We spent most of last night talking about our form mates, remembering people, comparing notes and updating each other on the latest gossip to roll off the press or come through the grapevine.
One of them was blessed with a baby a little earlier this year, so I'd like to congratulate her on her absolutely gorgeous baby girl. I'm really not very good with kids, they tend to be snotty or sticky, or both, but this one looks perfect.
It's all pretty much based on this one picture I saw on her close friend's blog, but it struck me how differently their lives have turned out; the difference was especially highlighted since the a photo of the newborn was posted right below the blog-owner's own photos of spring break.
It makes me wonder, how many of my classmates that I haven't seen in about four years have made that step into adulthood by having a child or getting married. How many of us will be sporting pushchairs and diaper bags by the time someone makes an effort to coordinate a reunion; how many will marry their highschool sweethearts; how many will be chasing boardroom success?
Just as someone said last night, it's like one of those slow soaps that you just want to fast forward to the end to see how it turns out, but can't.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
And this is the way we suck your cash
The Fitujus (name scrambled to avoid a lawsuit) service centre is stupid. The Monday after I touched down, I sent my poor baby, Rufus (yes, I named my laptop after a naked mole-rat), in to get fixed so it can run off battery again. There was a lengthy conversation with the service rep when it could've been "My adaptor is broken. The battery won't charge, but it runs off AC". It started out that way, but we had to wait about half an hour for them to carry out a 'quick' diagnostic test to tell me that my adaptor isn't working. I bloody told them it wasn't bloody working; and they slapped me with a receipt, a promise to call with news of the problem, and a RM120 service charge (exclusive of spare parts, mind you).
A week later of no call-backs, my mum called them. Oh boy did they get hell (my mum rocks). It had just so happened that they had taken out my laptop to look at that very morning. The sales rep on the other end tried to save her ass by saying, "Oh, Mrs. See, the technician has just told me that the adaptor is not working." Yes, I think so, we've established that, oh, only about four times!! At which point my mum replied, "No, my daughter told the technician the adaptor was not working."
"Oh, um, right, okay we'll check the battery and call you back."
About ten minutes later, she actually calls back (omg), and I pick up.
"Okay, the laptop can still work if you plug it in, but the battery won't charge."
No, really? That's exactly what I said.
"Yes, I already told you that."
"Oh okay, well your mother was very unhappy about the RM120 service charge, so we will waive that fee unless you want us to open the laptop, in which case we'll charge you. We think the connection between the battery and the motherboard is faulty."
"Can you replace that component then?"
"Um, no, see, the thing is, this laptop was designed such that you have to replace the whole board."
"How much would it cost me to replace the board?"
"RM1500."
You must be kidding me right, I mean c'mon, I could buy another totally kickass laptop with a little more. Stupid idiot.
"No, don't open it, I'll come and pick it up."
"Oh okay. Well it still runs if you plug it in so make sure you use a Fujitsu adaptor okay? You could ask your friend with the same model if they can charge your battery for you, I mean, what are friends for right?"
"I'll be there in half an hour."
And that's why Rufus is no longer mobile, and my new adaptor isn't even Fujitsu. +Pbbth+. They should've paid me for keeping my laptop for so long. +Grr+
A week later of no call-backs, my mum called them. Oh boy did they get hell (my mum rocks). It had just so happened that they had taken out my laptop to look at that very morning. The sales rep on the other end tried to save her ass by saying, "Oh, Mrs. See, the technician has just told me that the adaptor is not working." Yes, I think so, we've established that, oh, only about four times!! At which point my mum replied, "No, my daughter told the technician the adaptor was not working."
"Oh, um, right, okay we'll check the battery and call you back."
About ten minutes later, she actually calls back (omg), and I pick up.
"Okay, the laptop can still work if you plug it in, but the battery won't charge."
No, really? That's exactly what I said.
"Yes, I already told you that."
"Oh okay, well your mother was very unhappy about the RM120 service charge, so we will waive that fee unless you want us to open the laptop, in which case we'll charge you. We think the connection between the battery and the motherboard is faulty."
"Can you replace that component then?"
"Um, no, see, the thing is, this laptop was designed such that you have to replace the whole board."
"How much would it cost me to replace the board?"
"RM1500."
You must be kidding me right, I mean c'mon, I could buy another totally kickass laptop with a little more. Stupid idiot.
"No, don't open it, I'll come and pick it up."
"Oh okay. Well it still runs if you plug it in so make sure you use a Fujitsu adaptor okay? You could ask your friend with the same model if they can charge your battery for you, I mean, what are friends for right?"
"I'll be there in half an hour."
And that's why Rufus is no longer mobile, and my new adaptor isn't even Fujitsu. +Pbbth+. They should've paid me for keeping my laptop for so long. +Grr+
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Waffle-queen dethroned!
It's official, ladies and gentlemen, I have been dethroned as champion eater of AnW's waffle with double scoop vanilla icecream and extra strawberry sauce since 2130hrs this very day, beaten by our very own pint-sized Natasha Wong +lol+.
That and a regular root beer topped off an amazing dinner of SS2 Bak Kut Teh and good company. We really should get together, eat, and talk ceaselessly for three hours about everything in general. It feels so adult, but fun.
Also caught Miss Congeniality 2. I've decided I like simple movies. Movies should be written to leave you happily gormless, it shouldn't take more brain cells than necessary to follow what's going on. After attacking an impossibly difficult vibration question - they're all like that especially at 8.00am, and fudging my way through it, the movie was a welcome break.
My most triumphantly embarrassing moment today was ordering eight slices of ham and expecting it to come up to about RM6.00 (I think I was still working in pounds and Weng's still laughing at me). I didn't realise they were going to be so thick! I had unwittingly ordered about 1.5kg of ham, but ended up paying RM22.00 for about half that much to the irritation of the sales assistant. It was a lot of ham.
That and a regular root beer topped off an amazing dinner of SS2 Bak Kut Teh and good company. We really should get together, eat, and talk ceaselessly for three hours about everything in general. It feels so adult, but fun.
Also caught Miss Congeniality 2. I've decided I like simple movies. Movies should be written to leave you happily gormless, it shouldn't take more brain cells than necessary to follow what's going on. After attacking an impossibly difficult vibration question - they're all like that especially at 8.00am, and fudging my way through it, the movie was a welcome break.
My most triumphantly embarrassing moment today was ordering eight slices of ham and expecting it to come up to about RM6.00 (I think I was still working in pounds and Weng's still laughing at me). I didn't realise they were going to be so thick! I had unwittingly ordered about 1.5kg of ham, but ended up paying RM22.00 for about half that much to the irritation of the sales assistant. It was a lot of ham.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Move it like that
Our building started swaying at about 12.10am so we evacuated, taking the dog too. Nothing like a midnight panic to get to really know your neighbours in their jammies. The evacuation proceeded like many Student Halls' fire alarms, some half-walked, half-ran in haste, some were straggling out at their own pace, and others just slept right through it.
I actually didn't feel it. My parents' and brother's description of the whole thing started at "I thought your mother was rolling over" and gradually escalated to "You could feel the WHOLE building sway SIDE TO SIDE!". The only reason I was standing up when they barged through the door to wake us up was because I was on the way to the bathroom. The dog didn't even feel it - they had to call her twice. I had to crash Devi's Corner for a bathroom stop.
As usual, the first person I called while standing in the carpark half awake was Weng, who thought that it was just the foundations of my building settling. He must've thought we were going out of our minds. It was on the news about fifty minutes later though. Last night it was 8.2 but that had increased to 8.7 by midmorning. The experts are also predicting a third one, only they don't know if it could be in the next week, month, year, or even century. Aha, experts.
I actually didn't feel it. My parents' and brother's description of the whole thing started at "I thought your mother was rolling over" and gradually escalated to "You could feel the WHOLE building sway SIDE TO SIDE!". The only reason I was standing up when they barged through the door to wake us up was because I was on the way to the bathroom. The dog didn't even feel it - they had to call her twice. I had to crash Devi's Corner for a bathroom stop.
As usual, the first person I called while standing in the carpark half awake was Weng, who thought that it was just the foundations of my building settling. He must've thought we were going out of our minds. It was on the news about fifty minutes later though. Last night it was 8.2 but that had increased to 8.7 by midmorning. The experts are also predicting a third one, only they don't know if it could be in the next week, month, year, or even century. Aha, experts.
Monday, March 28, 2005
News flash
I really hate Kancils that think they're Ferraris and drive in the third lane on the highway, when, realistically, they top out at 80kph. Just because you're driving at the bloody speed limit does not give mean you're entitled to road hog. Other cars might, just might be driving a little faster than that.
It is not socially acceptable to blot your face in public. No one wants to see how much oil you've mopped up when your blotting paper has gone that cool translucent blue colour. It's essentially face grease and almost in the same league of social graces as getting caught off guard by your visiting cousins.
KL is still suffocatingly hot, like a furnace wrapped in a greasy tortilla of haze, with dust on the side. At least we get proper rain here though, huge pingpongball-sized drops that splock all over your windscreen regular-like every afternoon.
