Happy New Year

Heyas. Yeah I'm safe and sound. People have been saying how gracious God has been to me because I missed the tsunami by like 6 days or something...and yea. Also, the morning that the earthquake/tsunami disaster happened, I was on a really early flight out to Cambodia... so even though some tremors reached KL, I didnt get to feel any of it. Which really was quite a waste... considering how close I was and how I could have experienced one of the biggest natural disasters to ever happen in my generation's life time. Neh. I guess I feel more regret than thankfulness.

Anyways I just got back today from Cambodia and thus got to read news and emails etc... I hadnt realised how major the destruction was. Yeah its really quite unprecedented for an area like ours. Geographically, Malaysia is totally out of the way for natural disaster occurances....thyphoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, cyclones... you name it. SO yeah... waking up one christmas morning to be swamped by 10 meters of brine isn't really something we're used to. I wonder if they will rewrite our school geography books. haha.

I guess I also had not really been aware of the catastrophe as much because I was galavanting around Cambodia, looking at all the temples and stuff (pictures when I get back to Aus). Quite nice there....spent most of our days visiting ruins of ancient civilisations like Angkor Wat and the temple that Tomb Raider (Angelina Jolie) was shot at. And took a picture of LPG (Lonely Planet Guy) and all other things. Rather interesting. Did more shopping even though I said I wouldnt. SIgh. Im gonna be SO overweight in luggage when I return to Aus x.x

So yeah, Happy New Year guys. Bundling the family off to Singapore tommorow to have our annual "reunions". After that, its one more entry and then back to good ol Australia.

Today...

Merry Christmas!

Had lovely christmas family dinner last night. Learnt how to make pumpkin soup. mmm... must try it one day. Had pressies ^^ fun. This morning we went to visit granma and granpa at the cemetry. After that I walked around in a shopping mall... I had to send a book to a friend so long story but I had to go to a mall to get it done.. hahaha.

Then I watched Finding Nemo (again) and yea...cleaned up and mucked around and decided that it was prolly a good idea to come online and update my blog to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and an excellent new year and a fantastamorfig year ahead.

Packing up, jetting off to Cambodia for the next 5 days at 6.45am tommorow!! (woe me the lack of sleep and rest I've been getting these holidays). Mission for Cambodia:

1) Read my Bible (come ON shereen!!)
2) Try out weirdo foods. Taking on my granduncle's challenge to try deep fried tarantulas. Since they cost about RM35 for a live one here, I'd hate to think how much the deep fried ones cost o.o;

I've already started taking some weirdo foods... I start my malaria pill dosage today until well into Cowra, so I gotta get the sun screen slopping!!! Alrighty, signing off.

Goose night!!

Day 9!?

Got back from Phuket today. Phuket was sooo awesome. The beaches...the SHOPPING!!! <3 Yep... definately a great place to hang out. The hotel we stayed in was awesome too. I want to die there... lol. Not really... anyways.

All the cats are gone. Two were given away, one disappeared (presumably adopted since it was the cutest of the lot... furriness and patched jammies. <3 ) one died (finally....everyday i saw it i swore it was gonna die the next day) and yea, we kept the mom. So we're down to one permanent cat and cheemos, who visits every so often. Will try to obtain a picture of the disinegrating kitty... she was lying on her side dead in front of the house when we left for phuket and when we got back today she was still there, disintegrating. Her ears are completely gone, just like Doraemon. I wonder if rats ate it... so maybe theres some truth in that comic.

I cant post any pictures up yet cos my dad doesnt have the freeware, and i dont feel comfortable dloading stuff on his computer. So i'll save the pics till i come home... back to Sydney. So yea...pics can only come up around end of January or so. Same goes to the Munch! blog.. I went on a personal mission to scout out for unusual foods... unfortunately i wasnt very successful in Phuket... got two pictures but thats about it. Hopefully I will have more luck in Cambodia.

This week will be my last week in Malaysia...so its really packed. Im leaving for Cambodia on Boxing Day and then off to Singapore for New Years and then i'll have 2 days in Malaysia before I fly home to Sydney, ready to wash and pack for Cowra Mission. Planning to get my hair cut in those last 2 days. Dental appointment tommorow. My first in like 10 years or so. I think the last time I saw a dentist I still had milk teeth. Yea... hopefully I dont freak out. Lol.

Alrighty. Nothing else much to blog. I'm guessing my blog will become more interesting after Cowra. :P Till then,

To infinity, and beyond!!

Im off!

Tommorow Im going to Phuket for 4 days with my family. Free accomodation. wahahaha. Shopping and beaches ^^ I want to get a proper tan. My legs are..... different coloured o.o;

Managed to renew my drivers license (im on a full license now! :D) and to also replace my lost Identity Card. All in all, quite productive, although I havent been doing quiet time and yea... the book that Sean gave.

Cats are all gone... sigh. tried to take pics of them with this crappy camera, didnt really work. Sis claims she's got their pics though so maybe i can somehow upload them and show you their cuteness ^^ On another note, Cheemos has come back. Quite regularly too! I pride in thinking that perhaps its cos she misses me. But I know the real reason is because she's not as lonely, now that theres a bum always in the house (me).

Okay Bugs Life now.

Day One...

Hello...my first morning in Malaysia. Feels like as if I never left since the last time i was here (1 year ago). Its nice seeing family again, my sister is a frenzied ferret cos her arts festival thingy starts today. She got me a T-Shirt and an all excess pass that says" Freeloader" i.e. I get everything for free!!! woooot. so cool :D and and its got my name on it too! its so proffesional. Happy ^^

The cats...well Cheemos dumped us for another family!! Of all the ungrateful.... but we're stuck with 5 cats now. Very friendly and theres this one cutie-pie. SO adorable! But theyre all sick with cat flu i think... and diarrhoea. Maybe its worms. So sad. :( But we're supposed to give them away ASAP so yea...i dunno whats gonna happen. Allergies are amazingly suppressed. Not completely gone, but not as reactive as before. Could be due to the repeated exposure which builds some sort of immunity, and also because CHeemos is gone and she was the only cat allowed into the house. So less proteins flying around in the house. Although, the cut on my arm is really itchy! Must try to wrap it up before i play with the cats. Oww...

Mission for the rest of my stay:

1) Eat alot
2) Watch alot of cable
3) Read alot

Dontcha love holidays.

My final hours...

Well this is it. Leaving for Malaysia tommorow. Some strangers are staying at our place while we're away so I've had to do major spring (or summer) cleaning today. Eh.... tired x.x Got to pack later. Wondering if i should pack, then vacuum... or vacuum then pack. I think ill go for the latter.. but im tired and cant be bothered to vacuum so my packing is also procrastinated. Im procrastinating by writing rubbish on my blog. xP har har.

*looks at her hoard of Tim Tams and other Arnotts biscuits*

I think that will take up a substantial amount of space and weight. :/ Every year half my bag is stuffed by pressies... lol. Its so silly really. Anyways, Im determined to pack "light" this time around. Lighter than the last time anyways. They say that the first year you go home you always overpack. I see how true that is. xP har har.

So many things to bring... x.x

UFO?

If you look very very closely, you can see a streak of pink in the red sky. My uncle, Tet, Karen (my cousin) and I were driving through the middle of the sticks, coming back from the Blue Mountains when we saw this curious pink light hovering....going down in a diagonal line very very slowly and then it stopped at a position abit above the horizon, and would you believe it, started moving upwards! But not in the same line where it came down from. It didnt have any blinking lights and its speed was pretty constant. I was absolutely convinced it was some sort of UFO. Especially more credible because we were in the middle of nowhere, and the martians are smart in that they pick country folk with more impressionable minds. So... any explanations? ;)

A Nerdful...

Quadratic Equation Song - Sung to the tune of "Pop goes the weasel"...

X is equal to negative B
(Ring around the mulberry bush)

Plus or minus the square root
(The monkey chased the weasel)

Of B-squared minus 4-A-C
(The monkey thought 'twas all in fun)

All over 2-A
(Pop! Goes the weasel)

*Credits to ::Boffin:: who unfailingly amuses me with his findings

When in England...

Oregon
Color Weather Station

Features & Benefits

Colour Animated Display
Barometric Pressure and history
Weather Forecast for next 12-24 hours
In/Outdoor Temperature
In/Outdoor Humidity
Max/Min Temperature & Humidity
Alarm & snooze
Time & Date
Wireless remote sensor supplied

Price: AUD $399.95 (incl GST)

Colour Quiz

I was bored the other day so I did a quick search and came across another one of them American personality quizzes. Its called a colour quiz and it had been set up by a bunch of notable psychologists apparently. Anyways, the results:

Existing situation:

Seeks to express the need for identification in a sensitive and intimate atmosphere where esthetic or emotional delicacy can be protected and nurtured.

Stress source:

Has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and to stand out from the herd. This desire for preeminence isolates her and inhibits her readiness to give herself freely. While she wants to surrender and let herself go, she regards this as a weakness which must be resisted. This self-restraint, she feels, will lift her above the rank and file and ensure recognition as a unique and distinctive personality.

