Monday, December 21, 2009

Epilogue.. ?

I'm aware that this blog is growing mushrooms, lots of mushrooms to be exact.

I've decided to leave all the past behind and move on in life.

Therefore, this blog will remain inactive until maybe I feel like blogging in the future again.

*******

James Cameron : Avatar

In the end, Avatar is just another Deus Ex Machina movie.

The flora reminds me of those corals under the sea and those floating mountains are of those found in fantasy games.

Disappointing.

I am well aware that my statement of Avatar being disappointing is conflicting with the majority so i apologize beforehand first in case if you are offended. But then, everyone has their own point of views.. right?

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Of body tricks and drugs not to take while driving

Not too long ago during one of the cell groups I attend, there’s this sharing on Matthew 7: 7-12.

I find it meaningful and would like to share it here.

Ask, Seek, Knock

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
(Taken from biblegateway.com)

In life, when we ask God for something. We usually get these 3 answers: Yes, no and wait.

Our father in heaven knows what is best for each and every one of us, just as the scriptures say:

9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Should the answer be yes, Praise God; if the answer is wait, all we have to do is be patient.

And if the answer is no, we should see things on a broader way:

Sometimes, what we are asking might be stone and snake instead of bread and fish. So obviously the answer is no as our Father in heaven wants the best for each of us.

*******

I came across this article about body facts which might be useful to all of us:

1. If your throat tickles, scratch your ear!

“When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in the throat that can cause a muscle spasm,” says Scott Schaffer, M.D., president of an ear, nose, and throat specialty center in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. “This spasm relieves the tickle.”

2. Experience supersonic hearing!

If you're stuck chatting up a mumbler at a party, lean in with your right ear. It's better than your left at following the rapid rhythms of speech, according to researchers at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. If, on the other hand, you're trying to identify that song playing softly in the elevator, turn your left ear toward the sound. The left ear is better at picking up music tones.

3. Overcome your most primal urge!

Need to pee? No bathroom nearby? You are male? Then fantasize...
Thinking about sex preoccupies your brain, so you won't feel as much discomfort, says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., chief of male reproductive medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine.

4. Feel no pain!

German researchers have discovered that coughing during an injection can lessen the pain of the needle stick. According to Taras Usichenko, author of a study on the phenomenon, the trick causes a sudden, temporary rise in pressure in the chest and spinal canal, inhibiting the painconducting structures of the spinal cord.

5. Clear your stuffed nose!

The easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to relieve sinus pressure is to alternately thrust your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then press between your eyebrows with one finger. This causes the vomer bone, which runs through the nasal passages to the mouth, to rock back and forth, says Lisa DeStefano, D.O., an assistant professor at the Michigan State University College of osteopathic medicine. The motion loosens congestion; After 20 seconds, you'll feel your sinuses start to drain.

6. Fight fire without water!

Studies have shown that patients who sleep on their left sides are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. The esophagus and stomach connect at an angle.
When you sleep on your right, the stomach is higher than the esophagus, allowing food and stomach acid to slide up your throat. When you're on your left, the stomach is lower than the esophagus, so gravity's in your favor.

7. Cure your toothache without opening your mouth!

Just rub ice on the back of your hand, on the V-shaped webbed area between your thumb and index finger. A Canadian study found that this technique reduces toothache pain by as much as 50 percent compared with using no ice. The nerve pathways at the base of that V stimulate an area of the brain that blocks pain signals from the face and hands.

8. Make burns disappear!

When you accidentally singe your finger on the stove, clean the skin and apply light pressure with the finger pads of your unmarred hand. Ice will relieve your pain more quickly, Dr. DeStefano says, but since the natural method brings the burned skin back to a normal temperature, the skin is less likely to blister.

9. Stop the world from spinning!

One too many drinks left you dizzy? Put your hand on something stable. The part of your ear responsible for balance, the cupula, floats in a fluid of the same density as blood.
“As alcohol dilutes blood in the cupula, the cupula becomes less dense and rises,” says Dr. Schaffer. This confuses your brain. The tactile input from a stable object gives the brain a second opinion, and you feel more in balance. Because the nerves in the hand are so sensitive, this works better than the conventional foot-on-the-floor wisdom.

10. Unstitch your side!

If you're like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground.
This puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.

