What Matters

Of Having a Kit-Kat

2008-04-20T09:42:00.003+10:00

I reckon I have to do something to my blog sooner or later. And I pick sooner.

I thereby declare a name change – What Matters.

That is for a start.

Next, I would like to impose an official hiatus on it.

But mind you, hiatus can be defined as:

A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break

Or/and also:

An interruption in the intensity or amount of something

Either one, it does NOT mean close-down.

I think I could use a bit of both the definitions.

I do not want to start thanking readers for being faithful to my blog all this while (although I really do appreciate that and would like to express my gratitude in some ways), and make it all sounds like I have won a Nobel Prize or Grammy’s. Neither do I want it appear like this is the last entry of my blog, because I am entirely sure it is not going to be the end of my blogging activity just yet.

I reassure you there will still be updates occasionally. You know how random I can be.

For now though, end of story.

P/S: The title reads taking a break.

A Jot by A Sot

Super Mario Bros

2008-03-18T16:35:00.009+11:00

It has been a while. I know.

I have been well. There is so much to tell I do not know where to begin.

So instead of just saying I am doing fine over here, I would like to share with you a tiny discovery of mine.

Mario can actually fly!

The trick is to press the equivalent SELECT button on your keyboard (on mine, it's RIGHT SHIFT) and then JUMP numerous times. And you will see your Mario slowly rising to the sky, spreading and flapping his arms while kicking his way through above all the mushrooms and turtles. That is probably another glitch of the game. But I find Mario really cute when he is flying/swimming in the air. It made me laugh my tears out.

I know this post is pretty random. But hey, Mario can fly! I just have to tell the whole world about it.

Edit: Recently, CK got so carried away with flying he flew beyond the flag pole (where you complete a level). And there's no return! (You know how you can't go the reverse direction after a certain point.) In times like these, you are left to go on and on and on in a blissful (but lonely) world without enemies where there's no turning back nor an end to it - till the timer ticks down to zero. Oh well, for some, re-setting the game at this point might be a better option.

A Jot by A Sot

Hatyai

2008-02-17T22:05:00.011+11:00

In posts like these, I often have to crack my head thinking of a post title.

Sometimes, I prefer not naming my entry although doing it normally helps me focus in my writing.

But when a story comes with a few unrelated side notes which I do not want to post separately, I find naming it a headache.

Like this one, it is more than just Hatyai.

---

My dad’s friends can be my friends too. Some of you might have heard tales about them.

This time round, they came visit because I am about to leave for Melbourne.

As Alor Star has nothing much to offer, Dad drove us all to Hatyai.

Hatyai has nothing much to offer too, to me. But for those who are up for traditional massage services, you can find some really worthwhile providers there. Doesn’t RM 24 for 2 hours of whole-body massage sound like a great deal?

I wanted to go for massage (instead of window shopping) too, at first.

But my imagination brought me to think of cracks and moans. And to think of being wrapped uncomfortably in a towel that can give way anytime had me give up even before trying.

Dad always goes there for the sake of having a place to sleep, not so much on needing the massage anyway.

---

So as I’ve said, I went for window shopping instead of massage.

Guess what I found.

A bag.

Never once had a bag attracted my attention this much to actually stop, look and flip it around.

The bag is a versatile one. You can carry it to lectures/tutorials, outings and use it as a handbag too if you like. It just won’t misfit.

(It comes with a “but” though.)

It costs 9000 baht. Oh dear. So dear!

I looked again. Hoping there is 1 zero less. But it IS 9000 baht, which is equivalent to RM 900. That is like super a lot for a bag.

Hell no am I buying it. I cannot indulge in such extravagancy. Such luxury, what do I have to treat myself to it?

But seriously, I love it. It is not too girly. Not too exquisite. Not too ostentatious. Simplicity stands out most of all.

---

Enough about the bag.

We then had Thai seafood for dinner.

After we foot the bill, we were given a business card. Apparently they wanted us to be returning customers. But the card spoilt it all because we found out something about the restaurant.

Kui in Hokkien and Mandarin means expensive!

No wonder it cost us so much. Lol.

Better check the name of the restaurant before anything else next time. It might bear hints about the charges.

---

On our way back, a bus overtook us.

I saw with my sleepy eyes that it was a Konsortium bus.

Enraged, I actually scolded angrily in my heart for it to slow down.

