Suet Yet のにっき

Ladies Only At All Times

2010-05-31T17:06:00.005+08:00

Last weekend, after almost a year of not taking the KTM, a couple of my friends and I decided to take this mode of transport to KLCC. You might have read that the management has upgrade their service in providing a 'Ladies Only' coach for.. ladies only, which in my opinion, is a good move since based on my experience..

1. There are many pickpockets around

2. Ladies carry huge bags for Gawd knows what reason which make it easier for pickpockets to proceed their daily job

3. There are men (sorry to all men out there) who have intimidating looks and eyes which as though has a natural built in CT scan when it comes to looking at ladies

4. Some of them take an 'affectionate' action in showing their appreciation for their little dolly preys by touching them without permission

5. Many more pinched, grabbed, slapped etc for the sheer pleasure on those little dollies

6. It's just not safe

And it turns out.. It was a good ride to and fro since the coach will have less people and us, ladies tend to be more courteous as we allow people to leave the coach before entering. There was no pushing, no long legs stretched out between the aisle and no bad smell of tabacco around. Instead, there are sounds of tiny girlish laughters, giggles, tinklings of bells from their handphone accessory and of course a pleasant arrays of bright coloured apparels adorned by the ladies. Not that I am abnormal, but I was actually busy checking out each and every lady in the coach for their shoes and bags at ease (I even spotted two pairs of Niccis!).

However, even when there were 5 languages used in conveying the message that the coach is only for ladies, there are some ignorant men who still get on it. On the trip to KL Sentral, an officer would be busy instructing all the men to leave the coach at every stop. But sadly, this experience did not last when we took our KTM home to Seremban as a few would just look away awkwardly whenever we gave them the stare as they strode in with a confidence that we knew is as fragile as glass. But, you wonder why. I guess they..

1. Are blind

2.Think that we are blind

3. Are illiterate (which is the case of one foreign man)

4. Are just plain ignorant

So there goes the 3 periods of Civic studies for our dear Malaysian students. You got to applaud them for being that thick a skin. If I was stuck in an 'All Men' coach or something.. I might have hid myself under one of those chairs in any corner available. Then again,what are the odds of that happening?

But then again.. is it fair for the ladies to get such a privilege??

Alive and Kicking

2009-11-17T17:28:00.002+08:00

Okay, so I have been dead for the past couple of months. But now, I guess, I am back for good. =)

There are stuff worth mentioning now that my brain cells start to function after a bizzare shut down (the maintenance had a whopping RM5000++ expenditure of self fulfillment from head to toe.. inside to the outside.. erm.. not quite what one might think of.. but oh well.. tee hee!!!!)

First up, the school is drawing to an end. Another 3 days and it will be bye bye 2009 school days and hola to 2010. This also means that I have worked for a year (almost) and.. apocalypse has still not dawn on me though I do sometimes think of what the heck am I doing when my kids just love to have the war-of-mouth with me. But then again, will you get shock when some of them (their friends, not them. They have the ultimate ego as huge as the air that they are breathing but ironically the oppposite of their brain matter) had a very very VERY regretful look when they got back their final term examination papers. Well, let's hope that these faces last till January 4th 2010.

Speaking of which, I am dying to watch 2012. I tried to buy tickets last weekend in my hometown only to have every available time fully booked; both Saturdays and Sundays!! Dang! Now that is the kind of trauma when it has been a long time since you last step into the theatre hall only to have other people feeling and thinking of the same thing as you do. After all, for the past few months, there weren;t any good movies on the silver screen which you don't mind paying RM10 / RM 12 for it. Since... hmm.. Ah yes. Harry Potter which... did not really awed me in any manner actually. So anyway, I shall try again this sat to get the tics.

Oh! Guess what? Ok.. this probably sounds jakun but my hometown has now its very own drive through KFC building. BUILDING!! Not a shoplot in some kind of supermarket or across the street with limited parking space BUT its very own building and somewhat a parking compound. Though, I predict the town will be massively congested now since it is right in the heart of the city. But hey! It's a drive through! How wonderful! la~la~la

Holidays are coming and thank goodness, I am not invigilating this year. I am waiting for my application letter for admission to furthering my studies which gawd knows when it will arrive. Hopefully soon. Gosh, when will people learn to be more efficient?

It has been raining like cats and dogs for the past few days and my~ I love rain!! I love the sound of it on my car, I love the sound of it splashing on my window, I love the cool weather to sleep in the night! Love it love it love!! But one man's meat is another man's poison. Most people i know dislike it. There will be flood, the clothes wont get dry, they can't do their chores, Pasar malam uncles wont have business, ice cream man will have to work in some other jobs etc etc etc. Hmmm.. If only the weather is alternate. One day sunny and the next day rainy. Haha! That might solve many issue, right? Haha!!!

Rebound (Cleaning out my closet)

2009-07-22T12:07:00.005+08:00

Today is exactly one month since HE said those hurtful words in breaking up what I thought was the perfect future I would have. As an excuse for HIS change in feelings, he pointed the finger on me by saying I did not give him the attention he once had and needed. There was no clue, no sign, no warning for HIS sudden change of behaviour.

Being the first relationship, I thought my story would be exactly like how my parents' and my brother's will be. Ending up in the registrar and Dinner Reception was part of my plan for the future. In fact, it was also presumably my future-in-laws' plan as they had came and discussed where were w-e to go from now. And this future was 3 years from the present; or so I thought. I have even planned for financial allocation as well as job transition when that day comes.

I guess, I was working too far towards this ideal future that I did not look at the present. I thought our trust and foundation was stable enough for me to focus entirely on my baby-step career and education status. I thought we will make it through, but HE abondoned this vision for THE new girl.

The past whole month was truly a test of who am I emotionally. I always thought I was strong. I always thought I was practical and rationale. I could carry myself well and am just and fair when it comes to handling various situations. But, I guess I am still a normal girl who is very much affected emotionally. And the amount of hurt, tears and questions that exhaust the soul off me is the prove for it.

Throughout the month, questions raised in my head. Why, How, When. Then, there were family's opinions in this issue. They supported me (even my 3 year old nephew) but give reasons which are quite useless now in stepping HIM down further as a Man. Friends were there as well, especially when I had to face the cruel truth that this year's celebration of my existence in this world will be a down and trodden one. They dragged me up as I emotionally refused to stand and shook me with words to prove who I used to be and can be. Colleagues whom I have just made acquaintances with became a source of wise words from the viewpoint of the experienced. With these three groups of people around to give me the push, I have finally rebounded from where I fell and now it is time to look at where am I and where have I stopped before taking anymore steps forward.

I need to analyse the path which I want to take now that I am running alone. Indeed, I am free as I can choose the path for myself. I am now able to revive as the girl before I met HIM whom I have kept in the closet because of the commitment from my part.

My gratitude to my family, friends and colleagues are the source of energy for me to move on. I have learnt to bestrong not only for myself but also as a show of appreciation for those who have come this far in supporting me. And as I close this chapter of my life in an attempt to forget and let it go, I will always carry the swelling scar with me. It might heal one day, it might not. Till that day comes, I know that the scar not only will remind me of the pain that I went through during the fall but also the overwhelming support I have received which was much more than I have expected.

I thank everyone who have touched my heart in that manner. Good people will one day be awarded. And it is not everyday you meet good people, especially where our world is becoming more and more cruel both socially and humanely these days.

p/s: Woohoo!! PC FAIR next weekend.. time to buy a new HD..

Wo men de ai

2009-07-10T17:43:00.004+08:00

回憶裡想起模糊的小時候雲朵漂浮在藍藍的天空那時的你說　要跟我手牽手一起走到時間的盡頭從此以後我都不敢抬頭看彷彿我的天空失去了顏色從那一天起　我忘記了呼吸眼淚啊永遠不再　不再哭泣我們的愛　過了就不再回來直到現在　我還默默的等待我們的愛　我明白　已變成你的負擔只是永遠　我都放不開　最後的溫暖啊　你給的溫暖從此以後我都不敢抬頭看彷彿我的天空失去了顏色從那一天起　我忘記了呼吸眼淚啊永遠不再　不再哭泣我們的愛　過了就不再回來直到現在　我還默默的等待我們的愛　我明白　已變成你的負擔只是永遠　我都放不開　最後的溫暖啊　你給的溫暖不要再問你是否愛我現在我想要自由天空遠離開這被綑綁的世界不再寂寞我們的愛　過了就不再回來直到現在　我還默默的等待我們的愛　我明白　已變成你的負擔只是永遠　我都放不開　最後的溫暖啊　你給的溫暖

I recall memories of our past,Where the clouds were all across the blue sky,And you promised that you would hold my hand,Till the end of time.Since then I didn't dare to lift my head with confidence,It seemed as if the sky had faded,Since then I lost my breath,My tears stopped flowing from then on, forever.Our love Can't return after it's goneTill now I waited in silenceOur love I knew, had become your burden,But I just can't let go the last heartfelt warmth,yours. I won't ask if you still love me,As all I need is the freedom of the sky,Leaving this world of sorrow,Never lonely again.Our love Can't return after it's goneTill now I waited in silenceOur love I knew, had become your burden,But I just can't let go the last heartfelt warmth of yours.

How can you be so heartless? for giving me a 'present' near my birthday which made me cry since 2 weeks ago? Of a third party coming between us?

Through the eyes

2009-06-30T16:39:00.004+08:00

Do you believe that life is like a ferris wheel? You will have ups and downs.. the funny part of it all is, when you are in the 'ups', Everything seems to go as perfect as you want it to be; you have friends, job, love, money, trust, fame and yada yada of all the things you want in the world. More than often not, you will be happy and feel secured with your life. You have the focus and you know what you want and where you stand. You are loud and boiterous when it comes to giving ideas or protecting yourself. You fear nothing and can only think of people to fear you.

However, when there is up, there will also be down. It's like the Yin and Yang theory. Everything must have the opposite aura to balance out nature and its way. Again, when you feel that your life is at the rock bottom; only a fine line from Hell, everything that you want to do just does not seem right. It is at this time, you feel that not even the 80 episodes of TVB drama will be more dramatic than your life.

Well, welcome to my state of mind at this moment.

A class of kids do not respect me; as a matter of fact, they don't respect any teachers to begin with. Yet, I have to look at their faces and TEACH them how to become human beings for 320 minutes each week. My friends are all away from me to rant and talk; even if they are near, everyone is facing the same thing so might as well just bottle it up and swallow deep into the core pit of my soul. I was told off in a school meeting (although I was absent but walls have ears; especially walls that are painted white and spells S-C-H-O-O-L on it) for not informing about my whereabouts when I went for a course as a REPRESENTATIVE right after the holidays which in ALL LOGICAL SENSE the person whom I took orders from should have done it. Besides, the place that I went did not have a phone line for my particular number. I have been working my a** of for almost 3 consecutive Sundays including this Sunday without stopping for a day of rest. And when I did get my rest, I was being told on that day that I did not give enough attention towards my the other well-being; which leads to a off-but-not-completely-off situation. My colleagues saw how I sulked the whole day; so much so that these cute uncles plan to buy me a face massager. One even wanted to be a masseuse for immediate medication at that moment which in a way did help liven up the mood though I did not realise how I sulked might have disturbed them. (Sorry for that!) My dad is warded today in IJN for a 'blow-balloon' session on his blood veins which are blocked. I lost my celcom broadband. My 80G external hard drive which consists of 2 years worth of overseas pictures (I don't go overseas to STUDY often so you can imagine how MASSIVE the collection might have been), Degree assignments and some songs is officially dead. No one can revive it; no one seem to be able to resurrect it.

I really wonder how low can it go from here.

I definitely need a saviour now even if he/she is dressed with a red cape and a noticable red underw***.

In fact, I don't mind any superheroes to come and sweep me off my feet though I already have 2 angels around me to guide me through some bumps within the mess I am facing. Remember, I am not in the right mind now. In fact, I am not me. This is the emotional me talking.

I have a strong feeling when the fog is cleared, and when I read back this post, it will be an entire different feeling towards the situations from my present emotions. I am waiting for that day to come.

If you can wait and not be tired of waiting - IF

Of how I ended up at the other side of the country

2009-06-18T12:31:00.003+08:00

As the holidays are ending, you would have thought that lazing around at home and watching the tube may be the best way to pass the time since once school reopens, madness will be there to steal Time from you. But as I was planning out how I will spend my carefree weekends for the last time within the next three months, I have the sudden call that ended all.. a call that may be a blessing in disguise

19/6/2009
5.00am - Online in the morning to check on my mails and blogs of other people.
5.30am - Went offline to prepare myself for the interview in putrajay(a)
6.10am - Left home
7.40am - Shocked to see Vilo was with me in the waiting room and get this - the same waiting room for interview. Not bad huh? What are the odds? High school mates turned college/uni mates and now together going for interview
8.40am - Went in and just bang.
9.25am - Came out to have Vilo said ' You went in the longest!'
10.10am - Left Putrajay(a) after breifing Vilo what to expect from the lady behind the desk.
12.30pm - Was ....... about what happened in the room so told my mom we shall eat sushi for lunch.
12.50pm - What??!! So long a queue for sushi?? 10 years ago, genki sushi was set up in Sban and it was closed down! Head to Ipoh white coffee instead.
1.10pm - the sales guy who sells books to the teachers in my school (whom my colleagues are overexcitedly trying to set us up) said hi... to my mom before asking 'Oh? This is your daughter ya? The one who went overseas?'
1.12pm - I looked at my mom and said 'So, you told the world I am the daughter WHO went overseas? How many daughters do you have la?'
9.15pm - Watching TV.
9.25pm - Still watching TV.
9.31pm - Phone rang. Caller: My PK Koko.
9.55pm - Told to pack up my bag and leave for Tioman at 12am in the morning of the 15/6/2009 which I have used various reasons to push it away.

1. I dunno anything about Koko.
2. I have a lot of other pressing matters in school to do.
3. I dont see a letter. I need letter to move.

Overrule as it is an order. Saya yang mengikut perintah.

10.35pm - Still grumbling to my parents because I REALLY DID NOT WANT TO GO.
11.05pm - Can't sleep. I don't want to go but still have to go.

The last day of my holidays - June diary entry

2009-06-11T19:52:00.005+08:00

1. Although tomorrow is officially the last day of my holidays, I will be going for my SPP interview; part of my job requirement.

2. So I treat it as a working day - to be formal me and my 'teacher' self.

3. I am excited to finally start my Jap class which is causing me a month's salary.. Sigh...

4. My dad told me about my deceased granddad on how he had to cut down a coconut tree under the gun point of the Japanese soldiers who wanted him to climb up and pluck the coconut.

5. As usual, the irony of the past and present; history and living.

6. The best part is I am also reading a book, 'The last concubine' set in Japan during the 1800s.

7. I am so lazy to begin work on Monday.

8. My mom just told me about keying in marks for the mid year exam paper.

9. I told her back, I dunno and I haven't do it because I have not discuss the answers with my children.

10. Moreover, the data is in school.

11. I have a strong feeling, I am not the first yet not the last to key in the marks once school reopens.

12. I had 4 invitations to weddings which I can't go to any of it.

13. For the first three was because
i) They are my colleagues who are older than me and I don't think I will be able to fit in and socialise that well yet.
ii) The last one is of my friends from IPBA which is too far for me and coincidentally, my nephew's birthday which I have forgotten.

