Easter Hols started today.
Even then, I am not entirely excited.
Man, what's wrong with this woman...it's the holidays for goodness sake!
I guess maybe my nerves have been frazzled to an extent where they can no longer differentiate between the good and the bad, the nice and the not so nice...
Dear dear me, I do sound very messed up!
Anyway, it was a good start to the holiday season (though only 3 weeks), as we went out to celebrate a pharm mate's birthday. Had soooo much fun yakking (non-stop), laughing madly (that's me) and dramatising (ooh, that's me too), and basically just having a blast.
It might sound crazy but I have a love-hate relationship with this best pal of mine called fun. I love it because, well, it shouldn't need any explanation, but at the same time I hate it because I get this unbelievably debilitating withdrawal syndrome EVERY TIME I have a good time.
EVERY TIME.
EVERY SINGLE TIME.
It's like I don't want it to end but my conscious mind knows it HAS to end because there's just no way you can have fun all the time...or is there?
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Ain't no other word?
My MSN horoscope for the week. ..
"You are someone who likes to have friends from all over the globe, and you love to explore new cultures, but you can be dogmatic and intractable when it comes to your own personal beliefs and philosophies. Wednesday you may find that your family and friends feel you are becoming too enamored of your personal set of convictions. You might want to consider if your loved ones are right in their assessment. Saturday may signal a time of turning inward for you, and you may question your own motivations. Once you do, you will start on the path to self-fulfillment."
Honestly, what's with this word dogmatic?! I've been described that twice this week, and it's only just Tuesday!
"You are someone who likes to have friends from all over the globe, and you love to explore new cultures, but you can be dogmatic and intractable when it comes to your own personal beliefs and philosophies. Wednesday you may find that your family and friends feel you are becoming too enamored of your personal set of convictions. You might want to consider if your loved ones are right in their assessment. Saturday may signal a time of turning inward for you, and you may question your own motivations. Once you do, you will start on the path to self-fulfillment."
Honestly, what's with this word dogmatic?! I've been described that twice this week, and it's only just Tuesday!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Silly Billy
I went to the post office in town today, and while I was around that area, I decided to pop into Cardiff market to buy some ginger.
Time check. 4.58pm.
There weren't many stalls left who were still open. I hurriedly made my way to the grocery stall and picked my ginger.
"11 pence then please."
I opened my purse, and dug all the coins that I had.
Hmm, 8p.
I deftly zipped the coins compartment and fished out a fiver. Ha, I could give him 1p on top of that so that he'll only have to give me back 4.90 instead of 4.89. Brilliant.
"Here you go."
He looked at me.
"You're joking lass."
"What?"
"I've cashed up now. Ain't got any change."
Yikes. "I don't have any change too."
He walked away to serve the other customer, and seconds later came back to me. Staring in my face.
"Erm, do you know where I could probably get some change for a fiver?" Stupid question but I WANT MY GINGER.
He raised his voice. "Do I like look I'm a mind reader?"
I was expecting him to say "Well, try old John on the opposite aisle" or "how much have you got?".
Not this.
Stunned, I gave my 2 cents. "Well, it's not my fault I don't have any change!"
"So it's my fault then? Yada yada yada"
I didn't hear the rest of it. I walked away.
In hindsight, I had nothing to lose (except to go home without my ginger), but he lost a customer. And many more too, if he's not careful.
Time check. 4.58pm.
There weren't many stalls left who were still open. I hurriedly made my way to the grocery stall and picked my ginger.
"11 pence then please."
I opened my purse, and dug all the coins that I had.
Hmm, 8p.
I deftly zipped the coins compartment and fished out a fiver. Ha, I could give him 1p on top of that so that he'll only have to give me back 4.90 instead of 4.89. Brilliant.
"Here you go."
He looked at me.
"You're joking lass."
"What?"
"I've cashed up now. Ain't got any change."
Yikes. "I don't have any change too."
He walked away to serve the other customer, and seconds later came back to me. Staring in my face.
"Erm, do you know where I could probably get some change for a fiver?" Stupid question but I WANT MY GINGER.
He raised his voice. "Do I like look I'm a mind reader?"
I was expecting him to say "Well, try old John on the opposite aisle" or "how much have you got?".
Not this.
Stunned, I gave my 2 cents. "Well, it's not my fault I don't have any change!"