Your restrained characteristics:

Wants to broaden her fields of activity and insists that her hopes and ideas are realistic. Distressed by the fear that she may be prevented from doing what she wants; needs both peaceful conditions and quiet reassurance to restore her confidence.Circumstances are such that she feels forced to compromise for the time being if she is to avoid being cut off from affection or from full participation.

Your desired objective:

Wants to make a favorable impression and be recognized. Needs to feel appreciated and admired. Sensitive and easily hurt if no notice is taken of her or if she is not given adequate acknowledgment.

Your actual problem:

Needs to be valued and respected as an exceptional individual, in order to increase her self-esteem and her feeling of personal worth. Resists mediocrity and sets herself high standards.

Hypo-Crohn-driacs?

My uncle says he suffers from irratable bowel syndrome. Some term he picked off a close friend of his. Most of the discomfort, we've come to discover, was due to the fact that he is lactose intolerant and that he enjoys about 2-5 cups of coffee per day. Also, he enjoys massive bowls of cereal that contain at least 500mLs of milk. Which, in my opinion, would make anyone feel ill but he disregards this fact, claiming that he used to drink entire litres of milk in his university days.

1) He is abit older than "university days"
2) You can't drink litres of milk in one sitting

So anyways, the latest hype is the fact that he might have Crohn's Disease. My aunty (his sister) in Malaysia sent over an article about Crohn's Disease and got him all excited. Just because he's had a bout of food poisoning (serves him right for not microwaving the chicken properly). A couple of days later, she gives me a call, all importantly, asks me to do some research on it so that they can pin point it to the doctor, whichever doctor he decides to visit. I don't mind doing the research, but I honestly feel that they're trying to make something out of nothing.

My uncle has visited my granduncle who is a doctor, a brilliant person who, despite his age, is still quicker than me. I respect him alot. He says that sometimes people try to make their own diagnosis when they don't know the full picture. Which is kind of true. If we haven't gone through medical training, through med school and all, how are we supposed to make assumptions about such ambiguous diseases?

And you know what people say about hypochondriacs and quacks? They like doctors that play along with them. Like that episode in the Simpsons where granpa Simpson was waving the scalpel around, asking for a quack. And Dr. Nick Reviera walks in and spills out all kinds of rubbish which satisfies granpa Simpson. Uncle says that my granduncle (the doctor) "pooh-pooh's everything". And thus, he resolves to visit another doctor. Hmm. A connection.

I just feel that my family has a tendency to over dramatise things. As do I.

In my honest opinion, I don't think he has Crohn's Disease, I don't think he's got anything he thinks he has. I think its just due to the fact that he has the worst eating habits on the face of the earth. Obviously someone who has that kind of habits would suffer. Its all a matter of consequence. He thinks he's 21 again and can abuse his body. I think he should see a nutritionist instead of another gastro-doctor.

Whew!

Wow... what a week! Went by in a flash.... and yet, I feel like as if exams were so long ago. When in actual fact they were only 7 days ago. Time is so subjective. It flies and leaves you behind. Anyways, Im kinda glad this week is over, although it means im a whole week closer to going back to Malaysia. Its gonnabe a hectic, hectic holidays.

So anyways, next week is a good opportunity for me to start listening to this year's AnCon talks. Ive got some cds and a book. We (the reader and I) should have a talk about the talks. Just to clarify things, and to keep me accountable. Otherwise Im never getting any of it done! Time just whizzes and next thing i know its the new year and my tapes sit on the shelf and collect dust. What a waste! Precious, precious talks.

Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away

*In The End :: Linkin Park*

H A P P Y 21st T E T ! ! ! !

Worship You, My Lord...

Jesus, Lover of my soul
Jesus, I will never let you go
You've taken me, from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the rock, and now I know

I love You
I need You
Though my world may fall I will never let You go

My Saviour
My closest friend
I will worship You until the very end

*Can't remember author's name :: Jesus, Lover of my soul*

128Mbs of sushi, anyone?

Lol. Check out these absolutely delightful geek edibles. Or not so edibles... anyways. They're sushi USBs. Some people reckon the cartoon ones will be out soon too. I know a couple of people who would be thrilled to get some more Studio Ghibli curiosities to add to their collection. =p

weoooww.....

Ne neow ne neow neoowww neow
ne neoowww weoww weowww woww wowaaaaoooo wao...

Ne neow ne neow neoowww neooo
Ne NEEIIIWWW new ne nneoow ne ne waaaaoooooo..... ne ne neeeaaaaaoooo...

* Crying :: Joe Satriani *

Four more exits to my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive
And leave it all behind

* John Mayer :: Why Georgia *

EH so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister is in the papers!! Im so proud!!! She's organising this arts festival, its gonnabe soooo awesome. Omigosh. She has so much guts!!! So proud!!! Click HERE to read article/ see pictures of her and our favourite lecturer , "Gay La Faber". Lol...

Can't wait to go over and see what she's been up to. And everyone will be like... "oooo ada adek!! " (ooo...has a lil sibling :p ) lol. rave rave rave rave rave rave rave rave rave.

Argh cant study... too excited!!! XD

To-Do List

1. Think about todays sermon (1 John 3)
   a) Abstain from sinning
   b) Love one another

2. Fix blog frames
3. Update Munch! on crepes
4. Change Optus Plan
5. Talk to Sally-Ann about chicken
6. I think I should study..... sigh.....

Caramel Apples...

If I finish listening to all my lectures by tommorow, I deserve a caramel apple. I haven't had one since I first came to Australia. Too long ago. That sweet, chewy outside, and sour, crunchy inside. Argh! What a heavenly combination!!

Met an old frind on ICQ. Its so nice to talk to her again. My goodness. Its been absolutely AGES... like practically a whole year since I talked to her last (which was when I was back last..haha. No surprises there). But yea. Its really nice to talk to people whom you've known all your life...whose seen the best and worst of you and still treasure you. <3

I miss her.. T.T

Yay. Caramel Apples...

Munch!

Tet and I were speculating about starting up a food critique blog and we finally decided to try it yesterday. The link is on the link list on the right of the blog. Its called Munch!

As I was iddling with my blog, I realised a bug. Im terrible at computers right so when I tried changing the frames of this site, it threw some stuff out o whack and yea....if the font size is too big, my sidebar gets pushed down below the main fram. Argh. Too lazy to change it. +.+ meh.

blablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablabla

Its ridiculous how long I havent written.

I hate it when people cough in lectures. Can't hear the lecturer.

This is Halloween...

A lunar eclipse on May 15, 2003, photographed by Loyd Overcash of Houston, Texas.

October 13, 2004: According to folklore, October's full moon is called the "Hunter's Moon" or sometimes the "Blood Moon." It gets its name from hunters who tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the winter ahead. You can picture them: silent figures padding through the forest, the moon overhead, pale as a corpse, its cold light betraying the creatures of the wood.

The Blood Moon rises this year on Wednesday, Oct. 27th. At first it will seem pale and cold, as usual. And then ... blood red.

It's a lunar eclipse. Beginning at 9:14 p.m. EDT (6:14 p.m. PDT), the moon will glide through Earth's shadow for more than three hours. Observers on every continent except Australia (ed: ARGH @#$%^!!!!??????)can see the event: The pale-white moon will turn pumpkin orange as it plunges into shadow, becoming eerie red during totality.

What makes the eclipsed moon turn red? The answer lies inside Earth's shadow: (ed: this is a compicated answer...if you're not in for a read, go to the website...they have a self explanatory image which i can't paste here)
Our planet casts a long shadow. It starts on the ground--Step outside at night. You're in Earth's shadow. Think about it!--and it stretches almost a million miles into space, far enough to reach the moon.

Suppose you had a personal spaceship. Here's your mission: Tonight, at midnight, blast off and fly down the middle of Earth's shadow. Keep going until you're about 200,000 miles above Earth, almost to the moon. Now turn around and look down. The view from your cockpit window is Earth's nightside, the dark half of our planet opposite the sun. But it's not completely dark! All around Earth's limb, the atmosphere glows red.

What you're seeing is every sunrise and sunset on Earth--all at once. This ring of light shines into Earth's shadow, breaking the utter darkness you might expect to find there. Turn off the cockpit lights. There's a lovely red glow.

That same red light plays across the moon when it's inside Earth's shadow. The exact color depends on what's floating around in Earth's atmosphere. Following a volcanic eruption, for instance, dust and ash can turn global sunsets vivid red. The moon would glow vivid red, too. Lots of clouds, on the other hand, extinguish sunsets, leading to darker, dimmer eclipses.

(source :: http://www.spaceweather.com)

just in a pondering mood...

monkey do...

Y'know whats funny? Walking in the rain, on a ledge, holding an umbrella.

Doesnt sound funny right? Yeah...thinking about it logically, it sounds absolutely normal. But for some reason, I felt like a circus monkey balancing on a unicycle when i walked on the ledge with my umbrella up, the look of utmost concentration on my face.

It was weird.

And funny.

lol.

Archie Comics...

I've got a prac exam tommorow. I'm abit nervous. I'm supposed to be studying but I'm day dreaming. I thought of something bizzare.