14. I sincerely wish every pair of the bride and groom a blissful and happy life together as man and wife.

15. I can't wait to hear news of little bumps in 5-10 months time.. hehe...

16. My friend text me to join her for a trip at the end of the year to Korea.

17. I am excited!!!

18. But I am thinking I need to consider the SPM duration of invigilating.

19. Sigh.. being a teacher is no joke.

20. You are married to your job and is on call whenever the sun is around.

First graduation

2009-05-31T13:20:00.007+08:00

My graduation ceremony was on the 30/5/2009. It was definitely a memory to be cherished. As I sat there with the Victorians on the first 3 rows in front of the hall, I looked left and right and remembered many things we had done as a bunch of VUW students.

1. The flight we took to go Wellington.

2. Our first group trip around town in WEllington.

3. Our makan makan bersama after every semester ended.

4. Our merdeka celebration at the Embassy.

5. Our crazy noise pollution in the bus amidst the local Kiwis there (I still remember Jarod's line for that one ringing fresh near my ear)

6. Our laughter as we brave through rain and wind during winter.

7. Our lectures and tutoring groups with those who have touched our hearts : Rebecca, Macalister, Chris, the two Pauls, Alexa, Johnathan.. and oh my gawd.. what was the lecturer's name who thought us ALIN 301?? Ah.. yes.. Peter Gu..

8. Not forgetting Laila, Saskia and the whole slss group of people..

I smiled as I remembered every crazy thing we did as a group which in turn has made us so comfortable and supportive with each other.

And when I turn behind to look at my friends from other univerisities, my thought and memories fall back on the few people who have been there like brothers and sisters whom I never had.

1. I remembered Guna's shock when he knew I am from Seremban on the first night of our enrolment day.

2. I remember Shi ying's short hair and her smart tongue which I was not so sure whether it is of good or evil ( now I know shi ying~)

3. I remembered how I met Jul li and thought of her as a supposed OL than a teacher.

4. I remembered Anne's blur look when she walked into the canteen in search of Jul Li and how I got confused with her name being Fatima.

5. I remembered Gloria and how she sat next to me during briefing with short hair and flowing skirt.

6. I remembered Zaini as the leader of my foundation class.

7. I remembered Ali G thought my name as written on the IC was Tam Lee Hom.

8. I remembered Madeline and her ever so hurriedly walking from one corner to another.

9. I remembered how I will misscall friends who are late for classes.

10. I remembered the outings, gossips, retail comparing, assignment burning and exam stressings...

Memories after memories just filled my mind, like how Prof Dumbledore would pull on streak out to be placed in the Pensieve. Now how I wish, I had a Pensive. Then I can fall into the bowl and re watch everything like a TVB drama. No words can express how overwhelmed I felt at that time to have gone through the whole 6 years with them.

Not forgetting the seniors, the juniors who have celebrated all the Chinese festivals that we had together. How we have become the audience to support the performances done for all different themes and nights. The raggings on the first few days of arrival (yes, and I had to find out Ye Ye's full name). Part and process of learning and becoming crazy in the right way.

However, as I finally heard my name being called to receive the book and shake hands with the Education Director, Faculty Chancellor and the Deputy Director of my Institution, I know that this is the end of everything. It took me 6 months of clinging on to these memories and longing for this day to be able to gather together and chat; just like those days since 2003. But after this, reality is there and I should learn to let go. Let go of all these feelings, let go of all these thought of 'I wish..' Nothing can be done and there is no TimeWrap to turn back time.

My current social life is no more than with those older or younger than me. Different wavelength, different speech style and definitely different ideology. Until the day I reach a certain level of my prime or in a working environment which allows me to feel as free and comfortable as it was, these people will be those who have touched my life and allow me to feel true friendship which I have always wanted. It marks the whole new meaning of what I learnt in EDUC, family of no relations. Thank you, guys. I miss you all~ Congrats for officially becoming a real graduate.

Happy Teacher's Day

2009-05-17T09:27:00.003+08:00

Many people just ignore the fact that teachers help in moulding who they are now at present; whether a doctor, a writer, a cartoonist etc. Many would say that it is because of their pure determination/talent and whatever reasons to prove that teachers are nobody but someone who walk in and out of their lives.

True, everyone can be teachers. Teachers generally means a person who teach. A mother who guides her baby the first steps of walking is a teacher. A cook who scolds his students for causing a mess in their dish is a teacher. A mechanic who sits and reads the newspaper while instructing his protege verbally in desmantling the car engine is a teacher. A PhD surgical doctor who lectures a hall of training surgeons is a teacher. You and me and everyone who passes a new knowledge to another individual is a teacher. Teacher of all aspects, teacher of different environments, teacher of various reasons.

But can everyone be the TEACHER as a profession? Many people do have the idea that life as a teacher is simple. How tough can it be compared to other professions? A doctor is worth respect because they play with lives. An accountant is deemed respectable because they withstand the long hours of checking numbers and figures. A lorry driver is seen to be difficult as they have to travel from one corner to another.

I guess maybe because we do not have a concrete outcome to prove our hardships. We are always dealing with nontangible things such as mind, attitude and moral. Sometimes, we deal with success and failure both from teachers' and students' part. WE have in our heart to educate the kids but we get frustrated when the children have no alike minds like you. When they do, the adminstration will hope for the best and greed is there to achieve the ultimate achievement.

Nonetheless, some teachers are still there to continue to persue their hopes from when they have started this profession. To all teachers out there.. Happy Teacher's Day! Though it always seems that we are always losing battles, but we have been winning wars, even from the days of Socrates and Mencius. Human will need knowledge, and we are there to provide them. WE WILL BE THERE TO PROVIDE THEM.

I am Storm!

2009-05-14T05:30:00.002+08:00

Oh my GAWD!!!!!! Guess what??????? The man above has finally answered my prayers!! It rained... IT FINALLY RAINED!!! In fact, it rained twice. Once in the hot afternoon yesterday while I was having my meeting and then in the middle of the night until now.. It is raining!!! I love the sound of rain. I love the situation of sleeping when it rains.. Dang! Now I should have slept longer rather than waking up and typing this. Haha! Still.. Thank Gawd for the rain!!

So if we look at the pattern, it's as though I am Storm. Though the probability is low there, but still, when your prayers are answered within 48 hours of your complain, I think there is magic there. What do you think. I think there is. I think THERE IS! Wooohoooo!! I love rain!! I am Storm!!!

Hot until September

2009-05-12T05:25:00.003+08:00

The heat is getting into my brain (literally). I cant function when it is hot. i grew dizzy, sleepy and lethargic. In fact, I just got well from flu, fever, cough and laryngitis; which was so bad that it had to be the worse period of sickness since my diarrhea days last year. For a person whose body is more towards the heatty type, I do not appreciate this khatulistiwa climate. In fact, it gives me a whole new reason on why I should have moved and carried out my whole plan of migration since 2007.

And if the weather is not bad enough, the air cond in my staffroom has ceased to function for the whole week. I am extremely surprised at myself for being able to stay in a sauna-like box minus the cold shower for the past whole week. I remember being so happy to go for classes which I have not been feeling so since the first week of school.

Not only that, I think my diet has changed. I guess I will become a vegetarian soon as the thought of animals being cooked/ roasted in oven crosses my mind each time I am in a place without a slight hint of wind, never mind my staffroom. whereever you are standing, whether it is in you house, your room, the classroom or even in an air cond supermarket, you will sweat. Or maybe, I will. Not a nice feeling. I really wished now I have not cursed the winter wind in Wellington last time for blowing so strongly that my packs of seafood and Korean Mee dropped on the pavement of The Terrace as I was walking back from Yan's.

So, in some ways, I have become disiilusional. I wish I was Storm. Then I can create a whole new weather for just wherever I go. News of flood in Brazil send a mixture of feelings in my heart. I wished the rain will come here. I wish I was in Brazil. I wish I can swim. I wish... I wish I was Storm.

And since the newspaper has reported that this heatwave will last till September, I have a strong feeling, I will soon become a grumpy person as I cant stand the heat! See, even now, I am blaming everyone for causing global warming including myself. I curse those people who cut down the trees and build building that is creatively hung with moss-filled cloth stating TO LET OR TO RENT. I curse those people who uses leaded petrol which you can see at least one vehicle everyday in Rembau doing so. I curse the warm and stuffiness even in the morning which causes me to turn on my air cond in the car which in turn uses up my petrol quicker. I hate.. I hate..

Aaaahhh.. see? Grumpy grumpy. Not good for healthy me.

The reasons he is my Idol

2009-05-08T05:40:00.004+08:00

With the hype of American Idol these days, (yes, I am finally following AI in full episodes since their debut because I have the amount of time.. Muahahahah!!!) my own personal Idol came last week to perform live in Stadium Bukit Jalil. And what will a fan like me do? Buy his tickets and go for his concert! Gone are the days when I have to buy the cheapest or free seating tickets since I am now earning and buying them from my hard earned money (the thought of my 31 kids and how much of effort it has taken for me to cajole them to TAKE OUT THEIR BOOKS cross my mind.. not a memorable experience.)

That was the second time I attended his concert, with the first held at Genting ARena of Stars in 2005. Fastforward to 2007, he came with Heroes of the Earth Concert but, sadly I was at the other end of the world which caused me to miss it. And mind you, I was EXTREMELY UPSET. In fact, I actually crooned over his songs the night his concert is scheduled. Argh...

So last week Saturday, with the concert MUSIC MAN - attributing to the fact that he sees himself as one of the many heroes of music (like spiderman, batman and superman) he took his custom-made guitar and rocked the whole stadium. Frankly, although in my eyes, he is such a wonderful and talented singer, so much so that I think God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on him (which I dont mind leaving my current job and fly over to Taiwan to be his music enegineer or even the aunty who sweeps the floors of his studio) , I do have a few things that I like and dislike about the concert.

From my point of view, as a whole, the theme of the concert was rock. So the heavy base and screeching guitar are the two arrangements hightlighted the whole night. The are a few songs which surprisingly has a wonderful effect after being changed their arrangements to rock such as 'Can You Feel My World', 'HeartBeat' and 'WHY'. There are a couple of times, poor LH had to massage his throat as he just completed an acting feat in the mainland with Jackie Chan which needed him to be a hot-tempered general. Can imagine the strain caused to his throat. Nonetheless, the whole concert was still an approving blast.

However, I am quite dissapointed with the arrangements for Hua Tian Cuo. Hmm.. Maybe because I do like the sounds of traditional music so when there is rock element to this song, it feels weird. He no longer sang all his hits and actually brought out songs that he seldom sang live. Again, maybe it is due to the arrangements. And because of these arrangements, his feat in playing other instruments are limited; especially on the piano. I LOVE HIM when he plays the piano but for this concert, it is only limited to only a handful of songs. For me, that is a bit of a dissapointment.

Lee Hom's performance aside, the organizer did an alright job in organizing the concert. Nonetheless, I am not sure if the stage is all this while that... less spacious. Maybe it's an agreement beforehand.. so not much comment about that. Though, I do not understand why we cant take photos. Still, some managed to record a few of his songs and upload it in YouTube! Great job and thanks!!

I am now waiting for his new album release and also the movie. Of course, nothing beats my longing to attaend his concert again in 2011!! Lee hom!! You are the best!!!

credits to sunset 2712a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CONdKvOhaCQ&feature=related -My favourite song for the night. I have always loved this song because it is way different from the love ballads or furstrated lyrics which he had composed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BKtvD1LLF8&feature=related - Loved his violin playing here. Though I do not like the original videoclip (haha!)

credits to setzretz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHmHGoIhVlY - The song that let my heart down. I loved the er hu and nothing can beat that.

You will know

2009-04-17T05:25:00.003+08:00

You will know when your body is no longer as energetic
You will know that each time you give in 100, your return will be less than 50
You will know why teachers are laid back most of the time
You will know who to seek advices from and who you should stay away
You will know which colleagues are helpful

You will know how to bend all rules to get what you want
You will know your credibility as a teacher when they give you lots of work
You will know that it is only to teach you and make you an experienced worker
You will know there are many hidden issues and secrets while working through the extra jobs
You will know how the school operates in a more microscopic view
You will know why some teachers' name are 'accidentally' left out for major events and extra work
You will know school is just like any company and entreprise minus the retrenchment
You will know then why students are said to be our clients
You will know that all your years you have come this far only to be questioning questions again
You will know that you have to meet and face reality straight on
You will know that you are living in the present
At the end, you know whether teaching as said being a noble and charitable job is worth the next 5 years of your unregained youth.

As I am writing this
1. My throat is sore, marking the first sickness since starting work
2. Today and tomorrow is a school day although tomorrow is not noted as a replacement day
3. I finally realise I do not have a personal cupboard which explains my hurricane-like table
4. I need to BUY one myself since the cupboards in the school are maximised.. or overmaximised

The shocking truth

2009-04-09T19:14:00.002+08:00

What will you do when you get these responses from students?

*1. I have pin point 5 kids from my class of 32 sleepy heads and give them extra coaching on English. One boy has not been handing in his work for the past 2 weeks. As good as he is in English (note that when I say good, I am comparing him with the class of his, and yes, the drop-their-heads-on-the-table-within-5-mins class). This is his response as he grin sheepishly:
'Ala.. cikgu.. saya masuk sekolah ini cuma nak buat amali.. bersukan.. dah la tu..'

*2. I am giving extra classes to a class of form 5 and though the girls are very attentive, the boys lack the motivation. As I asked a girl to start back the extra class, this is her response:
' Cikgu, next week I not around. I go camp.'
'What camp?'
'Pertahanan awam. 5 girls.. all la the girls and then.. 2 boys.'
'out of..?'
'42 students.'
'ooh.. then I still have 35 of them, right?'
(smiled) 'Teacher, you think all the boys will come?'
-Did I mention my principal wants to look at the report of extra classes within the next few weeks because the inspectorates are coming?-

*3. I want to collect the History notebook from students to mark before the test next week. One student from the A class said:
'Teacher, I left my book at home.'
'Where's your home?'
'In Penang.'
'Are you going back this week?'
'No..'
'How are you going to read your notes for test next week without your notebook?'
'Oh! I got this book'
And it turns out to be the concised notes compiled by History teachers from other states and sold out to kids in the school. Nice~ So next time, when I send books to my ketua bidang, do I send the compiled notes too? HAHA!

The craziness of my present situation

2009-04-08T11:03:00.002+08:00

As i am typing these:

1. I am waiting for a teacher to inform me of what to buy for sports day tomorrow.
2. I have 2 piles of history homework which I have given to my students to complete.
3. In front of the staffroom, teachers are rummaging through a whole pile of plastics and chopping boards to prepare the ingredients for lunch.
4. Behind me, once I open the window, a group of students are cooking outside.
5. All the students are walking around as though there is no class.
6. But if you were to walk around the school, teachers are teaching in each class.

The ranting from a tired teacher

2009-03-12T05:20:00.003+08:00

When the time comes, a person's strength will deplete if being used consistently without having the means to recharge. A person's patience will reach it's limit when nothing can keep it down as there is no reason to do so. A person's hope and dreams will continue to dim when there is no light shining on it. And for the most prominent reason, when time is running out.

Everyday, I come home after teaching this particular one class thinking how will I teach them tomorrow so that they understand better? Both English and History. How will I get them to listen and BRING THE BOOKS without reprimanding them in a tough manner? How should I motivate them as these kids are just plain.. I know I shouldn't say that word but it shows. Lazy. It's not that they can't read. 32 students, I got fed up of them not reading individually and silently on the drover's wife from the baby step books (since they NEVER bring their literature books - shows how motivated and 'excited' they are to study) and had them come to me and read it one by one to me. And yes THEY CAN READ. They even know what is the story loosely all about - the dog, the drover's wife, the kids and the snake. I am happy with that. BUT, when I want them to take out their exercise books for practice.. again.. the pure excuses and murmurs of did not bring books or writing only one sentence withthin 10 minutes...

