I don't miss school, but I miss my friends from school so much. Being far hasn't really helped, but I really loved it when they came over to visit. Man, I'd love to have a pint with anyone from school right now! I can go on for hours and pages and pages, just talking bout memories from playing football itself! I wonder if my son will take after me? Hehehehe...But it's nice having friends from back home. It's strange though that I have 2 ex students here in OZ. But it's really nice having them around. I have Chef Paul Liew in Sydney and Cik Datin Forever 21 here in Melbourne with me. Hehehehe.

Anyway, I saw something comical in the city yesterday. There's this thing called a "hook turn", whereby cars, bikes and trucks need to stop at the left side of the road and wait, before turning to the right, to avoid blocking the trams. So normally, I'll see cars, bikes and trucks la, the usual. Yesterday, I saw a horse carriage doing a hook turn. Hahahahahha. That was funny! Kereta kuda pun kena!

This week, I had this for dinner. It started on Sunday, then carried on the entire week!

Sunday - Steak
Monday - Steak
Tuesday - Steak
Wednesday - Steak
Thursday - Steak
Friday - Steak
Saturday - Steak

Hahahha. Official steak week. Today no more la. Since I was in charge of making dinner today, and the menu was already fixed, so I just cooked whatever there was la. I dont know if I could've survived another day of steak, but to me I don't mind! I love meat! I love beef! I love steak! Hehehehe...Well, just in case there's nothing for dinner, I have a t shirt, that says Beer, that's what's for dinner! I don't mind, not at all. Hehehehe.

From the left: The one formerly known as 'sir' with Cik Datin Forever 21 during her birthday celebrations!

Rusty Cage

2010-01-05T22:19:00.008+11:00

So rusty. Feeling so rusty. After weeks of holidaying (with some work shoved in between) I am back to my research again! Well, everyone needs a break. That's what being in Australia is all about. Take it easy mate! I've learnt so much about life since being here. To stand up for your rights. How taking a break is so important sometimes. The need to travel. To love food. I've always loved eating. Heard of the double chin? I think I've got the triple chin! Hahahahah. Anthony Bourdain has also taught me how to love food. I KNOW, some people get annoyed when I to go, THIS IS SO GOOD, like Bourdain. But then, praise is given when praise is due right? And why not enjoy the food? Take your time to eat a dish. Savour it. Taste every flavour there is. Instead of gulping down everything in one go! I love praising other people's cooking. But somehow, I always feel my cooking is never good, dunno why! Even when people go this is delicious plus the usual, you should become a chef la, open your own restaurant etc, I still feel, nah not that nice also! Hehehe.

OK, so I think one of my new year's resolution is to love life. And to love life, I need to take it easy. And to take it easy I need to control my thoughts, temper etc. Sometimes somethings are not worth getting upset over. Sometimes some fights are just not worth fighting. Sometimes we just gotta know when to take one step back. In the end, life is so short la right? In the end, it's God we should fear. I love Yasmin Ahmad's quote. "I fear no one but God." I'm sticking by that' It's such a bold and brave statement, yet so full of truth. If only more of us will think that way. It seems surreal reading back on her e mail and also seeing her e mail address. Reminds me on how fragile life is. One minute you can be the most powerful person in the world, the next minute, you can be gone! I am sure you are in a better place. Always praying for you Yasmin! You're always in my prayers! So, let's love life!

Secondly, I wanna make sure that I take more pics, edit them and post them within the same day, or within the same week! That explains the tonnes of pics I have uploaded on FB! I have lost tonnes of pics when I had reformatted my laptop, stupid virus. I thought I had transferred out the pics but apparently I didnt. Hence I also bought a 1TB HDD to save my pics already. Hehehe.

Thirdly, laugh more, smile more, be happy more! Most importantly, do it sincerely and with humility! Less worries! Sometimes, worry for what?! No worries mate! Be yourself and enjoy life!

Alright, so here's cheers to the 5th successful day of 2010! Here are some dishes I had whipped out for my cousin's bday a few days ago. Labour of love man. Hours in the kitchen over the hot stove. In a summer afternoon!

1st in line, my fried rice. With lap cheong, peas and eggs. OK LA, nothing fancy la. Hehehehe.

2nd in line. Fried bihun, Again, nothing fancy la. Hehehe.

3rd in line was a crowd pleaser. Tom Yam bihun. I didnt get to taste it though, But I was told it's nice and was asked for the recipe. Hehehe. Oh and it was topped with red chillis later. Hehehe.

4th in line. My maggi goreng. I saw someone ta pao it home. Enough said. hehehehe. And yes I noticed all the same garnish! Hahahahahaha!

OK. There's supposed to be a 5th dish. My mun yee mee. Which was what I described as my star dish. BUT, amatuer photographer I am, the pic didnt come out in focus. But you can see it here, as I humbly sit with my food. Heheheh. Its the middle dish, with a lot of dark sauce and topped with spring onions. Star dish la, so had to sit in the centre. Hehehe. I love cooking hawker dishes. Hokkien Noodles, Char Hor Fun, Mun Yee Mee, Fishball Noodles. Next I'm experimenting with KFC's chicken! Will let you know!

My 6th Uncle trying to steal my thunder/bask in my glory/share my limelight. No la just kidding. He did help too! We went grocery shopping together. Only the freshest ingredients!

This yam/taro rice I made for NYE's potluck. Topped with fried shallots, spring onions and deep fried shrimps. Oh, there were bits of chicken inside too. Hehehe.

Now this delicioiusly looking and tasting bakuteh was fortunately not made by me but by Bernice. It was really good! Lotsa garlic. Well done! I'm posting it since the rice had to go with a partner ma! Hehehe

Happy 2010

2010-01-02T00:26:00.003+11:00

Technically it's still 1st January 2010 in Malaysia. So I can still send out a New Year's wish to all! I'm so tired. So many potlucks this time. Just came home from cooking a feast for my cousin's belated birthday. Too tired to write much anyway. Technically, I had already lost 1 day of 2010. I thought today is Saturday, and was prepared to wake up early to go for Sunday mass! Hahahahha....it's only Friday! I've really lost track of time since going to Lakes Entrance. That means it was a good holiday, since I've managed to leave all the cares of the world behind! So, leave all the unhappiness, sadness, grief, mistakes, negativity, hatred etc in 2009 and look forward to a better and blessed year ahead!

Sooooooooooooo.......(sorry I can't think of anything to say from 10, so let's just start the countdown from 6! Hahahahaha)......

6 hours preparation and cooking time (to cook)
5 dishes for my cousin's birthday dinner (after only having)
4 hours of sleep (cos we were too busy counting down the night before and not worrying about the final)
3 chapters to complete in my PhD (while)
2 years passed in 2 days and
1 happy happy happy birthday girl celebrated her birthday on this New Year's Day...

HAPPY

In case you didnt notice, we're putting the hand signals to symbolise 2010...Hahahaha...OK, I'm having a severe lack of sleep. Almost 5 hours in 24 hours daily in 7 days! Good night, have a happy and blessed 2010 and God Bless!

Merry FATT CHAI!

2009-12-25T23:17:00.005+11:00

I know it's already really late and there's only 46 mins left for Xmas. Still, it's still 46 mins left of Xmas goodness! Today, Mass was really good. Really transnational. For a while, I just wonder where I really was! A choir sung by Sudanese in Sudanese, a Catholic priest from Vietnam, Fr Thinh, I read the first reading (haven't spoken in front of so many ppl for such a long time...brrrrrr) and then Matthew read the Second, he's from NZ and born in HK. And we were all in a church in Melbourne! I do believe that we also had Fr Kim, whom I believe by name is from Korea. And this message will be read by so many people from so many different countries! Last nite, at Xmas eve dinner, I had peking duck, pohpia and friend bihun, prawn crackers, A&W rootbeer and YEE SANG!

Today, for Xmas lunch, we had a lot of Vietnamese food, and all sorts of delicious cakes and desserts from all over. And for dinner, I had curry laksa and steamboat! Seemed very much like Chinese New Year as compared to Xmas! But, the presents were all truly special these year! So truly, multi-culturally, Melbourne is soooooo diverse!

It's strange how Xmas has become all so commercialised. We hear of people not liking Christians and condemming Christ, but then when it comes to Xmas everyone shouts out Merry Xmas like there's no tmrw. Well, a simple Xmas prayer from me wouldn't be about having world peace. Rather, I feel that we should pray for the forgiveness of sins and repentance from sins. Also, we always say, let's think of the less fortunate. Well, today I believe I want to remember all who are not with us anymore. I believe that we should pray for them every mass that we attend to. I do have a list of those I pray for, my paternal great grandfather, paternal great grandmother, paternal grandfather, maternal grandfather, Clementine Sta Maria, Yasmin Ahmad, Jules' dad and Gary's dad.

So, wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

At my Uncle Tai Chye's and A. Lily's place. With Andrew, champion Wii player and Kitty, Alice and Anita. Beautiful Xmas tree. Check out my Xmas-mafia wars-the untouchables-Vito Corleone-Michael Corleone-gangster-pimp daddy-Justin T hat!

Celebrity Lookalikes

2009-12-21T09:24:00.010+11:00

Once upon a time, I was once told that I looked like this guy from F4. OK before you go belching away, again, SOMEONE ELSE SAID IT. It was not like I looked into the mirror and went, oh I look like him! I have no idea who he is, where he is from, what he does or even what F4 is! Me thinks and me just knows it's some sort of Asian boy band (either Korean or Taiwan, or is it Japanese?) Hehehehe. I think his name is Vaness (male version of Vanessa?).

OK, please stop the protesting already. Hehehe. I think it was when I had the same hair length as he did once upon a time, so OK, maybe we had the same hairstyle! And never in a billion years will I ever pose for a photograph like that, nothing wrong with it, just not my style! OK, this one I too agree, is not my celebrity lookalike.

Then most recently I was told that I was once resembling this guy. I have no idea who he is, where he is from, what he does or even what Dawson's Creek is, or is it Orange County? Me thinks and me just knows it's some sort of teen drama series. Hehehe. Well, I'm more of the 24, Prison Break kinda guy...get the hint? Apanama...oh Joshua Jackson!

Resemblance? Hmmmmmmm....firstly I don't have cup like that...THE WHITE MUG! Then I don't have the stubs on his chin. Hairstyle also different. AGAIN, someone said it, not I!

OK, going down the years, this is my most recent celebirty lookalike. Jason Segel. This guy I KNOW and at times I do think that we are pretty similar in terms of size (someone said you're just as wide as him...HELLO! I'm not a door! hehehe), then in terms of character and attitude and how he portrays himself in films, very especially in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Oh, sorry, PhD thesis says movie titles must be in italics, let me fix that...Forgetting Sarah Marshall. That's better. Hehehe. Well, of cos, I don't have the John Rambo/Capt Ben Willard war face paint and combat knife. Hehehehe.

Now I hear there's some famous guy named Wang Lee Hom....HEHEHEHHE...

Room 617

2009-12-04T16:46:00.013+11:00

Oh no la, the number isn't about some ghost film or ghost story or anything la. Hehehehe. More of that in a while. Firstly, something really funny I received via e mail. Don't know the source though, but it got me laughing. Read this with visualisations! No la, it's a CLEAN JOKE! Hehehehe...

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said,

'Jesus knows you're here.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.

When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard

'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice.

Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.

'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that Jesus is watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The same people who named their Rottweiler Jesus.'

Ok, hope that wasn't some form of Blasphemy! Hehehe.

Well, I finally got an office in uni. Yup, hence the number 617! Well, to a certain extent, it's a pretty old school office. One desk that seriously looks older than I am and shelves which go way back too I believe. It's nice to try and think of the people who have sat in this chair before and how much they've achived and where they are now...yawn....hehehehe

Yeah, I'm also yawning because I've just had a bit too much too drink. 6 drinks and I'm still standing. Of course since it's only 3 beers, 1 glass of champange and 2 fruit juices! Hehehe. There's a BBQ organised by the SCC, still is going on actually and I can hear the music really blasting away. Hehehe. Oh well, thought I'd prefer to come back to the office and blog. Hehehe. Plus it's really cold outside. Dunno la, summer and its still freezing! Well better than being soooooooooooo hot la.

OK la, let the pictures explain itself la! Hehehe...Oh yeah, before I forget, I saw something really cool today while I was walking to Uni. Check it out!

There's this place called Hard Rock which is a place for wall climbing. Now, the cool thing bout this pic is that if you look closely enough at the building behind, you can see a few men actually cleaning the windows of the building! Now, no lifts and just harnesses! How cool is that? And, right smack on top of the wall climbing place some more!

Here's a closer look! In this pic, cant see the wires somemore! Damn terror man! Hehehe...NO LA, I didnt edit out the wires la!

OK, after the opening ceremony of my office, with a lion dance and suckling piglet (sorry Elaine!) heheheh...it was ceremoniously officiated at around, damn I forgot to see the time la! Hahahaha. Lai det fooong sui no goot d! Hahahaha. Luckily today isn't Friday the 13th anyway! Hehehe. So, welcome to Room 617, West Tower, John Medly Building, Melbourne University!

Best thing was, I thought it was room 607. So of course this PhD "genius" went to 607, put in the key and turned. Luckily I didnt kick the door out of frustration. THEN REALISED, oh 617 laaaa!

Yup, the first thing you would see is my table! OK LA! and chair and a small table lamp and an extension cord....:P Most of the stuff don't belong to me, but to Tom, my office mate who I

OK, I'll try to turn on this air conditioning unit, check out the sophisticated buttons and diagrams! Hahahah...seriously, I was like lost for a while. Aiyah, I'm not an engineer ma! Hehehe

So this is how the "naked" table looks like. My old office table in Han Chiang was as naked as this when I first started work. Wonder what it'll look like in 20 months time? Hehehe. If you can see, the table is "terkepited" already to the side of the wall. And the "guest" chair is also stuck inside there! So...what's it trying to say?! Hehehehe

Hmmmmmmmm...what's this behind the door?! Just in case la, still somehow room 617 is not listed there! Hahahahah...where to run where to run?!!

Aiyah have a seat la. No need to be so hak hei one. Hehehehehehe. Check it out! I even have a phone! Although I doubt if I'll even once use it!

Itchy fingers dying to test if this works?! Hehehehehe

Self-explanatory! Although I have no idea what the blue thingy is! hahahaha....There's even a radiator at the side if you can see it! No idea if it works or how it works! Now if you'll kindly stand up and look out the window...

Best view of the uni! Money can't buy...ok la. A bit too exaggerated la! Hehehe. But still a really nice view! That's the south lawn and clock tower.

OKLA, I'm really "busy" laaaaaaaaaa....

And trying very hard to look intellectual in this pic! Hehehehe...

The Secret Recipe

2009-10-28T13:23:00.009+11:00

By far, one of the most daring attempts I have made. One of the difficult things I have attempted to do. I did it. Hahahaha...Being a food critic, I love my food. I mean, who really doesn't? Now being a food critic doesn't necessarily add up to being a fussy eater. I am actually, quite 'cincai' when it comes to eating. (OK, I can hear some people going, REALLY?! :P) Just that I love to select the food that I love, doesn't mean that I'm fussy. For example, I love eating rice with just gravy, otherwise known as CHAP in hokkien. Yup, just some gravy from let's say, some chicken dish. No problemo. And also, the love to eat, doesn't necessarily add up to being a fussy eater. For example, I love hokkien noodles. Now, being the food lover, I'd just normally go to the outlets which sells the best hokkien noodles whether I'm in Seremban, KL, PJ, Penang or maybe even Melbourne. Which comes to me saying that, it's hard to find Hokkien Noodles in Melb. Well, not hard actually, just that I don't feel that what I have tasted so far is up to my liking. I love Hokkien Noodles/Mee which is firstly, cooked in lard (yessssssssss, i know, not healthy) and has to be black enough. So just 2 simple prerequisites of how it should taste like. So, since I can't or haven't found one nice enough to my liking, I just choose not to eat it at all. Being fussy?! Hehehehe.

