The World From My Eyes

Year of the Matador

2010-07-15T02:44:00.009+10:00

What a year it has been for the Spanish sports contingent. A nation which until recently has been marred by years and years of underachieving have finally been able to match their talents with results. Simply amazing. Rewind back just over 8 years ago, I remembered a certain cosmic collision of events - the French Open and a little soccer competition most widely known as 'The World Cup'. On that fateful night (in Malaysia that is), June 9 2002, by some odd zodiac, stars aligning one in a million chance (OK...maybe not one in a million) event, the French Open between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Albert final somehow coincided with the Spain's quarter final match with South Korea.

What an exciting day it was, I've been a big fan of Ferreros at the time and he was playing some of his best tennis, beating Agassi along the way. Largely favored against (ironically) his compatriot Costa, he started well enough...holding his serve to love (i think)...they played i think 3 games before mother nature decided to make her presence known by reigning down showers...which triggered a rain delayed...the rest was well...history. After the rain delay, Fererro just wasn't the same...clearly playing with nerves...he surrounded the first two sets rather meekly, losing 6-1, 6-0. In the third, he mustered some nerve and was able to carve up a 6-4 win...but with the tag 'heavy favorite', and the thought of overcoming insurmountable odds weighing heavily on his shoulder...he lost the final set 6-3...the final dagger through my heart was watching him double faulting at match point...it was a sad end to a match with so much promise of victory for the young Spaniard (he did eventually win he lone grand slam the following year at the same event)...but the tears in his eyes told the story of a man of seething thoughts of what could have been...

Albert Costa kissing the Trophy (while Ferrero sits shell shocked on his bench)

One the other side of the world, Spain the overwhelming favorites were playing against the giant killing South Koreans (who took down Italy in a rather controversial match). I have to admit, I didn't care much for soccer then (not that I do now), but since Ferrero was Spanish, at least for the remainder of the Soccer tournament, I had temporary switch allegiance to Spain...I didn't know much about the Spanish team, but I did know they were quite prolific during their group stage matches, scoring 9 goals along the way...they had been at the time (prior to 2006) touted as their best team ever team assembled for the Spanish contingent...some players included Raul and Morientes...who were at the peak of their prowess and formed a particularly prolific strike force...Mandieta who recently won FIFAs player of the year award, Hierro and T.Nadal (uncle of now famous tennis star R.Nadal) and a young trio of Casillas, Puyol and Xavi who would go on to form the nucleus of the currently reigning world and European champion team...Needless to say, Spain dominated the match from beginning till end of extra time...unfortunately, they had 2 goals unfairly disallowed allowing the Koreans to hang on till the end of extra time...nerves finally got in the way and they exited the tournament via a penalty shootout.

However of late, the Spanish seem to be enjoying a huge sporting renaissance, cumulating in the victories of Rafael double grand slam (French and Wimbledon), The Lakers (featuring Pau Gasol) NBA championship team and the Spanish soccer teams World Championship triumph.

After enduring a miserable 2009 and pre-clay 2010 struggling with injury. Nadal suddenly turn it around during the Clay season after winning all 3 masters title on clay (Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid), he came into the French full of confidence and claimed his 5th French title, before heading into grass of Wimbledon...collecting his 2nd Wimbledon title and bringing his overall tally of grand slam title to 8.

I've never really been a fan of his tennis...it's quite ugly on the eyes...chasing down every single shot and looping them back with his highly unorthodox ground strokes...But truth be told...the Spanish sport renaissance really started with him...prior to that...Spanish tennis has always consistently produce top level players...but neither truly soaring to the ranks of greatness, often becoming victims to their own fragile mental state...but this kid was different...playing with a kind of grit and determination seldom seen from today's elite players. His unwillingness to yield and finding every possible way to win a match has define him as a player. Strong, scrappy and stubborn merge with superhuman concentration, concentration and mental toughness...a perfected style of tennis started by Brad Gilbert who literally wrote the book on winning ugly...I don't like his style of tennis, but I do admire and appreciate what he brings to the court and the sport of tennis...although he really has to stop with the play acting...he's above that...he doesn't need to win with underhand tactics...before Nadal...the Spaniard struggled to performed at the highest level...Who knew a bandana, pirate pants wearing kid from Mallorca would show them the way to win when it counts...

Pau Gasol...the best basketball player ever to emerge from Spain...what a talent...tall, versatile and smooth...seldom do players of this caliber brace the basketball stage...Once, touted as the savior who would lead the Grizzlies to the land of milk and honey (that's the NBA championship)...he failed to live up to that reputation (albeit not entirely his fault)...always seen as the talented player who couldn't take his team beyond the 1st round of the playoffs (that distinction now is firmly at the hands of Mcgrady)...eventually traded to the Lakers (in one of the most lopsided trades in history)...he ended up being Kobe Bryant's "Pippen"...capable of supporting the franchise star...or carrying the team himself when Kobe struggles...He showed a different side of himself during the NBA finals...Unable to play with the kind of flair due to the punishing defense of Boston...decided to roll up his sleeve and get down and dirty...scrambling for rebounds, taking charges, bullying his way to the basket and being a general nuisance on the defensive end...he might never get the same recognition as Kobe for winning those couple of championship...but everybody knows...Kobe wouldn't want anybody but Pau as his wing man...Gasol, the bloke who help turn a perennial playoff team into a championship outfit...

Finally, the Spanish football team. For so long, they have been known as one of the prettiest footballing team to have never won the Cup...After struggling to even get to the Finals...they made their break through at this year's championship...what made this win more special in a way was after wowing the world with their football during the 2006 European championships...they showed us that they can win with shear grit, determination and patience as evident by their four 1-0 wins startling from the round of 16...stopping an impressive free scoring German side and a rough Dutch side in the Finals who were determine to kick their opponents out of the park...a win is a win...and that's what counts...

After years of struggling...the Spanish have finally learn how to win...it doesn't matter how pretty you play...just how hard...here's to more great years to the nation's sporting side...

Side note...Fernando Alonso is struggling in the F1 championships and Spain just lost 5-0 during the davis cup tie...well...you win some you lose some...

Hands

2010-07-04T02:16:00.002+10:00

I've been watching a lot of "Cosby Show" lately. So I was googling through the internet to find more videos about about each character...I stumbled onto several "def jam poetry" videos on youtube. Two of the Cosby Show co-stars: Malcom Jamaal Warner (Theo) and Phylicia Rashard (Claire Huxtable) were contributors to this particular events (they both presented really good poetry). Anyway, I at a risk of sounding too poncy, I have to admit, some of them were good, some I just didn't get, some were funny, others just fell flat, Some I just couldn't relate to. But...occasionally, there were some gems like this one...which were both brilliant in terms of content and clarity. It's tittle "hands" by Sarah Kay...enjoy...

It's such a simple poem which doesn't try to be overly cleaver of sophisticated. The contents did make me ponder and realize certain aspects of our pair of "hands". First of, I never really imagined that my whole life story could be summed up by my pair of hands. You know...every cut, bruise, scar and blisters represents every toil and hardship I've endured...but to be honest...I do own a pretty slick pair of hands...barely worn out...except of this bump on my right middle finger...which I suppose represent my frequent use of stationary...

But...more than that...what stuck me even more was the idea that our "hands" are really an extension of our own thoughts...every action that we've taken with our hands reflects the very thoughts in our mind...whether we chose to hit someone, embrace them (that's using hands isn't it?), shake hands, high fives, clench a fist, give someone a pat in the back, ruffle someones hair, hold hands, point, flip the bird...etc etc...well you get the idea...

So remember to always keep your hands in check...and that hands...are such a wonderful gift from God...

Crooner's bug

2010-07-01T18:19:00.002+10:00

Lately, I've found myself developing a stronger taste for jazz/old crooner's music. Anyone who knows me would be somewhat surprised by this recent revelation. After all, I've often been known to express my distaste for this particular musical genre. I use to find it quite dreary, slow, boring and too complex. But mostly, I find the people who listen to jazz very pretentious, you know...as if listening to jazz music brings them some measure of sophistication, that they're automatically cooler for appreciating the art of jazz. Well, I guess I'm running with my tail between my legs now, I humbly admit defeat and apologize to all you jazz fans out there...it is a fantastic genre that has to many layers to it. Unlike the blues (my fav genre), it's very diciplined free flowing music. But really, at the end...like Jun always tells me...I don't really have to explain why I like something other than "just 'cause" and it sounds good. So yeah, I suppose I knew I was slowly geting sucked into the world of jazz when I found myself discussing Nina Simone with my brother one afternoon over lunch.

So why this long ramble about jazz music? Well, me and jun where watching "Julie and Julia" the other evening. Its a fantastic movie which is a semi-autobiographic movie about two woman's ( Julie Powell and Julia Childs) struggle to find purpose in their life. It had loads of themes in it, like...perseverance and self-discovery...which was presented in the lightest of ways. Anyway, one of the best moments in the movie...was in my opinion...the ending (don't we all just love good endings)...so in the final scenes of the movie, Julie and her husband takes a trip to the Smithsonian to visits the Julia Child's exhibit. After taking several pictures around the exhibit, she (Julie) takes a block of butter and places it under Julia's (confusing isn't it) potraits and whispers "i love you Julia" just before the movie fades into a scene where Julia prepares dinner for her husband to the tune of "time after time".

I found that scene particularly profound. Besides expressing the bond Julie has for Julia because of their shared struggles...it also reminded me of another prevailing theme of the movie...which is how love is tracendental, infinitely stretch through time, and that there are no rules that shackle it. I realized how love has always really been the same from the past and probably will in the future. How we constantly tell ourselves that love changes all the time (in some context i suppose it does...but that's another subject for another time...), that each generations',definition of love changes...that we require a different kind of love...you know...more freedom, more independence, more flexibility...etc etc...maybe it's all of those things, maybe it's none...but here, two different couples seperated by 5 decades of time, really just want the same thing...a little support and understanding amoung other things...love really is the same...a kid will always love ice-cream cones, dads will always love playing catch with their sons, moms will always love sewing dresses for their daughter's dolls...nothing changes...and that's reassuring...

Anyway, this is not a post about love...it's about jazz...so here's the video for the song "time after time" by Frank Sinatra...my favorite version is actually by Ella Fritgerald...but i chose this one since it has lyrics in it.

also while on the subject of jazz...some comments left by people of those youtube videos said that everyone should absolutely check out the version done by Chet Baker...i confess...i never heard of him prior to reading those comments but boys is his version good...it really takes me back to a time i've never been before (was not born yet)...the Don Draper/Dick Tracy days when everyone wore hats, suits and trech coats...you can just imagine it now...walking into a bar, the air...thick with the stench of cigerrate smokes...you hear the buzzing and muffled sounds of conversations circling the booths...the sounds of of clanking glasses as the waitress brings your whisky on the rocks...when suddenly...the music plays...the room goes silent...everyone is entraced by the music...and somehow...you wonder amist the crowd...how surrounded by so many people...you can still feel so alone...how tonight...you won't be found as you take another sip of your whiskey, and another puff from your cigerette...and that's...oooooookay...

Return from hiatus

2010-07-01T02:38:00.004+10:00

Well, I'm back from a...how has it been now...a year hiatus?? Seems like ages ago (which is probably true) since I last blogged. I guess at some point, I just fell out of love with it, not saying that I'm having all gushy feelings and am particularly full of inspiration at the moment, but i suppose seeing how everything has changed so much around me, I felt I had lost an outlet to express myself. So why of all times did i chose a cold Thursday night at 2:44am on The 1st of July?? Well...in the words of Gerard Butler ( from some sappy movies of his) "Beats the shit out of me"...so I'll see how it goes...I guess I'll blog until I get bored of it at some point in the future...who knows...for now...lets just live in the moment.

At this point, you have to forgive me for my lack of basic blogging instinct and etiquette. I am a little rusty. So lets try something simple to start with. This might sound like old news (which it is), but as of a week ago, Australia was graced with its first female prime minister, which is great. But as with one man's (or woman's) rise, another falls. I have to admit, I was quite surprise by the turn of events (as I'm sure with most people around the world) as it really came out of nowhere. Gosh, Mr Rudd must have felt like a deer staring at headlights (or whatever the expression is). Anyway, I won't go into the details of the politics, but depending on what political blog/paper you subscribe to, it was through unpopular policies like the ETS scheme and mining taxes...but to sum it up in a nutshell, Mr Rudd just couldn't deliver on his promises. Kindda like Lebron James and that illusive ring...yeah, I said it...

Anyway, this whole thing made me think a little (not too much) about politics/governments and how leaders can be feel so infallible and how arrogance led to their downfall, or worse...the country's downfall. One example that springs to mind is China- during the communist,Chairman Mao's ruling era, It's funny how when I was younger, I was thought or at least given the impression that he was some kind of great leader, I remember watching 'mind your language', and one of its character (i think her name was Su Li) who always harp about how "The republic of China...blah blah blah, chairman Mao, blah blah blah). But now, as I grew older and wiser (at least i like to think so) and developed a sense of curiosity towards stuff...i realized how chairman mao's "cultural revolution" almost destroyed the country.

I remember a quote from one of Alan Moore's more revered graphic novels, "V for Vendetta" (or...you can just check out the movie) which said, "people should not be afraid of their governments, the governments should be afraid of its people". Powerful stuff indeed. When you look at all the stuff going around the world...genocide, inequality, abusing of power, corruption, it makes you wonder if the people in charge really know what their role of authority is. After all, they were elected by the people to serve the people. Not the other way around. And as people under authority, that we didn't chose our leaders to be pushed around. As former President of the United states, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (that's the one Robin Williams played in "night at the museum") once said and i quote;

“The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.”

Here's a song that talks a little about inequality and injustice (which curiously enough, might have to do little with everything I just wrote). Here's Buju Banton's "Untold Stories"...Ya Maaaaan...Peace out (with my most Haitian/Jamaican accent i can muster).

While I'm Living
Thanks I'll Be Giving
To the Most High You know,

I am living while I am living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through everyday
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

All I see people a rip and a rob and a grab
Thief never love to see thief with long bag
No love for the people who a suffer real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no own no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole.
I could go on and on the full has never been told

Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can't they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say..When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
Its a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told

All I see people a rip and a rob and a grab
Thief never love to see thief with long bag
No love for the people who a suffer real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no own no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole
Could go on and on and the full has never been told
(On and On)
Though this life keep getting me down
Dont give up now
Got to survive somehow
Could go on and on and the full has never been told

Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can't they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
Its a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on.
The full has never.

Been..
Toooooold.

The Magic Position

2008-06-11T18:27:00.002+10:00

I found this video by accident...It's so retro and laced with weirdness, the epitome of 80's pop culture, but apparently, it fairly new.
Dad used to send me/us videos of mostly 80's music...haven't been receiving any of late...
But...this is the closet i could get to 80's retro without actually digging into the 80's...think a younger David Bowie...

Through the Roof n Underground

2008-06-10T18:24:00.002+10:00

Here's a flick that you should definitely check out ASAP...go to your nearest Blockbuster or equivalent and rent it over the weekend and chill with some mates over soda and popcorn.
I know......I should be studying for my exam...but every needs a break from time to time.
Anyway...trailer says it all...so I'm not going to give a synopsis...also, check out the theme song...it's wicked.

