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.