I was flipping through a friend's photo album when I came across pictures of some girls looking so stylish and grown up. They were your typical 'Versace' and 'Vera Wang' billboard ladies; tall, thin, primped haired smiling girls complete with stillettos and baguettes. Looking at these girls I suddenly felt a little insecure about myself, so i bugged Idd on MSN and asked what she thought....
y a z m i n: u still up ke?
n a d i a h : yes
n a d i a h : why?
y a z m i n: no was wondering
y a z m i n: i oso cos i got exam tomorrow
y a z m i n: huhuhu
n a d i a h : same la, aku ade hw and paper due tomorrow
n a d i a h : bwahahahaha
y a z m i n: hehe ok
y a z m i n: ok wait one question then i leave u alone
y a z m i n: is it better to be stylish, or conservative but ok looking
n a d i a h : dude, soalan yg tak patut tanye
n a d i a h : sungguh abstract
n a d i a h : it can be either one, depends on the person la
y a z m i n: ok
y a z m i n: was wondering cos browsing thru my friend's photo album, i came across a girl i don't know
y a z m i n: but only our age and she's sporting ferragamo's and manolo blahniks and all
y a z m i n: and i realized many people our age are like that
y a z m i n: i kinda feel like a kid trapped in a 23 yr olds body
n a d i a h : wow
y a z m i n: tu aa
y a z m i n: aku cam gelabah pon ada gak
y a z m i n: i feel like i havent grown up!
y a z m i n: i know its trivial
y a z m i n: but it just got me thinking
y a z m i n: is it me that hasnt grown up, or are they the ones trying to be too grown up, too fast
n a d i a h : i have friends like that
n a d i a h : aku selalu rase selekeh
n a d i a h : tp dr kau pakai bende yg kau tak comfortable in
n a d i a h : baik takyah
y a z m i n: dude how can u not be confortable wearing designer clothes
y a z m i n: hahahhaa
n a d i a h : bukan dr segi how it feels on your skin
n a d i a h : dr segi how you feel you look
n a d i a h : paham ak?
y a z m i n: paham dah
y a z m i n: still, the 'woman' in u cant help but feel the want to be like that
n a d i a h : mmg pon
n a d i a h : tak salah kalau kau nak try
n a d i a h : you don't know how you would feel until you try it
n a d i a h : you might like it
y a z m i n: doubtful...
n a d i a h : but at the same time don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels
y a z m i n: actually this conversation just made me feel better again living in my jeans
y a z m i n: haha
y a z m i n: ok iddy, question answered
y a z m i n: i go read my 8 chapters now!
Yes, it might sound like a silly thing to brood over. But there are times when you can't help but feel envious of those who define the words classy and stylish. Then again, like Idd said, you're more than welcome to be like them too if you want. But if you don't, don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels.
And just to keep you guys from wondering, yes, i still do dress in jeans, tshirts and sneakers :)
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
UPLOADING UPGRADES...
I purchased a 120GB hard drive last semester, and only got around to buying an external enclosure last month. It finally arrived last Thursday and I unwrapped my new AMS Venus enclosure (80mm cooling fan included, hell yeah!) like a kid unwrapping a Christmas present. After I had finished formatting and transferring all my music and movie files into my new hard drive, I sat back in my seat, listening to the content purr of the 120GB Seagate.
On Friday I left for DC to meet up with friends preparing for a mock interview by Petronas. Weeks before, Paddy messaged me asking for resume samples she could look at. Soon all Petronas scholars were busy updating their resumes and filling in job application forms. The sudden change in interest (as opposed to normal gibberish we talk about concerning MTV and VH1) was quite an eye-opener. And quite frankly, also quite frightening. In less than 4 months, we'll finally be stepping into the unknown realm of 'careerhood'.
Yay?
While it's exciting to entertain the thought of no classes, exams, papers or class discussions on a book you haven't read, it's equally distressing to think of 6am traffic, monthly bills, merciless employers and nonexistent midsem breaks. The leap from grade school to high school was a little disorienting, and the leap from high school to college, exhilarating. But college to work? The transition will be so drastic that a catapultic hurl won't promise a sound landing onto the career crash pad (if there are any, that is).
It's times like these you begin to retrace your academic experiences and start looking for the 'Maturity Manual' or the 'Guide To Excelling Before You Turn 20'. And when all you find are 2 copies of 'Green Eggs and Ham' and stacks of magazines discussing 75 shades of lip color, you realize that 11 years in the educational field does not quite prepare you for the real world.
And yet with 91 days left til I leave this comfort zone, I still don't see my copy of the 'Congratulations You're Now Ready To Conquer The Working World' certificate at my doorstep.
Sometimes I wonder if our expectations are too high and that we plough through years of school expecting to be supplied with all the answers. Maybe some things you'll just need to wait for and plunge into with eyes blindfolded.
Facing uncertainty right in the eye with no definitive checklist or instructional Cliff Notes, I can, at the very least, be assured that my machines are constantly upgraded with automatic installations.