So, I finally attempted to cook my favourite dish. Now this is my favourite dish and I am one of the biggest critics of Hokkien Mee! I never did try to cook it before, because I remember when I was working in the kitchen, one of the cooks told me that he's never dared to cook it, cos it's quite difficult to get it right. But I thought, let's try la. So, I just scoured the fridge and saw, well, one packet of uncooked Yellow Noodles, some cabbage and some leftover Malaikai/ Kampung Chicken/ Choy Yuen Kai. So I thought, ah what the heck. Let's try la. Now, my uncle cooks really good noodles too. Of course, his has a copyright and trademark. His is nice as well. So what's the secret recipe? The secret it, I had no recipe! I just saw those lying there so I thought, oh well. Let's try! So I attempted, put a little bit of this, a little bit of that, some this and some dark, extra dark sauce, simmer simmer simmer simmer...and of course I didn't have MSG and pork lard to spare....and....simmer and simmer and voila!

"I'm not sure why the top few strands look a bit reddish! But it was ultra-black, just the way I love it. Did manage to splash some dark sauce one my shirt while cooking though. Hehehe,"

I'd actually have to say that it was actually rather DELICIOUS! hahahaha. but seriously, it was pretty nice though. hehehe. OK la, i will stop blowing my own trumpet. and i'd really say that it is nicer than many many many many places I have tried and i do mean many many many many places. It's my favourite dish! So, according to legend, hahaha..."too much of how i met your mother"...Hokkien Mee cannot/should not be eaten piping hot. When the dish is served and its all hot, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...to cool down, and then you whack it, all slimey! That's the best part. True story. Learned it from my grandfather and my aunt and my mom. I guess I do love cooking as much as I do love eating. Have always attempted to cook up all sorts of dishes, from hawker food to soups to Italian to Chinese food etc. My favourite is still of course, sharks fins soup and I once even made fishball noodles! hehehe. Of course I did have a lot of guinea pigs oh i mean, people who did share my love of eating as well! hehehe. Just kidding. Next time, I shall attempt it with some pork lard, prawns, squid and fishcakes. See how it turns out. Well, although I do seemed kinda bummed with sooooooooooooo many issues at the moment, I do take this small occasion and 'achievement', to wash down this nice plate of hokkien mee, with a nice hot glass of Pu Er tea...

The Fast is Past

2009-10-12T09:14:00.004+11:00

I survived. I did what I had failed to do a few years back. I had managed the 3 days fruit and vege detox fast. My respect goes out to all the (PURE) vegetarians and the leaders of societies who have gone on hunger strikes for a better tomorrow. It's not easy. From now, I must learn how to eat properly and to be more cautious of what I take. More Chinese tea, fruits and fruit juices. In total, I had managed to lose a total of 3kg within 3 days. Some would say, it was just 3kg of fluids due to massive diarrhea-ing. Somehow, I didn't have that and I believe that this was actually 3kg of toxin and fats washed out. Imagine!

I had wanted to eat soooooooooo many different things within those few days. For some reason, my aunt and uncle kept eating Indomie everyday! So tempting. So many different types of food crossed my mind, from Indomie to roast duck to wat dan hor to Hakka Noodles and all sorts. So what did I have for my first meal?

A simple sandwich, with chicken breast loaf, an egg friend without oil, hence the ugliness, lots of lettuce and a heart shaped tomato to say, I love my health! Hehehehe. No butter, no sauces and Whole Meal Bread some more! Heheheh. Yummy.

I wish I had the willpower to have gone for another few days, but then, it started to feel really "geli" eating those fruits all at once. And for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I guess I had enough already. I'm not sure if I am currently suffering from some side effects of the detox. Besides feeling very lethargic, although I've started to have my meals already, I am having massive ulcers in my mouth, a sorethroat which is increasingly getting worse by the hour and it makes it too painful to speak. So now, I shall go on a "talking fast". Hehehehe.

Yesterday, I had visited this placed called the Caribbean Market and Gardens with TG. A typical place for a typical family picnic. I do wish that we can have this sort of place in Malaysia. I guess we do, but most of the time it's either not maintained, upkept or has been turned into some carpark whatsoever. The most interesting things which I saw were: (Sorry no pictures for I was afraid of being chased or scolded by the shopkeepers)

1. A pair of Scarface shoes. YUP! It was with Al Pacino holding his "little friend" and asking his enemies to say hello pose! ON THE SHOE!

2. A frame which contained different pictures from Scarface. To top it up, it had the bullets and cigar from the movie as well, PLUS a certificate to prove its genuine.

3. Another frame with various pictures from The Godfather. This one had bullets from the movie.

4. A hundred dollar bill poster with the face of Don Corleone in the centre, (Instead of the President's face), with the words, AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE written at the top. Classic.

5. A Bruce Lee clock.

Well, I do hope to at least get one of the above items before I leave Melbourne. Currently, I think my return luggage (if I do return, hehehehe) stands at around 150kg already!

Adrian the Vegan

2009-10-09T09:40:00.009+11:00

Somewhat rhymes la. Adrian the vegetarian. Well I am! But only for 3 days. I hope! Well, I'm not exactly having a fast or hoping for something in return from God by not having meat for 3 days (I hope). Neither have I converted to another religion. Just, trying to cleanse my liver, bowels, intestines and colon and whatever else which is being cleaned la. So far I have managed to survive ONE day! Today's day numero 2, and I've just passed the breakfast part. The last time I tried this was in 2004 or 2005. And I gave up on the 2nd day. Really am starving now actually. I had or rather tried to have blended fruit juice but somehow the blender is as moody as the English weather. Breaks down whenever it wants to. So, I had to chomp it down ala natural blender, my mouth, and it takes a good 15 minutes to finish some green apples (which I have never eaten in years), a tomato, celery (not a fan either), watermelons and an orange. Somehow, strangely, I feel hungry again in 5 minutes time. So far I've haven't keciritan yet. But still feel so energy-less. Anyway, just hoping to do it in the hope of seeing my great grandchildren one day. Hahahaha...And my uncle brought home Char Siu for dinner some more. Wahhhhhhh...must resist. I do believe that I am that disciplined when it comes to eating and drinking. OK, when it comes to drinking and sometimes with food. When I'm done I'm done la. Dont' want to overeat. All that eating and drinking and breathing in toxins should be doing some damage to me. So, since it's spring, clean la. It's just getting pretty worrisome when I hear of my dad and sis telling me that this patient has died of a heart attack or high cholesterol or high blood pressure. And he/she is only 30. I am reaching that age in 10 years time! So why not be a vegetarian? Dunno la, I've also heard them tell of some vegetarians with high cholesterol and people who don't drink with liver cancer. Well, moderation la. Sometimes, I do have vegetarian meals with Prakash back then, at least once a week. But then, it's basically flour soaked in oil. So, what difference does that make?

Had a hair cut a few days ago. Managed to spot it when I was walking along the streets in the city. Good thing about it was that I did not have to tell the person, who is a Thai girl, shorter some more, some more, some more...This was almost perfectly the way I had wanted it. Well of course I still stick with my argument that a man's hair should be cut by a man! That's why I always go back to the usual Ah Neh/Boss/Macha whenever I am back in Seremban! So why do I frequent a lady hairdresser then? Not cause it was a Thai girl la, what are u thinking?!!!! Cause it's only $10 and $5 to wash the hair. Super fast brain calculation will say, wah, $15X3=RM45! Siao ah?! OK what, in Malaysia it's also that price at the hair dresser. Ah Ne/Boss is only RM10! Aiyah don't convert la. The barbers here are pretty over my budget la, like $20-30 per cut. Now you can convert la! Hehehehe...Wah, wash hair some more ah?! I had a function la, so I shouldn't be attending it with hair all over my face, neck and shirt!

Well the function I had attended was none other than the Australian Malaysian Film Festival. HUH?! AUSTRALIA also got MALAYSIAN film fest MEH?! Hahahaha...Well apparently this has been going on for quite a few years already, and this year I had wanted to watch Talentime, to see if it would fit into my research or not. But sadly it doesn't. And the second feature I watched was Muallaf, which was screened to a sold out crowd. Now imagine if it was to be screened in Malaysia...nah, I still don't think that Malaysians are really into Malaysian cinema that much, yet. Best thing about attending this was the contacts I had gotten and meeting some Malaysian actors. Well, I have over the years met a few before. I do very much remember meeting Umie Aida and Aqasyah, when I was MCing an event. I do have pictures with them and I was wearing a baju Melayu costume, equipped with a songkok too! If I can find them. Eh, I'm anak bangsa Malaysia la! Strangely, I've donned the Malay and Indian costume, but have never worn the Chinese one, equipped with the hat and tocang/pig tail (if you call it that). But then again, how many so-called nationalistic Chinese have really worn it?

Well, I must admit that Film Festivals which play either under the radar or are independent, which runs on very very very very low and minimal budget, spreads by word of mouth or via the internet...often draws a sold out crowd. Just play with controversy la, the people will definitely come in herds. No place to sit in the hall? Eh, nevermind, we can put on projector with speakers in the field! Hahahaha, grass wet? eh nevermind, can sit on old newspapers...raining ah, nevermind, just go under the umbrella! BUT, make a 15 million blockbuster with all the glamorous stars and exhibitions and invited celebs and guests and complimentary food and promotional materials and comfy seats and air conditioning and the red carpet BUT somehow the crowd just doesn't buy it! Strange but true. I'm guilty as charged too. The only Malaysian film I've watched on the big screen was Puteri Gunung Ledang in 2005. Besides that, I've only visited the various film festivals. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that the quality of Malaysian films have in fact improved tremendously over the years. And I am proud of it for some are really quite good! Somewhat in my mind, I feel that Muallaf was Yasmin's best film so far. R.I.P my friend.

"I think I managed to take this pic for "novelty" sake, only after the end of the screening."

"Aik! How come she's there too?! Well, lucky me. Had managed to meet Jacklyn Victor for she's acting in Talentime. Really friendly, really nice and really prettier in person!"

"Sharifah Aleysha who was also really nice and really cuter in person"

"With my new haircut and with Mr. Humbly Behind the Scenes. Editor for all of Yasmin's films. Affandi Jamaludin. Real nice chap, will be seeing him more in the future! Somewhat he said he recognised me from waaaaaaaaaay back!"

*Pictures are in black and white for "novelty sake". Hehehe. Actually my editing software also decided to become moody la, so I had to settle for a more basic software la...Sorry la this blog is long...cheong hei guai ma! hehehe*

Curiosity

2009-10-05T21:13:00.084+11:00

Just had a curious thought, one which came in between doing my research and playing Mafia Wars. Gosh it's so addictive, Mafia Wars that is. Hehehehe. At certain stages of our lives, we are made to decide on which direction we would like to take. Being at this age, I have already taken quite a few crossroads. Sometimes, like everyone else, I just take a moment to ponder, what if, I had done that instead? Just curiously, trying to recall, which major decisions I had to make in my life, and what sort of outcome I would've expected. Of course, I wouldn't know. But just feeling curious...

1. When I was in F4, my dad explained to me that he had wanted me to be an engineer. No idea, no clue why he had wanted that career for me. Hence, he mentioned, I think it was some table talk in A&W or somewhere. He laid it bare to me. Choice A) Engineer and all my tuition fees, living costs etc will be sponsored and paid for. Choice B) Do whatever course you want, basically be an engineer or the highway. I chose B. Of course at that time I had always wanted to become a lawyer. And I knew for sure that physics, chemistry and add maths will be singing auld lang syne to me after SPM. Now imagine if I somehow were to manage to manage physics or chemistry. Now that's a thought. Well, I didnt fail these subjects in SPM anyway. Matter of fact I think I did rather OK. So, where would I be now? Intel? Hahahahaha...Jules' colleague.

2. Then when I was offered the chance to do my F6 (the highway) I had to enrol into St Paul's once again whilst awaiting for my transfer into the Arts Stream. This was because I had already bade farewell and made peace with physics, chemistry and add maths. I had to transfer to another school which offered the science stream, for St. Paul's did not. So it was a matter of getting into King George V or the Ampangan High School. Now the former is some "excellent" school while the latter has the reputation of being some ghetto harlem wannabe. Somehow, I had manage to transfer to KGV, which I believed needed some "cable pulling", and I guess someone somewhere did lend a helping hand to me. Now, for this one I really don't know where I would've ended up...

3. After my STPM results, I had the choice of A) Applying to read law in University Malaya or B) Studying Mass Comm at USM. The choice of choosing B was influenced by 1. I wanted a course which had no maths or calculations whatsoever. 2. Law was a little risky for at that time, my points were a bit higher than "ngam ngam" for the entry into law. So I choose Mass Comm without knowing whatsoever what Mass Comm was all about. NO CLUE. So, if I had become a lawyer, I guess I will be driving a BMW already by now? If only la...

4. When I had finished my Degree, I believe that my parents had wanted me to pursue my studies further, with the belief that higher qualifications equals higher salaries, which isn't necessarily always true. Hence, it was either, furthering my career in the industry or going back for my masters. I chose Masters or rather was brainwashed into doing it. The best way to sum up this path is through someone's quote of "Adrian, you're so talented in this industry, don't be stupid, don't quit". I guess I did (stupidly?) and my reply after I had a few years of teaching is, I will use my talents to create even bigger talents. Aiyoh...BMW....

5. During the course of my Masters, I was told that a certain TV company had offered me a job. Being told that I had the "complete package", I was very much pushed into changing the path of my life again. However, it came with one condition. Quit your masters now and join us. Somehow, I decided not to quit and carried on. Imagine, the fame and fortune and women and BMWs. Hahaha...

6. Falling back to earth, and before graduating with my masters, minus all the fame, fortune and women (as if), I remember that faithful day in USM, whereby I stubbornly went to see my Dean, knowing that he was not going to be in. And as fate has in store, I instead met my deputy dean, who asked me if I was interested in a career in academics. Only God knows why I said yes. Of course, I had already been working 3 jobs I think, tutoring English, working and managing a gym and working whatever freelance production comes along. So it was basically 3 jobs versus one stable paying job. Of course, in the end, the bosses at the gym refused to release me. I still remember the table talk whereby I was offered higher salary etc etc. My mom of course had to hit my head with an anvil (not literally!) and told me to take up the lecturing job. Hence, that's how I had ended up in HCC. Of course, I had not gotten in so easily. There were of course the interviews and screenings etc! And I do remember, that I had actually turned down the offer from HCC when I was called to report for duty. Of course, after everything was cleared, I started my work. Now imagine, me, same size as Arnold Schwarzenegger, if I had not quit the gym! Yeah right.

7. Towards the end of my days in HCC, while I was awaiting for deportation by the Malaysian Govt to continue my studies in Australia, I was actually offered jobs by 2 different places. One was a university and the other a college. And I do believe that the salary offered was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than what I was earning, although, not enough for a BMW, yet. So it was a matter of whether I wanted to leave for PhD, or join one of these other institutions. Of course, I will not name them. But I do remember both having the same tone. "Don't worry, the job is yours. We know you. We know your capability. Come join us." Now this isn't a fragment of my imagination. Which led me to think, should I go with money or PhD? Of course, I had already tendered in my resignation at HCC and was basically a "free agent", if you look at it in terms of football transfer. And to a certain extent, rather unethical to leave on one reason and then going back against my word and working for a rival institution. Well, so far Melbourne has been pretty good!

8. It was either between Australia National University and Melbourne University. To be honest, I have never heard of either when I applied for both. This was simply because we always hear of Monash only. The reason I had applied for both was simple. One was ranked 1st and the other 2nd, and they're always interchangeable. Somehow I was accepted for both and had to choose one. In my heart, I had wanted ANU, because, it was labelled as Australia's top research University. Plus, it had an expert in Malaysian cinema! Somehow, fate had its own way of making me decide. I had to defer my studies because there were problems with my deportation. So, ANU did not reply me regarding my deferment but Melbourne said, come at a different date then, no worries! Of course, my supposed supervisor was I believe furious, but I did try to contact ANU and there was no reply. But, in more ways than one, I guess I am very happy to be here in Melbourne! So far, the pros very much outweigh the cons of being in Melb rather than Canberra. But seriously, I do sometimes wonder what it would be like?

I guess these were the few major crossroads which I had to choose in my life. Somehow, I guess I shouldn't complain la. That day I had this thought. Most of us my friends, family and I are always somewhat blessed. When we want to eat something, we can afford to eat it. When we want to drink something, we can afford to drink it. Money has not really been a barrier for us. Well, nothing much to complain there. Guess sometimes we just need to count our blessings before complaining again!

Just had this little idea of posting up some of the "more interesting" pictures I had taken in Hanoi. After some minor editing etc, decided to post them up in a larger size, after receiving feedback that the pics were always too small. Well for a reason la, at least my face won't look so big. Hehehe...just kidding. Remember when we always get those forwarded mails with some motivational stories attached along with some cute pics? I was speaking to a friend whom I've not met nor really spoken to for a good 10 years? And she was telling me about her problems and how lost she felt in life. I guess all of us do encounter that road every once in a while. Well, this little "motivational speech(?)" is for you and for all who are feeling lost out there. I've decided to give a try and created one too. Hope this helps!