"So it's my fault then? Yada yada yada"
I didn't hear the rest of it. I walked away.
In hindsight, I had nothing to lose (except to go home without my ginger), but he lost a customer. And many more too, if he's not careful.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
What colour are you?
Thanks to my curiosity, I went to check out this website called colorgenics from a hyperlink a friend made on her blog (maybe I should too, http://www.paulgoldinresearch.com/cg/). I've always had a knack for such random, knock-me-out psychoanalysis and this was no exception.
10 seconds later, this is what I got.
You are a very sensitive person and you try hard (perhaps a little too hard) to make favourable impressions and to be recognised by your peers (ha! Nothing unheard of). But you have that inherent need to feel appreciated and admired and you are easily hurt if all of your endeavours go by unappreciated or not acknowledged. Stop trying so hard.
You are full of stress at this time (haha, I don't think there's a time when this isn't true...:P). It would seem that you are having more than your fair share of trials and tribulations and you are looking for a way out. You are not quite sure which way to go but the advice is - 'Stop trying so hard'. (come on, easier said than done).
There are times of everyone's life when 'compromise' is the name of the game and this is the time, so you have no alternative but to forgo some pleasures for the time being. You are capable of achieving satisfaction through physical activity (such as...?).
The stress and tension that you are experiencing at this time is perhaps due to your inability to achieve security and appreciation from those closest to you. This is resulting in considerable pressures. You find the situation as it stands most frustrating. You are the sort of person that would like to experience all and everything very intensely (wa-lau, spot on man) but unfortunately you are not receiving the warmth and understanding that you feel you are entitled to. Matters are not going too well. You seek a sympathetic ear but it is not forthcoming. This situation is extremely nerve-racking - and what is more humiliating is that no-one seems to care and you are powerless to do anything about it.You are being very dogmatic, insisting that there is to be absolutely no equivocation whatsoever about your achievements and accomplishments.
Thing is, the test could have gone either way. We're asked to click on the colours which we feel we're most at harmony with, and there were 8 of them so we'd have to keep on going until all has been chosen.
I was torn between choosing blue first before yellow, and grey after black. What would happen if I had followed this sequence instead of the first?
Ok, here goes...
You are very ambitious and because you seek and need recognition, you try in your own way to impress people and you want to be looked up to - to be both popular and admired. You feel that there is a gap which separates you from your fellow man, or woman as the case may be, but this anxiety is an unnecessary one. Keep on the way you are going and you may surprise yourself.
You 'need to be needed'. As an idealist you are intolerant of anything short of special consideration from those close to you. If you do not get what you seek you are apt to become reclusive and you will close the doors on all those within your sphere of influence. You wear your heart on your sleeve and since you are an emotional person you are apt to give your all - heart and soul - to all those that show you a little affection; but take care - it would appear that you have been extremely hurt in the past and you keep leaving yourself wide open for punishment.
The stress and tension that you are experiencing at this time is perhaps due to your inability to achieve security and appreciation from those closest to you. This is resulting in considerable pressures. You find the situation as it stands most frustrating. You are the sort of person that would like to experience all and everything very intensely but unfortunately you are not receiving the warmth and understanding that you feel you are entitled to. Matters are not going too well. You seek a sympathetic ear but it is not forthcoming. This situation is extremely nerve-racking - and what is more humiliating is that no-one seems to care and you are powerless to do anything about it.
Matters are not all that they would appear to be and you are critical of the existing conditions which you feel are confused and disorganised. You are therefore looking for a modus operendi which will simplify the situation so that you will be able to see the 'trees in the woods'.
*Jaws wide-open, eyes blinking at computer screen, dumbfounded*
10 seconds later, this is what I got.
You are a very sensitive person and you try hard (perhaps a little too hard) to make favourable impressions and to be recognised by your peers (ha! Nothing unheard of). But you have that inherent need to feel appreciated and admired and you are easily hurt if all of your endeavours go by unappreciated or not acknowledged. Stop trying so hard.
You are full of stress at this time (haha, I don't think there's a time when this isn't true...:P). It would seem that you are having more than your fair share of trials and tribulations and you are looking for a way out. You are not quite sure which way to go but the advice is - 'Stop trying so hard'. (come on, easier said than done).
There are times of everyone's life when 'compromise' is the name of the game and this is the time, so you have no alternative but to forgo some pleasures for the time being. You are capable of achieving satisfaction through physical activity (such as...?).
