Melly Life Monkeys Blog

A Road Trip Story – Day One

2012-01-10T19:52:00.012+08:00

Few words: Iphone 4s is literally useless in the hand of Asians. Don’t believe me, try talk to one by not faking your accent.

In my previous post, I say I need a vacation and guess what; I really got myself one last week! Not a luxurious one nonetheless, in fact just a mini getaway from work. It all began as a tipsy conversation between me and my colleagues – a theoretical safari of Perak good foods. How it ended up as an actual road trip I don’t really recall, but somehow I found myself enjoying the country life and good eats for 60 hours session of local foods.

Let’s keep story short, I have decided to take a few days off to travel around Perak – basically to every rural area reachable by road without using the express way. With no exact plan, we started our journey from Ipoh and stop whenever we want. Travel, eat, sleep and repeat. Now where can you find road trip like that?

Before I proceed, I’d need to clarify, I’m neither a food blogger nor a food photographer, and I’ve been spoilt by Ipoh good foods for almost two decades so it’s normal if I don’t feel the local foods. Anyhow, I try not to compare and just blog my humble experience based on my already indulged taste bud.

My first stop was Sitiawan, a famous little Fu Zhou town. Coming to such a town, I have to admit, it was way better than my expectation. In fact, it shouldn’t be classified as a rural area in the first place, my mistake! One thing I do realize in Sitiawan is U-turning signboard is everywhere. Come to think about it, we rarely see one in big cities nowadays. Anyhow, our first stop was to Kampung Koh Wet Market’s famous Loh Mee – a blend of thick dark chili stew served with yellow noodle. Unfortunately that day, the lady mixed it with laksa soup because she doesn’t have enough portions for us. After the first bite, we were speechless – taking a second bite just to make sure it taste differently but no, it remain the same. Total disappointment! I mean it’s just like every other Loh Mee and with the mixed stew, it tasted awfully off. Famous Loh Mee? Baloney! Good lord, wrong publicity guys!

After a grave disappointment, we somehow move on and venture to our next stop, the legendary onion biscuit or precisely Gong Pian - known by the Fu Zhou. We arrived at noon, somewhere passed lunch hour but the queue was darn long. Yes darn long. We finally felt like we were back on track for more good food. My mum told me that they used to sell onion and char siew gong pian but I only saw the onion flavor. The lady then told us that they’re not selling the char siew flavor anymore. A little drawback because it was rumored that the char siew one taste much better. Anyhow we bought 6 of it and by the way, you can’t eat them on the spot, theoretically, since they don’t provide any seat.

Hence, I take it back to my car and have a bite. It was superb! The texture was chewy-crunchy hybrid and the onions goes sinfully well with the gong pian. One bite and the onion scent filled my whole car. I alone had 5 pieces of it, go figure how good it is.

We went for the famous nine layer cake in Yee Si Kopitiam too but the owner told us that the nine layer cake only available after 3.30 pm. If we were to wait, we need to kill another hour waiting. Hence, we decided to skip this and go for James Cendol which is located somewhere near The Store Sitiawan. Honestly, it was an okay okay cendol; nothing to shout about. In fact, it was too sweet for my liking.

As the sun setting down, we travelled to Teluk Batik, a beach for sunset shooting recommended by John, a photographer I know from Photomalaysia. “Teluk Batik has the best sunset in Perak, I can give you a tour” offered John and of course, I won’t want to trouble him. I trusted him nevertheless. I went there with a big hope but no offense John, Teluk Batik is just a piled of rubbish shore; polystyrene floating in the middle of sea, plastic bag along the shoreline, leftover food and basically everything else you can find in a rubbish dump. That is not a good setting for sunset shot! If John were with me that day, I will quietly take out my tripod and beat him to dead. Instead, I went over to Lumut harbor to salvage some shots within the available time left.

At night, we have to pick either Fu Zhou cuisine or Kampung Cina’s seafood for dinner. Since Sitiawan is a Fu Zhou town, logically, it would make better sense to go for their local specialty. So we moved from something that supposedly to be like mantis prawn, flower crab and Aussie oyster to economy rice; I’m not sure we made the correct move. Anyhow the decision had been made, so I ask Lord Google for some recommendation. The bloggers suggest Bei King Restaurant – a local restaurant serving traditional Fu Zhou dishes. For your information, Bei King Restaurant had moved to a new place, somewhere not far behind their old shop lot; we only realized that when we saw the note at their old shop lot. By the way, they have upgraded their status to Bei King Hotel Restaurant. Don’t expect cheap bill anymore. FML!

We ordered three dishes – sweet and sour fish maw soup, stir-fried potato leaves and dry braised red wine chicken. Every single of it is their signature dish but they look exactly the same like the one we ordered for economy rice.

Our first dish is a heavy tomato scent fish maw. I did googled ‘fish maw’ and the result might be fearsome; jaw, throat or stomach of a fish. Gulp. Sweet and sour fish maw soup is a fish jaw (or maybe throat or stomach) with tomato soup that has first-time tasters half suspecting they might be munching on sponge soaked in tomato sauce. The flavor was perfectly inoffensive but the organ part did make me startled – where the heck did they find such a big fish jaw; I doubt it was a pig intestine instead. I had to choke down my first bite with tea but soon my mind stop rebelling and despite the texture – a weird spongy feel exactly like biting on a pig skin but to my surprise, I actually liked it. Mercifully, the strong tomato soup totally covers the soil smell of the fish maw. It was actually the best Fu Zhou dishes I ever had – period. Five stars!

Our next dishes is dry braised red wine chicken, don’t be fooled by their bloodlike colour, according to the waitress, no colouring used. It was all due to the reddish colour of Fu Zhou red wine. The braised chicken is a bit disappointment or maybe I’m more to stronger flavor guy. Frankly, the chicken was a bit tasteless but the meat deserved a praise, it’s tenderly soft.

The stir-fried potato leaves is just another stir-fried potato leaf. Fu Zhou style, maybe? No comment. Our total damage was below MYR 60, still a bargain though.

After the dinner, we decided to drive around the small town until we stumbled across Sitiawan Big Cinema. Since that is the only entertainment place Sitiawan has to offer at this hour, we decide to go in for a 3D movie. That is the first time I go for 3D movie and by the way, 3D movie is only MYR 15 in Big Cinema, screw you TGV Ipoh! And screw you GSC Ipoh for not upgrading!

The movie ended at 11.30PM, I had a great time watching the bullet flying out from the screen. It was time to head back to our hotel but it would take us another 30 minutes trip to get back to our hotel. Somewhere in between, I had a nature call. Perhaps the fish maw determined to fight back in my stomach. I was shivering with cold sweat and my mind went blank, that time I knew I have to stop somewhere to toss the load. Hereby, I want to thank KFC Sitiawan for their clean washroom and best of all, 24 hours operating restaurant. Without them, I won’t make it and most probably forced to untie the knots in my car. Heartily appreciate your help. That’s the best moment I had in KFC.

That should be all for Day 1 – Sitiawan and Lumut. Tune in for more next time, thank you.

To be continued…

Bad Habit Weakness

2011-12-27T23:07:00.007+08:00

Few words: Last time when I always lepak, people ask me to get a job. Now that I have a job, people ask me why I don’t come out lepak one? wdafuq!

When my boss first handed me the appraisal form, I think he did smile. Heedlessly, I just put it on my table and in no time, it was stacked with documents. After few days, the appraisal reappeared and casually I just flipped through the form but unintentionally I come across a column which requires me to fill in my weakness. “This is some serious shit!”

When they asked for your weakness, basically, they are trying to make the self-conscious you to betray you. You get what I mean, no? They aren’t really interested in your weakness. What they really interested in are the potential excuses they don’t give you bonus.

Come to think of it, my boss did not smile, it was a smirk instead!

In any case, here I am trying hard to fill up this appraisal form. But frankly speaking, I’d develop a number of bad habits for the past six months.

One thing for sure, I’m always rushing. For the past six months, I’ve been late for at least dozens of times and most of the time if I really made it on time, it is marginally passed. And so I have developed a kind of a chic talk every time I start my car “Let’s do it”; credit taken from Mission Impossible. You know, just a small motivation talk between me and my car. Although as weird as it sound, this motivation really works. Without knowing it, I started to whisper to my car every time I start my car, just to feel like Tom Cruise once in a while. One fine morning, I was fetching my mum to dentistry. Casually I did it again when I started my car, “Let’s do it” and my mum was like “DO WHAT?” with wild-eyed. Glaring in by my mum like this, I won’t want to tell her that I’m talking to a car. Silently, I just put in the first gear and drive.

Also, over the past six months, people have been calling me all sorts of name but all aren’t my real name. Department manager called me Chow, the marketing representative refers me as Jeff in her email and the worse one is from the plating department lady: ‘Stiff’ and that is not even a name. It is more like an adjective but compliment still taken, good eyes lady! Anyhow for the past six months I had not corrected a single person that called me wrongly. I guess for me, a name is just a name.

Lately, I’m into photography so it is a norm for photo enthusiasm like me to practice my framing and composing every chance I have. The great different that distinguishes between professional and amateur is the professional compose their shot in mind whereas amateur usually frame them by fingers. So whenever I see something worth taking, I’ll heedlessly frame the shot with my fingers. Although I tried to minimize this bad habit but sometimes I just can’t help and box my shot with fingers. This is another chic act; holding steadily, controlling my breathing, shooting: It is my second nature but when my mum sees it, she yells, “DO WHAT?” Once again, glared in so intensively by my mum, I just walked away silently.

Although I was supposed to literally send all my emails in English but sometimes I just couldn’t. There are limitations to English words’ expression. Thus, I tend to use stronger words like ‘sibeh’, ‘dulan’, ‘geng’, ‘die die’ and such word of this format in my email. Anyhow, I only limit this in my casual email, albeit sometimes in my formal email as well. Nevertheless there is once when I used this in my email to my manager, it is a one to one email so I thought to myself ‘why so serious?’ and I did that. Well, first of all the word is stronger and secondly it simplify my intention holistically. ‘Customer is not happy and demand us to provide a new solution to our existence control plan’ now can be simplified to ‘deep shit, customer dulan’. But that particular email is escalated to everyone in my manager next reply. Best of all, senior managers are in the loop as well, FML!

After mirroring so many of my bad habits, I have stuck back to reality facing my appraisal most difficult question again. Come to such extent, in any case, I have to write something down.

PLEASE IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESS: NONE.

The Write Stuff

2011-12-14T17:41:00.008+08:00

Few words: V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N and I need it so badly. A mini escape from work sound just so fine.

Coming to such extent, it is neither about keeping readers nor making pocket money anymore. To be frank, this post was supposed to be uploaded few weeks ago but it was left idling till now. One thing for sure is I can’t give commitment to blogging anymore. It’s ironic how desperate I am to chase customer cycle time each day and how reckless I could to abandon blogging. Well, life has to go on.

I always thought life is a bit of work and fun but turn out I was wrong. Life is a bit of fun but mostly overlapped by work. Put simply, life first priority goes to making money. So if you’re a smart one, look for a job that you really interested in. I was lucky enough to have a job related to writing; well, in such a way. In such a way though…

It started in childhood, when I developed the bad habits of passing or rather throwing notes to friends in the middle of class. But this writing never lasts long because at some point people just throw without writing. Then the computer and internet come along with their email, this has totally changed the whole perspective of writing. Writing is not only limited to paper, ink and pen anymore. But internet only available for the rich, so email is a big NO for me at that time. Some years later, my parent bought me a mobile phone; a bulky Nokia 3310. But back then the calling rate was extremely expensive so most of the time we only able to text or SMS. Come to think of it, I never complaint to text; in fact I love texting because it is more expressive than speaking. Those day I could stay awake in the middle of the night just to wait for a reply. That was how obsessed I'm to writing.

In my early university years, I decided to step in for blogging. I was writing about my daily routine for a year; both in cheers and flames. But it wasn’t till the third year, when more and more people discovered my blog and eventually I start getting question like “Blog updated?” from anonymous; I'd really feel like a newspaper editor at some time. Haha. Writing actually kept me from falling asleep and through writing I know a few more friends. And whenever I feel like sleeping at work, I open up my mailbox and happily replying emails. Of course, not all mails are happy one. The one I found happy to reply to so far is to my friends. The customer mails are normally not so friendly one; occasionally you will find some amusing one too.

From blogging about daily routine turning to monthly routine and it won’t be long before it turns to quarterly routine. Usually, I only write when I have something in mind but for the past few months I just let this something slip passed my mind. Before I knew it, I totally forget about it. Then I realize, I need to jot it down in my notepad. When I open my notepad today, it is an accumulation of keywords and frankly speaking, I don’t even know where to start with. So I decided to write a new one today.

As I said earlier, life first priority is working and when you work from nine to five, the only time left for you is to recharge. Sadly, blogging is not one of the recharging agenda. Once again, coming to such extent it is neither about keeping readers nor making pocket money anymore. I still blog because I love writing.

Thank you and best regards.

Of Money Thru The Net

2011-10-02T23:46:00.010+08:00

Few words: It has been a while since my last visit to the gym and yes, I’ve gain weight; ALOT :(

Caution: This entry going to be one hella technical one. There will be some online trading terms that you might/not heard of, I’ll try my best to explain them to you. Enjoy!

The only good thing going to work every day is their paycheck. That’s the sole motivation to work and that’s what kicks my ass up early in the morning; not the alarm. The only negative of this is impulsive buying. Well you see, being a good paycheck receiver for almost four months now have indeed boost up my buying power. Just when your buying power is equal to those of a capable man; eventually you’ll lose control and start buying those silly little thing you don’t even want, yet still manage to cost you an arm, a leg or maybe a head. That’s when Bill Gates started to have houses he didn’t even know. But for my case, I’m a poor man to start with so I start looking for cheap stuff to buy. FML!

I can consider myself as an online bargain hunter; most of the gadgets I owned were bought via the internet so I can humbly say I’m quite a veteran in this. Of course, there are pros and cons buying through internet. I can’t say it’s totally free of risk; most of the time, it’s full of risk but it all depends on your judgement. I mean there are folks out there who really want to run a business and there are conmen out there as well.

You see, most of the internet-based business doesn’t need a shop; hence they’re able to sell their product at a cheaper price. Also, they deal in a larger volume and usually they manage to get all sorts of promotion and discount direct from the manufacturer, hence the cheapest you can get. All in all, they have more variety as they’re dealing on an open platform (read about globalization to understand this). From my previous experience, I save about MYR 300+ dealing online; some local trader can jack the price up by 20-40%. The drawback of this is you need to pay extra MYR 10-30 for the postage fees.

I’m not saying you must buy from internet; in fact don’t start one if you’re not familiar with this. Yet, I’m just suggesting you another option. But if you’re new towards this thing, deal above MYR 200 is off your story. The concept is simple; MYR 200 is better than MYR 2000 for a lesson. Don’t ever accept deal above MYR 200 unless it’s a COD (Cash on Delivery); simply means that you ask the trader out for a face to face dealing method. If you’re okay with the product you pay, otherwise you decline. Play safe! They can give you their FB, address or even their photocopy of their IC; but a cheat is a cheat. The golden rule is to always check their selling history and google their name, bank accounts and etc. If you’re doubt, even for one second; cancel the whole deal. Trust me, there are many cheaters out there.

Due to this impulsive buying, recently I ordered some (read: five) clothing from a pre-order bulk sales trader. Pre-order is basically a selling method by gathering a number of customers, then order in a bulk. The good side of this is you can save on the oversea transportation fees but the down side is you need quite a big number of customers to initiate the order. If the number is below the trader expectation, you might need to wait which is normally one or two months; but for my case, it’s only a day. Delivery arrived the next day; pretty good timing I guess.

Checked on the delivery and erh…this is my first time buying cloth online. The design is alright, the colour is good and the delivery is speedy; but you might want to add this in your rule book if you want to buy cloth online next time: check on their quality first (at least ask). SHAME ON YOU, SO CALLED VETERAN!

Still can wear la. Plus I get a free gift, albeit not useful to me :(
Perhaps my ol' roommate need it?

Office Weight Gain

2011-09-14T00:47:00.014+08:00

Few words: When your life becomes routine, you’re exactly a machine. You've just replaced your life with AA size battery. Congratulations!

One of every white collar biggest fear is gaining weight. You can’t fight the gravity on this; I mean you’re sitting there eight hours a day with light to no movement. Why is that not possible? Of course you’re constantly typing, but the rule of thumb is if the task you’re doing doesn’t involve sweating, that can’t be considered a cardio exercise. Moreover, the air-cond is not helping at all. Hence you gain weight or to be precise: 99.9% extra virgin fat.

I have to come clean, I’ve indeed gain some weight; to be exact a sinful-shit-load of 3 kilos spare tyres. Because of this, I tell myself I must start exercising no matter what so recently I’ve start hitting gym again; albeit without success. Contrarily, I’ve gain one more kilo after going gym. FML!

Seriously I don’t know why this is happening to me. Let me just recall….

Let's see, this is my desk (default view - higher chances during audits).

And this is my desk (non-default view).

Yet, even till now, I still don’t know why I've gain weight despite all the exercises. I wonder where went wrong. Darn! Should I stop gym?

University's Sugar, Work's Grenade.

2011-08-06T23:10:00.016+08:00

Few words: Maxis is giving me free call on my birthday, but I’m too busy to use it. FML!

Working life is so much different than university life. Metaphorically, it’s like comparing durian with mangosteen, both come in pair yet they taste totally another way. Same like working and university life, they often related but they’re totally different things.

In university, when a lecturer ask you a question. You raised up your hand high, you answer with pride to gain one mark. Extra marks will be given if you can give additional information relevant to the lecturer’s question. More marks will be given if you’re able to give reasoning to support your answer. But, if you still apply that in your working career, trust me, you won’t have any soon.

