monday rocks for once

Am on leave today and man, do I love being off on weekdays. I mean, you can hear the birds chirping!! I still can, by the way. Look at me! Loving and living life at 9.00am! Hahaha...


The best part about not working on Mondays is the semi-smugness you feel as you watch people going to work grudgingly, majority of them silently cursing in their heads, "wtf. wtf. wtf." Some still thinking about yesterday's party. Some still thinking of that top on 50% discount during their Sunday shopping spree, "Should I have bought it?" Some wondered if they remembered to pack their Easter chocolate eggs. Some just did not seem to have woken up as they snoozed all the way, heads bowed low and handbags slipping away with files dropping out of their "Save the Environment" shopper bags.


I took my mommy to the train station and on the way back, I saw a later batch of people going to work. They also have the same look and the almost same invisible speech bubbles except that theirs said "wtf" in capitals. Like, "WTF". Maybe they were running late? hmmm..


I'm going for a swim and sunbath now. Ta!

Jennifer's 23rd

a belated post

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

I love celebrations!
Celebrations are happy.
Celebrations make me happy.
And we all need happyness.
=We all need celebrations.
More celebrations = more bliss
= no space for frets.
For whatever reasons there may be, be it big or small, let's celebrate.

Here's one we all can adopt:
Cheers to life!

26th niece!

ooh, I had a great weekend in Taiping!


1st reason:

I get to see my new baby niece! Number 26 in the nieces and nephews line-up, introducing

Abby!

Abby and I

Abby was only 13 days old and she basically just drank milk and slept everyday. SO we "aunts" had to wait every 3-4 hours for a chance to see her open her eyes. Go makan, come back, see baby! Go shopping, come back, see baby! Eat Durians, wash hands, see baby!

There is nothing like a new born baby to bring family members together and seeing everyone feeling happy and hopeful and making up their own funny baby noises and giving their very own original advices to Jess, Abby's mom. It was fun!

2nd reason:

I had lotsa durians!

Life was quite blissful as I slowly helped myself to D24 while watching CSI Miami and CSI New York, occasionally being reprimanded by various aunties for eating durians with a spoon. Oh well, one cannot please everyone.

8)

things we have to go through in life

Remember the time when you laboriously elaborate how you want your hairstyle to your hairstylist and then have your hair turn out like something else?


Because he thinks
-it suits you better
-it is the current style, everybody wants it
-it will look nice on you. who knows? never try never know!
-your head is a good platform for experimentation
-that he has done a mistake somewhere and tries to cover it up
-you deserve it (maybe)
-he is Midas (whatever)

He probably didn't think this - "But that's not what my customer WANT".


Clearly, he has missed the first semester of his hairstyling course. -_-

shocker

It was cold outside. The train arrived and everyone rushed in. It was cold inside too. And there I stood, holding on to the freezing stainless steel pole lest I get thrown off. I looked dreamily outside. Watching the greens and the blue sky and the morning sun. Pretty pretty. How I wish I was in bed.
This is usually the time when you think about your cosy bed the most. The softness of the pillow. The warm and tender comforter lovingly blanketing you.

I continued starring dreamily outside. Past the advertorial scoop of yoghurt ice cream smacked right in the middle of the window (Baskin Robbins, btw). I silently wished the few seated passengers pretending to sleep in front of me would get off the next station.

Evil thoughts aside, it was a pretty pleasant morning... I was even looking at an old lady and was wondering what she was thinking about. She's probably thinking about how convenient it is to have trains nowadays. And quick ones too. Bringing young people to work and back. They didn't have these last time. They walked! How our country have progressed over the years...and then WHAM! WTH!!

A drop of ice cold water which was the product of condensation stuck at the air conditioning vent have decided to get unstuck and fall right onto my neck and continue rolling down till it was absorbed by my shirt. Craps!

From that moment on, I couldn't think of anything pleasant. Yeah, wonderful trains, eh? Can't even maintain the air conditioner!!

