The Diamond-Drops Mansion

An Eye Opener

2009-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

D. Prime Minister came to our school today to officiate a programme. Not writing a news here but to share a little bit of my experience.

Early morning we one whole row of journalism students arrived at the red carpet with our cameras. Half an hour later, we were told that the seats were fully occupied and we were not allowed to enter. Thanks to S. Hooi's 'internal help' from the event organizer, some lecturers actually recognized our needs and gave us the permission to be at the red carpet. However, our access to the hall was denied.

There came a very nice lady called Dr. XX who came up to us to offer help. She said she will provide us the tape of the speeches and will try to get us in to the hall. We were allowed to stand by the hall - no place to seat.

Few of us entered and we stood there for almost an hour, waiting for people to come in. Finally, they came. The media, DPM, D.S.Dr. L. L. Sik, D.S. O. K. Chuan and other VIPs arrived. We started snapping pictures. After seated, all the professional media crew ran forward and snapped their pictures right in front. We students took this opportunity to fit in the crowd too. The security guards came up and ordered us to leave the platform but some of us insisted to remain there as if we were cemented to the ground. Yeah, I was one of them...

So...the speeches began...I just jotted down what they spoke. Dr. L was very funny, DPM's speech doesn't sound relevant to the event. After the ceremony, I wanted to grab the MC to get the name list of the VIPs attended and also winners of the mind competitions but K. Chin was a step ahead of me. So the MC kindly gave us her copy of the schedule.

I proceeded to interview one of the competition winners. Stucked. I didn't know what else to ask thanks to a sudden adrenaline rush. Basically what I asked was simply trashy. Until a reporter from Utxsan Mxlxysia came up, we stood by her side and listened to her interviewing that guy. She is incredible, she is superb! She has the ability to turn the interview into an interpersonal communication and I got tonnes of information from there. So we approached her after the interview, she shared with us a few tips and gave us her cellphone number (build rapport!).

Looking at how the professional media crew works opens my eyes. A big salute to them because it is not easy to run here and there like chevaux (horses in French)!

P/S: (1) They opened seats to foundation students 2009 intake only. What the heck? What gives them such privilege to be given a seat labeled as 'guest' instead of we seniors, the major income provider of the university? We actually stood at the side of the hall like insane pedestrians. Good thing I grab a bag of freebies with a set of Fxllxw-Me skin care products (leftovers).

(2) DPM talked on the PPxMI issue too but...sigh..."I no ear hear".

For more pictures and story in Chinese, please directly proceed to CC's blog.

Journey through the Woods

2009-07-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

No matter how many surveys have been carried out or shout-outs to the panels behind the education system, it is final, for NOW that they are going to abolish it.

As we think we are moving a step forward - the minority suddenly grabs our feet to the ground. "No," they said, "Stay in your comfort zone first, it's too risky to continue the journey, my brethren!"

There, we are chained, waiting for rattan to grow on us and let their roots to suck us dry.
They also say: "You have to stay there. Wait for us. You cannot reach there before us. We are one. Even if it delays you, you have need to conform to the plan. You are not going anywhere.Thank you for that."

Epistemological Imperialism, some may call it. Or, many refer to it as westernization. "We should not be affected by the White man's language. We have our pride, we can use our mother tongue. We don't need to be colonized once again through the language used in our education."

There are whole cart-full of fairy tales. Every single one has such a nice story to tell and they fine tune it in a way that they thought readers are going to enjoy the book. Unfortunately, their assumption is incorrect. These books only echo to several groups out there. For most people, they just want to set fire on the cart and burn it up.

Or...
Could it be just a temporary plan suggested to comfort the rattans before they create havoc in the forest - and also to test the crocodiles if their dinner is taken away from them? Is there a significance of choosing Year 2012 as the year to revert to the previous system instead of 'a.s.a.p' (because we are really good at speed when it comes to this kind of matter)?

The majority will rise up to counteract this decision, for sure. If they do not listen to the voices of the majority people, we know how electoral system works best in the near future. Now, I only expect something fresh to read in tomorrow's headline, as this journey through the woods is going to be very superb!

Word-less Wednesday

2009-07-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Bonjour, Je M apelle Eel Wind

From 8.00am to 8.00pm (French class begins from 6.00pm-8.00pm on Tuesday).
I skipped morning class on Wednesday.
So? Blueh~!

Which is Our Social Responsibility

2009-07-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

Here's another thought that hit me so strongly during Ms Tan HP's class.

