2008

Happy New Year 2008.

I am coming into the year...

with a lot of ...

UNCERTAINTY.

Hope

I realised there are many problems in life, that I am just touching upon.

Those problems, I am starting to encounter, I wished I didnt have to go through with it.

I guess I had too high an expectation.

Really high.

And now, it is gone.

Because you see, I have lost much hope.

And those problems, will likely continue. I will stumble upon them repeatedly. But for now, I think I need a break.

A long one.

Hopefully, I will learn to deal with them with the time comes.

MAD

I am MAD!!! And UPSET!!!

At everything.

I am MAD.

Because...

I misplaced my Student ID.

and ROCKY relationshipS.

Warning: At your own risk...

If you really want to know, Nivla...

The top, back and side of my head hurts. It feels blocked and the weight of the tension is pressing down so hard that I cannot eat, drink, sleep or cry. The pain is traveling to my tip of my eyes. I am choking so hard, it cuts off my blood to my brain cells. I have to stop and focus or I cannot read, write or talk. Each step is an effort, to swallow the pain and continue on. Each step is a journey that I am struggling alone. The pressure is contricting my throat and pressing. So much pressure.

It is almost as if I am going out of my way to avoid a certain something from happening and the effort is hurting my brain. I am avoiding and it is so hard, because my future is bleak.

This is what I call emotional pain.

Together with a paper that I am supposed to start, I feel burned out, guilt, stressed, and fear.

Lots of fear.

So much that my body trembles and my hands shake when I want to start writing.

I fear a lot of things.

My papers, my life, my future.

I fear for them all and it is making me sick.

I need a breather. I want everything to be over. The exams, the papers, the games.

Just tell me, because I cannot let go, until you say the word.

~~~

Every smile and word, I force.

Every force is pain.

Every pain increases pressure.

Every second, it grows.

Every growth leads to a breakdown.

But it has not happened.

I tried, but the tears refused to fall.

And the pressure keeps building.

And the cycle repeats.

~~~

I cannot speak a word of the pain.

I cannot, but the person inside is crying, and is putting on a brave front. Are you happy, because she is happy. She really is.

She wants peace, just for a little while. Will you bring peace?

Give her grace, happiness, fill her with sunshine, happy thoughts and wonders of the world.

Fill her, because she is crying and there is no one around to help. She can call no one for help, because she doesnt want to become a burden. She is trying to make them happy, but she is failing and it is eating her inside. Every step, the pain. The deadline nears, the relationship falls and the communication breaks down, the clock is ticking, the pain grows but try as hard as she could, she couldnt cry. She is blocked and there is no released.

She feels stoned. Really STONED.

Edit : I will be alright for a brief period of time. Music calms my soul. I am insecure, because of something occupying my mind 24/7, and I didnt voice my thoughts. I needed an outlet. I thought about spilling my guts out in a confrontational discussion way, but it is not the time yet. Everything is so fragile that I have to tred lightly. I just need to believe, trust, and see the big picture, but it is so difficult. When is the time to be honest and spill? I will never know.

Cracked.

I really tried.

I really did.

But I couldnt cry.

Even if I wanted to.

The tears are all dried up.

Good bye

I don't really care anymore.

If someone really cares, the person should be here.

But I guess not.

In that case, I am worrying myself over nothing.

Good ridiculance and GOOD BYE.

Flabbergasted

She knows.

How did she know?

And I thought I kept it all hushed.

I even tried to hide the evidence.

"So it is official?" she asked.

I didnt reply her nor did I deny it.

To be honest, I was too shocked and embarrassed.

But yes, it is official.

Black Friday

Just getting out of Norman on Black Friday was fun.

The shopping was fun too. I bought nothing.

Savings = 100 percent.

I wish I could say the same for my camera though.

It broke.

In the dying dusk, my friend turned to me and said, "Dont you wish it was black friday today?"

Then I could have bought a new camera earlier ... at a better price.

Ask

My life, is a mess.

A big mess.

That I dont know what to do about.

~~~
Thanksgiving is starting this week!

Wheeeee!

I will have so much food to eat!

And a long holiday too, starting from wed to sun!

I am so looking forward.

I dont know what to do for thanksgiving.

Should I travel to texas or go to my friend's house to celebrate thanksgiving?

I can always travel to texas. And I want to go to my friend's house at the same time.

But my friend havent brought up the question since the first time it was asked. And now, I am left hanging. Do I wait for my friend to ask or do I just assume that it was a forget-it question?

Hmph.

I hate asking.

Asking.

I either have it or I dont.

I have already sent the message, but who knows?

Should I be upset if I dont have it?

Should I be sad, if the other isnt?

I dont think so.

Darn it.

I hate waiting.

It's a bunch of nerves.

I feel like I'm wearing the pants, and I dont know whether to be happy or sad.

Misunderstanding

I know...

Miscommunication = so tough.

Especially when it's just starting.

~~~

I like your new car, D.W.

I didnt know we were still so familiar with each other. Is it because of our past?

Strangely, I was thinking of you when you called. Gave me a fright. But its just to show off your new car... hehehe :)

I hate games.

Dont all of us hate games.

But most of all, I hate it when I am at a disadvantage.

When I cannot read the person.

And the guessing game begins.

But I hate it.

And I want to stop it.

Make it go away.

This feeling of wanting.

Fly free.

Are we?

No.

No.

Remember?

We said no.

Bare

It is so hard to write when you think people you dont want reading your blog, suddenly stumbled upon it and figured out, 'Hey, its you.'

I pray that doesnt happen to me.

I can hear my fingers frantically pressing the edit button.

Edit > Draft.

Edit > Draft.

Suddenly, the blog seems so bare.

Girls and Weight

It took me so long, but I finally did it.

I got my weight to go down back to my upper secondary school days. I have been maintaining my weight for the past five years, so its really good to know I can still lose weight again! I hope I can maintain that weight now.

The difference is not a lot, but it shows I can do it!

Now, I am aiming to go back to my weight in my lower secondary school days. It is really not a lot of difference, about two kg, but it is just so hard for me to lose even a small amount.

I mean, I havent grown taller, but my weight has increases steadily. So really, going back to my weight in lower secondary is a possibility and a dream! Hehehe.

I doubt no one will notice, but at least it makes me and my jeans happy!

PLS: I hate the question, "Am I Fat?" No matter how fat I think I am, I would never ask it, except to my cousin, coz we are family and family always give good criticizim, even when you dont want to hear it. I always simply state if the occasion is right, "I think I grow fat already".

How do I know? Jeans, people. My jeans. Trust me, if it doesnt fit nicely, its time to hit the gym at least three times before my jeans can fit snugly again.

Note: According to me = fat = unnecessary weight gain = not in my best shape. Not overweight. I hate to say fat and then people would think, "Oh, but you look okay." I just want to be fit. Cant help it, especially once you know you were fit, with all those gold medal for fitness test :) I always score in my running and flexibility and sit up. Dont ask about running, I have no clue especially now that I take such a long time to run 2.4, it makes me wonder how I accomplish it under 12 minutes during high school. Shuttle run and jumping are my worse event. I cant sprint or jump.

My brother always says, "D, you are so fat!" And then he will hit my thighs with the back of his hand and make it juggle. -_-

Well, to console myself, I went back home last winter and he is now so fat! Ahahahaha. He has become flabby. To much protein shake and not enough exercise. Damn plump now lah he, compared to how skinny he was last time. He's been going to the neighborhood gym, but I havent seen him in a long while. It's okay. I will still say, "USELESS LAH". Bleh.

Children's blogs

I love reading about parenting blogs. Happy blogs about funny things their children do or say, how they are going to grow up, the little insights into their blossoming character, etc. It just feels so rewarding, knowing that the children are growing up beautifully.

And then, I start recalling my own childhood and compared it to the kids and digging deep into my character. Often, it is little children who show their true colors because they cant help it. They dont know how to hide the bad ones and they are bad at pretending. It is so easy for a parent to know what kind of children they are going to grow up into.

I have been dwelling on my own childhood for a while. Thinking about what kind of person I was then, and now, and how much changes I have made, good and bad, and how I still feel like Im wearing a mask of goodness, with those long-ago hated characteristics lying dorminant deep within me, surfacing every now and then, for all to see.

Halloween!

I just had to say it...

IM A ROCK GIRL...


for Halloween during Panam Party. I know, a very sick feverish, sneezy, coughing ROCK GIRL.

I told my friend about my rockin' outfit, and he didnt believe it. If I told you about it, and you havent seen me for four years, would you believe it? It is just so unlike me. The reason why I was a rock girl was because I had a black stocking I never wore and a black mini skirt that is a little too loose. So why not combine them together? Then, my roommate came up with a splendid idea. Wear a black shirt and my purple puma shoe and tata! Rock chick!

Total transformation, I tell you. I spilled some girl's drink, whom I know by name, and she totally didnt recognize me. I was apologizing to her today and she went, "IT WAS YOU?" I should not have told her it was me, -_- but I felt so guilty.

Another friend, who took the first picture of me and my friends in our halloween outfit went, "OHMIGOSH, LOOK AT THE ROCK GIRL." And then she leaned it closer to take a close up of me. Her boyfriend couldnt believe it either.