Tribute to My First Band

2008-06-09T18:00:00.002+10:00

AAAahhhhhhhh.....there's nothing like the sweet memories of busting a tune with your first band. It's like your first crush...doesn't last long, but you'll remember it for a very long time...probably the rest of your life...
I remember those times...when me and the band was so young and ambitious...we really thought we could conquer the world with our music...and that we could play anything...well at least I did...I thought there was no tune I could not conquer...
Anyway, the first band I was in was a trio...It featured Sam on the drums, Serene on the keyboards and me on the guitars. I was 13 at the time...and just started learning the guitar...and just like person who's just introduced to an instrument, I went through that awkward period trying to coordinate my hands...I practiced till me fingers were bruised...but when I finally got it, boy did i felt good.
Sam too just learned the drums and had some difficulty getting the timing and rhythm right...but he got it eventually, and Serene...well, she was the veteran in the team.
And...when we finally mastered our first song...we played it in front of our first audience...Mom and Dad...I think we blew them away...anyway here's a youtube video of the original song...

Speaking of bands...here's my new favorite one...you have to turn up the amplitude to bust this one out...

Be Thankful...Always...

2008-05-19T16:36:00.003+10:00

A friend of mine used to say “Do not complain when you have no shoes, think of those who have no feet”. Those words haven’t made more sense to me now than it did before.

I was having a conversation with the usual gang recently, and I was telling them how some kids have it so good. I was saying how during extra class in primary school, a lot of parents brought their child lunches just before lunch break, while it’s still piping hot and all I got was food stored in a thermos flask to which a couple of my mates (Serene & JunShi) exclaimed; “You had a thermos flask!!!!????”…hahahahaha, lesson learnt.

So kids, next time you’re having warm chicken soup with bread slices that your mom painstakingly prepared since morning for you to bring to school for lunch…be thankful, it could easily be soggy ham and cheese sandwiches…

Anyway...here are the top stories (in sports in the past week)

The renaissance of Celtic and Lakers Basketball. Both teams reach the conference finals this week. Fingers cross that they'll reach the NBA finals...although I'm rooting for a Pistons and Lakers final...either way...it's going to be good...

One of the all time greats in women's tennis; Justine Henin announced her retirement effective immediately...she cited burn out and a loss of motivation as her reasons for exiting the game...she will be sorely missed...her career has been marred by controversy and personal conflicts...but really started to take a turn for the better these couple of years...she will be sorely missed...I always liked her...she proved that little guys/girls can be ballin' (I know, it's techinically a basketball term)

Roger Federer...will he ever beat Nadal on Clay?? From todays scoreline...it looks improbable...Looks like the pundits prediction that Nadal will be in a Funk this time around were sorely mistaken...having said that...only count out Federer on your own peril...as he have proven time and time again in his career...

Anyway...here's something totally unrelated to my post so far...of all the big men in the NBA during the 90's I've always been a big fan of David Robinson...OK that's not really true, it was Hakeem 'The Dream'...but David Robinson was always a class act on and off the court...his persona and character has always been refreshing in a day and age of rich, overpaid athletes who cares about nothing but numero uno...so enjoy...

Serving at 3 in the Morning

2008-05-14T04:34:00.000+10:00

Life here has been getting pretty monotonous and routine…I realized that I have really nothing much to talk about these days aside from work…which to me…really really sucks…I hate it when life becomes rather predictable…like knowing exactly what I’m going to do next…Hence, I decided to take matters into my own hand…armed with a can of Dunlop tennis balls and my trusty Wilson Hyper Hammer, I took to the courts at 3am in the morning…it was dark, but fortunately for me, these was some ricochet light from the lamp post…fueled my desire to break from my routine I set a personal goal for myself…“Don’t leave this you get your serve to hit your sweet spot”…It was tough, I had no idea where the ball was heading or even where my ball toss was, coupled with the frustration of hitting too many framers…but I persevered…tweaking little things like my grip, posture…etc etc…until “Pop!”…by golly (who says by golly anymore), I think I did it…I hit couple more just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke…I retired to my room after that, rewarding myself with some milk and cookies for the task I've just completed…Man…life is sweet again…

2008-04-09T02:56:00.002+10:00

I realized I haven't been updating my blog...well, I will in the near future I suppose...well I get more organized with my stuff...In the meantime...check out these couple of videos...If you don't find it funny...there must be something wrong with you...hahahaha

Famous rats

2008-02-04T16:49:00.000+11:00

Some well-known people born in the Year of the Rat.

Galileo Galillei, Italian scientist, 15 Feb, 1564

William Shakespeare (right), the bard himself, April 23, 1564

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer, Jan 27, 1756

Charlotte Bronte, English writer, April 21, 1816

Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer, Aug 28, 1828

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian composer, May 7, 1840

Claude Monet, French Impressionist painter, Nov 14, 1840

Jimmy Carter, former US President, Oct 1, 1924

Chin Peng, outlawed secretary-general of the disbanded Communist Part of Malaya, Oct 21, 1924

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Works Minister, June 30, 1936

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Nov 14, 1948

Gwyneth Paltrow, American actress, Sept 27, 1972

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (left), our first angkasawan, 27 July, 1972

Eminem, rapper (real name: Marshall Bruce Mathers III), 17 Oct, 1972

Amir Muhammad, writer, filmmaker, 5 Dec, 1972

**Is it me, or did the pool of talent got watered down over the years...Looks like we're in dire need of a Saviour...Fear not my friends...

Paul Lee Hann Ker, Born on a Monday, 8 Jan, 1985

The Lost Whisper

2008-01-31T20:24:00.000+11:00

WARNING: Spoiler to the movie 'Lost in Translation'

Man...'Lost in Translation' was a pretty bad movie...made absolutely no sense...what worse was the whisper in the final scene in the middle of busy Tokyo...
Anyway thanks to some fanboy with limited access to technology was able to decipher that last scene...stoke of brilliance or plane crashing...you be the judge...

People Getting Punched Just Before Eating

2008-01-29T17:26:00.000+11:00

Common'......you know you want to click 'PLAY'......

Everything Changes...A Multimedia Digital Retrospective Presentation...

2008-01-18T03:04:00.000+11:00

I was really inspired inspired by one of mom's earlier post about 'December' babies...how one has grown and the other ones journey just beginning...etc etc...So I was flipping through some old photographs...and I was just taken by how much things has changed over the years...plus I found pictures that I never even seen before...you know what they say..."everyday is a new adventure". I know I know, there are tons of pictures when me and my siblings were younger…looks like a cheap plow to get people to read my blog…but hey…my blog my rules…besides…it’s fun

So I present to you...the new old and improved 'Multimedia Digital Retrospective Presentation'... Enjoy...

P.S: Wini…I searched high and low and still can’t find this mysterious knee high socks of which you speak of…I beginning to doubt the existence of these pair of garment (for the feet…to the knees)

1) The kids change...

I really like this picture...it's the first time I've seen this picture...I like how the boys are carry a tommy gun and a rifle, while the girl is holding a barbie doll...the only question is...was this picture taken spontaneously...or was it staged...

I actually vaguely remember this one...I think it was some of the nick-knacks from the Christmas eve celebration gift bag...Zorro was huge at the time...not kidding...

This one was taken in Ranau...hot springs i think...correct me if I'm wrong...although...I'm never wrong...anyway...still no sign no knee high socks...

This one actually had a date...which meant I was 16 at the time...aaahhh....to be young...we became much larger...maybe even larger than life...we always seem to think so...

2) The neighbor changed

We used to be good mates at the time...we used to hang around and play after school...that was until I realized she was a girl and she realized I was a boy...harsh reality of life...

After years and years apart...since she had her life...and I had mine...we collaborated once again to host/emcee my sister wedding...needless to say...it was a success...thanks to the sharp improvisation skill of the emcees...

3) The housing estate (taman) changed...

There used to be a hill in front of our old house...but to us...it seemed like a mountain...during some evenings...before we were allowed to scale the 'mountain' ourselves...our dad would hike up the hill with us carrying his trusty pocket knife...he would then carve objects upon our request from mudstones...we would say something like "Papa, can you make me a boomerang, a gun, a horse, a dog....etc etc..." and he would...although thinking back....they all curiously looked like 'L's.....hahahahaha....although...through a kids' imagination...nothing is impossible...good times...

Well...today...the hill was flatten to make way for a new luxury condominium...ironically, the boy in the red car had something to do with it...talk about preserving childhood memories...

4) The Christmas tree changed

This was our old Christmas tree...it looked pretty 'lightweighted'...lacked omph...although it more than made up with the sheer amount of gifts under the tree...these days...the tree is replaced by a much larger, more life like version (refer to previous post)...sadly...the gifts have somewhat extincted over the years...

5) The living room changed...

This was our old living room...those days...it had a 20 inch?? TV that had to be controlled manually...which meant someone had to go up to the TV and changed it themselves...that job usually fell to me...it also had a VCR and a single deck cassette and radio player...the two decorative plates at the back were brought back from my father from England as a souvenir from his time there...it was later broken by the kids who were playing ball in the house when it was strictly prohibited...bottom line...nobody follows rules...

Today...it is replaced by somewhat state of the art technology...32 inch flat screen TV, DVD player, double deck cassette, triple VCD and CD player with build in radio with surround sound... also a VCR and...satellite TV...How technology has raced through time...

Part 2

2008-01-18T02:24:00.001+11:00

Any room for my parent?? You bet there is...Anyway, this first part I was torn between two titles...'The Evolution of a Socialite' or 'The Ascension of a Socialite...hhhhhmmmm....you be the judge...although they both sound good...I tried my best to make a historical timeline...which was hard...since there was no date stamped on the photograph (except that from my rehabilitation using the old digital cam)...so i went by the size of the kids...

Fresh grad...the year was eeeerrr 197_...this was the look that defined a generation...the fairly straight/ wavy shoulder length hair coupled with the thick rim,ed glasses....ahhhh, so full of hope.

This one....eeerrr don't really know what that is...but best describe as a motorcycle helmet with fringes...I'm aware it sounds a tad bit insulting...but most of the 70s and early 80s was ( i was born mid-80s)...hahaha, kidding...if someone knows a better way to describe that, then do enlighten...anyway...having said that...it was a good long...i think it'll still pass as a good look today...again...you be the judge.

This one I call the Marge Simpson perm...Why? because this hairstyle definitely defies gravity.

Then came the return of the shoulder length straighten hair...but the thick rimmed glasses were left in the 70s...along with Carol Carpenter...

This...this is a cross between the straight and the perm...and the rest is history...mom pretty much kept that hairstyle from here on out...albit minor modifications here and there...so there you go...a picture of a jet-setting socialite mom with 3 kids....

This next section...I call..."Bell Bottom Blues"...

First came the clean shaven and short hair look...fresh out of university...the year was 197_ +1. Dad graduated a year after mom...

Then came the addition of 2 children and a moustouche and the side parting the the right...other wise known as the Ringo or Lobo look...minus the long hair of course...Legend has it that Moses was responsible for that hairstyle...

Another kid rolled into the frame...but the moustouche was long gone ...the parting though, stayed...guess the Israelites haven't made their way across...

Then...eeeerrrr...well, you get the picture...when you have a winning look...you keep it...

Day 3 in Paradise

2007-12-21T03:43:00.000+11:00

Two post in a row…that must be some kind of record…someone should seriously pop open the celebration, cause this frequency in blogging should be rewarded. Another lazy day as usual…but who says lazy days are bad…anyway, ‘Heroes’ is only up to season 1 episode 15 here…which baffles me, since like the series aired here on January, and was up to episode 5 when I left for Newcastle in February…strange…maybe it’s a mystery we can get Mulder to solve…you know…I was planning to get some reading done during this break…particularly my mini book project ‘In Cold Blood’…but man, this house has been way way to comfortable…the living room is a definite no no, since the TV is always turned on…I tried reading in the patio, but the chairs were uncomfortable, and my butt just hurt after like 15 minutes…so I tried the living room upstairs…but after like 5 pages…I just dozed off and ended up napping…challenging reading has taken a whole new meaning…boy I can tell you that…

Anyway, I was watching a documentary about the London sewers which was build during the 1850s…part of a 7 series documentary titled ‘7 wonders of the industrial world’, which reminded me of another episode that I watched about the Brooklyn Harbor Bridge…of all the 7 episodes…this one was my favorite…the bridge is truly a modern marvel, the way it was constructed was simply stunning…the amount of detail and lateral thinking involve…it’s a story of passion, perseverance and courage…but above that…it’s a love story…about a wife’s enduring love and unending devotion to her husband …check it out sometime…it has something for everyone…action, romance…you name it.

Home at Last

2007-12-20T03:32:00.000+11:00

Yes people…I’m back…‘The P’ is back in town…man…it’s so good to be back…the sights, the sounds, the taste and the smell…everything…it just feels so…eeerrr…home. Well, first thing’s first…I didn’t really plan to blog so soon…I was going to put this off for a bit, however, with Christmas looming, and Sam’s impending return plus the family’s new desktop (which translate to less time for me on the comp)…which is sad, cause I’ll have to relinquish the ‘position of power’…the home office…we have one of those ‘Dr. No’ chairs…which makes me feel very important every time I sit on it…

Anyway, KK is very different now…well, true to nature, the place has once again increased in development after 10 months…the streets are wider and brighter now, and that just in the Damai area, who knows what it the city looks like now (I mean besides the KK folks who have been around for those 10 months that is)…

Anyway, I have to say…mom has again increased her socialite (apologized in advance for calling my mom a socialize…she does very very serious and important stuff) image by driving a new car and spotting a new handphone…seems like all the new things in the house belongs to mom…hahahaha…good one her…and my room is just as comfortable as ever…so much space to roll around…it’s a luxury often taken for granted…specially to those who don’t appreciate the subtle art of sleeping…oh and Astro has a ‘food’ channel…man…think about the potential of this new TV programming...like you can lock up a obese criminal and play make him watch the food channel 24-7…hahahah…

Anyway…here are a few things around the house which I had to archive…

Hot cocoa and some fresh bake chocolate cookies with some Christmas music at the back ground and it would be perfect...ahhahaha, though I wished the family continued the presents under the tree tradition.

I found this picture very interesting...reminds me of the ATP's old 'New Balls Please' campaign when they tried to market some of the up-and coming tennis stars. It's a picture of I guess, the people involved in Sam's company with the marina thing...I was actually very interested in the whole thing...unfortunately I have to confess, I didn't actually read the article, since it was too long and *ahem* boring, plus I only wanted to read the piece on 'Team Sam' rather than all of the other contestants...Look at them man...hahaha, the next generations of young architects in the forefront of the industry...

Man, Sam wasn't kidding when he said Buddy was obese...my gosh she's fat...she's like this huge tub or lard...gigantic ball...kindda like Jubba the Hutt...I don't know if this picture does justice but believe me...she's huge...

The 'Plan' view...hopefully it'll give you a better idea of how big she is...although i still think this picture doesn't do any justice...

