Friday, March 31, 2006

Paul's news

OK people, just got IMed by my cousin Woon Bing. Please head to this blog for updates on Paul's condition. I'm just so glad that he is on the road to recovery. So, so glad, really. I think I nearly cried when my other cousin, Pei Shin, sent me a text message saying that he could move his fingers and had some facial expression. I know I did jump for joy.

So yes, please keep the prayers coming. And no, I have no preference in religion. I don't care if you are freaking non-religious, Buddhist of any denomination, Christian of any denomination, Muslim, Taoist, Hindu, Ba'hainese or a mixture of everything. Just pray for Paul, please. Even if you don't pray, just think of good thoughts and believe me, the aura of good thoughts do travel far.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Prayers needed by the bucketload

Conversation between my cousin Woon Bing and I, this afternoon over the MSN Messenger:

WB: Did you hear about Paul?
SJ: Oh hello, no, I didn't. What happened to Paul? (sensing something amiss)
WB: He's in ICU now. In critical condition.
SJ: OMG!
WB: He slipped and hit his head when going into the drain to take the ball. He was playing basketball.
SJ: Which hospital is he in? Is he awake yet?
WB: HUKM. Not sure. All I know is that he was supposed to wake up yesterday. They only told us during Sunday service. I don't know what really happened.
SJ: OK, thanks for letting me know. I will call Jon. He would know more.
WB: OK. Take care.

Paul is a lovely, caring and energetic young man who has lots of friends who love him in return. He is funny, sarcastic and played really good volleyball.


According to Jon, he was fine until he gradually lost his coordination. His condition has been up and down. He's had two operations and his brain was bleeding. Not sure if it's still bleeding or not. Doctors took him of sedation but he's still in coma.

Oh please, give me a break already! Last year my bro, my cousin and now a good friend of mine in life-threatening mode? And all happening when I'm over here???

I must've been a Communist or a terrorist in my past life to deserve all this.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

A little something from a dear friend

Received this lovely piece from a very dear friend of mine. You know who you are. Love you lots.

May you be blessed
with all things good.
May your joys, like the stars at night,
be too numerous to count.
May your victories be more abundant
than all the grains of sand
on all the beaches
on all the oceans
in all the world.
May lack and struggle be always
absent from your life
and may beauty order and abundance
be your constant companions.
May every pathway you choose
lead to that which is pure and good and lovely.
May every doubt and fear
be replaced by a deep abiding trust
as you behold evidence of a Higher Power
all around you.
And when there is only darkness
and the storms of life are closing in
May the light at the core of your being
illuminate the world.
May you always be aware you are loved beyond measure
and may you be willing to love unconditionally in
return.
May you always feel protected and cradled
in the arms of God,
like the cherished child you are.
And when you are tempted to judge
may you be reminded that we are all ONE
and that every thought you think
reverberates across the universe,
touching everyone and everything.
And when you are tempted to hold back,
may you remember that love flows best when
it flows freely
and it is in giving that we receive
the greatest gift.
May you always have music and laughter
and may a rainbow follow every storm
May gladness wash away every disappointment
may joy dissolve every sorrow
and my love ease every pain.
May every wound bring wisdom
and every trial bring triumph
and with each passing day
may you live more abundantly than the day before.
May you be blessed
And may others be blessed by you.
This is my heartfelt wish for you.
May you be blessed.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

"A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse"

Written by Richard B. Pelzer, this is a true story account of (as you may already have guessed), his childhood. I'm into everything that has to do with children and childhood so I guess that was what made me buy this book. Wasn't sure if it would be a upsetting book but I read it anyways. And you know what? I think I topped my record of finishing off a novel under 4 hours! The last time I finished one in such a short time was when I read Catherine Lim's "The Bondmaid" back in 2001.

What do I think of it? I thought it was an honest account of what had happened. I cannot imagine myself remembering all the details of what happened to me when I was only 5 years old but Richard remembers, and I can understand why. When you experience abuse in that manner, you will most definitely remember everything that you felt, if not have done. Emotions and feelings are the strongest matters that keeps us alive, sane or insane. To remember events down to the very words spoken by all the main characters, one can only imagine the journey that he has gone through, one that he wouldn't want anyone else to live through. Warning: some descriptions are not for the faint-hearted. They initially brought disgust and hate in me but then I also had tears in my eyes. Kudos to Richard and all others who have published their experiences for educating the world and bringing such horrors out into the daylight.

Reading "A Brother's Journey" made me appreciate my life even more. Although I realize that my childhood was enjoyable and free, I can't help but feel that I could have taken everything for granted. Not realizing that someone undergoing abuse in their home could well have been my next-door-neighbour or my volleyball teammate, I might have even taken life for granted until I came over to Sydney. In fact, I think I sometimes still do take everything I have for granted. See how powerful reading books is? It makes you think of so many things!

