Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Tagged

What better way to end the month than to be tagged by my li'l bro.

Rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.

Starting time: 10:23pm
Name: Voon Shi Jing
Sisters: 0
Brothers: 1
Shoe size: 6 or 7 depending on make.
Height: 162cm (I think)
Where do you live: A large 3-bedroom unit in tranquil Epping, north of Sydney city.
Favourite drinks: Ice chocolate!
Favourite breakfast: Roti canai with dahl and sambal, definitely!
Have you ever been on a plane: Er, yea? Otherwise I wouldn't be on this side of the world.
Swam in the ocean: Like my bro, technically, no. I can't swim.
Fallen asleep in school: No, but in tuition, yes.
Broken someone's heart: Er, yes. Sorry.
Fell off your chair: Yes, like who hasn't?
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: Yes
Saved e-mails: Yes, especially those from Petra, Jon and Audrey.
What is your room like: It is actually quite like me...
What's right beside you: My heater - why is autumn so cold this year?
What is the last thing you ate: Beef rendang and stir-fry bok choy with white rice.
Ever had chicken pox: Yes, when I was 5.
Sore throat: Yes
Stitches: Yes, three on my chin.
Broken nose: No
Do you believe in love at first sight: No
Like picnics: If it is with the right crowd.
Who was the last person you danced with: Shaun
Last made you smile: Shaun
You last yelled at: I can't recall but probably one of the kids at work.
Today did you talk to someone you like: Yes, I talk to him every single day.
Kissed anyone: Yes
Get sick: No
Talked to an ex: Talked to Josh last night.
Miss someone: I miss Rick Kee!!!
Eat: Who doesn't?
Best feeling in the world: When you know you've made a tiny difference in someone's life.
Do you sleep with stuffed animals: No
What's under your bed: The floor.
Who do you really hate: Er, no one in particular.
What time is it now: 10:34pm

Randoms :
Q: Is there a person who is on your mind right now: Yes
Q: Do you have any siblings: 1
Q: Do you want children: Yes, of course.
Q: Do you smile often: Yes
Q: Do you like your hand-writing: Yes
Q: Are your toenails painted: No
Q: Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: My bed is still the best!
Q: What colour shirt are you wearing: Aquamarine
Q: What were you doing at 7:00pm yesterday: Having dinner at a Korean restaurant with Aunty Pat.
Q: I can't wait till: The day I fly home!
Q: When did you cry last: Last month?
Q: Are you a friendly person: Are you kidding? I'm a social butterfly in most crowds!
Q: Do you have any pets: No

Where is the person you have feelings for right now? - In his room watching Indiana Jones.
Did the last person you held hands with mean anything to you now? - Yes
Do you sleep with the TV on? - No
What are you doing right now? - Trying to finish off this tag and chatting with Angeline, Audrey and Jennie.
Have you ever crawled through a window? - Yes, back in high school.
Can you handle the truth? - Yes
Are you too forgiving? - Haha, depends with who.
Are you closer to your mother or father? - Both, but if I really have to choose, father.
Who was the last person you cried in front of? - Shaun
How many people can you say you've really loved? - Not many.
Do you eat healthy? - I try to.
Do you still have pictures of you & your ex? - Yes
Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you? - Yes
How often do you go to church? - Never, I'm not Christian but I do attend functions that I'm invited to.
If you're having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to? - Shaun
Are you loud or quiet most of the time? - Depends on the situation and the people I'm with.
Are you confident? - Yes

5 things I was doing 10 years ago..(1998??!!)
1- Playing volleyball for the school team
2- Practicing the piano like mad
3- Preparing for the choir's first ticketed concert at PJ Civic Hall
4- Helping out at Mum's place every day
5- Preparing and sitting for PMR

5 things on my to-do list today
1- Work at Embody
2- Reply e-mails
3- Update blog
4- Book flights to Gold Coast
5- Calculate my expenses for the month