We often complain that there is no press freedom in our country. We are not allowed to say this and write on this. Media as the fourth estate, as watchdog is only by name. In fact, media is not independent of government control. Even through media privatization, most of the media is still owned by party branches under different companies, or by business man through conglomeration. Does privatization means we gain more freedom? Don't forget, businessmen will put profit as priority and they will decide media content which they think will bring benefit to them instead of being responsible to the society.
Say, if our country practices total press freedom - no restrictions of laws and regulations, government liberalized exercising of media and will not intervene in matters involving in the industry, and media practitioners are free to express anything or anyhow they like, do you think it will be good to the public?

Here's a case Ms. Tan HP presented in class: A (an ethnic) came up to B (another ethnic) as a group and bullied B. B was severely injured but A did not let him go, while C (another ethnic group) jeered and enjoyed the scene. Will you, as a journalist, report on this, since no one restrict you to cover any news?What if A is secretly supported by a political party behind, and how will other parties react to it if they discover actually there is an hidden agenda?

It's our social responsibility to report the truth, nothing but the truth to the public, and inform them what happened. But if we consider the effect after exposing this kind of news nation wide, could there be a slight chance for causing social unrest among the three different races? Report on the case, is fulfilling our social responsibility; not reporting on the case, is also another way of fulfilling social responsibility. How do we exactly measure the balance?

If libertarianism is practiced in our country, we have too many uncertainties to be dealt with, especially when thinking of probable consequences, we can never find a solution. Instead of blaming the government for suppressing media freedom, maybe we can look at a brighter side, that they are providing a guideline for us to follow, to make sure we are not off track.

I am not being bias towards government. I am just emphasizing on the truth of the media industry and how complicated things might be or might turn out to be if we mistakenly took one wrong tiny step. Also, before criticizing how media functions in our country, do understand the struggle we are facing too.

"Piang Piang Piang Piang Piang!" ~ Magic Bullet

2009-07-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

Studying Communication Theories is the best experience throughout my days in UTxR. Ms. Tan HP is the lecturer for this subject whom I considered as one of the most intelligent woman and knowledgeable in the mass communication field I've ever seen. She has the special indescribable aura which able to draw me into her world when explaining every little details. I just don't get bored. I can't. But I think she is a bit disappointed with some of student's attitude for being both noisy and quiet at the wrong time (what do you expect, young people~...)

Well, apart from my adoration for Ms. Tan HP, I want to express my view on the Magic Bullet Theory (MBT). For those who do not know, MBT basically talks about how powerful is the effect of media, till it is able to penetrate into people's mind by influencing them uniformly. Power of media is portrayed as bullets which shoot right into people's mind.

This theory was introduced during the industrialization and modernization era, mostly supported by members from the upper class. But in the late 90s, this theory was proven to be inapplicable. Audience are no longer as passive as how the upper class perceived in the past. They practice selective exposure, where they has the ability to choose what to watch or what to read. Therefore, audience are not affected all in a same way as MBT states.

Though media do not influence audience's mind in a same way, in my opinion, I still think Magic Bullet Theory is still valid ~ namely. Let's see, when someone who is hit by a bullet, he might result in death, paralysis, or minor injuries. These effects are all different but is hit by the same bullet of the same weight and kind. It doesn't necessarily affect people in a same mode, just like effects of media to audience. Different people will perceive differently, and they will react differently according to certain behavioral and contextual environments.

Therefore, Magic Bullet Theory should be reexamined and to be singled out from hypodermic needle model which actually explains the same view.
_______________________________________________________________

P/S: WAKE UP!

Just read it as it is. Good to learn new information too.
For those who slept, read again! Tomorrow exam!

Get out, Ascaris!

2009-06-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Two plates of rice for dinner almost everyday. And when the clock strikes 11, my stomach grows hungry again.

That's how my eating habit has been for the last two months or so. However, my weight remains at 52 kg. I am either blessed with a second chance to grow taller and bigger or a whole intestine full of Ascaris digesting everything I eat.

Yes, high chance for the latter blessing showered upon me.

I don't remember when was the last time I took Zxntel, the Ascaris killer pill. So when Ascaris happily building their settlements in my stomach and no one disturbs their daily activities, they grow stronger, healtier and happier even Obxma couldn't do anything with it shouting 'leave the settlement!' with thousands of hailer at my stomach.

Soft power doesn't help, it seems. I am going to launch a war against the Ascaris soldiers. I also don't permit natural growth because there is no need to protect the Ascaris rights (as if they have rights to digest my food!). They are coming strong, I am not weak either. Zxntel will unplug their suckers and agglutinate them and crush them like how I crushed caterpillars with my bicycle.

You stealer of my carbohydrate and protein! I am going to drag you out of my stomach. Build your settlement in the toilet when I pass you out!