-_-

***

By the way, I carved my first pumpkin, and its in the fridge. Because im too lazy to take the insides out. Bah.

Sick

I am suffering from all kinds of sickness.

Flu, cold, sore throat, cough, fever.

And then I went to Panam Party. I know, I know... BAD! But it is Halloween and I just couldnt resist. So I just pop a panadol for cold and gurgle my mouth with salt water for the sore throat.

Blame the sickness on the change of weather and my weak immune system.

I have not been taking good care of myself this system. In the earlier weeks, I remember suffering from flu...

What is wrong with me?

Why is my immune system so weak these days?

Argh!

Winter Plans

I am going to California.

Again.

Woot!

This time to different places in California. Almost different.

And I have to fly, 3 times.

That sucks.

My Happy Formula

When I am happy, I cant do anything.

The stress is just not there.

Bad.

Happy = Procastination

Bad.

Nike

My Nike shoe arrived today!!!

Happiness!!!

Purple Shoe

I bought a new Puma shoe today, in rich purple color. Very beautiful!




I was supposed to be doing my paper, but I didnt get anything done at all! Blame it on the blackout! So I went to Ross instead to return some clothes and a shoe store a few blocks away was having clearance because they were moving.



The prices were still pretty expensive even though slashed, but I managed to get my PUMA shoe for only 29.99!!! Exciting! This is good news since the padding on my old shoe is totally worn out and is peeking out. I have used it for 2 years straight to school and gym. Hehe. I hate changing shoe lah. I am very loyal when it comes to footwear.



But a few days ago, I ordered a Nike shoe online for 45 :) A little expensive compared to PUMA but hey, I hope I like it coz I seriously dont want to wear deep purple to school everyday! It's going to be so weird. My nike shoe is brown and pink! How cool is that?!

I feel so happy even thought I have like 50 pages to write and its due next week! Eek.

Btw, I didnt always like Puma. I disliked it till last year, when I first brought a black Puma bag for school coz it looked sturdy.

Then in Puerto Rico, I didnt have enough space in my luggage so I had to buy an extra bag and guess what! Puma again, because it was cheap and rather nice. All pure shimmering white.

And now this purple shoe! And I have a shirt too. I feel like a Puma ambassador. They should really pay me :)

BK

Yesterday, I saw a person seating on the bench.

My heart quickened a beat and my strides lengthened.

As soon as I walked past him, I exhaled slowly and quickly hopped on the second bus.

I took the longer bus ride instead of bus 40.

This is what happens with unresolved relationships - friends or otherwise.

***
I am thinking that I should stop going online.

Bad. Bad. Bad.
***

Cracked

Suddenly it became all crystal clear.

When my post was there, you thought.

When your post was there,I thought.

And then it crumbled, collasped.

Because there is no foundation.

And now, we are back where we belong.

Just friends.

Just ordinary friends.

I have to say,

it was fun meeting you,

my friend.

Cracked up to be.

Cracked is a useless word

to be.

Haha.

Oh cracked.

The Unloader

Since when did I become an emotional unloader.

By golly, it is hard.

Im sorry about the news, S.R. I had no idea. And yes, I dont care much for you. I dont know how much you care for me too. Obviously, it seems that you care a lot about me because you made it sound as if you put a lot of effort and time into it. How much is a lot, huh?

I dont care but I am sorry.

At least I care, even if it is not to your standard.

Questions

"You know - you're pretty insensitive sometimes..you with all of your activities and friends"

Questions:

1) What is this person feeling when he/she wrote that?

2) Why did the person write that?

The Circus Elephant

Sometimes I feel like I am on a show, with the spotlight put on me.

An uncomfortable show.

The feeling of being dragged around like a circus elephant, and all the ah's and wow's around me.

I hate it.

I know that the person is sincere, but I feel scared, afraid, frightened, trapped...picked apart.

Used.

***

I dont know why I am so picky.

I like the idea of being in love.

But not in love.

I have come across many, but all have failed terribly, and now, I have a premonition that another one is going down. Or maybe it is just me, trying to stop the tide on both side.

Edit: Maybe I havent found the right one yet.
***

OU-Texas Weekend

Just when I thought I would some free time to catch up on my homework during the weekend, I didnt do anything.

Friday was an off day because of the OU-Texas football game.

OU won. Yay!

On sunday, I went to my friend's pot luck.

I said, "I havent done any homework at all this weekend."

M.T. said with a huh-what expression, "What did you do?"

I replied dumbly, "Surf the net."

And then I had to think....and it only came to me hours later.

Thursday Night- Watch abc.com

Friday - clean apt and arrange MSA boxes, sleep, K.H. cheesecake, MSA bowling, Ihop

Sat - Dim Sum, Bubble Tea, G's apt, La Pasco Walk, G's apt and game, CaoN, Walmart, Home-Arrange furniture, Party. (damn productive)

Sun - Eat, nap, church, pot luck, study.

Hmm, procastination on studying. Why am I not suprised? I feel so out of school now, like I had a long holiday :)

The party was fun! :)

I figure out that if ever I want to post any pictures of people, it will be highly photoshop so much that the people will remain unrecognized, unless the person in the picture is known to the readers and are able to put on a face on the person.

The Bday Atmosphere

pls: When I am tipsy, my reaction is faster. I dont think that much. I act. I never got into the shower so quick before after reaching home. Eek. I smell.

September and October is definitely the birthday month here!!!

I feel like I have been eating cake every week.

S.Shutts's, WS's, mine, M.Sakurai., and there are a few more bday's going on but I didnt attend. Man, that's a lot.

I celebrated M.S's and B.L's bday with a bashing party. I drank one and a half shot of whiskey and Im already feeling rather tipsy and one alcoholic drink of gin and something.

I had a great time. M.S's a fun guy to be with when he is drunk. Haha.

And of course, B.L. I met him two years ago. He still remembered when we first met (plus CI and R.N), and it took me a while before I could remember. Haha. OU cousins. That's right. Glad to see he really didnt forget us after the event. Cheers.

And Happy birthday to JL too...and the rest before and after :)

There are so many bday's going on!!! If you read my facebook profile, its all "thank you for wishing me happy bday, etc etc!"

Last year, almost half of the malaysians celebrated their bday in september and that's a lot! Too bad some had to leave OU ...

I already forget the name of the Indian guy I was talking to. He is really funny. Hahaha. When he first came, I recognize him, but I didnt know where. He told me that I once asked him not to drink Coke in the computer lab where I was working in. Haha. So we spoke for a while. And later on, the girls (E.A, A.M, me) pull him to dance in the living room with M.S, C.G.L. and another guy. Once the randoim dancing was over, E.A kept pushing him down by knocking her hips onto his. So I tried it and he did go down. Hahaha. I took a picture of me knocking him down too. It is basically for fun, trying to act drunk or giving in more to temptation/less inhibitation.

Soon after, I left and came home to see my cousin watching tv! What! She left the party early coz she said she was tired and I came home to see her watching tv! Unbelievable tv addict :)

When it becomes reality...

The keyboard decided to riot and started acting up two hours before my 12,500 word paper was due.

So I played system restore with my computer.

I won.

J Test

I am smarter than I thought.

I scored 98 on my japanese when the average was just 87?

Hahahahaha. Oh yea. Now Im talking. ;p

I have to say, it came as a BIG surprise. I seriously thought I was going to get a B or C because I "messed up" on the listening. I knew the answers but I didnt know what ending to use.

I also thought I "messed up" on the location and place sentences.

The last page, I didnt know how to translate the english to japanese. I tried.

And I also didnt know what the meaning of one word I had to explain was.

In the end, I guess the ending for listening, hoped my location and place sentences were correct, translate some sentence twice before I hoped I got it right and guessed the meaning of one definition. If I didnt have my correction tape with me, I swear the papers will be filled with blue scratched marks all over.

It was also kind of my fault for being over confidence and spending less than an hour to study.

Ok. So I got 98.

Laugh with me. Wahahahahaha.

LUCKY!!!

Happy Birthday

Today [9/28] is my 21st birthday. I am happy and tipsy. Yes, tipsy because I can finally drink alcohol legally :)

I drank one glass of Singapore sling, one melonball shot, half sex on the beach drink, and two blowjob shots with cream on top of it. Don’t ask. At first, while drinking the blowjob, I was kind of nervous and I laughed twice or thrice before I could finally get myself to drown it all. And it was good. I mean, really good. The first time, I managed to get everything down in my throat. The second time, I left a little bit in the cup and picked it up to drink it. It was certainly an unforgettably experience especially since it happened during my 21st birthday.

Thanks J.Lee for ordering the blowjob.
Thanks C.G.L for paying for my drinks.
Thanks C.N for paying for the melonball.
Thanks to the Mont for my free shirt.
Thanks to R.N for my tea café shirt.
Thanks C.I. for throwing the best birthday.

Pls: Apparently, no one knew why the blowjob had cream on top and J.Lee was surprised. I thought the cream was for decoration and I didn’t like it because it was fattening. Don’t you know what comes with a blowjob, he said incredulously. Then, I got it. I don’t know about the others.