This is going to be a great break…although there are tons of stuff I need to do…besides catching up with friends…lots of administration stuff, like renewing my passport, going to the bank…and see a doctor…hahahaha, last time my throat swelled up…the diagnosis was that I’m allergic to KK…so I’’ll need to get medication for that…tough love…

When in Doubt…Go Where The Money Is…

2007-12-05T20:47:00.000+11:00

I don’t know how to describe the feeling I have now…I just found out today that I could have earn a considerable more amount of money over the summer…long long story…but all I can say that it was a horrible misunderstanding…oh well, just have to satisfied with what’s on the table on the moment…still $500 a week has a slightly better ring than $375. Shame…Anyway…work has been eeeeerrrr…good I suppose…same old good routines…same old good work…same old good day…same old, same old…So…should I use this time for some sort of reflection……nah……I’ll pass……

Anyway…I found this video by accident…I think it’s really funny…10 bugs to the person who guess what spoof is this…

Oh, did I mention I went down to Canberra for the weekend, with a bunch of people for a Christian conference. It was eeerrr…good (for a lack of a better word)…Anyway, one of the speaker used this video as an illustration or statement…whatever makes more sense…I’ll explain it more perhaps another time…at this point of time…too lazy…think of it as a preview…

P.S…I did a personality test which says that I’m the next Bono…hahahahah…or at least one of the next Bono, depending on how many people actually did the test and got similar results as me…

Long Hiatus Over

2007-11-25T16:12:00.000+11:00

Man…I just realized I haven’t updated my blog in about 3 months, cause it felt more like a month or so…anyway, no more excuses…schools out for a duration of 3 months (it seems like I start every post with some sort of an apology). So yeah, I’m in cruise control now, holiday summer break has just begun and it has barely sink in yet, I’ve mostly just been chillin’ and hanging out with my homiez. Most of the ‘hanging with my peeps’ have been involving food…usually free grub…hahahah, can’t turn that down…but I must say, I’ve done some pretty productive stuff as well, like cleaning up my room…it’s so clean now, you can eat off the floor…really, I’ve never seen it this clean since I moved into the room…oh, we (as in FOCUS group) finally manage to fly kites. It’s been a long project in progress which had been put off countless of times due to either weather or exam commitments…but when those suckers finally were air-borne…man…it was worth it… kite flying was naturally my idea, hahahhaha, cause I remembered making kites and flying them at Tg. Lipat when we (Serene and Sam) were younger…good times…

Anyway, I accidentally stumbled onto these videos while I was ‘You-Tubing’, they’re highly addictive, once you start you can’t stop…well, at least to me…so here are some of the best ones (but honestly, they’re all good, check them out yourselves sometime).

And the WINNER IS…….!!!!!

For those of you who don’t know already…I’m a sucker for romance movies…specially the ones with very good, corny, happy and sappy endings…ahhahahahaha…not, but here are a couple of really them with really really good endings in my opinion…

N’ways, my summer research programs starts tomorrow…I’m quite excited…wish my luck…

Oh, and a word of advice for all the people out there whether young or old, male or female, ‘thick’ or thin…BE ACTIVE, BE BRAVE, MOVE FORWARD…

P/S, advice is not from me…hence I’m not responsible for the outcome of any event if users decided to heed those words…

Oh, and I PROMISE to TRY to keep this blog as updated as possible.

The Crying Game

2007-08-13T05:07:00.000+10:00

Man...I don't know what it is...but lately for some reasons, I've been really into the 80's tunes...I've been listening to a lot of Sinead...I must say...the 80's did produce some rather memorable music...I hope my pal Speedo doesn't get hold of this post...considering I was verbally bashing him (in the most respectable way of course) about his love for the 80's...seems like he recalls a lot of the 80's considering he's only a year older than me...oh well...the only thing I can remember from the 80's is "Wacko Jacko"...good times...anyway...it's not that I don't acknowledge that the 80's produces some of the finest music of our time...but calling it the "golden age of music"??? Man...that is just wack...you know what I'm sayin'?...'high five from Sam...he knows what I'm talking about'...so yeah... I've been listening to Boy George's 'Crying Game'...I can't seem to get that tune out of my head...I catch myself humming that tune whenever no one is around...it's a nice song none the less...I remember how that song was constantly on repeat over the high-fi system like it was yesterday...so...enjoy...

Don't want no more...of the crying game....

The Inevitable Update

2007-08-10T02:28:00.000+10:00

Mornin’ troopers…how’s the fort holding up? Anyway, just to get formalities out of the way…I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates…I don’t explicitly know why I’m doing so…because…maybe life is really mundane here…not that I hate mundane…in fact, thrive in it…just that sometimes I lack the skills to juice up the unexcitable stuff.

So it’s now week 4 (or rather the end of…) which means works has been steadily pilling up…which is always a bummer…somehow my mind tells me that work load should increase as I get deeper into the course, but my body just is unable to keep up…but like always…by God’s grace…I will cope…

Well, week 4 is quite an extravagant event for NCS (Newcastle Christian Students/Society…don’t really know)…it’s typically known as evangelical week…so as the name suggest, the NCS members will be frantically promoting their evangelical events running throughout the rest of the semester…so, as FOCUS is part of NCS, we too are helping to promote those events…more specifically…our Friday talk entitled “Why didn’t Jesus come to my country”…which is not really a talk aiming at evangelizing…but more as an introduction to Jesus…hopefully, that will get them curious enough to join the other organized evangelical programs…

Anyway, our FOCUS group decided to set up a free coffee/tea stand in front of the library’s computer lab to facilitate our promotion of the bible talk on Friday (did I say it right….sounds funky)…anyway… like mom ordered…I took some pictures (actually I gave the camera to a friend and told her to go crazy)…so enjoy

P.S, I think I write more than necessary…I must learn how to compact my writings…

That's Tana, she's a pretty cool chic...she does a mean "talk to the hand" gesture

Penny Lane a.k.a Rockstar and The D-Man (FOCUS worker) having a chat

Yoong doing the stereotypical "asian pose"...I put this up to illustrate a point...oh and she's quite a fan of Dad (as in my Dad), because I told her Dad liked Duran Duran, Backstreet Boys and trance music

Matt filling up the thermos

Yours truly indulging a Tim-Tam cookie with a nice cold polystyrene cup of fresh milk...oh and that's Ruth to my left

Oh, by the way...it's just a coincidence (or maybe not a coincidence, depending on how you look at it) that there were mostly girls in the pictures...First, i didn't take the pictures...someone else did...but really, Matt was effectively the only guy helping that night, I was just there to take some snap shots (did my shift on Tuesday)...so there you go...

Blast From The Past

2007-07-17T19:24:00.000+10:00

Top of the day gov’ner!

Well peeps, another semester has gone by…and I’m here alone in my room alone finally able to reflect on what was a rather eventful and hectic semester…looking back…I have so much to thank God for…for one, I guess it was my semester results, I pretty aware that I’ve been quite visibly paranoid about it…but at the end…somehow, I manage to surpass even my own expectations…I felt somewhat undeserving at first, but after listening to George’s (he’s the lecturer for one of my subjects this semester…again) explanation which in essence was that our results reflected our comprehension on the subject…but, I would be rather blunt to think I did it all on my own…so, not through formalities or force, I thank God for not only my results, but all the experiences of last semester…

Anyway, contrary to what people might think, I do think about home more than ‘once in a while’, and I do miss home and the familiarity of it…I was just browsing through some of my photos, and I realize I have quite a decent sizable archive of pictures…Anyway, I was just reliving all those moments in my mind (and it still brings a chuckle or two)… So, allow me to share some of those moments with you guys.

This is Newcastle beach during the winter...the breeze always ensures a smooth surface

That's dinner at TEDS (at the dining hall)...during my freshman year...good memories, but i rather no go through that all over again. Oh, and that Lina to my right

I don't know the deal with the pose...but i think this picture was taken in a McDonald's where Jia Meng did her placement...I think it's funny how a McDonald's found its way into a hospital

That were some of the guest for my 21th birthday...the funny thing was that I knew it was coming, but it still took me by surprise...at least I had my shirt and pants on when they barge in my room...anyway...it was fun...

There's something to be said about our brotherly relationship...somehow we seem to enjoy ourselves at the expense of the other's suffering...hahaha

The thought of more surprises was petrifying

Lazy Sunday afternoons...the best kind

You know who they are...the folks...heheheeh, boy have they aged gracefully...seeing my parents is always a sight for sore eyes...

The patio has become somewhat a prominent feature of the house...perfect for those lazy days.
Baby Ryan (or not so baby anymore), will always have the distinction of being the 1st 5th generation of the family...that's quite an honor.

Two of my cousins...I put this picture simply because I was telling my some of my friends over here about the time I prank a highschool friend into thinking Caleb was WanWan...which by the way, was true...good times.

Man, I remember this picture like it was yesterday...in my last post, I elaborated on Serena's courage...I think this says it all about Dad (affectionately known as the "fighting cock")...despite having his shoulder disc dislocated, and for the better part...looking like Quasimodo, he was still out there attending business commitments and hanging with the family.

This picture is prove the man can experience both happiness and pain at the same time...or rather...that joy can be the best suppressor to pain...Dad loves spending time with his nieces and speaks highly of them...which is a good thing...

'Christmas by Candlelight'...this has always been one of my highlights of the year...man I just love Christmas...such peace and serenity...there's just something about a large group of people gathering together and singing/belting Christmas carols and remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ...or should I say...the unveiling and fulfillments of God's plans...

Serene's rookie year as a wife...need to ask for her current stats to see how's she going now...

This was a small gathering of friends to celebrate Christina's (chick to my right) birthday.

The reason i decided to put this picture; I think Sam looks like Tom Green...oh, this was in Kinabalu National Park.

The last Chinese New Year I celebrated back home...well, I have nothing against Chinese New Year, but it's always feel so monotonous and 'too festive' for my taste...besides, it's CNY is essentially a celebration of 'ME'

Next Gen civil engineer...soon the future of some of the world's infrastructures will be thrust unto our hands...

Is it me, or does Samuel seem to have an uncanny ability to know when the camera/spotlight is on him...I think this shot was suppose to be candid.
Family gathering to celebrate grandma's 74th birthday...I remember it as a day that the family seem extra bonded for the occasion...I think Dad said it was the 1st time the whole family gathered to celebrate grandma's or any member for that matter birthday.

Not to brag...but i think I had my share of achievements in high school...just a little slice of the cake...

Last day at wintercon (organized by the Newcastle Christian Society,NCS camp). For some reason, some of us decided to brace the chilly breeze to watch the sunrise at Foster beach.

And here's the sunrise...I particularly like this picture...I think the Sun puncturing the skies beyond the horizon was quite a spectacular sight.

Picture of some of the boys at wintercon...from left: Brendon, me, Homo and Johnny Boy...

Well, I have to apologize for not taking more pictures...but you know...I was more in a spontaneous mode and definitely there to enjoy things at the spur of the moment...so, yeah... was hard to like say "Playing Ball? Hold on, let me take a picture before i join ya...". I mean, i could, but it just wouldn't be me...anyway...wintercon was a great camp to relax and have fun... but more importantly...get refreshed and recharge for the following semester...this one week i guess help me get re-acquainted, relearning the Gospel and the cross...or rather...to see the bigger picture of the concept of the cross...I say concept because i don't have the proper word to describe it now...Oh, and the teachings also allowed me to be clearer on prioritizing and equipping myself to answer the hard questions that being a Christian demands...

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the picture...and Mom...does this warrant my ownership of the camera

Wimbledon 2007

2007-07-09T06:00:00.000+10:00

Alas, after two weeks of frustrating rain delays, Wimbledon 2007 ended in a high. In what most fans would agree, one of the best Wimbledon finals in a long time. Certainly this year’s Wimbledon championships will be remembered by all those who witness it for a long long time. In the organizers and directors department, it surely was an ironic two weeks. Just when they finally decide to rectify a problem that has lasted for more than a century (I think), the championship endured the worst showers in 25 years…score one more for old Murphy, though I must admit, having roofless center court was quite an odd sight. This year also marked the very first time both men and women received equal prize money, as Venus promptly testified in her victory speech, which simply means that peer pressure will eventually win in the end. Anyway, having said all that, the mark of the All England championship have always hinged on the quality of matches it produces, this year was surprise surprise, no exception. I’ll just give a small synopsis of some of the players that stood out for me this year;

Novak Djokovic – I really believe this kid has more talent/potential than Nadal, he boast a great serve, very solid (with a pop) ground-strokes of both wings and exceptional hands a feel. However, at this moment, it just potential and hasn’t really translated into huge success, a lot of players have suffered this terrible fate, which boast a cast like Kournikova, Phillipousis, Haas..etc (although 2 semi-final appearances in a grand-slam and a masters shield ain’t half bad),…if he continues to develop his game, I think Nadal isn’t the only one who should be worried, a certain Federer should be weary as well…but we should all give him credit for playing 3 matches with bad blisters on his foot.

Richard Gasquet – This dude has been long touted as the next best thing (since he was like 8), and I think this has somehow went in to his head, many critics has compared him to the Mighty Federer, and they do poses similar games, but again, at the moment it’s just potential and talent. But man, did this guy have a whopper of a quarter-final match. In my opinion, the best match of the championships…Gasquet pulled of an amazing 93 winners in this match, that’s an astonishing number.

Serena Williams – I still think she is way too arrogant, especially since she never gives her opponents enough credit when she loses. But, during this fortnight, she showed a heart of a champion, and the reason why she still remains one of the most dominant player in the woman’s circuit. During her 4^th round match with Daniela Hantuchova, she came down with a serious bout of the cramps and could barely move, but to her credit, she insisted on carrying on and eventually beat a bewildered Hantuchova (courtesy of a rain delay, and just in the nick of time I might add), who must be still licking her wounds. Boy did she showed some fight and hussle in that match…US summer hardcourt season…look out.

Ana Ivanovic – Another consistent showing at the slams, which was only halted by an on form Venus. She had a great match against Vaidisova, especially fighting from a break down in the 3^rd. I would really like her to do well in the WTA. Hopefully she doesn’y fall prey to the Kournikova curse.

Nikolay Davydenko – Daddy’s sentimental favorite. Again, he displayed another consistent showing at the slams. Showed great fight in the 1^st round to fight from two sets down to a player (forgot who), who really should have beaten Kolay. Kolay, although never the prettiest guy on court, or even boast the prettiest game on tour, counters that with an efficient game with a nice balance of power and counter-punching, which reminisce of Medvedev and Kefelnikov. If he never wins a slam, at least he can always boast about marrying a very beautiful wife (which happens to be true)…

Juan Carlos Ferrero – Had his best result at Wimbledon this year with a quarter-final appearance. It’s good to see the former number 1 start to regain some of his old form if not better. It was good to hear him say that he was trying to beat Federer in his QF match instead of “being happy to be in the QF and just glad to have a shot at the Mighty Federer”, which I think too many players tend to do these days, specially when playing Federer.

Marion Bartoli – Definitely was riding a dream at this year’s championship, with her 1^st grand-slam final appearance. She had an incredible two weeks with scalps over Jankovic and her career highlight I suppose, with a win over the No.1 seed Henin, which prevented the press dream fiinal, I can just imagine the headlines “Big Sister Ready to Take Revenge for Little Williams”. She should a game which was both intriguing and unorthodox, with two-fisted groundies of both wings, and a much exaggerated serving and receiving routine. A good blend of counter-punching and tactical forethought are some of the strengths in her game. A lot of so called “good players” should take a page from her game…if they did, maybe players like Myskina would have become such a horrible player, or maybe Dementieva would have won a slam by now. Really push Venus in the final, unlike what the score suggest.

Venus Williams – If one player that could over-shadow Bartoli’s achievements, it would be Venus…although she did struggle to early on, she hit form at just the right time, with wins over Kuznetsova, Sharapova and Ivanovic…what more can I say about Venus, it’s power power and more power…she came in at a low seed but manage to power through to the title…which just proves that you can’t ever count a Williams out.

