Graduation Showcase 2006

Sands of time

I'm getting older and the fact of it is really dawning on me in a big way.

I'm going to be 27 this year and although by many standards, that's still young, but there's a certain ominous feeling about age and how the years seem to be really zooming by.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've never had a problem with going old. Am dealing with a receding hairline and a growing paunch in good stead but there's just no helping the feeling that things will change, and in a big way.

Firstly, students now are really 'kids', not slightly younger peers. I am not as glued to the TV as much and current news affect me! I have to pay tax for the first time ever and worse still, there is a growing realisation that people around me will eventually not be around. It's an upsetting thought.

Age is definitely a concept that needs adjusting to. Too bad there isn't all that much time!

Malaysia is finally noticed... groan...

Noticed in Wired:

The World Record-Breaking Capital
The strongest hair! The youngest sumo wrestler! The longest pencil! In Malaysia, making your mark - any mark - is a matter of national pride.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/capital.html

National pride? Err... yeah... ok...

I have graduated!

Sunday was my graduation for my Masters degree and finally, there's closure after 2 years of incredibly exhausting studying. It's a great feeling to be finish something and finish it well, moreso when you can share it with family and friends.

I was also honoured in being asked to give a speech on behalf of the 100 or so graduates. It was nerve wrecking, considering that most of the post-graduate degree recipients were quite senior but it went well and I'm pleased.

I'm going to enjoy the rest of the year but I do plan to continue studying again before 2007. The itch is hard to resist :)

M! The Opera

I went to watch a special screening of M! The Opera last night, courtesy of CIMB. RM120 tickets were going for only RM15 so it's a great bargain!

Anyways, M! The Opera is definitely, for the lack of a better word, interesting. It didn't leave me breathless nor was I wow'ed over but I was pleasantly entertained and there were some really great scenes.

Overall, I really wished the songs were easier to understand. Most times the vocals were quite muffled or lacked good intonation so trying to figure out what they were singing about can be challenging. And the story, my gosh... convulated and probably over-dramatic? Though then again, it's an opera.

For Malaysia's 'first' opera... not too bad. I wished it had a signature song though. Left the place with no tune to hum.

Just sooooo funny!

Children are the best medicine

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't eat children. What happened was that I was feeling really under the weather yesterday, with a scratchy throat and throbbing headache but after a 2 hour class with the CreativeKids kids, I felt immensely better. It's amazing really.

Though it could be an exceptional situation. I had a great class, great here meaning a well prepared well timed class with wonderful kids. The Tuesday bunch are highly intelligent and so naively funny that it makes you want to have kids. Then Thursday comes along and I'm reminded why I don't want kids. But I digress, being with children is theraupeutic, at least in keeping your mind off yourself and giving a more sensible perspective to life.

It's not always that you sing the Barney song, chant lines like "Leonard the table destroyer!" and run around in circles. I honestly wonder at times what these kids go home and tell their parents. And I wonder what the parents must think of me. If I were a parent, I think I'd worry when my kids teacher is insinuating ideas about how exams are stupid.

It's a great feeling being with them, and in some ways (I'm being hopeful), teaching them. So next time you're sick, don't waste time with the doctor. Drop by my place for two hours of drug free remedy to whatever ails you :) Just leave your adult sensibilities at the door.

The Itch

It's that time again... I'm restless, itching for something but can't quite place what it is that I'm itching for. There's a persistent gnawing thought that leads to restless sleep and fluctuating energy levels but can't quite place my finger on what is it that's bothering me, although there are many candidates. It's an incredibly annoying feeling, especially when it really shouldn't be there in the first place.

Work is work, and though it in many ways could be better, there really is little to complain. CreativeKids is doing good, and I have much to look forward to this year including my graduation coming up soon in which I have been honoured to give a speech on behalf of the graduates. So I suspect the gnawing irritation is something deeper and perhaps sinister. What I do know is that I really really want to get it out of my system!

Perhaps it's the thought that news of my scholarship application will be out soon. Though soon is a good 3 months away. I'm really torn about it, part of me wants it badly yet the other part is quite content to stay where I'm at.

There's also the possibility of wanderlust. I really would like to travel again though my family is keeping me quite anchored down. Don't know whether I could leave them for too long.

Or could it be something as simple as my car. I want a new one. It's as simple as that :)

Whatever it is, I hope the itching stops cause it really is getting to me! Maybe I need to learn to meditate. Hmm...

They're back!

The first three baby bunnies that were adopted are back! Adopted family couldn't cope so they asked if I would take them back and of course I would. They are after all, family.

So Biscotto, Biscotti, and Fudge are back in the backyard but this time in a cage. Am not going to risk death by exposure to the elements again. So playtime will be limited but at least they will be safe.

Here's a picture of Biscotti, the most glamorous of the lot!

Moving on

Colby has died, in my hands actually. It was quick and sudden and ends the bunny legacy in my backyard. Won't be finding new company anytime soon as I'm not quite sure available I will be throughout the year but I definitely will miss my rabbit company... Wallaby Wallace the Fourth, King Wombat, Biscuit, Dominose, Mocha, Caramel, Colby and the babies...

.................................................................................................................................