Good enough. Soon after that, it did slow down.

---

This morning, my dad’s friends commented that I spoke Mandarin with an accent different from before. They are not the first to make such remark.

Seriously though, I have not noticed any difference.

They also said it’s probably because I mingle too much with Chinese (from China) friends, or maybe Singaporean friends. If there really is such an acquired accent, I believe it’s from the latter.

---

Today while driving out alone, I seated a Barney soft toy on the passenger seat.

But no, I did not talk with it (like how SCY would talk with her teddy :P).

---

I feel like changing the name of this blog.

But that will mean those who link to me with my old blog name will have to do some editing. Troublesome.

Anyway, the new name on my mind is nothing fancy.

It is called “What Matters”.

I like it only because it is shorter.

Just a tentative plan. Just maybe.

A Jot by A Sot

Dealing With CNY

2008-02-08T18:42:00.001+11:00

I have always liked watching Deal or No Deal. I find it amusing. I laugh when the meanest thing happens to the players. Mum says I am wicked. But I tell her most players are well-to-do. They are seeking for excitement (for some, rewards!), and by doing so providing entertainment for the viewers. That is why they dare to reject some pretty good offers from the banker and play till the end of the game.

Can you imagine a dare-not-take-risk player on the game? After opening the first few cases, the player accepts the banker’s offer without even giving it a second thought. That will be so not fun. If that episode does exist, I am sure we will have much longer commercials throughout the 30-minute to compensate for the show’s length.

But I digressed.

This is supposed to be about my Deal or No Deal experience this Chinese New Year.

Mum gave us red packet Deal-or-No-Deal way. A shorter version though.

We were given a choice of either taking the red packet or selling it for a price of RM XXX.

Isn't the red packet big?

I for one did not dare to take risk, so I accepted the offer of RM XXX right away. It turned out that was RM 20 less than what was in the red packet. All my siblings made the right choice though. Good for them. Anyway, rat luck was on my side as the banker suddenly decided to be nice and refused transaction with me. And so I was given the red packet as well. Just like my siblings. :P

P.S.: This Chinese New Year also marks the first time my family went for movie together in GSC. We watched Kung Fu Dunk, much to my surprise, for my parents are not fans of nonsensical movies. We wanted to watch CJ7 initially, seeing more people were going for that. But tickets for the time slot we wanted were sold out and so we settled for Kung Fu Dunk instead.

P.P.S.: I had red wine at night. Uncle offered me ice wine for a change. He said the latter is for ladies. Oh well, anyhow, I still prefer RED WINE. You know why? Ice wine is so sweet I can die of diabetes. Low alcohol level is good. But high sugar level is definitely not good. And it does not taste (and feel) like you are drinking wine at all – more like drinking grape juice. Mum said I had pink cheeks after drinking wine.

P.M.S.: Nah..just playing around with the letters. :P

"HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR"

A Jot by A Sot

Mount Kinabalu

2008-01-30T15:48:00.000+11:00

As promised.

Edit: Mouse-over pictures to view photo credits. None of the pictures was taken by me.

A Jot by A Sot

Confusing Road Signs

2008-01-16T20:43:00.000+11:00

While travelling in Sabah, I came across this.

Is there a place called Japan in Sabah?

It turned out to be this, when I came to the next sign.

Quick note:
I kicked start my 2008 climbing Mount Kinabalu. I doubt I have enough a range of words to describe what met my eyes there. It was downright magnificent! Even photos cannot capture fully the splendour. I should therefore save the trouble of blogging about it here, I guess. Anyhow, I shall pick a few better pictures to post here later (once I get hold of them).

A Jot by A Sot

Confusing Symbols

2007-12-31T19:55:00.000+11:00

When you have an urgent nature call to answer, in such desperation, you might not be able to tell things apart.

Apparently you are looking for the symbol above.

But once you see something similar, like the following one, you rush your way there.

Anyway, being civilized, you won't have your business done where you have gone wrong. You will turn away and curse the unfriendly look-alike symbols while you make your way to the real toilet.

That happened to me yesterday in Island Plaza, minus the part on cursing though. :P

"HAPPY 2008"

A Jot by A Sot

Contemporary 汤圆

2007-12-22T18:08:00.000+11:00

You know it is 冬至 (Winter Solstice festival) when you start preparing glutinous rice flour and shaping it into all fancy figures you do not mind putting into your mouth after having them boiled. To aid your visualization, these are some of the things our dough is shaped into – disfigured snowmen (in conjunction with Christmas in a few days), shit-like shape, and distorted faces.

