Happening 2006

Chinese will call the new year 2007 as the year of the pig, or khinzir (cannot say 'ba**). Health minister, Chua Soi Lek said that we should not eat pork because of the cancerous substance called beta-antagonist used by some farmers to make pigs grow fat. Too bad because I love makan bakkutteh and can't keep myself off from it unless somebody finds me a chick-kut-teh in town as replacement. Btw, chick-kut-teh - even how good also, I bet, cannot beat the taste of pork.

One year passed soo fast. I still remember myself struggling in the first semester of my Ph.D. programme. Dr. Tan, Sam, Pui Wah and Kaynoosh and I were sooo close; we were dubbed the the most unlikely friends ever. Ahhh....now we are soo far (geographically)apart. Pui Wah in Taiwan and Kaynoosh finished her Masters, going to Australia.

I would also remember this year where I started teaching swimming to kids. Kids are a wondrous lot. Nowadays especially. They are sooo smart that you can't trick them anymore to get into the pool. They question their teachers (and swimming teachers) as if they know more than you do. You tell them that they can't drown (it's shallow!), and they don't believe you. And after 6 months teaching these kids, they still call me 'Aunty'. Cheeeez. Thanks Hafiz for the teaching opportunity.

2007 - Toll naik, petrol (most probably) will naik . What more can I say. I am sooo dependent on all 3 LDP tolls --> I will die lah....60% increase? SemiValue - you considered it the lowest in the world. But, wei, how many bloody tolls are there in this whole Klang Valley, hah? Yes, low payment, but sooooooooooooooo many tolls. And the traffic jams?! It's a disgrace - RM1.60 and still stuck in traffic immediately after the toll booth. Many racial disharmony issues were brought to attention in 2006. Toooo many. Racial issues are normal in Malaysia, but none were properly resolved. That's the problem. Resolve lahh properly. Our PM should jump in to resolve the problems ASAP, but most of the time, he intervened too late. All I can say is that the racial thingy in this country is already - bagai telur di hujung tanduk. Verge of breaking down. I think people are going to burst out anytime. ANYTIME. Remember May 13? I am scared though.

I should say this year generally isn't that all good. My appendicitis struck mid March, then came my car accident in September. I have, I would say, a permenant injury on my left wrist due to aikido. Thank God it is my left wrist. But good things did happen too. My scholarship by Kuok Foundation saved me at the nick of time (I was quite broke that time). I passed 3rd kyu in June - it was great. Networked with many great professors and ppl in bio-research during the recent agriculture congress - a good start.

Year 2007 - I dunno what is installed for me. Dear God, this year I pray for: no increase in petrol price; MNG and Zara sales whole year; my beloved car is loyal to me (pls don't break down); breakthroughs in my research; my friends are still my friends; my parents are in good health; people will love me for who I am; I can flip properly and make good ukemi; and I strike lottery.

Friendster blocked in UPM again

UPM has once again blocked the access to Friendster and related websites. How cruel!

Aisehhhh, how come for the last 6 months it was allowed, and then boomm (!)...went out again.

Is Friendster is bad for the academic community? Hmmphhh....block MSN and block Yahoo messenging then!

Thinking bac

E. coli is one of the most common bacteria, and what I meant by the word 'common' is that we can find it in our gut (it is basically harmless to human, animals), and we usually use it in genetic engineering, esp. in cloning purposes. However, the strain Escherichia coli O157:H7 is now being identified as the culprit in the recent outbreak of E. coli poisoning in the US. CDC has yet to establish the source from which the disease spread. It could come from the cheese, milk, or more probably vegetables like spinach and lettuces; some vegetables may have come into contact with feces of animals. The bacteria may even arrive on our food thru' the fertigation system. I am not sure about the situation in The US, but it interest me a lot because I believed that last September, I was victimised by some bacteria thingy tooo......

It was Sept. 2006 that we had our annual aikdo camp near Betong, foot of Genting. Well, my boy-boy had already realised that our lunch was not fresh. He claimed that the pok-choy has this pesticide-laden-taste kinda feeling, and does not look fresh either. However, I went on gobbling up my lunch. Aha, upon returning to my house....the same night, I developed some nausea feeling; I felt sooo weak that I can barely wake up. The headache was soo bad. Pounding on my right eye socket. It was sort of like some migrain. I took a whole lot of Panadol, eventhough I know that was not recommended, but even the pills could not help. Next morning, in the lab, I was vomitted, and my lab stinked! Vomitting all out couldn't help either. I thought throwing-up would have solved the problem, but it didn't. The pounding on my head was sooo bad that i couldnt drive back home.