I attended my first ever formal Western dinner in Shangri La over the weekend. It was the Queen's University's alumni and college sponsored a table. It was a somewhat interesting though uncomfortable event (for me anyways). Eating with such formal etiquette can be unnerving for someone who likes finger foods. Luckily, I learned that one should use cutlery from the outside coming in from Princess Diaries (yes, I watched it). There was a slight argument among older colleagues regarding which water glass is yours to use. Googled and it's the right one, which makes perfect sense.

New experiences are always invigorating.

Hope lost...

It has been a tragic week in my backyard. Mocha, my beautiful she-bunny has passed away in her burrow, likely due to birthing complications leaving behind not just woeful Caramel but three babies, now sadly undernourished and unkept. I've brought the babies in for some tlc and hopefully, they will be able to start eating solids and build some strength. Caramel however is taking it real badly.

He has been refusing to eat, choosing to sit in the rain and tragically seeming to choose to die. And he will likely pass on by morning, as he now lies in the throes of final minutes. It is sad watching him go, eyes all teary and body limp with lost. But Mocha was his one true friend and in the bunny backyard, good friends are but one.

I will be sad for him and I hope that through the night, when he breathes his final breath, he will be all good. At least I got to say goodbye. Never had the same opportunity with Mocha, who just disappeared to the earth.

At least I have the babies to live on their memories. God bless Mocha, Caramel, and may the three new lives find strength amidst absence.

Accept or Except? Hmm...

Try it out, an English word quiz:

http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=14457200288064322170

My score:

English Genius
You scored 92% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 80% Expert!
You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Post CNY Blues

Chinese New Year 2006 was great! It was a tad rushed to go back only a day before the eve but everything worked out beautifully. And the celebrations are more pronounced and festive when the extended family are united in full force. This time round, the roll call included:

Grandmothers: 2
Aunties: 9
Uncles: 9
First Cousins: 35
Cousin's kids: 10

Plus my immediate family, for the first 2 days there were about 70 people in my grandmother's house. The noise, chaos, and the whole communal experience is something I always miss and long for. And the best part, this is not even the whole family. Missing from the group will be about a few aunties and uncles and about 20 more cousins. It's a great feeling to be part of a huge family!



Didn't find much time to visit friends (too occupied with family and when push comes to shove, family comes first anyways). Did manage to visit Meng and HL a bit more though and of course their dogs! Temperamental but beautifully golden Bobbie is shown above and below, my favourite, Bandit the patch-eyed mongrel.



I so love Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Gong Xi

It's that time of the year again :) and I tell you, I'm about to break into giggle'y fits any time! It's amazing how this time of year turns me into a slobbering wide-eyed shopaholic kid. Must be the red.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

The first ever hamper I've won

I join contests somewhat regularly and I have had won quite a bit of prizes, including the whopper of a trip to LA for the Charlie's Angels II premiere. A few days ago, I received news of having won another contest, albeit the consolation. :) I got myself a hamper worth RM188 full of Pilsbury products, all for buying one cake mix. I'm in sweet-tooth heaven!

CreativeKids studio version 3

The touched up learning studio in mood lighting.



The resource centre with the new pink castle motif.

Kids say the darnest things...

Overheard in CreativeKids:

7 yr old boy: Boys don't cry, except when they're being scolded by their boss. Then they can cry.

Shamelessly in Celebration

Every year, after Chinese New Year, I promise myself to not be taken in by the commercial pull of the celebrations and spend like crazy on red plastic junk. But every year, come Chinese New Year, I willingly enter myself into credit card hell to deck my house shamelessly red with lanterns hanging everywhere. I have at last count 30+ lanterns in varying sizes to fit in a tiny single storey home. But oh, I so love it!

This year, I've went a tad overboard with peach curtains laced with bamboo motifs, striped yellow table cloths, bright orange table runner, more lanterns, dingly dangly stuff, and a whole bunch of plastic cherry blossoms. It's so much fun!

SEGI College, now open!

The past few weeks have been hectic, the past few days have been tumultuous but finally, things have settled enough and our doors are now open! I have to say, after being in dank and dingy Summit the past 2 years, a new building is really refreshing, even with the 'work in progress' status.

Here are some snapshots of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Design :)



Our Theatre.



One of two gallerias.



The performing arts studio.

I like new things. :)

New Year... again?

It's 2006 and it almost felt like yesterday that 2005 came into the picture. With the new year though come fresh expectations and renewed vigour... a strange affliction we all seem to have considering nothing has changed except our calendars. And on the topic of calendars, I really miss my old ones. Getting a new calendar is like going on a first date... there's some chemistry but you just don't know what to expect. Especially when you're like me and you scribble all over the calendar making it highly indispensable!

I had my first Digitalia themed CreativeKids class yesterday and it was not too bad. Kids were all hyped up and I foresee a good 4-5 months of on-time homework before the hype sizzles out. It's good fun though and we're having a photo-shoot next week so I can hang their potraits up on the wall. I also have been getting a steady stream of calls from parents out of USJ2 so it's a good sign. Maybe next year CreativeKids can go fulltime :)



College is a hive of busy'ness... moving campus is more complicated than expected. It's a great big mess but it should be over by this week. And Meng has joined the team so it's nice having friends on board. Will take photos of the actual campus and post them once things have settled down.