In other news, it was wonderful seeing all the WinGs at CBC again. The new church is so beautiful!
It is not socially acceptable to blot your face in public. No one wants to see how much oil you've mopped up when your blotting paper has gone that cool translucent blue colour. It's essentially face grease and almost in the same league of social graces as getting caught off guard by your visiting cousins.
KL is still suffocatingly hot, like a furnace wrapped in a greasy tortilla of haze, with dust on the side. At least we get proper rain here though, huge pingpongball-sized drops that splock all over your windscreen regular-like every afternoon.
In other news, it was wonderful seeing all the WinGs at CBC again. The new church is so beautiful!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
In the name of love
I'm so glad we've sorted out my dad's birthday present. It took three days, and it started something like this.
On Thursday, Mum let slip that Dad also wanted an iPod and that he'd been talking about it quite recently. Cheryl (and I) decided to get it for him to try and erase the years and years of crappy t-shirts, socks, handkerchiefs, and mugs.
I (unfortunately) told Mum that we had decided on getting him an iPod mini and was rewarded with a long, very insistent speech that Dad would not use it and therefore does not need it. So, slightly traumatised, I relayed this information back to my sister who promptly scolded me for being such an idiot.
The next day, we were again (this time the both of us) given the whole "Your father does not need an iPod, look at what happened to the massage chair and the treadmill" speech. Then my mum turned around and asked my dad, although I'm sure it was a purely rhetorical question, "You don't need it right? They don't believe me! Tell them you don't need it." Dad quietly admitted he didn't want one. Later that night, my sister threw a huge cow at me: "you're such an idiot - never tell mum - dad wants it - you're such an idiot - you've ruined the whole thing". I was extremely upset and even more traumatised (because I sleep next to her).
Saturday morning saw me in the car with my parents and the whole iPod issue came up again, this time with me relaying all of Cheryl's "Mum bullies Dad into admitting he doesn't want it by making him feel guilty" tirade. By this time I was getting tired of being the one people scolded, so I asked Dad to tell us honestly whether he wanted it or not. Mum also turned around and pressured Dad into telling us, honestly. After a pregnant silence, he uttered the definitive words: "Well, it would be nice..."
So now my father is the proud owner of an iPod mini, and I think my mum's waiting to be right. Next year, Cheryl should just send me the bill.
On Thursday, Mum let slip that Dad also wanted an iPod and that he'd been talking about it quite recently. Cheryl (and I) decided to get it for him to try and erase the years and years of crappy t-shirts, socks, handkerchiefs, and mugs.
I (unfortunately) told Mum that we had decided on getting him an iPod mini and was rewarded with a long, very insistent speech that Dad would not use it and therefore does not need it. So, slightly traumatised, I relayed this information back to my sister who promptly scolded me for being such an idiot.
The next day, we were again (this time the both of us) given the whole "Your father does not need an iPod, look at what happened to the massage chair and the treadmill" speech. Then my mum turned around and asked my dad, although I'm sure it was a purely rhetorical question, "You don't need it right? They don't believe me! Tell them you don't need it." Dad quietly admitted he didn't want one. Later that night, my sister threw a huge cow at me: "you're such an idiot - never tell mum - dad wants it - you're such an idiot - you've ruined the whole thing". I was extremely upset and even more traumatised (because I sleep next to her).
Saturday morning saw me in the car with my parents and the whole iPod issue came up again, this time with me relaying all of Cheryl's "Mum bullies Dad into admitting he doesn't want it by making him feel guilty" tirade. By this time I was getting tired of being the one people scolded, so I asked Dad to tell us honestly whether he wanted it or not. Mum also turned around and pressured Dad into telling us, honestly. After a pregnant silence, he uttered the definitive words: "Well, it would be nice..."
So now my father is the proud owner of an iPod mini, and I think my mum's waiting to be right. Next year, Cheryl should just send me the bill.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Driving on the right
Coming to the end of the first week already, I ask you where the hell has it all gone? I've done absolutely no work - which was the plan, but I've woken up before 8am every single morning since touching down - not quite the plan, so technic'ly, techinic'ly I should have had more time or at least felt the passing of days instead of a week like now.
As little children, your time was divided into twenty minutes slots, usually in sync with T.V. programming, or in my case, reruns of Sesame Street - can you believe my mother only ever showed me one episode? So when I say reruns, I really mean rerun, I got quite familiar with the letter N and the numbers 6 and 7, and I promise I'm not a goldfish. Sometimes you wouldn't notice an hour pass if you were a particularly patient child or drugged out on ADD medication, but now it's not even hours, half days or days, but rather weeks. Chunks of days strung end to end like sausages.
I think I've spent 40% of my time in the car - definitely not the plan. No, wait, parking the car and getting out of it. Again, no, I don't take THAT long to park the car, but it certainly feels like I spend more time turning off the engine than actually revving the thing. Actually it should be 40% of my time has been spent parking the car, getting out of it, and waiting at red lights/in general...and chasing my brother. Okay, so I've done a lot, but it's all left me in such a heightened state of stress, not even my flu has had time or space to fully realise itself, it's still hinting at a major attack.
So since I've been getting up at 7ish every morning, give or take 15 minutes, I'm usually ready to take a nap by about nine thirty, which would be about now.
As little children, your time was divided into twenty minutes slots, usually in sync with T.V. programming, or in my case, reruns of Sesame Street - can you believe my mother only ever showed me one episode? So when I say reruns, I really mean rerun, I got quite familiar with the letter N and the numbers 6 and 7, and I promise I'm not a goldfish. Sometimes you wouldn't notice an hour pass if you were a particularly patient child or drugged out on ADD medication, but now it's not even hours, half days or days, but rather weeks. Chunks of days strung end to end like sausages.
I think I've spent 40% of my time in the car - definitely not the plan. No, wait, parking the car and getting out of it. Again, no, I don't take THAT long to park the car, but it certainly feels like I spend more time turning off the engine than actually revving the thing. Actually it should be 40% of my time has been spent parking the car, getting out of it, and waiting at red lights/in general...and chasing my brother. Okay, so I've done a lot, but it's all left me in such a heightened state of stress, not even my flu has had time or space to fully realise itself, it's still hinting at a major attack.
So since I've been getting up at 7ish every morning, give or take 15 minutes, I'm usually ready to take a nap by about nine thirty, which would be about now.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
So far so good-ish
Hitch is SO good and I've become designated driver.
That's pretty much all that's happened recently, that and industriously staring at my stack of notes, willing myself to work. Failing miserably at the moment because all I want to do is sleep. I've woken up at an average time of 7.00am for the past four days. Talk about ironic, I mean the Easter holidays have come at long last and I get up when the sun does. I feel like I'm not doing it justice or something.
I'm going to go watch Robots now, before my sister bursts - she wants to talk about it. She hasn't stopped talking since I got back, is that some kind of national record? She's amazing, she can talk all the way through dinner and still finish faster than me. That's like super efficient.
That's pretty much all that's happened recently, that and industriously staring at my stack of notes, willing myself to work. Failing miserably at the moment because all I want to do is sleep. I've woken up at an average time of 7.00am for the past four days. Talk about ironic, I mean the Easter holidays have come at long last and I get up when the sun does. I feel like I'm not doing it justice or something.
I'm going to go watch Robots now, before my sister bursts - she wants to talk about it. She hasn't stopped talking since I got back, is that some kind of national record? She's amazing, she can talk all the way through dinner and still finish faster than me. That's like super efficient.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Stand up and be counted
Yesterday was all about me - mostly about me feeling sorry for myself because of how ill I was feeling on my birthday, haha, so I'm making today about the most important people in my life. I got the most incredible gift from you guys, you know who you are, and I was completely overwhelmed. I really had no idea at all!
This is a rather long post, so unless you're really in want of things to do, you might just want to scroll down to your name.
To the people who've shaped my life over the last decade - yea, that's right, it's been THAT long:
Tish: You're not that old (now that I've joined you in the 20s), you're young at heart! You're barely hitting your secondary school streak eh? +lol+ Thank you for the luvvly card, I'll try and make sure my kids don't call you "Grandpappy Tish" k? I'll never be old enough to be called Aunt. Haha. Thanks for keeping the good times rolling and for your Weybridgian leaves ;)
Evan "Nice guy/Abs" Cheah: The postcard and the birthday card were awesome. (We will come and visit soon!) I think we're making a habit of not showing up at each other's birthdays, so that's okay, we'll call it even. I really don't know what I'd do without you Ev, you keep me sane, and that big voice matches your biiiig ...heart! I'd definitely drink to many more decades, Tish and I are waiting for you to catch up, young 'un!
Nat: My very very first KLite friend ever, gosh, it's really been a case of 'friends forever' hasn't it? Thanks for always being the one that remembers birthdays, anniversaries, and all that, and stop working so hard! +lol+
Tom: I'd have to say I haven't known you for the longest time compared to these old foggies, but it's been awesome, nevertheless. I can't wait for you to show me Poland, totally psyched about that trip! Thank you for all the laughs, man.