Rafael Nadal – Wow, did he played great tennis these fortnight…he did struggle early on, as one would suspect, but once he got into the second week (where he could gather some momentum and form, plus the courts do get slower as the championship progresses). I thought Berdych would have beat him in the 4^th round…but alas, he had too much form coming into Wimbledon this year that even those big serves and groundstokes couldn’t stop him…after that match, it was clear that I would take something special to topple the feisty Spaniard. I must admit I’m not a huge fan of Nadal, but I’m starting to have a lot of respect for this player…he doesn’t have much, but what he has…he has a lot…he navigated though this years draw (albeit a though one), with superb counter-punching, finding angles and a lot of heart, guts and gusto…and an uncanny ability to spot line calls, even if they were a couple of millimeters in…it was just ridiculous…never the less, I could tell that he was utterly gutted and disappointed after losing in the finals…anybody could tell that he wanted to win bad…real bad…but overall, he has no doubt been the best player this year so far…Looks like Federer’s strangle hold on pole position looks to be in serious threat with the Spaniard breathing down his neck...the pit-bull crest on his shoes are a fitting description to his style, but seriously, get rid of those pirata pants…Let the second half of the season commerce…

Roger Federer – What else can be said about the Mighty Federer that hasn’t been said. The player that has every shot in the book, as well as making new ones along the way…It such a pleasure watching Federer’s silky smooth play…even more than that…is to be able to witness him play through history and breaking records, his sponsors were so confident that they even made him a retro suit to commemorate his victory…this year win would be his 5 Wimbledon title and 11 major title…the 5^th Wimbledon title now equals Bjorn Borgs 5 straight Wimbledon titles…It ironic that Borg called Federer in the 2001 championships to thank Federer for preserving his record (Federer beat Sampras to prevent him from winning his 5^th straight)…6 years later, Borg would be sitting in the stands watching the maestro equaling that incredible feat himself…I bet Borg now regrets more than ever retiring so early in his career. Anyway, when tomorrow’s/today’s paper gets printed and sent to the news agencies, all the sports columnist would agree that Nadal was the better player thoughout larger portions of the match…From the beginning of the match, it was apparent that Nadal was going to severely test, he pushed Federer far and wide…and both players were all over the court, with Nadal in control most of the time…preventing Federer from dictating the points from the baseline…It certainly looked like it was going to be a very bad day for Federer, nothing was going his way…his shots very pretty much spraying all over the court, and he could not even buy a call…while Nadal was having all the calls going his way, with his shots overruled with a couple of millimeters to spare, while Federer was just the opposite, with nothing going his way…I think at the end, on paper, Nadal should have won, with more breaks of serves, more break opportunities, less unforced errors, and about equal winners…but in the end, Federer, a true measure of a champion manage to salvage just enough resources to win. I think this final again showed why Federer is head and shoulders above the competition, with one of his most potent but intangible quality, which is his ability to stick close to his opponents when his back is against the wall and find a way to win…most telling was his ability to hang in the 3^rd set after being largely outplayed by Nadal, and winning in the tiebreak…and of course that 5^th set (gee haven’t seen a 5 set final in a long time), after facing two break points in the 3^rd game and another 2 at the 5^th game, eventually found a way to break Nadal in the 6^th game, who was rock solid in his serve thoughout the match…and again the the 8^th game for the championship, by taking risk…and daring go for his shots that he was missing early in the match…it doesn’t matter how well you play in the match, it’s how you play the big points that count…and that my friends, is why Federer deserves to win this year’s Wimbledon…and why he’s still the King of The Wimbledon Lawns…

This rivalry is turning to be one of the intriguing on in recent years, both Nadal and Federer only have 2 losses in grand slam final appearances…and both losses were against each other…Anyway, I’m of to Church Camp for the next 5 days…so won’t be updating…hahahaha, but that isn’t really much of a surprise isn’t it?

Quick Update

2007-06-10T23:23:00.000+10:00

As some of you are aware, there has been a major storm around the coast of NSW. Some people have express their concern for my safety...unfortunately, i ran out of credit, so i couldn't reply any sms that was sent. Anyway, just want to let you guys know that i'm fine...the uni suffered some damage but none too serious. Exams starts on Tuesday...wish me luck...

The Degradation of a Culture

2007-04-27T03:57:00.000+10:00

A couple of days ago, I had a conversation with my friend Jackie (a.k.a China Boy). I was curious about some of the cultures in mainland China. Basically I was asking him about authentic festivals in China, e.g. Traditions, how they celebrate, and particularly the stories linked with the festivals itself…etc. Ok, now that I’ve finished setting up the scenario. Here’s how our conversation unfold;

The festival in question was “Mooncake Festival”. Obviously, being pure Chinese, he celebrated this particular event. So I laid out the question like this “My Dad and primary school teacher used to tell me that Mooncake Festival was to celebrate the successful toppling of the government (long long ago)”…story goes like this, long ago, in China, the people where unhappy about their government regime. So, the people decided to revolt. I assume the regime exercise marshal law at the time, hence, the rebels communicated with each other via notes stuffed into little pastries…long story short, the rebels were able to topple the government due to the ‘hush hush’ or their plan. I also told him my mom would tell me this myth when I was little about “the princess on the moon” (Chang Eer Bpen YueàSorry, best I could do)…again, long story short, the princess ate some kind of drug and ended up flying to the moon…I mean literally fly to the moon…I don’t mean getting stoned…Jackie had a version about 2 lovers on the moon (somehow, that reminded me of the song, “under the lover’s moon”), but it’s basically still the same princess (and both involved a moon).

Anyway, I asked him which story is engraved to the festival…what surprised me was that he said mooncake festival is linked with the “Princess Chang Eer”…and that he had never heard of the story of the rebels and I was the first person to enlighten him on this issue. Well, I don’t know about you, but the story about the rebels seems more convincing. I mean, that would make the celebration more meaningful…you know…about oppression, freedom and equality. Sadly, the memory of these brave rebels have faded into thin air…and replaced by some Princess on the moon.

Unfortunately…mooncake festival is just one many festivals that has deviated from it’s true meaning…Christmas for example…celebration of the birth of Jesus…now, Santa seem to have taken center stage. Easter-the death and resurrection of Jesus…but for some reason…chocolate, bunnies and eggs found it’s way to this most meaningful celebration …(Easter and some celebration of fertility were combined into one festival (or some other more appropriate word)). Christianity isn’t the only victim in this vicious degradation… In England, most people have forgotten why they celebrate the “Bonfire Festival”…and in Australia…I bet nobody knows what St. Patrick’s Day is about (to be honest…I don’t either)…all I know is that on this day…people drink all day all night…can it really be such a shallow joyous occasion?…but then again…that the only thing the Irish is good for…

It’s sad that such significant events/celebrations (well, maybe except St. Patrick’s Day)… eventually…all of the memory of history past will just be forgotten…how sad indeed. I guess that’s why Mom and Dad always made it a point to help us understand the truth behind each festival…and I guess the truth behind everything…hopefully, we’ll all be more careful and not take things for granted in the future.

Hah...No More Complains Ya'll

2007-04-25T04:16:00.000+10:00

Hello everybody, it’s been a while. I apologize, there’s really no good reason for the lack of post, well, other than laziness and lack of ideas. Anyway, just wanted you guys to know everything is fine over hear in Newcastle. The weather is finally starting to feel like autumn, and not a moment too soon. The heat was just annoying. Well just to let you know…I just started my second term of the semester. The courses have been going pretty smoothly. It’s definitely tougher but it does expose us to the current engineering practice in Australia. Oh, this semester, I’m taking a course called hydrology which is being thought by the head of the civil discipline. I must say, he kind of reminds me Wong Fu, my high school physics teacher. He sets the most ridiculous assignment question. Never the less, he has a sage like presence…he seems to command a lot of respects…from peers and students.

The FOCUS group (my bible study group) has been doing pretty well lately. There seems to be a different attitude among the circle. A sort of air of enthusiasm seems to be present now. Oh, F.Y.I, we have a new full time worker leading the group now, his name is Dene. He came this year as a replacement for Senno (who left to continue his ministry in Bathust). We all definitely miss him, he had such charisma and an easy going attitude. However we all have easily warm up to Dene as well. He’s definitely passionate about his work and an all around nice guy. But what strikes me the most is his incredible honesty with the group. He and his wife are so open about various aspects of their lives, like their finances and marriage. For instance, he go like “I just got this amount of money from…and I’m thinking of…” or “I currently have this amount of money…” in conversations. Sometimes he and his wife will talk about their marriage and like some of their struggles. I personally think it’s really neat that they feel they have nothing to hide from the group. I don’t think I never met anybody that honest or rather open in my life (family doesn’t count, we’re suppose to be open to each other).

Speaking of which, my friend had a very cute quarrel with his girlfriend (nothing serious). It all started when his gf decided to surprise him after class. So she waited for him outside the engineering faculty. Unfortunately, because he wasn’t expecting her, so they never met up. Naturally, he gets an angry phone call from her...I could tell that he was overcome by anxiety. So being the nice guy that I am, I gave him the best advice I could possibly give. I told him my standard 101 which was “I’m sorry…you were right… I was wrong…please forgive me…it won’t happen again”…and he replied “But I didn’t do anything wrong”…and hence my reply was simply “dude…you gave up your right to be ‘right’ the moment you decided to date”…hahahahahha…awesome…I particularly like fooling around with these two love bird…his gf would sometimes ask me “So what did you guys talk about during the break”…and I would go… “Well, he said…eeeeerrrr wait…no, I can’t tell you…it’s better that you don’t know.” Anyway, it’s all done in good fun…no damage (not even a dent) was ever done by any of my silly remarks… cause they know I’m just kidding (definitely sure)…

Anyway, I stop here…I’ll post more about my easter break when I get pictures of friends. I’m beat anyway…till then…

A Crying Shame

2006-12-30T20:17:00.000+11:00

It’s been a couple of weeks since I reached KK, and I must say, the place really looks awfully different...especially with all the new buildings being proposed, or in the process of completion…most of the new structures have generally been shopping malls…all I can say is…typical…According to my expert resources, this could eventually lead into a serious epidemic in our little town...Can you say “urban sprawl”?...

Anyway, I’m currently doing a portion of my industrial training here…it’s been good…I have a good boss/employer/mentor (which ever works), so work should be interesting, as we like to always keep things fresh around the office. To be honest, some days, I wish there would be some mondo-serious problems that goes on in the construction site, just so I could kick up my report to another notch, or as that gay guy from queer eye would say, “jzush it up”, but that would just be selfish…I guess there really is no substitute for quality.

So aside from work, I’ve been doing the usual chillin’, although I find myself very lethargic most of the time…I guess my body is telling me to take a time-out…but hey, who sleeps anymore.
Here’s a story to wet your appetite, last night me and the gang were out for supper, but amidst the chaos of finding a place to chill, I guess someone failed to appreciate the fact that the gang would have preferred to hang pass midnight (I’m exaggerating of course, nobody is really to blame). So there we were in the all too familiar awkward situation of “So where should we go now?”…the usual places were thrown into the mix (the customary Salims and Damais), but somehow those places don’t seem to hold the same esteem/pizzaz it used to for us (don’t ask me why, I’m equally baffled). So, being the usual me, I tried to shake things up (as you all know how much I like to keep things fresh)…you know, test the waters, see how far we were willing to break from our vicious cycled called “routine”…I then proceed to suggest something that would put the most astute businessmen to shame…I said, “How ‘bout we head off to 7-11 for some slurpess”, different opinions were thrown into the discussion, but the general idea was “Hey, that’s really just half a plan”…I then replied “you know, we all could just sit on the curb, after all, we don’t get tickets for loitering…better yet, how ‘bout we head down to say, Tg. Lipat to savor out slurpess”, yet more opinion were circulated around…but the suddenly, there was a sense of glee penetrating within this group that has rarely been seen, a sense of curiosity and the little adventurer in all of us were eeking to just break loose…but still a couple of chicks express their utter disgust at the very thought of the idea…so hence the debate continued…but boy was I so close to making that wining basket…the votes were leaning to my side…until another friend of ours entered the frame...and said the magic words…music to the groups ears…like a magician uttering the magic “abra-ka-dabra”…all the had to say was “I just swung by upper-star and the place is practically empty with plenty of parking”…at that moment…there and then the game was lost…I guess you really can’t teach old dogs new tricks...not that I liken my friends to a common bunch of mongrels…they’re more like cocker-spaniel…just kidding…The game of basketball has many quirks…in the history of the game…there have been a million attempts of that glorious “wining shot”…from journeymen to all-stars have all went in seach of that “Mythical basket”…but only the ones who make it will be remembered…the rest will be “just another guy who attepted a shot”…Oh well, at least you can’t blame a guy for trying…

2006-11-28T14:30:00.000+11:00

One of the best skits I've ever seen...

2006-11-28T14:18:00.000+11:00

SNL - Mike Myers & Nicole Kidman
Uploaded by djoik

Inspired by Iris...who claims to have been proposed when she was 5...or something like that...

A Stoke of Brilliance

2006-08-22T01:27:00.000+10:00

This post has been a long time coming…it’s a gift to my dear readers…for I have traveled the long hard road and emerged on top…now it’s a cause for celebration… by the way, I was kidding about the ‘gift to my dear reader’, I don’t rate my blog that high anyway. So, it’s Monday, and I just finish 2 of the most grueling weeks of the semester (but expect more to come)…sigh…I have been scrambling to finish my assignments by week 6…3 were due on Monday, normally, it wouldn’t be too much to handle, but the Goliath of them all threaten to wreck havoc across my world…this assignment (transportation engineering) was the toughest challenge I ever face thus far…our objective was to suggest a geometric design for a class 2 arterial rural highway. Well, no sweat one might think, I’ve done similar assignments in surveying courses…however, this was different. Unlike previous assignments I’ve ever done…no numbers were given…just a contour and a page describing terrain and of course…class of road. This might be a drive by for your average engineer…but definitely overwhelming for a sophomore like me. I won’t go into too much detail about the mechanics of design, because I can only think of one person who will understand (hahahhaha), but the approach of the assignment was so broad…It’s like… ‘Should I do this? If I do this, would this happen? However, if I don’t do this something else might happen? But if I don’t this, that will just be ridiculous…’ so on and so on and so on….

Anyway, Serene called sometime early last week…and we chatted a bit…she probably sense my usually ice-cool demeanor starting to show cracks…I think she immediately inform the chief commander…Dad…He called not long after that, and we had a chat…I talked about some of the difficulties I was facing regarding the assignment, and he describe some of his experience dealing with geometric road design…I must say, our conversation helped…firstly it calm me down (don’t forget, I had another 2 lab reports due)…but more importantly, it helped me throw away some of the traditional high-school thinking approach to problem solving (which I’m sure we all faced that at some point in our tertiary education)…

In the end, I finish it…I lost a lot of sleep…but it’s finished…I don’t know if I did a good job…but it’s finished, and tomorrow, I’ll happily slip it into the assignment box…and that’ll be the end of 2 crazy weeks…until the next 2 crazy weeks come along. Well, the assignment was really a reality check…1) it’s always going to get harder from here on, and 2) fresh graduates will always struggle once they enter the world of engineering practice, so it’s important not to get to ahead of oneself.

The chief culprit of my misery

My worked station which looks like a natural disaster (this is after i cleaned it up)

On a lighter note…last Wednesday was the Engineering Faculty’s Dean’s Merit Induction Night…nothing too Spectacular…just an informal function, were we get to socialize…the room was packed…I barely had enough space to move around…but do take note it was a small room…so, small numbers…but one should expect that from such an exclusive ‘club’…hahahahahha, just kidding…. Anyway, I could barely hear any of the speeches…so in the end, I just slipped to the back and ate as much on trays as possible… very Malaysian.