In working life, additional information or extra answer will only expose you for more questions. Don’t try to impress your customers by giving them your extra piece of your mind; that’s one way ticket to hell. Bear in mind, if you were to be frank with customer; you’re actually exposing the company secret. I’m not saying that you can’t tell, but think twice and think again for your salary sake. Although it’s unwritten but lying is a basic job scope for every employee. Feel bad about lying? Don’t worry; your paycheck already covers for it. If possible, try to give your customer whatever they want but still keeping it short and simple. Trust me, this is all based on my experience; I learned it the hard way though.

In university, when the lecturer asks for suggestion; you’re free to suggest. When you make a wrong suggestion, the class will laugh about it and that is it. In working life, when the boss asks for suggestion; you don’t make a voice if you have not done your homework. Suggestion is meant for management level only. Every suggestion you made mirror your IQ. If you make a wrong suggestion that day, they might refer you as retard for the whole year. Even if it’s a good suggestion; let’s just say a 5 stars suggestion. The boss will nod his head and asked you to execute your suggestion for a week and see how’s the outcome; ALL ON YOUR OWN. Now you see, why suggestion is only meant for management level because they can always ask somebody to execute his suggestion. Even if it is a bad one, the manager can always blame it to their subordinates.

In university, whenever you had trouble with your team members, you can always consult your lecturer. They are more than glad to help. In working life, whenever you had trouble with your team members, try to settle it ASAP. Never try to bring this case to the boss; there is this ‘first come first die basis’. The one that meet the boss first is usually the less independent one, and guess what? Bosses don’t like dependant staff. Golden advice from my boss “Identify those who slow you down, break their neck and close the case before it get to me”.

In university, your CGPA almost equal to your capability. High CGPA guys are well respected. In working life, you can trash your CGPA away, no one give a darn about it. You can have all the A’s you want even with a 4.00/4.00 CGPA but when you’re not performing, you’re only being labeled as epic phail nerd who only know how to read [fullstops].

Sigh! I missed university life, period; if at all possible with salary. But I'd enjoy Bacardi with assignments :-)

Work is an awful song

2011-07-13T21:54:00.011+08:00

Few words: Yellow is the new crime. Ridiculously absurd! One thing that really bother me is why only youtube broadcasting the truth? Haih..so PO-Ri-TIK one.

I just got my first paycheck last two weeks and half of it already gone. People say the happiest day is when you get your salary, it’s indeed; but that happiness only last for a day.

Your job scope will get bigger so take this chance to learn more.

And I thought that is just another power-responsibility gimmick, you know so that the boss looks cooler in front of you. Nevertheless, that gimmick becomes reality somehow. No doubt, my job load is increasing day by day; from sitting there doing nothing to light document reviewing and finally to what every engineer do.

So, what do every engineer do?

I get this a lot, especially from my mum. For the elders, engineer is someone who repair machine, design machine, operate machine or build machine. If the machine my mum referring to is a computer, a mouse, a printer or a desk phone; the answer would be hell yeah, I operating them all day long. But I think the machine my mum referring to would be something twice or ten times my size, then sadly NO mum. Undeniably, there are engineer doing that but most of the ‘modern’ engineer nowadays is sitting in the office, clicking on the computer and filing customer complains. When I tell my mum what I’m doing every day, she then compares me to a PR officer. Yes mum, engineer is a PR officer with an engineering degree, no different.

Then why spend another year studying?

Maybe I have shitload time on my hand to kill? (Dead silent)

Working in a big company, like it or not, you have to work with a lot of people. That is when your social skill comes in handy. Just like when you’re in your university rushing your fellow lazy coursemate to finish their parts in some group report. That thing still haunts you even when you’re working. No doubt, there are lazy engineers too. When you talk to them about deadline, there would be 3 scenarios.

1. They ignore you.
2. They ignore you.
3. They still ignore you.

You see, when you’re a newbie, old engineers, technicians and staff take your word for granted. They treat you like a toddle; your deadline threat is weightless to them. That’s when you need to bring in the manager. Sometimes I would refer a manager as lubricant, just bring in the manager, and everything become so damn lubricating. Try CC the manager in the e-mail you send, guaranteed a reply in 5 minutes saying Yes Your Majesty. To start a mental war or just to add a few kilos to your deadline threat, you purposely phone that lazy engineer and tell them, you accidentally BCC their boss. That would be fun.

But still, one good thing of being a white collar office guy is you get treated occasionally; not every day though. Maybe once in a blue moon, when some big shot guy went on a business trip, they will bring some souvenir back. You know, just to brag how much they enjoy going on tour by company money. Even if they forget, I can guarantee you, they ‘die die’ also grab something from the airport souvenir shop. Why? Company money mar, no harm.

Of course, this is nothing if you compare to my previous boss who used to treat us secret recipe on our birthday. But even so, a treat is a treat. As long as it’s free, I’m happy :)

But it contains peanuts. Darn! *scratching*

Job Tales of A Knight

2011-06-17T21:37:00.017+08:00

Few words: I don’t normally do this, but I will for today - Some stupid clerk of some university misread my brother's offer letter even after I triple check with him. We prepared everything and travel all the way there, but that stupid clerk regretfully comes out to make an apology saying he misread the letter. “GO DAI LA!”

ALKISAH...

There was a ~~engineer~~ knight who just come out from the academia. The knight then humbly submit his resume to every castles in his country with the hope of getting employed. Amazingly, just right after he graduated, a ~~semiconductor company~~ castle called for his service. With brave heart, he went through the numerous tests given by the King and by no time he was appointed as a QRA Knight in that castle. Being new to the castle, the King ordered his men to guide that knight. Each day, the knight went through ~~boring~~ hellish training in order to be capable to handle the ~~customers’ complaint~~ barbarian's attack.

The knight’s primary weapon would be his famous ~~Microsoft~~ Axe-cel, rumored that once used by Thor which is capable to calculate and plot millions of data into different charts and graphs. Wielding his Axe-cel, the barbarian is forced to distance themselves from the knight and this give the knight time to prepare ~~excuses~~ reasoning. To be honest, Axe-cel is already a familiar weapon to the knight; in fact, he had been using Axe-cel ever since he is in the academia. But of course, the purpose of wielding Axe-cel is so different now compare to merely for firewood chopping in the academia. The knight is also armed with Words-dom staff, Power-pointed lance and many more.

Also, every knight is blessed with a special ability by the Queen herself, and so does the new knight. He has granted with the skill to detect the country smallest defects with the help of a ~~microscope~~ lens. With that lens, the knight is able to see every minor crack up to 200 magnifications. For that reason too, the Queen has ordered the knight to train more just to master his new ability; that include his weekend. FML!

Above all that, the knight was also appointed to manage a team of ~~operators~~ soldiers. These soldiers is able to survive the most terrible scolding and still able to work for 12 hours a day with just a lunch or dinner break. The knight is truly amazed with the soldier's spirit, almost comparable to machine. With the aid from the ~~supervisor~~ head soldier and ~~technicians~~ lieutenants, luckily, everything goes just fine for the last two weeks. Of course every now and then, the soldiers will make some mistake. Once the mistake is sensed by the barbarians, they will start attacking the new knight without mercy. That’s the time when the knight start prepare ~~statistic~~ all sort of chanting with his Axe-cel to defend the castle; particularly himself.

Frankly speaking, the duty of the knight until today is still bearable, he only need to be on guard for 8 hours a day. Of course, the stingy King will not reward him more if he work overtime, but often it’s encouraged to work OT more by the royal family and maybe once in a blue moon, token of appreciation in term of medal will be given. So far, the job is still tolerable, but one thing the knight very beh tahan with is waking up early in the morning and ~~drive his kancil~~ ride his deer all the way to castle. It’s so tiring to wake up early, you know.

So if the King asked:

“Yes, you earned yours and please pay me now!”

Yours truly,
QRA Knight.

An Engineer's Life

2011-05-31T01:59:00.016+08:00

Few words: As luck would have it, a boxer trained his whole life just for a few minutes fame on stage. Boxer’s life is something admirable.

You see, when you’re young, I’m sure your parent will inject this into your brain. Be a professional when you grow up whether a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. And hence, we without doubt filled this three in our ambition list every year. Engineer is somehow one of the top three jobs where every parent wanted their children to be. I’m not so sure with doctor or lawyer but an engineer?

I doubt.

Dear Parents,

To be an engineer, you have to study another year than most of the course out there but what you can earn is the same or even less than the other course. Let’s take business for example; many billionaires out there are successful businessmen, seldom are engineers. When you’re in form 3 doing your PMR, do you still remember the threat given by most of the teachers? “Get a good result if you don't want yourself ended up in an Art class” and hence we do everything we can just to not be in an Art Class.

Let me tell you what, the earning of those from Art stream be it a business, marketing or management is higher than us, engineer. You say engineer is a professional, yes we are but in term of financial, we are far behind than those from Art stream. I don’t understand why the teachers equalize Art Class with low grade; I bet some of them purposely fall short in their PMR.

Sadly speaking, to put this in work ecosystem, business student study to be an employer while engineering student study to be their employee.

Then, there is this professionalism issue. No doubt in the eye of society, engineer is a respected profession. Nevertheless, that is many years ago maybe in the 1970’s or 1980’s when there is still not much engineers. In 2011, engineers are everywhere. Yes, no doubt the professionalism is still there; that is when we do not tell them our salary. Once they know our salary, respect is still there but not for the professionalism but for the admiration of spending four years to earn less than other profession. Till today I still strongly believe that money represent everything including respect, you may say I’m a materialistic, but won’t everyone is like that today?

I bet Art Class students are laughing at us now.

Upon landing my first step in the job industry, I realize that engineer is just a title. You may be called as an engineer but what you did is just like everyone else. Being an engineer not necessary being someone wearing safety helmet reading plan like what describe in our kindergarten dictionary.

Realistically, being an engineer is no different than a normal office worker; you sit in the office waiting for lunch time, clicking on your FB when your boss is not around and happily going off work like everyone else. It’s sad to say but it’s true, if I were to put you in an office, you can’t differentiate who is an engineer and who is not because they look just the same.

As I’m saying this, I’m not referring to all engineers out there; I mean there are of course some engineers that can earn a lot more than Art stream student but I’m only saying this for the majority of the engineers out there. It might be wrong but that is what I observed as fresh graduate engineer.

The only good side of being an engineer is when you’re meeting your parents in law, you can always brag a little about your job since engineer in the eye of older generation is a well respected profession. Just don’t tell them your salary, nevertheless :)

Yours Sincerely,
Humble Engineer

Deadline is Over

2011-05-24T17:05:00.032+08:00

Few words: When we joke about not watching the previous movie of some film series, we usually take Spiderman, Pirates of Caribbean or maybe Harry Potter as an example. But I met someone telling me he missed Fantasic Three and he doesn’t seem like joking :(

Penang is truly a fascinating place.

For the past few days, I had been travelling back and forth from Perak to Perlis, well, that’s about 1,600 km journey. And just to kill some boredom out of this hellish 1.6k long ride, I decided to stop a day or two in Penang. Nevertheless due to limited budget, the only options left is either to spend my night at some petrol station or rang a friend of mine for a stay. Of course, I opt for the second choice; I don’t want some agua knocking on my car window pleading they can help me rest better.

Furthermore, I might as well consider this Penang stop as my celebration trip, since I’m officially free after my final presentation in Perlis. That is something to celebrate about right? No more deadlines or whatsoever.

There are many things in Penang that are truly fascinating. But among all these many things, the followings are beyond doubt worth blogging of:

1. Fascinating Frap

Frappucino or in short, frap is some famous ice blended beverage from Starbucks. To be frank, I was never a fan of Starbucks; most of the time, I went there just to leech their wifi. But recently, their half-priced frap promo is enough to start a propaganda, everyone urging me to get a cup.

Alright, since the last time I had my Starbucks is years ago, I might as well get a cup in Penang. The promo has just ended nonetheless; FML. Yet due to my strong curiosity and well, the girl at the counter is worth to stay a while for. Why not? I went in and ordered a full priced-no-promo frap. FML X2. But, what I don’t like in every Starbucks is their waitress has too many question to ask “Do you want this, sir? Do you want that, sir?” They even asked for your name.

I WANT EVERYTHING, JUST HAND ME THE FREAKING FRAP LA!!

I wanted to try it so much, once the waitress hand me over my cup of frap; I immediately take a big sips....to be real frank, the frap is good..

..without looking at the price though. But 18 MYR for a cup of ice blended coffee, that’s a bit overprice not? The formula is simple; 5 MYR for raw coffee and another 5 MYR for the milk, caramel, mocha chip, etc; which equivalent to another 8 MYR just for their branded plastic cup. Now I know why there is only one Starbucks in Ipoh. In the city of cheap coffee, Starbucks doesn’t even stand a chance.

2. Fascinating Foods

Debatable. When it comes to foods, people normally compare Penang foods with Ipoh foods. But since I’m eating good Ipoh foods for 23 years, it won’t hurt to praise Penang foods once in a while. Among all the foods, those that are really worth recalling are their duck meat kueh teow and fried oyster. Screw old school chicken kueh teow, I'm done and over with it, it’s time for duck meat kueh teow. Another real good Penang food is their fried oyster. The fried oyster is really something to shout about, although my friend claimed that there is better fried oyster stall in Penang; but that particular stall is enough for me to brag for three days three nights non-stop.

The foods there is surprisingly cheap too, I start to wonder how those hawkers manage to buy a house in Penang.

3. Freaking Expensive Houses

Call me a kampong boy, but the price of a house there is sohigh that only sohigh people will buy. The salary in Penang is a few hundred bucks more than in Ipoh, but the house there is few times more expensive than in Ipoh as well. Meaning you have to work double hard…no, you have to work double jobs to buy a smaller house. (Flame extinguisher: what I said is merely based on nothing but my simple mind; it's a joke)

But you can always cover back the expenses, because the foods there are amazingly cheap.

4. Fascinating Penang-lang

Although the people there speak in a different dialect, Hokkien but they are extremely friendly; is like there is a stamping on their forehead “Please talk to me, I will prove I’m friendly” because they talk alot once you greet them; even to strangers. After four years mixing with Penang-lang, they have built a stereotype of Penang-lang to me; simply speaking, they’re sibeh friendly and funny. During my visit to 1st avenue, I saw a prayer tree made especially for the Japan earthquake victims. Proven! Penang-lang is very friendly.

Randomly, I take a peek at their prayer. Again, proven! Penang-lang sibeh funny one.

P/S: Thanks mister loan shark and mister polobun for their hospitality throughout my two days stay in Penang. I had a great time during these two days. Thank you.

It Look Easy But It Ain’t

2011-05-10T18:00:00.026+08:00

Few words: Nowadays many fine dining restaurants serving food in a spoon, kononnya for the ease of eating; I’m alright with the concept as long as they can add up the quantity. I even overheard the ahma from next table, “Boy, where is our food?”

Howdy readers.

Howdy readers.

Howdy readers.

To be frank, I’m thinking wickedly hard just to come up with a good opening but what I can come up with is just howdy readers. I think somewhat or somehow my blogging skill just drop out.

Howdy readers, since I haven’t updated my blog for four months or so, this post is going to be sinfully long. If you’re reading this at your workplace, please skip and read it only at your lunch break to avoid being caught slacking from work. If you’re looking for jokes, you will eventually find some randomly dispersed in the paragraphs below but I can’t guarantee laughter. Thank you.

“Squeeze time for blog, squeeze time for blog” that is actually what I had been telling myself all the time but apparently my time is milk-less. I had been losing readers, from hundred viewers per day to almost nothing per month. But I can’t blame the readers, I mean who will stay for a crappy blog; sincerely if I were you, I won’t even login at the first place. After a month or so not updating my blog, I thought it will make a big impact on my readers. Just to verify that, I login my email, I check my sms, my fb and even twitter with hope to see at least 5Gb of mails but no one seems to care. FML!

That is when the condition gets critical. Forcefully, I try whatever I could to blog. But the thing is when you force yourself too hard, you tend to give yourself excuses. “Later la” that is the words that destroy many bloggers and eventually I have delay my update for four months. When I first started MLMB, one of the reasons I did it is because I have shitload time on my hand needed to be kill. That is when my update rate is godlike. But when you’re in final year of your university life, like it or not, the only free time is used to eat, shit and sleep (aside from PSP though). It may look easy to write a blog, a lot of people don’t realize, even blogging need brainstorming and apart from that you need to be extremely careful with politics (I’m a patriot, don’t sue me) and grammars. Doing stuffs like that consume a lot of time and moreover it’s not like I’m getting paid for it and hence you drag your feet more. Next thing you know, four months passed and you hadn’t type a single words, this is what happen when you procrastinate.

Today, I finally free from my final year project and my last paper. Believe it or not, the only image across my head is British army marching out and Tunku Abdul Rahman shouting Merdeka when the exam is over. So hereby I’m daring to say that I’m officially an active blogger now, hurray, and hopefully someone will notice it this time.

Aside from happiness and the ultimate feeling of liberty, on my second thought, I have to bid farewell to the place where I once called paddle-field-all-around. Four years and just like that, it ends.

Many didn’t realize but this is the place I polish my mandarin. Back then, it took me hours crafting up a phase in mandarin just to order a food. But now I can even joke in mandarin. To be sent away from my family to a remote country like Perlis indeed had upset me; I have every reason to channel my hatred to UniMAP. Since my first step to UniMAP, I was displeased with everything there. To be frank, I just want to finish that four freaking years fast and get the hell out of Perlis. That is when you start to rebel, you violate the law, you lose interest in looking for friends and basically you defy everything. The gravity for it, you hated it even more.

The first year of my university life is nothing but grudge. But soon enough, I start accepting it and gradually everything is getting better each semester. That is when I gained a few friends and slowly but surely I started to enjoy my university life. The way of life of people from Penang, Kelantan, Johor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and so on; are indeed very different from my life. Some may look weird, some may look frightening but when you really start blending in, you too can find joy in the midst of weirdness.

