It Wouldn't Be Christmas

Before Tim and Wini left for KL a few years ago, she gave me a CD full of MP3 songs and podcasts compiled by Tim.

There is a lovely Christmas song there which I love most sung by Jaci Velasquez from her album Christmas. Come the Christmas season, I would set it as my phone ring tone.

We hang the lights, have snowball fights
And sing our favorite tunes
All of these are memories
I make each year with you

We decorate the douglas together
And watch "It's A Wonderful Life"
I look forward to every December
Because you're always here by my side

It wouldn't be Christmas without you
The season would just come and go
The holiday cheer would all disappear
Along with the sleigh bells and snow
Santa and eight little reindeer
Might as well pass on through
'Cause baby it wouldn't be Christmas
Without you

HappySlip Jingle

This is one of my favourite Youtube comedians, HappySlip. She is one talented artist who plays different characters in her humourous videos.

Here she sings a Christmas jingle using the cup beat.

Enjoy!

(Youtube uploaded by HappySlip, Dec 21, 2007)

Regular Friends

I don't normally listen to Chinese songs because I'm a 'banana woman'; I don't read and write Mandarin though I could converse rather fluently in the language.

I chanced upon David Tao's song, Regular Friends, when I dropped by couzie Laine2's blog. She has it on her music playlist.

Surprisingly, I've taken quite a liking for it. I reckon it must be the beautifully-composed classical guitar intro which sounds so romantic.

And no, I can't really understand what David's singing. Somehow I understand the spoken Mandarin better than the language penned for lyrics.

(Youtube uploaded by wenjhe88, Oct 20, 2007)

Free!!

I'm free at last!

A huge burden is lifted off my shoulders the moment the last page of my research proposal was printed. I have no idea if the proposal will be understood by my lecturer but it's done and was handed in today at 10 a.m.

I still can't believe that I've officially completed the first semester of my study. How quickly time passes by! I will be starting my second semester sometime in January next year.

It seemed just like yesterday when I first started my journey of going back to full time study again.

At this moment in time, I do not miss my working life at all. Nope, never missed it since the day I left though I miss my few kindred spirits there.

Even though there were times of confusion, inability to grasp the new concepts and theories that I'm learning, adjusting to being an independent learner and encountering some stressful situations academically, it is much better than working.

I'm savouring every moment right now. I want to enjoy what I have now to the fullest!

Thanks, DD. Only You know what I really need. I can't thank You enough!

Birthday Pig Out

So it's makan time again.

We celebrated Kenny's birthday a day earlier since everyone's free. The birthday boy had wanted to go for steamboat somewhere in Taman Dickson but the place was just too crowded with people. So Vic suggested Welcome (Ta Jia Lai), another popular restaurant that is always filled to the brim with patrons young and old.

The food was finger-licking good!!!

Chicken in Mongolian Sauce

Shell

Prawns...
(forgot the name of the sauce
but it's cooked in a lot of pounded dried shrimps)

Fried Tofu with mayonnaise

Wet Butter Crabs

Oh, and there was a platter of veggie which I did not bother to a take pic of.

After dinner, we went to Uncle Biscuit and I bought Kenny a Green Tea birthday cake which will be cut tomorrow...

Gallivanting

So I'm just a very undisciplined, lazy bum. Instead of finishing up the proposal, I went on a day out with Sim; first for Sim's belated birthday lunch at The Hut, Damai, before we took off to the newly opened Suria KK. The parking is free for the first two hours before they start charging at RM1 per hour, I think.

It was a barren mall at the moment; with construction workers still carrying on works and renovation. The over-powering smell of new paint and dust greeted us as we stepped into the mall.

Only a handful of shops were open such as Eu Yan Sang, GNC, Reject Shop, Voir and a boutique or two.

I love this tiny black thing and the masquerade mask in the window at Voir! Suitable for a Christmas party!

The much anticipated Metrojaya is in full-swing operation.

It was good to walk through the department. It brought back so many memories of my student days in KL, when I was so much poorer where I had gone through the sections during sales to hunt for cheap stuff but I found out then that Metrojaya could never ever offer the best price compared to Parkson Grand.

It was, however, good to see some familiar labels such as Somerset Bay, Laura Ashley, Passage, Arthur Yen and Emmanuel.


And on this floor, I saw Strudel which was tucked away in a corner! Tired patrons can grab a quick bite and at the same time enjoy the scenic seaview.

We were there for less than an hour so we went to Wisma Merdeka. The last time I was here was sometime in June. Sim introduced me to the most delectable and scrumptious bite-sized goodness of Takoyaki, a Japanese snack. It was heavenly!!! So much better than the one in Damai.

I also managed to buy some outfits for myself *happy*

Before we left, I went and bought myself two sets of Takoyaki. I just could not get the taste out of my mind. They are just too delicious!

Yums!!!

My very valid concern now is that I'm afraid I'd get this sudden uncontrollable urge for Takoyaki and may drive down to KK just to satisfy my cravings!