That's Raymond on my left (the first Malaysian I met in Newey) and his genuis friend (no kidding, he scored an average of 93%)

For some reason my friend Heng is known as 'The Singapore God'

My gloating certificate

Never Trust a Man to Do a Woman's Job

2006-08-11T19:12:00.000+10:00

I realize something…men thrive in routine…I’m sure we heard this notion a million times, but I couldn’t help noticing this fact while shopping for groceries these few weeks. For the past few weeks, during shopping nights (Thursday evenings)…I’ll always bump into my ‘transportation’ lecturer at the butcher section around the 7:30 slot…and as I head towards the cashier around the 8:00 slot, I’ll bump into one of my lab instructors… and the fact that I seems to run into this particular cycle…well, I suppose it’s because I’ll more often than not, be at those particular places at those particular times… Man…I guess I’m not as flexible as I think…Normally my shopping routine revolves around, getting a loaf of bread, followed by a carton of milk, and then to the deli to buy some cold cuts…after that…everything else (according to what I think I might need)…
That’s precisely why men should never be entrusted with grocery duty…If memory serves me right, when the whole family goes out grocery shopping…Dad will head to the confectionary section…with a probability of 0.87 (don’t ask me how I generated those figures, trade secret), that he’ll be holding a packet of ‘tau sa piang’ or those caramel biscuits upon exiting that aisle…times when dad was given grocery shopping duty, he basically lived by the principal of ‘entering and exiting’ as fast as possible…women will tell us grocery shopping is an art…like an A+ project, we have to take time to ensure everything is done to perfection… ‘Enough, but not overdone’…that’s why when Mom goes shopping…we’ll never starve… so women, trust us with pulling the trolley but not with it’s contents…we’re strong but apparently not very ductile…
Anyway, I’m doing a little geology this semester…it’s a rather interesting subject…we study various rock and soil specimen…one thing about geology is that many parameters cannot be quantified in field test (i.e. fracture, hardness, strength…etc)…so engineers and geologist alike have come up with quite a number of ingenious methods of defining those parameters…what I like to call ‘the average joe’ test…test as simple as scratching rocks with a pocket knife, smashing rocks against each other, and my favorite one I call the ‘spit drop test’…like the name suggest, we dap a small drop of spit and observe if the specimen absorbs the spit. Engineers sure are a resourceful bunch (as they would all profess)…Anyway, I know this guy…lets call him ‘Ir. A.’ …who uses a similar test to check for quality of fabric…since there’s no real way to test for quality…what Ir. A. would do is dap a little spit on the fabric and observe how much spit is absorb by the fabric… He must have used his resourcefulness and above average analytic skill to associate quality of fabric with its permeability… I wouldn’t expect anything less from an engineer…

The Demanding Family

2006-07-26T16:54:00.000+10:00

…kidding…!!!...hhhhmmmm…seems like you guys underestimate my position as a sophomore…it’s harder then it looks…I haven’t quite found my feet yet…still trying to get use to the new schedule and work load…and the other thing is that…I don’t have THE GOLD MINE of FAMILY POTRAITS that you are have somehow assumed I have…hahahah….sorry…but it’s true…remember…half the time…the family wasn’t together…it was only towards the end of Sam’s stay that we were in the position to calmly have a meal together…the family portrait seems to be the only one I have…I think it look just dandy…none of you guys complained when I showed it to you…hhaahhaha...anyway, I’ll try my best to fill in the voids.

It seems that this couple have some sort of syndrome that prevents
them from looking at the camera. (not the first time it happened)

Wombats seems to have some kind of afflilation with Sam...Jia Ming seems to
be reminded of Sam at the sight of a wombat...

Meng Haw the gallant horse

"Mabo's" Church...hahaha...kidding...just a traditional aboriginal church

Toast to the host...and hostess

Typical evening in the house

The Three Sisters...if you ask me, they don't resemble faces at all

Candy store...i never seen so much candy in one place at a singular time...
must be a great place to be during the Christmas season

Winter Break 2006

2006-07-16T01:08:00.000+10:00

First I apologize to my faithful readers…I know I have disappointed my small but very supportive fan base…and those of us in the business know it’s all about the fans…anyway here are some of the long awaited highlights from my winter break with the family…I have to upload them quickly or else some fans might start boycotting me…hahahah…plus I pinky promise Serene I’ll upload them first thing when I get home.

Circular Quey revisted

Lunch at the fish market...yummers...good stuff

Opera House revisited...picture taken from the Harbour Bridge

Harbour Bridge with the sunset backdrop

Couldn't be any more blokeky...

The guys staring at the gigantic reptile thing...not a T-Rex by the way...

I was the guinea pig...since none of them wanted to get on the mechanical contraption

The much anticipated family photo...dinner prepared by me...but the credit was controversially given to Sam and Jia Ming...

This has BROTHERLY LOVE written all over it...!!!

Afternoon tea at Leura , Blue Mountains in a place called Eagle Boys...hahahaha...nah...it's called bygone beauts...which included scones (you have to say it the scottish way) with strawberry jam and cream accompanied with tea...yummers...

Goodbye to a Friend

2006-07-16T00:56:00.000+10:00

Oh STEWART, What a turbulent friendship we have endured.

It’s hard to imagine that our friendship has lasted so long…

One and a half years…alas, it’s time to bid each other farewell.

So many memories I will cherish…

I remember the first time I met you…

I was shocked at the price you demanded for our collaboration,

I had no choice…but since then, we have come so far…

You were indeed a friend that brought out some of the best in me.

But you were a difficult friend as well…

Your theorems and ideas far exceeded mine and constantly left me dumb-founded.

Persistent you were…forcing yourself onto me when I wanted nothing to do with you.

Sometimes I found myself toiling and slaving over you…sometimes…sometimes even having sleepless nights just trying to understand you…

BUT STEWART…you shall haunt me no more…for today…we part and say our final goodbyes…

Goodbye STEWART…I'll cherish our time together…I shall always try to remember everything you had taught me…

I will miss you dearly my friend…

I’m sure at some point in my life, I shall need you again…but I hope it will be few and far between…

So long and farewell my friend…

Change of Season...The End of Something...

2006-06-02T23:25:00.000+10:00

…and just like that, semester one was officially over, at the engineering student hub, with me sliding my final assignment of the semester into the assignment box…it was rather an anti-climactic end. In my head, the whole thing played out so differently…I had imagined the day with the sun shining brightly…and as I walked up the stairs in the ES building, the music of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture began to play…as I slip my assignment into the box…a huge BANG!! Followed by confetti falling from the ceiling…none of those happened…in fact it was a cold gloomy late afternoon…and not a person in sight at the student hub…Still, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of accomplishment as I turned my last assignment in…I MADE IT!!...after 13 weeks…it was done…surreal at times…I have to rub my eyes to make sure it really was over…I prayed to God that somehow I’ll make it through this semester…AND I DID!!!...what a feeling…now it’s time to gear up for exams…

During the beginning of the semester:

So full of enthusiasm, ready for any challege... I'll take you on MAN...!!

(that's Bob's reflection on the mirror)

That's what a full semester can do to a man...sure took the wind out of me.

I'm not usually one who takes self-portraits...but since Dad bought me such a good camera, Mom and Dad probably expected me to use it once in a while...plus, it's probably good if they had some idea how i looked like now...behold Mum and Dad...I give you...your Son...rather rugged looking i would say...hahahahahah

Tribute to My Group Mates

2006-05-31T16:05:00.000+10:00

You know what, between you and me, I really hate group assignment…I mean I don’t mind doing laboratory work as a team and writing individual reports…but doing everything as a team…research, report…etc…just doesn’t cut it for me…the fact that I have to rely on somebody else just annoys me.
Well, this semester, I was force out of my comfort zone…for PHIL3910 (technology and human values), we had to do group assignments together…which included a 4000 word report on appropriate technology as well as group presentations every fortnight…
To be perfectly honest, the first time we work as a group, I was highly skeptical…for our first presentation, we had to give a brief description about values systems and value inquiry…during discussion, we all just stood there…chatting while other groups were scrambling to find talking points…I was a little worried…but we made it through that round…Over the course of time…we learn to gel as a team…but I suppose, the biggest motivation is that we felt that to pass this course, we really had to rely on each other…slowly (actually rather quickly)…we harness out presentation prowess…our lecturer seem to be always impress by our presentations…
I just got back from my groups last meeting, to finalize our group report…let truth reign…again, we started rather late with this assignments…but in the end…I was pleasantly surprise the quality of the report…since I was the only 2nd year among 3rd year students in my group…I learn heaps about putting together a proper report…not to mention tons of cool words (mostly engineering technical term)…I know I wouldn’t have done nearly as good as a job is the task of putting it together was thrown on my shoulder…
But alas, today signaled the final collaboration between 5 of us. All the work needed to push us this far has been completed…we’ll (at least me, since all of them are 3rd year chem. Eng students) probably never work together as a team anymore…I prayed for a good group to be in…and I got it…
Wazza, Walshe, Jess and Karan…was fun working with you guys… but its goodnight and good luck…adios amigos…catch you another time…

V for Vendetta

2006-05-12T18:38:00.000+10:00

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot

I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot

I finally watch ‘V for Vendetta’ just the other night. I have to say that I was quite impressed by it, I really enjoyed it. However, I think it’s one of those movies that you either love it or hate it. In a nutshell, the movie is about V, the central character, a one man army who dons a Guy Fawkes mask, hell-bent on bringing down the then pseudo-Nazi British government. I believe the true value of this movie lies within the symbolism rather than the plot itself. I liked the movie so much so that it prompted me to do a little research for myself.
Firstly, we have to know the history of Guy (a.k.a Guido) Fawkes. Since King Henry the VIII’s reign, England was divided between the Catholics and protestant with the fractions bitterly fighting over the throne. After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, James I became the successor to the throne (in 1603). The Catholics thought this would signal the end of their persecution, however, to the contrary, King James had no intention of granting leniency toward the Catholics.
Fawkes was Catholic and a soldier who fought for Spain in the Netherlands. His reputation soon was noticed by Thomas Wintour who invited him to join 3 other men (the whole group eventually raised up to 13 members) who form the initial gun powder plot in 1604. By March 1605, the group had rented a celler under the parliament and began stock piling 36 barrels of gunpowder. However, their plot somehow leaked into the government, but, the conspirators still went ahead with their plans. Parliament was due to meet on the 5th of November, and it was that day King James men discovered the stock piled and captured Fawkes (who was standing guard and was in charge of lighting the fuse). He was tortured and interrogated. Fawkes was tried on January 27th, 1606, and executed on Janury 30th.
After the failure of the gunpowder plot, King James decreed that anniversary of the plot’s failure should always be remembered. The celebration is now known as Bonfire Night. It is unclear however weather people celebrate its failure or its attempt in these times.
Thus this brings us to ‘V’; V is a very unique larger than life super-hero, unlike most super-heroes who hide their character behind a mask, V’s mask projects his character. V has no alter ego, the man behind the mask died in Larkhill, so in other words, V simply is V. But V isn’t just a character, he is in ideal, he is the physical embodiment of Fawkes ideals- Fairness, Freedom, Justice and Tolerance. In fact, he represents every man’s desire for the world. Even though he wears a Guy Fawks mask, he is not trying to be Guy Fawkes, he is however trying to succeed where Fawkes failed.
But, there is still one thing viewers cannot overlook, despite all that V stands for. Though his action, V really is a radical and a terrorist. Even though he captures the audience with his charisma and charm, V is the bad guy in the eyes of the government who sets the law (which defines right and wrong). The beginning of the movie starts by V blowing up a building. His motivation is; “The building (Parliament) is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. Alone a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world”. Besides that, V is sadistic and murderous. He tortures and kills people without hesitation. V knows this, that’s why he introduces himself as both a Victim and a Villain. A Victim because he is who is though the governments biological project, and a Villain because he is directly attacking the governments regime. It hard to condone or justify V’s acts as a terrorist, despite V’s good intentions, all terrorist share the same ideals, that an act of destruction sends a message that would resonate. The only consolation I can give is that, V’s target isn’t the people, so he doesn’t intentionally harm civilians, instead, the aggression is all targeted towards the government itself. Unlike terrorist of today, their target is the people, and finding ways to maximize havoc. The root of all terror acts today is spawn from the seed of evil. You can see it clearly from the trail of one of the caught Al Queda member (the Frenchman). It is clear his acts are purely out of hatred and not gearing towards creating a better tomorrow. I guess you would have to look at V in a different light, and the circumstances which surround it.
V also recognizes that order can only come after chaos. This drives him to do what he does. Like the way he tortures and brain washes Evey to make her see his ideology. That is freedom cannot be achieved without feeling the pain that comes before it (that is true for almost all of us). We need not look far to see how this applies. All the nation power houses had to go though a chaotic period before shaping their identity. The Europeans have their Renaissance, the Americans had its Civil War, the Japanese went thought the Bakumatsu and China also had a Civil War between Chan Kai Sik and Mao Zhi Dong. All these shaped and gave each country its identity and culture. None describe this ideology than went V said “…The world that I’m apart of and that I help shape will end tonight, and tomorrow a different world will begin, one where different people will shape it and the choice belongs to them”. He accepts his role as chaos and destruction of the old world, and when it was finally completed his role as he knew it was over.
V is more than a menagerie of ideas, he is the driving force that puts all that ideas into action. By each act of vengeance and vendettas, his vision will one day be fully vindicated.
I end with extracts from Valerie’s autobiography:
“…But it was my integrity that was important. Is that so selfish? It sells for so little, but it's all we have left in this place. It is the very last inch of us. But within that inch we are free…
…It's strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses and I apologized to nobody…
I shall die here. Every last inch of me shall perish. Except one…An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it, or sell it, or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.”