Of course, there is also the conventional shape – merely spherical.

But a mere sphere, as its name suggests, is a bit boring when it comes to eating.

So I decided to put a value of AUD 0.50 on one of the spherical rice ball, in the form of a tiny bit of chili. In other words, whoever finds the rice ball with chili inside will get a reward of AUD 0.50.

Well you say AUD 0.50 is just RM 1.50.

But, the fun involved was way beyond that value.

Younger brother was laughing all the while trying to finish up all the suspicious-looking rice balls really carefully. Youngest sister thoroughly pinched through each and every rice balls suspected of hiding the extra ingredient before devouring them. Looking at their antics amused everyone.

In the end, it was Mum who found the special rice ball from youngest sister’s bowl. And yes, she was crowned the winner of the coin everyone was looking for, yet at the same time fearing finding. Ironical.

By the way, younger brother had promised to sponsor Wasabi for the game next year. :P I think that sounds interesting.

A Jot by A Sot

Bottle Opener

2007-12-13T13:21:00.000+11:00

Do you know that mice have teeth which can function somewhat similar to a can-opener?

Skeptical?

Take a look at this.

A mouse attempted invasion into my macadamia nuts brought back all the way from Melbourne.

The next time I misplace my can-opener, I am so going to get a mouse to do the work for me.

A Jot by A Sot

I Return

2007-12-10T21:03:00.000+11:00

They say it is time I updated my blog. I probably should.

It has been long. I am now back home for summer holidays. True enough when you leave a place you have adapted to, you will miss it. In this case – Melbourne. You wonder where the flies are in your hometown. You wonder where the sun hides itself sometimes. You even wonder where your internal motivation has gone once you reach home, because all you do now is eat, sleep and online.

But there are still signs that I am alive and punching. One of them is the To-do-list which finds itself not a moment without content. Every time I am about to strike off done items with much satisfaction, there are bound to be more things to add on to the list. That keeps life moving, I guess.

I have resumed a few activities which I reluctantly had to leave behind when leaving for Melbourne early this year. Driving is one of them. Drum is another one. Hmm…Both activities begin with the letter D. Perhaps I should take up Dancing too. Or maybe Drawing? Dreaming? Or Dating?

What is on my mind at the moment is my first experience driving to Penang. Driving on a highway is never easy, at least not as expected. You have to multi-task. While your wheels spin at a speed of 110 km/h, you have to make sure you hold on to your steering still, for you do not want to put your family’s lives at risk. Sometimes you go beyond the speed limit totally unaware of it until you check the speedometer. Picking up from my Dad, driving on the right lane is more often than not safer because you don’t have cars blocking you ahead. Yet, the con of that would be forever having to check your rear mirror for speeding cars chasing you from behind. Yes, I kept to the right lane instead of the left one while driving on the highway. Like father like daughter.

I actually have many random thoughts running in my mind currently. Since this post has been incoherent anyway, I might as well share those thoughts here.

I am wondering if there were speed trap for time, assuming time is speeding right now, will it slow down to avoid catching summons?

I have to make do with an abrupt ending for this post. You tell me. How am I to conclude a random post like this?

A Jot by A Sot

Hypotheticals

2007-10-29T18:09:00.001+11:00

This is another thing you can do during Swot Vac.

Get yourself trapped in hypothetical situations.

What if I fail? What if I pass only miserably? What if I could not manage finish revising the syllabus for the year? What if I panic during OSCE? What if...

Unpleasant trail of thoughts floods your mind when you least expect them to. So perhaps by expecting them you could yield a certain amount of inhibitory effect. [another hypothesis here]

A Jot by A Sot

Fun in the Field

2007-10-24T22:57:00.000+10:00

Today, I fell. (Yes, you think big deal!)

I find myself enjoying it. But no, I am not a masochist. It is just that I have taken care of myself so well like a baby for so long I have not injured myself for ages I find myself missing the feeling of falling now.

(People need to fall sometimes so that they can learn to pick themselves off the ground.)

What happened was…

In the evening, a bunch of us went down to the field and played a game of Frisbee (used to think it is for dogs) and boomerang, followed by Captain’s Ball, Freeze and also Eagle and Chicks(?) – all the childhood field games which brought back the youthfulness in us. Many of us actually tripped over and hurt ourselves. No one was complaining though. The fun of chasing after one another seemed to have taken over the pain.

