Last (?)

I know I'm long overdued for an update.

Honestly speaking, I don't know why I bother maintaining this blog anymore, if not for the sake of just updating and posting about some general event or random topics. I think the main reason why Jerry and I began this blog together was really for the intention of keeping you all updated and informed on what's going on in our lives, etc. etc. And I've come to the realization that I haven't really been doing that. I mean, heck, how many of you know what's happening with me right now?

I haven't talked to Jerry in a long time now, and I have not seen him in more than 2 years. It's easy to say, "Yes, an update is coming along soon", but I think blogging has to stem from some sort of interest too, I suppose. And I guess maybe it's just not his sort of thing? I don't know.

I'm finding that I'm starting to lose that interest too. The nature of my posts have changed over the past two years too, and it's just become more and more vague and general in recent times - okay, frankly speaking, it's just boring. Even I don't feel like reading the last few posts I've written! I censure myself so much that I'm left with nothing to share about, except for really... well, "general" events happening. I was probably more... I don't know, funny and "entertaining" in the early stages of this blog? And probably less reserved, too.

And the thing is, there are things going on in my life. There are issues I'm going through, there are so many things I'm excited for, fearful of - ups and downs, all of them. Oh, I don't know. I guess I just really need to stop censuring myself so much on this blog. But as I mentioned in one post ages ago, there is only so much you can say on a public blog.

If I were to really just let loose and stop holding back, the torrents of words that will be released would probably surprise some of you.

So I don't know... maybe it's time I just leave this blog as it is. As in, this is it - this will be my "swansong". I don't exactly know where I'm going with this blog anymore - I used to email, and I was probably a lot more open in those too..

But at the same time, one part of me is not quite ready to hang up the boots yet - one option is that I'm considering changing the URL - all these past posts will still be here, but I'll probably change the way I blog. (And I will let you know the new URL if you ask, I suppose.) And then I won't hold back so much.

I love writing. I really do. And that's probably why I'm not ready to "kill" this blog.

So... check back in a week's time. If I've locked this blog, then.. that means "the end", I suppose (if that does happen, it doesn't mean I won't ever blog again, though). If the URL has become non-existent, then I've probably decided to change the URL, and will blog more openly in that new environment.

I'm of the opinion that public blogs really thrive because of the readers - knowing that someone's reading does give you that inspiration to go on sometimes. So in the meantime, thank you for still reading this blog, despite how stagnant it's become.

Interval

As expected, the first practice duet session went hilariously bad, but it was great hearing all four hands come together. We managed to muddle through almost the entire first movement. It sounded pretty good for the first time, I'll have to say; we're meeting up for another practice next week.

Easter break is finally here! Time flies - three weeks of uni over, and now we're on a 10-day break before the "real" work starts coming in.

I'll be away for Easter camp from Friday to Monday; it's gonna be awesome and expect God to work in amazing ways!

It's been a crazy week, and I'm glad for the break. Will update again when I get back.

Another "everything" post.

=/

Why is it that when I finally sit down in front of my laptop, my fingers on the keyboard, with all the good intentions of blogging, that my mind becomes an instant blank the moment I see the empty space in front of me?

Something interesting did happen over the weekend - haha, but that's for another time. Maybe if you remember and ask me about it, I'll tell you about it. Lol.

Coming to yet another end of a week - I now officially have one class on Friday (which was initially free, sigh), after I changed my Ensemble class. The good thing is that I won't have to reach home at 7 pm after class on Wednesday now.

Thinking about whether I should do the LRSM..

Piano duets this semester - exciting! Finally met up with the girl I'm partnering with; we'll be playing Mozart's Symphony No. 40 for 4 hands. We'll be trying it together on Tuesday morning. (It'll probably sound hilariously bad.)

I need to start doing my readings, make notes, and begin on serious preparation for my 50% politics essay. (I know, it's only week 2, but I have absolutely no intentions of leaving everything to the end of the semester and swot vac, which is our one-week study break, to cram everything and, well, everything. Frankly, that would just be too much for even an old-time procrastinator like me.)

It's my sister's birthday today - happy 17th! (Doesn't 17 seem ages ago for the rest of us reading this?) Can you believe I wrote the birthday card about a week ago, and it's just been lying there waiting for me to mail it? (Sorry, Karen, I will post it tomorrow. Haha. And you never told me that the cat was pregnant?! And now she's given birth on your birthday?! Doesn't that mean she was already pregnant when I left Brunei?! And isn't she still a kitten?!!)

