New York City

:) Like what I have promised, here's some of the photes I took in New York City last week!! Enjoy!!!




WOW! Have a look of the four pictures above, then you will know the REAL meaning of CITY! Yeah! New York City. I bet all of you should pay a visit there, well, at least once in a life time!! :P



The 3 pictures above have shown the greatest theater in New York City. :) Aren't they amazing? I guess one Chinese Opera or drame was being played there. :)


I learnt about media conglomentation in Politic class last year and I heard about the very few media owner in US. I remember that MR Chong told us about the ESPN channel which has developed tremendously, to a stage where they have their own restaurants, pubs, channels, magazines retail shops and so on. I witnessed it myself. The 2 photoes above actually has shown a group of ESPN guys shooting some programme in the Time Square of New York City. I passed by the restaurants and pubs, too. :P But, I wasn;t able to snap those pictures. hehe. Enjoy these. :P

The Guy above was our tour guide when we, a a group of au pairs had our New York City trip on 4th October 2006. He's kinda cool, isn't he? :p

Close your eyes and imagine. The buildings used to be the symbol of New York City... But on that particular day in year 2001., everything dissapeared.. It's a sad story of US. The area has turned into a construction side right now...

Here's 4 cool firefighters we met in front of the previous twin towers areas. Many girls took photoes with them. I guess we had lighted up their night.:P

The picture above is actually a memoir of those fire fighters who sacrificed their lives to rescue the victims in 911 event...

The girl in the picture above is the greatest friend whom I have known during my Orientation in Connecticut. I was all alone as not many of the au pairs there willing to make friend with Asian girl. :P I guess I am lucky to know her, Christina, who's from Germany. :) Love ya!

Hey, Here's another Germany girl. Isn't she sweet? wow..I guess I shouldn't took picture with her. Sitting beside her, I am like an ugly duckilng. I hate that. :) Anyway, I love the way she talks and smiles. :) REALLY.

From Malaysia to New York

Wow, Yong! There you go. Here's a picture I took in flight. I was flying with Korean Air, flew across the different time zone and crashed into the entire new land. I expereince the instant transform from night to day. The picture below I took it when I flew through the pacific ocean...and passed by the continent of Chicago. I love the picture. I flew ubove the cloud...That are soft, white and look sweet. :)


This is a photo which was taken from my room in the hotel in Connecticut. It's a city which is about one hour away from New York City. :) It's a love morning and that was my first day in US. Cool, isn't it? Hwne you see the glimmer of sunlight shining through the clouds, it means that there are hope.. :P


The picture below is the picture which I took in the evening, somewhere aourn the hotel. I was going out to search for an adapter with one Germany girl. The houses and building in US is totally different from what we have in Malaysia. :) I love the structure here, :P


Arggg... There are so many pictures I want share with you guys... I have too many of them but this Mac is stupid!! I don't know whathappen to it but I couldn't upload any pictures anymore. Gosh! So sorry. You all will only be able to view the three as above. I will try to upload more next time.. I have sooo many of them, espcially those I took in New York City. Yeah!

Next time. all the best ya! muak.

Autumn...

I have been longing to experience autumn in a beautiful foreign country. Now, this dream come true.. yes.. California is such an amazing place.. espcially the place I am currently staying in. It's a sub-urban area. The landscapes would simply capture your heart.. They are like the scenes in the movies. The road, the side way, the trees, the forest, the park, the ponds. There are bunches of wild rabbits hopping here and there around the park early in the morning. There are falling leaves in this romantic season. I witnessed the read leaves top of the tree. I am not sure if they are maple leaves, but they really resemble it. :)

These three pictures were taken when I walked Jake, the sweet dog to the park and pond this evening. I got nothing better to do so I walked around the area and I couldn't stop myself from taking those pictures. Of course, I have a lot of them but I chose the best three. Come on, it really takes time to resize them, plus I am using a MAC. Yes, Mac computer that we used in advertising class. It's not that user friendly. But I have to use it right now. :)

Autumn is always my favourite season. It's a season for you to miss those you love them dearly. Unfortunately, I am here in California. I missed the Mooncake Festival with my beloved ones. I saw the leaves falling and I suddenly thought of Kenjo. Before departing to US, she sent me a card and she told me that she would be glad if I could send her some leaves right here. I guess she's hoping to receive a red maple leaf. :) Iwill try to get one for you. But when it reach there, I am sure that they will turn into a dry brown leaf. The colour wouldn't be that great anymore. :) Well, you can see the pics here first. I am still trying to adjust my life to the typical US lifestyle. By the way, before getting my driving license here, I can do nothing. Ya, like a prisoner. Gosh...

I am wondering if you guys are fine there? Mama, Papa, Yong, Tash, Chloe, Lampfly, Protocol, Nelly, Kenjo, ChauYen.. Yes everyone that I know of. I miss everything in Malaysia,. In this season of fall, I miss you all. But like what I have said, I want to be strong, I want to be really really strong. I want to overcome all thsoe hardship and return to my homeland as a brand new whole person. I will be fine. It's just that, when I was walking the dog along the street, I stepped on those falling leaves... I was thinking, is Malaysia still pretty much the same? Is Mama doing fine? Is Yong getting better in Singapore? I juse want everything to be fine.. I just wish that the leaves would tell the wind to send them my care and love, when it blows and makes the leaves whirl...

Hi, I am in california!

I am here, in california. Ya, I reach here safe and sound.

Wow, I flew for more than 22 hours to reach New York, with a connecting flight in between at Korea. I experience a lot of things throughout the journey and also the orientation in New York. I just wish that I can store each and every single word I have heard in the 'lectures' in my mind, so that I will be able to use it whenever I need it when I have to take the full responsibility to take care of the three lovely boys.

