Oxygen

It occurred to me while I was in the gym.

Knowing that our gym in the university is so small to accommodate a portion of the few hundred thousand students, it's just amazing how they manage to do that. I was there on my first day of the year, and assuming that it would be less crowded at 6.30pm (dinner time and it was a half day), it was 90% filled with people. [If you happen to open the link, then you would be able to see the gym. That's basically it for the gym...]

That wasn't my problem (although it is partly... have to wait for facilities to be free!). While doing my runs at the treadmill, I started to pant really badly (also due to not exercising for a long time).

Then I realised something. I really wonder why it was so hard to breath then (again, cuz I hadn't been exercising).

Have you ever thought: If ever, one day, the world's greens, all vanquished off the face of the earth, would there be any oxygen for us to breathe? Well, it must be impossible for us NOT to breathe in oxygen, since no matter what, there still is soil, water and sunlight. Sooner or later the plants would grow.

Air is made out of mainly nitrogen (78.09%) and oxygen (20.95%). But oxygen is still too little, compared to nitrogen. Why do WE need nitrogen for anyway? If we hadn't have soil, water or sunlight, why can't we live off nitrogen? See my point?

Well anyway, was it because the gym lacked greeneries, and if there were, the room would be fresher? Then I suppose this could be the reason why I was panting...

Hahahahaha...

Names abbreviated

I was looking through some blogs the other day, and saw some really cute pictures of names being abbreviated to mean something else. Try it: Sexy Names

Well, it's really weird for me (but somehow expected) that it isn't as interesting to be using my nickname (which is Alex, which you have already known from my brief introduction on the sidebar). If I used my Chinese name, it results in a much nicer and better abbreviation. Of course, I wouldn't be revealing it. Only my high school friends and some of my uni mates know.

;)

Black and white movies

While I was listening to my trustworthy iPod (now finally shuffling to listen to random songs), I realised something.

Remember one post a while ago I wrote about having a personal soundtrack? Here's the new update on the post: Our lives are like a movie. Haha... Well, of course, you've heard that a million times. This time, I'm looking at it at a different perspective. Again, while listening to your music player while doing stuff on your own, doesn't it feel like you're watching your own movie? You see what you are doing, you hear the background music (Fact that whatever you're doing is silent, and thus movie makers have to put on some music to suit that scene. Am I not making sense here?): it fits perfectly well.

Think about it. You're the actor/actress. You decide your plot, your future-comings, love, career, etc. You are the director/producer/screenplay writer of your own movie.

Why waste money watching other people's movies on the screen?

(Just kidding.)

Engrossed

For some reason, I've grown addicted to.... Guess what?

Height.

Yep. You've heard me right.

For someone as short as I am, it has made me quite paranoid when it comes to height. Paranoia eating up every single piece of my mind.

Have you ever passed by someone taller, just by a centimetre, and wonder why can't you be taller?

Such is my life.

Free at last...

I've been set off by my owner out of my cage, thinking that I'm finally free at last from the treacherous, mundane, freedom-deprived place; kept there for almost a month. I can finally breathe...

Not exactly what I thought my life would be now. Being able to breathe fresh air again,I realised I am breathing polluted air (OK, bad analogy).

I'M BORED TO DEATH!

I quit my job so that I could have some time to be able to practise some chamber pieces. Apparently, the concert is cancelled, and now, I've got nothing I can do that would make me feel self-satisfactory and accomplished. (Yeah right...)

Oh well... Such is life; FULL of surprises and downturns (with, sadly, some upturns and miracles).

Leonardo da Vinci

No, I will not talk about such a person (after such a long time of not showing up with any posts). I'm sure if I were to pick anybody out from a crowd, s/he would know who the heck he is. Well, at least they could name his most famouse work: Mona Lisa's Smile (more famously known after that movie was so strongly promoted, and [what I heard] was not that good after all).

Anyway... The point is, I'm here to write how talented Leonardo was. Afterall, he was a scientist, a painter, a musician, an architect... and loads more (according to Wikipedia). Damn is he a man of many wonders.

My point is, for someone born in the early ages (to be precise, a Renaissance man), he could use both sides of his brain, both creativity and logical thinking, which definitely impresses me. Moreover, it inspired me ever since I was a kid.

Which then leads to a question I've always wanted to ask: Why is it that people think the arts have not much of a future, while the sciences will guarantee one to a better, well-paid job, education-wise?

I was told it would be hard for me to find a job, if ever I were to pursue a career in the field of music. I would think otherwise. For one clear reason, even music teachers get quite a good-month's pay for teaching naughty brats throughout the days. The brats wouldn't be a problem if it were something one likes to do.

What ever happened to the idea of doing what you like to do? Think about it: would you rather wake up to a job which you dread every morning, which then makes you want to either quit, make excuses to skip the day's work, OR wake up to something exciting and adventurous which you like so much, and gives you the adrenaline to kick-start the day, without the help of coffee?

Yeap, it makes a whole lotta difference. You should try it. Change the way your life treats you badly. Don't slave yourself through your life. You wouldn't want to regret not doing something. Afterall, you're still young. =)

Our Pak Lah getting married??

I was on my way to the bathroom when I saw one of our Malaysian friends over here playing Winning Eleven on the PS2 with my housemate. Surprisingly, it was then when I received news that our Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi (otherwise known as Pak Lah) is getting married to Jeanne Abdullah.

















