Anecdotes of my passing...

A year has passed, and another beckons. A new beginning, with many untold adventures waiting to unfurl. Exciting, and unknown, the new year heralds a new phase in my life with its challenges yet I am firmly rooted from the love of my family and close friends. They have been great and I wish they could remain with me for eternity, even after death. To my family, I would like to express my love and profound gratitude for always being there and sharing more than just common surnames. To my friends, THANK YOU! for all the comfort and times spent together. I will always treasure these memories, and as I drink from the cup of life, I am glad that I can share it with you.

Happy New Year!!


*a special prayer*

For the victims of the recent tsunami catastrophe, I extend my sincere condolence for the lives lost and a small prayer that everyone will be safe from any more tidal waves.



Why?
by John Etter

Why does the sun rise and give light,
Only to set again too soon?

Why do stars twinkle so bright,
Only to pass away with the moon?

Why does a rainbow appear with colors to show,
Only to fade for no apparent reason?

Why does a flower take so long to grow,
Only to wilt during winter season?

Why does snow fall so mysteriously and lay,
Only to change and then melt?

Why do people enter our lives along the way,
Only to leave us when they knew how we felt?

I guess no one will really know why, but God above.
But we should be happy for all those creations
We had some time to know and to love.

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara

Eeek....what a appalling place !
My trip there today to renew my antediluvian I.C. (read, identity card) has got me thinking about the number of people we actually have in our country. The supposed-to-be-dead place was actually teeming with people from various walks of life. And all are there to make I.C. Considering we have a population of 23,522,482 (http://worldfacts.us/Malaysia.htm ), that makes us a very big country indeed.

First, I had to take my number, then I had to wait for 2 hours and 13 minutes before it was my turn. This despite being there at 8.11 and the Jabatan only opens at 8. When I was there, there were many people already seated awaiting their turns. I spent most of my time reading some old copy of Reader's Digest. Apart from the usual grunts, cough, sneeze, and the incessant wailing and screaming of children, the place was silent except for the loudspeaker calling out numbers after numbers. The semi-air-conditioned room was quite large but not large enough to accommodate all that was present when I was there. I sat at the front row and from my vantage point, I could observe the much-complained working habits of our government agencies. After indexing a few applications, the man and lady behind the counter each would turn to chat. And that with people seated right in front of them, waiting to be served. Tsk Tsk... The speed at which they attempt their tasks would make watching a three-toed-sloth's daily activities a fast ride. Seriously, they were very slow..... However, I would like to commend the photographer for being quite a nice example and a stark contrast amongst his fellow colleagues.


"Bahagian Kad Pengenalan Menyiapkan permohonan kad pengenalan dari pejabat yang berkomputer dalam masa 1 bulan. Menyiapkan permohonan kad penegnalan dari Pejabat yang Tidak Berkomputer dalam masa 3 bulan. Menyelesaikan permohonan daftar lewat Kad Pengenalan dalam masa 6 bulan. " Link : http://www.i-putra.com.my/sites/Site.cfm?id=34

This is clearly wrong then, since i was told that I would only get my new IC after 2 months. The place was fully computerized but managed by inept servants. This not a mere rant but an expression of hope that maybe someday we can actually look forward to a more effective running of this Jabatan.


On a happier note, today is Edmund's birthday. : )
May all his wishes come true.....Happy Birthday Ed.



Long live diapers!

Had to attend a wedding dinner today with my dad. My mom couldn't make it because she had another to attend. Today is supposedly an auspicious for marriages, and me being the great ignoramus wouldn't know a good day to marry nor a good day to die if I ever had the privilege to choose.

It was the wedding of one of the sons of my father's former colleague back in Penang. It was held with the usual pomp and ceremony so synonymous with relatively wealthy chinese wedding dinners....except this time, there weren't many kids around. There were a few faces that I remembered back from my younger days, and there were also new people with whom I had the privilege of acquaintance. A few familiar faces were my dad's friends/colleagues/contacts, Mdm. Lwi Kim Kam (my Matematik Gunaan teacher in MHS), Ms. Alice Chia (formerly of SFI secondary before retiring....I enjoy her lessons(English) very much ), Siow Jian Zhi/Hong's mom (my former band senior and peer respectively). I didn't expect to meet them there. Hahaha....Anyway, it was good to see them again.

I was seated at a table that consisted of mainly former Cargill employees. I've learned a lot of things today like pelleting techniques, latest product formulas for feed, animal nutrition, and heck, even Bukit Bintang politics. Something relating to corruption that is so prevalent in Bolehland(to quote from a blog). I just sat and listened and occasionally nodding and smiling whenever a look came my way. I've never had my hand shaken so often in recent times. The people there were vets, animal traders/farmers, marketing/sales executives, drug dealers(animals), company ceo's, directors, bla bla bla ..... the movers and shakers of the industry, so to speak.

The food was good, but the wastage was great. Usual shark's fin soup, prawns, fish, roasted duck...the like. The ceremony started early, and ended at about 10p.m.

