==== tattY teddY's taLe ====

Sunday, August 31, 2003

Sayang Graduates!

Sayang took his results last morning.... He is now an Honours degree holder!!! YAY!!!! The day has finally come!!! It was a sheer 2 days emotional torture for him as the results were officially released on Thursday, but we went to collect it yesterday. The joy! The relief!!

He deserves it. Really. Perhaps it may not be as excellent to others, but it is for him. I've seen him struggled throughout his course. I've seen his disappointments. I've seen him being at the edge of wanting to quit halfway through, yet he stuck on with the course. I know for the fact that he really put in his utmost effort, especially during his final year, waking up early every day to go to the library, then to classes, back to library between classes, and library again till before he goes back home. I was there with him when he went to the library on Saturdays to revise (while I read my novels, listening to mp3s and all.. Hehe..). During our daily phone conversations, he would tell me what he learnt in that day's lectures. Or when his term exams were approaching near, he would revise then explain to me every single detail, how the flow or hierarchy is like, the definitions, the equations, the ratios, methods used, stuffs like that. He would explain them in such a way that I could understand them. Or he would keep on working out the sample questions until he finally gets the answers. I've seen him being tensed up during his finals, especially when I drove him to his exams venue one of the days, we reached there 2 hours earlier, I held his study guide, I mentioned something out from the guide, and he just went on and on about that topic, including describing the graphs and all. And not forgetting that he was already working with Allianz during his finals. It really wasn't easy working and revising at the same time. He was only given a day's leave for each of his exams dates. I know most people would probably say that, "hey, that's how I was too! So what? Big deal...". But if they were in his shoes, they would understand that it is something big for him. I know it is.

It doesn't matter how people perceives you as. Whether they think you're useless, you're brainless, you're lazy or whatsoever. Or that your results are not that fantastic as theirs. I truly believe that every single person can excel. It doesn't matter whether you excel in your studies or in your job or anything else. It doesn't mean that if you can't score a string of A's in your exams, your future is over. So, maybe your friends and family or anyone else discourages you, looking down on you. It doesn't matter. Your life, your future is in your very own hands. Don't let anyone get into your way. Don't ever let anyone, not even your own family puts you down from achieving your own goals. As long as you give in your 100% effort into whatever you are doing, be it in your studies or your work, to reach for the stars, that is what that matters the most. Self-achievement. That's what makes the victory smells even sweeter. Nothing else beats that.

You know what makes it sweeter for sayang? Apparently most people failed Corporate Finance, including an "I'm Mr.Smart Guy in CF". But sayang passed that subject. ;) And the other thing is that, he's already a permanent staff of Allianz without even needing to show his trials or finals results. He's already been deemed as the "up and coming person" by his Manager to the rest of the staff. He doesn't need to show his degree certificate at all.

I'm proud of him. I'm proud that he did not give up. I'm proud that he gave his utmost best shot, and he got more than what he wished for. I'm not saying all these coz he's my boyfriend. I'm merely stating the fact that everyone, anyone can be like him. Everyone can do the same. Everyone can excel. Hopefully, he can be some sort of a motivation to everyone, that like every cloud has a silver lining, as long as you don't give up putting in your best effort, your silver lining will appear one day. And when that day comes, you will understand how sweet self-achievement is.

As for now, congratulations to my sayang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, August 29, 2003

Back From Tech*Ed

4 days full of seminars, and my brain has been overloaded... Practically numb and exhausted. All in all, it was a good learning experience, though. Malaysia had been given the honour to host a Tier One level this year (Only 5 countries have that honour every year), so there were many Regional Director speakers from all around the world. Attended numerous talks on .NET, SQL Server, Security, Compact Framework, Smart Clients, etc. The last 2 talks was too tiring for me, though.. Dozing off throughout the 2 talks, had to leave the hall as soon as I could. Hehehe... But I enjoyed the sessions by Stephen Forte and Adam Cogan. They were very good at balancing between serious talk as well as humor. And their talks, especially Adam Cogan's, was simple, straight to the point, yet precise. I didn't yawn during any of their sessions. Hehee....

Won the 2nd day's Lucky Draw.. Which was an MS Office XP tee. Cool.... An addition to my MS tees collection. Should start counting how many tees (of all the various products) do I have from them... Enough to start a museum. Haha...

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Happy Birthday, Laine!