Aww.. What a cute couple... *

Anyway, the point is, isn't it a bit too soon for him to get married so early, after just a few years of mourning over his beloved wife Endon (and for that matter, I do admire her like I do for Princess Diana, but at a slightly lower level).

And here we are, nationally announcing their marriage, causing a big impact on the media in Malaysia, and practically, to the (proud) Malaysians scattered over the whole world. Imagine that.

Well, whatever's on his mind, I've got no intention to know about it. Hope he does his wonderful job as the well-respected Prime Minister of Malaysia, and has a idyllic life with his soon-to-be newly-wed wife. =)


*Images courtesy of thestar.com.my.

se7en things...

Stupid Grey, HAD to tag me to doing this... Argh. Well, I obviously had the choice of NOT doing it, but it isn't nice to spoil the chain (not like I've been ridiculously believing all the forwarded emails cursing me with tons of bad luck if I didn't send any of them out to anyone out there: I didn't.)

Anyway, I've found some time now to do it, so here goes:

Seven Things I’m Experiencing Now
1. Headache.
2. Exams.
3. Studies.
4. Old age. (OK, so I'm not that old... So...?)
5. Dehydration.
6. Mouth ulcer.
7. British weather.


Seven Things I’m Thinking About Now
1. Who can help me in my studies???
2. Can I get good grades this time?
3. Will the exams be easy for me?
4. Have I done enough studying?
5. Why can't I go back to studying?
6. Why am I doing this questionnaire???
7. When can I go back to Malaysia?

Seven Things I’m Worrying About
1. My grades
2. Friendship bonding
3. Family well-being
4. Global warming
5. World peace
6. Deforestation
7. End of the world

Seven Things I’m Happy About
1. That I'm here in UK studying
2. A well-to-do life
3. My supporting mother
4. Great close friends
5. Collection of music
6. Ability to play music
7. Understanding skills

Seven People I Treasure [Editted]
1. Mother
2. Sisters
3. My close friends: High school
4. My close friends: University and Course-mates
5. My music friends, not to mention my teacher
6. "Just" Friends, who mean a lot to me
7. Last but not least, family members


Seven Things I Always Touch or Come In Contact With
1. Laptop
2. Studying partners
3. K800i phone
4. Wallet
5. Bus pass
6. iPod (can't live without music)
7. Currently, my files and notes

Seven Things I Want to Improve
1. Piano playing
2. Knowledge in computers and programs
3. My memory skills and mathematical deduction (I'd need that now!)
4. Work experience
5. Friendship
6. My current laptop (I'm greedy... muahaha)
7. The community of Malaysia (come on... I'd rather stay in a nice place like here)

Seven Things I’m Strong In
1. Piano playing!
2. Listening
3. Observing (sometimes unnecessary)
4. Diverse and open =P
5. Organising (in the beginning...)
6. Devotion ;)
7. Sweet (no one has seen that side of me yet... =P)

Seven Things I’m Weak In
1. My course!
2. Conversation striking
3. Cooking (I had to rely on recipes)
4. Singing (I'd die to have a good voice *sob sob*)
5. Organising (... but messing up later on)
6. Memorising
7. Being sarcastic when I need to

Seven Things I Adore Eating
1. Chocolate
2. Cheese
3. Peanut butter with jam sandwich
4. Japanese food (yum...)
5. Thai/Indian/etc... something spicy!
6. Chinese food, esp my mom's gourmet cooking (over-exaggerating)
7. To sum it all up, I'm a garbage bin. Toss me something to eat, I'll try to gobble it up.


Seven Things I Adore Drinking
1. Green/Chinese Tea
2. Hot chocolate
3. Ice blended drinks without caffeine (I can't take caffeine now: used to like mocha)
4. Nestle yogurt drink, esp Guava
5. Coke or Pepsi? Definitely Pepsi.
6. Smoothies
7. Fruit juices, or blends that my mom makes (bet none of you guys would like to try if you find out what she puts in there... hahaha)


Seven Things I Detest
1. Back-stabbers
2. Liars, esp those who can't keep their promises
3. Low paying jobs and salaries: we need to live, Malaysia!
4. Road bullies: they can be a pain in the ass
5. Unfairness to different people and races
6. This is unreasonable: British weather. Hahaha...
7. Right now: EXAMS


Seven Things I Cannot Live Without
1. My laptop
2. Music
3. iPod (or any music players I happen to be using currently)
4. Friends and family
5. Communicating device, such as a mobile phone
6. Like what Grey said: Air
7. Food and Water


Seven Things I Fear to Show
1. Piano playing. I have stage fright. Still.
2. The contents in my laptop. Privacy needed!
3. Old posts of this blog.
4. My room, back in Malaysia.
5. Embarassing moments.
6. My past.
7. My fetishes (kekeke....)