To everyone, all the best this new year and may dreams and ambitions be in closer reach!

From The Star:

LONG QUEUE: Hundreds of Mykad applicants forming a beeline as they wait their turn at the National Registration Department in Jalan Sultan on Thursday.

I just cannot figure out these people. You miss a three year grace period... then you are willing to queue from 5am for literally hours just to save some RM20... then you hurl abuses at the people working for being too slow. It's just embarrasing...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Insurance

An old friend called out of the blue, needless to say, there's a hidden agenda. He has decided to venture into the ill-perceived world of insurance selling and needs me to help meet his sales goals for the month.

I know there are many insurance agents out there and many claim to have your interests in mind but I think it's such a false illusion. I would be so happy to meet an agent that can just say that this is their job, their interests are financial, and all they want to do is explain the product to you and leave you to decide. The hard sell is not as bad as phrases such as,

"As your friend, you can trust me."

"I want to help you."

"I'm only doing this for you, since you're my friend."

Come on. Just be real and say it as it is. Maybe there should be a life insurance showroom, where all the products are stacked up and compared side by side, like cars. But I suspect, the oligopolistic nature of the insurance companies work to prevent this. As it is, agents can only commit to one company. Where is the impartiality, given how difficult it is to get detailed product information without having to go through a smooth talking agent oozing all the niceties of a Care Bear.

I honestly feel sad that people use friendship as a leverage for self benefit. Even worse is that I buy into it. My friend will likely get his sale and as much as I don't like it, at the end of the day, I do need insurance. Darn the irony.

Visit to Kuching

I was in Kuching for the first time the last 3 days attending a convention on Applied and Creative Arts organised by UNIMAS. Overall, it was quite an enjoyable trip, meeting new people from the academic side of design and basking in the history and culture of the city.



Overall, UNIMAS has an interesting array of programs with a diverse academic body. We were even treated to a fashion show by the Department of Textile and Fashion. Although I stereotypically enjoyed the papers by the foreign academics a little more, it was a good convention all in all and hope to be able to attend more in the future. Learned quite a bit and hope to put it to use in the college.



Kuching is quite laidback city and although highly colourful at night, leaves much to be desired in terms of activity. Being quite spread out, although in a manageable area, the city seems to be in a perpetual lull. No one here seems rushed, even the service staff of the hotels and restaurants, and it can be quite disconcerting at times!



The river is in many ways the heart of the city. This is where the tourists and locals gather and it's a wonderful place to walk and relax. The river is beautiful both during the night and day and it's a wonderful sight.



Just by the riverside is a row of shops, mostly selling tourist'y stuff. My colleagues and I spent a good half day here shopping for souvenirs. As usual, I got the decorated and ceremonial Pua Kumbu cloth, bead necklaces for mom and sis, and ethnically decorated batik print shirts.



Food in Sarawak isn't as good as Melaka or Penang. Shown here is the Kolo Mee which tastes to me very much like Indomie. It's very savoury and a tad oily but not too bad. I can't say the same though for the dish below.



This is the Belacan Beehoon that a local colleague was raving over. It's a strange concoction of rice noodles, squid and vegetables in watery liquid topped with belacan and this gelatinous sweet brown glob. My colleague aptly describes it as eating noodles with seawater.



I've also heard lots of SugarBun's dominance in Kuching. I think it's a weird franchise concept and it has obviously not done well in the Peninsular. It's quite thriving here but I have to say, the food, at relatively high prices is just not worth it.



Kuching is a beautiful city, with obvious signs of metropolitan modernity yet holding strong to its deep seated culture and heritage. It's as slow moving as the river in many ways but there's an appeal to the city that's difficult to describe. The whole 3 days there felt home'y... I can never say the same when I visit other places like Penang.



It would be nice to come again and this time, I'll be prepared with loads of empty luggage. Souvenir shopping in Kuching can be very theraupeutic and delightful!

Additions to the family!

After 4 weeks of being deep in their burrows, Mocha's and Caramel's babies finally came out and romped about the backyard. Almost identical in appearance to their parents, these baby Angora rabbits are cute beyond cuteness!

They're still nursing from Mocha so once weaning is complete, the gang will begin their house-training sessions and hopefully, be able to acclimatise to living indoors until they're big enough to go out to the backyard.

Here's introducing the gang:



This is gentle and lovable Biscotti, the adorable, tame baby of the litter.



On the left is Biscotto, and on the right is the big burly Fudge!

These are probably the only baby bunnies I've ever had that was born in a burrow and raised as natural as it could get for rabbits!

Day 3: Surprise!

Day 3 is a little calmer and way lots more fun for Teacher Dan. Only 5 kids turned up but I'm not complaining. Gave me the opportunity to relax a little and joined in the games and the surprise Birthday Party!

A parent called and gave me 30 minute notice to prepare the 'party'. Luckily I have lots of snacks about the house and managed to muster a decent spread for 20. With only 5, and a whole cake, needless to say we had a lot of fun stuffing ourselves silly. :)

After food and birthday song singing, we started a really fun game of Pokemon Master Trainer: The Board Game. Days like this creates such a feel good buzz!

Day 2: Pokemania!