When I was a kid, I was really hooked on to Archie comics. Most aussies dont know who he is but everyone in Malaysia will have at least a vague idea. So anyways, its a bunch of teenagers in Riverdale High School (America) and the things they get up to, their "adventures". Its light reading, fun reading and colourful. All archie comics are fully coloured and highly pixelated but hey, who's complaining. :p

I was just thinkiing how I used to think that Archie and "the gang" were so cool and all...and because of that, I still think theyre cool. I still really enjoy reading the comics. But its weird knowing that theyre, in actual fact, now younger than you. :p

I mean, ive been reading these comics since i was 6 years old! I remember doing trades with my friends in primary school. The first friend I ever made in Primary school had like the biggest collection of archie comics ever. hahaha... such memories. I stole one of her comics ;p

So anyways....it just feels weird to grow up seeing them as older, cooler, bla bla but now read it and go... hey. these guys are younger than me!! o.0 I know theyre only comic book characters but geez.....how weird is that feeling!??!????

Mothman Prophesies...

Yknow whats been really stressful lately?

Not exams.... nono not assignents. Not even the weather.

Maybe the weather.

Maybe the fact that the weather has brought out all these moths which creep out from every nook an cranny. I especially ESPECIALLY hate it when they crawl out of your freshly washed laundry. YARGH!

Sometimes, you dont even know its there and you accidently squash it (how traumatising) and its like twitching in your sock or something and theres moth dust all over the place and you gotta wash that sock again...m a n. How traumatising is that!? How gross and shocking and absolutely supercalifragilistically stressful!

Argh. Wish they would leave us alone. What have I ever done to it? All I wanted to do was just to mind my own business and wash my dirty laundry. Is that too much to ask for? T.T

Take away your spies!!!!!!!!!!!! I have nothing for you. NOTHING!!! T.T;

Blue Moon...

"Once in a blue moon..." means seldom or absurd. But, believe it or not, sometimes the moon really does turn blue. This happens when the air is filled with tiny particles about 1 micron (one millionth of a meter) wide. Clouds of water droplets, snowy ice crystals, fine-grained sand, dust or ash: any of these, under the right circumstances, can act like a blue filter. Seen through such a cloud, the moon looks blue. (Get the full story from Science@NASA.)

"There are other reasons for odd-looking moons", notes atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley. "Our eyes have automatic 'white balances' just like digital cameras. Go outdoors from a cosy cabin lit by an oil lamp (yellow light) and the moon will appear blue until your eyes adjust."

:: excerpt and picture taken from www.spaceweather.com ::

*cricket...cricket...*

Yknow how in some cartoons, they make cricket sounds just to emphasise the silence....like if some guy tells a joke and there isnt a response etc. Hahaha...

Anyways, I was walking home tday and I heard these crickets chirping. I felt happy.... and warm inside. In Malaysia where it is always hot, the serenade of the cricket orchestra is ever constant, and welcomed background music to the everyday (or night) events. In Australia, however, the unfortunate phenomenon known as "the four seasons" (seasonings?) prevents the crickets from being too active. Its something that you dont notice even when missing.

I dunno. I guess I kinda felt more at home when I heard the crickets... reminded me of all the silly things I used to do as a kid ... or early teenager. The night was my only refuge then. When all things had rested....including my turmoiled soul.

Its nice to have them back.... welcome back crickets. :)

A little birdy told me...

Due to the latest photos of my darlings, there have been advertisements on the side bar claiming that a new formula had been created to help fight against the Candida yeast, which can cause a multitude of infections such as thrush. Indeed, it had been an old wives tale that eating yoghurt would help its symptoms due to the probiotic effect of the Lactobacillus. It was always viewed as an alternative treatment and was even recommended by pharmacists.

However, latest research from the University of Melbourne shows that it doesn't actually have any effect on reducing symptoms of thrush or preventing it. The paper was published this year in the British Medical Journal and is available for free public viewing, or I can send it to you by email because I have it on my computer. Marie Pirotta et al. treated patients with Lactobacillus powder (for a more consistent concentration of bacteria) and with placebo powder and found that those that had been treated were no less likely to develop post-antibiotic vulvoanginitis than those treated with the placebo.

So anyways, just thought I'd bring my readers up to date about these things. Don't always trust advertisements. :p

blah...

oh well. back to school .back to assignments and stress. my holiday week felt quite stressful. I dont feel all that relaxed. maybe my uni life is not stressful enough. maybe the lines have blurred into each other. ARGH. This is annoying. I dont wanna go back to uni x.x

My Babies...

As you know, one of the things in my To Do list for this week i to finish off my Microbiology assignment. I have to write up a report on my success in isolating not one, but TWO species of the genus Lactobacillus. At the very top is L.acidophilus. You know how Yakult and Vitagen and all that probiotic nonsense says its got good bacteria in it? Well you're staring at the very things that slide down your throats at every gulp. :P


Below it, the rather noodley looking thing is L.bulgaricus, named so due to its uses in Bulgarian milk, no doubt. This was the bonus baby. We originally thought that it was a contamination colony, but upon multiple Gram stainings, it turned out to be this little darling. I was ever so pleased. :) Both these microbes were isolated from some yoghurt we got off the supermarket shelf and is the end results of 6 weeks of work. Now you know why I've become so attached? :))

These pictures are original pics, taken by my lab colleague and friend, Danny Liu. Thanks so much Danny. Our lab supervisor was quite fascinated at our method of photography. She said the last time they wanted to take some pics they had to hire some movie guys to do it, and paid them something like $300 an hour!? Ridiculous. I can see a revolution in microphotography happening.

Cotton...whoool?

Lately Ive been feeling like as if my head has been stuffed full of cotton wool. None of my thoughts ever seem to make any sense, none of my words ever seem to connect.... When I walk, when I do things, I feel like as if Im in a dream. Like the bit I remember from last night's dream. An excerpt of it: I was looking at some clothes and my eyes were all blurry, I couldn't see properly. No matter how many times I rub my eyes, everything was a few shades darker, the lines melted into each other. It was fully ANNOYING.

Even though Im officially on a one-week break, I have alot of work to do. Mountainfuls. And the latter part of the week is spent doing sociable things. That means, no time for work. I need to get my work done soon but NOTHING is happening.

Why are my brains like this!? Why cant I concentrate!?? ARGH!

Klunk!!

Had Cowra Training Day yesterday. It was really cool. I hadn't gone to any of the previous training days or house parties, and I really didnt know much about it. In fact, I onny found out what age group I was doing yesterday!! But yea, after yesterday I felt really pumped. Im SO ready to go there and just rocket my way through the 10 days. Its gonnabe SO cool. :D

Astronomical Decisions...

So asteroid 4197 Toutatis is approaching and will be having a celestial dance with Mother Earth for a couple of days. Near and bright enough for amateur astronomists to see through backyard telescopes. Apparently it will be closest and most visible at the Southern Hemisphere on the 29th of September. Also Amita's birthday. A tempting prospect to visit the Observatory as it is during my holidays. Wednesday night. So much work to do. So many obligations to fulfill.

What is the right decision to make. To see my uncle's play? Or to catch a glimpse of some far off city, a once in a lifetime opportunity (after much disgruntlement of missing Mars... T.T ) Hmm. Maybe the more microscopic things in my life such as my Lactobacillus report will take precedance over things bigger than me. We shall see.

ZzzZZZz.....?

Im so sleepy.... hehehe..... x)

He's the one, He's the one
He's the very useful engine that we adore
He's the one, He's the number one
Thomas the Tank Engine....

My Sabbath Night...

The call of the dawn birds that rise above the soft "Conte Partiro" playing on my computer makes me realise just how "early" it is. This odd sense of peace and solitude makes me feel happy... just like how I would feel sitting down on a hot sunny day with a chocolate sundae in my hand. Its been awhile, my old friend.

My lack of work this semester has caused me to neglect you. You who kept me company through all those long and tiring nights. You who gave me peace in knowing that time really does go slower at night....as long as you're awake to enjoy it.

My essay is finally done. Its not done wonders for my already raspy throat but here is a feeling that I had forgone for so long. Its some consolation for having to stay up. It really is.

I guess I'm someone who rather enjoys the quiet of the night. I enjoy the fresh breezes (no car exhaust at 4am!) and the rather odd feeling you get from staying up all night. Do you ever get that feeling? I rather like it. It took me awhile to get over the dark though and even now it sometimes creeps me out. But most times I like just being. Not doing much, not thinking much, just enjoying existance. Kinda like Sabbath. Like how God created the Sabbath for Man so that we can hav a day of rest to enjoy His creation. Thats kinda how I'm feeling now. Only less rest. :p Hahahaha.

Anyways. I should sleep.

" Sweet dreams til sun beams find you
Sweet dreams to leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me... "

More books!