The next 2 days (!!) was hell. I had this appointment with an Australian company and together with my professor (I drove!). I was already shivering in the car. During the meeting, I couldn't even concentrate. It was a shame, because the meeting was very fruitful, and imagine this - I didn't talk much. Usually, I would be the one dominantly speaking in the meeting. :) Anyway, my fever was soooo bad (my supervisor did not know), and freezing, I drove my supervisor back to UPM, ran straight for the toilet bowl and vomitted.

Many people who joined the camp also experienced the same problem. I heard that Kow sensei was also sick, Jong Yan and others too. I could have gone to the hospital, and that is, if Dr. House were there to diagnose me. Love him. Til today, I have no idea what triggered the whole thing or what was that bloody sickness all about. I implicated that the bacteria Salmonella typhi was the bloody cause of it. Typhoid. It was the most probable cause.

Twist

"Durian". What a funny name given for a typhoon/twister hitting the Philippines. I thought it was 'Duu-ren' as pronounced by the newscaster on StarAsia, but read the headlines on the local papers today...and it was... hmmphhh: 'DURIAN'. I pity those people. Imagine durians flying/twisting around.

My co-supervisor told me to twist my head a bit more. He said, "Ivy, you've gotta twist you head more lah. You've got data, but no breakthroughs". I wonder what he meant. Maybe I will just pop in a few esctasy pills and my brains (and head) would definitely twist more. Ahhh, then sure got breakthrough wannn!

Suppose to order a machine from China for some research stuffs. I needed an agent that does importing to get me the machine. My uncle imports printing machines and he is willing to help. He said that my machine is 'sap-sap'sui' to import into Malaysia compared to his larger stuffs. He said, all you need is to 'pusing'/'twist' the invoice a bit, and this Malaysian kastam sure won't know wannn..... He said he knows alllllll the 'lobang-lobang' to get this machine into my unversity. My uncle knows ALL the 'twist' and turn of the shipping & importing machine thingy. He's been doing it for years.

All this twist and pusing in a day. Pening already.

Seishinkai Video - At The Beginning

Exclusively for: Seishinkai Aikido people out there:

View the Seishinkai Aikido video at Youtube.com

Click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hGbxn6vLKA

or watch it here:




Thank you Daryl for suggesting to me to upload this video on YouTube.


Love,
Ivy

Prestige, Punked!, Boiling Point (MTV)

ThePrestige - the best movie of the year 2006. Thanks Eddie for recommending it. I've always love Brad Pitt, but after watching this movie, I think I've fallen in love with Hugh Jackman. I think he's real sexy. No doubt - Hugh Jackman - the sexiest man today! Sorry Brad, you've lost the spot.

I watched Punked! in V-channel last week with my boyboy at home. There's this Ashton Kutcher who plays teribble-and-very-real pranks on celebrity, and last week, they played a superb prank on Hugh Jackman. His friends house got 'burned' due to a barbaque stove that was aledgely switched on by Jackman. Ashton's team managed to actually 'brought down' the whole house, together with so-said one million dollar art pieces in the house. Man, I pity Hugh Jackman....he almost cried. His friend was damn good in acting. I mean, this is the first time I pitied a guy from being Punked! I've seen many, many celebrities being Punked!, but this was the most pitiful because the prank was absolutely real!

I also watched MTV Boiling Point (Malaysia version) on MTV. (Okay, I love watching these kinda stuffs). There this prank that MTV plays on people to make them go fuming or enraged(!), and if the person didn't end up on a killing spree, then he/she wins RM200 on the spot. Guess what, my lab mate was being 'boiled', but she managed to last 10 minutes without getting mad/angry, and MTV gave her the RM200! I told her today that I saw her on TV and she was soooooo embarassed, and said that she almost punched the guy (who pass her a burned CD instead of a original one in Tower Records). And she said she wouldn't think anyone would watch MTV's Boiling Point in Astro."Because students usually don't have Astro maaa". Oh yeah, so I am the only exception - she was shocked that I managed to recognise her on TV. Never thought people would recognise you, hah!!?? She haven't even watched herself on Boiling Point.

'Piano Life'

Right after I stepped into my big (relative to my small apartment in KL) house in Ipoh, I throw my baggage on the floor, headed for the piano, opened the piano cover, and started banging to simply any tune. It started on with some familiar chords which (suddenly!) led to a favourite praise and worship song I sometimes play on church cell group meets. The song, I think, was called "Shepherd of My Soul'. I dunno how my fingers just suddenly end up playing the whole song (you know, I barely could remember the tune), but I couldn't stop my hands from playing it! Like some 'autopilot'.