Valerie

Confession of a Lazy Bum

2006-04-22T02:08:00.000+10:00

It’s been a long while since I updated, well I was really busy the last couple of weeks. It was the usual suspects, assignments, assessments, reports and all those stuff that goes on at mid term. Well, since those things were out of the way, and I’m now relaxing in my room on this very fine term break, I really haven’t got any good excuse. But, I have been some what busy with my PHIL 3910 essay, I have two of them, one on ‘Appropriate Technology’ and another group project on ‘Urban Planning’, even with those two things going I confess I still had time if I wanted to blog, however, everything I tried, it seem that my creative juices seemingly just seeped away, leaving my mentally fatigue to even think. Anyway, it’s all good now. I did quite a bit of research on the matter, even loaned 2 books from the library, ‘Factor 4’ which I talk about in my last entry, and ‘The Conserver Society’ by Ted Trainer. The book is about alternate methods for sustainability (much like Factor 4), however, his ideas seem to take a step back rather than forward, suggesting quite absurd ideas. One of his ideas was to build houses out of earth (translation-MUD), cheap, durable, provides good insulation…rather intriguing, but…did he notice…it’s MUD whatdup with that? Call me a kool-aid drinker, but technology should push men forward not back, needless to say I never finish the book, didn’t even go a quarter…too bad…I’ll live.
Other than that, I’ve been hanging around Bara a lot. TV is good, I watch a lot of very interesting documentaries. One of them was about the debate on ‘Nature Vs Nurture’. It all started when a psychologist went in pursuit of the beautiful idea that nurture provided the fundamental blocks of the human psyche rather than our inherent nature. His experiment involved a boy (whose penis was accidentally burned off during circumcision). The doctor advised the parents to raise him up as a girl. I won’t go into the details (maybe some other time), but needless to say, it all went horribly wrong…the end was tragic, the boy committed suicide. Although this prove one turning point in the debate, I big lesson here is-when individuals pursue a beautiful idea without considering the variables involved (in these case, the human element/emotion), the results can be devastating. Much like Capote’s pursue of his work for his book ‘In cold blood’, again not going into details, Capote manipulated the whole situation so he could get his way…it is said that the whole ordeal traumatized him so much that he could finish any of his future works. I quote from the movie ‘the last epigraph he chose for his last finish work reads: “More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones”.’
Speaking of which, I have been trying to get hold of the book ‘In cold blood’ ever since I saw the trailer for the movie ‘Capote’, found out that the library has about 7 copies of the book, but somehow, it always seems to be loaned out…I even went to library today to check out myself. As expected, it was all loaned out, my guess, either by psychologist or law students writing a thesis (book was located at the psychology/politics/crime section, it wasn’t with the rest of his literature which incidentally was all loaned out as well), or just some curious bloke like me. I even discovered an entire new section in the library. It’s called the ‘Open Stack’ area, I don’t really know what they keep there, probably rare books, but they already have a rare books archive…or maybe it’s just a secret stash section, it is located in a rather strange position, you have to open a regular size door at ground level and walk 2 flights of stairs to get there. They did have one of his books there, but it’s a 3 day loan. I have to get hold of it somehow, I’ve become rather obsessed with it…I just got to find out what happen on that early morning November 15, 1959. The head is consumed by the whole thing; all the thoughts just keep circling in my head what happen, why…?? Question that I just got to know…

Oh well, maybe next time…will be heading down to Sydney tomorrow for a well deserve break…keep that stove sizzling and those oven burning…

Paul's recommendation of the week

2006-03-23T23:12:00.000+11:00

I had a pretty interesting conversation today. As I was walking back from class, I met Mike (a.k.a HK dude, remember him?). So we do the casual small talk, I asked him:

Paul: So where were you from?
Mike: Lunch at the union.
Paul: I didn’t know you had lunch here, didn’t you have breakfast this morning.
Mike: No, woke up at 9.
Paul: Dude, you got to eat your breakfast, that’s 5 dollars down the drain man.
Mike: No, it is not! In business terms…have you heard of “sunk cost”…

Mike then proceeds to fill me in on the concept and implications of basic economics and this mysterious thing called “sunk cost”. Yada yada yada…was a fairly long conversation, would not go into too much detail. But in a nutshell, “sunk cost”, apparently is cost that cannot be recovered, or something like that…read the following….

Paul: So what you’re trying to say is that since you paid your fees in advance (i.e. a full semester)…that means you won’t experience a loss, because whether you go for breakfast or not, that money can never be recovered…hence, it would not affect your decision on having breakfast or not…thus rendering the idea of having breakfast or not irrelevant in terms of cost…HOWEVER, if you were to pay your fees in a daily basis, and somehow not choose to go for breakfast (after paying that particular day’s fee of cause)…that would be a sunk cost…which in terms equate into a loss…hence making ones decision to skip breakfast more relevant…

Mike nods…which means…I nailed the idea of sunk cost dead on…I don’t know about you…but something fishy is going on if that really translate into modern economics… I wonder…

He proceeds to ask me what does a profit mean?

Paul: When you record a turnover in your business…i.e., recover the losses from your previous expenditure of setting up the business (including on going expenditure)… passing the point of sustainability.

Mike: Wrong, it means, if you want to earn 10 dollars, and in fact you do, you have no profit. But, if you earn 20, you have a 10 dollar profit…

That smells even more fishy...someone in the business field…enlighten me on this subject…

Anyway, as my title head suggest, I have 2 recommendations this weeks (not that it’s going to be a weekly basis thing)

“Enron: The Smartest People in the Room”…This documentary is based on the book of the same title…it chronicles the rise and fall of one of history’s biggest corporate scandals…I was always fascinated by this subject ever since I saw the Hallmark movie about the same subject. This documentary reveals some shocking revelation about the scandal in detail. The ambition, greed, deception and lies of a few men (maybe more)…I highly recommend this documentary to people in the business sector…or those who are just interested in the subject. Might be hard to get your hands on a copy though (especially in Malaysia…I think)

“Factor Four: Doubling Wealth, Halving Resource Use”, by E. Von Weizsäcker, A.B Lovins, L.H Lovins. This book is truly a gem. Its the “unofficial” text we use for our PHIL3910 course…we don’t have to read it, but it’s recommended. At first I was skeptical, probably because I didn’t really want to bite more than I could chew… but I was really taken by surprise, this book is really interesting…the gist of the author’s idea is that, quote “Resource productivity can-and should-grow fourfold. The amount of wealth extracted from one unit of natural resources can quadruple. Thus we can live twice as well-yet use half as much”…one of the key topics is energy and resource efficiency…a lot of examples are given for the construction sector…I highly recommend it to engineering (generally most), especially those in the construction field (reasons as stated above)…and also urban planners and designers…Sam, I think you should give this one a shot…could be useful information, it does touch in the subject about sustainable architecture. I know you have a lot of reading loads…but still I think this one is worth while…some things are very technical, but you’re a smart boy, you should get around that one easily…and Dad, I think this book would might be of high value to you, especially since you have so much experience in this field…you will definitely find this book relevant and possibly a revelation…at worse, would be very interesting to read about, and have a few debatable points…though this book could be hard to get your hands on in KK…but if you could…
Anyway, that’s about it…long post No.2.

2006-03-20T22:03:00.000+11:00

That's me on the left (obviously), Chiko (I think),

Karen (fellow Civil Eng.), Chris and New Guy

The Death of Week 4

2006-03-20T21:56:00.000+11:00

Phew...(taking a deep breath)…what a week it’s been, both socially and academically… as, some of you might be aware of, I just concluded week for (also known as hell week, at least in my case this semester)…I can’t help but feel a sense of relief after toiling and slaving over the previous week. I feel like a boxer, receiving several japs…but in the end I came up trumps…still standing…hahahahahha, take that week 4. Some of the stuff included a lab session, our 1st philosophy group tutorial (which involves group discussion and presentation)…and to top it all, 2 assessments…I must say, I feel very physically drained. Lab was pretty good (but that’s not the hard part…the report is)…we did our thing…finished and left…tutorials was a whole new experience for me…I never really had to do any serious group work before…but to make things even more interesting, we had to do a group presentation…man, I was really worried at 1st…my group seem really slack…in the back of my mind I was thinking…oh no, doomed…I never really liked group work, especially those that you have to depend on people…the idea that the fate of my grades rest also in other peoples hands irritates me a lot…which is probably reflected in why I always excel in single matches (tennis)…cause winning depends on me and me alone…but then again, in the working field, I would be forced to work coherently with the other bodies (i.e, architects, contractors, developers…etc etc), so it’s probably why they made us do all these in the 1st place…well, but in the end, we did deliver a pretty decent presentation, and our lecturer looked satisfied…so yeah…good on us, maybe we work well with pressure. Assessment tests were good, I think I did alright…should be good, anyway, test are normal for me now, we get them so much that you sort of become immune to all the emotions affiliated with it.
Well, that was a mouthful, having said that, my weekend was pretty productive, I went for this event called “Jazz In The Park” at King Edward Park…it’s basically an event where people go to that park to listen to a band play jazz music…I have a funny story to go with it, when me and some friends reached Civic Station, I clearly said, “Follow the formal dressed people”…and so we did, once we reached the top of the hill, Mike (HK dude), said that we were going in the wrong direction…so we headed back down wondering aimless to other parks around the area…so frustrated we were that we ended asking one of the station workers the location of desired destination. He kindly, pointed us in the right direction (which to my dismay), was the exact path we were taking before old HK dude opened his mouth…see, never trust a business person to do an engineers job (not really an engineers job, but we certainly have a better sense of direction than our business counterparts). I have to say, JITP was awesome, I’ll be the first to admit that jazz isn’t my cup of tea (unlike my other siblings), but there’s something about life music playing in the night…it sort of lifts the atmosphere. Sadly most of my closer friends weren’t able to share the moment with me, cause I couldn’t really convince any of them to go…not really their culture…so typically, I got replies of, “Lazy” or “What for”…most of my night was having small casual conversations with other people that I know. Still, it was great to say the least…the band played classic jazz number by crooners like Frank Sinatra, Sam Cook…to their own jazz renditions from Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, and even Patti LaBelle…I wish there were more stuff like these in KK, would definitely love to go to events like those…the only one I can think right off the bat would be “Christmas By Candle Light” in Sutera. Even that one is in principle, meant for the Mat Sallehs staying at the resort. Disappointing to say the least. Still, I only missed that event once since it’s interception, so I do treasure that event a lot.
Well, weekend was pretty much doing my lab report…proud to say…I’m finished (well almost)…all that is needed is some revising and editing…plus a front cover and a table of content page…I feel good…that’s probably one of my biggest assignment this semester…so yeah…good…oh, and I’m proud to announce that I’m now a member of SSA (Singapore Student Association)…hahhahahaah, it all started when someone told me there were free pizzas at the common room tonight…I thought, this was a college event…well, I was wrong…still joining the thing only cost like 5 bucks…and I ate like maybe 15 AUD worth of pizzas…moneys worth…oh yeah…I might joined them for the winery tour at Hunter Valley…I went last year…it’s a good trip…maybe might buy a bottle or two…
Anyway, this is a long post to make up for my negligence…Week 5 is way less stressful than 4…just another number…good time for a breather…
P.S, Federer won again, Pan Pacific/ Pan Pilot…or was it Pacific Life…well, it’s a “Masters” event, so…it’s big…at this rate…World no 1 again?...
Dad, I must make you swallow your own words…recall “I think 2006 will be the beginning of Federer’s downfall”…you thought wrong…you thought wrong…

3 Post In 2 Days (that's more than i've done in the past 4 months)

2006-03-04T01:44:00.000+11:00

I’ve been tagged by Iris…well, she tagged me a long time ago, but I only found out a few moments ago, basically because I haven’t been blog browsing outside the family circle lately…I should do so more often, or at least periodically…it’s always pleasant to see how my friends are doing…and, sometimes funny stories appear which can be amusing, and quite often I find something inspirational…food for the soul…
Anyway, Sam’s blog – brutally honest…

TAG: Five Simple Pleasures in Life

1. Relaxing with a nice warm drink of ginseng (or hot choc)

2. Smelling the cool, crisp and fresh air of early spring (at least in NSW)

3. Long hot showers (do a lot of my thinking there)

4. Beating Sam in a game of bball ( I would have liked to have said tennis, but since he hasn’t found a way to beat me yet…picking tennis would be like picking up a cat fight with a 5 year old…hahhahahaha)

5. A good and stimulating conversation

*6. Sleeping in...

*7. *Calculus*…hahahahah, nah

Well, that’s about it, got more but have to limit myself to the very good ones…I tag, eeeerrrmmm, my whole family…this could be very interesting…

Entropy: the secret of life...

2006-03-03T21:40:00.000+11:00

End of the day, feeling good…just had dinner, a rather late one, no reason other than the fact that I can…hahahahahah…no more 6:30 dinners for me anymore…Had fried rice… Kylie Kwong style…feeling mighty proud of myself…I’m full, satisfied and contented… On another note, I was reading through some of my philosophy lecture notes…this subject is like nothing I ever done before…it’s abstract and lots and lots of text…very uncanny for an engineer…had to read through say…40 pages for week 2 lectures…very intense stuff, and confusing…after all, it’s philosophy…and because of people like Plato and Socrates, philosophy subjects are always very mind blowing to the simple minded (like me)…but, because of modern technology and people with a lot of free time, there are lots of places where you can find external reading…hence “Wikepedia”…that’s one very handy tool, I was finding it difficult to understand some of the concepts there, but through “wikepedia”, most of my problems are solved…anyway, just to give you guys an idea of what this course is about…we’re studying the effects of modern technology upon human civilization and society…e.g like how technology effects societies’ economic, politics, culture…etc etc. Some of the things we learn are quite interesting…like how life can be explain by the 1st law and 2nd lar of thermodynamics…I won’t go into it, simply because I don’t think you guys want to hear it…and it’s quite complex at a certain level…even I don’t fully understand it…well, now I’m just gonno chill out, watch a flick and drink my ginseng…

The Weekender

2006-03-02T21:51:00.000+11:00

Week 2 has just ended for me…now begins the second of my long weekends…in case you don’t know by now…I have Fridays and Mondays off…which translate into…well, long weekends…nothing really much to say, but I guess, life here is getting better by the day…my first week was just a disaster, full house lectures…odd hours …lecture materials I didn’t understand…it was intense…everything was so hectic…I never had to go through 8 hours of class in a day before…well, not since high school…I’m in uni man, give me a break…but on the bright side, 2 days off…anyway, first week was really hectic…couldn’t help but feel overwhelm by the whole task at hand…so much work, assignments…and knowledge to comprehend…did feel a little deflated by the end of the week…man, I need to be inspired…somebody, inspire me!!! Hahahahhaha…which I could buy inspiration from the supermarkets…maybe I’ll just listen to Bach…
On the other hand, week 2 has been really good, starting to slide into the whole system…real smooth baby…started to have an understanding of what the lecturers are talking about…and getting use to the whole 8 hour thing…must be the first week syndrome (did I talk about that in my last post)…anyway, life is sweet…well, sweeter than a week ago…oh, and I’ve been eating much healthily, had two proper meals already…courtesy of Bobby, my room mate…which is good, he cooks to release his stress, I eat to survive…sounds like a perfect match…
Well, Bob’s going down to Sydney this weekend, which means I’ll have the whole room to myself…gonno be good, will have some personal space to chill, play the guitar or something…or watch a little NBA this weekend…good match, Wizard Vs Sixers (Sam will probably listen to it over the radio…poor kid)…other than that…nothing much…will just plan to kick back and relax this weekend…meet up with some friends and all that…till then, we’ll see what the weekend will have installed for me…

My new pad

2006-02-24T14:01:00.000+11:00

Left side : Paul's corner

Right side : Bob's corner

Back At One

2006-02-24T13:41:00.000+11:00

Hello everybody, I’m back…man, it’s been a while since I blogged…say…just under 4 months…hopefully putting up a post this early in the semester is a sign of good things to happen (but experience told, it’s better not to keep your hopes to high)…Anyway, let me just start by updating you guys about what’s going on in Newey…
Well, I just got to start with the room…what can I say, the room is awesome…huge…it’s like a mini apartment unit…my pad has everything to survive…a kitchenette, toilet, bed, storage, desk, phone line and ADSL…how cool is that…all I can say is…life is sweet… this is truly the way to live…but on the downside…the people here are quite anti-social… our college had a welcoming bbq…which translate into…free food…but like only 20++ people turn up…which is a real bummer…guess I’ll probably stick to my old circle of friends most of the time…but I must say there are some really friendly blokes as well, only my 1st week here…and I’ve been invited to Mardi Gras…will think about it…hahaah…but I do love this new life-style…eat when I want to…and stuff…however, my eating habits are really poor at this point…must be the settling in process…haven’t had much fiber (i.e fruits and vege)…aside form the salads from all the dinners I’ve attented (so far…3)…been eating a lot of sandwiches and frozen food…this is bad… got to change this…change this soon…
School’s started…and my 1st week has ended…1st thing that pops to my mind is that…the transition from 1st year to 2nd year is really huge…boy, do they expect so much more from students now then they did in 1st year…the contents are much tougher and workload has significantly increase... I was quite overwhelm during this 1st week…to be absolutely truthful…I’m already stress out…which I really shouldn’t be…dude…it’s only the 1st week…most people are still having the holiday hang-over…I worry too much… way too much…but I guess that’s how I felt this time last year…so I’m sure it’s just the early year syndrome…I’m sure as the semester progresses…I’ll be fine…just have to work out a plan to fit in all the studying and assignments…not to mention a bit of socializing…cause that’s what Uni is all about…good news is my room-mate is such a study-holic…still, I think both of us are in the bludging mode…last night we didn’t get anything done (but then again, like I said, 1st week…shouldn’t over-stress ourself)…just hang around with our respective lap-tops and watch movies and stuff…sigh…I just hope I’ll be able to survive this year…sounds like a tall order…but I should be fine…
2006…I’ll beat you…hahahahah
P.S…going to Sydney this weekend to chill and de-stress…and buy some Asian groceries…so Meng How and Serene… you’re gonno see a lot of me this year… be prepared…hahahhahhaa

Last Day Of The Month

2005-11-01T08:25:00.000+11:00

Dear all,

Sorry for the late update, been sort of everywhere lately. Anyway, academic semester has just ended officially on Friday. And boy, was it a weird one…heres how it goes…

09:00-Woke up to a ring on my hand-phone, friend needed help in his assignment.

