Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Day of Relax

Today was my first day of the advanced holidays. I did not go back home immediately as usual since the announcement of mid-semester break. It was too sudden, too abrupt to leave everything and go back home to RELAX! There are various stuffs which we need to do in the coming few weeks. Besides assignments which could be done individually, we still need a lot of practical training in the lab (kitchen) and group discussion.

I was pretty much enjoying to spend my day, though there were things to do, yet forget about deadline. Just do it slowly, with no pressure, with my own limit...I went for the karaoke with ST, shopping for the ingredients (we shopped for the graduation gift as well), and show time in the kitchen! Thanks YM for willing to let us use her kitchen at home. It was a party time instead of training. 3 of us, the totally un-professional and completely in-disciplined apprentice, with no one supervising, made a mess in the kitchen! Party time = food and fun!

At least we have come out our finalized menu with recipe. I have been staying up until about 2am, which was very unusual! Why? My stomach just too heavy to let me to sleep, stuffed with LOTS of food!!! LOL!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

A Night to Remember

Have been staying at my room for almost the whole DAY! I have rejected the job offer, I decided not to work for time being. Be focus, as a food service student!
10 of us...fourth year food study female student.

The night was our annual course night. It was a function which we could dress up and enjoy a ballroom dinner. There were 13 of our batch attending it. It was...fun! It was indeed a relaxation for me after a whole day of worrying. I am glad I am still able to laugh, to be amused, to enjoy.
In fact, I miss those years as the newbies in UPM. During that time, everything was so new to me, I was so interested in trying almost everything. Active, it is the word which I can use to describe the first year me, without any shame. I knew a lot of friends from various activities. Then, as time passed, I became more and more reserved. I try to restrict my involvement in activity besides from studying.
She is Shi Lei, same name with me, first year food study student. Seeing the first year junior, their "freshness" really inspired me a lot...flashing back...Where is my enthusiasm gone? Where is my passion hiding?

It was a great turning point for me, as I shifted from an active person into an individualistic student. I have forgotten since when, I tend to have meal alone, go back home alone, attend classed alone. I love to be described as Miss Invisible. Some of the time, I enjoy hiding beneath the invisible cloak, observing others. Yet I really do miss those years where by I was so cheerful with bunch of friends giggling around. Therefore, I cherish every moment whenever I am with my friends, be it only sitting down and gossiping about something unimportant.

Is it a process of growing up? The process teaches me to accomodate myself to be lonely, forces me to be independent. Some says, only when you are alone, then you could learn more. I'm not sure how true is the theory, but I'm trying. Trying to be independent.

Anyway, thanks a lot! The night was a memory, for everyone of us.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Dine out

Japanese food is always one of my favourites. It is even enjoyable if having few friends to dine in the restaurant!











Eating and chatting...I love it. It's time to really think of my life, it couldn't be let go without any planning...

First Try

Today was another fruitful day with a lot of tryings.

Has been a long time haven't been going for outing with friends. Today, under the name of purchasing the ingredients for the competition, I've had the opportunity to go out with dear teammates!

I'm not going to say what we bought or done was successful. It was failed trying in fact. Yet I was happy. I've learnt more than that!
Previously somebody told me, we can simply learn from ANYBODY. Indeed everyone has specialty which is so unique and worth to learn from.


1. Our group leader ST. She was troubled with personal problems as well as the heavy task in this semester. Yet she was still so cool and be mindful especially in purchasing. She would make sure everything we purchased was really the ingredients we would be using. You know, girls will lose kind of mind/sense during shopping. In this time, she would remind us about the budget and again repeated the recipe we chose.


2. FS, I would call him as one of our advisor. As he was going to give some opinions on their event foods, I was listening and learning. He really knew a lot of things (or perhaps I am too ignorant about EVERYTHING...) To him, I have nothing to say but SALUTE!


3. Last but not least, my motivator, Ms Miao! All of us know she was undergoing an operation last semester break due to an accident. She is facing difficulty in walking, crippling in fact. What really impressed me was she has never given up. The white flag would never be shown on her side!! As her name, she was so determined. I seldom heard any complaints from her. She knew her limit but she was never afraid to try! She is always the happy and helpful "shui" (fellow) among us!


ME? I am not sure what is my role among them. But, I'm really glad I have such a great teammates. The result is not a real matter to us. What is the most important is, we must try our hardest to learn, and enjoy the process!

One more thing: I should have thanked dear PN, JL and MH. Thanks for their testing and opinions! Appreciate them!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Where is the saver of money?

People around me sure sick of my sigh, "I have never felt as poor as now!"

A savvy like me, why reaching such a tragic stage? Isn't ptptn will be banking in around RM2000 to my account this semester? Yes, it did. Then?


1. the installment of my insurans already used up 1/3 of it.

2. my payment of the orthodontics

3. the fees, fees, and fees...(RM 50, 60, 100...)