I remembered my dad and mum spending half of their savings on me for piano lessons. I finished my Grade 8 when I was Form 4 (parents were sooo 'terribly' happy), then continue to Diploma level after form 6, but my diploma in piano pursues were over after I got a place at UPM. I loved to sing/play all those church songs that I actually asked my diploma piano teacher, who was a Christian, to teach me nice new worship songs and their chords. I love piano, but I knew I was never talented in music. I think hard work paid off the I actually passed all 8 exams. I could never play by ear, which was the saddest thing in my 'piano life' (if that's what you call it). I envy those kids in Yamaha lessons, whereby they weren't soo good at reading the tauge notes, but could play the entire song by just listening to it twice! I also envy many of my friends - Chris, Kevin (I've seen him play), Shereen, Jamie, Praveen, my ex-roommate in UPM, etc. I am not gifted. I am just hardworking. That's all.

I ran upstairs to my bedroom. From my cupboard, I pulled up all my certs from Grade 1 til Grade 8, both theory and practical. Some already turned yellow. .....dated since 1990. Checking back, my happiest piano moments were in Grade 7, where I did extremely well with a merit, 2 marks to a distinction. Worst was Grade 8 where I managed only a pass, almost near the border line. The kwai-low examiner asked me about some composers during viva, whereby I just gazed at him without a word. I almost died during oral test too. My 3 pieces and scales were good, actually. I am a pro in reading the tauge notes...hahahahahhaa.

My mum always tell me that she would never let her grandchildren play piano, or any musical instrument, ever! Because, it's bloody expensive, or useless after we've all grown up. Nobody uses music in their life (?!). Especially piano. Worst come to worst, play a guitar (because of its mobility).

I have a different thinking all together. We need to appreciate music. When we play the piano, we are inducing some kind of thinking, using our emotions, trying to come out with good tunes, planing out the whole song, and we are praising/worshiping God! I never regreted having to know the piano, as an instrument to worship Him.

SHEPHERD OF MY SOUL (D key):

Shepherd of my soul, I give You full control
Wherever You may lead I will follow
I have made the choice to listen for Your voice
Wherever You may lead I will go

Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide

The Devil Wears 'Pataling' (Street)'

I browsed my closet today....Nothing nice....dunno la, maybe I just love being casual. This is what happens when you are not working. When I was working (last year), I got many nice dresses, skirts, and blouses. Aiya, then in public university, if you wear just a little nicer (cheez, like wearing a working dress/skirt to lab), and all eyes will be staring at you. Either they think that you look nice, standing out from the crowd, or they may think you are silly to dress so nicely.

Oh, all were so different when I was in Singapore Uni. Sphagetti straps and micro-shorts, mini-skirts are ample there.

I read the book 'The Devil Wears Prada' recently and managed to catch the movie too. Well, I really love all the dresses Anne Harthaway (An-dre-ah) wore after she had a makeover of herself (to impress her boss). How I wish I had those luxurious stuffs, coutours, Prada, Gucci, YSL, Jimmy choos, etc.! No, no,no how I wish I were < size 4!! (I am sooooo not size 4). No, no, no, how I wish I had the money! Wait, the most expensive stuffs I have in my closet are only from Zara, MNG and TopShop. Better not list down all the other craps, pariah brands. Malu je...

Cheeez, my closet also got: swimming suits, goggles, swimmingcap, 2 sets Aikido dogi (yucks! slightly off-white, yellowish colour some more), Aikido blue belt, brown belt, a banana boat sun-block lotion, and a japanese (this one expensive) SPF 130 sunblocker.

Wait! Wait! WAIT! I actually do HAVE a Prada (no kidding):

But this Prada Tee-shirt got story behind it: My aunt gave it to me; It's size 8! Goodness! The she said it's ori (betul, ke? Macam tipu je..) Then, one day, I forgot to separate it from my other laundry, and eventually, this Prada got it's harshes machine wash experience in its entire life: Two crystal studs came off from the word 'Prada'. Pity. Then, I ate some curry laksa - kena some minyak stain near the Prada word. Apalah macam....

Okay, confirm: even if I had a Prada, I wouldn't know how to take good care of it. And even if this Prada is original (as claimed by aunt), it is as good as Petaling Street punya original Prada.

p/s: Brian once said to me: The Devil wears brown belt.

Kuok and Oscar

I was invited to the Kuok Foundation Award Ceremony which I 'striked' (lottery) after last month's interview. I did feel like a lottery ticket because I found out the there were only 2 receipients this year for Ph.D. (out of MANY interviewees)! Another receipient was a girl from UKM, doing research on molecular medicine (cancer research), just a year older than I, and fast-tracked thru' Ph.D. too. I think her name was Wong something something....sorry!

