Random ponder: Halfway reading a question in the exam ... *hmm hungry lah, I wonder what should I get to eat later? I feel like a burger, but then later I need to go to the bank, so if I walk that way, then maybe I can get sushi instead! Or a juicy lamb kebab from that place opposite the bank. Or, maybe pizza! Yeah, that place has good pizzas too..mmm..* Looks at clock..AAAH! Stop thinking about food lah haiyoh! Go go go, you haven't even started to answer this question yet!!! Die die DIE! Sigh, I am such a food ho.
Entry 85
Continuing from that random ponder, I just googled 'ho' to see if I had spelled it right and cracked myself up with the ton of definitions and ways to used it in a sentence from the Urban Dictionary.
I went to buy travel insurance a couple of days ago. In fact, it's first time buying insurance for myself. I don't really advocate the whole concept of insurance (unless perhaps it's against the dealer in blackjack), but Mother & Co. insisted on me getting it for my trip to Malaysia and Macau/Hong Kong.
Correct. I am finally going back to Malaysia for a holiday after not being back to visit for 3 years. Not one person who knows I am buying travel insurance for Malaysia has failed to not ask me why on earth I am buying insurance to go home? Well, seeing that I have no immediate family there and a propensity to engage in unfortunate events (sometimes a series of), I see Mother's point of view. After all, Malaysia has probably changed over the past 3 years (new buildings and flyovers seem to just pop up overnight there alongside the rapidly increasing crime rate), and though I like to think I am fully homegrown (judging by my truly authentic AhPek slang), my inability to relate to the cool 'as-we-were-in-primary-school' television programs (namely, 'Thundercats', 'Golden Kids', 'Archie', 'HeMan', etc) argues otherwise.
Ms She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was assigned to 'take care' of me. She faces her screen towards me and says, "Okay, Natalie, we'll go through the steps together to fill out your policy alright?". Alright. I thought that was nice of her. Instead, I ended up walking her through the whole process because halfway she got lost in navigating between the webpages. It was apparent she had no idea what she was doing, and most likely never sold insurance in her life before (well, at least not in the 21st century; she told me that it didn't use to be so difficult because last time they just filled it all out on paper). [Who still does things on paper?!] You know someone is computer-inept when they spend many seconds slowly moving the mouse around trying to find where to click to go to the 'next' page while their mouth is simultaneously hanging half open as they peer down at the computer with their spectacles sliding down their nose, and their head is leaning so forward in a turtle-like position to try and see the words on the computer better.
Halfway through, she has to ring the underwriters to ask them something about the premium and in the end, I took over and started talking to the underwriters on her phone. Several times, she had to ask me "Do you know how to go back to the page regarding the so-and-so just now?" Trying to hide my disbelief, I patiently just pointed to her on the screen to click on 'previous'. Sometimes if it was two pages back, she would ask "Oh no, this is not the one?" to which I would have to respond, that's because you have to click 'previous' again. Finally, we're almost towards the end of the painful process, and don't ask me what on earth she clicked, but suddenly the whole form reset so we had to go fill it all out. Again. You'd think that when someone is doing something for the second time, the learning curve is flatter and it takes faster right? Wrong. She started moving her mouse at snail speed again trying to find things. Honestly, at that point, I just wanted to say, grab the mouse from her and do everything myself and save her the hassle.
Finally, the last stage just required us to input a policy number issued by the bank. She didn't know what to do. She looks at me. [Do I look like I work here?! I don't know where you keep your policy numbers!!]. I smile and interpret the instruction for her by telling her exactly what she needed to go and get in order to complete the process and why. She scoots off to get it and returns saying that she feels like an idiot. [Hmm, why am I not surprised?]. She prints out 6 pages and wonders why there are so many pages when the policy is only 3 pages. [Ya allah, BECAUSE IT'S TWO COPIES. ONE FOR YOU AND ONE FOR ME]. She figures this out on her own and covered malu quite well I must say. After paying for it, she said "That's it! All done now! Have a good trip!" and looked puzzled at why I was still staring at her as if I was waiting for something. Yes. My receipt. To prove that I had indeed paid $300 over dollars to cover me for 2 months. "Oh yes, that's right!" she manages to mumble. Frankly, I reckon I should have received commission from IAG for selling insurance to myself.