That is just English class. The repetition conitnues with their History class. Worst, History is a matter of memorising facts. You read, you memorize. Teaching History is just this. Gone are those fantasy storybooks when you have a teacher showing all the pictures and stories RELATED to history. Plain fantasy. I tried that. I showed pictures of Acropolis in Athens, I showed pictures of ancient warriors from the 4 main civilizations. Students saw and that's that. I can continue doing it but again TIME is not with me. ANd now, with my kids from the same class but of different subjects behaving this manner, I am slowly feeling my energy and enthusiasm depleting.

It's not easy espeically when my timetable teaching both the subjects are back to back on the second day of the week. 90 minutes times 2 = 180 minutes.

Now, only the two main aspects of CM i have not really go forth with them. Punishment and motivation. I dont believe in punishment as I do think no kids will like that, especially my dear kids who are already away from their parents' protection and love as well as the rigid timetable they go through day in and out. Motivation comes with a cost and now that my salary is in, I can do that. Hopefully, things will turn out for the better when I use Motivation. If all else fails, punishment should suffice. But, I ain't going to do that ugly job. Should I?

Nonetheless, I do have about a quarter of kids from the class who listens and do their work (even if it is not completed). God bless them for being the little angels of the class as they hand in their books personally to me sometimes. My mom says that these kids are the kids who have been going through the needed informal education at home since young. The politeness, the morale and the values being a student and a son. And I do thank their parents for it.

This has certainly taught me that breeding comes with a huge commitment and responsibility. But then again, it is not that soon until I think about this aspect of life. Haha!

The thing which I have been waiting for

2009-03-10T20:21:00.003+08:00

It's finally here!!! The piece of paper which marks the confirmation of my education thus far. Muahahahaha!!

In a white envelope, it came today. My degree with the Victoria crest.

With this piece of hard quality paper, I can finally apply for my allowances, some sponsored courses and various other applications that I have been waiting for. Most importantly, this cert can be shown during my interview which will be carried out within this 6 months to be an official government officer.

I thank all, especially Anette and Jonathan for helping our Cohort 2 Victorians for organising and making sure everything falls on track. Can't wait to get my transcript and see you guys in May for IPBA's Grad!!

The one whom I have been waiting for

2009-03-09T18:53:00.004+08:00

I am excited.. extremely excited.. wanna know why....? *(^^)*

After missing his Heroes of the Earth concert in March 2007, I have been waiting for a very very long time for him to come back, especially this year since I know, he usually comes for a concert in Malaysia once every 2 years. Now, with this ticket.. I can finally realise my dream to see him again and this time, in the open air of Bukit Jalil stadium.. Wohooo!!!!

So, my job for the next coming two months before I meet him is to re-memorise all the lyrics to his song.. (^^) Can't wait!!

The real first week of school 2

2009-03-05T20:02:00.001+08:00

Well, the timetable has changed. I am quite surprised by the new timetable. And also, the load work given. Haha!

1. I am only teaching 5 classes, 4 Sejarah and 1 English.

2. The joke is, I am teaching the same class (4 Kejuruteraan Ladang) for both English (yes.. my sole english class) and Sejarah.

3. I like my Wednesday timetable the most, because I have double period English with them, and then interval of one subject before going back into that class again to teach Sejarah.

4. This class has a mixture of good students to VERY poor. I REALLY have no choice but to do translation with them. HAlfway teaching Sonnet 18 yesterday, I caught myself speaking entirely in BM because my kids do not even know what is the meaning of 'eye of heaven' word by word. *FAINT

5. However, as all are boys (another irony of the mix school thingy), I anticipate I can have a bit of fun during English period where I can bring in a text that caters to all of their interest.

6. Again, I stayed back for choral speaking and Tae Kwan Do today until late evening only to realise while driving my 40 minutes drive home, I left both my laptop and my huge packet of fresh Kailan in school.

7. I can't turn back because the JPJ is there to halt the length of time from 40 minutes to an hour. No.. I could no longer be bothered. A good excuse for me to get a new laptop if the laptop goes missing. As for my kailan, it was just RM 1 which I don't mind forgoing.

8. I need to train the choral speakers again and mind you, my students are good but lack the creativity. I have to be the one who keeps expanding and giving examples to broaden their mind.

9. Oh, and when I ask them to think of P.Diddy, Snoop Dog, Chris Brown for the 'macho, cool, pimp' look and sound for the poem, my dearest student from my 4KL asked "Miss, tak kenal la. Amy Search I know la~'. *FAINT

The real first week of school 1

2009-03-04T05:24:00.003+08:00

My students have finally arrived on the 23/2 to school but alas, their excited teacher, yours truly was sent OUT of school to be a judge for the district level long jump for the whole week. An easy task but a long process, and the rain did not help either. To complete our slot fast, my colleagues and I had to continue judging the poor drenched kids under a heavy downpour when other events had stopped. Never mind the tanned skin now, but my kids back in school has lost 1 week study.

As arrived back on Monday to school, guess what?

1. The air cond in the staffroom has decided to have tantrums whereby they on and off VERY frequently which sometimes can leave you about an hour or two feeling like those of our chicken for dinner when we steamed them.

2. I was called for a meeting with my principal for a school programme but I was not around. And the weird part is, I actually have no duties, so why the name on the letter? Ignorance is bliss now, so I was thinking, if no one has a black and white letter for me to move, I guess I can ignore the whole thing altogether though I have left a word or two to other teachers involved to show that I still 'care'.

3. My form 5 kids are extremely friendly with me this week - guess it was because of the district level sports.. I mean how often do you get to see a teacher hanging on to her dear ol' umbrella as the wind was blowing and the rain was pouring in the middle of the field while trying to get the long jump kids to JUMP FASTER? Yup, I think my students have a clear view of that for 2 consecutive days.

4. Sejarah~ I still do not know how to teach and get students to remember the facts. I hope they do. I ahve been giving them notes on mahjong paper (yes, practicum style.. Woohooo!!!) and have the weak students copy but some boys are quite... Hmmm.. Any ideas?

5. There is a timetable for a class, but there are no students. Irony, right? WHat am I suppose to do? Keep writing in my record book ' kelas ditunda disebabkan pelajar belum mendaftar ke sekolah?'

6. So, from teaching 6 sejarah classes, I ended up with only 3, while I have 2 classes of English and now, only teaching 1. There goes my worry for BISP watsoever.

7. Today, I will call for students who are interested in joining choral speaking for the district level competition right after hols. Let's see how are the responses going to be.

8. Oh, gawd. I need to stayback for Tae Kwan Do today. Aiya..

Accident

2009-02-24T20:18:00.002+08:00

I saw 2 accidents within a month along the way to school.

The first accident involves 2 cars ramming into a tree which I think is a case of speeding+overtaking gone wrong. Thank gawd the victims were all alright.

The second accident was on Monday and again, it involves speeding+overtaking gone wrong. However, unlike the first accident, the second accident involves death. the car who wanted to overtake another car rammed into the car at the opposite direction, killing the driver. The family members were in the state of shock as fire fighters dismantle the deceased victim's car to take him out.

To all my friends who drive, please please please drive safely. If you are late, so be it. The whole scene was scary and upsetting.

p/s: On Monday, half of the teachers arrived after 7.30am including the principal because of the traffic congestion caused by the accident. The normal usual me who arrives in school at 7.11am scan in at 7.25am that day.

pp/s: I use scan in because my school uses a thumbprint scanner to clock in and out of work. I feel like those FBIs whenever i do that. Only, the machine will not say "Hello, Miss Tam" "Reporting for duty" "Access denied" "Code error" etc. The only 2 things it says are "thankyou" or "please try again". How lame is that.

The beauty of traveling at 6.30am

2009-02-24T19:51:00.003+08:00

Since 13/2/2009, I have been lamenting on my travel to school in the morning. After all, waking up at 5.00am everyday and sleeping at 9pm definitely makes my life a little bit monotonaus, if not boring.

1. There won't be any cars at the junctions when I leave for school, making me feel lonely.
2. I am definitely the earliest to leave my house out of the 5 working family members and on a couple of days in a week, the latest to arrive home which make me feel like a working machine.
3. Though I do the fast and furious adrenaline pump every morning which can climb to a maximum level on the highway, when there is a lorry tank in front of me at the old kampong road towards my school which is a 25 mins drive, my adrenaline can go to the most minimal level.

But guess what, I have only realised the beauty of going to work in the morning when the sky is still pitch black on Monday.

1. There was a beautiful crescent on the sky on Monday, the crescent was just so thin yet so clear for the naked eye to see.
2. Just a couple of milimetres below the crescent was a star which makes it as though the crescent is wearing an earring.
3. Next to the crescent, there is also another star, like those we draw on paper when drawing our national flag, big and bright, a picturesque view.
4. The beautiful lights of the city when I drive pass Seremban on the highway towards the Rembau district.
5. The view of little children holding hands crossing the streets to go to school as I reach nearer to my school.
6. The feel of the sky getting brighter though I cannot see the direct sunrise.

I remembered last year when I had practical in Kajang and it is in the afternoon session, I have the opposite views from this.

1. I have viewed a full red/orange sun amidst the high buildings of Kuala Lumpur.
2. I have seen purplish red sky due to sunrays and reflection on the clouds.
3. I have seen parents standing by school gates holding an umbrella to protect themselves and their little love either from the sun or rain.
4. The feel of sky getting darker and even the direct sunset.

This world is indeed a wonderful place. Has anyone ever experienced this before? As we take time out to take in such little things which we normally take for granted since it's an everyday exeprience, we will never know that life in a way falls in a pattern of both sides of the coin. When we are down, there will be a time when we will be up. When we are sad, there will be a time when we will be happy. And guess what, sometimes, it is the thing that makes us down or sad will be the one that brings us up and makes us happy. So, be optimistic and in all possible way, take everything as it comes.

I have experienced both side of the coin at the very start of my career. What more can I ask?Should I count myself lucky? Perhaps, I am.
(^^)

25 things from face book

2009-02-04T05:52:00.003+08:00

This is a little data my friend from facebook has tagged me to do. Since my blogspot is connected to facebook, I might as well post it here so that everyone can view. This is the first time I am doing such things so let's see.. =)

1. My name came from a TVB drama. When I was still a multiple cell organism in my mom's tummy, my parents are already TVB addicts, especially towards the sword-fighting series. Thus, when the drama 'The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain 1985' was aired, my mom couldn't help but fell in love with the hero because of his undying love towards his dead wife (the scene always portray him sitting by her tomb and it was always snowing) and his charismatic portrayal as he practiced his sword fighting skills under the full month to seek revenge. So, that's why, my name was Suet (Xue - snow) and Yet (Yue - moon).

2. That is also the reason why I think I am a TVB addict as well. Ask me any TVB dramas from 1997 onwards, I can recall and tell you the summary of the show. But now I slowed down a bit since work is taking its toll on me.

3. This is because I thought I can watch the shows from 8-10 only to realise that by 9, I am already nodding off in front of the television. It is due to the fact that I have to wake up at 5 the next morning for work. Haha. So let's see what I can do to get back my pace on the dramas soon.

4. Of course I was not quite happy with the fact that my name came from a drama series, unlike my brother who was named by my deceased grandfather. But, oh well, at least now, each time when I introduce my name, I have story to tell.

5. I was more towards a traditional girl growing up. My parents were protective so, I was loud but when facing the opposite sex, I was VERY shy. It took quite some time before I can finally mix around without having the shy feeling in me.

6. When I reflect now, I regret many things for not doing or did because of that traditional me.

7. So, I chanel my regret towards my students by telling them to do the things that they have always wanted even when I know they might not make it. At least, they tried.

8. My cousins from both sides used to call me ang-moh jie jie (european sister) because I was the only one who speaks English.

9. But now I can speak Mandarin thanks to the 2 years training in NZ with my workmates. Oh, and yes! Wang Lee Hom.

10. I LOVE Wang Lee Hom.. can you believe that guy is so talented and.. he looks so young?? But he is way pass 30s.. Hmmm..

11. Actually, I can speak in Cantonese since young, but they were the ones who did not understand.. so I am quite confused about their reasons now.

12. I missed Wellington ALOT because of the weather and the walking.

13. But when it comes to food and entertainment, I think I shall pass. In fact, for the past 2 years, I don't really remember what I cooked except for butter chicken and spaghetti..

14. Which is why I think what my friends say is true. I have selective memory and only remembers things that I want to remember. If not, don't ask me to retrieve memory of even what I ate 2 days ago.

15. I forgot my class teacher's name from std 1 to 5.. Gawd, who can forgot that lady in std 6? I so wish to meet her again to give her a piece of my mind about teaching. HAHA

16. Being a teacher was the last of my choice in std 1. I wanted to be a singer.

17. And then I wanted to be an actress.

18. When I went to Form One, I wanted to go overseas; no matter for what course.

19. My parents told me they could not afford to send me even to the neighbouring country so I better get the A's to get scholarship.

20. And then I decided I don't want to go overseas because I want to be a lawyer as I LOVE History in Form 3.

21. But in Form 4, my dad told me that with my loud behaviour, becoming a lawyer will only pay the price of not getting married since guys will be intimidated by me. I listen to my dad because.. well, he is a guy himself.

22. In Form 5, my dad told me about this programme to become a teacher and trained overseas which I entered the following year. I still vividly remember telling some friends about this course during tuition and how my interview went in getting into the course a few months later.

23. I enjoyed my life for the past 6 years being in this programme.

24. But this is not the end of the road for me. I have in mind a few things I would like to do education wise.

25. That is why, marriage is not an option for me for the next coming few years until I am satisfied with what I have achieved, career wise. It would be great though since I have a few more extra years to hogg on the ang pows. Haha!

That's all for my confession of 25 things about me. Haha. I had to think a couple of days on what to write since 25 is a huge number to talk on and on about oneself.

There goes my hols for now

2009-01-28T19:45:00.002+08:00

Well, Chinese New Year in a way has gone by for me, that is. Every year, Chinese New year comes and goes in a flash. Although there are 15 days of Chinese New Year, yet, for me usually the first 3 days are the most important ones because its the time when I will get busy busy to visit or to be visited by relatives and freinds.

What more, on the fourth day of Chinese New Year, I will need to go to school.

This year Chinese New Year has been different. Very different.

1. My ah ma could no longer recognise any of us.
2. My po po did not go to KL because of old age and stayed back at her home (which is 5 mins from my house)
3. My CNY hols is only until Wednesday.
4. Most of my friends are already working so we actually go for Dim Sum gathering.
5. I cook lunch this year.
6. I think I will cook lunch again this sat for a couple of my friends.
7. The irony is I did not cook Chinese food but Indian, and for this Sat, will be Italian.
8. My parents met Jinho's parents.
9. But I was too tired to get any feedback of what they thought about them because I have to go to school today.
10. I wonder where in the world did my neighbours get those stuff which can produce wonderful colours and blasting sounds?

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-25T07:43:00.004+08:00

Well, the Chinese New Year is here and just go out to the town now and see the heaps of people around. Its the HOLIDAYS and everyone is celebrating this occasion regardless of which ethnicity you are.

My celebration started in school last week with a few people giving mandarin oranges to all the teachers. First, from the retiring teacher (whom I am taking his classes once he leaves, Mr Siaw), then the Teacher's club. Then, was a lou sang lunch with all the chinese teachers in my school on Friday. Note here, I am THE ONLY CHINESE LADY and the YOUNGEST among all. Haha!! Nonetheless, it was great fun since this is my first experience.