The second year of my university life is brilliant. That is when I’m ready to uptake challenges; I try to change my whole perceptive of my university. That is also the year when I decided to start MLMB to share a thought or two to the others. Nonetheless, no one is paying attention. Screw it. Two years ago when I first started MLMB, the first post is about ‘Life’s a cup of coffee’ which also signifying my grudge toward life as well as acceptance. That’s the real beginning of fun and for the first time life isn’t all emo anymore. In second year too I have been assigned with juniors where I have to kononnya guide them but indirectly I have gained a few more friends. Come to think of it, I had never bossy them or use my seniority over them because they’re more like friends to me than juniors.

The third year of my university life is simply perfect. I meet a damn kepohchi friend. She may look like old aunty who wants to know about everything but her kindness is unmatched in the whole world. She has actually been my pillow talk partner for some time; undeniably she is a very good listener. Even till now, I sometimes still feel like calling her. In this year also, I undergo a six months internship in Texchem Polymers which is a real breakthrough in my study life where I develop new love in both polymers and research industry. In the process of developing new love, I meet a quite demanding supervisor and as demanding as she was, she did taught me a lot, and not to mention a handful of colleagues aka more friends.

The forth year is a year of chasing. Sad to say, but I got a ‘B’ in Dr.M paper; everything changed since then. In that year too, I have been struggling to rise up my pointer but somewhat I’m still in the state of chasing. In this year too, I meet numerous of wonderful people mainly the staff and lecturers of UniMAP. In the process of knowing them, believe it or not, I gained a few older friends. Come to think of it, I’ve never consult the lecturers in my university earlier years. I should have.

If I were to do that all over again, I would still go for paddle-field-all-around. If I don’t, I won’t know what I’ll be missing. Adios, paddle-field-all-around.

The Door Keep Slamming

2011-01-26T02:02:00.012+08:00

Few words: When life gives you lemon, you find juicer, open lemonade stall for money; then you hope life gives you lemon every day.

Despite me saying all those positive words in my blog opening, I’m actually not that optimistic after all, at least that can’t be apply in my current situation. Not in the madness I’m going through right now! "Look woman! Blog is everything for a blogger, so don't you what-if-you-blog-about-it to me when you don't know a thing" my heart whispered while I quenching my fist listening to your sarcasm. Let me tell you why I blog, it’s something like self-reflection or self-seeking or whatsoever you want to call them. In other word, I’m using this blog as a media to see what kind of jerk I am/was/will be and hopefully with His blessing and maybe your blessing as well, I can turn the table around. The thing is when someone is really aware of their slip-up and trying all they could to amend it, give them a chance. If they are constantly repeating the same slip-up, remind them. If they still don’t change, then only you give your final red card. You don’t give red card first handed when someone coming with ‘I’m sorry’. What’s wrong with you? When people coming with ‘I’m sorry’ meaning they’re aware of their slip-up, so please save your extra piece of your mind. They come asking for your forgiveness not asking your opinion. You don’t give them an extra kick when they come defenseless, not? You don’t get it, don’t you? Ah, screw it. If you want an official apologize, I could, in fact I did. If you want me to tell you how sorry I was, I would because I’m real sorry for that even I doesn’t know a small joke like that is able to generate a WW3. Seriously, if I were to compare to the jokes I made, this is like a nano scale joke, but still I apologized because I respects you. You already know how much it takes for an egoist to come out with ‘I’m sorry’, the least you can do is try to appreciate their effort; no matter how much you hate them, just give them a yellow card for starter then listen to what they want to say, not giving the red one straightforwardly. Referee doesn’t throw red cards like Texas Hold ‘Em All for the reason there won’t be any game left when everyone is out. Understand that woman! Ah, screw that too. I’m not in the mood to reason with you. Ah, screw everything.

………….

I could really use a juicer right now. Say, who want lemonade?

Word That Came Out So Many Times

2011-01-05T15:21:00.013+08:00

Few words: Marijuana isn’t a drug, it’s a plant. If that is the case then Korean drama isn’t a drama, it’s a drug.

Sometimes people just lost control of themselves. They spit out what’s on their mind before their brain even have time to rephrase it. Sometimes people just overlooked the boundary between joke and insult. And without knowing it, they’re stepping on somebody tail. But the thing is it’s just a thin stroke to tell apart between joke and insult; of course it does also depend on how you see it. That’s what make human ‘human’.

If you are a follower of MLMB from day one, you already realize I joke about everything; from my breakup story to getting dump, from my amateur French kiss to my botched first date. Basically I joke about everything, because I treat the world less seriously by considering only the funny side of life. I guess everyone will literally get bored of life when it’s all no joke basis. And of course sometimes I’d walk pass the boundary but as soon as I grasp a grip of reality, I’ll do my best to amend it.

A month ago, I recklessly joke about something that might hurt the feeling of someone. Well, I’m not good at bullshitting so it’s something to do with stuffed sleeping tool or maybe a slight into childhood memory but frankly speaking, I don’t know she can’t take it. By the way, do you guys know what it feels like when your joke rejected? It’s like you’re stepping on some land mines which is more or less what I get after that joke. Sensing the tense atmosphere, I apologized immediately.

Of course, my apology is rejected.

And apologizes continue for the reason I don’t like being hated and sit there doing nothing to amend it. I have also thought of uploading a snapshot of me crying begging for forgiveness, but that will be, obscenely nauseating. So the idea is slashed off right away.

Of course, my requests for forgiveness are all ignored.

Again, I’m not good at bullshitting, so I don’t know you’re not a big gas type of girl. I don’t deny I can be a jerk and so heart breaking at times, but after knowing I’m ahead of the boundary, I will without end try to amend it. Nevertheless, after trying everything with the same outcome, that will be, I don’t know, the end?

It’s alright with me if you continue hating me; I already had a dozen of them waiting to ambush me when I’m all alone in the toilet. But like I said, I had tried to save the friendship and that’s pretty much the most I can do. It won’t work if the other side doesn’t respond to it, not? Trust me, if I had your number, I will even call to apologize. Well, it’s just going to be another half year before I totally vanish from your view. Until then, take care and “I’m sorry junior”.

You should have felt the sincerity since I’m blogging this in the midst of study week. Bah! More books to eat. Bye!

On Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T23:09:00.020+08:00

Few words: Since my previous post Mr.Leo is published, everyone is calling me that now. Sooner or later this place going to be misterleomonkey.blogspot.com. By the way, it’s Christmas already? It feels just like another Friday night. I sacrifice Christmas for my final year project, dear supervisor; if you’re reading this, do give me an A+.

Here I am, alone, in front of my laptop on Christmas Eve. For those who are really close to me, they will assume I'm bullshitting but the fact is the fact; I’m all alone in front of my lappy now and most probably remain the same for the next couple of hours. Well if that’s the case, then why not blog? Here it goes then...

The following may contain certain degree of joke involving several important characters of Christmas which are not in any way explicit or offensive. If you can’t take joke seriously or if you take joke too seriously, please stop reading and exit the page. Conversely, if you’re just looking for a piece of laughing material, welcome.

Being born and raised by Chinese custom had gravely lessened my knowledge or understanding about other custom, for instance the Christmas. The first word that comes through my mind when you talk about Christmas is Merry because they always come together, and no kidding, that’s the only thing I know about Christmas. I really had no idea what Christmas is until I’m in kindergarten. Even so, I’d think of Santa Claus as a thief. You can’t blame me, who wouldn’t think of a thief when someone wearing boots go into your house through the chimney. To further support my theory, Santa always come at night when everybody is asleep, he carry a never-ending big sack and he laugh every time he got away "Ho Ho Ho!". Which of the above criterion show he is not a thief, convince me!

After some time, I share my humble theory with my friend Rajan and to my surprise; he couldn’t even let me finish my theory. He was totally pissed off. He told me that Santa Claus is never a thief, Santa Claus is his hero. He also told me that Santa Claus was originally one of Marvel superhero, same class with Spiderman, Hulks and others superheroes in those Superhero League. And because of that, I believe him for months and wondering “What superpower he had? Toy making? Chimney sliding?”

Back then, Rajan is still my best friend before I find out that there is no Rajan in his birth cert. It's written Ganes instead.

After some years of celebrating Christmas, I gain some knowledge about Santa, mainly through TV. Somehow Santa is a kind old man who likes to make toys and he come every year on this particular night to deliver his handmade toys to good kids ONLY. The word ONLY sound so mysterious right, I thought so, how he know which is good har? At that time, I already had quite a number of useful data on Santa, but still I couldn’t meet him.

I know Santa put the present in sock, so I purposely ask my mum to wash all my socks before Christmas. I put my sock every year at my front door, in fact I put three just in case he missed it or maybe I’m lucky enough to make him think I have two more siblings. But still, nothing in the socks.

At some point, I even ask my mum to build a chimney in my house because I thought he is too paiseh to come in by front door. Of course my mum won’t build one, by the way, having a chimney in Malaysia is illegal; government will tax you under factory and manufacturing building because the number of house with chimney is even rare than museum. Every year I have come out with more and more creative idea; putting a sign board writing ’chimney this way’ at my front door, placing my sock at the balcony instead and I even reserve a place for reindeer parking. But there is still no trace of Santa and more importantly his toys. Eventually, I understand why my parent isn’t all hype bouts Santa, for the reason, it’s just a myth.

Even so it’s just a myth; there are still a few logical questions that I don’t understand. "Why reindeer?" And it’s not normal reindeer; Santa is so picky, he only wants red nosed reindeer. Why not horse? Everyone knows that horse is better in many ways than reindeer. "And why elf?" Everyone knows the cheapest labor available is Bangla, why not Bangla? These are few logical questions that still remain a mystery to me.

But not today, I finally meet my Santa, or seem to be like him. Red and white, should be him.

He even went through all the fuss to prepare this just for me; I guess I’m in his good boys list this year.

Well, the drawback is I have to pay for this. FML. Guess Santa never really exist after all.

But at least I know Santa still love me, if not why do he ask me to come again.

HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR READERS!
Merry Christmas to you as well, mellymonkeys (whisper)

Mr. Leo

2010-12-18T16:56:00.013+08:00

Few words: The petrol price went up again. Ultraman is indeed a smart guy; he converted to solar power hundred years ago. He knew this day would come.

Horoscope sure is an amazing thing, to be able to put those stars craps into the one of the world top billboard worship chart is something not? At least this astrologist deserves some round of applause. I mean some parent even wrote horoscope as a religion in the birth cert. "Sir, there is a slight confusion over here, there is no room for horoscope in birth cert” say the lady at the counter. "Nonono, that's my religion” replies the man. That’s how far people take horoscope these days.

But seriously, horoscope is really something to brag of. It can be next to the world seven wonders, or at least parallel to Confucius teaching. I mean you're already being judged even when you're still in your mummy womb, some powerful sh*t, not? Speaking of Confucius, I read that he’s a stubborn old man who is constantly surrounded or rather ambushed by clever students. Can you imagine yourself debating everyday with a bunch of nerds about moral issue, loyalty and such life philosophy? Some of you guys can’t even tahan your 45 minutes Pendidikan Moral class when Confucius endures it every single day. If he is born slightly later in modern life, I guess he already had at least 50 phD of Moral Education.

Basically the word ‘stubborn’ already tell half of his story: Confucius is definitely a Leo, for the reason that no matter what, he is always the winner. That’s how far a typical Leo can go despite all the nerdos' assault. No kidding, I even meets a guy that doesn’t want to give up even he’s being checkmate. He keeps on telling his opponent, there’s still move; which he is trying to devise. Some Leo even cheats in board game by hiding extra King in their sleeves. That’s how cheap a Leo can be in order to win.

By the definition of horoscope, a Leo is a guy who wants to win so badly that he can even kill for it. If you browse through the horoscope, most of others horoscope bring a positive attitude: loving, outgoing, playful and such. The only horoscope that had an unpleasant attitude is Leo. I think one of the horoscoper purposely did that after he/she realized that his/her enemy is a Leo. Being a Leo is more like a curse. But anyhow, since Leo is the only bad guy in the horoscope and virtually we can’t do anything about it; we Leo-er simply choose not to believe in this crap.

That is me, being a typical Leo choosing not to believe this kind of nonsense. “Where got la” that’s what a typical Leo will think every time they open their newspaper’s horoscope column. Some even give up reading the entertainment column just to avoid reading those horoscopes. I once told my mum to stop subscribing the entertainment column but if those daily is to be without entertainment column; they're already good to be recycled.

Being not a believer of horoscope for the past 20 years or so, decided to read his first article on Leo horoscope and surprisingly “Darn it, it’s all bull eyes”. I’m exactly the person written in that article, no less no more. Of all the sudden, I feel like I wasted my 20 years of not believing; there goes my Toto prophecy. Then I flip to the next horoscope, “Darn it, it’s all bull eyes again” and continuously I had another 10 bull eyes on each horoscope. Then it had come to my bottom line that horoscope is just another twist of puzzled words which related to everyone daily life. That’s the formula of bull eyes.

So the next time you says I had a Leo blood streaming all over my body. Actually you might want to add another 11 more.

Understand

2010-12-10T15:55:00.015+08:00

Few words: This crash semester just gonna be so sardine-packed; it’s like a race against time. We’re required to finish 4 months syllabus in a month, just imagine.

You guys should be realized by now that my blog update by average is once to twice a month, the rate is even slower than Japanese manga updates; way to go! Not complaining though, as long as it is still of the same quality. But reading back the few posts, I need to say I don’t really understand what it’s all about; it’s more like a blog to impress and by doing so, the whole blog went ballistic. Extravagantly exaggerated is the right word. So from today onward, it’s all straight forward spontaneous honesty blog.

Sometimes I’d ask myself, how long it takes to really understand a person. 4 years? 4 months? 4 days? We might make believe that we really into understanding someone but the fact are, it take a lifetime to fully understand a person. In one life, how many people can you fully understand? I believe only a handful of people out there. And I think I only need to understand one, her.

People that you grew up with can turn into stranger, family that you lived with can turn into enemy and even friends that you thought stay forever can too turn into lover. How much do you really understand a person now? When I see someone I care turning into the wrong road, I try to correct them; hopefully they’re on the right path again. Even till now, I still think I made a good move. But I was wrong.

Who denoted the right path for everyone, the fact is there’s no right path for everyone. Each path is tailor-made, and by the way who is there to tell it’s right or wrong; by civilization norm? Not even civilization norm can tell, that is something I learn after numerous failures to take the person I care back on the right path. I have what I want, that’s why I don’t see what they’re going through. Some people rather to be used, some people rather to go against their principle of life, some people just can do anything so that they can go surface and none of them are my business now.

I'd believe people will learn from mistake, that because I experience this myself too. But if they don’t learn, like what my mum told me before “Mind your own business la, son”. Right! They have their own right path too, so why bother. Instead of stopping them, why not seeing their path in their point of view; you might find something interesting on the way. Hopefully…

I too don’t understand why I am scratching my leg so often. Haih..kesian my leg. I also don't understand why my crash course need to be so sandwich, susahnya. But at least all the lecturer this semester is nice, that a good feedback not?

Story of Staying on Track

2010-11-07T03:57:00.013+08:00

Few words: I’m obsessesed with the American series: Lie to me. It never fails to amaze me how the Dr. Lightman spot lies through humans’ facial expression. No doubt the science is awesome, but if I were to choose; I rather not to see lies. Knowing everything is not always a blessing.

A few months ago, I was standing here in front of burger stall with sadden face and aching heart; let’s just say it’s not a good story to begin with. Months later, I’m here standing in front of the burger stall basically doing the same thing but with a completely different state of affairs. Amazing huh? How one heart can change so fast (or should I put ‘so much') in few months time. "Looks like I’m off from my track again".

Ever wonder how repulsive you look in the past few months? I bet you don’t, in fact I think you’re the last person on earth to realize or want to know about it. People just don’t seem to care about this matter anymore, I mean, who will keep track on what you’re today and what you will be in months later; that’s absurd not? Simply!

You may change a lot, you may not, you may doesn’t even know what the changes are; but definitely not through yourself. People experience change but not all realizing the changes; just for the reason you can’t see yourself. That’s when the peoples around you come in handy: friends, families, foes, chatters, girlfriend, boyfriend and basically everyone who see you other than what you see yourself. I don’t deny, who understand you better than yourself; I mean, you’re the only one in this whole darn world that know what you’re good for and what you’re not.

You are the one that fill in your own column of your strength and weakness, because you know yourself better than us. But wait a minutes, who’s there to judge what you put is a definite strength. It may seem one to you, but how sure are you that your strength is a plus and not a minus? Even the only person in this whole darn world, aka, you; can’t be sure about it. That’s when the role of the person around you comes in place.

After that incident, I look at myself as a completely different person; I may have mixed up the strength and weakness column in the past; somehow I bring a few weaknesses into the strength column. Nevertheless, I'm lucky that someone point that out (ouch!) and I manage to pull out what shouldn’t be out of the list. The process of realizing is of course through a very painful experience. Humans are miserable huh? They only learn through pain; I mean they learn more through pain. Some say experience make you a fighter and I can’t further disagree with it. I have to come clean; if I were a fighter today, I got it all through pain. From the pain, human tend to remember the mistake with all their might so that they won’t repeat the pain once again. That’s when pain guide mankind to a better...erh...mankind.

One bad thing about human is they tend to forget. Human brain can only keep so limited input,s like your hard disk for instance. You need to delete old files in order to make room for new inputs; the same applies to human brain, but in a much complicated way. When human tend to lift off from their track of life, the deflection will bring them to a different ground; different level where they start to forget the pain. That’s when pride comes in and ego takes over the body. That’s when I started to put back my weakness to the strength column again; repeating the same last mistake. This happen occasionally, but I’m just another human and human tend to make mistake too. However, as long as human can control this; there is really no one you can blame. I admit there is a slip out every now and then, but as long as I still put control into practice; it doesn’t even matter not?

