Sunday, August 24, 2008
some Malouf
if you're bored, and you have no life, go and read An Imaginary Life by David Malouf. he's a genius. he is always spot-on in his writings about you and your life. i stumbled upon his novels when i had to search a reading for one of my classes. but alas, i got the wrong malouf. we were supposed to be reading things by Amin Malouf not David Malouf. but who cares. they were both great writers. both meticulous in choosing words and accurate with feelings. go on and read 'em. they're good people with no life, but writing.
random blabber
funny how people tend to be who they think they have to be to fit in. when most of the times, who you think you have to be is not at all what people expected you to be and who you yourself would actually be.
it takes a lot to realize who you really are. it takes time, for sure. and sometimes, it will all be too late when you finally realize who you are. it takes courage and belief, to acknowledge yourself. it needs support from your surroundings. it takes you to want to be who you already are.
we evolve. change is inevitable. time goes by. and because of the change that everyone goes through, we change along. and that's not something to be scared of, or shun over, or despised. it's just another fact of life. it happens - all the time, every single second, in every teeny tine decision you make; you are not only changing yourself, but you are, in fact, changing the world with you.
it takes a lot to realize who you really are. it takes time, for sure. and sometimes, it will all be too late when you finally realize who you are. it takes courage and belief, to acknowledge yourself. it needs support from your surroundings. it takes you to want to be who you already are.
we evolve. change is inevitable. time goes by. and because of the change that everyone goes through, we change along. and that's not something to be scared of, or shun over, or despised. it's just another fact of life. it happens - all the time, every single second, in every teeny tine decision you make; you are not only changing yourself, but you are, in fact, changing the world with you.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
the things to assure you that i am getting by well
"when the going gets tough, the tough..well, ain't just tough anymore"
alright people. that's the words of wisdom for today. i ain't pessimist, but just stating the current situation. i feel horrible, wasted (but not drunk). feel super shitty, even shit dont stink as much. and to add the cherry on top (not the top of the shit, you dummy ass), i have no idea why.
*laughs lunatically*
fine. i was just overeacting. things are fine - in fact, im having the best times now. it's just that having all the fun and not many people to share it with, it sort of sucks in a way, y'know?
and for those who asked, things are great. it's superb. everyday is a learning process for me. like the other day, i learned how to use the vending machine which swallowed my $6. but im friends with it now, just that i couldnt buy as much cheese doritos coz i've got a tight budget (not tight a*s).
and i learned how total strangers can be like super duper friendly to you, especially when you have a map in your hands and the word 'LOST' stamped on your forehead.
i also learned how people really rely on each other to survive in a foreign world. although, its not as if im in the Amazon or Mars or something. but i survived so far. i withstood the test of homesickness. LOL.
having subjects like Language and Identity with Angela and Jonathan is subliminal. they are the greatest people. and Andrew, he's another interesting educator. love his lectures.
what else do you want to know? hmm..the rest is just normal. im beginning to miss writing about controversial stuff. now all i write is about me and my boring life and the boring things around me (contradiction alert).
most important of all, i miss dining at the mamak. when i get back, the first few things i'd like to eat:
i want mcD, KFC (MELTZ!!!), and the the rest of the food i usually eat.
for the time being, i'll just make do with hungry jack's, pizzaland, and cheesecake shop. that's the only places i go for food (as recommended by some great malaysian people here) apart from the cooking we cook at home. my turn to cook is on tuesdays and saturdays. i really am not a hustler in cooking, coz i normally just cook for survival, not for impressing people or for the craving tastebuds. but practice makes perfect. so im gonna chill for now. haha.
talking about food really made me hungry..which brings us to the end of this 'unpostly' post.
adieu people.
alright people. that's the words of wisdom for today. i ain't pessimist, but just stating the current situation. i feel horrible, wasted (but not drunk). feel super shitty, even shit dont stink as much. and to add the cherry on top (not the top of the shit, you dummy ass), i have no idea why.
*laughs lunatically*
fine. i was just overeacting. things are fine - in fact, im having the best times now. it's just that having all the fun and not many people to share it with, it sort of sucks in a way, y'know?
and for those who asked, things are great. it's superb. everyday is a learning process for me. like the other day, i learned how to use the vending machine which swallowed my $6. but im friends with it now, just that i couldnt buy as much cheese doritos coz i've got a tight budget (not tight a*s).
and i learned how total strangers can be like super duper friendly to you, especially when you have a map in your hands and the word 'LOST' stamped on your forehead.
i also learned how people really rely on each other to survive in a foreign world. although, its not as if im in the Amazon or Mars or something. but i survived so far. i withstood the test of homesickness. LOL.
having subjects like Language and Identity with Angela and Jonathan is subliminal. they are the greatest people. and Andrew, he's another interesting educator. love his lectures.
what else do you want to know? hmm..the rest is just normal. im beginning to miss writing about controversial stuff. now all i write is about me and my boring life and the boring things around me (contradiction alert).
most important of all, i miss dining at the mamak. when i get back, the first few things i'd like to eat:
- mi goreng mamak [al-awwal]
- roti planta [al-awwal]
- nasi goreng kampung [al-awwal and kedai kelantan mana-mana pun boleh]
- mihun goreng [hassan]
- padprik ayam [hassan]
- nasi putih, tomyam ayam, telur dadar taknak bawang [exceptional: gerai lilin tu]
- roti canai garing [jumma -near my house]
- teh tarik gila bapak punya kow [mana-mana mamak]
- teh taknak tarik [mana-mana mamak gak]
- kuey tiow goreng [mamak -haha, tetibe teringin pulak]
- OMG, lupa. MAGGI GORENG [HASSAN - nak dua paket]
i want mcD, KFC (MELTZ!!!), and the the rest of the food i usually eat.
for the time being, i'll just make do with hungry jack's, pizzaland, and cheesecake shop. that's the only places i go for food (as recommended by some great malaysian people here) apart from the cooking we cook at home. my turn to cook is on tuesdays and saturdays. i really am not a hustler in cooking, coz i normally just cook for survival, not for impressing people or for the craving tastebuds. but practice makes perfect. so im gonna chill for now. haha.
talking about food really made me hungry..which brings us to the end of this 'unpostly' post.
adieu people.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
mind explosion (sort of lah)
my head nearly explode yesterday. it was one hell of a class. like you sit there listening to lectures, and you have all these simple but complexicating questions being thrown at you, and you find yourself thinking and thinking, trying to search for the right answer, but u got none.
questions being asked are like:
"Who are you?"