Seven Things I’ll Never Want to Talk About
1. Politics
2. Work Ethics
3. Religion
4. Novels (cuz I seldom read, so haven't got a clue)
5. Supernatural
6. Past and future
7. History, esp World wars


Seven Things I Will Want to Do
1. Be the next influence in Malaysia (like a president, which is NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE)
2. Travel
3. Try the foods of the world
4. Live in a big city in US, AND not get hurt by terrorism (that's a lot to ask)
5. Be a musician (which is also next to impossible)
6. If not, then a celebrity (as if I have the looks, phish...)
7. A father

Seven Things I Will Never Play Around When/With
1. Fire (LOL)
2. Drugs
3. Moody people
4. Love
5. Trust
6. Really ill people, trust me.
7. Electricity

Seven Things I Wonder About
1. How do babies come about?
2. Why is the earth round?
3. Why is the sky blue?
4. When did Australia got discovered?
5. What made the tsunami happen in the tragic incident in 2005?
6. Where is Elvis Presley?
7. Who is God?

Seven Questions I Hope My Friends Would Respond To
1. Are you alright?
2. Have you eaten?
3. Got milk?
4. Care to share?
5. Who am I?
6. How am I like?
7. How are you like?

Seven Things (or People) I Would Love to See
1. The existence of a God (not that I don't believe there is a higher power)
2. Malaysia becoming a developed AND civilised country (by that i meant rational)
3. The hottest babes and hunks having an orgy (OK, this was REALLY random)
4. (Since Grey wants Leonardo...) Fredric Chopin!
5. Ayumi holding a concert in Malaysia
6. Globalisation
7. Cool technologies up ahead

Seven People I Want to Tag
1-7. No one. Since there isn't many people I know with blogs, so no point right?

One of the mysteries of men...

Why do men have nipples?

‘Males and females are not separate entities, shaped independently by natural selection. Both sexes are variants upon a single ground plan, elaborated in later embryology. Male mammals have nipples because females need them and the embryonic pathway to their development builds precursors in all mammalian fetuses, enlarging the breasts later in females but leaving them small (and without evident function) in males.’

~ taken from here.

I was pondering over this question today (way to go to spend my second day in my twenties), and I came across this "scientific" answer over googling.

Frankly speaking, I still don't get it. Well, OK... Us human beings develop milk tissues even when we're not born yet, that is, during the embryo stage. Apparently, this tissue grows from the arms, curving over to the chest and down to a part near the groin, somewhere towering above the thighs. To this extent, we know why we see female mammals, particularly four-legged mammals like dogs, or cats, or anything else you can think of, that they have a stretch of nipples over the bottom part of the body.

Humans, on the other hand, are different. Due to the chromosomes in our DNA (you know the drift, XY for males, and XX for females), we only get 2 nipples. Females, by oestrogen, develop these milk tissues during the puberty stage. And we all know what is the purpose of this. If you don't, ask your parents.

Men don't really need them. I mean, what use is there?

I remember my friend told me that she had this discussion with her friends over a "mamak" session, and someone even voiced out that it's merely "a decoration"! To a certain extent, I do agree with him. Come on, it's not like we're going to feed the young.

This is definitely out of the norm

What I read over the net as well was this (click me): Nipples are erogenous zones. (OKAY....)

I mean, so what if they are? It's not like the ladies would seduce us men on these. Puh-liz. The thought of it is already freaking me out.

Funny though. IF we hadn't had these, we'd be a bunch of freak shows: a chest without anything on it. Wouldn't that be weird as well? It's debatable.

The Aging Process: Pre-Aging Syndrome (PAS)

Yes, it's the time of the year: a celebration of the birth of... ME.

Well, it isn't exactly the time yet (strange enough, I still don't get why so many people are still wishing me, not as though I'm proud to be old).


Speaking of being old, I haven't got a slightest clue on why I have been slacking in work, and getting less sleep than I should be. For instance, I dozed off at 1am, and found myself awake at 5.30am to the bright daylight of the British land, instantly thinking it's time to wake up anyway.

Back to the actual event: this all happened in Nando's, Coventry. Below, you'll see me cutting the cake, ...


... , and me cutting the cake again, taken from a different angle (as you have already noticed).


Some of the pictures are the works of the guy in the middle here:

Showcasing the people sitting on my row (drum-roll please...):

To end the show, I'd like to present to you the... [one, two, three,...] ... SEVEN wonders! (Yet another picture carefully shot by our wonderful photographer, at the spur of the moment.)

Culture

Since the day when I set my puny little (size-8) feet on this forsaken land (God I hate this place...), I've been told about the cultures of Britain.

One of them is to go to bars or pubs, drink their hearts away (note: not wine, but beer), and come out drunk as ever. Looking it this way: It is similar to our "mamak" culture. That makes much more sense.

It all roots down to the same objective: to socialise.

Remember how you would call your chaps out to the nearest mamak (or maybe one of your favourite mamaks, even though it takes more than 10 minutes to drive, or even walk) ? Then you'd order, I don't know, a cup of "teh-o kosong" or a "kopi gao", and a Indo-mee goreng to go with it? You'd then chat up a storm about the million-and-one things that happened to the world, the nation, and also about you. When the night gets older, you decide to break it up, pay for your food and drink while the Indian waiter chants in a foreign language, ending up with a total in a tongue that you completely understand.

I remember the time when guys would even go out just to watch a football match on an uncomfortable plastic or wooden chair (current trend is metal chairs, apparently) at the "mamak" on a large-screen tv or even a big projection over a blank white material in the open air; when they could have stayed at home, invited their friends over to watch in the comforts of a sofa or something much comfy-er.