But...what if there are no Ascaris? Or really I am blessed with another chance to grow?

Fine fine fine fine fine! I heard your 'Dream on!' !

My Wildest Dream

2009-06-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

The world will come to an end in no time. It's just that we do not know when. Sunlight no longer penetrates through layers of cloud, causing the sky to look as gloomy as ever. Residents in our garden all had left. We were the only residents there.

S. Ming said it was time for us to leave. We should seek shelter in Westlake, where everybody was now at. He asked Ms. Ivy and I to grab a few important items and leave quickly.

We took a few things (including my bank passbook) as fast as possible and kiss goodbye to our house. Ready with our bicycles at the gate under the dark sky, I hesitated. No, I was not ready to give up all my 'possession', especially all my clothes. I told them to wait for me. I wanted to get all my clothes.

I ran as fast as I could but there were just too many things I wanted to bring along. S. Ming came up and scolded me for being so stubborn. At the end, both of them also began to grab more and more things that are of values till we needed to charter a taxi and give up our bicycles.

Inside the taxi, I told myself: since the world is coming to an end soon, what is the purpose of moving to Westlake? Everybody is dying anyway, why not stay at where we are and die in our room while surfing internet? But the taxi had made its way to Westlake already. No turning back, no turning back.
_______________________________________________________________

P/S: CC did not appear in the roller-coaster dream (yesterday's) and today's dream.

Ms. Ivy's birthday 2009

2009-06-27T01:17:00.001-07:00

It was Ms. Ivy's birthday last Sunday.

Well, no surprise anymore because it is just too obvious, plus she is very self-conscious over lot of things so we can't hide anything from her so we just let it be.

Four of us (CC, S Ching, Ms. Ivy and me) went to Pxzza Hut to give her a treat. Actually I wanted to eat pizza so they just followed since nobody objected. CC was unhappy over some life-and-death kind of incident, and I was agitated by the girl who served us. Actually, it was our fault at first for not paying attention when she repeated the order. When she was repeating our order we were like: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, go away and bring the pizza, fast."

As a result of our carelessness, she gave us the wrong set. We don't want that set. I don't want that set! So I called her over and asked her to change. She went back to the counter to ask and came back, told me they have already keyed it into the computer. Before I could say anything, sweet gentle little Ms. Ivy gave her a little angel grin and said: "It's ok."

My world collapsed.

Anyway, she has a feeling for her fellow worker since she herself had been a waiter at Pxzza Hut. But I didn't let her off. i filled in the suggestion slip and wrote something that is informational to help them to improve the service quality. Don't worry, you know I am not nasty kind of person, don't you?

You do know right?

So the pizza was over, and we were all unhappy. Thought of burning down the shop but forgot to bring lighter. Then we went to a bakery for Ms. Ivy to choose her birthday cake. Bought it, and went home.

We sang birthday song, blow candle, cut cake, eat cake and bla bla bla. We snapped pictures of one another like crazy monkeys, trying to hide from each other's cameras. Then we chit-chatted till late night, or should I call it early morning at 3.00am.

Drinking vodka doesn't make me drunk but it makes me drowsy, even only half a bottle. The next day itself I was dreamy whole day and spent hours on bed. I shall not touch alcohol until towards semester break.

Word-less Wednesday

2009-06-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

A dead ele? phant.
____________________________________________________________

UTxR security guard(SG) always like to bully students by shouting. Today, S Ching and I stopped in front of the library for a while to unload our begs before buying entrance ticket to KTxR swimming pool. That lady (SG) from afar started blowing her whistle.

SG: "You black shirt long sleeve boy, you cannot park there, go away!"

The whole block of student can hear her yelling. Too bad, I am not scared of her.

Eel Wind: "I am just stopping here for a while to put my begs, Mother O' Doherty!"

Of course I didn't call her that way. She thought her voice was loud but I won. Block B trembled and so was she. From afar she showed a sign of 'ok' without making any noise. Everybody stared right at me and was amazed at me. I was walking in to the library like "Ah, this is nothing, people."

Coming out from the library, I cycled passed her while she was backfacing me. I called out again, loudly: "Thank you, sista!"
She replied with a friendly smile: "Don't be angry at me ok..."
I replied: "Oh~No~" and I cycled off, happily ever after.

I really don't know how to describe the love-hate relationship with UTxR security guards.

The Renovation Symphony

2009-06-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

The house right at the end is under a never ending renovation since almost a month ago. We all suffered because of the all kind of noise penetrated through walls and right into our ears. Every hammering causes our house to vibrate and the bass of the sound is even louder than songs played by some idiotas behind our house. This shows how hollow the building and human beings are.

