Consecutive fun

On a bright saturday morning, the sun shone its glorious light. The half dead city woke up from its slumber, and some readily start their day toiling away for a few hours. What a dread.

Haha... enough of that crap. Yep, I woke up. Time to get ready for a Malacca trip. Exciting huh? Not really. It's the smallest (well-known) town in Malaysia. I might have got my facts wrong, but it is indeed small. I have no idea why we're going there (well, for a start, it was my mom's friend who introduced me to my job, blah blah blah, yeah, that crap, who told us to go visit his factory).

Guess what? I was really wrong. It had been SUCH a long time since I've been there. As I can recall (but not clearly), I haven't been there for more than 10 years. See how many places my family likes to take me? Zilch, Zero, None. Oh well.

And for such a long time, I haven't been dazzled this much throughout my teenage life. The place is full of heritage and history: a really beautiful place. I've got a chance to visit St John's Fort, St Paul's (church, I think -- one of the most famous landmarks in Malacca), and 'Holland street' (well, that's what my family calls it in chinese, and till now, I have no idea what that street is really called). I got to try out their famous 'ikan bakar' and other seafood, and their Nyonya food. Really good food!

Anyway, I went to a museum, Cheng He Museum, to understand how important this Chinese eunuch-became-admiral is. He's impressive though, so if you wanna know more about him, go google it yourself. Haha...

Straight after that, we got back in KL at around 5pm, and I've already got a date with my music school friends. Supposed to celebrate my music teacher's birthday today. So we went out for dinner in Leisure Mall at Vietnamese Kitchen. This place is really good. Watched Miami Vice too after that. Violent, yet cool. A few of my good friends (all younger than me, oh well...) :

* Note: The one in pink, ie, the guy on the FAR left is not someone I know. And I repeat, he's the girl in red shirt's boyfriend, and frankly, I do not know her that well as well. =P

Updates galore!

Phew! The feeling of NOT writing my blog for such a long time is such a relieve! Picturing the busy me trying to fit in some time to write something is not something I would love to do. Since I've told you that I have been working, helping out for the concert, etc etc... I'll just let you know the results aight?

2/9/06
The day when all of us finally got to show to the audiences (the meesly parents and friends) what we've prepared for 2 months. And frankly, that's a really short time. The concerts I've helped out were usually spread out over a period of at least 4 months. This time, everything was done in a rush, though we tried our best to make everything up to standard.
We were all up for the busy day ahead. I got to my music school early in the morning to help move those necessities over to the concert hall. We had our share of work, ran here, moved there. Many of them were ready to help, I mean, those who I have worked with and taught. I was happy about that. At least I didn't have that big of a burden to carry throughout the concert.
At 2pm, all performers have to be there. They started filling in slowly, though most of them were there within 30 mins. We were able to rehearse, and got everything into place.
At 4pm was the actual concert. the programme went well, with a few slips and mistakes here and there, it wasn't that big of a deal. The concert was considered a success. That was good news. Not to forget our "Mamak Stall" which has never been finished practising, was presented well, in a way that it was interesting and hilarious (that's an overstatement). Our finale, 传灯, a Chinese song, was done QUITE well, but when it came to having fun, we had our share of fun. Since it came after "Mamak Stall", we used back our "instruments" to create matching beats for that song. So much fun....
Overall, even with the help, I was really, really stressed, although I felt nothing. I guess most of them came from the worries of the outcomes. I have to thank certain people like Zhen Kang, Chee Kwai, Vincent, Kai Xin, Chee Meen, Swee Hxien, and Kelvin for doing such a great job. They were mere amateurs when it came to backstage work, but they delivered great results. I'm pleased. For the first time, I have to admit, of all the concerts I have organised, this one, though it wasn't as good as the others, was the best that I've ever experienced, in a way that I had 70% control of the backstage (hehe), and one which I had the most fun in. Thanks again. I won't forget this concert! ;)

(Sinfonia's 3rd Annual Concert)

11/9/06

I woke up feeling terrible. I decided to to sleep longer, since I knew I was ill. Never did I know I was gonna experience a bad time. One hour later, I couldn't take the weird feeling anymore, so I woke up finally. It felt as though there were a lot of 'air' in my tummy. First thing I did was to rush into the toilet... Well, it lasted for almost 20 mins, I suppose.