Pls: Thanks to my cousin for celebrating my 21st birthday and making it such a great party even though it was a day late. And thanks for the filet breakfast with cucumbers around it! :)

Pls: Thanks to everyone for being there even though you didn’t know about it.

I was afraid I was going to do nothing on my 21st birthday but apparently, patience is a good virtue. I was worried I was going to let my 21st birthday past me by and when it is gone, it can never come back. I guess it is good that I have a cousin here. Family will always stick by you no matter what.

“Oh no, she’s becoming an alcoholic. And now, every drink will taste like cherry.” – J.Lee :)

Edit: The above was written right aften I came home. Not bad, huh.

Uh oh.

According to my mom, dad is very very angry.

So angry that he didnt sent me an email for a long long time.

So angry that he ASKED my computer-dummy mom to sent me an email.

So angry that my mom repeated that he is very mad THRICE in her email in between what's going on at home and tales of everyone.

~~~

Yesterday, while I was in the middle of shower, my head snapped up. "Oh, shit!" I said. I totally forgot about dad's birthday.

Now he is very very angry.

"Oh, shit?"

You bet.

~~~

I replied mom that I will MAKE a special present for him.

Aka, I have no clue.

~~~

Normally, dad reminds me to wish so-and-so happy birthday. Like for example, my mom, my bro and my sis. Dont ask why but I know when their bdays are but I always forget to wish them until the day is over. So anyway, dad is mad that I forgot his too! And secretly think he is too proud, upset, and mad to sent me an email demanding that I wish him a Happy Birthday!!! Hehehe. Proud? In some sense. More like "keeping face". You know, the manly attitude.