The drilling, the hammering, the knocking, the 'ding ding ding ding ding', the 'vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom'. the 'dong dong dong dong dong' orchestrated the best piece of alarm ever in the earliest mornings that kills our sleep.

I don't have a problem with that since I wake up quite early in the morning till the time when I read a translated version of a journal by Theodore Adorno's whose English unbelivably challenges my confidence in its understanding of the ABC, I almost wanted to take off my ear drum and slap them onto their face with it.

CC totally went crazy with the noises. I would say the treble is very much heard from my room but the bass surely favours her room more so you can imagine what kind of emotional torture she is going through.

But I tried to learn how to enjoy the noise, as if I am listening to Black Eye Pea's "Boom Boom Pow" though I am not a fan. And the vigorous pounding does give me a thrill...Ehm~

Just kidding.

My Wildest Dream

2009-06-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Prologue - Uncle Hong lives in Kxmpar with me in the first scene. The setting changed, without Uncle Hong in the story anymore,replaced by 3 new housemates.

I was considering whether to go back to Klxang this weekend. Uncle Hong expresses his feeling of wanting to go back. So I cycled to an Indian groceries store to buy train ticket because in my dream, I remembered they sell ticket(?). Upon reaching the shop, A row of three bicyclists caught my attention as they passed by me. They, too were looking at me in a strange way and cycled off as if they are escaping from me.

I couldn't remember did I buy the ticket at the end. All I knew is by the time I reached home, I was already with CC, Ms. Ivy and S. Ming. The setting changed to an underwater medieval room somewhere in Venice. We all live together in the tiny room. Opposition our room, there live three unknown strangers. One looks like CC, petite girl with long hair, the other one is a tall good-looking guy and the last one - I am not sure. They are the 3 persons I met on the road just now.

The tall guy was frightened when he saw me. He ran out of the room and swam to the dry land (pretend once the door is open, it is already underwater everywhere). When he wanted to come up from the stairs that linked the dry land to the water world, he was stopped by someone in black. He stopped.

The Unprofessional Interviewee

2009-06-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I found an advertisement on a education foundation that has come to Klxang to do a roadshow at a hotel. So the next day I went to the hotel alone to conduct an interview with the organizer. I imagined the roadshow will be very grand and has few facilitators to guide the participants. So, I walked in to the hotel, picturing myself as what Obama would be like if he's a journalist and I am that person.

Nobody was there. Only two persons sitting in an empty small room refrigerated by air-con and quietness. There man saw me and immediately welcomed me thinking I am there to learn about this foundation. When I told him my intention, his lost his interest in attending me. Then, a family came in. I was left alone on the seat. Well, I was not stupid. I was jotting down every single detail he explained to the family. Later, he made a phone call to his boss to ask permission whether am I allowed to do this interview. His boss said ok. After almost 45 minutes of sticking my butt to the cold seat, the family left. I took this opportunity to grab the seat at the counter and bombarded him with questions. There was another family awaiting their turn. They were kind enough to allow me to do this interview. In fact, I came first. Rightfully, I need not thank anybody besides myself. So I asked him a few questions and snapped a few pictures then ciaoz.

See, wearing a student ID does not give me any privilege. These people think we are bothersome and are of no value to them. But wait till I get my official journalist ID, I will show them what is called the power of media. I shall hit them with the magic bullet *piang piang piang piang* and they shall taste the fruit for the ill treatments. Nonetheless, he was smart enough to give me a copy of his name card. He sure did know the importance of networking with media people. Not bad, not bad.

To you people out there - Wait and witness my journalistic power! You shall have a chance to taste it. Hahaha! HAHAHA! (Thunder + lightning)

To prospect editors - Sir and Mdm, I am just kidding, don't take it to heart alright? I will be your decent JJ (nickname for journalist). Please hire me in the future okay..(triple bow)

Interesting Experience in the Train

2009-06-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

Every trip home has an interesting story to tell - I mean my experience in the train. Superstar on the train? That's nothing. I see him every time I look myself into the mirror. This, will be considered as one of the most exciting journey ever and can possibly write a memoir out of it.

This time, I was arranged to sit with a Malay man. He stinks and looked dirty. I am alright with him looking dirty and holding a pair of slippers in his hands but the odor coming from his body was unbearable. Thanks to my insensitive nose, the vinegar smell only crept into my nose once in a while but for the two girls sitting beside him, they really suffered. Then, I took out my book to read. The first story was about the sculpture of goddess of Venus - naked. He was peeping at the picture all the time. So I intentionally showed him the book and he was having a whale of a time rubbing the pair of slippers somewhere down.