I had the oddest dream last night - weirdly enough, there were meat pies in my dream. I was very hesitant about eating them - an after-effect of watching Sweeney Todd, probably; for some reason in my dream, I really thought that it was human meat, and refused to eat the pies. *Shudders* And I dreamt I had a really awesome pet dog, and my old cat, Chilli, turned up in the dream, too. They didn't get along. (Which is quite odd in retrospect, because the cats and dogs back home usually get along really well.)

Yes, I get bizarre dreams often.

And for a post which started out with me having blogger's block, it seems like I have a whole load of material suddenly.

X_X

The One with the Sale

Today is a freakin' 41 degrees blistering Celsius. I was dying in the heat, while walking back home.

It feels slightly jarring to come home to a dark, empty apartment, especially after living with three other housemates last year; they should be back some time in February, but until then, I'll be by myself. I'm getting used to the solitude - it's quite nice, actually.

While walking home today, I cut through Melbourne Central and the shopping malls in between all the streets - firstly, it saves journey time, and secondly - AIRCONDITIONING. I have NEVER been happier for the invention of the air-conditioner.

AND - I passed by Virgin CD store along the way, with all these huge SALE posters, and decided to check out what cheap movies they might have on sale, so I won't be entirely bored at home - and guess how much Friends DVD were going for.



$19 per season.


Yes, NINETEEN BUCKS! I have never seen it sold so cheaply before! What a bargain!!!

Of course, I couldn't resist, bought season 7, and upon reaching home, promptly switched on the TV and watched episode after episode while eating lunch.


I think I might return to the store again to buy more seasons. It's so tempting to buy all 10 seasons. At $19 per season, what's more, original DVD sets, it is so so so tempting.


I hope the sale doesn't end soon! (Oh my gosh, I sound so - fan-girly. I'm starting to creep myself out. Haha.)


It's supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow. My coursemate asked me to a KTV session, so I'm looking forward to that and avoiding the heat.

I miss home and driving! =(

two-oh-oh-eight.

2007 seemed to have just simply flew by. I don't really want to do a lengthy post about the past year or a typical 'reflections on the year gone by' sort of thing. That year's over, and - well, frankly, let bygones be bygones.


We've all changed. From those carefree days back in SAS, would any of us have expected us to be where we are now? Maybe some of us expected it. Or perhaps some of us surprised at the magnitude of the change. But in spite of everything that's happened for each of us, wherever we are, I really do hope that for most of us, the friendships will still remain. Like what Juan said in her most recent post, I'm not exactly great at keeping in touch either. Most of us, probably. But that won't keep us from trying, right? At the risk of sounding nauseatingly mushy, I will stop before I ramble on anymore.

So.

Here's to another year ahead of us - a fresh start; new memories to be made and laughed and talked about when we're old with walking sticks; moments of happiness and great fun; turning to friends when we just need a shoulder to cry on; exams and stressing over assignments (procrastination); last-minute cramming (we never learn, do we? Lol); relationships, family, friends; life.


Here's to 2008, everyone.

Back

Survived the flood in Sibu! Came back on Saturday night to ta-paued butter milk chicken and the famous curry fish head from Thiam Hock which my dad bought in anticipation of our coming home... nice, and it only served to remind me how delicious food at home really is. So now I'm back in Brunei... nothing to do... bored... sien. Sigh.

The long car ride to Sibu wasn't too bad... We stopped in Bintulu on both the going-there and return journeys for lunch and to stretch the legs. As predicted, my mom didn't allow me to drive for even part of the way. Driving skillz not up to standard, I suppose.

Sibu's... Sibu. In the two years plus that I haven't been back, it hasn't changed much, although the trip was made interesting this time round by the flood. It's interesting, because the people actually know when the tide will rise and when it will recede; it follows the Rajang River, I think; I didn't really ask my mom about it - all those Foochow terms floating around, I didn't bother clarifying the meanings. But quite a number of my relatives had their houses flooded. If I'm not mistaken, this year's flooding is one of the worst.

This trip was made interesting as well, because I *ahem* learnt a lot of Foochow swear words. LOL. Well, not really learnt, but at least I know what those words mean, and which words are not at all pleasant to use in any polite conversation. Hahaha. That was funny. I probably won't even use those words myself. Lol.