11. Stanch blood with a single finger!

Pinching your nose and leaning back is a great way to stop a nosebleed if you don't mind choking on your own O positive. A more civil approach: Put some cotton on your upper gums just behind that small dent below your nose and press against it, hard.
“Most bleeds come from the front of the septum, the cartilage wall that divides the nose,” says Peter Desmarais, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Entabeni Hospital, in Durban, South Africa. “Pressing here helps stop them.”

12. Make your heart stand still!

Trying to quell first date jitters? Blow on your thumb. The vagus nerve, which governs heart rate, can be controlled through breathing, says Ben Abo, an emergency medical services specialist at the University of Pittsburgh. It'll get your heart rate back to normal.

13. Thaw your brain!

Too much ice-cream too fast will freeze the brains of lesser men. As for you, press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much as you can. “Since the nerves in the roof of your mouth get extremely cold, your body thinks your brain is freezing, too,” says Abo. “In compensating, it overheats, causing an ice-cream headache.” The more pressure you apply to the roof of your mouth, the faster your headache will subside.

14. Prevent nearsightedness!

Poor distance vision is rarely caused by genetics, says Anne Barber, O.D., an optometrist in Tacoma, Washington. “It's usually caused by nearpoint stress.” In other words, staring at your computer screen for too long. So flex your way to 20/20 vision. Every few hours during the day, close your eyes, tense your body, take a deep breath, and, after a few seconds, release your breath and muscles at the same time. Tightening and releasing muscles such as the biceps and glutes can trick involuntary muscles like
the eyes into relaxing as well.

15. Wake the dead!

If your hand falls asleep while you're driving or sitting in an odd position, rock your head from side to side. It'll painlessly banish your pins and needles in less than a minute, says Dr. DeStefano. A tingly hand or arm is often the result of compression in the bundle of nerves in your neck; Loosening your neck muscles releases the pressure. Compressed nerves lower in the body govern the feet, so don't let your sleeping dogs lie. Stand up and walk around.

16. Impress your friends!

Next time you're at a party, try this trick: Have a person hold one arm straight out to the side, palm down, and instruct him to maintain this position. Then place two fingers on his wrist and push down. He'll resist. Now have him put one foot on a surface that's a half inch higher (a few magazines) and repeat. This time his arm will cave like the French. By misaligning his hips, you've offset his spine, says Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., co-owner of Results Fitness, in Santa Clarita, California. Your brain senses that the spine is vulnerable, so it shuts down the body's ability to resist.

17. Breathe underwater!

If you're dying to retrieve that quarter from the bottom of the pool, take several short breaths first essentially, hyperventilate. When you're underwater, it's not a lack of oxygen that makes you desperate for a breath; It’s the buildup of carbon dioxide, which makes your blood acidic, which signals your brain that somethin' ain't right. “When you hyperventilate, the influx of oxygen lowers blood acidity,” says Jonathan Armbruster, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at Auburn University. “This tricks your brain into thinking it has more oxygen.” It'll buy you up to 10 seconds.

18. Read minds!

Your own! “If you're giving a speech the next day, review it before falling asleep,” says Candi Heimgartner, an instructor of biological sciences at the University of Idaho. Since most memory consolidation happens during sleep, anything you read right before bed is more likely to be encoded as long-term memory.

Note: Some of them actually work, not sure about the rest though.

*******

Finally, visit this = link = on the 10 drugs not to use while driving a car. Enjoy :)

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Mini-update II

Sometimes, seeing the same title over and over again for beauty pageants might become boring so someone made a new title for them, a unique one:


Do you want that title? :)

*******

Dad took me to OneTJ yesterday to buy 2 x 2GB RAM for my laptop.

Upon purchasing, I have the doubts that the two pieces of ram might not be suitable for my laptop. (Not suitable will result in Blue Screen of Death aka BSOD)

So we told the worker over there that we wanted to try installing the ram right on the spot in case the ram is incompatible.

Then the worker called a technician to come over to install the new RAM. He managed to remove the old RAM but the moment he installed the new one… PAK! It’s like something just snapped. Both me and my dad look worried and interfered to ensure that no damage is done to the slot or to the RAM.

I decided to install the 2nd piece myself (which is under the keyboard) since I did install it for Kelvin many months back. Halfway through disassembling my laptop, I met Tony who came to collect information for his project/report.

After the installation, dad told me to boot up the laptop to ensure that the RAMs are working.

Good news is that all went well, nothing is damaged, at least it’s not visible to the naked eye.

Bad news is that my OS only detects 3.5GB of ram where it should have been 4GB.