Not long later, I came down, trying to keep my contents of the stomach IN my stomach. I couldn't take it, so I really had to vomit. Yes, the most dreaded thing of my life: vomitting.

Times in the toilet cleansing my intestines: 2

Times in the toilet dropping tears with a running nose trying to get stuff out from mouth: 3

I gave up. I HAD to see the doctor. I went to see the doctor by MYSELF, and spent RM35 on MY own. Sad, isn't it?

Anyway, I recovered the next day, but feeling quite nauseous. Life goes on, right?

16/9/06

A saturday. Isn't it supposed to be a day for young people like us to stay at home and rest OR go out to have fun with friends or family? Too bad. I was stuck with helping out a company dinner event. It's work for me, and no fun.

It's funny how little I have to do, what I'm in charge, and I too have to go over at a time like the others, 10am. And guess what. I didn't plan to go back to shower and change either. I had to stay there till 11pm. So that's... 1,2,3... right, 13 hours. Oh deary. Well, at least I got to learn how to make boxes and set up the projector. What else? Hmmm... I guess that's about it. A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! Damn. I regret not taking my MP3 player along.

The dinner was rubbish as well. Well, it was successful, just that the emcee was as rubbish as one 'colleague' (the thought that he's a colleague is already creeping me) of mine. The food was alright, but there were so little choices (but considering the dinner were for Malays, so it wasn't the company to blame). What I was so disgusted about was a married couple (I assume they are the suppliers) on my table of ten. For almost all of the dishes that were served (one by one), they were the first to take, and not only did that irritate me, they took quite a lot like they wanted to make it worth the money they paid (or not), AND they used their own utensils to get their food when there's utensils ready for them to use. Just down-right disgusting. Imagine 2 pigs eating from the sty. Oh, I forgot. They DID look like pigs as well. They were both really plump. I shouldn't treat them nicely, they were FAT. Haha...

Oh, but it was a treat to get picked for the lucky draw. Furthurmore it was my boss (who hired me) who picked the number. I didn't want to get on the stage, so I asked a female colleague to go get it. But since I didn't feel nice, I initially wanted to give her the gift, since the draw was a soybean maker, and I thought my mom had one already. Today I was nagged for being so 'nice'. And so, I felt 'nice' too to ask back the draw gift from my colleague. Oh well.

Back to yesterday, I came back without keys, so I was left out without a bed to lie on YET. Both my sis and my mom were out. I came back at a few mins before 12am, and waited till 12.40am to get in. At least I had the guts to climb into the house compound first. If not, I wouldn't be here telling you all these. =P

The many priorities in life

Ever since my come back from UK, I've been through a lot of things. Well, let's start talking about things now, since I've got LOADS of time to spend at my work place on my work desk.

Let's see... I've talked about my trip to Penang, about the dance performance.. What else am I missing? Oh yes, right... OK...

The many few reasons I came back for my summer holidays is that I have to help out in my music school's concert this coming September. How exciting. No, seriously, IT IS exciting. I have not felt this excited since the last concert we've dealt with. Considering I am now able to teach small children how to sing songs, supervise some musicians in their playing, and of course, other small matters besides, like typing out a score and planning the programme, it's making me anticipate for Sundays (even though that's a day when the labour force tends to hate so much, including me, now). I like the feeling of rushing for things, having something to do, and not to be bored the whole time (like what I have to be doing now - to be bored). Looking on the bright side, it's also something that I like to do. That's what's pushing me.

Other than that, my mom's friend introduced me to this (dreaded) direct sales company which (thankfully) offered me a temporary post as a Marketing Exec (I think, well, that's what the previous owner of this table was doing). The post sounds 'superior', but not a single bit it is. Look at me (not literally, obviously), I'm spending my office hours surfing the net, checking my email, reading my book, etc etc. Looking on the bright side (again!), I'm getting paid to be bored... Not bad for a job... Haha! Well, the reason why is that the Superiors (yes, the bosses, and yes, there are 4) are all gone for a roadshow (kinda), so there isn't anyone to let me do anything, well -- yet.

