Joie de vivre

Good Life

2012-02-10T22:11:00.000+13:00

Woke up in London yesterday

Found myself in the city near Piccadilly

Don't really know how I got here

I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don't know

Address to places like Abbey Road

Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want

We're young enough to say

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be a good life, good life

I say, "Oh, got this feeling that you can't fight"

Like this city is on fire tonight

This could really be a good life, a good, good life

To my friends in New York, I say hello

My friends in L.A. they don't know

Where I've been for the past few years or so

Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out

Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now

We are God of stories, but please tell me

What there is to complain about?

When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over

When everything is out you gotta take it in

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be a good life, good life

I say, oh, got this feeling that you can't fight

Like this city is on fire tonight

This could really be a good life, a good, good life

Oh, a good, good life, yeah

Hopelessly

I feel like there might be something that I'll miss

Hopelessly

I feel like the window closes oh so quick

Hopelessly

I'm taking a mental picture of you now

'Cause hopelessly

The hope is we have so much to feel good about

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be a good life, good life

I say, "Oh, got this feeling that you can't fight"

Like this city is on fire tonight

This could really be a good life, a good, good life

Oh yeah, good, good life, good life, oh, this is

To my friends in New York, I say hello

My friends in L.A. they don't know

Where I've been for the past few years or so

Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out

Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now

We are God of stories but please tell me

What there is to complain about?

2012-02-03T23:49:00.000+13:00

Eeeek!

2011-07-03T23:51:00.000+12:00

In 7 exactly days time to the hour, my sister and I will be waiting in the airplane at the airport, having just boarded the FLIGHT TO MALAYSIA!

I AM SO EXCITED!

6.5 years and I have not been back. Absence does make the heart fonder.

I am so excited!

I don't think I'll pack many clothes. I have to buy stuff la! But...I wonder if I'll be able to find what I need in KCH to last me past KK and onto Penang. Thinking about the whole trip gives me jitters. Gosh!

Have to spiffy up my bm. As my mandarin is...........very very lame.

BUT.

If it happens to snow while I am away I will be gutted!! No snow for 2+ years and counting, no snowball fights and such (ok, I did have snowball fights in other places, but I kinda want one in Christchurch).

Oh! The suspense!

Sooooooooooooooooooooo. Excitedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

And yes. I should be completing my assignment. Which I haven't yet started on. Sigh.

We are not amused

2011-07-02T19:23:00.000+12:00

So. I decided to get a touch up on my hair because it was getting longer and more untidy. I was basically outgrowing my asymmetrical bob.

So. I popped into the hairdressers (they did it well last time, and they were cheap!) to get it done. With the same pictures.

AND THEY MESSED IT UP.

I HATE MY HAIR.

This is not an asymmetrical bob.

This is reminiscent of my hairstyle at kindergarten.

This is not flattering.

When I see you next I will be looking under par. Unfortunately.

Lets hope my hair grows out a couple of cms within the next week. I am thinking it'll look better once it kinda grows back......but it doesn't at the moment. Which is kinda the point.

Until then I will be wearing a hat to class. With a high scarf. Ughhhhhhhh.

New quotes

2011-06-24T17:15:00.000+12:00

From my onsite A:

Y: "I have your soul M!"
Instructor: "Well that isn't a very strong position to be in M."

LOL.

I also wagered a pack of lollies with a classmate if I passed my research assignment. Apparently no one passes it on their first go (half our class has failed and has to resubmit). And in the event I pass I'll be too happy to care!

I am totally bi-winning.

Litigation - Onsite Module B

2011-06-10T16:34:00.003+12:00

I am making a post. Because the onsite course was that awesome.
Conversation was intelligent. People were funny. People were great. And we were wined and afternoon-snacked at the end of it at the winery :).

I didn't know there were this many awesome people in class. It was great getting together with people - the 8.30-5pm timetables was like school. But unlike school we really had more commonalities between us.

We all endured 4/5 years of law school.
We were all bright eyed any shiny(ish).
We were all looking for jobs. And for those who had jobs - all this litigation stuff was new knowledge!

It was a three week module pushed into two weeks. I'd have loved to have spent more time with these people but....I suppose life does go on.

Quotes of the weeks:

On dolphin tattoos which apparently 'everyone' gets: "Who'd get a tattoo of a dolphin? Dolphins are just gay sharks!"

In cross examination: "The war was 10 years ago wasn't it. And you still have insomnia. You haven't gotten over the war yet have you." - THIS WAS GOLD!

On life: "We're all just kids. We just learn how to behave in public."

On my necklace...which was a four leaf clover. And proof that girls only wear jewelry to impress other girls:
Girl friend: "Ooooh, I love your necklace"
Guy friend: "Is that a robot?"
Me: wut?

K. Time for the less fun part - the professional responsibility, court forms and the trial prep assignments. And then the week off! Yes!

Thor

2011-05-04T00:27:00.008+12:00

This was good. Very good.

I didn't expect too much from it - I went because these are the kind of movies I watch. Martial arts + mythology + fantasy/magic + costuming + realistic fantasy (if that makes any sense) = mmmmmm.

I enjoyed the script. There were generic superhero lines, included as they often are in superhero movies. But for once they did not fall flat. They were hillarious, though for the life of me I cannot remember more than two at the moment.

In short, it was an entertaining movie. Watch if it you like costuming, mythology and realistic fantasy.

****WARNING: possible spoilers as I will be discussing characters. ****

Favourite characters:

#1 Loki

I like anti-heros...although he technically wasn't really one (read on). I loved Loki's weapon. I liked his character design. But unfortunately...he seemed to be a confused little bugger and a convenient plot filler. Oh guess who did the bad stuff! Loki! But wait, I though he was just hurt! But no! He's confused! Which was a foil for him being evil! Yes evil! Though he tried to do good! But then he failed! And tried to redeem himself! But wait! He's evil? Hmm. He was less the god of mischief, more so he was the confused god.

Ah well, I suppose you can't cram everything into a close to 2 hour movie.

I acknowledge that Thor looks better than Loki. Likewise I also acknowledge that Eames looked better than Arthur in Inception. But it seems that the thin, calm, skilled etc dudes have much more appeal to me. *waves to SF*

I don't quite like that picture - he looks a bit too feminine in it. I tried to find one where he was wearing his full suit and cloak + staff....but the movie is so new there aren't too many quality photos out there. So here's another one for you. :D

Look! A high collared suit! Woot.

#2 Fandrall

This guy cracks me up. He was all like: *pwns enemy* "LOL!" *pwns enemy* "Roflmao!" *gets stabbed by giant icicles* "aghhhss *groans*" *is picked up by friends and runs away from giant monster that Thor subsequently defeats* "ROFLMAO!"

How can you not like a guy like that? Or want to pinch his cheeks?

#3 Heimdall

His voice was epic. He was epic. That is all.

#4 Volstagg

"Do NOT mistake my appetite for apathy!"

He reminds me of Hagrid in Harry Potter...not that I've watched it. And again, how can you not love his quotes. He also eats a lot. <3

Annoying characters:

Jane - ugh. Main female protagonist. Love interest. That's about it. Ugh.

Sif - she appeared to have only one emotion. PMS-ing. I did love her weapon though.

I appear to be harsh on my own gender. But I am of the opinion that romances should be CUT OUT of stories if they do not serve any real purpose. It's like sugar on salty, buttered popcorn. Unnecessary, and detracts from the wonderfulness that is salty, buttered popcorn.

*Edit: also, love scenes, making out scenes, mega kisses etc should just be cut out if they serve no purpose. It is pretty awkward watching people mash it up. Right in front of your face. On an extreme screen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The only name I knew among my favourites was Loki. And that was because I used to play an online game called Ragnarok (also based on Norse mythology).

I sat there until the end of the credits, cause some movies have extra "GASP THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING" scenes at the end.

I was a little peeved off that they essentially informed us there would be a sequel-ish story - "Thor will reappear in The Avengers"!

Thanks Marvel, for kindly telling us what movie to watch. I would have never have known otherwise. (Admittedly the latter statement is true, but I spend about $15 to watch a movie since I'm not a student anymore.....$15 saved twice goes a long way.)

There seems to be a glut of superhero movies coming out. Superhero movies make money - who wants to own superpowers, fight baddies (or goodies) in the most spectacular ways and fall in love with a babe/hunk in an overdramaticised scene?

Apart from trying to identify with the general populace, I believe that Marvel are cashing in on their comic generation. I grew up watching X-Men, Spiderman, Superman, what have you.

Well played Marvel. Very well played.

23

2011-05-02T02:45:00.007+12:00

I know, I turned 23 awhile ago. But I think I said I'd relate the events of the day. And so I will. Under separate headings, and clearly numbered like the drafting exercises I am currently doing for my profs course. =/

Skydiving!

I headed off early in the morning with about 4 hours sleep. I had no idea what was happening, but I was guessing somewhere along the lines of nice brekky in the forest with my significant other?

I had brekky, but this was in the car. Mmm, salmon bagels with cream cheese :D. We drove and drove and drove. And yes, my sense of direction is that bad. I knew we were heading somewhere North East, by looking at the signs we passed.

To be honest, I wasn't feeling particularly adventury that morning. I would have been happy with the bagels in the forest but nooo. We were happily chatting until....he pulled into a driveway with the sign labeled "Pudding Hill". I was like ":D eee! Puddinggggg", cause I thought it was such a cute name! The name seemed familiar to me. I wondered why. And then I read "skydiving" underneath the sign.

I think I brought this on myself. I did say how I had wanted to go skydiving for a very long time, and how Bear Grylls jumping from planes was freaking awesome x 10000, but I didn't expect it to be this soon, I was broke, and so was the SF (not that I expected him to pay for me >_>). Turns out he saved all that from his work in the hols T-T. It was a strange feeling of dread that settled upon me when I realised. But like I said, I brought it upon myself.

We reached the area, signed in etc. I got to wear a child's jumpsuit (I'm assuming most Asians do), and was introduced to my dive instructor and video dude*.

We all climbed into the tiny plane, all 8 of us. Then we took off. There was just enough space in the tiny place, with barely enough room to seat 3 abreast. And unlike normal commercial flights, we didn't have seats. We sat on a rubber floor while our instructors sat behind us, clipping on our shared harness. The "jumping hatch" was just a simple clear sheet of retractable plastic. You could see points of reference on the ground shrinking as we climbed steeply upwards.

Self preservation is a very strong instinct. I learned that bungy jumping the year before. It kinda goes like this "WHY ARE YOU SO CLOSE TO THE EDGE, YOU'RE LIKE GONNA DIE WHY ARE YOU JUMPING YOU WILL DIE etcetcetc". They weren't actually coherent thoughts, rather irrational (as I was strapped in and was pretty sure that I wasn't going to die) feelings and emotions pieced together from rational instincts. I'm sure you've felt that unease as well, even for a minute. Standing on the 8th floor (or whatever), looking down off a building, where there was a tall fence/railing/glass walls. Even though you knew you were safe. Uneasiness, bordering on fear.

So when I saw the ground from that height, I felt uneasy. I was so close to the hatch. I could fall out. But no, I realised that I HAD to fall out. No turning back. Unless I kick, scream, wail, bite, threaten, punch, gouge....and consequently waste my SF's money. I calmed myself down. It didn't help that my dive instructor kept looking at and showing me the altitude meter he had on his wrist. The meter climbed upwards like a countdown to death or destruction 10,000ft - 10,200ft and onward.