On Friday I left for DC to meet up with friends preparing for a mock interview by Petronas. Weeks before, Paddy messaged me asking for resume samples she could look at. Soon all Petronas scholars were busy updating their resumes and filling in job application forms. The sudden change in interest (as opposed to normal gibberish we talk about concerning MTV and VH1) was quite an eye-opener. And quite frankly, also quite frightening. In less than 4 months, we'll finally be stepping into the unknown realm of 'careerhood'.
Yay?
While it's exciting to entertain the thought of no classes, exams, papers or class discussions on a book you haven't read, it's equally distressing to think of 6am traffic, monthly bills, merciless employers and nonexistent midsem breaks. The leap from grade school to high school was a little disorienting, and the leap from high school to college, exhilarating. But college to work? The transition will be so drastic that a catapultic hurl won't promise a sound landing onto the career crash pad (if there are any, that is).
It's times like these you begin to retrace your academic experiences and start looking for the 'Maturity Manual' or the 'Guide To Excelling Before You Turn 20'. And when all you find are 2 copies of 'Green Eggs and Ham' and stacks of magazines discussing 75 shades of lip color, you realize that 11 years in the educational field does not quite prepare you for the real world.
And yet with 91 days left til I leave this comfort zone, I still don't see my copy of the 'Congratulations You're Now Ready To Conquer The Working World' certificate at my doorstep.
Sometimes I wonder if our expectations are too high and that we plough through years of school expecting to be supplied with all the answers. Maybe some things you'll just need to wait for and plunge into with eyes blindfolded.
Facing uncertainty right in the eye with no definitive checklist or instructional Cliff Notes, I can, at the very least, be assured that my machines are constantly upgraded with automatic installations.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
REGISTRATION 101
First week of classes...
As always, the first week is the week where you register for as many classes as you can, attend them, and then drop them after deciding that it's either a) too rigorous, b) has too many assignments, c) has a professor that stares at the students the way an owl eyes a field mouse or d) it's on a day where if you were to drop it, you'd have no classes at all and can celebrate a three or four-day-weekend. Nyaha.
In the pursuit of wanting to have as much fun as possible in the final semester without having to bear unbearable final exams, I painstakingly planned the semester to be undemanding. I think it's the hope of every senior to be able to take classes flagged by others as "easy A" courses. The phenomenon where students target certain professors as being "easy A"-ers has become so popular that a handful of professors have become celebrities amongst the CMU students. Even before the semester begins, the waitlist for these celebrated courses are as long as the maximum amount alloted for the class. And the only thing a student on the waitlist can pray for is that a registered student in that class will fall ill and decide to quit school.
There are other ways, however, to play your cards. You could butter up to the professor and show up anyway (some professors are touched when students are obstinate and want to take their class). Or you can use the "pity card". Such as the one I had played in order to get into a marketing course:
Dear Professor,
My name is Yazmin and I came to your class on Tuesday. I am
currently number 1 on the waitlist and was hoping you could add me into the
class. I really hope to take this course since this is my final year. I
also hope this course will benefit me in the future as a system analyst.
I have met with Kxxxx Dxxxxxx in the English Department, and she says she
can add me to the class after she receives consent from you via email at
xxxxxxxx@andrew.cmu.edu.
I really hope to be a part of this course.
Sorry for the inconvenience and many thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Yazmin
...to which he replied:
Yazmin,
I'm sorry to say that we are already above capacity for this course, so
we have decided not to add any additional students.
Thanks,
Bill
Of course you can always play the "obstinate-and-very-eager-student" card, in hopes to impress him with your enthusiam to learn...
Dear Professor,
Thank you for replying my email. I understand the situation, however, would it be OK for me to keep showing up with the hopes that a student might drop the class?
Yazmin
...but evidently, it's not a fail-proof plan...
Yazmin,
I discussed the situation with Kxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx, who is my faculty advisor for this course, and we decided that if any students do drop the class, it would be best to reduce the size of the class rather than to replace those who drop out with students from the wait list. We currently have 7 more students in the class than we had last year, and I think that 23 students in this class is not optimal for a number of reasons.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for you, but I don't want to raise
any false expectations.
Thanks,
Bill
Naturally, I got booted out of the class since it was already full to the brim. On the bright side, that was $117.79 saved on books.
The nature of course registration can be harsh. And if you're not tough enough to bear the ruthlessness that is course registration week, then it's best you take all the classes whose ratings are 1/5.
To those fighting a similar battle, all the best.
As always, the first week is the week where you register for as many classes as you can, attend them, and then drop them after deciding that it's either a) too rigorous, b) has too many assignments, c) has a professor that stares at the students the way an owl eyes a field mouse or d) it's on a day where if you were to drop it, you'd have no classes at all and can celebrate a three or four-day-weekend. Nyaha.