:P By the way, I have visited several hotspots in New York.. I want to upload the pictures for you all to see it but nto right now..I am using the MAC and frankly speaking I am nto really good at it. I will try to do that days ago, when I have got used to it. I saw the twin towers, which turned in to a construction side right now, a lot of tall buildings. That's really cool. That's what a City suppose to look like. Besides, I took some pictures up in the sky when in flight... Wow, those clouds beneath me, truly resemble soft and sweet candy that I would love to have a bite.

After the four days of useful orientation in the hotel situated in stamford CT, I was in the plane again, flew for about 8 hours to reach LA, California. So basically, I spent a lot of time flying here and there.. and I have to say that, I hate to be in flights, it sucks.. Luckily I was rejected for the job of flight attendant.

I stopped at Korea for 2 hours when I was on m way to New York last Monday. I got quite a lot of experience in the connecting flight, too. I wish to share but not right now, I gotta tidy up my room. My clothes are still in the huge suitcases.

I am only going to meet the kids this afternoon. I am really nervous. What shall I say to them.. the parents are really nice people. I had no expextations before reachinf but now it's like having more and more surprises. I wish that I will be fine with the kids. Let's pray so..

The retriever, Jake, is snoring beside me now. He is such a cute dog. I love him at the very fist moment i met him at the doorstep. He greeted my by licking and smelling my hand. I love kind animals and humans. :)

I think I really need a lot of luck now.. Pray for me, my all friends. :) seeya.

ciao.

Truly A New Chapter in Life

I will start my journey to KLIA three hours later. Ya, my passport is ready, my Visa is ready, my luggages are ready, my e-ticket's here, all things are ready, besides my heart. I think...

I am here to say goodbye to my friends. ByeBye my beloved friends...

Bye Tasha, Chauyen, Chloe, Kenjo, Nelly, ChunYet, Khaishin, Kathy... Well, just everyone I know of... Byebye.. I will miss you all.. take care and see you all soon. MUAKS.

Bye my beloved 'BaoBao', 'BeiBei', brother Teck, Mama, Papa and my dearest guiding angel...

I will miss you all...Time flies.. I WILL BE BACK.

I have my new chapter in life, truly a brand new chapter... Wish me good luck!

Dear Mama

I know that you are sad. I know that you have been secretly shedding tears ever since you knew my depature date. I know that I am your dearest daughter whom you care with your heart since the day I was born. I know you couldn't bear to see me taking any risk. I know you always want me to be safe and close to you. I know all these... Mummy.
I am sorry for the agony I brought. I have been feeling bad, really really bad, too. I am always emotional and I couldn't imagine myself saying goodbye to you at the airport, leaving you and papa with brother for one year at home, without my concern and care. Though, Mama... It's time for your little girl to grow up, I have to encounter hardship, difficulties and predicaments to grow strong and achieve total independence. I have to spread my wings so that they would get used to the uncertainties in life and learn the way of fighting with them. I MUST be strong so that I can protect you, pampering you under my wings, sheltering you from wind, cold and storm when you are powerless to do so.

Just one year Mama. I thank you for your permission.

I love you and I will be back after one year, providing you with best things in life: love, care, protection, and the greatest companionship.

Hobby

Besides indulging in reading, watching a lot of CSI DVD these days, the things that I love to do during my leisure time is colouring. Yes, colouring. Using colour pencils and fill in the lovely pictures with my favoutire colour, creating a mass of cooour world!!

Hehe, you might be thinking, Coloring!! OH... Kids' doings. Nono. That's not true. There is a huge knowledege behind this art, it's not merely about filling in the colours. This hobby actually relates to the sensitivity towards the matching of colours and they skill you have in filling them layer by layer into the white spcace. I can spend whole day doing nothing besides colouring those cute colouring album.

them by using the camera, and the result isn't that good due to the lighting and resolution problem. Anyway, Just some samples.. Wanna see more... hehe. come and visit me, I will show you all of my great products of art!! :P

I love the mouse. :P hehe as I have been rearing hamsters even since I was 16 years old!
Again, a mouse riding on a duck! It's the best of them four... Too bad, you all can't see it for real.. It's really nice.
This one isn't that good. But I love the donkey.

This monkey on plane picture hasn't complete. I will do it after coming back form US. hehe, :P

22nd's Presents

Besides the angel's gift, I received three lovely presents from my dearest friends and cousin. LAMPFLY sent me a pair of socks and a sweet little handmade card. She wrote in the little space: Warm socks with warm wishes, may you have memorable experience in the foreign land..."

KENJO posted me a card. The rectangle white and blue card in the photo above. she wrote quite a lot of words inside, i won't stated here. Just wanna tell her that, "Thank you so much. I love your card and it's a surprise to me! :) Your words gave me strength, really. I love your card. It's a kind of blessing I have before leaving. :)

My cousin bought me the table lamp, it's really pretty. I love it so much. Seashells on boat, symbolizing everything plain sailing. :) I will be fine under her sweet wishes. Thank you. My cousin's dad, who is my uncle gave me a HUGE red packet. It's really HUGE and I still think that I don't deserve that. MUAKS! Thanks uncle, I love you so much! Let's go for a trip after I come back here to Malaysia, ok?

The photo above is the picture when the light's on. The lamp exudes yellow light, radiating warmth that kindle up the room. It light up my day. I will make it.... really, believe me... I will become a better individual after the trip. See you guys!!!

BIG hugs and THANK you, for yours kindness and support!!

Angel's Presents

Mother woke me up from sleep early this morning, before heading to work. I was having a sweet dream as the weather this morning is cold and humid. She patted my shoulder and said, " AN angel asked me to pass you these gifts on your birthday morning, see it later ya..."

Then, She left me with the angel's gifts and left the house. I was really sleepy and couldn't really response to her. Until a moment ago, when I woke up from my sleep, feeling refreshing and suddenly spotted the small present and a red packet besides my pillow.

I opened both of them and realised that they are Lexcron card reader, 8 GB memory card and a certain amount of US dollars... That's the utmost expensive present, which I have ever received in my entire 22 years of life. I am not merely talking about the price; it's actualy the heart...

How can you be so thoughtful, my angel?