Aaron: You've been one for all the ups and downs over the years, and you're always the instigator for all those SS2 trips. I'm not sure I'll ever catch up with you on the squash court, but I'll sure as hell try. Most of my memories of the group have you in them, Mr. Ringleader, and I'm thankful they do. Here's wishing you all the best things in life.
Adrian: Ever since you've become a Glaswegian - is that right? - things have been quieter. Aaron doesn't seem to create as much havoc without you. We miss you lots, you really should visit more. Thanks for always setting the standard in going for your dreams, you're an inspiration to all of us.
Chi Meng: How long's it been since I last saw you? Too long I think. Thank you for your never ending generosity, we'll get together for dinner this Easter, and I'll eventually go to one of your parties in Shah Alam. +lol+
Ming-li: Thanks for always being the one to remind the rest of us that we're still girls. What with all that testosterone floating around in our group, we were bound to drift towards it, so thanks for keeping us grounded. Getting you to go out though is like trying to catch mist with a net, maybe we'll figure it out one day.
Junlinn: You always make me laugh, although I'm quite sure it's not on purpose. You keep on chasing your Beckham/Man Utd dream otherwise no one would stand up for either of them!
To my coursemates, without whom Mech Eng would've been complete hell:
Godwin: Always ready to lend a hand, you never cease to amaze me with how up-to-date you are with your tutorials and work and everything. You're an academic inspiration! Thank you for all your help, you are truly a Godsend.
Lester: I think I'd have to thank you first and foremost of making me laugh - Mech Eng wouldn't have been the same without you and would've been a lot duller, and secondly, for your limitless patience with me bugging you for tutorial/report answers all the time. I cannot say how grateful I am.
Huiyuan: You remind us we're girls, to be honest, with your immaculate and always so well coordinated outfits. It's been great getting to know you better over the past year.
Vivian: My netball buddy! You're one of the best defenders I know! Thanks for injecting a little quirkiness into our course and I totally envy you for how good you are at math! +lol+
Chih Yang: Thanks for always walking back with me and for imparting your gung-ho attitude and optimism. I think you really should teach Roy Carroll to goalkeep - Man Utd really should sign you, and I don't get why you keep saying you're retired, you're not that much older.
Vikas: I think you're the only Arsenal fan I know, but that's okay, they'll do better next year! +lol+
Sachit: You're such a gentleman, thank you for your ready smile every morning even when everyone feels like crawling back to bed and is as cranky as piss.
And last but not least, to my housemates, for the good times
Fong May: Always so generous, you're a bundle of laughs. I really don't know what the year would've been like without you, I'm so glad things worked out the way they did. I'm glad you pulled off your Treasurer thing, and I'm sure Darren's just as glad it's over! +lol+ You can be sure I'm gonna 'thank' Weng later ;)
Shiv: It's been amazing getting to know you, I've had such a good time! Thanks for the talks and all the looks we always exchange over the guys' heads, it's nice to find a kindred spirit.
Han Wen: Just thinking about it, you're the resident tech support guy, haha, you're so wonderfully talented with computers (why shouldnt you be, you certainly spend enough time with yours!), so here's saying thanks for all the help and the laughs. And for being so 'guy' guy.
Darren: I would have to say you're above and beyond the most bitchy guy I know. Great isn't it? Haha, I wouldn't have it any other way, I've thoroughly enjoyed the venting sessions, thanks for keeping me (brutally) grounded. +lol+ "Nah, drink more, almost finished wan..."
And finally,
Weng: Aw, hunny, thank you for putting it all together and for 'rallying the troops', for your support and patience and above all, love. Incredible, darling, truly incredible. Now I've got six months to plan something for your 20th - something tells me I'm going to need it!
This is a rather long post, so unless you're really in want of things to do, you might just want to scroll down to your name.
To the people who've shaped my life over the last decade - yea, that's right, it's been THAT long:
Tish: You're not that old (now that I've joined you in the 20s), you're young at heart! You're barely hitting your secondary school streak eh? +lol+ Thank you for the luvvly card, I'll try and make sure my kids don't call you "Grandpappy Tish" k? I'll never be old enough to be called Aunt. Haha. Thanks for keeping the good times rolling and for your Weybridgian leaves ;)
Evan "Nice guy/Abs" Cheah: The postcard and the birthday card were awesome. (We will come and visit soon!) I think we're making a habit of not showing up at each other's birthdays, so that's okay, we'll call it even. I really don't know what I'd do without you Ev, you keep me sane, and that big voice matches your biiiig ...heart! I'd definitely drink to many more decades, Tish and I are waiting for you to catch up, young 'un!
Nat: My very very first KLite friend ever, gosh, it's really been a case of 'friends forever' hasn't it? Thanks for always being the one that remembers birthdays, anniversaries, and all that, and stop working so hard! +lol+
Tom: I'd have to say I haven't known you for the longest time compared to these old foggies, but it's been awesome, nevertheless. I can't wait for you to show me Poland, totally psyched about that trip! Thank you for all the laughs, man.
Aaron: You've been one for all the ups and downs over the years, and you're always the instigator for all those SS2 trips. I'm not sure I'll ever catch up with you on the squash court, but I'll sure as hell try. Most of my memories of the group have you in them, Mr. Ringleader, and I'm thankful they do. Here's wishing you all the best things in life.
Adrian: Ever since you've become a Glaswegian - is that right? - things have been quieter. Aaron doesn't seem to create as much havoc without you. We miss you lots, you really should visit more. Thanks for always setting the standard in going for your dreams, you're an inspiration to all of us.
Chi Meng: How long's it been since I last saw you? Too long I think. Thank you for your never ending generosity, we'll get together for dinner this Easter, and I'll eventually go to one of your parties in Shah Alam. +lol+
Ming-li: Thanks for always being the one to remind the rest of us that we're still girls. What with all that testosterone floating around in our group, we were bound to drift towards it, so thanks for keeping us grounded. Getting you to go out though is like trying to catch mist with a net, maybe we'll figure it out one day.
Junlinn: You always make me laugh, although I'm quite sure it's not on purpose. You keep on chasing your Beckham/Man Utd dream otherwise no one would stand up for either of them!
To my coursemates, without whom Mech Eng would've been complete hell:
Godwin: Always ready to lend a hand, you never cease to amaze me with how up-to-date you are with your tutorials and work and everything. You're an academic inspiration! Thank you for all your help, you are truly a Godsend.
Lester: I think I'd have to thank you first and foremost of making me laugh - Mech Eng wouldn't have been the same without you and would've been a lot duller, and secondly, for your limitless patience with me bugging you for tutorial/report answers all the time. I cannot say how grateful I am.
Huiyuan: You remind us we're girls, to be honest, with your immaculate and always so well coordinated outfits. It's been great getting to know you better over the past year.
Vivian: My netball buddy! You're one of the best defenders I know! Thanks for injecting a little quirkiness into our course and I totally envy you for how good you are at math! +lol+
Chih Yang: Thanks for always walking back with me and for imparting your gung-ho attitude and optimism. I think you really should teach Roy Carroll to goalkeep - Man Utd really should sign you, and I don't get why you keep saying you're retired, you're not that much older.
Vikas: I think you're the only Arsenal fan I know, but that's okay, they'll do better next year! +lol+
Sachit: You're such a gentleman, thank you for your ready smile every morning even when everyone feels like crawling back to bed and is as cranky as piss.
And last but not least, to my housemates, for the good times
Fong May: Always so generous, you're a bundle of laughs. I really don't know what the year would've been like without you, I'm so glad things worked out the way they did. I'm glad you pulled off your Treasurer thing, and I'm sure Darren's just as glad it's over! +lol+ You can be sure I'm gonna 'thank' Weng later ;)
Shiv: It's been amazing getting to know you, I've had such a good time! Thanks for the talks and all the looks we always exchange over the guys' heads, it's nice to find a kindred spirit.
Han Wen: Just thinking about it, you're the resident tech support guy, haha, you're so wonderfully talented with computers (why shouldnt you be, you certainly spend enough time with yours!), so here's saying thanks for all the help and the laughs. And for being so 'guy' guy.
Darren: I would have to say you're above and beyond the most bitchy guy I know. Great isn't it? Haha, I wouldn't have it any other way, I've thoroughly enjoyed the venting sessions, thanks for keeping me (brutally) grounded. +lol+ "Nah, drink more, almost finished wan..."
And finally,
Weng: Aw, hunny, thank you for putting it all together and for 'rallying the troops', for your support and patience and above all, love. Incredible, darling, truly incredible. Now I've got six months to plan something for your 20th - something tells me I'm going to need it!
First whinge of the year
I'm aching, cranky, and above all ill and older. There is no justice in this world...+sniff+
Monday, March 21, 2005
- 3:49:35
Everything evens out. I got punished for yesterday's general bitching by almost flipping the car on a really steep curb this afternoon. Thankfully my dog and I escaped shaken but safe with a ripped up tyre and dented rim, and then it rained.