Months ago, I completely aware of the pain and trust me I will do anything just to avoid the pain. Months later, the pain might have faded where pride and ego come in full force shadowing the pain. I’m once again back being an egoist for a while until someone unintentionally say that right at my sorry face: “Attitude shows it all” and that’s ring a bell. Of all the sudden, waking me up in the dark and realizing how repulsive I was. “Attitude shows it all”, I thought I have changed but now I realize that I’m just circling the same old mistake and falls back to that silly mistake every so often. “Attitude shows it all” and that’s actually a good call. Thanks!

Months later, I’m here standing in front of burger stall and struggling to stay on my track. At least, I still remember the pain and no opt to repeat the same mistake anymore. Yet still I’m not the one to judge, you guys are.

Time to hit the books now, adios!

Of Long Time Not Updated Blog

2010-10-21T21:28:00.005+08:00

Few words: Recently someone has really been up to my nerves. If you’re so lucky reading this, please! Can you don’t be so guai lan all the time. I already don’t like you; don’t make me hate you with you and your idiotic chuckle. I mean what’s up in your sleeves; go bug others instead! Get a life, you soulless puppet!

It actually feel like I’m in the middle of some war. You know, restless night, busy day and dozen bullet to dodge every now and then; simply no time to die. I can’t deny that it had been a while since my last update and I'm not planning to give you lame excuses anymore. Nonetheless, time just doesn’t seem enough when you grew older, at least for now; exam, final year project, mini projects, reports and life just keep getting busy, don't they? But the fact is there are just too many things I wanted to share yet just so little time to blog. And to choose between one, I had actually missed many beautiful things in my blog. What I regret the most is that I never had the chance even just to jot them down in my blog. I guess my blog had been a real blank for the past few weeks.

It has already become part of my routine to write down beautiful things that happen in my blog; for the purpose of sharing and mainly for self seeking. For the past few weeks, my blog life is nothing but blank. I don’t blame if my readers have jump ship, abandon or deleted my link because who won’t when they keep seeing the same post every time they logged in. The thing is its just plain thorny for me to squeeze time in between to blog. No doubt blogging is very calming but sleep is more vital in my case. I have to stay fresh the next morning, I’m in the middle of some war, remember?

Many years ago, my mum started to plant this idea in my head. "Hobby is just for fun but get your priority straight first"; which is always money making in my case. That’s nothing wrong not? Getting your priority straight will lead you to be someone powerful; but of course excluding a lot of fun. You’ll be scoring like Wilt Chamberlain in whatever your priority is but your life will be as stiff as wood. I don’t know since when, where and how but somehow, my hobby had become purely part timer for sometimes. To be real honest, I had have a very dull life back then, work-sleep-work rather than play-sing-play. Until one day where I was so fed up and decided to trade some of the priority for fun. All these years, I had been living my life as a trader between the balance of these two elements.

I can't help but I’m always in awe, why can’t priority be fun; I mean money making can be fun too not? I’m not fated to become a money making machine; I can always venture into other fun field, like circus for instance. But then again reality strikes back really hard, fun jobs aren’t meant to be fun; even clown complaint about their work. Anything that comes with responsibility is not fun. That’s when my mum’s idea starts to ring back a bell in my head. Hobby needs no burden, that’s why it’s fun but its different story for money making. I guess I’m fated to be what I'm supposed to be and there will be more woody life to come. Cruel reality!

Nevertheless in the midst of all this woody life, I still have time to grasp for some fun. Every now and then, my friends and I would just travel to somewhere new on short notice or better still without one. It's just so random. We will drive to somewhere somehow on no direction basis. For instance, last few weeks where we randomly ended up in some paddle field museum, crystal mountain (or so the place to be called) and Alor Setar Mall right after a class. The place is crappy and the foods are nothing to be excited about. Nevertheless, the time spent being with friends is something to be. Some claimed that we can just be friends for now and no friendship last forever, but who care as long as we had good time for the time being.

Oh yes, remind me to stab the guy that sell me the broadband. No bills, no news, nothing for months but out of nowhere; when I checked yesterday, I owe Celcom RM 200 for a month of broadband usage. What the frog wrong with his no hidden or installation charge and RM 50 a month promises? That’s all pure craps, mister salesman! I’m going to bring two parangs with me; one to chop him when he can’t fix my problem and the other one for wasting my time. If you’re so lucky reading this, please shift your shop to somewhere else for safety purposes or go hide for Celcom’s sake. What I don't understand is why Celcom give their broadband selling permit to those not qualified deceitful seller, that only ruin your market, you dumbo!

Nokia N900’s Franken Camera

2010-09-13T01:09:00.011+08:00

Few words: I have bunches more of assignments on my pending list, time just seem not enough lately. I’m planning to visit the nearest vendor machine to buy ‘time’. Hopefully it’s cheap.

One of the major downside of Nokia N900 is its limited 5.0 mega pixels camera. I know, 5.0 mega pixel is pretty decent to start with but hello! We’re at the era of 12.0 mega pixels but why is Nokia N900 still stuck in the era of Nokia N95? If I would tag Nokia N900, it will be a powerful device for net surfing, multitasking, big ass storage and lots more but definitely not for its camera. Face it! We have nothing to shout about with 5.0 mega pixels nowadays. Yes, it can take pretty decent photo with its default camera, just like other normal camera phone does but if we were to compare with *cough* SE Satio 12.0 big lenses monster *cough*, the quality is like comparing cave to Hilton Hotel.

But then everything changed after the community introduces Franken Camera into N900. Let’s keep thing short, Fcam or Franken Camera is software develops by some programmers to unleash the full power of N900 camera. I believe one of the programmers is Mister Franken himself or so they named the software to be.

Now, just imagine yourself in some café. Suddenly something pops up and you decided to capture it with your N900. Snap! There you go; your pathetic shot. Then you look over to the next table, someone doing the same but with a 12.0 megapixel camera phone. You quickly hide your phone. The guy from next table walks over to the counter, and gives you this stupid stare. You felt embarrass, you covered yourself with newspaper. Why is that happening?

Now, imagine again; you in some café then something pop up and you decided to snap it with your N900. Of course, this time with Fcam installed in your N900. You look over, some guy doing the same with 12.0 mega pixel camera. This time, you walk over; throw him the phone and say “I’m just using 5.0 mega pixels” proudly.

Okay, what I’m trying to say is, with Fcam installed; you can do more than a phone camera can do. Suddenly your N900 turns to be a mini DSLR. Focus, white balance, ISO, HDR and more DSLR terms; you name it and Fcam got it all. But of course, its power is still very inferior to a real DSLR camera; after all, N900 only has a 5.0 megapixel camera and furthermore it’s inappropriate to compare a phone with camera to a real solid DSLR camera. I’m just saying that it’s capable to use certain function of a DSLR camera, nevertheless.

I guess words can’t describe everything, why not lets the picture do the talking.

‘Bokeh’ effect or the haze effect is one of the techniques found in digital photography nowadays. Fcam come with the supremacy to play with focus, hence N900 too can produce such a ‘bokeh’ effect result. Amazing huh? Below are examples of playing with focus. The focus is on the doll in the first photo and on the frog in the second photo.

Below are more examples of N900 photo. (credit goes to LYN forumers)

"With N900's Fcam, beautiful photo is now possible". I think I just tagged N900 under powerful camera ;D

Unboxing Nokia N900

2010-09-08T13:40:00.014+08:00

Few words: It had been a while since the last time I crack mind to blog; most of the time, I’m writing for academic purposes. Strange thing, every time when I start blogging, I smile. Guess that’s why I love blogging so much.

I had been longing for this device since I followed some forum reviews in LYN. But unfortunately, this device is not widely available (except for KL folks, you’re just lucky). I had been to several shops probing for this device but all giving their own nana story, either they give you this blank stare or telling you it’s not officially releases in M’sia. Due to that, I had waited for two months before I really lays my hand on this device; the Nokia N900. That’s also through a dealer who travels all the way from KL. Finally…

Let me get this straight, if you’re going to seek for professional review, go somewhere else, I’m not near professional neither in phone nor review. But if you’re looking for a plain review by a simple guy, welcome to my blog. Nokia didn’t pay me for this (and Nokia should) hence I’m going to write whatever I feel about this phone without bias.

Nokia N900, it’s not appropriate to refer it as just a phone; it’s more like a tablet that have GSM function embedded in it. Basically it gives us the ease to net surfing as well as the freedom to call, unlike the older version tablets.

Nokia N900 comes in a plain black stylish mysterious box. There aren’t much information we can get from the box, except for IMEI and a little silver writing here and there. Upon opening, there is of course the device itself; N900, TV-out, an USB cable, a cleaning cloth (you’ll need it since N900 is a fingerprint magnet), a manual and a pretty standard earphone. The earphone do surprise me, it’s comparable with those from Ipod. A pretty impressive box overall.

Let’s turn our focus to the device. It’s running on Maemo 5 OS which Nokia decided to abandon after their successor Meego is out. You must be thinking, why buying a phone…erh… or a tablet that Nokia planning to abandon. However there’s no official news that Nokia will 100% abandon the Maemo but if it’s not 100%, it’s going to be 90%. Maybe just some minor update like a few kbs update files, you know, just to carry out their ‘responsibility’ and keep the rest of Nokia tablet users mouth shut.

That’s true but I still wanting to buy this phone despite all the fuss and trouble, that’s insane not? Because of what this tablet is capable to, I just can’t let my hand go off this phone. Aside from the price of course, I got to admit, the price drops like crazy within a year and maybe more in 2011 (after the release of N8 and N9). Even so every time I compare N900 to other phone *cough* Iphone4 *cough*, “Screw you! IP4!” just pop up in my head. Of course, we can’t compare these two phones since it’s like comparing durian (N900 is a tablet) with apple (IP4 is a ipod-phone) but in this case, I really can’t help but to say durian smashed apple real bad. One thing that really hook my attention is the freedom to customize N900, apparently Nokia doesn’t want to know what you want to do with your phone once they sold their phone to you; throw it, smack it, brick it, eat it and Nokia just stand there watching. “Up to you” they said. Unlike the apple, they’re controlling and want to know everything you did with your phone. For Nelson Mandela’s sake, IP need to be jail broken before you can use certain apps, which I don’t quite understand; you paid for that phone already don’t you? But Steve is making like “No,no,no we just rent you the phone” (This is the last time I compare, I swear).

N900 is armed with only ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz with PowerVR SGX530 graphics, but good news is it can be Over Clocks; some LYN forumer claimed it run smoothly even at 900 MHz. That’s near 1 GHz not? Of course, greater speed means greater burden and eventually shorter lifespan. But still it’s an extra not? Let’s keep it short, N900 has what a standard phone can offer: 3G, WLAN, GPS, 5MP Camera and FM Receiver (and Transmitter as well) and so on. The only down side are the GPS and the Camera. Outwardly Garmin is not supported by Maemo, but there’s an alternative to that Sygric Map. The software is good, just necessary to compare with Garmin. The M’sia map on the other hand is long outdated nevertheless. The 5.0 Mega Pixels camera is not something to brag of, face it! Nokia is not a regular camera producer. Yes it comes with Carl Zeiss Optic, Dual Flash and Auto Focus, but the photo quality is still far from Sony Ericsson. But the good news is the community is there, with something called the Fcam (short for Frankencamera), it unleashed the real power of N900 5MP camera. Through Fcam we were able to play with focus, shutter speed and exposure time, like a real DSLR camera did. Of course it’s not as good as DSLR camera but we’re still able to feel the excitement of playing with a mini DSLR. The only problem is the widescreen photo ratio is a bit weird for me; it just out, totally out.

Above is an example of a humble Fcam shot. There are still bunches more of apps that I never try on (I'm still exploring).

About the design, I have nothing to comment. It’s not all over the hype but it’s not that bad. The device is bulky itself but I don’t really mind since it comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard. The weight is nothing but a dumbbell (180g phone is already a dumbbell for girls), but who care if you’re carrying a device with the capability of a netbook but with one tenth its weight.

One strange thing about the slide out keyboard is it can’t be fully open. I think it’s to overcome previous Nokia slide phone ribbon problem. The sliding mechanism is just alright, Nokia should have added a kick to it; lubricant perhaps? The three rows QWERTY keyboard seems to amuse me, looking at the arrangement make me wonder why not Nokia open up an inches wider just to insert another row of keyboard. Nonetheless after using it for week, strangely but surely, the keyboard just fits the place and at certain point; it’s pretty convenient once you used to it. Oh I forgot, N900 still using resistive screen instead of capacitive screen which are used extensively in the latest phone industries. Amazingly, N900’s resistive screen works just well as other capacitive screen. The good part of resistive screen is we can buy cheaper stylus or use any pointy material as an alternative. It also had a kick-stand on the back of the device, sadly it only work for landscape viewing.

The audio is good, despite some forumer claimed that their speaker is a crap. In my opinion, it work just fine; at least it beat Nokia X6 flat. The reception is never a problem unlike … (too bad I just swear not to compare again). The net surfing experience is a must to emphasize, MicroB is almost next to nothing, it make all other phone net browser like a joke that doesn’t sound funny. Almost like a 3.5 inches netbook. One thing that seem odd to me is the infrared transmitter. To be able to spot an infrared transmitter in nowadays phone is rare, but it’s an extra; at least I can use it as a TV controller via infrared like old days good Nokia 6600.

Despite me only used N900 for a week and still counting, but I already done my research a few months earlier. If that also can’t convince you, go get yourself a N900 and feel its power.

The bottom line is Nokia N900 is like a celebrity, with many hidden agendas, secret affairs, luscious scandal, scrumptious hangouts but still everyone like it. Its rumor to be a phone made only for geek, but to me it still serves me well.

For more information, do visit: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1546003

The Nokia N900 really stand out among all the others phone 80% thanks to the community. With endless effort, the community brings what’s once sound impossible to reality for instance, the Dual OS: Nitdroid and Maemo running on the same platform, sadly it’s still under development. This Dual OS really give Nokia and other Anroid phone manufacturer a big kick, it spoils market but to us the N900 users, it’s a blessing. I never believe there’s a phone…erh… or a tablet that tailor made for the users, in most agendas, it’s the otherwise until I met Nokia N900.

Lovin’ it to the max.

Twenty Fifth

2010-07-25T00:50:00.001+08:00

I know that you cursed me, because I sneezed so much just now. I know you're mad at me for not replying your call. I know and I know how you wish to chop me on a chopping board right now.

"I'm sorry dear! My bad, sincere one this time"

But then again, I can explain, I didn't realize that my phone credit expired until the last minutes when I was going to text you; which is the midnight (of course). Nonetheless, that's not going to stop me, I ran to the nearest ATM machine, hopefully to reload via the ATM. But guess what, all transaction stops after twelve (of course again); I know it from the start but still I never gave up any hope. A few minutes later, I'm running like mad cow seeking for any reload booth near my hostel, but seriously, who still open at midnight?

Guess there's nothing I can do but to blog you this. I know you'll ask me to borrow a phone from my friends, but the things is who going to let you use his phone for an hour or two of sweet talks?

"Geez, men really are good at excuses and sweet talks, not? Terrible!"

Wait! Is that an advantage to us, men? Nothing to complain then. I was just trying to tell you this if I manage to reload and I didn't forget.

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DEAR! THANKS FOR ALL THESE YEARS"

I promise that I'll 'die die' reload tomorrow and compensate on what we missed out today. After all tomorrow is still twenty fifth of July. I promised and this time for real. I really hope that you read this first thing tomorrow (if possible before breakfast), if not I'll have to suffer for a while and explain all over again till lunch (but I'm not complaining).

FHM

2010-07-20T07:13:00.010+08:00

Did you know we have our own Malaysia’s version of FHM?

Oh so you know?

Then I guess I’m the only one that is not aware of this. Freaking right! We have our own version of FHM for so long now. Darn it! I missed all the fun. Yet I’m still not too sure what’s wrong with our country censor board but somehow FHM managed to sneak pass it. It’s the best men's magazine in town, of course next to Playboy and Maxim; nevertheless it’s a delight to know that we have our own version now.

That day, precisely three days ago, I was in some magazine booth trying to grab some reading materials; mostly comics and maybe once in a blue moon newspaper. It is a booth, so it is small; with no luck of getting anything, I browse through the magazine randomly and WHOA! I come across some sexy lady cover. At that point, I don’t know what to do, I had to come clean here; I was panic to see such magazine. My left brain keep telling me to flip the magazine “Flip it! Flip it you bastard!”, but my right brain warn me “Don’t! You moron might get us killed! It could be the shopkeeper’s secret collection”.

What? It’s normal to panic okay, to own such magazine in our country is equivalent to smuggle pigs across border or to mate an elephant with Chihuahua.

With all the guts left, I flipped the magazine and surprisingly it's a legal read (I flip it because of my scientific curiosity and not because of the sexy ladies, get me right okay!). It even comes with a price tag and guess what: it’s FHM. ”OMG! *grasp* IT’S FHM! *grasp*” I heard so much about FHM from my cousin till I can spell it even in my dream, but that guy is so desperate he even subscribed it directly from UK, that’s 6 times Ringgit Malaysia, man. But since now we have our own version, it won’t cost so much.

I calmed down.

I bought it.

And I should have seen it coming.

Malaysia’s FHM is all about interviews, gadgets, fashions and girls with clothes on. HALAL to the max. KNS!

World Cup in Mamak

2010-07-17T04:05:00.012+08:00

The word ‘mamak’ first came to me when I was in the primary school, thanks to my buddy, Syed. He is an Indian-Muslim, by and large the Indian-Muslim is more known as ‘mamak’ by the local. Since then, I have been calling him ‘mamak’ instead of his real name (if that pissed you off, blame it to the local). The most significant change mamak brought to the country is none other than their roti canai; food made from water and flour, beaten and toasted on a hot surface. The mamak then taken their roti into another level, it undergo countless evolution after evolution, modification after modification and now you’ll be surprise how many choice there are in their menu. When you talk about mamak now, the first thing that came to our mind is their multi-branched restaurant; a place to eat, chat and brag.