The next time, when...

You can't make sense of anything...

Words just don't make any sense...

The room suddenly feels so small...

And everything becomes tangled up...

We become unsure which bridge to follow...

We come across confusing crossroads...

The road is impossible to cross...

Life becomes a little too hot and fiery for your liking...

And we feel like we suddenly can't stand nor walk...

And the road suddenly became more challenging...

And the burden just got a little heavier...

With that sinking feeling...

You feel like cursing out at everything...

And running away from it all...

You search everywhere for answers...

Cry out for help if you need to...

Take a step back while reflecting on the better side of life...

Remember who to turn to...

Eventually there will be light at the end of the tunnel...

And He'll provide you with funny things to laugh at in life...

With friends from all sizes and colours to march with you slowly and steadily...

Remember to work together as a team..

For we are stronger as a team...

So refrain from complaining and grumbling too much...

Smile even when surrounded uncertainty...

Just try to work a little more harder...

Or smarter...

With a little more creativity...

One small step at a time forward...

And when it's all clearer, sit back...

Have a drink...

Or two...

Feel like you're on top of the world...

And chill...

While remembering God's little gifts.

Adrian's MASSIVE Weight Lost Programme

2009-10-05T09:24:00.008+11:00

It's pretty common to receive emails with that heading nowadays. Proven, guaranteed weightloss in 7 days, secret military workouts revealed, and on and on and on. Never really cared to try it before, because, since I'm now BACK in Australia, it's time for the weight to shed automatically la. I'M BACK! yup, far from home again. Hehehe. Dunno why, but somehow when I'm here, the kilos just lose itself. Before I went home, I had lost at least 6 kgs and when I came back to Malaysia, of cos I had "successfully" regained that weight again. So, I'm not really back to where I had started, no no, I've somehow also managed to lose at least 2 kg already within this one month of being back here! I dunno why, maybe it's the diet? Maybe I'm forced to walk here and there? Maybe there's no good Char Koay Teow, Hakka Mee, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kandar and all that lovely food I love to enjoy. But then again, I don't starve myself. I still eat! As per usual servings etc. Strange but true.

Well, the weather has been pretty crazy these few days. Suddenly hot, then freezing cold, then extra freezingly cold, then super hot. The worst part of being in a cold climate, is sleeping time. When your pillow has this cold feeling and you feel the chill when you lay your head onto it. Brrrrrrrrrr....But then something warm to cool the cold weather. And my mouth gets very dry and in the morning, it all gets really yucky with congestion, which I shall not elaborate so that you will not lose, or see your breakfast, lunch or dinner again!

Very recently I had received this e mail or rather message from one of my ex-students. It is of course always very nice to hear from them every once in a while, to know how they're doing. Of course, I'd have to say that most of them are indeed doing very well in their careers as well as personal lives. Indeed, it is something that I am very proud of. However, there are of course many who come once in a while to ask for favours. or for advice Well, sometimes, some I can help, some I find very annoying, some very pretentious. E.g., a student wanted help from me, out of the blue after 2 years of non-contact. Of course, in the end, it had something to do with the student needing to get into USM. Or, asking me to find a job for them in Melbourne. Hmmmmmmm....I'm not exactly working here as well. There are of course more than a handful of kids which I have "lobbied" for or helped get into the industry. In Malaysia of course, and I guess that's the best I could do. So back to the message, which reads,

Harlo, long time din see you online d. How are you?
I'd tried to reach you in msn for a few times, but no luck to see you there. Well, finally it's our batch graduation! LOL! It's a happy day. However, it seems different without your attendance. It's too bad that i don get the chance to meet you face-to-face, and say THANK YOU to you, for all what you have did to me, helped me when i'm in problem. Miss the day you gave your lectures in class, miss your jokes, miss your sharing about football matches, and so many more.

Again, thank you for being my lecturer! Take care!

Best regards,

Of course I wont put the person's name just for the sake of anonymity. But the person will know who he/she is when he/she reads this then. Well, this is of course better than getting a big fat monetary bonus! Although I wouldnt mind some monetary bonuses every now and then! Heheheh. Sometimes I do think back, how on earth, and why on earth did I choose the academics line?! Still baffles me sometimes!

Let's see pictures pictures. Too many too upload la. I think I have 5 GB of pics taken from my time in Msia and in my 1 month in OZ. Work back in Msia was pretty good. Although I have to apologise to many people for I did not have the chance to really meet up. Seriously, the travelling was really tiring. Sometimes, I'll need to drive from Malacca - Seremban - KL - Penang just to search for one movie. And worst part is, I can't find it. Or, after all that searching EVERYWHERE, it turns up at the Jusco in Seremban, which is 15 mins from my house. Meeting up with the people in the industry was the best thing, for they had provided me with so much insight. It is indeed a great loss that I did not get to meet Yasmin. Our original plan to meet in June was postponed till August, and of course she had left us before that. Oh well, she lives on in all her work. Will be going to watch her movies Talentime and Muallaf at the Malaysian Melbourne Film Festival this Wednesday. Sigh.

Well, back to work as usual for now. Currently deaf in the left ear due to the air pressure from all the air travelling. I think within 4 months I've been on the plane at least 10 times already. Enough for now. I can't hear in my left ear! It feels like a broken speaker which goes "pop" every once in a while. Anyway, let me just quickly run through and see if I can find a picture of me....I'll just try to arrange them chronologically and according to the places I had managed to visit. Oh yeah, daylight saving is back, so now it's a 3 hour time difference between Melbourne and Malaysia. On Sunday morning, I woke up, is it 9? or 8? or 9? or 8? Heheheh...Sunday morning wor!!!

Jumping into Halong Bay, Hanoi from the top of the Junk, which was approximately 3 stories high!

And the reward, buying an extra expensive beer from one of these boat people, and hanging onto it while drinking.

All of us in Halong Bay

Trying to overcome my fear of heights by using this primitive staircase in Kuching. It definitely has a different view from the top!

The most popular place to take pics in Kuching, in front of the kucings.

At Old Trafford, eh I mean, at Stadium Bukit Jalil for the Manchester Utd pre-season tour. Even got the glowing horns to match the jersey. Hehehe.

Thanks to my super long, but not long enough lenses, it was already surreal enough seeing players like Giggs, Van Der Sar and Rooney! It was even more surreal-ler getting to see the players up close. Even more surreal-ler-ler to see them play. Even more surreal-ler-ler-ler to see one scoring a goal. Even more surreal (ok you get my point) to see MICHAEL OWEN, score a goal and the winning goal to boot. Even more surreal to see Giggs, sitting on the pitch!

TO be continued....

Happy Hours

2009-06-12T23:38:00.003+10:00

Yes yes I know there's no S in happy hour. Well, it's just simply because I'm having a great time back in Malaysia, not stop eating and drinking and of course, putting on weight. Only problem back here is the HOT HOT HOT and terribly HOT weather! Hehehe...well, it's great to be back home, so I'm no longer Far From Home...for a while! So I guess this blog stops for a while too! Anyways, my hotline is 017-3480820.

Oh yeah, I passed my confirmation. Wooo hooo! Hehehe. Lotsa great things happening around these times. Anyways, I'm back for work and for a visit at the same time. So, happy hour tonight? It always is!

the art of fortune telling

2009-05-23T09:47:00.012+10:00

heong kong ah! i know i didnt spell it right. should be Hong Kong. i know la! but that's how it's pronounced eh? ah dont forget the 'ah' with (!) at the back! no la, i'm not posting pics nor writing bout a trip to hk...i didnt go la! however, today, i'm gonna take a short movie marathon of hk films, just to check out what it's all about. well of cos, i've always been a big fan of bruce lee films, then after that...the next best film i liked was prison on fire, 1 and 2...then after that i liked Sha Po Lang(think i've watched this like 5X, the fight scene where donnie uses the baton, damn cool!)...then after that i liked Ip Mun. well, these arent exactly the number of hk films i've watched, of cos i've watched more than that! but as always, cant remember names, titles, faces all that la. terrible habit. oh well, i dunno, i was once told, how can u not watch hk films, how can u not support ur own kind? my own kind? excuse me, firstly what do u mean by 'own kind'? and if i understand what u mean by 'own kind', then my own kind is MALAYSIAN not hk. but i do admit i do have a certain degree of being biased towards hk films, i've always found stephen chow's films a little bit, to put it mildy, silly. well of cos some will say, that's what his films are all about, comedy! but truth be told, i've never really enjoyed hk cinema partially cos of him! of well, we all are critics anyway. so what's lined up for the weekend, or rather for today:

1. IP MAN (again!) i can't wait for the new bruce lee film that's coming out!
2. Legendary Assassin, no idea what this is about.
3. Dragon Tiger Gate, sounds kung fu-ish!
4. Infernal Affairs (i've actually watched this before sometime back, as well as the parts 2 & 3)
5. I. A II
6. I. A III
7. And yes of course, I will attempt to watch, Shaolin Soccer.

I'll give it a go la. But to be frank, it is a pretty good concept though. shaolin and soccer. i BELIEVE, there is a shaolin basketball or kungfu dunk or however it's called. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....yeah of cos we all like jackie chan as well, but then, after a while, the fight scenes become so 'predictable' (?) let's see, there will be the "sit down on the chair, roll over", "crashing down on a glass table", "using a jacket sleeves and wrapping the villains head with it", "sometimes a necktie", "the ladder fights" and of cos him running down some building's wall! yes, these are remarkable feats, i cant do it of cos, but then after a while....

so anyway, last night we went for makan minum again, tg and i. this week was italian, partly cos we couldnt decide what to have. the food was good, filling but the service. tsk tsk tsk. we were politely asked to leave indirectly twice! when the place wasnt even full! oh well, maybe it seems that we both don't look the rich kind la, but then, im paying with cash what. and seems so me that i say this again, what economic crisis? u would expect salesman to try to close deals with u best they can, tip top service from restaurants for fear of declining incomes? think again la. yesterday i went looking for cameras. and with the guarantee of buying from the place with the best deal! out of 5 shops i went, 3 shops tak mau layan, one of them looked at me, looked at ang mo...ang mo better la! in the end they didn't buy anything, padan muka! one more shop went SIGH, when i asked for more info. but then there was one place that was good la. so u know where i'm taking my business to! i even asked the guy, which days are u working? good, i'll come back on that day to buy from u. and i will! of cos, again, i'd be told, u don't look rich ma, u dont' look ang mo ma, aiyah! i always teach my students, never judge a book by its cover! there are some uncles in pg i know, pakai slipper, pagoda t shirt. but in their loose ah pek bermuda pants, he can has wrapped in his plastic bag wallet, RM50 notes, the size of a dictionary, and i mean the Advanced Updated version of the Oxford! so who says that it's already turned back into the consumer's market?!! i'm the kind of consumer, when i walk in, nobody layans, i'll just leave! wouldnt u?

anyways, partially i'm being influenced into exploring the hk cinema scenes cause of tg. cos normally we speak bout hk cinema and im like, aiyoh dunno la bro, never heard of it...a bit paiseh as well la sometimes. so i'm gonna attempt to watch some this weekend. for the sake of friendship la right? even with a certain ex-gf last time pun, i wont watch hk films/tvb with her. and not forgetting my sv, who is an expert in hk cinema as well, so i'm kind of cornered here la! hehehe. speaking of tvb, what's the deal la? all same story line one what! boy meets girl, but of cos, they're mortal/sworn enemies FOR LIFE! BUT in the end get married. and throw in a bit of cake making, company fraud, evil uncles and aunts, police stories, rolls royce here and there. hmmmmmmm...addictive eh? so u wanna know who ur going to get married with? u wanna know who ur life partner is? let me do some fortune reading for u, HK/TVB style. (rubbing chin and thinking deeply) who do u hate most in the world and who hates u the most in the world (non-relatives of cos, and also politicians!). now think opposite sex (exceptions for some)...got a name? got an image? there u have it! so now ur thinking, better be best friends with him/her lah! well there u go! just pack a bit ang pao for me eh?! hehehe

and i guess after reading that list, some will say, WAH SO FREE AH?! well yes i am actually for the weekend. i don't plan to do anything but just chill and relax, ok i was taught this word, CHILLAX! by my younger and more happening friends in uni. see, good to be young! so this weekend, i shall ber-chillax-lah at home. hehehe, might clean up my room as well, aiyah, chillax first la! hehehe. but then, after a few weeks of pulling near 20 hour studying, and finally completing my 80 page report for my confirmation meeting, i think i need to destress and unwind a bit la. my sv said 80 isn't comprehensive enough, my phd friends said, siao ah lu! oh well, i just hope for the best this thursday la. for now, chillax!

"there it is! 80 pages of my proposal!"

"the man of the HK cinema! tiong guan! one of my first friends in melbourne as well! great guy"

"it looks dark cos, it was dark! so let's leave it in that ambiance la! in other words, lazy to edit la"

"this was nice! can't see the mussels, scallops and prawns? hehehe"

"no they didnt sell this there! duck noodles. i made this! not instant noodles ok?! alina said, u made the duck yourself meh? well, yes i did! hehehe, and i made the noodles myself, with all the kung fu moves, grew the veges and made the bowl and chopsticks as well! hehehe...gosh, nick says, looking at ur pics makes me hungry la wei...how true! stomach is rumbling now!"

painting the town red

2009-05-17T01:46:00.004+10:00

They say a picture paints a thousand words...this one paints a smile on my face. and laughter at those who lauged at the drubbing. aiyah, so what if we had lost 4-0, 40-0, or 400-0. we didn't end up as RUNNERS UP! oh well, Glory Glory!

le tour le beers

2009-05-16T09:47:00.010+10:00

swaadilooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...i can taste it wei...not thai, but "delicious" in nepalese, i think, if the internet proves to be a reliable source of information! and not so many o's as well! last night, i had one of the most(est) deliciously delicious curry i've ever tasted. i had this coupon to dine at this nepalese place called Gurkha's in melbourne. wonder what gurkha means. i think it means labourer if im not wrong, let me search it on the web....whoops, partly off, it actually means soldiers that live in the mountains in Nepal. oh yeah yeah, now i remember, the gurkha soldiers! i always mixup with tibet, nepal and somehow mongolia as well, although mongolia is like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay far away! (luckily i'm not a pilot, ladies and gents, we are now landing at nepal international...no wait, macam new delhi je...! and luckily i'm not a medical doctor too! cos i cant remember names!)

anyway, i got this coupon for makan makan there, and tiong guan and i ordered this lamb curry...aiyah, i cant remember the name again, let me check...so we had "khasiko masu " which means typical nepalese style goat curry and scallop curry. and we thought, aiyah, indian food la for sure, cos they served us some papadumsss.....(salivating)...i love papadums, i could eat the whole tin of papadums, which they normally use for keeping it in the indian restaurants...oh gosh. this isnt the right blog to write in the early morning! (i can feel the turbulence in my stomach!) or as alina likes to say, i can taste it d wei!!! hahahaha. somewhat all of us are kaki makans la. we're the type of people that can go hunting for good food at every nook and corner where it hides! and i do mean every nook and corner! especially when we went hunting for prawn mee in balik pulau! aha! wonder where eh?!! i'm not a very choosey eater la. sometimes i can just eat rice with gravy or maggi mee! oooh, which reminds me of some maggi mee i had. i mean, sometimes i just want to enjoy the best there is, sometimes i know, let's just fill my stomach la. heheheh...ah, the pleasures of good company! and good food!

so, after a day loooooooooong study, i skipped lunch by the way! hahaha...made history again! everyone was so worried for me, cos i'm like kaki makan one! ok la, i really cant do much about losing the big cheeks on my face. i dunno why, i am losing weight, i dont have my belly anymore, but my face keeps getting bigger! epril said it's cos of my car number, too many 888's! too prosperous?! anyway, i almost gave up at around 430pm and wanted to go to kfc. but then i thought, there's too much work to get done!

anyways, the day ended well, i had a tour of beers last night! the first was a guinness stout (must have), then i tried the kilkenny (which i still don't like) and then later we had this one called 1664 or something like that (which was really expensive). somewhat, throughout all this drinking, there's just something that i cant stand bout some people. well basically, i just cant stand it when people like to test you on your drinking, or like to "prove" what a good drinker they are. to me, i think it's whether u have it or not! don't need to ask around, eh u can only drink one beer ah?! so cha one ah?! aiyah, then there are those who CAN only drink one beer but goes and whacks some whiskey and then gets drunk and then goes missing somewhere and then u need to find the person and then u need to send the person home and then u need to make sure the person sleeps on his bed and then u need to make sure the person throws up everything while he's saying don't worry i'm ok i'm ok and then u need to make sure he's asleep and they the next day u need to call him to check if he's alive or not! that was long! i really can't stand that. i mean, if u can't then just say u can't! well, it's not really about manliness cos i've seen some girls do this too! so how much can i drink? i'm a drinker who knows his limits! i am after all, a phd...Pretty Heavy Drinker! hehehe

so during my third pint last night, which somewhat equals to 5 small bottles...hehehe...(not exactly reaching my limit yet!) we then discussed about ideas and scripts and life and all sorts of other things and when i came home, i was darn hungry, and what better than to have a hot plate (i used a bowl) of steaming hot nasi lemak (of course had to reheat la! hehehe) gosh, i love my aunt and uncle for that! hehehe...swaadilooooooooooo!!!