~~~

Im still in deep shit. But I think Im okay. Hehehe. Dad doesnt stay mad for long. Hehehehe :)

~~~

Problem: What to give dad as his birthday present?

Procastination

Today I...

didnt do much. It was a boring day.

Tomorrow I...

will do more. I will be twice as quick.

The next week I...

will be done. And my world complete.

Today I...

didnt do much. It was a boring day.

Japanese

Me: Yonensee
Sensei: Yonensee?
Me *hestitantly*: Yonensee
Sensei: Senior?
Me: Hai

Do I look young or what?! ;) Then sensei asked, "Who is super senior?" She said some japanese word...

I didnt raise up my hand of course. It would be a double shock to her, and she will remember me in class for all eternity. Ok, a year at most.

Japanese reading - kills my brain cells. I swear they are dieing right now.

Me = new words = brain freeze

I dont know what's sensei's impression of me. I did pretty good on my homework because sugi-san was helping me. I did pretty good on the test because I was lucky and consistent on my quizzes.

But the vocab ... ... ... die lah!!! It is all so strange sounding that its almost like speaking in dreams. You know what you are talking about, but you dont know what you are saying.

Need distraction

I dont know why, but I am nervous, tense and agitated.

I have to expell all these energy before I go bonkers.

Japanese exam finished 1.5 hours ago, but Im still feeling edgy. I keep thinking about that, this, that over there, some romanji and some english translation.

I cannot concentrate and I keep shifting around in my seat. My throat is tight and my breathing fast and shallow. And hunger calls and my tummy hurts from my erratic breathing and the hunger.

I need distraction, commotion, something to take my mind of the tension.

I need relaxation. Maybe I should bring some aromatic jasmine oil to school next time It worked pretty well the first time I tried it when my neck was aching.

I didnt sleep till 5am and I kept having dreams of this boy who wrote a love letter to his girlfriend and vice versa. I think I am going crazy. And in my dream I was the boy and I am writing the letter, or seeing it written, but in reality, I kept scratching the side of my feet (thinking of writing) so I woke up with a swollen itchy vein.

I think I am going crazy. I kept imagining there are bedbugs and it is biting my leg (therefore the occasional wake up in the middle of the night and morning scratches) and the three separate scarve like blanket that I use to cover myself is making me paranoid because I dont dare to turn in my sleep and risk the cold. Ok, I am still nervous and tense. This whole writing therapy - not working.

Home. World. Universe.

Im not sure how well I'll do in my first japanese test.

So far, I've been pretty consistent on the quizzes but that is *sub-sub-sui* (easy).

***

I dont really know why the hell am I learning japanese for. It is because I really LOVE japanese language, or because of anime influences, friends' influence, just simply easy A, etc.

I think its a combination of all. Friend's influence, anime... these two are big influences on why I am in japanese class. Loving the language...hmm, i wouldnt say it would be much use since its only used in japan, not like spanish or french, but I have to admit that japanese sounds more foreign and exotic than spanish or french, only because im in U.S. duh.

I think I would have love to study french, if only I had some kinda background since most students here have taken it before in high school and its pretty easy for them. I hate to struggle when people are taking it breezy, that's why I went for japanese. Hey, how hard can it be when I have chinese background? *pfft* say what!?

***
I dont really know if I should balik kampung in december. My cousin is going back, but then she hasnt been back for two years. Me, hmm. If I dont go back this year, it could be more than two years before I can go back again. Decisions, decisions. What can I do if I go back? Nothing. I will be trapped at home, in a shared room, with no air-con, no peace, no privacy, and constant noise from loud shouting.

The last time I went back, I forgot everything about U.S. Everything. When I got back, I could barely remember what my room looks like or where my stuff were. It was that bad. Like some kind of fuzzy dream. I dont know how to explain it, but my brain seems to think that msia/spore is HOME, WORLD, UNIVERSE and everything else outside it is ... FOREIGN AND ALIEN. So once I return to msia, U.S. became dream-like - the way it used to be when I was a child. Like a moon orbiting around earth. Even now, in U.S. I feel like a foreigner, because I keep refering to those americans as ang mo and using my daily dose of lah, leh, mah, meh, etc. Or maybe it is because I cannot accept them deep down in my heart - low tolerance or something.

But of course, I am in U.S. now, and it definitely does not feel dreamlike to me, not when I have a test in less than 12 hours and tons of reading to catch up on.

Hmm, maybe I left my heart in msia, where my family is...or wait...

heart = stomach = food

food = I miss = heart

heart = home

Therefore, heart = food = home = universe

Hehehe. Whatever. I am just procastinating my studies for japanese. Shucks.

Please excuse my ramblings.

Japanese update!

I was crossing the large field of grass this morning when it suddenly hit me.

Boys cannot be just friends.

Then it hit me again.

I have no friends.

***
Japanese class is super fun. Im glad I have it everyday! And I made lots of friends in class too! It is the only class where I can turn to someone and say, "Hey, what does this mean", or "Have you studied yet", or "How did your quiz go?"

I think jap class is the only class where I actually talk to my neighbors. In other classes, I just sit, stare, write, forced to discuss (when the time comes), and leave.

And Im so glad my jap class neighbors consist of one extra talkative thick skin guy, one JSA, one TSA, one new msian, one know-it-all and me-caught-in-the-middle.

Lalalalala. Yay!

***
Kindness for false hopes does not pay. It kills everything.

Japanese

Im taking it this semester.

My bedtime story

My cousin just came back from her internship and as much as she gets on my nerves at times, sometimes just because she is too fussy and clean and well, a little mad coz I dont wash the dishes asap, she is still my cousin and it is good to have someone, a family member, around.

I have been glad. At the same time, feeling that my friends have change during the summer internship while I remained, according to me, same. Relationships strained, broken, new, or renewed.

One friend has gotten involved with a butch.

Another friend is fed up and mad at another.

Next fell in and out of love.

So many so fast so much.

It is a little unreal now. Listening to my cousin's story and just trying to comprehen everything.

Revamp

Im so happy. I got rid of some of my apartment's old stuff.

Like soup scoup, knifes, photoframes, vegetable strainer and two large plastic bowls, old pot and pan, small pink tier stand, one pillow, a lamp, rubbish bin, extension cord.

Yea! Now I (house) have less stuff. I feel great because I reduce waste and money. I feel like Im an orang guni, you know, the man who always comes to your door and ask if you want to sell your newspapers. Hahaha.

I wish I get paid for recycling. Sigh. Here, I just throw everything into a recycling bin and get nothing. Not that I mind, but I used to remember those days where they pay you for your waste. Like $$$ per kg. Not much. My mom gets a dollar or two for one big TALL stack, but it is still fun.

And suddenly, I realised that my ex-roommate left a bunch of soft toys on my cousin's bed. Since she is coming back tonight, *gasp*, I had to do something about the toys. I used it to decorate my couch and the mattress in the living room.

I realise I still have a lot of stuff to do...before dear o' cousin comes back. She is rather picky, clean, and likes to have less stuff. She is always complaining that I have too much clothes, when actually, it is just a little more than hers. It is not like I have mountains of clothes. The only reason why we like to get rid of stuff is because we think it is easier when we move out, to other states or back to kampung village.

Sigh. Im tired. I think I will sleep before doing anything. Zzzzzz

To belaL

The police was giving an information session to the new international students.

"It cant be hard to get a driving license because I got mine," he said with a straight face.

I laughed.

My friend, in shock, said, "Dont laugh. It is not funny. I dont like police."

I laughed again.

I love hanging out with friends whom I can connect with instantly.

Lucky Seven

I PASSED!!! Yes!!!

So a few things happened this summer.

One: I got a cellphone.
Reason: My roommate left for good to Malaysia and I took over his plan.

Two: I passed my driving written test!!! The service was damn turtle. I waited for one and a half hours to take the test because only one computer was used. Then I had to go to the TAG agency to process my license. So I had to travel again and wait for another hour because there were many turtles around, including technical malfunctioning turtles.
Reason: Forced myself or risk my cousin's wrath since she was coming back the next day -.-

Three: Gave away two mattresses.
Reason: Got 3 for free from a couple moving to a new apartment. My apartment now has 5 mattresses, even after giving away 2. I left one mattress in the living room because it doubles up as a guest bed. Hahaha.

Four: Read lots of storybooks.
Reason: For fun and some for school.

Five: Cooking inventive lazy (dai cao - big fry) dishes.
Reason: Or the food will spoil.

Six: Clear out rubbish (old notes) in my room and did a little reorganizing.
Reason: Bored.

Seven: Sold some books on amazon.
Reason: Money, more space in my shelf and I have been trying to get rid of them all year.

That's it! The lucky seven of summer 07. Hehehe. Im so inventive. Yea right.

Cheers to the lucky seven.

Agape Love

'Do Dogs Feel Love?'

http://pets.yahoo.com/dogs/behavior-and-training/316/do-dogs-feel-love/

"The highest form of love, agape love, which is completely unconditional, is something that people often have to work at or grow into. Agape love seems to come naturally between parent and child, but it’s more difficult between husband and wife, and harder still between friends. To love someone regardless of what wrongs they have done you is very difficult for humans."

"Learning to know somebody intimately is often the beginnings of dislike, sometimes even of contempt."

"A dog, however, is born with an endless capacity for agape love, and doesn’t even have to work at it...He’s just happy you’re there. More amazing still, is that the love that dogs and owners feel for each other lasts a lifetime. This is the ideal love humans strive for, but often fail at."

***

Why do I feel that the above quote is so true? Esp the one in blue. Knowing someone, knowing too much disrupts and destroy friendship, or at least pricks the bubble of an ideal rainbow world.

Keep your distance,
near and far,
be a stone,
rock, mountain,
and the hollow trees,
in the roaring wind.

Keep a secret,
in and out,
manifest not,
in dear life,
and hidden long,
seem small after.

Weird Cooking Style

You cannot imagine how hard it is to survive without snacks. I normally have one real meal a day. The rest of the day consist of snacks. Ever since my roommate left last thursday, I have eating chocolate, drinking can soup, and munching on DRY cereal. Dry, because I ran out of milk. Oh, and ice cream.

And while there is still "food" in the fridge...tofu, bean sprout, bai cai, 3 mushroom, and some wilted herbs. Hahaha.

In the freezer, I have red bean and lotus bao, roti prata and yea, ice cream.

While I can eat bao in the morning, I really cant because I have to steam them first and my wok (used for steaming too) is in the fridge with one week's meal of potatos, bean sprout and minced pork. Yea. One week's meal - once a day mah.

I didnt know that it took such a LONG time to cook the potatos. I fried them for ages with the bean sprout and pork but it was still a little tough inside. So today, I made potato soup. Hahaha. Boil some of those damn potatos and it tasted really good! What a surprise for a lousy cooker! :)