I've learnt a lot today. I know where the PJ branch of the JPJ and that the Fujitsu service centre's at Wisma Damansara, and I've learnt how to open the bonnet, refill the coolant, and change a tyre. I feel powerful, and so thankful to the truck driver that stopped to help me change the thing. As my brother put it "a good smarmitan".
I think the weather's hit me pretty hard, I've been suffering from a headache all day. 35degrees and the humidity makes me want to hide out in an icebox for the entire day. So tired, but hey, Liverpool won last night! It looks like the curse has finally been broken! I can watch sport again! And the first birthday greeting came in from Shaz - such a sweetheart.
I've learnt a lot today. I know where the PJ branch of the JPJ and that the Fujitsu service centre's at Wisma Damansara, and I've learnt how to open the bonnet, refill the coolant, and change a tyre. I feel powerful, and so thankful to the truck driver that stopped to help me change the thing. As my brother put it "a good smarmitan".
I think the weather's hit me pretty hard, I've been suffering from a headache all day. 35degrees and the humidity makes me want to hide out in an icebox for the entire day. So tired, but hey, Liverpool won last night! It looks like the curse has finally been broken! I can watch sport again! And the first birthday greeting came in from Shaz - such a sweetheart.
So disappointed
I have never been more embarrassed by GIS than on Saturday. It was the first time I can clearly remember wishing that I wasn't associated with the school. I couldn't believe how low they'd sunk.
So the guys were playing football right, and while they had psyched themselves up the night before about winning the whole London Games tourney as UCL B, they hadn't played together before and thus sucked immensely. Fair enough. They are good footballers, just on a slightly bigger pitch and with more practice.
Saturday really reflected the spoilt brat in us GIS-ers. So they were on the losing side, fine, but did they really have to consistently abuse the referee? It's good enough that the guys volunteered to ref the game, they aren't professional so who's to expect that they call every single thing by the book? It's not like they're specifically trying to piss people off, but the abuse was nonstop and I felt so humiliated watching them. Geez.
Anyhow, after losing two games on the trot and one their way to being sunk a third time, they demanded that some players wearing darker colours on the ICSS team take off their shirts because they were too similar to their all black kits. Fortunately ICSS obliged otherwise I'd hate to think what other abuse/excuses they'd come up with.
I couldn't say more flattering things about the two cheerleaders that actually came back after their netball game, showered and dressed up to watch the guys play. How totally secondary school. Besides that, they sat on the sidelines and coo-eed at the guys they knew, whining just as loudly when the male in question didn't turn around to wave back at their frantically bouncing forms. Manda and I exchanged a glance, although her's kinda read like a very amused "Are they for real?" and mine was more sheepish than anything.
I really didn't know what to think. It only takes one bad apple to wreck the bunch.
So the guys were playing football right, and while they had psyched themselves up the night before about winning the whole London Games tourney as UCL B, they hadn't played together before and thus sucked immensely. Fair enough. They are good footballers, just on a slightly bigger pitch and with more practice.
Saturday really reflected the spoilt brat in us GIS-ers. So they were on the losing side, fine, but did they really have to consistently abuse the referee? It's good enough that the guys volunteered to ref the game, they aren't professional so who's to expect that they call every single thing by the book? It's not like they're specifically trying to piss people off, but the abuse was nonstop and I felt so humiliated watching them. Geez.
Anyhow, after losing two games on the trot and one their way to being sunk a third time, they demanded that some players wearing darker colours on the ICSS team take off their shirts because they were too similar to their all black kits. Fortunately ICSS obliged otherwise I'd hate to think what other abuse/excuses they'd come up with.
I couldn't say more flattering things about the two cheerleaders that actually came back after their netball game, showered and dressed up to watch the guys play. How totally secondary school. Besides that, they sat on the sidelines and coo-eed at the guys they knew, whining just as loudly when the male in question didn't turn around to wave back at their frantically bouncing forms. Manda and I exchanged a glance, although her's kinda read like a very amused "Are they for real?" and mine was more sheepish than anything.
I really didn't know what to think. It only takes one bad apple to wreck the bunch.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Up to speed yet?
London Games was epic, the girls played their hearts out and we were amazing, too bad two more teams were more so. Haha, oh well, I enjoyed myself immensely. What a way to start what's going to be such a needed Easter holiday. I don't know how the rest of the teams did, but I'm sure they were out there with 110%.
Got on the plane after a crazily long check-in at the MAS counter, and the flight wasn't too bad. Slept through most of it for once and even arrived and hour early courtesy of a strong tailwind. But everything had to even out somehow, so we were left swimming in the humidity next to the baggage carousel waiting like a bunch of idiots for almost an hour.
I had a much more interesting post planned, but this is about all I can muster this morning. I will be back later, as soon as I find some real-tasting Milo. Mmm.
Got on the plane after a crazily long check-in at the MAS counter, and the flight wasn't too bad. Slept through most of it for once and even arrived and hour early courtesy of a strong tailwind. But everything had to even out somehow, so we were left swimming in the humidity next to the baggage carousel waiting like a bunch of idiots for almost an hour.
I had a much more interesting post planned, but this is about all I can muster this morning. I will be back later, as soon as I find some real-tasting Milo. Mmm.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Officially the last day of term
It is, officially. Although I'm pretty sure that the last day of term happened anytime between last week and this for everybody. Last month if you were feeling particularly optimistic.
I woke up at 6.20am, apparently I'm thinking ahead for once and pre-adjusting myself back to KL time. I never think ahead.
The whole house has ditched the world of high graphics, high violence games like GTA, Halo, and um, Worms, and have reverted to the old school flash games, namely table tennis. It seems since we're so crap at the sport in real life, we make up for it by being pretty damn good online. Besides, it saves us having to go and pick up the ball for like the fifty sixth time; but when they say you can never beat the real thing, we were soon yearning for a bat in hand and the real 'tok-tok' of the ball skipping back and forth over the net - am I optimistic or what. After talks of turning our dining table into a table tennis court, we realised we only had one bat in the entire household, so it was back to the virtual world.
I'm so tired, but once the next three hours of school are over, I'll be home free baby! And London Games are tomorrow, come support!
I woke up at 6.20am, apparently I'm thinking ahead for once and pre-adjusting myself back to KL time. I never think ahead.
The whole house has ditched the world of high graphics, high violence games like GTA, Halo, and um, Worms, and have reverted to the old school flash games, namely table tennis. It seems since we're so crap at the sport in real life, we make up for it by being pretty damn good online. Besides, it saves us having to go and pick up the ball for like the fifty sixth time; but when they say you can never beat the real thing, we were soon yearning for a bat in hand and the real 'tok-tok' of the ball skipping back and forth over the net - am I optimistic or what. After talks of turning our dining table into a table tennis court, we realised we only had one bat in the entire household, so it was back to the virtual world.
I'm so tired, but once the next three hours of school are over, I'll be home free baby! And London Games are tomorrow, come support!
The ego has landed
It promises to be another beautiful day. The first glimpses of blue are starting to show through the shredded cloud cover. The city's buzzing outside already, it never sleeps.
Last night was a really entertaining stand off between a cyclist and a mini. The mini was going down the wrong way on the one way street that runs outside my house. The cyclist was insisting that the mini back up - they weren't too far from the 'no entry' sign. Since the mini didn't want to back off, there was a short stalemate during which the mini driver killed the engine and the lights, and the cyclist took out a paper. Then a cab came along, and the passenger got out to try and mediate the situation - it never looked explosive, just a perfect balance of stubborness. I couldn't figure out whether the cab guy was a friend of the mini guy or just someone who got sucked into the mess because the cab couldn't go any further.
Eventually the mini driver backed up enough to let the cab through, almost reversing into another parked car on the corner of the (still) one way street. The mini obviously wasn't going to turn around or back out of this one way street and go round the right way, so although the cyclist could've left at any time during this whole exchange, he followed the mini as it backed up and parked his bike in front of the little car as before, and proceeded to read the paper again. This time, the mini driver got out of the car and lent against the bonnet, looking at the cyclist. Shortly, (I don't know where he disappeared too) the cab guy came back to the little confrontation.
Both were dead set against giving any kind of quarter to the other, and we actually didn't see how the whole thing ended because it was just taking way too long. Talk about making a stand though. We were half expecting a patrol car to roll along or a parking warden (they're all over this place during the day) to come and resolve the situation and let the poor cyclist go on his way, then again, when are they ever there when you really need them? And who says people never take the time out in this city to stand for what they really believe in?
Last night was a really entertaining stand off between a cyclist and a mini. The mini was going down the wrong way on the one way street that runs outside my house. The cyclist was insisting that the mini back up - they weren't too far from the 'no entry' sign. Since the mini didn't want to back off, there was a short stalemate during which the mini driver killed the engine and the lights, and the cyclist took out a paper. Then a cab came along, and the passenger got out to try and mediate the situation - it never looked explosive, just a perfect balance of stubborness. I couldn't figure out whether the cab guy was a friend of the mini guy or just someone who got sucked into the mess because the cab couldn't go any further.