"Really, who are you really?"
"What makes you, you?"
"Are you being shaped by language and society?"
"Are you you all the time or someone else at different times?"
Geez! who the heck would've thought those questions could actually cause severe headache. i went to see the lecturer right after the tut and told her about the mental debate i was having in my mind. she immediately grabbed my shoulders and shrieked "Dont explode!! Alright, talk to me. You have to talk to me".
like it was some kind of an emergency. the readings we had to do, and the questions we have to answer, they were brutal. really. i liked doing it though, but it does have a consequence that is quite unlikely. you end up answering the questions with questions that lead to another question.
now i have an essay to submit next week, and i havent got a shit to write about. i mean, i do have a lot of things to say, but none of it very academical, i must say.
this friday, my minor essay on children's literature has to be submitted. im bombed with insecurities telling me i couldnt do it by the deadline, and im shit scared it might just come true. besides, i really havent done any research so far.
golly, what did i do during my weekends?? (mental thought: tee hee hee..i did go sightseeing and taking a [long] breather in the city)
fine, i'll go straight home today, and work on my essay all night long, as long as my eyes and mind can bare. blimey, tough night its going to be for me.
how have you guys been doing? hope all is well. dont forget to update me :)
questions being asked are like:
"Who are you?"
"Really, who are you really?"
"What makes you, you?"
"Are you being shaped by language and society?"
"Are you you all the time or someone else at different times?"
Geez! who the heck would've thought those questions could actually cause severe headache. i went to see the lecturer right after the tut and told her about the mental debate i was having in my mind. she immediately grabbed my shoulders and shrieked "Dont explode!! Alright, talk to me. You have to talk to me".
like it was some kind of an emergency. the readings we had to do, and the questions we have to answer, they were brutal. really. i liked doing it though, but it does have a consequence that is quite unlikely. you end up answering the questions with questions that lead to another question.
now i have an essay to submit next week, and i havent got a shit to write about. i mean, i do have a lot of things to say, but none of it very academical, i must say.
this friday, my minor essay on children's literature has to be submitted. im bombed with insecurities telling me i couldnt do it by the deadline, and im shit scared it might just come true. besides, i really havent done any research so far.
golly, what did i do during my weekends?? (mental thought: tee hee hee..i did go sightseeing and taking a [long] breather in the city)
fine, i'll go straight home today, and work on my essay all night long, as long as my eyes and mind can bare. blimey, tough night its going to be for me.
how have you guys been doing? hope all is well. dont forget to update me :)
Monday, August 11, 2008
our all-time heroes
today i learned about the ANZACs. and the Gallipoli legend. it was fascinating. and heart-warming, and touching.
to know that there are a lot of people who would do anything to be a part of it, to fight for the country and allied nations. to sacrifice their lives to shape what it is today, and to not fear to die in the horrors of war.
my heart was deeply touched; through the words of Anthony Hill who wrote about Private James Charles Martin, who died as the youngest ANZAC. the book, Soldier Boy, was exactly what i needed to feel what i always felt during this time of the year.
i am sure that australians must be really proud of this boy, who only lived 14years of his life, before he was killed in a self-battle with typhoid during the Great War. at that time, australians were sent to Gallippoli, Turkey as reinforcements to help Britain. the boy died on the hospital ship, without the presence of his beloved family members.
we discussed about it in class, and it was amazing when Helen (the lecturer) showed a video she had edited regarding the ANZAC.
the ANZAC Day is on the 25th of April. on this day, australians celebrate despite the defeat as they are really rejoicing the sacrifices of the soldiers, and because it is the first war that they fought as australians; that victory is not so much of an importance.
at 11.00am sharp on that day every year, the whole of australia will stop whatever they are doing and will stand in silence - praying, and remembering the loss and contributions their soldiers had made - for one whole minute, with the music of trumpet being played in the background, before proceeding with whatever they are doing again.
some will go to Gallipoli (yes, all the way to Turkey), to commemorate the ANZAC. the ANZAC Dawn Service will normally go on longer than the one in Australia itself, with the normally freezing weather.
they also have a special round of AFL in conjunction with ANZAC Day.
all these made me think. and weep a little. i doesnt matter if i am not an Aussie - as a human being, i think fighting in the war is very noble and extremly self-less; eventhough i could not understand why there has to be a war.
we should cherish those who have perished to let us have the lives we have today, no matter who we are and where we are in the world.
to know that there are a lot of people who would do anything to be a part of it, to fight for the country and allied nations. to sacrifice their lives to shape what it is today, and to not fear to die in the horrors of war.
my heart was deeply touched; through the words of Anthony Hill who wrote about Private James Charles Martin, who died as the youngest ANZAC. the book, Soldier Boy, was exactly what i needed to feel what i always felt during this time of the year.
i am sure that australians must be really proud of this boy, who only lived 14years of his life, before he was killed in a self-battle with typhoid during the Great War. at that time, australians were sent to Gallippoli, Turkey as reinforcements to help Britain. the boy died on the hospital ship, without the presence of his beloved family members.
we discussed about it in class, and it was amazing when Helen (the lecturer) showed a video she had edited regarding the ANZAC.