I think it was because my potato has been fried with pork + bean sprout + onions + chili sauce + salt + white pepper + tomato sauce. All I did was add a little more salt and chili sauce to the water and wah, the potato damn tasty! Hahahaha. I think if my roommate had seen me cooking, he would have fainted. Hahahaha. I mean, WHO cooks potato and minced pork with bean sprout!?

I actually wanted to cook the pork + bean sp. + onions but I didnt know what to do with the stupid potatos. So I just cooked everything together ;p Hehehehe....

But ohhh, it turns out so fine when I boiled the semi hard potatos that I decided I am going to cook wan tan mee tomorrow :) Hehehehe.

Left over potatos + bean spr + pork + mee + bai cai + mushroom...

Wahahaha. Delicious!

pls: There is a big-ass cricket in my room!!! Im never going to sleep until I catch it!!! Grrr!!!

Rantings

I have been seeing lots of beaches in pictures, especially now that it is summer.

Now, I ask you. What is so great about beaches?

Im sorry but I hate them. They are nothing extraordinary. I think its extremely boring to go to beaches for holidays. What's the deal with them? All beaches look the same to me.

Griny sand, sky blue water, foam, curling waves, surf boards, hot looking people, fat people, skinny people, bikinis, dogs, food, water botter, sun tan lotion...

So what's the fuss with them? All those pictures about beaches are making me ill, sick to the stomach. Famous beaches, not so famous beaches, normal beaches. Whatever. They all look the same to me, feel the same, smell the same.

It is like eating rice, soft rice, hard rice, watery rice. Except for beaches, the difference is ZERO percent. At least rice has flavor and different texture.

And so, I am hating beaches. Dont get me wrong. I have loathe them since I was very young. There is nothing more boring than going to beaches and having to endure the same experience of the wave hitting your back, salty water, bright light, sticky hair, rough sand and skin cancer.

My friend once commented on MY FUTURE HUSBAND.

Eh, I dont have a boyfriend yet leh, now talking about husband?

She said, "I pity your future husband, you get bored so easily. I think you like to have a lot excitement."

*smiles wirly* Thanks for the observance.

But oh so true, I need LOTS of excitement. Hey, just because I like to stay at home doesnt mean I am boring. Before I left my home country for oh-so-great U.S., I was full of frustrations. It was too boring. Too boring. My country is too boring!!! There is nothing to do but go for movies, eat out, karaoke. My only savior was ice skating but I didnt have a car, so I couldnt go there anytime I wanted. Besides, on some days and on some times, it was too crowded.

So I left for U.S., enjoyed. Have fun. I am still not bored yet, only because life is a little exciting without parents around, relatives judging my every action (like secret spies, their frowns so apparent). I love being on my own, so much freedom, so much space, and endless possibilities!

I think I will "die" of frustration if I ever go back and live there forever. Or maybe not. As long as I'm out of my parent's rule, I am fine.

But beaches, boyfriends, parents. I am sorry, but haha! I'm glad to be free of them. So constricting, so annoying.

Haih, at this rate. Welcome to spinsterhood! Seriously, I mean, the last time I went back, even my MOM! mention the word, "husband". Er, mom, I dont even have a bf yet so I dont think I will get married and move away that fast.

*roll eyes* I am ALREADY away!

Books

I have been reading much this summer and I realised I have very little authors that I really like. But here are the best of the best according to ...ME.

In random order, of the top of my head and the books that I love BEST! I simply cannot live without them :) Basically five stars plus one because they are just so memorable.

1) L. J. Smith (Everything except vampire diaries)
2) Juliet Marillier ( The Sevenwaters Trilogy)
3) Diana Wynn Jones (Chestomanci series)
4) Victoria Holt ( Demon Lover)
5) Tamora Pierce ( Immortals and Song of the Lioness)

Books that I love best but still able to survive if they are returned to the library. Sigh.
6) David Feintuch (Midshipman's Hope --- the only one I read so far...hehe)


Okay, so I have run out of ideas. Im sure there are somemore out there. Hmmm...

tata!

Spore :)

Happy independence Singapore!

:)

Wishes for all around.

May you be as clean and green as can be.

Jeff Buttle

I have found the perfect male specimen in...

Jeffrey Buttle...

*smile growing stupidly wider*

check him out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu6CDz6P6Qk&mode=related&search

So Im been stalking him on youtube for a few days, but hey, all's fine. I was just listening to the music, you know.

On the other hand, I really really want to skate now. Or pick up skating again.

M L6

I bought a new cell phone!!! Hehehe...

My roommate is going to pass his phone to me after he leaves for malaysia and his phone wai-wai-de wan, aka something wrong.

So heh, I HAVE to buy a new unlock cellphone. If you have seen US cellphones, most of them are outdated or discontinued. They remind me of all those oldies cars on the road, which no one has seen in ages. But while the cars look anciently classy and sometimes cute-in-a-way, the cellphones are vomitingly ill. I wonder how US can be so far back in cellphone technology, almost three to five years back and that's a lot considering how cellphone technology has rapidly advance.

Anyway, I bought my *new* cellphone on Ebay. I think it is discontinued but it is still sold cheaply in some places, which gives me the impression that is either made in CHINA! (cheap labor) or refurbished. Whatever.

So, here goes nothing....presenting...

MOTOROLA L6!

Yes!

Or wait, you dont even remember it...

Forget it then.

Bought it for like $107.

Told you. Expensive piece of outdated discontined phone.

Whatever. It better work or I will be pissed.


pls: Im really FURIOUS with the cellphone plans for T mobile. After using it for 2 years and reaching the end of the contract, you have to renew a 2 year plan if you want a better (yea right, more like ancient) phone. What kind of stupid rule is that! Freaking dumb, I tell you. I am disgusted.

The Slave

Bills bills and more bills.

I am dying under this thin paperless substance of sucking bills.

The suck all the good things out of you like fun and happiness.

I was just thinking of a way to save up more money, when I realized it is really difficult to do that considering that there are rents, groceries, going out with friends, and later on, tuition, books, and of course, THE CELLPHONE!!!

More bills to pay. Ill.

So now my monthly expenditure will be averagely 500? That is too much!!! More than the amount I earn!!!

Arrggh. I am dying again.

Of course, there are ways to overcome money flying away.

1) Go out with boys who pay for you.
2) Become president of some cultural organizations and you get to go to cultural nights for free! as well as go to PANAM parties for free!
3) Download movies.
4) Stop hanging out with friends and Im serious unless no money is involved! :)
5) Stop eating outside.
6) Sell away books :)
7) Stop buying snacks and diet everyday.
8) Bring food to school.
9) Dont ever succumb to deals if you dont need said item.
10) Go to events that have free food.


Bah!

Cherries and blueberries

Not so long ago, I tried some common fruits here.

Cherries and blueberries.

Not the preserved sweet cherries or the blueberries you see squashed in the middle of a cake.

These are fresh.

The cherries are red, like apples. Not harsh bright red. Round and a little heart shaped. 1/4 of the size of an apple. Smooth skin with a firm touch. And the sweetest juice spilling out as you taste a bite...and of course, you have to spit out the seed...

Blueberries are oval, small. A little bigger than a pea. Texture of a grape but much more sourish although you can still taste a hint of the sweetness.

Yummy. I have to say that Cherries surpassed my expectations...blueberries, what a letdown. I always thought they were sunkissed sweet...but they were still fun to eat :)

Confession

I have to admit, I am not a girl...

...at least, when it comes to shoes.

I use to own only 4 pairs of footwear. 2 flip flops, one sport shoe, one black shoe.

Recently, I bought 2 pairs of flip-flops, because they are so cheap. $2 per pair. How can I say no? Besides, my old flip flop was becoming squeaky and loose, but they are o' so uncomfortable that I ditched my $2 flip flops for the old flip flop again.

And now, I'm thinking of buying another pair of shoe. I was bored. And decided to do a little online window shopping. But then, I came upon MBT shoes...

Sweet argh, the urge to buy came upon me again...

One pair of MBT shoe cost a shocking $245...


*Money, money, please rain down on me.*



Edit: My most expensive purchase...to be soiled. Oh how fun! I can't believe I bought it. As a consolation, my money is wisefully spent since im going to wear that shoe every school day. Yes, no kidding, I truly only wear ONE pair of shoe to school, and I always make sure it doubles up as a sport shoe too. As for my old shoe, I will wear it on rainy and snowy days.

Edit 2: I returned it. It was too expensive.

R n W

I am too sleepy/tired. For the last few days, I am doing what my friend calls, Reading and Writing.

He calls me, takes me out to some bookstore and we basically write.

So every night, Im forced to write, which is good, because I wouldnt have done anything on my own.

And now, some feelings came up and we have to stop reading and writing.

Stupid feelings.

And Im still tired from all those nights spent writing. I need sleep.

How exciting!

I am going to get a cell phone soon. Finally. After one year of disconnection from the world and maybe friends, I WILL have to get a cell phone soon. Not that I want but my roommate is returning to msia and the original plan was for me to take over his line, but I could also open a new line.

I should be excited and I am, but I feel that cell phone bills are extremely expensive for NO reason! The minimum monthly bill is 30 dollars and the phones are extremely lousy. I mean, they are still selling those old models which I think have expired or ceased to exist in asia - those with an antenna, with no colored screens, ... you get the point.

And for some reason, Motorola Razer is the hype here...it's been highly promoted and sold cheaply. But I HATE IT. The sight of it can make me cringe. That was like so last year but it is still selling now...and will be still sold in like...a few years down the road.

Given the expensive ridiculous cell phone plans and extremely ancient phones, it is no wonder I put off using phones for an entire year. No kidding. The year before, I was SHARING a phone with my cousin until she left for summer and took the phone with her and so it eventually became her phone. Besides, not having the phone is a BIG advantage to me. For example, unwanted suitors will have a hard time finding me...muahaha. And, I will never suffer embarresment in class if my phone rings. And, I save lots of money every month. And, I can have eternal peace and quiet every day.

Disadvantage is ... I will have a hard time finding people and vice versa. But seriously, I dont really care coz I seldom call and get calls from others anyway. It is like...10 calls or less per week. So heck the phone lah. I dont really need it.

The only thing that concerns me is ... work and finding jobs = cell phone and more bills.

I. Hate. Cellphone. Bills. Wow. How. Exciting.

Professor.

Oh my gosh. I am absolutely shocked.

I just found out that MEL ODOM is my teacher in fall.

MEL ODOM. I cannot believe it!!!!

I dont know whether to be laugh or cry. On one hand, I would absolutely love to be taught by him, and on the other hand, I dont know what to expect.

MEL ODOM. WOW.

Directions

At work.

Stranger: "Hello, where is the vending machine?"
Me: "It's next to the toilet."
Stranger: "Where is the toilet?"
Me: "Go straight and turn right."
Stranger: "Oh, you mean it's AROUND THE CORNER?"

I feel such a fool. I am directionally challenged.


On risky business.