Eventually the mini driver backed up enough to let the cab through, almost reversing into another parked car on the corner of the (still) one way street. The mini obviously wasn't going to turn around or back out of this one way street and go round the right way, so although the cyclist could've left at any time during this whole exchange, he followed the mini as it backed up and parked his bike in front of the little car as before, and proceeded to read the paper again. This time, the mini driver got out of the car and lent against the bonnet, looking at the cyclist. Shortly, (I don't know where he disappeared too) the cab guy came back to the little confrontation.
Both were dead set against giving any kind of quarter to the other, and we actually didn't see how the whole thing ended because it was just taking way too long. Talk about making a stand though. We were half expecting a patrol car to roll along or a parking warden (they're all over this place during the day) to come and resolve the situation and let the poor cyclist go on his way, then again, when are they ever there when you really need them? And who says people never take the time out in this city to stand for what they really believe in?
Thursday, March 17, 2005
It's been a good day
The weather over here feels like its gone straight from the heart of winter to the beginning of summer. 18 degrees feels hot, I can't imagine 30 degrees back home.
I've tacked the address of my blog to the back of my msn nick to see if it'll bring in any new visitors. I'm curious as to how much of an effect advertising has, and since I like nothing better than to sit on my butt tracking the stats of my beloved web log, at least it'll give me an excuse to continue being um, sad.
One day left of term, and what is essentially year 2 - exams and revision doesn't count. Tom, for all his completely pedantic ways turned out an amazing poster presentation. Our pump looks better on paper, no offence to our 'skilled machinists' who built the thing, Greg and Akhari, but yea, I bet the Repro Dept cried when they printed out our all black background. +lol+
The whole college seems a lot more cheerful, or maybe it's just the sunshine, and even if they haven't finished all their reports, I'm sure they're keeping an eye on tomorrow with a sort of steely determination.
A fourth year randomly started talking to me as we walked to Sherfield. I've never even seen him before, yet we talked like old friends. He told me about his year abroad in Germany, about what it was like compared to IC, and how he was finding fourth year, reassuring me that it gets better. I told him about how big the intakes are getting, what kind of pressure everyone's under right now, and how I'm looking so forward to the holidays, and then we said, "Goodbye, it was wonderful meeting you" and that was that. I didn't even know his name.
I think today's been the kind of day where my spirit is so buoyed up by the prospect of a break and going home that nothing can get me down.
I've tacked the address of my blog to the back of my msn nick to see if it'll bring in any new visitors. I'm curious as to how much of an effect advertising has, and since I like nothing better than to sit on my butt tracking the stats of my beloved web log, at least it'll give me an excuse to continue being um, sad.
One day left of term, and what is essentially year 2 - exams and revision doesn't count. Tom, for all his completely pedantic ways turned out an amazing poster presentation. Our pump looks better on paper, no offence to our 'skilled machinists' who built the thing, Greg and Akhari, but yea, I bet the Repro Dept cried when they printed out our all black background. +lol+
The whole college seems a lot more cheerful, or maybe it's just the sunshine, and even if they haven't finished all their reports, I'm sure they're keeping an eye on tomorrow with a sort of steely determination.
A fourth year randomly started talking to me as we walked to Sherfield. I've never even seen him before, yet we talked like old friends. He told me about his year abroad in Germany, about what it was like compared to IC, and how he was finding fourth year, reassuring me that it gets better. I told him about how big the intakes are getting, what kind of pressure everyone's under right now, and how I'm looking so forward to the holidays, and then we said, "Goodbye, it was wonderful meeting you" and that was that. I didn't even know his name.
I think today's been the kind of day where my spirit is so buoyed up by the prospect of a break and going home that nothing can get me down.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Are you gonna eat that?
I've been gluttoning out on everything I can lay my hands on in an effort to stave off a craving that I've been having all day but I'm not really sure what for. (Insert perverted snigger if you must). But no, it's not that, I've concluded that I want nothing more than a jar of Nutella and a teaspoon - not a tablespoon because there has to be some form of civilised control, I mean Nutella and a tablespoon, I daren't even think. +shudder+
Getting back to the snack-that-is-the-mother-of-all-snacks-which-are-good-and-holy, yes, Nutella would just about hit the spot. Too bad I don't have a jar of Nutella, so Weng, hunny, you can breathe easy now. I still haven't figured out why he goes nuts about this particular treat and always attempts to relieve me of the jar and the teaspoon, but he's quite happy to ingest bars and bars of chocolate and packets and packets of strawberry laces without batting an eyelid. Double standards I tell you; also probably because his metabolism is about 30 times higher than mine. Don't you just hate that.
One girl said, during netball practice, after grazing her knee, that three days of inactivity due to the aforementioned injury would pile on the pounds. How true, three days can be absolutely devestating. Anyhow, most of today's netball practice featured Qihui in the role of mother hen making sure all her girls were okay. Poor Mary's still suffering slightly from the bad fall she had on Saturday, and Vivian pulled a hamstring. The injuries are racking up.
Gosh I'm tired.
Getting back to the snack-that-is-the-mother-of-all-snacks-which-are-good-and-holy, yes, Nutella would just about hit the spot. Too bad I don't have a jar of Nutella, so Weng, hunny, you can breathe easy now. I still haven't figured out why he goes nuts about this particular treat and always attempts to relieve me of the jar and the teaspoon, but he's quite happy to ingest bars and bars of chocolate and packets and packets of strawberry laces without batting an eyelid. Double standards I tell you; also probably because his metabolism is about 30 times higher than mine. Don't you just hate that.
One girl said, during netball practice, after grazing her knee, that three days of inactivity due to the aforementioned injury would pile on the pounds. How true, three days can be absolutely devestating. Anyhow, most of today's netball practice featured Qihui in the role of mother hen making sure all her girls were okay. Poor Mary's still suffering slightly from the bad fall she had on Saturday, and Vivian pulled a hamstring. The injuries are racking up.
Gosh I'm tired.
Could I get a coffee please, intravenously
This is a first. I actually have half an hour in school with nothing to do.
I woke up at 6.43am. That's right, what kind of loco timezone is my bio clock on now?! Sleep deprived, I dragged myself to school at 8.10am to work on my EIC report. I think I've done the bare minimum to secure a pass (I could be too hopeful), but I couldn't really care anymore. End of term is in two and a half days. Bring it on baby.
My sister texted me with a really random message about contact lenses at 8.30am, while I was juggling a convo with Weng and Simulink. I really miss my doggie.
Tonight is the first of two games that could decide Liverpool's EPL fate. Hopefully they're not consigned to fifth, hopefully Blackburn lose, and hopefully all this crap about Gerrard being 'tapped' is exactly that. Crap.
I can't wait to fly. Okay, I lie, I actually hate flying. I can't wait to get home though, so maybe that'll dull the agony of a 13 hour sardine tin hurtling along at 10,000 feet. Sardines rock, btw.
I woke up at 6.43am. That's right, what kind of loco timezone is my bio clock on now?! Sleep deprived, I dragged myself to school at 8.10am to work on my EIC report. I think I've done the bare minimum to secure a pass (I could be too hopeful), but I couldn't really care anymore. End of term is in two and a half days. Bring it on baby.
My sister texted me with a really random message about contact lenses at 8.30am, while I was juggling a convo with Weng and Simulink. I really miss my doggie.
Tonight is the first of two games that could decide Liverpool's EPL fate. Hopefully they're not consigned to fifth, hopefully Blackburn lose, and hopefully all this crap about Gerrard being 'tapped' is exactly that. Crap.
I can't wait to fly. Okay, I lie, I actually hate flying. I can't wait to get home though, so maybe that'll dull the agony of a 13 hour sardine tin hurtling along at 10,000 feet. Sardines rock, btw.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
"Tish is dead sexy"
Haha, I wonder if this'll ever come up in a search, like it did for Evan when someone Yahoo-d "Evan Cheah Sunway" (random, no?). That's only a quote from Rudy's blog though. (I would link it, but I can't be bothered because html coding isn't exactly a second language for me, or even a third.) He lives at rudyism.blogspot.com or thereabouts.
Still reading The Case for Christ - still haven't got very far since the last mention of the book. I think I shall attempt it tonight. Apparently the other Lee Strobel book Weng bought, The Case for Faith, has inspired him to study. I feel...relieved, and impressed.
It seems motivational books work for some people. I don't know, I get all excited about it for about five minutes after reading what ever they're trying to brainwash me with, and then promptly decide it's too much effort or get distracted by the type faces they've used. That was the case for "Seven habits of Highly Effective Teens", I ended up lifting the drawings and a type face or two for a feature in the yearbook. Yes, plagarism. About that book, my parents bought it for me while I was going through my angry-teenager phase.
As you can see, this post has nothing to do with Tish being dead sexy, although we all know he is, and we're all waiting for the big Three-Zero, eh Tish?
Okay, I gotta sleep. Aloha!