Writing this book was Richard's redemption - he has managed to put everything down and learn from the events in his life which he deem unfortunate. He has become stronger and he will be able to teach and love people in a more 'real' way. To me, that is a significant trade in life - to let go, move on and become stronger, something that I still kinda suck at.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Life

Life begins with birth
We exist and deviate
We then end with death

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Unusual dinner

Today I decided to cook. Usually I would prefer to let Shaun do all the cooking and I would just pretend that he's fine without any help. Well, I usually do the cleaning up, as in while he's cooking. Erin and I take turns to wash up afterwards.

Today I decided to prepare the ingredients, since Shaun wasn't home yet and I didn't want to take a nap. I figured that it was too early for a cycle so away I went with the chopping, cutting, peeling, pulling and whacking of shallots, ginger, garlic, beef, tomato, carrot and apple.

Intended dishes were beef with shallots and ginger, and an omellette. Was thinking of putting in mushrooms, chilli and tomato into the egg but we didn't have mushrooms, Erin doesn't take spicy and so I was left with only the tomato. ARGH! So, I decided to be a little creative. I put in a carrot, which I sliced thinly, and an apple!!! I cut the apple into cubes. Boiled the carrot in some hot water so that it would be softer when I cook them with the egg. And when I dumped everything into the pan, they smelled terrific! I then added some salt and pepper. After a few tosses, I though I'd add some sesame oil. Wasn't sure how it would taste but what the heck.

Verdict: It tasted weird. Haha, but it was a good type of weird. It wasn't salty enough, though. And the one cup of rice wasn't enough today! Shaun and Erin were very hungry! Erin then made some 'bananarama' flavoured oats, which she and Shaun absolutely did NOT enjoy. Oh... Uncle Toby's, oh so tasty... NOT!

Another day. I'm going to start cycling now. Have to give Nic back his comp. Haha...

Hm, what should I cook tomorrow? Maybe the brocolli. It's starting to turn into ice.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Coogee Beach

Date: March 11, 2006
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: Coogee Beach
Event: SUAMS Welcoming BBQ

FYI, SUAMS stands for Sydney University Association for Malaysian Students and the barbeque was to welcome the freshies into the great and exciting life of students in Sydney ala Malaysian style. Haha, there's where I don't fit into the picture. 1) I am NOT from Sydney Uni. 2) I am NOT a freshie. =P

Oh, but I did get food for free. That's coz Miow is the Sports Director and he was sweet enough to get some chicken-tasting hotdogs and a cup of cordial. Couldn't tell what flavour it was, though. Oh, I wasn't the only person who was out of place. There was Ta Seng, our navigator. Haha, oh, but he was a hit with a group of girls. They thought he was really funny.


Erin with some food....


Ta Seng and Shaun with more food....

As I felt bad for eating food that I wasn't supposed to, I didn't eat much. I ended up getting an apple pie from Mackers with Ta Seng. We then went for a hike up the cliff. The view was stunning! Should look at the colours of the rocks and oh, the blue, blue sea....






We also had a brief dip in the baths. It's an enclosure, which is like a pool, just that this one is a natural one, in the seas. Bummer, don't think I have a picture of that. Will remember to take one when I go to Coogee again coz those at Bondi and Manly aren't as 'friendly'. Oh, and the sun!! Look at what it did to Nic..


Spoilt the day with an unknown tantrum. Urgh.... sometimes I hate being myself coz I don't understand half the things I do or say.... Now, don't say I didn't warn you about my mood-swings and temper tantrums. Stay away from me!!!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

SMKDP Class of 2000 Reunion 2006

Date: February 10, 2006
Time: 9:00pm
Venue: Newly-opened section of Sri Neela's mamak (they should pay me commission for giving them so much business)

[Very long overdue. Apologies, apologies..]


Su'Ann Wong Yinn-Venn. The last time we met was at Denise's birthday party some 8 or 9 years ago. Having graduated from the University of Auckland, she is now back in KL working in Damansara in a job that is something like a job-hunter's, just that she receives CVs and forwards them to prospective employers.


Girl in white is Natalia Yee Yen Lin, most popular girl in school history who is currently doing her Honours in Psychology down in Otago, NZ. Lim Sim Yee, her faithful sidekick is now working at Tropicana Golf and Country Club. Give her a call and she'll bring you in for some scrumptious food. Fella behind us is cheeky Foong Chee Kit. No idea what he's doing now actually but he's still with the same girl from milleniums ago. Happy for him!

The twins, Adelle and Adelyn Lim. Please guess for yourself who is who...


This is Max Leung Kah Nung who now drives a swanky new black two-door Merc, which he bought on his own. Will always be a dear friend to me coz we get to speak in Hakka when we want to backstab someone.. nyahaha...


Two guys from Science 2, Tommy Chiang Choon Leong (in red) who is doing.. er... I forgot what he's doing now but I do know that he's working now. And, I do know that he's still as sweet as ever. Raymond Loh Chiang Yew, heartthrob to the younger girls in school. He managed to come from his cousin's wedding dinner and still ordered something to eat!


