This Feels Too Weird...

The semester has just ended for me. Just had my final paper a couple of hours back and ahh, feel so uncertain and fearful about how it's gonna turn out. It was bloody difficult to say the least. Or maybe it's just me, but I hope not.

Feels weird this feeling...Somehow I just don't feel the thrill of exams finishing like I used to in high school. You know, that feeling of absolute freedom and relief? I don't think I've felt that way in the last three exams I've taken. Perhaps the last time it felt really really good to finish my exams was when I sat for my WAUFP foundation paper. Maybe if today had ended well, it would feel much better.

But then again, maybe not. It feels too weird. Like there is absolutely nothing to do. The last week or two has just been absolutely jam-packed with endless nerd-ing in the library and I think that my brain is still telling me that if I am not studying or doing anything useful, then I'm just wasting my time and I ought to be ashamed of myself. Rushing for everything has been all I've been doing for the past week and things have just so abruptly come to a halt. I don't think my mind is in tuned to that change yet.

Lols, first post in almost 2 months. I doubt anyone even visits this page anymore lols. But with all this spare time I have in my hands, I shall try to make time for blogging.

Arghh, I want to make it through today's paper so badly....it will probably be bothering me until my results come out, by when I will be even more nervous to find out how I did. So annoying. Anyways, to all those who are still halfway through exams, best of luck...it will all be over soon. To the mcl-ers, hang in there...you're nearly there.

Time

I'm lacking the inspiration to post anything new these days. Life has been pretty uneventful ever since uni restarted. It has been very routine. Wake up at 7, breakfast and coffee, lectures, tutorials, assignments, nerd-ing in the library at night and going to work three times a week. Stuffed up with all these things I think really makes you lose sense of the time around you. Before you know it, it's Monday all over again and whoop-dee-doo, the previous week just plays out again, like a cassette tape.

Feels weird how life seems to move faster and faster as we age. Remember those days in Kindergarten when a year seems so awfully long? And how we look forward to those end of year holidays that just never ever seem to come? Funny how our perception of time can change so much. I mean time hasn't at all changed, the length of a second has and always will be a second. An illusion created by things that go on in our everyday lives I suppose. You know what's funny as well? How we tend to appreciate the things of the past more now than we do then. Like right now when I'm reminiscing about those days when we were 4 years old and haven't a care or worry in the world or those great times we had in high school or happy moments with friends old and new.

Sometimes I feel like my life is pretty boring. I'm not in any way saying that I don't like my life. Just that I think it lacks the element of fun. Somehow, trying to be focused all the time on what I want to accomplish just doesn't allow much time for anything else. 24 hours a day isn't enough I should say. Hmm, I think that when it comes down to it, perhaps the things that really brings us joy in our lives isn't our accomplishments, wealth or triumphs but rather the memories, happy moments and all the good and non-materialistic things of life.

Someone once said to me, "Money cannot buy you happiness or respect, but it is the most convenient thing in the world". Isn't it weird how most of us live through life chasing after money thinking it will be the solution to all our problems and perhaps that we can even attain happiness by it? Money can be quite deceitful eh?

This post is not meant to be emo in any way. Just felt like ranting that's all. Anyways, it is time for me to rush off to work. Back to life. Ciao...

Birthday Toast...

To a fun-loving, friendly, wacky, cool, funny and downright awesome guy....HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY!! I hope you had a wonderful birthday, one filled with laughter, joy and the company of great friends.


It's great having you around. I think the photo above was taken at the airport before you left for the UK. But hey, you are here now and it's absolutely great to have you around. Don't have to wait till the end of the year to see you anymore. May you have a terrific year ahead dude. Thanks for the great company and for enriching my life with your laughter, jokes and your fun-filled spirit. Many more great memories to come!

Twenty Already?

This post is about two weeks overdue but nevermind. You know what they say....better late than never right? It's fairly obvious what this post will be about as can be seen from the title. So, I've been twenty years old for almost 2 weeks now. Yes, my big two zero is here and it's hit me that I have now been in existence for 2 decades. A pretty huge milestone in ones life I would say. Assuming that we will live to be 100 years old, I am one-fifth of the way there now! I'm filled with jumbled up emotions about myself, people and just about life in general, both a mix of sadness, longing, excitement and joy but I'm glad to say that the negativeness is being drowned by more constructive and optimistic thoughts on life.