10:00-Went over to the computer lab at ED14 to help the dude. After, ‘saving his life’ he offered me dinner that night…I duly obliged…it was the least he could do, heheheheh.

11:00-Went for math tutorials.

13:00-Finished my tutorials, got another ring from my friend (still couldn’t do his assignments.

13:15-Went back to the lab to help him (again).

14:00-Went back to my room to collect all my assignments.

14:20-Handed in my last 2 assignments (which included a programming and a surveying assignment)

15:00-Check my results in my “student’s blackboard”…found a serious error on the mark recording for my terminal test. Was a little worried cause I thought they might have mistaken me for one of the few guys who were caught plagiarizing. Sent an e-mail to my lecturer to clarify this.

14:00-Received an e-mail from my lecturer, telling me it was his mistake and that he has corrected the error…turns out there is 2 “Lee”s in his class…and the marks were swapped around…man, I figured the other guy must have wondered what he had done to have lady luck shine down on him.

17:00-Went for Bible study.

19:00-Went out for dinner at a Chinese place…food was pretty good…heheheheheh, at this point anything would probably taste better than college food.

20:00-Grocery shopping (didn’t buy much, just some cookies)

21:00-Went over to his place to chill.

00:30-Went back home.

Well, I guess that’s it, the weekend just zipped by…but on the bright side, I found a life to “The Jockey Club” for one of my paper…a friend offered to take me there (even thought he has no exams there)…man, this must be God’s grace…I remember back home…I use to ferry people around …sometimes out of my own inconvenience…So now, I am being rewarded for my good deeds…heheheheheheh…but F.Y.I, I did all those ferring around out of good will, not hoping for something in return…

PS, it's now daylight savings (or the end of it, i don't know), so we're now 3 hours ahead of Malaysia.

My First Spring Break

2005-10-10T16:27:00.000+10:00

Wow, it’s been ages since I last blog…I bet my family are going like “What happen to Paul?”. Strange strange times. Just got back from Sydney…well, technically it’s been about half a day since I got back. By the way, I was at Sydney during the last week of my holidays…I was the honored guess at Serene and MH new apartment…I had the pleasure of being their first guess…There’s this saying “Luck tends to even itself throughout the course of your lives”…so in some sense last week was sort of that kind of thing, if you know what I mean. Got up early on Monday, because Serene and MH wanted to visit Newcastle…get the feel of NSW…just like that, I had a free ride to Sydney…I must say I had a real blast in Sydney…most of it was spent lazing around, reconnecting with 2 members of the family…I must say, they both are splendid host, I felt very welcome and at home at their place (thanks guys)…on Thursday ,I took the liberty of exploring Burwood, really nice place…convenient, and just so much things going on…it no wonder most of my Sydney friends told me they got a bargain…a couple of shopping centers and lots of interesting shops that will tend to attract you. On Saturday, we all went down to Darling Harbor and circular key…the thing that strike me the most, was that feeling of nostalgia and rekindle ness, as if to say “I’m back”…and “Hey, I seen that before”…it was a strange but nice feeling, strolling those docks and pavements, markets…after all, it has been 11 years since I step foot on those docks…Well, sad to say my holidays are over, but I must add, my luck did…I manage to get a free ride off my friend back up to Newcastle…talk about luck…heheheh…anyway, as I flung open my room, I can’t help but feel a little deflated…I mean after that awesome holiday…but all good things has to end somewhere…before something new emerges…look at my calendar “23 sept…that’s not right”…flip it…”has it been that long?”…sigh…somehow, at this moment…Newcastle is not the place I want to be…I want to be at home, with my family…having conversations…laughing…or just staring at the screen together…not talking…but enjoying each others company…I miss home…even thought it’s less than 2 months away till I bought that 737, at times I feel like it’s a crawl…but I was raised to be a fighter…and I have to fight this round before I can pop the champagne…I guess if you look at it at another angle…you somehow have this feeling that everything is going to be alright…

To humanity...

2005-09-04T09:03:00.000+10:00

Another lazy day…it’s dark and cool outside…days like these I enjoy the most, lazing around and reading something…or just laying down…I have a really soft spot for spring now…Well, nothing much has been happening, just finish a online student survey by my faculty…as they put it “You have been randomly selected to undertake a student survey…”. Well, usually I’m not too keen on doing survey, especially since long surveys like that tend to repeat the question…just in another way…so effectively, you’re just answering the same 10 question over and over again…this was a long survey, However, they underline that they would donate 3000AUD to the “volunteer’s” selected charity organization…so I couldn’t really pass that up…there was basically a choice of 3 charity organization, something on forest preservation, cancer, and something else…I chose cancer since none of the other had any appeal to me…so all in all, I did humanity a favor this weekend…can cross that off my “to do” list…hehehehehhe…parent’s dinner is latter on tonight…can’t really attend, cause none of my parents are here…so, too bad…maybe next time…looks like it’s going to be a short weekend…

Spring Time!!

2005-09-03T07:08:00.000+10:00

This week has been the best week I had in ages…well, at least this year. 1st of all, winter is over…spring has just arrive…Now, to make things perfectly clear…I have nothing against winter. In fact, I love winter, the downside is that sometimes it gets so cold, that you just don’t feel like getting out of bed, you eat to much and taking a shower is a drag (especially in public ones)…but since spring came, I have woken up fresh everyday, plus taking a shower is no longer a daunting task…in fact, I enjoyed one of the best showers I had this year…could shampoo my hair properly without freezing my butt off…classes have never been better (mainly because I start the day better now)…Things just can’t get any better…but wait…I finally got a FORTRAN compiler, so I have been fiddling with it a lot this week…doing loops and arrays…and stuff like that…hopefully all that work will pay off…everything is going well…plus I restock my food supply. The only downside is that the mosquitoes has return…with full ferocity…oh well, give and take…you can’t have everything…well, I guess the only thing left for me to do is…spring cleaning, hhhhhmmmmmmm, stuff that, I’m not cleaning my room…it’s good as it now, just like my room back in Tmn Kim Leng, which is good by my standards…maybe I might go play a little tennis sometime this weekend…

2005-08-06T07:03:00.000+10:00

A glimpse of Newcastle

2005-08-05T09:17:00.000+10:00

Yes...

Kangaroos were harm during the shot of this picture...

2005-08-05T09:13:00.000+10:00

Everybody needs to kick back and relax once in a while...

With a power chair, heaven is just a flick of a switch away...

2005-08-04T16:26:00.000+10:00

Sam Sam :Baby, while in the midst of writing my thesis...I accidentally discovered the secret of Life.!!!! Check it out.....they don't call me-"The Guy...who will one day discover the secret of life" for nothing.

Ming Ming : HHHHHHHmmmmm, no honey bun bun...it's just a recipe for Very very spicy Tandoori Chicken...I Wuw chicken...yum...!!!

(What a cute couple, don't you think??...I would know...stayed with them for a good 2 weeks)

2005-08-04T12:07:00.000+10:00

Trusses...So many of them...

2005-08-04T12:03:00.000+10:00

This is what Sam does doring his free time...Teaches his own brand of Latino Dancing ...

Better known as the "Spastics"

2005-08-04T09:45:00.000+10:00

Some of us from "TEDS"

2005-08-04T09:41:00.000+10:00

Gee...What did I say??

2005-08-03T16:12:00.000+10:00

I'm feeling a sense of Eu-Catastrophe.

Food For Thought

2005-08-03T14:30:00.000+10:00

“Ah, that’s a fine fellow!” exclaimed the Chief. “He has gained much land!”

Pahom’s servant came running up and tried to raise him, but he saw that blood was flowing from his mouth. Pahom was dead!

The Bashkirs clicked their tongues to show their pity.

His servant picked up the spade and dug a grave long enough for Pahom to lie in, and buried him in it.

Six feet from his head to his heels was all he needed.

-Leo Tolstoy,"How much land does a man need?"

Always was facinated by this short story...
One lesson that the author was trying to push was Greed.
However, when you look at it at another angle...I find that the author is trying to remind us all of our mortality. Despite our strengths and ability to conquer all, alas we are just fragile beings and death will always await us no matter what we are capable of achieving in life. The only thing we can take from this world is "Six feet from his head to his heels".

-P.S, Why are all my recent post so depressing??

Mom and Dad, how's the neighbour's construction going on??

Strange Discovery

2005-08-02T14:17:00.000+10:00

Bond movies…so many of them…in fact, 20 in total so far. I’ve seen quite a few of them, but my all time favorite was “You Only Live Twice”. I never knew why I was so attached to this bond film…it didn’t have the special effects of gadgets the new bond movie often possesses…but it did have smarts and wits…
Turns out, by some strange coincidence that I learned…the screenplay for “You Only Live Twice” was written by none other than Roald Dahl himself. No wonder, he was the only one in the world who could pull of such a feat. Mixing a blend of Sarcasm, witty humor and a touch of elegance. Having said that, I think Ewan Mcgregor should play the next bond.
Worthy Note: Children’s favorite “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” screenplay was also written by Roald Dahl.

Finding Our Neverland

2005-08-02T09:37:00.000+10:00

A place of tranquility, inspiration, to runaway, to hide. A place where time is relative to the observer, where everything you can imagine co-exist in harmony (well, except the grown-ups there)…that is Neverland Ranch…Ops…I mean…Neverland. I watched “Finding Neverland” with a friend the other night…and man...simply loved it… in fact, it was one of the best movies I had seen in a while. The story is based on the life of play-writer JM Barrie. The plot focuses on Mr. Barrie, when he was going though the worst period of his life with marital problems, and your typical writers block. All that change, when he met the lively Davies brothers and their mom Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Well, like all great stories…Mr. Barrie needless to say, made a triumphant comeback.
I was so inspired by the movie, that I actually googled “JM Barrie”. Turns out they did change some of the historical details. Basically, when Mr. Barrie met Mrs. Davies, she just became a widow…but in fact, her husband was alive when they 1st met. In fact he was really jealous of her and the boys close friendship with Mr. Barrie. But still, they manage to manifest that tension with Mrs. Davies’ mom in the movie.
It was just amazing to see how Mr. Barrie, despite being older, never actually growing up. “You brought pretending into this home” quote from the movie. But alas, this kind of thinking was probably why the Davies brother who never grew up met tragic ends. George, one of the sons, died in World War I, Michael drowned himself with his boy friend in Oxford. Peter, who become a publisher, committed suicide in 1960. I guess even if we hate to…or despise growing up. Eventually at some point, we’ll always have to. Or at least know when to.

"I guess like the ticking crocodile, time is always after us".

What's New???

2005-07-27T14:29:00.000+10:00

Fluid mechanics is tough...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting Thought

2005-07-17T13:30:00.000+10:00

Something my friend told me today, it's not true...but it's still really funny.
"Women are like carparks, they're either taken or disable."

Margaret Court

2005-07-14T16:40:00.000+10:00

As The Name Suggest

2005-07-14T16:38:00.000+10:00

This Place is even greater up close

Me and Ken Roswell

2005-07-14T16:37:00.000+10:00

Back at One

2005-07-14T16:35:00.000+10:00

Whew…!!! Finally arrived back safe and sound at Newcastle. What a relieved. I’m pooped, arrived back at Newey unexpectedly late…Can’t believe that my first journey alone (technically second) went wrong…the express train back to Newcastle was cancelled due to technical failure of the regular route…so I was forced to endure a grueling 3 hours and a bit ride “home” .
Anyway, Melbourne was something else I would say…it would be one place I would definitely recommend people to go to…it’s just so organized, like a bigger version Singapore, minus the pressure. Everything is so neat and in place, accessible…I like it a lot…it’s a City not to big…but still, lots of attraction…it’s probably a vision I see for KK in the not to distant future I hope. Definitely a huge contrast between Sydney. In Sydney, everything is just so big…dense…sometimes I feel overwhelm in Sydney…it always so chaotic…Maybe it’s a little too much for one that has come from a humble and tiny city… but it’s definitely different.
Been all over Melbourne…well, at least the places I deemed worth the effort. Bourke street was probably the most happening place…it the China Town of Melbourne…an as one would expect…very busy street…food there was great…at least I get to indulge in some Asian food before I head back to KK. Lygon Street was probably my favorite, very classy, very Victorian…Mom would definitely like it there. Smith Street I would imagine would be Dad’s forte, lots of bargains and steals…but I think Victoria Market would have been everybody’s favorite place to hang…you would have been just blown away by all the fresh Veggies and poultry you every seen. Strange food, all the colors, smells…was like a huge kaleidoscope.
Anyway, I guess that’s all I can just about muster up at the moment…feeling really jaded, and beat up. I guess the best part about the whole trip was that it felt at home…spending time with Sam gave me a glimpse home…that’s why it was extra special…plus Jia Ming was really hospitable…we all had great fun together…all in all…fantastic vacation.

The Genius

2005-07-05T17:19:00.000+10:00

whew...He did it again...Roger Federer has officially cemented his place as one of the elite players of all time. Man...I'm just so relieved that he won a grand slam this year...who said being a Fan is easy...After enduring one of his most trying seasons , with all the pressure weighing down on him, especially since he set himself impossible standards after his spectecular performances last year (which included 3 grand slams and the masters cup). I was worried the pressure might finally get to him, with the press constantly hounding him with his semi-final losses at the Aussie Open (to Safin) and the French Open (to Nadal)...but not Federer, he responded with spectecular fashion...cruising to his third straight Wimbledon title and a masterclass performance against No.2 seed Roddick. There's something about the grass that inspires Federer...every part of his game seems to be enhanced when he's playing at grass...shots seems better...but regardless of that...order has been restored in the ATP circuit...Federer is the undisputed world No.1...with that monkey off his bone...we should be able to see a more relaxed Federer (emotionaly)...expect more things to come from this tennis genius.

Simply Absurd

2005-06-24T15:17:00.000+10:00

Here’s something I heard on the news on the radio today…it goes something like this… “The governor (or something like that) of New South Wales would like to congratulate the Newcastle Police Force, for their contributions , helping Newcastle achieve its lowest crime rate since 1993. According to statistics, car thefts and breaking entry rates have decreased…however, kidnapping has shown an increase.”… my friends and I were laughing while listening to this piece of information…we said something like “Citizens, your cars are safe now, but your children aren’t…but don’t worry…we’re working on it.”

Growing up......