I was strolling down Newtown the other day, my heart set on getting me some knitting needle and cotton yarn. As you know, Newtown is a very interesting place to stroll down because it has so many 2nd hand stores.....clothes and books and paraphernelia. I stopped by this book store, not really wanting to buy anything but just for the sake of seeing whats on the shelf. I should know by now that if ever at all I look at things just for the sake of looking for them, it actually means I have a small degree of interest and if anything should catch my eye, that degree of interest very much enlargens to encompass the entire circumference.

So anyways, I got more books. :P Two books actually. One of them, I just could not let go. It was another Gerald Durrel book...."A Zoo In My Luggage" which adds to my collection of 3 books. Yay. :) The 2nd book I wasnt so sure on buying but since I got the Gerald Durrel, I thought, neh. Just go for it. Its "The STory Of Dr DoLittle" by Hugh Lofting. Every child knows of his name....it is a name that has been adored for almost a century. Only this one doesnt involve Eddi Murphy. No! Its a genuine Penguin Classics book, printed in 1967 (i think...not really sure how to reference dates). So anyways, Im really happy although they were abit pricey.

I got my knitting material and am attempting to get a scarf off the ground. So far Ive done like....3 rows. Hahaha. And something is wrong with it but I cant be bothered to unravel it and start all over again. I'll just leave it and see how horrible it goes. Im giving myself until Winter next year to finish this monstrousity. And if its nice enough, I was planning on giving it to tet :p hehe.

Okay got to get some worky done. Ive decided to stay home today to work but it looks like Im getting distracted after all. SIgh. :p

WKC

i just got back from Women's Katoomba Convention (WKC) yesterday. It was held at Katoomba (surprise surprise) over the weekend. Katoomba is the main town at the Blue Mountains, one of the "must-see" touristy spots around Sydney. So anyways, it was really awesome. There were about 3000 women...this bunch of people i chatted with on the lunch line had driven 5 hours in a van full of women all the way from Canberra! Goodness.... and I was complaining about my early start... o.o

The topic was "Walking with The Lord" and it talks about how our walk with God isnt just about reading the bible and praying (some things that usually come to mind when people go "So hows your walk with God?") but that its also about the way that we live. We can tell alot about a person by the way they walk. When theyre slouched, shuffling and staring at the ground, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Or if theyre striding along, bouncing and confident. It shows that theyre happy, on a mission and nothing but a 5 tonne meteorite could stop them. If they walk in perfectlyspaced steps, in a single line and gracefully...you know for sure that person has had a good upbringing. You get the idea. SO in the same way, our walk with the Lord, the way we live, shows our relationship with God.

We learnt that we should walk in truth and love. And that love without truth is not true love. And we should trust and obey him (theme song...stuck in my head. argh.) And there were some bits in Deuteronomy...i kinda fell asleep both talks. heh.

Got to meet more people from other congregations in my church..... theyre all really nice people. I felt encouraged to see old people still so devoted to God. I sometimes wonder if I will ever make it to the end but yea, God is a faithful God. If these girlies can make it, well so can I. I also learnt how to knit and to play Ligrettos. A really fast, furious and fun card game. Learnt how nice this person that I didnt think much of could be, and found someone whom I could potentially kep accountability with. Will keep praying about that one.

SO all in all, it was a really great weekend. Even though it was freezing, I was sooo tired and I didnt get to do anything I had planned to do over the weekend, I dont regret going one bit. And Im definately going net year, and the year after, and all the coming years.

One not-so-serious thing I found different was singing with 3000 women. They sounded very high and somewhat angelic :p Nice. But not as nice as with a co-ed congregation.

Twas cool. God is amazing.

All hail the Hail!

Today was so cool. There I am at home applying nail polish remover from my fingers and then I get an sms from Tet saying its hailing!! I've never seen hail before so I grab my raincoat off the rack and run to the lifts where a lift was conveniently waiting for me. I zoom up to the rooftop and peer skeptically out on the puddles. As I am making my way nearer to the edge of the flooded covered area, I hear a humdrum building up and before I know it, small pinky nail sized balls of ice smash into the ground. I squeal in delight, put my hood on and splash through the remaining puddles to experience the sharp sting of tiny ice-balls hitting you. Its aiming is good. It got me in the eye. :P

So yea I just kinda picked at the balls, stomped on them, delighting in knowing that I am experiencing one of the few things in life which I have yet to experience. The rain clouds moved quickly north and behind me the sun was already shining. As I looked at the beautiful view of the glittering city, I also marvelled at the rainbow that was before me. A broad sweep of colour, just reminding me just how much God meant the hail for me. Just to make me happy. :) Most people dont like hail.

I cant wait for the golf-ball sized ones to show up! :D

I am a...

Wolf ~ Wolves are also regarded as path finders and teachers. Wolf is represented by the constellation Sirius, the Dog. In the Zuni tradition the Wolf symbolizes the direction East. Wolf's Wisdom Includes:

Facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage

Death and rebirth

Spirit teaching

Guidance in dreams and meditations

Instinct linked with intelligence

Social and familial values

Outwitting enemies

Loyalty

Steadfastness

Perseverance

Taking advantage of change




Animal Spirit Guides ~ Which One Calls To You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Growing Up...

Yknow....I always thought that I was somewhat wise because I had gone through quite abit in my life... but after a conversation I had with Tet... I think what he saw is what I really am. Still very much a kid. I thought that I was a pretty laid back person. But Im really a very high strung person. He says I take everything too seriously. Just like a kid. Y'know those serious type kids....like a dead flower makes them feel sad.

Theres such a fine balance in life....I always feel that if I ever grew up, if I ever became an adult, I would lose all my creativity, all my awe for the world and all of God's creations. I felt like I would forget what it felt like to be a child and forget how they thought and never be able to understand them ever again. I guess its inevitable that we all grow up though cos all of a sudden I feel like someone who has been driving with her handbrake up. Not quite a kid, but not quite an adult. Nowhere near either, and yet not even in between! Kinda like....between stages....transition.... Does any of this make sense????

Suddenly I feel like as if Ive lost my way, like Ive lost years of my life striving for something that doesnt exist. I need polarity in my life.

I need to be less of an idealist. I want to know more. I feel like Truman.

Tummy Bug ...

My tummy bug,
Now on the rug,
Tis funny but it isnt true...
The real ordeal,
Is that my every meal,
With my tummy bug is in the loo.

When all had seemed quiet,
My gut went on riot,
Reminding me of my abuse...
Now flat is my fat,
One could be glad of that,
But my pants have all become loose.

It could have been worse,
This gastrical curse,
Could have left me in my grave...
But lucky for me,
My bug's jamboree,
Only left my tummy concave.

This is the monster of a pufferfish (we called him Puff The Magic Fish That Lived By The Sea) that we stumbled across during the weekend away at Copacabana. I realise the resolution isnt that good. Please work with me. See that blob in the middle? Imagine spikes protruding all over it, then imagine two hollow eyes staring sullenly at you with its half despairing half anguished scowl. Thats Puff The Magic Fish That Lived By The Sea for you. He was about the length of my foot, maybe longer. Im bad at making metric estimates. Sorry. :p

Re O Bama...

Re O Bama
Re I Koba
Naong tsa go Jesu

Lo lorato
Le legolo
Naong tsa go Jesu

O boitshepo, boitshepo
O boitshepo, boitshepo
O boitshepo, boitshepo
O kwana . . .

- Chris Tomlin :: We Fall Down (translated to Setswana) -

Who am I?

Do I hate fighting with people or letting them down because I truly love them.....or because they always reveal truths that I dont want to hear?

Am I really as bad as they say I am?

I cant bear it. My heart is breaking again.

My pitiful (r)age...

What is all the hype of turning 20/21? It is a pitiful age to be in. An in betwen neither-here-nor-there age where you're still only the immature teenager but a couple of days older. But with the age comes expectations that unfortunately cannot be fulfilled.

"You're 20 and should know better.....act like an adult....no longer young...". Can I just say that this is UTTER BULLSHIT. What they think just because we turned a golden age that suddenly out from the cosmos God downloaded a program into our sinful beings - "How To Be An Adult Now That You Are One And Everyone Expects You To Know Every Friggin Nonsense They Know Even Though Theyre Friggin Twice Your Age".

When do we even start learning proper values that are attached to common sense? Prolly from the age of puberty ie 12 maybe 14 onwards. Which gives us 6 years to have a cramming session of how to act and what to say and how to think and all the bullshit generic nonsense that society expects of you. WHAT THE HELL. Who was the idiot that said 20 was the age where you become an adult? You dont bloody become an adult until you bloody turn one. Age and time are not constraints to how much one would have learnt in their life time.

So maybe Im arrogant to say things like this. But if arrogance is every mans excuse for being politically incorrect then I dont want to be a part of a society that thinks adulthood is nothing but being a suck up. I will have none of that nonsense in MY life. When I work and live in MY house and build MY family, I will have nothing so traumatising as hard thick lines full of unfair expectations.

Why should I conform to society's views of what and when an adult should be?

Isn't trying enough?

Why dont you just stab me and fling me off a rooftop into a floating mass of zombies. Will I be adult enough for you then? Bastards.

Uneventful...

Its just another one of those days where you feel infinitely uncomfortable and you begin to wonder if you should just stay home and sleep.

