Review: Second Glance

I recently read a book entitled "Second Glance" by Jodi Picoult. It's plot revolved around a plot of land that was supposed to be the Indian abenaki burial site. A land developer (who else?) wanted to make it into a supermarket thingy (what else?). The only catch was there were paranormal activities (raining roses? frozen ground? change of temperature?) Thus, the developer calls a ghost investigator (paranormal activity investigator - not a ghost buster team :P) to try to prove if there is a ghost. The paranormal investigator, Ross Wakeman, carries emotional weight as he lost his fiance in a car accident while trying to save another person's life. He has a divorced sister with a son who has xeroderma pigmentosum (interesting read but a rare disease!). Thus, he finds a ghost, falls in love with the ghost and ...

Ref: http://i-love-cartoons.com/snags/clipart/Casper-Friendly-Ghost/Casper-Friendly-Ghost-3.jpg (not the ghost in the story but it looked cute :P)

I'm not writing a book review. I was actually most interested with the fact that Ross Wakeman was depressed with all the problems surrounding him. He had tried to commit suicide many ... many times. I (both religion and self belief) do not support committing suicide. However, there was a point in the story that started some gears working ...

Ref: Gears working http://gazzaleylab.ucsf.edu/files/clear%20brain%20w%20gears(v%20small((2).jpg

Ross had asked the man who was going after his sister ...

RW: How far will you go for the love of your life?

Man: I am willing to go anywhere to be with your sister.

RW: What if the place is far away from here?

Man: As long as I can still walk, I will go.

RW: What if the place is too far to be reached by a living being?

RW was referring to following his fiance in the other world (the one which passed away) while the man was referring to physical distance. At many points of the story I could really feel the despair ... the feeling that tomorrow will be just as dark ... there is no point to continue a journey that leads no where ... why prolong agony?

Sometimes, maybe to continue something is futile. Maybe it is worth reconsidering ending all of it. Maybe tomorrow will produce the same pains and suffering it has since the beginning of time. Maybe.

Ref: Gloomy clouds http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1538/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1538R-49951.jpg

Looking at the world, it is a gloomy place to be. Perhaps, it is important to let go of some dreams and move on. Some say life is not a bed of roses. I disagree. It is. It is beautiful and honey smelling to all who lives in it. What they never tell you is that the package came with pointy thorns.

Ref: Rose bush http://d954091.u114.weberz.com/images/Our%20Rose%20Bush%20Web%20Small.jpg

Nerd 0-0

************************************************************************
“I don’t wanna be a nerd like you!”

Ref: Crying heart http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.heidikunterbunt.de/pics_sale/crying_heart.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.heidikunterbunt.de/html/galerie_01.htm&usg=__l4HuaOE4jHbUShIEzi6Tdo1JABY=&h=217&w=210&sz=7&hl=en&start=78&tbnid=w8wx5Lqj5GGt6M:&tbnh=107&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcrying%2Bheart%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286%26sa%3DN

My heart shattered. Me? A nerd? Was that really how my friends viewed me? I feel like I’m going to be the last kid in the playground to be chosen for the team. Like I am at the back of a line but no one can really see me. Am I a nerd?

Ref: Nerd 1 http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kodak.com/US/images/en/corp/1000nerds/lund/nerdGirl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nonowrites.wordpress.com/geeky-perspective/&usg=__y1ZBFGjCPKHMQSeYp8xKceHtn3E=&h=500&w=550&sz=45&hl=en&start=19&um=1&tbnid=lyU1qX8Ht05rxM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnerd%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286%26sa%3DN

A nerd is a person who, although having good technical or scientific skills, is introspective and generally introverted. (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nerd)

Ref: Study Chair
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://k43.pbase.com/o4/85/387785/1/53018195.cartoon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbase.com/beaucamera/image/53018195&usg=__tZeINzpTJnzXVwRhiSnfX7fOQig=&h=600&w=764&sz=110&hl=en&start=11&tbnid=83JZ5c48AK1lFM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclever%2Bcartoon%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286

That night, I settled myself into my comfortable study chair to ponder the issue.

<…good technical or scientific skill…>.