I remember when I was just a kid in the primary school, I could play those games without panting much. I could brake and manoeuvre where I was going quickly without fail. Those were the good old days when my centre of gravity was much lower and agility was much higher. Back then, I could boast of being one of the quickest in my batch. But I did not play a lot because I was a prefect - restricted freedom.

Anyhow, back to current situation. Try to imagine the scene on the field being recorded. How hilarious would it be to see a group of young adults frolicking about on the field? And we call ourselves medical students. Okay. I don’t intend to bring in the issue of generalization here. But people tend to have this impression that medical students are simply serious, if not nerdy.

Now why are we so free? It is because we are having our Swot Vac now. And we cannot be studying 24/7. So this is what we did instead of burying our heads in books or Facebook.

On another note, I recently sent a birthday card without a stamp on the envelope. How smart!

And updates on my accommodation for next year – it is back to residential hall. The plan of moving out did not work out.

P/S: For a little bit more plus photo, click Jessica.

A Jot by A Sot

Look Before You Leave

2007-10-06T14:40:00.000+10:00

Things have gone well. Nothing too disconcerting has gone in the way. That illustrates my life for now.

Except for the fact that this is going to be history.

I thought it would last for another year before I venture out off-campus.

Anyway, the experience of looking for a house has been so far exciting for me. The anticipation of finding a house which fits our criteria is pure thrilling. Every house we have explored gave us surprises because we did not really know what to expect except for the number of rooms in the house.

And it is so much more than simply finding a house and its excitement. It is not just about moving out and missing out on the various facilities and activities in the residential halls, but also good training for stepping out of our comfort zone.

Everything is so well-managed in the residential hall on-campus and you basically have no worries regarding transportation to stock up on your groceries, maintenance of areas other than your own quarter, security, etc. Not even do you need to change your own fluorescent light tube. Everything is so well taken-care of you are like a child under meticulous protection.

Now that we are moving out, we will gain more exposure of what the real world offers. It involves communicating with landlords or agents and negotiating prices and stuff. It involves calculating the best benefits on our side. It involves decision-making which is not as simple as deciding what to cook for dinner. It involves what every person has to go through as part of growing up – getting more independent.

I used to think it is independent enough of us being away from the family and managing our own finance, not realizing the fact that we are still somewhat dependent by staying on-campus. Well, yes, we paid for the convenience. But I reckon it is time I have a taste of what it is like being out in the open world. It is going to be so much different.

However, the disadvantage about moving out is that we will tend to keep to our own small group of friends. That is why I am getting myself into Monash Philharmonic Orchestra by hook or by crook next year; at least my circle of friends is not too limited. I will also have to devise new plans to de-stress because playing the piano after class every day is definitely not going to materialize in the new house.

Having said that, you might have the impression that we are shifting out next year without doubt. But actually, that is still a tentative plan. As long as we have yet to find a proper house, it is still possible the plan will be scraped.

A Jot by A Sot

Site Visit 2

2007-09-15T15:36:00.000+10:00

During my musculoskeletal examination site visit, this conversation ensued.

Patient: You should have warmed your hands before laying
them on me.

Me: I’m sorry about that.

Patient: Nah, it’s alright, as long as I know you have a
warm heart within.

Patients know best. :P

A Jot by A Sot

Deakin Hall College Head Dinner

2007-09-14T20:39:00.000+10:00

Make-up artist: Yours truly (Not bad eh?)

My first experience painting on my own face had not been disastrous, thankfully.

Honestly, I am quite satisfied with the result, as everything was drawn to my own taste – light enough to not scare people from ten metres away and clear enough to be seen in close-up photos.

Hairdresser: Yours truly

Messy hair was tamed with a bit of wax at the last minutes.

Expectation: Moderately low as the dinner was held just a stone’s throw away from my hall – not in any hotel or club, but just a plain dining hall decorated with balloons and candles.

Outcome: I had so much fun I even considered attending another similar event - the coming Med Ball, which is part of almost everyone’s conversation in the faculty nowadays. However, the ticket sale is closed and that helped save AUD 75. A blessing in disguise.

Food: 3-course-meal, the main course being four thin, pathetic pieces of turkey.