How do you tell a guy, whom you wish to be only friends with, that you dont welcome his advances. And to make matters worse, you are sort of in a relationship with him. When or how did this happen?

Once

It's been raining again. In the afternoon, evening, and the rising morning.

***

I recently watched an independent movie, which didnt really strike me as good. Reviews rate it 8.5./10. It gave me carsickness, with an unsettled stomach and a pounding headache and a dry mouth.

But the soundtrack was great. The actors were actual musicians because they didnt want to put in professional actors.

Movie name: ONCE

Listen to the soundtrack on this website: http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie

***
I went to tokyo sushi on sunday.

I dont think my friend's friend was happy with the arrangement of a third friend. Sometimes, being a third wheel is hard. I had thought of asking another friend to join, but she had to prepare for a surprise bday party.

Chrestomanci

It has been years, but I have finally rekindled my love in...




Reading!


I stayed up till 4am reading. I stayed up. It was something that I havent done in a long while. Most of the time, I read one chapter or until I feel sleepy and fall asleep with total disregard of the time.

Now, I am hooked. I can GET hook effortlessly. It gave me a sense of relief and happiness to know that all is not lost. My reading habit, though hard to reestablish, still stands a slight chance of filling me with a full blown passion for imaginery worlds.

I am reading my favorite old authors. But that's a start, right?

Chestomanci. I love you; my imaginable world, escape, dreams, and hopes.

Cooking Vegetable Fried Rice.

It's the holiday and one thing I have been experimenting is cooking.

I cooked fried rice last night. Not the usual fried rice with prawns, peas, carrots, etc. Instead, I dugged out leftover rice and the almost expired cabbage and celery from the fridge. And on second thought, decided to add in one tomato and eggs.

First I threw in some garlic, then the celery and cabbage, and later the tomato.

I sprinkled some salt over it. And added in the rice.

Being the slow movements that I have, the vegetables were almost cooked and the tomato was melting into a steady stream of red juice. I was still busy scratching the sticky rice out of the bowl to the wok. Finally I cooked it all together, added some oyster source and realized that my rice had gone all sticky from absorbing the tomato juice.

I turned off the fire, only to realise that I havent added in the eggs. And the eggs were already, according to the best before date, expired. I therefore, threw in two eggs, cooked everything in medium heat and fried everything again. This time, I added less pepper.

It turned out good enough for me. Some chef I turned out huh. It was lucky I didnt invite anyone over. I was thinking of that a few days ago but decided leftover rice wont really make a good impression on guest. After cooking, I realized I was so right. My food, I will eat no matter the taste. Guest, I will not even begin to comprehen what will be in their mind if they look at it.

It really looked digusting. Red, sticky, with dots of greens and a whif of pepper. But at least, it makes me happy.

Happy!

Hahahahaha....

I am so deliciously happy today!

All because I have FRIDAY'S OFF! Friday's off!

No more waking up at 8 a.m. for the whole week. Who cares about 30 hours? 23 suits me just fine! Ahahahaha. Ahahaha.

After my working schedule changed again!, I realised I got off at 1pm instead of 2pm and I raced back home, jumped into my home clothes and fall onto the mattress to type this HAPPY news.

Happy! Happy! Happy!

Ok, so life has been pretty fantastic for me so far. It's summer, I have friday's off, I made a new friend with 2 'n's in his name!, and I am going to the library today!

I think I'm going to borrow DVD's as well!

Ahahahahaha. Let me just laugh. Oh, the deliciously joyous feeling of everything going right.

Parents on the line!

I wasnt even awake when the day started.





Yes, you heard me.






I was engaged in deep sleep when an odd ringing sound interrupted my waking dreams. No, not the alarm clock. It was the PHONE beside the alarm clock. And a familiar woman's voice crossed through the phone. Luckily, she introduced herself immediately.



Stranger: "Hello, it's mommy."



Mumbling me: "Huh? What?"



Mom: "What time is it down there ar?"



Mumbling me: "7 a.m."



Yes, that is how early she calls me. So it's no biggie. Everyone has that phonecall once in their lifetime. The big deal here is that this is my THIRD time talking to my parents on the phone! I mean, seriously, the last time I talked to them was many months way back when I had a screaming fight with my mom and decided that talking on the phone was useless and depressing when it comes to parents.

My mom asks me one answer questions like, "Oh, have you woke up?", "What are you doing?", "What did you eat for lunch?", etc. Totally pointless.

My dad, being a man, didnt have much to say on the phone.

"Eh, you want to talk to your daughter? Anything to say not?" My mom screams to dad.

In the distance, dad would scream back, "Nothing! Nothing!"

So you see, it is utterly pointless to talk to my parents over the phone. That is why after the first two times during the beginning stages of my new life, I told them, "I very busy lah. Dont know what time come back home. No handphone. Don't call me," and proceed to say, "Bye," and slammed the cordless phone into its charger.

Ok. A bit drama but you get the point.

From then onwards, we hopped along the virtual world of internet and sent turtle emails back and forth, mostly initiated by dad because mom didnt know how to operate virtually.

But today, they CALLED me. Somehow, they have this instinct of calling me just before I had to go to class. In this case, they called me at 7 a.m. and my work started at 8 a.m.

Half an hour of mumbling on my bed later, I flipped my body, glimpse at the alarm clock and shrieked, "It's 7:30 already! I have to work at 8 o' clock!"

My father, who was on the other end, suddenly grew quiet. "Ok, bye bye," he said dejectedly.

Not that I blame him, he has much to ask, but I was back into my senses. Before that, I was half asleep while explaining my job scope in a detailed manner. Pretty amazing for one half 'dead'.

I said my good byes and hung up.

The end of FIRST BIG NEWS.

Second news: Friend called after I brushed my teeth. I thought it was parents, but no. Friend wanted me to edit her 10 page paper and she had to hand it in by noon. Fine.

Third news: It rained. Again. This time I was already cycling to school and luckily, I was three quarter way to my workplace when it drizzled and later poured.

Fourth news: Not that it might interest anyone but I CUT MY HAIR. Short.

Fifth news: I think I am going out tonight with CCC.

Funny conversations!

W.S. : the canoeing is tomorrow but i can't go because i will be on call on Sat. Haiz...
if you wanna go with them tomorrow, u have to talk to hai wei lor.
i am planning to go next Sat. I am looking for people hehehe...

D.L.: hehehe...so you want me to go next sat izzit?
i dont mind going next sat with you and beige ... hehehehe

W.S.: ok ok...hehehe...go next sat...go next sat...

It just strikes me as funny the way we keep using hehehehe....almost as if we are planning something highly mischievous and secretive.

Top Friends

One of the most annoying features that facebook now has is - Top Friends.

You can choose up to 24 people and list them as your "top friends."

Now, what exactly is YOUR requirement for "TOP friends?"

I understand that people have different requirements based on their character, personality, interest, standards, values, etc, and so, I am willing to accept that some people can easily fill up a box of 24 friends as your TOP friends.

I, on the other hand, cannot do so easily. I rate top friends the way I rate best friends. Remember the days in primary school, when almost every girl (less boys because maybe the think it is sissy?) has a diary that contains pages of friendster-like profile?

Some rate their friends according to friends, good friends, best friends.

The more extreme ones rate their friends as friends, good friends, best friends (bf), best best friends (bbf), best best best friends (bbbf).

My friends rating were simple and straight to the point - best friends, enemies (normally the guys who liked me but I dislike. In truth, I didn't really consider anyone an enemy or have a experience an acute hatred for someone.) I hated to fill up the friends rating portion because I was aware that friends come and go and writing it down would be a grave mistake as if giving evidence that yes, you are my best friend FOREVER. But I flipped through the profiles of others and I succumb to the notion that the friends rating portion is a must. So I did it.

Let's fast forward to facebook and their newly implanted feature. It is an option. Choose or decline. I declined, declined, declined every last single feature. Want to track your friends? Come see your fortune cookie for today! How about astrology? Or track your travels around the world and let everyone know where you have been to.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

I do not need these extra features. I consider these frivolous applications for people with nothing on their hands. The only application I truly would consider is - Tracking your travels feature. Not that I care, but I do love to travel to places and boost (*cough*) about them silently by marking the countries I have been to. Oh, you have traveled out of U.S.? That's sad, let me count the number of places I have traveled to.

But, I don't want to do that. I don't need to boost because I am not comfortable telling people where I have been to when others have never traveled beyond their borders, much less see the ocean. In fact, I don't tell people anything about me unless they ask.

Top friends application are useless because it serves no purpose. Does having 24 profiles on your fingertips makes it a useful purpose? NO. It just makes someone happy if they are in your top friends list, like being popular. Whatever.

My advice. Decline the application. Just be happy if someone selected you as his/her top friend. What can you do? Everyone is different.

June 18.

Let's address several important issues today.

1) Sleep deprivation. I napped for 5-6 hours in the afternoon and sleep at 3 in the morning. Cycle to work at 7:45a.m. and remained in zombie-like state until work is over. Work = Surfing internet.

2) Cooking. Today is fried rice. I accidently 'poured' too much white pepper. The holes of the pepper container was A LOT bigger than I thought. Obviously, I seldom cook. But i turned out ok even though it was my first time. :)

3) Finished editing Puerto Rico pictures. Separated them into cities/places - Ponce, San German, San Juan and Vieques.
Warning: There is a lack of human element in the pictures, aka, I/my friends seldom grace the photographs because the Master (I) decided that it is private. Will sent the human elements in another private link - facebook.

http://picasaweb.google.com/danamea/Ponce_PuertoRico
http://picasaweb.google.com/danamea/SanGerman_PuertoRico
http://picasaweb.google.com/danamea/SanJuan_PuertoRico
http://picasaweb.google.com/danamea/Vieques_PuertoRico

I dont understand why I am putting the link here when I meant the pictures to be shown to my family, who are still in the dark about this blog. But then and again, I am too lazy to find my dad's email address.

4) It is 3 a.m. now. Snore.

5) Oh shit. My milk expires today too.

On My Mind.

S.R. : "You know, D.L., for someone who never does anything, you're always pretty conveniently busy when it comes to doing anything with me."

D.L. : "Open your eyes. I told you twice. Friends. But even still, you insist on seeing me frequently. I wouldn't mind but for the fact that I FEEL I bring out the worse side in you - depression, which is another reason why I don't want to hang around you.

Besides, I don't trust your intentions, because I know you haven't gotten over me and I cannot fully be myself until we are JUST FRIENDS. If I be myself and smile, laugh and do whatever that makes me happy, you might get the wrong idea. That's why whenever I'm around you, I shut myself down and become nothing more than a hollow shell.

