Reality Check

April's here. I've gone through a quarter of 2011. My uni life ends in 2 weeks. Exams in a month. 5 pending assignments. Life's just treating me 'great' at the moment. Lack of sleep, lack of rest and lack of appetite. I'm so caught up with work that I don't have time for myself to stop and think. My routine: Wake up > Go to class > Lunch > Stare at laptop (min. 10hours/day) > Sleep and the cycle repeats.

But, I digress. I want to be happy in my last 2 weeks of uni. I want to enjoy it to the max. My three years of undergraduate study is going to be up real soon. So, no matter how hard it is, I want to enjoy every single moment to the last of it.

Before this chapter closes, I hope to make the best out of it. Reality...touche!

Life and Death

The line between life and death is really thin, maybe to the extremity of being invisible. In the wake of the earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, humans are once again being reminded that life is fragile and not many people appreciate their lives. Living a materialistic life, chasing after money, power, luxury; people go astray from the true things that satisfy their lives.

What comfort can your X-box, Wii and Nintendo give you? What can money buy you when everything else is lost? What can power do for you when there is no place to exert it? And yet we, humans chase these as if our lives depended solely on them.

We forget the simple things in life that satisfy us the most. A simple hug, a smile, a wink, making small talks..these little little things in life are the things that lifts us up when we're down. We fork out money to obtain things that do nothing for us. And we abandon things that are given away freely. And we complain about unsatisfactory lives, missing pieces to complete our lives.

While reflecting back on my life, if I was to be swept away by a tsunami right here right now, I don't think I have any major regrets in life. I've a lead a good life. I've traveled to many places. I am surrounded by people that loves me (no matter the distance between us). I guess I can say that I'm one lucky girl.

Have you lead a good life?

I feel like a big bear hug right now, but there's no place to get one.

Of Three Years (Almost)

Last week, I had my course night dinner. And it is finally dawning on me, I'm leaving this place is another 2 months. YAY! (with a bit of bitterness). Not that it has been a torture here. In fact, it had been filled with good memories. I will miss this place. But most of all, I will miss the people I have been hanging around with for the past 3 years. You see, since I am sort of a recluse here, I have a very (very very) small social circle.

When I leave, I'll be a grown up (which I totally dread). I'm aimless with no clear direction of where I should head to.

Reality is cruel.

But at the mean time let's enjoy life (in hell) from now till the end of my studying days here in UMS. I took life for granted for half the semester drunken in sweetness of doing nothing, achieving nothing. Now, the deadlines are haunting me like zombies.

So here's to 6 weeks of torment. Cheers! (Life is only miserable if you allow it to manifest)

A Decade of Friendship and Counting

A long overdued photoshoot, finally it happened. The best part was it finally happened at the right time - 10th year of knowing each other. What more could we have ask for? I guess the saying 'the time will come' is true in a sense.

We hired our own photographer; Danial Yap to do the shoot according to the themes we set : At our school, at the beach and in pajamas. It took longer than expected; 5 hours plus instead of 4 hours but every single minute was fun and I believe that it is another deeply etched memory in our hearts. The pictures came out prettily as well.

To my kiddies, I heart you guys. Let's stay this way forever.

Valentine's Day

For many singles, today is the most dreaded day of the year. A reminder that they are still single, lonely etc etc.

For me, this isn't the case. I don't see the big deal that people make out of this day...Ok..You might want to call me sourgrapes and all because I am single but I'm not. But many people around me are making it seem like being single on valentine's day is depressing and are behaving that way.

For me, I'm proud to be single and happy with the way things are right now. Everyday is valentine for me. As long as I'm doing things that I love, be with people that I care about..everyday is valentine for me. Why should you only show love and appreciation for people that you care about on this very particular day only? It's all so commercialised and full of gimmicks. I would prefer non-mainstream valentine celebration anytime. Things done with earnest sincerity is more valuable than any gifts that can be bought off shelves. Things like cooking a meal, catching a movie at home or even playing monopoly deal would be nice for me. The most important thing isn't the amount of money spent on posh restaurants, flower bouquets and chocolates; but the time spent together. That's why I say everyday can be my valentine's day if spent with the people that I care about.

Anyways, all is just my personal opinion =) HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Fan Talk

Ok, although I am uncertain about how authentic LeeHom's twitter account is but I got 2 replies from him when I replied his tweet!!! Yes, not 1 but 2 replies. This must have been the best thing that happened to me in January. January in Uni was a drag..I was just counting down the days till I come back home again for chinese new year. And here I am blogging from home =))

Just to show off..Here's proof of his replies

This is the first reply to my tweet

This is his second reply

Why?