Still reading The Case for Christ - still haven't got very far since the last mention of the book. I think I shall attempt it tonight. Apparently the other Lee Strobel book Weng bought, The Case for Faith, has inspired him to study. I feel...relieved, and impressed.
It seems motivational books work for some people. I don't know, I get all excited about it for about five minutes after reading what ever they're trying to brainwash me with, and then promptly decide it's too much effort or get distracted by the type faces they've used. That was the case for "Seven habits of Highly Effective Teens", I ended up lifting the drawings and a type face or two for a feature in the yearbook. Yes, plagarism. About that book, my parents bought it for me while I was going through my angry-teenager phase.
As you can see, this post has nothing to do with Tish being dead sexy, although we all know he is, and we're all waiting for the big Three-Zero, eh Tish?
Okay, I gotta sleep. Aloha!
Off the top of my head
Everytime I reread an old post, I sit there and go "..." and then laugh. It's as if I thought I knew everything back then, and now that I'm at this point in time, I look back and realise I knew nothing. I probably still know nothing now, but I'll find that out a year or two down the road.
I also really wish girls wouldn't do that to guys, to be super nice to them, to subtly or not so subtly throw themselves at men just to see how many they can reel in and then dump with a "Oh, I never meant that... I hope we can still be friends."
I promise that my posts will become more inspired as soon as the term ends. I'll have plenty to talk about when I'm back in K.L., it's all getting a little flat at the moment because, quite frankly, not much is going on.
Everytime I say that, I remember my ass of a Chinese teacher who believed that there's never 'not much going on' and that I should always be able to write about something in this annoying diary he made me keep, in Mandarin. An 8 year old could've done way better. I didn't like that guy very much - infact, whenever I had to keep a straight face with something, all I'd have to do is think about my tuition teacher and I'd sober up immediately.
Kinda like that piano teacher I had once...she made us cry on a regular basis and then she'd start crying herself. Actually, I remember almost every music teacher I've had being like super stressed all the time.
I also really wish girls wouldn't do that to guys, to be super nice to them, to subtly or not so subtly throw themselves at men just to see how many they can reel in and then dump with a "Oh, I never meant that... I hope we can still be friends."
I promise that my posts will become more inspired as soon as the term ends. I'll have plenty to talk about when I'm back in K.L., it's all getting a little flat at the moment because, quite frankly, not much is going on.
Everytime I say that, I remember my ass of a Chinese teacher who believed that there's never 'not much going on' and that I should always be able to write about something in this annoying diary he made me keep, in Mandarin. An 8 year old could've done way better. I didn't like that guy very much - infact, whenever I had to keep a straight face with something, all I'd have to do is think about my tuition teacher and I'd sober up immediately.
Kinda like that piano teacher I had once...she made us cry on a regular basis and then she'd start crying herself. Actually, I remember almost every music teacher I've had being like super stressed all the time.
Monday, March 14, 2005
I hate electronics
I hate electronics. I hate I hate I hate I hate electronics, like officially! I've done half of my report, up to which point someone's quite literally taken me and walked me through each question step by step, more often than not, that someone being Godwin or Lester, kinda like the rest of the course I guess. I can't even get on the training wheels with this subject! And I still have another half of the report to go +sob+ and it's been four hours...
Sunday, March 13, 2005
On Lee Strobel
In a flurry of domestication, Weng and I have done two loads of laundry and even baked chocolate chip cookies. It was a great afternoon. It'll be back to reality tomorrow, but til then, I'm going to ride my kicked-back phase and 'chill'.
Reading The Case for Christ now after Weng Yew's recommendations. It's like the antivenin to the Da Vinci Code and its 'it's not like it's a fax from God' statement concerning the Bible. This book pretty much answers most of my questions about that fuzzy line between science and religion. It's pretty heavy reading for someone like me who's more often than not immersed in the world of Discworld, running midnight rooftop chases with the Ankh-Morpork Watch.
It relates interviews between the author and leading theologians, archaelogists, and historians with more fellowships, degrees, and affiliations than you could shake a stick at. In Terry Pratchett's novels, the leading authorities are either Granny Weatherwax or the "Not tyrannical, no, absolutely not" Patrician of Ankh-Morpork.
I digress, but so far it's a good book, very interesting, and um, deep. Yep.
Reading The Case for Christ now after Weng Yew's recommendations. It's like the antivenin to the Da Vinci Code and its 'it's not like it's a fax from God' statement concerning the Bible. This book pretty much answers most of my questions about that fuzzy line between science and religion. It's pretty heavy reading for someone like me who's more often than not immersed in the world of Discworld, running midnight rooftop chases with the Ankh-Morpork Watch.
It relates interviews between the author and leading theologians, archaelogists, and historians with more fellowships, degrees, and affiliations than you could shake a stick at. In Terry Pratchett's novels, the leading authorities are either Granny Weatherwax or the "Not tyrannical, no, absolutely not" Patrician of Ankh-Morpork.
I digress, but so far it's a good book, very interesting, and um, deep. Yep.
Feels like forever
This must've been like my longest post-absence. Just got back from M-nite, it's been a long day.
Netball practice made sure I started my Saturday nice and early. I haven't done much work at all, and I'm scared that there are a whole bunch of things I'm forgetting to do, but nothing's jumping out at me right now. It'll probably be a case of "oh shit" by Sunday night.
This evening's performance saw memories of my high school, college, and university all coming together in one place, and the amount of social overlap between all three was incredible. It really is a small, bordering on the brink of incestual, world.
But to avoid detracting from the show, the effort really showed, and while the story line wasn't exactly completely original and there were probably one too many set changes and excessive amounts of dialogue, the dances were awesome - the level of synchornization and overall ability was very impressive. Scientists can so too dance, and they're damn good at it.
Thought for the day: The Queen's tower is such a male icon. So typically representative of IC, don't you think? +lol+
Netball practice made sure I started my Saturday nice and early. I haven't done much work at all, and I'm scared that there are a whole bunch of things I'm forgetting to do, but nothing's jumping out at me right now. It'll probably be a case of "oh shit" by Sunday night.
This evening's performance saw memories of my high school, college, and university all coming together in one place, and the amount of social overlap between all three was incredible. It really is a small, bordering on the brink of incestual, world.
But to avoid detracting from the show, the effort really showed, and while the story line wasn't exactly completely original and there were probably one too many set changes and excessive amounts of dialogue, the dances were awesome - the level of synchornization and overall ability was very impressive. Scientists can so too dance, and they're damn good at it.
Thought for the day: The Queen's tower is such a male icon. So typically representative of IC, don't you think? +lol+
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
So psyched
Ohmanohmanohmanohman, heartbreak for Arsenal, but hey, Liverpool's through!
I was almost too scared to look at my computer screen each time Gamecast reloaded, but oh, so many goals! I'm happy, can't wait for the draw.
Finally finished my vibrations and steam plant report - I don't care if I could've written more or thought harder about it. Going to start my EIC lab report tomorrow. Almost there, almost.
Netball today was great! I love playing. Can't wait for the London games either! EEEEeeeeEEEeee!
Absolutely exhausted though, but in a good way.
I was almost too scared to look at my computer screen each time Gamecast reloaded, but oh, so many goals! I'm happy, can't wait for the draw.
Finally finished my vibrations and steam plant report - I don't care if I could've written more or thought harder about it. Going to start my EIC lab report tomorrow. Almost there, almost.
Netball today was great! I love playing. Can't wait for the London games either! EEEEeeeeEEEeee!
Absolutely exhausted though, but in a good way.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Of red leather and football
Here's a completely non-work related post, I promise.
Watched Elektra over the weekend, a completely testosterone-charged film:
Hot chick assassin.
Hot chick assassin in red leather.
Hot chick assassin changes out of red leather into black bikini.
Hot chick assassin fighting in even more red leather.
Sweet Home Alabama though, is still the best romantic flick ever.
Chelsea vs. Barca. Heart stopper, a sublime game, 'twas a shame that one side had to lose eventually.
Lyon vs. Bremen. Haha. 10-2 aggregate is just crazy.
Milan vs Man Utd. Tough luck.
I wonder if tomorrow'll live up to tonight.
Watched Elektra over the weekend, a completely testosterone-charged film:
Hot chick assassin.
Hot chick assassin in red leather.
Hot chick assassin changes out of red leather into black bikini.
Hot chick assassin fighting in even more red leather.
Sweet Home Alabama though, is still the best romantic flick ever.
Chelsea vs. Barca. Heart stopper, a sublime game, 'twas a shame that one side had to lose eventually.
Lyon vs. Bremen. Haha. 10-2 aggregate is just crazy.
Milan vs Man Utd. Tough luck.
I wonder if tomorrow'll live up to tonight.
Horror of horrors
Oh dear, there's a CD of Reach pictures going around, courtesy of Liangwei. He sent me a 'teaser' yesterday night and the only thing that describes the way I feel about it is that red-faced, and overall embarrassed emoticon on MSN. (Am I really SO fat? +sob+)
But all in good fun, I know I'm not wonderfully photogenic - I tend to do a Chandler when I pose, and then when it's candid, the camera always catches me pulling the most awful face, which later gets ensconced in people's memories, or at least mine, as the worst picture ever snapped.