You got to admit that the mamak really have brain, they opt for cheap labor: Bangala instead of the local, they installed Astro, they buy big screen television, they run as late as 7-11, they sell purely halal foods, they put a wifi sign but off it during peak hour, they raise the price of ‘teh tarik’ when only flour price raised, they ask their waiters to give you a dead stare when you not ordering anything from their menu, they put ridiculous name for their food: Roti KL Tower for instance, they put chairs and tables at the pedestrian road illegally, they sell candy bar and goodies at their counter for extra income. How can they not be rich?

Now World Cup is just around the corner, there’s no reason why mamak not taking this opportunity? In fact, they had already blocked the whole road just for their tables and chairs: illegally that is. How can they not be rich?

Everyone knows what it feels like watching World Cup at home; it’s just like watching TV at home right? But, not everyone knows the thrill of watching World Cup at mamak; to be honest, it’s exactly like barbarian watching a frenzied wild boars fight. Despite this, I’m still going to blog this even at this midst of chaos.

Yesterday, it was the England-Germany game and everyone was so spirited before the match. I’m of course on the English side and even predicted that it’s going to be a two-nil match. I reached the mamak stall nearby fifteen minutes before the game, and guess what? It was already full house. But my strong will keep me stay there despite raining; thank god it was only cats and dogs rain. In this midst of chaos, you have to be cautious who you support and where the supporters are. Nonetheless, all that only show when the first goal is scored. When the first goal is scored, observes clearly who’s the one cheering and who’s the one cursing. Then pick a side to either cheer or curse at that time. But of course, don’t cheer on the cursing side and vice versa.

Tired of the commentator? Bored with their ‘ah-mou’ slang? Never worry, at mamak you won’t be able to listen to the commentator all the times; in fact mamak have their own group of commentators-wannabe. I was near the gamblers group yesterday. Well before the match start, it was all about ‘eat ball’, ‘let ball’ and ‘buy which side’. But once Klouse scored their first goal; it’s all about ‘his mother’, ‘your mother’ and ‘F which side’. But the funniest line of the night which I actually laugh it out loud is “Rooney kaw gay kah? So sissy geh”

The atmosphere at the mamak for the whole night is terrible. Germany supporters provoking the England fans, the fans banging their table after each goal, motorcyclist parked their bike almost everywhere, people honed their car after each goal and it was pure chaos. If not because of the World Cup yesterday, the police would have misunderstood it as a riot. It was awful. Nonetheless I do enjoy watching the game till the end, although many of the England supporters leave when Muller scored his third goal for Germany. I was shouting, cheering and cursing all the time despite the rain and I have to stand throughout the whole game (Duh! That’s what full house supposes to be). Eventually I lose my conscience and the barbaric side of me had taken control over my body. The game ended with the German triumph over the English: four-one. Luckily there was no fight and everyone leave peacefully.

Overall I enjoy the night: You can have your ‘teh tarik’, your own commentator and your ‘roti canai’ with you; what more can you expect, even the audience in the stadium can’t enjoy such a luxury.

But back to my conscious, since when I’m a football fans? I guess with that kind of atmosphere, you couldn’t not to be a fan. I guess this is the end for England in World Cup 2010; “Goodbye Three Lions”

About Many Random Things

2010-06-24T17:40:00.009+08:00

People do ask, in fact I think most of you already know; the counter in my blog remain at this figure for months. Pathetically yes I’m losing a lot of readers for the reason of few and far between my blog updates. Sincere apologies for that and I’m trying hard to put thing back on line. Things just getting in my way whenever I feel like blogging; internship, laptop not working *cough* World Cup *cough* and etcetera. I know an excuse at this time seems out of place, but hey that’s the fact. It’s not like I’m getting paid for blogging except that twenty dollars from Nuffnang. Nonetheless don’t get me wrong, I’m just saying that sometimes we need to give priority for other more important thing *cough* World Cup *cough* before blogging. And don’t get me wrong again, I’ll blog whenever I got the chance; willingly.

People do ask; if this is the case, why not closing your blog and that guy get a nice wallop from me. Let me get this straight, there are many type of blogger mainly the business type and well…the not so business type. Unfortunately I’m in the class of not so business type blogger, but I don’t mind if my blog able to generate healthy profits. Basically, I blog for fun; it’s not about the grammar and it’s definitely not about politics (clarification: I’m a patriot, jangan tangkap saya).

I blog for fun; for me to have fun and hopefully the readers as well. Nevertheless I don’t mind getting a little fame from it; getting a positive greeting or comment from stranger is one of it. “Hey mellymonkeys, going library?” from the person who I totally don’t know; that’s a plus, not? But as I told my readers and even my friends; what happen in blog, remain in blog.

I don’t like people bringing up my blog in my reality life. I can talk about almost everything in blog but when it comes to real life, I hope I can retain some of it as my privacy. To be fair, this applies to all including best friends. It is okay with me if you are having fun reading my blog but when it’s face to face; forget it.

If someone told you MLMB is all about grammar and English; it’s a joke. It was never about grammar or English in MLMB. Frankly speaking, I’m not even sure whether I got my spelling right sometimes. If you’re trying to learn or improve your English, never, I repeat never use my blog as a reference. Well, anyone would be aware of that at their first glance but just to be sure, don’t use any of my blog materials whether are the format, language, style or grammar in your essay. If you wrote that in your MUET exam, prepare to retake. To be real honest, I just write what came to my mind; freestyle-ly. In fact, I restricted both my brothers to not follow my blog writing style, but if you still want to give it a try; go ahead.

A few weeks ago, there’s this girl who comment about my blog. She said it’s too long. I have no comment for that, but I thought blog should be long. If you’re looking for a short blog aka shout out, you can always find that in Twitter and Facebook, not? I guess she has a wrong definition for blog. Few days later, another girl told me she’s fed up logging to my blog and finds no updates. She suggests I have a fixed day to update my blog like what Japanese manga did. Well, the only different between me and those manga writers is they get paid while I don’t. I mean I love to blog as a profession, but heck with my current rojak writing skills and uncommitted blog updating attitude; I’ll be unemployed in no time. And last week, when I’m out meeting my senior; she asked me to summarize out my blog to her as she has no time to read my blog recently. She was like “What going on recently in your blog? Let's summarize and break it down in 50 words. Come on 50 words”. That’s another wrong definition girl. If you want a summarize blog, go Twitter for god sake.

If it’s too long for you, Fine! I’ll do a shorter version but then I’m sure there’s this girl complaining again “So short no Ummph la”. Girls!

Time Machine

2010-06-02T14:36:00.007+08:00

Have you ever thought back of silly mistake you did; minor silly little mistake that affect your whole life? I wouldn’t know for sure what will lies ahead of me, but no doubt I still clearly remember what I have done in the past; every little single of it. I don’t deny that I made mistake, in fact everyone did; human is not that perfect after all.

Humans tend to make wrong decision every day, whether is choosing their soup of the day, health insurance or even life partner. Some tends to repeat their mistake, some tends to fix their mistake right after that and some may just let it be. “Let it be is the coolest way to deal with problem” that’s how naïve I was back then. But let’s go back to reality, you left your biggest unsolved problem hanging there for years; yes for years, and you don’t think people will take advantage of this unsolved problem? Well, back then I didn’t give a darn about it for the reason that’s the coolest way to deal with problem, not? But reality is a reality, this unsolved problem somewhat somehow grew larger and larger; thanks to those who constantly giving their piece of their mind. Eventually this unsolved problem became a plateau and stay there.

Years later, when I brought back this unsolved problem out and guess what? It didn’t explode. The reason I’m bringing this unsolved problem out not with the hope of forgiveness, but for the reason to put an end to it. I’m prepared for the worst; explosion and I’m ready for it. But guess what again? This unsolved problem has reached its plateau years ago and basically people just treat it as things-happened. When things happened, it just happened and stays there forever; basically there’s no ending to it. Naively I still thought I can end this.

The people who once close to you become those who hate you or to be exact, treat you invisible. The people who once your enemy has a new friend; eh…basically I have a new enemy, thank you. Frankly speaking, I don’t mind to have an extra hater. I already had a few dozens of them. But the sour face is still there, not because you hate me but for the reason why you hate me.

It make me in awe sometime, a real minor problem just like choosing the soup of the day caused everything to be the other way round. Does it really worth? I myself know it’s not my fault, clearly not my fault but if I willing to tolerate or maybe treat that this never happen before, maybe everything will be better.

Honestly, I don’t look at myself as a good guy. Everyone knows good guy extinct thousand years ago together with T-Rex. I guess god doesn’t make this kind of guy anymore maybe because he is fed up seeing his good creation die in the hand of bad guy so many freaking times. Face it, we all did bad thing; the only different between me and you is I did too many bad things. I have to admit, compare to the entire bad thing I did, this is like a kindergarten level bad thing yet it make everything so different now.

Today when I look at their shout out, honestly somewhere in my heart I felt left out. If I had a chance to amend this once again, I’ll pull this problem out of everyone heart before it reaches the plateau. Maybe we’re still friend now. So people, don’t leave your problem hanging around; trust me, even a small problem if left unsolved, it could ruin the whole kingdom. (Yet there’s always an exception, you-know-who)

Monkey’s Backo

2010-05-25T13:46:00.006+08:00

Internship over, report nicely done and what’s next? Seem like this is the end of my busy working life; at least for a while now. Looking back at my previous entries, I have to say it seem like I’m having a very hectic life. Well, not to say a very hectic one but just as much as necessary to make you cripple. Laugh all you want, but when you’re on a tight schedule with your supervisor rushing for the result every day; even an elephant also beh tahan la. Now I’m glad that all this ended.

But surprisingly as much as I want it to end, there’s a part inside me that want to extend the very last day of my internship. Everyone seems so dull on my last day of TXPO. Yes I admit; I felt reluctant too. You can’t blame me; I’m there working everyday for the past six months, sure got feel one ma. But can you believe it; I endure the six months internship without skipping any of it. To be frank, I myself am bolt from the blue.

I’m being exposed to so many things during this internship; but there is one that really amazed me: the life of an engineer. I believe many of my coursemate are aware of this now, we can actually see our future path as an engineer; work-sleep-work-sleep and no play. By the norm of the society, engineer is a well respected profession, let’s face it, our parent want us to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. But many didn’t know, engineer is just a name. Well, if you don’t know, then let me enlighten you further about this. Most of the engineers that I encounter work as any other normal worker. I mean a degree is a degree, doesn’t matter whether it’s four years degree or three years degree, an engineering degree or a normal science degree; a degree is a degree. So why study for a year more? That I still couldn’t answer you for now. Maybe with this engineer title, at most we can get extra salary, not?

Being in the industry for almost six months, somehow, really change my perspective of our grade. Of course, I can’t deny that a good result student will normally get all the priority but there’s still a lot of X-factor to be considered. When you send your whole resume, the only thing matter is the result and the photo. Like what I said, a good result almost equivalent to good job prospect. However with a good photo, even sometimes with a not-so-good result, you too will be granted with a good job prospect. Why? Because working is already very unexciting, therefore it’s nice to have something beautiful to look at. That’s some of the eye opener there. So the next time you’re going to take photo for your resume, forget about formal passport photo; go for beauty makeover photo instead.

Another X-factor that I encounter is the opportunity factor. Like what Mr.K say “when the opportunities come, grab it!” Although I have million things that I disagree with Mr.K but this time I can’t further disagree. In fact, to an extent, I have to say that pointer doesn’t affect anything after you’re employed. You may be a full A’s student but when you start working, nobody going to care about how many A’s you get. Face it, you still get screw by your boss, tittle-tattle by your colleague and threaten by the HR department (your salary is in their hand); if you think getting full A’s is your Kelvar vest then by now you should realize that your boss is using grenade at all times. Like it or not, you’ll still die.

Nonetheless first time I agree on something you said: “When the opportunities come, grab it!”

P/S: Today is another important date, yet I still manage to overlook it. Sorry.

Highway Fun

2010-04-26T11:39:00.018+08:00

I have always wanted to update my blog but there’s just one slight problem: I’m just too busy to write. More often than not, when I have inspiration or a topic to write, I’ll instantly turn on my laptop then jot down whatever I have in my head. But these days, I can’t help but to just let the inspiration flee without any attempts to jot them down. Few days later when I feel like writing; my mind goes blank. That’s if I still have time to turn on my laptop. But not today, I’ll korek kaw kaw (dig back hard) what I always wanted to write. Here is one when I’m on my way back to my hometown.

WARNING: This will be an extremely long blog (hopefully long enough to bored your day), so bring along your friends, dogs, ipod or whatsoever that be able to entertain you for the next fifteen minutes or so because this blog may just bore you to tears half way.

Here it goes…

Well, I can consider a regular to our country highway; PLUS for the reason that I had been driving home a lot with my brand new 7 series B- *cough* BM- *cough* Bee-re-dou *cough* Perodua *ahem* this semester due to my internship in Penang. The journey back and forth from Penang to my hometown is quite a killer (boring), but luckily there’re forever some driver whom never fail to amuse me. I’m sure most of you guys have experience something called the high headlight signal on the highway. In fact, I’m so used to this HHS (High Headlight Signal) as it’s already a norm among the regulars there. If you guys are still new to this highway gizmo, this HHS simply suggests that “You’re driving like a granny, please move your fat ass aside!” or “You’re moving like my ****, get lost!”; more or less that way.

All along the way back, I can't help but to realize there are (Yes there are! no kidding) different categories of cars that will give you a HHS, for instance:

The Sport Cars

This is the most frequent cars that give HHS. I don’t blame them in fact I think that they should give HHS every time when there’s car blocking their way for the reason that their car is put up to be fast. They're like superstar car, compare to our cars. They have those super sport specifications; in fact their acceleration pedal is so sensitive even an extra pound will accelerate the car by 100 km/hour. They come with hardcore engine with lots of horsepower, almost formula one tires and not to mention classy aerodynamic look. Only moron won’t try their car to full potential and where is the best place to try that if not the highway. If I were to have a chance driving a sport car, I’ll even drift all the way.

Furthermore, they pay a higher road tax as in much higher road tax; therefore they must do HHS. Face it! That’s the only place where they can show off their car. I understand why a sport car giving HHS because their paycheck is on the line. Yes their paycheck is on the line, unless they’re some lucky bastard who has a millionaire dad. Just imagine how much the fuel consumption is when they’re speeding at 250 km/hour. Just imagine how much they need to pay for their speed trap summon and car maintenance? Basically, they pay to be fast, so why stop them? So the next time you see a sport car roaring behind with their fancy HHS, just move aside and drive to the nearest speed trap booth to congratulate them on their new summon.

The Fast and Foolish

This is the class that I disgust the most. Honestly, I think we should start educated this fast and foolish guy. It’s time to educate them, just let my blog be the first to educate them. Dear racers-wanna-be, no matter how great you modify your car; yes you may have a brand new racer tires, a new Nike rims, a futuristic body kits, a new Puma cup holder, an Adidas sunglasses holder, a fake speedometer, a fake turbo button, a Caltex free pillow but a proton is a proton. I mean let’s just face it, you think by sticking a Mitsubishi sticker on your proton, somewhat and somehow your proton will transform into Lancer? If that so, I suggest you guys stick Air Asia logo on your car instead; you might as well save the toll fees.

This is what happens to you guys; you alter almost everything in the car, but one thing you missed out: the engine. Yes the heart and soul of the car. I have seen many racers-wanna-be car doing HHS even kilometers away. Of course, as a good driver I’ll move aside; but those cars take forever to overtake me (that’s the deal only if I slow down). What I don’t understand is “What’s friggin' wrong with you?”. Your car may look like a sport car but your engine is the same as mine, that’s the fact; so the next time you trying to do HHS, do your math and put your ego aside first.

I understand that car customization is a hobby and no one is going to stop you guys’ creativity. But there are just some people that take this customization into another level. They modify their cars to look like a sport car and they expect people to see their car their way.

Mel: Bang, cantik nampak kereta bang. Kereta apa bang?
Bang: Mitsubishi. (respond within 0.001 sec)
Mel: Betul ke? Nampak macam Prot..
Bang: Mitsubishi. (respond within 0.001 sec)
Mel: Er..
Bang: Mitsubishi. (respond within 0.001 sec)
Mel: Tapi..
Bang: Mitsubishi. (respond within 0.001 sec)
Bang: Mitsubishi. (respond within 0.001 sec)
Bang: Mitsubishi dan jangan tanya lagi.
Mel: Model apa?
Bang: Wira.

There may be no other word to best describe them: P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.

The Hunter

Then here come the small bullies which are constantly hunting for chances to HHS you. There’re time even the slow cars need to be on the right lane for certain purpose; that’s the time these hunter coming out to tail you from behind with their non-stop HHS. I believe my PA teacher once calls this a ‘rendah diri’ syndrome; so far that only happen to some of my classmate (*cough* Theamy, JL, KC *cough*) but who know, it may spread. They’re very desperate driver who stroll around the highway every weeks to find their victim. Whenever you’re on the fast lane, they will HHS you until you give way then they will slow down to let you takeover them for another chance to HHS you again. Darn those persistent barbarian!

The Big Cars

Then here come the hulk’s car. By the sound of it we already know, big equal slow. You may paying more for your road tax, you may having a bigger engine, a bigger fuel tank but face it; big is predestined to be slow. There’s a reason why your speed limit is below ordinary car speed in the highway and what’s that? Because you’re big and you take two lanes at one time, that’s the reason! Big car has an equivalent big ego too, they think that they don’t deserve to be behind small cars, hence they HHS. Dear Big-Drivers, I’m not trying to say anything bad about you here; but doesn’t almost all big cars are family cars? Slow down a bit won’t harm you and your family, don’t they? Yes I know you have bloody hell hulk-like horsepower, but that’s to balance your elephant load, not? If big cars are meant to be fast; how comes Alonso not driving a Hummer in F1 race instead?