the ANZAC Day is on the 25th of April. on this day, australians celebrate despite the defeat as they are really rejoicing the sacrifices of the soldiers, and because it is the first war that they fought as australians; that victory is not so much of an importance.
at 11.00am sharp on that day every year, the whole of australia will stop whatever they are doing and will stand in silence - praying, and remembering the loss and contributions their soldiers had made - for one whole minute, with the music of trumpet being played in the background, before proceeding with whatever they are doing again.
some will go to Gallipoli (yes, all the way to Turkey), to commemorate the ANZAC. the ANZAC Dawn Service will normally go on longer than the one in Australia itself, with the normally freezing weather.
they also have a special round of AFL in conjunction with ANZAC Day.
all these made me think. and weep a little. i doesnt matter if i am not an Aussie - as a human being, i think fighting in the war is very noble and extremly self-less; eventhough i could not understand why there has to be a war.
we should cherish those who have perished to let us have the lives we have today, no matter who we are and where we are in the world.
my weekend
last saturday i went to the city east campus to join some Malaysians to watch a short film directed and acted out by the malaysian students here in Adelaide.
it was good, to have someone sacrificing time, energy and money just to relive the innocent meaning of celebrating our Independence Day. for me, it wasnt at all about the movie itself, it's about our understanding and what we do to commemorate our Merdeka.
i am a very patriotic person. i really am. but sometimes, it's more of an inside thing rather than physical. i feel patriotic, but i dont necessarily do anything about it. so joining this kind of thing is good, for me and anyone else.
after that film, there was a feedback session. so we can actually throw on our opinions and suggestions regarding that film to the director himself. some of the actors were there too, i recognized their faces.
later on, we went to have a barbie! the bbq was great; and it was actually my first bbq since i arrived here - most probably coz of the weather that nobody really cared to have a barbie during winter.
it rained; heavily and drizzled. and sometimes stopped abruptly. and started to pour again violently. it's crazy, really. i was drenched to my bones on the way from one block to the other. crap.
but the food was good. the people were good too. they came and talked and introduced themselves. coz honestly, im quite tired of having to introduce myself and starting conversations with strangers all the time. it's good to have strangers come and talk to me first for a change.
after the barbie, me and two other friends went for a walk on rundle street and grabbed a sip of my favourite (which has now become their fave too) Chioccolata Italiana at Cibo. it was so rich with choc. just sensational. gotta have them again. Hani introduced me to it when i first came.
in a nutshell, the day ended with me being very happy; as far as i can recall. i have no idea why, but i did. i guess its good coz im missing my friends at home, and meeting fellow malaysians is a redemption for me, in a way. really, they are very good people. hope i could meet them up again, for the merdeka celebration maybe.
fuhhh, its already august. one of my favourite months in the year. you can get away with being patriotic.
i want to go to the merdeka parade.
it was good, to have someone sacrificing time, energy and money just to relive the innocent meaning of celebrating our Independence Day. for me, it wasnt at all about the movie itself, it's about our understanding and what we do to commemorate our Merdeka.
i am a very patriotic person. i really am. but sometimes, it's more of an inside thing rather than physical. i feel patriotic, but i dont necessarily do anything about it. so joining this kind of thing is good, for me and anyone else.
after that film, there was a feedback session. so we can actually throw on our opinions and suggestions regarding that film to the director himself. some of the actors were there too, i recognized their faces.
later on, we went to have a barbie! the bbq was great; and it was actually my first bbq since i arrived here - most probably coz of the weather that nobody really cared to have a barbie during winter.
it rained; heavily and drizzled. and sometimes stopped abruptly. and started to pour again violently. it's crazy, really. i was drenched to my bones on the way from one block to the other. crap.
but the food was good. the people were good too. they came and talked and introduced themselves. coz honestly, im quite tired of having to introduce myself and starting conversations with strangers all the time. it's good to have strangers come and talk to me first for a change.
after the barbie, me and two other friends went for a walk on rundle street and grabbed a sip of my favourite (which has now become their fave too) Chioccolata Italiana at Cibo. it was so rich with choc. just sensational. gotta have them again. Hani introduced me to it when i first came.
in a nutshell, the day ended with me being very happy; as far as i can recall. i have no idea why, but i did. i guess its good coz im missing my friends at home, and meeting fellow malaysians is a redemption for me, in a way. really, they are very good people. hope i could meet them up again, for the merdeka celebration maybe.
fuhhh, its already august. one of my favourite months in the year. you can get away with being patriotic.
i want to go to the merdeka parade.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
the Machines Just Hate Me saga
with regards to the previous blog post, i need to clarify my reconciliation with the vending machine today. after my SLA class just now, i went straight to the vending machine with a new goal in mind, not the cheese doritos anymore, but the twisties wicked cheese.
i was trying to get my coins out when my classmates - Sam and I-have-your-name-somewhere-in-my-brain came to buy some chips too. then Sam saw an opportunity to get a pack of chips out without coins. he banged the machine to the left and then to the right, and then, as simple as taking your clothes off, the pack of chips fell into the designated chute. i was so amazed that i had to refuse the chips we he handed it to me. anyhow, me being muslim (tau beza halal dan haram) i cant accept that marvelous offer. i said i dont eat that kind of chips (its onion and cheese or something). so he took it, snapped it open and stuffed his mouth with crunchy onionic chips.
so i felt some victorious sensation as if Sam had just beat the machine out. wait, what the heck am i rambling about?! geez. im such a loser. condemning a lifeless machine.
well, its dinner time. we have tomyam for today. hmm-mm. time sure flies.
i gotta go before i gotta go!
gahahaha. some weird corny joke im trying to crack.
