there is someone...

I am rather bogged after reading a few favourite columnists' articles because I cannot seem to remember one particular favourite columnist of mine who once wrote for the Star newspaper. He used to write every fortnight, I think it is every Monday; or Sunday. A Malay guy who has Caucasian features. His vocab and phrasing were really good, so much so that his articles were being published in a book.

He stopped writing somewhere in 2004 if I am not mistaken.

=/

Can anyone remember what his name is?

a brief account..

i don't know how to make polls in this blog, but neither am i going to try attempt to do one since i do not think that there are many readers of my blog. HAHA.

something that came across my mind and got me pondering for a bit - just a bit - was about:

rationality vs. dignity

there are many interpretations of how one can see dignity to be. Eg: For an assured win, how much work are you willing to put in? Expenses used might be unnecessary and would be costly especially if it's from a public resource fund. Yet, in certain culture or to certain parties, going forth to make it a big 'hoo-hah' has to be done - because it is said to be upholding the 'dignity' of that group. It most certainly seem as though that the ego is bigger than the brain. And that pride is placed upon a pedestle whilst common sense is left behind.

Personally, perhaps in a pass-fail examination, you would want to try your very best for the highest marks (sadly enough, shuly miserably failed in achieving this). However, this is about your own effort and involves you personally. Nothing gotta do with public funds, environmental pollution (minimal), hanky-panky contracts for promo stuff....etc.

Just wondering, should things be toned down with rationality? Or reinforcements should be executed for the sake of dignity?

Would you have your wedding dinner at a posh hotel with moderate-quality food?
or down-the-street restaurant which serves good food?

perhaps the former would be 200% more costly, burning an extra RM20K perhaps in ur pocket?

hehe. bye

oh, and a few articles which i think are interesting, but could create misconception since it was media-ly published -i.e: minimal details by the mass media without the entire picture - especially the first one:

1.Women's fertility cycle affecting brain
2. Vaginal birth and baby brain bleeding

so inconclusive. *snoot*

whoopieee!!!

I have quite a number of january babes as friends, so NATURALLY, camwhoring ensued...

(there were many more trust me...but i need to get approval first. =P)

Moments Missing

-blog removed-

A good nighty blog

I have just failed my homeostasis exam paper. I entered the exam hall feeling stoned and though everything on the paper were familiar, nothing connected. sigh.

The weekend went by quickly. Learnt a lot. Have many questions..
Would you change yourself to suit another?
How much are you willing to "sacrifice"?
What if the other party can't relate to you?
What if things are not like how you want it to be?
What if you found things that you might want but it's not for you?
What if there always seem to be misunderstandings, clashes and disagreements?
Would you dwell in self pity?
Are your eyes opened?
What do you see? the present per se? or the future?
Who do you see reading your mind, understanding you, knowingly comfort you without you saying a word?
Where would you be 5 years from now?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good night..

Too little solutes...

Too dilute...

That would aptly describe me. All nonsense, little substance.

The month coming up to January is not a good month. For one, Valentine's Day is up. It is definitely overly commercialized, and people seem cuckoo doing the most outrageous things. But then again, whoever said that love is a rational entity. Gee, don't you just miss those school days where roses and chocolates come with anonymous admirers? Or the sweet and innocent you dreaming of celebrating one with prince charming?

Then, it's time to usher in the new lunar year. Year of the.....Pig! *oink* -snorts-
geez..can't believe I am a soon-to-be 22 year old girl. I still see myself as 21. It's like being at the border age of young and OLD! It's going to be yet another lonely, ordinary Chinese New Year this year..and perhaps for the rest of the 3-4 coming ones. How will things be like back home after such a long absence of celebrating it? Would I still feel the same boisterous atmosphere and mood? How would my extended family interact now that we've all grown up, leading our respective lifestyle. Would the new generation of germline be a clone of how we once were? I have seen much changes since teenhood. We were more aware of ourselves, needing time to melt the ice.. The 'round table' has definitely decreased in numbers, and cookies weren't as traditional as they once were. Few are taking the effort to really make them and decorations are also simple and basic.

We used to have big beautiful red lanterns hung out on the porch, with the assortment of flowering plants blooming, timely fertilized to blossom with the new year, the little pink budded tree with red packets hanging to its branches, a sparkly clean house as most would come back even before new year's eve (sadly, working life don't allow this anymore), bouquets of flowers from florist friends decorating the interior of the house.....and most of us, dressed up because, I must say, I have a bad sense in dressing myself up.

(wishing that I have a photo of then to put up....they are not with me though)

The finale: The city of....