"Interestingly, they had some sort of a guide for your first time, the restaurant's history...but aftter studying for 9 hours and missing your lunch!!! Oooooooh papadums...gosh i can taste it!!!"

"Advertising their other branches!"

"When the mean came we were like, so small only ah?!!! Very especially the rice. I think I can personally have 3 bowls of that portion! And we had to recheck with the waiters, 2-3 times, is this for 2 people?!! I mean we're going curry. check out the small bit of papadum i had dropped on the table. aiyah wasted laaaaaaaaa. hahahah. but then the taste totally whacked the size! we were like, eh sedap ah! sedap man! after that, whack la!!!"

"The nice scallops wrapped with crabs eggs, I think! we weren't sure what the orange thing was but it was darn tasty. somewhat tiong guan didn't like it so of cos i HAD TO EAT it for him! what a good friend i can be! gosh i can taste it now........"

"I'm putting this in just for fun. some prawn noodles i cooked myself a few days ago. now that's how hard boiled eggs are supposed to look like, not with the green green corners and sides! also present, fresh prawns and lobster! gosh i can taste it..."

"Guess what meat this is? I had taken this pic and eaten this meal sometime back, but then though, oh well, all food, might as well put this in...any guesses? chicken? deer? pork? crocodile?!! yup u guessed it right mr dundee! gosh i can taste it..."

OK, I'm gonna hit the weighing scales now...

best in the world

2009-05-09T09:53:00.005+10:00

i have decided to blog every once a month, this one makes up for the one month i had left out. a wise man always quoted the little joys in life as "best in the world". yesterday, i had experienced that feeling. i will let the two pictures tell the story. basically, it had been a good day, i enjoyed a good breakky of ham and egg roll with a latte, an enjoyable lunch, of ayam penyet (indonesian food) with leah, it had been a good study day as well, an even better dinner with friends, where i had a really good time playing boardgames of taboo, one more i cant remember its name (but we had fun with the little plastic frogs, with hobart and hil making them leap into cups, which was not part of the game!) and something like a boardgame truth or dare, with a good meal of char koay teow and some fried seafood (which Yanuar and I shared) and my yummy vanilla ice-cream. donna said, to describe me through the flavour i was having, "BORING but dependable!" hahahahah. of cos it was the company i had enjoyed the most! sadly, no one took any pics of the dinner!

now studying in the library is tiring. i feel so exhausted already! i guess firstly, i can't stand others making noise around me. secondly, if i need to go to the toilet, i need to carry my laptop in my hand (for the small one) or pack everything up and carry it with me (for the big one!). of course the sign i was sitting under said "leave it for a minute, lose it for a lifetime" kept haunting me la. so i carried it everywhere. thirdly, in the end i feel more exhausted, maybe it was because i am too used to relaxing and studying at home. angela said, aiyah why u so lembab one la u?! hahaha...

strangely enough, yesterday there were two girls smiling at me, once during lunch and the other at the bar. of cos i know that firstly they ARE real human beings. i'm not beaming at the fact that girls were smiling at me la, rather, i have a terrible memory with people i meet once or twice and have problems with names or faces! so i really couldn't register who they were! and i was like, in my head (have i met u somewhere before? I AM IN TROUBLE!!! oh dear!) again, i am not being 'perasan' la, i'm very shy one la. if a girl were to smile at me i wouldn't know how to react! just look away? smiling at me meh?!! smile back? pretend i'm blind? suddenly i can't see! suddenly my toes look very interesting! hahaha...but then again, sometimes i wish i had better memory in remember faces and names. speaking of which the supernatural, i read this quote in one of the journals i was reading yesterday. "According to Chinese beliefs, red is the colour for revenge for an unjust death and it is also the colour that Chinese warn against wearing to bed or as underwear, for fear of attracting lustful ghosts." For sure I have no red underwear, but then I always wear red to sleep laaa...but then i always hear of ppl saying must wear red underwear for gambling (as a secret and hidden weapon for luck). After this i'm gonna watch a singaporean ghost film, the maid. heard it is good! im not a fan of horror, but then again, i just need to destress for a while! someone asked me a few days ago, why do u look so tired, are u sick? i replied, no la, im just feeling very stressed. and the person went, STRESS?! (with the face saying, studying also can stress one meh?! cheh!) oh well, different people go thru different kinds of stress. to me, studying the phd is very stressful!

anyway, in the end, these three things constitute what are "best in the world," the 3 F's. (don't start thinking of other things beginning with F ok?! this is a "clean blog"! of cos then the uncensored version would be 4F's, but we'll leave that for later!) 1. Family 2. Friends 3. Food (and the fourth one I leave to your imagination, but remember, this is a "clean" blog!)

but ultimately, these 2 pics say, "best in the world".

"Alas...After 12 MONTHS(!!!) of being lost in the wilderness, I have finally found my "PINT OF BLACK STUFF" in one of them Irish bars! Curious though that the bartender didn't understand what that was, until we said, GUINNESS!! Malaysia bars pun paham, OZ bars tak paham! Cheers..."

"Mmmm...this pic has two elements of "best in the world". The sensation of the Guinness down my throat after one year (wah i am longing for some now! suddenly mouth feels dry and thirsty looking at that pic...don't look don't look) and the club to which jersey I am wearing!" In the end I had two of those babies in an hour! It could've been a better night if the bartender had been more smiley instead of being a bit sour faced! But at this point I know of people who will jump and say, MAYBE ONLY TO U LAAAAAAAA...maybe la, I dunno! Again, it was also the company I had enjoyed. In the end, we decided to make it a drinking session every once in a while...then every fortnight. Then after all the drinks, we decided it was to be a weekly affair! Cheers to my friend Tiong Guan! Cheers to all things "Best in the world"! Cheers!

TSK! Haiyah!

2009-05-07T15:08:00.001+10:00

So today I make history, by actually coming to uni to work for the first time ever. well, it was ok la, woke up at 730, showered got ready etc. then the bus came on time, as always, i just dunno why msia cant incorporate a good bus system. when i was in sban, i used to take the bus from rasah and basically there was quite an OK bus system. in penang, i think i've only taken the bus once or twice, after that i had just started driving around there. of cos, we do know of the existence of the bus system AND we see the bus here and there BUT when we wait for the bus it either never comes or it's jam packed. and in kl, when i was working there, i used to take the SMILEY bus, of cos that's not the real name. but then, it passes by on the opposite side, supposed to make a u turn and come back to pick me from my side of the road, which basically takes 15 mins. sometimes it never comes back or comes back 1 hour later. so what public transport? taxi? yeah, i used to take the taxi then in kl, but in penang! sorry no way! so, the bus that picked me up this morning was an old one, which reminded me a lot about when i used to have to ride in the bus when i was younger. it sometimes goes KREKKKKKKKKKK KREKKKKKK KREKKKKK for no reason! then i had to set up the wireless system in my uni, for i've never used my laptop here before. i got a 7 page step by step guide from the info desk, BUT it didnt work for almost 4 hours! so in the end, another person at the info desk said, pass it to the IT guys at the first floor, TSK, HAIYAH! why never tell me that earlier! and a girl there, quite pretty also, got it done for me in like5 secs! then for lunch, i met up with Tiong Guan, and we went from the union house to his law school searching for guiness stout and back to union house cos the lunch at the guiness stout place was too expensive. so, we had parma and pot, parma's chicken parmesan or parmigana (however u spell it) and pot is like half a pint of beer. nice. and was explaining to him regarding my thesis and i think i might've scared him off a bit! hmmmm...so many firsts for me today. first time studying in uni, first time using my laptop in uni, first time eating in uni, first time having beer in uni. wonder what's next! now feeling a lil sleepy after the heavy lunch! now i dunno why but some guy is giving me a weird look, im not sure if these seats are actually reserved before hand or not, but this is public space ma! or if i smell of alcohol! hahahaha...

I tried I tried I tried...to blog more than once a month that is, but I dunno la, how did the time pass by so quickly! oh dear, I'm really at the "crunch" period, the very first do or die phase, so i gotta be working (supposedly) extra hours and extra diligently (I AM!) (i think!) hehehehe. well truth be told, i wasn't always the extremely studious type, neither was i even very studious at all. as compared to my sisters, especially my elder one, who CAN study like basically 20 hours a day! non-stop! all through the day! well i am trying laaaaaaa, i mean, coming to think of it, someone asked me previously, wah so as a phd student, u have a loooooooooooooooot of time la, since u just work on ur own and since u just have ur own time frame, wah damn relaxed man!...but then again, if i keep thinking that aiyaaaaaah, so much time what, relax la...the work will never get done, it doesn't get done by itself! hence i've never ever ever seen myself work so hard before in my entire life! once, i even dreamt that i was was studying, and to the fact that i was actually READING in my dream trying to understand! in fact! why am i even writing about my work now?! why?! am i dreaming?!!!! hahhaha

just returned home from a power packed meeting with audrey today. i guess both sides really thrashed out with no holds barred. i basically had no real lead over what was going on and was really confused as to what my topic and research was really about. and i guess she could sense some worry and after a meeting of 90 mins, out longest ever, i believe that i finally have been set in the right direction, and i am now believing that she is really a good supervisor. but i just felt that this meeting should've been done right from the beginning of this research, well, maybe i just got lost somewhere along the way. anyhow, hope that all is good from now onwards. so, in the end, i wanted to give myself a treat, i wanted my stout, or at least a pint of draught, but then i needed to catch the bus. so in the end, i settled for some good ol' fish and chips! what a difference! hahaha. anyway, it wasnt even fish and chips, more like fish and pasta for they had ran out of chips. but then again, the lady was really really really warm and nice. kept calling me darling. darling this darling that.

hmmmmmmmm....here's some food for thought. last night i was watching some documentary on tele with uncle meng. something bout snow leopards in the (yawwwnnn...shuddup! hahaha....eh i love documentaries, esp ones about WW2, got tonnes of books on it, and one pictorial that basically weighs a tonne, literally!) mountains of north india. and what i noticed were the houses they were living in, besides a really pretty girl there as well. maybe i will visit that place one day. hehehe. ANYWAY, what crossed my mind was, these houses were basically made from mud and stone, and it withstands snow, blizzards, sun, rain, whatever nature throws at it. but back home in msia, my nice new house, built with cement and concrete and bricks and cranes and u name it its there, some parts have already started cracking! and i havent even been in there yet!!! how can! and the drive way split apart like some monster was coming out from the ground or something! and some of our highways, PARLIAMENT??!!! and we still feel, aiyah nothing one la. somehow i feel that Malaysian taxpayers are too rich, ah who says there's a financial crisis, aiyah, always someone's someone's someone's someone affected laaaaa. well, why aren't we making noise that our tax money is being wasted? oh, so some ppl just pay taxes like RM few hundred per year? think again. remember our car taxes? remember our fast food taxes? remember whatsover has hidden taxes. well nvm la, someone's someone's someone ma!

second food for thought came when i was playing with max. he's almost 9 years old now. so in human years, he's like 63 years old. wow, that's pretty, ok la politically correct language, SENIOR. but then, no matter how old, i mean, senior the dog is, we still call it, boy or girl. now imagine calling your 80 year old granny, ah girl ah! right? no matter how old the dog is, or cat, or iguana or snake or spider or whatever a pet is, it's never ages from boy or girl! hmmmmmmmmmm...

third food for thought, how come a dog's or cat's or iguana's or whatever la's face doesnt grow fat? and also its legs? i mean, ok, enough hinting bout MY FACE, it just doesnt grow smaller...anyways, i havent really seen a chubby animal before. andrew said, in reference to max, maybe that's where all the action is. cos the face is always exercising thru munching non-stop, he's always prowling around for food and running up and down the stairs, and the tail is always wagging and spinning round and round, hence, cant get fat!

on a more jovial note, man u have been extending their lead over the top of the league...champions league finalists!!! yessssssssssss.....excellent (to the voice of Mr Burns!) well truth be told, sometimes i feel that it's not that same old feeling that i used to have, the sense of stability in the team and all that. also, i just hate the fact that it has become so damn commercialised. aiyah, everyone's in for the money babe! anyhow, being here, the only way to watch these matches is via foxtel, somewhat the australian astro la! and of cos, must pay la. so the only resources i have in watching are 1. via live streaming, which can really get congested and all u see in the end is a slideshow of the match or 2. gamecast on soccernet or the live commentary on the man u website, which is basically "reading" the game in words or 3. just wait for the next morning and watch the updates and match highlights on either a. the ones provided by my phone service, they have some streaming sports package or b. find the highlights on line. but the thing with watchin these highlights are a. the ones provided by my phone service is good, but short! its only like 2 mins but it's all in english and i understand la or b. the ones online are lengthy, but sometimes u either get some sort of "advertisement" for matchhighlights go to somewhere somewhere premier league king.org or something, i just can't stand these! i mean, it sounds so narcissistic! some even edit the videos on youtube, a footballking productions, for example! hell, these ppl just added in like a few frames in front of a music video shot by someone else! anyways, i could also watch the full match highlights, somewhat which astro shows, in english. but the thing is, sometimes i get those full highlights, but it's in some foreign language, which has some extra consonants or vowels in their words, like gushhhhhhhdahhhtwwoingggg or arrribbeeeeeeeeeeee habbeeeeeeeeeeeehhhbbbbbb and the sentence goes like ariibeee habeebe habbeeeehh MICHAEL CARRICKKK (with english acccent) blah blah blah blah blah SIR ALEX FERGUSONNNN (english accent) blah blah blah DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR blah blah blah WAYNE ROONEY (english accent)! no offence! well what am i complaining about, it's better than having none at all!!! and culture! to love culture! hehehe. the best ones goes like....ROOONEEEEEEEEEEEY...GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL....GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL. tarikkkkkkkkkkk only the goal! and i remember once watching with chinese commentaries, and the commentator actually went, TSK...HAIYAH!

so yesterday had been a pretty emotional day for many i guess...even for me. no la, i didnt get married or anything. since we're on that topic, i just realised that throughout these few weeks, i've been constantly been pressured to get married la!! aiyoh, relax...i've still got like 7-8 cousins in line in front of me, so let them take the plunge first! out of respect and filial tradition (supposedly) i cannot cut line one! hehehe...so anyway, yesterday i had attended fr michael mckenna's farewell. as compared to others, i think we've known each other the shortest time, as in probably just 4 months. but somehow sometimes somethings just click between 2 individuals, for example, my friendship with chin leong! i know, if and when he reads that part, he will think "aiyah so gay". hahaha. friends only ma! so anyway, father has been elected as "Bishop of Bathurhst" and when i first heard it, the thought of "THEBISHOPOF BATHURST" came to mind! no, not that fr is scary, he's one of the nicest persons you will ever meet. at that moment i just recalled those films/dramas set in the dark ages, like the blackadder (i can imagine rowan atkinson saying with his lisp, thrrrrrfff bishhffhop of bathhhfffursttttttfff) or robin hood, where u have that evil bishop from some english named place. cos in msia we have bishop of kl la, penang la, sabah and swak la, although we say bishop of northern or southern region (i think), so this is the first time i'm hearing of one with an english named place! hehehe. so, he's really one person who's so basically down to earth, and i still remember how he made me feel so welcomed the first time i met him and also everytime i meet up with him. oh dear, i guess i will miss that personal touch i had with him, do hope to keep in touch with him though, and do hope that he likes my farewell gift! so a toast to one of the nicest priests i've ever know! dunno la, sometimes it's nice to have the personalised touch, although not that nice when u have to do a face to face confession and the priest knows u by name, knows ur mom, ur dad...heheheh.

speaking of dads, mother's day is just around the corner! hahahha...i know, huh?!!! dads?! mother's day! hahaha...well it's always a synergy ma, mom and dad, dad and mom! anyways, just heard someone say the other day, why do our dads (mostly) all love eating those groundnuts?! tell me, which dad doesnt actually enjoy eating peanuts?! hence, the "kacang cap ngan yin generation". i wonder what sort of food my generation can be associated with?! murukku?

ok la, i gotta get back to work. it's 6 degrees on a sunday morning! why (this part was written last sunday!) am i even up! why am i even needing to get back to my work! seeeeeeeeeeeeee...i am trying hard! hehehe. speaking of the weather, it's changing so much now. though it's not really extremely cold yet, but then, taking those showers, what i call "kamikaze showers" in the mornings and nights! waaaaaaaaah! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! sometimes i just stand in the hot water, I dont wanna get out!!! the chill comes when u turn off the water, and the coldness hits you! and then when i step out from the shower, i basically tremble! it's just basically suicidal la, but then being malaysian, u just need ur morning shower before u get out and once during the day and once more before u go to sleep! so sometimes, i see, oh good, the sun is out blazing! go and shower now!!! and i used to hear that some ppl dont bathe for days and days and days because of the weather! now i know why! also, now i know why, people love heated toilet seat rims! i tell u, it's like ur sitting on cold ice! try and see! on your bare butt! buttnaked! hehhee.

oh dear oh dear oh dear! the bad thing which comes out of this stress is that i've been putting on weight, cos i've been eating a lot of chocolates! too nice la, let it melt in your mouth, chocolates makes u happy what! hehehe. my favourite is the white one called dream, so dream on about losing weight la!!! tsk, haiyah! i dare not weight myself at all! tsk haiyah!!! i think the next time i blog shall be after when i have done my confirmation! oh dear, please pray for me (harder!) and wish me luck! hehehe. yeah, come to think of it, i've actually stumbled upon a few pretty good writers on blogs, one day i will write bout them la. . wow, the english and style or writing is nice and good, unlike my rojaked English! heheheeee ok before i start work, let me relax with my match highlights! park ji sung, you show mr 30 mil quid berbatov how it's done!!!