The son and daughter of the late Tun Hussein Onn's was present, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chye Kuok (manages the Shangri-La hotel business), datuk-datuks and my interviewers were also there!!! (Hisshamuddin Hussein wasn't there - a set back!). I was glad I met with all of them, mixing with 'big-shots' was what I wanted all this while, because I've always believed in networking (think SIF!) as the way to grow further and succeed in live. I realised that their perspective of things are somewhat different and their advices came in handy. I am glad to be invited into this elite club of scholars!

Wong something something, GM of Kuok Foundation: Lynette Ng, and I

I went shopping after that, but shopping was also quite torturous because I have to button-unbotton, zip-unzipped my shirt a thousand times just to try on the clothings. My boy took me out to eat the famous pan-mee behind his office for dinner. The pan-mee was absolutely superb, but the price is mad! Sooo bloody, dead, freaking expensive for a small bowl of pan-mee. But my boy-boy pays for me, so I just eat only.

I thought this year was bad year for me. It wasn't entirely afterall. True? True?

I want to dedicate this award to several people (like an Oscar speech): First, to myself for unbelievably convincing during the interview, My parents who are just soooo happy I could pay for their bills now that I have money, my supervisor who took time writing all those recommendation letters and dunno-what letters to Kuok, to Yeng Pooi who knows of someone from received the scholarship before (g00d luck in Taiping!), to Callie, Beatrice, Fee Yen whom I met last weekend (Fee Yen, manage my money well, k?) and my boy-boy who feeds me fat (with pan-mee) and love me fat too.

Back from Camp

Just came back from Aikido camp in Selesa Hills. Camp was great! The best part was actually meeting back my old Aikido friends who were long missing in action, and those who has graduated and are working now. Joaane was a surprise. She's earning big bucks now doing what Donald Trump does best - real estate. I am somehow embarrased to tell her that I'm still studying. After talking and chatting with old friends there, I realised that many of them took different paths/career from which they thought they would be. Well, it's not unusual to do something totally different. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do, and have passion for it.

I love my current situation now, but I am not without my thoughts for the future. Leaving the country would be amazingly great. I envy the thought of Bun in Hawaii doing his MBA. My friends from SIF are all over the world. And I just met Nazlin who will be aiming to do her MBA in Harvard Business School. I envy my parents who took the largest step in their lives by going to Australia and leaving almost everything they have in Malaysia. If my parents could do it, why not I?! Why am I always stuck here?

However, the decision that I am about to make now may contradict everything I have planned: See, there's this scholarship that I am about to take would require me to remain in Malaysia and work here - minimum 5 years. Hah!! See, See,see or not?!.......Can't go overseas anymore (I mean, in the near future)! S*#T. So, how now?

Plus, there was this time were my Aikido sensei was like asking me not to go anywhere further than KL. Hahahhaa. He told me to remain in KL so that I can help out in Seishinkai. Hehhehee. He's so cute. Chris TJK also mentioned in his blog about changing job, and I am like, everyone is soooo on the MOOOOOOVE.

Suddenly, I still remember what an Aikido friend told me: Very hard to find 'food' in Malaysia. (hou ka nan wan sik ahhh...)!

How now? One life, one crucial decision, one poor person to make the f^&*ing decision.

Click on Link to go to Aikido Camp's pictures! Click arrr...
http://cchivy.blogs.friendster.com/photos/aikido_camp_selesa_hills_/

Married...(not me! Yet)

This month itself I've known of 5-6 friends who are getting married or plans to get married. I was surprised by the number! But after thinking about the whole thing, I realised that we are all in our marrying stages of lives. I am 25 this year. Most of my friends are either older or younger than me 1-2 years. So, it shouldn't be surprising to me as this is the age where ppl should move on. No surprise to me if another 10 of my friends come running to me with their wedding invitations!!

Congrats to all my 5 friends. Aha, problem: where do I get all the hong-pau money hah....

When I was in my teenage years (say, 18-23 years), we girls will all giggle when we speak of people getting married, or even have a boyfriend! All love (at that time) was puppy love. Nothing stays. But, now, at this age at 25, if you don't have a boyfriend/girfriend, it's weird. Poeple will ask you why, and try to recommend you one. And somehow, you won't shave it off. "It is time", you realised.

When I asked my friends when they will be getting married, they won't even brush off the question. They are thinking about it!!! It was different if you ask them the same question 2 years back. hehehhee...

Weird day with my supervisor...