Say It Again

I like this particular music video of Marie Christina Digby singing Say It Again. It's the props! They are cute and lovely :)

(Youtube uploaded by MarieDigby, May 22, 2008)

Stupid For You

(Youtube uploaded by MarieDigby, Feb 25, 2008)

Verse 1:
It's not everyday
That I meet a person quite like you
Perfect every way
I finally found the nerve to confess

That it's you - that I want
I don't care if I act a fool
I would damn near beg for you!
Put aside, all my pride
So don't keep me hanging here
Cause this girl is falling stupid for you

Chorus:
Ooh...
Oh, stupid for you
Ooh...
Oh

Verse 2:
The proper thing to do
Is for me to act like a lady and wait
For you to make the first move
But I don't think you're getting the point

That it's you - that I want
I don't care if I act a fool
I would damn near beg for you
Put aside, all my pride
So don't keep me hanging here
Cause this girl is falling stupid for you!

Oh, oh, oh, stupid for you
Oh, oh, oh

Bridge:
Why is it always feel like I am
Chasing love when nothing's there
And here I go just making the same mistake
I've fallen stupid for you

Updated on Dec 6, 9.59 p.m.:
I am falling stupid for this song! ^^
Ooh... stupid for you... lalalala...

Relieved

Finally I could breathe a sigh of relief. I'm done with my exam though I still have to finish up my proposal which is due on Dec 10.

It was just a very different experience sitting for the exam. It's been nearly a decade since I last had to read so much and try to memorize certain facts. There were just so much to cover and understand. Seriously, I have never ever gone into an exam hall with this much feelings of inadequacy, unpreparedness, uncertainty, fear and doubt (except for my government PTK multiple-choice exam which I had never bothered to read).

Another aspect that I'm still struggling with is the application of all these knowledge. At this level, it is more about application which I'm still trying to get used to - the application of theories into practice or practice supported by theories. The link.

Besides juggling all these facts, I realize that I've lost the momentum and memory power to study. It used to be such a breeze; understanding, reading up, making short notes, memorizing, remembering - all done in quite a short time.

Now, I'm like dragging myself - read, reread, and reread and yet not really comprehending and soaking it all up. Sigh... is it really age catching up or do I still need to work harder?

The funny thing that I couldn't help but to bang my head on the wall is I failed to practice good time management during my first paper (and there I was all these years advising and reminding my students to practise good time management during an exam... =.=).

I had three hours to answer four questions but my time management was so horrendously bad that I had only ten minutes to write the fourth essay! I have no one else but myself to blame. Am keeping my fingers crossed that this will not cause me to get only a B-. Getting a B- is bad. It will cause me to get kicked out of school!!!

I'm realistic - just aiming for a B. Please, DD, please.

At this moment, I'm relieved that the exam part is over but there's still the proposal to be churned out. More reading and writing.

Yup, this is the reflection of a more 'mature' student sitting for an exam which she deems rigorous.

I just can't wait for Dec 10. It's independence day for me study-wise. I want to enjoy my Christmas holiday; set up my simple Christmas tree, stroll down the malls, window-shop, buy some new outfits for myself, eat some fattening food with family and friends, watch some movies, read more novels, watch TV, laze around and also not forgetting, exercise more...

Ah... pure bliss...

Blank

My mind is a piece of emptiness. I seem to understand what I'm reading yet there's also so much that I don't! So much to memorize but I am not sure if I'm capable of doing it.

Then, there's the difference between reading, understanding, and memorizing; and actually applying it.

Haiz... another round of stress...

Farewell...

Good friends, good food, good ambiance, good conversations - that's the description for today's gathering to bid farewell to Poh Lan, a dear ex-colleague and friend, who will relocate with her husband to KB.

It was indeed a rare occasion to gather just the five of us as everyone has been so busy with work but we made it nevertheless.

It was back to our regular hangout at Hana.

I was tasked to order from the menu since the ladies trusted my tastebud =D We ate more than the food shown here because I was too preoccupied with eating :)

We chatted and updated on each others' news. Time passed by quickly when we were having a good time. The waitress had to deliver the bill to our table as they were closing. They were kindly 'shooing' us away :)

We continued our conversation while standing outside the establishment before snapping some pics for remembrance.

Poh Lan had to leave early but the rest of us went to have a cuppa over at Starbucks.

My delicious Choc Cream

Good luck, Poh Lan. Thanks for being such a kind colleague. Thanks for your partnership and friendship all these years! I'll miss you!

Serendipity - not!

My joy was actually short-lived and I only realize it more than a month later - yesterday. I decided to call up KL to check the status of my study leave seeing that it has been quite some time and I have yet to receive any letter from them.

After calling Mr ZY, the person-in-charge, he put me on hold for awhile to check on my file.

"Cik, kita belum dapat fax dari cik lagi. Cik dah fax ke ni?"

Haiz...

In about 15 minutes, after digging through my files (and that was after some venting of steam and kepanasan and whining and complaining to myself), I find myself at the same photostatting shop to fax the said letter again. There was some problem getting through initially but it was done when I heard the familiar sharp-pitched sound generated by the fax machine.