"This is the view from my window, where I am currently sitting"

"Myself and a great man"

"Still trying to control emo and macho..."

"Hahaha...I almost cried! This isn't a goodbye hug, it's a will see you again hug!"

"Some of the good looking guys and girls...and me!"

"I really loved this gift I presented to Fr Michael, it's really a statement of who he is!"

"I didnt realise I was the only guy in the pic, had the flash been on, u would see my face entirely red!"

"After the annual mass, which I was super late! Fr said, I saw u walking in late! I said, I tried to be as small as possible, he said, I can see all from way up there!"

"A really nice card, not made by me!"

"A happy, TSK, HAIYAH!"

and the person with the most powerful memory goes to...

2009-04-05T11:14:00.000+10:00

I'm pretty sure that some people might be thinking einstein or hawkings, newton or some evil genius from a cartoon who always has some evil plan to take over the world, which never materialises anyway! Hehehe...I was just reading a blog sent to me by someone over the "torturous" life of being overworked and underpaid and worse of all, no minimum salary nonsense. well, imagine working like hell and only getting paid RM2.50, some companies PROUDLY display RM3.50 per hour, like as if all the hours can total up to RM3.5 k per month! Even if someone were to work 10 hours a day, which equals to only RM35 per day, and 7 days a week, which only totals RM 245 and works 4 weeks permonth which comes up to a grand total of (drum rolls).........RM 980. am i right? cos this certainly doesnt sound right at all. 10 hours a day for 7 days a week and 4 weeks per month only equals to that amount of money? ok, 'best' case scenario. what if the poor guy works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 4 weeks per month, which is a total impossibility, which also equals to working oneself to death. let's see, le grande total comes up to a sum of RM2 352 per month! that's the amount one needs to 'give his/her life for the company'! ok, i have managed to kill more brain cells by doing that! hehehe. but do you remember in malaysia, those coffee shops, with those old uncles or aunties who 'bancuh' the coffee behind the scenes? and the waiter will shout out, "kopi o see kao peng jia mai liao, coca cola O tarik kosong, koon chui o mai liao, seng kak teh mai seng kak..." and somehow, somewhat the drinks will (almost) 100% of the time come exactly as u have ordered it! now instead, when we go to the mamaks, as much as u ask for kurang manis, well you know the rest la! gosh i miss the mamaks and the kopitiams. i remember once going to mamak in sban, and someone ordered milo, EXCEL. and ta daaaaaaaaa, a really large glass of MILO came, XL sized!

i wasnt always the best when it came to maths, in fact i had hated it so much. people always tell me that sometimes the things a person says can affect you for life. well in some ways, i still remember back when i was 12. it was sometime during the UPSR pre examination period, whereby we had a math exam. and i was somehow, somewhat in the first class, where all the smart people were la. so being in the smart classs, ur expected to like get 99, 98, 100 marks for ur exams. and i remember, this teacher of mine, he said out so damn loud, 'the person with the worst maths in class is, ...you know who'. Hahahah. gosh that scarred me for life seriously. till today, sometimes i still have these dreams that tmrw, i'm having a maths exam, and i've not studied at all! and i try to 'read' and 'understand' the maths formula and it all seems so real! i also remember once when i was working in the hotel. and one of the managers scolded me, 'Kamu ni bodoh ke?' and i was like, excuse me? i think i'm more highly educated that u are...but of cos i didn't say that out! so from then onwards, i always try to teach my students, never to think that they're stupid or bodoh, cos no one actually is, and it is so humiliating to be scolded bodoh. and also, as much as u know and think that the person is not gonna make it, sometimes u never know that the 1% hope that u give them, will actually change the way they look at things! well, as bad as my maths is and as bodoh as i am, i am now doing my phd in melbourne university, attached to USM. so i guess i've done pretty OK after all!

well, it's been an awful, awful long time since i've updated this. well life has been hectic these few months, but over the past few days i've been reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaly slacking off. dunno la, the brain feels so tired and worn out, feels like as if i'm running out of brain cells as well! hehehe. but so far everything has been really really good. CNY came and went, and now we're in the season of lent, waiting for easter to come, then easter will come and go. oh! exciting stuff to happen in the next few months. i will be presenting a paper in Monash U in 2 weeks time and also another of my papers has been accepted for a conference in Bali. but the only prob is, i've not really written much for these conferences. OK la, ppl will say, cheh conference only ma, what's so exciting?! actually i also dunno what's so exciting bout it! maybe it's just nice to be able to visit Monash and Bali?! Hehehe.

right, i will be headed for my confirmation meeting soon as well...oh tensionnyer! but audrey keep saying, don't worry, you're doing well, don't worry, you will do fine. OK, i shall listen to her words! well, to a certain extent, life has been pretty good so far. the social life has been picking up well. thanks to COSDU whereby i always feel so welcomed! it is a catholic association, but then again, it's not all about praying. it's also about meeting other people, getting to develop bonds and friendships, sharing other people's problems and others helping carry yours. well, of course there are the more 'serious' postgrad societies and conferences and seminars. but i dunno, those just seem pretty serious and we only meet every now and then. to quote a friend, 'prosperity is full of friends', it is so true. sometimes i guess we just need to take a step back and appreciate all that we have, all that we know. these few months i like using the words, somehow, someone, sometime, somewhere, somewhat will....all in one sentence. hehehe. oh dear oh dear oh dear. that's another one i like using these few weeks, all thanks for ROY from the IT Crowd! Hehehe. Be happy la! I keep thinking of these words from Pearl Jam's song Alive, although it has a somewhat diverted meaning, but then...

I, I’m still alive
Hey i, but, I’m still alive
Hey i, boy, I’m still alive
Hey i, i, i, I’m still alive, yeah
Ooh yeah...yeah yeah yeah...oh...oh...

Now isn't that something to shout about?! one day when i was in church, and as i was praying and looked at the crucifix behind the alter, something struck me. and as i looked at jesus there, it struck me that no other god will so much humble himself to take all the pain and humiliation and suffering that he had gone thru. no other will actually go to the extent of such public humiliation and torture, and then for what? for all of us. so somewhat from then on i guess i start to look at things more positively in life, and also to appreciate my religion and faith and also god more than ever! oh well, in all, i'll like to share a verse from the bible i read the other day. well, it's not that i'm super holy or anything, just that it really did touch me and i believe that this applies for anyone, regardless of whatever faith they carry!

Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1-2

"Faith. To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see."

So the pics below are from the night market, i'll just upload the pics i have with my face inside la. one was from the pasar malam in uni i went to with leah, and the others were from the picnic i attended with my friends from cosdu. the rest will be on facebook la! anyways, they were both fun! makan makan makan! aiyah please excuse me wearing the beanie la, it was supposed to be a min of 12 degrees, but then it was so hot some more. i know, the face looks big!!! hahaha

oh yeah, today is the day we wind back our clocks cos of daylight savings. when i woke up, i was like, oh well, time for mass, but it was only 9am actually. then i turned on my laptop and saw, eh how come spoilt one? then i realised, oh daylight saving. hehehe. so in the end i managed to go for the earlier mass, which was all good in the end! well, to all, have a blessed holy week and happy easter!

"Proudly Malaysian, but I didn't buy any food from that stall but somehow, sometime, somewhat, somewhere, someone will i guess!"

"Hmmmmm....fear factor Malaysia? How to translate? Faktor Ketakutan?"

"Sataaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Not bad actually, just AUD5 for 3, or roughly RM15 for 3!"

"Hahaha....Hilary"

"Guess they were just too happy to see me! Hehehe...COSDU's stall"

"In true Malaysian spirit, Makanlah, apa lagi?!"

"Leah with someone that looks like me from the side"

"Leah with someone who also looks like me from the front"

"It was scheduled to rain, but then...I just love taking pics of clouds!"

"The chermin effect"

"Some of the food we brought. Uncle Meng provided the platter of pastry, sushi and sandwiches. I made the bihun.The one in the tupperware la!!!"

"Where is everyone?!"

"We had no money for FedEx or DHL. POSLAJU, well POSLAJU you know la. So this was the only way"

"Getting ready for take off"

"Where ah?!"

"There lah!"

"Someone wasn't paying attention in the group discussion"

"Hilary and I"

"Angela and I"

"Audrey and I"

"Amanda and I"

"The 3 A's!"

"Everyone else and I"

No Ang Power!

2009-02-09T11:01:00.000+11:00

Hahahaha...I was thinking of posting this tmrw, cos I had counted wrongly. I thought tomorrow is Chap Goh Meh. Oh well, salah parking. Didn't even know it was Thaipusam yesterday. Until someone told me. Hehehe. Oh well, Happy Chap Goh Mei, aka, final day of the Chinese New Year, or how some will say NIU year! Happy Moo Year! Well, so far it's been a pretty good Niu Year so far, except that I've seen the huge drop in Ang Pow collection this year. Yeah, I guess some might be screaming to me, "So old d, still want to get ah?!" But then again, isn't it still my right, 'traditionally and culturally' to be eligible for that Red Packet, containing CASH! Hahahah...Ok, I shouldn't be talking too much about being so money minded. I just thought that it will be a nice way of starting this blog. Yet, many, many and I do mean many many many have left messages to me, asking for Ang Pows! Aiyah, I'm sorry la, but I'm not qualified to give them yet this year. Then they said, we will be PATIENTLY waiting for them sir. And so I reply, I guess I will be getting them from you sooner!

The CNY was pretty OK. I dunno, I guess as we or rather, as I, grow older, the 'Magic' of CNY seems to have lost its uh...magic? Of course it's really nice to be able to be with family members and friends etc, but then again, it would be nicer, if family members can all put aside their differences, conflicts, fights, I dont like you cos... etc etc, and come together as one family to at least have a makan-makan without the If he/she is there I'm not going laaaa. So, every family has their drama/soap opera to tell, mine not excluded! Of cos it was rather sad that I had to "spend" Cny with my family via webcam, but it was nice to see a more hilarious side of my parents, when they tried to "pass" me the ang pow over webcam! And also my mom, who kept "showing off" the new year cookies and delicacies, but putting them "close up" for me to see!

But then, from what I've observed, being an "foreigner" in this foreign land, most of the Chinese Malaysians or rather, most Malaysians I've met here have been rather accommodating and friendly. Of course there are those who're like, yerr....who wants to know you, another Ma-Lay-Sian, I'd rather know, more AUSsieeees kinda mentality la. Well, don't we need all sorts of different characters to make the world unique?! Oddly, I also feel more proud of my roots as a Chinese and Malaysian. I always thought that when you're over the seas, you become more, ang mo and more guailou. Of cos, at time I need to "switch" to a very badly imitated Aussie accent when speaking to the local, at times, it's really nice to use the lahs, aiyahs, mehs, mahs, haiyohs and adois! But truth be told, being here really teaches you about standing up for what you believe in and not being afraid to show it. I'll speak bout that in another blog. Now got word limit d. Hehehe.

In some ways, sometimes we are touched by what others do. No matter how small that person's actions might be, at times we are often affected by it. It then depends on whether we want to be affected by what the person had done, or not, to take it positively or negatively. Thus, in my life's (still comparatively short) experience, (some old granny's and grandpa's will say in Chinese, I've eaten more salt than you have rice!) I've got to learn that doing/saying something is a rather dangerous thing to do! So sometimes, better not to do/say anything, for it's seemingly impossible to retract it back later! Speaking of such, was such an incident last night which had touched me rather deeply. I was having an online conversation with one of my ex students, who had asked me, if I was affected by the Victorian/Melbourne bush fires. Now, living in a suburb in the city, I thank God that I am not, but the manner in which this person asked me, had moved me deeply. Not only was I touched by him asking me that, he also said thanked me profusely for guiding him and teaching him a lot during my days as an academician (not teacher la, I'm not a teacher! I'm not NOBLE enough to be a teacher!) and all I could say was, I didn't really do much, but you're most welcome. Of cos as an academician I'm not supposed to be looking forward to garlands of flowers and gifts strewn onto the street which I walk on. But, it was really nice to be occasionally thanked by those I have taught. As always, I still do get the usual questions and requests for guidance in how they should live their lives, and many come when they are faced with tough decisions and major crossroads in life. In that sense, I somewhat thank God instead that I am able to "comfort" them in their times of needs. Even some do come to me with such trivial matters as asking about the definitions of words and how to differentiate words which sound similar.

Speaking of the fires, just got a call that someone my aunt knows was definitely affected by the Victorian fire. Seriously, this is of no joke. The fires are really bad shape, from what I have seen in the papers. It's a firestorm, so imagine it's horror. For example, say someone is driving along the road, and the fire would just "swish" through his car from out of nowhere, and the car, passenger, all burnt. That bad. Whole towns have been destroyed. Forests burnt to the ground. Well, thanks for all the concern calls, sms and messages. I am fine. Thank god. Please pray for the Aussie affected by it.

Well, all in all, it was really nice to have widened my social network of friends! I did attend the Australian Open, it did feel rather surreal to be there, for I had often seen it on TV and read about it, but to be there was a different experience! Making new friends is such a great thing and I thank God always for the gift of friendship. So, here's a big YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM SENG! to the gift of friendship!

"People who could'nt stand the smell of malt!"

"James Blake vs Frank Dancevic"

"Hehehe"

"Hehehehe..."

"Hmmm...who's who ah?!"

"Feeling 'shy' at the entrance"

"The game begins!"

"Post match interview"

"Trying to bend it like Beckham"

"LOU SANG!!!LOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"

"Sumptuous dinner prepared by Gerald"

Blessed New Year, this year WE CAN!

2009-01-10T10:22:00.000+11:00

I've just read an anonymous e mail sent to me by someone I don't know. How the person had gotten my e mail address I don't know. No la, not virus and not XXX la. Hehehe. But I'd like to thank the person for sending that e mail to me. After reading the mail it had prompted me and moved me so greatly to start writing this blog, while recollecting what have happened in the year 2009. Yes 2009! Forget 2008, that is the past already. So Blessed 2009 for this is a year that many of our dreams will come true! So far the year 2009 has been one which has been rather inspirational and motivating for me, yes I know that only 10 days (rather 9 and a half days)have passed but to me there have been many incidences within these 10 days which have moved me deeply and changed me quite a lot. OK LA, I promise to keep this blog short.