First of all, why the question why? Lately, I've been thinking about this a lot. Firstly, my roommate got hitched. Yay congrats etc etc but why must they think that I'm little miss lonely and they are responsible to find me a partner ASAP. I know they mean good but sometimes it's a tad too overwhelming. I mean come on.. I get along fine on my own. I'm not angry but sometimes it gets a lil frustrating. I don't do self pity because to me, being single is great. I do have times that I adore people in love and wish that I could be in their shoes but that's all there is to it. Fullstop. No more and no less.

Secondly, why do people keep on asking if I'm dating. Ok...this is totally related to the first question but you get the idea right. People keep asking the same question over and over and over.

Ok. Feeling slightly better after ranting. This is just a random feeling.

Annyoung!

Finally I am sitting down to blog about South Korea. YES! Finally I went to Korea after thinking about it for the past 2 years. Went there with my uni mates/room mates and crazy Ah Ping. My travel mates couldn't make it this time :(

Took Air Asia to South Korea amid fears of a cold war between the North and South. Despite all the fears globally, the South Koreans don't show any signs of worry. Instead, everyone was in Christmas and New Year mood with lots of shopping and festivities.

We arrived on 21st December at about 9pm. By the time we fumbled our way to the

hostel it was about 11.30pm. Nothing much to blog about there.

The next day after Ah Ping arrived, we went MyeongDong for some 10 hour shopping. Yes..10 long hours but we only came back with lots of make up stuff...like Etude House, Innisfr

ee, Nature Republic, Missha.

If you aren't familiar with Korea, get one thing straight. They are very singer idol obsessed. Hence, everything and I do mean relatively everything is advertised by some idols..Make up products, ski resorts, the subway etc etc.

And I got my first free hug in Korea too! From a German guy and girl in Korea. Talking about going global.

THE Unexpected

What do happens when the unexpected happens? Usually, I just sit and stare and this line keeps repeating in my mind...'Why?? How did it turn out that way?'..

Have you encountered anything unexpected? I bet at some point in your life, something unexpected turned up. I'm not just talking in a negative pretext here...positive unexpected(s) happen as well...

Of late, I got the news that some one I know of passed away in a car crash. I'm not sure of the exact reasons he crashed but the main point is he's only 24. There's a lot more of life that he hasn't seen or tasted.

It always has to be something drastic to make us realise that life isn't forever and life is full of the unexpecteds...Of course good things make life feel greater and enjoyable. Humans are ignorant..and they always ignore the negative things..when something tragic happens, we stop short in our steps and feel shocked because we only acknowledge the good stuff, never the bad.

The news made me realise 2 things which I already know but often forget.

1. Life isn't forever and full of unexpected stuff.

2. Don't take things for granted. Cherish every moment. It counts be it the bad or the good because that is the package that life comes with. It is how you lived that is important. Not making a picture perfect life.

New Year's Resolution

Although 6 days have rolled by in 2011, I don't think it is too late to make a new year's resolution....I try to keep it simple so that it doesn't become impossible to keep to my resolution.

So this year, it's going to be different as I (hope) I will be graduating and transition into the working world.

Resolution 1: Graduate!

Resolution 2: Lose some weight? (been at this for many many years but I don't think I've been successful)

Resolution 3: Do what ever that makes me happy! Life's short and I'm not getting any younger. I still have a lot to achieve..

Remembering 2010

I suddenly feel that sitting down and doing a recap of how I spent my year is a good thing. Makes me realise how much I've achieved (or not) to make me feel thankful for my year and promise to make the next year a better one. Looking back...2010 has been a really really great year for me. I love it so much that I'm a little sad that it's over now...

On new year's day of 2010, I made a resolution to embrace 2010 with anticipation and I did it alright!

February was some kind of reunion for family and friends and lovers (although I'm not included in this category) over chinese new year and valentine's day. It has dawned on me that I can't seem to spend enough time with my family and friends. There's always endless chats about nothing and time seems to tick by too quickly.

All through March I was toiling away at assignments and midterms..not much highlight there.

Come April, my friends gave a surprise birthday just a day before exams...Heck..I was 22 before I knew it..got great pressies for my birthday as well

May and June were great! I got a blackberry..like finally after procrastinating about it for the entire first half of 2010. And I went to Langkawi with friends, China to meet friends and Singapore with family. 2 months of full travel and sightseeing and enjoying with family and friends.

July..I started my final year in UMS. Yes, my final year and I can't believe it. Life was much more hectic than the previous semesters with assignments, labs and fieldtrips and FYP. I got kicked out of the hostel as well. But now, looking back, I think it was good that I got kicked out. I have more freedom, made more friends and learned how to cook.

August...did something crazy at the club which was fun!

September...I finally conquered Mount Kinabalu and went home for raya break where I got to meet up with lots of friends which I have not seen in a long time except for Sue. Got drunk for the first time in my life during house party over MidAutumn Festival.

October...continued to toil over reports assignments etc...finally I got to enjoy it on house halloween party and enjoyed halloween night in the club with friends and cousin all the way from Penang. Was a crazily fun night..