catcha later peeps
i was trying to get my coins out when my classmates - Sam and I-have-your-name-somewhere-in-my-brain came to buy some chips too. then Sam saw an opportunity to get a pack of chips out without coins. he banged the machine to the left and then to the right, and then, as simple as taking your clothes off, the pack of chips fell into the designated chute. i was so amazed that i had to refuse the chips we he handed it to me. anyhow, me being muslim (tau beza halal dan haram) i cant accept that marvelous offer. i said i dont eat that kind of chips (its onion and cheese or something). so he took it, snapped it open and stuffed his mouth with crunchy onionic chips.
so i felt some victorious sensation as if Sam had just beat the machine out. wait, what the heck am i rambling about?! geez. im such a loser. condemning a lifeless machine.
well, its dinner time. we have tomyam for today. hmm-mm. time sure flies.
i gotta go before i gotta go!
gahahaha. some weird corny joke im trying to crack.
catcha later peeps
Monday, August 04, 2008
machines just hate me
these are the times when i wish i live in the 19th century. i have no idea how to operate the friggin machine. the vending machine that sells cheese doritos hates me. it ate $6 off me - thrice in a row. shitty.
now i cant seem to return the books i borrowed from the library, coz the return machines are stupidly too technical.
give me back the simplicity of life, people!!!
now i cant seem to return the books i borrowed from the library, coz the return machines are stupidly too technical.
give me back the simplicity of life, people!!!
literature tuts/tuto
we did the readings for literature today. discussed it and all that. i read seven little australians and the magic pudding and it was amazing. i didnt get to read snugglepot and cuddlepie though, coz of the time constraint. but i will, some time soon.
i cant believe how everything has got to do with politics. the magic pudding was supposed to be a children's story book, but how the hell it got its politics' blues, i dont know. turns out that the writer was a big rebel back then - i guess that explains it.
geez, sometimes we need innocent, simplistic readings, dotn we? i miss those days when i was young and reading the enid blyton series. simple, yet interesting.
gtg!
i cant believe how everything has got to do with politics. the magic pudding was supposed to be a children's story book, but how the hell it got its politics' blues, i dont know. turns out that the writer was a big rebel back then - i guess that explains it.
geez, sometimes we need innocent, simplistic readings, dotn we? i miss those days when i was young and reading the enid blyton series. simple, yet interesting.
gtg!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
the Malaysian Carnival
yesterday was the Malaysian Carnival and it was held at the Elder's Park (but forget the name, it's for both elderly and youngsters. haha). to tell you the truth, it wasn't that Malaysian-lah. it could have better been a Malaysian Food Carnival. the booths sucks. it's not commercialize, not promoted to the max, and even if it was, to the wrong people. you dont promote Malaysia to Malaysians, duh. course we know it at the back of our hands. go tell them whities! sell it to the Australians, Nigerians, Singaporeans..whoever! geez.
the performances, they were so-so. some were okay, some really stood out, like the silat show and the dikir barat. they were fan-freaking-tastic! the silat was straight out off Kung Fu Panda. haha, nooo. straight from Pendekar Bujang Lapuk, with more seriousness. gahaha. but they were good. they were very into it i shall say.
another major aspect of the carnival, was, the Food with a capital F. they were awesome. super wicked! the roti john by the Buxton Brothers were even better than the ones i ate in Malaysia. the 'chef' was a friend of mine, which i just met earlier this month. so dapat sos extra. haha. Kalau buat bisnes kat Pasar Malam sure laku beb! all the food booth people are Malaysians, so they know the food well. Nasi Kerabu ada, satay ada, nasi hujan panas ada, pendek kata, semua ada lah! memang sempoi huruf besar! semua sedap belaka.
the park, it was stunning. with bikes you can rent, and the birds. sheesh, perfect. we have people from all walks of life playing what we call ini Malaysia as the getah. i played, but obvious enough, i lost my charm. i used to be a champ in school, not anymore i guess. better off retiring at it. haha. batu seremban also got. safa played the sepak takraw, but he sucked. haha. no lah. he was a true takrawian (i coined this word. dont use in your essay). he was even called up front to display his talents, along with some other hustlers.
the whole thing ended at 4pm and after that i went for coffee with Hani, and some new friends - Putri, Fatin, Aida, Adibah and Jeremy.
oh by the way, Jeremy is playing for Jason Mraz in his tour in Melbourne this coming 10th of August. i am friggin jealous of that guy. really jealous, like, JEALOUS! and all that but still keeps his cool. all the best man!! he's coming out with his own EP next year. watch out for him people! but he plays jazz lah. hihi.
okay, better get going. this PC is public property. haha. gtg!
the performances, they were so-so. some were okay, some really stood out, like the silat show and the dikir barat. they were fan-freaking-tastic! the silat was straight out off Kung Fu Panda. haha, nooo. straight from Pendekar Bujang Lapuk, with more seriousness. gahaha. but they were good. they were very into it i shall say.
another major aspect of the carnival, was, the Food with a capital F. they were awesome. super wicked! the roti john by the Buxton Brothers were even better than the ones i ate in Malaysia. the 'chef' was a friend of mine, which i just met earlier this month. so dapat sos extra. haha. Kalau buat bisnes kat Pasar Malam sure laku beb! all the food booth people are Malaysians, so they know the food well. Nasi Kerabu ada, satay ada, nasi hujan panas ada, pendek kata, semua ada lah! memang sempoi huruf besar! semua sedap belaka.
the park, it was stunning. with bikes you can rent, and the birds. sheesh, perfect. we have people from all walks of life playing what we call ini Malaysia as the getah. i played, but obvious enough, i lost my charm. i used to be a champ in school, not anymore i guess. better off retiring at it. haha. batu seremban also got. safa played the sepak takraw, but he sucked. haha. no lah. he was a true takrawian (i coined this word. dont use in your essay). he was even called up front to display his talents, along with some other hustlers.