In the pursuit of wanting to have as much fun as possible in the final semester without having to bear unbearable final exams, I painstakingly planned the semester to be undemanding. I think it's the hope of every senior to be able to take classes flagged by others as "easy A" courses. The phenomenon where students target certain professors as being "easy A"-ers has become so popular that a handful of professors have become celebrities amongst the CMU students. Even before the semester begins, the waitlist for these celebrated courses are as long as the maximum amount alloted for the class. And the only thing a student on the waitlist can pray for is that a registered student in that class will fall ill and decide to quit school.
There are other ways, however, to play your cards. You could butter up to the professor and show up anyway (some professors are touched when students are obstinate and want to take their class). Or you can use the "pity card". Such as the one I had played in order to get into a marketing course:
Dear Professor,
My name is Yazmin and I came to your class on Tuesday. I am
currently number 1 on the waitlist and was hoping you could add me into the
class. I really hope to take this course since this is my final year. I
also hope this course will benefit me in the future as a system analyst.
I have met with Kxxxx Dxxxxxx in the English Department, and she says she
can add me to the class after she receives consent from you via email at
xxxxxxxx@andrew.cmu.edu.
I really hope to be a part of this course.
Sorry for the inconvenience and many thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Yazmin
...to which he replied:
Yazmin,
I'm sorry to say that we are already above capacity for this course, so
we have decided not to add any additional students.
Thanks,
Bill
Of course you can always play the "obstinate-and-very-eager-student" card, in hopes to impress him with your enthusiam to learn...
Dear Professor,
Thank you for replying my email. I understand the situation, however, would it be OK for me to keep showing up with the hopes that a student might drop the class?
Yazmin
...but evidently, it's not a fail-proof plan...
Yazmin,
I discussed the situation with Kxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx, who is my faculty advisor for this course, and we decided that if any students do drop the class, it would be best to reduce the size of the class rather than to replace those who drop out with students from the wait list. We currently have 7 more students in the class than we had last year, and I think that 23 students in this class is not optimal for a number of reasons.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for you, but I don't want to raise
any false expectations.
Thanks,
Bill
Naturally, I got booted out of the class since it was already full to the brim. On the bright side, that was $117.79 saved on books.
The nature of course registration can be harsh. And if you're not tough enough to bear the ruthlessness that is course registration week, then it's best you take all the classes whose ratings are 1/5.
To those fighting a similar battle, all the best.
Friday, December 31, 2004
A LITTLE PRAYER...
We held a majlis tahlil for the victims of the tsunami disaster today. It's times like these when you fully appreciate having a community that shares the same faith as you do.
Upon returning from the majlis, I spent an hour infront of the screen reading report after report on the calamitous event. I had only been aware of the tragedy a day after it occured, and didn't truly realize the magnitude of the aftermath til yesterday. The Cornwall flood dwarfed in comparison.
Somehow it is incomprehensible to imagine that something so fluid can cause destruction to such extent. Somehow it is incomprehensible that things are fine one minute and they aren't the next.
I was watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The 6th Day" a couple of nights back, a story about scientists cloning humans. In one of the earlier scenes, Arnold's pet dog dies and his wife insists that they clone it to prevent their 6-year-old daughter from grievance. But Arnold objects, arguing that the child needs to learn about life and death, eventually.
In some ways, we are spared from making such choices. And that these choices are best left to God. Sitting in a comfortable bed with abundant food stored in my 'fridge, it's easy to be rational. For the thousands who have lost their loved ones and the world that they know of, it takes much more to overcome and persevere.
Hopefully, what little prayer we've uttered for the souls lost and the souls battling for life, will make a difference. Al-Fatihah.
Take care all :)
Upon returning from the majlis, I spent an hour infront of the screen reading report after report on the calamitous event. I had only been aware of the tragedy a day after it occured, and didn't truly realize the magnitude of the aftermath til yesterday. The Cornwall flood dwarfed in comparison.
Somehow it is incomprehensible to imagine that something so fluid can cause destruction to such extent. Somehow it is incomprehensible that things are fine one minute and they aren't the next.
I was watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The 6th Day" a couple of nights back, a story about scientists cloning humans. In one of the earlier scenes, Arnold's pet dog dies and his wife insists that they clone it to prevent their 6-year-old daughter from grievance. But Arnold objects, arguing that the child needs to learn about life and death, eventually.
In some ways, we are spared from making such choices. And that these choices are best left to God. Sitting in a comfortable bed with abundant food stored in my 'fridge, it's easy to be rational. For the thousands who have lost their loved ones and the world that they know of, it takes much more to overcome and persevere.
Hopefully, what little prayer we've uttered for the souls lost and the souls battling for life, will make a difference. Al-Fatihah.
Take care all :)
Monday, December 20, 2004
BEAUTIFUL 4 YEAR OLDS :)
Happy 4th Birthday (Dec 4th) Arif and Afiq!