November...Exams and saying farewell to a friend...There's always an end to all things and the end also signifies a new beginning.

December..Worked part time after not working for almost 2 years. Went down to Batu Pahat for the first time due to work. 8 days of cold cold fun in Korea..with snows and clubs and shopping! Spending time with family and cousins from UK and Australia and hanging out with friends..

Before you know it, 2010 is over and all the 365 days of it can be summarised into a short blog. Whaddaya know right?

PS After writing this blog, I realised that I shall miss 2010 very much. All the first times doing crazy stuffs and travelling and etc etc...

So dear 2010, I shall keep u embedded in my heart for always =)

New Year has come and gone

Speak of the devil and 2010 is gone and 2011 is here. I haven't found the time to blog on the eve of new year as I always do. But I'm now back to catch up on it.

Anyways, it's just the fifth day of 2011 and I'm down with flu, cough, sore throat and fever. What a good beginning to 2011 for me.

The past one month of semester seemed like a dream for me. And in total, I think I only spent like 10days at home out of the 30 days break. It's even more hectic than when I was studying in uni. Time really flew by. I was looking forward to my much awaited Korea trip and now it's over and I'm back in Sabah. I shall try to find time to blog about my Korea trip soon...before my classes start and assignments start pouring in like crazy since this is my final semester already. YES..I'm graduating really soon and it just seemed like I just step foot into uni not long ago.

December 2010

Been home for two days already. All I can say is being at home is just as tiring as well. I've been going to bed at midnight to 30 minutes past midnight. I can't last any longer than that. But I'm soaking it all up and enjoying every moment of it :)

Today marks the first of December and the last month of 2010. Time really really flies. There's no other way to put it. There's too much happening in the last month of 2010 that I can't help looking forward to the entire month. But I think by the end of it all, I'll be very very tired but it will be worth all the energy. Life's short. Savour every moment of it.

The beginning marks the end and the end marks the beginning.

Post Exam

Ok..Exams just ended for a day and I am thinking how I should spend my time. It's beginning to get boring for. I just can't wait to go home. At first I looked forward to the end of exams but now, there's nothing much to look forward to.

I need a sprinkle of sparkle in my life at this moment. Any idea where to find some sparkle sprinkles?

Perhaps, I just need to take it easy and do nothing as I've been doing a lot the entire semester...perhaps..

I just watched Priceless.. a french movie. It definitely shows that somethings are just priceless...no matter how rich you are...money isn't everything ( might be to some people) but there are just some things that money can ever buy.

Exams

Currently having my final exams. Come to think of it, this is my second last semester. I should be up and motivated to study but although I'm not that lazy; I'm just being me...studying at the very last moment.

So far two papers went by already. Another 4 more to go. Everything will end by next week. Yes next week...which is really soon. And then I'm going to Labuan for some alcohol and chocolates and sightseeing...then Aloha Penang!!!

I can't wait to go home. There's so many things happening this December. My cousin's coming from UK and niece from Australia. And I'm hired for a part time job. It's been about 2 years since I last worked. And then its Korea for me! Hopefully a White X-mas.

Can't wait for everything =)

A Season

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season. -Quoting some note from facebook-

I guess this is life. Things are never really permanent. They come and go. So for the moment, just enjoy the season and note them in memories after it ends. In this case, ended but was one the best seasons I've had in all my 22 years.

Vielen dank for the season =)

In This Moment

Lately, I noticed that I've not been really living 'in' the moment. Why so? For the past month (yes, a month since I've been back from the raya break, all I've been thinking about are deadlines and assignments and rushing to lab and yada yada yada....I think you get the picture.

I've not been able to sit back and watch what I've been doing, what I've achieved and also forgetting to give myself a well deserved break. I know it isn't right to ask for a holiday but I seriously need a day of fun i.e. sleeping in, reading storybooks, watching movies and unwinding. I miss all those things that keep me sane.

Time really flies. There's only 2 months left to 2011. 2 weeks left to my semester..but there's still 5 more assignments to go..maybe 6...I will be out of breath before I can even start studying for my finals.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the weekend. Plan to enjoy the moment, enjoy the now and face reality when the new weeks comes. But at the moment. I want to be in this moment...short bliss...but bliss non the less..

Second Half of The Semester

The first week of uni after the raya break practically flew by. But within that short span of time, a lot happened. Luckily, the week ended as fast as it started. I'm crossing my fingers for a better new week starting tomorrow.

Wondering what happened? Well,

1. I finished an assignment but unknowingly to me, I didn't finish it. It was supposed to be 2 separate assignments but I misunderstood it as 1. I ended up squeezing my brain juice to produce another half of the assignment within 3 hours to deadline. Thanks to Ju, I managed to hand it in on time.