It's Day 2 of 12 of the CreativeKids Games Month and attendance is still high and will likely get higher! I've just about maximised all the chairs I have in the house so looks like some will just have to contend with the floor.

Pokemon Challenge saw a little more guys than gals turning up but that's quite expected. Not as noisy as Day 1 considering the card game required a little more thinking and less shouting! Very fun nevertheless and my once unbeatable deck has been beaten by one guy's tournament quality deck. Apparently, his deck managed a top 10 placing in the country's Pokemon league.

Games Month has been great though in the sense that I've managed to increase recruitment by an estimated 5 kids! 2006 has yet to kick off but classes, including the new ones are already almost full! From 2 kids in May 2004, it's now over 30 in November 2005!

It's BACK!

The Popular Clearance Sale is back in The Summit USJ! Huge bargains, great buys! It's on from now till 11 December. I've already added 55 books to my collection and I now need a new book shelf.

Day 1 of Game Month at CreativeKids

It's the end of year and breaking tradition, CreativeKids is not taking a break but celebrating with a month of games, games and more games! And Day One was over yesterday with Rollercoaster Tycoon the Board Game and Pictionary.

With 18 kids over, all under the ages of 12, it's Kids:1, Daniel:0. I half expected the police to come for disturbing the peace. I seriously owe my neighbours something for their patience. Thank goodness both sides have kids, so they must understand or at least relate to how wild kids can get.

As I'm typing this, I'm reeling slightly from the sonic shockwaves that has left me half deaf, as well as trying to figure out where am I going to muster the energy for Days 2 through 12. If anyone wants to come and help, I will forever be in your gratitude.



It was fun though but gawd... any adult who thinks that they're in control are just misleading themselves.

Digitalia: the dawn of adventure

I am currently preparing a themed learning approach to Creative Writing for 2006 and would like feedback from you guys. Basically, students find themselves in the new world of Digitalia. They will each begin by colonising one plot of land from the world map.

As the year progresses, students will follow lessons that are linked to the world covering topics such as state building, governance, diplomacy, war, ecology, society, culture, symbols of state, festivals, race and more. Through completed lessons, games, and homework, students will earn gold coins that they can use to:

1. Exchange for prizes
2. Build cities
3. Build defenses
4. Build offenses

These are important depending on the student's approach to the game. They can focus on:

1. Development: Build their cities to the rank of a megalopolis of which they will be able to earn a weekly stipend of a goal coin.

2. Defense: Protect their colonies from invasion. Every five colony plots will earn a weekly stipend of a goal coin.

3. Offense: Build their armies to include mythical beasts and to arm themselves with a relic charged with a superpower depending on the land type (plains, mountains, seas). Every colony plot taken over will earn one goal coin but defeat will mean sacrificing the attacking unit.

Basically, students uninterested to pursue this concept will exchange gold coins for prizes. But more adventurous students can expedite their gold coin earnings through strategising. There will be a mechanism for attacking, defending, and building, all designed as incentives for learning participation and involvement.

If this works out well, teaching will suddenly be so much more easier although the initial set up is a little daunting. Will see what the year foretells :) but in the meantime, tell me what you think.

New Management

College group is undergoing some massive restructuring and rebranding, and with the move to the new campus next month, it's been crazy. I have my bosses changed and although the new ones are more approachable, they are also, for a lack of a better word... chinese. With all the extra work and meetings, I've almost had to run home in time for CreativeKids, which incidentally is doing very well. For the first time, most of my classes are almost full! Adding a new one next year :)

Anyways, these new bosses seem to enjoy meetings immensely. I don't know about anyone else but I think that overdrawn meetings are counter productive, especially when they are in the guise of discussion when in actual fact, it's just a venue for the boss to tell you what to do, albeit highly tactfully. If that's not bad enough, my current boss has a tendency to repeat anything he say at least 5 times. He probably thinks that designers can't figure out managerial stuff. This week alone, I've attended 10 meetings, with today alone having FOUR! And with each meeting averaging 2-3 hours, it has been excruciatingly excruciating.

On the plus side, I have come to realise that I enjoy pencil pushing. I am such a bureaucrat...

Happiness is being able to watch TV guilt-free...

After slogging through 16 months of sheer agony, having sacrificed many forms of entertainment and relaxation, it's finally over! I've completed my Masters! Although I've missed my target of a perfect score by 5.4%, I am still very much overjoyed and relieved. Was it worth it? Definitely... will I do it again? Err...

I'm now looking forward to December when CreativeKids will be having a month-long board game fest! And next year will be rocking with 2 new classes bringing the total to 5 in all. It's going to be hectic but fun!

I am such a workaholic...

Now all together... say 'KONICA'!

I've been mulling over getting a digital camera for years, literally. Being a techno-enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by all things digital. And photography is really an enjoyable hobby. Not so much for artsy-fartsy indulgence but to stockpile on memories.

I got my first digital camera when I was doing my industrial training in Seattle. It was called 'CoolCam', a transparent blue plastic camera with the ability to take pictures at 320x240 and record short bursts of 10 seconds of video. At USD20, it was fairly cheap at that time but obviously, with such low resolution and no flash, there were severe deficiencies.