Yesterday, I had lunch with my co-supervisor. He reprimanded me for not consulting him on my temperature bioassay that I did last week. Well, I thought he was on leave and I assume that he would go on vacation or something. Oh, now I realised that (he told me) that even he's on leave he will return to UPM to finish some work. Weird, isn't it?! On leave but still in office?

Lunch was great. We chatted couple of hours. He tought me how to use the haemocytometer in the restaurant. Eyes were staring when he spoke rather loud and I guess people around was wondering what was this person doing - teaching a girl something with his pen and paper on the table, instead of a nice piece of meal on it. Again, isn't that weird?!

Oh, another weird thing is that he heard a-very-loud- knock on his office door yesterday at 7.45 am. And, when he opened the door, nobody was outside! He said that he was definitely not hallucinating. Hungry ghost la, maybe. Weird hah......

He complained that students in his microbiology class don't even know these words (see list below). He was lecturing about "Man and Agriculture" and he never knew that the universitiy student's mind and knowledge is soooooooooo shalllow and poor....very shallow indeed, if you don't know these words (below). I was surprise that students do not know:

1. B.C. and A.D. (as in 2006 A.D. and 2006 B.C.)      see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.C.E

2. a bison

3. a mammoth

4. Noble prize winner for peace (just name anyone)

.....and the students were blank, blur, and..whatever you call it - dumb founded!

My say is: Education without Discovery channel sucks! Don't they just watch a little tv?

He told me to leave this country ASAP. It's a time bomb here. "Finish your Ph.D. and off you go, Ivy!"

Guess which is which:





 

"don't be afraid of injury(ies)"

I was just waiting for this sentence to be said! And yesterday, my Aikido sensei mentioned it so clearly - "Do not be afraid of being injured" and "Do not be afraid of pain". Everyone is afraid of pain, but you will never know when pain comes. It is not the pain that I fear, it is the lingering thought of never knowing when this pain will actually hit you! Curiosity kills the cat.

This month alone, i sustained 4 injuries. One to my right hand (7 stitches!), one to the knee (bone), one to the wrist (sprain), and lastly (I hope this is the last!) one to the foot (bruise). How cool is that!? I some more had an old injury to my toe (not healed yet). Errrr, most from Aikido.

Each time the injuries hit, it is painful. But, I can stand excruciating pain. I just can't stand wondering when the next injury will hit. Just want to tell everyone in my life that my pain is my responsibility. I have never blamed anyone for the pain I sustained. In fact: no pain,no gain. I have learned soo much from pain. Learn from the pains and problems we face each time in life.

Come what may. I will praise God.


 

Accident!

This year (2006) is not a very good year for me in general. Ya, early quarter this year, I had my appendix burst and was admitted to a private hospital to get it removed. I almost died, literrally (the surgeon said so). The costs of hospitalisation was so bloody high, my dad himself couldn't hide the amount from me. 2 months later, my uncle passed away, due to an injury sustained from an earlier accident. He fell from the motocycle, and his ribs burst thru' his lungs. It was a sad condition.

2 days ago, my car skided as I was travelling from my house in Puchong to UNITEN to teach some kids swimming. Well, it was my very usual trip - using Putrajaya road towards UNITEN. It was drizziling that morning, but I won't blame the rain. Maybe I did drive fast (I didn't check how fast I drove), but I know I was not very fast....because it was a blind corner. I always slow down there. I think my constant breaking round the corner made my car very unstable. Anyway. the car skided and I saw the lamp post coming. My hands blocked my face from the impact (guess it was any girl's reflects!). Bloody hands, can't even open the door. Somebody sent me to the hospital, clean the wounds, 6 puncture wounds on my hands only, got myself a tetanus shot, went to the workshop. My car - thank God, engine and chassis was fine. Kemek in the driver's side. Survived a horrible crash. Anyone who saw my damaged Kelisa would have thought the driver could have died or at least sustained major injuries

Going back this week to Ipoh to get the other car. Car is my life. No car means no school, no teaching swimming, no aikido and no life. I need a car. Thank God for great parents, great relatives, great brother, and great boyfren - thanks Henry.

Bad year for physical growth, but great year for moral suppport and friends. My supervisor supports me 100%. My lab mate are such nice ppl. People in my life are sooo wonderful.

To Shawn: Thanks!

Yesterday, I met my former senior who is now currently attached to the Department of Biology, UPM. He's now studying population genetics on termites. He did his Master degree in Uni of London on taxonomiy. When I was in my degree years, I met him through Ikatan Kristian UPM when he was the president at that time. He is mixed chinese and indian and yesterday he told me he's Mexican! He claimed that he changed his name to Rodriquez, Banderas....whatever! Duh!! I found out that he still possess the same great smile and sense of humor as before, and still have the greatest passion for insects, just as I do.