Life Motto in a Song....?

Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh myself to sleep
It's my lullaby
Sometimes I drive so fast
Just to feel the danger
I wanna scream
It makes me feel alive

Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breath?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

To walk within the lines
Would make my life so boring
I want to know that I
Have been to the extreme
So knock me off my feet
Come on now give it to me
Anything to make me feel alive

Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breath?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rahter be anything but ordinary please.

Let down your defences
Use no common sense
If you look you will see
that this world is this beautiful
accident turbulent suculent
I'm feeling permanent
No way I won't taste it
Dont wanna waste it away

Sometimes I get so weird
I even freak myself out
I laugh my self to sleep
It's my lullaby

Is it enough?
Is it enough?
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breath?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

Is it enough?
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.


-Avril Lavign :: Anything But Ordinary-

*cough cough*

*munches on some candy coated chocolate coated peanuts and thinks about what to write*

Hmmm....I got my bike 2 days ago. It's killing my legs. There could be several possible consequences to this:

1) I will have trim and atheletic legs
2) I will have bulgy, ugly vericose veined legs

and in the long run, I wont be suprised if I get arthritis from all that pumping.

I also went for a job interview yesterday afternoon at Nudie juices. I think it went quite well although the thought of it is slightly intimidating. I guess I gotta start getting used to the fact that my actions will have its consequences not only on myself but the company and all of its employees. At the end of the line, responsibility is responsibility. Sigh. How blind I was. Anyways. It should be an interesting experience. Can't say Im looking forward to it....can't say Im dreading it either......i like the thought of the added cashflow... hehe.... anyways. I'll find out tommorow.

Im sick again. Although not as bad as during AnCon week. Must have been the sleeping with Werolyn ;p lol.

I've got a ton of work to do. I should get started.

im back!

Just got back from Copacabana Beach. I went for a couple of days with my Bible Study Group. It was SO fun!! hehehe....we played Take 2 alot... and ate alot and watched movies and general chit chat. It was great :) Really glad I went. Kinda sorry that my whole weekend is gone, but I feel that it was a really interesting trip. :)

Tet got me a ring for my birthday. Its got the words "Tet" and "2 Cor 4" engraved on it. Im so happy!! ^^ Its exactly what I wanted...hehehe. Very proud of it....cant get over it. ehehehe.

Church today...Gonna find out more about the laws of Leviticus. Should be interesting...hoping that Ying will explain one ambiguous part of the reading to us today :p

JARS OF CLAY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3

kthxbailol.

Hainabe Renmai...

I found it!! The name of the anime I was looking for!! Don't you just love the drawing?? I read up on it... apparently its music score is really good. But the story-line is abit blazeh. This coming from someone who is a DVD critic and who thinks Evangelion did a poor job of creating its own religion icons. So....taking his critique with a pinch of salt. Other reviews thought that the rest of the series could go really far. But it didnt score well in terms of extras. Ah well. Anyways.... its in my wishlist now ^^

Obladi Oblada...

I'm in one of those moods. I feel like chatting to someone over the net but of course there isn't anyone to chat to. Only my 3kg Microbiology book to keep me company. Sigh.

I have absolutely no thoughts to spew out. I just felt like....saying something. Like talking rubbish. I know talking rubbish is such a bimbo thing to do but I just felt like it for some reason. Lets go through a list of things I hate about myself. Hm. Too personal.

I can't find Mel Ho's blog. There used to be a link on Dan's page but its gone missing.

God answered my prayers for a bike. I found someone as short as me, selling his/her bike (i dont even know!) This person is in melbourne though, so I have to wait till Monday (9/8) to call up the person and hopefully take a look and hopefully get the bike by next week so i can start thinking about getting a computer. Haha. Major material upgrade. :p

Having second thoughts about getting a job. Math is yet again proving to be a formidable foe.

What could be better?

What could be better than walking?
A bike.

What could be better than chocolate?
Chocolate ice-cream/Hot chocolate (depending on the weather).

What could be better than being the smartest person in the world?
Not being paralysed.

What could be better than being the richest person in the world?
Not being a computer geek (hahaha joking). . .
Maybe knowing that the people whom you meet really like you for who you are and not because you hold such influential power or because you're only destined to live (max) for another 30 years or so.

What could be better than having a relationship with God?
Although subject to much debate...the answer would have to be, absolutely nothing.

There are some things money can't buy.
For everything else is infintely temporary.

I want a bike... :/

I'm really quite desperate to get a bike. Please please please sell me your bike. It doesnt have to have fancy shmancy gears and all that.....so long as the brakes are working and the chain isnt rusty and the wheels are attached and its not too high (im a shorty). Or let me know of someone who wants to sell their bike. If you sell me your bike ill bake a cake for you. Or cookies if you prefer. Or stir-fry. Whichever that rocks your boat.

Bike. Gimme. Please?

!!!???

Woah weird. I lost my two posts but then after I made the 3rd post (some 5 hours later) and publish it, the other two managed to be published as well. How bizzaro is that!!????!!!???

* walks away mumbling and looking ever so surprised *

Silly Blog...

Hie.

I made a post which dieded along with my connection. The gist of my post:

1) Tet and I turned 1 two days ago. We had pancakes on the rocks last night. The sweetie gave me an Alanis Morissette cd... Jagged Little Pill. I had been looking for that for AGES. So happy.  ^^

2) hmmmm cant remember the rest . ..  o.o

Anyways. Just got back from SOTE. Feeling very inspired to start reading the Bible and renew my relationship with God. I keep saying i will but it just doesnt happen! Grrr.....its really frustrating. And its affecting my character. This semester, Im gonna be more God-focused. And yea really got to do something about my character. Sigh. Hate being such a b*****.  +.+

wot the.. ?

!!??

i lost my post!  D:

!!!???!!!!!

Can't think of one....will get back to you.

Tet and I turned one 2 days ago. But Wednesday wasnt a good day for us so we went to pancakes on the rocks last night instead. And then we watched Nottinghill. Hehe. So romantic.  :P 

Tet got me Alanis Morrisette's first album "Jagged Little Pill". Yay! I've been looking for that album for ages. A cheap one, that is. I figured since its practically 9 years old that it would sell for cheaper. Finally. Im so happy. Hehehe.  :D

Spent the whole day cooking today. So tired  x.x  And did laundry as well. Sigh. So much housework to do. Its annoying.

SOTE tonight.

Tired.

Amazingly.

I want a bike. Anybody want to sell me theirs?

Slee...e..py....

Back to my 8 am starts. It makes me so....sleeepy....Makes me so unproductve and sleepy and lazy. So blah.   x.x  Want to nap. I might just do that.

zzzzz....

Oh My, Steve Vai....

"Steve Vai....What a nice little boy he is!"

Watched Steve Vai in concert yesterday. It was MAD!!!!! Man.....we were SO close, I could've poked his eye with a chopstick!!!! Cos Tet and I lined up for like 4 hours or something and got to stand right behind the fence. Vai LOOKED at me! Straight in my eye! e.e heek. aheeek. Yeah it was an awesome experience...even though Im not really a fan (I only knew like one song ;p) but it was still really cool. He is SUCH a good guitarist! And the band was really good too! I love it when all four performers stand in a line and play in harmony or unision....man. So good. So cool. So....brilliant!!!!!!

 

Got abit cheesed off that they threw all the picks and drum sticks on the other side of the stage though  :(  And they shook hands with some of the peeps and even let them touch their axes. IMAGINE THAT. Anyways. Some things I picked up from last night's concert:

 

1) Steve Vai really knows how to perform. He definately has showmanship. And no shame :P

 

2) Steve Vai is just a man. Everyone who was at the frontline were all hardcore fans of Mr.Vai and they loved every moment, every bead of sweat, every resonating note. I,on the other hand, had a certain guarded indifference. Mainly because Im not that big a fan and even though his guitar skills are highly impressive, they are infinitely beyond my reach and thus my interest in that kind of music is severely limited. Restricted. And so I looked into his eyes and he looked into my eyes and there before me I saw a man, tearing the place apart....for a living. All his unannounced and unapplauded hours of practice, sacrifice and struggles. Sure he made it. Sure he makes millions, lives in a large mansion and is practically worshiped by all who recognise his awe inspiring talent. Yet. He is infinitely man. He will one day grow old, shrivel up and die. And, as Keating would say, be food for worms.

 

I cannot shake the image out of my head. Of what he looked like when i grinned at him yet looked penetratingly at his mortality. One could say he sensed the shadow that threatened his glory. But then again, he was contorting his face into all kinds of gruesome combinations all night anyways. As Steve Vai would have it. He cannot perform any other way. AT least he and John Mayer have one thing in common.

 

By the way, it seems that Britney Spears is moving a stone's throw from his place. For all of you who know him, this is just absolutely hilarious news. And a good example of how powerless we are, no matter how rich or famous or glorified. Only God holds the ultimate power. Even the strongest of men are weak next to God's awesome wonder.

When in uni, do as the scholars do.