*Note, you must be wondering "Wah, confirmed this consultant is:
a) Asian [this is the first response ("Asian ah"?) I got when I told a couple of friends my story]
b) A FOB
c) A fresh graduate
d) A blonde
Wrong. It was a slightly above middle-aged Caucasian woman who was on time travel vacation from the Stone Age.
Thus, since the whole process took much longer than I had expected, I rushed to the nearest ATM to withdraw some cash to exchange into HKD so I will be pretty much set for my trip next week. Plus, the rate had gone up from the previous day, and I was most definitely going to take advantage of that. No doubt, it was marginal by just a few decimal points, but if there's something to gain even though it may be as miniscule as an extra dumpling, bowl of soup, or hand of blackjack in HK, it would be too much of a waste to let it go, right? By the time I managed to get to the place with the best rate and enough HKD on hand to sell to me - it sudah tutup. Tulan-ness.
Therefore, perhaps if more training and quality control measures were in place for insurance agents, we wouldn't have seen some of their recent collapses. For all we know, this Ms-She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named could have undercharged everyone the wrong premium and when the time came for the claims to materialise, they couldn't afford it because she had sold cheap insurance to all the high risk people. Okay, that was a bit harsh, but like I said, tulan-ness.
P.S: There's a money changer called "Money Exchange" which is blue and white colour and has lots of branches dotted all over Queen Street. As your friend, I would advise you not to ever change currency there unless you really need to. Their rates would be what I would consider as flat-out daylight robbery.
[Update: K texted me asking me what I was doing and I told her my tulan-ness story. Her response? "HAHAHA, why you always meet all these FOB aunties wan?" Like I said, my expertise lie in a propensity to engage in unfortunate events]
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Time I Went to Watch Football in Public...Alone
Random ponder: Will my professor be merciful in the exam questions tomorrow?
Entry 84
Yes. The title is not a typo. I recently went to watch a football game in public solo.
I first became interested in soccer thanks to the World Cup in 2002. I won't deny I wasn't initially attracted to the sport because of the coincidentally large number of good-looking players. After KongKong explained how it worked to me, I was hooked.
After awhile, the whole World Cup fever died down, and I wasn't a constant follower, nor a huge football fan. But if football was on television, I wouldn't request to change the channel nor find it boring. I could definitely survive watching a 90 minute game with amusement (unless it was some uber cheap team playing). Basically, my male friends would not have to worry about me feeling bored accompanying them to watch. Then, D came along - a hardcore MU fan who is a religious follower. I supported MU before, but not to the extent that I do now, thanks to his overpowering influence.
So, about 2 weeks ago, the time came for the (arguably) 'biggest' match in the league, and I happened to be in Hamilton visiting the folks, which inconveniently had no Sky and the only place that I would be able to catch the match live at 3am was my trusty Uncle's place - Skycity.
I'm used to watching matches alone - but in the vicinity of my own home. So, up I rose at 2am to get dressed and quietly steal get the car from the garage without waking Mother & Co. Earlier I had asked permission to borrow her car to go to which she responded:
Mother: "Haiyoh, so late you want to go out by yourself in this foreign town meh! Auckland never mind, but you're not familiar with the roads here ma!"
N: "Well, do you want to come with me then?"
M: "What for! Not interested in that sport."
N: "Okay, then I'll go myself."
M: "Haiyah! You're a girl lah! Why you must watch football wan?! Last time watch F1, then want to become F1 driver, you're like a tomboy lah!"
N: "Right. Not something that we didn't know before, but anyway, can borrow or not?"
M: "Okay lah, just be careful and don't park in dodgy areas!"
[I just re-read that, and realised how Cina-Ah-Pek that sounded *beams with pride*]
So I finally made it there without getting lost and picked a nice seat, sat down, and waited for the rest of the crowd to come and witness the (arguably) biggest match in the league.
Soon after, a woman and 2 men sat at the table next to me and started talking about how much hair product the players use.
I continued waiting,
waiting,
and waiting.
Omigosh, no one else is coming to spectate the (arguably) biggest match in the league?!
There went my hope of finding random fellow MU fans to cheer with and/or jointly diss Liverpool fans. Worse, during the second half, the fellow spectators beside me left.
