Looking Back

I'm sure its something everyone does when it comes to this time of the year. So i looked through my blog to pick out the 'highlights' of 2007...


January
1st : Begining the turn of a page.
18th : Experiencing the sunrise in Penang - waited so long for the bloody slow rising sun till i had to pee in public. =/


February
14th : Valentine's Day - Visiting Mr. Kirton with Li Yee to cheer him up with a big V-day banner. Seeing him then, that last time was a reminder to put things into perspective.


March
20th : Goodbye to a good old buddy, Snubby.
31st : First time acting in a play, Private Fittings. Was a memorable experience.


April
5th : Dancing in Gurney Drive - when i think about it now, it's as if it didn't happen.
20th : Got my nose piercing with Miss Lim Li Yee. Woo hoo!


May
3rd : Stupid Samuel Leong tried unsuccessfully to kick over my head.
24th : Trip down to Singapore to watch Phantom of the Opera.


June
5th : Just over two month later, Little Dog joins Snubby up in heaven.
8th : First ever naked butt massage during my short working stint at Digi HQ.
19th : After 10years being grounded, went on a plane to holiday in Langkawi.


July
2nd : TLC gang went down to Melaka where we ate, ate and ate summore.


August
26th : Renewed hope for the future of our land. One country, one nation, one Bangsa Malaysia.
37th : Great news from loved one that i couldn't share with my best friend that wasn't there.


September
11th : The worst thing to happen for the whole of my 3rd year, 1st sem.
18th : Padang @ One U opens up. Hip Hip Hooray!


October
1st : My mommy turned 50 and some family from Scotland came over.
6th : Big bro got married! Dum dum dum dum...
18th : Went over to East Malaysia for the first time.
26th : Thai Body Massage by Mr Chulalongkorn.


November
19th : PKA Family Camp.
24th : Turning 22, a different feeling. A little older. A little wiser? This birthday reminded me that i'm loved by family and friends.


December
1st : Live and Loud! Got to watch Shaggy and WHITNEY HOUSTON perform. Amazing.
22nd : Dewa concert - Dewi, kaulah hidupku...Aku chinta padamu sampai matiiiiii....


31st December.
Here i am again. As everyone has been saying, where has the year gone? The first day of 2007 began really badly for me. But, I think i'm quite optimistic for 2008. I see exciting things ahead - me finishing my degree and heading out into the working world.

As for tomorrow, it will be just another day.

Friendster vs Facebook?

Way back when i was in sekolah menengah, i heard of a new word - Friendster.
This was what my pal told me "Its a popularity thing. You add people into your account and others see how many friends you got..."

So, my inital thoughts of it was *roll eye*, such a stupoid thing. However, i later discovered that that wasn't its actual purpose. Its more of a networking thing, and a way to find old friends etc. Eventually, i signed up.











I'm not a faithful user, signing in sometimes only once a month.

I think one of its greatest functions is the Status part - everyone's eyes automatically flick up to that little bit of information. Lets everyone know, and keeps me sorta updated so i dont say the wrong things to distant friends, "So how's Peter?" "We broke up." "Oh." *silence*
Most used is, i think, It's complicated - Isn't it always?

Now, there's a new word circulating: Facebook. I'm wondering, how is it very different from Friendster if its all your friends, and you upload pics and send messages... A YWS was trying to convince me that its way better and the new 'in' thing.

Hmmm...












Few things that make me hesitant,

1. Once i go back to campus, i'm not online as often and so i'll be quite lost each time i log on wont i?

2. Friendster is a local uni thing, practically all pelajar Universiti have a Friendster account, and no-one 'plays' Facebook.

3. Dont wanna sign up just for the sake of signing up, is it really as wonderful as people make it out to be, or will it be dead within the next few months.

4. I dont like the term - Play Facebook...
"Do you play Facebook?" Man...Sounds so cheesy.









So how?

Wham!

Just found out some sad news, my friend's mom passed away.
The news comes as a shock, because it was an unexpected heart problem thing.

Hearing things like this always leaves me confused. Of course the initial feeling is sadness, followed by a somber moment where all the nonsense of life suddenly seems so insignificant. For the seconds where the news sinks in, images flash through my head- of my friend, meeting her mom, going to her house...Memories that i have of her.

For a short while, the things that matter are made clear and i know how dumb i am about alot of other things.

And then moments later everything becomes cloudy again and you realize nothing's changed.

Ho...ho...ho...

6.12am and i just finished wrapping my last gift. Strangely, i'm not sleepy.

Merry

Christmas!

.

Dewa 19

They ROCKED!

I decided to go thanks to the person who spoke in SNGH last Sunday, hehe... If it weren't for him mentioning it, i wouldn't have been swayed. Two concerts in a month. December has been kind to me..

ANyway, we didn't have to wait too long, only about 45mins and then, they came out with bursting fireworks and flames around the stage.

We were at the RM30 seats, but it wasn't that far away. In a way though, i wish i could've been in the 80 section where it was more lively.
















They came out to a screaming crowd, and sang aLOT of songs...Initially we thought the guest artists would be the opening act, but they actually performed with Dewa and also alone, while the group went off stage for costume change.