Uni tommorow. Bludgy bludgy semester, clocking in only 18 hours. So Im looking for a job. Maybe I wouldnt feel so guilty buying some cds and dvds and books if i was actually earning my own pocket money. I can tell though. I would be a spendthrift if I won the lottery. I would buy so many anime and so many books and so many music cds, I'd have to spend the rest of my lotto money buying an apartment to keep them all in. But eh. Riches. Who needs them. As the saying goes, "The best things in life are free". Tis true sometimes. 

Still coughing. Most coughs last longer than they should. Hardly think its the results of remaining streptococci. Rather, an after-effect of the mass destruction my immune system impaled upon my fragile body. Throat might not be too happy with tommorow. Going to watch Steve Vai (!!!!!). Reckon all that screaming is gonna leave me somewhat hoarse. So excited. Kinda excited to get back to uni as well. I actually really enjoy studying. Cos Im doing all the subjects that are interesting. Although I need to make up for math this sem. Yuck.

Anyways. Just felt like rambling.  :P

yum cha...

YUM CHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   :D

To commemorate my sister taking an interest in my bloggy ways again...

A parchment...

Dear Brad...
 

Thank you for your advice to look up and perhaps even incorporate an RSS in my blog but having read the tutorial (I only made it to page 5/7), I have decided to give up on it for now. Perhaps if you explained the purpose of having one and how that would enrich the lives of my readers, in addition to how I may achieve this service, then will there be a heightened consideration as to your well-meant proposal.

 
Yours Truly,
me

Ooer??

Wow...whats all this?? Blog has yet again upgraded itself? Or have I been consuming too much msg???? My my.... one can even upload pictures now. is that so!???  SODESKA????   :D
 
Well anyways. Thought I'd jot an update of the pandemic that has bestruck us. I mentioned that 2 of the 4 people who went up to Blue Mountains fell sick....that would be Tet and my cousin Karen. Now the other two (uncle and myself) have fallen sick as well. hahahaha. But uncle is far worse than me and i dont expect my illness to be of gargantuan proportions.
 
I just finished a book on shinto-ism and its relationship to a successful business. It was weird. I suppose I understand abit more of Japanese economical culture but I doubt anyone actually does any of this anymore?? Maybe the annual ceremonies but get this, he suggests saying this god's name 36 times to achieve some sort of success thingy. Whatta weirdo. Who came up with 36 times anyhows!?
 
I went to the Taxation Office yesterday and couldnt help entering Book Stars, one of those discount bookstores. I walked away with $21 worth of books (about 5 books). Four of them were english translated japanese books. Three of those four had japanese poetry in it. Time to learn about their literature.
 
 Theres still so much to learn. I reckon I could be studying this for the rest of my life and still not learn everything about them. Their language is my limiting factor. Apparently japanese intelligence has increased by 12% since.... hmm.... i cant remember. But yeah. 12%. Is that not heaps? Is this because literacy is a fairly new thing? Is it fairly new? It really doesnt help that their time measures are plotted by names of emperors. As some may know, history and names of dead guys related to numbers are really not my forte.
 
Onward. Must read more. Must be more insane.

Home...

Back from Blue Mountains. It was soOooOoo incredibly FUN. One thing about going with people you're comfortable with, it doesnt take much effort at all. Like introvert/extrovert, they accept you as you are and moody as you get, it doesnt phase them one bit. We had a hilarious time and if I could cram it all into three words, it would be "Fun & Fat". Lol. We spent one-third of the time cooking and one-third of the time eating!! Man.... what a pig-out. And we got to eat marshmallows toasted by the fireplace. I almost died of ecstacy.

But now Im back. 2 of the 4 people are sick. Ancon next week. Uni the week after. Sigh. Life is so much more fun when you go on holiday and leave everything behind you. Like they say, "Pack up everything but your past and leave." Cant remember who said that.

Tet and I sent our guitars for repair today. Im getting mine back tommorow. We then went to uni. I got my timetable. I only have 18 hours this semester which means I get Friday off! That is so unheard of. I must be the only science student on the face of the earth who is getting a day off! It felt so wrong... so Ive decided to take up a part-time job. Hopefully I'll get the one im applying for tonight. I'll be so happy. Going to the Tax Office tommorow to get my taxation number. Got to clean up my room before AnCon starts as well. Also have 3 books to finish reading.

I think the holidays are starting to stress me out!!! x.x lol.

Anyways. Carpe Diem right? :p

People and Places...

Today I met two new people.

The past week I felt like as if I was being anti-social because I had preferred to stay home rather than to go out. I sometimes become abit paranoid of becoming anti-social because:

1) It doesnt seem right for a christian to be such; and
2) being a science student, you're always out to prove the stereotype wrong.

But today I met 2 new people. I talked to them, learnt about them, had good conversations with them (kinda sorta) and I realise that sometimes, Im abit of an extrovert. Im abit of a good conversationalist and im abit easy going. I would even go so far as to say that sometimes Im one of those type of people that is able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

But that is sometimes. Few and far in between.

Most times....i tend to be shy and nervous. I tend to want to stay within my comfort zone. I like to wallow in my pajamas and watch cartoons, not having to see or talk to anyone. Most times...im an introvert.

What is this ballet of personalities? One slipping in and then slipping out so quietly, so softly that one may mistake it for the same personality....

Im going to the Blue Mountains tommorow. My reserve of extroversion has been depleted. The outcome should be interesting. People are more interesting than places. Demography vs Geography. Label me.

I want to be a little bit more insane. Must read more books.

My Apologies...

Sorry..I know I update my blog more often during exams oddly enough but I cant help it because my holidays are really quite packed...doing absolutely nothing I agree but doing alot of nothing still equates to SOMETHING... does that make any sense? :/

Anyways the main reason for my absence is my connection has thus far been trying to strangle me in its stronghold, using its power over my global connection to its advantage to world domination. Again. It needs a good smacking is what it needs. I wish it was a goldfish. Id show it a thing or two about 3 second connections.. x.x

Also been watching heaps of anime. Maybe my japanese will improve at the end of these 3 weeks of brainwash. Also been cooking alot, so maybe i'll put on some weight. ANd been reading alot...so hopefully my concentration will increase next semester. Heh. Unlikely.

But thats about it. Too lazy to go out really. I kinda like lounging at home in my PJs... its too darn cold outside anyways. I much prefer traipsing around in my heated room, a steaming mug of soup balanced on my right hand. Yeah. Thats what holidays are all about. ^^

Snoopy...

Besides Gerald Durrel, I bought a Snoopy comic for 20 cents. I found a link to this quiz on Soph's blog. I always have several different choices for each quiz, so i always do it a couple of times. My reults according to order (first one is usually the one where i try the most):


You are Snoopy!




You are Schroeder!




You are Charlie Brown!




Hmmm....contradicting results. Just as I suspected. Multiple personalities . . . :p

Monday Tuesday Bludgy Days....

Hello!!

Swurpleness reporting in from first day of holidays. First day of complete FREEDOM since term started. And good grief what a turmoil of events this semester has been, not to mention the grief and experiences. This semester was certainly eventful and memorable. Yup.

Today I did a million things and I dont plan to stop anytime soon!! Hahahaha. Nah .. not really. Im looking forward to a couple of ultra lazy, dont-lift-a-finger days. Ive already got a book for that day. Gerald Durrel's "The Drunken Forest". I tell you this book is abit of a treasure pile!! First of all, Gerald Durrel. I picked up one of his books at a dusty 2nd-hand bookstore back in Malaysia. I must have been 15 or so. He is an absolutely BRILLIANT writer. Number one, he's a naturalist. So heaps of stories about animals and stuff which I absolutely adore. Number two, he is sooo hilarious!!! Just the way he portrays things...its fabulous. Yeah. But I havent been able to find anymore of his books since! Despite searching and searching, I could only find the title of the one I already had, "My Family and Other Animals". So finding this is SO amazing!!!! Man. What a find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The lady at the op-shop (where I bought the book for 50 cents) told me that this book is abit of a collectors item because it has the penguin picture on it (the newer penguin books dont have them) and the monetary pricing of the book was the old english way, i.e. before the time of decimal points. And the price tag is still on! So she was like...."keep this book really well! It'll be a collectors item soon". Certainly, I am now most obliged to keep it in Glad Wrap, in a seal-a-meal bag (after having read it, of course). I am most delighted.

Heeee.... ^^

Wooot....

I just have one thing to say. . . .

"Brilliant".

Bizzaro...

Man...what a bizzare day. I woke up feeling good because I actually slept well. And i got to the bus stop early and waited for half an hour. Finding out later from a pedestrian that the buses are on strike. So I grab a cab to uni, costing me my arm and my leg. In my frustration, I forgot to put my mobile phone into my pocket and find out 5 mins before the exam that I had left my mobile phone in the cab. The exam wasnt that great, I kept getting different answers because alot of it was calculations and as most of you might know, God forgot to install MATH84 in me upon creation. I rush home, get to the phone and thank God this really nice lady picked up the phone. She actually works in North Sydney but tonight she will be staying at Star City Hotel. About 10mins walk from where I live. All is well at the moment except for my arm and my leg. I will have to try to concentrate. Two more papers tommorow and then I'm a free woman.