...and Happy Hari Raya to Marsya and Nureen, since you're in the picture too :p
Marsya, Nureen and birthday twins Arif and Afiq :)
Here are my lovely nephews and nieces, collectively known as The Fantastic (Mischievous, more like :p) Four!
Hugs!
...and Happy Hari Raya to Marsya and Nureen, since you're in the picture too :p
Marsya, Nureen and birthday twins Arif and Afiq :)
Here are my lovely nephews and nieces, collectively known as The Fantastic (Mischievous, more like :p) Four!
Hugs!
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
'TIS THE SEASON TO SLACK
Ah school is out :)
And it finally decided to snow today. Oh and by the way, I had some time on my hands last night...
Wasted cartridges and a ream of paper designing this. Hoping that somehow the design can compensate for the band's performance :p
I also included a note along with this DVD I'm sending to my mum:
"Ada sumbang banyak, so next time I can't kutuk Akademi Fantasia with you guys anymore :/"
That aside, I have an english paper due on the 20th, and I have yet to decide on a topic to write about. I'm pretty sure there's a reason why it's due a week from now, but I think I will finally figure that out during one of my panic attacks, hopefully at least 3 days before the paper is due. Old habits die hard, I hear.
The good news is though, that I will have 3 weeks worth of acting the goat (for those familiar with Prof. Calculus of Tintin *wink*) and fooling around doing nothing.
Baa.
And it finally decided to snow today. Oh and by the way, I had some time on my hands last night...
Wasted cartridges and a ream of paper designing this. Hoping that somehow the design can compensate for the band's performance :p
I also included a note along with this DVD I'm sending to my mum:
"Ada sumbang banyak, so next time I can't kutuk Akademi Fantasia with you guys anymore :/"
That aside, I have an english paper due on the 20th, and I have yet to decide on a topic to write about. I'm pretty sure there's a reason why it's due a week from now, but I think I will finally figure that out during one of my panic attacks, hopefully at least 3 days before the paper is due. Old habits die hard, I hear.
The good news is though, that I will have 3 weeks worth of acting the goat (for those familiar with Prof. Calculus of Tintin *wink*) and fooling around doing nothing.
Baa.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
GEMPITAFEST!!!
I have a bad history of screwing up whenever I'm on stage, but this must've been the funnest one yet! :D
The Malaysian students over at University of Michigan hosted this year's Battle of the Bands. It was a grand event and I must say, the students here are all so very talented :) Hats off!
Anyway, we CMUans (or is it CMUites?), apart from Amir, aren't the most musically inclined. But in the spirit of joining the event (and making fools of ourselves :p) we decided to put together a band and perform. So for 3 Saturdays we would gather in Amir's room and jam away til the wee hours, much to the horror of the fourth floor residents of Fairfax Apartments.
Oh, and our band name? The Mellons! (I had nothing to do with it, I swear.)
First picture, from l-r: me (vocals, guitar), Amir (guitar, bass, drums), Apis (guitar, vocals), Samah (bass, guitar) and Lan (drums, vocals)
Pictures courtesy of Mike Ng, Usamah and Mazran.
The Mellons at Gempitafest 2004!
On the day itself we were a nervous wreck, specially since we were the first to perform. But once on stage, it was fun (even though I played all the wrong chords and sang out of tune. Suara siap pecah-pecah lagi tu :p Then again, I think, I was slightly better than Lan :p huhuhu)! And the crowd was really supportive :D
The other bands were awesome. These people are just born to be rockstars, I tell you! It was a memorable night for me and it was all so very well organized.
Yes, we had fun alright and it was nice to finally be able to get away from schoolwork and meet friends. Alhamdulillah, we got to Michigan and back safely too (thanks to the drivers, yah!). Oh, and here's an awesome picture of Samah banging away to Suicidal Dreams. Hahaha!
Kudos to all the Gempitafest crew and my highest respect to all who performed that night :)
Also to Mike Ng of UMich who took such wonderful pictures ;)
...And of course to my fellow Mellons: Amir, Apis (your goreng was awesome :D), Samah and Lan \('0')/
The Malaysian students over at University of Michigan hosted this year's Battle of the Bands. It was a grand event and I must say, the students here are all so very talented :) Hats off!
Anyway, we CMUans (or is it CMUites?), apart from Amir, aren't the most musically inclined. But in the spirit of joining the event (and making fools of ourselves :p) we decided to put together a band and perform. So for 3 Saturdays we would gather in Amir's room and jam away til the wee hours, much to the horror of the fourth floor residents of Fairfax Apartments.
Oh, and our band name? The Mellons! (I had nothing to do with it, I swear.)
First picture, from l-r: me (vocals, guitar), Amir (guitar, bass, drums), Apis (guitar, vocals), Samah (bass, guitar) and Lan (drums, vocals)
Pictures courtesy of Mike Ng, Usamah and Mazran.