In the town however, the festivity season does not seem to be shining since the state's ruler has just passed away and we, the subjects are supposed to be mourning for 40 days. That explains the missing blaring music of "Dong Dong Dong Chiang" from all corners. Nonetheless, music aside, the town has been decorated with lanterns and going to the market day or night, people will be there selling, shouting and buying groceries for the celebration.

Back in my home, this year the household has indeed cut down alot.

1. Chinese New Year Cards

The Chinese New Year cards sent to my house has gone down by half. There used to be enough to hang at least 7 rows of cards; each row having 8. Now, only 4 rows are hanging around my hall. Political reasons or economy slowdown, the mood in my opinion has been affected by this.

2. Hamper

My dad forgo the traditional hamper buying this year which had begun when I was in Standard 3. His reason was because I have grown up and so has my friends. You see, when I was young, the hamper will be torn by my friends who came to visit my house. Quite logically, my friends might no longer enjoy the hamper tearing now since everyone is working. Boohoo! So out goes this tradition.

3. The cookies and peanuts.

This year, I am in charge of buying the cookies and peanuts (MUAHAHAHA!) But I have no doubt cut down on the jars after jars of cookies and peanuts since past experiences have taught me that the cookies are no longer the favourite for the guests. Instead, the guests will just sit around and enjoy the companion and discourse with the hosts rather than savouring the food. So at the end, the cookies will only be left for the consumption of my family members; most importantly by the cookie lover, me! Noo... that will go against my resolution. Haha!! S, out you go cookies and peanuts!

Nonetheless, Chinese New Year is only celebrated once a year so we should all enjoy!! For those Ox and Oxen, this is our year, yet our animal sign is not having the brightest luck this year. We are all in the way of the Tai Sui (a saint I think) so, in order to avoid the unwanted happenings, wear gold and talk less. Its the year where walls have ears. Haha!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Report for duty - Officially working

2009-01-14T05:13:00.004+08:00

I have officially started working since 12 January 2009. I have been posted to a technical school in Rembau which is about 40-45 minutes (because of traffic congestion) from my house. This means, I have to push off as early as 6.30am every morning to make it to school by 7.25pm. So generally I have to wake up at 5am to make it for 6.30am take off for my early morning dose of adrenaline rush in flying across the highway (HAHA!)

My students will be doing more on farming and engineering courses for their examination. I have not yet started teaching them so I do not know how are they and what are they like in classrooms. But so far, students seem to be polite and although they are in Form 5, they are rarely towering me. Maybe a couple of centimetres though, but yeah. Haha.. I guess it is because of my high heels.

I do not have any responsibibilites and classes yet. So until the Form Four come in , I think I am free for now unless the school gives the ko-kurikulum activities to me.

There is hope for irony

2009-01-11T09:08:00.003+08:00

Don't you like it when:

1. A stranger stops his car and signal to an old man to cross the street when he knows cars behind him with extensive moral value will honk at him.

2. You see a young boy helping an old lady to carry bags only to find that they are actually strangers.

3. A little girl is holding a broom which is much taller than her in attempt to sweep the floor as her elder sister arranges the pots for Chinese New Year.

4. A stranger helps a lost person to find a specific place; whether by foot or wheels.

5. You see an elder sister holding tightly to her younger brothers as the parents carry bags after bags of groceries.

Dont you feel nice when you see these happen?

Isn't it ironic? II

2009-01-06T14:02:00.004+08:00

Isn't it ironic when:

1. The JKR people START to mend the roads at the first day of school when they had 2 months school holidays to settle it (or is it the peruntukan says start it in the new year).

2. All the roads are being mend simulataneously which looks as though Godzilla has just came and leave footprints as he jumps around, drunk.

3. Both ways out of your residential area to town is blocked because of JKR projects which you don't know why since you have been driving on these fine-but-now-dug-up roads for the past whole 365 days.

4. The traffic lights at important t- junctions (those that have cars from all directions) are not working when the JKR is mending the road.

5. A smart driver blocked the entire junction knowing that the cars in his road is not moving but still, follow the line without leaving space for cars from other junctions to go through (I guess the instructions in school has really gotten the best of it. "Isi tempat kosong/ Fill in the blanks")

6. It is a working hour and a school day but yet there are so many cars in the streets.

School reopens

2009-01-05T07:09:00.001+08:00

It is now 7.14 am on the first day of school for 2009 (5 Jan).

I woke up an hour ago with first my brother's voice laughing only to find out that his son might have done something funny as he make small talks to him and I heard little voices coming in and out.

I looked at the clock and went back to bed because the clock showed 6.15am. But it was not long when I heard my room door being knocked and heard my nephew finding for me. Then I heard my mom said "Yeye want to leave for work already. Wanna go down say bye bye or not?" WAT! It's was 6.30am!! Leave for work?

Finally I heard my brother came and drag my nephew who I imagine was making that slight tantrum jump based on his wailing in hopes to open my locked door. Then I heard silence.. Aaahh back to sleep... NOT. My mom, I think, came back upstairs and after awhile, I heard 2 women voices talking about house affairs before I heard the door closing and opening a couple of times with sounds of hangers being thrown into the laundry basket. My mom is leaving for work as well.

That's it. Time for me to wake up since I am fully awake by sounds now. When I went down, it was 6.55am and not a soul was at home except for my maid. My whole family has left for work except my nephew who went to his nanny's house for the day. I looked out of my house gate and see only a few cars drove past with students in them. To my left and right, the houses seem quiet. Either they have left earlier or, their kids are of similar age as me, in tertiary education.

I remembered 6 years ago when I went to school for the last time in my uniform at 6.45am, there were students waiting outside my house gate, not because they are car-pooling with me but because the lamp post was just right infront of my house gate. Students were waiting there for their own cars to go to school. I remember my neighbours will also be busy leaving the house with their kids in tow to make it for school.

Upon reaching school, my friends spread around my leaving to the teachers who all congratulated me except one who said I may be making a wrong choice as he said I can do something else. Another congratulated me in a funny way by saying "earn more money as an English teacher once you graduate, alright. " Right.

I was actually excited that I no longer need to wake up at 6 every morning and go to school with tacky uniforms and follow rules. College and uni life was definitely an exciting chapter ahead BACK THEN. I was the last to leave as those with JPA, Bank Negara, etc etc scholarships and private institutions have left earlier to attend matriculation or pre-U. As all my friends (new and old) wished me good luck and all excited about the distant life in KL, the naughty me made a comment "Yes! i do not need to be in school anymore!!!"

My buddy, Vaishnavi gave me a card at the end of the day and in there, she wrote "... So nice, you do not need to attend school anymore. I still have 2 more years. But wait, you are becoming a teacher right? You will be back in school soon forever while I will definitely be out after 2 years. HAHA!" WHich is true. She is now studying medicine and doing her practical in Kuala Terengganu.

Fast forward to now as I walked back into my house to type this, in a week's time, I will be joining my whole house as they leave for work. I will be leaving much earlier to go to Putr+aJaya to get my posting letter. I will be waking up earlier to make it to school. I will be going back to school not as a student but as a teacher. The place where my whole life has revolved around it. Nothing is unfamaliar in school except... the students.

I only know I am posted to Technical schools where students are generally involved with skills such as cooking, sewing, plumbing etc. I was counting the odds of being sent back to Negeri Sembilan since the day the announcement was made. Negeri has 3 Technical schools, all are 30 mins ++ drive from my house. I dunno how many are there in Malaysia. But if a friend of mine has checked with the JPN in his state with no names from Peninsular in it, I guess I am safe from going overSEAS for now.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T09:36:00.002+08:00

A new year, a new beginning, a new hope, a new start, a new this, a new that.. a new everything. But come to think of it, it's the same actually.

If you are a worker, your colleagues will still be the same, you are still going to do the same work, you are still going to use automobiles to work, you will still hope for bonus at the end of the year.

If you are a student, you will still need to study, you will still need to wear uniforms to school, you will still have the same teachers to teach you.

If you are a mother, you will still need to wake up in the morning to feed your toddlers, you will still need to drive to work, you will still need to push around in the market to get the best siakap and kailan for lunch.

If you are a father, you will still need to work (except today because of holiday), you will still need to read and wtach the news, you will still need to play with your children after work.

If you are a daughter, you will still need to wake up and do chores for your parents, you will still need to clean the house, you will still need to paint the house.

If you are a son, you will still need to wake up and do chores for your parents, you will still need to listen to their advices, you will still need to paint the house.

If you are a girl, you will still need to wear make up, you will still need to dress up, you will still need to buy clips, shampoos, baths towels, and watever toiletries to make yourself prim and proper.

If you are a boy, you will still need to wear pants, you will still need to play futsal and you will still need to buy gadgets to personally design your car and watever accessories.

So.. Hmm.. watever happen to the 'new' thingy. Haha.. I was busy wishing my friends last night happy New Year, but oddly, I got a reply from a friend who I know has a tacky attitude towards life itself. As my other friends wished me Happy New Year as well, she replied me
"What's the big deal? It's the same like any days."
Another friend replied, "I will have meeting on that day and I am to report myself to work."

???!!! I really don't know how to reply that. So.. I just thought about this and write it out. Haha!!

Time to throw things out

2008-12-30T22:28:00.004+08:00

Today, my dad finally made his move.

He told me to clear my room out so that I can fit in English Grammar books and workbooks for my job next year. And he too, cleaned up the store room to bring out these fantastic English books which he has kept since his time. Yes.. books which are dated back to 1960s. And when you open them, you don't even understand half of it. And YES.. my dad had wanted me to be an educator since I was born by the look of the neatly kept books and English was one of the many options he wanted me to specialize in (He kept Science, Maths and Geography too for IN CASE. Argh. Tough luck for me to runaway from educating job). Mind you, I actually knew the existence of these books but I did not know it was that huge of a collection.

So I cleaned up my room the whole day today and guess what. I actually decided to throw out ALL my books, assignments, papers, portfolios, notes etc from my Puteri school days EXCEPT:

-My lecture books for my core paper during my final year in VUW

-My 5 English textbooks.

As I threw everything away, I was thinking how many papers I have used and how many trees have I caused to complete my 5 years of degree. I know I will not look at them again after the 6th Dec 2008 so why should I keep them? Even my Masters and Doctorate studies won't need them next time.

So why am I keeping my VUW books? Let's face it. It is the ego here I am talking about. I know, I won't have anymore chances going overseas for studies. So I am now keeping the lecture books as a souvenir (kenangan) of this memory. Another reason is that the lecture notes were compiled by the main resource itself which will be helpful for citation in my future theses. So why not just keep it?

And with all my books and papers now waiting for the 'old newspaper' man, I am totally done with my degree years. I am now waiting to start work and get the money to pay my bills.

As for the books which my dad had kept, I have kept it in the storeroom and will only look at it once I know where I am posted to. If I am posted to somewhere where I have to cross the sea, that's it.

"BEH POH CHUA!! OLD NEWSPAPER!! SURAT KHABAR LAMA!!!"

Haha.. I LOVE throwing things away.

2009

2008-12-27T16:11:00.008+08:00

I am waiting for my posting. My friends from the primary school option will be beginning their duty on the 5th of January, the day school reopens while us, the secondary school option friends will only be announced the state we will be posted to on that day. Another irony but yeah. I have to first wish my primary school option friends good luck and spread the knowledge and love there.

Next year, 2009 will be the year of Ox. This means a cycle of the animal years in Chinese Calendar have completed. Can anyone remember their life when they were 12 years old? I remembered. That time, it was my UPSR year, I had a lousy teacher who slaps everyone of our faces and I got a B for Science.

12 years on, many things have happened. Like most people, I have started to write resolutions to be achieved by the end of 2009. I can't write much on my resolution career wise but personally, these will be my resolution whatever may come.

1. I hope to visit at least 1 country overSEAS (which means, the Tebrau Straits and Malacca Straits are not counted).
p/s: If I am posted to Sabah Sarawak, the entire Borneo island is also not counted.

2. I hope to have a personal development activity at least once a week (either be the teacher or learner)

3. I hope to lessen down the amount of time I spent in front of the computer BECAUSE of the Internet.

4. I hope to lessen down the amount of time I spent in front of the television BECAUSE of TVB.

5. I hope to start back my cooking because it is all rusty and out of practice now.

6. I hope to save a 5 digit number in the bank at the end of the year amidst all my expenditures.

7. I hope to join some extra activities which helps in regulating my weight.

8. I hope to rearrange my room and throw out stuff that I ACTUALLY DON"T NEED.

9. I hope to at least meet back an Ipba friend.

10. I hope to have my pictures and HD back.

The Importance of Pictures

2008-12-27T15:56:00.001+08:00

There are only 4 more days left for the year 2008. As I try to upload all my meroies that I had for this past whole year (on Facebook), I would like to share some thoughts. Indeed, they say a picture is like a movie without a sound, a still memory in one's life. Many a times, as we are busy living out our life the way we want it to be, we have forgotten the times we shared, the laughter that we had and even the thing we did together. I, for one, have very bad memory. If it's not because of these pictures, I would probably have forgotten many many things.

A few weeks ago, my external harddrive could no longer function. Never mind my entire collection of MVs on Lee Hom, my TVB dramas which I have painstakingly downloaded every morning (because the Internet connection slows down in the afternoon) and my English and Chinese movies which I have bartered system with a few friends. But what really upset me is my whole collection of pictures since 2006 until now.

These pictures will never be taken again and thus, it is authentically one of its kind. No doubt, there might be several copies as I have given these pictures to friends but then again. I stand believing that the chances of getting these pictures back from my friends are as slim as recuperating my external harddrive.

The problem was there is a ticking sound in the harddrive which have caused it to be unreadable. The computer uncle mentioned that it is not an electronic problem and it's more of a physical problem. He can't do anything except to leave until ONE FINE day when the hd stop ticking which will be the day he will retrieve my data from it. So, I imagine now, my dear hard drive is having some physical complications which is sent to the hospital and I will only visit it once a month to see its progress. Tough Luck..

Logically, I start to think of many things regarding the fragility of digital photos. I know there are many ways to protect digital photos. You can now upload online as a back up copy, burn to cds, have a few copies as safe keep, so on and forth. But then again, there is a tiny wee bit of chance that the photos will be missing. Virus attack to your com, Cd got misplaced or spoilt, Internet were to crash! Oopps.. too dramatic ei?

What I am trying to say is, I have learnt from my mistake and have been taking precautions. I think everyone should in somehow have a method to keep their photos. Mine will probably be the traditional method of burninf out a copy and nowuploading it online (it has taken me a whole day but not a fraction of the photos are uploaded yet.. HAHA!). But, are my photos now safe? Will it be there 5 years from now? Should I upload to other websites (which will take another few days)? Can't I just store it somewhere? Cds? Pendrives? Burning it and keep it somewhere? Print out? Hmm.. Come to think of it, I did printed out a few copies here and there to remind me of what I have done. Any new techniques??

I now pray that the ONE FINE day will come so that my hd will awake and rule my life again!!

Isn't it ironic

2008-12-26T09:43:00.004+08:00

Isn't it ironic when:

1. You see a woman twice your age but half your size and dresses the same style as you

2. The Category D vehicles speeds faster than you who are already driving at 100 km/ph

3. On social network sites

- acquaintances who have never spoken 10 words in a year to you send you a best friend request

- your friends and buddies for as long as you can remember (even until the extend of knowing their father's name) invites you for Thug of War kind of game or superlative-like comparison contests

4. You have shoes for every occasion except for casual outings (even if it's just going to the aunty's stall for wantan mee as breakfast)

TO ALL DRIVERS OUT THERE

2008-12-13T18:12:00.002+08:00

I always have a theory. The bigger the car, the smaller the brain. Somehow, some people do not have some sense when it comes to driving, as if the road belongs to their grandfathers. Please. We now live in a modern world. Leave all the Kia Su, Kia Si and Kampung mentality behind when it comes to driving. It helps in making the society a better and friendlier place to live in. If everyone were to respect each other and use THEIR BRAIN to drive instead of their hands, accidents will definitely be less.