Miserable Smee...

Stupid paper. Its like this:

I am building a sandacstle. I dont know how to build a sandcastle. So I pile sand atop another until I have made a hill. I made a sandhill. I place a leaf at the top and declare it, The Hill Of One Who Maybe Tried But Was Really Quite Fed Up Anyways. Then this monster (think Godzilla) comes. Monster looks down upon the puny mass of sand particles. Monster squashes it. Monster delights in flicking sand into my face and rubbing, grinding it into my skin. Monster laughs maliciously and evilly prances away.

Monster's name is Biochemistry.

Monster and I will have another show-down this Thursday.

You just wait, Monster.

You just wait.

I Will Offer Up My Life...

I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart

Jesus, what can I give
What can I bring
To so faithful a friend
To so loving a king
Savior, what can be said
What can be sung
As a praise of Your name
For the things You have done
Oh my words could not tell
Not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed
By this thankful heart

You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost
Giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Opened up the gates of Heaven, and have beckoned me in

What can I give
What can I bring
What can I sing as an offering, Lord

- Deliriou5?

My boy....

He's such a sweetie-pie and such a smarty-pants and im the luckiest girl in the whole wide world! ^^

<3 <3

First week...

Okay. The first week is over. These should be my best papers considering I spent all of STUVAC studying for them. I have 3 days to study for my next 4 papers. I think Im quite screwed. I think I'd like your prayers/best wishes/brains.

I also think that despite feeling that some of the papers could have gone better, I reckon they could have been way worse as well. So I really must thank God. Especially my micro paper. Man....I was so under-prepared I started calling it my "Grace Paper". As in, whatever marks I get, its purely God's grace!! And whaddaya know. That turned out better than I expected. We shall see, though, when my marks come out. Maybe it wasn't up to their standard (although I certainly would give myself a pass at least).

Okay. Got to study.

ugh...

im only halfway-ish through and the hardest days are yet to come but i feel like ive been run over by a tank already. sigh.

Im not purple? :(

BLUE You give your love and friendship unconditionaly. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive. Find out your color at Quiz Me!

Grrrrr.........!!!!!!!!!!

I hate stupid exams. I hate stupid andy holmes. I hate stupid charles collyer. I hate stupid helen briscoe and stupid peter reeves and stupid peter new. ARgdhajnbfj#&* stupid exams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! T.T

ARGH exams...

ARGH exams........ T.T

An Ode To My Exams...

*dug this up from my previous blog because I was too lazy to write a new one, and had this patriotic urge to update my blog :P hehe*

An Ode to my Exams...

As exams drew closer,
My knowledge grew deeper,
The more that I know,
The more I forgo,
The more I forget,
The less my intellect,
And so why bother study,
When your brain just gets more muddy,
Stupor thickens your skull,
Social skills become dull,
Fingers are chewn to bits,
Too much info makes you schiz,
You waste your youth while you're still young,
At 19 you're already too high strung,
The madness grows, it fills the air!
You cross the line but you don't care,
I guess we do it just for the thrill,
Of being a citizen of Nerdsville.

Happy Birthday...

Here's to one year of blogging. A day late, albeit but hey. You cant complain if Im late for your birthdays now :P

ACES...

Even though I've stopped going to ACES (link) this semester (due to classes) I still feel like I'm a part of it, and will definately keep trying to go when my schedule allows. I got this in my email today, advertising an evangelistic. Do you want to go? Let me know. We can go together. :)

Jars Of Clay Custom Guitar...

Stuck at home studying....got bored so I thought I'd update my blog but I didn't know what to say so I thought I'd share one of Jars Of Clay's milestones last year. Upon using Taylor guitars for years and years, they madea limited edition guitar, model JCSM (link). Not very fanciful but it sounds good apparently. Jars of Clay has been using this model on their Blood:Water mission tour. I particularly like the head and the heel, where its got the same jar symbol in red. Also, its matt and has a cut-away which was something that I really like. The wood could be a bit darker though and some fretboard decorations would've been nice. Oh well. Can't have everything :p Taylor Guitars also came out with their 30th Anniversary limited edition line. Now THATs nice fretboard deco. hehe.

I know this is not good-bye...

Last day of uni tommorow. The joy of not having anymore assignments to do is slowly being overrun by the terror of having to sit for exams. My life is one big boring heterocyclic ring full of conjugated double whammies. Sigh.

Big plus for today, I finally got a U2 album. They're better than I thought they were. Jars of Clay are fans of U2. I can see how their later styles are somewhat similiar-ish although U2 seems abit more indie and old-ish. Lovely lyrics still.

Oh well oh well.

Im abit tired I think. Cant wait for exams to finish. I cant believe I actually made it through the semester.At one point in my life I seriously thought I would go mad or commit suicide or some crazy whacky event would help me get by...but...nothing. Just God's gentle and quiet comfort and strength.

Still chugging along on dirt. haha.

CD Freebie...

Hullo.

They were sellin some second hand cds at Wentworth today (uni). So I stopped had had a little look-see and bought 3 cds + 1 single for $10 :D He gave me the single for free (a grand total of 50 cents? lol) Its cool cos 2nd hand cds always sell all the good old stuff for cheap cheap. I got All Saints, Gavin Bryars, Mighty Mighty Bosstones (single) and a TripleM alternative compilation album. The TripleM album is a double cd as well....and it was produced somewhere 97-ish so all the old-school songs are on it. Its great :) Makes me feel.....how my dad must feel when he hears all HIS old music... hahaha.

Gavin Bryars was such an impulse purchase. Remember there was a post on "Jesus Blood" by Jars Of Clay? (see Sunday, 4th April 2k4) At the bottom it said it might have been composed by Mr.Bryars and I actually saw the album but decided to buy a different one instead. He plays contemporary classic (think John Williams, Vangelis etc etc) and yea, this album was quite depressing but it serves me right for choosing the album with the title "Farewell to Philosophy". Pfft. Hahaha. Maybe I should have gotten STing + Police. Yea. Oh well. Maybe they'll be there tommorow.... hehe. Last purchase. I promise.

"Tell me all your thoughts on God..." Dishwalla

My Hope Is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Edward Mote, 1834

My Answer...

Well despite of all the hurt,
In spite of what its worth,
I wouldnt have it any other way.

No magic in the air,
No flowers everywhere,
I wouldnt have it any other way.

Late nights in monochrome,
My life a metronome,
I wouldnt have it any other way.

My Lord and God
You are so rich in mercy
Mere words alone are not sufficient thanks
So take my life
Transform renew and change me
That I might be, a living sacrifice...

Its true im blue
Its real, surreal
Its grey but hey
I wouldnt have it any other way.

:)

Credibility...

I finally got to watch Kill Bill the other day. Its a rather...odd.... movie. Must look up this Quentin Torotino dude. Very familiar sounding and yet cant quite remember. Anyways, whoever he is, must be one pretty twisted dude. The movie has absolutely no credibility though, and that brings it down to chick flick level, although I must say this is the first time Ive seen Lucy Liu look so pretty/cute. That was the only commendable feature.

And then I watched The Last Samurai again today. See now THAT movie has credibility. I mean, of course all those things could happen. Of course the director was being serious on portraying these honourable men's plight. Of course it wasnt some chick flick with some action/gore (supposed to cover it up as action flick?) just because it was starring the ever handsome tom cruise. Of course not. Thats because it had credibiity.

The long and short of it is this.

Movie maker, directors,shooters, filmers whatever. We'Re NoT DumB!! We can tell when the movie line is crappy, we can tell when things pop in and out of thin air. We can tell when you're covering something up, making it to be somethng its not just because of a few props. Charlie's Angels may be in the same lines of Kill Bill but thats what its supposed to be. A chick flick. Not burst arteries flooding some fancy restaurant caused by some chick that trained for one month after coming out of a 4 year coma and expecting us to classify it along with Saving Private Ryan.

I cant wait for Kill Bill 2.

Sigh...

What I lack in humility I make up with a swollen head :p

So many things are just ripping me apart, tossing me in a whirlwind towards the edge. And the only thing that keeps me standing is the thing that causes half my grief. And that thing is what the grecians may call, a protein. You wouldnt understand because nobody really ever understands me. I dont even understand myself sometimes. Most times. Why has God given me a soul that is so much more capricious than my pitiful brain can handle.

Augh the torture and the burden of being so infinitely sinful. +.+

What do I do with myself...

Those good old... brains!?

I was reading some of my old posts cos I wanted to check the date when I first started blogging (sometime this time last year). I used to be a better writer, I used to have weirder thoughts. Im abit jealous. Im abit frustrated. Im abit...more boring I guess. Sigh. All my zeal, fluttered away with the breezes of yesteryear. Anyways. Exams. Assignments. Need to work.

Australian Idol...

Well another Australian Idol has rolled by, in amazingly quick succesion too, might I add..I have a friend who is actually trying out. Im so thrilled!! And because I live right next to where the Auditions are being held, I feel involved with this person's outcome at the auditions. Hahaha. Yea he only asked for a parking spot, thats about it ;p

He doesnt read this blog but I wish him all the best. In my heart of hearts I dont think he'll actually make it but hey, I love the idea that he's actually trying out. He's got an amazing amount of guts for someone so humble.