I want to tell you that I love you so much and I don't need those expensive fancy stuff, you are the best present I have in life.

"Du bist ein engel, ich liebe dich echt..."

Thank you. We will see each other very soon after one year. Thank you and send you thousands kisses... MUAKS...

Biography of PreCious

My two hamsters, which are named 'PreCious'. They have their two names in one as in

Chinese language, 'Precious'=宝贝. So, one of my them is '宝宝'，whereas another was named as '贝贝'. I know, I know. It's lame. But, they are truly my precious babies.

In fact, the two little furry balls were born someday in September last year. They were my little present from Protocol for my brithday last year. Protocal brought me these two little girls, all the way from her ex-roomate's friend's friend's house in KL to Genting Highland for me as I was having a holiday there after my semester examination. What I was trying to say was, Don't play play...These two little balls had been on cable car before. They travelled all the way, crossed the moutains and survived through the freezing cold weather just to reach their lovely owner, ME! hehe. I bet they never regret about it, right? my chubby babies.

Well, they have been mine for one year. I guess they have something to share with you guys. Theirs experience with thier greatest mummy. :P Let's see what's they have said.

We are BaoBao and BeiBei. I am Baobao, the one who's at the right in the photo and BeiBei was the greedy hamster that fighted for candy with me at the left. We love to eat anyting's sweet and our owner loves feeding us candy. But, we always have to fight with one another and bite as much as possible because our mummy never allow us to eat too much of that.

BaoBao here! I am not some hamsters, that you can trifle with. I bite! Don't catch my photo, I don't like it right now. Keep the machine or else I will attack!






I am BeiBei. Sometimes, instead of running the wheel, I prefer to pee in it. I love doing that but my mummy hates that. She would pinch me whenever I do that. OPPPsss.. My mum's coming. Don't take my photo! It's evidence...

Besides playing, sleeping and eating, both of us got nothing much to do. So, I invented one game. It's called hamster's hide and seek. I will squeeze my body between the bar and the wheel. Mummy can't get me sometimes and would get frustrated! That's fun!

That day, I was placed on mummy's brother bed. They were playing PS2 and ignored my existance. I was so sad so I hid myself inside of the ringfile on the bed. I was waiting for my mummy to get anxious and realised about my missing!




See, when I feel like going out for a walk, I will allow you to hold me in your palm. Don't ever try that without my permission! I am BaoBao and I bite!

I want my mummy's hugs... Where are you?

BeiBei is really a nuisance! She loves pestering me whenever I am thirsty and having a drink. I will tell Mummy about it. Don't ever do that again.








What do you want from us? We have no more sunflower seeds. And those sweetcorns and carrocts all fnish eaten by BeiBei. I am straving! I want some cake and pudding! Mummy!

This is the punishment for eating up my food. Luckily I kept some in my pockets! Anyway, still, I gotta teach you a lesson! Don't snatch my food!




Hey, isn't it nice? No fighting, no biting, no snatching. We are gentle and polite girls with manners. You eat your seed and I have my corn. :p I love you and you love me. Mummy's eating ice-cream, we gotta behave and act cute so that we could have a spoonful of it!





We are in Mummy's palm. We are not going to bite. We love our Mummy and we licked her skin sometimes. Our Mummy is the best! Mom, When can we get our cheesecake after saying all those good things about you?

I am not sure if I will still be able to hold them, kiss them, smell them, feel them and take care of them after my one year stay in the foreign land. Just, want to write something about my two lovely girls. I have you two in my heart, n omatter how. My mother will take care of you two ehn I am away, Ya, Granny. hehe. Be obedient.

If Mummy can never see you two again, I will see yours photoes everyday, ya, everyday, in my heart, in my book and in my mind... stay healthy and safe. It's a promise, ok? MUAKS

Wenzi

Sometimes, we just don’t aware that there is indeed someone around us, who would lend us her warm and sincere hands when we are in a bed of thorns.

There’s a saying goes, ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’. In fact, there is a greater meaning behind the idiom. I can’t describe it in words. You have to feel it, experience it, in order to have a better understanding.

I rang Wenzi that day, all of a sudden to seek for her help. (* Wenzi was the sweetest girl in my class when I was in UTAR. She has dimples and a pair of big deep eyes that exude subtle charm when you look into them. hehe. There's a proof in the photo on left. I guess my huge and distorted pig face had spolit the beauty of the photo. But, please, look at the tiny face behind me, she's truly a beauty, isn't she?)

Me: “Hey, I am very sorry for disturbing you but I really need your help this time!”

Wenzi: “Oh, Chia. I’m so happy to receive your call. How’s your life? Is there anything I can do for you?”

Me: “I have an appointment with the US embassy for my Visa interview next Tuesday. The time’s pack and I couldn’t get myself a room to stay for two days right now…."(I haven't finish my sentence but she cut into my words by saying->)

Wenzi: “Then come and stay with me. Just tell me when are you going to arrive and I can meet you somewhere. No problem and no big deal.”

Me: …. “Thank you. You saved my life.”

Wenzi: Hehe. No that serious.

That was a very brief conversation we had over the phone. She talked to me with her usual cheerful tone and I could feel her sincere and welcoming heart even through the devices.

I slept with her for two days and she even gave me her house keys so that I wouldn’t have to horse around the KL area early in the morning after my visa appointment. Her action actually caused her troubles but she seemed to care nothing about it.

She didn’t really serve me as a guest as we are friends and have known each other for years. She gave me her full trust and had dinners with me for the two days. In fact, she was busy owing to her newfound dream job. Her daily schedule is tight but she spared her time to dine with me and chatted with me throughout the nights.

At the night before I went back for home, we chatted for hours while laying ourselves down on her comfy bed. We were worn off due to our tiring activities in day but still continued talking and talking. We talked about our days in UTAR, our old friends, our future…Well, just everything and anything.

At last, when I started to get goofy due to the tiredness, she pushed me a little bit on my right arm and said, “you wanna sleep? Hey, let’s talk some more, you are leaving very soon and this is our last night to talk like this. Don’t sleep. Talk."