2005-06-22T16:00:00.000+10:00

Everybody has some kind of role model, or fantasy when they were growing up. I remember clearly who mine was…personally I think it was rather bizarre. Well, basically, Sam adored Spider-man…he would always be wearing the fruit sack ( those things “Tai Sing” use to package their fruits), and he’ll hang in all sorts of acrobatic positions on the swing…pretending he was Spider-man… Serene on the other hand… well, frankly, I don’t really have a clue…she was mostly playing with her doll house and Barbies… I reckon she saw women with impossible figures as a bench mark (I really don’t know, maybe girls never go though that phase…which would make my intro pretty redundant…or…they’re too shy to talk about it)…anyway, as bizarre as it sounds…I simply adored Michael Jackson… I haven’t a clue why really. Maybe it’s because he was at the peak of his career. Or ,maybe simply because my maid loved MJ as well… so when I was young…I used to ask my maid to tie a pony-tail for me (like MJ)…and I would be running around the house trying to bust a move, or sing a MJ tune…As you would expect, mom wasn’t really a fan about this whole ordeal...( with good reason as well, seeing how he turned out)…One of the things that would drive my mom absolutely nuts is when I go jumping around the house singing those famous line “You know I’m bad…I’m bad…I’m bad, I’m bad, I’m bad…” (it was one of his hits at the time …and probably the easiest to remember as a 5 year old)… my mom would say something like “If you bad Paul, I have to rottan you” …well, it didn’t catch on after that... I don’t go around acting like MJ anymore…but still, remembering those day just puts a smile on my face…you know, as a child…the innocence and ability to capture imagination or catapult oneself into a whole new world…it just fascinating at times what children can do to amuse themselves…it’s a face that nobody really appreciates really…but when it’s gone…it’s gone…so don’t stifle children of imagination…encourage it…who knows…we might learn a thing or two.

My Picks for Wimbledon 2005

2005-06-21T15:00:00.000+10:00

Man, exams are officially over now...Far Out!!!! I'm just so relieved...Anyway, I'm just overwhelmed with so much emotion that I probably won't blog something serious...

Well, Wimbledon just started today, so I'll try my chances as a bookie...

Favorite to win 2005 wimbledon : Roger Federer ( How can you go wrong with him??)
Second favorite : Andy Roddick (hey, he might suprise...comes out of nowhere)
Third Choice : Lleyton Hewitt (looks hungier than ever...sign of danger)
Long Shot : Tim Henman (I'll normally put him up there, but judging by his consistant ability to disappoint, I reckon i shouldn't jinks him by putting him up the list...)
One to watch for : Richard Gasquet (might just raise a few eyebrows)
Special Mentions : Marat Safin (not going to win it...for sure!!)

The Greatest Invention In The World

2005-06-03T16:00:00.000+10:00

I reckon the greatest invention in the world is the "lint remover"...it's probably the greatest thing since slice bread. Before I had a lint remover, my clothes had lint on them. But after using the lint remover...wallah, it was lint free...amazing thing, this lint remover...everybody, go get yourself a lint remover, and forever rid yourself of...well...lint.

Words Of Wisdom

2005-06-02T08:36:00.000+10:00

"When your feeling cold...you don't feel hungry...you just feel...cold..."...words of wisdom indeed.

Potatoes

2005-06-01T16:05:00.000+10:00

Ah…potatoes…everybody loves them…such beauty and versatility. You can mash them, boiled them, bake them, steam them, make cream soup with them, put them whole in broth, fry them, make chips with them, or wedges with them…heck, you can even eat them unskinned. Amazing vegetable this potato is…simply stunning. And the “best” thing is that you get to have them, every single day in T.E.Ds, for the rest of your lives here. Rain ,shine, gloom…it’s potatoes, potatoes, potatoes…always….potatoes.

My Picks for Frenchy 2005

2005-05-29T15:30:00.000+10:00

Favorite to win 2005 French Open : Guillermo Coria (if the pain of last year doesn't weigh in on him)
Second favorite : Roger Federer (provided the errors don't creep in)
Third Choice : Rafael Nadal (as the form player)
Long Shot : Juan Carlos Ferrero (always a threat on clay)
One to watch for : David Ferrer, Nikolay Davydenko (could be their break through year)

Special Mentions : Carlos Moya, Marat Safin, Tommy Haas and Gaston Gaudio (will loose when expected to win)

The good, the bad ,and the ugly

2005-05-29T15:00:00.000+10:00

Phew, I feel so relieved now. My assignment is as good as done. I’m just so glad it turned out alright in the end. It all started a week ago when I attempted my surveying assignment report. Everything was going so well, I was on a roll, my numbers were crunching in just fine, I was just in the zone, at a groove, no problems what so ever. But when the moment of truth arrived, I was shocked to realise my numbers didn’t add up right. Horrified I was…sigh. I spent the whole weekend working on it and it turned against me. Man, I checked everything through again, from my field notes, to my numbers to my calculation. Everything seemed fine, there wasn’t a trace of error. I was crushed, and in my desperation I went to see the lecturer the next day. Well, she didn’t give me any answers (didn’t expect it anyway), just some tips and stuff like that. With renewed spirit, I went back to re do my assignment…but…it came out just as bad…which lead me to fear the worse. Our group must have stuffed up when we were collecting data during the field exercise. I was sort of in a state of denial. We went through the whole thing with so much precision, like a surgeon we made sure everything was accurate and right on the spot…couldn’t believe it. I was dejected for a couple of days…still shellshock by the whole thing. Cum weekend, I sort of accepted the fact that my field notes were wrong and had to take up the optional exercise (perhaps a lot of students got it wrong, thus a separate assignment was given as an alternative)…but I wasn’t about to give up without one last fight, like they say, “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings”, fat lady wasn’t in sight …went through the whole assignment again…and to my astonishment, turns out I input the wrong data to one of the calculation. The number should have been 97.852, but I wrote it down as 87.852…turns out it was a big deal, because the errors just snowballed if some information was misinterpreted. Well, it was a turn of events, or “Eu-catastrophe” as Tolkien puts it. Wallah, my work now was near perfect ,and because no field work can be perfect, plus the fact, no perfect equipment has been build yet…my work was thus…PERFECT…

The Right Attitude

2005-05-17T18:00:00.000+10:00

Well, time flies really quickly when you don’t pay attention to it. I remember, when I first got here, I was thinking “how am I going to survive 9 months here?” Well 3 is gone now, and time still moving forward…At this time, it’s good to reflect on some of the things I’ve gathered in my course thus far. As a Civil Engineering student, I’ve learn to appreciate so many aspects of construction, from the mechanics to material selection to cost of project. One of the many things our surveying lecturer always tries to emphasize is the need to be accurate, because the client expects it to be accurate.
That reminded me of the time my dad gave me, my brother, and his friends a job as data collectors (we were hired to count cars at a particular stretch of road)…come to think of it, he was pretty brave to have given a million dollar project to a bunch of kids (maybe he though is wasn’t going to get through anyway). I remember distinctly that all of us started seriously enough…with our pens and paper, marking every car that whizzes by. However, the job eventually took its toll, and by noon, all of us were just lazing about…some proceeded to “manipulate” data so they could go to the shopping mall (I didn’t do that, just so you know). 8 years later, when I think about it, I thank God that the project never went through (although I think it still should have, that stretch is still always jammed). If it did, it might have cost the client serious amounts of money and put my dad’s job in jeopardy.
Being so young at the time, we neither saw the magnitude of our work, nor the seriousness of it. I guess at that time, being a pre-teen/teen…we had that all too familiar attitude of “couldn’t care less”…I think the mistake most young people make nowadays (or always for that matter), is that we think we can live a life without care or responsibility because we have youth on our side…and youth will bail us out whenever we are in trouble…however sooner or later youth runs out and your left with no more excuses for your irresponsibility.
So my advice to all my young readers (though I still consider myself young)…never make the mistake or cultivating the attitudes of “couldn’t care less” or “I don’t care” because one day that might be your biggest downfall…instead start learning to treat each situation with respect and dignity…and your efforts will definitely be rewarded.

About Time and Wisdom

2005-04-26T15:51:00.000+10:00

One of the assets that has been given to us once we were born is TIME. Same things, yet viewed so differently by each individual. I bet both scientist and philosophers alike have been constantly finding explanations to define the mechanics of time. Hence the age old question, are we moving forward with respect to time, or is time just going in circles. Well, on one hand, we could say it’s moving forward, the way we evolve as an individual, we learn, we grow. However, after December comes January, seasons repeats itself…so how does time play its part.
The book of Ecclesiastes talks a little about time. In chapter 3, we can clearly see how the author of the book appreciates the role of time. However in chapter 1 the author start with puzzling words “Meaningless! Meaningless!”. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” The chapter proceed to talk about how everything in life is periodic. Chapter two then talks about how effort is meaningless. You see, in that sense, time really just goes around in circles. Life really is frustrating. As a student, life really is about routine. But it gets worse once you’ve entered the workforce, everyday, you work because you need to put food on the table, pay the bills, and once you get your paycheck, it still doesn’t stop there, because you will still need to eat, and the bills will still come in. It’s really frustrating. The current workforce work, but will be replace by the next generation. We work hard to build up something, only for someone else to take it over, with or without caliber.
Hence we come back to chapter 3, and we can really see how time really just goes in circles, because in life, we will not only know love, we will know hate. We will not only know peace, we will know war. We don’t escape any of these, all of these will come to pass. In fact, we aren't really moving forward at all. The author even goes as far as to say that men and animals share the same fate. “all from dust, and to dust all return.” This is where the conclusion was drawn. Life is really what you make of it, so enjoy it while it last.
Remember that Ecclesiastes simply means wisdom. It’s kind of odd isn’t it, the bible telling us that life is meaningless, and life is really what you make of it. But turn to John 5:24-25. Verse 25 “I tell you the truth, a time is coming AND HAS NOW COME when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
You see, life really is what you make of it. However, Jesus offers us a way to break from that cycle, because his time has already come. So what are you going to make of life??

Inspired by a sermon in UniChurch

Tips on Dressing

2005-04-21T18:18:00.000+10:00

This is a pretty old story, it involves our old friend Tim the care-taker. Well, this happen about 2 weeks ago. Tim and some of the fellas were having dinner. Now ,Tim was being his usual chattery self, when all of a sudden, my friend Fira came with her tray and sat with us. The whole gang grew silent as Tim, the catalyst of the conversation pauses, and proceeded to stare at Fira with a very odd and inquisitive look. Was there something wrong? Long lost daughter?…we were all puzzled, what could have made this machine of words stop during one of his more intriguing stories?? What, What?? It was intense and mind blowing, the silence just saturated the air, we couldn’t wait for it to be broken. Finally his lips start moving again, with a slightly questioning yet sarcastic tone, he says “Does your T-Shirt say BUM Equipment ?”. And that is the day I decided to never step foot into another Bum Equipment boutique again.

Note: Slight dramatization and exaggeration might have been added to enhance the plot of the story.

A Little Something About Marriage

2005-04-21T06:00:00.000+10:00

Here’s a little something I learned off 1 of my conversation with our college care-taker. His name is Tim, and when he has dinner at the college, he usually sits with us and has all sorts of conversation. Now I can’t recall how this conversation came about, but I think it started when we asked him about his wife and kids. So he proceeded to elaborate about his family, took a pause, turns to me and goes, “You know, marriage is like a business partnership. In a business partnership, both parties will strive to reach an agreement where it benefits both of them. In the same way, when you’re married, you have to think you know ‘what’s in it for them’, and not just yourself”. Well, I’m not married, so I can’t really give concrete advice regarding marriage, although my parents are in fact marriage counselors. But, I guess looking back at that statement, it does make a lot of sense. And more importantly, it does give us a guideline on how to approach friendships, relationships and anything to do with people. On a lighter note, he goes on to say “ They say MEN are the HEAD of the family, but what they fail to realize is that WOMEN are the NECK in the family, see nobody notices the neck, but the thing is, WHO MAKES THE HEAD TURN???” interesting huh? Well, I shouldn’t go on about this, might give women too much ideas.

Cause and Effect

2005-04-20T15:00:00.000+10:00

This is a pretty old subject, but non-the-less, still very intriguing. Many interesting people have cross my path during my stay at Newcastle ( and hope to meet more ), but 2 of them stand out, when it comes to the topic of cause and effect. Well, one of them is 4th year Swedish guy persuing a graphic design degree, the other and Australia born Cambodian girl in her 1st year Pharmaceutical post grad degree. Now both these guys are your regular Uni students, nothing fancy, just like you and me, and sometimes, we take being ordinary for granted, because we hate the fact of being ordinary (not to mistake for not aiming high in life). Now ,I'll start with the Swedish guy, nice bloke, well the story doesn't really lie with him, but his great grand-parents, sometime during the early-early nineties, when the US opened their shores to the foreign, his grand-parents actually bought tickets to go to the US, on the day they were supposedly to leave, all ready with the tickets in hand and suitcase full of their belongings, they suddenly decided they didn't want to go. And there ends this particular story...not very impressive?? think again, had his parents boarded that ship, my friend would probably have not existed, instead, it would probably some 3rd generation Swedish Americans living in Ohio...who knows?? Well, the 2nd story involving the girl takes a more dramatic route, see, her parents lived in the mist of the Pol Pot regimen, to escape this onslaught, they had to flee to Thailand, and eventually found solitude in Sydney,Australia...well, certainly more dramatic when lives are at stake, but again, demonstrates that circumstances forces people into action... when I heard this two particular stories, it made me wonder about my own family's past, and it hit me, had the Hakka people been a rich tribe, they wouldn't have made their way to Sabah. To give their children what they couldn't have, an opportunity. So in fact, the idea of each and everyone of us being where we are, doing what we do ,or even who we are, isn't as simple as being born under our parents, or even talents that we have bestowed...NO, it certainly runs deeper than that, the probability or events that lead up to future events, are so small, that it's seems almost by chance...doesn't that make your feel fortunate and bless that standing/sitting where you are right now lies on such deep history and could not have happen any other way. Therefore, be thankful each day because the "effects" we have now are down to the "cause" or our fathers (and mothers)...definitely as the Lord had plan...

One to my dad

2005-04-19T14:06:00.000+10:00

I watch the Tennis Masters Monte Carlos final between Rafael Nadal and Guillermo Coria. It was a grinder, long baseline rallies, touch shots, lots of running and slidding, in the end it was Nadal who triumph in a grueling 6-3,6-1,0-6,7-5 encounter. Somehow, watching the match here seem different. Back when i was still in KK, my dad and I would watch tennis matches together and make our own predictions, he seem to always support the opposite number. That's because my dad just loves underdogs and always rooted for them. I on the other hand always went for percentage, higher probability and form. I could just imagine how my dad would be all over me after that match, he'll probably say something like "See, I told you !". Nadal, was no doubt the underdog in this match.So, here's one to you dad, I'll get you the next time.

Hey All !!!

2005-04-19T13:30:00.000+10:00

Dear readers,
This post is to announce, as of today, I am officially a blogger. Now many of you might be thinking “Paul, a blogger ?? No way !!” .Well, this is to prove that this is no hoax, I am really starting a blog. I have no idea why I decided to start a blog, maybe it’s because I just finish my major assignment, feeling really good, or maybe it’s because there’s so many things going on here, and it would be a shame to not share it with people.Anyway, my parent always said I was the quiet one in the family, and they kind of insisted I keep the family as up-to-date as possible, so having a blog wouldn’t hurt for this cause. Whatever the reason, here it is, for your viewing pleasure. Do drop a comment or two…will be much appreciated…peace out.