I came online wanting to just merely update this diary. But then, while going thru my email, I got this bulletin that informed me :
THE O.C. SEASON 3 WILL BEGIN IN 10 DAYS!!!
I can't wait, can't wait.
But ... (there's always a but somewhere) ... I'm typing this from my sister's comp. Because my own computer refuses to get into Windows. Bummer. The relax-and-everything-will-turn-out-ok me says that I should just try and switch on my computer again tomorrow and it should start just fine. Yah right. So, without a computer, how to download O.C. Season 3???
Okay, enough teenage-hormones-raving.
Took a trip with a bunch of friends up to Selesa HillHomes in Bukit Tinggi last Saturday. Over-ate on steamboat, lost miserably in "brainless" drinking games, slept very little and overall, had a good weekend - really :)
It's brilliant to have a holiday tomorrow. Planning to go catch Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Was warned to go equipped with choccie snacks. Must be an excellent movie.
The countdown to Bangkok has officially begun. Refer to my little daisypath at the top of the page :) Right now, slowly researching which budget hotel to book.
Can't get Adam Brody outta my head. Must go off to surf the O.C. website. Happy Merdeka everyone! :)
Thursday, August 25, 2005
End of the month is always a stressful period. Particularly so, this month, because I've yet to meet my monthly quota of reports - due to the fact that I went to KK and then took some days off to study for exams.
And so, today was spent juggling between rushing out reports, picking up numerous calls (as usual), trying to call this lousy Citibank officer about some balance transfer (which they promised will waive my annual fees), trying to call a handful of agents about various PJ properties, calling up a few travel agencies to check on Raya travel packages, constantly pressing the calcie throughout the day - I should have the telephone, handphone, computer and calculator glued to me. Didn't help that the boss and some other bankers and clients were clawing my back clamouring me for figures and reports. Argh.
Only thing to look forward to in times of dire stress is that there's holidays ... somewhere in the horizon.
If I find the time to plan for them.
Depressing-nya.
And so, today was spent juggling between rushing out reports, picking up numerous calls (as usual), trying to call this lousy Citibank officer about some balance transfer (which they promised will waive my annual fees), trying to call a handful of agents about various PJ properties, calling up a few travel agencies to check on Raya travel packages, constantly pressing the calcie throughout the day - I should have the telephone, handphone, computer and calculator glued to me. Didn't help that the boss and some other bankers and clients were clawing my back clamouring me for figures and reports. Argh.
Only thing to look forward to in times of dire stress is that there's holidays ... somewhere in the horizon.
If I find the time to plan for them.
Depressing-nya.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
The Harmony Silk Factory
The writer is a Malaysian with a very un-Malaysian name : Tash Aw, probably a glamourised version of a typical Chinese name. However, the book is very Malaysian (although the author is London-based). And a very good book to read, particularly since our Ministers are all clamouring for us to be more hyped up about Merdeka.
The book is set in the war-years of WWI and the Malayan communist period post-1957. It speaks in 3 voices : Johnny Lim's son, Johnny Lim's wife Snow Soong, and Johnny Lim's best friend Peter Wormwood. All 3 tell the story of Johnny Lim - the protagonist who is at once good and evil.
Part of the intrigue of the book was the way Tash manages to make the reader wonder as to what goes on in Johnny's mind - Johnny is such a real person that he's selfish enough to do whatever it takes to achieve his ambition, but at times you see glimpses of how he tries to be a good father. But just as you think a good father cannot be that bad a person, he goes and does something his son cannot forgive.
It's a beautiful wonderful debut novel by Tash Aw. I like it very much. Would recommend everyone to give it a read. Particularly if you're seated in the hilly Kinta Valley, so mesmerisingly-described in The Harmony Silk Factory.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Haven't seen Willy Wonka's chocoholic-heaven. Haven't done my sale-shopping. Haven't started on my extended log book. Haven't haven't haven't.
But I have managed to have quite a fruitful focused week at work. Have had 4 week nights of coming home without having to think about assignments or exams. Have managed to start on Tash Aw's gem-of-a-book. Oh, and the biggest have is that I managed to find loads of people on Friendster! From primary school crushes (hah!) to long-lost college mates. Lotsa have's.