That’s sweet, isn’t it? :-) I remember I gave out a wink, a very sweet wink for her in the dark and then tried my best to chat with her, until both of us fell into a state of unconsciousness. : P

Wenzi, thank you and thank you. I don’t know what to say here. Thanks for your forgiveness and consideration toward my ‘无事不登三堡殿’. Thanks for everything. How about this? After I complete my fulfilling year (Let’s pray so!) in the state, I will buy you a big present.

Muaks. <3 It’s really nice to have you as friend. You are charming, 'inside and outside' :P. All the best and I will miss you dearly. That's a promise.

Childlike Enjoyment

(photo taken from http://www.bigphoto.com)

I am the youngest daughter in my family and am the apple in my parents’ eyes ever since I was a kid. My parents’ love was like the sun that shone, throughout my journey of life. I used to be a joyful girl and enjoyed companionship from my little playmates and my elder brother in my childhood.

However, when I started to accept formal education in school, my mind was preoccupied by the ‘vision’ like getting the highest mark in class and my daily duties were attending tuition classes and made revisions or did additional exercises at home. Since I enrolled in elementary school, I lost all the childlike enjoyment. I couldn’t have games with my friends or explored the little garden in front of my house during my leisure time anymore. I had to study and made sure I scored 100% in every subject. The stress tripled as the years rolling on. I tried to live up to the expectation of my parents. The childish laughter, which was supposed to be mine, lost its track. I forgot the way a child should be. My lost childhood was stored somewhere else and I couldn’t retrieve it.

After my graduation, due to my further plan in life, I took up the job of a tutor in one leading tuition centre in my hometown for two months. (Ya, I have just resigned last month: P). I was in-charged of primary students, who are 9 and 12. I couldn’t bring up myself to love the job as the workload was incredibly heavy and those standard six kids were truly a bunch of rebellion-spoilt brats! It will never be a great experience to work with adolescents, who couldn’t even fathom the meaning of ‘respect’. Though, later on, I realised that it’s always better to treat them as your friends rather than giving out orders like a commander. Well, adolescence is a painful phase, I understand. Anyway, if I were given a chance to choose, I prefer to work with younger kids. :P hehe.

Like what I have mentioned above, I was in-charged of several 9-years-old students, too. I had a great time with them, they enriched my life and I gained a lot of inspiration from these lovely kids. I was lucky as out of my ten standard three students, five of them are diligent and obedient. Two of them are a bit slower in learning but they are well mannered and I enjoyed teaching them. Another two of them are talkative and playful but they are clever and would show me respect when I ordered them to so something. Er… the last one, JJ, was truly a hard nut to crack. Every tutor there would feel a pain on her neck when JJ is put into her class.

JJ attended my afternoon class. After having him in class for once, I could fully understand the reason for teachers to hate him. I myself hated him a lot at first and wished that he would never appear in my class. He likes making wave in class and enjoys becoming the clown of the class.

The things he did to make my blood boiled:

@He would never complete the extra exercises I gave.
@He would never concentrate in learning his spelling or dictation.
@He took three hours to finish his homework, which were actually three pages of vocabulary writing.
@His handwriting was like sh*t, which made me felt like shredding his exercise books.
@He is a REALLY fat boy and he smelt like a skunk due to his vest damp with sweat.
@He would talk back to you like nobody and complained for the corrections you asked him to make.
@He would talk and joke with pupils around him for hours, treating your scolds as nothing.
@He would run around the class and borrowed eraser, pencil, colour pencils, sharpener, textbooks, and some other tiny little things with his friends as if he came to class with empty hands.
@When he was punished, he would never learn a lesson and straight away making funny faces to make everyone laugh.
@He held the class’s dustbin in embrace for hours, refusing to let others using it.
@He loved mocking his friends and caused a lot of conflicts in class.
@He brought a tin of potato chips and spread them all over the table before eating them.
@He brought his frozen mineral water and continuously disturbed my class by squeezing the bottle.
@When you called out his name in front, he would never answer you.
@When he was forced to do some exercises, he would simply do then until he gained a ‘0’ mark.
@He seldom passes his subjects in school.
@He couldn’t walk properly and prefer to jump or crawl on the floor, which sometimes gave me a feeling that Malaysia was facing some kind of natural disaster like ‘earthquake’.

As a devoted and loving teacher, I tried to advise and talk to him nicely at first but all my kindness was in vain. As a normal human being, I know that kid-glove methods haven’t work; it’s time to get tough. So, I punished him, yelled at him and scolded him intently like a termagant until I got sore throat and couldn’t speak. Then, I chose to give up. My strategy was separating him from the rest of the students, leaving him making noises alone behind the corner of the class. Meanwhile, deep inside my heart I prayed for him to transfer from my class.

Things went on this way until that magical Saturday. I was having additional class with my students and JJ was definitely one of them. As usual, he was playing and chatting with himself behind the class while I was teaching in front. Suddenly, a girl in class fell of the plastic chair, as it wasn’t in good shape. All of the other students laughed at her. Surprisingly, JJ ran to the other corner and took her a new chair. I was puzzled for this chubby kid’s kind heart. Since then, I told myself that I have to judge him from another angle. He has his unique points that should be praised!

The next day, he continued showing his mischievousness in class, interrupting others. But, he completed his homework and spelling learning in time. I checked on his little *report book. (* Tutors in that tuition centre are required to report on the students’ attitude in class everyday. Those who done well would be given credits like 20, 30 or 50 in order for them to change some cute souvenirs. Their parents have to sign under the report in a daily basis, too.) I realised that he never received any credits before. The worst of all, none of those comments was good.

I gave him 50 credits that day besides praising his speed in doing homework and the concentration he gave in class. The next day, JJ underwent a total transformation. He completed his homework in great speed and did all extra exercises without grumbling. Besides, he was quiet and would seek help from some friends when he had problems in exercises. He talked to me in a very good manner and grabbed every minute to learn spelling and had revisions. He even skipped his 15 minutes recess time in order to do more revisions. He turned into a model student and I was scared of his demonic learning spirit! It came too fast and out of everyone’s expectation!