The Mellons at Gempitafest 2004!On the day itself we were a nervous wreck, specially since we were the first to perform. But once on stage, it was fun (even though I played all the wrong chords and sang out of tune. Suara siap pecah-pecah lagi tu :p Then again, I think, I was slightly better than Lan :p huhuhu)! And the crowd was really supportive :DThe other bands were awesome. These people are just born to be rockstars, I tell you! It was a memorable night for me and it was all so very well organized.
Yes, we had fun alright and it was nice to finally be able to get away from schoolwork and meet friends. Alhamdulillah, we got to Michigan and back safely too (thanks to the drivers, yah!). Oh, and here's an awesome picture of Samah banging away to Suicidal Dreams. Hahaha!
Kudos to all the Gempitafest crew and my highest respect to all who performed that night :)
Also to Mike Ng of UMich who took such wonderful pictures ;)
...And of course to my fellow Mellons: Amir, Apis (your goreng was awesome :D), Samah and Lan \('0')/
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
ORGY WEEKEND
We had a raya party last Saturday. I stayed up all night cooking with my roommate Ksyu (like the nut), and didn't get to hit the tub til after the first guests arrived. About 20-30 people showed up and we ended up having a great time, though of course being host you don't get to pig out with the rest.
At about 4pm, in the midst of all the people standing around with paper plates, I checked my e-mail. Purely out of duty rather than habit. And of course, I would have expected nothing less from my groupmates: "Meeting at 5pm. Bring laptops for coding session." So I excused myself from my party and headed out, cursing my Inbox and wishing the e-mail had never been invented.
Then again, we ended up having cheese and chocolate fondue instead. Yep, a fondue orgy it was. Don then suggested that we should have a beer party. To which somebody said, "But Yazmin doesn't drink" and to which I replied, "Hoho, but I can watch you guys drink". I figure I could get them to do stupid stuff whilst they drown themselves in alcohol. Muahahah.
That night we had a jamming session and I showed up half an hour late with cheese and chocolate stains on my t-shirt.
Oink.
At about 4pm, in the midst of all the people standing around with paper plates, I checked my e-mail. Purely out of duty rather than habit. And of course, I would have expected nothing less from my groupmates: "Meeting at 5pm. Bring laptops for coding session." So I excused myself from my party and headed out, cursing my Inbox and wishing the e-mail had never been invented.
Then again, we ended up having cheese and chocolate fondue instead. Yep, a fondue orgy it was. Don then suggested that we should have a beer party. To which somebody said, "But Yazmin doesn't drink" and to which I replied, "Hoho, but I can watch you guys drink". I figure I could get them to do stupid stuff whilst they drown themselves in alcohol. Muahahah.
That night we had a jamming session and I showed up half an hour late with cheese and chocolate stains on my t-shirt.
Oink.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
RAYA AND ITS ROTTING EVIDENCE
The sink is piled up with rock-hard rendang, day-old laksa bubbling up and that foul smelled slab of something red (ayam masak merah, probably?). It's maybe about time to roll up the sleeves, clean up and brave those regular days where food is not abundant nor rotting in the house...
The end is near and I can smell the sweet sweet scent of graduation scrolls locked up in President Cohen's metal locker. Thanksgiving is the final hurdle I need to face this semester (on a lighter note, I have two major systems to deliver too, but that's not important...) and I'm hoping to God please, please, please don't make me cook that dratted turkey again.
For three years running I have spent Thanksgiving day with either a burning or an over-basted turkey sogging away in the oven. Those turkeys you see on telly are fake: they don't always turn out all nice and golden like in movies. You'd be surprised to see the many ways they can look like at the end of the day. I shan't go into details. And yes, feel free to doubt my cooking skills now :p
This year I hope to sit back and priss over some other unfortunate lass/lad. Hopefully I'll get to pass my culinary wisdom ("Baste every half an hour", "Don't let the turkey swim in its juice or the bottom won't be crisp", "Leave the legs tied together", "Fetch me another glass of juice, will ya?"...).
It's nice how all the holidays are crammed together: Deepavali, Raya, Thanksgiving, Christmas. It reminds you how much you have to do in order to have a little fun and then end up a) not being able to celebrate because of all the work piling up b) not finishing your assignment or studying for an exam that'll be counted 50% towards your final grade. Celebrations give new meaning when you're rushing to meet deadlines and then forcing yourself to have fun just to make up for all that hard work you had to do. Then of course there's that guilty pleasure you enjoy and the lengthy argument you have with yourself the next day to justify that these holidays come once a year.
Ah, to be back in high school when catching up meant studying the night before exams ;)
p/s: Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin!
The end is near and I can smell the sweet sweet scent of graduation scrolls locked up in President Cohen's metal locker. Thanksgiving is the final hurdle I need to face this semester (on a lighter note, I have two major systems to deliver too, but that's not important...) and I'm hoping to God please, please, please don't make me cook that dratted turkey again.