Then it hit 12,000ft. I was first up.

That unease is actually flooding back now (interestingly!). The feel of the chilly morning winds streaming in through the gaps in the hatch. The way I sidled to the edge, with my instructor behind me. The way I sat on the edge, knowing I was going to fall. The blue tint the ground had acquired, so high up. The small, wispy clouds that sat beneath us. The way...the wind roared past - so clean, so clear, so cold.

I sat at the edge with my instructor as I was told to in an earlier tutorial. I declined to look down lest I embarrass myself and ask to be let off. It must be done! I stared upwards at the clouds and the instead.

The way it works is this: the instructor grabs onto the railings on either sides of the door, and swings back and forward in a controlled motion 2 times. On the third time, he will let go, and we will tumble through the sky, towards the ground.

"One!" gasp, ok this wasn't so bad.

"Two!" Ooo, three is next.

"Three!"

Yup, that was how small the plane hatch was. That was where I sat. That dude in yellow has his mouth open, possibly in a scream. Similar to the way I probably looked.
This scene actually looks a lot like the photo that got taken of me o_o.
You could barely see the ground from up there...

I screamed as we fell. I'm not sure if you've experienced the feeling of pure falling (weird term) for more than a meter or two. There is this amazing pull (yes I know, it's gravity), and you're going faster and faster. Instinct says it'll be over soon, but you accelerate like mad. The moment of fear lasts for maybe the first 20m, but that's what, 2s? The fear ends then, but it generates an adrenalin rush that lasts for the next 30 minutes.

Down at base, my SF and others were looking for our plane. It was hard to spot amidst the blue sky, the rising sun and the fact the plane was sooo small. But then. They heard my scream. Apparently my scream was clearly audible from 3.7km away. Hebat! And they were able to pinpoint my plane's exact place in the sky. Aren't I useful? :D

Meanwhile we were busy reaching terminal velocity in the sky. I became quite aware that my fingers were well and truly numb. I had earlier refused the gloves they offered earlier on my instructor's advice. No ground rush like bungy, so that was good :D. I had a good look around, it was beautiful. The sun was low on the horizon, so the lights were a lot softer. Pretty. Cold, but pretty.

After we reach a certain point, the instructor pulls a cord, releasing the parachute. So we paraglide around for the next 10(?) minutes, at which point my ears pop, painfully. Really painfully. It gets warmer, and feels more humid as we make our way down slowly.

Reached the ground, landed, and was glad that I could cross something else off my bucket list (and didn't die while doing it).

Adrenalin Forest

As per it's name, that's what it was. Organised by the awesome SF again :), me and friends traversed rope bridges and jumped off flying foxes in swaying trees...about 2-4 stories off the ground. Awesome! Until you look down.

Tada! Adrenalin forest. That dude (in the trees) was probably at level 4... There are 6 levels of difficulty in total. As we reached late we only managed to complete level 2,3,4 and 6.

Ah, I remember this one on level 6. It doesn't look that high...but you essentially jump off the edge of a platform, freefall for a meter on that rope before hurtling into the spider's web. Which was difficult as heck to climb, being very loose and all.

Thank you SF you made my day!

*I read in the paper that the video dude was going to shave his hair in mid air to raise funds for CanTeen (kids' cancer society). He had long beautiful hair (I wanted it). Apparently on his first attempt they lost the scissors - as in it slipped from their hands and hurtled towards the ground. Imagine scissors at terminal velocity? Ouch. XD

Conclusion:

It was an...adrenalin filled day.

SF is awesome.

I might not actually pursue a diploma in skydiving. Despite the awesomeness that Bear Grylls is.

I highly recommend sky diving. Blahblahblah not for the faint hearted, but I don't think your heart will fail from 2s of intense fear. :D do it~~~

Token blog post

2011-05-01T22:21:00.000+12:00

For all you Inception fans out there.

Keeping Up With the Jones'

2011-04-12T22:43:00.002+12:00

You can't.

You really can't.

Because you'll always be making comparisons on their scale. Yes, they'll have a bigger house than you. And go on trips to Italy! Because their parents make megabucks. Your parents don't.

You could try to fill that void by telling yourself that you are better in other areas. You're probably right. But that's a temporary fix. Comparisons aren't healthy. Stealthy, silent and subjective competition isn't either.

Be content.

Be content.

There is much more to value than what is perceived or known.

-------------------------EDIT------------------------------

Oh hey! This was my 150th blgo entry! Oooh celebrate. Woot. Woohoo yippee yeaaahh etc

Canto Alla Vita

2011-04-04T00:40:00.003+12:00

Dedicato a chi colpevole o innocente

perso in questo mare

si è arreso alla corrente

chi non è mai stato vincente?

Dedicato a chi aspetta una speranza

davanti ad un dolore

nel freddo di una stanza

Dedicato a chi cerca la sua libertà

Canto alla vita

alla sua bellezza

ad ogni sua ferita

ogni sua caressa

I sing to life and to it's tragic beauty

To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me

The rise and the fall; i've lived through it all

Dedicato a chi la sente inaridita

come fosse sabbia asciutta fra le dita

e la sente già finita

Canto alla vita

negli occhi tuoi riflessa

fragile e infinita

terra a noi promessa

Canto alla vita

canto a voce piena

a questo nostro viaggio

che ancora ci incatena

Ci chiama

Non dubitare mai

Non lasciarla mai da sola

da sola

... ancora ...

Canto alla vita

alla sua bellezza

Canto alla vita

canto a voce piena

a questo nostro viaggio

che ancora ci incatena

Ci chiama...

How to make history

2011-04-02T16:18:00.000+13:00

I think you must have heard this before: big or small, our actions will echo throughout eternity.

If you throw a pebble into a pond, the ripples will fade, but the lake is forever changed.

Right.

So who knows about it? No one. Apart from maybe the lake, if it had consciousness. And heaps of people throw stones into it. Nothing really changes.

The fact is, what we do now is almost obsolete. The people we meet, the places we visit, the phrases we say...maybe they will matter to one person. At most 3. And the stories will die out within 3 generations, if we're that lucky. Maybe that person we affect may cause a chain reaction cumulating in something....big? Eventful? Who's to say, we'll not know then.

That isn't really the game changer, the history making act that people want for themselves.

I know that the above statement is true, but it isn't something I want for myself.

The alternative? Tricky, tricky.

:)

2011-03-15T01:38:00.000+13:00

Mah new babeh.

Hello Tan Tien. :)

A belated Valentine's gift

2011-03-13T21:05:00.002+13:00

J J JJ J J

My first apple!!!

The electronic kind.

I had told him yesterday that I’d like a portable music player…and was looking at some cheapo brands. Cause you know. I had already splurged on a Tan Tien (so intense! – reference to the double rainbow dude).

Then he surprised me this evening with this.

ZOMG.

I always feel a bit guilty cause I don’t know how to repay him – buying expensive electronics…isn’t really my thing. Additionally I don’t have a full time job.

I told him that, and he said if I had bought him an ipod touch he’d be as happy as he was when I bought him a hip flask. That hip flask was cheap man.

Me: And it's so expensive #_#
D: That's ok. I got a discount from a friend that works there. And...I won't be able to spend that much time with you this year, so you can play with the ipod instead.
Me: = =

There you have it everyone - the ipod is a good significant other substitute. Or repellant, however you choose to brand it.

My significant other is so low maintenance :D.

<3 you D!

Ok, I gtg play with my new toy. WOOT HERE I COME ANGRY BIRDS/FACETIME/ETC

**EDIT**

Ok. I just opened it. And it's pristine oh so pretty dust free screen is alkjshdalkdhsask so perfect. I am afraid to use it lest my thumbprints mar the screen.

**2nd EDIT**

Ah. My ipod has fingerprints all over the screen and a thousand and one apps. I kid. Just a few apps (LIGHTSABER FTW), games and useful things :). Still no songs, I can't quite figure out how to add em. =_= I'll add em tomorrow, tis late. Goodnight all!

22.02.11 - the second one.

2011-02-22T21:40:00.000+13:00

Christchurch City looks like a bomb ripped through it.

Pictures available here.

Was in central city, working when the earthquake hit. You know those moments where you will remember for the rest of your life what exactly you were doing? Yes, well I remember thinking minutes before it hit "gosh, it's lunch-time soon! Can't wait for my salami sandwiches. I am hungry."

At first I thought it was a strong aftershock.....but then as I ducked under the table and held on for dear life, the room shook, the whole building swayed, plaster cracked and the air turned dusty....computer monitors fell over, and furniture and stationery arranged themselves around the room.

I left with my bag, my two cellphones, and a shoe. I walk barefooted in the office (we're temps, and this is NZ...so I don't think anyone cares. :D), and amidst the debris and confusion, I could not find my shoe.

So we left, quickly. Broken glass everywhere, broken water pipes...it honestly looked like something out of a disaster movie. It took me 2-3 hours to get home, on what usually is a 20-30mins commute. The city...was an absolute shocker. Brick walls tumbled over...rubble everywhere.....liqufication...streets broken like chocolate pieces.

My boyfriend had his laptop smashed by falling books...and ran outside with his colleagues, while dodging falling chemicals. He was on the 8th floor of the Chem block.

Death toll stands at 65 people.... 2000+++ people are in Hagley Park for the night - they are without shelter, and it is raining outside. We're helping out too, we have two tourists staying the night at our house. And no, they aren't weird, their middle aged career people. Long story that.

Christchurch will take a long time to recover from this. Damage done was much worse than the September 4 earthquake - and people were up and about. And this is in addition to what we haven't cleaned up from Sept 4.

How I wish I could be helping out at the triage centres in Christchurch....but unfortunately my expertise does not lie in that area...so I will just stay put at home.

More updates likely to come. As I am off work now, tomorrow will likely be icky weather.

Listen

2011-02-12T16:38:00.000+13:00

How little do people know me. My life is not an open book. It's not a private book but come on, I'm not flipping those darn pages for you. I am not an exhibitionist.

If you want to get to know someone, listen.

On another note, I feel like eating deep fried chicken skins again. And I am making a list of nomnoms to get when I head back to Malaysia.

Who cares if I put on 5kgs in Malaysia? I WILL make good use of my time there. :D and because I can I will write a list:

- Nangka, Cempedak
- DURIAN
- Rambutan
- Mangosteen
- Mango
- Lychee
- Mata Kucing
- Jambu!
- Ladies' fingers/okra/kacang bendi!!
- Bidin!

And for the less healthy:
- LAKSALAKSALAKSALAKSA
- Lee Fah Mee! My bag will be stuffed with these!
- Roti Canai!
- ABC!
- Nano!
- Ice Lemon Tea Sweets!
- Char Kuay Teow!
- CRABS CRABS CRABS
- Salad chicken rice ;)
- NASI LEMAK
- Tilapia!
- White rabbit sweets :D
- Duck rice!
- KOLO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE x 9000
- Anything else that can fit. I think I will have 2 meals every meal I have. That way I can eat everything possible :D.

Agh

2011-02-05T21:23:00.000+13:00

Massive sadface.

That is all.

Well, not all, but all I want to say at this point in time and in this blog entry.

:(

A taste like no other

2011-01-22T20:03:00.000+13:00

I love Malaysian junk food.

I LOVE Malaysian junk food.

I SERIOUSLY LOVE MALAYSIAN junk food.

Has that gotten through? Excellent.

My sister and bro came back recently, with the lil sis bringing Malaysian junk food. I am talking about two types in particular which ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE:

OMNOMNOMNOMNOM.