5 snacks I enjoy
1- M&M's
2- Indomie
3- Macca's chocolate sundae
4- Tim Tam
5- Soto

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire
1- Buy my family and myself a house
2- Get new cars or refurbish what is at home
3- Put some of it in the bank
4- Do up my parents' businesses
5- Start an education fund for underprivileged children

5 of my bad habits
1- Squinting my eyes
2- Biting my fingernails
3- Staying up late
4- Inconsistent meals
5- Procrastinate

5 places I have lived in
1- Klang
2- Seri Kembangan
3- Eastwood
4- Dunmore Lang College
5- Guildford

5 jobs I've had
1- Receptionist at Dad's
2- Teacher at Mum's
3- Piano teacher at YSL Piano Learning Centre
4- Piano accompanist for choir (yes, I get paid!)
5- Waitress at Guildford Leagues Club

5 people I tag
1- Joshua Tan
2- Fong Chee Kin
3- Tay Li Xin
4- Jenny Tan
5- Angeline Lew

Monday, April 21, 2008

Resident...

As of an hour and a half ago, I am a permanent resident of Australia.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Sports Carnival 2008

You must be wondering why I still attend events organised by the 4 Malaysian student unions. To cut to the chase, and also to admit, it is because I freaking BOTHER and haha, I like to be where there are many people.

So, I set my alarm to wake me at 7 in the morning. When it rang, I turned it off and ended up waking up half an hour later. Ah, just in time to go to Coles to buy myself a bottle of Nutella, I thought. Arrived at Coles at 8 sharp, just to be reminded that daylight saving has ended, which means I was ONE HOUR EARLY...

Sigh, nevermind. So I forgotten to turn my clocks back an hour. Thank goodness for petrol stations. Managed to buy my breakfast and lunch there. I ended up arriving really early at the Sports and Aquatic Centre of the University of Sydney. Super early lor...

Main reason for being there was to support Jenny. You should see Jenny in action on court and off. So, er, excited and into the game...


Must be the Gatorades and the Red Bulls that she's had that's making her so pumped up:


The carnival also served as a meeting point, too. Met up with MGM and MFest dancers from last year, like Ru Jih, May Wan, Edison and Kok Kit, who is also my primary schoolmate.





Ah, not forgetting the Mauritian turned Malaysian, Jonathan Leung.. haha..


I've not had so much fun in a long time. This kind of fun only comes when you feel like you are part of a group. On this day, I definitely felt like I belonged. What's funny is that I barely knew this group of people in the morning. By the end of the day, we were exchanging phone numbers, e-mail addresses and snapping photos. I'd have to thank Jenny for introducing her new committee to me! But then, I was also in a self-introducing mood that day, or in Jenny's words, "expanding network mood": Hello, I'm Chrys, er, I didn't get your name. Nice to meet you!

Out of all the new friends I made, I liked three of them the best; Pek Lynn, Vivian and Shaun:




That was what I was up to the entire day, other than cheering for MASA (yes, yes, I am betraying MSA but, hey, I know more people in MASA and they are way cuter and more happening). But, as usual, MSO took the trophy home. They beat everyone else flat in volleyball, basketball, netball, soccer and badminton. MSA won tennis. I think. I cannot recall the results. But, I do know that MSO is overall champion (again), MASA is second, MSA third with SUAMS in last position.

In between, I also took some time to walk around campus, walk Ru Jih back to International House, as well as Chris to his Jewish College accommodation. Ended up finishing off Ru Jih's packet of peanut M&M's, posing to let her check whether I look more like Charlene or Gillian, and talking about relationships. Sigh, Ru Jih, still young la you, enjoy life la. Chris gave me a tour of his college and showed me the MILO can that he's on.

After the sports carnival, Jenny and I went out for dinner in Newtown with Miow. That was when he told us the exciting story of how Nic was issued a speeding fine. He even recorded it on his phone! Dessert was had at the Taiwanese tea place on George Street with Edison. Such a gentleman, he. Not only did he pay for my tea, he paid for my signature hot chocolate as well! Thank you, yea... We finished off the day gossiping, critisizing, hypothesizing and laughing at the wateredge of Darling Harbour.