I heard it's for the crowd and excitement.

Anyway, here, men or guys call up each other, walk out to the nearest pub (or if you're in London, a disco, perhaps?) , ...

.. order a pint or a pint-and-a-half, ...

have fun, then order another, have fun, then order another..... This goes on until they're finally satisfied. Now see why I said they come out drunken as ever?

Oh, how I miss how Malaysia works...

Tarot cards: Are they real?

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Versatility

Once, when I was walking down a path with one of my best pals, she told me:

"Maybe you're the versatile type. You're good at so many things."

She was referring to the things that I like to do. It's the pre-registration season now, and we're all supposed to be registering for the modules that we want to do in our final year. I was thinking of doing some of the business subjects (Intro to Biz really fuelled me up). My friends, on the other hand, were reluctant to do any essay writing: they rather stick to numbers (Yueks!).

Come to think of it (after a few days of giving it some thought), I am versatile.

Maybe this is possible...

Since high school, I've been able to take subjects such as Commerce and Economics, mostly essay writing. I was praised on my compositions for English class (I used to suck at it, mainly due to my horrible English) for being really creative in my plot. I started to increasingly get used to the science behind everything, especially Mathematics, which I mastered only in my final few years of school. Not to forget my incredible ability (cheh...) in piano playing, and my ability to express myself through music.

I'm quite happy I'm blessed with this kind of talent that I now realise and possess. Took quite a long time huh?

Happenings on the most unoppurtuned times

Like I said, ideas for my blog just pops out during the most inappropriate times. The song "One Week" popped out of my head in the shower, and it reminded me of the band I was thinking about...

I kept it in my head until it reached my room. Obviously, I wouldn't have remembered the band OR the title of the song, so I had to search for the lyrics. THANK GOD, it's the BARENAKED LADIES!

Well, maybe I've messed up the description of the lead vocalist (obviously he's not almost bald -- that'd be an over-statement). Without any doubt I was describing Tyler Stewart.

Now I can happily get over my confusion, and go on with my daily dose of PoF.

Familiar faces

I've finally realised who the cashier at Tesco's looks like... JESSE SPENCER!

During his serving period, I was looking at him, wondering where I've seen that face before. However it did not hit me that I was watching House M.D. THAT very same day before I went to Tesco.

Well, it just struck me. Thats one down, one more to go...

Anyone knows the Australian group (I think they are...) where there are these 2 lead vocalists, one wears glasses with black frames with a (almost) bald head (I think), and one black hair, goatee guy who raps... Holler if you know who they are... I've been trying to remember who they are, so I can look up for their MP3s... Hehehe

Provoke your thoughts

The other day when I was reading my friend's blog, I stumbled upon this post that he wrote.

Looking back at the festive messages that we Malaysians would watch on the television during the breaks of our favourite television shows, I would definitely agree with my friend's point of view on these nicely created videos.

I watched them one by one (mainly due to the load of things I'm missing whilst in UK). I was touched and thrilled, humoured and reminisced. Things that would make you think: for once let you realise what our modern society is like, what we've done to create this fabric of the nation. Believe me, when there's good, there's bound to be bad.

Thought I should share this with you guys.

*Stargazed*

I think I'm in love..........................................

The End

Alas...!

Have you had that feeling when you're doing an assignment, or and essay, or a project, or ANY write up... The moment you type or write that last word, it's SUCH a fulfilment to end the sentence with the Almighty Full Stop?

Like what Hiro Nakamura of Heroes said in the episode said when he got to New York:

やった！(Yatta) [Translation: I did it!]

Bloody Dinner

I've been really ambitious with cooking these few days.

Yesterday, while grocery shopping, I had so many ideas. One of which was "3 cups chicken" (三杯鸡). So I bought chicken -- THIGHS.

OMG. With the help of my big knife in my right hand, which I also bought about a month ago to aid in chopping better, I managed to cut through THREE pieces of chicken THIGHS by chopping it with force AND having my left hand put in more force after the blow.

This was the aftermath:

See the bruise?

No, thats not it. Right after the exciting chicken-chopping session, my palms were swollen, with scratches near the center (which can't be seen). Did I mention the bruise was initially bleeding?

The dish was cooked for my housemates to try as well. They had BETTER appreciate it.

Personality test

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion 50% Stability 40% Orderliness 53% Accommodation 76% Interdependence 83% Intellectual 50% Mystical 43% Artistic 76% Religious 30% Hedonism 30% Materialism 50% Narcissism 56% Adventurousness 63% Work ethic 76% Self absorbed 70% Conflict seeking 56% Need to dominate 56% Romantic 76% Avoidant 23% Anti-authority 76% Wealth 30% Dependency 50% Change averse 56% Cautiousness 63% Individuality 63% Sexuality 50% Peter pan complex 50% Physical security 76% Physical Fitness 57% Histrionic 63% Paranoia 70% Vanity 56% Hypersensitivity 43% Female cliche 36%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were medium which suggests you are moderately organized, hard working, and reliable while still remaining flexible, efficient, and fun.
Extraversion results were medium which suggests you are moderately talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting.

trait snapshot:
paranoid tendencies, irritable, anxious, fidgety, dependent, worrying, emotionally sensitive, prone to regret, depressed, second guesses self, somewhat fragile, dislikes change, prefers organized to unpredictable, suspicious, phobic, craves attention, not a risk taker, low self control, very sensitive to criticism, unadventurous, does not make friends easily, defensive, obsessive, low self esteem

That was the results I got when I took the test, as "advertised" on Grey's Blog. Tell me what you think!