As what Spiderman told us, “Big power comes with big role and responsibility”; which is to protect the smaller car. This is just my suggestion but heck, the next time you saw a 7 series Perodua (which is so coincidentally to be my car) on the road. Try move in front to shield all the wind resistant. You know, without the wind resistant, I actually save a lot too. It’s a win-win situation, you got somebody to protect and I protected my wallet.

The Car Insurance Claimer

I thought that this people don’t exist, but fact proves me wrong. There’re actually moron driving so near, so near that we can actually send files via Bluetooth. No kidding, man.

Mel: Hand me the tissue please.
Friend: Opss! Just finished.
Mel: Darn!
Friend: Never mind! Here you go.
Mel: Where did you get this?
Friend: From the car behind.

That’s the situation, man. I think they’re in some insurance scam doohickey. Scary!

The thing is, the car behind always have the upper hand. They can HHS us whenever they want, and we can’t do anything but to take those HHS with open hand. Yes there is brake light, but it’s so powerless that it won’t make any impact like a HHS does. Yes, brake signal will slow down the car behind, but they will continue to tail you with more HHS.

Nonetheless, the good news is you can prevent it. Here are a few ways to signal the cars behind which is as brunt as a HHS. It's easy; just firmly hold your car steering, make sure that the driver behind is able to see you via the car mirror, then turn around and..

“KNNCCB! YOU’RE FOLLOWING TOO NEAR”

Or simply by putting sticker behind beforehand like this:

“I’M SAD, I JUST FAILED MY DRIVING TEST TODAY”

“I DON'T FEEL LIKE DRIVING, MY GIRLFRIEND WANT A BREAK UP NOW”

And I'm sure all drivers behind you give a face like "WTF":

and won't dare to HHS you anymore. Hehe.

Lou Beh

2010-04-07T11:58:00.012+08:00

It’s already two in the morning and I still couldn't sleep, must be sleeping too much in the noon. Try to hypnotize myself by staring at the ceiling; hopefully my eye will get heavy and doze off. But as much as I gaze, there’s no help but making me to recall all those old memory instead. I think of him.

‘Lou Beh’ simply means father in Hainamese; that’s what I call my old man. I know many of you call your father: father, dad, daddy or whatsoever but for me I’m too used to call him ‘beh’ more than anything else. I still remember once in the primary school, my class teacher asked what we call our father and I’m one of the lucky one to answer. “Saya panggil bapa saya Beh" (I call my father, Beh) and the whole class laugh because they thought that I called my father a bear. Nonetheless, I didn’t mind at all; not even once because he’s my only one unique dad.

To be honest, he’s not a super-dad; in fact, it’s true to say he’s a…let’s just say he’s a below average-dad. I never take his promise for real because I learned my lesson so much until I treat all his promises a-never-come-true statement. But there’s once, he really did turn up for my basketball competition like he promised; although he showed up at the last few minutes and I was resting on the bench but undeniably I’m smiling from the bottom of my heart. For once in my life, I feel glad to be his son. After the match ended, he still complaining all the way because he can’t see me in action, but in his heart, I know he’s more than proud for coming to support his own son.

My dad is slapdash, inconsiderate, and stubborn; and not forgets to mention he likes to take control. I mean what kind of father would take his son to an Indian eatery when his son is having a high fever? The answer would be my old man, ladies and gentleman. "Curry can cure fever, curry make you sweat, son" he said. Is that a joke? But please don't joke with me when I'm having high fever, dad! He’s that kind of man who forced you to take what he thinks is the best for him; yes in this case he think what’s best for him is best for you too. That’s my father, the most stubborn person I ever met. Sometimes I’d ask why he can’t just act like a normal father; like my friend’s daddy. I asked that question for twenty two years yet I still couldn’t respond. But no doubt he’s always there when I need him and no doubt, of all the sons, he loves me the most.

‘Lou Beh’ how long have I not calling you this, dad? I can’t call to mind, I asked myself numerous of times but I really can’t recall. Since the last fight, I barely remember when the last time I call you that. Even the sound of it feels so unfamiliar now. Our conversation won’t last for minutes, and frequently it’s overflowing with silent till at one point, both of us gave up and hang up.

Elders’ word won’t be wrong, I understand that, dad. All along I had been seeking for you and mum help whenever I need it and I know elders’ word can’t be wrong, for the reason that you all have experience it firsthand yourself. Like the old saying “from the horse’s mouth itself”. I respect every word from you and mum because I know you guys want the best for me. But dad, as stubborn as you are; there’s sometimes even elders doubt about their action and words; and dad, there’s sometimes even the elders need help from their young one too.

Beh, I’m contented with my life now. Despite what you decision, I still wish to stay. It's time to let me to walk alone, Beh.

It’s a Good Thing It Only Last 6 Months

2010-03-08T09:46:00.004+08:00

Despite many say internship is a place to have fun, yet it’s a good thing it only last 6 months nevertheless. Don’t be perplexed, I’m more than blissful to work at my company; industry training is a place with heaps of fun where you meet awesome supervisors, colleagues and a totally new working environment. For those of you who always wanted to see the world, this might be the perfect opportunity. But trust me, working life is just another stage of your studying life; in fact sometimes I feel that studying is more trouble-free. The only thing good in working is the cash; other than that, its way too complicated than studying life (mostly due to internal affairs).

I’m half way through my industry training now and like the famous proverb: ‘so far so good’. I’m working in the research department so it’s common to be in a stress atmosphere. Even sometimes I too will feel fed up when I can’t obtain the result I wanted; that’s just another sad side of industry training but the most important thing is that you learn. Frankly speaking, I learn a lot. I learned that communication is the utmost vital criteria to get things work out. You know what you want but nobody else knows about it unless you voice it out; be brave. Stress management is vital too; don’t ever show your temper in front of your boss unless you’re ready to quit. Even when the boss asked you, just tell him you’re fine.

Since I’m so contented with my internship, what’s the fuss?

The ruckus ensues just after working hours. Every time when it’s the time to go home, I feel sibeh dulan. I have to come clean here; I’m damn sien with them. Not normal sien, it’s indescribable sien; maybe no words can describe it. Oh wait! Maybe this will describe it all, it’s like babysitting a five years old kids who keep on asking you the same stupid questions plus the next door ah ma who keep telling you your neighbor affairs even you don’t give a damn about it plus the postman keep on banging your door for the letter that’s not yours plus the uncountable ignoring missed calls plus the nuclear silo generating their shit just right next door plus world war two taking place outside your house and the final grand slam: your roommate screaming shit in the house. That will do, that explain everything. Really beh tahan at some point I feel like sealed my room with sound proof or better still scream proof wall.

Sometimes, I think she taken the word share into another level. Other than sharing the house, due to her thoughtfulness she thought we might as well wanted to share her no-reason-scream. If your high pitch scream is as beautiful as Mariah or Celine, I’m more than honor to listen to it. But if it’s from you then no thank you.

I understand why baby scream when they’re hungry, they need attention. What I don’t understand is why a fully grown adult scream when they’re…eh…bored? tension? hungry? no reason?

P/S: I need to apologize for the usage of some words which may offend you guys. Nonetheless, like what I said, that’s maybe the most suitable words to describe. Simple advices, knows your friend, knows your roommate and differentiate wisely. Luckily it’s a good thing it only last 6 months.

We’ll Always Be Here

2010-02-26T09:33:00.000+08:00

This blog entry is above all dedicated to my brother, Keith.

Dear Keith, maybe you won’t ever come to this blog for your entire life, but hope is always there; hence I blogged this hopefully that one day you might by chance come to this blog and learn that we’ll always be here for you no matter what; supporting, motivating and to go through this horrible nightmare with you.

I know sometimes it’s awkward, in fact true to say shameful to have thing out of our control. I know you had tried your best and that’s what really matter; you did your very best but still you couldn’t get what you wish for, that’s normal because that’s life. Despite what people said, I believe that you already had a rough idea how you’re going to face the upcoming. If you ever feel that you’re useless, you’re wrong, BIG TIME wrong. You are nowhere near useless, but if you insisted; then do think in my shoe, I as your brother will be more useless for not guiding you yet wanting you to live your life my way. I would more likely be the one to blame for all this nonsense and for being a useless brother.

Dear brother, I have a handle on one thing recently. I can’t force you to live your life my way or our way. You had your dream, your standpoint, your way of life and it’s not fair for us to tell you what to do with it. I had been always disagreed with your idea and your dream for the reason that I don’t think that you’ll had a better upcoming than what I had set for you. All I wished for is I don’t want you to follow my slip-up; I want you to be able to crawl out of this miserable circle. Nevertheless, I never thought of what you really want. Maybe due to this, I’m never able to crawl out of this circle.

All along, I always had faith in you; you are that kind of brother that I never need to be worry of. Your stubbornness, your determination, your guts is what I really admire of. When you fix on to do one thing, no matter what it take; you’ll accomplish it. When you made up your mind, no one is able to change it. That’s the leader quality that I never had. You and I are diverse in many ways, sometimes I really wonder, are you really my brother? I prefer the safe route but you forever will choose the opposite route. Despite knowing that we are two different people, I still asked you to take the safe route; my route, for the reason that I think that’s the best for you. I was wrong, that’s the best route for me but not you. Consequently, you had endured years of boredom-ness because of my stubborn thinking. Sorry Keith.

Like what mum always told us, “Nobody can blame us if we know that we tried our best”. Since you already did your best, no one is there to blame or to say a bad thing about you. Mum always told us to stand up straight even if the sky is collapsing; so brother, no point to ignore our mother teaching now right?

I know it’s a tough time for you now. Escaping is not the solution, it’s time to stand up straight and voice out what in your mind and we’ll talk about it. This time, I will let you to choose the route you want; I promise that I’ll only listen and not to oppose. Don’t let our old folks worry about us okay. Call me.

“Giving up is just an option, not an obligation in our family”

Love,
Big Brother

From Firm Pinch to Never-ending Pain

2010-02-07T17:41:00.004+08:00

Have you ever play paintball before? Those counter-strike aspirant sport where you shoot and shoot till all of your opponents are proclaim dead; in this case covered with paint. I had actually watched a few friendly tournament in my university but I never participate in any of it; that was until today where I actually played five rounds of paintball with some of the KDU folks (I haven’t had chance to know them in person, not even their name but I’m sure I shoot down a few of them).

Well, the rules are really simple, once you being marked with paint, you’re out. That’s when you need to raise both your hands with the marker (gun) on your head and walk slowly to the corner of the field. I advised you to run because you might ‘kena’ a few shots if you take your honeymoon sweet time to the corner. The bullet is typically some oil-based paint wrapped with thin layer of rubber, so when it ‘kena’ your body it explode; and the next thing you know, you’re covered in poster-colour-smell-like paint. It feel like a firm pinch if you ‘kena’ from an appropriate distance. Except if it’s a short distance shot, then be prepared for the worst scenario: bruise and bleeding. So normally to avoid that, when you’re in a short distance (as in half a meter away), you just point the marker at your opponent and shouted “You’re out!” and he/she ‘pandai-pandai’ walk to the corner la. That’s all in the rules book (I don’t know whether it exist or not but that was what I told by the instructor; 'kena' cheated kot).

Nevertheless, there’s once when I point my marker to a girl who doesn't realize that I sneaked out from right wing and say out the magic word “Slowly put down your gun. You’re out!” she actually scream for a while and turn back to shoot me for almost half of her ammo. Walau! Play cheat one, ‘kena’ my hand some more. Hand leh, not protected part leh, it does feel like a firm pinch; just that it’s from the Hulks. The Hulks leh! Pain to the max till my hand doesn’t feel a thing for a time; she violated the rules but no one seems to care: "Lu bo shoot wa, wa bo die, bo die!!". Which part of no short distance firing she doesn’t understand. Kesian my hand only. That was the last time I use that magic word.

One thing that I don’t understand is they provide us mask, thick army shirt and even army pants but where is the cock protection? You know just in case there’s some sharp sniper in the game who has a huge grudge on you; you never know whether it’s the paintball or your ball that explode. I was trying to protect ‘him’ all the way and even had this crazy idea to wear a mask there, but since I always ‘kena’ headshot; better don’t. You laugh? Don’t play play! My thigh also ‘kena’ a few times, even my ear which supposes to be protected also ‘kena’.

Nonetheless, it’s not that bad after minus out the bruises, pain and money. Overall it’s worth as we always heard of it but never been in the game before. At least I got thing to ‘blow water’ (talk about) next time when I’m out of topic.

Better take a shower now, the stain and smell of the paint is so ewwww… Ciao!

Blogging Life

2010-01-27T17:46:00.019+08:00

This month is one of the most hella busy month for me; not getting enough sleep is already one thing but not blogging for so long is a beyond the pale sin. Sorry people, kind of stuck in between work and sleep, work and sleep; no room for blog. Nevertheless today I’ll blog, ‘die die’ also must write something in my blog. And by the way, thank you seniors! Never know that you guys read my blog too. Will surely keep you guys update about my internship life.

First thing first, my biggest mistake this month is that I missed my best buddy birthday. I think he waited the whole night and most probably the whole following day for me. But, I did nothing, in fact I didn’t even realize that’s the day when I went check on him that day; not that I don’t want to but I’m just too busy with my stuff. You can always check my to-do-list, everyday full. Hereby I sincerely apologize to you, friend. Sorry dude that I missed your birthday, I feel like a jerk for not remembering your birthday. But you know I’m no good with date right? Anyway, sorry big time dude!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY,
Melly Life Monkeys Blog!

That’s right! That’s my blog first birthday. My first post was on sixth of January last year and it had been a more-or-less-up-and-down year with you, MLMB. Looking back at what I did with you for the past one year is superb, somehow I feel that it worth every sweat and tears for jotting down everything to you; whether it’s my everyday life experience, good or bad memory, hilarious moment, brainless times or perhaps some reminders for me to not repeat the same mistake again. It’s worth.

Blogging has always been my alternative channel (at some point my core channel) for me to express myself. In life, there is always up and down; sometimes down flat all the time but that doesn’t matter, what matter is how you deal with it. The best way so far is to share with your family, your best friend and if possible everyone; Face it! We need each other to survive. Yet sometimes there are things that you can’t tell everyone, that’s when blog come in handy. But publishing it in blog means telling everyone, not? Well, undeniably yes but through a different media, at least not face to face; and pray hard that the person won’t come to my blog.

When I start blogging last year, it’s all about what happen around us that we don’t be bothered to know. Simple minor stuff that we choose to ignore, that we choose not to care because the fact is it’s too minor for us even just to waste our time and energy to think about. But when you choose to think hard and try to understand it, you will see the beauty of every simple minor thing. Eventually you’ll laugh on your own for missing out the joy laying just in front of you for so many years. Even a simple cup of coffee can brighten your life, well it had brighten mine already.

I wish every of my every readers to laugh if not smile reading my blog. That’s why I blogged every of my silly act. I know it’s embarrass, well it is. Nevertheless the joy of hearing positive feedback from you guys worth all the embarrassment. My everyday life seems overflowing with first class entertainment, first class joker (not you, JL), first class comedian (not you again JL) but that only happen in my blog. Reality, life’s always a joke, just like a blind-folded roller-coaster; you never know when you’re up or down. But since I can make it to sound like a merry-happy life in my blog then why not, at least you’re entertained. It’s a pleasure to see my readers ‘amusingly amused’ with my blog. "Thank you, readers!!"

Like I said, we never know when we are up and down in our life. At one point you may looking down at the people below, and the next thing you know, you’re down joining them. When you’re all on your own, you tend to give up; you feel useless to struggle, that’s when you stop running and remain at that point in your life marathon. Days after days, months after months; sooner or later everyone is ahead of you. That’s when you feel useless to carry on, even just to try standing up. That’s when you let go. But fortunately someone is there for me whenever I’m tired of running; she is there to push me to grasp back the marathon pace and keep up with the others. I may not the top runners, I may not get any fame and glory, but I’m glad I still can carry on in the marathon; at least with you by my side. At least now I know what to do when you’re tired to carry on, I’ll be there to push you back.

Looking back at my post is like watching an infant grows. He might still a kiddo now, but he’s surely growing. There had been quite some time you being with me, buddy. We had walked quite a distance, not to say a long one but it’s just significant to make a comparison. There’s still a long way though but I’ll keep on blogging. That’s the only way he’ll grow.

So long now, thank you MLMB. Happy Belated Birthday! Have a great one!

Leave a Message

2010-01-11T15:01:00.018+08:00

Have you ever wondered how our grandparent or perhaps our parent exchanges a few words with their friends? I mean there must be some kind of networks for them to keep in touch with each other but what is it? Bear in mind, at that time, there’s no Facebook, Friendster, Twitter, MySpace or even computer. Yes, I know there’s letter. Yes, I know there’s phone but letter and phone can only reach certain people with one condition: by knowing their real address and phone number. Nonetheless, if they were to publish a shout out to everyone they know (or don’t know); they need to search the phone book one by one. Just visualize telling a good news to hundred friends of yours one by one; that’s doesn’t sound like a good news to me. Eventually they’ll end up calling only their BFF. Won’t that be a bit unfair? Good news is meant to be shared to everyone.

My mum told me that they used to write letter to the newspaper to post their shout out. “Those good old days, the joy of waiting for reply” my mum said as she recalled. “Wait how long?” I asked suddenly. “Depend, might be a week or a month, you know the letter have to go through the editor, the censor board, the column writer and etcetera” she added. Whoa! Just imagine reading your 18th birthday wishes when you’re already 22; that’s too long but undeniably that’s the only joy in the old days.