And seriously, I don't like hanging around depressed people or people who wallow in self-pity. I understand depression. I understand loneliness. Everyone has gone through that phrase some times. But I do not show it in front of my friends. If I do, I say a quick excuse and pretend that its all tiredness that is zapping my strength."

I just wished I had shown you my true answer.

Fun blogs to read

Malaysia - Muar rapper instant success after posting up music rappers.

For all those who havent heard of him, WHERE WERE YOU!?

Even I had heard of him a while back, but I was just too lazy (once again) to blog about it. His videos feature a few languages - Cantonese, Hokkien, Mandarin, Malay, English.

A True Malaysian.

Ok, so I fake lah, cannot speak anything but singlish, I mean, manglish. Compared to him, I am talentless. Ah, the truth is out!

At least I acknowledge my fellow Malaysian for cultivating and presenting, in all glory, his identity and the nation's. The video is a little offensive, but hey, it's all fun.

Go to Mr. Brown's blog to watch the video and read the translation below if you are a full fledge banana like *cough* me.

http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2007/04/muar_rapper_on_.html#comments

The above is his second video. Check out his first video on youtube too!

***************

On a side note, Mr. Muar rapper reminds me of another blogger who has the making of triggering national pride.

Go to happeepill.com by a Malay Singaporean!

That's right! Pop a happy pill for all you stressed out Singaporeans facing

1) bordom
2) depression
3) unmotivation
4) illness
5) image problems
6) phobia of ????
7) Pressure

I highly doubt that you will be cured of the above ailments but it will satisfy your curiosty and provide highly instance bouts of laughter that goes under my catergory of BERI FUN.

*****************

Other BERI FUN sites to keep your spirits up and leave you panda eyes in the morning (seriously), check out the below in yahoo.

1) Sibeh Sian - chinese singaporean
2) Karen Cheng - Australian Chinese


Hmm, that seems to be all right now. Have fun staying up little owls. :)

Name in Numerology

Check it out! Just for fun.

I stumbled upon this site, http://www.paulsadowski.com/NameData.asp , and you would'nt believe what it said about me. It is about numerology on names.

All you have to do is type in your name. English please. I typed in my english name and surname. Anyway, go check your name out. Sometimes, its pretty accurate. :)

Here are the results.

There are 9 letters in your name.
Those 9 letters total to 42
There are 5 vowels and 4 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:French Female The French form of the Latin Diana. Famous bearer: Diane de Poitiers, mistress of France's King Henri II.Divine. Mythological ancient Roman divinity Diana was noted for beauty and swiftness; often depicted as a huntress. Greek goddess of the moon.


Your number is: 6

The characteristics of #6 are: Responsibility, protection, nurturing, community, balance, sympathy.

The expression or destiny for #6: (Not too sure about this...)
The number 6 Expression provides you a truly outstanding sense of responsibility, love, and balance. The 6 is helpful and ever conscientious, making you quite capable of rectifying and balancing any sort of inharmonious situation. You are a person very much inclined to give help and comfort to those in need. You have a natural penchant for working with the old, the young, the sick, or the underprivileged. Although you may have considerable creative and artistic talents, the chances are that you will devote yourself to an occupation that shows concern for the betterment of the community.

The positive side of the number 6 suggests that you are very loving, friendly, and appreciative of others. You have a depth of understanding that produces much sympathetic, kindness, and generosity. The qualities of the 6 make the finest and most concerned parent and one often deeply involved in domestic activities. Openness and honesty is apparent in your approach to all relationships.

If there is an excess of the number 6 in your makeup, you may exhibit some of the negative traits associated with this number. There may be a tendency for you to be too exacting and demanding of yourself. In this regard, you may at times sacrifice yourself (or your loved ones) for the welfare of others. In some cases, the over zealous 6 has difficulty distinguishing helping from interfering. You may have difficulty expressing your own individuality, because of involvement with responsibilities and causes. Like all with the Expression of the number 6, it's quite likely that you worry much too much.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means: (So TRUE! Everything!)
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly. (Hmm, I want to change my name now! Mom, Dad! Look what horrible fortune you have bestowed upon your little girl!)

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others. (*Cough, cough* Remember the last post...summer is boring...)

Your Inner Dream number is: 8

An Inner Dream number of 8 means:
You dream of success in the business or political world, of power and control of large material endeavors. You crave authority and recognition of executive skills. Your secret self may have very strong desire to become an entrepreneur.

Summer :)

Summer break and my life is boring.

My typical weekday.

1) I work in the morning.
2) Come home to sleep in the afternoon.
3) Wake up after dinnertime.
4) Eat supper.
5) Shower.
6) Sleep.

And the whole cycle repeats itself.

I love it!

Now I can devote all the time to myself - I do what I like when I want to.

I went to the Norman Public Library on Monday. It is time to get back to reading mode after watching so many anime. I stare at the computer screen for so long that my eyes gets instantly tired when I look at the screen and I feel sleepy.

It has been hard getting into the habit of reading again. It has been 4 years since I left the reading world and now, my imagination is not what it used to be. I used to be able to conjure up detailed images and create my own fantasy when I read, but now, I see lines instead of images. Lines and lines of descriptive words piled and forced into my head, struggling to form pictures. It is pathetic.

The books, once my haven of retreat, has been taken over by lazy television images, reality, and the internet.

Back in the days when I was bored, I read. Now, I surf the internet.

That's why I love summer. No people around, no disturbance, no homework, tests, and other pointless stuff.

I can get back into the old routine of reading and sleeping, reading and sleeping, reading and sleeping and boy, I miss it.

Five!

Elfen Lied, Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien, Scrapped Princess, Haibane Renmei, Whisper of the heart.

No, it's not a charm. It's the amount of anime I finished watching since coming back from Puerto Rico on May 31 midnight.

I am such a bum.

Edit: Mai Hime is six. (6/8)

Puerto Rico

I love Puerto Rico. It was everything that i had not imagine it would be.

I thought it would be something like a beach town, but it was not.

Today is thursday morning, but it was tuesday night that brings back the most memories - good and bad - all at the same time.

Maybe i was too naive, but i really had fun talking to the students, even though they might not be the 'best' crowd to hang out with because of their 'reputation' as a partier and player i suppose. but i was not asking for anything. just a chance to hang out with the students. is that so wrong? i am not that stupid as to fall for any of them, especially since i dont speak spanish. but truth is, they were pretty fun...just a couple of guys to hang out with. all athletics. good body. hahaha. and free flow of drinks...from the guys. hahaha

oh shucks. they even gave me a CD with their spanish rap to it. i am listening to it now and im reminded of that night when i went to his car to get the CD and sat in the driving seat of a spots car. of course, im not driving it. just listening to the CD.

im tired now. my thoughts are random.

till next time....

Stipulations

Life is very funny.

I ask for a favor, agreed to a deal, and now stipulations?

Boy, I wished life was simpler.

"Okay, I will get some things together for some night soon. So, I have a question. Can I add stipulations to this deal later on?"

Or maybe Im just worrying myself over nothing :)

Paid!

Happy exciting news!!!

I'm getting paid for my internship with OUdaily/Hub.ou.edu !!!

This calls for a celebration!!!

I never thought I would get paid, especially since my friend "voluntary" worked for them last summer.

So HA!

I get paid.

Life isnt that sucky after all.

***
People are done with finals, but I have three papers due on Tuesday for May intersession. Did I tell you how much I hate papers, and how I havent started till TODAY??!!! Shucks. But what a happy week I had watching Hikaru No Go instead!

Puerto Rico, oh, Puerto Rico, I can hear your breaking waves.

California Pictures!

Finally, after many many months of hiding in the computer, I opened up my California pictures, took a good look at all of them, selected the ones I liked, and edited them on Picasa2.

Fantastic program, I tell you. Fantastic.

Absolutely easy, when compared to Photoshop.

Of course, not as good as Photoshop but if saves TIME! Seriously, photoshop requires 1 hour per photo (for photo idiots) but Picasa2 requires 5 mins per photo! Oh, the time I save. *rubs hands in glee*

Below are the long overdue California Pictures!!! Woot!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/danamea/California

Reminds me. Florida and Chicago are ancient compared to California. I should start working on them asap.

***

News Flash

I'm going to Puerto Rico!

Say what?!

Hehehe. For a travel writing class! Whee! Going to spent a week and a half there!

I got a summer internship as a Designer for OUdaily, the school's newspaper! Yay! My resume is building up. A little annoyed that I didnt get to be a photographer, but heck! Designer sounds cool too! Wonder what am I going to do - page designer/graphic designer/both? I would like both please! :)

Eating chocolates on a daily basis! Yay! High five for plump girls who dare defy conventional stick figures!

I am feeling wonderful! :)

Anime mangaspot!

I found out about Hikaru No Go on anime.mangaspot.com. It is about a boy, Hikaru, who has a spirit living with him after he found a GO board. The spirit, Sai, wants to play GO and through Hikaru, wins a game against a Akira, who is the same age as Hikaru and trying to be a professional GO player.

Problem is : Hikaru doesnt know how to play GO. Sai is a thousand year old spirit who is a professional at GO trying to play the divine hand through Hikaru, and Akira is a young genius at GO.

Therefore, Akira chases after Hikaru (or rather, Sai) and Sai wants to challenge Akira's father, Koyou Toyoa, at GO to achieve his divine hand, and Hikaru starts learning GO to chase Akira...

Hikaru No Go. GTO. Naruto.

The best anime that I have completed/kept up with so far.

Somehow, animes are useful in constructing story lines, plots, characters, settings, etc.

Totally useful and not a waste of time at all! ;)

Hehehe.

*creeps back to studying*

Friends

The little things that people do, are the ones that I throughly cherish.

I came home tired with a plate filled with stolen brownies. I placed it on the table and told my housemate to have some.

"Is that dinner?" he asked.

"No." I replied.

A few hours later, there was a knock on my door.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Why?" I replied.

"Just asking," he said.

"Not hungry." I answered. Suddenly, I perked up. "Why? Got food ar?"

"No lah," he said in a laugh. "Just that if you're hungry, I can cook maggie mee for you mah."

Chey!!!! Hahaha. But still. I like the feeling of having good friends around me :)

Company: Being Alive

Blow out the candles, and make a wish,*name* Want something, *name*Want something!

Dedicated to those who havent found their special half, are living a lie, and only half alive.

And for those who are afraid of having someone get too close, and those who cant make up their mind.

From the musical, 'Company'.