Drinks: White wine. I had quite a bit.

Jazz band: 6-piece. They had too many breaks and that had me drinking white wine while killing time, which is bad.

Dance: Yes! My first time dancing during dinner. It was all grooving to the music without real choreography. I totally forgot the steps I had picked up for ballroom dancing early this year. But well, it was alright dancing freestyle, as everyone was basically doing that.

Now come to think of it, the dinner was well-worth the AUD 15 paid. Overall, it was good experience, to feel for myself how different dinners are in Australia compared to those back home.

A Jot by A Sot

Scalpel and Forceps

2007-09-14T20:28:00.000+10:00

What comes to mind upon reading the title?

To us first year medical students, it is more often dissection rather than surgery.

If you have not already known, dissection in simple terms means cutting on cadavers while surgery simply refers to cutting on living people. Easy, ain’t it?

Well, from the start of second semester, we finally kicked start real anatomy lessons.

Without much warning, we were brought into the dissecting room. Perhaps owing to the lack of warning, we were not given sufficient time to even shiver at the fact that we were going to see dead bodies. And hence, bravely, we put on our lab coats and gloves, and laid our hands on the cadavers.

Since then, some of us are simply consumed by anatomy, more precisely dissection.

To quote from our well-respected Manager-of-People-Who-are-Lost, at the rate some of us are doing dissection, we are doing so much more than any university students are doing.

Now, there must be at least a reason for everything. What explains the development of self-diagnosed OCD towards dissection is the vivid picture carved onto your mind after viewing the structures on the cadavers, which apparently reinforces your memory. Once and for all, you will remember your anatomy so much better than flipping through the Atlas, struggling to visualize the three-dimensional structures by putting together images from different perspectives.

By the way, just to clarify things, I did not, at any point, say that I am the one who is obsessed.

I am a bit less than that.

I only missed lunch a few times for it. I have never skipped dinner for it yet so far.

You might expect this post to be about my experience on dissecting. There is not much to relate to you though as I have not done that much really. I have assumed the role of observer in most of the cases. There are just not enough bodies for all of us. So we have to wait for our turn to dissect.

Then again, if you are keen, you can always spend your hours in the lab, whenever you want to. More often than not, you will bump into dedicated tutors guiding your learning by asking brilliant questions and clearing question marks off your head by walking through the questions with you.

And nowadays, lab coat is one of the permanent things found in my bag. :P

A Jot by A Sot

The Phantom of the Music Room

2007-09-01T17:04:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I feel it is real. I seriously think so.

One day, as usual after lectures/tutorials, I went into the music room hoping to play some random melodies and harmonies.

However, I found the music score sheets for Speak Softly Love – the song which has been playing in my head.

Somebody seems to know I needed it. I call that coincidence.

Then another day I went into the room, there were music score sheets for Way Back into Love waiting for me. Another great song! I call that recurring coincidence.

The next day, Mario was there.

That song is a bit more challenging to play owing to its tricky rhythmic pattern. Good. Increasing difficulty to spur improvement. Triple coincidence?

Anyway, these score sheets will generally be replaced with other ones once I have mastered and gotten bored of them.

The recent one was a truly satiating song. He’s A Pirate! I still remember how impressed I was watching the piano version on YouTube.

The song is to be played with Grand Piano as stated on the score sheet. I did not notice that until one day when I went into the room to find the top of the piano open, exposing the inner parts of the piano, superiorly.

Now the phantom is at work! It struck me that I can yield the result of playing on a Grand Piano with the top open, like what the piano examiner did for me during my higher-level exam.

With the piano top open, and the music score sheets sitting on the flap, I am almost certain the phantom is there, guiding me.

Okay. I think that’s it. My delusion shall end here. :P

P/S: I wonder who is the kind soul leaving music score sheets in the music room by the way.

A Jot by A Sot

50th National Day

2007-09-01T16:03:00.000+10:00

In conjunction with National Day, a bunch of us here wore Baju Kurung or Batik to university. Frankly, embarrassment coupled with pride was what I felt, the former as a result of the remarkable attention attracted (especially when walking into the lecture hall in a group. Gosh! Imagine that!), and the latter a corollary of being a Malaysian. There are undeniably times when you do not feel as proud. But those are not what I would like to mention today. I just wish to proclaim that wearing Baju Kurung to university on National Day could be the least I can do for the country while being overseas.