You could always try it as well... but if you have absolutely NOTHING to do, and is willing to sit there through 126 questions, then feel free to do so -- WHICH isn't what I should be doing now. Hehe...

The man behind the bat mask

I was listening to my usual Japanese songs, when I came across their version of "Kiss from a Rose". Well, it's different for sure in language and it does sound nice to have the whole song just with piano. But it just can't beat this version by Seal.

It reminded me of the time when I used to be a big fan of English songs (before I got introduced to Japanese). Big change for a small kid.

FYI, it's the title soundtrack of Batman Forever, starring Val Kilmer, Nicole Kidman (was that the first time I watched her perform?), Jim Carrey (my all-time favourite -- then), and (not that famous, I think) Chris O'Donnell. OH, missed out Tommy Lee Jones (the MIB guy). Frankly, it's by far the best Batman movie I've seen out of ALL Batman series out there, including Batman Begins (although it's NoT that bad...)

Well, enjoy the clip!

Failure

How many times have you failed before?
[It's hard to accept that, for most of the time in my life, that I have been doing well in most of the things that matter to me. I've been applying for some internships, but today was the first time I received an answer: and you guessed it, I was rejected.]

How do you cope with failure?
[Since I got that reply, I was thinking to myself: what have I done wrong to not get that internship? Was it because of my resume? Or is it because I'm not fit to be there? Sighs... And for the fact that the other companies has not replied me makes me think that I got rejected as well. In addition with the conversation I had with my sisters yesterday night made me worry even more.]

Did it make you see things differently?
[Since the rejection letter, I decided to apply to other companies which I initially had no intention in joining at all -- which are the accounting firms. My friends were smart. During the careers fair few weeks back, they handed over their resumes to the Big 4 companies, and they've already got job offers (well, one of them said, because of a required phone interview and a completion of another job application form, he didn't bother, and thus not trying for that intership. I'd die to have that now).]

It's like you've been dumped with few tons of filth over you, and you stand there disgustedly smelly and horrible.

What are your views?

Bathroom fun

Not that kind, silly...

Like I mentioned the previous post, inspirations happen at the most oppurtune times. And yes, it happened when I was taking my morning shower.

It appeared in front of me as shampoo foam on the undrained water on the blocked-drainage bathtub. I'm sure it's "yucks" for you, but this is student life without a plunger.

You know how people tell you images form in your head when you lie down on grass, and look up into the sky at the clouds?

First one was a distorted map of Europe. I could name a few: Portugal, UK, tiny Italy, and Scandinavia. It HAS to be Europe.

Next, a rough impression of a mother holding a newborn right in front of her eyes.

Then came George Washington (don't ask). Funny I could tell the eyes and the nose. It looked sad.

Welp, I had better get back to work: which is copying notes. This is posted during one of the frequent breaks I've been taking during the process. Dear me.

Music of the Night

Sorry guys. I've been really out of touch with my blog, and lack the inspiration to write. I just can't find anything to write! Well... my inspirations come at the most "oppurtune" times: during the day, when I'm out, in the toilet... and the list goes on. And is there anything that I can write on when that thing hits me? N-OoOoOoO.... So there you go. That's why I haven't been writing much nowadays... [Furthurmore, I've got tons to do with work... so don't complain. =P]

A few nights ago, I've "accidentally" looked out of my window (either the one in the kitchen, or the one next to my bed) and I saw the most beautiful night sky I've ever seen.

It's not the aurora (I wish). And it is nothing like the night sky in Malaysia. Maybe it exists, but maybe I was in dreamland by then. Who knows...

I've been trying to take pictures of it. Stupid me right? Taking pictures of the NIGHT SKY? Yeah, I know. But the thought of the sky having a slight orange-brownish colour in the background would actually "light up" the photo. So I had to try.

PS2 galore

I know... I haven't posted anything up since that Trojan war movie thing... I have been really busy with my darn freakin' assignment, and a test to study for in my final week. Speaking of the test, I just had to do badly in it again. This time, even worse than the previous one. How annoying.

My friends down the street has moved their TV along with their PS2 over to our house. Apparently, the TV licensing authorities has found out that they own a telly, and haven't paid for the licence at all since the date of purchase. So, in other words, me and my housemates have the freedom now to play on the PS2 whenever we want, more over, it's Easter Break now. Woo-hoo!

Well, obviously, I still have my studies to concentrate on, due to the bad (screwed) test marks I've recently achieved, which isn't a good thing (since when has that been something good?).

But guess what? Since the break started, I've only used 2 days (including today) to study my notes (which isn't for the finals, but only for the 2 remaining assignments due beginning of term). And the past 2 days was a hell. One of the guys down the street crashed here playing Final Fantasy XII (who is also very eager to COMPLETE the game), stayed here until 4am, allowing me to sleep for, I don't know... 6 hours? That is not enough for a procrastinator like me!