For three years running I have spent Thanksgiving day with either a burning or an over-basted turkey sogging away in the oven. Those turkeys you see on telly are fake: they don't always turn out all nice and golden like in movies. You'd be surprised to see the many ways they can look like at the end of the day. I shan't go into details. And yes, feel free to doubt my cooking skills now :p
This year I hope to sit back and priss over some other unfortunate lass/lad. Hopefully I'll get to pass my culinary wisdom ("Baste every half an hour", "Don't let the turkey swim in its juice or the bottom won't be crisp", "Leave the legs tied together", "Fetch me another glass of juice, will ya?"...).
It's nice how all the holidays are crammed together: Deepavali, Raya, Thanksgiving, Christmas. It reminds you how much you have to do in order to have a little fun and then end up a) not being able to celebrate because of all the work piling up b) not finishing your assignment or studying for an exam that'll be counted 50% towards your final grade. Celebrations give new meaning when you're rushing to meet deadlines and then forcing yourself to have fun just to make up for all that hard work you had to do. Then of course there's that guilty pleasure you enjoy and the lengthy argument you have with yourself the next day to justify that these holidays come once a year.
Ah, to be back in high school when catching up meant studying the night before exams ;)
p/s: Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin!
Friday, November 12, 2004
GEEK FACTOR 10
Somehow along the course of the semester, my groupmates and I seem to have lost our vocal chords. We spent our meeting sitting across each other communicating through AIM. Either that, or turning away from the monitor has become a strenous task. We spooked a fellow IS major when he entered the room and saw all of us sitting in a circle without speaking to each other, silently tapping away at our keyboards.
We've finally decided that all meetings should, from this point onwards, be done this way.
It was also weird how Bruce couldn't communicate with us given that he was in the room too. Maybe it was because he didn't have his laptop with him?
[21:52] dmosites: what's up buddy
[21:52] toadiemon: he can't hear us???
[21:52] toadiemon: wtf?
[21:52] yazmin1701: aww hes not replying
[21:52] dmosites: wtf mate?!?
[21:52] KimInGroup8: Yeah.
[21:52] toadiemon: bruce???
[21:52] toadiemon: BRUCE?!?!?!
[21:52] saplee8: BRUCE!
...??
We've finally decided that all meetings should, from this point onwards, be done this way.
It was also weird how Bruce couldn't communicate with us given that he was in the room too. Maybe it was because he didn't have his laptop with him?
[21:52] dmosites: what's up buddy
[21:52] toadiemon: he can't hear us???
[21:52] toadiemon: wtf?
[21:52] yazmin1701: aww hes not replying
[21:52] dmosites: wtf mate?!?
[21:52] KimInGroup8: Yeah.
[21:52] toadiemon: bruce???
[21:52] toadiemon: BRUCE?!?!?!
[21:52] saplee8: BRUCE!
...??
Friday, October 29, 2004
BLOODY MOON
...any excuse to use vulgarities...
We stood on the roof of fairfax apartments and got a clear view of the lunar eclipse. Amazingly the sky was clear and the moon shown really bright. Earth's shadow started creeping around 9:20-ish and we stood there making comments about the wonders of nature. Yeah, it was pretty uneventful, save that of the phenomenon unfolding above us, and yeah we did get a little bored (someone left the roof to go play PS :p). But it was a nice moment just sitting there watching the sky and doing absolutely nothing. An hour of craning my neck to see the moon turn red? Totally worth it.
It must have been the longest I've ever been away from my laptop :)
We stood on the roof of fairfax apartments and got a clear view of the lunar eclipse. Amazingly the sky was clear and the moon shown really bright. Earth's shadow started creeping around 9:20-ish and we stood there making comments about the wonders of nature. Yeah, it was pretty uneventful, save that of the phenomenon unfolding above us, and yeah we did get a little bored (someone left the roof to go play PS :p). But it was a nice moment just sitting there watching the sky and doing absolutely nothing. An hour of craning my neck to see the moon turn red? Totally worth it.It must have been the longest I've ever been away from my laptop :)
Thursday, October 28, 2004
TIDES ARE IN...
Apart from the confusing weather, a lot in my life has been confusing lately. Monday, Tuesday..eh? eh? it's Monday again, you say?
These past few weeks have been a mixture of programming, apple cobblers and data diagrams. It's all very well, but I am also torn between being the grumpy senior i should very well be and actually enjoying these last couple of months as a student. I emailed Kim last night in the midst of debugging my brain: "Kim I couldn’t sleep last night thinking abt your apple cobbler. Can I have the recipe please please pretty please?" and it may be a sign of utter craziness overtaking my faculties.
I also stood outside in the cold for a whole half hour late last evening, waiting for an eclipse due tonight.
It must be the alignments of the planets...
These past few weeks have been a mixture of programming, apple cobblers and data diagrams. It's all very well, but I am also torn between being the grumpy senior i should very well be and actually enjoying these last couple of months as a student. I emailed Kim last night in the midst of debugging my brain: "Kim I couldn’t sleep last night thinking abt your apple cobbler. Can I have the recipe please please pretty please?" and it may be a sign of utter craziness overtaking my faculties.