Many people question my interest in studying insects. But I studied insect or n area called Entomology because of:

1. Insects are one of the most successful organism in this planet (in fact, I believe that it is the most successful). You can just tell by its number of species in this earth - millions of species! In fact, humans are learning much from their adaptability and survival for millions of years in this crap earth.

2. My senior: He was the one that convinced me that studying insects is interesting. I frowned everytime I see him because he would actually talk and talk about his research on insects when we meet face to face. Ahh...and he finally convinced me to joined 'Pest Management' major. And when he graduated, I heard he was working with FRIM - studying insects, of course.

I was surprised to meet him again yesterday in a cafeteria in UPM. I actually said thank you to him for introducing me to Entomology. I told him that it is an area of reseach that I, now, could never let go - thanks to him. He added (soo damn action!) that he was also the one who brought POP SHUVIT's lead bass player to it's fame today. No kidding! THAT, I believe.

I believed because he has changed not only mine and the bass player's lives, but many others today.

Thanks Shawn.

To Dr. Tan's Mysterious House

Yes. This is it. Alas, we are going to Dr. Tan's house. Big hooohhaaaaahhhh for his students. That includes me.

It has been 6 months since my Iranian friends, Pui Wah &I decided to make a trip to our lecturer's house. And many times, Dr. Tan agreed on the time and place that we've fixed. But many times too did Dr. Tan (embarass-ly) told us that he couldn't make it at the last minute. We had a superb plan for our (big-headed) supervisor: First, Dr. Tan wanted to have a short 1500m run with Sam. Then, he wanted to challenge me on a 100m swim in UPM pool. Then, he wanted to prove his bowling skills by inviting us to South City Plaza for a bowling game. Then, he asked us to be his adversary for a chess game. These plans were made 6 months ago. And today, it's all happening.

However, there will not be any running, swimming, bowling or chess-game. Dr. Tan invited us to his house for dinner! Errrr....a bit anti-climax, but we want to check his house out. Seems that something is lurking behind his closet or room somewhere - because everytime we all want to go to his huge house in BU, he will say "no-way" or "not yet" or "busy". So, this is the time we will play investigator to find out what soooo grand/mysterious about his house that made him defer our coming for 6 months.

Tonight. 8.00pm. Dinner is served in Dr. Tan's house. He and his wife is (for the first time) cooking (true or not?) for guests. I doubt it would be wonderous. Cause, he told me he didn't put oil on the pan to fry eggs when he was back at England. Eggs stuck to the pan. Horrible sight.

Dr. Tan wants to watch Brokeback Mountain with us. How thoughtful.

His house is next to CentrePoint, Bandar Utama. Cheez....a kidnapped cum rape case just happen there.

Sleeping late.

There's never a reason for me to sleep late, but recently I am baffled by the continual line of events that made my eyes popped-up like a panda. (At least, pandas are cute). First, I was soo indulged with the video-making software that I my brains would not rest if I hadn't figure out how to edit a video. I thought Macromedia Flash was an easy task, but I literally just decide to abandon and delete the whole programme. Couldn't figure out how to use it. Never an IT expert. My brains was already reaching its max capacity trying to work through the software. Worst than Ph.D.

Then, came my birthday. Once you eat tooo full (great dinner!), and once you had friends bunking at your place - definitely FAREWELL to goodnite's sleeps. Two nights of literally no sleeps at all can drain the life out of you. I was terribly sleepy. Thanks Kingy and JN for coming to my lab and help me autoclaving and making cotton plugs. (Ooh, I forgot you guys don't have Friendster!).

Of course, the final chain of event would be the World Cup. As an avid football/soccer fan, I just can't miss any good matches. My eyes would be fixed to the TV and my ass glued to the chair. Still, 3am matches is too much for me.

Oh ya, Aikido grading is coming. Once you attend the late night classes: your body sweats, your heart keeps pounding and your brains keep figuring out the techniques - YOU WILL NEVER SLEEP.

As am I am typing, Czech Republic scored 2 goals. Only 37 min. The USA is never good in soccer, but the Aussies shocked me! Must be my fav formaer Leeds' player - Kewell!

Paris and London - The reason I read Da VInci Code

I did not heed the calls several people who ask me to ban the movie. Well, I read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code TWO years ago, whereby the discussion on the book was not as intense as it is lately. When I picked up the Da Vinci Code 2 years ago, I just couldn't put it down anymore. It was soooo interesting....the treasure hunt, the car chase, the quest for the Holy Grail....etc..

Hey, it's just fiction! And I DO NOT believe in Jesus having a baby and those crap stuffs like that.