Some people wonder why we are being so pathetically patriotic. The reason is fuelled by both the fact that we are sponsored by the government and that we are born in Malaysia, hence feeling a sense of belonging no matter what. That is the land you call home regardless of how much dirty linens have been exposed.

Perhaps it is true to say that people tend to feel a tiny bit more patriotic approaching National Day and the feeling only fades off in waiting for the next National Day. That is not extraordinary though. Just take Valentine’s Day, Mother’s or Father’s Day for example. People usually show extra love to the person celebrated on that particular auspicious day, albeit the fact that a major part of it is meant for commercial benefits.

While penning down this post, I feel the fire deep down dies down once again. I still love my country, but it is just not as intense as what is felt on the eve and National Day itself. As I have said, that is normal because it happens, however undesirable it is.

But well, I reckon as long as I am mindful that I am a Malaysian at heart, it means so much more than wearing a Baju Kurung to university, because wearing a Baju Kurung or waving the Jalur Gemilang or singing aloud Keranamu Malaysia does not make me a better citizen, but the right attitude and awareness do!

Click here for pictures.

A Jot by A Sot

Ski Trip

2007-08-15T16:56:00.000+10:00

Second week into the second semester, I skipped my Friday lectures and tutorial and went on my first ever ski trip. I call it reasonable to miss classes this time because apparently that was the best time of winter to ski in Falls Creek.

And so I set off at the weirdest hour – half past two in the morning.

Sleeping in the bus is never my thing. And I ended up feeling exhausted due to a severe lack of sleep, on the first day itself.

The overall experience was great though. I had my first taste of snow – real, natural snow, not like the one you feel in Mines Wonderland. Honestly, snow is pretty much similar to Ais Kacang, minus the sweet-flavoured syrup, fruits and jelly. And I see no difference between bigger pieces of snow and small hailstones.

The snow, at that moment, was not as fine as one would expect it to be. Once, when descending in a ski lift, the wind blew in my direction, and basically it was just like small blades cutting into my skin, especially my face. While supporting the skis and poles with my arms, I had to cover my face with my hand at the same time, to avoid disfigurement. Well, I exaggerated. But the truth is – it really hurt when the snow hit your face. Or maybe it is just me and my delicate skin.

In this ski trip also I finally found the purpose of my beanie – protect my ear from the sharp snow.

Surprising enough, the temperature did not really kill me. Perhaps the whole process of walking in boots and carrying skis and poles have generated sufficient energy to warm my body.

The thing about skiing is that it requires a lot of confidence. I never gained enough courage to ski down any runs, not even the ones meant for beginners. Why? All because I do not want to risk skiing off the cliff just because I fail to stop or turn when it comes to winding tracks.

What I did instead was spending my two days there practicing on just my brakes and turns.

Skiing bears quite a number of similarities to ice-skating. The most significant one is the bending of your knees inwards, making a big, nice V, to halt. And for cowardly beginners like me, these two sports are definitely not for me because I tend to bend my knees all the time!

By the way, you do not have to worry about tumbling over on your skis because the skis are so long it is almost impossible for you to fall backwards or forwards. Often, when I failed to create the V shape upon reaching the end of a track, I would fall to my side on purpose to stop and avoid the embarrassment of being caught in the net set up at the terminal.

Therefore, bruises were the only gift I brought back from my ski trip. Luckily no one has asked me for souvenirs (because all they will get are punches!).

Although skiing is not for me and that Falls Creek is the furthest away compared to Mount Baw Baw and Mount Buller, I might still consider going there for a second time because Falls Creek has such scenic views no other mountains in Victoria can beat, as far as I know. And I do not need the more challenging runs on Mount Buller considering the fact that I am such an amateur.

I really enjoy the opportunity getting to ski under two different weather conditions – foggy and sunny, during my stay there. The former is such a depressant, frankly, while the latter is so much better despite the glaring sunlight reflected off the snow, because you can at least see the snowy mountain surrounding you (through sunglasses, yet still so bright), which is such a breath-taker.

I am just glad I come back alive (despite my breath being taken away)!

P/S: Related pictures uploaded on Flickr.

A Jot by A Sot

Of V and W

2007-08-12T15:46:00.000+10:00

I read a joke on failing to differentiate between the v and w consonant sound quite some time ago. Since then only was I aware that v and double u should be pronounced very differently. Yet, I was unsure of the difference and how to distinguish between the two.