How can you LEAVE in the middle of the (arguably) biggest match in the league?!
Anyway, I was left in my little sports corner of the casino scrunched up like a ball on my chair, with half of my face wrapped up in my scarf to try and mask the gasping sounds each time an opposing goal almost succeeded and/or MU almost scored a goal. At that moment, because I was so engrossed in the game, I didn't care what it looked like to other people (comprising mainly of nearby gamblers) - a young Asian female (the only female), wait - make that the only person watching the match alone, sitting in a sarkai-like position, practicing a phenomenon known as 'syok sendiri' while sitting in front of a huge plasma screen television watching football set to Volume 0, at 3am on a Monday morning.
Bluntly put, I was the finest breed of the 'sorhai' specimen there could be.
Even the restaurant manager took pity on me and came over to try and discuss the game with me, to which he epicly failed as he didn't even know who the team was wearing the red coloured shirts. In his defense, he explained that he was a huge rugby fan (like I cared; I could not give two hoots for that directionless game).
Verdict: I left at 5am, braving the cold, and driving back along the deathly quiet roads of Hamilton city feeling disappointed and mad that I could have been sleeping the whole time. Why? Because to my cousin's delight they lost. [2 years ago I was watching this (arguably) biggest match in an Irish pub with him, and to my delight MU won. Subsequently, he proceeded to ignore me all the way home and said "I don't care, family or not, I'm not talking to you now, and you don't come and gloat to me about it ah!"]
And that, is why women should not watch football on television in public areas alone. [It only works for men]. Nonetheless, I can now proudly and truly say I don't watch football for the guys - the good-looking ones just happen to be a bonus resulting from the game.
Before I forget, I will take this opportunity to shout-out to the return and recovery of the (not arguably) Best-Player-In-The-World: Roque Santa Cruz!
One day, my favourite player and team will finally merge, so there will be no more conflicts of interest for me when they play each other. One day.
[Originally written: November 5th 2009]
[Edited: Luckily I didn't attempt to watch the most recent match live, because they lost to some smelly poo 'chau-see']
Entry 84
Yes. The title is not a typo. I recently went to watch a football game in public solo.
I first became interested in soccer thanks to the World Cup in 2002. I won't deny I wasn't initially attracted to the sport because of the coincidentally large number of good-looking players. After KongKong explained how it worked to me, I was hooked.
After awhile, the whole World Cup fever died down, and I wasn't a constant follower, nor a huge football fan. But if football was on television, I wouldn't request to change the channel nor find it boring. I could definitely survive watching a 90 minute game with amusement (unless it was some uber cheap team playing). Basically, my male friends would not have to worry about me feeling bored accompanying them to watch. Then, D came along - a hardcore MU fan who is a religious follower. I supported MU before, but not to the extent that I do now, thanks to his overpowering influence.
So, about 2 weeks ago, the time came for the (arguably) 'biggest' match in the league, and I happened to be in Hamilton visiting the folks, which inconveniently had no Sky and the only place that I would be able to catch the match live at 3am was my trusty Uncle's place - Skycity.
I'm used to watching matches alone - but in the vicinity of my own home. So, up I rose at 2am to get dressed and quietly
Mother: "Haiyoh, so late you want to go out by yourself in this foreign town meh! Auckland never mind, but you're not familiar with the roads here ma!"
N: "Well, do you want to come with me then?"
M: "What for! Not interested in that sport."
N: "Okay, then I'll go myself."
M: "Haiyah! You're a girl lah! Why you must watch football wan?! Last time watch F1, then want to become F1 driver, you're like a tomboy lah!"
N: "Right. Not something that we didn't know before, but anyway, can borrow or not?"
M: "Okay lah, just be careful and don't park in dodgy areas!"
[I just re-read that, and realised how Cina-Ah-Pek that sounded *beams with pride*]
So I finally made it there without getting lost and picked a nice seat, sat down, and waited for the rest of the crowd to come and witness the (arguably) biggest match in the league.
Soon after, a woman and 2 men sat at the table next to me and started talking about how much hair product the players use.
I continued waiting,
waiting,
and waiting.
Omigosh, no one else is coming to spectate the (arguably) biggest match in the league?!