Sheila Majid was good, and her duet with Ahmad Dhani was a perfect combination.



Josh n I waving the lighter in the air during the slow songs..















Stadium Negara was almost fully full, more than 3/4 i think. The stage setup was a circular platform in the centre, so initially i thought, man - we sitting at the side, cant see the 'front' where they'll probably be singing the most. However, they made full use of the whole stage, going round and round, making sure every angle was covered. *claps hands*
















They performed all the well known hits, like Satu, Pupus, Aku Cinta Kau dan Dia.
For their final set, as soon as the opening notes to Dewi came on, i was up on my feet.

A very satisfying concert.

Now i wanna download all their songs.


Post concert smiles - UPMer's

The Long Wait

Glowing in the distance sets the sun
Final wisps of warmth touching tenderly
Sighing farewells that attempts comfort
Which gives to itself that needed deception.

With known warning away to the unseen
Casting doubt despite all reassurances
Suppressing shivers intent on destruction
Clinging to the blurred promise in darkness.

Through shadows the gleaming reserve emerges
Aspirations not misplaced but determined
Unwilling to accept its mediocre comparison
Pale strength that challenges the absent blaze.

Hesitant from conceived physical nightmare
Shaken with possibility of perpetual regret
Unwritten certainties desired to be known
By the frail decider of foundations course.

Dodger

Taken from Heartbreak Kid. One of the only funny scenes of the whole movie.

What do you say to someone who says 'I love you' but you dont feel the same.


Woman in love : I love you.. *gaze adoringly*

Man not in love : I love...love..love....love..love..love... *smile and wrinkle nose cutely*

Things i dont like

- Stupid Demon Dog from Hell which just chewed my new sandals to pieces.

- People spoiling movies by narrating what's gonna happen 2seconds before it happens and making comments throughout. Especially if they've already watched the film, and i have to tell them more than once to stop it.

- Guys that are B*tches because the word Jerk just doesn't do them enough justice.

- Going back to Penang in the morning.

Deck the Halls

The past few years, a few of us have been going to the Lee's to set up their Christmas tree...
















Its becoming a tradition, though i can't remember how or why it started.




















Although Christmas is very near, i've dont have any Xmas cheer.
Probably because i'm going back to USm on Friday 7am, pretty depressing.
i dont wanna go back.

Sound familiar?

Discovered a new song today, its sad...which makes it great.


Dreaming With a Broken Heart Lyrics

I look forward to another year of nothing.

Selfish Gene

i was half asleep watching TV when this video came on MTV and it caught my half closed eyes. I think its brilliant- creative, different and so SIMPLE compared to many.



Selfish Jean by Travis. Its the bomb, especially the part 'aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.... selfish jean'.

Check it out.

Other things on my mind : Friends. Not the series, but the people who God let you choose since you couldn't choose your family.

Since coming home, i have gotten updates from my pals. Worried about some, fed up with some, miss some and love all.

Same old recurring theme of my life. And no matter how many times it happens, i still get surprised when friends disappoint. Not that they disappoint, cause that's only human, but that i still don't know how to handle it well. I've yet to develop my "see-it-coming" radar and prepare for it. Or prevent it. Or roll with it or whatever.

Strange how i manage to get to this place with friends. Maybe its my curse.

A funny article came out in The Star last week, something about Trees that reflect your personality based on when you're born. Anyway, i'm an Ash. My main quality : Ambitious (?)

Uncommonly attractive and vivacious. Impulsive, demanding, and does not care for criticism.
Intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate but can be egotistic.
Very reliable and trustworthy,
A faithful and prudent lover. Your brain sometimes rules over the heart, but you take partnership very seriously.

TimeS of my life

WARNING: Crazy long post, but i had to get it all down so in the future i can look back and remember. So if you're bored with nothing better to do, read on, if you're interested, scroll down to parts that may concern you and if you're neither of the above then just look at the pictures.

The latter half of November really was amazing. And as usual, it flew by crazily fast. The first highlight of it all was Family Camp.


PKA FAMILY CAMP 2007


For me, camp began in the beginning of the semester. I was actually the 'overseer' of the whole thing, and had been worrying about it from day one. Would it be good, could we get enough donations, what if no one signs up...But as the planning moved on and the Committee worked together, i had less anxiety because they were the bomb! As i put in my evaluation, "all of them were efficient, and some very efficient." Also, i felt the group was very ngam and made the weekly meetings enjoyable.

Well, 19th November came and off we went to CheFoo, 4d3n's of fun, learning and everything else. It was a great camp to me, and it gave me a happy feeling inside to know that i helped make it happen. Of course there were some bumps here and there, but nothing major. I got to spend more time with people like Kah Wei and Anne Marie, especially while cutting up fruits for the constipated campers.

I'm usually not emo-emo over camps but this time, i was. When the last day came and i was waving off all the Ipoh, Penang and Pudu people, i was overcome with sadness. Mentally i know, duh- i'll be seeing them again in 3weeks but if felt like an ending of something. I suspect quite a number of the others felt it too. Walking back up to the campsite after waving the bus goodbye was worse, 4 of us gals walking back to silence, emptiness. Like a deflated balloon.