These are a few of my suggestions:

1. QUEUE
Everyone has to queue. Whether you drive an Altis, a Mercedes or a Kancil, QUEUE. You don't need to be selfish and cut the queue when everyone has been in the line longer than you. Everyone has 24 hours so deal with it.

2. Don't BULLY
Yes, you are fortunate to have the big bucks to drive the big cars. But please, don't use your big fat car to bully other cars just because you think your car is undamageable. The truth is (although it's my humble opinion) the smaller cars give way to you because:
i) we have brain
ii) we have better moral values
iii) we love our car more

3. Signal
PLEASE FOR HEAVEN"S SAKE, signal when you want to turn left or right; OR when wanting to cut my way. I am not a worm in your stomach, I don't know what you want and where you want to go. In fact, your destination does not interest me. But please, SIGNAL. I for one, will humbly forgive people who zoom into my lane (which sometimes do have chances of accident happening) if one puts a signal. But those without: HEADLIGHTS FOR 10 SECONDS. That's my way, deal with it.

If these simple steps still do not get into one's head, I just don't know what does.

Goodbye, see you in 2009 and beyond

2008-12-05T06:47:00.014+08:00

This is the second and probably final goodbye to my friends since my degree years. The first goodbye took place in 2005 when we were to fly overseas. But at that time, sadness and the feeling of can't let go were not evident as I know I will meet them back in 2008. Although I must say, in 2008, there are many unplesant changes which I am able to sweep them under the carpet as I thought "Argh.. 1 year and off you go from my face!" And of course, there are new cliques formed since I said goodbye in 2005. Some have grown more matured overseas while some have grown more womanly/ manly which certainly brings out an all new behaviour which I have never seen before. Nonetheless, many are still the same the way they are which is what I like about them. (^^)

I dare say I will miss these dear friends of mine ALOT as I know these are the friends who would last because of 3 things:

1. Similar niche (teaching)

2. Similar behaviour

3. Similar interests towards something.

I sincerely thank all of them who have touched my life for the past 5.5 years. Now, why am I writing this as if it's a last will or something? Well, that's because, 6 Dec 2008 mark the end of our uni life officially together as a whole group of 123. this weekend is exactly a week since our seperation. When the posting letter arrives and we are to report for duty to whichever place, chances for us to sit down and have a complain session or an intellectual discussion for ALL topics are slim, if not zero as we will be too busy working in our different schools, surrounding, culture, etc. Not to mention the places we are sent to can be the biggest challenge of us getting together.

I had that experience when I had a 3 months stint of practicum. Oh my, do I feel lonely and restless. I do not have the normal clique to share my feelings with and I felt old and not myself at all especially when I am out of my comfort zone from my friends. I know I will have this feeling again starting January 5 2009.

That is when I will miss my friends.

1) I will miss those who I have stayed with for the past 5.5 years.

2) I will miss those who I have had gossip sessions with.

3) I will miss those who have traveled to another country with me in search of new knowledge.

4) I will miss the girls.

5)I will miss the guys.

6) I will miss all outings.

I will miss... my whole cohort.

Rip-off from my holidays part 2 - food indulgence

2008-11-30T23:20:00.002+08:00

I have only one word to descrbe my whole week - gluton.

Since tuesday, my dinner has been heavy meals which is then washed dow with half a cup of ENO once I got back to my hostel. This week is the last week where all my friends and I are able to gather the final time before we stress ourselves out for KISSM exam and after that... sealed and posted to only God knows where. KISSM classes aside, the list below is basically what I have been stuffing myself.. owh!!

24/11/2008
There weren't any activities for me on this day. So I happily opened my crackers to eat as I 'boiled' my TVB dramas.

25/11/2008
I went out to get groceries and bought sashimi for dinner only to realise the driver for the car I was hopping on to get to the store was having dinner at a sushi parlour and called me to join in.

26/11/2008
The non-Muslims for my cohort went out for a steamboat.

27/11/2008
The students from Victoria University of Wellington went out with our coordinator over there, Jonathan for a gathering. we went to Old Town C0ffee House and had our rainy and late meal there.

28/11/2008
At last, a day off from the normal regime of eating. So I just had Mihun Ladna as my friends and I tried to complete our assignments for KISSM. Thank gawd it was a small portion.

29/11/2008
Went for Sakae Sushi at Sunway pyramid. Thankfully I only piled up on edamame and chuka wakame as I know I could not afford the sudhi and carbs that go with it.. Haha..

30/11/2008
This is the finale of the whole week's eating regime. A picnic with my dorm mates at Taman Tasik Perdana which includes - sandwiches, nasi lemak and baked cheesecake. As for dinner, a BBQ session with my lovely cohort mates which include mihun (which was lovely because of the black pepper - me likey black pepperie) fried rice, chicken, salad and fingerfood.

Basically, I am stuffed and girl being girl, I am soooo thinking of the extra weight i would have gained by now. Gosh!! I need hours of walking round my residential area and chasing my nephew up and around the house to loose them. Anyway, I would actually like to give credit to the organizers for my cohort BBQ as it was a fun time indeed for me, personally as I laughed the one last time at/with my dearest friends who share the same thinking, jokes, connotations and actions with me. Maybe not many will realise it.. but years to come, tonight are one of the nights which will be part of our treasured memories in our student lives; just like our memories of the first day in primary school, our last day in Form Five, the day we got our driver's license.. the day we met each other and the day we flew overseas.

At 12.05 am now, I am still not sleeping because of the following reasons:
1. I am guilty for going to bed with a full stomach
2. I am still hyper from the gathering just now
3. I am typing this since I have the inspiration to do so
4. I think I want to do my KISSM assignment
5. ... I better start doing my KISSM assignment

The whole week-ripoff from my holidays 1

2008-11-23T11:06:00.003+08:00

17/11/2008 (Monday)

I am frustrated because I am being rip off from my deserved holidays. But as my motto goes, can't do anything.. so just follow la~ Since there is no class today, I took some time off to be alone, doing one-man shopping and it was not bad at all.

I went to Ikano power station and took my sweet time picking out items after items and window shop. From Ikano to Ikea to The Curve to Cineleisure. No one to rush through you, no one to waste your time; you just go on your own pace. And the fact that there are less people around is actually a bliss.

18/11/2008
My KISSM started and I am a little upset with the timetable. Everyday from 8-4pm non-stop. And there are classes on 2 Saturdays. Argh.

But then, amidst all these, I still have time to laugh with a few of my close friends, especially when one complained to another about a particular person and THE another stood up for her by saying he will slap the particular person's nose. Haha.

19/11/2008
I seriously felt like vomiting if I were to listen to these stuff any longer. I need a break away.. and I found it. I have actually forgotten my Chinese. Sigh.. I should not have spent the past few days of holidays doing nothing but watching TVB. My dear old dad saw my idling and told me to start mastering my Mandarin.

I am thinking, I actually better start looking at my Chinese book and learn my writing and reading before my nephew does. Haha. Can't loose my face to that little fella, can I? Well.. for the love of TVB and Lee Hom.. it should be alright. =D

20/11/2008
It slowly dawn on me that those people did not really bother about what they say. So much for being hypocritical. And all these while, I took it seriously (even if it is for 2 days).

21/11/2008
It has been a long time since I last saw such a scene. Not bad. DIR. Which reminds me, my TVB downloading is getting crappier. Must be time to pay the monthly bills.

Just as I was returning to park my car properly because of the limited space at my hostel ground, my dear friend came telling me the results for my degree is out. Though she told me the result, I was sceptical. I like to look at things with my own eyes or rather.. observe even when many people are saying the same thing. Sometimes, things that are untrue will seem true when it is being constantly repeated while the true things are ignored because people choose to believe the untrue which tends to be jucier and saucier for gossiping and judgemental purposes.

But I was rushing around with time so I decided to just look at the results the next day.

22/11/2008
I finally checked my result and texted my parents. But the result or ANY results for that matter do always have a shocking and unexplainable value in it. Hmmm...

Anyway, my result was written 2.1 (Second Class Upper) for B.Ed (TESOL). As I looked at my result one last time before heading off to the KISSM hall, I realize that this is the end of my degree year. This is the end of my studying life which I have always wanted. This is the reality of me being a teacher. And with this KISSM course going on, this is it.. a government officer for the next 34 years of my life. Hmm...

23/11/2008
I have a strong feeling.. and as much as I hate to admit it, I will miss my current lifestyle. I have always been comfortable to be around people who are of similar age, mindset, working ethic and focus. Since the age of 5 till now. But next year onwards.....? Hmm..

Aiya.. I have classes again tomorrow from 8-4pm...

To Caves

2008-11-14T19:28:00.004+08:00

All of us are to go for BTN in Kelantan for 5 days (6-10/11/2008). Frankly speaking, I have never been much happier to go back to Ipba than on the 10th. No more mosquitoes and leaking roof. Haha!

Initially, we wanted to go to Cameron Highlands. But the plan was canceled due to very few participants. So the few of us decided to go to Batu Caves.

The last time I set foot on the stairs of Batu Caves was when I was standard 6. Now many things have changed. They have an Artistic Gallery as well as the large statue of Lord Murugan.

Frankly speaking, I have forgotten the existence of monkeys on the way up to the temple. I must say I was a bit nervous as I was afraid they will pounce on me. Haha!!

An enjoyable and wonderful trip it is. After that, we went to Brickfields for Briyani!!! I missed eating briyani. Anyway, to Omma, Gloria and Peri, Happy holidays!!

From Highlands

2008-11-13T15:14:00.005+08:00

The weekend before we left for BTN in Kelantan, my friends and I went on a trip up to Genting Highlands. Shin Yi had a free night stay in First World for 5 rooms, so about 9 of us went up.

Supposedly, we made a lot of plans including bringing a bottle of wine up there for our own little drink with cards in the room. WE also planned to have a spa (me and shi ying), karaoke (a lot of us) and entering some of the attractions there. Of course, ultimately, casino was in the plan.

So, Shi Ying went up first to stay a night at her own expense as she waits for the rest of us to join her the next day. Madeline, Gloria, Anne, Shin yi and I will be sitting the last bus up to Genting from 1 Utama while Jul li will be driving up.
Well, we humans can plan. But can we keep to the plan?

Unfortunately for us, those who are to sit the bus up, we missed the bus. As we grow somber to decide whether or not to carry out the plan, Anne said she will drive up.

So by the time we drove up together with Jul li's car, we reached at 11 something. Our first place was a mamak stall to get the late night food. then, we went over to Coffee Bean to get desserts. The wind was blowing so strong that I missed the same wind found in Wellington. Cool, Hair-blowing but refreshing, especially if it's in the middle of the day. I missed Wellington!!!

Anyway, after taking a couple of photos as we enjoyed the wind (or rather, I did), we continued on to the ultimate reason of visiting Genting (For adults only)- the Casino. Somehow, I think because I am an Asian, the scene in Genting Casino is the real casino scene that I always have in my mind - filled with people, smoky, and most people are at the table.. not on machines (unlike my overseas trip). Though having a tiny feeling of wanting to gamble, I held back because of 2 reasons

1. It was already close to 1am, my head was spinning since I was waaaaaaay pass my bedtime
2. I thought of my Kose products which I want to buy.. HAHA!!

So by 3am, we went back to our bedroom, not even able to do our little casino in the room as Gloria, Anne and I were tired.

And when I opened my eyes, it was already 8 soemthing in the morning. In time for me to get some breakfast. As I left the hotel room, I was able to see some views which I have long forgotten; the beautiful landscapes of mother nature which was similar to those in NZ.

By 12, we were ready to leave Genting although some of us still wanted to hang around to go for the Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

This was one of the most memorable trips for me although we did not do anything that we had planned because this may be the last time a whole bunch of us can go out together. As the days are drawing nearer for us to part, it is the trips and hang outs like this which have the deepest meaning and value of friendship within the past 6 years.

Congratulations, Shah

2008-11-12T23:00:00.003+08:00

Having just got back from Kelantan for BTN, my head is still spinning around as I only had 4 hours or less sleep for 4 nights (not to mention I got used to waking up at 5.30 so much so that I woke up automatically this morning at that time).. Anyway, within these few days, one of my dorm mates have gotten married (which I think was in Melaka)

So, I would just like to take this opportunity to congratulate her for her wedding on the 8th November which ALL of us had not have the chance to go. I wish she will have a wonderful life ahead of her and may she be blessed with a lovely family in the future. =)

Cleaning my room

2008-10-31T18:18:00.005+08:00

I found these while I was cleaning my room. A piece of my childhood.. or rather.. teenagehood. All covered with dust as it has been forgotten. It was under my bed all these while and I hardly noticed until today! I think I kept it there before I left for New Zealand and forgotten all about it until today.

How interesting!! I used to read them.. wait.. I still read Shin Chan now but they cartoonist only publish the comic once a year. I just bought Vol 38 last week. =)

As for Conan.. somehow I lost interest. Besides, the cartoonist is also taking a long time to come out with a book every year. Hmmm..

Oh.. and I also found this.

My crayon set which I have used since primary school. Well as you can see, I hardly used it because of all the painting and colouring techniques and tools, I am a retard at using crayon. My work will be smudged and very very dirty. I have also numbered my crayons to make sure it won't get stolen and I will know if one of it is missing. Haha!

Now.. I have folders after folders from my degree years and my childhood story books. I have a huge collection actually of storybooks in my room. From Sweet Valley Middle School to RL Stine to Archie's to Non-Fiction. What am I to do with these books? Hmm..

But still, what a wonderful assimilation!! Haha!

The house where animals come for food

2008-10-31T11:41:00.002+08:00

My house is a food haven, I must say (which contributes to my size.. haha!). name any food you wanna find, we have it. From junk foods (ice cream, chocolate, sweets, candies, pickles, asam, 100 Plus, Kickapoo etc) to basic healthy munch (biscuit, bread, honey, milk, Milo, nescafe, vitagen, fruit juice, green tea etc) to fruits (banana, fuji apple, orange, pear, dragon fruit, green apple etc) to frozen meat (chicken, fish, prawn, fishballs, eggs, vegetables etc) to international stock (spaghetti, seaweed roll, pasta paste, crabsticks, baked beans etc). Not to mention the processed food of Maggi mee with different flavours: Kari, Tom Yum, Chicken, Asam Laksa etc. Oh, and also the ingredients for herbal soups, traditional tonics and basic human survival.

My house has 2 fridges, 1 dry cupboard, 1 large tub for storing rice and a full wall-in cabinet to keep the dry food.

My house has 7 people staying in including the maid and my 2 year old plus nephew. My parents believe that a full stomach must be the priority; whether to work, sleep, play or even watch TV. And the fact that one man's meat is another man's poison explains all for the varied and diverse amount of food stock that we have.

But then, my house has also extraordinary visitors to help us in decreasing our stock. the common ones which I think should be found in other houses are rodents, coakcraoch, house lizards and,, ants. Yes.. those pesky little ants.. I can't enjoy my Big Apple slowly without having to keep them in the fridge because these nuisance will come hover over them. I don't see them hover over the normal sugar coated donuts which I buy in the market. Hmph!

Anyway.. today, as I came back from KL, my mom instructed me to buy more food from the market. And once I returned, the first thing my maid said was,

"Kakak!! Ada burung mati!!" (Sister!! There is a dead bird!!)