He wasn’t having fever. He was just encouraged by me, to become a better kid. Yes, we have to praise our kids, in whatever way he deserves. Never stereotype him or her into any kind of category, our generalization can destroy theirs future.

Try to judge things from a different perspective. Every young soul has its tendency to become successful and kids are playful, it's in their blood. You and I was the same, too! They just need a person to guide, lead and nurture them with an appropriate method.

I have resigned, and I am not sure if JJ still remains his diligence. In fact, I am worry about him and I wish that he could have a better teacher to accompany him, in his voyage of learning to be himself, to be a responsible student. I pray for him…

Blue Sky

What's the colour of your sky?

Lazing at home, doing nothing. I looked up the sky this morning outside from my house and was pretty amazed by the beauty of mother nature. Nope, I wasn't the one who took the photograph beside. Actually I got it from http://www.bigphoto.com. I didn't manage to snap the picture myself so I display one, which I think is similar to what I have seen.

Sometimes, take a rest from your hectic lifestyle and admire the landscape or scenery around you. You might have a different kind of experience. Who knows? You might be able to gain some inspirations. :-P

Ever heard of the frog's story? Once upon a time, there was one frog, which stayed under a deep well. He thought that the size of the sky was the same as the opening of the well as he had never been outside of the well before. A bird passed by the well and had a chat with the frog. She shared her experience in flying around the wide blue sky but the frog just refused to believe. For him, the sky is as wide as the well's opening, because 'seeing is believing'. That's what he had been seeing in his life. The bird mocked at him and flew away.

Yes, seeing is believing. Though, it will be greater if we can make a move to explore. Life's short and years roll on. Do whatever you can to live up your life to the fullest.

So, back to my question, what's the colour of your sky?

I have no clue of what's your answer going be like. But, I admire the endless, deep, and unpredictable sky. I could see the soft grey of the dawn, which had lightened. The sky was the wet pale blue of a water colour sky just painted and not yet dried.

That's the utmost stunning image that I will store in my mind. However, I am not sure if that's the colour of my sky as I am always the little one, who hides at a corner to show my admiration toward the titanic product of nature.

It doesn't belong to me anyway. I hope someday I can own a quarter, as a place to keep my footprints.

Testing! Testing!

Finally, I got myself a digital camera last week, after years of 'thinking' and 'yearning' in getting one. It's Canon Powershot A530. Ya, I know it's a cheap stuff nowadays... But, due to my budget consideration, it's actually a perfect camera to me. Besides, I am not a professional photographer anyway and I am retarded in using those high-tech items.. :p So, it's a great choice, I shall say.

Since nobody is here to take pictures for me, I took some on my own (that's what girls love to do the most during their leisure time. *blek*) to try this camera out by using some different functions. Hey, the camera is great :P hehe.. Okok... It CAN be great. I know the photoes look stupid... Forgive me mah.. not skillful enough.

Believe me,it's cheap but it's a good camera. I will learn to utilize its functions and then I am sure I would be able to produce some great photoes with good camera angles.. :-)

I love my camera!! Tash, Come and take some photoes together!! ^0^

Lampfly

She rang me this afternoon. It's really nice to hear her voice again as we didn't have chance to talk much during that messy convocation.

Her voice was like a sweet melody and it's still lingering my mind, even at this moment. I never expected her to make the call but she said that since I am leaving very soon, she should talk to me on the phone for a moment. I was over the moon. :) That means she cares. :P

Actually, we only chatted for about 5minutes, but, that's enough for me to feel the wramth of friendship. While we were talking, my mind raced in search for the memories we have in college, university and the Redang Trip. Years roll on, it's a cliche, but it's a fact...

Our frienship started to hail when I was in KTAR. She wasn't the first person whom I approached but she used to make me feel warm by asking me for lunches together in school. Besides, she's truly diligent and was the only girl who would attend all lectures and took down all notes.

She gave me a very special first impression as she's not that type of typical shallow girls, who only care about outward appearance. She keeps her hair short and prefer wearing jeans, short pants and T-shirts to skirts or any other girly dressing code. She's always smart and tidy. By the way, I find her resembles one of the singers in the Chinese pop girls' band- SHE. I told her about it and she laughed like crazy.

Talking about her, I shall say that our friendship is unique. We have been knowing each other for more than 4 years. Though, we have never go for a movie, dinner or shopping. We accompanied each other closely only inside the classrooms. That's kinda weird, maybe in a sense, we are not really that close to each other.

My friends claimed that I am a very 'cold' person, who could hardly get close with another human. That's not a truth, I love having 'crazy moments' with my friends and I can be really playful. She's having the same kind of personality, that's the only thing that make us a good pair of pals as we share quite a lot of things in common.

We swore to each other that we will never leave another party apart in all group assignments. Looking back at the passing years, all those hardship we encountered together in assignments and exam revision have turned into a kind of sweetness, which I shall be willing to taste it all over again, if I were given a chance. The times we had in Machintosh Lab, library, lecturer halls, tutorial classes...all are unforgettable. Just like the song goes,

"Unforgettable, that's what you are...

"Unforgettable, though near or far..."

I remember the night we saw the stars along the beach. I remember the day I walked to your hostel to ask for help in my revisions and final year project. I remember you fetched me back home after doing assignments by your Honda. I remember we shopped in the 'pasar malam'. I remember the joy we had when we met each other in the ceremony. I remember we sat in the first roll, facing the lecturers until their saliva fell on our cheeks sometimes ...I have too many to remember, so I carved them in my heart...

I still have that kind of picture in my mind- A short-haired girl in her blue jeans jacket, wearing a cap on top and carrying a light yellow bag, waiting for me outside the classroom to walk back to the stupid KTAR hostel together. When I asked her, "Won't you feel hot? Why don't you use your umbrella?"