This is the reason why I wanted new RAMs so badly, the price just keeps on increasing since the model is old and not mass-produced like before. Also, I'm going to format my laptop to Windows 7 and might need more RAM to optimize performance. (Just playing safe)

Time for a major cleanup, I’ve not formatted my laptop for more than a year. Lots of data and pictures to sort out, many to be thrown away. If one cannot let go of the old, how can one welcome the new?

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Text, text, text and more text

Week 5 is coming to an end soon.

Time flies, time really flies. It feels like I had been slacking these past 5 weeks, I haven’t accomplished anything significant yet.

*******

The flight

His request approved, the Fox News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight. He was told a twin engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'.

The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off. Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'

'Why?' asked the pilot.

'Because I'm a photographer for Fox Cable News,' he responded. 'And I need to get some close up shots.'

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, is . .. you're NOT my flight instructor?

*******

Celeb to Binbo Taro


This drama was introduced by Annie; it tells the story of a poor widowed father of 3 (Sato Taro) who is working hard to make ends meet while on the other side is an insanely rich girl (Mitazono Alice) who is able to spend lavishly. Fate entwines and both of them met each other when the girl is hiring a new driver for her limousine.

Trying to make the two of them staying together is like trying to make both north and south poles to merge together because one spends as much as she likes while the other save every single bit that he could to feed his family. The two of them are met with lots of obstacles in life and a conflict that is able to humble Alice to live the life of a commoner.

This story is something like Hana Yori Dango where there are those who are just so rich and those who are just so poor. The good thing about this story is there’s a twist in the finale - It shocked me when the finale preview shows that our hero died and Alice is pouring out her heart during his funeral.

*******

Proposal Daisakusen


This drama was introduced by Steven; It is about a young man who is unskilled in love. He took it for granted that he can propose to his childhood friend, Rei, anytime during the 14 years together. He was very wrong.

The story begins in a church where a young man (Iwase Ken) who watches hopelessly as the bride, his childhood friend and love (Yoshida Rei) about to get married to another man. After the wedding procedures, both the bride and the groom along with the guests entered the dining hall where a slide-show of Rei’s chronology took place.

While the slide-show displays pictures of their childhood times to high school. Ken sees Rei’s sad face and beats his chest in regret, wishing that he is able to change his past. Out of a sudden, a radiant light shone on him (Insert choir singing) and a fairy appears! This fairy introduces himself as a fairy living in this church.

He offered to send Ken back in time to correct his past “Ask, and you shall receive!” as long as he says the magic words (Hallelujah Chance!) while doing a funny pose. Reluctantly he agreed and the fairy sends him back. He did what he could to make Rei smile and succeeded. He was taken back to the present when a group photo was taken. It’s the most obvious way since he got sent back to the past through each photo slides displayed.

The fairy told him that one event alone is not enough to change her heart and as each episode of this drama goes on, he is sent back in time again and again to correct his past. Most of the time he succeeded in making Rei smile before getting sent back into the present. The only thing he failed to change was the fact that Rei is still going to get married with the same man.

In the end, he gave up trying to change his past for the present. Instead, he chose to change the present for the future. After 15 years, he summoned all his courage and finally proposed to her in front of the groom and guests, the groom noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks and gave her the chance to seek what she has in mind before questioning himself “What am I doing?”
There we have the bride chasing over our protagonist and the finale ends. Disappointing isn’t it?


Proposal Daisakusen SP

If I had not known of this episode, it is the continuation of where Proposal Daisakusen ended with a cliffhanger. One year had passed by but Ken and Rei are still unable to take the step forward while on the other hand, the focus is on their friends, another couple about to get married in Hawaii - Tsurumi Hisashi and Oku Eri.

On the actual day, the bride went missing and only left a note saying “Doesn't know how Tsuru feels.” It is because she saw her groom-to-be flirting around with girls 1 week before their wedding. With regrets, Tsurumi and her parents apologized to all the guests because the wedding wasn’t a success and for them to come all the way to Hawaii.

Once again, the fairy appeared to him and gave him a chance to go back in time to warn his friend about what had happened on this very day. He went back in time trying to correct his past and to warn his friend. Jumping into conclusions can be very risky and damaging in most cases. The rest of the story is a very touching one; I wouldn’t say my time is wasted when I finished it.

*******

How nice would it be if we could go back in time, I for one has many things to correct, I live a life of regrets of the past. Whenever I reminisce into the past, there’s always a part of me who is unwilling to let it end like that.