I was confused and asked her,

"Burung apa?" (What bird?)

Oh, my dear maid. She is older than me by 5 years but she refused to call me by my name. She would prefer calling me Kakak even if it means older sister when translated from Malay. Oh, and she calls my brother and sister in law that, too. So when she says Kakak when all 3 of us are around, we will definitely be confused. She is a rather cheerful person and loves to take new things as a game. So when I asked her that question she pointed me to the dead bird which was actually 5cm from my feet, on the floor, without me noticing it amidst the bags of chicken meat and tofu that I bought from the market.

I actually jumped and gave a squeak because that dead bird SHOCKED me. When I calmed down and looked at the bird from 20cm away, I realised it was the pigeon that had been surrounding my neighbourhood (I had a blog on these birds). I don't like the idea of a dead bird dying in my house; in my kitchen so I quickly asked her to throw it out.

While she was throwing the bird, she told me.

"Kakak.. kena racun. Mungkin ada orang bagi makan taruk racun. Sudah dua mati. Semalam ada dua masuk mati." (Sister.. it's poison. Maybe there is someone giving it poison. Yesterday 2 dies).

I was shocked and asked,

"Kenapa burung masuk mati di rumah?" (why are the birds coming in to the house?)

"Rumah ini bisa haiwan masuk, kakak. Ada tupai, tikus.. Itu hari ada biawak besar masuk bilik Kakak!"
(It's common for this house to have animals coming in. There are squirrels, mice.. That day there is a huge lizard going in to your room!)

"Biawak!! Kenapa ada dalam bilik saya?" (Huge lizard? Why is it in my room?)

"Sudah lama.. lepas puasa.. Ia masuk.. panjat tangga.. terus masuk bilik kakak.. saya mau pukul pun takut. Terus saya kunci pintu kakak.. Tunggu tuan balik.. bila cari.. rupanya dah keluar dari tingkap." (It's quite long ago.. after fasting month.. it came in and climbed the stairs and straight went into your room. I locked your room and waited for Master - my dad- to come home. When we find for it.. it has escaped out through the window)

And with that, she laughed and continue her work. Interesting. I don't know whether these animals love coming into our house because of the food or just to seek shelter. Argh.. lizard in my room? Double Argh!

Seremban

2008-10-30T20:02:00.002+08:00

Many people have asked what is fun in Seremban. What can they do in Seremban. What can they see in Seremban. What can they eat in Seremban. Throwing History and Geography aside, I can tell you truthfully... Seremban has nothing special actually to visit.

Foodwise:
Too those who are non-Muslims, Seremban has 2 very special delicacy that is the Seremban Siu Pau and the Grilled Honey Crabs. Besides that, you can basically eat the same things found in Seremban, everywhere around Malaysia. There is no particular food that is worth trying besides these two although, I do reserve my personal interests to these two delicacies; even if I am a Seremban girl myself.

It's not that I don't like Siu Pau. In contrast, I had it for tea time every week when I was in high school. Probably that is why, I know the difference of the taste then and now. But then again, many other food has lost the special feeling and touch when we savour it now in contrast when we did; many many years ago.

As for the Honey Crab.. I am a lazy girl. I am a lazy girl who is lazy to peel of the shell. I am lazy and afraid of the shell hurting my fingers, as it always does. (Haha!)

Travelwise:
Unless you wanna visit the Sri Menanti (wait.. it is not in Seremban town at all. It is in..Kuala Pilah). So cancel that. Istana Hinggap is in Seremban where it is a temporary palace for the royalties when they visit the town.

Shoppingwise:
The Jusco in Seremban 2. I have no idea how come ALOT of people go there every weekend but it is undeniably a clean and family-friendly place in Seremban. In fact, it is now the most decent and functioning place in Seremban now that actually make the other shopping complexes less appealing and less... visiting worthy.

Which reminds me, I actually realise the trend of Seremban people. Each time there is a new shopping complex being opened, everyone will go to it and forget about the rest. This trend will only be debatable when festivals come around as the happening shopping complexes are usually filled with people; which leaves the other people who are shopping at the same time to go to the forgotten shopping malls to get the same things.

For example, when I was a kid in primary school, there is only The Store that is happening. then when I was in high school, Terminal 1 and Seremban Parade seems to be the 'in' thing. My friends and I used to go to Terminal 1 to hang out... and we hung out at either McD's or KFC. Aaahh.. those were the days. Now, everybody is hanging around Seremban Jusco. In fact, I had a friend who said that 'you can definitely see a familiar face if you go to Jusco during the weekend'. And it is true!

Seremban Parade has the amount of people shopping which can be counted with both hands while Terminal 1.. You will feel that you are overseas at the neighbouring country of either to the East or North.

Trafficwise:
About 4 months ago, the newspaper reported that Seremban was rejected to become a Bandar Raya because the city only had 300000 residents. To become a Bandar raya, the city should have 500000 residents. And I personally can assure you that if that happens.. move out.

The traffic congestion is already bad now. If the population continue to increase, I can definitely assure you that Seremban will be a mirror of Cheras and PJ . Only smaller and with more clowns driving on the road.

So why is Seremban still such a popular place (to some certain extend)? Well.. Maybe, I see it as the residential place for Kuala Lumpur people who wants to be out of the traffic congestion and intensity of life. But then again, in Seremban, things are getting like a mini KL itself.

Last time, the town will only be crowded on weekdays at 12 pm till 3pm while weekends from 11am onwards. Now, at anytime, traffic will be slow with people of big cars but tiny brains parking at areas that are NOT meant for cars.. or even worst.. double line parking. Either that or clowns on the road who are new in town and does not seem to like to keep in their own lanes. I guess they dreamt to be F1 racer or Drift followers but is crushed to know that they are in the real world with a common car to drive. A pity for them.

So yes. That is Seremban in a nutshell from a girl who have lived there in the past 20 years and although the many complaints, I still feel very much at home here. Probably is because, i know the roads, streets and shops by heart now. And remember, when I say Seremban, it is the only referred to as the town itself. Other places may be different. =)

ROOM 102A, 303A, 402A,

2008-10-23T18:05:00.003+08:00

This should be the semi-finale of a goodbye note for my dormmates. Why I say semi-finale is because.. there will be a second part of this story that I will be writing. As I have mentioned before in my profile, this blog is more like a collecting memory + personal thoughts; in case if I have pre-Alzheimer at the age of 30. (HAHA).

Anyways, let me take you back in time to the year that has changed my whole life in many aspects; the year 2003. When I entered college, I was to LIVE IN the hostel of my college. My hostel consists of 7 blocks (I think although I am not sure whether to count this 1 particular block that does not seem to belong to my college's). But anyway, every block has 6 floors to be exact but the administration of my college decided to adopt the American style of naming the floors which thus, gave the confusion of ground floor as 1, first floor as 2 and henceforth on the lift. But yes, like a woman who is having that time of the month, they have decided to go against what they have supposedly formed and thus, numbered the dorms accordingly to the British way. Pretty confusing for starters.

So yes, my dorm number when I first entered my college was 102 A which have a meaning. 1 refers to the number of the block, 0... I have no idea, 2 is my floor level (which in the lift, I will need to press 3) and A means the wing. There are only 2 wings in each block, A and B. A will be on the right while B on the left; both directions are from the door of the lift as you step out FROM it.

In each dorm there are 5 rooms, given the alphabets A to E. Supposedly, when we first went in, A room has a tenant, B and C are allocated 2 tenants, D having 3 tenants while E had 3 tenants. I am one of those lucky girls who had the opportunity to stay in A room which means I have the room to myself but I am also the dorm leader. At that time, my dorm consisted of 11 people including myself.

I don't really remember how I met my dorm mates. I have an utterly lousy memory in person. My friends say that my lousy memory is actually me doing selective memory. I select events to remember and choose to forget those that I don't want to remember (I now silently thank God for photos).

Supposedly, the first person whom I met on the day I entered my dorm (which was also the day I registered to be the student there; 16 June 2003) was Soo Yin. A slim girl from Sungai Petani. I think she was dressed in a white blouse and black skirt. She was on her way out to attend the meeting in the hall and I caught her in time to walk with her since my parents had left me after settling all my stuff in the room (which actually means ONLY cleaning the room and leaving the interior decoration to me).

I think I met my 2 other housemates within that same week as we were grouped into our class during college hours. Yes. A class with 25 students each. There were only 5 classes and again, the administration gave us NUMBERS! I was in F1.3 (F means foundation, 1 means year 1 and 3 means the third class..?) Anyway, so I had 2 housemates who were also my classmates; Iyce and Hannah. Supposedly, Iyce told me that we started our conversation on our way to college because of a language that hardly many people know but like. No, it was not alien language. I was listening to Saiyuki Gensomaden's song on my CD player when she asked if I liked Japanese songs. And since she also liked the same Japanese singers that I liked, our conversation developed to... many other things.

Hannah.. the Papar girl. I don't remember how I started my conversation with her. But I remember knowing where she is from; from another housemate, Zura. I do remember how I started getting along with Zura and Anis because of 2 major events that happened within the first week I came in.
First event:
Shah, Zura and Anis were roommates. I was rudely awaken up by a loud sound at somewhere near midnight, only to realise that one of them was suffering from an asthma attack. I went to the hospital with Zura and sat there until around 4 am when the girl's sister came to fetch us home (the wardens are all .....) That is when I talked to her and knew she and Anis are coincidentally from Kelantan while Shah is from Melaka.
Second event:
It was the weekend and I just got back from Seremban when Zura came to tell me that some money of hers and Anis' were missing. They had reported to the police and just to inform me of the police coming to investigate soon. (I don't know if the laptop was also stolen in this event or another... hmm.. need to ask them later). So, yes. A memorable start to my life in my college.

I knew Nada all along as her mother was actually my dad's friend. Not the close type but acquaintances as lecturers. Since she is from Gombak, her roommate too, is from Gombak. Her name is Fa.. and.. I don't really remember how I start it off with Fa. It is a mystery to me on how she and I grew friendly with each other, even until now.

The other person is Mimi Nora from JB. Again, I am close to her but I don't remember how I start being close to her. Was it the shopping escapades we did together? Or was it the gossiping session in my room? Gosh.. I need to ask those two and write it down here before I forget again.

Now who did I miss? Ah.. Hidayah. Hidayah has always been the quiet one. But she is very cooperative with me when it came to keeping the duties and general chatting.

I remember my interior designing went beyond my room to the hall where I formed a table using an unused bed. We threw the mattress out and covered our crime by having a table clothe (it was actually my house curtain) over it. Fa brought in a big pillow and I remembered Iyce bringing in a TV. I think. Anis had also set the iron board outside for public use while Soo Yin contributed a full length mirror hung by the main door. It's a girl's dorm so comfort and self-reflection plays a major role here. Everyone contributed in providing the chairs for the table and that table became a place for us to do everything together. From dorm meetings to late night gossips, from lunches and dinners to assignment and exam discussions; the table was so important that when we moved to the new block, we set it up all over again using those from the new block (haha!)

But when we moved to 303A during the second year, we had a new tenant in our dorm. Aziati moved in to room C while Mimi Nora moved to room E. During the second year, we as a dorm were once seperated for awhile as our dorm was supposedly be given way to students who are to study German in that year. Yeah, the dorm was vacant for 2 whole months and I never saw the intended German learners. In fact, there weren't any German students in college at that time to begin with. How wise is the saying don't count the eggs before they hatch as it causes trouble to the other people who have to give way to those lovely 'eggs'.

We did quite a number of things as a dorm together. Dinners, Shopping, Birthday celebrations, Buka puasa together, Assignment discussions, assignment completions, exam discussions, heart pouring sessions, many many things... we grew so comfortable with each other, so much so that when we were about to return to college after 2 years overseas in various parts of the world, we messaged each other to stay as a dorm together once again for the final year.

And so, Fa booked.. yes.. booked a dorm for us and wrote our names. This year, 2008, when we met after 2 years, we had many plans such as going out shopping together, dinners.. basically repeating back the stuff that we used to do as a dorm together. In fact, we have a new tenant as well, Niza who is also from Kelantan to join in the fun. But, as the saying from Chinese goes 'yan shuen pat yue tin shuen' (humans plan but God has His own plans), one by one, my 13 people per dorm grew smaller in numbers.

The first to leave was Iyce. She left on the fifth month after we started our final year. When practicum began, 5 stayed out whereby 2 stayed back at home while the other 3 went to teach in a rural area at Negeri Sembilan. Among the 7 who stayed back, 3 were teaching in the afternoon session while the other 4 were in the morning session. There is hardly any time to meet except for when breaking fast time. After practicum ended, 3 no longer stayed in the dorm; with 2 staying at home while the other.. is preparing for her next step in life.

As the weeks are drawing closer to the end of our final year, I know the fact that chances of each and every one of my dormmates to meet again is as rare as seeing a rainbow. We will soon be posted to everywhere in Malaysia and even if we are posted to the same state or even district, it is still impossible to meet as each will have their own life events and business to settle. So now, just basically enjoy each other's company as a dorm, as friends, as roommates before saying the big B-y-e. This goes out to all who share the same experiences as me. Till the day we part...

The letter M 1

2008-10-18T00:00:00.002+08:00

You sleep 2 rooms from me.
Suppose when I open my door every morning.
Your door will be across mine.

You sit next to me.
Suppose when everyone is busy eating.
Your spoon always got mixed up with mine.

You sit in front of me.
Suppose when the four wheels are moving.
Driven by your partner who we call him.

You relax on the sofa next to him.
Suppose when we are gathering.
In the hall to watch our handsome heroes together.

You are close physically to me.
But there is more to physicality.
There is MORE.
And how can you consistently put pressure on me?
When it only estranged the one last element.
Between you and me.

When I was small.
I remember running to you.
Each time when the advertisements.
On stories of a loving lady.
Caressing a sweet child.
But now I see myself running.
Running away from you.
Away from your arms.

When I was small.
I remember calling for you.
I make sure you peck me on the cheek.
Even when it rains, shines, happy or sad.
But now I see myself calling.
Calling out all the patience I need.
Patience I need to speak even a sentence to you.

When I was small.
I remember laughing with you.
Over small conversations of anything.
Including gossips from the relatives.
But now I see myself laughing.
Laughing to hide the upsetting feeling.
The upsetting feeling when I know I have made the effort.

I have made the effort.
God knows I have made the effort.
But I just couldn't take it anymore.
I have changed, and so have you.

The now me looking back at the small me.
Looking back at that lady.
Sad to say.
It is like looking at a movie.
Too fake to be real.
Too long ago to be remembered.
Too comfortable to be existing.

There are many other ways.
Options, Paths, Methods, Anything.
You don't have to be like that.
You don't have to be so demanding.
You don't have to be so forceful.
You don't have to be so pushy.
For heaven's sake.
You don't have to be so serious.
I can hear you.
You don't have to raise your decibels at home.
I am not your student.
Don't give me that excuse.

Of dresses and skirts

2008-10-17T22:46:00.002+08:00

Imagine this situation.