Law Pin Kean was penolong ketua pengawas along with my brother. He's now working in a bank in Kajang, if I'm not mistaken. Sim Hui Wei, longtime friend was late due to an accident that happened to her brand new Perodua Myvi.


You know the first two so let's start from the girl in white. Ong Su Ee, ketua pengawas and future architect, currently finishing off at Newcastle, NSW. Her hand is on the shoulder of Lian Poh Choo, sweet and super intelligent currently in UM. Behind her is Nai Ching Yee, joined us in Form 4. In grey is Wong Yew Fon who used to be blur but is someone who is sweet and loyal to friends. Last but not least, Lee Lee Sih (Rick's cousin), who is 2 days older than I am. Not sure if she's still working for Aunty Gek at the salon in Ampang but she sure has beautiful skin and lovely hair now.


Alexis Keith Fernandez is the young man standing next to Chee Kit. He's a copyrighter now. You know that Perodua advertisement that was on TV during CNY where there were 3 young boys (one Malay, one Chinese and one Indian) who spoke Mandarin and played lion dance? Well, he did the copyrights for that. The handsome young man sitting in front of him is Robin Sue Tze Liang, who is working in Kelana Jaya doing web designing. It was also his gf's birthday so he had to run to and fro our gathering and her birthday dinner. Next to him is Vijay, a person I've not seen since VK's break-up with me. That would be 4 years?


We practically took over the whole shop! This is only one part. We had tables at the sides as well!

That was not all who attended. There were many more. To name a few, there were Yeow Chwan, Rick Kee, Jeunn Fuh, Peng Wai, Edwin, Justin, Chia Lit, Karen (Kow Cheng Ye), Yin Lee, Husaini, Chin Liang, Weng Fei, Yee Sim, Kong, Yuen Chai and many more!

I would like to thank all of you who has helped to make this reunion a success, especially Chee Kit, Adelle and Jeunn Fuh who helped me call the peeps whose numbers I don't have. Thank you guys so much!

P/S: Santhosh apologized for not being able to make it due to Thaipusam.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Dream a little dream of....

Had a dream of a guy I used to have a crush on in high school. It was a peculiar scenario. Unsure of where we were exactly and what we were doing, I allowed myself to continue dreaming. It was at the beach. And for some parts, we were at a shoplot. I think near my house. Now, there certainly isn't a beach anywhere near my house so it seemed really weird. To make it even more weird, he was rather friendly towards me. We weren't particularly best of friends in school and I haven't been thinking of him recently so why this sudden appearance in my dream?!

He taught me how to surf. I don't even now how to swim in real life. =/ He stood up for me when some of the other girls bad-mouthed me. How sweet... *blush* (in the dream, not now la!) He held my hand when we climbed down some rocks. He helped me pack my stuff and carried my tote bag from the beach to the car.

And we attended some meeting at one of the shoplots. Upstairs were tables arranged in a long row and chairs all around. There were many people and he waved at me. I sat next to him. Didn't dare to look at him, as I never dared to look at him in class back then. After the meeting, we were the last to leave. We went down the stairs and he held me back. His hand was on my left shoulder. He came near me to whisper something into my ear, which I totally do not remember now and he started to kiss me! OMG!

The disbelief actually woke me up. And for the entire day, I tried to call him on his mobile. I finally managed to get him in the evening. It's funny how things turn out. We are now 'phone buddies'. Still a little shy and awkward when we meet but at least our misunderstanding of a decade ago has been cleared. I love the feeling of getting things out in the open. At least, we are still friends.

I wonder why I don't dream of my boyfriend that often... hmm.......

Thursday, March 02, 2006

New discoveries!

I was feeling lazy, yet again, so I browsed through random blogs. There were a few which were hosted by BlogCharm and they caught my attention. Why? They had this:

Why not get paid to blog?

Wa!! I thought, yea, why not? I signed up for an account just to end up deleting the blog I had set up. They wanted me to create a Paypal account, which I did. But, due to my own insecurities of online transactions (especially when it requires your bank account number), I chickened out. I closed the Paypal account the second after I created it. Annoying eh, people like me?

You might be wondering how you get paid and you might be thinking, hey, I wanna get paid, too! Just go to their website and find out for yourself. If you know how AdSense works, you would be able to figure this out pretty easily.

As for me, I'm fine with blogspot. That is until someone I know can prove to me that it is safe to use BlogCharm and I won't lose any of my parents' hard-earned money to some cyberthief.
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There is a lecturer here at Macquarie who is Malaysian! Wow! She specializes in History of Travel and History of Love. Imagine that... love you know... and how did I find out about her? As students, we get an update of what happens in uni. Yea, it's like a newsletter. And she was featured in it coz of the release of her new book. Oh yes, she writes books, too! I did a Google search on her name and I found out that she has won an Australian award of some sort (I don't remember the name of the award, ok: bad memory) for her book Love and Vertigo.

Oooo.... new books to eye on, new author to spy on!

Yeash!!! I'm so gonna take advantage of Co-op's 15% discount!

Hello, Miss Teo Hsu-Min!