Then some brilliant radio deejay came out with a brain-cracking-balls-breaking idea which is to put up a radio show especially for their faithful listener to leave a message or a dedication. That radio show was an all the rage hit! Every teenager is calling up; everyone wants to tell what they're doing, what’s on their mind; even teeny weeny stuff like: “KC shits in his pant; never grow up” or “Theamy love Soo Lim but he don’t love back” or so on. That brilliant deejay totally set a new trend, no more old school method: writing to magazine or newspaper. Radio is even better, they are faster and it comes with songs. That time, everyone is longing for radio; same like now, peoples are craving for i-pod or i-phone.

Then, here comes the IT era where more and more friend-networking applications popping up; for instance the Facebook, Friendster, MySpace, Twitter and many more that keep your friends updated about what’s on your mind, what’s going on with your life and maybe some irrelevant kepoh news. Now even better, people are subscribing mobile internet; they can follows your Twitter and Facebook anywhere, anytimes, anyhow. That’s so awesome!!

That’s still so awesome till I met their challenger: the toiletbooth.

No kidding, people are leaving comments, grudges, life update or what’s on their mind in my company toilet wall (not Facebook wall); in grafitti lagi tu. For instance "Boss naik gaji sikit la" (Boss raise my salary a bit). And surprisingly, there are feedbacks or update every time I went toilet: "Bro you kena kerja keras sikit la" (Brother, you have to work harder). No kidding, I love going toilet nowadays; guess I’m addicted to toiletbooth already.

Gotta go to the toilet, check for updates. *chuckle*

Tang Yuan

2009-12-22T21:33:00.014+08:00

In case you are wondering what Tang Yuan is? Tang Yuan is basically glutinous rice flour ball which served in ginger soup. The direct translation of Tang Yuan means ‘round dumpling in a soup’. Tang Yuan can be small, big, colored, uncolored, filled or unfilled but that’s doesn’t really matter; what matter is the story and meaning behind it. Just by the name, we know that it’s a Chinese food, in fact it’s true to say as a Chinese’s custom or heritage. As far as I recalled, the Chinese used to celebrate Midwinter by serving Tang Yuan to their family and friends. It’s to provide warmth to their beloved during the winter. Just imagine yourself drinking the spicy ginger soup with hot glutinous rice flour ball, sweating already don’t you?

Yes, I know there’s no winter here and there’s no way it going to snow in M’sia; in fact it’s hellaluyah hot here but who’s care? The main purpose of Tang Yuan is not just to warm our body during the winter, if that so, why not Whisky or Brandi instead? Tang Yuan bring a larger meaning than this; the elders believe that Tang Yuan is a blessing for the children to undergo the winter unharmed by sickness or accident. Conversely, my grandma used to believe that Tang Yuan will bring family together like reunion dinner. We used to gather around our dining table to have a bowl of it; I guess my grandma is right.

I’m not a Tang Yuan lover, I mean it’s just flour balls with ginger soup; what’s so big deal about it? In term of taste, it’s just plain. In term of look, it’s just ordinary. Nevertheless, in term of Chinese tradition, it’s a MUST for me to have Tang Yuan; even just a bite of it.

This time, I wasn’t around Ipoh so I couldn’t eat any of it. Despite that, one of my Penang friends, Mr. J brings me a pot of Tang Yuan (Thank you by the way). Lucky me! It’s nice, in fact it’s scrumptious but somehow it taste a bit weird. Not weird as in weird in taste but weird as in something is missing. The Tang Yuan my mum made is forever rough, inhomogeneous in size, the filling leaked out and the ginger soup is more or less: tasteless. Yet somehow that’s the Tang Yuan I had been eating for the past 22 years, maybe that’s what missing.

Rough, inhomogeneous and tasteless…*giggle*

As I said earlier, what matter the most is neither the taste nor the look; is the meaning behind it. Happy Tang Yuan Festival everyone!

Rough, inhomogeneous and tasteless...but I'm missing it? *laughing* What am I thinking?

You Run Bastard

2009-12-19T16:05:00.016+08:00

“What a fine morning!” as the sun is shining bright, the air is breezy cool and the best of all; today is Saturday. The day where I can wake up at ten, take my honeymoon time, go for a walk or maybe update some of my blog; how wonderful. Waking up at six, going work at eight, taking lunch at twelve, back to work at one, heading home at six and finally doze off at ten had already been my daily routine, so Saturday can be consider every working man’s paradise for the reason that we can step out of that routine circle even just for once.

My mood is extremely good today, so I plan to give my car a 'bath' and a 'bikini wax' later on. I was still in a very good mood for the following few seconds until I discovered somebody bang my car (as soon as I discovered it, I dropped my pail, my car shampoo and immediately ran toward my car; kneeing in front of my car and I couldn't help but to scream "NOOO!!! You don't die on me!!! No, not so fast..NOOO!!!~~").

ARGHHH!!!KNNCCB!!!

Someone apparently someone, for sure it’s not some stray dogs or cats act (unless there's a cow nearby). Someone freaking-ly bang my car (hit and run case) and the best part is my car parked in a super duper safe place; a place where the probability of accident can happen is lower than the probability of ‘kena’ lottery. That is a place where accident merely can happen if only you intentionally drive your car directly to my car and I guess that bastard nailed it.

Of all the cars parked there, you choose my car. You blind? If you planning to ‘hit and run’ some car, go for BMW, Mercedes or some really expensive car; NOT MY CAR! Thanks to you, my first month salary all go into my car repairing. SIBEH DULAN right now!

Storm Rider 2

2009-12-18T10:46:00.007+08:00

If you are seeking for summary or preview of this movie, you’re at the wrong page. The title might sound alike yet this is a blog barely related to storm rider. No offense, but I just can’t get it why do we need preview; I mean if you’re planning to go for a movie then just go, why preview? If you were to miss out all the anticipations based on an anonymous’ movie preview, does it worth? If you were to bore to tears your partner on your first date based on some people-you-hardly-know preview, does it worth?

I’m nobody to judge whether shall we opt for a movie preview, not. But one thing for sure, I never did any movie preview before, I just randomly pick my movie every time (as random as it sound, I won’t pick movie that I don’t understand). I know, I know, you don’t want to waste your precious nine bucks for some crappy movie, that’s why you movie preview. You surf every site you know, you read every movie preview you can, you flip every newspaper comment you have and there you go; you lose all the fun. Isn’t watching a movie is all about delight? Where is all the pleasure if you already know what going to happen next?

So while movie previewing is good, random movie selection is simply better. Better in sense of surprises, try bringing your friend or your partner on a random movie and surprise them. And some really good movies are not even on preview; if you ‘round round’ follow the movie preview; you’ll miss all the fun again. More often than not the majority of the boring movies are not on preview, but then again, it might be crappy for them but a whole new different story for you. Who knows? You’re not letting some anonymous’ comment to control the movie you watch, don’t you?

That day I went for Storm Rider 2 with my friend, a nicely-planned-should-be-nothing-going-wrong-movie because of the movie preview my friend read. Even so it bothers me that they combat (or swing their sword) more than they talk, which turn out to be quite a mind-numbing movie. The movie preview is good, the gimmick is fabulous and the publicity is awesome; even Ekin come M’sia to promote. But it’s just an ‘okay la’ movie for me. My friend was quite disappointed because the movie preview looks more attention-grabbing than the actual movie. That’s when he feel like his nine bucks is in the gutter.

Movie preview said “five thumbs up”. I really can’t help but to wonder “If including the thumbs on both hands and feet, where’s the other one? Could it be right in the middle of these four thumbs?” It suddenly makes sense and answered all my queries since nursery school.

Apart from throwing our precious nine bucks to the gutter, watching Storm Rider 2 really bring back a lot of old memories. Ten years ago (can you believe it! it's already ten years), when I’m still in primary school, I watched Storm Rider 1 and me still yearning for more. Ten years later, I’m outside the cinema complaining about it; somehow it just feel like yesterday or should I put it in this way, time passed too sudden for anyone to even realize it. The memory is still clear where I’m shouting, yelling and jumping around whenever I see blood splash from Storm Rider 1. Nevertheless, today I complain that it bother me that they fight more than talk. Feel like down in the dumps indeed!

Ten years is just a blink of eye or rather a screening of Storm Rider series. Maybe the next time I watch storm rider, I’m with my own family already. So, take this chance to cherish what in front of you, don’t waste them like I wasted mine.

Live On

2009-12-09T11:33:00.008+08:00

Many things had changed ever since I come to Penang; might be the lifestyle, the people, the society, the world or anything, but surely something changed. Maybe no one ever noticed or maybe no one even care to bother; maybe it’s just me, but being away from home into a total-stranger-environment, you too will feel that time passed extraordinary slow. Days feel like weeks, months feel like years and years feel like eternally. Maybe because of that, I have more time to reflect, more time to observe from a whole different standpoint of life. Everything is changing, the progress might be slow but it’s progressing in no doubt.

Being in a different environment absolutely change a person whether is their outlook, lifestyle, or perception. For the very first few days in Penang, I actually feel like going back home. Life’s a fragile thing, when we are unable to adapt to the surroundings; we tend to feel shattered and almost true to say horrified. I’m indeed horrified because there are just too many new things to face each day. Frankly speaking, I’m still exploring new thing every day whether is the task, the road, the people, the mother tongue or the way of life.

Being a foreigner, there’s no way not feeling lonely. Every day, ‘walls’ imprison me; some that I build and some build by others. These ‘walls’ separate me or rather I separate myself from the society. Being away from my hometown, it actually builds more ‘walls’ between me and them. Not that I haven’t been away from them; the longest record was one whole semester of being away from home due to my studies. Nevertheless the ‘walls’ built this time is so much different than previous one for the reason that I choose to be in Penang myself. Face it! I had the choice of doing my internship in my hometown but…but…but that doesn’t matter anymore, the fact is I’m already here and I have to live through what I had chosen.

Also because of this, I let many people down including myself. Life’s fun in Penang but life is only great when you have friends, family and person you loved being with you. I can’t help to be in awe “What happen if I choose to be in my hometown? Will everything be the other way round?” and every time when I felt lost, I asked myself constantly: “Did I make the wrong choice?”.

All along, I made uncountable mistake, some that I regret and some come in a great prize. You’re right, I decide too fast without even understanding the consequences. Usually, I just hide it with a smile but recently this smile ice up; it’s hard for me even just to stretch my face and smile. You’re right again, in the end I’m the only one who ended up crying for mummy. Risky decision, big sacrifice and low gain; who will play a game like this? I will.

“Did I make the wrong choice?”

It may be too early for me to judge. Yet, based on the ‘walls’ and what I had lose; it pretty much looks like a huge mistake to me. Even though it’s a mistake, there nothing I can do but to live on. Yet…

“Did I really making one?”

That; I leave for you to answer.

Day 1: Internship

2009-12-01T16:16:00.010+08:00

This is something that I must blog, my first day being a trainee in Texchem Polymers. For those of you who is not familiar with Texchem Group, think of Sushi Kin, think of Fumakilla, think of Seamaster and a few other small company; and all together *voila* that’s our Texchem Group; quite a ‘rojak’ company if you ask me. Texchem Group is divided into a few…mistake: not few, HELL LOTS of divisions such as Family Care Division, Food Division, Packing Division and a few others which I can’t remember (can’t help, too many). Anyhow I don’t think you guys will be interested in my company background. Well then let’s talk about my first day of work in Texchem Polymer.

My first day of internship, should be quite relaxing; that’s what I thought and just to confirm: I did text a few friends of mine. Most of them are still in orientation session, some sitting there waiting for lunch but for me; that’s a whole different story. For starter, fifteen minutes after my first day of work, I received a 900 pages book and a pile of journal about biopolymer: starch-based-polymer from my supervisor. Yes! Those starch that we consume every day.

There’s a reason why I choose physic class rather than biology class, yes partly because I suck at it and yes partly because I can’t bear myself slaughtering some small helpless animal but that’s not the point; above all and all, I hate memorizing. My mum want me to be a doctor, but I told my mum if I be one, the only way I’m going to make my living is by selling MC (medical certificate) because there's no way I can pass any test that required memorizing skill. Frankly speaking, I can't even memorize my own car plate number. Yes! That's how bad my memory is. Physic on the other hand is totally a different story; it’s more to application rather than just memorizing. Nonetheless we do need to memorize sometimes but like what my professor said: “the easiest way to memorize in physic is by derivation”. From one statement, we can derive it to another; that’s the power of physic.

Back to my first day as trainee, I thought internship is all about practical: handling machine, checking stockpile, dealing with client and so and so; and during internship reading is history; especially journal reading which I hate the most but I was wrong BIG TIME. I got an assignment on my first day of work; my supervisor asked me to do a small research (more like literature review) on starch polymer. Those thing I thought that I may escape once I jump out of university all came back to haunt me; journal reading, report writing, research and examination. Yes! Freaking examination, no kidding; they’ll conduct a short theory test to test my knowledge on the machine used (DSC, TGA, DMA, Tensile, Extruder). I guess my internship life is no different than my university life, except for the fact that I must wake up earlier and there’s no way I can skip my working day.

Today is a hellish day, as I only able to sleep for three hours; thanks to my nocturnal lifestyle, I slept at 3am; wake up at 6am. That’s only three hours of nap and the rest I have no choice but to cover back at work which is totally not-etiquette. I had been falling asleep for so many times in my company, that surely leave a bad impression on my first day I guess.

But that is only the first day of work, many things can happen in 6 months time. One thing for sure, the people there are extremely welcoming and friendly; God Bless.

Well then I guess it’s time to doze now, take care guys!

Basketball Court

2009-11-24T22:51:00.007+08:00

No, it’s not a five stars basketball court. No, it’s not a well-equipped-million-dollars indoor basketball court. It’s just an ordinary…No! not ordinary, it’s below ordinary basketball court; not a first-class court if you ask me, but that’s the place where I start to play basketball; that’s the place where I train, that’s the place where I shared the most laughter with my friends and that’s the place where I spend most of my teenage life. Frankly speaking, I love that place. Maybe it’ll sound absurd, but that’s the only place where I feel like I’m flying. But as ridiculous as it sound, I actually did fly there (not really fly la, but I did run and jump all I want there).

Speaking of flying, there is one time I really thought I was. I was doing a speeding lay-up but then my opponent chases me all the way from behind and blocks me. Of course he wasn’t able to block me, but his inertia knocked me up half a foot higher in the air; and surprisingly I touched the basketball ring. That’s the best lay-up I ever did; half a dunk leh. Why I say the best? Because it only happens once in so many basketball matches I ever played. Its miracle leh, the timing, the momentum, the physic and the chances are super low. That I can assure you hundred percent but I guess every miracle come with a sacrifice; I injured my lips darn bad, as in mouth part-lips; just in case you guys misunderstand cause I know you all will.

I had been away from Ipoh for quite some time now and every time when I’m back, I’ll surely stopover at the basketball court. Nonetheless things change a lot since the last time I played there. Let’s see what changed, why not start with SEAFOOD, SEAFOOD and SEAFOOD for instance. Hell yeah, those court is fully dominated by SEAFOOD; not crabs, not shrimps, not abalones but freaking SON OF LALAs (direct cantonese translation: lala chai).

If you have chance to go there, see for yourself how this LALA play. Don’t be surprise when you hear vulgar word during the game (never a technical foul given there); ‘your mother’, ‘his/her mother’ and ‘their mother’ are just too old school. Those LALA blend in culinary, technology, psychology and even politic in their vulgar word; in addition they also make it into short form. I just don’t get it for the first few times. For instance, “Tea Myanmar HKC”; for you it may sound like some bubble milk tea name (Myanmar’s Hong Kong Chinese Tea? You’re darn wrong!). It’s actually a vulgar word, all new school words. Let’s look at another example, “Fry Crab” (I know that’s common but how often people translate it into English and shoot you with it? High class LALA leh) or “Kentucky McB” (Yes Kentucky McB not Kentucky McD; go figure).

I won’t be surprise if they suddenly pull out a watermelon parang and start chop-here-chop-there after losing a match. But that’s not all. Their rules are no way near NBA or FIBA: three second violation, charging or travelling is never on their list. Gladly there was once a fair and justice guy who sound it out but after that I never saw him playing there anymore. *Gulp* and one more thing, these rules only apply to their gang of LALAs. Outsiders play by strict or maybe stricter than NBA rules. How’s that?

It’s like playing with your hand locked, leg tied, blind folded and using a 50 kg metal ball.

But that’s not all, if you’re good at basketball; they isolate you. Yes they isolate you. They freaking isolate you, ended up you all alone waiting for the never ending match. I was so fed up playing with them till I have no intention of going there anymore. Nevertheless, the ‘basketball heat’ is still there, often I’ll purposely drive there to shoot a few loops just like today and guess what?

TEA MYANMAR HKC! They still the same. FRY CRAB all LALAs!

Piano of You

2009-11-17T22:55:00.009+08:00

***Been really busy this month due to my examination, sorry to all that waited so long and to those that I promised to update but *cough* forgot *cough* and to those who constantly rush me to update***

I had actually written a whole story about ‘Piano of You’ earlier, but I just deleted it. This is the first time I delete a blog of mine, for the very first time I actually feel that I have no intention of writing blog. Maybe it’s crappy (it’s crappy all the time) or maybe I just don’t feel like publishing it. Frankly speaking, today hadn’t been a pleasant day for me; gloomy to be exact. Nevertheless I’ll try to write a whole new version of ‘Piano of You’ now.

WARNING: The ‘piano’ mention in this blog is a metaphoric-abstract-representation of a girl heart, so don’t be confuse when I say “playing the girl’s piano”; but as far as I concern piano only represent piano and nothing else, so there’s no need to worry but just in-case-you-know-what.

“I sincerely believe that there’s a piano in every girl heart, what really matter is how you play it…” (that’s my opinion, if you don’t agree stop reading).

I mean there are surely people who ask “how are you going to play the piano if it’s abstract?” Well the answer is simple: using your abstract finger (go figure).

Okay back to the topic. I sincerely believe that there’s a piano in every girl heart, what really matter is how you play it or are you willing to play it? World is not an easy place to live and I understand that not everyone can afford taking piano classes; some might play it fantastically, some might play it just nice, some might couldn’t even play it at all and some might just blackout. But that’s not the point.