So today, I've decided to fuck them all, and sleep earlier today; at a time when my mom used to order me to go to bed: 10pm. OK... It's already 10.30 now, but it's still early yeah?

Good night amigos!

Lost in Translation

I was watching Troy yesterday on British TV, and something came into mind right before I was trying to sleep. Yes, the things I think about when I am about to sleep.

Troy is a movie starring Brad Pitt right? It followed the legendary myth about the city Troy, and the infamous Trojan Horse, which was used to capture that city by surprise at nightfall as a 'present' for the Spartan's enemies (am I right?).

Well, anyway, my point is, wasn't Troy a city in Greece? What would have happened if the movie was filmed in Greek, conserving its originality? The same applies for other movies like Gladiator (Roman), Perfume (French), Schindler's List (German?). Weren't these stories told in their original language? Just because it was too popular, they were being translated. And by that, they might have changed the original words and meanings by second-hand translations, right?

If that was the case, doesn't it mean that everytime we watch a movie based on a 'foreign' story, wouldn't it be 'fun' to understand the movie? Furthurmore, wouldn't it be 'fun' to watch Brad Pitt speak in Greek? *wink*

Picture courtesy of Apple Trailers and Warner Bros. Letterings done by Alex (another one, not me...).

It's been a while...

Let me see... I've been up to, well, almost nothing these few weeks, and the thought of updating my blog has NEVER crossed my mind at all... Until this late afternoon, when I was waiting at the bus stop, almost 15 mins early (or in other words, JUST missed the bus).

I looked up into the sky. That sky... It looks so familiar. The same sky I see after a long rainy session: greyish clouds like smoke floating through the grey sky, the colours so close to each other that they almost camouflage. It reminds me of my childhood, my memories, my home.

It's the Year of the Pig already. A few more years later, it'll be my year. On the first day of this Pig year, my uncle and aunt, who just got married not long ago, bore a little girl. What a way to start the new year. And guess what? I've got another cousin.

Saturday was the final night, and for the Chinese, it's supposed to be a reunion dinner for the family. I haven't got to celebrate that for 2 years, and for another year to come. Instead, I told myself I should enjoy the night, and thus I (and another friend) started to plan on that day itself for a steamboat dinner at my house (otherwise known as hotpot). We had 2 soup bases: chicken and tom-yam. Really nice a dinner, it was.

On Sunday, which was the first day of the new year, I stayed at home doing nothing till the night. I started watching "Love Generation", an old 90s Japanese love drama I got from my friend and copied into my hard-disk, since I needed the space to keep other things. This time, I didn't have to plan for anything for that night. We had a Chinese food buffet in Leamington Spa, a city about 45 mins bus-ride from here. We each spent 9 pounds, but it was worth it, since the food was much better than the ones in Coventry (which were cheaper, so it's fair enough). The guys down the road then came over to our place for some after dinner chat, and one of them brought along some turnip cakes and 'kuaci'. The cakes were really nice; too bad I was too full to have more.

I just finished watching the 11 long episodes of the drama today.

Yesterday, I talked to my friend about not studying for the past few weeks, and feeling guilty for not doing anything. We decided to start studying, and thus it became our new year resolution. Speaking of which, I realised I've got 1 coursework to finish by the end of term, and 3 more to work on during the holidays (there goes my holidays again!) and preparation for my finals. Sighs... Such is life.

New found love

I've been SO hooked with a new song by Ken Hirai titled "Aika", literally meaning "an elegy". Not only have I been trying to sing it, I've also tried to translate it. However, due to my limited knowledge of Japanese vocabulary and grammar, I failed to translate even 50% of the whole lyrics. Oh well...

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A few days later is my housemate's 21st birthday. I realised that he had always wanted an MP3 player, preferably an iPod. Thus the idea struck me: we shall share the price and get him an iPod Nano instead, since it has a screen, and it can store much more than a Shuffle. By the way, it isn't as expensive as an iPod Video as well. Well, I don't know. Maybe a player would do just fine. Hope he can get what he wants.

Unlike me. I had to go through such a sucky 18th birthday, not to forget a horrible year as well. Only my (best) friend was with me at 12am on that day, and present me with a wallet, which I've been needing, since my previous one was really crap. On that day, no one else wished me "Happy Birthday" (except for my family, of course). And to recap, I didn't do well in my 1st year as well... What a year!

So obviously I wouldn't want someone's milestone to go down the drain, especially when it's the only chance to celebrate his particular humanity at that special time of the year.

I do hope this time someone would even bother about my 21st (*hint hint*)...

101 things I think about before I go to bed

Apparently, I have a class at 11am tomorrow (or 12pm, depending on whether or not I should skip that particular lecture), and now, I am typing this post, just to refresh my mind on what I was thinking about while trying to go to bed.