Ref: Study lust
http://www.briansguide.net/cartoons/2005/04/20050408-studying.png

Does it reflect intellectual ability? Am I judged for my lust towards knowledge? Am I judged for the hours I spent in front of the screen? Am I judged for my amusement of the celestial laws of nature?

<…introspective and generally introvert…>

Ref: Party http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nextsocial.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/20070724-party_cartoon.gif&imgrefurl=http://nextsocial.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/upcoming-events/&usg=__ArBXz64eO8sVGAZrtb18osyLm8M=&h=191&w=234&sz=2&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=dEu5V28UMbKSuM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=109&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dparty%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enMY283MY286

Am I a social nuisance? I don’t like parties … I never what to say or do. I certainly don’t like being in the middle of attention … it only causes vasodilation of my cheek's vessels. I don’t like to share my thoughts … their mine right?

Am I a nerd? A social outcast? Destined to be alone? My shattered heart is blown away by the silent nightly breeze.

************************************************************************

The story was inspired by A and the topic was inspired by LW. Hmmm, does that make them the producers? :D

Anyway, the central idea was of medical student being socially labelled as nerds. I think we cannot deny the hours we study. Majority of us are of “good technical and scientific skill”. So, I guess that is a point for it.

However, “introspective and generally introvert” is only for a few of us. Anyone who has seen our batch going all out in graphic art (posters, banners), musical performance (sing, violin, piano, flute), sports (futsal, ping pong, cheerleading) and parties (birthdays are never normal with our batch!).

So, perhaps not all of us are nerds? The next time someone gives anyone of us the social label as a nerd, smile and tell him the wild stories that the funky chicken of M106 did!

PS: I am NOT brooding but this post was requested by LW as part of my blogging homework :D

Ref: Homework - http://www.cbpl.lib.ia.us/reference/homework.gif

PSS: I hoped I put that worry out of your head LW!

Christmas Night 2008

Twas the night of 23rd of December, Christmas Night was celebrated at IMU JBLT. This was my first time participating in any Christmas Night production. I was in the choir.

Now, before you roll of the the chair (or bed ...depending where you are reading this), I know I can't sing (my super power is to cause rain if I try to reach any note :P ). But, I thought S'ban was having some hot weather, so, I said yes (temporary sanity lost).

It began with weekly classes by our male group teacher, LW. At this juncture, I would like to take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to LW. Goodness knows what we would have sounded like if it were not for her coaching (hehe the only downside is that I'm rather excited to know a song that I can hit 75% of the notes right so, the song is stuck in my head even till now).

The night started with the usual M'sian timing and with a speech from our VIP Dato K. The night had many performances such as by J and his guitar, Dr S and E, the orchestra accompanying them, the choir, the play, the message and final song. It was in a word: AWESOME. It touch me in many ways and yet, open many more queries and doubts. But I suppose that is the sign of continuous growth.

We had special guess appearance by LJ, Sr & Sw. My only regret is that I don't have a camera, so, I missed many photos. Ah well, there is always two sides of a coin right? I always want to own want but I can never take care of it so, better not to hold it and just smile into other people's camera :P.

Special thanks goes to E, who convinced me to participate and made the night a success. Thank you for being God's messenger to me :D Great appreciation to the organizing team, it was a spectacular night.

Sorry no pictures. Firstly, I had no camera and secondly, the Internet here is super slow. I have waited half hour to upload but to no success. Anyway, kudos to all who were there that night!

Balancing act

Since our days in primary school, we have always been encouraged to participate in co-curriculum activities. This of course actually means any educational activity not taken in a class room. Currently, it is defined as any activity taken outside my current course study guide.

My stand was to always stick to curriculum. After all, the grade in the classroom are what will take you to the next stage. This fact is indisputable. Moreover, I am the kind of person that enjoys sitting in a classroom with well defined guide to the next step. All that is required is to keep following instructions.

academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/AS/0GUIDES.HTM

However, I, now, realize the down fall of such a comfortable life. Namely, social ties. Yes, everyone in the same class can talk about the lesson learnt on that day but truthfully, nobody wants to be constantly reminded of the feeling of unworthiness in class. So, we socialize about our activities outside of class. This became my pitfall in socializing skills (only realized it in secondary school days!)