After about a month or so, I got a Samsung Digimax that had a resolution of 640x480 (this at a time when 1.3megapixels was the highest and most expensive), AND it could play MP3 as well as double up as a webcam. At USD100, it was a steal since it was retailing then in Malaysia for about RM1200. This lasted me quite a good deal though pictures were still exclusive to emails and sites. You can barely print a decent photo at 640x480.

Now this was all 4 years ago. Ever since then, I've moved studying to working and the realities of adulthood caught up. Bills, setting up homes, and other costs has always inhibited buying a better digital camera... until now that is! Finally decided to get one, and with the nifty 0% instalment plan available, it's definitely affordable.

And after weeks of contemplating and reading tonnes of reviews, I've settled on the Konica Minolta Dimage Z20 because it's just cool looking :) Placed my order at the shop and now patiently waiting for it to arrive!

Dream bliss...

My old mattress has became uncomfortably bumpy with its springs protuding painfully from within. After almost 3 years of use, I guess it has served me well enough, especially considering the amount of time I spend in it (t doubles up as a sofa in my room). Also, at a cheapo price of aboutRM200+ from Giant, it's not exactly a long term investment. Anyways, all clues points towards a new mattress and with my birthday just around the corner, my parents decided to help get me one by paying half the costs.

I had a whole day of mattress shopping planned for with the shops and models plotted out. However, on an impulse, I dropped by a nearby shop during lunch and within 10 minutes, I had made my purchase.

I bought this King Koil mattress with all sorts of fancy medical claims from orthopaedics and sales pitches like double spring coils and reinforced side springs. It was much better than my old one in any case and at a hefty discount, can't complain. Since I saved some cash from the discount, I decided to get myself a bed frame instead and progress from sleeping on the floor. Got a wood one at also a heavily discounted price. The shop must be very generous, going out of business, or have all their products heavily hiked in prices. Hmm...

Anyways, when the stuff arrived, I struggled to install the bed (only 2 hours, groan) and dragged the mattress upstairs (I think it was at least 50kg and huge and took me only 30 minutes), I am now in seventh heaven in sleep comfort! Bliss...

How on earth is this news worthy?

Pet Monkey Escapes, Bites Boy on Buttocks

A monkey, apparently a pet, escaped, then chased a 12-year-old boy into his house and bit him on the buttocks in the western Malaysian state of Pahang, a news report said Friday.

The monkey, which was believed to be a pet animal because there was a chain around its neck, ran up and down the street in the housing area in Kuantan town as it appeared just after dusk Wednesday, scaring people into their homes, the Bernama news agency reported.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also, read a proposal by students who wanted to plan a day trip to the 'KL TOWEL'. Sounds like something out of a Sam and Max game. And considering how far away the 'L' and 'R' keys are located on the keyboard, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Oh September, How I Adore Thee

It's finally September, my most favourite'st month :) There's something about September that conjures up a whole lot of anticipation. First up, at this time, you could almost feel the year wrapping up. August is still too close to 'mid-year' to be counted but come September, and the year end is almost just round the bend.

Furthermore, September is very celebratory. So many of my dear family and friends have September birthdays so it's immensely rewarding. Just last weekend, I had an excellent trip back home to surprise my mom with a birthday dinner. Had to coordinate 3 aunts, siblings, and my grandmother to effectively keep the secret in force but it was well worth the 50 or so SMS'es and down-to-the-wire timing. I told my brother that I would pick him up at 5:55, arrive to surprise my Mom at 6:20 and proceeded to dinner at 7:00. I did it at 5:57, 6:21 and 7:00! And considering that I could only leave USJ after picking up my cousins, then my aunt at the KTM Komuter of which they boarded the 2:47 train from Sentral. It was just great and everything just fell into place. Must be good karma from good intentions :)

Also, there's the Melaka trip to look forward to although I'm still short of my needed 40 students. I have till Friday to wrap things up so hopefully numbers will pick up.

And joy of all joys, I am about 8 weeks away to finally completing my Masters... hopefully with a good finish! Juggling fulltime studies with work and part-time work has been an incredibly hell'ish 14 months but with the end so close, it feels just great!

Acting on Impulses

I imagine that come mid-life crisis, I would likely be the sort to drain savings (if I had any in the first place) to buy a flashy red sports car. Why do you ask? Because it seems that I am ruled by impulsive actions that I don't quite have much control over.

I was mulling about a thought, just before sleep one night, and it was quite a fanciful thoughts. With hindsight, most can agree that almost all thoughts in sleep/awakeness limbo is fanciful but then hindsight is 20/20. Anyways, I was mulling about how nice it would be to wake up in the morning and instead of going to work to classes, I can go on a trip instead.

So the next day, with the fanciful thought still dominating and hindsight nowhere to be found, I ran a small poll online, found 5 students who had some interest and then proceeded the very next day (still without hindsight) to prepare a proposal for a 2D1N educational excursion to Melaka at the end of the month. And in a record of sort, the bureaucratic multi-layered levels of authority seemed to align in singular thought this once and gave me permission, and a small budget, in a span of one day.

And with that permission, finally came hindsight. And hindsight spoke, 'You will be responsible for up to 40 students in bringing them across 150km and guide them through place after place from 8 in the morning to 10 at night for 2 days and how on earth is this preferable to comfortable office work from 9 to 5?'.