-_-

New Year's Resolution

I thought of a resolution today and I think it is a good one. :)


1) To save money, for goodness sake.


As of today, I have been working for 105 days. I guess there should be no more excuses about having to adjust to a new independent lifestyle, new expenses, yada yada. I used to think that it is OK if I don't really get to save anything out of my peanuts pay packet in the first few months but er, we're in the fourth month now. Therefore, I must try. To try I must. But where do we start? Hm. I wonder if my parents experienced this sort of dilemma before. According to mom, in those days when she first started teaching, she gave 100% of her pay to her mom, my grammy, and she gets a small allowance to go shopping with. All my aunts did the same too. I was speechless. "Back then, life was simpler", she said. I couldn't help but agree. What did grammy do with the money? Grammy bought a house. I was again speechless. A house! And they were earning like RM300. "Back then, RM300 was huge!" said mom. I really couldn't help but agree.

Then dad started with his tales:

"One bowl of noodles were only RM0.03!" Whoa....
"If we found a RM0.50 coin in the field, we would be so happy we would do cartwheels!" Whoa....
"Hey, we walked 3 km to school, OK. When it was raining, we will use banana leaves as umbrellas!"

My uncle, Tai Pak, once told us a story of how he, being the eldest, will always need to trick his younger siblings into walking all the way to school on the first day of school without throwing a tantrum and cry by the roadside. "There, it's just in front. A little bit more," he would say every so often or when the younger ones started to get suspicious I suppose.

And then mom told me that they all bring their own little chalk board to school to learn how to write. It was used over and over and probably passed down to younger siblings. I was like, "That's too unreal". "Real!" she insisted. And just recently I saw a little pink notebook selling for RM30 in Kinokuniya. -_-

Don't know if my dad was being too exaggerated but he also once told us, "We were lucky if we even had soy sauce to eat with rice!"

My mom will go, "OK, not so bad on my side but one chicken had to be shared amongst all 8 of us plus grammy and gramps!"


Whoa. "Back then, it was always waste not, want not".


OK, noted. Hopefully this serves as a motivation...

people come and go...

People come and go all the time. It can be difficult to say goodbye sometimes but then it is all part and parcel of friendships. Today was Burn's last day in the hotel. He has finished his training and we will not see him anymore. He has been my "new bestfriend" for a few months now and has been fixing all my pc probs and pc questions. Now, who am I suppose to turn to when my computer goes crazy?! As hard as it can be, we have to let go and say goodbye. With heavy hearts, we decided to be happy for him that he is going back to college life (plus some envy too).


Well, we decided to go have a nice dinner together-gether. Before we did that, we did some cam-whoring which is something we shamelessly do all the time.

First shot: we decided to take a photo on our office's new sofa
Seated on the right is Ming Hai, our new toy boy.. erm, one of our new interns. :p

And then we decided to use flash and I accidentally snapped while setting the timer... how much more candid can they get?

Then we did a "proper" one. Everyone was supposed to be "proper". We said, "serious one". Then Ming Hai (who hasn't blend in yet) thought it was to be unsmiling and unfriendly.


Then we took another "proper" one because the previous one had this white patch at the bottom of the picture due to the reflection of the flash on the table (which I have already cropped away). So we promptly took a stack of Punch Cards and used it as a stand to avoid the flash. We didn't tell Ming Hai to smile yet and he continued to be... well, serious.

We then wanted to be "funny". Again, accidentally took the photo while setting the timer. I prefer these accidental photos more. :D


Murni was doing a full body thingie. Shiow Ling was probably doing the Ultraman. Burn was doing an insecure baby boy thing. I was.. erm... running towards the sofa. Ming Hai was very obviously trying to be 5566.

Bye-bye, Burn. Hello, Ming Hai.