Ohh babeh.

Oh the nostalgia. I remember gorging myself on these after school. Gosh, RM1 sounded like so much money, I felt so guilty buying 3 packets of Roller Coasters at once for RM1.80, then promptly consuming it in the car. And 3 Lee Fah Mee for 60/90 cents? Oh, the delicious memories.

So currently my plans for Malaysia are this...

As far as I know Roller Coasters and Lee Fah Mee snacks are only available in Kuching. I bet they're available in Miri too, but I'm not going there and I don't know for certain @_@. I will be packing a half empty bag, cause I will be buying things as I go. Kuching is in the first leg of my journey. So my days there will be spent buying up roller coaster packets, as well as lee fah mee snacks to totally fill my bag. And as I buy things, and I require more bag space I will eat the snacks to provide more room for my new things!

Savvy no?

I am already dangerously close to finishing my lee fah mee noodles lil sis brought from Kuching. T_______T is there anyway I can procure these overseas? Anyone kind enough to send them over? And of course, you will be reimbursed! Or I can send a product back for you instead. It'll be like penpals, except foodpals. Nom.

These are my plans so far. Apart from deciding between buying either a Canon sx130is and a Lumix ZS7.

A new sport

2011-01-12T23:22:00.001+13:00

I got my longboard (half paid for as part of my birthday present - thanks D!!).

So here is my baby.

I managed to sustain two bruises on my legs, bruising on my hand and a strained neck on the first day I rode it. This was due to me riding it down a hill(ish) bit of the park. I did actually manage to ride it on my first time longboarding with my friend's board but her board was a lot less responsive, and more stable. So I crashed at high speed and barrel rolled. I hope no one was looking.

I also get looks from the curious. It's not so common yet to see longboarders, and much less female boarders. Let alone an Asian female boarder.

Then later that night two friends came over and 'helped' me break in my board....by messing with the kickflips and denting both ends of my new board. &*^$%^$#$%

It's getting really addictive, I can't help but imagine myself on the board. Will be making slide gloves so I can start learning how to slide, kneepads so... I don't bust my knees falling over again.

Exhilarating stuff! We'll see where this leads, but I predict an interesting year :).

This, good sirs, is what a slide looks like. Nom.

Bring it!

2011-01-01T15:49:00.001+13:00

A short recap of my 2010, and what I've done...it was in reality a huge year of 'firsts' for me.

Been VP of the Malaysian club on campus, chairing the Kopitiam event! ....slightly more divisive than usual, but we lived. :)
Lived through an earthquake of the magnitude which devastated Haiti....a miracle that EVERYONE in Christchurch survived.
Captain and coached a netball team and later won in the inter-M'sian games (among other sports we played) :) so proud of my girls! And overall champions, big cheers to our chef de mission!!!!
Lept from and screamed from 4km high in the sky. And was audible to people on the ground >_>.
Took a solo national flight (yes, a milestone for me)
Got my 4 wisdom teeth extracted :'(. I still have tooth holes in my bottom gum.
MC-ed! With an awesome funny as co-host!
Bought, and wore a sari XD.
Wore baju kebaya for the first time...and performed an inang and joget wearing it :D
Picked up longboarding and surfing....may it continue!
Kayaking around Golden Bay, Marahau. Oh, the golden sands....not smooth at all, but it was freaking sparkly!
Invited to hons for both my Arts subjects
Finished my degree.
Booked my ticket back to Malaysia!!!

:) I suppose it has been a good year for all its ups and downs. And a list definitely helps in remembering!

And ah, the memories...

Memories:

Singing "We are the Champions" at the award ceremony up in Akl. Picking up the medals on my team's behalf. XD coming close to winning best female athelete.
Finding out that I would be skydiving, and freaking out. >_> see, I was not feeling particularly adventurous on that day...and thought we would be having a picnic instead.
Falling from a plane. @_@
Spamming my phone several thousand times to obtain two free phones. = =
The annoyance prior to club events (many reasons...) and the relief and jubilation after a job well done :)
Committee dinner!! Freaking heck awesome
Kayaking around Marahau. Exploring Nelson. Disturbing and getting barked at by a big seal while kayaking. They sound a lot like dogs eh. Getting hot chocolate made by our good-looking and gentlemanly guide. And oh, the sparkly glittery sand
Met some forever friends. Not bffl, but people I can always meet up with and celebrate the past, present and future with :)
Learning about the court system. Was not aware there were THAT many forms to fill out, or even where to find them.
Bought and acquired make up. That I have not yet used. =/ hmmmm.
And oh. Learning hard lessons. Will not be elaborated on.

I think that 2011 will be an interesting year. Not just fun, but challenging. It may be a struggle for me to find a job, but....I suppose it'll be worth it.

In the course of the year, I have come to realise that I do not need to sacrifice myself for my job. I will continue longboarding as a 23 year old (gosh, do I sound old), and if need be I can always pick up things. Like parkour! :) but this time I have to stick with things. Even if they are crappy, because they are useful. Like jogging. Jogging sucks big time, but I don't want to get puffy when I sprint up a silly short hill!

Final note from me: May your 2011 be blessed with challenges that show you just how awesome you are!

2010-12-29T22:59:00.004+13:00

Had an amazing 3 days. :D especially today!

Skydive (skydove?) from 12000ft, and Adrenalin forest after with friends.

Thank you dearest for the birthday and anniversary presents :), the sweetest thing ever!

<3

Update and maybe photos to come. Have to tidy my room. =/

[Review] Avatar: The Last Airbender

2010-12-13T20:24:00.013+13:00

When I knew this was coming out on the big screens, I had hopes that it would be totallymagnificentbeautifulawesome.

Does this not look like potential?

My hopes were dashed.

I read reviews before it was decided that I would watch it - not in the theatres, but downloaded. Just to see how madly bad it was. The reviews at rottentomatoes made an interesting and amusing read - consistently one starred, some written eloquently, and some spewing putrid hate onto the site. They were written (from what I saw) by fans and normals ranging from age 6-50.

So here is my short review. I managed to watch the first 20 minutes, with a lot of skipping.

Why I Absolutely Love Avatar (the cartoon series)

This is based on a cartoon series. If you have not watched it I HIGHLY recommend you do. In fact, I think it ranks as high as Inception does on my list. Reasons being:

Beautiful surroundings

The whole thing is based on Asian cultures and martial arts. All the characters are Asian (YES!), no blond haired chicks/dudes there! Not that I dislike caucasians, but this is refreshing and different.

Deep plot line

Characters are understandable. Things come to a head, and they build up - not obviously, but incrementally like life events often happen. Horrible mistakes often never just "happen" they start with a small step to the left, or a decision to stay one minute longer.

Characters which reflect actual individuals with personal struggles

I hate character stereotypes. In fact, I hate main characters. They are often too preachy.
I also hate the main female characters who go "oh dear, I'm like so motherly and I will annoy you with my motherly naggingness, and then say "I told you so" when you did something that will obviously go wrong".
I save my love for the anti-heros. Yes. They are awesome and misunderstood and so maligned (and obviously more powerful than that preachy hero!)

In Avatar (the cartoon series) I have loved every character that has appeared. Yes, the main female does nag a little. She is motherly. But no, she is does not overdo it. She is powerful, likeable and has her own struggles, therefore she is able to identify with viewers. Her nagging is what I'd do if I was concerned and worried - and I do not nag. The main character is fun, highly likeable, and not all Goku-ish or Kenshin-esque. Even the villians are understandable - by this I do not mean simple. I mean understandable - everyone is explained and has a depth of character. No one is evil/good/naggy/etc just because they are.

Awesome fight scenes

For those of you who know me, I absolutely love a good fight scene. If I see something amiss or something that just would NOT work in their reality, I will be annoyed. Examples? Well, think Star Wars (the older series) fight between Darth Vader and Obi Wan. Seriously, what was with above-the-head-lightsaber-flailing? Just someone stab the other dude in the stomach already. Or force lightning him in the gut. Yea. That'll teach him to constantly keep his lightsaber above his head.

In these series I have thoroughly enjoyed the fight scenes. I could watch them over and over and over again - in fact, that is what I have been doing. They are absolutely kick-arse. Creative fight scenes corresponding to each elemental fighting style, as well as the individual's personality. And oh, did I mention each art corresponds to a different martial art? In creating the show, the directors actually consulted martial artists. Therefore what you see on screen is highly believable (in that universe), and highly creative, as if they were creating from that universe, as opposed to ours (if you get what I mean).

Soundtrack

I love the soundtrack. Absolutely. Created with Asian instruments, you can hear the Koto (is this right?) coming through very obviously in some scenes. Epicness. Adds a new dimension of aesthetic beauty to the cartoon.

Background (cartoon)

This universe is divided into 4 nations, each corresponding to the type of elementals certain special individuals called "benders" are able to control. These are loosely based on mostly Asian races the Earth Kingdoms (Korean), Water Tribes (Inuits/most natives in most countries), Air Nomads (Tibetians?? Specifically buddhist monks) and the Fire Nation (Chinese). Only the avatar alone can control all four elements - which he/she uses to create and sustain peace. The avatar has a cycle of reincarnation - in this order: fire, air, water, earth, fire etc. One day the avatar, an air bender disappeared. The Fire Nation took advantage of that situation to totally destroy the Air Nomads, in the hope that this would break the reincarnation cycle of the avatar - thus the avatar would cease to be, and they could continue subjugating the other nations.

The story begins in the Southern Water tribe - much ravaged by war, they have managed to destroy/capture all but one of the water benders, thus effectively subduing this tribe and possible rebellion. The avatar is found by siblings Katara and Sokka, and from then on begin their journey with Avatar Aang.

Movie

Where do I start. = = I will approach it using bullet points, else I'll ramble and rant.

Characters - they did not stick to an already killer combination.

They skipped out parts of the story. Understandable I suppose when you have to squeeze in...like 8 hours into an hour and a half. But some parts I wanted to see (fight scenes!!!) were such a disappointment.

But I do not understand that they chose to butcher the characters names, and their bending ability. Like WTHECK. In the cartoon the elements responded fluidly to the benders - depending on the skill and ability of the bender. Here....benders danced and twirled around, and a rock the size of a dinner plate floats across the screen. Cool. Not. Firebenders in the cartoon created fire from nothing. Here you have them take fire from a source. Like wtheck? The reason they could create fire just like that was the reason they were universally feared for their destructive ability. Taking it from a source...makes them look like underpowered morons.

Movie "best" fight scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhgSDqqLxTk - this was rubbish. Pretty, but nothing compared to the cartoon. You should have seen the ones that didn't make it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3x9WmjHDEM

Cartoon fight scenes - now these ones aren't even the best of the best. These are standard-ish fight scenes, and note, some of them aren't even executed by masters of that particular element. The music is from the soundtrack, please watch! :D enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB8XHqWTFK4&feature=related.

They were also all Caucasians. Not that I minded....but ok it has already deviated so far from the cartoon, this is another bit of salt rubbed into an already gaping wound. And the Fire Nation were Indians. Like wtheck? The Fire Nation was based on the Chinese/Japanese people - take a look at their clothes and uh...smaller eyes. Heh. And their buildings, and the fact they wear white for funerals.