U know why I love the book soooo much and want to watch this movie? It's because I've been to France! I've step foot in Paris. And of course, The Lourve Museum. I saw the Mona Lisa with both my eyes, I saw the Madonna of the Rock by Leornado. I watch the movie so that I can 'see' the so-extremely-beautiful-Paris once again! Trust me, Lourve is soooooooooooooooooo beautiful.....I daydreamt I was walking once more in the Denon wing with its checkered tile floors, browsing thru' paintings after paintings which finally lead me to the end of the hall where I saw The Mona Lisa smilling back at me. My dad was mesmerized by the paintings tooo. The paintings, the sculptures..EVERYTHING...was just just just...arrrhhhggg.....no words can explain them......none. You have to see them for yourself. The glass Pyramid in the middle of Lourve is like a glowing diamond at night.

Of couse, the adventures of Da Vinci also brought me back to London. I was in London for one month plus. London gave me good memories too. I remember mum, dad and I were in St. James Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Park, drinking hot chocolate and admiring the scenery and the weather.

Reading Da Vinci Code reminds me of these wonderful places - Paris and London. Can't get it off my mind.

It's very true. You are not bangsa Malaysia.

I often read the blog of our dear Ipoh Timur MP - Lim Kit Siang (I voted for him!) of the many 'wonders' of our 'Bolehland'. I am particularly interested in the current higher education system as I am striving in it right now. I hate it when LKS continually mengutuk our edu-system and sometimes it saddens me to death, though I know what he said is very true and real. I was and am brought up by our very own Bolehland education system and is a 'victim' for almost 17 years. It hurts to know that the country you love still has no place for you and this system will deprive you in every manner possible. I feel deprived off my rights. After having a great chat with my co-supervisor (a chinese, mad-scientist), it makes me happy to know that I still have hope:

I told him of my ambition to be a lecturer. What saddens me is he said that my chances of being a lecturer in my current university is very super low. I ask him why. He gave me almost 3 reasons and all 3 reasons are race-related. I am very sad, I told him. He ask me to teach in a private college/uni. The money is good there. I told him if I go to private college, I won't get to do research. He said, nothing can be done. He added that I need some LUCK, big LUCK, as well as 'being at the right place at the right time'. I think I need His blessings and a miracle, maybe. I never believe in luck, I told him. He smiled.

My supervisor gave me some hope: He told me that I'm good student and that I will succeed in life, and my presentation skills are outstanding. He still said that we, chinese do not need to rub shoulders with anyone to obtain anything. We can be successful by doing it all our own. Don't depend on anyone. I had a thought in my mind, I need to depend on God. He told me that my main supervisor is arranging for me to go to Imperial College London to work with a professor there. I was thrill, but when I realized that I have to pay for my expenses there - FORGET IT! Dad will have hole in his pocket....large hole. But, thank you Prof. Dzol! I appreciate the opportunity!

Since, I am not valuable to the system here, my as well run away from Bolehland. I am always, always, always thinking about running away from Bolehland. If I land myself a Ph.D. in Bolehland, nobody appreciates me here. Sad, but true. LKS has always push for reformation in education system, but reformation, I doubt, will ever come. Because, LKS is chinese, and I'm chinese. Government don't (never!) control pork prices, because we chinese consume them. What the hell!

Blessing in Disguise....

4 weeks ago, I prayed to God really hard so that I will have more time for Him, and make more time for myself as my workload in the university was getting heavier.

4 weeks ago, I had 5 things jammed-up in one single weekend (see the previous blog), and I had to choose which one to attend to....F1, Swimming, Church, Scholarship and Aikido.

4 weeks ago, God gave me appendicitis! In fact, not just any simple, BURST appendicitis - an appendicitis that would change the course of my life at least for the next few months.....

I was laying in bed, after operation, wondering why would an appendicitis happen in such a critical week!???!! There was sooo many things for me to accomplish that week! I was lying in hospital bed, weak, after an emergency 3-hour-operation: the surgeon came an told me that I could have died and my condition was very, very very ver serious. That was when I saw that life was soo precious, and the one thing that delayed my coming to the hospital is that I just didn't want to be hospitalised THAT particular week because there were so many things up that week. I still didn't want to admit (even to the point of near death) that I was sick.

People said that I am a strong, vigourous girl - I go Aikido, Swim for my university, Super-independent. But, God send me this appendix to tell me that I am weak, and I need to get my priorities right. And u know what!? - 4 weeks after the appendicitis, I feel much relaxed without having to think about aikido, swimming, and loads of stuffs, I have time for church, and I have time for myself. I HAVE ALL THE TIME NOW!!!