Because of my indecisive personality in the past, I lost many chances, one by one. Some intentionally, some unintentionally. So now here I am, paying the price for it.

Even though I am able to let go most of them, there’s only one left that I am still unable to let go off. Maybe until the day that person found someone for herself then it’ll be the sign of courage to break the barrier and also the time for me to fade away from her life.

*******

This afternoon, a power trip happened in Swinburne. Everyone at the rear section of the library groaned in dismay as most of us never insert the laptop battery while using our laptops. As for me, I happen to finish watching “Proposal Daisakusen” the moment it tripped.

Kelvin: “You are lucky, after the credits showed up then only the power trip.” (In mandarin)

Swinburne got alot of problems hor?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Short update

Names

James Bond has a special style of introducing himself by saying, 'Bond...', then followed by a charming smile & finally '...James Bond'. But recently James Bond doesn't use that style much. This is why -

James Bond was travelling on a plane, and a South Indian guy sat next to him. Being the gentleman, James Bond tries to strike up a conversation.

James Bond : "Hi. My name's Bond... James Bond."

The South Indian guy smiles back

South Indian Guy : "Hi I am Sai...
Venkata Sai...
Siva Venkata Sai...
Laxminarayana Siva Venkata Sai....
Srinivasulu Laxminarayana Siva Venkata Sai...
Rajasekhara Srinivasulu Laxminarayana Siva Venkata Sai.....
Sitaramanjaneyulu Rajasekhara Srinivasulu Laxminarayana Siva Venkata Sai....
Bommiraju Sitaramanjaneyulu Rajasekhara Srinivasulu Laxminarayana Siva Venkata Sai...."

James Bond faints!!!

*******



My 21st Birthday Present... :D

Few weeks back, I 'complained' that my previous mouse (Free from Dell) is beginning to show signs of failure, especially the right click where you have a 50% chance of hitting the button but not getting any response. It's troublesome, really.

But now my problem is solved... Thank you everyone ^ ^


Sunday, August 09, 2009

Mini-update

The Code

A wealthy man was having an affair with an Italian woman for several years. One night, during one of their rendezvous, she confided in him that she was pregnant. Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large sum of money, if she would go to Italy to secretly have the child. If she stayed in Italy to raise the child, he would also provide child support until the child turned 18. She agreed, but asked how he would know when the baby was born To keep it discrete, he told her to simply mail him a post card and write "Spaghetti" on the back. He would then arrange for child support payments to begin.

One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused wife.
"Honey," she said. "You received a very strange post card today."
"Oh, just give it to me and I'll explain it," he said.
The wife obeyed and watched as her husband read the card, turned white and fainted.
On the card was written: "Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Two with meatballs, one without!"

*******

I tried a couple of games, both old and new during my 1 month holiday...

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

Overall, this game is nice and fun to play with. It is something like the classic Diablo II we all knew of.

Street Fighter IV

I like this game very much, my only problem with it is that using keyboard to execute the moves of each character is really really a pain. Joystick/gamepad is recommended for this game.

*******

I tried changing my blog layout just now and many widgets went missing, including all the links to blogs and sites... (Been salvaging all the lost links few hours back... ~_~)

My new semester will be starting tomorrow, I do hope that everything will go smoothly...

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Road accident

Girl girl, few days ago you asked me to update my mushroom-grown blog.

But I had nothing to blog about, until today (past 12am).

Road accidents, how do they happen?
Until now I still don’t know, do you?

This is my tale, my first accident right after my probation period ended, first hand.

*******

It began this evening when I went to watch Transformers 2: ROTF with Steven, Annie, Angel and Dayang. As usual, I asked and pray for journey-mercy each time I leave home. All went well, the movie was nice but the ending is not as good as I expected (just the end). Overall, I’d give it an 8.5/10.

So instead of staying back to ‘limteh’ and hang out with the rest, I went home immediately. And again, all went well while I was driving UNTIL I reached the cross road near my housing area. (The road from Jalan Song to Tabuan Laru)

Green lights, I drove on.

A car stormed my way, the moment I noticed it, it was too late already. So I tried to avoid it but still, it was in vain…

CRASH! That was all I heard. The car had already rammed directly unto the driver’s side. (Right side)

I lose all my senses, touching, hearing, and feeling. My car was spinning; I thought that would be the end of me. But NO! After my car came to a stop, then only did I realize that I am still breathing so I began to panic and tried to recall what is happening…

So I was driving home and there’s this car that appeared out from nowhere and rammed unto me. I am ‘awarded’ a sort-of-merry-go-round spin for at least 1 or 2 rounds before my car came to a stop. (Just like those you see in the movies, but this one happens to me)

3 men came to me while I tried to open my car’s door. But no matter how hard I try, I just couldn’t open the door. While stuck inside the car, this conversation took place (in Hokkien) :

Them: "Are you ok?"