So, I decided the old me has to go out the window! I learnt to participate in more co-curriculum activity. I did not feel more popular but rather I felt more at ease when talking to other people. However, coincidentally or otherwise, my grades began to fall. I found it difficult to maintain a high level of education or so said, curriculum.

academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/AS/0GUIDES.HTM

Hence, this brings me to where I had began in this post. One life is with academic excellence but to be viewed as a solitary person. Unsociable. On the other hand, to be able to laugh with one's friends but to allow grades to slip. Can both this lives be balanced? Sigh.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Balance_scale.jpg

Perhaps one day it will balance out but I feel that such an opinion is but a fairy tale. After all, life is never so simple. Maybe anyone out there has some advice for me?

PS: If you find this post a little contradictory and going in endless circles, it's okay :P That is how I felt. I am very sure no real answer lies out there but rather this is just to vent frustration at the lack of control of my life. Life was just meant to be a balancing act.

www.woodenstilts.co.uk/.../product.php?prod_id=8

Happy Birthday Mummy!

This year, my mummy turns ... (hehe a secret?). Anyway, mummy's birthday was on a Monday, so, I had my first experience of celebrating a birthday across a computer screen. Thank goodness for video conferencing!

Daddy bought a cake and we sang mum a birthday song! Then came presents! Luckily I already planted the gift that I was sharing with my sister with her. So, mum still got her gift despite the fact that we are in different states :P I got her a teddy bear with chocolates. So, when she misses me ... she can hug the bear! (pending of course the fact that the bear was so tiny that she could squeeze the whole bear with one hand ... :P) Daddy was getting her a long awaited sewing machine. Hmm, I wonder if all mum's gifts are to benefit the family more than herself ... :D Ad's gift for her was dinner!!

That is the cake and me with my mummy :D

My teddy for mummy :D

Hehe a closer view taken by my sister :D

So, we went to "Izzi"? I hope I got the right spelling :P It was okay but mum's cooking is still better :D Haha but I suppose her cooking for the family for her own birthday just does not sound right :D

Mummy seems to enjoy the fact that her son bought her dinner more than the dinner :D

Au and I gave her another gift to celebrate the occasion :P It was another teddy bear :D So, when mum misses Au when she goes to study, she has another bear bear to hug :D (haha also pending the size of the bear ...)

Mum sneak a cookie to eat and I caught in on camera :D Love you mum! Hope you liked the gift!

Hehe I'll take this picture as proof that you liked the gift :D

Well, thank you mummy for being my mummy :D Many Happy Returns of the Day!

Good Samaritan

This post is dedicated to the people who do stuff for other people selflessly.

It all started on the day that V and I were going to go look for a certain adress. I had tried very hard to find the exact route via online maps and asking directions. So, with a certain amount of confidence, we started out.


First road block was the massive construction of the road! The road no longer resemble anything on the map!!! Sigh. In the end, we stopped at this petrol station to ask for directions. The counter lady said she knew the way.

"You keluar dari sini, traffic light pertama you belok kiri. Jalan terus, ada traffic light lagi you ambil kiri. Dari sana boleh nampak *a landmark which I can't remember*. Ada macam kena naik punya." There were also left hand animated signals :P

"Okok. Kiri dan kiri, yah? Terima kasih."


"Ya ya, kiri dan kiri."


So, we left the station to meet the first traffic light BUT there was no left turning!!! Calmly V pointed out another traffic light about 500metre ahead that had a left turning. SO, we took it, went through a village housing area and reached another traffic light almost 15 minutes later. At the traffic light, NO CARS were turning left and the left turning went into a semi desolated area.


"Never mind ... maybe short cut ..."


After turning in we got the fright of our life!! So empty the road!! We quickly asked for new directions. A little more careful we travelled again ... the first thing we both saw was ...