Listening right now to Fun Factory's I Love You. You know how ancient it is? But still so nice to listen to, like a brand new song.
Brain slightly off-focus because it's really rather draining to concentrate fully on work (hah, talk about contradicting myself). It's an Ipoh weekend this time to attend sister's convocation. Goodie - yummy dim sum, honey chicken, what-nots, ooh :)
But I have managed to have quite a fruitful focused week at work. Have had 4 week nights of coming home without having to think about assignments or exams. Have managed to start on Tash Aw's gem-of-a-book. Oh, and the biggest have is that I managed to find loads of people on Friendster! From primary school crushes (hah!) to long-lost college mates. Lotsa have's.
Listening right now to Fun Factory's I Love You. You know how ancient it is? But still so nice to listen to, like a brand new song.
Brain slightly off-focus because it's really rather draining to concentrate fully on work (hah, talk about contradicting myself). It's an Ipoh weekend this time to attend sister's convocation. Goodie - yummy dim sum, honey chicken, what-nots, ooh :)
Monday, August 15, 2005
You know you're getting older when you listen to the 8 am news on the way to work.
And you know you're getting older when the news actually means something to you
i.e. the government will no longer subsidise the toll concessionaires, therefore everyone is to expect an increase in toll rates.
Oh no.
First, petrol and everything else goes up. Then toll rates and the balance of everything else that hasn't gone up will go up.
The government's really trying to make us learn to be independent huh? Boy does it hurt to be out on our own two feet. Particularly when there was no warning that it'd happen. So even our bosses weren't warned - which results in us becoming poorer :(
Haze has gone - for the moment, after a huge big downpour. This weekend was one of those I appreciated the most. Because, for once, I could admire the blue skies and the bright sun and breathe in air that wouldn't pollute my lungs. Free things that most people take for granted.
Had dinner in Italianni's with a bunch of friends last weekend. Food there was actually great :) It's better if you order and share, like the way Chinese eat. Very nice place.
Anyway, it's back to work as usual trawling the Klang Valley roads. Good to be back at work and coming home in the evening not having to worry about assignments or exams (for the moment). I'm glad glad glad :)
And you know you're getting older when the news actually means something to you
i.e. the government will no longer subsidise the toll concessionaires, therefore everyone is to expect an increase in toll rates.
Oh no.
First, petrol and everything else goes up. Then toll rates and the balance of everything else that hasn't gone up will go up.
The government's really trying to make us learn to be independent huh? Boy does it hurt to be out on our own two feet. Particularly when there was no warning that it'd happen. So even our bosses weren't warned - which results in us becoming poorer :(
Haze has gone - for the moment, after a huge big downpour. This weekend was one of those I appreciated the most. Because, for once, I could admire the blue skies and the bright sun and breathe in air that wouldn't pollute my lungs. Free things that most people take for granted.
Had dinner in Italianni's with a bunch of friends last weekend. Food there was actually great :) It's better if you order and share, like the way Chinese eat. Very nice place.
Anyway, it's back to work as usual trawling the Klang Valley roads. Good to be back at work and coming home in the evening not having to worry about assignments or exams (for the moment). I'm glad glad glad :)
Friday, August 12, 2005
It's literally been a blur ever since my final exams. Blur because of the terrible, horrible, lung-disease-inducing haze. Final because those were my last exams ever! I'd actually planned to grab a good picture of the KLCC on my walk back after exams from British Council. Too bad the idea couldn't pan out because I was trying too hard to walk fast and hold my breath while traversing the KL roads full of "Darth Vaders" and "pretend- surgical doctors".
Work has been, miraculously, quite good. Was sorting out my work notes from KK, so all I've done the past 3 days after exams were to sort, type, and prepare to analyse. I've got more than a dozen cases which require me to do field work. But thankfully, boss hasn't forced us out into the gray gloomy particle-filled zone. Hah.
Got half day off today on MC because I went to see the doctor to get medication, in case the haze got worse over the weekend. Doctor called me smart :P Of course wat, he earns more. Anyway, no fun talking about the smog and carbon monoxide and all the carbon particles we're all breathing in. I read an article that it's snowing in Australia, that true Cindy? And then there was a 10-minute hailstorm in Subang Jaya that day. Hmm. Remember the movie "Day After Tomorrow"?