She winked at me and replied," I am lazy to hold umbrella so I am wearing my blue jacket and cap..."

That's the prettiest smile I have ever seen. Stay in touch, Lampfly.

Mortar-board

I remember, 4 years ago, one day, when I was walking back to the hostel with Lampfly, we witnessed one convocation in the hall of KTAR. I hated study in KL as I was forced to be away from home so I asked her when are we going to graduate? She couldn't conceal her envy of those graduates at their success, I saw it from her eyes.

She replied, "I don't know..."

We were longing to complete our study as soon as possible and then leave the hateful city, forever.

I remember, when I was walking to the school with my pal, Chloe, I used to ask her, " When can I wear the Mortar-board? I hate studying here and yearn for a graduation..."

She answered, " Very fast. Time flies...within the twinkling of an eye, you will get your chance to wear that hat and, you are going to miss the schooling days..."

I doubted her words and prayed hard for the days to arrive...

Finally, on 19th August 2006 (Saturday), I had my convocation inside the MCA building. My parents witnessed me receiving my degree from the guest of honour. At the moment, I felt that I have really grown up and got to decide something very important for my future. And, my parents are proud of me and I must have some kind of achievement, continously for them to proud of...It's not merely about the Mortar-board, even though I loved it a lot! :P

Basically, the ceremony wasn't a good one as the space is really small, whereas there were too many attendants. Due to some errands and our ignorance, Protocol and I arrived late. We were in a hurry to wear our gowns and I was really a fool for leaving my coat with my parents. After minutes of torturing in waiting, I got my coat but I left my 'smart card' in my hand bag, and I had passed it to my boyfriend when I got the coat from him!!! So, a lot of things happened afterward. I got to redo the card, borrowed money from person I didn't know at all and then rushed up and down stairs to settle my things.

Luckily, I got my own seat after that and walked up the stage confidently.

Sadly, after the ceremony, the place was in a mess. It was crowded with people. Owing to some unexpected external factor, which was really unpleasant, I had to give up the chance of taking precious photoes with my friends. I was only able to catch some with several people, whom were near to me that time.

:-( That's really upsetting. I couldn't take photo with Protocol, Lampfly, Tasha, Chauyen, Laiyee, Chunyet, Khaisin, Fayes, Chloe, Wenzi, Leng, Kitfye and many more beloved friends...I missed the chance forever...Grrrrrr....

Please, if anyone of you happen to read my post, kindly send me at least one photo of yourself with Mortar-board on top. You guys are my friends and I want to keep it as ours last souveneirs. Please....

Though, I was able to snap this lovely picture with Kenjo. My cute friend, who resembles Japanense girl and who is really good in writing. :-) Thanks Kenjo. I love this picture!

Friends in JR1. Happy convocation. Strive hard for your future.

You guys have places in my heart. That's an unbreakable fact!

Love you all!

An Overview

-->Protocal invited YokeHan and I for the briefing at Subang Jaya in May. That's about a week after my final examination in UTAR.

-->After the briefing, three of us discussed about it in a McDonald's nearby. I was just joining the briefing for fun and didn't really think that I would be able to realise the plan as I couldn't drive well and didn't believe that I shall be able to do that as the application process seemed to be complicated. It looked like a dream, which is hard to be reached.

-->After discussing and talking with Protocol million of times, both of us felt like we should give it a try. Our mother promised to sponsor the expenses and we felt like there might be a chance for us to achieve the dream.

-->Protocol and I made up our mind, to try our best. We went through the complicated application process like meeting doctors, having injection, asking and even begging other tutors', relatives' and friends' helps. After two weeks of the torturing process, we completed the forms, the interview with the agent and the CPI test.

-->After coming back home and decided to work in hometown temporary while waiting for the confirmation and matching process, Protocol told me that her daddy was stomping mad for her decision. He forbidded her from doing that. Both of us felt like it's a nightmare. Protocol promised that she would talk to her parents in a heart to heart way and used whatever means to convince them. I was worried.

-->I was offered the jobs: Teacher in one international school and Translator in KL. Besides, I was called for a lot of interviews but I rejected them all. I was waiting for the application to be confirmed and had made up my mind of what I am going to do for my future.

-->A traumatic period while waiting for the confirmation. Many people thought that I was crazy. Too many 'What If' in my minds. I waited for about one month, I got the confirmation letter. But, Protocol hadn't got it. I was worry as the families started to write me e-mails and making appointment to call. More and more worries hit me this time.

-->One of the families has three boys and the host parents sound nice. I received the host mum first call and I like the way she talked. She gave me one week to consider about it. At the moment, Protocol got the confirmation letter, finally. But, no lead of family contacting her. If I have to make up my mind that early, I would not be able to leave with Protocol. I gotta fly alone, to such a far-away-land.

-->I received a call from another family in another state. Well, the family doesn't sound right to me. I realised that I have to make a wise decision without worrying too much about unnecessary things. Since I have decided then I shall brace up and make my second step. I told Protocol about it, she didn't say much but wished me all the best.

--> Protocol received a call from one family in Ohio. She wasn't sure of whether that's a family that she wants. I don't think she's going for it. My mummy said, ' If you wanna go, make it fast. Don't drag 'till October or November only choose the family. You wouldn't feel like going then...' She's right. My strong will was shaken, abit as I lead a peaceful and nothing-to-worry about-life in hometown. I started to feel that it would be better to stay at home. Though, my superego halted me from thinking about it again. I knew that I have to make up my mind, firmly.

-->The host dad rang this morning. He is more concerning about my lifestyle, my job, my personality, my ability and the tasks I am going to handle. Obviously, he's more careful and we talked for about 2 hours. He's just trying to make sure that I have made the right choice and have a better understanding of how's the job going be like. I fathom his situation, they are his kids.

-->At last, I made up my mind. I told the family that I am going to join them. Well, I think they are happy about it, I think...