Title of song: Being Alive.

Someone to hold you too close,
Someone to hurt you too deep,
Someone to sit in your chair,
To ruin your sleep.

Someone to need you too much,
Someone to know you too well,
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell.

Someone you have to let in,
Someone whose feelings you spare,
Someone who, like it or not,
Will want you to share
A little, a lot.

Someone to crowd you with love,
Someone to force you to care,
Someone to make you come through,
Who'll always be there,
As frightened as you
Of being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive.

Somebody, hold me too close,
Somebody, hurt me too deep,
Somebody, sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive,
Being alive.

Somebody, need me too much,
Somebody, know me too well,
Somebody, pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive,
Make me alive.

Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive.

Somebody, crowd me with love,
Somebody, force me to care,
Somebody, make me come through,
I'll always be there,
As frightened as you,
To help us survive
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=q3LkRNidF50&mode=related&search=

Watch it.

Writer's nightmare

You know you are starting to become a writer when ....


you dreamed of your greatest nightmare...





Deadline.


Yesterday night, I hurried to finish a story due on Monday. Fear and a little procastination has kept me up all night, editing and researching the facts in the story. Blame it all on me. I had procastinated until the night before the paper is due to start correcting my paper because I couldnt bear seeing all the red markings flying all over the paper. It was too depressing.

I dreamt that I had a paper due in one of my class. The class had a policy of not accepting any late work. I dreamt that I couldnt finish my paper. It is undone, and I couldnt hand it in and was doomed to get a B, which will affect my entire CGPA.

To summerized my writer's fear in order of the highest to the lowest.
1) Unfinished work.
2) Red marks.
3) Deadlines.

VT and OU

This is so stupid aka boliao...

On tuesday, my college had a lockdown...because of a bomb scare!

Before the days of Virginia Tech (if you dont know what it is, go KNOCK your head repectedly), bomb scare had never been on such HIGH ALERT.

Previously, all that happened when a bomb scare arises is a news report the following day on the school newspaper.

But tuesday, everyone went into panic mode...

For reporters, "Grab your cameras and run to X building!" Three students in my class (2 editors and one photographer) received a call and immediately packed their bags and left when the professor was still talking.

For engineers, "Lock the door! Which is the key? Use that (points) key!" Apparently, their class doors lock from outside, not inside. They have no windows either. Safety you say? None.

But my college doors lock from inside. However, my teacher said jokingly, "If a gunman comes, we will all pull out our cameras and start shooting pictures!"

Meanwhile, dear engineering cousin said, "If a gunman comes in class, I will be the first to die coz i am sitting right in front of the door. Or maybe if he is asian, he will take pity on me since im the only asian." Hahaha. I dont think so. Apparently, one victim from VT was asian.

So while enginneering students were panicking, the journalism students were having a whale of a time.
A: "Its just another scare. Just happens everything. In my high school, whenever someone wants to get out of class early, they write a few names on a paper and leave it in the toilet."
B: "Oh, in MY high school, ...."

Suddenly, everyone was trading stories about high school bomb scares. I just sat there thinking funnily, my high school never had a bomb scare. Worse come to worse, FIRE DRILL lah!"

It is everyday chats like this that made my realize the difference of growing up in a different country. Bomb scares are so common here, it flows over everyone thoughts like diluted liquid.

You know it happens, but you never think about it coz it always is a false alarm. After being here for a long while, i never thought about it too. But then, I never thought about anything. My brain is always filled with ... drifting white clouds.

But anyway, becoz of the VT incident, my school went on high alert and first thing in the morning, someone reported a gunman on campus. Below is a report on yahoo news. Read it. And oh, heck those hyper suspicious people.

http://www.sierratimes.com/rss/newswire.php?article=/news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070417/ap_on_re_us/university_bomb_threat&time=1176831105&feed=us


pls: Families, friends and special someones of the 33 (yes the gunman too) victims, you have my condolenses. To encounter a mass killing at such a scale is unthinkable - to imagine the pain and sorrow it brings is uncountable. 33 victims times 5 (say 2 parents, 2 siblings, ONE best friend) - 165 who are in mourning. But college students have a wide network of friends...add it all up...more than a thousand (excluding strangers) are experiencing loss and maybe unconsolable.

The world will come to rights again,
the pain will numb,
and sorrow fade,
but you will learn to laugh once day.

The Game of Risk

A Malaysian woman, "Christina" married a American.

How did she do it?

She was working in a hotal as a sales manager in Malaysia. Met the guy there, and talk (i suppose) business for an hour. He was in the military and left for japan. A while later, she received his postcard...didnt know who he was...but he called...and they became penpal.

Six months later, she went to singapore for a business trip. He called and asked where she was. She said spore. A few hours later, he called again and asked where she was. She replied irritating spore. He said where specifically. She told him. He met her and propose.

Four months later...they were married in japan...and stayed there for 4 years...

After that, they moved to America and stayed there for 6 years....and tata...i met them, family with kids.

Her story was very ... fast. Met one hour...penpal...and proposal. After she finished telling her story, and everyone around her was going...wow, so romantic... I was thinking, no. no. no. I will never do that.

The difference between me and her is risk. She is willing to risk it all...for a lifetime. I unfortunately, cannot. And that is my greatest downfall.

I wonder if life would have been a whole lot different if I had been able to take risks. But I didnt. So I let opportunities run pass me. Thousands and thousands...and i let it flow through my fingers. Did I regret it? Maybe. Maybe not. Because unlike her, I know what I want, and Im willing to wait, until I get it or ... not.

April Rain and Snow.

The time has come to start its end,
a time of infinite ages.
Destruction is strewn,
breaking boundaries.
And the power of fear,
blinding each person,
the survival is crucial,
until the end is done.

With seven colors,
shaped into a half arc,
a little boy,
comes out to play.
The earth is damp,
its opponent still strong,
but the making unfolds.
Battered flowers,
Sharp end twigs,
a puddle of water,
a splash of play.
A life pulsing,
goes unnoticed,
but for the crawlers,
nestled in a pot of gold.

Conflict of Boots, Eagle, and Man-on-Bus

Look at the grassy field of dirty, torn, and empty boots. Boots that you realized had meaning to them when you see a name tag attached to it. A growing horror that you tried to pretend those name tag didnt mean what you thought it meant. But it did. Names. Age. Title. It was the signs of the deceased.

The Boots were a sign of protest of war. The protest against innocent killings. Of taking away life, and leaving the living behind with a pounding wave of sorrow, helplessness and angsty.

I thought it was an act of honor, to showcase those boots, which were painstakingly organized into straight lines. I thought it was a great way to show the world that the Iraq war needs to end because innocent lives were being killed.

That is, until I met my friend.

Me: "Im going to take pictures of those boots."
Friend: "Why? It's a disgrace!"
Me: "Disgrace? But these are soldiers who died in the war, and we should honor them."
Friend: "Fine, but the event is about protest against war!"
Me: "So? I think war should be stopped."
Friend: "But these people join the military to fight. It's a disgrace to use their boots to protest against war. Why else do you think I'm in the Navy?"

I took pictures anyway, but I thought what Friend said was rather true. Still, I thought of it as a way of remembering and honoring the fallen. But at the end of the day, whether there were empty boots or full boots, I stand against war, protest or no protest.

***

There is a eagle on campus. A greedy little eagle that killed a pregnant squirrel by knocking it out of a tree to the ground and flew back up to another tree branch because the squirrel was too heavy to carry. Hahahaha. After 4 hours of spectacular show from the audience, aka ka po students, the eagle finally had the chance to eat his/her meal.

***

I thought I was smart when I left work half an hour earlier to head home because I was tired. After 10 minutes in the cold, the bus finally arrived. On its way to the Llyold Noble bus-stop, a man ran across the traffic light signaling the bus to stop. It stopped, opened the doors and the man got on.

The bus driver got mad and asked the man to alight. The man pretended to be stupid.

The bus driver got madder and said that he wont drive the bus until the man alight. The man remained stupid.

The bus driver got super mad and said he will call the police to come. The man remained incredibily stupid.

The bus driver finally calls for the police on his walkie-talkie. The man continued his stupid act.

Finally the police come.

Police: "Why do you want the man to get out of the bus?"
Driver: "Because he didnt get on at the bus-stop. He just got on at the traffic light and that's wrong."
Stupid Man: "But I'm not breaking the law. I just want to go to Llyold Noble Bus stop."
Police: "Now, the bus driver is the boss here. This is his bus and passenges are supposed to get on the designated area. You are causing trouble for the driver, the passenger and me. The driver cannot continue his journey if you are on the bus. Now, please get off the bus."
Stupid Man: "Oh Ok."

Sometimes, Americans are so stubborn and full of rules. It took them 20 mins for the entire situation to resolve. By then, I could have reached home just by walking. Instead, I was forced to watch the entire male pride exchange drama that took away my initial goal of reaching home early.

If only people could learn to give way, the world would be so much more efficient.

Eg. Bus driver should have just drive on if the stupid man refused to get down! Coz passenges are depending on him and of course, the responsibility falls on serving the needs of many instead of focusing on one. I mean, stupid man could have always been reprimanded later...

Or the stupid man could just have realized that, "Hello! The bus cant move because of you and you should just freaking get off because you are disrupting the route."

I hate stubborn people.

OK to marry at 21?

I think it's very scary that people my age are getting engaged and planning their marriage.

Oh my gosh, can you believe it? My mentality is just not up for it. It cannot comprehen the state of engagement, much less marriage, especially when I still a spinster. Hello. Any takers?

Imagine mere college students, planning for their marriage...when all I am thinking of right now is how to escape from parent's reach, get a lousy job, stay here as long as possible and ... maybe get a serious boyfriend a few years down the road. I mean...hahahaha...*cant stop laughing*.

By then, my friends will be having kids of their own just when I am starting to date. This is getting really weird. I am not used to it.

Lucky them, getting hitched in high school and now married by next year! Family. Kids.

At the rate my brain development is progressing... I think it will be a long while before I even consider kids! I dont care what you say, but I'm young. Young. I am barely out of the 'kids' world, no wait, I'm still 'IN' it. I'm a kid. I'm underaged. I dont care what you say, but i'm still a "kid".

Some things never change.