First and foremost, a very very big thank you to all of you who remembered my birthday and showered me with greetings from different parts of the world. I really do appreciate every single one of them. And for the gifts and cards, thank you so much once again. I absolutely love every single one of them to bits. I feel more than blessed to know each and everyone of you.

I have been having some thoughts and musings on life recently. I think it might have to do with the fact that I am feeling pretty old now. It seems like we've come a long way haven't we? Time really does seem to pass us by even quicker than before. Hard to believe that we have left our high school days behind us for 2 years already and time is not slowing down for anyone of us. I don't know how everyone is doing but I hope that each and everyone of us are doing alright. The older I get, the more it seems that life is shorter than we think it is. But rather than let this dampen my spirits, I am actually having a rather positive outlook on how I see my life unfold within the years of my youth.

I must admit that life has been pretty harsh at times during the past few years but the lessons I have learnt from those difficult times are invaluable to me today as I look back at them. Without having been through those tough moments, I imagine I would still be young, naive, ignorant boy that I was from my high school days. Without meaning to be arrogant or proud in anyway, I'd like to think that I have grown a lot as an individual during the last few years of my life. I believe that in this period of time, I have tried my best in my endeavours, strived hard and regardless of the many disappointments I have had, those of which still haunt me every now and again, I must say that this journey has been a fruitful and worthwhile experience. Afterall, there have been many triumphs along the way, little trophies here and there that mark moments in life that were worth fighting for, worth cherishing and worth slowing down for every now and again to just think and reflect about life. So when it comes down to it, life has been pretty good after all.

But nevertheless, there is still much much more to work on. In this moment in time, I feel like I want to make the most of my time to really really live these years of my life to my hearts content. There is so much I want to do. From resolving problems and issues in my life that trouble me to places I want to go, qualities I hope to acquire, things I wish to learn and whatever else it is, I will strive to achieve them and I hope that I feel continuously motivated to do so. There is just so much to do and so much to see and it would be impossible to see and do them all but I will like to absorb as much of the world as I can while I am still able to. Reading the list of things that Sjane has made in her blog has somehow spurred me to do the same as well. Lols, I have not made any lists of any form but I have this crazy idea that within the next 10 years of my life, I will like to have accomplished most of these things. Why 10 years u ask? Well, assuming that I will be married by then, personal obligations will definitely hinder me from living out these goals and regret will certainly not be something I will like to live with.

So what would I like to do? I would really love to travel. To all sorts of places to experience cultures and diversity. To indulge in my interests perhaps, learning new skills, sports, cook new dishes and maybe learn a few new musical instruments? Haha I don't know, there's just so much I feel like doing and the clock is ticking away. A little too ambitious perhaps? Maybe...but then again, enthusiasm may just get you a long way.

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible- and achieve it, generation after generation."~ Pearl S. Buck

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I last blogged. I have been pretty busy and occupied with more important things. But, not forgetting that the whole purpose of starting this blog is to help me keep in touch with friends all over the place, I think that it has been left dormant for long enough. Here's some updates on how I've been and what has been happening lately.

Three weeks of uni have already gone by and boy does it feel like only yesterday when it just started. It's been busy and as usual like every semester, I've got quite a lot of catching up to do already. But overall, things are looking pretty good. So what's new? Well, yours truly now works at Hungry Jack's otherwise known as Burger King in America and probably the rest of the world. I have no idea why they call it Hungry Jack's here. It's kinda weird come to think of it. Burger King sounds so much better eh? It feels kinda good to have a job but I have to admit that I like the idea of having a job more than actually having to work lols. It's quite tiring at times and it's challenging for me because now I have to learn to juggle work with school and perhaps a little bit of time for myself here and there. "I'm lovin' it" though (and I quote McDonald's which I really shouldn't be be doing). It feels fulfilling that I am able to make some extra cash so that I won't have to feel too bad everytime I think I'm overspending. Sighs...I don't get free burgers though...yea I know...sad but true.