I don't know what lies ahead. I don't know if I made a stupid mistake or terrible decision, but I will try to overcome the difficulties. If I fail, at least, I have tried.

So00, California! See you there on 2nd October 2006!!!

Farewell

I burried corns, spinach and some of my piggy's favourite food under the tree. Not to be supertitious, but I just want to give him something, for the very last time...

This is a month of mourning. I am not going to upload anything in this July. Not a good month, I think...

Farewell, Piggy.

You will be in my heart.

Thank you.

This afternoon, when the time is reaching 4pm, I suddenly felt fitful and uncomfortable. I checked on the students’ homework with growing unease, talking and teaching them with my greatest impatience. I may not be a loving and devoted teacher but I never had that kind of feeling before. My psyche was messy. I felt like I was getting sick or going to kill somebody. Yes, without rhythm or reason. Maybe it’s a kind of ominous omen.

A moment ago, when my dad was driving me home. He told me a bad news. My Piggy had passed away. My parents found him died after coming back from work. It was about 4.30pm.

I knew this would happen. I actually prayed for it to happen yesterday night, with my tearful eyes and smashing heart. Thank you, Piggy. I know that you heard my prayer and answered to it. Thanks for fulfilling my very last request. My good boy, you are such a wonderful guinea pig, you don’t want to torture your mama that way, too, right? Clever boy. I am glad that you have escaped from the sufferings and illness, really, even though I hate you leaving me…

My parents buried my piggy under the fruit tree in front of my house. I wanted to do the job, I want to touch him and send him off, for the last time. Sadly, my parents curried him underground while I was working. They refused to wait, or they were just worrying that I am going to sob like a mother who is losing his precious son. Not sure, I guess I will. I cried for the entire night yesterday. My colleagues were concerning about my swollen eyes. They were wondering if I wasn’t feeling well. Yes, I was and I am. He had been with me for six years, that’s really a long time for a rodent and a human. I might neglected him sometimes but I truly enjoy the time I cut his fingernails, bathed him, talked to him and mocking at him for his silliness.

The touch and glances at 12pm, before leaving for work, today were the last few contacts I had with Piggy…I saw him laying lifelessly in the cage, with his paralysed body. His back legs crossed with each other in a weird and funny way, as they weren’t functioning anymore. He was tired, I could see it.

Nope, I am going to erase those awful pictures. I will store the fat and furry Piggy in my soul. To me, you are always the cutest one.

I felt that my heart is empty right now. Somebody dug a big hole on it. But I am really happy. Piggy, thanks for doing me such a wonderful favour. I love you. Remember, my boy, if you are going through a reincarnation, never become an animal again. If you were to be a pet again, I would only allow you to be mine. Please…

Rest in peace, my Piggy. I love you…now and forever.

Thanks for everything… MUAKS.

Piggy. I am sorry.

His fur are formed by three colours: White, brown and black. The utmost significant part is his left eye. A ‘dark circle’ surrounds it. This is the uniqueness of him, which differentiates him from the rest of the guinea pigs and it is the reason for my dad to purchase him from the pet shop, six years ago.

His name is 'Piggy'. I named him that way because the only thing he has been good at is asking for food. He is actually a substitute for my deceased white guinea pig when I was 15. I cried so badly for losing my little guinea pig so my dad bought ‘Piggy’ for me after that. He was so skinny and tiny that time. I still remember that. He was placed in the small box and was terrified to be brought to a new place. My dad fetched me back from my tuition centre. He passed me the box and asked me to open it. ‘Piggy’ was trembling in the box, with his worried and vacant eyes. But, his dark circle cheered me up. Since then, I know that I got to take care of him well.

Basically, guinea pig is a kind of domestic pet, which is very easy to be reared. They are not demanding and would only make some noise when they are hungry. It is funny as they would recognize and remember the sounds you made before preparing the meal for them. For example, normally I would open the fridge to take out some vegetables or corns for them from the plastic bags. Next, I would wash them under the tap. These little creatures would squeak when their ears capture the sounds of water running down from tap and people dragging the plastic bags. Besides, they would stand up and lean on the cage, squeaking non-stopping whenever they hear your footsteps.

I have a lot of experience with rodents like guinea pigs and hamsters. I had too many of them. ‘Piggy’ used to have one mate, but sadly, she died after giving birth at the second time. Yes, ‘Piggy’ was a dad before. He and his mate produced 6 little ones at the previous two births, taken place four or five years ago. Those little pigs were incredibly adorable. They were naughty and did a lot of funny things to make me laugh. I did not have a lot of space and my parents didn’t allow me to keep too many of them. They actually asked me to keep those little ones and sell the parent. However, I couldn’t bring myself to do that. As such, I chose to keep the parent, ‘Piggy’. The babies were sold after two months. I made the choice because I think that the babies were so lovely, it wouldn’t be hard for them to get a new owner. Though, for those adult guinea pigs, like ‘Piggy’, it might be a problem.

It has been a long time since the day I owned Piggy. More than six years ago. It’s truly amazing. The average life span for a guinea pig is about 3 to 4 years and many of my friends’ guinea pigs only lasted for few months. Anyway, mine is able to survive for more than six years, until today. But, he is really old and in a very bad condition.

There were tumours growing on his back. There is nothing I can do to help. The tumours started to grow since three years ago. But, his health has never really been affected at the passing years. He slept well, ate well and grew into a huge and plump furry ball. Out of the blue, Piggy became skinny months ago but he still ate well. I had that kind of feeling that his time is near. I understand that, as he is really old. I have been telling myself that I got to prepare for that.

This afternoon, my brother’s girlfriend discovered that his two back legs were stuck at the bars of the cage and couldn’t move. After she told me, only I realised about it. No wonder, he has been remaining in the same position for the whole day and he didn’t take the carrot I gave him. But, I only realised about it in the afternoon! Gosh! What kind of owner? I tried to pull his legs out, it’s hard and I got to do it in a harsh way. His legs were out but they were scalped and the wounds get swollen and bleed. My heart broke. The saddest thing was, I realised that both of his back legs couldn’t function anymore. I don’t know why. I don’t know how he got his legs in between the bars. This is an incident that has never taken place before. I still couldn’t figure out the reason of his handicap. A moment ago, I went and checked him through, I realised that the tumours that are growing on his back seem to be the factor for him to lost the ability to walk.