I also stood outside in the cold for a whole half hour late last evening, waiting for an eclipse due tonight.
It must be the alignments of the planets...
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
DRUNKEN MASTER MONKEY
Jayce disrupted the class on Monday. Made a commotion about not having a place to sit and then telling Stephanie off for having too much elbow room ("You! Yeah, you! You moved like, not at all. Thanks a lot!").
The rest of us were confused more than anything else. Morning classes rarely spares us the surprise of any event, save that of people trickling in 10 minutes late. So yeah, we were pretty shocked.
So Jayce starts whispering to the girl next to him, who in turn looks like she's squirming in her seat but is trying to humor a psychological child killer. Apparently he wasn't quite finished aiming daggers at Steph.
15 minutes into the lesson, Jayce slips off his chair and falls onto the floor unconscious faster than you can say "John & John!". We're all a little surprised, then start looking at each other, giggling.
One of two things:
1. Jayce was on some sort of medication/some large dose of valium gone wrong for his relief of skeletal muscle spasm and tremor suffered through cerebral palsy
OR
2. Jayce was drunk
Professor Cramer continued class and we all left him in his vegetative state, no doubt dreaming of chasing rabbits in lush green meadows.
The rest of us were confused more than anything else. Morning classes rarely spares us the surprise of any event, save that of people trickling in 10 minutes late. So yeah, we were pretty shocked.
So Jayce starts whispering to the girl next to him, who in turn looks like she's squirming in her seat but is trying to humor a psychological child killer. Apparently he wasn't quite finished aiming daggers at Steph.
15 minutes into the lesson, Jayce slips off his chair and falls onto the floor unconscious faster than you can say "John & John!". We're all a little surprised, then start looking at each other, giggling.
One of two things:
1. Jayce was on some sort of medication/some large dose of valium gone wrong for his relief of skeletal muscle spasm and tremor suffered through cerebral palsy
OR
2. Jayce was drunk
Professor Cramer continued class and we all left him in his vegetative state, no doubt dreaming of chasing rabbits in lush green meadows.
Friday, October 01, 2004
NEW VENTURES
Has it really been a month? Strangely, I'm still enjoying myself this semester. Normally the excitement wears off near the second week of school. Fishy, fishy :)
Had my official meeting with Ken the tech guy yesterday to get things sorted out. First day at work was ok. But now i have to re-read my JAVA notes and brush up on my programming, though I doubt I'd be doing anything that tough. I'm still a little scared. Then again I can't complain: who else gets to do work related to their major and at the same time with the Language Department :)
Pittsburgh is getting chilly. It's that time of year. Two weeks ago Kim and I made dinner at her place. We made fish with stir-fried veggies (what else? :p) and baked potatoes. I must say it was really yummy. Plus it was fun going to the supermarket to choose the fish. But nothing beats the wet, smelly pasars back at home :)
Ah, to have a serving of ikan bawal putih...
Oh, and by the way, I saw Metallica last week :)
Had my official meeting with Ken the tech guy yesterday to get things sorted out. First day at work was ok. But now i have to re-read my JAVA notes and brush up on my programming, though I doubt I'd be doing anything that tough. I'm still a little scared. Then again I can't complain: who else gets to do work related to their major and at the same time with the Language Department :)
Pittsburgh is getting chilly. It's that time of year. Two weeks ago Kim and I made dinner at her place. We made fish with stir-fried veggies (what else? :p) and baked potatoes. I must say it was really yummy. Plus it was fun going to the supermarket to choose the fish. But nothing beats the wet, smelly pasars back at home :)
Ah, to have a serving of ikan bawal putih...
Oh, and by the way, I saw Metallica last week :)
Monday, September 13, 2004
I XINGHUA. I KICK YOUR ASS.
We spent Sunday cooped up in PH217 to finalize Milestone 1. But we weren't only equipped with laptops and use cases - Alex brought his Xbox yeargh!
We started the meeting with Alex and Don killing each other off in SoulCalibur. After much concentration and vigor, we all took a break eating Chinese takeout and fortune cookies. It was well after an hour before we started anything on our phase report.
Then we were all brain-drained and Sam had a serious attack of gaming-deficiency. It was pretty chronic since he had been away from his CounterStrike for almost 12 hours. So we all took a well deserved break and began kicking each other's asses again.
It was dark out when our meeting adjourned. Eventhough we were exhausted, it was clearly a productive meeting.
We started the meeting with Alex and Don killing each other off in SoulCalibur. After much concentration and vigor, we all took a break eating Chinese takeout and fortune cookies. It was well after an hour before we started anything on our phase report.
Then we were all brain-drained and Sam had a serious attack of gaming-deficiency. It was pretty chronic since he had been away from his CounterStrike for almost 12 hours. So we all took a well deserved break and began kicking each other's asses again.