Now I've got free time on my hands, I suddenly have a lot of things to do. But best of all, books to read. I managed to rent Tash Aw's too-expensive-to-buy book. So I'll settle down to that this weekend.
Boring boring stuff. Ah well, that's me. I'll now be spending more of my free time doing stuff I enjoy, rather than being stuck in the computer room with the only entertainment being Zuma Deluxe or Textwist :P
Work has been, miraculously, quite good. Was sorting out my work notes from KK, so all I've done the past 3 days after exams were to sort, type, and prepare to analyse. I've got more than a dozen cases which require me to do field work. But thankfully, boss hasn't forced us out into the gray gloomy particle-filled zone. Hah.
Got half day off today on MC because I went to see the doctor to get medication, in case the haze got worse over the weekend. Doctor called me smart :P Of course wat, he earns more. Anyway, no fun talking about the smog and carbon monoxide and all the carbon particles we're all breathing in. I read an article that it's snowing in Australia, that true Cindy? And then there was a 10-minute hailstorm in Subang Jaya that day. Hmm. Remember the movie "Day After Tomorrow"?
Now I've got free time on my hands, I suddenly have a lot of things to do. But best of all, books to read. I managed to rent Tash Aw's too-expensive-to-buy book. So I'll settle down to that this weekend.
Boring boring stuff. Ah well, that's me. I'll now be spending more of my free time doing stuff I enjoy, rather than being stuck in the computer room with the only entertainment being Zuma Deluxe or Textwist :P
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
The friends you have
You know, I never realised before that Friendster is such an amazing tool. If you really click on all the friends you have and search thru their list of friends, it's amazing how many old out-of-touch contacts you can find. I had such a fun time adding friends to my list - you should try it too!
Then there were friends whom I did not want to add. Not because I hate them. But merely because they're now acquaintances, rather than friends. Have nothing in common with them now. Or more like, you don't want them in your life ever again.
So cool that this Friendster thingy lets you re-find your circle of friends (or, actually, reconnect). And that it also lets you sieve through people you don't want to meet again.
Actually, I think there's very few people without a Friendster account. So, I think if I spent more time, I'd be able to find everyone I know in there.
But, I've got no time now :P Just got back couple of hours ago from my CRE paper. Tomorrow it's the Dev't Appraisal paper. And then the next day, back to work - lesser free time to roam the amazing virtual world of friends. But, must earn money mah right? If not how to afford broadband :P
Then there were friends whom I did not want to add. Not because I hate them. But merely because they're now acquaintances, rather than friends. Have nothing in common with them now. Or more like, you don't want them in your life ever again.
So cool that this Friendster thingy lets you re-find your circle of friends (or, actually, reconnect). And that it also lets you sieve through people you don't want to meet again.
Actually, I think there's very few people without a Friendster account. So, I think if I spent more time, I'd be able to find everyone I know in there.
But, I've got no time now :P Just got back couple of hours ago from my CRE paper. Tomorrow it's the Dev't Appraisal paper. And then the next day, back to work - lesser free time to roam the amazing virtual world of friends. But, must earn money mah right? If not how to afford broadband :P
Monday, August 08, 2005
Last minute
My gawd, how in the world did I manage 20-hour study periods when I was a student? Goodness, sitting down for 30 minutes concentrating only on memorizing monotonously-worded sentences really really tries my attention span!
(Reading back what I just typed, I thought I nearly lost my attention at "monotonously-" as well :P)
First paper Corporate Real Estate is at 2.00 pm tomorrow. Next paper Development Appraisal and Funding is at 9.30 am the next day.
I've studied lesser this semester because I did not manage to get enough leave. I usually have about 8 days to study before taking the exams. This time I had 4 days. And then, you know how it is la, you don't really get the hang of studying until you've warmed up for a few days, getting the routine and training your brain to absorb academic stuff. I seriously advise all who are contemplating Masters to take up full-time studies - much more focused, you get more out of the course (and your main aim is not merely to pass), you've got coursemates to share your common experiences and more importantly to share assignments, AND best of all, you get to be a REAL student. Being a student's fun. But being a part-time student is no fun :P
The next and final semester, which begins September, will only be Dissertation. Well, at least I thought it'll only be Dissertation. After all, been through it wat, just have to whip up lots of words and paragraphs from hastily-run surveys, borrow lots of books from the library and paraphrase them - what's so hard about that?