Me: "Why did you crash on my car?"

Them: "Not us, (Pointing to the dented Kancil) That’s the car that crash unto you. We are just here to see whether you are ok or not."

Me: (Dazed) "I can’t get out from the car."

Them: "Use the other side." (Why didn’t I think of it?)

After I got out of the car, I was overflowed with nervousness and worry. Knowing that the damage is serious, I immediately called my dad while they told me not to worry and not to pick any problems with the other party. Also, they keep saying that as long as I am uninjured, all is well…

The other party came (a young guy, probably in his 20s or 30s) and apologized to me, asking me if I am ok or not. I can’t say much, since I am still stunned by what is currently happening to me…

Dad arrived few moments later after receiving my call telling him that I had an accident. (Sorry mum and dad for making you worried…)

We proceed to lodge a police report before heading home.

*******

Now you might ask, what is the use of praying for journey-mercy if I met an accident anyway?

That was what I questioned myself just now. Instead of being upset with God, I should be grateful.

Many people kept saying ‘Count your blessings’. Today’s the day I fully understand that phrase.

Those guys who came to help or observe mentioned that if I am late for maybe a split-second, I would be in deep trouble since the car will ram unto the driver’s seat and probably kill me off. Imagine the amount of momentum inflicted to make my car spin for a few rounds and its a Kancil that rammed me.

Thank God and praise God.

Then again, if I still had my ‘P’ or probation on, I’d be in deep shit. But no, few days ago, my probation period came to an end and I got my new driving license.

Again, Thank God and praise God.

I came out of the accident in one piece, still alive and breathing, still able to walk, still able to swing my arms around and stretch myself, with the exception of a few bruises on my arm and leg and also a shock of my life. Maybe there are some internal injuries? I don’t know, it’s not visible to the naked eye so maybe I’ll go for a medical checkup later…

So once again, Thank God and praise God.

Who says that watching a movie at movie day is cheap? That movie cost me a figure starting from 'thousand' now. Sigh…

P.S: I was too nervous and worried to even bother to take a picture of my car’s current state… So there won’t be any pictures. Maybe it might appear in the news later?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Flower




When you, the owner taking care of a flower and it’s on the verge of withering:

Was it the owner’s fault for not showing enough care and attention for the flower,
Or was it the flower’s fault for demanding too much from the owner,
Or was it because of the unsuitable environment that causes the flower to wither?

And if the flower is on the verge of withering, would you try to save it, or just let it die off?

What will you, the one reading this, do?

*******

Sidenote: Almost done with C programming's code (graphical part excluded), a million thanks to Jason Sim for making it possible.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

What if...

I lost the motivation to blog recently, not much of a problem to me since I always kept a low profile of myself. You won’t see me advertising my blog anywhere in the internet.

I wonder why I am still feeling numb even though two-third of the semester is already over. I managed to score at least “Pass near to Credit” marks for all my assessments. Even so, that is not what I originally intended before my semester started – I want to get good grades, at least a ‘D’ or even a ‘HD’ in all my subjects.

Action speaks louder than words, saying so is easy; doing so, isn’t easy at all. You see… I’m not the type of person who likes to bury myself with books every day. I’ll do anything except studying. So whenever you see me studying in library, know that it took a great amount of willpower to make myself study.

*******

Much has happened this semester.


I went back to Utopia after much persuasion, along with Jackie, Johnny and Timothy. Thinking back, we were crazy about it during form 3, waking up as early as 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning just to manage our accounts. It’s still the same 5 years later.

*******

I also finished ‘Devil May Cry 4’ and ‘Crysis’ (Games from Steven) in less than 1 week’s time (Though the games were already released long ago). For DMC4, the protagonist is not Dante anymore but Nero; As for Crysis, The game would have been nicer if they had a longer storyline. I’ll be looking forward to Crysis: Warhead. For the game summary, you can find them in Wikipedia.

Look, the reason I never tried those games until now is because I kept assuming that my laptop would not have what it takes to play the game smoothly. Even if I am able to play some of those new games with low graphic quality, I rather not waste my time on it.