Friday, April 04, 2008

Lest we forget

On the Chinese lunar calendar, today is when we pay respect to our ancestors as well as other beloved family members who are no longer with us. Today is Qing Ming.

This year is the 5th year that I am not home to visit the graves of my great-grandparents. Also, I have never had the chance to be home during Qing Ming to pay my respects and 'say hi' to my grandparents.

I wonder how this day came about. Yes, yes, I could just Google and Wiki it but hey, I'm going to come up with my own 'assumptions' tonight - I'm going to see how well I can think after downing a bottle of Cruisers. Oh yes, I'm feeling heavy-headed already. You can so tell I can't drink! Hah!

Okay, back to the topic at hand. How did this day come about? To me, I think it is tied down with both cultural practice and ancient Chinese beliefs. Here, let me elaborate:

It is said that on this day, the doors to the realms of the other world are open, allowing the deceased to enter our world. How this differs to the lunar seventh month, I don't know, but I'm guessing that it works along similar lines. Knowing the Chinese race (and any ancient race for that matter), believing that 'being good' on this day towards the deceased would bring good fortune as we would be seen as being thoughtful and caring. This explains the elaborate paper 'assets' we prepare for them to enjoy in the afterlife; even the food that we prepare like the roast suckling, all the fruits, the little pastries and tea that we presumably 'offer' to them.

However, I also think that it is part and parcel of the age-old Chinese culture of filial piety. Today is the one day that Chinese families would outwardly show their respect for their ancestors. No, there is no praying involved at all. None. Zilch. This day is for us, the lucky ones who are enjoying life now to say 'thank you' to the generations before us who have allowed us to have the lives we lead now (although I think it is FAR TOO LATE as they CAN'T HEAR US!!!). It so should be primordial in us Chinese by now, I mean, the filial piety part...

Personally, I feel that this day is the most important day in the Chinese lunar calendar. It really doesn't matter if I am still Buddhist, will become Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or atheist, it will still be of the utmost significance. Why? Simple. I prefer to look at it from a cultural point of view. We are Chinese and will remain Chinese despite the different religious stands we take. This day may physically bring us to the cemetery but psychologically and emotionally, it brings us back to the days when they were alive. Hopefully, it also helps us appreciate the things that they have done to and for us. Therefore, this day is special because of the meaning it holds.

It is fine if you choose not to hold jossticks. It is also acceptable if you don't want to kneel at the grave. What I find revolting is the attitude that some people have and pass on to their children. Think of it this way: if you do not feel it important to maintain your respect for your own deceased parents for one day, do you think your children will? Haha, I highly doubt so unless they miraculously are peas from the pod on the next tree. I mean, come on! Do you think you'd even be on Earth now if not for your parents and their parents and so on?

I miss the heart-warming feeling of cleaning the graves of my great-grandparents. I have never met them but every time I go, it feels good. It feels even better when I look around the cemetery. It is as if it has woken up from a deep sleep. It is abuzz with life. Many would come with the whole extended family, a whole clan of them! They would clean the grave and give a new coat of paint (some as if they were competing to see who is more creative). Children would happily place colourful strips of 'offering paper' and eagerly wait for the firecrackers to be set off. It really does feel more like a picnic-cum-family gathering session.

On a more personal (and final) note, thank you Grandpa for coming along on holidays with us, for showering me with boundless love and your careful guidance. Grandma, thank you for the fried rice lunch, the last meal you personally cooked for me. The morning walk I had with you the day before you left will be forever etched in my memory. Great-grandma, I will always remember your liveliness and your delicious pig's trotters with ginger and vinegar.

Qing Ming is Remembrance Day to me. Remembering our past helps us build a better thought-of future. So, lest we forget, we have a long way to go in building a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.