The end of one signifies the beginning of another

And so there goes my college life. Yesterday was officially the last day of college life as my classmates and I got our results and went through the results ceremony. There were a lot of last goodbyes and so on because many of our friends are going back to their home country and many more are looking to start their career in Singapore and Macau. It was a joyous event but also a sad one because, well, it is kind of sad to leave our carefree student life and into the cold working world and also to not be able to see everyone again and hang out like before. Of course there is Friendster and Facebook and Myspace but... you know.. it is not the same. When will we meet again? Where will we end up? We all have a new beginning now. A new chapter in our lives. So many uncertainties. So many questions still unanswered. So many decisions to make.


Everyone seemed somewhat a little more matured after 4 months of trial working life in the internship. I would love to meet everyone again in 10 years and see how different and varied we all will become. In order to maximize the time spent with my friends, I went for Karaoke at Neway for the whole afternoon and then to Laundry Bar at night.

-Summarized!-

I have uploaded the pictures to all my uploadable accounts and so this is a summarized version. Why am I so free? Because this will be the last Sunday I spend as a licensed-to-be-clueless student. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to be a working adult. No more wasting time. No more chilling to the max. No more um.. and er.. Its going to be "Certainly". Sound scary. Will I make it? We'll just have to wait and see.


Right now the big question is, will I find a roommate?


Haha. That was a joke. But seriously, I need to get a roommate soon. Soon. A good one at that.


The weather has been very unfriendly lately. It has been so warm that I could feel my skin a little like being oven-cooked. Slowly I'm turning into something like roast meat. Air conditioning? What air conditioning? One of the few reasons I can't wait to start work tomorrow is the air conditioning. Ah... breezy bliss... Better remember to bring my moisturiser. :)


Anyways, I was just looking around my room today. What I have previously described as a little tiny room actually housed so many of my things and as my cousin Jennifer who visited last week pointed out, it is actually quite big and comfortable for one person. I'm going to miss this room and this personal space. I wonder what my future room will look like. I haven't gone there to take a look eventhough I plan to move in next weekend. Just hope it will be good. See? Uncertainties again.


I just hope everything will be cleared and certain by the end of next week. Will update again then. In the meantime, to the few of you who read this, please pray and hope with me too... :)

"Fix You"

I think I have been spending too much time on my laptop for the past few days that I started doing things I don't normally do such as searching for forums and blogs and what little bits and pieces of news or articles on almost everything. Even property forums! Not that I understood much of what they were saying but I guess I sort of know a little bit on property investment now and which areas are good to buy property now. They even have rankings on the areas which have the most potential for profit. Ooh. I was browsing and browsing somemore when I suddenly realised that I did not turn on my WMP at all for all those hours spent at the pc!

So I created a new playlist from all those forgotten songs like the Andrea Bocelli's, Diana Krall's and so on. Easy listening was the order of the day. Not so much of the Black Eyed Peas and stuff. I have also started to like Imogen Heap's songs very much. Burn introduced some songs and then I found out that the other song which David sent me some time ago, Let Go by Frou Frou was actually Imogen Heap herself. Ooh. No wonder they sort of sound similar. Anyways, I was getting sort of melodramatic and then there was Coldplay. Coldplay's Fix You suddenly made me wanna cry. I dunno why. I decided to check out what people thought about the meaning of the song. (I told you I spend too much time on the laptop lately). Anyways, apparently Chris Martin wrote it when Gwyneth's father passed away and she was so upset and was crying and all. How sweet. I got goosebumps just imagining the kind emotions that was going on.


Some dude also thought that the song was written for broken toasters.
"When you lose something you can't replace..."


I just think the song is reassuring and even sort of like comforting. Someone will always be there for you. Probably try to fix your problem. Or just be there for you. I'm thinking Someone upstairs too.

"Fix You"

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

bye bye shoes...

In view of my soon-to-be migration to PJ, I have given away 3 pairs of shoes. The blue one and the polka dots ones that I think is too late to wear anymore because, seriously, I'm 22 and working. That means less 3 shoe boxes to move. Phew. Still have 20 more... hmm... And lots and lots of books and notes and clothes. And lots of pillows and plushies. And my faithful mattress. omg.


