School

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)

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

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.