Flipping on to the next page, it was about the mummy of Rameses II and the picture was so large. I thought to myself: "This man thinks he's frightening me with how he looks but I am going to prove to him that I am a better 'frightener' than him." Again, I adjusted the position of the book to the center so he could read it. At once, he turned his face around trying to avoid the picture of the mummy. Ha! There and then, I place the picture near to my face and started rubbing the page with my fingers and studied the structure of the mummy closely with my head slightly twisted to the left. He was even terrified by me when I looked at him and grinned.

That was it. Few hours later when he recovered from shock, we started to talk. He was from Butterwxrth, heading towards Kay Elle to fetch his son at the hospital and then travel all the way back to Butterwrxth. He did not know where he was going but all he knew was to meet his son. For that moment, I felt sorry for frightening him. He's such a poor guy. But then, he still smelled. I would have bathed him myself if he comes home with me.

He dropped off at Kay Elle Central. Then an old auntie came up with a huge luggage that kept falling by the walkway. Until the third time it fell, I went forward and sort of 'spoke a little louder' since she was busy reading newspaper. "Aunty I help you put your luggage at the front ok? It kept falling." She looked blur and blank. Before she could respond I already moved her luggage to the front.

Next, there was a Malay family sitting behind me. The boy, my goodness, super duper hyperactive. He was climbing up and down and jumping in the train. For the first 5 minutes it was fun watching a circus show like that but after 4 hours, I wanted to throw him out of the window. Finally, this boy fell down and knocked his head. He cried so loudly. Guess what, both his grandparents laughed so loudly and said: "Serve you right! Serve you right! Hahaha, hahaha!" Ehm, I did join in the fun of laughing *cough cough*. That boy cried non-stop. For the second time, I wanted to throw him out of the window. There and then, I came up with a new discipline in handling kids: Babies should be trained not to cry more than 3 minutes. Or else, they will be punished eating milk powder for the next meal. With every additional one minute, the amount of milk powder will be increased by 100ml.

Towards the end of the journey, an old lady came out from nowhere selling pisang goreng and jambu. There was a lady who sympathized (I assumed) her and bought a packet of jambu from her. She gave her a 10 buck note and that old lady actually unveiled her ugly face (not that she wore a Snow White mask and suddenly took it down and roared) by saying: "No small change? Cheh, you so troublesome!"

There was a nerdy father-son team. The father's waist is at my shoulder and the son inherited the genes of Tallene. His skin was flawless. I have been secretly peeped at him. He has a great bone structure - high check bones and a nice chin. With the given height, he can be made into a supermodel. I think he's only 10 or 11 years old.

There was another girl who cautiously protected the birthday cake on table. I was hoping that the cake will fall but she was one heck great cake protector.

Me Toxic Man

2009-06-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

Moisturizer, sunscreen, toner and night cream have only done me a little favor. Yes, they have reduced pimples breakout but my skin condition is still not as good as when I was a baby.

"It could be your liver," Said Ms. Ivy. As much as I am a 'little' annoyed by this Aunty Lucy of Kxmpar (both pro in health maintenance), I am very much impressed on the sudden 'tink' that always pop up from her mouth.

My body is a toxic waste. I store toxic in my body because I like the urge of keeping 'faeces' in my body. They were like: "I am coming out!" but blocked by my inner force: "No, you don't." The feeling was nice. Ok, this is getting disgusting. So, the toxic accumulates (I can draw you an ogive if you want to see a clearer picture) in my body and it reflects onto my skin.

Next, it's coffee. I am a coffee addict. I have to drink coffee everyday. I have to. They are the drugs I abuse and I devote myself in serving my body a cup of coffee a day. I now have 7 different types of instant 3-in-1 coffee with me which can last me for half a year. But then, coffee is bad for both skin and health. In order to maintain a good health, and pamper my dear liver, I should give up drinking coffee. (I can hear my coffee packets downstairs crying: "No, master!")

No. That won't happen.

If someone asks me to give up coffee, then he should try slapping a gorilla because he might get the same effect from me as the gorilla does to him. The most I could do is stop thinking of coffee every now and then but I will still drink coffee everyday. It should not be a 'must' anymore. So, the mentality changes. See, psychology helps. Helps to cheat.

Anyway, I have bought a bottle of pills of Milk Thistle to try out and see whether does it really help in building a stronger liver. Hopefully it does not help, so that I won't trust these pills anymore, and so that I don't have to spend money on it because it ain't cheap product.