1. "I'm hungry." I've been feeling hungry since almost the end of the concert. I wanted to just ignore the hunger, and just go to bed. Afterall, I could say that I skipped a meal, thus lightening up my weight. After a few struggles to keep my mind off food, I decided to have something to munch on.
2. "I still have clothes in the dryer, and I need to fold them so I can stuff them in my cupboard." Well, since I was going down to get myself some food, I might as well collect all my clothes at the same time. But when I got there, my clothes felt cold and (thus) wet. So I switched the dryer on again to let it dry for a few more minutes.
3. "I promised to check tonight whether there are any tickets left for the One World Week Fashion Show." This bothered me the most (well, the 2nd biggest problem). I had been asking my friends whether they wanted to go for the fashion show, since I hadn't got the chance to check out the show last year. So I was kinda desperate to get the tickets, only to find out that there isn't any left on the website to buy.
4. "What was the song that Ayumi sang in her live countdown show with the hand movements, esp the one with the hands framing the face?" Somehow, a song got stuck in my head, and so I wanted to get it out of my head, and believe it or not, I chose to think about another song so that song could go away. Guess what, it was gone, but I had to use my brain juices to think about that other song. Damn it.
5. "What should I eat if I were to eat later?" That was disturbing. I ended up having a cereal bar (some Alpen Light, since I didn't want something to heavy to go in my tummy), 2 pieces of vanilla-centered biscuits, and 2 more pieces of bread with butter/honey and strawberry jam (there goes the "light meal"). At least I'm feeling much more satisfied than eating a cereal bar. =P

I've got other things as well, but it seems like I've forgotten them, or they were too personal to reveal. But ANYHOO... I was in the World Concert today. I originally wanted to go, but knowing that no one would have gone with me, I didn't bother to get the tickets (they were free as well). It was fate, in the end, that my housemate got 4 tickets, but she had to wind up in the Malaysian Night rehearsals today, so she couldn't make it. She gave them to me, in hope that I will find others who would want to go as well. I did, but some called to ditch me on the last minute, and so I ended up with one of my good friends living down the street. The other 2 tix were given to his pal who he bumped into before the show. The show was amazing: blends of different types of music, mostly folkish, some traditional. Nestor Torres, a Latin Grammy award winner and a flautist, got to perform in the 2nd half of the show, and it was great. Check his music out, if you can find them. The last song performed were by some of the talented musicians in the university (sifted out through an audition, which my housemate went as well, but didn't make it), and they were required to improvise during a song. Each had the talent in their own instrument, and got through really well. You know, we all stood up for that song, and feeling the rhythm in the beat, it just got me to move about while clapping the beat. For some reason, I was weak in the knees: maybe it's either I was sitting to stiffly on the seat, or the music did that to me. That's how good that guy was. Proves you HAVE to listen to his music.

Anyway, I think I'm starting to feel sleepy again... Adios!

Shortbus

I found this movie while I was reading a GQ magazine waiting for my turn for a haircut. The plot summary was interesting, so I decided to take a chance, download it, and watch it.

It turned out to be great. Thought-provoking, mysterious, sexual, and emotional. The story revolves around straight and gay couples who are having problems of their own, and how they react to different situations and try so hard knowing the problem and solving them. They meet in a "underground club", not so much underground, but a place where people would go to "get it off" and find what they are looking for. Among them: a happily married woman, who works as a couples counsultant, is having trouble getting to the big "O" land, a dominatrix "with secrets of her own to reveal", a gay couple doubting whether a three-way relationship would help their 5-years from dropping into abyss.

The portrait of the characters were artistic, very fine to the last drop of paint from a thin brush. They were fragile, sleek, comfortable to watch, and gentle; which sums up to the fact that they were simply amazing.

Well, one con (for some, it may be a pro) is that the sex here is too explicit, just like watching some porn in a movie, or I could just say, a movie in a porn. For one, it is clearly obvious that there is certainly some visual sex that's gonna happen, so I don't really blame them for it.

In an interview with the director John Cameron Mitchell on his views of cumming into a contemporary work of art:

"Well, having the cum hitting the painting and then disappear into it, it's kind of like the film. Most people tell me that they’ve forgotten about the sex by the time the film is over. It's just another brushstroke in the characters’ lives. That's why we must cum upon the painting."

Ratings over the net: B. However, it is a must-see for those who would love to have something different from the Malaysian Censorship filters.

Dreams, or regrets?

I've been wondering to myself: "Have I chosen the right course? Am I supposed to be doing Statistics, when I'm supposed to be studying something that I would have liked; maybe (Contemporary) Music?"

How many of you out there had thought of this before? I'm sure at least some of you have. I'm sure I have too, and was on the brim of quitting as well.

The sight of all my friends applying for internships in many high-street companies, kinda sickens me. Well, not that I don't approve of working in such companies: I would do too. But I can't imagine myself in such an environment. The jobs that are more related to my course are just too tough, not to forget some of the most dull and boring jobs (currently that's what my mood tells me) that I could get into.

The thought of staying fixated in a company, in the same desk on the same chair, doing the same things over and over again (just with a variation in figures) sickens me. I've realised how much I want to be a someone, not some guy who does some mundane job, stereotyped as an average-joe.

The bottom line is: I can't. I'm already in this course, and I can't move anywhere else. I still have to go on, no matter what. Even if I want to do something else, it'll have to be after a few years of practice, and back to studying again. But then, I'll be old! Argh... This thing is getting on to me.