Gonna drop by to see him before uni tommorow. Hehe. I wonder if I should bring him some soup. It gets really cold down by the harbour. Hmmmm.....

Hey Diddle Diddle...

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
And the little dog laughed to see such fun
And the dish ran away with the spoon..

Hey diddle diddle, the cat played his fiddle
The cow jumped away from the cat
Cos when he played his fiddle
The cow wanted fables
And selfishly looked for that..

Hey diddle diddle the cat broke his fiddle
The cow was nowhere to be seen
And the fork had to share
His bride with dinnerware
Not knowing where they may have been

Hey diddle diddle the cat burnt his fiddle
The cow walked on Jupiter's beams
And the little dog cried
Cos his world had died
Life is never close to what it seems

Hey diddle diddle my world kills its fiddles
My cows are all far in the sky
All my forks have to share
And my dogs all despair
Its no wonder why we wish to die

There arent any words to describe how I feel but I dont really care because it doesnt really matter who wants to spend their whole life wishing for something more a little more happiness or whatever it is that could render their life perfect I speak too soon and arrogant I am I have nobody to blame but myself its only natural that he who thinks his life is perfect will close their eyes from laughing too much and open it only to find ashes layers of ashes that buries everything that was important before ten feet deep of soot and mutilage that channels into every part of your existance i have nobody to blame but myself but it doesnt really matter anyway.

Its all about you, Jesus
And all this is for you, for your glory and your fame
Its not about me, as if you should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender, to your ways...

"Jesus Lover of My Soul" - Passion 2001

Philologus Indoles...

Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci was a south paw? At that time, they were seen as evil and so were forced to write with their right hand but da Vinci kept using his left hand in private. Here is a snapshot of one of his notes. He wrote from right to left AND in mirror image. Some say that he wrote that way to prevent people from finding out or stealing his great ideas, especially the Roman Catholic Church who was against many of the new ideas "scientists" at that time had (including the proposal that the world actually revolved around the sun as supposed to everything revolving around us!) Others say that it was to prevent smudging since he wrote with his left hand. However when he wrote to other people, he wrote as a normal person would.

I think da Vinci was a great man. He had a mind that is worthy of admiring and repecting. Such a great man only comes every so often. Its such a shame that most people only know him for his famous painting, Mona Lisa, and never truly appreciate the genius that he was.

What the...?

This is a munchkin.... its a feline version of the sausage dog, daschund. Although the short legged cats from Europe seem to have disappeared, the trait reappeared in New England in the 1970's and in Louisiana in the 1980's. From a pregnant black female (since named Blackberry) short legged cat found by Sandra Hochenedel living under a pickup truck in 1983. In her first litter and in each subsequent litter, Blackberry passed the trait of her short legs on to about half her kittens. One of Blackberry sons, Toulouse, was given to a friend named Kay LaFrance who established a colony of Munchkins on her Louisiana Plantation. The present Munchklns are descendants of Blackberry and Toulouse, although Munchkins have been sited throughout North America and the world. They are also known as Magpie Cats.

Librarian? Moi?

Well my skills test didnt go too well, but it could've been alot worse as well. Sigh. Oh well. Thank God for Tet's past year skills paper :P

So now Im free and really should be catching up on my lectures but have endeavoured instead to organise my tapes. Sounds silly, sounds like a waste of time. It is. But I have this urge to do it. I kinda like organising things. Not events, but like rearranging stuff.

Maybe I should have a backup degree...yknow. A fallback just in case my fellow brainiacs (haha so humble) snap up all the labrat jobs. .. .. ( this is such a pun considering the world is currently running in what we call the "Rat Race"... lol ). Yea... degree in book sorting and shushing. Not an easy task without contributing alot of amilase unto the carpet, if you know what I mean ;p

Anyways. Just rambling.

ARGH

I've got a practical skills test tommorow and im so nervous i feel like there are steroid driven gorillas in my stomach >.<

My Lord and God
You are so rich in mercy
Mere words alone are not sufficient thanks
So take my life
Transform renew and change me
That I might be a living sacrifice...

"Consider Christ" - Emu Australia

Cold eyes...

Y'know, I've always been quite affected by the way people look at me. Or rather the way their eyes look. Like, some people can be really nice and stuff but if their eyes look cold and hard, im really quite afraid to approach them. I like soft eyes. I heard that one's eyes are the window to his soul. Maybe thats why I look at people's eyes and warm up to them if I find warmth and kindness and life.

But Im getting carried away.

Now that winter is around, I find that my eyes get cold. :p Like, they start to get cold then they start to sting, and then they start to water a little and that makes them even colder.... its a vicious cycle. It doesnt happen all the time, but quite alot .. especially if Im walking or theres abit of a wind. I thought it was just something hilarious about myself to share. :P Cold eyes.

Midnight Bliss...

Theres something very relaxing about being awake at 4am, listening to instrumental accoustic guitar music, working on an assignment...(provided the assignment isnt due in 8 hours!! hahaha)... Its just an awesome sense of peace and overall well being..

And then I begin to feel sentimental...
And I feel romantic...
And I feel like the breezes of Africa flew the earth just to carress my hair...
And i begin to think of places...and of people...
And I think of all the good times I've had, all the painful yet cherished memories...
And I miss them.
And I miss home.
And I wish there was more to me than assignments...

I also miss my younger soul which held so much poetry and painstaking innocence. I have become too much of an adult, and yet not quite there. I feel oddly grey.

Hmmm..

I think my circadian cycle is screwed up...prolly due to the days getting shorter and it being so cold and all. Like...I just get so sleepy around 6 when its all dark and stuff. I just slept for 5 hours....thats like....a whole night's worth of sleep hey...

The best medicine?

I bludgily had 11 hours of sleep last night. I am now very far behind my schedule but for some reason was not stressed out whatsoever today. I was just all happy dory and relaxed...its a really nice feeling. I went to uni (SUCH good weather today too!!) and for the first time I noticed how all the trees had turned a golden-reddish colour. And it looked so nice against the crisp blue sky. Yeah... man.... such a nice day today.

So maybe sleep is the best medicine next to laughter. Like...its hard to laugh when you're all stressed and grumpy right. And to overcome that you need to sleep. Its a correlation (although this may not affect causation...hahaha). But yea.... oh well Ive had my sleep. Time to get to work and be grumpy until next week when everything's finally handed in. Heh. As if it'll end there. Sigh.

Yknow...at the rate Im going...I dont see myself slowing down til after the exams. How tragically long :/ How tragically drab.

But I wanna watch Van helsing :`(
and Harry Potter :.(
and that other show I cant remember the name for the life of me... o.o
erm...but yea... ;.;

hahaha. +.+

Overrun...

Im tired. Im overrun by work. Swamped with assignments. Weighed down by responsibilities. Too bad that when they say you should cast your troubles on God that the workload doesnt decrease, that the responsibilities dont vanish, that the days dont get longer.

Pity. Pity.

Another comparison between the Almighty and me. God has alot of time to spare (a single day is like a thousand years to Him, apparently) and I dont. Heh.

Btw;

" Hey Tet, I just remembered all 20 amino acids! "

" . ..... You're such a nerd... "

* I beam with pride *

:)

You've Got Mail...

Recently an ACES member sent out a mass email to the ACES members regarding their upcoming Weekend Away. For those of you who don't know, ACES is a smallgroup (like Bible Study/Care Group type) that I am part of in Sydney Uni. It is under the Evangelical Union, a christian society in the relevant uni.

So anyways, there must have been some bug or another in his account because one day I opened up my uni mail and before me sat 54 pages of mail. At first glance, I was like....you've got to be kidding me......

Diligently I counted them and deleted them. All from the same person, all containing the same 4kb message. 1042 mails @ 9.50am, 24/4/2k4. Upon deletion, I continued to recieve more. It was sometime Sunday, I believe, that this relentless flood of mail began to wane. Again I numbered and tossed, and here is the final number:

I recieved 1507 mails from the ACES dude.

I thought that was yet another shocking and humorous event gracing my insignificant life. Talk about your virtual Hiroshima . . . :p

Rotten Core...

There's this song by Jars Of Clay called "The Eleventh Hour". It's first line reads:

"Trace the shape of my heart, till it becomes more familiar to Your eyes"

Reading on the rest of the song, it is apparent that this song is a sorrowful cry to God, to bring the author back to Him. When I first listened to the song, I misheard the lyrics. However, if I change the first line a little bit, it will encompass all that I am feeling at this very moment.

Change the shape of my heart
Till I become more familiar to Your eyes
I've been lost without You, cold without Your love
It's taken days and nights for me to realise...

Rescue me from waiting on this line
I won't give up on giving You a chance to blow my mind
Let the eleventh hour quickly pass me by
I'll find You when I think Im out of time...

Take the place of my heart
Till I become, a stranger to my life
I've been down without You, wrong without Your love
In time will I be what You're thinking of?