Oh, one the 'thing' that I was so freakin' frustrated about for the past 2 months: my K750i has been fixed, and for a pricey fee indeed. I loaned the money from my mom, and she expects the return after I get my salary. Hopefully there's enough to spare for my personal use... Looking on the bright side (not again!), I get to use my camera phone again. It's good to have a camera phone with you, in case you need to take memorable moments back home. And for a fact that I can't even afford to buy a camera myself, I think I'll have to rely on camera phones for these few years. It's also an advantage though, to have both a phone and a camera together, instead of taking a phone AND a camera out with you. Wouldn't that be bulgy and bulky? Thank you, modern innovative technology! (That made me wonder how future devices would be like.. Haven't you ever wished you could live to see how the future looks like? Sighs... Life's too short...)

So summing it all up, I'm not that free now, but looking into details, I'm actually very free. Contradiction! (Speaking of which, I didn't do well in my first year. Sob sob... So i'm not gonna say anything about it.)

alone in new world + busy doing lotsa stuff - money to spend = Nothing! Zilch! Zero! Empty!

Dance the night away

For a long time, I've been wanting to go to a modern dance. Don't mistake me. I mean the type where no one, without the artistic sense, will ever understand what the hell the piece means.

Well, not that I'm saying I have never been to any of these concerts. Just take it this way: As a small child, with not much appreciation of the arts, and the hyperactiveness of a small boy, he can never be able to understand nor enjoy the graceful movements, the colourful picture and the suitability of the beautiful, although modern, music.

Yep, I watched something fantastic today. For once, I got to understand the piece really well (so proud of myself at this moment.. muahaha...), and I have to say the dancers were really good as well. I liked it to an extent that I even want to learn Dance now. Oh well... Great minds have great ambitions, huh?

A trip to remember

It's funny, for my whole life, as a Malaysian, it's hard to believe that I haven't been to a lot of local places. Some to name are Kuantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, and Penang. Finally, I had a chance to go to Penang, and it was an experience. Not only that, it was like a soul retreat for me. A place where I can finally find peace.
The night before, I stayed up late till 1am watching some shows I downloaded from the net, without knowing that I had to wake up at 6am next morning. I woke up groggily, somewhat blur, and started packing my already set-aside clothes into a travel bag I borrowed from my sister. Then off we go. First stop: my grandma's house, to pick up my uncle, and to leave some stuff over in her place.

For the first time, when we got to Penang, I got to see the famous Penang bridge. It was weird to NOT see thing-a-ma-bobs hanging over the bridge (like those which you usually see on other bridges), but not until the middle of the bridge, which was kinda a turn off. People say how long the bridge is, but it isn't majestic at all. That's what I mean by a turn off.

Throughout the trip around Penang, I was surprised at the places I was taken to see. Guess what? almost 80% of the time, we're in temples, CHINESE temples. We were led around by one of my uncle's colleague (don't ask me what my uncle does, neither do I know), in his 50's, on a motorcycle.

For someone like me, I have no faith in any religion, although I believe in God (that's why they call us free-thinkers). I used to pray in front of altars, everytime when I go back to my mom's hometown, and according to what I hear from my relatives, they say I pray everyday, for some reason that only I know of (but obviously forgotten). For a while then, I haven't been in any religion, thus saving, not spending, time on religion and prayers. Not that I'm complaining, but it's personal preference. Anyway, it was on the 1st day there. When I entered a part of a temple, coincidentally, a monk and a nun were chanting along to the mantras (I think), and knocking on the (thingy) on a constant beat. I found that relaxing and peaceful, suddenly feeling the wonders of God and the serenity of life. Calms the mind and soothes the soul.

Anyway, next few places were temples, so no point talking about them, but the famous ones are the Kuan Yin temple, and the Snake temple. Quite special.. Oooo... I remember. The Kuan Yin temple was still under construction, and that is to finish building the shed for the Kuan Yin Statue. They were selling roof tiles to be written with the person's name and a "zhu fu". My mom donated some money, and had my family's names written on it. I guess it means we will be blessed by Her, since we are giving her shade. Don't trust me on this though... Haha..

Well, for once, I can finally say, "I've been to Penang!" now. It was worth the visit, and the memories.