Some might say, you deserve it. Why never consider carefully before you agree for a long term "debt"?


Debt = Investment?


Some cheer me up, " Never mind, you can always earn back!"


Earn back? How to do it in short term?


I always feel ashamed to get money from parents since they are not financially well-to-do. When I go back home, dad or mum will bring me to somewhere to eat, to enjoy. But I don't really dare to request much...I wanted to cook something special or bring them to somewhere unique, but all due to lack of $$, I gave up those ideas.


Experience needs money to realize. People will say, you can be poor financially but cannot poor in mind! How to rich the mind? Money is one of the criteria to achieve it.


Anyway, I m trying not to worry so much about it. Money can always earn back! cheers!


Monday, July 20, 2009

Classroom Decoration Competition

Back to Batu Pahat, as my sis's school, Chinese High School was having its open day for the Classroom Decoration Competition.

I m always amazed by the ability and talent of the students there. Even now...



This two are the wall painting of my sis's classroom. Their theme is ILLUSION VS REALITY. Nice Theme...as the wall of the reality breaks, comes the beautiful illusion...I love it. Frankly, I m proud of her!

This is the wall painting of the famous celebrity, be it politician (very obviously, Barack Obama), scientist (Stephen Hawkings), athletes etc...



This two are among my favorites. The classroom was decorated as the old time pub...Cowboys...See the gun? It was hand-made also...

Look carefully...This is one of the oldest street in Batu Pahat Town. It brings so much memory...so real, so old...

In the open area...Various of sculptures and structures are made. The Station of Happiness. I like the cute dear train...

Audio Jungle...

Wall E?

This one...humankind is struggling in the intruding matrix world...though it's not that delicate, but the theme, attracted me!
There are even more nice paintings and sculptures. Too bad my camera was running out of battery...Anyway, I was really amazed, once again. I like the culture of the school. The students are exposed to more, other than academy...I can always feel the vibrancy of them in the school...It's indeed a cool place in nurturing the future generation!!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

The Moment

I love this song, very much, since many many years ago...the moment, from Stephenie Sun.

這一刻 回頭看見自己
這一路的風景 百感交集的我
下一刻 又將飛到哪裡
漸漸疲憊的羽翼 為你披上了勇氣
放心離開我 我會記得這一刻
那些還飛翔著 不可思議的夢
雨後的天空 會有絢爛的彩虹
像最初相信著 我們終會找到自由
這一刻 時間變成行李
越過生命悲喜 陪伴著我前進
因為你 讓我看清自己
面對未知的恐懼
腳步更加堅定
放心離開我 我會記得這一刻
那些還飛翔著 不可思議的夢
雨後的天空 會有絢爛的彩虹
像最初相信著 我會找到自由
哦……只是遠行 不是逃避
告別是為延續回憶永恆的華麗
你……要照顧自己
不要忘記 那些燦爛過的痕跡
放心離開我 我會記得這一刻
那些還飛翔著 不可思議的夢

Because of you, i know deeper about myself
No stumbles in facing the challenges ahead
But stalking, sauntering, soaring with courage, confidence
All by myself
It's a long journey...it's not a runaway
Bidding goodbye
It's all about preserving the eternity of our beautiful memory

Take care.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Where is the Justice?

I was so SHOCKED! At first when I received the news she met accident, I thought of normal falling down from motorbike and minor external injury...After I called her...

My ex-roommate, just having lunch with her two days ago, have had a 2 hours long chat, updated with each other's recent life. Who knows...accident can happen anytime!

She was hit and fell down unconsciously...when she regained her consciousness, already in the Emergency Department. As a result, some fractures detected in the skull and some damage on the teeth alignment. I was told she was losing a large quantity of blood due to the injury from head to toes...OMG!

What more...she was robbed! Everything valuable, her money and handphone was gone!

I feel extremely sorry and sad for her, really! Why there are people like this? Robbing a girl who was seriously injured in an accident! WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

I'm truly disappointed with the safety here! Anytime, something would happen. Phobia rises...I am truly scared now.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

A part-timer

After two days of working, now it's time back to my lovely warm room to enjoy my FREE time.
There are few benefits to work:

1. Prevent getting bored (staying alone at the hostel leads to self-destructive thinking, believe me!)

2. Meet old friends (supermarket is always a place for people to hang around during weekends, bumped into my dear old roommate, what a surprise!)

3. Meet new friends (other promoters, employees are targets to talk to while working..make friend with customers? who say it is impossible!)

4. Free testing of different products UNSTOPPABLY (when manager is not supervising, it's time for us to sneak around to curi curi makan!)

5. Get to know the current cheapest price of different products (for the thrifty me, of course i want to check which product is with the best bargain!)

6. Money! Money! (this is the MAIN reason i go to work basically...the situation is: I m broke!! I really need to raise the fund for my next trip...)