Romance~~~~~

Yup, and this is the continuation of my Winter trip..which seems ages ago considering the amount of work - which i would define as stress rather than work since work is something that one SHOULD do - that i had over the past couple weeks and going to have in the weeks to come.

Anyway, yeah, day 5. We took the train to Paris and the journey was...........cheeky.

Paris did not take a break on Christmas Day. The city was beautifully lit with throngs of tourists flattering the road, Champs Elysees in particular.

And so...whatever hotspots there were in Paris, we went there....(haha. I am getting rather tired of depicting..) Moulin Rouge, Pantheon, Catacombs, Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe La Defense, Stade de France (well, not really. but somewhat), Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Boulevard Haussman. Anyway, saw the Mona Lisa as well in the famed Louvre..which is an incomplete/deserted palace housing stolen (by Napolean) artwork from around Europe.

Sadly, there wasn't enough time to really go around all parts of Paris let alone live and breathe the Parisian Life. To have said that Londoners were on the snobbier end was an understatement. Paris was worst!..but at least the "French Cuisine" could live up to that. Though I must say, not all are thaaat snobbish, and the friendly ones were focused in smaller towns/cities.

Lo and behold, Malaysia was on the map too (at the Renault showroom)!!!

Yes!!...raviolli, fish (and chips, with ONE anchovy), raw beef & salmon, more fish, escargot, foie gras d'canard, hot choc, espresso, Bertoillini glace, medium lamb gigot, ....and Quick! (that's just this French fast food chain) ..oh, and we had buffet pizza too, McD ice cream =D, falafel, kebab and some bread + melted cheese at the Christmas Market.

And that's about it!!...till I arrived in London, tried same types of burgers at two different fast food chains, had a mint-chocolate milkshake which I didn't like, stole a few scoops of McFlurry from someone and had this:

(A gratitude from someone. Thanks =). I finally had CHINESE restaurant food!!!! After craving for it like..forever~!)

My protective circle...

People whom I've grown to know, and love...more and more each and every day...~

=) It has been a wonderful journey thus far...

A very apt song (lyrics) to this photo previously added:

Find Yourself

1 AM

I've just finished a whole tub of Haagen-Dazs cookies & cream~!!!!!!! *gasp* Ben & Jerry is still better. I should stop this binging...and put my new year resolution of eating healthily to execution.

So, here I am, blogging again despite having a lot of work which I am simply procrastinating. Talk about NEVER learning from mistakes. I was thinking of getting an early rest and kick start tomorrow afresh. But...I feel sick now after eating so much. =/

In continuation of the holidays...well, this entry is kinda like for my own jottings because I haven't had time to write it down proper, and I really don't know when will I do that. Feeling lazy. Perhaps when I am triggered and inspired for creative writing, I will start.

The journey from Nice to Toulouse was ok-ok. It took a good long 5 hours. It was all-right because of the good company. =) We wandered around Toulouse the next day...and for the next few days it was Montsegur - Puilaurens - Cucugnan - Carcassonne - Albi - Cordes Sur Ciel.

It was a castle and petite towns adventour (pun intended)..with meals in between of course! I would say that the most memorable one would be the buffet cold platter. hee hee. But it was rather pricey...no thanks to some form of misunderstanding. Ah well, and so, in those few days, we had roast poulet, Cassoulet (a Languedoc stew made with duck, pork sausage and haricot beans), a range of Jambon (again!), more Foie gras de canard, Soupe a l'oignon gratinee (a typical local onion soup - apparently very "Parisian" though we weren't in Paris), Chevreuil (venision), Escargots (sea-kind), Sanglier (wild boar) and Glace for my dessert!!! =D ...ah, there's this noteworthy 'dessert' - Fromage de chevre - ordered by him!!! omggg..it was soo smelly!! i wonder how he could gobble the whole thing down!!! it's goat's cheese mind you! and it smelt like..ewwwwwwwww...!! ..and for DESSERT?!?!!? *_* Blue cheese (Stilton) is waaay much better. *giggles* but, respekkk ah. For daring to order (despite me giving a small sample from the main meal) and being sporty enough. ;)

Then, it was off to the city of ...

Rattle..

During 'teaching' sessions today, prior to a lecture, a group of students came into the lecture theatre to give a short slideshow on a charity project. I am not sure why, but it inspired me quite a bit..to help and give assistance wherever I can. However, it made me feel quite disappointed with myself, having the lack of drive to reach out and work towards what other selfless people are doing. There is so much that others are doing, and although you can do it as well, you just don't take the initiative to do so. You sincerely want to help them, but you just don't put enough effort. but yeah, on a harsher note, but still very rational, I guess I am not being sincere enough, not being as selfless as that and ... lazy.