the whole thing ended at 4pm and after that i went for coffee with Hani, and some new friends - Putri, Fatin, Aida, Adibah and Jeremy.
oh by the way, Jeremy is playing for Jason Mraz in his tour in Melbourne this coming 10th of August. i am friggin jealous of that guy. really jealous, like, JEALOUS! and all that but still keeps his cool. all the best man!! he's coming out with his own EP next year. watch out for him people! but he plays jazz lah. hihi.
okay, better get going. this PC is public property. haha. gtg!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
constructing curriculum
i missed the lecture for this course last monday, so today i came to the workshop with nothing in my mind. yesterday, safa freaked me out by telling me that it's whole bunch of scary things and topics are regarding the Australian education system, which, as you can guess, i have no single idea about. and i freaked out, of course. especially when safa immediately dropped the subject and took something else. i cant sleep last night thinking that i would fail this paper with or without trying my best. my feet trembled, not cos of the weather, but because i was so afraid about what might happen to me and my whole academic life.
so i went into the class. some people were already there. some old, some young, some look like they dont give a damn. i look like a freaking nerd, who got lost on the way to this room. so we had some ice breaking thing going on. met a few people - Liam, Nathan, Emma (or was it Emmy?), Aska etc. then the whole thing just melt into me - i felt a bit relieved that there are quite a number of people who dont really know about the curriculum here in asutralia, and mind you, they are Aussies. haha! great. just what i need. a confidence booster. talk about ignoramus :p
so we went on discussing stuff, some in the class are arrogant (i hate you), and refuse to enlighten me on things i couldnt comprehend. but alas, a knight on a white horse helped me out. hah! seriously people, i tell you, he looks exactly like Keanu Reeves. hows that for a classmate! *drools* geez. anyway, we had to come up with a picture/logo/symbol that represents the curriculum system (what the heck?) in a group of four. and given the fact that i LOVE coming up with things, i unconsciously let loose and relaxed. so there. no more scary thoughts and hopes to die.
my group came up with a snakes and ladders concept with snakes representing the challenges and bombs/booby traps/dragons as the stake holders which could, if overpowered can be damaging to the system. we had a bunch of shitty stuff on that picture too, that i just have to draw (i.e. clock, a tarzan, a tree, loopholes etc) all on the same piece of paper. so it kind of looked like a bit of a complex, unidentifiable, random curriculum we've got. we presented it amidst barrels of laughter and snorts.
but least unexpectedly, the workshop tutors (there's two of them), liked it. he thinks that we saw it in a new light that most people cant see. geez. what a twist! i guess it's because that i explained the whole idea of the snakes and ladders is that the system could sometimes be in the hands of fate and chance - the roll of the dice. we can never know whats gonna come out of the proposal we just implemented and shits like that, y'know? so yeah, he liked it and decided to put in in his office. haha.
but that's just for starters. you have no idea what else is in store in our assessments plan. i've got a major essay, and a multimedia display, which i have to present in the presence of 9 external scholars/lecturers from the whole uni. but lets forget it for now.
tell me, what's going on with all of you people over there? hows class? update me.
roger and out.
p/s: i wonder how the political states are in Malaysia. i've almost forgotten all about it. gosh, i missed local politics.
so i went into the class. some people were already there. some old, some young, some look like they dont give a damn. i look like a freaking nerd, who got lost on the way to this room. so we had some ice breaking thing going on. met a few people - Liam, Nathan, Emma (or was it Emmy?), Aska etc. then the whole thing just melt into me - i felt a bit relieved that there are quite a number of people who dont really know about the curriculum here in asutralia, and mind you, they are Aussies. haha! great. just what i need. a confidence booster. talk about ignoramus :p
so we went on discussing stuff, some in the class are arrogant (i hate you), and refuse to enlighten me on things i couldnt comprehend. but alas, a knight on a white horse helped me out. hah! seriously people, i tell you, he looks exactly like Keanu Reeves. hows that for a classmate! *drools* geez. anyway, we had to come up with a picture/logo/symbol that represents the curriculum system (what the heck?) in a group of four. and given the fact that i LOVE coming up with things, i unconsciously let loose and relaxed. so there. no more scary thoughts and hopes to die.
my group came up with a snakes and ladders concept with snakes representing the challenges and bombs/booby traps/dragons as the stake holders which could, if overpowered can be damaging to the system. we had a bunch of shitty stuff on that picture too, that i just have to draw (i.e. clock, a tarzan, a tree, loopholes etc) all on the same piece of paper. so it kind of looked like a bit of a complex, unidentifiable, random curriculum we've got. we presented it amidst barrels of laughter and snorts.
but least unexpectedly, the workshop tutors (there's two of them), liked it. he thinks that we saw it in a new light that most people cant see. geez. what a twist! i guess it's because that i explained the whole idea of the snakes and ladders is that the system could sometimes be in the hands of fate and chance - the roll of the dice. we can never know whats gonna come out of the proposal we just implemented and shits like that, y'know? so yeah, he liked it and decided to put in in his office. haha.
but that's just for starters. you have no idea what else is in store in our assessments plan. i've got a major essay, and a multimedia display, which i have to present in the presence of 9 external scholars/lecturers from the whole uni. but lets forget it for now.
tell me, what's going on with all of you people over there? hows class? update me.
roger and out.
p/s: i wonder how the political states are in Malaysia. i've almost forgotten all about it. gosh, i missed local politics.
my address
yeah, im back at the computer barn. cos basically, this is the only chance i have to connect to the cyber world. i have no internet back at home. not yet at least. tomorrow, im gonna get them internet providers. just ended class.
anyway, to all you peeps who want to contact me, or send me cards and cookies, please do so and send it here:
18, Ozone Parade, Paradise, 5075, SA, Australia.
i know you're probably thinking, "geez, Ozone parade? what a name!" yeah well. i think it's a cool name. like the black parade. as if the ozone layer is parading along. and the suburb, is called Paradise. it sure is one heck of a paradise! i'll talk about my house in another post aite. i'll upload some pictures of it too. i gotta go catch Asar. it's almost ending. gahahaha. procrastinator me. very naughty girl. and the prayer room here at the uni is not bad too. sufficient facilities. ok, really gotta go.
bye peeps! and in case you need to know, i miss you all!