But no. From what my Vietnamese coursemate told me through email after she returned from our annual lectures in London, she says Dissertation is tough. Apparently it's going to eat up much more time than the normal coursework and exams. The lecturer scared her so much that she spent her time in London sitting in the library reading up for thesis ideas, instead of roaming the London streets or more importantly, studying for the current upcoming exams.
Well, right now, I have more pressing matters to attend to. Like my 15-minute read of monotonous sentences. *sigh*
(Reading back what I just typed, I thought I nearly lost my attention at "monotonously-" as well :P)
First paper Corporate Real Estate is at 2.00 pm tomorrow. Next paper Development Appraisal and Funding is at 9.30 am the next day.
I've studied lesser this semester because I did not manage to get enough leave. I usually have about 8 days to study before taking the exams. This time I had 4 days. And then, you know how it is la, you don't really get the hang of studying until you've warmed up for a few days, getting the routine and training your brain to absorb academic stuff. I seriously advise all who are contemplating Masters to take up full-time studies - much more focused, you get more out of the course (and your main aim is not merely to pass), you've got coursemates to share your common experiences and more importantly to share assignments, AND best of all, you get to be a REAL student. Being a student's fun. But being a part-time student is no fun :P
The next and final semester, which begins September, will only be Dissertation. Well, at least I thought it'll only be Dissertation. After all, been through it wat, just have to whip up lots of words and paragraphs from hastily-run surveys, borrow lots of books from the library and paraphrase them - what's so hard about that?
But no. From what my Vietnamese coursemate told me through email after she returned from our annual lectures in London, she says Dissertation is tough. Apparently it's going to eat up much more time than the normal coursework and exams. The lecturer scared her so much that she spent her time in London sitting in the library reading up for thesis ideas, instead of roaming the London streets or more importantly, studying for the current upcoming exams.
Well, right now, I have more pressing matters to attend to. Like my 15-minute read of monotonous sentences. *sigh*
Sunday, August 07, 2005
My new daisypath
Referring to that little border countdown thingy at the top of the page. So "girl", right? :P
Anyway, counting down to Oct 29, when I'll be having my 9-day break! It'll be a vacation. But to where, not decided yet. Hong Kong or Sabah or somewhere else below the RM800/- range? Maybe I'll wait for MATTA fair in September to decide. But for now, counting down will do :)
Anyway, counting down to Oct 29, when I'll be having my 9-day break! It'll be a vacation. But to where, not decided yet. Hong Kong or Sabah or somewhere else below the RM800/- range? Maybe I'll wait for MATTA fair in September to decide. But for now, counting down will do :)
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Those ties
Saturday's almost over. It's very trying to not have space for yourself and have to share. Sharing with friends is fine, because you're not obligated. Sharing with family makes you feel restricted. Grr.
I think I know why the KK trip felt good - although I had to work, like, 15 hours everyday. And I know why I love travelling. Very ungrateful for me to say this, but I need the escape - from all things that trouble and bind. That's why I look back on student life with such fondness.
Being obligated ain't no fun. Because I see myself being tied down again when I hit the big three-'0' in 5 years. So freedom, right now, this very moment, is to be very much savoured.
Maybe I'm gutless. Maybe it's my fault for being a pushover. Or maybe, it isn't my fault.
Must count my blessings and not see the murky water.
I think I know why the KK trip felt good - although I had to work, like, 15 hours everyday. And I know why I love travelling. Very ungrateful for me to say this, but I need the escape - from all things that trouble and bind. That's why I look back on student life with such fondness.
Being obligated ain't no fun. Because I see myself being tied down again when I hit the big three-'0' in 5 years. So freedom, right now, this very moment, is to be very much savoured.
Maybe I'm gutless. Maybe it's my fault for being a pushover. Or maybe, it isn't my fault.
Must count my blessings and not see the murky water.
F.O.C.U.S.