There went my hope of finding random fellow MU fans to cheer with and/or jointly diss Liverpool fans. Worse, during the second half, the fellow spectators beside me left.
How can you LEAVE in the middle of the (arguably) biggest match in the league?!
Anyway, I was left in my little sports corner of the casino scrunched up like a ball on my chair, with half of my face wrapped up in my scarf to try and mask the gasping sounds each time an opposing goal almost succeeded and/or MU almost scored a goal. At that moment, because I was so engrossed in the game, I didn't care what it looked like to other people (comprising mainly of nearby gamblers) - a young Asian female (the only female), wait - make that the only person watching the match alone, sitting in a sarkai-like position, practicing a phenomenon known as 'syok sendiri' while sitting in front of a huge plasma screen television watching football set to Volume 0, at 3am on a Monday morning.
Bluntly put, I was the finest breed of the 'sorhai' specimen there could be.
Even the restaurant manager took pity on me and came over to try and discuss the game with me, to which he epicly failed as he didn't even know who the team was wearing the red coloured shirts. In his defense, he explained that he was a huge rugby fan (like I cared; I could not give two hoots for that directionless game).
Verdict: I left at 5am, braving the cold, and driving back along the deathly quiet roads of Hamilton city feeling disappointed and mad that I could have been sleeping the whole time. Why? Because to my cousin's delight they lost. [2 years ago I was watching this (arguably) biggest match in an Irish pub with him, and to my delight MU won. Subsequently, he proceeded to ignore me all the way home and said "I don't care, family or not, I'm not talking to you now, and you don't come and gloat to me about it ah!"]
And that, is why women should not watch football on television in public areas alone. [It only works for men]. Nonetheless, I can now proudly and truly say I don't watch football for the guys - the good-looking ones just happen to be a bonus resulting from the game.
Before I forget, I will take this opportunity to shout-out to the return and recovery of the (not arguably) Best-Player-In-The-World: Roque Santa Cruz!
One day, my favourite player and team will finally merge, so there will be no more conflicts of interest for me when they play each other. One day.
[Originally written: November 5th 2009]
[Edited: Luckily I didn't attempt to watch the most recent match live, because they lost to some smelly poo 'chau-see']
Friday, November 6, 2009
Random rave 06-11-09
Random ponder: Hmm...Amidst the insane exam stress and studying schedule, I have the strangest sudden urge to perform CPR on the home to my rants and raves.
Entry 83
Wednesday marked the last piano lesson for my student, M. I've taught her for almost 2 years now, and it's been an interesting experience indeed. The only reason I'm giving it up is because I'll be away for the summer and embarking on a new phase in life next year, giving me no time to continue teaching. As a token of the blossomed friendship between her family and I, I was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers accompanied by a very cute handwritten card, and a bar of pomegranate soap (yes, she remembered I go crazy over anything with pomegranate scent in it). I'm not going to deny that it felt a little awkward carrying the bouquet onto the bus and walking around town. It just would not fit into my handbag.
I discovered I really enjoy teaching piano and perhaps one day, if auditors/accountants suffer redundancy from recessions or what-nots (God forbid), I will head down the alternative route of becoming a full-time piano teacher instead.
Just demonstrating to M for the last time what her favourite song sounded like made me realise how much I miss piano. Since I started University about 4 years ago, I have barely touched a piano as CBD apartments really don't permit space for even a keyboard comfortably. I completed Grade 8 just before I headed into college, so once college came into the picture, I stopped at that - didn't pursue a higher level such as a performance or teacher's diploma. So, perhaps one day; one day after the next phase in life and when I can get my hands on a piano again, I will do just that. One day.
I think the 10-year olds' will be a great inspiration - was gobsmacked when I saw these videos:
Flight of the Bumblebee played by 10-year old boy
Flight of the Bumblebee played by 10-year old girl
Entry 83
Wednesday marked the last piano lesson for my student, M. I've taught her for almost 2 years now, and it's been an interesting experience indeed. The only reason I'm giving it up is because I'll be away for the summer and embarking on a new phase in life next year, giving me no time to continue teaching. As a token of the blossomed friendship between her family and I, I was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers accompanied by a very cute handwritten card, and a bar of pomegranate soap (yes, she remembered I go crazy over anything with pomegranate scent in it). I'm not going to deny that it felt a little awkward carrying the bouquet onto the bus and walking around town. It just would not fit into my handbag. I discovered I really enjoy teaching piano and perhaps one day, if auditors/accountants suffer redundancy from recessions or what-nots (God forbid), I will head down the alternative route of becoming a full-time piano teacher instead.