:)
anyway, to all you peeps who want to contact me, or send me cards and cookies, please do so and send it here:
18, Ozone Parade, Paradise, 5075, SA, Australia.
i know you're probably thinking, "geez, Ozone parade? what a name!" yeah well. i think it's a cool name. like the black parade. as if the ozone layer is parading along. and the suburb, is called Paradise. it sure is one heck of a paradise! i'll talk about my house in another post aite. i'll upload some pictures of it too. i gotta go catch Asar. it's almost ending. gahahaha. procrastinator me. very naughty girl. and the prayer room here at the uni is not bad too. sufficient facilities. ok, really gotta go.
bye peeps! and in case you need to know, i miss you all!
:)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
my third day of class
the third day of class has commenced today, and i have a feeling that im going to like it, despite the fact that the assignments are friggin tough. but what is one to do right? i'll just go with the flow. expectations are flying high, and competitions are everywhere with anyone, all the time. to excel, i have to be very, very extraordinary. i cant be my usual self. sigh. no more last minute assignments. now, i have to rehearse my presentations, not like before, spontaneity is the name of the game.
the assignments, involve hardcore researches, and need hardworking people with ridiculously creative minds. whether i will be able to complete the assignments by the due is one thing, whether or not i can get high distinctions for all of it is another.
to prove the extremeness of it all, there are 2 to 3 lecturers in one lecture. not like back home, one lecturer per lecture/tutorials. all of the lecturers give speeches that are so freaking inspirational you just have to be awake. to tell you the truth, i cried in my first lecture. they were so bloody, unbelievably good. i love lectures!! (for now)
you know, im actually at the computer barn here at the cafe (where there are public computers), and there are actually people waiting to use this PC. i think i might have just abused the IT usage here. more than my quota. gahaha. so i guess, i'll just write more later. i cant stand the guy standing behind me watching every letter i type.
gotta bounce, peeps. catcha later!
the assignments, involve hardcore researches, and need hardworking people with ridiculously creative minds. whether i will be able to complete the assignments by the due is one thing, whether or not i can get high distinctions for all of it is another.
to prove the extremeness of it all, there are 2 to 3 lecturers in one lecture. not like back home, one lecturer per lecture/tutorials. all of the lecturers give speeches that are so freaking inspirational you just have to be awake. to tell you the truth, i cried in my first lecture. they were so bloody, unbelievably good. i love lectures!! (for now)
you know, im actually at the computer barn here at the cafe (where there are public computers), and there are actually people waiting to use this PC. i think i might have just abused the IT usage here. more than my quota. gahaha. so i guess, i'll just write more later. i cant stand the guy standing behind me watching every letter i type.
gotta bounce, peeps. catcha later!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My day today
On the way back from Victor Harbour today, I came to deep thinking. I wondered what He has got written on for me. What’s to become of me in the future, and what the freaking hell is going to happen.
I thought about why I was sent here, there must be a reason (or reasons). Of course, I can’t very well see it now, but the curiosity is killing me. ‘The unknown’ has been quite a primal interest of mine but sometimes, I do feel like it’s a torture.
However way it is going to lead me in this one and only life of mine, I wish that it would be the best for me. For regret is the worst thing that can happen to me, and it is the last thing I need.
On the way back from Victor Harbour also, I thought about the friends I have met in the course of my stay here since the last week or so. They all come from different backgrounds, varied cultures and have similar or different ‘baggage’ from the lives they live.
When I talked to them, I got to know a little bit of their pasts, and the things that brought them here. They come for different reasons, and all of them very interesting and some unusual.
It amazes me how people simply amaze me, every time.
The trip, which is part of the orientation process, was really tiring. I was friggin’ exhausted by the end of it all. When we all got to the coach bus, everyone was lying back on their seats and dozing off into effortless slumber.
I wasn’t, though. Or rather, I couldn’t. Like I said, I went into heavy-loaded mental journey. And it was one that I couldn’t get my mind off.
I’ll have to go get some Baghlava now and clear my mind with happy, unserious thoughts. Toodles.
I thought about why I was sent here, there must be a reason (or reasons). Of course, I can’t very well see it now, but the curiosity is killing me. ‘The unknown’ has been quite a primal interest of mine but sometimes, I do feel like it’s a torture.
However way it is going to lead me in this one and only life of mine, I wish that it would be the best for me. For regret is the worst thing that can happen to me, and it is the last thing I need.
On the way back from Victor Harbour also, I thought about the friends I have met in the course of my stay here since the last week or so. They all come from different backgrounds, varied cultures and have similar or different ‘baggage’ from the lives they live.
When I talked to them, I got to know a little bit of their pasts, and the things that brought them here. They come for different reasons, and all of them very interesting and some unusual.
It amazes me how people simply amaze me, every time.
The trip, which is part of the orientation process, was really tiring. I was friggin’ exhausted by the end of it all. When we all got to the coach bus, everyone was lying back on their seats and dozing off into effortless slumber.
I wasn’t, though. Or rather, I couldn’t. Like I said, I went into heavy-loaded mental journey. And it was one that I couldn’t get my mind off.
I’ll have to go get some Baghlava now and clear my mind with happy, unserious thoughts. Toodles.