Adelaide was really great, the people there touched me a lot and have changed me a lot. Pics? Check them out on my facebook! In Adelaide, the people and new friends I have found had made me believe again. Also not only those in Adelaide, but the people who surround me and who are in constantly in touch with me supporting me have made me BELIEVE, TRUST and be CONFIDENT again! In what? That's for me to know! I know sometimes people might just say, what did I do to make this change in you? Well sometimes, "the smallest things are the greatest inspirations" Ahem, trademark, registered, copyright! Hehehe. Thus, I'd like to dedicate this blog to my many friends, whom I know are facing tough times, friends who are finding it difficult to struggle with the studies, work and lives (and I do hope that you are reading this), facing huge boulders of obstacles to never stop believing in yourself and to never stop working towards achieving your dreams. Please do know that I'll be always supporting you, even if everyone were to abandon you. I'll always be there for you guys. This is the content of the e mail:

Father of the year
True Story ... A son says to his father : Dad, would you be willingly to run a marathon with me?The father, despite his age and a heart disease, says YES. And they run that marathon, together. The son asks : Dad, can you run another marathon with me? Again father says YES. They run another marathon, together. One day the son asks his father : Dad, would please do the Iron Man with me?Now just in case you wouldn't know, The Iron Man' is the toughest triatlon in existance; 4 km swimming, then 180 km by bike, and finaly another 42 km running, in one stroke. Again father says YES May be this doesn't 'touch' you yet by heart ... until you see this movie (put on sound!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

Now, I'm not sure if that had caused a little tear to your eye, but it certainly caused goose bumps to me and I am also deeply touched. I do know that somehow this video has some elements of Christianity in it, but please do not get me wrong, it is the message of believing in yourself and with help from GOD that we can! Anyhow, as I've always been a great believer in Christ, I'm not the type of person to stand on the mountain top and to convert people. I believe that actions speak louder than words. Also, whatever your religion is, we all do believe that there is the ONE GOD which watches over us, so why fight la? I did read once about an aetheist (person who doesn't believe in God) say that why believe in religion when it is the cause of most of the violence in the world? I'm sorry but I have no answer for that, rather I can only believe that through religion, people are stopped from creating even worse autrocities.

Anyhow, I know that I have been "heavily critisized" for this pic already, due to the size of something which seems (very) inflated, aiyah, I needed to breathe ma when I jumped so high, and so happen the shirt also terbuka d! Plus it was like take 10 or something already due to technical difficulties. Heheheh. But ultimately, I'd hope and pray that each of my days in 2009 will make me feeling like this, and I hold the same thoughts, prayers and hopes that your days will be like this too!

Blessed 2009, gong xi fatt chai is coming soon. So Xin Nian Kuai Ler, Gong Xi Fatt Chai...To my dad, mom, big and small sis, I am missing you all greatly. To my dearest Honey Bunny, loving you and missing you deeply. To all my friends back home, missing you all so much for sure I'll like to meet up with you guys when I'm back! Sorry, this year I'm still not qualified to give out ang paus! Hehehe.

Just for laughs

2008-09-18T20:04:00.001+10:00

So the few weeks have just flown by like that. Been a bit busy to update my blogs. Sigh, feel sad with what's going on in my country as well. Last Sat I wept when I heard of the state my beloved Malaysia is in now. Yeah, I actually wept. Not the waaaaaaaa!!! crying la. Just tears in my eyes. Hope all will be better la. I always pray that God protects each and every Malaysian from any harm. No laughing matter this!

The few weeks have been pretty ok for me, still wandering around in a big maze called the PhD. Boy, it is tough! Well, no choice but to do it for career advancement! I still dunno how to make my blog look neat and tidy la. I mean, when I type and all that it looks ok. But when I publish it it all runs haywire. Any tips of dear fellow bloggers?

Well, my house in Penang is finally ready. YAY! or BOOHOO! Well depends on how I look at it la...YAY cos now I have officially completed the 5Cs of bachelorhood. (time to get married d? well the pressure groups of the yeemakujiehs inc and little sis inc are piling on the pressure!) Hehehehe...

Cash (not that much actually, but enough to open small nasi lemak stall la),

Car (small little Myvi with a big number!),

Credit Card (never used them already anyways),

Career (student ma!) and

Condominium (I think house also can la...) Hehehe...

And then boohoo cause I dont have a wife to spend all this money with...hehehe...kidding la. Well. guess this just leads to more responsibility and debts! Owning a house is seriously, seriously such a big thing. Small matters like cutting the grass can also lead to big headaches! Now I bought a house and not a condo for a few reasons. Small little reasons that will actually make you feel...ARRGGGGGHHHH!!! Like, when you have locked your car, carrying all ur groceries, went up the lift, open the door with one hand, lock the door with one hand and then, aiyah...left my phone in the car, or aiyah, did I lock the car? AAAAAARRRGGGGGHHH!!!

It's weird though, cause when some of us were young, most of us always said, well, I'm gonna get married at 26! And then when we're at 26, we're like HUH?! WHAT?! TWENTY SIX D?! SO FAST?! Remember when we were young and the age 20 seemed like such a big thing? Well at 24-26 I've just started working and don't really have any money! Salary kechik kechik only. Car also kechik kechik one, can rent a kechik kechik room in an apartment only (unless we had sponsors from MBF *Mak Bapak Finance or FAMA *Father/Mother to buy us nice cars or a place to live in) Makan economy rice only (which is quite expensive nowadays). Life's so tough at this time of our lives. How to marry?

So then we say, ok la, postpone to 28. Then some of us can nicely break up some more at around that age, which makes the chances even more slimmer. (And of course there are a few who have already gotten married. Congratulations to you all.) How to marry?!

And when we're 27 now and then next year at 28 will be the crunch time again, and then some of us realised, GOD! That means I need to propose this year already?! And some of us are still without a gf. How to marry?!!

Then we decide, ok la, postpone again to let's say, 30! And then when we're 30 some of the stupider ones suddenly realised, I haven't finished my PhD laaa. How to marry?!!!

But then again, we can't rush all this la. Imagine, someone had actually asked me before, why aren't u married? What's wrong with u?! Wah...stabbed me in my heart wei! It's weird though for at that point of time when I was younger. I had so much time but always didnt have money to do things. But now it's like got time and got money but no one to do it with!! Gosh, I hope that I don't start to sound like I'm really desperate already! Of cos I'm not. Well many people always say that guys do not have to marry so early! Hehehe! If all men think like that, how to marry then?!!!!

I did have a few conversations with friends regarding marriage this week. Weird, it was like marriage counselling week ler, only with people who arent married! I was just saying that well, if I do find the right person to get married to, I would like to settle down in the near future already. Well, if and when you're at that point of time in your life, you will feel like how I feel. It's nice you know, to have a wife and kids. And I really love kids. Kids here are really cute in Australia. Especially in the winter when they're all bundled up in their winter clothing! Some with little bunny ears some more! And some of kids really look like little dolls! Gosh, I can't wait to have a little Adrian Jr! Hehehe...That's another reason why I had bought a house. I want my kids to be able to run here run there fall down roll over have space to ride their little tricycles! Have some space la at least!

Oh yeah, speaking of kids, check out these funny pics someone sent to me. DON'T do the DON'Ts and of cos I DON'T plan to do the DON'Ts!

I especially like the ones, calming baby, massaging baby, exercising baby and fun games for baby. Imagine the small fella doing all that makes me laugh! Doing bench presses! HAHAHAHA!

The HCC graduation ceremony has also passed already. Seems like I'm just a fading memory there as well. Only ONE student contacted me to thank me for teaching her. Well, better than none. Anyway, congrats to all who have graduated. I'm proud of that you all have made it.

I've been having a few students, sorry, ex students, now I've also been upgraded to the student level as well. Well, they have been asking me for advice on where to go for the industrial training, and I was like, What?!! Training time again?! So fast one year has already passed! Oh the pain of going thru the calls and e mails and faxes and the, hey man, how's it going, can u take in my students? the tantrums (not by me) and merajuking and the crying and the "I dont want to talk to u sir cos u dont let me go there to train" and why no pay why no tranport provided why no hostel provided why no work to do one why so much work to do one why my company no leng lui why my company no leng chai why this why that why so late why so far why so dangerous why still got no reply why they are like that why kl food so expensive why my boss so bad why my boss so kiam siap why the system different one why 10 weeks only why is life so hard why I can't go to KL why can't I stay in Penang why I can't go overseas why KL food not nice one why KL so far one why Chinese New Year no holiday why Chinese New Year no angpao why didn't you send me there why didn't you send me to a different company why KL so big one why must I go for training why can't I go for training why can't I work for you...hmmmm...so this year I wont be there to answer the whys anymore, hence I've been upgraded!

I've been wanting to write about the places I've been to in Australia. But it's gonna be soooooo long a blog la. I know that the complains regarding the length of my blog being a equivalent to a thesis/bible/encyclopedia/manuscript so I'm just gonna find one time when I have nothing to say and then I will blog about it! It does seem that I've been travelling a lot already. Well, I might as well since I'm here. Plus, I don't go out all the time, just once in a while to the city and once a month for serious travelling. If I don't, I'd really get a Permanent Head Damage! Next stop, Canberra!!!

OPAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

2008-09-05T09:58:00.000+10:00

Let me share with you all some of my favourite pics in Aust.

"Caught a big one in Philip Island!..but it got away..."

"You have to be there for your breath to be taken away"

"See the birds, fly in the sky. I remember we learnt a song by those words in school!"

"Mining for gold in Ballarat. Yup, I knew that there wouldn't be any. So just for photo sake."

"With Malaysian badminton legend Cheah Soon Kit, Sairul Ayob and Lee Tsuen Seng in Ballarat...need to go all the way to Australia to meet them...hehehe"

"In Mt Buller with some really nice friends"

"Trying to free my foot in Canberra!"

"War Memorial Canberra. Hair's grown long and it's longer now! Tummy's gone too! No need to zoom in to check laaaaa"

"Zee Art of Flag balancing in Canberra"

"Little tiny teenie weenie itsy bitsy teapots in Mount Dandenong"

Well, first things first. Selamat Hari Raya Aidifitri to all my Muslim brothers and sisters. Whereever you are and whatever you are doing! In English it's called Eid ul-Fitr or something like that. Sorry that this is really really really late, but better late than never! Syawal is for one month right?! I did make some calls back, sent sms and e mails to those who are really close to me. And Happy Deepavali or Diwali to all my Hindu brothers and sisters! Would really love to be celebrating Deepavali back in Penang. Imagine how Little India would be lighted up and all the ...FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Wah, that night I actually had a dream. I was having Nasi Kandar at my favourite place. And I had plate after plate after plate and I could almost taste it...just...so...close....And the waiter even said, "Ini mesti dari oversea punya...then...I cant remember. But...just so close! Anyhow, the one good thing about being here, far away from all my delicious food is that...drum rolls....and rolls...and rolls....is that I've been able to lose weight through all the healthy eating. Let's see, I have these weird stages or cravings. For example when I just arrived, I love having full cream milk plus chocolate chips cookies (ok not so healthy for a while). Then it changed to Vegemite (Australia's Marmite and Bovril) as a drink and on toast. Yummy. Then it changed to having cereals, the type with all sorts of nuts and fruits and whatsoever with milk. Then now it's Milo in the morning with either some toast of "roti kaya KAHWIN dengan roti marjarin". So, I'm no longer 5 months pregnant! Seriously, I've shed off my belly which was made from laziness to all the yummy food to all the alcohol. So no more belly for now! Yay! And my clothes don't fit me anymore...no la, just that I was able to buy some new pants and was so delighted that my waist size is now 31 inches! Ok, so that's not too small. I'm a guy la. I don't need a 24 or 27 inch waist! Well, that's actually quite a big drop for me for I've lost X inches from the figure of XX! Censored! Of course I've not gone to the gym to workout and neither have I gone back to my training. So, don't really have the bodybuilding body for now, but I think I am pretty in shape with some pretty light training. I'd dare to say that I've never felt this healthy in almost 10 years! Hehehe...Also, I've been having some difficulties trying to actually piece together a complete sentence these few weeks. Maybe it's all the thesis writing that's "draining" out all my thoughts already! Caution...another long blog!

Hahahaha...I've watched a pretty nice film this week. One which I had actually discovered by accident. It's called "My Wife is a Gangster" and tells the tale of a female gangster boss who has to get married and have kids to fulfill her dying sister's wish. Well I know, the feminists must be screaming and searching for this show already. Calm down calm down. It wasn't all that bad. In fact in many ways it did reflect rather positively on the lady boss as a rather "STRONG" figure. See I've even put the word in capital and bolded it some more. Hehehe. However, I guess it was really hilarious in many ways for the film was trying to transform this, well I wouldn't call her a butch, she did look rather beautiful (oh no the feminists are screaming again!) and feminine. But as a gangster head, you've just got to be tough. YES, I've been constantly told that the Singapore version is more hilarious, but I've not watched that yet, so this Korean version is still the best for me!

A few scenes which really tickled me silly were scenes where they were trying to "feminise" the boss. Especially when they had brought in one of her right hand man's (sexy?hot?weird?depends on how you see her) girlfriend to teach her all there is in the seduction of men! Well, that's what OPAAAA is all about! Picture this scenario, the (sexy?hot?weird) girlfriend was teaching the lady boss how to say "OPAAAA (honey I think)" to the lover in a voice through the nostrils while "enhancing" one's "assets"! Get it?! Sorry la, too many feminists out there! I know of someone who gets a real kick when imitate that to her. Hehehe. But of cos this tough lady does it rather in the opposite, what's the opposite for seducing? Turn off? And she just couldn't get it, BUT one of her male gangsters could do it rather...uh....well. Hehehe.

Then, the other scene which was really funny was when one of her gangsters "poisoned" their rival gang's boss's cat by killing it when the cat smelt his socks! And how they were trying to give a cat CPR. A must watch for all ages, but do "beware" of certain sexual scene! Seduction ma!!! Also, I watched "You do not mess with the Zohan", if that's the title, sigh...ok la, this one I think Cicakman pun better la...but all in all it has been a pretty impressive journey for me these 3 months. I've been watching a whole HUGE stack of DVDs (Malaysian films, excuse me...what were you thinking? rated U(mum) or G(eneral) hehe) and I dare say that some of the films are of rather good quality lately. Ok, I won't want to say which or which films for fear that this might turn into a forum like how my facebook has become! But in the end, I still really enjoy P. Ramlee's films the most! Yeah, I know, I know, he's been gone for like 30 years, but then again, find me a better movie director (I know Aina's jumping up and down saying either Hussein Haniff or Shuhaimi Baba) which could make you laugh at not only the things he say, but the way he does it too. I am really into the "Indonesian" slang. I kinda find it rather sexy! I dunno why, but I've always found myself attracted to that slang. And the word Abaaaaaang comes out like a gazillion times in his films as well! I do remember when I was 11 and we had this badminton coach/teacher named Stephen Soo. I guess some people still do fear him. But he was a nice guy on the overall. I do remember his calling a certain friend, Abbaaaaaaaaang...I wonder what's happened to Stephen Soo now.

Had a nice dinner last week. Gosh, how time has flown by. Yeah, I know I've said it in my last blog as well. But also at times, I do find that time does move rather slowly. Maybe it's cos I don't go out that much, and I do mean, NOT MUCH! I'm hearing the words, as time, goes by, so slowly, and time can do soooooooo much...if I'm not mistaken the title is Unchained Melody sung by...dunno la, let me google and see. hmmm...Al Hibbler? Sorry but this is one name I've never heard of, but whose song is constantly a haunt in our heads. It's always played in movie, weddings (I think) and maybe some dinners as well while we're waiting for the bride and groom to make their appearance, especially at Chinese weddings. Hahaha...I remember once we even made a bet, my cousins and I as to what time the dinner would start during one of our cousin's wedding. Ah..Chinese, the gambling...and eating!