Yet, at the same time, I am in wonders of those volunteers working on the project. They take the effort to contribute and help out. The sweat and toil and time invested into it. It has been mentioned that it will look good on the CV. But imho, I'd say that it takes a bit more than the want to imprint a good cause on the CV to actually execute the charitable act. Again, I wonder, if those contributing financially are already financially established. If this is the case, it would mean that one has to be financially stable for oneself and family before helping others. Thenceforth placing monetary gains at a rather high in the hierarchy. If I want to help them in a certain aspect, I would need to be financially capable. As materialistic as it may sound, money does make the world goes round - (and for those sarcastic scientific-minded souls) besides gravity.

So, what can happen besides actually putting myself physically in line to contribute, help and assist is to top it up with financial assistance. Means, I have to work to get money. And money from work would mean sourcing from one person to give another. A Robin Hood tale? Not quite. Some people are actually squeezing all their finances to get their loved one nursed back to health. The world simply isn't easy. Nobody ever said it was. All of us have our own struggles. Some of us might be better off, some, not quite. Not fair ain't it? Everyone wants to have their own comfort and luxury at times, more often than not. Self-indulgence prevails.

That lead me to another thought...on how huge the impact of the media is; specifically advertising. It affects every being! What an interesting world mass communication, media & advertising are. The ability to influence souls just by playing around with a couple of their senses combined. That's rather...powerful.

After class, I was watching this tv series and it depicted the interaction between people and their work - with family, friends, each other, and even towards oneself. Found out that though all of us are "related", be it a stranger walking behind you or the man singing by the sidewalk. It isn't easy to be able to have a casual connection/relationship with one another. And what more between people who are connected - friends, collegues, lovers, family. There is the need for so much of understanding, trust and sincerity going about, just to name a few.

I have the utmost respect to parents who performed a miracle in building a happy family. They are really angels. Also acknowledging those who pulled themselves up after experiencing glitches in their lives.

I do wonder what will happen to me in the near future. There's still this girl in me unwilling (or perhaps unable) to grow up and learn. I am immature. I need to think before I talk; Ponder before I perform; Consider before I conceptualise.

I want to be more understanding...

Parlez-vous anglais?

The "official" winter break began on quite an eventful note. I woke up super early..and eagerly. It has been quite a while since I last met him. BUT..despite waking up HOURS early, I was still late!!!!! Thank God the pick-up to the airport arrived late too! First of all, M's luggage bag had a wheel dislocated and subsequently detached. Then, we took a wrong turning!..*gosh* what a bad way to start off a trip..and to see him in such a panicky messed-up situation. *_* sorry...

Ok, take off was good. Being together again was like a puzzle piece fitting and completing the picture, like it never lost it's image. Ah, and after all said, I have yet to actually say where I arrived to! It was to Nice, France. =) We walked around the more tourist-y Old Town area. In almost all tourist places, there will be an Old Town where all the historical stuff will be at eg castles and palaces; and the New Town, where the Main train station -the Gare-is located. We snacked on local pizza and SOCCA, a local dish consisting of egg, pepper and something else. I found it ok-ok. It was...amusing on how we walked about finding for a place to eat it and eventually finding one. =P Ah, and then it was time for proper dinner when we got back to the New Town, where we stayed. Had the local stuff - Starters: bouillabaisse, a Mediterranean-style fish soup & jambon, cured meat. Mains included confit de canard (preserved duck) and veal, Desserts - the unavoidable glace, i.e ice cream!!!!...and he ordered (some yucky) creme caramel. =P

And thus began a gastronomic excursion...*YUM*

The next day was absolutely wonderful. Personally, the best and the highlight of the term break. Monaca is a MUST-GO if you're around the region. It was simply breathtaking!..with the magic begining even BEFORE I arrived! Absolutely gorgeous and wonderful..right from the moment you step out of the train. The sun, the sea, the air, the sounds, the yachts, ..all spectacular. We walked about town for the whole day from the 'highlands' to the 'lowlands' to the christmas markets and then the docks, walked where tyres of F1 cars burned, lazed around the Japonais Jardin before heading towards THE Monte Carlo casino around sunset and then to the palace located on a hilltop overlooking the city all lit in it's splendor..

I damn envy those rich fellas who have a private yacht! and Prince Rainier who had the whole MUSEUM to showcase his private cars collection!...and on a softer note, the love towards princess Grace

.

Before we said bye-bye to Nice, we bittered the blistering cold at 5.30AM to marvel at.....sunrise.

The Past

At this moment, I should be studying for my Head & Neck Anatomy Exam. Yet, I had flashbacks from the past. Memories which haunt me until today.