Word-less Wednesday

2009-06-10T05:31:00.001-07:00

During school holidays, my sister Mxrtha Stxwart shared with me a recipe of potato latkes. Potato latkes is a Jewish delicacy made during the celebration of Hanukkah. I wasn't confident at first because it wasn't actually like my sister's demonstration. It was watery due to excess beer. In the end, housemates and S Ching came to my aid but mostly I did it on my own. Seriously. I really did it on my own though I was frightened that the oil will spill on me. It didn't! So surprising.

Don't worry. They always think that the one holding camera is a monster. They'll get over it soon.

So we made a pot of tea bought from Cameron Highlands since last year and this is the first time drinking. It was the first time we had afternoon tea together though there is always a noise telling us how toxic that was.

The Barbecue Mission

2009-06-07T07:39:00.001-07:00

Fellow coursemates had chosen our house as the venue for a barbecue. The main purpose was to bring everyone closer and reduce the gap between two separated groups in our class.

In general, our class is divided into two clans - of course there are sub-sub clans branching out from it. I do not see myself belong to any of these clans. Neither acid nor basic, I am neutral. Unfortunately, I am pretty much drawn towards the bigger clan because of a certain chemistry. Therefore, I hoped to use this opportunity to get to know them more.

I have tried to mingle around with everyone but except a few. There was a friend of mine whom I felt I totally let him down on that night. I realized he has been wanting to talk to me (he does not belong to any of the clan. He's independent and quiet) yet I was busy chit-chatting with others. Yes, I have neglected him. I felt bad only after the barbecue and had a long time thinking of what wrong I have done.

The barbecue was a success but my mission was accomplished only in what I have targeted without considering the tiny details around me that I have missed.

C Siu has done a tremendous job in almost everything since he has taken over the post as class rep. I hope that in future, the two clans will be regarded as one under the flagship of JR T1 though 80% it might not come true.

PS or AV?

2009-06-04T18:42:00.001-07:00

Let's talk about school. We were given two options for minor. One is advertising (AV) and the other is Political Science (PS).

To be frank, before entering UTAR, I have already place my bet on AV. No doubt AV is the one for me. PS ain't my brother and I know nothing about the world of politics. During last semester, I have discovered AV is an interesting subject at all. I don't want to mention anything about AV again, if you want to know how AV is like please refer to the previous post I wrote. But what I want to share with you is, few months ago, CC shared with me something that enlightens me.

"Creativity with strategy is advertising; Creativity without strategy is arts."

And I take back my words earlier, that I said I lack of creativity because I think I still do, not much, but enough for me and my world. Plus, if the AV lecturers do not like the concept or the strategy we planned, then we have to start from scratch again. I don't have time for that since Oprah, Martha and Rachel Ray do not permit me to do so (watching their show is important too!).

Though AV coursework comprises a total of 70% for the entire paper, I have decided to go with PS. Based on last year's performance, AV is so not my cup of tea. Much time is wasted on AV projects (The Chicken Biscuit design is a waste of money and time and has no significance).

I have to admit that my interest and knowledge in politics are way below the standard bar. I only tried to enjoy politics- even so, I only have a slight interest in certain political news - since I am a journalism student. Politics is all over displaying and exercising coercive force and soft power to make life difficult. Politics is a nuisance.

But I have to go with PS though I have no good impression on both.

Any Broadcasting offer? 'Coz I will 100% go with it! Yay!

Dream on. We are only in UTxR.
___________________________________________________________
P/S:: We have classes on Saturday. Stupid.

Word-less Wednesday

2009-06-03T06:18:00.001-07:00

Welcome to sweaty chamber! This is how my room looks after a thorough clean up.

This is my lovely bed. The mat beside is where I do my exercises everyday.

This is where I keep my clothes.

Study table I, for laptop and documents.

Study table II, where I study and do my homework. Yes, the whole row is toner, moisturizer, night cream and sun screen.

Two windows beside my bed

My personal toilet. Looks familar? Yeah, that's the toilet bowl I never flush after shitting.

My Wildest Dream

2009-05-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

I had the most social-dysfunctional dream ever yesterday.

I was competing against a chef in a culinary competitions. He started cooking first while I sat down to watch him cook (though there were two stoves in the setting). Then the judges (Axdy Hui and a Korea actress) tasted his food and gave grades. Then it was my turn to storm the stage. I even had two assistants to help me to prepare bread pudding.

However, those assistants of mine did not listen to my instructions. Instead, they carried on doing their stuff as if they are joining the competition. The first assistant made the pudding separately (purple in colour) while the other assistant took out a curry bread and cut it into pieces. She then fried it and baked it. Heck, it was not bread pudding at all!