I gave him some vegetables to eat but he didn’t really take much. When he saw me approached, he tried to squeak but he couldn’t move forward again. He used his front legs to crawl and dragged his body along so that he could move the front and reached me… I heard the sounds of smashing. It came from my heart. My Piggy is not able to climb up and greet me anymore. Actually, he couldn’t do that since months ago. He couldn’t response to my call or caress, he couldn’t even eat much. He lied there quietly and I wish that he couldn’t just sleep and never wake up again… I don’t want him to suffer…never ever.

I am the one to be blamed. I didn’t even realised that his legs were stuck. What my brother said is correct. I neglected him after getting the new pair of hamsters. My Piggy must be feeling lonely for these years. I didn’t really talk to him that much after getting the hamsters… I neglected him… my Piggy. Everything is too late right now… there is nothing I can do. I am thinking of putting him to sleep. Saving him from the sufferings, but, I know I would never able to do that, how could I end your life that way?

My Piggy, I love you. I am sorry for everything, Please forgive your stupid and barbaric owner. You are an important companion in my life. What we had, I always remember…I am sorry… I am sorry…

Piggy, please… close your eyes quietly… I don’t want you to suffer anymore… rest well…. That’s my last request…

Phobia

(picture taken from-http://www.discoverchiropractichawaii.com/_layout/car-accident.jpg)

When I was browsing through some websites this afternoon, I accidentally caught the picture above in one particular site. Immediately, I saved it without hesitation. That's the picture, exactly the one, which has been preoccupying my mind, when I am driving on the road.

I got my license in year 2003 and I never drove since then. I have been trying to master the skill of driving these few weeks due to the requirement of the program. I drove my brother's and my friend's car whenever I have the chance to do so. But man, it's hard. It's really hard, it's not in my blood. I don't have a gene in driving.

In my whole life, I seldom really worry about things as I always believe that once I brace up myself to make the first step, I will be fine. But, that's bullshit. If you are having that kind of phobia in your heart, it's truly hard to get rid of it. I have the picture in head every time I am driving on the road. My heart would pound and sometimes I would be in the state of blank when I am driving.

God, I am really retarded in driving. I can memorize all the theories in text books, I am able to work on my assignments and thesis under pressure in great speed. I have overcomed the greatest challenge I ever had during my intership but I just couldn't chase away my fear in driving.

Well, I have to admit that there are some improvement after times of practising but there are so many uncivilized nerds who do not know the rules on road. They speed and they honked at you ruthlessly when they couldn't cut your way whilst the traffic is maximal. They blame you for driving at such a low speed. Come on, I am not a great driver who is able to cut here and there. In addition, the roads were narrow, and the traffic was bumper to bumper. Following the rules, please...If you are rushing your way to the hell, don't drag others along with you!

My brother asked me to bang others' cars and then die together with them as I was truly an idiot in driving at the very first time he guided me on the road. He was mean but I think he makes sense. I was such a hopeless moron for him. By the way, Yong also acting harsh on me whenever he guides me. He never yelled at me before that now, he has been doing that from time to time when he is sitting beside me in his Wira.

I am such a failure and I sobbed helplessly for my handicap. The phobia haunted me so deeply. How can I get rid of it? Help me please. I have to improve my skill, or else, I won't be able to fulfil my dream and realise my plan!

GOSH! I need some help!

The day we hugged each other.

A moment ago, I told Tasha that I will only update my blog after getting a real direction in my messy life. Anyhow, after having a short but nice chat with her in MSN, I just feel like leaving a short note here.

In fact, chatting with Tasha reminded me of the golden old days we had in UTAR. That's not really a long time but I feel like I have graduated for ages. Maybe it's like what Chloe has stated, " We are entering a new phase in life, so we feel like we have left the school for a long time..."

Well, I guess so. Within these two months, many things are changing. I heard that some of my friends have moved back to hometown, some of them have got their jobs while some of them are undecided. The saddest thing is, some of the friends actually have stopped contacting each other. OH My, we have just graduated for not more than two months...If things go on this way, I am sure that after another two months, we won't be able to remember each other's names. Not a good sign.

Remember the day we hugged each other? That's the last day in class. I could feel the warmth when my friends held me in such a warm and sweet embrace. That's the first ( and the last time?) I felt that we were so close with each other...

Anyway, Tasha, if you are reading this, may I have your attention please? I know that I am not in your shoe so it would be hard for me to fathom your situation entirely. But, I had that kind of similar experience before. The feeling was terrible and I thought that I wasn't going to survive but I made it, luckily. You are an awesome girl, no problem for anything. Yeah! Just go for it! you will succeed!

Just try your best. :-) you are NEVER alone. Take care of yourself, that's the main thing. Try your best ok? Nothing to lose anyway! :P Wish to hear good news from you soon! MUAKS!

Cheers!

Decision

I have been receiving calls for job interviews these few day...But, I cancelled ALL of them! Yes, you must be thinking, SzeChia must be completely out of her mind, she's crazy...Yes, I am insane. I have been thinking about it over and over again. I couldn't let this chance flip away...I couldn't afford to retrieve it again. I am not sure if I am doign the right thing, but, I guess that's what I have been longing to be.

I had one interesting conversation with one brilliant friend online.

He asked, " Well, you like kids?"

I replied," I love obedient kids."

He noted, " I love Santa Claus. Both of them are imaginary."

This friend of mine is a genius. He has been giving me a lot of useful and intellectual advices. He is a nice guy and I am grateful for his teaching.

Ohya, don't get me wrong, I am not going to have any babies! :p haha, it's just a big decision in life.. I need a lot of courage and strong will to carry on... Pray for me.

All the best for myself...