So last weekend I had gone to TGIF for dinner and had one of those 3 course meals. It was pretty filling. I do enjoy TGIF more than I do at Chilli's. I dunno why. I just feel that TGIF has more of a 'relaxed' atmosphere as compared to Chilli's which I always see as being very corporate. Of course that's just my personal view of it la. I still havent gotten the chance to try the babyback ribs yet in either places, but I still remember the ribs we had bbq'd at my farewell party. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I'm not sure if Michael Scott from the office constantly patrons TGIF or Chilli's but there was one funny episode where he had really in many ways showed us how to actually table a deal, as human beings! Ah yes, it did feel a bit weird though for the shopping mall was closed at about 5pm. Yup, we walked through the mall, all the retail shops were closed! Businesses here mostly close at about 5pm. Seriously. It's like walking through the shopping mall and all the shops are close. The only places opened were the cinema and TGI. So, it did seem pretty different for as compared to back home, we'd have the shops close at 10pm? And people still complain that they close TOO early.

Hmmm...so how bout the trip to Canberra...Hmmmmm...can't really remember much though! I've posted most of the pics I've taken in Australia on my facebook website. Well, the trip to Canberra was a good one but pretty exhausting. The drive up and down took about 7-8 hours each way. That's like pretty much longer than Penang to Seremban. The War Memorial was a really cool place, where I had seen the Nazi SS uniform, those bikes with the car at the side, a table used by the Japanese surrender in Malaya..hmmmm how did it end up in Australia? a whole plane and a submarine and some other really cool stuff I've always seen in movies only. I am a big fan of either war or gangster films. Still love Band of Brothers and The Godfather. I've watched the Godfather countless times and every single time, I just wished they hadn't shot Sonny at the causeway. Every single time! That's just how much I love tat film. But it's just painful how we know of the sufferings of the humans during the war. Of course, in the end, all the Big Guns and Fat Cats get away with everything and the everyday people like us suffer. SAY NO TO WAR!

A few weekends ago, I went out with my unc TC to look for a cooking stove. Hehehe...he said, I dont think anyone will take us seriously cause we're 2 men! It was like when I went to buy a house, and I asked a very beautiful woman to join me, pretended to be husband and wife! Hahaha. Well, of course with her hot voice and charms (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!) hehehe, the developers were extra nice (they were already very nice). It's the couple thingy la. Well of course she's just a very close friend and very nice one to boot! And in the end I am stuck with a house while I am a few thousand miles away from home. Hehehe.

Well, while we were stove shopping, my uncle said to go back to this one place where there's a Malaysian guy working there, for he had given my uncle an "automatic" discount without even asking! So typical rite? RIGHT. And of course when I was there, I saw a brochure that said, If you were to buy this and that and this plus that, you will get an "automatic" discount. See! Then we went on to ask the salesman and it went like this:

Salesman: If I recommend this to you, surely it's good one la!

Unc: Eh, don't say that, the last time you recommened that XXX brand (sorry la, cant mention the brand. Defamation/sedition/whatever act afterwards la), and you said it was good. But it started to leak la!

Salesman: How can?

Me: (In my head: Of course cannot one la!!!)

Salesman: Aiyah, it's the plumbing la, the plumBING is not good. The plumBER la...

Me: (Who else's fault is it then? Of course it isn't your's, how can it be your's!)

Unc: No...it's not the plumbing, it's the pipe inside the machine that's leaking. Not the outside.

Salesman: (starting to want to walk away d, turning his body) Aiyah, who asked you to buy the middle range products?

Uncle and I: (huh?!)

Salesman: You want good quality one, you must buy the expensive one la! Like this other brand...surely no pohblem wan...

Me: (HUHHH?!!!)

Unc: But you recommended that brand what, now you're telling me that I should've bought the other brand?!!!

Salesman: Aiyah, ACTUALLY AH? (sebenarnya, usually heard rite?) I'm not expert in dishwashers or stove tops la...You can't ask me one la...

Me: (Of course you aren't, you're an expert in the art of twisting and turning and bullshitting!)

Salesman: You go and get the warranty and all that la. I'm not expert in this one la...You want to know more about the stove you go online and see la. Here got the wepside one...

Me: (Wah..Suka IT, guna IT...IT!!!)

Salesman: I'm not expert in (noticed how many times he used the word "expert"?!!!) these products one la, I'm expert in fridge and other things la. Not dishwashers or stoves.

Me: (But it gave you a nice fatty commission right?!)

Salesman: Shouldn't ask me laaaa...I won't know la...

Me: (Well, just type in your resignation letter and leave la)

And...as my uncle was about to ask more questions, he started to walk off and was "saved" by another couple who went, eh, you're XXX rite? My sister asked me to look for you la...BIG SMILE FLASHED ON HIS FACE! Another big commission. Typical rite? Hehehe. Well, if I being the representative of the company, should at least dig into the problem, what went wrong, when, how, why? Then ask if I could help in any way to fix the problem. This guy...haiyoh...

I had another interesting conversation last week with a stranger in the city. As I was walking, he came up to me...

Stranger: Excuse me, do you have a minute, can I ask you a question?

Me: (Feeling a bit suspicious, but then again this is Melbourne, one of the safest cities in the world) Yeah, ok sure...

Stranger: Tell me, how could you support a club like THAT? (Pointing to my Manchester United jersey, championship winning one some more) They suck!

MU FAN: (Wah this is war!) How can I not? So what club do you support?

Stranger: I support Chelsea, the greatest football club in the world.

MU FAN: WHAT?! Chelsea SUCKS!!! BOOOOOOOO!!! (Walking away) MANCHESTER UNITED IS THE GREATEST FOOTBALL CLUB IN THE WORLD!

Passers-by: Taken aback at the loud voice and actually standing a few steps backwards!

chelsea fan: INAUDIBLE AUDIO

MU FAN: (Walking away showing the thumbs down!)

Hahaha...well I thought that I'd only get this if I were in England or back in Malaysia. Who would've known that Chelsea had fans in Melbourne as well?! Hehehe...Well, they are doing pretty well so far...NOTE...SO FAR. Then I had gone to meet Audrey, she said that she was happy with the work I had given to her. Wahhhhh....really relieved. I even had her repeat saying, this work is good! I was expecting more of a..Adrian...I'm sure you can give me better work, but she was on the overall rather happy...so once again...wahhhhh...lega.....but that's only the beginning of the beginning! See how far it goes?! Well, to be rather honest, the PhD is one tough process, BUT it's definitely doable, I hope!

So after a nice spot of lunch with a friend from Taiwan, I took the tram and on the way, heard 5 girls talking bout...well I wasn't eavesdropping, or curi dengar or purposely listened in. They were talking so loud...let me exaggerate here...that you could still hear their conversation while wearing ur MP3 earphones listening to Cradle of Filth (IT Crowd..hehehe) Well, yeah I had exaggerated but they were LOUD! And what were they talking about? Comparing their bra sizes and breast sizes and their friends and...OK enough...Then I made the trip home and went for my first game of GOLF! Hehehe..yeah, trying to learn to be a gentleman by playing the gentleman's game. Well, so far I've only learned how to "not miss the ball" and gosh it is indeed harder than it seems! But I've only gone for 1 lesson so far. Oh well, I hope that it does help me to release stress rather than to give me MORE stress! WHY CAN'T I HIT THAT TINY BALL?!!!

Guess Guess Guess Episode 1

2008-08-25T20:15:00.000+10:00

Well, I'm not talking bout the Taiwanese game show, called "wo cai wo cai wo cai cai cai!" or just "cai cai cai" if translated literally. Sorry, me no speaking Mandarin very the good! Hehehe...Well this show does have a very witty host, who can talk, sing, rap, dance all done impromptu (I think) and also 2 very lovely girls as the co hosts. But one girl doesnt really talk at all, just stand there and smile. Well, a pretty face does bring you places! Sometimes some really pretty girls (ok la, some good looking guys too) come onto the show as "the subjects to be guessed". Sometimes they have some very very very weird stuff for you to guess, I'm not gonna say much otherwise people will say I'm a ...Hello!!! This blog isnt about the show la! Hehehe...

Hmmm...the second blog of me being in Aust! Hahaha...I also got to find out that quite a big number of people actually read my blog! Wah...I'm so honoured. Really nice to hear the comments and feedback from others. Well I do hope that the pics are bigger this time! It's been a pretty tough few months here, but with all the support I'm getting I do feel a lot of pressure being lifted off my shoulder. Many people keep telling me, hey update your blog update your blog, we wanna know more bout how you're getting on! Doesnt that just make my heart melt! Hehehe...I've just met with Audrey (my supervisor) today. BOY, AM I TIRED! I havent really had a single day's of rest for the past 3 weeks since my last consultation with her. And this is only just the beginning! Well, I totally crashed out on the bed for a solid 3 hours just now and I think it's still not enough! Hmmm...I wanna holidays!!! I've the money but don't have the time! *sob sob*

Guess what?! Good news is, after all the running around lost and confused (Audrey asked me when she first saw me today, how are you? I replied, I'M SO CONFUSED!) but with the help and guidane of really nice people like Audrey, Din, Dr Ravi, Chia Yi and Aina (and my mom who's been praying for me and so many other supportive people) who have been pumping my head with ideas (God bless the creator of Windows Live Messenger, Bill Gates?) and arguing back and forth bout ideas (some silly ones) I guess I've come to a topic which I think I can call a topic! Hmmm...I think I wont "jinx" it yet by explaining what it is yet, for I've still got a lot of refining to do! But I was pretty lost for the format of the thesis was very different as to the one I had done during my Master degree. Audrey is pretty supportive. I was reading a PhD thesis yesterday and in the end I went HUH?! So, I just told her all my research findings I've done within these 3 weeks, and she kept going "good good good"! She's so positive! I was like, HUH?! Then she went, I see that we can use these as your chapters for your thesis, and I went, HUH?! But then she explained and I explained and argued and she argued and I went...OHHHHH!!!

I also had the chance to speak to Din, who was also so nice and he said, GOOD! to my topic! I felt, yippie!!! Finally! It was nice talking to Din and Ismail today. I had wanted to call Ismail with the hope that Prakash and Jenny were with him too but they were at lecture. Some people might go, CALL BACK MALAYSIA? SIAO AH?! Well, it's pretty ok, cos I pay $29 per month, plus get a pretty neat FREE handphone (it's called MOBILE, in italics cos you need the accent!) plus you get $150 worth of credit including $100 for international calls! Wow, what a deal! Hello, Malaysian Maxis, Digi, Celcom, 018, bila nak start macam ni?! Hehehe. So now I really do feel that I do have a pretty neat circle of friends and people around me who are so kind hearted!

Well, I did at one point of time get so fed up with people for I saw many selfish, heartless things being done day to day. And I mean by people I know! Well I'm actually saying this based on what others tell me and my observations of some people. I just really lost heart with people. I mean, do they feel proud, happy, satisfied and contented to see someone being upset, cry or sad by something you did to them? And why the need to be kiasu or kiasi? Do you feel so happy when you have actually stepped on someone else? Some people are basically out to hurt other people and are happy with that! Sadists! Why must be jealous of what others have? What my mom always taught me was, treat people the same way you want to be treated. So, watch out, you might "kenakan" someone, it will come back to you! Well, I still do believe strongly in karma, and I dunno how these people can sleep at night, or kiss their kids goodnite or even PRAY! Whatever their religion is, I wonder what do they pray for? I feel that the closer people "claim" that they are to God or rather claim to be holy, the worse they are! Well, I dont exactly pray that much, I'm not that good a Christian as well, but I do believe in being kind and doing good to others! That's what I live on! I like to emphatise with others, how would I feel like in their shoes? I just dunno how some people can be so heartless at times. I'm not saying I'm perfect, no one is. But I dont go out to hurt others! If it's not mine, then I will let it go. But some people, in chinese they say, "die also must have it". Always remember there is a greater being. Well, one day we will need to answer to God for what we have done to others, so better keep the list short! Is it really so difficult being nice to others?! Well, I did hear of a wonderful quote of Shakespeare while watchin Criminal Minds S3 (finished d by the way, hehe) it went "LOVE ALL, TRUST A FEW, DO WRONG TO NONE". I do feel pretty sad when I watch the show. Cause it's supposedly based on real cases, and when I think, someone has actually lost a loved one and how cruel some people can be! Well, this is just the beginning and I cant get too tired yet! I still can remember the "hell" I went through just to BE HERE! And I was told that some people are jealous of me being here! Of course there are others who are pretty happy for me too. Well, I guess in the end, everyone is blessed in the own paths of life. I cant be a medical doctor, so I become a PhD doctor la, hehehe.

I just really wish that I could go home for the Old Paulian's dinner in Sept. 10 years since we've left school! Wow, time has really flown by. It would be really great to meet up with friends we've not seen and friends we always see. And the same old jokes which never expires! Hehehe. And, I do bathe EVERYDAY! I just can't imagine going a day without bathing! Of course it's the hardest this to do, bathing. Back home, it's so hot and humid, sometimes I can bathe up to 5 times a day. Hehehe. But here, I think the max I have done is twice a day. It's like, the showering part is ok, cause there is hot water (God bless the creator of the shower heater) BUT once you turn off the water and the cold (very cold) winter chills hit you! Gosh, you can really get pneumonia! Maybe I am exaggerating a little, but it does feel cold!!! Oh, some people don't bathe for days during winter. And the smell! THE HORROR! Hehehe. Well, I think in Melbourne the people are not that bad. It's all very trendy and stylo mylo here la. Everyone's dressed to kill!

Thank you so much to my family, friends and students for all the birthday wishes. It was indeed really nice, actually very very nice to get so many wishes for my birthday. A few people sent sms, many sent messages via MSN messenger, Friendster, Facebook ( I still dunno how to really use it), I think e mail pun ada. Hehehe. I need to practise using my BM otherwise I will forget it. Wah, I even got a very belated wish and I'd call it e card from an ex student for my birthday yesterday! It was really sweet! So nice to know that some still do remember me. I do remember one particular one, who walked pass me as if I was made of glass! Buat tak tau je! Hmmm...it was a bit hurtful, but, you live your life la! So, when you need my help one day, I will go, do I know you?! Well some people will go, Adrian, that's so harsh! But that's what they want ma...! Hehehe. But tonight has been a pretty busy night for me. Many students are asking for advice and help online. Yup, there are many who still do keep in touch with me. Let's see, there are like 5 of them talking to me now. Hehehe...private and confidential matters! But they always say, I'm sorry to bother you or to take your time. Come one, no worries! I myself still do go to my ex lecturers, like Din and Dr Ravi for help sometimes and they have never refused me help! I still remember when I had broken up last time and Din was always there for me. Well, he lives on the mainland in Penang and to come over you need to pay the toll for the bridge. But everytime I call him, and he will go, hang in there bro, I'm on my way! Well of course in many ways he has taught me a lot as well! Ravi I will ask for help regarding my studies cause he's like a walking dictionary/encyclopedia/the internet all rolled into one!

So, ahem, guess what I did for my birthday?! Hehehe...well that's what this blog is gonna be all about, guessing! Well, I'm still not that good at using blogspot yet, most of the margins and photos were like lintang pukang, so I'm gonna try something different today and hope it works out! Well I don't actually have a photo of me studying the whole day during my birthday, replying messages of well wishes etc! I did have a wonderful birthday in the end. I had decided to repay some of my uncle's and aunt's great hospitality and care by spending them a dinner! Of course they would've taken my out anyway, but they're just too kind. Hehehe..but I did have dinner at....

" Lambs, a Greek restaurant at Lygon St. That's my uncle, aunt and cousin Anthony. "

And guess what I drank during the dinner?

"Greek beer of course! Tak mabuk pun! It was very light. Feels like you can have at least 7-8 beers and still not get drunk. I dunno, the beers here seem very light, not like our Tiger!"

Guess what we ate for dinner?

"Well these ones I have no answers! I can't remember the names of the dishes. I think this is called Souvlaki or something like that. It's basically roasted lamb and chicken and you wrap it in some sort of pita or naan kinda bread.

The second one is some sort of lasagna, made from potato and some other stuff. The third one, is dips, sauces made from all sorts of vegetables, kinda like how you have nachos dips, Fourth is octopus, check out the size mate! And the fifth is baked goat cheese. Of cos I had this as well,

"Some sorta cheesecake. But it was really rich and thick and yummy and full of flavour and of course fattening la. My aunt said, nevermind, gain back the weight you have lost! See how nice she is?! Hehehe"

And of course with birthdays come presents and a cake. Guess what?!