2. My blackberry hung and wouldn't be switched back on. And the technician was not in when I purposely rented a car and went all the way to town on a day which I didn't have any class.

The happy stuff slowly took over after half the week went by. Celebrated Mid Autumn Festival twice in a week with making my own lanterns. At the second party, I got drunk for the first time after being in the party circle for so long thanks to mixture of 5 different alcohol mixtures. Two things came out of it. I forgot about work and stress and had fun but I had a hangover almost the entire day the next day.

I Made It To The Peak!!!

The hike group; total of 21 person.

The slopes of Mount Kinabalu

Me, at the peak. Looking like crap of all places.

Unbelievable? Believe it! Because I finally made paid homage to the legendary Mount Kinabalu. I made it to the peak at 4095.2m.

Sounds easy?? 4095.2m seems very low but it actually took me 11 hours to walk up to the peak.

Why 11 hours you might be asking...because we took the longer route up. There are 2 routes up to the mid point; 1. Timpohon Route 2. Mesilau Route. Timpohon is a 6km hike up which is steep and slightly less scenic. Mesilau, albeit longer by 2km, the 8km walk is worth it if you are nature and scenery obsessed. But taking the longer route has its downside. The extra 2km of walk actually makes your legs really tired.

At midpoint, its called Laban Rata. Here, the maximum capacity is about 100 pax. Here, they provide you buffet dinner. Eat all you can because you need the energy. I ate like nobody's business the moment I reached. After 8 hours of walking, and the mountain guides keep telling u...'lagi 500m sudah sampai' but the 500m takes like 1-1.5hours to cover! I had no time to worry over calories.

At Laban Rata, I rested in the hostel aka sleeping. They provide bunk beds and there's a kitchen. There are water heaters in each shower too but they don't work. So, the water was freezing cold. Then at 2.30am, the climb towards the peak continued. Luckily I had a headlight. I wouldn't be able to hold a torchlight while climbing all the slopes and steep staircases. It was a climb in pitch black darkness. The temperature was about 8degree Celsius with strong winds. I was shivering and freezing cold. My fingers and toes were numb when I reached the peak. Heard from one of the guides that she had never experienced such strong winds before.

At approximately 5am, I reached the peak. The sun hasn't come up yet. But the wind was too strong. I took a few staple pictures i.e. the signboard at the peak, a few with my friends and I quickly made my way back down. While walking down, the sun came up, so I did manage to catch the sunrise. It was spectacular! Makes you feel like all the walking and climbing was worthwhile.

Now, the problem is, walking down. After reaching the peak, my feet and muscles were aching. And there's another 8.7km down to Timpohon. It took me roughly 2 hours to go back down to Laban Rata. Had another buffet breakfast (5 meals provided by the management) to build up all the energy needed for climbing down.

From Laban Rata, it was a 6km walk downhill. For me, the climb down was worst than the climb up. 1. Legs were too tired. 2. Feet aching. 3. Muscles aching. 4. Lethargy. Every single step down was shaky and I slipped like at least 10 times; no exageration here. Luckily I didn't twist my ankle thanks to my walking stick. It took another 5 hours to walk down to Timpohon. Upon reaching Timpohon, another meal, buffet lunch was waiting. I took my buffet lunch at 4.00pm, right before it ended at 4.30pm.

What was really sad was that I didn't have my own camera. So my pictures are really limited. But at least I have the most important picture from the peak.

PS. It doesn't take a lot of stamina to hike up. But you NEED a LOT of DETERMINATION to reach the peak. If people aged above 50 can make it up to the peak, there's no reason why a 20yo can't make it (unless you have altitude sickness). If you can't lug your stuff up, you can hire porters for RM9/kg.

PSS. Bring thicker clothing when climbing up to the peak. I underestimated the weather (but maybe it was just me, because the foreigners made it with just long sleeved shirts and windbreakers.

PSSS. Overall, I used almost 19 hours walking. My muscles ached like hell for the next few days especially when I want to stand and sit and going up and down the staircase.

Semester Break

Finally, after eight weeks of much toiling, I'm finally having a much deserved break. Not to say that the break is a real break from uni work. I still have a lot to do but I'm putting all those behind at the moment. Stresss is really getting to me and it's driving me crazy...literally.

Cum Tuesday, I'll be making my way to Mount Kinabalu. Finally, after studying here for over 2 years, I'm making my pilgrimage there. My main concern is that I would not be able to climb up there. I'm not exactly the fit-sporty-type of person. I did make effort to jog and build up my stamina but the weather hasn't been that kind to me. It rained again today but I did aerobics indoors with my roommates. We're trying our best to compensate for all the lack of consistent exercising.

Cross my heart and fingers and hope that I shall reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu.

The happiest thing about my 2 weeks semester break is that I'm going home right after the climb. I shall be home for a week or so. Family, kiddies..see you all real soon!!