I really shouldn't have collected so many things. And looking for a room. omg. Today was the first time in months that I have a headache. As in real full-on headache. Like migraine headache. I couldn't even bear to look at my fan because the spinning makes me "fly". No, I did not just take some weird unprescribed drug, in case you were wondering. Just Vitamin C to prevent myself from falling sick which is a big NO NO because my oral defence is this Friday and all my four months of internship counts on this one hour show to get my marks. *big sigh* (losing 3 days of my life in the process)*


I sat at my desk for a while and kept on trying to concentrate on my slides while thinking about the room and the moving and my future place's surroundings and potential food stalls which I may wanna try and how I would spend my weekends and if I'll get to try the Ramadhan stalls in time and when I should get a car and if I should change my wardrobe and when I should go back to Kluang and oh how the Kluang Station toasted bun would taste after so long and of course Central Chicken Rice and sleeping late and mom's dishes and what to wear on my first day of work and which shoe to go with it and so on. One thing led to another. Soon, I gave up on my slides and ended up eating a large McDonalds McValue Meal. I don't normally eat large sets because I don't normally finish regular sets. I finished my large set and even regretted not getting an apple pie too. I'm totally growing.


Anyways, I was just wondering if I should buy back 3 pairs of shoes after I have moved. Haha. OK, OK. Yes, there are more important things in life to think about, Yvonne.

grown-ups stuff

What is Yvonne doing apart from having fun (on the surface)?


Looking for a job.

Looking for a new pad.

Looking at a new direction in life.


I don't like turning 22. I don't like doing adult stuff. I don't like to have to think like an adult. I don't like all these responsibilities. I don't like to worry. I don't like insecurities. I don't like uncertainties. I don't like thinking about what the future holds for me. I don't like making decisions. Each little step will affect my whole future.


But do I have a choice? No.


Thinking about it, I try to pacify myself by thinking that at least I have the chance to face all these things. At least I have a chance to choose. At least I can think for myself.


Right now, I just wish someone will just guide me and direct me. But I know I'll have to walk this path myself. Sigh. Why did I have to know that? Craps.

watch them sleep

On a break from my Big D, I saw this post on Friendster. Meaningful and beautiful. Made me realize again how every language has its own beauty. And yes, watching someone sleep may sound quite silly but it is one of the most meaningful way of spending that few minutes. Connect with them. Watch the truth slowly reveal itself with every breath, outlining that soft face. Try guessing their peaceful thoughts; their dreams. All you want to do at that moment is to stop time, to protect them, to wish them the best and may they remain in that blissful state forever. And when they wake up, you pretend nothing has happened but something has changed and things are not the same as before - things get better.


(gosh, I miss my bed) >:)


Melihat orang yang kita sayang pada
saat dia tidur.....

Renungkan/lihatlah betapa sayangnya
kita pada mereka.....

Pernahkah anda menatap orang-orang
yang anda sayang saat mereka sedang
tidur ?
Kalau belum, cubalah sekali saja
menatap mereka saat sedang tidur.

Saat itu yang tampak adalah ekspresi
paling wajar dan paling jujur dari
seseorang.

Seorang artis yang ketika di panggung
begitu cantik dan gemerlap pun
akan tampak polos dan jauh
berbeza jika ia sedang tidur.

Orang paling kejam di dunia pun
jika ia sudah tidur tak akan tampak
wajah bengisnya.

Perhatikanlah ayah anda
saat beliau sedang tidur.
Sedarilah, betapa badan yang dulu kuat
dan gagah itu kini semakin tua dan
lemah, betapa rambut-rambut putih
mulai menghiasi kepalanya, betapa
kerut merut mulai terpahat di wajahnya.
Orang inilah yang tiap hari bekerja
keras untuk kesejahteraan
kita, anak-anaknya.
Orang inilah, rela melakukan apa saja
asal perut kita kenyang dan
pendidikan kita lancar.

