Writer's traffic jam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...