I have to say, I don't like hindsight very much, especially belated ones.

Blogplexing

I've been trying to figure out the reason for blogging. As much fun it is reading other blogs, maintaining 'jumbuck' has been quite challenging of late. Not so much for reasons of time but rather trying to decide what to share.

It used to be easy sharing life stories but in retrospect, it's probably way too revealing than I'm comfortable with now. It appears that most of us do tend to be quite loose with the sharing online, like effects of virtual alcohol. Way back then when the community started with mostly MMU'ians... it was highly therapeutic seeing how teenage angst still persists and the stress of jobs and bills came into play. But I guess now, most of us have settled down somewhat and it likely seems that there's nothing much to share that will be of interest to the rest.

My social bubble has changed quite a bit. I've lost touch with many uni friends and high school friends are geographically distant and basically out of mind. My social connections and lifestyle has changed and I feel that it may be disjointed from what my blogger friends can connect with.

For example, it's hard to relate now to Kotakkosong's rants and raves on capoeira and dance for example. It's her passion but I find it hard to emphatise. And seeing how it's pointless writing to an audience of none, I guess maybe this 'life stories' blogging thing may be running its course.

Furthermore, being in the public domain, well, anyone with enough determination can find you out and basically take a part of your life whether you like it or not. And since I don't believe in self-censorship, it seems ridiculous to have to consider what I say and what I put here.

Anyways, like many other post, this is just a rant. But things considering, probably the last rant for quite a while.

The Biscuit Legacy

I had my Creative Writing class with the youngest kids last night and I made the mistake of telling them about Biscuit in the beginning of the class. The usually rowdy class turned sombre and two girls started crying. They then had a barrage of questions including:

1. Why don't I quit work and stay at home with the rabbits?
2. What did the cat look like?
3. Why don't you go kill the cat?
4. Why don't we kill all cats?

It's definitely heart warming to see them being so involved and touched by Biscuit, even though they see him only once a week. Worse still is that my other 3 rabbits are in depressive mourning, refusing to eat very much and even declining treats. Biscuit the Brave definitely made a mark during his lifetime.

Biscuit the Brave, you will be missed...

On Saturday, July 30 2005, Biscuit, my dear brown bunny died after suffering fatal injuries. Although Biscuit has been with me for only over a year, he has done more for me than any other bunnies I've had.

Biscuit and Dominose was bought to keep my rabbit King Wombat company, after Wombat's brother, Wallaby Wallace the Fourth had to be put to sleep due to a degenerative muscle disease. The meeting between Biscuit, Dominose and Wombat was fraught with challenges. Wombat was in deep depression and the three male rabbits ended up fighting constantly. Biscuit being the biggest was immediately to blame for Wombat's wounds but only after Biscuit was taken out, and the wounds persisted did the real culprit was found, Dominose.

When the three of them were brought up to USJ where they had a bigger run in the backyard, Biscuit aggressively protected Wombat from Dominose, chasing him and even attacking him, while keeping Wombat safe. Sadly though, the severely depressed Wombat never recovered and he soon died from a flu infection.

Biscuit lived an interesting life as a free-roaming outdoor bunny who was very well fed as well as the unofficial mascot of CreativeKids. Every one of the 20+ kids knew Biscuit well. They played with him, asked about him, and he in turn rewarded them by posing quietly for pictures and enjoyed being stroked tremendously. Biscuit may not be very personable with people but he appreciated company and never declined a back rub.

When a friend had two rabbits to give up, I took them in and instantly, Mocha and Caramel became Biscuit's new friends. He took them under his wing, made them comfortable in the new environment and he even shared his meals. Mocha and Caramel, who were very fidgety and stressed from their previous ownership, became bunnies again and the three brown rabbits could always be seen together. After time, the bunny bond strengthened and Mocha and Biscuit became lovers and inseparable in my tiny backyard.

The last week, I suspected that Mocha was due to give birth, as she had ballooned out a bit and was keeping to herself. Plus, Mocha had created a nest for the future babies and even Biscuit was not his usual self.

On Saturday morning, when I went down to feed them, it felt strange that no one came out to greet me. Dominose stood soberly in a corner with the rest all huddled in another. I laid the food out and went towards Biscuit, for his daily morning pat. When I approached him, I knew something was wrong. He was breathing heavily and when I lifted him, he cringed. I've seen the injuries before and I knew he must have fell or jumped too high. Beside him, keeping him company was Mocha and Caramel, faithful to Biscuit till the end. I was still uncertain over the cause of injury but Biscuit was too shocked to be moved, so I patted him one last time, carried him to a more comfortable place and drove to Melaka.

That night, my housemate came home and by then Biscuit had died. But not just that, there was a cat in the backyard as well. Biscuit laid in the middle of the yard, in front on the nest Mocha made. I believed that even with his initial injury, likely due from a cat fight as well, Biscuit braved himself to protect the babies he borned with Mocha. He gave up his life for new life, which unfortunately, was also at the mercy of the cat.

No one will really know what happened or how it happened but I like to believe that Biscuit died fighting. Cats have came in before but the rabbits are too big to be a meal so over the past year and a half, nothing has happened. However, there were never babies before, and the empty abandoned nest which Mocha now stays away from says it all.