[Edit: Ok. He said that anime is something which features culturally ambiguous features. Weeeelll. Lets take a look at Katara. Is there any doubt that she is Inuit? Perhaps the blue eyes are caucasian. Hmm. We'll give him that one. Now lets take a look at Zuko. Slanty eyes, fair skin, black hair and sharp features - Chinese/Japanese or Korean. Most likely Chinese. But oh, he chose Dev Patel (whom I have absolutely nothing against personally). Righttt. They took the Fire Nation and made them Indians. HUH? Chinese =/= Indians the last time I checked.

Oh and according to wiki the casting call was looking for "Caucasians and other ethnicities". ...that seems to single out a particular race. HM.
He also stated that the movie would be the "most culturally diverse tent-pole movies ever released, period". Hahahaha. A bunch of Chinese/Korean/Japanese people running around in the background does not count my friend! Else we'd be calling Rush Hour 2 a 'diverse tent-pole movie'. It shows that Asians can have fun, and kick arse! And hang with zee homies yo! Sigh. Sadface. ]

I also do not understand why they changed characters personalities and looks. Example:

Aang Cartoon - fun, bubbly (even in combat!), hyper, embued with a sense of responsibility and some wisdom. A little bit. Also a strong pacifist.
Aang Film - boring. Boringgggg. Absolutely boringgggg. Afraid. Shallow. However he does look a bit like the cartoon character....Oh. And why is he so bothered that he can't have a family? That is NOT what a 12 year old boy thinks about. And it is contrary to the storyline - the previous Avatar managed to a successful family! Oh that's righttttttttttttt. The movie totally didn't introduce and negated the possibility of an avatar guide, just like in the cartoon!! LOL. Yea, problems with not sticking to the original storyline I suppose, yep.

Katara Cartoon - loyal, passionate about waterbending, motherly and brave. Has a lot of common sense. Pretty (well, pretty as in cartoon pretty).
Katara Film - whiny. Sad and angry. Ok, she is pretty when she smiles, but that said her character was flat and boring.

Sokka Cartoon - hillarious. Absolutely hillarious, scientific mind and also sarcastic and witty. They say he is the comic relief, but all characters are funny. He was just...doubly so.
Sokka Film - This actor was plucked off the set of Twilight. I think he took his vampire face with him, and turned Sokka into a soulless, mirthless bully. He looked like a bully, instead of the mediocre fighter he was at the start of the cartoon. BOOOOOO. The only time he was funny was when it was lamely and unintentionally funny. M Night Shamalamadingdong said it was done to ground him, but I think he buried him. Yep, buried him. And took away his soul.

Zuko Cartoon - My anti-hero <3!! Ok, that aside - another beautifully done character which goes through struggles and changes of sorts in the cartoon. Ruthlessly angry at the start of the first book, he is no stranger to failure.
Zuko Film - Ok. Zuko in the cartoon was very obviously CHINESE, and had a huge scar on his left eye - his defining feature. This dude was played by Dev Patel. Seemed overly aggro for absolutely no reason. And oh, the scar was reduced to a pathetic cosmetic scar and looked like slightly darker and wrinkly skin. Oh pity him. Oh pityy.

Iroh Cartoon - large girth, under average height. Lover of tea and women (not lecherous k?), and by far one of the most skilled firebenders alive. Absolutely hillarious. Stately and warm, father figure to Zuko. And due to the above, absolutely lovable as a character. NOT a carebear ok? There is a difference.
Iroh Film - thin and tall. A great firebender...but still = =. Get this, his nephew and bro are Indian looking and he's a tall thin white guy. Same father & mother, go figure. Oh, and he's all apologetic and subservient, like a servant of high bearing. HE IS NOT A SERVANT. He has never apologized in the cartoon - not because he's stuck up, but he is wise and right, and because he has much royal grace in his actions.

Plot

I felt like I was being told what was going on. Yes, dialogue and action reveals what does go on, but here I felt like I was being told. Dialogue was simplistic. Flat. Unemotional, or weepy, angry or too naive. Yes, the cartoon characters were like that sometimes but that was absolutely believable. It was not overly contrived like the movie.

Some things also felt stupid. Example - if you want to imprison earthbenders, don't freaking imprison them in a canyon filled with earth!!! THEY WILL BEND EARTH AT YOU AND CRUSH YOU. BECAUSE THEY ARE ANGRY THAT YOU ENSLAVED THEM.

Also, it lacked depth. They did not explain certain aspects of the movie properly. This is fine for a short project, but I cannot see how they are planning on creating part 2 and 3 (PLEASE OMIGOSH NO T_T) without going more into depth.

Visuals

Stunning. I would be lying if I said no. I would however have preferred if they coloured clothes more appropriately to the corresponding tribes. And no, when they did this in the cartoon is did not look at all contrived.

Summary

Failure. Please, don't make another one. Please oh please. Just...please get another director to remake this one. It had the ability to create a cult following, and the potential to be as epic (or even more so!) than LOTR. Instead, fans that are totally willing to be pleased (like myself, except more hardcore) are disappointed. Yes, we are disappointed. Disappointed may actually not be the word. Apparently some fans want to stone him. It feels like M Night did not read any of the source material, yet he said he was inspired cause his daughter wanted to dress up as Katara during halloween. Then he made it into a Saturday night family thing, watching Avatar. I wonder if his daughter is disappointed?

Apparently it reached the target it needed to create a sequel, but please, just use the money to make a new first chapter. T_T it will appease the fans! And we will forget it never happened.

I give this a 3/10 - purely for the visuals and the unintended comedic effect.

That said, I absolutely recommend the cartoon, I cannot do this highly enough. It will rival and possibly beat any anime you have seen. Cartoon gets a 11/10!

XD

2010-12-10T02:09:00.000+13:00

Tick Tock by Ke$ha - a very white translation.

In the early hours of the day I wake feeling quite similar to Sean Combs. I retrieve my glasses and exit my residence through my front door while on my way to have an enjoyable experience downtown. Prior to heading towards my destination I thoroughly cleanse my mouth using a bottle of alcohol, the reason being that once I've departed for my night on the town I will not return.

What I mean by the aforementioned plan for the evening is that I am going to have my toes cleansed and tended to by a professional, whom I will tip 15%. Following that I will try on the majority of the clothes in my closet, which may prove difficult as I will be receiving non-stop text messages and calls from various suitors.

On course to my destination I will fold the roof of my convertible into my trunk and will loudly listen to various artists that I find enjoyable. Finally, having reached my destination at a rousing social destination, I will attempt to become inebriated.

Credits to random person on Facebook.

Of "what month are you born in and your personality type" and the like

2010-12-09T23:36:00.003+13:00

Yes, I know they're all highly generalized, but I strangely find that they fit. I suppose you could digress, but I am not sure that you'll tell me, and though I'd respond with an explanation, I think that the respective writers may feel their posts being a tad bit egotistical in pointing out incongruities and the subsequent clarification, though neither intended it to be.

December!

* Loyal and generous
* Patriotic

* Active in games and interactions

* Impatient and hasty

* Ambitious

* Influential in organisations

* Fun to be with

* Loves to socialise

* Loves praises

* Loves attention

* Loves to be loved

* Honest and trustworthy

* Not pretending

* Short tempered

* Changing personality

* Not egoistic

* Takes high pride in oneself

* Hates restrictions

* Loves to joke

* Good sense of humor

* Logical

Cleanin'

2010-12-06T00:11:00.002+13:00

Time has passed.

I now am a graduand. Woot.

I look back at my time in St Mary...no longer am I the quiet, small, awkward girl in the corner. I have changed so much. And so has everyone around me. I've done things I never knew I could, found friends in strange places, and had opportunities that I never knew I could have.

I am about to embark upon the next phase of my life mid/late next year, after my professional studies - the working life (ok, assuming I get a job = =). I wonder what it will bring.

But there is always room for improvement. That's why I'm starting to jog again (I miss feeling as fit as I used to), and I will be taking up skateboarding/longboarding. A fun way to travel :). And then from there perhaps surfing/snowboarding? Hey, they're all boards so it shouldn't be too difficult.

And I will try to make more friends and such. I feel that I have squandered part of my university life - yes there were good times, but I could have made it better....but I failed to =/.

I think my trip back to Malaysia in July may be an eye opener, or it even bring catharsis. I am looking forward to it. And oh, if you did not know about this, please visit the Incompatible website. =) I am planning possible adventures!!

If any other Marian visits my blog, drop me a line so we can meet up. :)

High Waisted Huh??

2010-11-22T00:59:00.002+13:00

Last year it was the high waisted skirts. I grew to like them, previously having no opinion of them, and am now in the process of acquiring maybe one or two more chambray-ish/floral/working high waisted skirts.

But then came the high waisted shorts. Apparently they are 'in' this year? I garner this fact from walking by clothes shops. Seeing them featured with lacy, country, vintage or floaty style tops.

Why would anyone wear them? Like high waisted skirts, they make your legs look so long, couple that with heels and tada! Your legs resemble the legs of a model! Except shorter...and maybe slightly bigger (note I am referring to my legs, which obviously cannot be mistaken for a model's ones).

High waisted shorts confuse me. So I googled them. Maybe I'd like them. After all, I'd seen a few that look good in pictures. I could be convinced!

I was wrong. The majority of pictures look....weird. Like... you were wearing your bf's shorts. High waisted shorts make zee crotch area look funny. Uhm. Okhay. I will assume that this is unflattering to most people. And I also realised that they may not be so great for someone who has not much of a waist. I am an Asian female. While I own more booty (body size to butt ratio) than quite a sizeable number Asian girls, I do not have a particularly well defined waist. The last thing I want is to look like a gigantic butt. Actually there may be a few more things, but lets just not go there.

I suppose I could be convinced if I found a pair which fitted me awesomely. Kinda like a playsuit, you have to find one that actually looks good on you. Maybe shorts like this:

Floaty, cute, just like a nice high waisted skirt.

Or this:

Mmm, snazzy. Could even wear it to work!

But then I come across pictures like this:

It looks like the wrong measurements....either that or she's going on a safari trip.

And this:

AHHHH. MICKEY MOUSEEEE. AHHHH

I rest my case.

Ok, does anyone here actually *get* high waisted shorts? Would you wear one? Please explain it to me. I am no fashionista, but I have a (somewhat) defined sense of taste.

2010-11-19T00:11:00.000+13:00

As you may know (or probably not), my lil sis is in New York.

She visited the 9/11 museum, and took some pictures. In one of those photos was an American flag, with pictures of those who passed away on that day. It brings tears to my eyes every time I view it. Pictures of smiling, solemn, young and old people. Just normal people. Black and white pictures, almost as a stark reminder that their lives have ended, that their lives stopped on that tragic day. People that went to work, and...never really made it back, those whose ashes lie in the area that used to house the twin towers.

Why would they do it? Why would they hate them (and even us) so?

I know the psychological theories - disassociation, yadayadayada. But really it is cold comfort in the face of something as inhumane as this.

I think we all just need to be reminded that each of us are...humans for goodness sake. Generically made of hopes, dreams and attached to people who love us. We never know what we never know, it is never right to judge people.

May they rest in peace.

A roflmao cause - how to not make your case.

2010-11-06T14:55:00.002+13:00

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Great name, I am also for the ethical treatment of animals. It doesn't mean that I will turn vegetarian, but among the things I will not do - buying fur or supporting the fur trade (well, unless it is somehow becomes less cruel).