The most frequent questions people asked me:
Oh, you are doing orthodontics! How much is it? How long will it take? Is it painful?

In fact my teeth can often be the topic to chat about! LOL!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

7th Semester

Learning is a life long process. I have never denied it. Yet as we growing older, we tend to think we have became experienced and tend to deny the opinion of the so-called green horn's idea.

This semester, if merely look at the time-table, people must be claiming: you guys are so F..RR..EE..! Indeed, we only have to attend a full Tuesday and few hours on Wednesday and Thursday. What we are taking this semester? If merely look at the subject description, again, people must be claiming again: you guys have so much fun!

Is it true? Does the credit hour stated really states the time we need to fork out to study? Does the subject description really states the effort we need to put? NO! NO! NO!

It is true that planning an event and running a cafe are very interesting. But whenever come to group work, meaning that requires a lot of discussion and planning. I admit I do not acquire any of the skill in doing those. I am relieved to be a follower, to do whatever according to the instruction given. It is a brand new experience to me to stay quiet in discussion, stay out from giving opinion. I keep telling myself, this is the time to LEARN, to LISTEN, to FOLLOW.

But I am not happy with that. I still cannot fit in myself in the new environment (sort of), new people (kind of). It was a chocking feeling whenever the words were not coming from your mouth. It was suffocating whenever the discussion was on but you are aside from it.

I am not blaming anyone. I just want to try a new way of learning. I know my limit, my strength. These are certainly not the field which I am expertise in. Better, I remain invisible (to the others). But, I am learning. I will keep myself up, improving, to reach you guys level. Be a good follower is always the must process in order to become a leader.

Just keep an alert mind. Do not stay out from anything. Keep involving, learning.

Chicken a-la-Carte

Recently receiving a forward email from my sis, a link to the winner in the Berlin Short Film: Chicken a-la-Carte.

Watch it...I believe some of us would be ashamed of ourselves...

After watching it, my desire to join the social work grows stronger. I could hardly bring myself into my course especially in this semester, planning event, planning a lot of food. I believe, food should be just enough to provide us energy. Those buffet and exclusive type of meals really are a waste. But what to do? In this world, the rich often enjoy out of the pain of the poor...

Please, anyone, click the link below:
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/+1081/Chicken-+a-la-Carte

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Adulthood = Freedom? Responsibiltiy?

My ex-boss in India, Mr.Amitave poured me with one question once: 'Do you consider yourself as an adult?'



After few seconds of hesitation, my answer was 'Yes'.


During my stay in India, since I was the eldest in the house. Most of the time, I need to take care of the house, from cleanliness to waking up housemate. I was as if the 'mummy' of the house. The responsibility was somehow annoying. "Why it was always me?" This kind of questions sometimes drove me crazy.



From the above case, perhaps I have to admit, I am not yet an adult.


As grown ups, the responsibility of adult power can feel like the ticking bomb. Some of us do not want to hold onto it too long for the fear of what might happen. It has the familiar ring of childhood security, as we sink back into dependence upon strong adults to take care of us. This is often what we secretly wish we could go back to.



For instance, in the journey to Thailand few days ago, with my dad. Everything was being taken care. I did not have to worry what time to wake up, plan where to go, what time to meet and how much was the best bargain. Everything was arranged without my worries. It was a luxurious trip, to me.
Yet, the satisfaction was certainly greater in India comparatively. We were told not to be too hurry to grow up but to enjoy the childhood instead. However, what is there to enjoy about always being told you cannot do something, having your judgement being second guessed. As a result, we don't just learn not to chase the ball into the street, but the go-get-it impulse we had as we saw the ball go into the street. In other words, we lose our curiosity and urge to pursue something which we want. This is the sad story of people who could not or don't want to leave their childhood.


As a young adult, I tend to be indecisive and tentative. Most of the time, I look for my parents blessing instead of approval for a certain decision. I need them to side with my responsibility and independence. Fortunely, my parents are aware, I am an adult (legally). They respect my decision, only thing is I have to bear with any consequence. I enjoy the freedom, to a certain extent. Yet, sometimes I really wish to give up this power because I was afraid, I was scared to bear any bad outcome.


The time has come, for me to strive a balance between freedom and responsility.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Rest in Peace

I didn't get to contact him that often, even though in the end of his life.

He used to be one of my closest coursemates. Playing badminton was our leisure activity to kill time. We used to be a team - the clown team (the team was constituted with few LAN-LEK members)... He was always the one bringing the joy and laughter to us.

As time passed, he became matured. He has never showed his weakness and pain in front of us (at least in my memory, he has not). He was always showing the strongest side even though deep in his heart, he was not.

In my memory, he is a sunny boy with the brightest smile, bringing all the sunshine and joy to people surrounding. He always is.

Rest in peace, Chean Voon. You remain in our memory, ever ever after.