Two weekends ago, I went to watch 'The Phantom of the Opera' the musical. It was quite spectacular. It was my first time ever attending an event of the sort and it was an exciting and memorable experience.

That's my ticket

Tickets weren't cheap though. Mine was $109.90 and we still sat quite far away from the stage. We couldn't even see the faces of the people on stage properly but nevertheless, it was worth it. The show had an amazing cast. Anthony Warlow who plays The Phantom was just remarkable. All the props, equipment, music and effects really brought out the mood and setting of the play really well. Lols I will not go any further to tell you details of the musical because that will just spoil it for those who haven't yet seen it...and plus, I'm too lazy and sleepy to type it out now...*yawns* (the latter being the main reason). But go see it the next time the opportunity comes around. I recommend it.


I shall be off to sleep soon but before that, congratulations to Mr. Sim Kai Lun and Mr. Aidan Chan on your excellent 'A' level results! May you get into your desired courses of study at the university of your choice. Best of luck to the both of you. Keep us updated yea?

It's nearly 2 in the morning and I should really be going to bed now. So until next time...ciao...

First Day

So Uni starts today...It was dreadful getting out of bed today at 7am. 8 am lectures are *yawns*...not fun. Had some coffee during breakfast and I think that managed to keep me going for the rest of the day. Despite having to wake up early, first day turned out to be quite ok actually. Today, I learned that I will be designing and building robots for Engineering Design and Visual Communications unit. How cool is that! It might just be fun.

Look what I found in my student diary...I thought this was pretty funny so I thought I'd share it with you guys.

Anyway, with Uni starting now, work loads are gonna increase ten fold and I doubt I will have the time to blog as much as I do now. I will try to update as often as I can so pop in once in awhile to check if there's anything new k. And that will be all for now guys. Bye...

Happy Birthday...

Mr Chai Chang Jun. You are 21 today! Funny how it feels like only yesterday when we first met when its already been a little over 2 years.

Limelight's on you today.

We have had many laughs and good times through this short span of time. Most of them involving you doing some stupid and crazy things but hey, thinking back, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

I can almost hear you saying..."I wanna get a knife and kill you!"

It's been a blast with you around. All the nonsense and gibberish that goes back and forth between us makes me laugh sometimes when I think of them. May we have much more of these in the future. So here's to you dear friend. Have a great birthday today!

Of Movies & Spiders

Went for a movie the other day. Not one you would normally go for though...this one was outdoors. It was quite an interesting experience if I do say so myself. At first I thought it would be one of those drive in movies that you see in 'The Flintstones' but it wasn't quite like that. It was just like any other cinema without the chairs, acoustically designed walls and carpetting. We sat on grass beneath the starry sky and watched the movie on a screen in front of us. It had a romantic ambience to it hehe. Too bad the movie wasn't quite so fitting for the nice outdoor theatre setting. "The Tale of Despereaux". A cartoon about a mouse and...stuff. Didn't think too much of the movie but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Quite chilly at night though. Should have brought my jacket.

Dex before the movie and Mike being camera shy.


Smile...*snap*


People...


Screen...


That's Dilmas and Faith with Charles at the back.

Food...dinner and movie snacks.

About two days ago, we ( my housemates and I) uncovered something pretty interesting living right outside our doorstep....

A Spider!

But it wasn't just any spider. Upon closer inspection, we noticed that it had a red spot on the bottom side of its abdomen and we thought at first that it might be a Black Widow spider! Quite a scary thought huh?....Imagine living with Black Widows just outside your doorstep.

Yikes!

Although, I must admit that I was quite excited with our find hehe...Sakai mah....never see before. I decided to google it to try and identify the species of the spider. And after doing some close inspection and research into this little mystery, I have come to the conclusion that the above mentioned spider is in fact a Redback spider instead of a Black Widow. Below is an image of a Redback spider just for comparison with the above photo. Unfortunately, I could not get a look at the upper face of the spider's abdomen and the photo below happens to be a photo of the spider in that position.