Of course, being a Ph.D. student - the workload keeps piling up, but, I need not think about any other activities at present. My life is completely changed. I thank God for that and showing me the path.

Appendicitis - Blessing in disguised? I believe so.

18th March 2006 - Date to remember!

I checked my schedule book/diary, whatever u called it.....I realised that I had FIVE very important matters to deal with on one single date - 18th March 2006. Okay, I've got:

1) F1 qualifying rounds at Sepang F1 circuit, which i had already planned to go since i bought those tickets.

2) Swimming competition representing UPM at an MMU swiming carnival at Bukit Jalil. I will be swimming my favourite 100m back, 100m breast, 100m butterfly.

3) Church got some classes on baptism...something soemthing....not clear....dunno what some Cell Group meeting...

4) Aikido Class on saturday morning! Demonstration in Atria, Damansara Jaya.

5) Dateline for a scholarship that I am applying.

Aiseh, which one should I attend, man???!!!!

In fact this coming week itself I have many thing baffling my mind...exams, test, presentation, oral demonstration...Love my live, though.

Good Days of Old

Arrrrrrrrrr......sooo nice....My soo romantic boy boy brought me out for a Valentine dinner at Ceylon Hill. Well, it's not at Sri Lanka or something, but this place off Jalan Tun Razak is such a thrill. The ambient is great for valentine love birds. The dinner set prepared is laden with food of aphrodisiac properties such as oysters, mint, chocolate, garlic, asparagus, etc. Cheezzz....this restaurant really did do their research!

I brought in a bottle of red wine - Shiraz from Australia, a 2003 vintage. I think i got a little drunk cause this wine contains slightly more alcohol than other typical wine. My boy gave me a superb gift - a beautiful watch. I dare said that this is the most expensive gift I've gotten in my lifetime (besides my laptop, of course. Thanks Dad!). But the greatest gift that I've gotten so far is your Love. :)

Nowadays, my schedule in the Uni is sooo hectic that I barely have time to spoil myself. That is why I guess I enjoyed the dinner sooo much during Valentine. I spoil myself often especially when I was working previously. I used to go Starbucks a lot (I am now in one!), but nowadays, I am either in the lab, the library or on the road (jam everyday!). Even Aikido and Swimming is something I yearn (like some pregnant woman) and salivate when i hear of any one of those words being mentioned. Come to think of it - I haven't paid my Aikido fees.....shucks...I can't imagine that the last Zara blouse I brought was last January. I usually buy a blouse from Zara or MNG once a month...that was when I had a job!

Darn good old days.

Dragon Horse Sperm God, Everybody!!!

Things to do before first day of CNY 2006:



1. Sweep my already-soo-very-clean floor
2. Wash my beautiful red car again, although I've washed it twice this week.
3. Check the tyres, wipers, engine oil, and lights of my car - I know there's something wrong with the lights
4. Make sure my Zara black blouse is as good as NEW, although it has been 1 month old.
5. Write proposal to Prof. Dzol
6. Fetch elder bro from KLIA airport
7. Bluff my mum that I've done my CNY shopping.
8. Tell mum that black (Zara) blouse is acceptable for CNY celebrations (and I have no choice)
9. Tell mum that my favourite colour has changed from Pink & red to BLACK

Lastly....Bluff mum that I (terrorist on the road), drove back real slowly to Ipoh. :)

Gong Hey Fatt Choy
Po Po Kou Tsing!
Dragon Horse Sperm God! to everybody

You must meet my Professor

Oh....Dr. Tan is a killer. He is also a joker, a story teller, an insinuator, a self-proclaimed genius, and a mad scientist! U know, each time you see him in class - he reminds you that he could beat you in a chess game. Each time you meet him, you will get some stories which always has the word - 'shit', 'bullshit' and f*** in it. There's always a moral behind those stories (you aesop fable)and ohhhh yes, he'll tell you loads of shit on Stephen Hawkings. He will make deduct your marks if you even say something wrong, or make wrong sentences, or wrong grammar.

Too bad my class has only 3 Ph.D. people! Only three!!!! Dr. Tan has not much choice. So, he will drill us with questions, make sure we make a blunder and then laughs the hell out of us. Our saviour could not be anyone else but this Iranian guy who dares to fight back Dr. Tan, and could answer every single question Dr. Tan throw at our faces CORRECTLY!. Thank God for this Iranian friend whose religion is Muslim, but loves Jesus and kisses the cross (pendant), and drinks wine because he told me that it's the blood of Christ. Holy cow. Dr. almost fainted when he heard that.

Oh, Iranian friend - You are God sent. You saved our lives from the notorious scientist.