It's Elaine's birthday today.. We organized a surprise birthday celebration for her during the weekend. Boy oh boy, was she shocked and speechless! Heheh.. It was seriously tough to plan that. We had to get hold of her boyfriend Ke Yaw (KY) and her Leeds housemate Elaine Ho (EH). Kai Ling (KL) & I didn't have KY's contact number, and all we knew was that he's working in an Oil & Gas firm in Rohas Perkasa. So, thinking, "the power of the Internet!", I went to Google to search. Turns out that almost 80% of the firms in Rohas Perkasa are Oil & Gas!!! Gosh... So I scrolled at the pages.. And this name, Weatherford seemed very familar. I remembered Laine mentioning Weatherford in her mails. So, I called up the company to ask for Yap Ke Yaw. Wah lah... This name exists!! Heheh... KL & I were thinking that if we can't get hold of KY, I would ask for his best friend Ben to ask for KY. Kkeekke... KY was a bit hesitant at first, thinking if this "Amanda" is some insurance agent or something. Haha..

Anyway, at one side, KL, KY & I were corresponding through e-mails, and decided that we should book for a room at Prince Hotel, under KY's company. At another side, EH said that their other housemate, Yu Ling (YL) is coming up from Spore to celebrate Laine's birthday. So, we were gonna group everyone together! Had some problems fitting everyone's plans in, but at the end, we managed to get a room at Micasa Hotel. So, the actual plan was, Laine was supposed to meet up with EH and YL for housemates' reunion. Laine was searching for a hotel room for them to stay (She asked me to check the rates for Cititel). So, we planned it in such a way where EH said that her mom could get a cheap rate in Micasa (in actual fact, KY was the one getting the room), and it took me, KY, KL and EH to convince Laine to take up the Micasa one. That was tough! Finally, she agreed and we got on with the plans.

Saturday afternoon, KL, sayang & I went to TMC to get the stuffs for steamboat dinner. We kept putting stuffs into the basket and was worried if they were enough for 11 ppl! I went to King's, got a Cream Cheese Blueberry cake. We met again at Micasa, KL checked in, and we started preparing the steamboat. The room was fantastic!!! Extremely posh for a hotel apartment!!! 2 single beds, a TV, wardrobe with a safe in it, kitchen sink, fridge, microwave oven, toaster, living area, dining area with a huge working desk, and balcony! For RM165!!! Anyway, EH came over with Shuh Yih, and we waited for Laine to call EH. Laine was to meet up with YL at KLCC, while EH was to 'check in' for them, and Laine & YL was to drive to Micasa to meet up with EH. So, when they arrived, EH went to meet them at the reception, the steamboat dinner was prepared, we waited in the dark. When they finally came into the room, opened the room door, turned on the lights and Laine stepped into the room, we shouted "SUPRISE!!!". She was flabbergasted.. Kekkekekkekeek... Had the whole night eating steamboat and cutting the cake. ;) It was too bad that KY had to be in Spore for work, otherwise it would be an even more memorable birthday for Laine.

Hehehe... Post birthday celebration, she said it was the best birthday she has ever had. To me, it would be, coz she got to celebrate her 24th with her secondary school classmates, as well as her housemates in Leeds. What's more, with KY contributing in the plans. Kekeke... Hope that it will really be a memorable one for Laine. It was all worth it. :)

Happy Birthday, Laine!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Where Is The Love

There's been too much of violence going around the world practically every day, even Malaysia herself is not safe - rape cases (to the extend of raping one's own young grandchild), killing (regardless of age of killer and victim), suicide bombings in Indonesia, bombing of the U.N. HQ in Baghdad, and now, suicide bomber in Jerusalem.

It's been so depressing reading the newspapers. What happened to world peace? What happened to "Love one another as you love yourself"? Is there nothing that we can do to make everyone united, to make this world a loving and caring place to live in? Life is like, God's greatest gift, so why are people taking God's gift for granted? What do they get for destroying and toying with other people's lives? If war is being used as an excuse and is a sure way to "get rid of the most dangerous living person in the world", then why is it getting worse now? Why are the people still living in fear? Why are there still so many lives being taken away?

When will all of these end?

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin' in the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how a nigga works and operates
Nigga, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of you rmind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our own direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive to lovers bound

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)


~~ Black Eyed Peas feat. Justin Timberlake - Where Is The Love ~~

Friday, August 15, 2003

This Week's FridayFive

1. How much time do you spend online each day?
At least 10 hours, that's when I'm at work. Sometimes when I get home after work, I'll go online to download mp3s, movies and stuffs. Hhm... I hope I'm not an internet addict...

2. What is your browser homepage set to?
Yahoo! Mail

3. Do you use any instant messaging programs? If so, which one(s)?
Trillian. I'm connected to MSN, ICQ, Y!M and AIM. Hehehe..

4. Where was your first webpage located?
Tripod. That was about 7 years ago. I'm still on Tripod though, just with a different user name. I think it still exists, but I made a link to the new one.

5. How long have you had your current website?
About 4 years now. Decided that it's time I grew out from my IRC nick (pretty embarassing, come to think of it) user name and opt for a proper one.