*******

I’ve also finished watching some of the recently released movie/anime.

Naruto Shippuden Movie 2: Bonds (劇場版 NARUTO−ナルト− 疾風伝 絆 Gekijōban Naruto Shippūden: Kizuna)


The actual movie is already released last year in Japan. For the introduction, it starts with a group of mysterious ninjas from sky country air striking Konoha. Enough spoilers till here. Go download the full movie and watch it.


Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend) 2009 Special


It had been 3 years since the last tragedy and now Tenjo Night had been revived, it seems like he could not remember anything from the past. Someone might be able to change his fate, but will that benefit or bring more trouble to all those around him? Like before, go download the movie and watch it. I wouldn’t want to spoil anymore. 


IRyu (Team Medical Dragon) S01 & S02

This drama is about doctors performing their out-of-the-ordinary skills, chasing after time to save lives. There are touching moments included inside but if you have homophobia, this drama is not for you…

Incoming drama list:

Taiyou no Uta / A song to the Sun
Ichi Rittoru no Namida / One Litre of Tears
Ichi Rittoru no Namida - Special
Celeb to Binbo Taro
Successful Story of a Bright Girl

So many to watch, so little time to spare... Haiz

*******

I had a dream, again.

I wander alone in the dark hallway and came across a flight of stairs.

Climbing the flight of stairs, it seemed like any ordinary stairs, spiraling to the top.

The flight of stairs seemed unending to the point that I passed the clouds.

Then I saw lots of familiar faces, I saw her too.

Where am I? Why are there so many familiar faces?

Why am I here? Why is she here?

It doesn’t matter to me anyway. This is no lucid dream; I knew what is going to happen.

I pushed my way towards her, wanting to talk to her, even a simple ‘Hi’ is sufficient.

When I reached her, it is as if I lost my voice. I tried again and again but it was futile.

I couldn’t hear what she wanted to say either.

Then both of us were pulled away to the opposite direction.

Somehow she managed to pass me a message but I crumpled it without reading a single word,

For I was filled with sadness and anger – so near, yet so far away. And I also assumed that I already predicted what she wanted to tell me.

And I woke up.

What if I just read what she had written in that message of hers?

What if I was wrong with my assumptions?

What if…

*******

Sidenote: Did anyone realized this?



o.O

Thinking that you had a bad day and feeling down? Take a look at this:

Fire authorities in California found a corpse in a burned-out section of forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire. The deceased male was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with scuba tanks on his back, flippers, and face mask.

A post-mortem test revealed that the man died not from burns, but from massive internal injuries. Dental records provided a positive identification. Investigators then set about to determine how a fully clothed diver ended up in the middle of a forest fire.

It was revealed that on the day of the fire, the man went diving off the coast, some 20 miles from the forest. The fire fighters, seeking to control the fire as quickly as possible, had called in a fleet of helicopters with very large dip buckets. Water was dipped from the ocean and emptied at the site of the forest fire.

You guessed it. One minute our diver was making like Flipper in the Pacific, the next, he was doing the breast stroke in a fire dip bucket 300 feet in the air.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mini-update

The Price of a Child
----------------------

“Daddy, how much did I cost?”

Perched on my parents’ cedar chest in the bedroom, I listened to their casual talk about budgets and paychecks – talk as relevant back in 1967 as it is today. My then-six-year-old mind concluded, wrongly, that my family was poor.

Dad stood at his dresser, looking at bills. He wore faded jeans, an undershirt and white canvas shoes stained grass-green from mowing our lawn. Mom folded laundry on the bed, making even towers of sun-dried clothes. I spotted my new shorts sets and thought about day camp.

Their money talk continued, and Dad joined me on the cedar chest. I plunked the springy metal watchband on Dad’s tan wrist, thinking that the white skin underneath reminded me of a fish belly. Just as I started to ask him to “make a muscle” so I could try pushing his flexed biceps down, a thought hit me like icy water from a garden hose: Dad had to pay for me.

While the story of my birth ranked as a bedtime favorite, I had never considered hospital bills, or the countless meals I’d eaten, or the price of summer clothes.

“Daddy,” I interrupted again, “how much did I cost?”

“Oh, let’s see.” He sighed in distraction and placed his watch on the safety of his dresser. “About a million dollars.”

A light went out inside me. A million dollars. Because of me, Dad worked two jobs. Because of me, he drove an old car, ate lunch at home and had his dress shoes resoled – again.