*** the same petrol station ***


Maybe she wanted us to use up petrol so we need to pump ... :P


Anyway, armed with the new directions, we took the first right turning after the station and turn right again ... sigh ...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://larnach.info/U120/images/eMM.png&imgrefurl=http://beaut1ful.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/crazy-phone-fun/&h=167&w=156&sz=3&hl=en&start=4&sig2=aqceCNf0jI1Oqd6oovw6nQ&um=1&usg=__TZiEjpwgyzbdVfcQiK6A07zOgJ0=&tbnid=r1Csw4bwfbv52M:&tbnh=99&tbnw=92&ei=eC8OSbm6Dom4swK0k8DSBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dconfused%2Bface%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address%26rlz%3D1I7SKPB%26sa%3DX

BUT we still got lost (an eventual event if I am behind the wheel :P). So, V and I decide to stop one more time to ask for directions. V wanted to ask this man sitting at a restaurant's empty table. I felt it was better to ask the restaurant's owner. In view of my excellant judgment (which got us lost in the first place :P), we asked the owner ... in return, we got a lost look ... sigh



Then, we decided to follow V's suggestion. The man's face registered a look of amazed shocked. My heart shattered! My first thought was that we have gone off direction again. The man smiled.




http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mediaknows.com/heartbreak.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mediaknows.com/2007/01/08/top-10-heartbreak-songs/&h=358&w=500&sz=16&hl=en&start=8&sig2=pzOTOm2PmaI4THZ1pcBsfw&um=1&usg=__5JyuPP9-6rvnaSjA1UrlmU0d2hY=&tbnid=nDDpAyC6glnW0M:&tbnh=93&tbnw=130&ei=yi8OSZf5OIngswKOvr3SBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dheart%2Bbreak%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address%26rlz%3D1I7SKPB


The following conversation was in mandarin but as I myself can't understand, this is the translated version ...


"I stay near there"

"Oh, then, can you tell us how to go there?"

"Er, ok. You ... (gave directions)"

"Oh, ok ... (blur face) ... okay I think ..."

The man's packed food came.

"I show you the way lah! My food also came already. I am also going that way."

"Oh! (brighten face) Can, ah? Thank you!"


So, to keep the story sweet and short, we followed him (incidentally, he drives a very expensive car, so, the myth of the rich being selfish is not universal :P). He guided us all the way and we wave a sign of thank you and relieve :P


In summary, *ahem ahem*, it was good to have someone guide us (referring to the last part of story, the first part was to entertain you and to never let me lead you to a new place :P). I was particularly touched by his selflessness and sincerity to help us. So, this post is dedicated to all the people who placed others ahead of themselves. Thank you and may God bless.





http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3574133/2/istockphoto_3574133_angel_cartoon.jpg

Happy Birthday Bro!

This is so overdue that if it was a food, anyone reading it will definitely get diarrhoea. :P But, I went through a lot of trouble to get the pictures, so, I am not going to waste my effort ... here goes ...

On the 2nd of October, my family and I celebrated my big brother's 24th Birthday! We celebrated his birthday by cooking breakfast! He did not sleep the whole night before so, getting him to be awake for breakfast was a piece of cake :P The so called salad was K's recipe but i butchered it! Hehe I have to go for more yogurt classes. Sausages were done by Au. Eggs by Dad and drinks by mum ... or something like that, we kept overlapping jobs :P

The crazy breakfast :D

The next item on our agenda was dinner at Imperial!! Hehe yummy food! Auntie and uncle from nearby came along with cousin and unofficial cousin (my cousin's housemate but she is as good as a cousin anyway :P). We made a toast! (Hehe but birthday boy no drink wine for toast ... he drank mock-tail). Enjoy some random shots of the dinner!

The toast! Hmm, it's a pity I can't remember what we toast for ... :P

Birthday boy!!

Hehe like conference meeting :P

Me and my aunt

The chocolate lovers ...

Actually, this was taken at the lobby of the hotel but I couldn't resist to put it in :D

Next, the cake!!

In a cake ceremony for birthdays, there are some rules to follow ...

1. Always get candles ...
2. Always get knife ....

Ad had to use a lot of imagination that day :P

Finally, the most important part ... pressies !!! Mum and I got him a new formal shirt (I was getting very tired of ironing his shirts which remain the same few every days of the week during my hols :D). Au got him a car sticker (if my memory serves me right it said ... "Cheeky monkey on board". Dad and Mum got him another Manchester United car sticker and a book. Cousins gave him a scent. Aunt and uncle gave him ang pow :D

He peek! No fair! must guess what is inside first!!

The three siblings :D

All in all, I hope he enjoyed it :D To my beloved brother ... Happy 24th Birthday and may all your hope come true :P