Just demonstrating to M for the last time what her favourite song sounded like made me realise how much I miss piano. Since I started University about 4 years ago, I have barely touched a piano as CBD apartments really don't permit space for even a keyboard comfortably. I completed Grade 8 just before I headed into college, so once college came into the picture, I stopped at that - didn't pursue a higher level such as a performance or teacher's diploma. So, perhaps one day; one day after the next phase in life and when I can get my hands on a piano again, I will do just that. One day.
I think the 10-year olds' will be a great inspiration - was gobsmacked when I saw these videos:
Flight of the Bumblebee played by 10-year old boy
Flight of the Bumblebee played by 10-year old girl
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Goodbye, Filmmaker
Random ponder: Such a loss.
Entry 82
This year marked the end of great legacies such as Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and yesterday, Yasmin Ahmad. It was deeply saddening to read about Yasmin Ahmad's early passing. Ever since I watched one of her commercials - my favourite: The famous Tan Hong Ming, I have become a great fan of her work. Even from her blog, one can witness her humility despite her tremendous success. Also, her strong religious faith and OneMalaysia vision is highly respectable.
A quote from her blog, Yasmin: "I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink."
Am in anticipation to watch her two latest films - Muallaf and Talentime, when there is some free time.
Some of my favourites:
How do you spell Dinosaur?
Chinese New Year 2008
Old Folks
CNY 2009
Family
Funeral
May you rest in peace.
Entry 82
This year marked the end of great legacies such as Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and yesterday, Yasmin Ahmad. It was deeply saddening to read about Yasmin Ahmad's early passing. Ever since I watched one of her commercials - my favourite: The famous Tan Hong Ming, I have become a great fan of her work. Even from her blog, one can witness her humility despite her tremendous success. Also, her strong religious faith and OneMalaysia vision is highly respectable.
A quote from her blog, Yasmin: "I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink."
Am in anticipation to watch her two latest films - Muallaf and Talentime, when there is some free time.
Some of my favourites:
How do you spell Dinosaur?
Chinese New Year 2008
Old Folks
CNY 2009
Family
Funeral
May you rest in peace.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Life in Technicolour
Random ponder: Favourite flashback quote - Rewind to two years ago, dancing in a club next to Opahs. Canto dude: 'Hor yi bei ngo lei geh din wah hou ma?' Reply: 'Ngo mou din wah'. O.o
Entry 81
I knew they were big. I liked their music. I wasn't a die-hard, must-see fan. But I am so glad I went. It was so worth it.
The Coldwave - Chris Martin's genius idea of making everyone do the Mexican wave with cellphones instead. Genius. Witness it make history here.
The last picture shows you just how close they came to us. They left the stage and walked all the way to the back of the audience, very near to where we were sitting and performed on a ledge nearby.
Coldplay were just legen-wait-for-it-dary performers! The music, interaction with the crowd, concert effects made it unbelievably stunning. I'd rank it on par with Westlife as my third favourite concert. Of course, my ranking of JT's concert at number one is undoubtedly biased. As for number two, I was a die-hard Linkin Park fan, and it would be unjustified not to keep them at number two. Hence, you have Coldplay - my third favourite concert.
And now, for Nickelback in November! Which, I foresee myself not attending, sadly. The tickets are a bit too pricey for their standard and my friends who are music snobs think Nickelback is undeserving of their NZD100 and above. In my comfort, the songs that they intend to sing at the November concert are not to my liking. Yay.
Entry 81
I knew they were big. I liked their music. I wasn't a die-hard, must-see fan. But I am so glad I went. It was so worth it.
The Coldwave - Chris Martin's genius idea of making everyone do the Mexican wave with cellphones instead. Genius. Witness it make history here.