With my eyes and chin down, I inched off the cedar chest and shuffled into the kitchen. From a shelf, I took my granny-shaped bank, which held every penny I owned – seven dollars even. And not seven dollars in assorted change, but seven cool, shiny silver dollars, one for every birthday and one for the day I was born.

The bank’s rubber plug surrendered, and the coins poured into my hands. I had often played with these coins in secret, jostling them in a small drawstring bag in my roles as gypsy or runaway princess. They had always been put back in the bank, though, and I felt secure pleasure in just knowing they were there. But that day, the “clink” of returning each coin sounded hollow.

If the topic had changed when I returned to my parents’ bedroom, I didn’t notice. Tugging on Dad’s shirt, I held out my first payment on a million dollars.

“Here,” I sniffed. “Maybe this will help pay for me.”

“What?” Dad’s confused look matched my own. Didn’t he remember what he’d said? Didn’t the sight of me remind him of how much I cost?

My tear-filled eyes, which I couldn’t seem to take off the bank, finally made sense to him.

Dad knelt down and pulled me close. “You didn’t cost a million dollars, but you’re worth a million-million dollars. And if that’s what I’d have to pay for you, I’ll do it. Now dry those eyes and put your bank away.”

Today, I often pull this memory out, turn it over and feel the warm satisfied weight of it in my heart. Back then, no price could be put on my worth to my dad. No price can be put on his worth to me now.

Debi Stack
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Wisdom of Dads


You'd be wondering why did I post an entry completely unrelated to Mums. Well, this article is taken from my church's bulletin this morning. I like this story and would like to share it with all of you.

Today is "Parents' Sunday" in my church. Lots of presentation going on, and lots of memories made.

I love you Mum and Dad, though I rarely expressed it to both of you in real life.

Happy Mothers' Day.


*******

I'll update the remaining parts of this entry later (a very very long one, since I have been MIA for one month+ ), since I have TSD test 2 tomorrow. More and more C programming blues...

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Another entry

I’ve got so much to blog but I guess I’ll just summarize things up in case those who came to read doze off reading halfway…

*******

*Few years back*

There’s this drama that caught my attention, a fairly old one. Known as “Hana Kimi” by many, the story is mainly about a girl dressed up as a guy to enter an all-boys school.

I first know of the Taiwan version and to be honest, that drama is a major turnoff for me. Watched 2 episodes and deleted the rest with the reason that the drama is plain boring.

*Fast forward to the year 2009*

After having dinner at my grandparent’s house on 1 of the CNY nights, I join my uncles watching TV programs and saw the same drama that I disliked few years back. But since the rest of the channels are still broadcasting advertisement, I decided to just watch Hana Kimi again.

Halfway through the show, I was wondering how come majority of the actors are Japanese? Then only I realized that there’s also a Japanese version.

Now, the Japanese version is so much better than the Taiwan version in many ways and I’m sure those who have watched it will agree with me too.

A million thanks to SARS for doing all the subbing for Hana Kimi. Go visit their website -here-

*******

Once again, Dell’s customer service never failed to amaze me.

Few months ago, I gave them a call requesting them to send a technician to service my notebook (because the hinge joining the notebook and the LCD screen is shaky + the media buttons are not really functioning well).

That afternoon, the technician came and dismantled my notebook. I got nervous since this is the first time I serviced my notebook. I know this is stupid but I did pray in my heart that nothing will go wrong as I see so many tiny components being taken out.

After that, the technician took out 2 boxes of components. Then only I realized that he is not going to repair it but rather to replace the old with the new.

While replacing the components, the technician (better known as an engineer) explained that the warranty covers all of the notebook’s components except the battery and the AC adapter. That is fine with me since I got my new battery and my adapter is functioning normally.

*******

My new semester started and much has happened, both pleasant and unpleasant… I started driving to Swinburne this semester and to be honest, I was nervous as I rarely drive (maybe a few times in a week, with my dad supervising). Luckily all is well, no accidents or anything bad that could have happened to a driver.

Then we had parties for our friends who are reaching 21 years old and my wallet was bleeding non-stop. It was kinda hectic but I like the parties, and don’t mind paying as long as I am not the one organizing it.

Then for the 1st time I see this guy who is a two-timer, probably the worst of the worst two-timer. I have much to say about you, calling you names, spreading word of your pathetic character and even more. But doing so won’t benefit me in any way, and doing so wouldn’t heal the wounds that you had inflicted.

Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

I have no need of further explanations.