You are in a place far off from your normal niche and was buying food to eat when the kind and friendly operator of the stall have the following conversation with you.
Operator: Hello, cik. Nak ke mana? (Hello, miss. where do you want to go?)
Cik: Oh, tak ke mana. Nak hantar kawan balik Alor Star. Tengah tunggu bas, sekarang. (Oh, I'm not going anywhere. Sennding off a friend to Alor Star. Still waiting for the bus)
Operator: Oh. Tak kerja ka hari ini? Ambik cuti? (Oh. Not working today? Took a day off?)
Cik: Oh, tak. Ambik cuti separuh hari. (Oh, no. I took half day off)
Operator: Oh? Jadi cikgu pun ada separuh hari cuti ka? (Oh? Teachers can take half day off?)
Cik:Huh?
Operator: Awak bukan cikgu ka? (Are you not a teacher?)
Cik: Mana kamu tahu? (How do you know?) *in a very confused manner
Operator: Saya pandai tengok orang punya. Cik nampak macam cikgu. Mana cikgu mengajar ni? (I am good at looking at a person. Miss looks like a teacher. Where are you teaching?)
Cik: SMK ..... *Can't reveal the school name, can I? Although I am no longer teaching there.
Operator: Oh, jauh tu. (Oh, that's far.)
Cik: Ya. Hmm.. ok.. Kawan I tunggu. (Hmm.. ok. My friend is waiting.)
And that teacher trainee quickly walks off from the stall, still thinking how can a stranger make such a wild guess and actually got it right?

Is it because of the way she dress?
Is it because of the way she looks?
Is it because of the way she talks?
Is it because of the way she acts?

From this experience, I had 2 immediate responses. The first response was the perception of people towards your profession and the other on your own perception towards this profession.

This may sound crappy and for many people who are still in denial (including myself) that a teacher is different from other professions in this world. In a split second, any member of the society who is NOT a teacher can see right through you that you are one. It's just the appearance and how we carry ourselves. Teachers have that charisma yet subtle expression. Teachers have the wisdom but humble words when speaking. I am still in shock on how the operator can guess my job by just speaking to me although I must say myself, I was wearing my outfit that I wear to college (knee-length skirt and collared blouse).

But as I really want to shed that chop on my head that I am a teacher, I did try to change that perception. I went out with my girlfriends in search of office wear attire. I want to look different than I am now. I wanna look different. I wanna look as if I am not a teacher. But is it just me or is there actually a clear mark between an office lady and a teacher?

The clothes that I saw nowadays are VERY trendy and bright. you name it you have it. Sleeveless, boat neck, V neck, Square neck, mini skirt, A line skirt, pencil skirt, stripped skirt, etc. Any girls will be excited by these kind of dresses but I for one, although excited, find it useless to buy them. I have my dress code to be observed as a teacher and those outfits will not suit me or even my profession.

So, that's it. I have made a conclusion from there. No wonder why people know you are a teacher or not. No wonder most teachers wear almost the same styles in every school. No wonder teachers sometimes are said to be the people with the least fashion sense. It is because of the dress code. It is because of the profession. It is because... of ourselves.

Many people have said to me. So what we cant wear above the knees? So what we cant wear sleeveless? What can they do?

Seriously, what can they do? But what happens if your subconscious is already accepting this fact? That you are a teacher and you need to dress like one. Why? Because the society views that a teacher is supposed to dress like that.

If you dress differently and no one knows you are a teacher, then good for you (with a pat on your back). But if they ever found out...

All I know is teaching does not equal to hip fashion. Not practical since our schools are not air-conditioned. Too bad for my own ego and life as a 23 year old but in a way, good for my pockets. A simple, good quality nice A lined-skirt costs at least RM 60. I am now sometimes wearing hand-me downs from MANY people but so what? I save money to be spent somewhere else and best of all? Even if I match my clothes in a funny way, no one will notice, especially in schools.

There are only students and teachers around. Being on the same boat, teachers may seldom critic on the dressing as they need to look at the mirror themselves. As for students, not much of an influence, are they?

Pusat Video San Sen Kee TVB

2008-10-12T09:04:00.007+08:00

I came to Seremban at the age of 3 from Tanjung Malim, Perak where my parents were posted to as teachers way before I was born. I used to live in a residential area 3 mins from the plaza tol to Seremban, which is Taman Bukit Kaya (literally translated as Wealthy Hill Garden). However, WE were not that wealthy after all. The house was small and single storey and I remembered my parents only had 1 car. The house was deemed a bit bad of a feng shui. First, the number was 1914 (if read in Cantonese, the numbers can mean everyday play every die). Second, my whole family was down with chicken pox, which was so bad until my mom had to take leave for almost 3 months. Third, I had my accident and had to go to the hospital for a whole year to check on the crack on my skull (I always think that I got my 9As in SPM is because of that. Either that crack made me get the A's or I should get straight A1s.. haha). But yeah, my parents finally contemplated to move to a better home and I was 7 when I moved into this house which I have been living ever since.

My parents have been a TV addict, especially my dad. My good family time, unlike other families who visit parks, go for outstation adventures or shopping, will be sitting down watching TVB. That was how I learnt my Cantonese and got hooked to the series. You can't deny those handsome hunks in the series are just so eye-catching and attention holding. Not to mentione some of those lead actresses were far too pretty to be even real. So, ever since my parents moved to Taman Bukit Kaya, my parents will rent tapes, yes.. those rectangular, black strip with 2 rollers inside ( a bigger version of cassette) on the latest TVB dramas and it will mainly be sword-fighting shows. That was what my brother and I will look forward to during school holidays. After all, when I was a Standard One kid, there were no Internet, Playstations, or watsoever technology tools that kids nowadays have to spend their time with. In fact, Microsoft did not even exist and my father typed the computer using MS-DOS and the printer was as huge as a typewriter and sounded like a mini machine gun when printing. Anyway, I was too young to know where they rented those tapes but once I moved to this new house of my current address, my parents started to bring me along to choose the sword-fighting shows that I or my brother wanted to watch.

The video shop was called Pusat Video San Sen Kee. I remembered the first time I walked into the shop, there were posters of the top actors and actresses at that time (1993 onwards) such as Leon Lai Ming, Ekin Cheng E-Kin, Julian Cheung Chilam, Athena Chu Yan, Kenix Kwok Ho Ying etc. Posters were splashed everywhere from the see-through glass door to the counter to the walls. And just behind the husband and wive (the boss of the shop) were rows and rows and rows of tapes. They had a yellow sticker on it and had the title of the show, TVB logo and the episode for it. Yes, I think I can make a list that exceeds 500 drama series titles since I remember watching them at such a young age.

My family number for the registration in the video shop was 764 and we have became such regular customers that the husband and wive remembered our number even before we say it. As my brother and I grew older, the shop expanded as well. They had 2 ladies working for them and the wive became a housewive for their new-born son. The husband actually settles the business and sometimes do delivery of the tapes for his good customers.

When Chinese New Year comes, we have to book the tapes as they have only 3 copies of each set. I remember my family will go in a month before Chinese New Year to look at the catalogue (it used to be strips of papers) and book the show. Then, we would spend the whole week's holiday watching it, having marathon sessions from the eve of CNY. The boss was making such good business that the calendars that they provided to give out freely to their customers were glossy and big. They even closed own for a couple of weeks for renovations. That was when things atrted to change a little by little.

VCDs made their appearances and shows no longer take 1 and a half hour but instead cut short to 40 minutes per episode. When VCDs surfaced, so did piracy as Internet was expending at that time. Many people can find ways in downloading and at that time, it was illegal. Only certain software and hackers can download the shows that has not released. Tapes were slowly but surely vanishing and before I knew it, my VCR at home has a company below it. A VCD player.

From VCD, came DVD but at least, there are still people renting tapes from them. I was at that time Form 4 when the main problem came for this shop. Astro Wah Lai Toi made a deal with TVB and they will have shows from them directly, even if these shows are released a year before in Hong Kong. Still, it is new compared to those they showed at the local channels.

But Astro on Demand probably caused the rental shop to drop in rental orders and customers.
People can now pay a certain amount every month and they can watch together with the Hong Kong people on the new releases instead of last time where a VCD disc caused RM4 to be rented. The Internet also have become a threat as downloading seem like a normal activity as it has become free, popular and fast. I was already in college and has begun downloading although my family at home still rent the dramas. So, I just watched along. However, I have not visited that shop since I left overseas 2 years ago and that was the last time, I watched a rented tape from them. I still remembered the series was 'The Gentle Crackdown' starring Moses Chan and Nikki Chow.

My family continued renting tapes from them but as far as I know, they too, stopped when my nephew was born. Too busy to look at the dramas and they are just contented with what Astro Wah LAi Toi has to offer. I on the other hand was in New Zealand and let's just say that I still have the vast amount of TVB, chinese music, and even chinese movies available, thanks to this particular website that I have been a member ever since my college years.

This morning as I drove passed the shop, I was surprise that the familiar see-thorugh door and posters pasted on it is now replaced by.. hardware and machines. Where is the shop now? Closed down due to the decreasing customers? My mom said that the shop has shifted to another place as the landlady of the shoplot demanded a rise. When I asked where is the new shop, my mom asked me back.
"Why do you want to know? You have Wah Lai Toi already what. And I thought you also have the Internet thing you are downloading for your father to watch? The one with Lam Fung."

Yes, my parents who are Internet unsavvy has become hooked on my activity as well since they are constantly asking if I have got the latest episodes for them. They do not mind watching from the computer instead of the TV as my dad has just changed the computer from the box type to the flat screen one. So, it is still big enough for them to enjoy.

That said, the days where I used to pass by San Sen Kee and looked at the posters to feast my eyes on the latest dramas is lost forever. In a way, that shop has became a childhood memory for me as almost a quarter of my life revolves around it. And now that it is gone, only words can be written down here to remember it but still cannot describe it. I may sound to dramatic (I guessed from TVB's exposure) but I sometimes do miss the days when my family will sit down together to watch the rented tapes. Now, as the shows are all in the computer, anybody can watch it anytime they want and with the vast availability of the series, one can watch the other if they don't like one.

For example, my dad and I are hooked on the show 'The Four' but my brother and sister-in-law want to watch The Last One Standing. I will watch it at day time after lunch while my dad watches the episodes at night. My brother and sister-in-law watch the series only when they have the time.

Nonetheless, thank you Pusat Video San Sen Kee.

It's a bird, its a plane, No! PIGEONS!

2008-10-11T19:34:00.007+08:00

Pigeons have generally 2 symbols for the Chinese people.
1. In Buddhism, Pigeons, especially white pigeons are used to be set free as a symbol of humanity and reducing the sins of mankind. Sometimes, doves are used though but still, the meaning is the same.
2. In some areas of China, pigeons are actually edible. They call it "Yu Kap" which does mean pigeon though I do not know if it is the real pigeon or that it is another type of bird. If it is pigeons, can this pigeons outside of my room be edible?
I assume, I can make millions since I just need to grill it over fire and layer them with honey. Just like 'siu kai yik' (Grill Chicken Wings). At least, that is what TVB have taught me.

I don't really remember them being around before I left overseas. But this year, their flittery and flattery wings have definitely made me aware of their existence. Even my dad found them quite a worry now as their amount seem to be multiplying by the month. Suppose they are not much of a nuisance to me, but when the flock gets bigger, I am wondering how to actually shoosh them away.
This picture is taken out of my bedroom window. You might probably feel that it's just three pitiful birds by the roof sightseeing. As I look at this picture, I remembered a joke that my lecturer from Victoria University of Wellington have said to in a way.. tease my friends and I.

My dear friends, Aimi, Ommathy and Hadi used to sit together during lectures back in the first year at VUW. One fine day, as John (Macalister), our ALIN lecturer provided some groupwork activities for us, we were to lazy to move our butts to alter our seats. So, we continued to sit in a line and were quite comfortable to have the discussion that way. Suddenly, John said out loud,
"Hadi, Aimi, would you like to come in front and sit opposite Omma and Tam? Then you all won't look like birds on a wire."
YEAP. Birds on a wire was his expression of our seating positions, maybe at that moment, maybe for a long time. That verbal expression sent laughter across the class. We were glad to be the clown of the day for the class. But the truth is, we were laughing ourselves. Aimi, in fact could not stop laughing and repeating that statement, even though she did sound a bit offended by it. But still, that statement has further strengthen our friendship among the four of us in some ways.

So, basically, these pigeons that have nested just by the railings of my roof should create a peaceful and serene feeling for me right? After all, I am staying with nature. But then again, try having a flock.. no.. i think flocks of them, the sound of their owl-like "uk uk uk" and flapping of the wings wakes me up in the morning long before I SHOULD wake up. Not only that, they are constantly pecking on my house' s garbage bag to look for food. My roof has a great graffiti of blots with different colour and has even basics to set them in (those poops sometimes dry up and cake, but is washed away by the rain, causing there to be stains before new poop drops on the same spot, giving it an artistic value). So basically, in my opinion, these pigeons are generally giving the image of dirty and untidy place to live in (not to mention noisy). RSPCA or any Bird Organization can scold me for all that matters, but in my mind now, I am thinking of chicken wing and roast turkey for these pests.

Anybody can help me solve this problem?

Quotes of the day

2008-10-08T12:03:00.005+08:00

This is how unhappening my life is once I went back to my college.
1. I wake up in the morn at 6.30 to have
: shower
: breakfast
: a dosage of TVB series episode (currently watching The Four Constables)
2. Goes for sharing sessions from 8.20-12.20pm.

While the sharing session is not that bad actually, I actually enjoyed chit chatting with my friends more. After all, I do gain more intellectual discourse with my friends.

These are some quotes that I have laughed and pondered and agreed to.

"Long winded statement for a small issue"
Story: This happened when I was trying to explain to a guy friend of mine why I mentioned his name to be the emcee of the day for the sharing session. It was because another female friend of mine was finding someone to replace her and I came to her mind. As she approached me, I really wanted to help but I had the responsibility in taking movie tickets for Mamma Mia! at MidValley later. So I suggested that male friend of mine who was actually lazing around not listening to anything. He said later that he was doing 'selective listening'. So yeah, when I told him what was the whole issue about, he used that quote which I think actually applies generally across the genders; that is
Women tend to explain more than they should while Men tend to just listen for the main things

"There is a thin line between giving information and talking nonsense"
Story:I used this to a good friend of mine who can talk a lot of rubbish and I personally enjoyed talking rubbish to him. Helps keep sanity at acceptable level. So I was using this line to irk him in a way and guess what was his response?
"Ya, I am the one giving the information, you are the nonsense"
So much for the gentlemen, huh?

"Your name Anne can be homophone for an insect, alphabet and conjunction"
Story: No offense when I heard this from a friend, joking to another whose name is Anne ... . No story there as I believe many people can guess it. But believe me, I was laughing so hard that I can actually cry when I heard this. It is a good (though a bit offensive) quote that I have ever heard.

Anymore nice quotes of the day, anyone?

Ultraman VS Marvel Comics VS Gu Gu

2008-10-03T07:57:00.007+08:00

Do you remember who is your idol superhero when you were a kid?

I did. In fact, I had many superheroes which are now long gone.. (Rest In Peace, I guess). But some survived though.

As my nephew who is now at the age of 2years and 4 months old, Ultraman is his ultimate hero. No one can beat Ultraman. No one can kill Ultraman. No one can be Ultraman.. except him and of course.. Ultraman Ko-ko (elder brother, the human form of Ultraman which will transform to a gigantic Ultraman in order to fight the gigantic monsters). His collection of Ultraman ranges from DVDs (a must), dancing video (it's actually a purchase mistake when my brother saw the cover that has the 4 generations of Ultraman lining up as if going for a war, only to find that they are actually lining up to dance to the song, 'Macho Man'), toys made from China of all sizes, soft dolls and finally to the latest, an Ultraman watch. He happily stores them in 3 houses; my house, his dad's house and his nanny's house, although some are already without legs, hands and even head. His love for this idol of his is so deep that he can actually sing the themesong.. in Japanese.. which of course he does not know the meaning. Everyday, he will use ALOT of papers to draw Ultraman which are one big round with 2 spheres and a.. 'body' of all shapes and sizes.