A couple of facts...Both Black Widow and Redback spiders have a characteristic red spot on their undersides shaped like a hourglass. This made identifying the spider difficult. However, the size of the spider was only about over a centimetre long and this better fit the description of the Redback spider rather than the Black Widow. So I'm not really sure, but I just think that it's the Redback spider. If there are any experts out there reading this, correct me if I'm wrong. You might also like to know that Redbacks are considered one of the most dangerous spiders in Australia. So there you go, a little bit of trivia for you readers out there.

And perhaps a little humour to top it off...Here's an extract of a conversation that I had with Mel:

kh@ng says:

theres a black widow living outside my house

mel - says:

black widow?

mel - says:

how do u know her husband died?

mel - says:

o.0

mel - says:

is she mourning or smth?

(momentary silence)

kh@ng says:

mel….still the same haha…lame as ever

kh@ng says:

u know black widow right mel?

kh@ng says:

the spider

mel - says:

OHHH

mel - says:

oh yeah i forgot it was a spider

mel - says:

i took it..literally

mel - says:

lololol

kh@ng says:

hahahahaha

You crack me up sometimes haha...Anyways, its getting late and I should be off to sleep soon. Posting this was fun but we'll have to look into getting rid of those spiders soon. Certainly won't wanna be the one to do it hehe...

Perth

So I'm once again back in Perth. Journey back wasn't that swell. Managed to sleep at most three hours on the plane and I was practically feeling pretty stoned the rest of the day. But I did nap for 5 hours afterwards. Didn't do too much on the plane....usually I'd probably watch movies to pass the time but this time I was hoping to get some sleep...don't really like overnight flights. Actually don't really like flying especially when it involves having to leave home and not going back for awhile. Ah well...glad that's over.

Louis was at the airport with me. We were on the same flight to Singapore and we were supposed to have adjoining seats on the plane because I deliberately told the lady at the check-in counter to seat us together.....but she didn't give it to us. You know what Sjane, I think it was the same lady at the check-in counter who wouldn't let you through with your 6 kilos of excess luggage. tsk tsk tsk some people....keep making problems for passengers eh? And 'making our journeys so unpleasant' eh Sjane?

Silk air was celebrating its 20 year anniversary and we got complimentary cheese cake on the flight! It was tasty. Louis agrees too. Met a couple of people on that flight too like Tian Hui and Pauline Tay who coincidentally happened to be on the same flight to Perth as me. Pauline and I toured Changi airport's terminal 3 for a bit before embarking on our next flight. It was quite spectacular I must say. (But of course la, I'm a Kuching boy and I might just be 'sakai') I especially liked the free movie theatre meant for transiting passengers.

Back in Perth now and uni starts again next Monday...Feels pretty barren here but I have a lot of things to do and sort out before then so I guess that's a good thing. Till next time...ciao...

It's A Start

Hey guys and welcome to my page. Lols just realized it's friday the thirteenth. What an auspicious day to start a blog haha. Well, it's a start I guess.....finally got a blog going. After months and years of telling myself that I should really try it, here it is. Let's just hope that it keeps up. Reasons to blog...hmm...first and foremost, it will certainly make it easier for my friends to know what goes on in my life every now and then. It's pretty difficult to keep up with one another eh? I will be posting up things, photos and events of everyday things. Please do comment.

It will also be a collection of my thoughts and opinions to perhaps help me remember things better. A place for ranting perhaps? Good memory isn't one of my attributes. So, 2009 kicks off...holidays have just come to a close with its fill of wonderful memories, laughs and a fair share of mishaps to go with it. It will be missed i suppose, most of it, but hey, 2009 awaits! I look forward to it but it seems rather daunting to me as well. "Que sera sera.....whatever will be will be", that seems like a pretty positive outlook on what's to come, well to me it does anyway.....Personally, I hope I will be able to reap the most I can out of this year and be fulfilled and content with what I will achieve in 2009. *fingers crossed*

To the rest of you, good luck and all the best. Until next time...Cya.