A whole weekend of pure studying. Hope I can stick to it. Lacking self-discipline and sense of urgency as I get older. Exams are 3 days away and I haven't started studying properly. Having post-KK trip blues. Really loved it there. But did you know that if you're not a local, you have to renew your work permit every year if you work there? You stand in line along with all the Indonesians and Philippinos and other nationalities who work there - as though like Sabah is another country.
Ok ok, almost 10 am. Must start on something or I'll never start. FOCUS - key word. Tell you later why my lecturer says it's a rule of thumb when sitting for exams - and no, it's nothing to do with making your butt stay on the chair.
Ok ok, almost 10 am. Must start on something or I'll never start. FOCUS - key word. Tell you later why my lecturer says it's a rule of thumb when sitting for exams - and no, it's nothing to do with making your butt stay on the chair.
Friday, August 05, 2005
KK - that pretty town
When you leave the hectic bustling city, you find that the little towns within Malaysia are so pretty. KK is one such town. It looks like Ipoh, except that there's lots more natives around, and it has more shopping complexes (though I never had the chance to step into one).
You can see the South China Sea from any part of town. The apartment I stayed in had this brilliant view of the sea, the nearby islands and the State Mosque in the far distance. It was an unobstructed view in the bright daylight, with night lights and even in a thunderstorm.
The entire town makes you feel like you need to slow down. People there are so polite and well-mannered, driving around town made me feel like a road bully ('cos not knowing where I was going caused me to make illegal U-turns and cut right and left everywhere). And the people there love tourists. Whenever we took out our cameras to snap pictures of the food, the sights, the buildings, the people, the fish, the jetty, they'll look on indulgently. No one we met there was bad-tempered or couldn't-care-less. I just found out that I had gotten so used to the each-to-himself syndrome in KL, that I forgot that people could be so nice!
Seafood - the freshest and cheapest anywhere! (But I heard it's even cheaper in Sandakan). Went to Grand Portview Restaurant and Ocean View Restaurant for seafood. The next time I go I think I'll try Kg Nelayan too.
Yes, planning to go again, next time for travel. Didn't do any tourist-y things this trip because work took up 3 full days until an hour before I left for the airport to return to KL, when I rushed to the market to buy some fish to bring back home (you wouldn't believe how fresh and cheap it is!).
I'd like to go back to go island-hopping, and town-hopping, and maybe do sea-walking or jet-boating. If you fly MAS supersaver, it's only RM490 return per person. Of course, AirAsia can be cheaper - about RM360 I think.
Pictures are right here. But if you don't have a snapfish account and are too lazy to register for one (although it's really not all that complicated), I'll post some up soon.
You can see the South China Sea from any part of town. The apartment I stayed in had this brilliant view of the sea, the nearby islands and the State Mosque in the far distance. It was an unobstructed view in the bright daylight, with night lights and even in a thunderstorm.
The entire town makes you feel like you need to slow down. People there are so polite and well-mannered, driving around town made me feel like a road bully ('cos not knowing where I was going caused me to make illegal U-turns and cut right and left everywhere). And the people there love tourists. Whenever we took out our cameras to snap pictures of the food, the sights, the buildings, the people, the fish, the jetty, they'll look on indulgently. No one we met there was bad-tempered or couldn't-care-less. I just found out that I had gotten so used to the each-to-himself syndrome in KL, that I forgot that people could be so nice!
Seafood - the freshest and cheapest anywhere! (But I heard it's even cheaper in Sandakan). Went to Grand Portview Restaurant and Ocean View Restaurant for seafood. The next time I go I think I'll try Kg Nelayan too.
Yes, planning to go again, next time for travel. Didn't do any tourist-y things this trip because work took up 3 full days until an hour before I left for the airport to return to KL, when I rushed to the market to buy some fish to bring back home (you wouldn't believe how fresh and cheap it is!).
I'd like to go back to go island-hopping, and town-hopping, and maybe do sea-walking or jet-boating. If you fly MAS supersaver, it's only RM490 return per person. Of course, AirAsia can be cheaper - about RM360 I think.
Pictures are right here. But if you don't have a snapfish account and are too lazy to register for one (although it's really not all that complicated), I'll post some up soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)