I’m more than sure that every girl want their guy to play them a song, I mean that’s the only way to show their love. I understand that not everyone can play piano well, but what the heck! I mean it’s not like you must play some five stars song to impress her. If it’s all about showing your love, even a simple nursery song can make her touched. What really matter is whether you’re willing to sit down and play her a song or not?

Often when it comes to guys, it does always have to do with their ego. Men are ego bastard, there won’t simply play a song for girl unless the girl hinting them the direction all the way to the piano. That’s pathetic for sure. Guys, try lowering your ego by a centimeter to play them a song. Thing might be really different somehow and for sure you won't regret even a bit for it. When it comes to piano playing, I’m sure the girl is more than everything she ever asked for to sit there to listen to your song. For the reason, that is his love to her.

Your song might be none other than noise pollution to others but to her, that’s the most beautiful thing. Remember! You are not playing to the whole world, but even if you’re playing to the whole world; there’s only a person that will be fully touched by your song; her.

And girls, what matter the most is neither the song nor whatsoever that he’s playing to you, what matter the most is their ‘abstract finger’ which is their action, their effort and their sincerity in showing how much you mean to him. One thing for sure, they will never ask for more than your love.

I hate to admit, but when it come to this; I often blackout, not because I don’t know about music but I just blackout somehow. If I had to live my life without playing you a song, I will. If I had to change my life because I never play you a song, I will. But one thing that you can’t be sure of is how much I longing to play you a song, just tell me when you’re ready to listen.

With the light on

2009-10-10T13:49:00.002+08:00

Most of the people tend to sleep with their light off, that’s the norm of society. But don’t be surprise that they are still people who sleep with their light on; not because they’re not frugal or they have extra money to waste. I admit that’s not a good practice in modern-life, that not only burden your electrical bill but that also contribute to global warming as well; light pollution, electricity put to waste, radiation and etcetera.

Nonetheless, I’m one of those who sleep with light on. No kidding, I sleep with light on. No! Not because I’m afraid to be in dark. That’s because I’m so used to have a reading before sleep; novel (rarely), newspaper (once in a blue moon), magazine (every time) and comic (absolutely). For that reason, my room light will be forever on, even when I fall asleep. I like to read, a lot especially magazine and comic; that’s why I need light. Sometimes I need light to write my diary, lamp is therefore one of the essential tool in my bedroom.

Why don’t I off the light before I sleep? Well, that’s simple: LAZY. Nevertheless, I feel more comfortable with light on, at least when I wake up; everything is lighted up; bright and visible. Maybe because of that, I’m terribly uncomfortable being in the dark; once again I’m not afraid. I’m a man who believes in what I see, “What I see is what I get”. Without the aid of my sight, I feel so insecure, in fact dismal. That’s the reason why I’m uncomfortable in the dark. If I can request the cinema to on the light throughout the entire show, I will.

Recently I try to sleep with light off due to some room-sharing-tolerance issue. Being a guy that sleeps with light on for so many years, sleeping without the light is of course something rather annoying. Believe it or not, I can’t sleep with light off. I feel insecure whenever I open my eye and found myself in the dark. I have to admit that I have issue with it for several days but eventually I’m used to it.

To be rather annoyed for this several days, I actually found out that when you’re in darkness you can actually hear, feel and think well. Without the aid of sight, this empowers our other senses.

There is a reason for every smile and cry, there’s a story behind for every agenda. Like a famous old proverb ‘you can’t just judge a book by its cover’. For those who only look and judge by its cover, there’s surely something that you’ll missed out. Try off the light and judge again, maybe you’ll find story of another version.

I’m a man who believes in what I see. Maybe not anymore.

Ponteng King

2009-10-02T12:04:00.008+08:00

"Oh sheesh! Darn! What's the time now?" That happen almost every morning when I mistakenly, unintentionally, by no mean switch off my alarm on its first beep. That happen so frequent now; just by this week I had already skipped two whole day of lecture. Proud you say? No, not at all! I feel dismal to be exact.

I had been nominated so many times now as the new Ponteng King. Yes Ponteng King (King of Class Skipping) not Prom King. I'm already in the back of my class, if I still keep 'ponteng' sooner or later I'll be kicked out of the class. People may actually envy me for being so slumber in my study but the fact is I'm hell worried of being not in the class for so many times in a row.

"Sui chai hei san la!!" (wake up already you lazy ass in cantonese) that's what my mum will do every morning, screaming and yelling my ass to the bathroom to get ready for school. That's the scream that give me a boost and kick start my morning. Maybe I still need that, talking about it, I kind of miss that scream.

Bah! Let's make this the last time I skip my class, furthermore exam is just around the corner; if I still keep my 'ponteng' attitude, there would only be one way ticket for me: extend another year in Unimap. Hell no! I want to get out of here! (Guess that's the spirit, way to go Mels)

You Know Nothing

2009-09-30T19:24:00.003+08:00

I’ll kill, I’ll kill!! Although I say it many times, but this time I actually mean it. “I will kill and tear you apart!!”

How was my day if you ask, I would say it’s first-class. Let’s see, I begin my day with class skipping which is nothing to be arrogant of; but that gain me a few more hours to sleep. Then I woke up doing some reading; journal analysis to be exact. There’s just so little time but so much reading to do. I was on direct science for a few hours until the Internet turn slow. That’s the time I'm really pissed off; waiting the journal page to load is like forever. Someone please go complain!

Without any option left. I decided to pay a visit to my university library. Without disappointment, the Internet there was faster. It’s faster by ten times. That's when I start to kick ass, the journal ass. I was reading journal like mad cow, one by one, page by page and some I even have to go through twice. Oh by the way, journal reading sucks! Anyway I managed to get some useful journal for my next assignment before I return to my hostel.

As usual, I was having dinner with my friends but the rain forces us to end our meal earlier. I ran slowly all the way to my hostel. I just like the rain, although it’s temporary but that bring back a lot of memory. The scent of it, the sound of it; how peaceful. Then J.S texted I to save his guitar; some tuning and it’s as good as new. Then I proceed to my journal reading and voola.

How was my day if you ask again, I would kick your ass so hard that you kiss the sky. I was totally pissed off! Sorry for being real but I’m no kidding, I want kick ass BIG TIME. I was so pissed off that I even force my buddy to a game of basketball (I need to stop my brain from thinking, I need to adrenaline), but everyone is just too busy with their assignment.

The thing is there’s something that I don’t want to talk about. That was something I sealed away long time ago, and put a sign of ‘don’t ever remind me again’ on it. Sincerely it was a mistake, and to my stupidity I let the mistake flow but somewhat it stop (let’s not denounce who’s the one stopped it; it stop eventually don't it?). Human do make mistake, and I’d too. I admit that I’m no good guy; frankly speaking, I did numerous of awful thing, some that break heart, some that I regret and some that still hurt even for years.

Yes, I did a lot of terrible thing; not that I’m proud of it but still I won’t deny any of them. That’s because the fact that I did it. Not to something that I hadn’t done, that I’m really pissed off. People, you only judge by eyeball and presuppose that’s the truth by your naive brain. I tell you what: that’s how the rumor spread. Just because I don’t stand up and explain it to you guys; which I think is unnecessary because is not like I owe your guys an explanation. Who are you to me?

People, do me a favor: if you don’t know the whole story or you don’t have the chance to see the whole picture, please stop. Please stop spreading your own story to the other. Ask yourself “Do you really know the story?” Let me tell you what: “You know nothing; you know nothing about my life, so stay the frog out of it”. Honestly, I’m already so iniquitous now, any of this rumor do me no harm; but please think of other.

I really feel like screaming out loud now, maybe I should plug my guitar into my max volume Amp and ROAR the whole Wang Ulu. Nonetheless a friend of mine has a better suggestion.

Screaming might just be another way to express myself, okay then let's give it a try. "Arg(cover with pillow)"

.......

Thanks Unfriendly One! I'm more relief now.

Totally Classic

2009-09-25T23:09:00.000+08:00

"JUST FOR YOU GIRL"

Big K Small C

2009-09-22T15:36:00.003+08:00

Thank you! Even though the day I know you might be short, but you certainly bring a big impact in my life.

You guys may not realize but you guys in no doubt bring me a lot of joy for the past few days. Besides having fun, you guys too bring me to walk down a lesson of a life time. Somewhat I see my own reflection in cherishing one; I learn that when two people of different world are brought together, they might not live as one. But through tolerance, through patience, through understanding, through willingness to share their life; they might actually come as one.

No matter how I see them, there’s nothing alike between them; one size too big and one size too small. Nevertheless what within you guys totally change my perspective about the world; mainly life and love. You guys may not realize but you guys have already done me a big favor.

"Big K, protect your small C well. As I’ll cherish mine"

Kedah Trip (Part Three)

2009-09-19T00:45:00.003+08:00

I know you guys have been longing for my update till your neck is as long as giraffe. Sorry for keeping you guys waiting, here it goes…and one more thing don’t be confuse with the date, this is no ‘back to the future’. Yes I admit I just uploaded it, but the fact is I had already finished writing this blog long time ago. Due to my extreme tight schedule, I just have the chance to upload it now; yet I still hope to retain the date I wrote this blog, so hereby I apologizes for any inconvenient (after all like you care, I know you don’t give a darn). So here it goes…

Where are we, let’s see…

Aha! After our video arcade ass kicking moment, the four travelers decided to ~~waste~~ spend their time with a movie. There aren’t many choices left; Final Destination 5 and another Bollywood film. Frankly speaking, I’m no fans of horror movie especially those that you can predict; or in this case, you knew the ending. I just don’t understand why people willing to pay to watch other die. But look who’s talking here, I picked FD5 rather than Bollywood film (I guess a normal Chinese will do the same, provided no choice).

And so we pay nine bucks each for a-movie-that-you-knew-the-ending. Before the show start, I heard people saying “Ending sure all die one”, “This show very wai (disgusting) one”, “FD5 like previous FD series only”, “Sure die in pieces one” and so on. I can’t help to wonder “Since you guys already know the story and the ending, what the point of watching?”

As predicted, the movie start with people dying, blood splashing here and there, people running fiercefully, people screaming for life, ambulance siren and sexy-gorgeous main actress. What attract me the most is none other than (of course sexy-gorgeous *ahem*) their creative way of dying. The ways they die are beyond your imaginary; knife, gun, rope and fire are just too old school. FD5 features really creative way of getting one killed, all new school method: Nascar crash, fall of bathtub kill, swimming pool sucker kill, mowing machine plus stone combo kill and last but not least my favorite; car auto-washing machine kill. That’s totally classic man! How can car auto-washing machine kill? Electric shock? Hand stuck in the machine roller? Inside car accident? No, no and no. It was far more classic, totally new school: drown inside the car kill. Just imagine how one can drown inside their very own car, and the killer is none other than the auto-washing machine. Creative huh? I guess that’s the main selling point of FD5.

Now here I really need to apologize to someone, my friend from Kedah (the one I texted earlier, let’s just give him a nick: Han). It’s totally a bad idea coming to the host's hometown and not meeting the host, which is my friend in this case. I know, I know you’ll compare. The thing is you are more warm-hearted in welcoming us to your hometown and I’m no way near warm-hearted status, so don’t compare. Anyhow Han arrived a bit late that day, and we had a tight schedule to pursue, that’s why we couldn’t spend much time with you at the mall. Instead, to Han hospitably, he brings us to some Kedah famous makan place.

I went there once last year and the soya drink there was fantastic, hence we went all the way there just to take a sip of Kedah famous soya. I guess the ~~lyrics~~ old proverb was right “when you want it the most, that's no easy way out” We went all the way just to have a stare at the closed stall.

With not much time left, we decided to eat there. We are all starving because earlier this morning we only had a typical fish ball noodle and McD. We save our appetite so long for the dinner; Kedah delicates. I ordered some egg oyster with fried rice for myself and Mr.K taking order for the girls while Han went to the western food corner. The fried rice is superb and Han’s western food look delicious too.

Then we take a look at Mr.K order, to be honest, we are shocked; not ordinary shock, is like million volts lightning multiple shock, those deadly type some more. Guess what, Mr.K ordered fish ball noodle! Yes freaking no kidding

F-I-S-H B-A-L-L N-O-O-D-L-E-S

Yes the one we had earlier on this morning so we can save our appetite for more Kedah delicates; well in this case the Kedah delicates would be referring to fish ball noodle. Han and I were having a shocking-wanna-laugh face but that cannot even compare with Bb face. No words can describe her face, no words; maybe there is one word to describe that: sibehtulan. I thought that FD6 will be screening earlier than I expected, staring Bb killing Mr.K with bowl of fish ball noodle or a pair of chopstick but sadly nothing happen. Bb ate her bowl of typical fish ball noodle silently.

Then Lbs ask me to order her a drink and by the way she drinks a lot, if compare to a cow, Lbs would be half of the cow. Honestly, I like Lbs command because she forever give a full-direct-instruction “Mels can you help me to ask for a Barley drink” with a pointed direction toward the uncle behind me. Human follows order pretty well, that’s why I guess I just turn around and tap the uncle in the shoulder. “Uncle, one more Barley please”, the uncle turn around with a bunch of lottery tickets in his hand. I was stunned, some five seconds stun. His face expression tells the entire story “What the frog man! Which part of me look like a waiter?” Thanks Lbs for getting me into this, and she didn’t even help me to explain, all Lbs did was laugh and laugh. The uncle keep asking me something in Hokkien, which sound like “You want lottery ticket, kid?”

Alas, we have to catch the last bus back to Kangar, I know it’s unfair to Han as he travel all the way up from his place to Alor Setar and we couldn’t stay long with him. The thing is I would sincerely like you to be around us from the very beginning, things are surely more merry-joyous with you around but too bad the timing went wrong and maybe I’m the one to blame. Anyhow we are able to board the last bus back to Kangar. We bid farewell to Han as he drive out all alone.

Everyone was sleeping in the bus but often smile can be seen on each other faces. I would say this is quite a successful trip.

The End (finally).

Kedah Trip (Part Two)

2009-09-15T00:08:00.008+08:00

I had to admit that I uploaded it a little bit late, but I still remember my promise (at least I still upload it right?). As I promised, here comes part two of my Kedah trip.

After lunch, we with so much hope waiting our Kedah friend to turn up (the one I texted early on), but he actually say “I’m still busy, might not be able to see you guys”. We actually feel kind of disappointment, although we had already expected it. Things are surely merry-joyous with him around but he’s busy. Too bad we couldn’t share that merry-joyous with him. So this four travelers decided to explore the city of Alor Setar on their own.

Well, we always wanted to hear Lbs sing, her voice is said to be more mesmerizing than the voice of mermaid, her pitch is said to be so controlled like a 24 hours ATM machine, her singing is said to be unpolluted like an angel and somewhat remind people of heaven, and her singing is said to revive the dead and purges evil. It may sound absurdly ridiculous but that’s the tale which been spreading ever since a man accidentally heard her singing in some lecture hall, and thought he’s in heaven for that particular moment. That’s why we must cherish this opportunity; to make her sing.

Our first stop would be E-box in Alor Setar Mall, rumor to be the best place to karaoke in Kedah; unless you want to sing in some one dollar per song singing box. We pay twelve buck taxi to get there from McD. Alas, the charge of E-box is ~~nothing but ‘chop’ my arm and leg~~ extremely extravagant which unaffordable by poor students like us. Regretfully we have to abandon the idea of hearing Lbs sing. Bb insisted to pay at first, but after a long analysis and persuasion by Mr.K, we forfeited the plan. We went into video arcade instead.

Now, there's also rumor that Lbs is famous for gaming especially fighting game. Rumor said that she is the first woman champion for World Fighting Game; an international prestige tournament.

“I’m so lucky to watch her play” I thought to myself before watching her play. Calmly she walk to the corner of the arcade where all the Pro gather, she then graze at the machine; Tekken 3. She sits down and wave her hand signifying that she wanted a coin. “She asked for a coin!” I run and shouted joyfully, she then inserts the coin to the machine; challenging a brat halves her size and age, no matter how I look at him, he’s just another nursery school kid. The game started, Lbs picked the best out of her army and get ready to fight. She’s in the battle mode, she turn the joystick vigorously and pressing the button like a mad cow. Often saliva can be observed coming out of her mouth, she jump she kick she almost break the machine.

K.O

The first and second match ended quickly, it was an easy match; in fact almost true to say that the game favors one side, it wasn’t a fair game from the start. The game favors the brat.

“WHAT!!?”

Yes the game favors the brat. Lbs lose the first and second matches to a brat; a nursery school kid to be precise. Yes Lbs lose, the so called first woman to win the World Fighting Game. She loses two games straight to a kid.

“That kid must be the new fighting game master” I thought again. “Even better than the champs, must be some underground gaming clan's apprentice” (once again, I think too much) I still couldn’t accept the fact that Lbs lose. For the third match, Lbs already put a give up look and passed the game to me.

Frankly speaking, I was trembling, cold feet, and sweating like a wet pig; I nearly couldn’t feel the joystick because my hand was all numb. Nonetheless, I proceed with all the courage left, challenging the new game demon; a brat. The character that Lbs choose was so hard to control (champs often pick the most challenging hero), that even lower my possibility of winning over this game demon. All I know is punch and kick, the super basic in fighting game. Nevertheless in the end, I win.

“WHAT? I WON”

Yes I won, I couldn’t believe my eye; “It was luck, it was plain luck” I convincing myself and pull myself together for the next match. And guess what?

I WIN AGAIN

Legendary World Fighting Champion my ass. With just punch and kick, I win but there’s nothing to proud of by beating a nursery school kid. Then I look at Lbs, and she say “I play better with PS controller”.

“YOU’RE RIGHT!”

That’s when I start to believe that ‘rumor mend to be rumor until it’s proven’. That’s when I started to doubt her singing ability as well.

To be continued…