*******

Before I end this entry, I’d like to share this with all of you:

The Rules For Being Human

1. You will receive a body.
You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for the entire period of this time around.

2. You will learn lessons.
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called Life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons.
Growth is a process of trial and error: Experimentation. The “failed” experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiment that ultimately “works”.

4. A lesson is repeated until learned.
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end.
There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. “There” is no better than “here”.
When your “there” has become a “here”, you will simply obtain another “there” that will again look better than “here”.

7. Others are merely mirrors of you.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you.
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Your answers lie inside you.
The answers to Life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen and trust.

10. You will forget this.


Cherie Carter-Scott



Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Thank you God

Again, let me share a joke with all of you before I proceed with monotone droning...

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

Why did the chicken cross the road? We asked a variety of people about this:

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN McCAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS (KFC): Did I miss one? Damn.

*******

I went to Genting last week. To be honest, I wasn’t in the mood to go anywhere because I am very worried and nervous of my results. But since my dad said that we should at least visit Genting once, I tagged along.

We used AirAsia to KL, and guess what? First they re-timed our flight from 11am to 1pm, never mind that. They told us to go to Gate 1 to board the plane, when we reach gate 1, the person in charge told us that it has changed to Gate 7.

So there we are, waiting at gate 7 till near-boarding time when there’s another announcement telling all the passengers that the boarding gate has changed to Gate 1 again. I’m sure I heard one American saying “What the hell?” loudly. Lol.

Reaching Genting, it’s almost 6.30p.m.


Here’s a view of the hotel we are staying at.

Then we visited the casinos, there are everywhere. The sad thing is, I cannot enter!

I’ve no idea when police are enforced to guard the entrance. There used to be no police at all, as long as you have money, you can go in. So suay lor..


One of the casinos



The garden (taken at the restaurant providing breakfast)

Next morning, I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy myself at the theme park so I gave excuses not to go in. I mean, how can you enjoy yourself while your worries are completely focused on your results right? You wouldn’t enjoy the theme park anymore and going in would be a waste.

Other pics are with my dad, will take from him some time later...

*******


Results were released today. If you see me blogging here, it’s got to be good news or else there will be no new entry from me…

I prayed again and again hoping that I would pass because I did not do well in 2 out of the 3 subjects. So in the end I get:

Distinction for Energy and Motion
Pass for Mechanics of Structure and
Pass for Engineering Mathematics I

Ok, I’m not the only one being ecstatic here. I’ve seen other’s results and they did fine too… I guess this will be a good CNY for everyone…

P.S: I’m not trying to say that by not studying hard and just praying, you can get what you want. Always remember that if you want God to help you, help yourself first.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Tagggggggggggg

Time to do this tag stuff (dipaksa oleh Jen Jen)

1. tulis 10 perkara pasal orang yang tag anda
2. tulis 10 perkara pasal anda
3. cari 10 orang untuk anda tag

Since I got tagged by 2 sisters, WeiLing and Jayne so I have to write 10 things about each of them (bad ones can bo?)

WeiLing

1. Pernah sama kelas dengan saya di sekolah rendah dan sekolah menengah
2. Orangnya tinggi
3. Sekarang terus pengajian di Singapura
4. Pandai berlukis
5. Baik Hati dan suka menolong orang
6. Ada seorang kakak
7. Namanya hampir sama dengan nama saya
8. Suka ambil gambar
9. Pernah menyertai ahli persatuan St. John ambulance
10. Dia tag saya = =’

Jayne

1. Suka buli saya
2. Suka ‘roar’
3. Sekarang berada di UKM
4. Suka Korean drama
5. Kadang kala blur blur (dipanggil blur queen)
6. Pernah sama kelas dengan saya di sekolah menengah
7. Paksa saya tulis ‘tag’ ini
8. Ada seorang abang dan adik
9. Ex-presiden kelab sains dan matematik.
10. Dia tag saya > . <


Now to write 10 things about myself…

1. Suka main komputer game
2. Tidak pandai dalam bahasa melayu dan bahasa cina
3. Tidak suka belajar tetapi memaksa diri untuk belajar
4. Ingin belajar bahasa jepun
5. Ingin belajar piano
6. Suka ‘french fries’
7. Tidak suka menyusahkan orang lain
8. Boleh mengunakan komputer selama 24 jam dan tidak rasa letih.
9. Tidak suka tidur (4~6 jam cukup dah)
10. Tidak suka tulis tag -_-‘