Monday, July 14, 2008
a hell of a shower
if i take showers here in Ade, it is bound to be more than 15minutes. once im in the shower, i can never allow myself to get out of it. thank God for water heaters, they made my bathing experience very pleasant. i need anything and everything warm these days - hot chocs, hot teas, hot scones, hot guys..
geez, snap out of it izza.
okayh peeps, going to take a warm shower. i'll make it a loooong one.
p/s: Mak takes an even looooooooooooong shower everytime. she has kurap.
geez, snap out of it izza.
okayh peeps, going to take a warm shower. i'll make it a loooong one.
p/s: Mak takes an even looooooooooooong shower everytime. she has kurap.
Abrar
Abrar is the name of the house that i stayed for the first two days. the house is originally resided by four seniors but it soon became the place for new students to get help and shelter before they settle down on their own. hence the name Abrar as it means charity.
there are a few major houses like Abrar here in Adelaide. the people who reside the houses are close to each other. they call them selves sisters, while the guys are called the brothers. they are like family. i have nothing to worry about as they took care of everything. they cooked, they provided sleeping bags and quilts, they made me feel like home. people keep coming to the house. those from Campbeltown, Windsor Gardens, Newton, they all came to have dinner together. i had no idea it was going to be like this. we prayed Jama'ah all five solats. they are very close-knitted.
on the second day, 90% of them were going on a one-week road trip to a few parts of Australia. so Mak, Yani and me had to transfer to Mile End and stayed with Shidah and Fiza. so now, that's where i am staying for the time being. it is approx 10mins to the city centre. a very huge one-storey house. very colonnial. i like it here, but i will have to find my own place to stay soon. maybe somewhere with a garden and patio.
there are a few major houses like Abrar here in Adelaide. the people who reside the houses are close to each other. they call them selves sisters, while the guys are called the brothers. they are like family. i have nothing to worry about as they took care of everything. they cooked, they provided sleeping bags and quilts, they made me feel like home. people keep coming to the house. those from Campbeltown, Windsor Gardens, Newton, they all came to have dinner together. i had no idea it was going to be like this. we prayed Jama'ah all five solats. they are very close-knitted.
on the second day, 90% of them were going on a one-week road trip to a few parts of Australia. so Mak, Yani and me had to transfer to Mile End and stayed with Shidah and Fiza. so now, that's where i am staying for the time being. it is approx 10mins to the city centre. a very huge one-storey house. very colonnial. i like it here, but i will have to find my own place to stay soon. maybe somewhere with a garden and patio.
Adelaide Arrival
upon my arrival in Adelaide, Australia at approximately 5.30am in Saturday 12th July 2008, i was calm and relaxed like nothing happened. i didnt get any sleep in the flight and i didnt eat much. i was almost too nonchalant about everything.
when i get out of the arrival hall, i saw a lot of families, friends and whoever waiting for somebody for them to pick up. and then it hit me - nobody's going to pick me up. being a so-called "seasoned" traveller, i didnt panicked. well, not really, maybe a tad. i went thinking "geez, nothing to worry about. it's only Adelaide, the equivalent to Perlis maybe. or Perak. i'll get around safe. so i texted Mak, and ask her if she could pick me up. but she didnt reply so i thought maybe she's asleep coz it's still Subuh. then i decided if i call her, maybe she'd wake up.
so i went to find a phone booth. and heck, i aint got no coins. so i went back to the money exchange counter (with all my horridly huge and uglaaayyy suitcases) and asked for small change. the lady gave me some in return for my $10 that i have. so i tried to call. i was so darned stupid. i was confused, the number was confusing and i confused the phone that it went hay-wired. in the end, i just managed to vandalize a foreign country's public amenity and i still have nobody to fetch me. it's unbelievable how my klutziness followed me all the way from malaysia to australia.
by then, i already got frantic. my hair was all over the place, i didnt care about my belongings anymore, the only thing i held on to was my passport and my sometimes-useless creativity. my brain didnt stop working. my eyes scanned around, looking for handsome looking males that i could ask for help. then something caught my eyes - tudung. i saw somebody wearing tudung. i automatically assumed that person must be from Malaysia or Indonesia (coz of the type of tudung). yey, a friend! saudara seIslam! i dashed towards her, who is busy texting someone on her phone. i greeted her warmly and straight away told her about my predicament. she spoke Malay. her name is Saidatul.
to summarize, her friend (Anne) came to pick her up, i borrowed her friend's phone and finally got to talk to Mak, and she will come to pick me up with a senior. turns out that the senior was Saidatul and Anne's friend. it is a really small world after all, and i was saved.
when i stepped out of the Adelaide Airport, it was shit cold. colder than Cold Storage (that's where i practiced cold-endurance). i didnt wear any coats, just the tshirt and blazer i wore from KLIA. but heck, i was Superman and my teeth didnt really grittle. so i loaded my stuff in the boot, and we drove off to Abrar.
*to be continued
when i get out of the arrival hall, i saw a lot of families, friends and whoever waiting for somebody for them to pick up. and then it hit me - nobody's going to pick me up. being a so-called "seasoned" traveller, i didnt panicked. well, not really, maybe a tad. i went thinking "geez, nothing to worry about. it's only Adelaide, the equivalent to Perlis maybe. or Perak. i'll get around safe. so i texted Mak, and ask her if she could pick me up. but she didnt reply so i thought maybe she's asleep coz it's still Subuh. then i decided if i call her, maybe she'd wake up.
so i went to find a phone booth. and heck, i aint got no coins. so i went back to the money exchange counter (with all my horridly huge and uglaaayyy suitcases) and asked for small change. the lady gave me some in return for my $10 that i have. so i tried to call. i was so darned stupid. i was confused, the number was confusing and i confused the phone that it went hay-wired. in the end, i just managed to vandalize a foreign country's public amenity and i still have nobody to fetch me. it's unbelievable how my klutziness followed me all the way from malaysia to australia.