The judges

The Korean actress gave my pudding 1o marks, saying it tasted delicious but it's not the best. Then Axdy Hui took the curry chicken bread to backstage. Later he sent Yxng Lxng to call me in and meet me in private. I forgotten what he told me but Yxng Lxng was there too.

By the way, the result is not important, I don't remember who won.

Then I left the hall. At the corridor, I met Dxniel, his butt is still as firm as before - yes, I squeezed them, so? - He was smoking. I told him off and he replied: "It is very stressful studying in medical school. Besides, all my family member smoke." I asked: "Including your mum?" He looked at me with a stern look and said: "Yes." (sorry, it was a dream. IT WAS JUST A DREAM!)

3 senior Hokkien drama actors came up to Daniel, starting asking his opinion of how to improve their acting skills (?). I was as if like a shadow, nobody bothered me. So I went to the shower room to spit out the chewing gum in my mouth and I saw many naked men in the shower room. They were staring at me as I squated down to spit out the gum by the drain.

Too-Too Train's Deviant Practices

2009-05-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

I wanna slap some people I met in the train with words.

That lady sat opposite me had all kinds of food displayed on her table. She was having a sumptuous meal from the beginning till the end with fillet-o-fish king burger to commoner's tidbits.

She is not the one I want to slap. Nothing wrong with that as long as she doesn't scream looking at her reflection in front of a mirror.

Straight up, I hate cigarettes and I hate smokers. There were so many smokers in my cabin. Smokers are not allowed to smoke in the cabin. They will need to smoke outside. And I was so fortunate to be arranged on the first seat near to the entrance to breathe in the carcinogenic perfume.

Partly I was mad because of the nicotine smell but mostly it was because of a family of smokers. Heavy smokers! Father's a smoker, mother's a smoker, even grandmother's a smoker! Every other half an hour they gathered around the passageway to smoke. That's not all. They even have kids at the age of kindergartners! I was mad, I was angry. If this smoking habit does not die in that generation, these kids will grow up to be professional smokers! I gave them a fierce look each they walked pass, especially at the grandmother. I just stare right into her eyes and also her ugly hand drawn eyebrows.

That lady opposite ate a lot of food by the way.
Really.

Next, because of some brainless and not observant people, the automated doors always jam. They like to use force to pull and push the door even though there is a sign right in front of their face that says "Don't lay your palm on the door". As if they understand what it means, especially those men who nourish their muscles with brain juice till their brain turns empty.

And once again, trust me, that lady is really a big eater.

My Wildest Dream

2009-05-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Landlord raised house rent. Housemates and I decided to move out to a new location which is cheaper - Agape Shelter.

I was arranged to stay in a tiny room and was given the lower deck of a doubled-decker. I find it difficult to familirise the environment but since the rental here is way much cheaper, I just have suppress my emotions.

Later, more and more UTxR students moved in. The house became noisier and congested. Living with these urchin youngsters aggravated the level of suffering I am going through. I dreamt - dreamt in my dream - and reminisced the wonderful time I spent in my own private, spacious, with a little mess here and there and also sticky room.

CC and Ms. Ivy moved into the shelter home as well if I'm not mistaken because there was scene where we dropped our luggages on the hallway when were greeted by a set of shelter's rules and regulations explained by an unknown lady. My attitude at that moment was: "Please woman, I know shelter much better than you." But in fact, I don't really know shelter that well.

I actually dreamt in a dream. Double score! I guess I am indeed on my way to attaining Enlightenment a.k.a freefall from reincarnation soon (*wink wink*, CC).

Laugh my flat ass off!

The Idol Argument

2009-05-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of Adam Lambert (not a big one but compared to Kris Allen, it is obvious that I will go with Adam) while Aunty Lucy supported Kris Allen. She likes nice guys especially good guys who always smile while I prefer singers with personality and powerful vocal and also a slight naughty-naughty-boy factor that separates them from the mainstream bla-bla singers. We watched the final result show together yesterday and had arguments from the beginning till the end.

The part where Kiss broke his electric guitar with Adam.
Aunty Lucy: "My goodness look at this crazy man! See what kind of man he is (Adam)!"
Eel Wind: "Adam did not break the guitar..."
Aunty Lucy: "He will learn from these crazy men (Kiss)! My money won't go to him definitely!"
Eel Wind: "?"
Aunty Lucy: "Meaning I won't buy his album."
Eel Wind: "As if you will buy Kris Allen's."