I try to remember the Ultraman heroes during my childhood time as I was told (by my brother, of course who is 6 years older than me) that the Ultraman team at that time is the first generation. Now, the latest Ultraman team which my nephew is watching is called Ultraman Cosmos and Nebulus. God knows if they are the same.

I only remember 2 significant Ultraman figures. One is Ultraman Tiga and the other, Ultraman Ace. I remember Ultraman Tiga is because of its 3 horn helmet and Ace, well.. the hero for Ultraman Ace was cute.

So why.. after so many years (it actually spins off since 1966) does Ultraman still catches the attention of children?

Is it because of the significant eyes which in Chinese we call it 'salted egg hero' (because the eyes look like a shape of the salted eggs, no offense there) or because every child believe in monsters and that there must be someone to kill them. But what about Batman? Superman? Fantastic Four?

I thought, maybe because Ultraman is an Asian hero which puts him on par with the Marvel Comic heroes. Staying in Malaysia, there is still a certain Eastern cultural influence no matter which medium we are brought up on.

But I did not really fancy Ultraman though. I just watch it because my brother watches it. No point fighting over the TV and end up being punished by mom who will turn off the TV, right? I used to watch Captain Planet and the Planeteers. But I could not remember much. Just that Captain Planet talks about saving the environment and he will only exist when all the 5 elements of Earth comes together which are Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Heart. This elements and their powers are stored in a form of a ring and only is worn by the chosen kids. And then, they go around saving.. Earth.

There are some websites on this hero but I do think that this kind of hero is much better than those like Ultraman or Power Rangers. What are they teaching? Fight? Violence? My nephew will role play himself as Ultraman MANY MANY times and he will ask me to be Monster no1. while either my brother or my father become the monster no2. And only he survives, all of us must die (roll on the floor with a pathetic groan as if you have been boxed or punched). When you catch him, he will shout "BU SHI!! BU SHI!! GU GU MATI!!!" (NO! NO! AUNT DIES!) in a mixture of Mandarin and Malay. Sometimes, he hit so hard at some places that I have to tell him to stop if he wants a lot of future cousins to play that game with him. In the end, I gave up playing with him because of that and he too, gave up in calling me to play as I will ignore his pleas to start the role play game.

Looking at him now, it is a mirror of my cousin brother who is 6 years old this year but instead of watching Ultraman, he watches Power Rangers. He too, played fighting game and when he was younger.. say 4 or 5, when we wanted to punish him because he was too naughty (his role play took to the next level by jumping and kicking which broke a swan crystal and dirtied the wall), he actually posed in the defense manner; one hand slanting straight across his chest and the other hand vertically across his eyes. Too bad for him, my grandma is a HUGE and EXPERIENCED monster to be won over (My grandma is quite prosperous and has a booming voice with over 70 years of child caring. She is the fourth child and first daughter among 11 brothers and sister, 4 children of her own and 8 grandchildren which only 2 are not taken cared by her). At that time, my brother who was expecting this nephew of mine told me, "I will make sure my son does not watch all these nonsense next time. You see! Small fart like him want to fight as if he is damn big. What rubbish."

So tell me, if you a parent next time, will you by any chance expose them to watching these shows? Or in fact, remember that you have once said or swear about this?

One thing I know. The creator and merchandise dealer of Ultraman should be happy that after 40 odd years, there is still demand for it. Unlike some heroes who are gone with the wind.

Prices high and dry

2008-10-02T15:55:00.004+08:00

I just went to the bookstore today and guess what? I realize books nowadays cost a small fortune. As society is getting more educated and the availability of books is MUCH easier, one would expect the books to have lower prices. And the fact that demands and interests have varied since the time when I was a small kid should at least make up for the prices to be lower. But no!

A normal paperback fictions are usually RM 40++ while the non-fiction can go up to RM80++ . Romance books are RM30++ while children storybooks are RM25 ++. Those academic books which are categorized to History, Politics etc are all RM50 ++. My favourite books which I have been contemplating to buy since beginning of the year are :-

The Yakuza Moon - RM 87.75
Dream of the Red Chamber - RM 62.90
The Air Asia Story - RM 39.90
Last Concubine - RM69.90

If I add up, the total can actually pay up for a month's rent in KL. How absurd! And I thought that the education foundation has always been on getting more books for children to read no matter what language they are? My 2 year old nephew has just bought some books on learning ABC which actually costs RM 15 each (I dont know how many he bought, or rather his parents bought). So, if the prices are so high, is there any idea for me to be able to read these books without burning my pocket? I know, this books are imported: from China, Japan, America, Britain but WHY SO HIGH? As far as I know, there is NO TAX on books right? Or is there?

I have come up with a few solutions though.

1. Find it in local libraries - TRUE STORY: You will be more than happy if you can find an English book that is last published in the year 2000 and still has its cover.

2. Get it from my college library - TRUE STORY: When the college says it is a library, it is actually more of keeping academic books for my profession

3. Get my parents/friends/family/whoever to sponsor - My subconscious voice says "The book is not worth the price I will be paying for"

4. Wait for bargains and sales - I have waited... and still waiting.

Second hand bookstore is out of the question as you can't find one here. Even if you do, the books are all tattered and torn, more like waiting to be disposed off to the recycle centre.

Nowadays, bookstores are franchised. Gone are the days when there will be a small bookstore across the street selling workbooks, textbooks, storybooks, etc. In Seremban, I used to go to SBL Bookstore. That is way before MPH, TIMES and BORDERS came in. In fact, TIMES is no longer around actually. Anybody remember TIMES Bookstore?

I wonder when my kid sits down and writes about this issue in future, how much is the prices he/she will be writing. Or perhaps, at that time, you just need to subscribe to particular publisher online and then, they will give you a password to be able to log on and read their published books online. Great idea isn't it?

Save environment- no need to cut down trees to print on papers, no need carton boxes to import/export the books, save on plastics for wrapping

Hassle free - no need to drive all the way to the bookstore to find the last copy of the book having been torn or dirtied, (save petrol: environment), more time spend at home

Any more suggestions?

SRK and SMK CONVENT SEREMBAN

2008-10-02T08:48:00.009+08:00

As many would have known, I was teaching in SMK Convent Kajang for 3 months. During this time, many teachers and even students asked me which school was I formerly from. When I said Puteri, some knew. But most do not know that Puteri is formerly known as Convent Seremban before the nuns sold the land to the local council (correct me if I am wrong).

I studied in SRK Convent for 3 years ONLY but believe it or not, these 3 years have made an impact much stronger than my 8 years in Puteri. This is because, friendships are built and innocent childhood pranks are developed; all within this Convent school. I met many of my good friends in this school and although we maintain our friendship after so long, it is still Convent that sets our roots of our friendship. Even until today, our topic will slowly drift back to those times when we will be running around a big tree playing 'Mother Hen and Eagle' or 'Teng Teng'; looking at Mother Mary's statue and felt remorse for having told a lie (ie. I lost my homework) or bought nonsense at the school canteen rather than buying real food; running around the bare land talking about ghost stories. Ah! Yes. The ghost stories. We had many.

1. We used to believe that there is a ghost who will play the piano in our school hall every night. And everyday when dawn breaks, the piano lid will be left open even when many seniors and teachers swear that they have closed the lid.
2. On the land that we held our assembly is actually a graveyard for the Japanese soldiers and dead nuns. The bumps of the uneven land is actually a mark for where the tombstones are. And every night, the ghosts of these dead soldiers and nuns will rise from the land and floats around the city finding for Convent students who have kicked their tombstones during games.
3. Oh! and there is the storeroom. Up in the storeroom which is always locked, there will be a ghost that sucks blood from napkins left by the menstruating students in the toilet. That is why students have to wrap the napkins properly for the smell will lure 'it' out of the storeroom and stays in the toilet forever.

I was 9 at that time and I BELIEVED every story that was told by my friends, seniors and sometimes even teachers. And sometimes, we would even peek through closed and locked rooms through the gaps below the doors to see what was inside. Usually, that will happen when we played 'truth or dare'.

Of course, the day when the school announced that we were moving, God knows I did not understood a thing. All I remembered was a reporter coming to take a pictures of us, students saying goodbye to the school to write out in the newspaper, The Star. She was formerly a student in Convent. And then, they started tearing down the school, built blocks and set up a billboard saying 'SEREMBAN MALL OPENING SOON'. Heck, it was not until 5 years ago, the blocks were removed and guess what was there?

The school land view from Terminal 1

There is a huge pool there because of the funds ran low in the middle of the project. So, they dug up the land and left it like that. As rain pours, the basement or should I say canal(?) filled up and now it is a HUGE pool of dirty water and God knows what is inside.

I always say that if the Olympics have not enough space in their swimming events, they can rent this 'place'. And what makes it worst is that there is a little stone park next to it. So, not only is there a 'swimming pool' and free fishing place for anyone who wants to fish (I heard there are some fish living there but I guess it is hardly edible) but also a stone park for people to snap pictures of the 'scenery'. Mind you, this is Malaysia we are talking about. Not England, not Hong Kong and certainly not even KL to begin with. Nobody will WALK around this part of the town unless for government errands (the local town hall and city council is just opposite). People usually DRIVE THROUGH this place as this is already the end of the SEREMBAN MAIN TOWN. Even so, it will be those who come from the other residential nests such as Ampangan, Rahang and Rasah . So, what I am trying to say is, rather than spending more money to 'decorate' the town which is of no use as no one in their right mind will be under the hot sun to snap pics at THIS place or REST without even a centimetre of shade provided, why couldn't 'someone' (which many of us know who as they are always in full view of the eyesore of the pool) rent some gigantic truck to pump out the water and start building something on it?

It definitely hurts when students and ex-students from other schools jeer and say 'Convent no more la! It's a gigantic mosquito breeding ground now!'. And it is even more upsetting when each time I come back to Seremban and pass by this place that there is no more use of this land when it had been a place of education and moral cultivation for many.

The flare or style of a groomed Convent girl has long gone and there is not much sparkle in one's eye if I say I was a Convent girl from Seremban as everyone knows there is no more this institution that breeds one of the best students and individuals around. Nonetheless, I am only happy for one thing about the tearing down of the school is that the day they tore down the school, was the day I realise my worries of those ghost are for nothing.

For the history of Convent and transition to Puteri, one can visit the website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMK_Puteri

It does say a little about my school(s).

Remembering My Teachers

2008-09-25T23:23:00.001+08:00

Honestly, how many of us remember our teachers? The fact that most students are more than ecstatic to be out from school is already a great achievement for them. So who are teachers to them but old, naggy and have nil fashion sense bunch of people, sent to make their life miserable. Think HOMEWORK. But then again, after all the years of schooling, can you actually remember some?
As I am about to leave my school now to continue my studies in my college, my dear students have been pouring in letters (and tokens of appreciation) which all have a unanimous message which is 'I will remember you, please do not forget me'. These little messages definitely touched my heart but I do wonder, when they reach my age now, 10 years later, will they really remember me? Will they remember any of their teachers to start with? After all, I was just a temporary teacher who taught them for 3 months. IS the impact that great?
Surprisingly, I did remember my teachers, either because I HATE THEM or I like them. I wish I knew where they are now because I would really love to see their face if I were to tell them I am a teacher now. No one would believe it as I was one of the most talkative and spoilt child in the class. Those days, technology and gadgets aren't that advanced for anybody to keep in touch. I just want to know where are they now. Who knows? Some might have left the profession, some might have left the country, and some might have even left this Earth. Anyway, every year, since primary 2, there will be a teacher who I will remember because of either these 2 reasons (I was only 7 when I am in primary 1 and NOTHING seems to be in my brain for what I have done then. I probably have ran around the statue of Virgin Mary, asking her to send my Prince Charming and not even remember it now).
You see, I was from a Convent school situated in my hometown, Seremban. Still, I went there until Primary 3 before the adults decided to pull down the school and build a shopping mall which is never completed. It has not even started to begin with. So, yes. It's no longer there now and it has become a gigantic mosquito breeding ground. [next blog will be on it].

In standard 2, I have one teacher who I LIKE. Her name is Mrs M (gosh, after all these years, I remember her husband's name rather than hers). She was my English and Music teacher. She was the first teacher who encouraged me to join singing competitions because
1. I like singing
2. I do have an acceptable voice to sing
3. At the age of 8, I still do not know the meaning of embarassment and stage fright.

In standard 3, I remember Cik Thelma, my class teacher. A young lady, she NEVER scolded us, even when we ran wild around the school. It was sad that when we entered the new school, she was no longer there. I remember her long, black hair.

In standard 4, it started to dawn on me the importance of studying. And for the first time, my Mathematics got A's because of her, Cik Lee. OH gawd. She hits us if we did not do her corrections and would shout when we forgot to bring our books or do our homework. She was.. a terror. Still, I like her. At least she scolds with a purpose.

My Maths teacher for standard 5 scolds WITHOUT a purpose. In fact, she SHRILLS when she is having her PMS which is coincidentally every 3 times a week. I hated Mrs F.

But I hated Cik K more in standard 6. She is our class teacher and she SLAPS US. In fact, whatever theory and teaching behaviours I have been studying for the past 6 years are basically the opposite in her. SHE curses us, SLAPS us, CONFISCATES our storybooks; my classmates and I just gave her nickname of Freddy Gouger. I, personally think, she is worst than that.

Mr R. was my Science teacher in Form 1 and I remembered him because he wass shorter than me. In fact, he was shorter than most of my classmates. But he was definitely dedicated in his teaching.

Pn S. was my history teacher in Form 2 and many people said she was a bore. But I like her a lot, probably because I like History subject as well. Oh, I LOVE HISTORY. She usually just explained and talked for the whole time and no wonder my friends couldn't cope with her. But for me, I usually read the whole chapter before I went for class, and thus, knew what she was talking about. Not to mention, I am only one of the few who could answer her questions.

But no teacher can beat my Maths teacher in Form 3. Mr C. was a funny guy. Not literally. He was a typical Ah Beng teacher who came in, taught us, and at the second when the bell rang, picked up his books and left the class without even saying anything. I always remember him wearing grey shirt with black pants, as if a uniform to school.

In Form 4, Encik R was my Additional Maths as well as class teacher. A responsible and dedicated teacher, he left us 5 months before we sat for our SPM in form 5.

Oddly though, as I reflect now, the teachers that I used to hate are mostly in primary. What does that mean? IS it because the teachers in secondary school treat the students as adults? Or is it because students in secondary school know and are aware of their rights as students and can voice out anything that they dislike? I don't know. But these teachers are teachers who have taught me for a year or more. Sometimes, they follow up until some who have taught me for 4 years straight. So, will I now, a temporary teacher of 3 months be remembered in the future as what my angel students are saying? Probably they will, probably they won't. Still, I am happy that I have touched their lives in a certain way that made them see; life in school is not that bad and boring as they think it is. Like a present, they should take their life as a student to the fullest and enjoy it.

From my part, I will always remember my students, my first group of students who coincidentally are noisy but smart in their own ways. I will surely miss them.

Cherry slicing

2008-09-17T10:39:00.000+08:00

This is my pilot writing in a blog. Frankly speaking, I have many ideas and interest which I would like to share through this blog. I am still fiddling and finding my ways around to divide my interests nicely. Based on my personal life, this blog should be more of a memoir for me to keep as I grow older to help reflect upon my thoughts and how to solve them. I think I better start writing as my memory is getting slower and worse day by day. After all, language and writing is the oldest art of history and as we write, the details of today will still remain even after half a century. Hopefully, through this site and also my interest and time allocated to write will help motivate this aim of my blog.

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