Sekarang, beralihlah. ...
Lihatlah ibu anda....
Hmm...kulitnya mulai keriput dan tangan
yang dulu halus membelai- belai
tubuh bayi kita itu kini kasar kerana
menempuhi kehidupan yang mencabar demi
kita.
Orang inilah yang tiap hari
menguruskan keperluan kita.
Orang inilah yang paling rajin
mengingatkan dan membebeli kita
semata- mata kerana rasa kasih dan
sayang, dan sayangnya, itu sering kita
salah ertikan.

Cubalah menatap wajah orang-orang
yang kita cintai..sayangi itu...
Ayah, Ibu, Suami,
Isteri, Kakak, Adik, Anak, Sahabat,
Semuanya...

Rasakanlah sensasi yang timbul
sesudahnya.
Rasakanlah energi cinta yang mengalir
perlahan-lahan saat menatap wajah
mereka yang terlelap itu.
Rasakanlah getaran cinta yang mengalir
deras ketika mengingat betapa
banyaknya pengorbanan yang telah
dilakukan orang-orang itu untuk
kebahagiaan anda. Pengorbanan yang
kadang-kadang tertutupi oleh salah
faham
kecil yang entah kenapa selalu saja
nampak besar.

Secara ajaib Tuhan mengatur agar
pengorbanan itu akan tampak lagi
melalui wajah-wajah jujur mereka
saat sedang tidur.
Pengorbanan yang kadang melelahkan
serta memenatkan mereka
namun enggan mereka ungkapkan.
Dan ekspresi wajah ketika tidur pun
membantu untuk mengungkap segalanya.
Tanpa kata, tanpa suara dia
berkata... "betapa lelahnya..penatnya
aku hari ini".
Dan penyebab lelah dan penat itu?
Untuk siapa dia berpenat lelah
Tak lain adalah
KITA.....

Suami yang bekerja keras mencari
nafkah, isteri yang bekerja keras
mengurus dan mendidik anak, juga rumah.
Kakak, adik, anak, dan sahabat yang
telah menemani hari-hari suka dan duka
bersama kita.

Resapilah kenangan-kenangan manis dan
pahit yang pernah terjadi dengan
menatap wajah-wajah mereka.
Rasakanlah betapa kebahagiaan dan
rasa terharu seketika menerpa jika
mengingat itu semua.

Bayangkanlah apa yang akan terjadi jika
esok mereka "orang-orang tersayang itu"
tak lagi membuka matanya,
untuk selamanya ... "

It's Saturday again!

It has been a week and it felt like only 3 days have past. I have not even finished the chocolates from my grocery shopping last Saturday (que for applause). I also have not made much progress on my Big D (que for boo).

Time flies. That's good, I think. I mean, I do want to be young and carefree (and clueless?) forever but I'm happy that time moves so quickly. For now, that is. You won't hear me say this when I'm, like, 30 odd (*shudder*). OK, OK. Hold your imagination. Actually, I think you won't hear me say that I'm happy that time flies by next week.

Because I'm taking a few days off! Wheee!

Of course, primarily to join my cousin in celebration of her marriage in Malacca and secondarily, I can finally go back to Kluang and be the little clueless youngest in the family again! Even for a few days, I'm looking forward to it already. Also, I can finally see my eldest sister again after one year. Thinking about it is so blissful. No laundry. No dishes. No commuters. No long walks. Cleaner air. No staring at computers. No extremely early mornings. Cheap hairdressing. Unlimited chocolates. Food. Food. Food. Everyone will be asking me, "What would you like to eat today?" It usually starts with my second sister waking me up and asking me what I want for breakfast. Hohoho. "Daddy, I wanna go eat bak kut teh. Now, now." "Mummy, I want banana fritters. I prefer if they were crispy." Then, I will munch while I read magazines and books, listening to my family exchange stories and latest goss. All without caring about time.


These are times when I wish time will stand still for a bit.