I haven't been able to sleep either. When I lie down and close my eyes, the various deadlines and my mile long 'to do' list march tauntingly across my vision, and when it's not that, I have random dreams about Weng dancing - and he never dances.
12 days to home!
But all in good fun, I know I'm not wonderfully photogenic - I tend to do a Chandler when I pose, and then when it's candid, the camera always catches me pulling the most awful face, which later gets ensconced in people's memories, or at least mine, as the worst picture ever snapped.
I haven't been able to sleep either. When I lie down and close my eyes, the various deadlines and my mile long 'to do' list march tauntingly across my vision, and when it's not that, I have random dreams about Weng dancing - and he never dances.
12 days to home!
Monday, March 07, 2005
As good as it gets
Whenever people assume that I've got it all together, that my life couldn't be more perfect and I couldn't be anymore in control, I'm inclined to laugh hysterically. It couldn't be further from the truth. But however much I feel like a passenger on this wild ride called life, I'd have to say I'm actually really enjoying myself, and it's always the downs that make you appreciate the ups even more.
So I'd just like to say, in a sort of rebuttal to my own post, I have amazing friends, they're the stand up and be counted type, the ones who'll be there when you really need them even if you've been gawd-awful about keeping in touch, and I love my housemates: for all the times I've been so frustrated at how untidy they can be, I think this year would've been a whole lot sadder without them, the dinners a whole lot shorter, and the companionship a whole lot less. (Not written at gunpoint btw.)
I'm not really that friendless I guess, even though more wouldn't hurt. I just whine a lot.
So I'd just like to say, in a sort of rebuttal to my own post, I have amazing friends, they're the stand up and be counted type, the ones who'll be there when you really need them even if you've been gawd-awful about keeping in touch, and I love my housemates: for all the times I've been so frustrated at how untidy they can be, I think this year would've been a whole lot sadder without them, the dinners a whole lot shorter, and the companionship a whole lot less. (Not written at gunpoint btw.)
I'm not really that friendless I guess, even though more wouldn't hurt. I just whine a lot.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Big city loneliness
I couldn't wait for it. I had to go to the F1 site to find out who won the first GP of the year before watching the replay this afternoon. Oh, I'm so weak, but that's okay, because there's only ONE ferrari in the top 8 baby, and it ain't Michael's. Hurrah! So I'm going to watch the replay anyway, just to find out what happened.
Reading other people's blogs makes me wish I had a bigger circle of friends here at IC, like friends I actually hang out with, not the hi-bye kind. There's nothing wrong with the hi-bye kind, but with the recent demise of 24hr internet, gosh, I suddenly feel so lonely. I probably have many more close friends scattered across the world than I do in South Kensington.
I suppose I only have myself to blame, not even finding enough time for the bunch of core people that define my life, how on earth could I ever hope of enmeshing myself in a new group of faces. Maybe I'll always feel like an outsider because I'm just too concious of how people judge to put myself out there and open up to that judging - maybe I'm scared of failing that test so I never take that step. How strange that I would still be like that although I think that the SingSoc members at IC are among some of the most genuine and wonderful people I know.
I'm really not totally friendless, or so I'd like to think, but while I have so many acquaintances, I really miss the closer relationships, the heart-to-heart talks and all that with someone who doesn't know how much space I take up at night. Cheesy, I know, but will someone please be my friend?
Reading other people's blogs makes me wish I had a bigger circle of friends here at IC, like friends I actually hang out with, not the hi-bye kind. There's nothing wrong with the hi-bye kind, but with the recent demise of 24hr internet, gosh, I suddenly feel so lonely. I probably have many more close friends scattered across the world than I do in South Kensington.
I suppose I only have myself to blame, not even finding enough time for the bunch of core people that define my life, how on earth could I ever hope of enmeshing myself in a new group of faces. Maybe I'll always feel like an outsider because I'm just too concious of how people judge to put myself out there and open up to that judging - maybe I'm scared of failing that test so I never take that step. How strange that I would still be like that although I think that the SingSoc members at IC are among some of the most genuine and wonderful people I know.
I'm really not totally friendless, or so I'd like to think, but while I have so many acquaintances, I really miss the closer relationships, the heart-to-heart talks and all that with someone who doesn't know how much space I take up at night. Cheesy, I know, but will someone please be my friend?
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Formula 1, 2005
You could cite this sport as the main reason I decided to study Mech Eng, but while the Schumacher-Hakkinen rivalry was epic, it's been lacking somewhat in the more recent years with Ferrari such clear winners that they could run the race from the back of the grid and still win everything in sight.
I suppose it's really all the F1 authorities can do by changing the rules every year in hope of catching Ferrari out and making the playing field less precipitous in their favour. After a huge shuffle in the pecking order with Ferrari still on top but everyone else in the next ball park, at least it's been a close race for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
This year should be good, if a little ridiculous with what the governing body are demanding of the teams. Gone are the days of excess, now they have to make one set of tyres last the race distance and one engine last two weekends. Montoya is now with Mclaren, and Coulthard's driving for Red Bull Racing (who are they?), and after the first qualifying of 2005, Schumacher sits 18/20 only because the 19th and 20th drivers spun out without post times. Random, I can't wait for the race tomorrow.
I suppose it's really all the F1 authorities can do by changing the rules every year in hope of catching Ferrari out and making the playing field less precipitous in their favour. After a huge shuffle in the pecking order with Ferrari still on top but everyone else in the next ball park, at least it's been a close race for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
This year should be good, if a little ridiculous with what the governing body are demanding of the teams. Gone are the days of excess, now they have to make one set of tyres last the race distance and one engine last two weekends. Montoya is now with Mclaren, and Coulthard's driving for Red Bull Racing (who are they?), and after the first qualifying of 2005, Schumacher sits 18/20 only because the 19th and 20th drivers spun out without post times. Random, I can't wait for the race tomorrow.
When I grow up I want to be
For someone as fickle as I am, I've only really ever had one career aspiration that survived the "I want to be a dancer" or the "I want to be a doctor" phase and funnily enough, it wasn't "I want to be an engineer". I want to be a vet. I decided when I was about eight and that dream hasn't left me yet.
I'm crazy about wildlife and conservation, although, I have to admit, I haven't been on any projects - my parents think it's a waste of time. They're not evil or anything, just very much from the 'must study first' caste.
I wanted to be a Green Peace activist at about nine, but they didn't exactly do a university degree in protesting, so I opted for being marine biologist at 12. Then at 16, I decided to get a little more realistic, financially, and decided that being a vet would be awesome - a job I would really love. Unfortunately mum and dad were having none of this 'Save the animals' crap and Mum insisted that if I was going to save anything it should be people, by becoming a doctor, and Dad wasn't going to pay for four years of vet school abroad, he said I could jolly-well do it here.
I don't know, after reading this you'll probably shake your head at me for not staying the course and chasing my dream, but maybe I wanted to come here to study even more, and I'm a Jack of all trades, I'll do good enough in anything I put my mind to. I suppose, to appease my mother and avoid getting disowned (my dad was over the moon), I chose engineering. I don't regret it, I really enjoy the course, I'm a geek, but I do think about helping animals still, and maybe this summer, I think I'd like to get off my ass and make my life a little less self-centred.
I'm crazy about wildlife and conservation, although, I have to admit, I haven't been on any projects - my parents think it's a waste of time. They're not evil or anything, just very much from the 'must study first' caste.
I wanted to be a Green Peace activist at about nine, but they didn't exactly do a university degree in protesting, so I opted for being marine biologist at 12. Then at 16, I decided to get a little more realistic, financially, and decided that being a vet would be awesome - a job I would really love. Unfortunately mum and dad were having none of this 'Save the animals' crap and Mum insisted that if I was going to save anything it should be people, by becoming a doctor, and Dad wasn't going to pay for four years of vet school abroad, he said I could jolly-well do it here.
I don't know, after reading this you'll probably shake your head at me for not staying the course and chasing my dream, but maybe I wanted to come here to study even more, and I'm a Jack of all trades, I'll do good enough in anything I put my mind to. I suppose, to appease my mother and avoid getting disowned (my dad was over the moon), I chose engineering. I don't regret it, I really enjoy the course, I'm a geek, but I do think about helping animals still, and maybe this summer, I think I'd like to get off my ass and make my life a little less self-centred.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Let's do a quickie
It's always so nice having Weng back. I get to sleep peacefully, without worry of the monster under my bed because there's a (sacrificial) body to protect me. He's currently comparing his Rome campaign to his brother's and losing - if you've never met his brother, think Weng but with twice the cockiness with three times as much smart-ass repartee, so when they get together, you can't get them to shut up or back down.
Three lab reports and a group project are currently in the works. Yay. I can't figure out if the end of term is coming too fast or way too slowly. But anyhow, it's a Friday and in true dweeb fashion, it's time to get back to the grindstone.