Thursday, August 14, 2003

*Tik* *Tak* *Tik* *Tak*

If you're wondering what sound is that, it's the sound of me playing with the abacus. ;) Long story... Oh, since I'm gonna write about both my Grandfathers, I shall call MG (maternal grandfather) and PG (paternal grandfather). After my PG passed away recently, my relatives have been eyeing on his abacus. Coincidently, Mummy went back to my MG's office in Pudu yesterday to visit the staff there, and she remembered that he used to keep an abacus too. Since the abacus is a very 'hot item' back in Segamat, so she asked for it. The clerk found it and handed the abacus to Mummy. I'm now keeping it in my room. Hehe...

If you asked why, coz I feel that the abacus is something very personal to me. One, it's something very precious to my MG. He had been using it practically his whole life, doing calculations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, division) for his business, expenses, anything that involves calculations. It's like his life depended on the abacus. So much of calculations that the rods were already loose. Two, my PG used to teach me how to use the abacus when I was very young. I remember going back to Segamat then, and I would see my PG sitting on the wooden chair, with the abacus on the wooden table in front of him, and he would go *tik tak tik tak* the beads, calculating something. And being a very curious person, I would sit by him, watching him do that. Once, I asked him what was he doing, he told me and taught me how to use it. Hehe.. Simple addition.. 1+2.. 8+9.. 27+34... Something like that..

So, having the abacus with me now, will always remind me of it being my MG's precious asset, and that it was my PG who taught me how to use it. ;) It's like, a memory of both of them. If I haven't had the abacus now, I wouldn't think that I would remember how to use it. Hehe... And so, last night, I was happily calculating away with the abacus. ;D I'm gonna treasure that forever!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Time Flies

Hhm... Can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my Grandfather passed away... It felt like as if he left us last night or something. Have already applied 2 days annual leave in early September, to go back to Segamat for 49th day prayers for Grandfather. Every now and then, whenever I hear Teresa Teng's song "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" ("The Moon Represents My Heart"), it reminds me of my Grandfather's death, coz the band was playing that song during the funeral procession. I think, the song will forever remind me of him.

You know, I keep thinking that whenever I would go back to Segamat, I would see him sitting on his favourite wooden chair, by the wooden table, waiting for us to arrive. Or he would come back from his daily morning trip to his favourite coffeeshop. He would ask about my studies (when I was still studying) and I would tell him how I fared in them, he would be so proud and would give me some pocket money to study harder, become a doctor. I used to tell him that I would want to be a doctor, so that, whenever he fell sick, I would treat him for free, and I could take care of him. But he was still proud of me when I graduated as an Engineer, coz apparently I was the first and am still the one and only engineer in the family tree.

I still miss him a lot. My grandparents would always wanted to come up to KL, to see how were we doing, to see how well Daddy was doing, to see our house and all. Now that my Grandmother's alone, we're hoping to drive her up to KL for a week's stay or something, somewhere near in the future, after the 100 days mourning period. I'm looking forward to having her in the house. :)

Monday, August 11, 2003

Let's Kick The Ball

Played futsal yesterday at Outdoor Sports.... Guys (Sayang, Sean, Stan, Janan) vs Girls (me, Helen, Kim Bik, Zoe). Hehe.. Super tiring! Had good fun, man! I fell on my butt once.. Haha... Seriously loud *thud*.. I got up, and my butt and my right leg was aching and numb. Couldn't really run for a while. But after that, I felt ok, and I scored 2 goals! Kekkekee... Lucky goals lar, considering we had Bernard as our keeper, and the guys' team must be keeper-less. Hehe...

It's been a while since I last exercised... And now, my whole body is aching... Haha... Would love to play another round of futsal this coming weekend! ;)

Wednesday, August 06, 2003

Happy Birthday, Sayang!

Hehe.... It's sayang's birthday today! He turns 24. ;) He's at work now, so, hopefully he'll have a good day. I will be seeing him for dinner tonight. Yay!!! We're going to BSC American Chilli's. Went to Angel Cake Shop to collect his blackforest cake (his fav) yesterday. Hopefully he'll like it. Happy Birthday, sayang! *Muakz*!

Friday, August 01, 2003

This Week's FridayFive

1. What time do you wake up on weekday mornings?
7 o'clock sharp... Unless I slept through the handphone alarm.

2. Do you sleep in on the weekends? How late?
Of course, but it depends on what plans do I have for the day. The latest I slept in was until 10 plus, though.

3. Aside from waking up, what is the first thing you do in the morning?
Take my morning shower.

4. How long does it take to get ready for your day?
About 30 minutes, that includes getting changed and sing along to songs played on Mix FM.

5. When possible, what is your favorite place to go for breakfast?
Would love to go for dim sum. The 'har gau', 'chee cheong fun', 'fishball', 'siu mai'... Ooh... Yummy!