It was a wonderful experience... ^^

On Day 3, we continued with another portion of the house not covered the day before. This time, the colour we use is 'Orcid White'. This colour has a faint scent of peach and it has a pinkish tinge. Or at least, that's what I think it smelled like. Painting seems much easier now that I've done for 2 consecutive days. I can paint longer and cover a much wider area in a smaller time frame.

Anyway, I'm very very tired......... Goodnight people.

Today we had to paint the walls. The colour is "blossom".... though I have no idea how the name relates to the actual colour perceived by our eyes. It's some sort of a light pinkish shade. The paint was devoid of the usual paint smell, and in its place a sweet fragrance that I find hard to describe. It's pleasant though. The paint from yesterday, which was some sort of fancy name for some whitish shade, had the sweet smell of apples. I didn't know that paints come with fragrance nowadays. No doubt it might be higher -end, but it sure beats having to smell the usual paint odour for hours as you slog your way to painting the house. Who knows, the perfume houses could actually collaborate with paint companies to make parfume-paint and in the process, create a new product that will be both olfactory and visual. Heck, it could be perfume with make-up.

Hmm... I might be on to something here.. I better get this patented before some fancy-schmancy *insert some glamorous name* comes up with it. On second though, is it even out yet?

I could be rich........oh yea.........

Cap...... checked
Old newspaper......checked
Plastic mats.......checked
Paint.......checked
Brushes........checked


Day 1
The day started like any other, and after the usual rations in the mess hall, we were back to our post to resume our duty. Commander M. came, and with her, we got our latest orders; Operation C.T.W.

We weren't intimidated by this operation, being veterans of these sort of covert machinations for years now. Like the many operations successfully carried out years ago, we took to task our latest orders with frenzied fervour.

Hours later.....


The ceilings have been given a new coat of paint, with a pearly sort of sheen. It was difficult, craning my neck up as i rolled the roller-paintbrush and in the process, dripping globs of paint all over the floor, and mat. I should say that my painting skill has reached a notch higher with this latest feat of mine. I managed to finish the ceilings of the living room (with some help of course... ) within hours. Lol...nothing much, but it's something that I enjoy boasting. Hehh!

I've just recently discovered that I've lost some of my written work. The one that smarts most is the poem that i wrote a few years back. I did made a backup copy but heck, I don't know where both the original and backup went. I wrote it for a friend as a farewell. I meant a lot and now I'm just a little sad that it's gone.

This is just to remind all and sundry to always keep things/memories/people/etc that you truly want to remember safely. Check up on it again every now and then to ensure that you don't lose it/them.

On the bright side, I've found some new books that I'm going to read. I'm reading Krondor : Assassins and next on my list is Salina.

I will try to give some comments on the book after I'm done reading them.

Happy Birthday Siong Kiat

:)

Your Element Is Water

A bit of a contradiction, you can seem both lighthearted and serious. That's because you're good at going with the flow - but you also are deep. Highly intuitive, you tune in to people's emotions and moods easily. You are able to tap into deep emotional connections and connect with others. You prefer a smooth, harmonious life - but you can navigate your way around waves. You have a knack for getting people to get along and making life a little more peaceful.

Is that so?? NOT.....

Spring cleaning today!!

Sweat, grime, dust, and lots of junk!!

Heave-ho, dunk!, throw! Going, going, going, Gone!

Threw away a lot of stuff, mainly my exercises and notes from class. Threw old magazines, clippings, even some miscellaneous items that I have idea from whence it came.

I think i'm going to earn some pocket money from the "old newspaper-man"
Yea....throw throw....

Boy, what a workout!

You Are From the Moon

You can vibe with the steady rhythms of the Moon. You're in touch with your emotions and intuition. You possess a great, unmatched imagination - and an infinite memory. Ultra-sensitive, you feel at home anywhere (or with anyone). A total healer, you light the way in the dark for many.

Well, I guess today pretty much sums up the past 2 years as we all gather to toast to the next phase in life. Form 6 and its dreaded offspring STPM has come and gone, and tonight is the night we break free of this bondage and embrace freedom.

We had the class party-of-sorts at Rajesh's house. It was a typical barbeque-type of party with the usual chicken wings, fried bee hoon, jelly, fruits, nasi himpit(a modern or rather a lazier version of ketupat),and yea, nuggets, fries and hot dogs. My favourite dish that night was the satay. :) I had mine dipped in honey and butter before getting it grilled. Too bad Wee Kiat had to leave early. :( There's the usual blaring of loud music and noise that adds to the atmosphere.

The company was great, the games were great (though could've been better ;) ), and come half past ten, the gathering began to disperse. Exchanges of goodbyes were had, promises to keep in touch passed around, photos were taken... For some, today will be the last day we'll ever see each other, and again I dedicate this page to my class of '04, you guys have been great! It was a great 2 years together and tonight is one of the many jewels that adorn my crown of life. Thank you guys!

PS.
For those who did not come, you'll still be part of my memories of Form 6.
Special tribute for those who did not attend: Peter, Tser Chin, Li Yung, Fui Shi, Hema, Chew Ying. ( If I got your spelling wrong please forgive me.)