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.