The most heart-wrenching one would be the 2006 World Cup Souvenirs which got 'lost' in the post. Yeah, Royal Mail is horrible!..and so as to not be bias, it could just as well be Post Malaysia's fault! I can't help but to conclude that either the post office at Crwys Road, Royal Mail or Post Malaysia had unscrupulous workers. Scumbags. Not only it ripped my heart into shreds knowing that those souvenirs were a gift for my dearest younger bro, but it also generated fiery after paying so much for postage as well. Disappointment, anger, guilt ..all rolled into a lethal combination for a turbulent sea of emotions.

Then, thoughts turned to a scumbag whom I knew. Till today, the vengence and hatred is still deep-seated in me. I wouldn't say that I am the type who likes payback. I'd rather forget the whole thing and drop it. I wouldn't want to waste my precious time with such unworthy events. But this is the case where thou shalt not forget easily, a case where revenge would truly be a dish best served cold. Yet, I do blame myself too. I guess this is rather a deep cut because I made myself so gullible. It opened my eyes to how a sly and vicious person can exist in mankind. It also painted yet another ugly portrait onto one particular field/profession that I already have a (below) negative perception of. *cheers sarcastically*

I learnt, I grew.

It also popped into mind on how I can like and hate a person at the same time. Perhaps "hate" is not the right term since I still do hold high regards for this person. Perhaps it's just me eager to ignore all negative thoughts and remembering the good bits. I can't help but to look on the brighter side of things. Afterall, with all shaft and grain, I still strongly believe in the goodness of this person despite having being disappointed upon and caused a tiny crack in my heart. Could it be karma? What goes around comes around..? To realise out of the blue, so suddenly, so surprisingly, so unrealising and never imaginable that you might have tripped into the pool of love. Overwhelming indeed it was...but I would rather have not as it was never meant to be. Not on my side, neither on the other.

3 weeks wonder..

After reading weikang's blog, I realised that I am such a lazy person! even blogging. And yeah, despite remembering weikang means remembering "always maintain your individuality", there are some things where good values and practices deserve following. Imitation is the sincerest form of admiration. =) Hence, starting from this blog would be a complete (hopefully) caption of my break..with bits and pieces edited. hee hee.

I moved around in Cardiff on the first weekend of term break. On Friday itself after class, we went to Cardiff Bay. On Saturday, we went to St. Fagans. Both were enjoyed very much. It was much colder in these two places compared to this small city itself. The wind blew strongly at the bay, but I suppose that it's nothing new since the weather here is quite rubbish.

On Sunday, we departed to London and spent a couple of days there. I would say that I now know central London quite well, especially where the circle line (underground/tube) runs! Something like the stations Kelana Jaya, followed by Taman Bahagia, then something-Jaya. hehe. Vaguely, and roughly.

I went to Picadilly, Regent St, Trafalgar Sq, Mayfair area, etc. Y'know, those places that were "trampled" on playing Monopoly. =D It would have taken more days to see London, but due to lack of time, I only managed to hit the hotspots.

Amongst the places were:




Tower Bridge



Big Ben, Millennium Eye, River Thames





Albert Memorial & Royal Albert Hall



Kensington Gardens and it's vicinity, which includes Hyde Park and Green Park

..to be continued

gastronomic delight =D

A fraction of what I stomached..



all in all:

chicken, cod, salmon, lamb, beef, duck, veal, pork/cured meats, escargots, oysters, foie gras, crepe, ice cream, french fast food (burgers! LoL), espresso, hot chocolate, raviolli, pasta, risotto, Yule log, and lots of chocolate..

There is just too much to blog about my holiday. I don't know where to start, and even if I manage to find my first sentence, I might just not be able to stop..!! ..i'm just too lazy to arrange and explain each and every photo here. But believe me, all of them is worth putting up...bertollini ice cream, raw beef, raw salmon, raviolli filled with asparagus tips and pecorino with lightly browned grana padano topping, whole duck foie gras,...

It has been quite a holiday. Like any other holiday, there were the ups and the downs. Nevertheless, all was well. The downs strenghtened us, the ups made me glad and appreciate even more for who we are.

And now, pixxies time!! It's all about the food this time. UK is sooooo deprived of goodies like these. =/ All dishes were wonderfully done and beautifully explained on the menu..

Poulets, i.e. chickenns!! hahaha..with head and tail still feathered!

Cod fish

Cold dish platter - cured meats, pate foie gras de canard, pasta, risotto and sea snails (not seen in pic)

back of cod with light virgin sauce, lemon, tomatoes and aromatic herbs served with potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Absolutely gorgeous Yule log