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Anyway... I've finished watching all the seasons for a hit comedy show. Had been hooked on it since the last few days of 2006, till today. Yes, that took me that many days to finish watching an 8-season -- about 24 episodes each -- series: you do the math. You know how Friends ended right? Frankly, I didn't really like the ending. It was too abrupt. They sold the apartment, and they just ended it there, where everybody just look back at what they have done in that apartment where all of them had stayed at least once. Well, it was like an ending, but sometimes, it just makes you want to know what will happen to them later in their lives. Don't it feel that way for you too? This time, this series, it ended so well. It was like, they shot the times when they are much older, and showed their audiences how well they are living, and what they would be doing. You know, those sorta things. They were fantastic. =)

Secret

" 飛ぶ事に疲れても　羽下ろす勇気もない "

[Translate: I'm tired of soaring, when I let go of my wings, I lose my courage] [Editted]

That was a line from the lyrics of "Secret" by Ayumi Hamasaki. This meant a lot to me, and it's almost what I'm going through right now.

Anyway, I just read some news from my favourite Ayumi site, and I read that she is having an Asian tour concert in Taipei, HK and China (wtf! not even msia! damn her...). Lucky bastards. And a recent article that she went for a premiere of the latest movie "Confessions of Pain" by Tony Leung, Karina Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro (to name a few, and of course, by which all of you would've known who the complete set of actors/actresses are). This song ("Secret") is said to be the International Soundtrack for this movie (yay!) and Denise Ho have made a Chinese version out of this song (too early for me to critisize, since I haven't heard the song yet) as the Original soundtrack.

I'ma gonna hunt for that song down now!

PS: The translation was done by me, and since my Japanese skills aren't THAT good, pls excuse the wrong translation, hehehe.... (but I have to proud of myself for understanding the song roughly without frantically searching for the english version on the net anymore)

[Edit: I just checked the proper translation: "Even when I get tired of flying, I don't even have courage to rest my wing". That is so far from what I translated.]

Parisian Holiday (Part 3) ~ My Journal

Saturday 23/12/2006

A day filled of walking and shopping. See how much of time we're wasting, and not going sight-seeing (yes, I'm grumpy for the fact that I DID NOT go visit Notre Dame!).
We used another metro station today, so we got to see more places: shops that are actually nearby our home that we didn't know at all. First stop: 13th District a.k.a. Chinatown, Paris. Arrived at some shopping complex and shopped for Arena's cream (didn't know what she wanted anyway). Had lunch in a nearby restaurant where I tried a bowl of Cambodian traditional noodles: minced fish in green soup with vermicelli - reminds me of asam laksa, but just not spicy, unless you add chilli powder to it (phew!).
We took the metro again to La Fayette (again). It was a better place to purchase bags, since all the big brands were there, so we could save the hassle of shop hopping, while we could just hop around in the centre. But guess what. I had nothing to buy there, and I had to wait for the ladies to finish shopping, while I follow wherever they go (doesn't this make me sound like a little pooch?). But anyway, it was nice to see so many human specimens move around frantically to get their share of what La Fayette has to offer them (darn idiots). Well, in the end, after all the hassle of long (boring, for me) hunting and lining up, she got 2 identical purses, one to be shared for our host, and one for herself (I guess it's for her mom). So by the time we tried for a tax refund (which we couldn't, because we STAY in UK), it was already 7+ pm.
We got out of the madness, but admired the glittery and shiny buildings that behold us (am I grammatically right?). Took pictures outside La Fayette and surroundings, then went to Leon, a place where it's just like Nando's, but this place serves mussels as their main dish. But believe me, they sure do a great job with those sea-creatures.
After that, we went to Champ Elysees (for the THIRD time), and finally, I got to buy something: what you guys see me on MSN as Winnie the Pooh! Well, obviously, I didn't buy it FOR me, it was initially for my niece/nephew. However, they already had the bear, so I'm keeping it, since I've already bought it. Of course, the initial idea is still being executed; I got Tigger with it as well. So I guess it's a win-win situation.
After that, we tried the (French) crepe, and it was good. Well, I would say it tastes more like a pancake, compared to the ones in Malaysia (yueck!). Drank coffee with it again. What a night! (And what a waste of time!) (No offence, Arena!)

Sunday 24/12/2006 (Christmas Eve)

Thank God Musee d'Orsay (The Orsay Museum) is opened today. Thank God I got to visit this museum before I leave for London.
Woke up, blah blah blah.. Took the metro... You know, I think it's getting boring, so I have to spice things up a bit. Oh wait, it's interesting now. We didn't know the way (isn't this interesting enough?). Well, we were sure that we got off the correct station, but we were so clueless on where we should head next, left or right? Thank God for maps on bus stops, and road signs! Yes, we got there, but I swear on my full moon, as if the Museum was in walking distance! We walked quite for a while, but it was ALL worth it. The works were great: especially Monet and Vincent van Gogh! Damn, how I wished my eldest sister was here...
But anyway, Arena left that museum early to shop again (damn, when will she ever stop?). I stayed on, but left at around 2-ish. I got home first, and packed up, ready to go. While waiting for those ladies, I dozed off, and when I heard the dad saying "Where the hell did those to Miss-es go?", I woke up, and instantly heard the door click, and magically appeared right in front of him. What are the odds!
We rushed like crazy baffoons, as the dad was being SO worried that we can't get there on time (oh look! I still got back in Coventry in one piece...).

And that ends my great adventure in Paris. Whatever happened in London is another story....
(Note: I was there from the 24th to the 28th, so it's obvious something happened there)

Au revoir!