Well, that was camp. For me- it was really special, every one of the 52 campers made it what it was. And of course, all thanks to God.

Following camp, i went straight into :


PKA EXCO PLANNING RETREAT














Tiring but satisfying.
I've been a committee member for my uni's CF almost 2years now and each semester this is a necessary 'evil' to plan for the coming semester. Somehow this time round wasn't so bad- maybe because we were up in Cameron's the whole time, maybe because we weren't rushed for time or maybe because i've changed.

This planning felt good, i feel that we came together and could see where PKA's come and where its going.

However, right smack in the middle of planning was:



MY BIRTHDAY

I initially didn't feel anything about it, neither happy nor sad. But on that day i was so thankful that i had great people to share it with. Them monkeys, actually DID manage to surprise me (idiots) and Esmond (who's a few days younger). First nice thing they did was at midnight i suspected they might bring in a cake, but the person carrying it in was SURIA and SIM! My Sarawakian buddies were holidaying in Tanah Rata. Sharon pretended to need medicine and Swee Kit drove her out to "buy" some. But i was stunned for a moment and couldn't put the face to the place. Super nice!

During the day, we had a scheduled outing time. By then i thought i already had my surprise so that was it. Mana tau, they blindfolded me and Esmond, loaded us into the cars and took us to dunno where, stopping to do silly things like blowing a balloon till it burst. (i found out later, Esmond didn't have to do it...Terribly unfair!)
















When i finally opened my eyes, i was on top of the world...
















They had taken us to a Boh Tea Plantation, higher up, at Sg. Palas. It was breathtaking and i just soaked it all in. I had never been there before and i recommend going. I wanna go again! Few years back they renovated and built a deck that hangs over the peak and overlooks the hills and valley. Perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea.

Thanks guys, you made it memorable.

Back home, the celebrations continued with Rudi taking me to pig out at the:


EQUATORIAL DESSERT BUFFET




















My goodness...It was so yummylicious. Initially i thought the spread seemed kinda small, but once i started- gah! Little tarts and waffles and Haagen Daz ice cream. Every sweet tooth's dream. They also had some savory lamb (baby sheep) kebabs which were so tasty. But of course the highlight was the

Chocolate Fountain.



















Ooozes and ooozes of chocolate, dribbled down over fresh strawberries, marshmellows... Mmmmm... We spent about 4hours there and by the end of it our jeans buttons were ready to pop!



The next morning, what better way to burn off all that fat, than by doing something i hadn't done since i was in Form 4 i think...






ICE SKATING @ SUNWAY



















Couldn't take pictures since camera was in the locker, but i can proudly say that i didn't fall down *grin*. These two did, though not exactly their fault. For one it was her first time on ice so its only natural, and the other fell cause he was being bullied by a 10year old kid. It was super fun, and i got the chance to hang out with people i've not seen in ages, catch up and just enjoy what i've missed. I took home a bad blister on my left foot, so people, wear thick socks and bring plasters.


Friday night was an attempted Birthday surprise. Unknown to me, a bunch of tender, loving and caring people organized and arranged a




TLC AL FRESCO STEAMBOAT















The 'surprise' was kinda not so surprise because of Joshua's gong gong pants that he wore when he said we were going to Bukit Bintang. Now, if you know Joshie aka Mr. Beautiful, no way would he wear shorts to BB.
Then he realized he 'forgot' to bring the voucher and had to go back home for it, called his mom to tell her and for a lady with a high pitched voice, she sounded very manly (Samuel Leong speaking SOO loudly on the phone). But i didn't expect christmas tree lights draped over colourful artwork, and the food table set up under the sky.














Much love for these people... Check out the empty pie tin- Weng Yan baked a yummy cheese cake. And Joshie's blue and green gong gong pants.

During dinner, my friend called and asked if i wanted free tickets to Live and Loud. My reply? "Huh...What's that? No need la.." Ignorant me. The TLCers quickly filled me in and so i was yes yes yesing my way to 4 tix for:



LIVE AND LOUD















Got there at about 5pm and sat next to some hot mama's... ;p














Too much to describe, but i enjoyed most of the acts,an Indonesian band Project POP, Elliot Yamin, Joe also was ok ok...

But Shaggy was the BOMB! He really knows how to entertain the crowd and get the people going.

Finally, after midnight and major adjustments to the stage and mikes and instruments, she came on...



WHITNEY HOUSTON














It was amazing, to actually watch one of my childhood favs. She's a diva. She has presense. She's the woman! True, she's not as power with some high notes, and toned down some songs but... When she sang the all time hit song, i had a little goosebump moment.

....And iiiiiiiiiii, eeeee iiiiiii, will always love youuuuuuuuuu....



















Wah. Gila man.

All in all we spent 9hours there. My feet were aching, my back breaking, my voice gone but it was GILLABONGFANTABULASTICALLYAMAZING!!!

Touched

...by all the people around me who care.


(No internet connection even though i'm at home. How sad is that.)