I feel in some way, a sense of pride that Biscuit took it upon himself to challenge the cat, and save all the others from danger. He never went to hide or run but stood and fought. None of the other smaller rabbits had any injury, so I know that they were not the reason the cat came. It really is sad that the babies did not survive but I can imagine Biscuit rising against the feline predator and with all his might, doing something very against his rabbit natural instincts and fighting for his family and bunny friends.

I am sure, like me, Mocha and Caramel, and maybe even Dominose will truly miss and fondly remember Biscuit the Brave. He has been buried right beside King Wombat, and maybe in death would they rekindle the friendship they had.

Oh Biscuit... I miss you.

Graduate showcase

As most of you know, the Multimedia and Advertising departments in my college had a graduation showcase for the final semester students. It wasn't a big pomp event but it was well received, neatly done, and served more than what it intended to do, which was to provide an avenue for the students to showcase their works to family and friends and for the industry at large to drop by.

Sharon and Zeke were the assessors and they did intimidate the students quite effectively! It was also great to have a handful of people from the industry coming over, a result of me spamming all the ad and design agencies in the country. Better still, their feedback was quite positive, so overall, it was pretty good.

Here are some photos of the launching ceremony with our internal VIP's on an escorted tour of the works.

Customer Service? What a misnomer...

I have had it up to here with dealing with TM Net's customer service. There was some service interruptions with a few Australian servers and since my studies require me access to those sites, it was quite urgent for me to get it resolved. My first call resulted in being told that it's a local problem (even though I told her that every other of my friends here in Malaysia cannot access the site) and was asked to stupidly clear my cache and recreate my dialler.

Anyways, got peeved so followed up with an email (which usually leads to better feedback since it's verbally expressed and recorded) but it's all a bunch of gibberish. Can you make any sense of the following emails?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does the following paragraph register any logic with any of you?

Referring to the above, kindly note that currently there is a problem in
accessing Australian websites but it has been confirmed if the problem
is on the Australian server with the Streamyx IP or vice versa.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just don't get this. Who on earth will be my server administrator? My problem is
with the darn ISP :P

Referring to your e-mail, kindly be advised to consult with your server 
administrator for further assistance. On behalf of TM Net, we apologise 
for the inconveniences caused.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to say, being polite with these people is pointless. I am just so embarassed
that this company is Malaysian.

Tragedy!!!

Wedding Bells for Sandra Bullock and Jesse James!

July 18, 2005

Movie sweetheart SANDRA BULLOCK, 40, married "Monster Garage" star JESSE JAMES, 35, on Saturday evening, according to her official spokesperson, in a down-home, country wedding!

(read more)

My name is Daniel and I am a...

SHOPAHOLIC! It is quite impossible for me to step into any mall and not buy loads of stuff. It's an illness I tell you. Went to Ikea/Ikano over the weekend to get a couple of chairs and ended up with RM500 worth of goodies. I have no willpower... either that or my credit cards have the ability to possess me.

However, it was 'happy' purchases :) which means no lingering doubt or regret. Got another table for CreativeKids to allow for a slight student expansion for the full classes and two more lamps. I have such a softspot for lights. Just love to have them about the house.

Another soft spot will be books. I can't stop buying them. I now forcibly not left myself wander into PayLess or Popular unless I really really have to. Argh...

Post-mortem

Phew, charity event is finally over... months of drama, escalating tension, shouted arguments, boycotting and a whole lot of mess is finally at an end. I have to say though that the event itself was disappointing to many parties (too few booths and poorly promoted) but for the staff and students, pretty fun. We ended up buying most of the stuff anyways and I frequented this dessert stall so often I got a discount on Day 2. :)

One thing I couldn't understand is that if the total amount of crafts to be sold = X amount and if X amount brings in Y profit, and if Y profit does not equal Z target collection, how can anyone expect the fund raising goals to be met? Were they planning to sell invisible stuff? Perplexing...

..........

On another note, end of semester evaluations are about done and information so far affirms what most of us have suspected. It's going to be disciplinary week plus a fair bit of part-time lecturers are seeing the boot. And lucky me, I get to be the one exercising it. Grumbles...

Art with a Heart Charity Bazaar 2005

My college is organising an arts and crafts charity bazaar themed Art with a Heart this weekend at The Summit USJ. It will kick off tomorrow and end on Sunday, open from 10am - 10pm. Lots of trinkets and stuff to buy plus games to play so if anyone's free, welcome to drop by :)

All proceeds will go towards Rumah Kebajian Orang Tua dan Kanak-Kanak and Charis Home Community Point.

Managing people

Reality of the job struck me today when I had to confront a colleague and address the person based on certain issues arising. Very awkward, very nerve wrecking but had to be done. Feels strange, and it's definitely a steep learning curve but am coping. Am also stepping on many toes along the way. I can't help it I guess... too many things need changing. Hope I don't become like one of those eager-beaver managers my Dad describes as just wanting to change things because they can. Hmm...

Meaning in life

I have a problem, I tend to over-think things and what people say really gets to me. Maybe it's over-sensitivity at work or innate Libran characteristics coming to fore but I'm just really peeved about how easily I'm affected by things around me.