The last picture shows you just how close they came to us. They left the stage and walked all the way to the back of the audience, very near to where we were sitting and performed on a ledge nearby. Coldplay were just legen-wait-for-it-dary performers! The music, interaction with the crowd, concert effects made it unbelievably stunning. I'd rank it on par with Westlife as my third favourite concert. Of course, my ranking of JT's concert at number one is undoubtedly biased. As for number two, I was a die-hard Linkin Park fan, and it would be unjustified not to keep them at number two. Hence, you have Coldplay - my third favourite concert.
And now, for Nickelback in November! Which, I foresee myself not attending, sadly. The tickets are a bit too pricey for their standard and my friends who are music snobs think Nickelback is undeserving of their NZD100 and above. In my comfort, the songs that they intend to sing at the November concert are not to my liking. Yay.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Natalie Jean Li Xian Wong, Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting & Commercial Law
Random ponder: Excuse this slightly (2 months) overdue post. If, of course anyone still reads this. Heh.
Entry 80
So let me rant and rave about how the Associate Dean managed to screw up my 10 seconds of fame as I walked onto the stage to be capped and have my degree conferred upon me by the Chancellor in my ceremony.
I was so afraid she would pronounce my Chinese name wrongly when calling out my name, but kudos to her for getting it right - 'Lee Sien', and not 'Lee Zhian'. But, to my utmost horror, she got my English name wrong. Which one? Natalie or Jean? You would probably think Natalie, since it's the longer name, and Jean is fairly straight forward right? Like, I mean, you wear jeans practically every day, right?
No.
By calling me 'Zhaun' as in Jean Claude Van Damme style, not only did she assume that I was French, but that I was indeed a Male.
If 'Wong' ain't big enough a giveaway to one's approximate ethnicity, I don't know what is. Had she perhaps lifted her head for a second to observe my appearance whilst I was standing at the edge of the stage, she might actually have realised that I was very the cina-looking, a female with long hair, wearing a dress. Thus, even if she thought I was of some strange European descent, that being a female does not warrant the masculine pronunciation of that name.
Anyhow, my capping photo turned out well, courtesy of Ying Swee Ong.
And I present to you the circus: Bree, Tigress-Dugong, Clown and Sotong conquering our first, all the way to our last Accounting paper together.
Big congratulations to all the other graduates! And thank you for all the wishes and to all who came despite their busy schedules. Much much appreciated! :) And of course, D, for being 'caddy' of the day.
Entry 80
So let me rant and rave about how the Associate Dean managed to screw up my 10 seconds of fame as I walked onto the stage to be capped and have my degree conferred upon me by the Chancellor in my ceremony.
I was so afraid she would pronounce my Chinese name wrongly when calling out my name, but kudos to her for getting it right - 'Lee Sien', and not 'Lee Zhian'. But, to my utmost horror, she got my English name wrong. Which one? Natalie or Jean? You would probably think Natalie, since it's the longer name, and Jean is fairly straight forward right? Like, I mean, you wear jeans practically every day, right?
No.
By calling me 'Zhaun' as in Jean Claude Van Damme style, not only did she assume that I was French, but that I was indeed a Male.
If 'Wong' ain't big enough a giveaway to one's approximate ethnicity, I don't know what is. Had she perhaps lifted her head for a second to observe my appearance whilst I was standing at the edge of the stage, she might actually have realised that I was very the cina-looking, a female with long hair, wearing a dress. Thus, even if she thought I was of some strange European descent, that being a female does not warrant the masculine pronunciation of that name.
Anyhow, my capping photo turned out well, courtesy of Ying Swee Ong.
And I present to you the circus: Bree, Tigress-Dugong, Clown and Sotong conquering our first, all the way to our last Accounting paper together.
Big congratulations to all the other graduates! And thank you for all the wishes and to all who came despite their busy schedules. Much much appreciated! :) And of course, D, for being 'caddy' of the day.
Monday, March 23, 2009
My new best friend
Random ponder: So, maybe G was right when she warnied me that it's quite the challenge to prepare for a 40 minute presentation yourself just two days before.
Entry 79
Since when did "Eh! Free for coffee tomorrow?" become the new "Hey, available to give me free tuition for a few hours, because that's what 'friends' do?"