What an irony? I graduated from Tadika Superkids but failed to notice that.

I used to think that v is pronounced just the same way as w, with v pronounced with flat lips, while w sound being produced by rounding up your lips more. And the only difference is that v-words sound more we-ish while w-words sound more wu-ish.

A few days back, an extremely satiric friend picked on my mistakes.

All thanks to the wicked comments, I have finally worked out the different pronunciation between vane and wane. Now I know it is so much more than ve-ish and wu-ish.

The learning process was aided by CY and YS during our weekly shopping outing. Can you imagine a 20-year-old practicing how to say “lower level”, “a verb is a word”, “Victoria”, and more? Whatever word with v as consonant which came in sight or mind was pronounced as practice.

True enough. Practice makes perfect. By the time the shopping ended, I have learnt to tell v and w apart. And now here I am, proudly telling the world I no more say Wincent or Artery and Wein. Ok. I know this is nothing to be proud of. But the point is, it is never too late to learn, just anything!

A Jot by A Sot

Red Centre Tour

2007-07-26T00:06:00.000+10:00

Basically, it means getting from here

to here.

Cooper Pedy is our second stop after Adelaide. This is the place you mine for opal.

We stayed underground for a night here. While I tried to fight off the idea that the underground bunkhouse would collapse on us anytime, my roommate started yelling triumphantly after successfully digging out an opal from the wall. Didn’t she know that she was increasing the risk of bringing down the bunkhouse?

Along the journey, only this met your eyes.

And also this.

This would be the time you began missing everything and everyone at home. This would be the time you felt homesick most. You felt like there was something missing. I supposed it must be the refreshing GREEN colour that you could hardly find in the outback. There, everything was just dusty and BROWN. Some said RED.

Then you felt totally disconnected from the outside world. That was the only time people kept away from the mobile phones because there was no signal for use.

Sometimes a few wild horses would run across the road causing an abrupt braking of the bus. I believe they were trying hard to make travelling more interesting for us, knowing playing all the lame movies in the bus just did not help in treating our boredom.

Then there would be this repetitive playing of Australian songs. I especially remember this song about G’day which kicked start our morning almost daily. And also another song about Billy Tea and damper.

The best accommodation throughout the trip was in Alice Springs where we stayed in MacDonell Ranges Holiday Park.

But what followed was three-day-camping experience. It was not at all easy sleeping outdoor when the temperature dropped as low as 0 degree Celsius.

You would find your movement speed greatly reduced as your limbs went numb with the coldness. It took almost as long as the time for bathing just to get changed. You had at least 5 layers of clothes to be taken off before putting on a new set. And you just felt reluctant to remove your clothes as every layer you took off would increase the chill striking your body.

However, the rewarding part about camping in the outback was that you got to see the Milky Way with your naked eyes. That was something I had never expected.

The expected part was having meals which were not fulfilling enough. It was still not too bad having bread and cereals for breakfast daily. But imagine eating bread for lunch as well.

Anyway, while camping in Kings Creek Station, I went on the sunset camel ride. It is certainly not a delusion that all the camels were aiming against me. The camels were all tied together and were supposed to walk in a straight line one after another. The problem arose when the camel behind me impatiently wanted to overtake. That means it would come so close to me just next to my camel. And I was practically yelling for it to go away, as if it could understand me. Fortunately, I successfully made my message clear to it after a while. Then the camel in front of me started farting. I held my breath. Minutes later, it started doing big business while walking, right in front of me. Gosh! Luckily it all stopped in less than a minute. Next, it was my own camel which got too hungry and started straying from the designated path to bite off grass or flowers on the ground. Sometimes it would walk so close to the trees to have a taste of the grass around the trees, leaving the rider (yours truly) flexing the legs all so often to avoid bumping into the trees.

Now, the highlight of the trip, I would say, is being at Uluru (Ayers Rock). I climbed it. It was not an easy climb. Yet, it is also not an achievement to take pride in as it is against the wish of the aborigines to step on the mighty rock. The way leading to the Ayers Rock is a winding one, constructed in such a way to respect the aborigines’ claims that it should not be that smooth and simple to access the sacred site.

Well, as you can tell, this is not a complete journal of the 10-day-tour. It would be too lengthy (it is already so now) to describe my full experience here. Despite the fact that I came back with a rather yellowish jacket (initially pure white), in overall, the trip has been a truly gratifying one. So if you are interested to know more, just click on the links provided above for further details on the touristic places.