Which is why I just hate watching 'charity' themed shows that are designed to milk sympathy because I will be so guilt-ridden and on the opposite scale, shows on holidays and escapades because then I'll be inclined to spend. Having to stop and think about what you really want and what truly makes you happy is definitely an insightful personal challenge and probably one most of us can never quite figure out.

Way too much thinking for a Monday... groan...

From The Star

The real Michael Soosai

THE picture used in our front-page story entitled 'Cops Under Probe' on Thursday was not of fugitive Michael Soosai, who is alleged to have faked his death.

The Soosai whose picture was used on the front page is currently under restricted residence in Johor under the Emergency Ordinance.

Pictured is the Michael Soosai referred to in our report. We apologise for the error and any embarrassment caused.

> Can you imagine how life must be like for the guy innocently splashed on the front page yesterday? Talk about journalistic integrity...

Relief!!!

Finally... after slogging through a record 20,000 words spread out over no less than 7 reports AND the development of a fully functional online learning environment, I've finished the semester! Phew... I am totally burnt out and am glad for the 1 month reprieve before... groan... it starts all over again BUT for the last time! I only have one more semester to go before I am eligible for degree award. :)

My masters is a 8 unit program meaning 8 modules in all and they use a 7-point CGPA system so variances in grade are more pronounced. I've done 6 and have had results for 5 and up to this point, my CGPA is... PERFECT! Muahahahaha... It will be broken by my crappy 6th module but hopefully the next 2 will be great. I am so aiming for the Dean's award...

(and oh... Jakarta trip is cancelled... hoorah! no worries of bomb threats and kidnappings)

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Fajar is having a mini toy sale and here's what I got:





Another de-stress'ing option from dealing with escalating office politics.

Climbing the corporate ladder

I've moved up one rung in my corporations ladder and for the first time in my working life, I have my own office! It's a decent sized one but the best part is I have space for all my stuff and privacy. A little lonely, since my previous desk was in an open plan environment but should be good. :)

Also, for the first time in my life, I have a sizeable number of people answerable to me. Work has always been with equal colleagues but right now, the entire academic faculty is my responsibility. A little nerve wrecking but a challenge that I'm game for!

Still riding the 'promotion' high but need to ride out the 3 month probation though. It's good though to be able to make your intentions count and actually take action on it. :)

Personality Test

Global Personality Test Results

Stability (18%) low which suggests you are very worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious. Orderliness (56%) moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun. Extraversion (31%) moderately low which suggests you are reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and secretive.

Take Free Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

trait snapshot:

introverted, irritable, feels invisible, observer, depressed, does not enjoy leadership, reveals little about self, dislikes large parties, feels undesirable, does not like to stand out, submissive, suspicious, emotionally sensitive, not a thrill seeker, solitude loving, likes silence, fragile, second guesses self, negative, unadventurous, fearful, weird, focuses on people's hidden motives, paranoid, phobic, dependent, cautious, avoidant, semi intellectual

Croak...

Jakarta here I come...

I am going off to Jakarta next week, amidst a flurry of sound words from my parents regarding the country's state of affairs plus the impending bomb threats. It is quite nerve wrecking, especially when you read the travel advisories online but not something I have a choice in though. There's an education exhibition where we're hoping to tap into the lucrative student market there.

I'm going to have to brush up on my Bahasa and hope it'll get me through the 2 full days of student counselling. Groan...

And on other stuff, my phone line went dead again... 3rd time this year. I am so peeved with Telekoms. Rebranding my %&*@#!!!

Star What? Luke who?

Discovery Channel is showing a series of immensely interesting documentaries about the Science of Star Wars and their everyday interpretations in today's technology. However, the subtitlers Astro hires must be from the prehistoric age... when Darth Maul was mentioned in a scene, the Bahasa Malaysia 'equivalent' is:

"Gloth Moore"

Once again, I really have to say, some people are stupid.

(And I thought TV3's subtitling mistake of calling Apocalypse of the X-Men 'Foker Lips' was stupid enough).

Energizer Bunnies running on empty...

For those not aware, at last count, I have 4 bunnies in my backyard. Like most other bunnies, they are quite souped up and is always hopping and mucking about (interspersed with naps and breaks). They hate being held and will only come to you when they're hungry.

What's strange this morning was when I went out to feed them, they did not crowd around my feet like they always do. Instead I saw them laying out all over the backyard, looking quite spent. Picking them up one by one, they looked and felt ok, but they were just lethargic (or exhausted).

I thought about it a bit and came to the conclusion that last night must have been a bunny orgy fest. (That or a cat came in and chased them about silly, but unlikely since cats will probably eat one up). So bunny orgy fest it is. It must be good to be bunnies sometimes...

Lah...

It's amazing... no matter where the students come from, after just one semester of study here, their conversations will be peppered with 'Lahs', 'Lehs', 'Mahs' and the many other different permutations of our Malaysian interjections :) Something to be proud of?

Also, did anyone read the suggestion by one minister to play the Negaraku before movies are shown in cineplexes? I really am so dumbfounded. Rationale being that the appreciation of the national anthem is waning. Now, waning according to? Some people do things very obviously for attention... must have been sad lonely little kids.