Would you really define a 'friend' as someone you just happened to meet at a salon while you were waiting to cut your hair? Someone who was a 50+ year old woman who should really know better than a 21 year old. Someone who happened to discover that you were an English-speaking Malaysian postgraduate student in accounting, whom they could befriend so their poor English-speaking niece who I haven't a clue how she got into University, thankfully not mine, (I apologise for my non-biased judgmental-like conclusion that was deduced from first-hand experience in conversation and written communication) could pick off your brains? It wasn't like I didn't warn her there was really nothing much to pick off anyway.
Why do I always get myself into these sticky situations?
Why can't I just to learn to say no, and not feel bad?
Why is it so difficult to reject strangers/acquaintances, yet so easy to reject close ones?
Why is it, that when I truly believed someone was being friendly and I reciprocated, ulterior motives were involved?
No, no, no, no, no.
Entry 79
Since when did "Eh! Free for coffee tomorrow?" become the new "Hey, available to give me free tuition for a few hours, because that's what 'friends' do?"
Would you really define a 'friend' as someone you just happened to meet at a salon while you were waiting to cut your hair? Someone who was a 50+ year old woman who should really know better than a 21 year old. Someone who happened to discover that you were an English-speaking Malaysian postgraduate student in accounting, whom they could befriend so their poor English-speaking niece who I haven't a clue how she got into University, thankfully not mine, (I apologise for my non-biased judgmental-like conclusion that was deduced from first-hand experience in conversation and written communication) could pick off your brains? It wasn't like I didn't warn her there was really nothing much to pick off anyway.
Why do I always get myself into these sticky situations?
Why can't I just to learn to say no, and not feel bad?
Why is it so difficult to reject strangers/acquaintances, yet so easy to reject close ones?
Why is it, that when I truly believed someone was being friendly and I reciprocated, ulterior motives were involved?
No, no, no, no, no.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Talent is in the eye of the beholder
Random ponder: Did you know that an ox is indeed not a fox, but actually a type of cow!?
Entry 78
Thank you YS! You are the darling of darlings! The one who made me laugh the whole day, and the next day, and probably tomorrow as well. If you are my friend, do me a favour and click on the link below.
Single Ladies!
Don't tell me you didn't even crack up a little bit. Don't tell me you don't think that was some talent, and it took some balls to do that. Once again, all credit to YS for finding it. And to think, I used to wonder what you did in your free time.
Entry 78
Thank you YS! You are the darling of darlings! The one who made me laugh the whole day, and the next day, and probably tomorrow as well. If you are my friend, do me a favour and click on the link below.
Single Ladies!
Don't tell me you didn't even crack up a little bit. Don't tell me you don't think that was some talent, and it took some balls to do that. Once again, all credit to YS for finding it. And to think, I used to wonder what you did in your free time.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
One down, ninety-nine to go
Random ponder: I actually bought and ate a salad today. Yeah, I can't believe it myself either. Yes, a salad.
Entry 77
101. Convert my Malaysian full licence to a NZ one.
It is done.
I took my practical on Wednesday, and the tester believed me. He believed that 4 and a half years of driving in KL traffic was sufficient to pass me the first time. It was a close call though. Of all the potential mistakes, previous Malaysian-converted-NZ drivers had warned me, I made the stupidest one. I forgot to stop at the STOP sign.
I was approaching an intersection, and could see clearly, that there were no cars in sight coming from both sides, so I merely slowed down and turned, but did not come to a complete halt before turning. This was 5 minutes into the test. He asked me to pullover, and turned to look at me sternly.
Driving tester: "Do you know what you just did wrong?"
N: "Er. Yes. I didn't stop at the stop sign just now."
DT: "Correct. Why didn't you stop?"
N: "Uh, I know I should have stopped properly just now, but I guess, I forgot. Because, normally, I don't stop completely if there are no cars, so it slipped my mind this time." (*screams inside my head* Damnit! You idiot! What did you go and say that for?! So honest for what?! Moron!)
DT: "I see. So you realised your mistake, now didn't you?"
N: "Yes, sorry, sorry."
DT: "Alright then. I'll give you another chance. Let this be a warning now, and if it happens again..." *mutual nod, implying I'd fail the next time*
N: "Okay, sure. It won't happen again. Thank you, thank you."