When he was announced as the winner...
Eel Wind: "See, Kris doesn't know how to talk. How can he be a superstar?"
Aunty Lucy: "He was in shock, give him a break."
Eel Wind: "So? When Cxrrie Undxrwood won, she knows how to handle the situation well. That's what took her so far in the music industry."
Aunty Lucy: "Ah~(Impatient)! She's a talker; talks non-stop. I have to close her mouth by throwing a ball at her face."

After the show...
(I knocked gentle at Aunty Lucy's head)
Eel Wind: "Why sound so empty?"
Aunty Lucy: "Coz I don't wanna fill anything into my brain on Sunday. Sunday is a holiday."

Kris Allen won. Congratulations. It's not that I don't like him. I like him because he's a nice guy but singer like him make music a boring (Clean voice with a warm tone = normal = boring) industry. Like David Archxleta.

What a Holiday

2009-05-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am back to fulfill my obligation to the Diamond-drops Mansion today (It's Friday!)

Unfortunately, many events took place during the week and I have a lot to share. These events needed to be reinforced with pictures as evidence so that you people won't think I spent 24 hours sleeping at home.

I wanted to do something meaningful during this semester break though it is only a miserable 2 week break but all my plans cannot be realized. Because Adam lost to Kris in the American Idol though Teyona won the title of the America's Next Top Model but that doesn't compensate my disappointment for Adam's lost.

It was H1N1's fault. Its virus are hiding everywhere, waiting to enter my body to reproduce and kill me with the flu. My instinct is telling me, so is Aunty Lucy's. That's why I willingly quarantined myself at home and keep away from contact with humans.

Nonsense, I know. Fine.
The reason my holiday plans are not fulfilled is because of the economic recession, again and again, and again and again! I am very good at spending money but I am also very good in self-controlling. Thinking of the industrial training alone scares the rotten strawberries out of me because PxPxN will not provide money to us for that particular semester. Plus, I still need to pay the rental of my room in Kxmpar and also accomodation during the training. We also need to pay around 2000 bucks as school fees eventhough we don't spend that semester in school! Too many things to pay! Where can I find money for leisure and entertainment? No way!

So, give me your money.

Back to School

2009-05-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

Monday was Teacher's Day. Ms. Kai, Cuzzie Erin, C Ying, Sean and I went back to school to visit our teachers.

Met so many teachers, both old and new. Most of the teachers still look great: Pn. Norah is as lovely as before, Pn. Mazna's skin doesn't look so good but she's still very pretty when she smiles, Mrs. Prakash, who looks more and more stylish and fierce, Mr. Lym is as handsome as gentleman as suave as the first time I saw him when I first entered this secondary school! And also Pn. Leong who still encourages me to join the consumer essay writing competition as she did for the past 3 years when I was in the Consumers Club. -.-

Their first reaction, of course, was "You so thin!". Highlight of the day was, another of course, Pn. Lxh's "Wa!"-then-walked-away response. Many teachers expressed that we were the best batch of students they ever had. It is undeniable we were students of high quality, both in our behaviour and results. It's like we were born to be students. We should make this an occupation. Pn. Norah once again reassured me as the top scorer for the History paper and so far no students have superseded my position as the King of History (paper). Muahaha! I know I am born to study History. This can be made into an occupation too.

We met Mr. Joel and Cuzzie Pris at the Pre-U block. The classrooms are under renovation and the whole block looks a mess. They painted the classrooms and corridors with kindergarten colours, turning it into a Disney High School or something. Mr. Joel started his depressing drama and lamented his misfortune for landing in my ex-school. I wanted to feel sorry for him but...I think I feel sorry for Dawsone more.

I am waiting for my kindergarten kids to wish me Happy ex-Teacher's Day.

Born at the Right Time

2009-05-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

I felt blessed as a 1988 baby. Not because I'm a dragon that I scare kids...though most of the time I do.

First of all, we were almost the last batch before ETeMS was implemented. I understand the difficulty of changing the medium of subjects half way through, especially when you have to face teachers who couldn't identify Malay from English that widens learning barrier.

I appreciate the Pre-U system of our time because we weren't compelled to stay in school until 3.30pm (this is crazy, especially wearing that uniform under the hot sun!). I would most probably give up the idea of taking Pre-U if it is under this system. I can never concentrate on studies for long hours.

I am glad that I made it to the university on May 2008 intake because they have changed the entire system starting from January 2009. It was compulsory for them to take up co-curriculum classes like soft skill competency, which is, sorry to say, obviously a waste of time. I only want to study what I intend to study in the university, and that's the whole point of entering UTxR. But I don't mind giving a talk at the Speaker's Corner and conduct a choir, if anyone is interested to join me for the program.