Boy has PETA turned campaigning into a joke. Their 'campaigns' appear to constantly feature naked (celebrities nonetheless!) hot women with bloodied animals and anti-fur/slaughter slogans, as if they will do the trick. Like seriously? When was the last time someone took scantily clad women seriously? Do people visit strip clubs for intelligent debates and brilliant opinions? No. Why weren't there more scantily clad women protesting Guantanamo bay, and the war in Iraq/Afghanistan? Why aren't there more scantily clad women assisting presidential election campaigns? You tell me. Actually, PETA should tell me.

Yes, it turns the eye, it attracts opinions (mostly criticisms). But celebrity endorsements? Ok, yea. A lot more people would be scientologist now if we followed celebrity endorsements. Tom Cruise, Will Smith anyone?

And their scathing vitriolic. Ever taken a fuming fundamentalist religious bloke seriously? No. Why take PETA seriously then? Know anyone who does? Do you?

When I mention PETA to my animal loving friends, their first reaction is to snort in derision. Then to bring up theories that PETA doesn't actually help animals, it kills them. Just google it.

They appear to be doing more harm than good. It's hard even taking them seriously - which is a shame, the efforts made towards the prevention of cruelty to animals should be a sign of a progressive, humane society. Yet it is stymied by the attempts of this (unfortunately) high profile organisation.

I am converted. Not.

Best times of a life

2010-11-04T23:42:00.000+13:00

Free.

Some people write "oh high school, I wish I could go back there". I don't quite get what they mean. High school was never great for me. I only started coming out in university.

It is a bit sad if they have not managed to experience life the way they wanted after high school. Maybe that freedom was more like a ball and chain. Or perhaps a cage.

Or maybe high school was really that great. If so good on them.

And in both instances may they find happiness later in their lives.

AHHAkdhSLKDSSHKLVH

2010-11-04T01:27:00.000+13:00

Beginning to panic.

Tomorrow is my Criminal Justice paper. I am freaked out that I will fail.

WHAT CURVEBALLS IS THAT DASTARDLY LECTURER GOING TO THROW??

Sentencing is ok. Yes, it is ok.

But AOSDMFSJHKLSHDF 2010 amendment to the Sentencing Act ASDKHJALDKSH and Youth Justice/Restorative Justice??

AKSLDHAKLSDH

PANIC

This is the only paper where the basic groundwork (principles and application and such) are found outside our lectures. Yes. The things we are meant to know and are tested on are very briefly mentioned in lectures, with their importance highlighted by "you should read this". Every law lecturer says that. But this class....our grades actually do depend almost solely on outside reading. Every other class...you can get by with just the freaking notes.

KHADKHASDLKHCC

AHHHHH

At least the exam is in the afternoon. Else I may have elected to forgo sleep. One ray of sunshine in my dark corner. Sigh.

RIP

2010-11-02T18:56:00.000+13:00

My bunny died today after a short illness. We buried it in the afternoon.

I thought it didn't look so great the afternoon before, but turns out it was worse than "not so great".

Sad. Feel guilty. Maybe there was something I could have done....

It was so sad to see it being slowly blanketed with dirt as we covered its grave.

RIP Flopsie. Sorry your time on earth was so short.

Self medication

2010-11-02T02:08:00.000+13:00

Difficult. Who knows whether it'll work?

KFC is unhealthy. Celery sticks are healthy.

Burnin' the midnight oil

2010-10-22T00:14:00.000+13:00

Yea. Essay fun. By fun I mean 'setting yourself on fire' kinda fun. Which isn't too fun when you think about it.

I will be playing 'essay conquerors' tonight. For a reference to the joke (pun, whatever), click here.

It's black, it's white

2010-10-11T19:47:00.001+13:00

Paul Henry - if you google him, you can see the furore he's created. I refer to the statement he made about our governor general.

A lot of people are saying online that "NZ has gone PC mad!" or "Dudeee lighten up like don't be so PC", "Here comes the PC police".

But really do they know what it means to be part of a nation? Do they know what it means have an identity associated with a nation? I suppose not, since most of the commenters are likely to be white, middle class (ok, I do actually think a lot of the commenters are idiots) Kiwis. They would have no idea how a person 'feels' their labelled race, merely because they don't look like a majority of their counterparts in the country they were born and bred in.

I come from a certain country where I don't feel my identity as part of the country. I do acknowledge and I am proud to be part of the peoples of the country. I do not however feel as though I am part of the country. I feel it when people of my race are looked over for scholarships. When a certain other race is given preferential treatment. The fact I can never be the prime minister (if I wanted to anyway) though I may have lived there all my life. Though it is fact that that country is the place where "tanah tumpah darahku". That is one reason why I will not consider working in my 'home' country long term.

I even feel incensed when a certain misguided, under educated and close minded person told a person of my race to "go home".

This compounded with the fact that I have lived half my life overseas. I am two halfs and never a whole, despite my genetic heritage. I know I may never be looked upon as belonging to either culture. But that's fine. I know who I am and where I belong, my heart is with both nations.

As humans I believe we want to know where we belong. Who we fit with, where we fit. That's why people have OEs (in NZ anyway), or do at least a bit of soul searching during their life to see who they are. People need a sense of belonging - we are all community driven. No man is an island.

Calling attention to race and nationality this to it is unhelpful and possibly detrimental.

Nationality is determined by where your heart is. Not by how you look.

Awwwwww

2010-10-10T19:57:00.000+13:00

T______T schweet.

http://vimeo.com/15594462

Pick one

2010-10-03T02:39:00.003+13:00

In varsity they say you have a choice.

Social life
Study
Sleep

Pick any two.

Applicable to you?

I am only just realising this is true. :(

And gosh, do I need my sleep.

Reality bites.

2010-09-27T19:14:00.000+13:00

I've heard the saying which goes "You are your greatest enemy".

True in most respects, especially with regard to my willpower. In movies they potray it as fighting against your demons, and to the background of epic music, and possibly a smidgen of a love story and a pinch of tragedy for good measure. This unfolds on the big screen, and then after they kick their demons back to their closet, they emerge triumphant. A changed man/woman. One that is impossibly wiser, kinder and even more unbreakable than before.

The story is tasty, yes?

But when we come down to the nitty-gritty it really is just us. Us trying to face that skeleton in the closet. Us trying to write an essay/socialise/whatever la. Without the epic music, and epically awesome "oh I am crying in the rain cause this is so hard" scenes. Living isn't glamorous.

It's just us. Us against ourselves.

No one will see those struggles, no one will understand that pain, no one will face the same demon.

But it is up to us to push through.

Difficult, yes.

Impossible - I know it isn't, but it is so hard.

Blingin'

2010-09-27T18:21:00.000+13:00


A 60.19 flawless diamond.

Now who wouldn't want a stone like that? It sold for over 5 million USD in 2000.

Yes, I am procrastinating.

If I had a stone like that I'd uh....

I don't quite know what I'd do with it.

Maybe sell it and buy an island.

What would you do with it?

Sesame Street

2010-09-27T15:10:00.000+13:00

Uhm.

I'm sure if you read about celebrities (or at least what the news deems to be news)... the Sesame Street debacle would sound familiar.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand are a lot more stupid that I previously thought.

Pretty mature way to work it out as adults, yeah.

*cough*

Booo hissssss etc

Bola

2010-09-19T01:50:00.001+12:00

Malaysian ball tonight. Wore a sari. Lots of attention, comments.

Like!

:D

Attention is nice.

Saris are soooooooooo pretty. Traditional dresses are really....hot. They look a heck a lot better than short shorts. And sexier too! Which is a strange thing since traditional dresses generally fully clothe a person.

I may actually go buy some more saris. Even though I have no occassion to wear them after I graduate in December.... :(

Maybe I'll go live in India awhile. Ehehehe.

The Malaysian ball was an absolute blast. Kudos to all performers.

And with that my stint as VP in the Malaysian Club is over. (Technically this won't happen until the AGM. Where there will be much grilling. Eep.)

Thanks guys :). What an interesting experience. The highs and lows, but ultimately a freaking flavourful experience.

Dislike

2010-09-17T00:47:00.001+12:00

Dislike how some events are planned so last minute.

I mean seriously, less than 24 hours notice for a full dress rehearsal?? We're all not first year students for cryin' out loud!

In no way am I slighting anyone here. But it is really stressful when you've planned out your assignment and have arranged everything only to have certain things come back and hit you in the face. And pretending the late prep for the assigment is not my fault (which it totally is), I don't quite think that it is fair that others can impose such onerous burdens onto others.

Whether they are aware of it is another thing. But really, sometimes lack of mens rea does not mean there is a lack of culpability.

Chill, chill. I better chill.

This is frustrating.

Quiz

2010-09-16T23:07:00.000+12:00

What kind of boyfriend brings you a double mocha in the morning when you've had only 5 hours sleep and need to go to work?

Hint - the answer isn't 'whipped'.

Answer: my boyfriend! :D

Thank you D~~ :)

Be still, my heart

2010-09-14T19:33:00.002+12:00

Yesterday I went to a swanky Japanese restaurant with a friend. Well not swanky. Swanky in the sense that I probably shouldn't be going there for lunch, seeing the kind of budget I'm on.

Anyway!

It was the kind of restaurant which offers nibbly Japanese stuff with beer you buy (of course, for a price). And on that list was deep fried chicken skin. Like below.

T-T

If you know me, my weaknesses are fried chicken, and laziness. A friend of mine called me a closeted African American...but let's not go there.

I bought it. For $4, I got 8 pieces of deep fried chicken thigh skin. Lightly salted.

T_________________T so good. For the record I think I only ate 5. My friend at the other 3.

When I went back to work, I could feel myself getting slightly jittery. Then my heart started hurting a bit.

I think this would be a very good habit to curb, my eating habit. Not because I'll put on weight (my family's genes keep my figure very very constant!), or get pimples, but because it could be the beginning of my end.

T-T darn you fatty food. WHY DO YOU TASTE SO GOOD.

**edit**

I was looking for a picture of deep fried chicken skins, and I came upon this: a KFC burger, the filling being 5 layers of chicken skin, with cheese....and topped with bacon. My heart skips beats just looking at that photo.

**edit number 2**

I have to go back. T_____T omnomnomnomnomnom.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another note, here's a spoof of the Inception trailer, a cappella style :D. I burst out laughing everytime I see it. Click below!

BRAUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Aftershocks, aftermath and life in general

2010-09-09T02:44:00.003+12:00

Come to think of it, the earthquake hit at the best possible time. At 4.36am, no one (or not many) people would have been up and about. Night shift generally finishes at 6am, and partiers are home by 4am. Even people that may have been in the library are usually home by 3am - this compounded with the fact that it was the holidays meant no one was hurt. So far we've had more than 300 aftershocks. Apparently 1 out of 10 (read it in the papers, but don't quote me on this!) houses have sustained damage.

The following is a picture of our library (possible the 4th floor).

Absolutely insane eh? Thank God it happened during the holidays and at night. I imagine people would have been seriously injured, or crushed to death being caught in it. We are not able to borrow books in the central library for this semester...unfortunately. Poor lib.

Here's another one of the library staircase. Minimal tiling damage.

I promised some quake photos, but the ones I took are a bit poor, and I have not yet uploaded them...so here's some of the devastation the Garden City has suffered - estimated to be 4 billion in damage - this figure seems very likely to rise...

There's blue and red writing on the white wall where you can just make out the words 'Fish & Chips'. Unfortunately that was my friend's parent's shop. His shop is featured in Yahoo! News...for all the wrong reasons =/.

Fire broke out on Worchester St soon after the earthquake.


The dude in the background taking photos looks strangely like my friend.....similar leather jackets I guess?