So, the first part of the test went well. So did the second, where he asked me to name the hazards I noticed every now and then. And so did the third, where he just observed general driving skills on the motorway, u-turns, and roundabouts. Then he signed off my temporary licence, and told me it should come in the mail in the next 21 days after the relatively painless process of driving him around for 25 minutes.
It feels good to not freak out every time I see a police car behind, in front, at the side, or anywhere near me now. I must say, it was more tiring than driving long-distance outstation, because I've never checked my speedometer, or turned my head to check for blind spots so frequently before.
Entry 77
It is done.
I took my practical on Wednesday, and the tester believed me. He believed that 4 and a half years of driving in KL traffic was sufficient to pass me the first time. It was a close call though. Of all the potential mistakes, previous Malaysian-converted-NZ drivers had warned me, I made the stupidest one. I forgot to stop at the STOP sign.
I was approaching an intersection, and could see clearly, that there were no cars in sight coming from both sides, so I merely slowed down and turned, but did not come to a complete halt before turning. This was 5 minutes into the test. He asked me to pullover, and turned to look at me sternly.
Driving tester: "Do you know what you just did wrong?"
N: "Er. Yes. I didn't stop at the stop sign just now."
DT: "Correct. Why didn't you stop?"
N: "Uh, I know I should have stopped properly just now, but I guess, I forgot. Because, normally, I don't stop completely if there are no cars, so it slipped my mind this time." (*screams inside my head* Damnit! You idiot! What did you go and say that for?! So honest for what?! Moron!)
DT: "I see. So you realised your mistake, now didn't you?"
N: "Yes, sorry, sorry."
DT: "Alright then. I'll give you another chance. Let this be a warning now, and if it happens again..." *mutual nod, implying I'd fail the next time*
N: "Okay, sure. It won't happen again. Thank you, thank you."
So, the first part of the test went well. So did the second, where he asked me to name the hazards I noticed every now and then. And so did the third, where he just observed general driving skills on the motorway, u-turns, and roundabouts. Then he signed off my temporary licence, and told me it should come in the mail in the next 21 days after the relatively painless process of driving him around for 25 minutes.
It feels good to not freak out every time I see a police car behind, in front, at the side, or anywhere near me now. I must say, it was more tiring than driving long-distance outstation, because I've never checked my speedometer, or turned my head to check for blind spots so frequently before.
Inside the thoughts of a helium junkie
Random ponder: I wonder where I can purchase a helium tank from, and how much it would cost?
Entry 76
For 2 lantern festivals, I had been eyeing it like a how a little kid eyes candy. The first lantern festival, my 2 best friends pursuaded me not to get it, because it wasn't worth it for that kind of ridiculous price. The second lantern festival, my boyfriend was against it, as he discovered my purpose for it. In the recent lantern festival, it was just calling out to me desperately, and I just had to get it.
The spongebob helium balloon! Actually, i didn't mind which character I got, I just wanted it for the helium. So, after allowing one day for aesthetic purposes, the process began the next day. Since I couldn't find a viable opening to carry out the procedure, I had to find alternatives. So, a straw was inserted it in his foot, where leakage would be minimal, and, well, I had my way with him. To clarify, his insides enabled me to speak like a chipmunk. Two minutes of speaking like a chipmunk cost me $15.
RIP my dear Spongebob, you served your purpose well.
Entry 76
For 2 lantern festivals, I had been eyeing it like a how a little kid eyes candy. The first lantern festival, my 2 best friends pursuaded me not to get it, because it wasn't worth it for that kind of ridiculous price. The second lantern festival, my boyfriend was against it, as he discovered my purpose for it. In the recent lantern festival, it was just calling out to me desperately, and I just had to get it.
The spongebob helium balloon! Actually, i didn't mind which character I got, I just wanted it for the helium. So, after allowing one day for aesthetic purposes, the process began the next day. Since I couldn't find a viable opening to carry out the procedure, I had to find alternatives. So, a straw was inserted it in his foot, where leakage would be minimal, and, well, I had my way with him. To clarify, his insides enabled me to speak like a chipmunk. Two minutes of speaking like a chipmunk cost me $15. 
RIP my dear Spongebob, you served your purpose well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
FEEDJIT