Upon reaching home, I called Mr ZY to inform him that the letter had been faxed. After some (feigned helplessness) questions on when I should call again to check if he has received the fax, he obligingly went to the machine to look for it and said that he has got it. Phew. At least I'm spared of making another call to the gov dept just to check whether they have got my fax.

I did not stop there. I further inquired when I should be expecting the official letter (if I could get it within two weeks' time) from them now that all my documents are intact and they could proceed to process my application. Mr ZY said he would process it immediately BUT it all depends on the pegawai yang meluluskan.

"Kalau dia cepat, tak de masalah, rasanya cepatlah tu surat cik dikeluarkan. Cik bolehlah call balik saya untuk check status surat cik nanti."

Haiz... so I'd have to call again...

***

The reason why I'm so frustrated about this whole thing is that my coursemate who is also on the same study leave as me has got his letter in September. His application was processed without the need of extra letters of verification of our uni whereas they required that I get the letter.

We are doing the same course in the same uni, registered at the same time, offered the same study leave by the same gov dept in KL which is handled by the same people and yet one needs verification and the other need not. And yes, once I found out that my coursemate had received his letter already without needing any extra verification, I did inform them and Mr ZY was surprised but... they still want the extra doc from me.

Where is the logic in this?

Why, oh, why, DD?

Having grumbled and all, I'm still grateful for the liaison man, the patient, soft-spoken and polite Mr ZY. I can assume that he is a nice man, at least based on our few phone conversations.

Lesson:
If you want things to get done at gov dept (if you are too far away to be there physically), don't forget to call, call, and call - just to remind them of your existence and to 'help' them to keep track of your stuff coz they can't really keep track of so many things, can they?

Grit your teeth and speak nicely, gently and politely though you are steaming and boiling inwardly and outwardly.

Try to push them to process your stuff a lil quicker without them knowing that you are pushing them by asking more questions; feigning cluelessness and helplessness.

***

I will only know if the above really works only AFTER I have the black-and-white safely in my hands.

Oh, please, oh, please, DD...

Anyway

I came across this lovely poem by Mother Teresa, who borrowed from Kent M. Keith's The Paradoxical Commandments. There are just so many real life lessons to be gleaned from the experiences of great people like her; those who 'walk the talk'.

Anyway

~ Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

The Paradoxical Commandments

~ Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Nobody

Gosh, I really love this song! It's my current favourite. I first heard it on Monday when Jojo, my dance instructor, introduced a new line dance routine to the English version of this song. I just could not get the tune and rhythm off my head for these five days.

So today, I googled and found that it is originally sung by Wonder Girls, a 5-piece Korean SYT (sweet young things) band. I have no idea what they are singing. I only like the melody and rhythm.

(Youtube uploaded by mnet, Nov 18, 2008)

I have also just discovered that the line dance routines posted on Youtube are quite comprehensive. Here's the dance steps to Nobody performed by Nancy (a dance instructor in KL, I think) and her team. The steps and styling are slightly different from Jojo's, more feminine and gentle. Love it!

(Youtube uploaded by senipadu, September 11, 2009)

Baby-sitting

I had a day out with my old buddies today, Jason and Shirley, and lil Rio. It was really good meeting up with them again. The last time they visited from Australia was about one and a half years ago. It was a day of shopping for them as they tried to buy their year's worth of supply here in KK due to the favourable exchange rate.

Rio giving me his most charming smile
in exchange for a sip of my iced Milo

After meeting up for breakfast in Damai, we went to 1B as Shirl needed to get her office wear. I found myself taking up the role of a baby-sitter to their lil tyke, Rio, and ended up at the toys section in Parkson. Rio went bonkers over the toys, the interactive TV games and the Lego set. It was so amusing to observe his reactions to all the colourful toys there. Since it was the morning of a working day, the store was literally empty and he had the whole section to himself.

An architect in the making

Playing Alphabet Park

Absorbed in the cartoon

A quick smile for the album
before quickly gluing his eyes on the TV again

After dropping Shirl off at the hairdresser's to get her hair fixed, we went to Citymall for lunch at Old Town and to hunt for shoes. My left shoe came off while in 1B.

Jason fulfilled his craving for Asam Laksa, Rio had a Strawberry toast while I had nasi lemak. The lil boy surely knew what he wanted when he ordered kit-chai ping (iced lime juice), much to the amusement of the waiter.

It was not a 'shoe day' for me. The few shoe designs that I liked did not have my size so I ended up part walking-and-dragging my left foot. Jason managed to buy a pair of sandals while lil Rio spied on an arcade and made a quick dash for the Daytona Race.

All too soon it was time to get Shirl. When Jason went in the salon to get Shirl, I taught Rio to praise her mom: Mom, you look beautiful!

However, we arrived a little too early and Shirl was not done yet so we had to wait for another five minutes.

So I asked Rio to repeat the line to his dad. Over-excited and smiling gleefully, Rio quipped: Mom, you look beautiful! What happened to you?

Jason and I laughed our heads off because it sounded so wrong! We corrected him and made him repeat the 'correct' phrase.

Poor lil tyke. I think he got confused because finally, when Shirl got into the car, Rio turned to her and said: Mom, you look NOT beautiful!

Hahahaha...

Kids say the darndest things.