Personally I've found this to be quite surreal. The suburb I live in was not touched, not even a jot! The cherry blossom trees are still growing, their buds becoming delicate pink blooms. But it is really really heartwarming to see student volunteers helping clean up the mess in the suburbs (the inner city is still cordoned off) - a couple hundred students giving up their time and energy to clear the silt, water and broken masonry from houses and streets. A couple are helping by baking scones, muffins etc for the volunteers and for the residents who may not be having the best time finding food. Real heartwarming! Shining example pulling together as a community :).

The opening date for term 4 has been pushed forward 2 weeks, 1 week more than the 1 week that was originally planned). That means another extension for my essays, and less material for the exams! I feel sluggish though, =/ I better get my butt back into work.

Aftershocks have decreased dramatically! Good news for people who are still afraid of the aftershocks. As for me I'm pretty much over the novelty of the constantly tremoring ground.

Some clever fish at Canty U wrote a webpage recording the timeline of all the earthquakes - this includes depth, intensity and radius. Check it out!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thanks to SL and L, I will be watching 500 Days of Summer. Significant other (lets call him D) thinks Joseph Gordon-Levitt is hot! :D so I've got the all clear to watch it with him. *cough*

Watched a short clip of JGL playing an electric guitar and singing Lady Gaga's Bad Romance....I'm sorry JGL, but you can't sing that well :(.

Oh, and here I compare JGL with D.

They both play the electric guitar (woohoo!)
Both studied French (though D dropped it ages ago. Heh.)
Both look greattt in suits. (Invest in a fitted suit guys!)

Ok, I'm done writing for the night. Writing an email for the club, then I'll be off. Night to all :)

Aftershocks

2010-09-07T01:58:00.001+12:00

They just keepin' comin'!

The latest was a 5.4...and we did only have a 5.4 right after the big 7.1 hit at 4.40am on Saturday morning.

But now we're just standing around, watching the building shake and waiting for it to stop.

As I write this update another aftershock hits. Apparently with shallow earthquakes like this one, aftershocks can take weeks to subside. There has so far been 100++ aftershocks now - so much so that I can't tell if it is my legs that are shaking the table, the wind, or another earthquake.

Just another update before I head to sleep. Be posting more tomorrow hopefully!

Over and out.

2010-09-05T22:55:00.003+12:00

My blog looks so plain without pictures. I should post more up, but really since my blog is open I'd like to preserve my anonymity with randoms.

So here's one! While I'm still on my Inception run :D

Also there seems to be an unhealthy number of Eames & Arthur fanart. As in EamesArthur fanart. Disturbing.

Ariadne and Arthur I understand only slightly more. Yes, they kissed. They're two pretty, competent people in the movie, but I'm sure it doesn't go past that? Oh wait, I could actually see an Inception 2 featuring Ariadne and Arthur working together :O. It wouldn't be half as creative as the current one though - though Ariadne and Arthur are talented people you'd still need an extractor. With as many problems as Cobb - and Eames doesn't seem to have that problem. But anyway, here's a bit of fanart on Arthur & Eames. :D

And a still of Arthur. I lol-ed at this. Silently of course, as my family was asleep.

His expression matches hillariously with the caption.

Personal update:

Aftershocks have decreased, we've had 50+++ aftershocks so far. There's a north-westerly gale wind blowing (a warm one), and planes keep flying over our house. I can't really tell whether it's an aftershock or a plane, or even the wind - they all make the house creak slightly.

As the planes fly over I can't help but think of the passengers - apparently there are a lot of seismologists/geologists/experts in general flying in to assess the earthquake - it didn't occur along a known fault. We are still due for 'the big one' which can be will be expected to be between 7.5 to 8 on the scale, and due within the next 700 years. Hopefully it'll happen when I'm gone.

Our earthquake emergency bags and such are still packed, though initial concern has faded. Life seems a little more boring now. As it is we were extremely lucky the earthquake struck when it did at 4.40am, had it struck earlier in the night there may have been casualties at clubs, and had it struck later in the morning there would have been people up and about. Casualties from this earthquake stand at one...the poor person died of a heart attack during the earthquake :(.

I drove a bit around Chch city this afternoon. CBD was cordoned off as there were massive structural cracks in some buildings, broken windows etc, things you'd associate with earthquakes. The road was broken in some places, and in some places silt had exploded through the cracks in the road. Bricks had tumbled down off buildings and were lying in a tidy heap - they'd been swept to the side by road cleaning crews. The banks of the Avon river were swollen...from burst water mains or leaking sewage? Unsure.

I took some photos, may post them up here later when I upload em.

*EDIT*

The second after I clicked 'post', an aftershock hit. Whee~

Earthquake log

2010-09-05T00:39:00.002+12:00

In case anyone is interested :). It stops just past noon, but I assure you there have been quite a few aftershocks past noon.

GeoNet data shows a series of very strong earthquakes in Canterbury today:

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 12:18 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 12 km
Details: 10 km east of Darfield

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 11:52 am
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 5 km
Details: 20 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 11:12 am
Magnitude: 5.3
Depth: 12 km
Details: 10 km east of Darfield

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 10:58 am
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 5 km
Details: 20 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 10:17 am
Magnitude: 4.4
Depth: 5 km
Details: 30 km south-west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 8:15 am
Magnitude: 4.7
Depth: 9 km
Details: 20 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 7:56 am
Magnitude: 5.2
Depth: 7 km
Details: 20 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 7:52 am
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 5 km
Details: Within 5 km of Darfield

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 7:13 am
Magnitude: 4.6
Depth: 9 km
Details: 20 km north-west of Little River

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 7:07 am
Magnitude: 4.7
Depth: 25 km
Details: 30 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 6:33 am
Magnitude: 4.3
Depth: 5 km
Details: 30 km south of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 6:23 am
Magnitude: 4.3
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south of Darfield

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 6:04 am
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 60 km
Details: 10 km south of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 5:55 am
Magnitude: 4.6
Depth: 5 km
Details: 30 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 5:26 am
Magnitude: 4.9
Depth: 5 km
Details: 30 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 5:26 am
Magnitude: 4.8
Depth: 5 km
Details: 30 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 5:06 am
Magnitude: 4.8
Depth: 15 km
Details: 30 km west of Belfast

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 4:56 am
Magnitude: 5.3
Depth: 8 km
Details: 30 km west of Christchurch

NZST: Sat, Sep 4 2010 4:35 am
Magnitude: 7.1
Depth: 10 km
Details: 40 km west of Christchurch

EARTHQUAKE

2010-09-04T14:57:00.004+12:00

No really, I'm not kidding.

Our sleepy city was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the richter scale. This was approximately at 4.40am.

The earthquake happened 10km deep, and only 40km from Christchurch.

We were one of the luckier suburbs - power got cut off, but restored, and our water isn't contaminated!!

Central city has suffered quite a bit. Some fissures, cracks in the ground, collapsed walls.

I don't think there are any casualties so far, but we have been advised to prepare for another large aftershock.

Now for my personal account:

I woke up in the middle of the night due to the bed and room rumbling HEAVILY... and thought it was part of my dream, and that the wind was blowing really hard. Lame eh? So promptly tried to get back to sleep. I had a niggling feeling that there was something wrong, but couldn't be bothered to find out what, despite the numerous heavy-ish aftershocks I was experiencing.

This was until Dad came to check up on me and told me an earthquake had happened.

:O

Now, I grew up in NZ. We've had fire drills and stuff but there has always been an emphasis on earthquake drills - what to do, where to stand, how to act, how to prepare.

I'm ashamed to say I did none of it.

= =

What I really did was to flip the covers over my head, and sleep again. Of course, this was impossible due to the many aftershocks.

After about 10+++ aftershocks I decided to get up and head to the toilet. And check out how family were doing. We had no electricity now, but still we had running water - thank goodness.

After hanging with the family and getting and sending "omigoshearthquakeareyouok???" texts to friends for a bit I went back out to head to sleep. This was difficult due to aftershocks but I fell asleep anyway.

= = feeling ashamed with my earthquake training. My friends had either run outside or hid under tables (proper earthquake training!), and here I was, texting leisurely and trying to get back to sleep. LAME

Apparently there will be a strong aftershock, so we're packing some things. Dad, being the very organised one has bottled heaps of water (about 20 2L bottles lined up).

I'll be prepared for this one. Aftershocks keep hitting as I type.

There are however some pros due to this earthquake:

- ESSAY EXTENSIONS FOR A WEEEK :D
- University is closed for an extra week for health and safety reasons!!
- MORE HOLIDAYYYY

I am really glad no one was hurt though.

I better start packing.

Third time, playin' the fool

2010-09-02T18:39:00.003+12:00

I was planning to watch Salt...but then I realised that there isn't much that could top or even equal Inception.

Yes I have watched Inception twice.

I'm not a movie person.

I still won't head to movies...because I don't like using my time like that. And the feeling of "hey, that was an hour and a half of my life wasted. And I paid him to waste my time." is very frustrating when you walk out of a movie.

I will however go back to watch Inception. For the third time. (Provided that I have enough time in the next 2 weeks =/.)

Sooooo goooood. Need to watch it in Extremescreen this time. The storyline is fantastic - it barely feels like 150mins. So sad but epic at the same time.

AND GUYS IN SUITS WITH WEAPONRY! :D

That's really just a plus though. The storyline and the soundtrack to the movie is really my main drawing card.

Top of the list

2010-08-31T18:01:00.002+12:00

Today was a good day.

I saw a guy in a fitted suit as I walked to work.

And at court I saw a (very nice) guy wearing a waistcoat + suit. He was obviously new, and hence super-friendly.

:D

And tonight, I'm gonna see Inception again!

Winnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

*edit*

Second round of Inception was brilliant. But different.

Kinda like when you eat the pumpkin caramel cheesecake at Tatsumi for the second time - brilliant, but different from the first. The texture, the flavours, the feel of the dessert (ok, movie) is different from the previous.

Oh, and in a toss up between Eames and Arthur, which would you go for?

Eames is better looking...but Arthur is more attractive, imo. I told my significant other, he disagreed and said he would rather go out with Arthur. If he turned gay that is.

*cough*

Anyway.

Will be buying dvd when it comes out. I know I've said it, but it's a good way to end this entry. Woohoo!

Me

2010-08-30T19:56:00.003+12:00

By nature playful, inquisitive.

By habit, introspective.

By upbringing and inclination, conservative.

By genes... athletic, absentminded.

By context, a mixed bag.

By current circumstances, confused.

Stupid essay.

I'm old.

2010-08-30T03:44:00.003+12:00

I know I'm 22, that sounds old. I used to think my friend who was 21 was ancient. And here I am.

(At least she's 5 years older than me. Heh)

But nothing hits home harder than seeing a photo...

Of a kid you once knew when he was all gangly and awkward and young and squeaky and childish, that you used to tell off, and that you treated similar to a (sometimes) annoying little brother

And you disappeared for a few years

And then you see a picture of him, and go zomgwtheckhesallgrownup. And he looks like a man. With a pretty girl on his arm. And him looking all manly and schtuff (hey, he doesn't look bad).

I'm shocked.

T_T I'm old.

Limbo

2010-08-29T01:25:00.001+12:00

Strange

I can almost feel myself slipping

Sorta like a dream

Except it's real

Reality bites sometimes.

I am the architect

But others fill my world with their consciousness.

The lilting dance of the two

2010-08-25T19:16:00.003+12:00

Flirting challenge, that's what I've been told I am. (by who? Facebook of course!)