by then, i already got frantic. my hair was all over the place, i didnt care about my belongings anymore, the only thing i held on to was my passport and my sometimes-useless creativity. my brain didnt stop working. my eyes scanned around, looking for handsome looking males that i could ask for help. then something caught my eyes - tudung. i saw somebody wearing tudung. i automatically assumed that person must be from Malaysia or Indonesia (coz of the type of tudung). yey, a friend! saudara seIslam! i dashed towards her, who is busy texting someone on her phone. i greeted her warmly and straight away told her about my predicament. she spoke Malay. her name is Saidatul.
to summarize, her friend (Anne) came to pick her up, i borrowed her friend's phone and finally got to talk to Mak, and she will come to pick me up with a senior. turns out that the senior was Saidatul and Anne's friend. it is a really small world after all, and i was saved.
when i stepped out of the Adelaide Airport, it was shit cold. colder than Cold Storage (that's where i practiced cold-endurance). i didnt wear any coats, just the tshirt and blazer i wore from KLIA. but heck, i was Superman and my teeth didnt really grittle. so i loaded my stuff in the boot, and we drove off to Abrar.
*to be continued
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
bring it on
geez bananas. holy shit. major crap. this is serious. adelaide is in two days - which summarily means really really really around the corner. and, lo and behold, i havent done packing.
packing is a JOB. i should get paid for packing, cause it takes so much time and energy and perseverance. but if i were to choose, i'd rather pack than unpack, that's double the task.
i can't wait to embark on this journey. it might not be that far from home, but a new place promises a whole new experience - and 'the unknown' is something i truly anticipate. i'll be going off alone to adelaide, as some of my friends have gone or will be going later. i dont mind the 'going off alone' part. used to it.
some of my friends promised to send me off at the airport, my family will be there too of course. i dont know what to expect. will it be deeply saddening? tearful maybe? merry and joyful? i reckon it will be a mixture of feelings and sensations. different people may feel differently about parting and goodbyes. but one thing's for sure, saying adieu is never easy. the impact will hit you sooner or later - even temporarily.
my progress for the packing part is quite pathetic. what i've done so far is dump everything i saw in the closet that can be used in that huge green suitcase. i'll fold it all tomorrow. some stuff is still in the stink laundry basket, havent washed it. quite a right timing for the murphy law to take action unto this humble creature (me), our washing machine is shit. it almost fall to pieces yesterday while spinning. it actually, and out-of-this-wordly jumped forward and the top cover sort of shut on top of my index finger. now i cant write or eat with my right hand injured, and i cant do laundry.
when the clock strikes midnight tonight, i'll be a modern day cinderella, doing laundry manually. geez. i hate alkali from the washing soaps. i prefer detergent, though made of the same substance. and i'll be an OKU cinderella. i'll have to hold the brush in a weird way since i cant really get my (injured) fingers wet. oh maybe i'll just use gloves.
im writing this and sighing sighs after sighs of laziness and disappointment at the situation im in - all simultaneously. thankfully, i can still type. but everything i do, my index will be sticking out oddly with the yellow cartoon plaster.
my granny is here in KL to send me off. she is really confused about where im really going. she kept telling me to take care of myself when im in GERMANY. im like, err, no. im actually going to Australia. and she'll go "ohh, Ostrolia. Ostrolia tu kat dalam German ke?". the ugly thing is, she told everyone about me going to GERMANY. so some of my extended families and her neighbours in johor who get the news from her thinks im going to germany and they (quite "efficiently") automatically presumed i'll be doing a degree in engineering there. geez people, stop believing the first thing you hear. i'll have to spend my last moments in Malaysia clearing my name and telling people the real story. nobody gets granny's obsession with germany.
well i guess that's that for now. the next post will be after my arrival in Adelaide, Australia, i think..cause im running out of time to blog after this, i havent done packing, remember?
so till the next one, dear readers!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
on cloud 9
Being on a plane again after a few years was quite an experience. it resembles the sensation i had when i first got the wheels of a manual car after almost one and a half year not driving a stick. i feel jittery initially, then i start to feel religious (i.e. praying so i'll be home safe) and my adrenaline thrusts through every calm vessel i have. give five seconds grace, then i feel relaxed and almost out-of-this-world (i.e. hey, i can survive this!). the rest will be history.
i almost forgot what it felt like to be amongst the white cottony clouds. ahh subliminal. it was just like heaven - the closest you can get to it, at least. the higher it gets, the smaller and thinner the clouds become. they will almost lose their shapes and forms - all merging into one huge white cloth surrounding you. at its peak, the horizon formed an endless line - a borderless border.
i saw cruise ships breaking the stillness of the glass-like sea, all looking like miniature doll parts that gradully grew smaller till they finally lost from sight. as much as everything is in the system, anything can happen up here, and there's no way out. there are exits, but they lead to death. lol. getting to the destination safely everytime is already a miracle in itself.
i'll be going on another jet plane series in a few days time. bet i will be feeling a little different and maybe a tad smuggish. lol. i'll update you on how i whiz through it, alright?
*written after touchdown
i almost forgot what it felt like to be amongst the white cottony clouds. ahh subliminal. it was just like heaven - the closest you can get to it, at least. the higher it gets, the smaller and thinner the clouds become. they will almost lose their shapes and forms - all merging into one huge white cloth surrounding you. at its peak, the horizon formed an endless line - a borderless border.
i saw cruise ships breaking the stillness of the glass-like sea, all looking like miniature doll parts that gradully grew smaller till they finally lost from sight. as much as everything is in the system, anything can happen up here, and there's no way out. there are exits, but they lead to death. lol. getting to the destination safely everytime is already a miracle in itself.
i'll be going on another jet plane series in a few days time. bet i will be feeling a little different and maybe a tad smuggish. lol. i'll update you on how i whiz through it, alright?
*written after touchdown
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