It was dark out when our meeting adjourned. Eventhough we were exhausted, it was clearly a productive meeting.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
EH?
Exactly my thoughts about the first week of school :p Things are going full steam ahead, too soon for my liking. But it's either that or being left behind wallowing over summer's past.
We've had meetings just about everyday with our clients. Not such a bad thing since they treat us to pizza and drinks :) But as early as 9:30 in the morning? So much for showing up in professional attire. PJs and bunny slippers will have to do :p
We've had meetings just about everyday with our clients. Not such a bad thing since they treat us to pizza and drinks :) But as early as 9:30 in the morning? So much for showing up in professional attire. PJs and bunny slippers will have to do :p
Saturday, August 28, 2004
CASTLES MADE OF SAND...
That's how my holidays appear to be like...But no regrets :) I've had one hell of a time this summer. And I think I would be as bold as to say that this may have been the best ;)
I fly back this evening at 10:45PM, my tummy fiercely protesting the airline food we are bound to be served tonight. But i guess it'll be singing a different tune once we arrive in Pitt and all I can feed it is my own cooking :p
I can't believe another summer has come and gone. And now i'm left to ponder about what the final two semesters have in store for me. Torture, no doubt. Professor Mertz emailed me a couple of days back and offered a job with the TechBridgeWorld project. It consists of database management, naturally, and i am very much tempted. But with my final year ahead of me and a major project to look forward to (whee..), i think it might be best to turn the offer down :( I hope such an offer will present itself to me next Spring when I am much more available *crosses fingers*
So, today I fly back. Arrive, Sunday. Senior project meeting, Monday. A little preview of what's to come, eh? :p
But at least I know that I had a holiday well spent :) And that I had an awesome last couple of days :D
Plus it helps to know that i have a box of sand, somewhere...
I fly back this evening at 10:45PM, my tummy fiercely protesting the airline food we are bound to be served tonight. But i guess it'll be singing a different tune once we arrive in Pitt and all I can feed it is my own cooking :p
I can't believe another summer has come and gone. And now i'm left to ponder about what the final two semesters have in store for me. Torture, no doubt. Professor Mertz emailed me a couple of days back and offered a job with the TechBridgeWorld project. It consists of database management, naturally, and i am very much tempted. But with my final year ahead of me and a major project to look forward to (whee..), i think it might be best to turn the offer down :( I hope such an offer will present itself to me next Spring when I am much more available *crosses fingers*
So, today I fly back. Arrive, Sunday. Senior project meeting, Monday. A little preview of what's to come, eh? :p
But at least I know that I had a holiday well spent :) And that I had an awesome last couple of days :D
Plus it helps to know that i have a box of sand, somewhere...
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Friday, August 20, 2004
SUMMER SHOOT
Couldn't bring my SLR since it was too bulky :( But mum had her camera handy and we shot about 9 rolls of film.
Dig in :)
Eastern Europe Tour
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
FINAL STRETCH...
Home sweet home! Where rice is abundant and the meat is halal :) Also where the curry smell sticks to your hand and the chilli is actually hot.
Travelling eastern europe was a blast. 15 days crossing borders and encountering various cultures and languages. Thank god for the Euro.
We had a German tour guide and a Belgium driver, and lots and lots of Ozzies, Brits and Americans. Apparently the culture sampling began right there :)
Ute, our tour guide, imparted much knowlegde on us all and made the entire trip a living history. Stories of Kings and Queens, empires and wars made the whole journey much more eventful. I can hardly even begin to relate back all the places and people I have met and leanrt of.
The last 2 days were spent in London where we busied ourselves car-boot shopping and walking through Oxford Street (keyword being 'walking through' :p). You can't help but love London with their small roads and small cars that fit about 4 to 5 people the size of rugby players. Simply amazing :)
Am still a little pooped from all the travelling. But happy, all the same :)
You can travel to the edge of the world, meet all the people that make up this crazy place we call earth, and still find yourself happiest when you're back at home.
Long live Malaysia ;)
Travelling eastern europe was a blast. 15 days crossing borders and encountering various cultures and languages. Thank god for the Euro.
We had a German tour guide and a Belgium driver, and lots and lots of Ozzies, Brits and Americans. Apparently the culture sampling began right there :)
Ute, our tour guide, imparted much knowlegde on us all and made the entire trip a living history. Stories of Kings and Queens, empires and wars made the whole journey much more eventful. I can hardly even begin to relate back all the places and people I have met and leanrt of.
The last 2 days were spent in London where we busied ourselves car-boot shopping and walking through Oxford Street (keyword being 'walking through' :p). You can't help but love London with their small roads and small cars that fit about 4 to 5 people the size of rugby players. Simply amazing :)
Am still a little pooped from all the travelling. But happy, all the same :)
You can travel to the edge of the world, meet all the people that make up this crazy place we call earth, and still find yourself happiest when you're back at home.
Long live Malaysia ;)