Edit: Related pictures uploaded on Flickr.

A Jot by A Sot

Jubilant June

2007-07-25T21:37:00.000+10:00

The night before departing for Sydney, MISU members planned a surprise birthday party in advance for me. I unsuspectingly fell for it.

I received more than one birthday gift this year. However, it is certainly not the presents which made the whole celebration special, but the presence of all close friends in Melbourne for the night.

Heartfelt gratitude must be extended to everyone who has played a part in making my first birthday in Melbourne so unforgettable.

And guess what? I got to eat boiled egg which was stained red (more commonly known as red egg) that night. Go figure how meaningful that is!

20th Birthday in Monash

The next day, I was in Sydney.

Sydney

The Circular Quay with Sydney trademarks – Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. During my 9-day-stay in NSW, I was there at least 3 times.

4 jackets in a day

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road

Just to prove that I’ve been on a helicopter. :P

A Jot by A Sot

Harmless Harassment

2007-07-25T19:39:00.000+10:00

I had a harasser.

9-June-2007 09:03:59

you are really funny, first you write to me and now where are you? I sent you a reply, don’t you trust yourself anymore?

Monologue: I have always trusted myself. And I’ve never written to you. Now who is the funny one here?

After receiving a few messages of the same nature at almost the same time for a few days, it stopped, for a respite perhaps. Then this message came along.

13-June-2007 12:07:09

YOUR MESSAGE HAS BEEN PASSED ON SUCCESSFULLY. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHAT-PARTNER! NEWS: MMS-PICTURE DOWNLOADING IS COMING SOON! (3.00$/SMS) HELPDESK: 1-800-619387

Monologue: Great! What message of mine has been passed on? And to who? Did I even request for a chat partner?

This message helps make some sense as to why the harassing messages came by. I now know I must have been just another random victim for some scams or money-making-businesses.

13- June-2007 12:07:32

hello there I was just hoping that I’d get to chat with someone I’m so glad you sent me a message what is your name and age

Monologue: The fact that you talk without punctuation scares the hell out of me. What if you collapse out of breath while talking to me halfway?

13-June-2007 13:39:53

Tell me, were you just wanting to take the piss out of me, or why else would you not reply to me?

Monologue: Finally you got your punctuations right. Still you are not going to make it.

13-June-2007 17:42:47

Does this work? Anybody get my SMS?

Monologue: Now what is this?

14-June-2007 09:08:31

Did I say something wrong or is ur mobile broken? Haven’t had any SMSs from u.

Monologue: OK. Now you are being so gentle. Still it doesn't warrant a reply from me.

15-June-2007 09:09:25

i really got excited about your message, but I find that so strange when I don’t hear anything else from you, were you being serious with me…

Monologue: Yeah, right!

Soon, I have learnt to get used to this daily 9-o’clock-message as my morning call.

However, not too long after that, I received no more messages of this sort. I reckon the service provider has at last decided that I’m not a good target to work on. Good on it!

And does anyone know why is it that sometimes you receive messages from strangers and having a name not in your contact instead of the phone number shown as the sender? And the message would read "Message cannot be displayed".

Furthermore, you will have only limited options to do to those messages. You can either Use number or Delete it but not Reply to it. I have two such messages. One from Natalia! and the other from special1.i. Anyone with similar encounters?

A Jot by A Sot

What I've Done

2007-07-23T23:54:00.000+10:00

Just a quickie explaining my long absence here.

Sydney Trip
20th June - 28th June

The Great Ocean Road
30th June

{hosting friends from Perth, Sydney and Brisbane}

Red Centre Tour
3rd July - 12th July

End of Semester One Exam
16th July

Semester Two Begins
16th July

{busy busy}

Ski Trip
27th July - 29th July

Rural Placement
30th July - 3rd August

There is just not enough break in between each event to make time for blogging. I will be back though, hopefully soon. Till then, go read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Done reading it? Re-read it. Or consider writing a sequel. :P

A Jot by A Sot

Hair Cut

2007-06-08T21:27:00.000+10:00

21 dollars spent for hair cut.

Yes. I cut (not trim) my hair, partly because I wanted to make sure it is worth the money forked out. :P

Hope this can last me for three or four months before another hair cut.

A Jot by A Sot