"Surprise! Hehehe...This was really supposed to be a surprise actually, for there was a small "conspiracy" going on downstairs but I had walked into it by accident! Well of course I did feel happy. That's the best picture I have with me and my cake la. The others look really terrible!" I think this is the 6th or 7th year in a row whereby I am given a "surprise" birthday cake. Now the reason why I'm saying it's a surprise is cos, I thought, well, I am like a few thousand miles away from home from my family and friends, so who's gonna give me one? Like last year, I still remember how nice Jules was to have a gathering for me, when I thought that I wouldnt have a cake! Aiyah, you know why la, dont have to ask! Hehehe. Oh yeah, guess what I got as a gift,

"Just what I needed to pass the cold winter days. Hehehe, a nice jumper! Hmmm...I'm actually wearing it now! It's really warm and comfy! And also, the other gift I got I wore it on my birthday so you can see it in the pics. It was given by a very special someone who's overseas rite now! It's red, has a devil on it (on it, not wearing it! hehehe) and belongs to the greatest football club in the world. Championship winning season some more! Hehehe. All together now, Glory Glory Man Utd!!!

And every year I give myself a little birthday present too. Well, nothing wrong with that. Just sometimes you might see something that you really want but maybe it's a little too expensive so why not have a treat on your birthday?! Guess what I got for myself?

*Intro song of the Godfather*

"YUP! I have been gunning for this book since I have arrived in Melbourne! Boy, it did cost me a lot of money! The books here are pretty expensive. Anyways, this book is actually the screenplay (script) of my most favouritest movie in the whole world! I've watched this film I think more than 20 times already. And I still dont get sick of it. I still hope that Sunny doesn't get killed at the causeway, still hope that Don Vito didn't get shot and still hope that Kay Adams didn't leave Michael. Well, see how much I love this film! So inside this books are great behind the scenes pics of the making of the film, production notes and all sorts of other cool stuff! I actually saw it in another bookstore earlier and finally decided, OK, I am gonna get it. But when I went back, it was sold out and they weren't gonna order again! Wow, I was really really really sad! Luckily, the staff said to go to Dymocks and it might be there! And thank God for Dymocks! Hehehe, well, I havent really gone through it thoroughly yet but I have this hunch that I will be pretty soon! OK, so I guess that pretty sums up how my birthday went! Oh yeah, guess what I attended a few days before my birthday!

"A chinese ochestra! Never in my 27 years have I ever thought that I could be so "cultured"! I dont know, but ever since I've came to Melbourne, I've always felt that I am interested to know more about the Chinese culture and of being a Chinese. Well, of course I am still Malaysian and I am proud to be Malaysian! But, there's this longing in me to know more about the Chinese side of me. Well, this is the best pic I could take of the ochestra. My camera had this "chee chak" sound so I didnt really dare to take many. Ismail calls it the "cicak camera"! Hehehe. And there was this lady, who will go, SHHHHH!!! everytime someone makes the slightest sound! Like, someone coughs...SHHHHHHHHH!!! small boy says, Mummy mu SSSSHHHHHHH!!! And when I went chee chak SSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!! But in the end I didnt care la and took some pics towards the end of it. But the all were out of focus! Hmmm...the power of the SHHHHH woman! But what struck me the most was that half of the players in this ochestra were non chinese! Imagine that! And there was this girl, Australian I think who was able to sing in Mandarin! Wah...shy only ler. My uncle said, maybe she's more Chinese than you! Well, maybe in some ways!

Every Sunday, well almost, I would go cycling with my 2 other cousins. See, my mom's sister is here, whom I'm living with now and my mom has a brother who's also living here. So every Sunday I would go cycling with them. It's really nice to cycle here. They have a really really really big park where you can cycle, where there are roads for you! The worst part of it is that I have to cross a bridge which goes over a highway! Goodness! I'm already so scared of heights, it's pretty high! And to have the cars moving so fast below it! Really scary thought! But I have managed to cycle across, with my eyes opened of course! And guess what I saw last week when I was cycling!

*zheng zheng zheng* (scary music!)

Who would've known huh? Well, Lucifer is actually the name of the devil or satan. And there's a street that's named after him. I dunno who lives down the street or what is down that street. I didn't dare look! Hehehe...no la, I guess normal people and normal houses. But I thought that it's a really cool pic to take. Well, I'm not glorifying the devil or anything, if there was a Jesus Street I'd take the pic too!

Hmmm...did I mention that I have a pet? Well, it's not actually mine, but belongs to my cousin. His name's Max and is a small little fella. Runs really fast! Exactly like how you see them in the cartoons! Like the feet moving and moving and moving but not going anywhere yet! Then he zooms off! He's a dog which is able to catch his own tail and I dunno why, he spins round and round and round whenever I'm gonna feed him his dinner! Let's see if I have a pic of him, guess which one is him!

Hehehe...same pose, different angle! Well let's see if I can get a more decent picture of him.

Well I couldn't get him to "pose" properly for a picture so I guess that's the best I can get of him. I call him "Turbo Max" for a reason! Ok, I shall not talk too much about pets, otherwise someone will say, haiyoh, again animals ah? Last time cat now dog, nothing else to talk about ah?! Hehehe. Oh yeah, guess what this is!

"Black Hole Sun!" Now I guess I know where Soundgarden got the inspiration for that song! Hehehe...that's how much sun there is during the winter here in Melbourne most of the time! OK, I guess I shall be uploading more pics of the places I've travelled to in my next blog, for I feel that this one is getting a wee bit too long! Well, I'm gonna get back to watching Hell's Kitchen. It's pretty awesome seeing how Ramsay controls his kitchen! "Get out here you fat ****!" "You call that cooking you stupid idiot!" And all sorts of other phrases! Look forward to more pics then! God bless!

Month Of Firsts

2008-08-06T20:07:00.000+10:00

FARFROMHOME

OK! So here I am again, back into the land of bloggers. As I have been procrastinating this art of "blog writing" for a couple of weeks now. After much persuasion, after much thinking, after much scolding, yes, I have been scolded for not blogging, especially from a friend who's very much taller than everyone else is...hehehe. after much advice, so VOILA, let's start! Why am I not doing it in Friendster? I will be closing down my friendster acc soon anyways, due to certain "pressure groups" forcing me to use facebook. Hmmmm...Well, what's past is past and let's look forward to the future shall we? I am pretty new to this site so, please bear with me!

Over-the-seas

So, I had actually decided to start to blog again a few days before I left to Melbourne, then I decided to blog when I had arrived at Melbourne, then I decided I will blog after my first trip to the city, a week, blah blah blah....so here's to my first month! I shall celebrate that with a glass of wine in a while. hehehe.

So, how has life been for me in Australia...let's see (sounds of crickets.........)nah, it aint that bad! I hope not. Well, first and foremost, the trip to come all the way here was a first for me. I have never been to Australia before, what more travelled so far. The furthest I've been to is to Singapore and to somewhere in Thailand. So, yeah, this is a first time for me. Well, the departing part was kinda difficult, I think I had almost 20 farewells in total. So I figured, either these people really love me, or they really wanna say, BON VOYAGE ADRIAN!!! I think I will stick to the first one...hehehe. So the packing was quite a hassle! I had actually taken in the gigantic luggage I had bought in January (imagine how long I've waited, sometimes I still dont really believe I'm here!) and stuff it in with all sorts of things. Well, 20kg of luggage is quite little I tell you. So I weighed it, I had actually brought back my weighing scales as well. 40!!! I was like damn, ok, let's unpack, and I had taken out so much! And 32! Aiyoh, how la, then I looked closely, real close, 32 POUNDS!!! Hmmmm...travel anxiety. So I had to repack everything again and it went to 22kg.

"Australia's Calling, Matey!"

So we drove to the airport, I had actually brought in quite a lot of books in my hand luggage. ALL BOOKS! Until the customs officer actually asked me to open to check. And it all basically went well. The flight was pretty turbulent I might add, I didnt sleep the whole trip. Well partly due to the weather and this guy, I dont mean to be mean but his mouth was really smelly and he was snoring all the while. So, being a sensitive sleeper, I had none that nite.

Touch down!!!

OK, photos photos. I dont have the pics with me of my family sending me off at the airport. Well, my first dinner was at this Italian restaurant called Columbo's run by a Lebanese family. So Melb is a pretty multicultural place. I had a huge steak and we shared a really huge pizza. Now the pizza here are really full of toppings, not like some back home where u can actually see the dough, OK no names mentioned, dont want to get sued for defamation!

"big time pizza"

"check out the size of the steak"

Far from home, but at home

Well, currently I am living with my aunt, my mom's sister. So it's like having my mom around as well. Hahaha, well it's not a bad thing really. Let's see:

Advantages of living with my aunt:

1. I keep my room clean and tidy. Hey, I make my bad everyday ok, ask my ex girlfriends...hehehe...kidding...and the books are rather neat. (FOR NOW!)
2. My aunt and uncle are great cooks so I get delicious food for dinner every evening.

3. When I'm homesick I still have family here.
4. They are super duper nice!

5. I do not have PSYCHOTIC hannibal lecter housemates. (Jules stop laughing!)

Disadvantages of living with my aunt:

1. Actually none ler...life's good!

Well, I was always told by people, who know how to calculate your fortune, future that sort of stuff, that in my life I will always meet with people who will always help me along the way. Well, I still do believe that it's pretty much God's blessing to be upon me. Hmmm...eh, I am still going to church ok?! Hehe...

Melbourne

I finally understood that Melbourne is the CITY and VICTORIA is the state. I always thought that Melbourne was a state by itself. Nevermind la, now I know. Hehe...So I went to the city for the first time. And believe it or not, I had actually lost 4 kgs, ok la, 3.5 kg, but that's pretty a lot! Well, I've told many people and they do not believe, I should be putting on they say. Well, guess it's due to all the shivering due to the cold, it's winter here actually. I am exercising quite regularly too. Last weekend I went cycling with my little cousins. 10 years since I've cycled! So imagine the torture, but I survived! I also went play badminton once. BUT, cannot la, it was too damn cold. Halfway through I just gave up. Your brain freezes, your body freezes. So now I know why Malaysian players cant perform in cold weather! Hehehe...excuses!

But once again, my uncle is super nice to provide me with a heater. Back home, I normally sleep with a pair of shorts and t shirt. HERE, it's one, two, three layer, track pants plus 2 socks! Feels like Genting most of the time, as if the air con is on all the time, and I never liked aircons, again, ask my ex gfs...hehehe. kidding la. SO, it's really hard to wake up in the mornings, actually it's pretty hard to stay up most of the day! Cos the weather is so cold and the bed is so warm and...and...and....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So back to the city. I guess the weight loss is also due to the fact that I need to walk here and there. No more MYVI, oh I miss u so so so much! I commute using a tram to the city and need to change when I have arrived at the Flinders St Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hours for I need to switch trams at the station. Ok, so another first in my month. Sitting on a tram.

"waiting for the tram for the 1st time...wooohooooooooooooo! kampungnyer! hehehe"

"quite a new tram"

"quite an old tram. this one goes round the city for free."

"flinders st station"

"swanston st stop, this is where I cross over to take a tram to uni. across is Federation Square"

I can't find the pic of the super new tram. Nevermind. So what else is first? OH YES, I saw this while I was on the way to a restaurant named Sofia's.

"pride and joy of Malaysia. Nope, it wasnt a Mitsubishi Evo"

"this is supposed to be for 2, but 5 people shared it! there are about 20 prawns inside!"

"another pizza, bellisima!"

University of Melbourne - The Evolution Starts Here!

OK! Enough about food, I can seriously hear my stomach rioting already! I've also been to my uni I think in the first week I was there. Just jalan jalan around la, checking out the place. It's a pretty old buiding, I think from the end of the 19th century. I havent really explored much of it actually, for I study at home most of the time.Anyhow, I have managed to meet some pretty nice people here. I've also met my supervisor, Dr Audrey already. She's really nice and really supportive. Today I had my second meeting with her. Well we discussed some stuff bout my research etc. I'm pretty much panicking and really confused for I still don't have my research topic. But I'm getting there, I think! Well the uni is pretty much a cluster of buildings. There's a big portion where all the old buildings are clumped together, yes, like the one in Harry Porter films, plus there are other buildings across the street, down the road which houses offices and other faculties as well. I got to know that the uncle I'm living with, his daughter and son have all graduated from UNIMELB. So that makes me number 4 to be studying here!

"ta-daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...welcome to UniMelb!"

"nice scenery 1"

"nice scenery 2"

"nice scenery with me spoiling the pic 3"

"nice scenery 4"

City of Asians....MAKAN!!!

Melbourne also has a great number of Asians living here. I think more than half the people I see are Asians! There are Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, MALAYSIANS!, Indians and also many others from Europe as well. So, if Malaysia is considered multicultural, how do we call Melbourne? Super Multi Cultural? Multi world?! It's also pretty easy getting food that you want from back home, plus food from all around the world. Wanna roti canai, nasi lemak, laksa, asam laksa...memang ada! Wanna wan tan mee, kai fan, ngap fan, YAO AH!!! BUT, hahaha...most of the food here starts at around $5. So, I have become some sort of a mathematical genius, in converting Aus$ to RM. Like, if I were to eat a plate of duck rice, it's $9, so very quickly, $9 X 3 = RM27! Some people will go MAD AH?! WAHLAO WEI! well, I am FARFROMHOME am I not! Just take it as duck rice which is airflown from back home just for you. Plus, they do serve you plain water here in a nice bottle. Some Chinese restaurants do serve you chinese tea for free too. And good chinese tea if I may add. Back home, you get some stares when you ask for Ais Kosong or Air Suam. Well, not all of us would like to spend a hefty price on drinks filled with ice! Plus, I dont wanna get diabetes so soon! The food here is pretty big in portion as well, so I guess $9 isnt too expensive for certain types of food. I mean the portion is really huge!

"hokkien mee @ fukkin min @ tai lok min. my first taste of chinese food in Australia. seriously, this cures depression, homesickness, anxiety and most importantly, HUNGER! although it didnt use lard @ chu yao char @ bak iu, $9, but what the heck! "

"duck rice, $8.50, check out the size of the meat, plus the free tea"

"roti kosong 2, kuah kambing! these were enormous! and the lamb was aplenty! $8.50"

"teh tarik satu, kurang manis! $2.50. well, they call this tea tare! dancing tea?!"

"beef hor fun, $9. a bit too dry though, but a generous amount of beef!"

My stomach's really running riot, be still o ye stomach! Well, the roti canai and teh tarik were sold at this place owned by a Sri Lankan. The place is pretty much decorated ala Malaysia and there was even a Visit Malaysia poster on the wall! So who says that good food can't be found in Australia? Well of course I would have to admit that it isnt as authentic and delicious as the food back home. We need the dust, exhaust fumes and sitting in the open air spaces to make our food delicious!

Jalan-jalan!

Now that I've made you feel hungry, let's go for a walk. Well, I will be blogging the places I've been to in separate blog. Phew, this bloggin is pretty tiring! Hehehe...well, during the first month I think I've managed to travel to quite a few places. Thanks to Sheau Ying for the little travel guide, I've managed to explore quite a few places. There are a few ways of exploring Melbourne. By foot, walk around and feel what a busy city is like. But, I do feel that KL is so much more busier. By bus, there actually are free tourist buses going round the city! By tram, again, you can hop on the free tram and go round for free, or choose to buy the ticket and go round and round the whole day. By car or motorcycle. Well, my aunt has asked me to drive around here and there. But I dont wanna contribute towards the thinning of the ozone layer anymore. Yeah right, no la, I feel that I dont want to start getting dependent on a car again, so walk or move by tram la. Before I started my research, I actually took a tram all around the city. So I have basically seen quite a lot already. I'm pretty tired to actually upload all the pics I have taken of the places I've been to, so I will just put up some which I've been to. Well the most exciting one so far was to Mount Buller, where I had seen and touched snow for the first time! I did want to go skiing, but we only had 2-3 hours so it wouldnt have been worth it. So, maybe another time. Among the places Ive been to are all around Federation Square, Yarra River, St Peter's Cathedral, Ballarat, Sovereign Hill, St Kilda's, Mount Buller, The City Library, Victoria Market, Mount Dangnenong, Crown, Docklands Waterfront and a few others I cant remember! Of course I will try to blog out some other places I have been to in the near future! I'm gonna go for my glass of wine now. It's pretty late already. So, I shall leave this with some nice pictures of the city at nite! So, lots of love to my loved ones back home, missing you so much!

"somewhere in Melbourne!"

"nope, not the eiffel!"

"from across the river"

"federation sq at night"

"somewhere else in Melbourne"