The grandparents stay in the san ba, and we go up there almost every afternoon. Durians! Lots and lots of them. Bliss. It's been ages since I've had durian, and it was great. I might have mentioned it before, but I'm one of them people who don't like durian in any processed form - ice-cream, shake, whatever, I don't, I refuse to eat durian in those forms. I'm a strict 'durian-in-its-raw-form' eater only. What can I say - I'm weird that way. =P

I replaced the lenses for my spectacles, and got sunglasses with prescription, mostly because of my high astig - the sunlight really hurts my eyes, especially when I'm driving, so it's a relief to be able to wear sunglasses now. My degree has not changed since 2002; good to know that my eyesight isn't getting any worse, but it's supposed to stabilize anyway once you hit 18. Unfortunately, I doubt it'll become better. Oh well.



The cat has GROWN bigger. And it's only been a week! It's amazing what you notice in one week. Speaking of changes, my grandparents still seem quite healthy. They don't look at all that much different from the last time I saw them, which was more than two years ago. My grandmother's still active and doesn't look like she's aged much, but my grandfather moves around a lot less now, since his legs are giving him trouble. Aging... a process which begins the moment we are born.



Went to Shahbandar yesterday for hiking, the thanks in no part dued to my sister who brightly suggested to my mom to go there, after my mom commented on her weight gain after the Sibu trip. So my brother and I ended up being dragged along. I almost died. My opinion that Shahbandar's more challenging than Tasek stands true. It's also a testament to how unfit I am. And yes, I need to go again soon.


Apart from food, I love the fact that it is SO CHEAP to watch movies in the cinema. I Am Legend is good. Go watch it. (Even if my hands were covering my face half the time, it's worth catching. Haha.)


Okay. I should sleep now and stop rambling..


I can't believe it's already the 18th. Half of December's already gone. Where did 2007 go?

Going away for a week.

BUMMING seems to be my agenda ever since I got back. Yes, I'm actually complaining. I feel so eurghh to be so ... inactive and unproductive.



The maid accidentally stepped on the cat's left paw last week, leaving her with a limp (the cat, not the maid). What's worse, she was wearing the wooden clogs. Hard, wooden clogs. Poor kitty - but it's been a week now, and my mom thinks that she's already healed, and the limp is an act to gain our sympathy - as proven by the cat being able to play chase with the dog and running impossibly fast.

On a brighter note, I manage to get my ass out of the house to go hiking at Tasek. I personally prefer Shahbandar, but that might have to wait because...


I'm leaving tomorrow night to Miri, and then early Saturday morning for a 5-hour car ride down to Sibu. It's been two years since I've gone back to Sibu to visit my grandparents and relatives. I know one thing I will hate to face is having to answer questions about this path/course I've chosen. Sigh. I know I've ranted about it before, but ... it's still hard. How do you react to that "look" on people's faces when you answer, "Music and Arts". I'm sorry I'm not an engineer/lawyer/doctor in the making.


Stop.




Anyway.

I'll be back in a week's time. See you guys then!



Edit: I can be contacted at ... well, if you know my house number, then replace the double 6 with double 7. It's a mobile number.

22 hours

Home, here I come! Technically I won't be home home yet, not until Wednesday, but I'm flying off tomorrow night on the midnight plane (midnight planes, for some reason, make me think about murder mysteries). Will be touching down at Changi Airport at approximately 5.30 a.m. My mom will be meeting me there... I'll probably KO at the hotel for a few hours before shopping and stuff - wait - I will EAT first before that!

Apparently my 3-year-old cousin is coming along too, since there's no one to look after her back home after my aunt sacked yet another (yes, yet another) maid who goes off on midnight rendezvous. My youngest brother is tagging along as well, since he's done with the end-of-year exams and according to my mom, has nothing better to do. Tsk. My sister still has school, so it's just "her, my dad, and the pets".

Wow... this time, tomorrow, I will have been one-and-a-half hours into my journey... probably watching movies or something... I don't know if I can get much sleep on the plane...

Okay. I need to pack.

This will probably the last post before I leave Melbourne... will update as often as I can over the hols back home.

3 days

My final exam for the semester, which happens to be my piano practical exam, is tomorrow.