Happening to chance upon an article about flirting... I read it. Intellectual curiousity of course. Cue coughing.

Anyway.

Eye contact. Posture. Looking like you're interested in what a person is saying. Laughter when someone says something funny. Some complimenting, of course.

Apparently they're signs that you're flirting with someone.

What?

Aren't the above just signs that you're just being friendly?

I do all of the above. It's a nice way to treat people, when I listen to them I show interest in what they're saying. Of course I'd like it reciprocated, cause that's how you get to know someone well. Right?

The article doesn't seem to think so. So....there is no difference at all between flirting and being friendly.

Unless of course, flirting is distinguished by fakeness.

....

And I also have a problem with the above.

You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger darling

2010-08-24T01:33:00.003+12:00

Inception.

One word: amazing.

Many words: I am amazed at how many concepts they managed to fit into over 2 hours. Brilliant, love the fight scenes, the fact that it was tragedy/romance, action, mystery and infinite possibility all rolled into a 2 hour block. Excellent storyline...though I did wonder who the mysterious all powerful engineering corporation was?

It was good. Like, oh wow good. Not as mind boggling as some told me it would be, but nonetheless a movie to mull/chew/think over.

Oh, and Inception is a reason ALLLLL guys should wear, and own tailored suits and cufflinks. And know some form of martial arts, be a tech geek, and be handy with a gun. Not to mention suave behaviour.

*edit*

And the soundtrack was done by Hans Zimmer. No wonder it sounds so freaking brilliant. I'm buying it when it comes out on DVD. And the soundtrack too.

The one where I rave about makeup

2010-08-20T18:34:00.003+12:00

Twas a fruitful day.

Went to the venue to buy stuff :D came away with a perfume, a high volume waterproof mascara and eye makeup remover (a lot easier than baby oil).

Just tried on L'oreal volume shocking mascara.

When the reviews said that "if you wear it, you can't ever pretend you like the natural look", I agree wholly.

My eyelashes are reasonably long (for an asian anyway), and reasonbly set out - not too sparse. So I needed something with a zoooosh. I don't wear makeup usually, and when I do, why not go for the all out effect?

I thought it would drag my eyelashes down like some other products have. No, I don't go out and buy makeup for fun. I use my lil sister's (unhygenic? Maybe, but really....I don't care, and neither do they. I don't spit in her makeup for goodness sake). To compensate for the extra drag I thought I'd crimp it just a little higher, so it would settle nicely.

Strangely the huge added weight does nothing to my eyelashes. It holds, and feels semi-natural, unlike the plasticky feel I got from another waterproof mascara I've used.

It works so well, it looks like I'm wearing fake eyelashes. As in dense and lush (badly crimped though.) I have dance practice tonight and thought I might sneak in wearing my makeup...but there goes my subtlety. I'll remove it before I get there.

:D my oh my am I pleased. I trust no other mascara from now on!

*edit*

But oh my oh my they are hard to get off. My eyelids hurt from me tugging on clumps of eyelash.

YUCK.

2010-08-19T18:41:00.004+12:00

Robert Pattinson has been named in the magazine Glamour as the world's sexist man. EWWW.

Taylor Lautner was second.

EWWWWW.

Sorry, but TL looks like someone punched him in the face?? And on who's authority? (Here one wonders if the magazine's readers are from the ages of 12-20)

Jonny Depp got 6th. What is the world coming to??

Justin Bieber is named 7th.

Eh? I thought wrong list, wrong list.

And no mention of Hugh Jackman.

WHAT.

Vampires. Imma throw garlic and wooden stakes at them. Good thing I know how to throw javelins too.

Ok, rant over. Sparkly vampires are boooooo.

Onto another topic.

There's a huge fragrance/makeup sale in Chch!

:D

Gonna get myself some nice perfume. And mascara...:D and some lipgloss.

Not that I use them (this is done on a very rare occassion, because makeup is a pain to take off). But just because they're so pretttyyy.

And also because they're all so cheap! Woohoo!

A great way to celebrate the end of term 3.

And the death of my stupid %##@))^%&$#&$%# company law assignment. I wish I did commercial law instead. :(

Tomorrow~ tomorrow~ tomorrow~

Too often...

2010-08-15T20:50:00.002+12:00

you only realise the value of that gut feeling you had in hindsight.

I think I'll learn to rely on that feeling more. I've distrusted it too long.

Maybe I was right all along?

Time is short. 'Tis better to act now rather than to mourn at an opportunity revealed in hindsight.

Autumn fades, falling leaves

2010-08-14T16:18:00.002+12:00

:(

Another person I knew has just passed.

This time I actually knew him on a personal level.

Last time I saw him was in November. He kindly offered to show me around and asked me to visit him if I ever went to his home town...so jovial and full of life.

I don't think he ever thought that he'd be gone before a year's time.

I would never have thought that either.

My 100th post.

And a tribute to a friend.

RIP...may your friends and family you left behind be comforted by your memories.

SAS

2010-08-12T22:36:00.004+12:00

"Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare." - Voltaire

They only live who dare.

I was watching Bear Grylls (Man vs Wild, a survival show) stuck on the tundra somewhere, and he said something I took for a deeper meaning. Something along the lines of

"If you don't move, you'll die. Movement requires risk."

Our nomadic ancestors knew well this meaning. If they didn't move, if they didn't work, they couldn't eat. Risk is inherent in hunting for animals - if you didn't die or get injured today, perhaps it will happen the next day. Risk is inherent in survival.

Survival requires movement. Movement has inherent risk.

The meaning has been watered down in this day and age.

Don't move, go on the benefit. Don't move, go on facebook. Don't move, just sleep.

Don't move.

Life will pass you by.

It is by all accounts, an early death.

Who dares wins - the SAS motto.

Mmm.

2010-08-11T11:41:00.003+12:00

The distortion in "If Everyone Cared" is so mmm-tastic to my ears.

@_@

2010-08-10T21:02:00.001+12:00

Deviating from my previous 2 sombre posts...

THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL TO AVATAR

(not the one with blue people, or the one they stuffed up in cinemas)

AKASJHDLKAHDSKHDASHLKSA

WOOHOO

But all the original cast will have died. :( sigh.

Oh well.

NEWAVATAR LKJSHDFLKHSDFLKH WOOOHOO

Too young, too fast, good bye, sleep well

2010-08-09T23:13:00.005+12:00

I saw a strange post on a friend's wall on FB, beginning with "RIP..."

To my chagrin I realised I recognised the name.

It was a primary school friend, which I lost contact with after I left NZ. He was nice. He was one of the few boys that was never rude, cruel, or mean to me.

I never thought he'd go out this way.

This young.

With this much life left to live.

If I managed to travel back in time and told him he'd die in a car crash, possibly under the influence of alcohol, would he have listened?

I think if we were visited by people from the future who told us our manner of death, we'd be shocked. And possibly think twice about the life we'd lead.

Each death brings life closer to home, as ironic as it sounds.

Though I never knew him that well I wish

I wish....

I wish he didn't die.

His death hurts.

RIP Matty.

2010-08-08T01:03:00.001+12:00

"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this."

- C. S. Lewis

I suppose that's why most of us are ineffective time wasters.

SL

2010-08-07T20:30:00.001+12:00

I CANNOT READ YOUR BLOG D:

You privated it? Add me please (unless of course I've been excluded.)

:D

Suh suh suh snuggle

2010-07-30T00:15:00.002+12:00

Mmm.

If you happen to find yourself in a region with a temperate climate, make sure to get yourself an Abercrombie hoodie.

Soooo comfy.

It feels like you're wearing a cloud. A warm, comfortable, good looking cloud.

Do itttttttt

2010-07-25T20:24:00.002+12:00

This quote took my breath away.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." - Plato

Lawball 2010

2010-07-25T18:55:00.001+12:00

By all accounts....overpriced, but not not worth it. You dig?

My date (ok. My significant other) showed up at my house and knocked on the door. I opened the door to a waistcoat-suit-wearing man with slicked back hair and a half phantom mask on his face, presenting me with a long stemmed red rose.

SQUEEEE :D

I fall for ye olde English dressing every time. How can you resist a man wearing English styled coats, or coats in general?

Omnomnomnom.

And oh the ball? It was good. Good table (seeing as half of them were strangers), and good dessert and entre. The mains were quite disappointing, as was the fact there were no phantom of the opera themed songs.

Goooood times.

---Edit---

My date did not manage to upstage me though! :D my friend whom I gave me a comment when she saw my dress "Sh*t, that's hot"

Maybe just comparatively :D. It feels nice to be admired though.

Harrowing

2010-07-21T20:31:00.003+12:00

My gosh.

It has only been 7 years since the Rwandan genocide.

May they rest in peace, and may the country have time enough to heal.

Lest we forget.

....

2010-07-20T23:58:00.002+12:00

I...

Have not...

Been able....

To

Find

A

Dress

For the

LAWBALL.

ASJHAKDJHASLDKJHLAKDSHSDA

And the theme is Phantom of the Opera.

ASKDLJHASDLFKHLKSJHDASJKHDGK

How on earth am I going to be able to find something elegant, dramatic etc etc in 3 days??????

ASKDJHLAKSJHDLKAJSDHKALSHDLKASHDALKSDHASKDH

T_T

NO ONE HAS MY SIZE

And its always too big for me T____T (as I live in a Western country).

HELP

T_T

2010-07-15T13:36:00.002+12:00

I can't help but feel sad when I hear about someone's impending divorce.

When you make it to the marriage state, shouldn't one already have some conflict resolution patterns in place? Should one be as cautious but happier in marriage? As closely (rather even more closely) guarding the affections of your significant other? Are the vows just pretty words?

I don't quite know how to answer these questions.

But I hope I will be up to if if/when the time comes.

Bersatu Games

2010-07-10T13:11:00.004+12:00

I had an absolute blast during the past week.

Excellent company. Girl room gossip (talk I mean, gossip sounds better). Good food. A change of environment. And the last but not least....SPORTS.

I used to do a lot of sports a few years ago....and it has slowly petered away. My final stint this time was playing ultimate frisbee, mixed handball, and being captain and coach of the netball team.

This may be my last sporting endeavour.

I look on it with some trepidation.

I miss already the sprinting. The calls, the intensity of the matches, the camraderie that inevitably comes with training with that team for so long, and the bonds that were forged on court.

I miss jumping, sprinting for my life to get the ball. Guarding. And that sweet sweet moment where a frisbee/ball is intercepted, or a clean pass is made.

I even miss the after match aches when I couldn't be stuffed warming down.

I could turn to extreme sports, but really, nothing can fill that void of competitive sport.

:( sigh.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

2010-07-01T23:58:00.002+12:00

Hmm.

I was all hyped up to go and watch this as it was a movie adaptation of an awesometastic cartoon series. And I mean awesometastic. Remember my thing with Samurai X? Well. Avatar is a lot better - plot lines so seamless, strong themes of hope and redemption. I like the main characters! I even like the evil characters - they aren't evil just cause.

Then I read the reviews in imdb.

I know that M Night Shamalamadingdong stuffed up bad with character casting. Look at the world of Avatar. The four nations are distinctly ASIAN. Or are composed of native tribal groups (i.e. the Water Tribe people's features which were American Indian).

Then he replaced the cast with all white caucasians. I was annoyed. But hey, being caucasians doesn't mean you can't play the part right?