Three lab reports and a group project are currently in the works. Yay. I can't figure out if the end of term is coming too fast or way too slowly. But anyhow, it's a Friday and in true dweeb fashion, it's time to get back to the grindstone.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Wrapped around our little finger
With each coy smile, a soulful pair of Bambi-eyes, that lilting girlish giggle, and a devestatingly cute flick of the ponytail, we unwittingly unleash enormous amounts of power. A power that makes guys hand us their balls on a silver platter, our feminine wiles are a force to be reckoned with.
Guys will do anything for more of the attention. They'll go shopping with you, wait patiently outside changing rooms, tell you exactly what you want to hear, and shower you with presents. They'll even let you paint their nails and do yours in return. It just depends on how much you've got in the palm of your hand. And you know what's even funnier, looking at them laugh at each other about who's more whipped.
In truth, you either use this coyness to great effect or you stand on your soapbox screaming at other girls for dishonoring the whole feminist movement. Things run a lot smoother with niceness than intimidation anyway.
I remember that secondary school was nothing but a shooting range to test our so called wiles, learning to exercise them with much deftness and subtlety on the unsuspecting male population. I guess they had a hard time, what with having to deal with themselves and whole hoardes of determined ladies, but they were flirt fodder, if you will, a low down, digusting way of boosting our egos. But fun.
So maybe we are manipulative and conniving with each calculated 'unconcious' move, then again I suppose it works both ways, you could equally argue that the manipulated guys are the ones with the ulterior motive, and we're actually not as good at keeping them at our beck and call as we think, but that they're nice just to get into our pants and as usual, the genuinely nice ones finish last. It's a bug eat bug world out there.
Guys will do anything for more of the attention. They'll go shopping with you, wait patiently outside changing rooms, tell you exactly what you want to hear, and shower you with presents. They'll even let you paint their nails and do yours in return. It just depends on how much you've got in the palm of your hand. And you know what's even funnier, looking at them laugh at each other about who's more whipped.
In truth, you either use this coyness to great effect or you stand on your soapbox screaming at other girls for dishonoring the whole feminist movement. Things run a lot smoother with niceness than intimidation anyway.
I remember that secondary school was nothing but a shooting range to test our so called wiles, learning to exercise them with much deftness and subtlety on the unsuspecting male population. I guess they had a hard time, what with having to deal with themselves and whole hoardes of determined ladies, but they were flirt fodder, if you will, a low down, digusting way of boosting our egos. But fun.
So maybe we are manipulative and conniving with each calculated 'unconcious' move, then again I suppose it works both ways, you could equally argue that the manipulated guys are the ones with the ulterior motive, and we're actually not as good at keeping them at our beck and call as we think, but that they're nice just to get into our pants and as usual, the genuinely nice ones finish last. It's a bug eat bug world out there.
To the nice, unattached ones
Viv posted an article on her blog that I thought hit really close to home. The one about the nice guys. It was like everything that was in that article has come straight outta my mouth at one point or another in reference to these 'nice guys'.
I thought 'wow', and I know for sure who these nice guys are, the ones who'd make fantastic boyfriends but aren't currently attached, the ones who define friendship, who would obligingly escort me anywhere or listen to me gripe, and especially the one I dragged to one of our proms 'as a friend'. Thank you, gentlemen, for keeping up my faith in guys the world over.
I thought 'wow', and I know for sure who these nice guys are, the ones who'd make fantastic boyfriends but aren't currently attached, the ones who define friendship, who would obligingly escort me anywhere or listen to me gripe, and especially the one I dragged to one of our proms 'as a friend'. Thank you, gentlemen, for keeping up my faith in guys the world over.
Murder, I tell you!
When my adaptor blew yesterday, I felt such an overwhelming sense of sadness for my 'puter; it was so overwhelming in fact that I went straight to bed and hid under my duvet for the rest of the afternoon. It really felt like part of my baby had died. I think I'm too attached to my computer, I think I should have it grafted onto my brain or something. I felt a similar kind of blinding panic when my internet cut out - but it came back, so +phew+.
Anyhow I had to leave it turned off for most of the afternoon - you have no idea how much that sucked. I have never felt so disconnected from the world. Seeing all the online people on my MSN list gives me a warm sense of security knowing that anything I need is just an instant message away. I suppose it did finally give me an excuse to do work. Thankfully though, Darren's let me borrow his adaptor while he runs on battery - I can't even charge mine, looks like the exploding adaptor killed it too.
Anyhow I had to leave it turned off for most of the afternoon - you have no idea how much that sucked. I have never felt so disconnected from the world. Seeing all the online people on my MSN list gives me a warm sense of security knowing that anything I need is just an instant message away. I suppose it did finally give me an excuse to do work. Thankfully though, Darren's let me borrow his adaptor while he runs on battery - I can't even charge mine, looks like the exploding adaptor killed it too.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Crankypants
Two and a half more weeks. I'm playing Runescape but I'd much rather be playing World of Warcraft, just have to get past the tiny obstacle of getting my hands on a copy of that game without filing for bankruptcy. You know how it is, end of term, and so low on resources that my bank account virtually echoes.
Otherwise still trying to finish tutorials before the term ends so that there are people I can ask for help, namely Godwin and Lester, who seem to have the whole course under their belt already.I really don't know how they do it.
I've decided to have a strawberry and banana smoothie for lunch and Weng's bemoaning my choice, in fact, I'm 'frustrating him beyond frustration' - his own words. But honestly, it's like eating a banana and then some strawberries, only it's kinda mushy. Like Calvin said, 'Your stomach won't know the difference'. (I would've post that strip if I could've found it.)
Newflash: There goes my charger in a big flash of light (I've never seen it do that), the smell of singed plastic's gonna hang around for days, I tell you. I don't know what it is with these things. Grr.
Otherwise still trying to finish tutorials before the term ends so that there are people I can ask for help, namely Godwin and Lester, who seem to have the whole course under their belt already.I really don't know how they do it.
I've decided to have a strawberry and banana smoothie for lunch and Weng's bemoaning my choice, in fact, I'm 'frustrating him beyond frustration' - his own words. But honestly, it's like eating a banana and then some strawberries, only it's kinda mushy. Like Calvin said, 'Your stomach won't know the difference'. (I would've post that strip if I could've found it.)
Newflash: There goes my charger in a big flash of light (I've never seen it do that), the smell of singed plastic's gonna hang around for days, I tell you. I don't know what it is with these things. Grr.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
About a tomboy
Being a tomboy at six or seven years of age is great. You get to do exciting things, like running around in shorts and t-shirts, barefoot, scabbed knees, daring each other to do more and more outrageous stunts. You get to play at being adventurers, climb trees, mess around with mud, sticks, and worms, and the world is your oyster. Of course most of your playmates are boys, but hey, at about seven years old, they have more fun than girls.
Then at about 12 or 13, it's a totally different story. Boys are going to stay boys their whole lives, but little girls grow into young ladies, and then the boys start noticing. They're soon much happier looking at the pretty little blonde things in dresses with perfect pigtails, and if you didn't jump on the frills-and-lace bandwagon as soon as you hit this definitive moment in your life, you're going to spend the rest of it chasing the damn thing down.
Then you're stuck here, at nineteen, with a wardrobe of jeans, one pair of all-weather-all-occasion trainers, and three hoodies. A little makeup here, a skirt there, and the guys you grew up with turn around and tease you, reminding you about that "I'll never ever wear a dress" speech you made after your tenth birthday party when your mother forced you into one... so, embarrassed, you put away the pretty things you long to put on, to pull off, and go back to the shorts and sweats - it's not like you know how to put make up on anyway, hell, it was hard enough learning to wear a bra.
But then you see that elegant lady across the street in her perfectly-groomed entirety, knowing that every dead skin cell has been buffed away, that every nail's been polished; and start to wonder if your earring's will ever match your shoes, whether you'll ever remember to brush your hair when you get out of bed, and whether you'll ever be able to catch up to that wagon.
Then at about 12 or 13, it's a totally different story. Boys are going to stay boys their whole lives, but little girls grow into young ladies, and then the boys start noticing. They're soon much happier looking at the pretty little blonde things in dresses with perfect pigtails, and if you didn't jump on the frills-and-lace bandwagon as soon as you hit this definitive moment in your life, you're going to spend the rest of it chasing the damn thing down.
Then you're stuck here, at nineteen, with a wardrobe of jeans, one pair of all-weather-all-occasion trainers, and three hoodies. A little makeup here, a skirt there, and the guys you grew up with turn around and tease you, reminding you about that "I'll never ever wear a dress" speech you made after your tenth birthday party when your mother forced you into one... so, embarrassed, you put away the pretty things you long to put on, to pull off, and go back to the shorts and sweats - it's not like you know how to put make up on anyway, hell, it was hard enough learning to wear a bra.
But then you see that elegant lady across the street in her perfectly-groomed entirety, knowing that every dead skin cell has been buffed away, that every nail's been polished; and start to wonder if your earring's will ever match your shoes, whether you'll ever remember to brush your hair when you get out of bed, and whether you'll ever be able to catch up to that wagon.
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