I've been worrying so much that I can't feel the nervousness and stress anymore. Practicals... I don't think I will ever be prepared for them. Was chatting with a friend, Matthew, on MSN, and he was asking me that. I responded:

"Will I ever be prepared?"

To which he said was a good answer. Haha. (Matthew's a medical student and is graduating in two years' time, which will explain his following comment.)

M: and if i make a mistake its bad for the patient... but if you fumble playing a piano concerto the only person who might get a heart attack is yourself... :(


This is where I stare at the screen in disbelief. Thanks, Matthew.



I'll be in S'pore in a few days from now... Which is fast. I'm leaving on Sunday night, and will be arriving very early on Monday morning at Changi. My mom and aunt are flying out to S'pore on Sunday, and my mom will be coming to meet me (while my aunt will be snoozing happily away back at the hotel, I assume. Haha.) I called home two days ago and she told me that we're staying at Mandarin Hotel (my initial reaction was, "Waaah"), but she proceeded to inform me that we have the first two nights free because of some offer with HSBC or something. Then I went, "Oooh, no wonder." Yaaay... shopping and food. And books and CDs. Shopping! Food! Fooooood!!!


Coming back to that phone call... My 3-year-old cousin is apparently going through a difficult phase where she's literally driving everyone up the wall with her antics and temper. That's not the little girl I remember when I left Brunei in February! :( When I called back that night, she answered the phone, much to my delight. My mom and sister were babysitting her and her sister (my 7-year-old cousin) while my aunt and uncle were out at a wedding dinner that night, so I called my aunt's house phone after some failed attempts at webcamming and video calls on MSN with my sister (no thanks to my wonky Internet connection).

"Hello?"

"Meiiiii!" (Yes, me squealing happily.) I asked her in Mandarin, "Do you still remember me? Connie Jie-Jie? Flower Jie-Jie?" (The flower part is another story.)

*Clank*

I stared at my phone in disbelief (another disbelieving moment). She hung up on me!! Can you believe it??

I called back again and my mom answered, telling me that Athene knocked the phone/threw the phone or something.


Anywaaay. I can't wait to see my cousin again (in spite of this phase she's going through), my dog, the new cat, my home, the new car which is awaiting me to bring her out for a spin (lol), my friends and family (even if not everyone's there).

Okay. I should sleep now. I'm feeling the nerves again. I hope I can sleep.

Practical exam, here I come :(

The One with the Lift

Characters:

Girl
Guy

The Scene:
The apartment
The lift


Girl is in the lift, heading back to her apartment. She presses '3' for her floor and turns around to notice Guy half-running towards the lift. Girl therefore presses the 'open' button to wait for him.

Guy: Thanks.

Girl acknowledges with a smile. At that moment, her cell phone sounds, signaling a new message. She takes out her phone and reads the message. Lift has already moved. Girl starts to reply the message and glances up when the lift stops. She sees the still highlighted '3' button and thinks, "Oh, he's on the third floor, too!"

Guy steps out. Girl follows. The door facing the lifts on any X floor is X06. Guy heads towards X06 and opens the door. Girl finds this odd.

Thoughts running through Girl's mind:

That's strange, I could have sworn that there was a rowdy family with a bunch of noisy kids staying in 306.

306 has been away for a holiday for some time now, 'cause they've been really quiet for the past few weeks and I haven't seen the family around. Plus, that notice that all the tenants got regarding apartment inspections is STILL lying outside their door, and it's been there for weeks now.

306 must have moved out, because this strange guy has access to the apartment, so we must have new neighbours.

(Yes, it's perfectly plausible for all these thoughts to take place in the span of a few seconds.)

Guy goes into the apartment and Girl finally gets a good look at the apartment number.

1-freaking-06 stares back at her. She feels as if she's just been run over by a lorry.

Girl: Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, this is NOT happening. WHAT THE HELL.

She turns around swiftly, dashes back to the lift and slams the 'UP' button. The lift cannot seem to come quick enough and she wishes that the ground would open up and swallow her alive. She fervently hopes that Guy did not notice her scurrying after him when they arrived at the first floor. Although that is probably wishful thinking.




And that, ladies and gentlemen, is another humiliating, cringing, 'this-cannot-be-happening' moment in the life of yours truly.

Unwind.

There's nothing like a good hot chocolate and some jazz on a rainy late afternoon.