But the reviews.... I have never seen the rating of 1 star used so consistently. Comments of "poorly executed", "poor dialogue", "poor acting", "no character development". And the consistent feeling of rage from the fans that have actually watched it.

One fan even stated that compared to the DragonBall movie....the DB movie would have been called a comparative success. If Lissa was right about the DB movie then I should not be watching this.

Another fan suggested that money would be better spent watching Eclipse. And said fan detests Twilight.

I...suppose I'll go watch it for the special effects. Then I'll come back and rage about how much I detest M Night Shamalamadingdong and his movie.

Mmmmusic.

2010-06-30T14:44:00.002+12:00

Jai Ho is such a nice song! Makes me feel like dancing everytime I hear it

But the music video is ruined, really.

Music videos really often do not live up to the song's reputation.

Oh, on another note I might go try Zumba sometime during the hols :D.

Mmmm Zumbaaaa.

The pitfalls of instant communication

2010-06-21T14:33:00.004+12:00

I am increasingly finding that people can't spell.

Italiens. Among the many spelling mistakes I see on facebook feeds.

Oh, and the inability to tell a your from a you're.

I can forgive the it's or the its, but.... ain't the above slightly more basic that the difference between it and it's? And the difference even greater?

Blehhh.

Maybe some people just don't learn how to spell correctly (even though English IS their first language).

It hurts my eyes. = =

Flitting

2010-06-21T01:13:00.002+12:00

It would be nice.... to not be so ordinary for once.

You know.

Like.... like a uh...

A bender! Like in Avatar: The Last Airbender!

*cough*

Yea.

I am SOOOO going to watch it after exams. Action movies are tasteh tasteh.

2010-06-17T01:31:00.003+12:00

Have non-broadcasted messages lost all meaning?

Someone please enlighten me.

Awkward

2010-06-16T22:17:00.002+12:00

I know....uh, I know I'm the vp of the Malaysian Club on campus, but who are all these people adding me?

@_@

I can't remember them all. I'm horrid at remembering names.

Then its awkward when I meet them again and go all "Ohai!! Nice to meet you etcetcetc, what's your name?" And when they go "uhm....we've met before".... talk about awkward silence.

But been there, done that. At least I'm ok at getting past the awkwardness. :P

What will 2010 bring you?

2010-06-12T17:40:00.003+12:00

That was the title of some random application on Facebook.

As I have 3000 words to write by tomorrow for my oral exam tomorrow....me being me, I began to procrastinate.

I clicked on a fair few, curious about the (likely) silly and ambiguous things I was expecting. If you write a predictor ambiguously, it will be highly likely that it'll apply to most people right?

As I kept clicking, I noticed that all the updates could apply to me. Not merely because they were ambiguously general (or that my life was that exciting).

There have been so many changes to my life since the beginning of the year. A new job. A new post/nomination. The responsibilities that go along with them. The people that go along with them. The novel challenges, the uncertainty, the frustration, the prestige.

I only hope this will continue next year. There is so much changing.

And this time its changing for the better :).

Amped!

Good-lookin'

2010-06-03T23:46:00.002+12:00

Mixed peoples of the Asian European descent are so pretttty.

Ups the bar for the rest of us.

Darn you all!

I kid. Halfies are the awesomest. :D

Condemning the Gaza Convoy Attack.

2010-06-01T16:22:00.004+12:00

Shall I join in?

A bit shameful, stopping those vessels loaded with aid.

And like weeds after the rain, FB pages spring up, condemning Israel and supporting Gaza.

All of which is fine of course.

Free speech is cherished virtue, is it not?

What gets on my nerves is when it turns into hate speech. Or religious speech. Most of the people on those pages are....Malaysian.

They rely on...Malaysian media, telling them what is wrong.

Seriously? Wth?

The government has done nothing but attempt to indoctrinate us. This is reflected in our studies. Wth did we have half our form 5 book dedicated to the Middle East? The contemporary super power is China, and the super powers have always been European, or at least American. At least throw in ONE MORE line about Christopher Colombus. Or the dark ages in England.

What infuriates me is that a number of them on the FB site do not believe that the holocaust ever happened.

Are they indoctrinated out of their minds?

We know that Malaysian media will never report the amount of bomb scares that happen in Israel. That Israel has the best sappers in the world due to the amount of "training" they get. In real life.

We know that Malaysian media will never report "suicide bombers" as such, and embellish their title with something like "freedom fighter".

They rely on Al-Jazeera for their news. Wth. Al-Jazeera. With quotes like:

"Security Council is ineffective when it comes to Middle East's issues. Everybody knows that."

The SC is largely ineffective in most entrenched conflicts. Partially because it is somewhat bogged down by bureacracy, and the superpower veto vote. But come on dudes. They were ineffective in Srebrenica, Rwanda, and Somalia, just to name a few. And what have the Middle Eastern countries actually done for anyone else, with regards to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid? The countries that have done so are often the European ones, and America. Even countries in Africa has stepped up to assist their neighbouring countries in their times of need.

I do not in any way condone Israel in this act.

But I abhor the biasedness of the people and the hate they display without proper basis.

Sickening.

Starting up!

2010-05-30T18:34:00.002+12:00

I'm restarting this blog. :)

Its a nice place to rant and frankly it doesn't take me...even 20 mins to put together a long winded blog. Therefore I am not really procrastinating!

I also helps my creative flair *cough*.

Boy. I'm pretty good with the excuses.

Hello all :).

Time to live it

2010-05-25T19:06:00.000+12:00

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

What if?

Resolve

2010-01-02T21:28:00.003+13:00

I realised.

I have been wasting my life.

Things I could have done and been. All clouded by procrastination. Opportunities wasted - things I can't fathom because though they would have been, they are not.

I have decided to live life.

Therefore.

This blog will only be updated very infrequently. But emails and such are very much welcomed :) and will be replied to asap. I like emails! They're a lot more personal.

I wish you all an awesome year :), may you all utilize your potential to the full.

<3

2009-12-31T23:48:00.001+13:00

The construction of the Sydney Opera House boggles my mind. Amazing.

I heart you, National Geographic. SO much.

:)

2009-12-31T18:54:00.001+13:00

^________________________^

Here's to a Happy New Years for everyone.

Especially to Set Kosong in general and Sharon. Because I know you guys occasionally read this blog :P.

Hugs!

May the coming year be a blast for you guys and a huge step up in the world for y'all.

Excuse me

2009-12-24T00:20:00.003+13:00

Excuse my previous post and language.

Originally on this post I was going to write up something more redeeming or profound. But then I'm really tired.

Work is tiring. Even though I'm not even doing much at the moment.

Night everyone.

Thanks though for the support that you guys gave.

Post-nice

2009-12-16T12:58:00.002+13:00

My friend told me that nice people who get hurt become less nice.

The above sounds somewhat simple and stupid, but it really is true, and comes from a friend who probably has the best understanding of human nature that's I've seen.

It's true. It really is.

Grey

2009-12-15T18:38:00.000+13:00

Its not unscrupulous conduct. Its just business.

Yea right.

2009-12-15T01:19:00.002+13:00

We're all trying our best.

Even when we fail because we don't we're still trying our best.

Everyone deserves a break. Go on, give them one before calling them out for something they didn't do.

Because kindness in unexpected times is really a soul nourisher. Something like lembas bread - ethereal yet tangible, and wonderfully sustaining.

Moored

2009-12-02T22:43:00.002+13:00

My ship has come in! My ship has come in! My ship has come in!!!

My freaking ship is at port!

And I am amazed. Things did turn out after all.

And God was always there. Even when I didn't care. It worked out for good. It worked out fine. It....worked out!

Amazing.

Some fun

2009-11-21T01:02:00.003+13:00

:)

Had a girls night out tonight! Soooo good :D. Swanky japanese dinner, funny badminton and anemones, and oh! the perfect company.

Had a meeting with the Club. This promises to be an interesting year. Stressful yes, but interesting too.

:)

Neutral

2009-11-19T15:34:00.003+13:00

There's this perception from people that keeps coming through

I have a serious neutral face. Or as a once-close-friend once put it, my neutral face looks pissed.

=_______________________=

People who don't know me judge me as serious or studious. Or smart. Then I disappoint when they find out I'm not that brilliantly clever as my neutral face suggests!

I like smiling. I like laughing. Have you heard me laugh? Its like a hyena, loud. Maybe somewhat annoying. My sisters tell me not to laugh in their ear. And apparently, I cried the loudest as a baby!

But thats besides the point.

I know my lips point downwards, so when I'm not smiling I look serious. But is that any fault of my own? No. But it is to my disadvantage.

While some people have their personality plastered all over their face, mine has to shine through despite my face.

*sigh*

The End

2009-11-18T00:11:00.003+13:00

I never really thought it would come to this. I was optimistic, but it keeps repeating, and each time my optimism dies a little. A slow painful death.

I can't foresee any future change really. I've tried....I really have.

So now I excise that, and it will only cause minimal pain. What do you expect me to do? Its not ideal. Its not what I wanted. But this is the only option that allows my survival.

Bye bro.

Note to self

2009-11-17T20:00:00.002+13:00

Stick with it.

Stick with it, and by Jove, finish the darn thing.

Dreams

2009-11-15T17:29:00.004+13:00

Dreams were so alive when we were young. The possibilities were open to us, choices - unhindered by any thought to circumstances or situation.

Then we grew older.

And they, one by one, dissipated.

But the heart cry, the yearning for something more remains still. Why?

I whole-heartedly believe that a human cannot conjure thoughts of more than already exists. Princesses, dragons, witches, warriors, magic - they all existed in some form. The belief in a destiny of greatness (perhaps, or at least a happy state), and and a possible afterlife...

Certainly it points to what is possible.

But the road is hidden.

I'm not quite sure how to get there.

Its hard.

I'll leave here. The pages of my life are still being written. I hope that when the book is finished, it will not be summarized as merely 'good'. Good = mediocre, and mediocre doesn't change anything.

Like chasing the moon

2009-11-11T02:19:00.002+13:00

In vain?

I hope not.

Constant

2009-11-10T22:21:00.002+13:00

Some things will never change.

Goodbye.

List

2009-11-08T21:55:00.004+13:00

Things I want to do eventually (preferably soon):

Go couchsurfing. One day.
Tour Europe (YES, the WHOLE Of EUROPE! :D)
Tour East Asia
Visit America
Try as many authentic cuisines as I possibly can! (if I visit Japan, I WILL try fugu :D)
Visit some beautiful beautiful pristine island, and spend a week there soaking in the beauty, swimming and etc etc
Go skydiving. Maybe get a diploma in skydiving XD
Learn how to surf! And scuba dive!
Learn where places are.

Things I want to do now:

Buy a bag. A bag that looks pretty great, and fits all my stuff. With compartments.
Cut my hair. Possibly dye it, or curl it. Suggestions please?
Get a summer job. I NEED one.
Buy a tankini! Summer's up! :D
Go fishing. The fish aren't big enough yet sadly :(...
Get my restricted driver's license
Get A+s for my law (ehehe...I wish.)
Get some sunnies that fit my face shape.
Plan for next year :).

I suppose that's it for now. Back to study :(.

[Edit: hopefully the above will not be er...tahi-tahi ayam. I have never heard of that phrase before, and consequently am clueless on how to use it o_o. Thanks SL! XD]

2009-10-12T23:44:00.002+13:00

I suppose there's no choice now is there.

Well.

I suppose there is.

But one of them leads 6 feet down.

And yea, not too keen on that.