The stress and tension that you are experiencing at this time is perhaps due to your inability to achieve security and appreciation from those closest to you. This is resulting in considerable pressures. You find the situation as it stands most frustrating. You are the sort of person that would like to experience all and everything very intensely (wa-lau, spot on man) but unfortunately you are not receiving the warmth and understanding that you feel you are entitled to. Matters are not going too well. You seek a sympathetic ear but it is not forthcoming. This situation is extremely nerve-racking - and what is more humiliating is that no-one seems to care and you are powerless to do anything about it.You are being very dogmatic, insisting that there is to be absolutely no equivocation whatsoever about your achievements and accomplishments.
Thing is, the test could have gone either way. We're asked to click on the colours which we feel we're most at harmony with, and there were 8 of them so we'd have to keep on going until all has been chosen.
I was torn between choosing blue first before yellow, and grey after black. What would happen if I had followed this sequence instead of the first?
Ok, here goes...
You are very ambitious and because you seek and need recognition, you try in your own way to impress people and you want to be looked up to - to be both popular and admired. You feel that there is a gap which separates you from your fellow man, or woman as the case may be, but this anxiety is an unnecessary one. Keep on the way you are going and you may surprise yourself.
You 'need to be needed'. As an idealist you are intolerant of anything short of special consideration from those close to you. If you do not get what you seek you are apt to become reclusive and you will close the doors on all those within your sphere of influence. You wear your heart on your sleeve and since you are an emotional person you are apt to give your all - heart and soul - to all those that show you a little affection; but take care - it would appear that you have been extremely hurt in the past and you keep leaving yourself wide open for punishment.
The stress and tension that you are experiencing at this time is perhaps due to your inability to achieve security and appreciation from those closest to you. This is resulting in considerable pressures. You find the situation as it stands most frustrating. You are the sort of person that would like to experience all and everything very intensely but unfortunately you are not receiving the warmth and understanding that you feel you are entitled to. Matters are not going too well. You seek a sympathetic ear but it is not forthcoming. This situation is extremely nerve-racking - and what is more humiliating is that no-one seems to care and you are powerless to do anything about it.
Matters are not all that they would appear to be and you are critical of the existing conditions which you feel are confused and disorganised. You are therefore looking for a modus operendi which will simplify the situation so that you will be able to see the 'trees in the woods'.
*Jaws wide-open, eyes blinking at computer screen, dumbfounded*
Saturday, March 24, 2007
More Than Words
I haven't logged in to MSN Messenger for ages. And when I did today, I saw a couple of worthy quotes displayed on a few friends' profiles and I thought I'd share it with others. Yes yes, I'm a quotes freak!
- I reached the shore! Not that I learnt to swim but I managed to float! -
- When you want to brag, remember that history counts for nothing. -
- Freedom comes with a price and only affordable to those who took the action. -
There's also another one that made me laugh so much I almost fell of the chair."I see, I dig, I jump, I bury" - I roar!
Haha, oklah, I won't reveal who he is (plus I can't think of any nome de plume), so to the person in question (you know who you are), here's wishing you the best in your undertakings! Hang in there bro!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Out in the cold
I had a lecture on anxiolytic sedatives today, and one of the slides had this on it (although I'm still trying to make the link as to why it's there)...
Humans apparently have five physical needs:
•A full, but comfortable, stomach
•Regular bowel movements
•Freely moving, painless limbs and joints
•Sexual gratification
•A good night's sleep
If there's one more thing I can add to the list, it'd be "A warm, body-temperature friendly environment".
This past week has been arctic. As in really freezing. It really puts me off going out, and when I do, I couldn't wait to be back in my room, giving my body a break from shivering. At times like this, I really feel for the homeless. Perched on five-footway begging for money in numbing temperatures...
I guess if you can survive that, you can survive almost anything!
Humans apparently have five physical needs:
•A full, but comfortable, stomach
•Regular bowel movements
•Freely moving, painless limbs and joints
•Sexual gratification
•A good night's sleep
If there's one more thing I can add to the list, it'd be "A warm, body-temperature friendly environment".
This past week has been arctic. As in really freezing. It really puts me off going out, and when I do, I couldn't wait to be back in my room, giving my body a break from shivering. At times like this, I really feel for the homeless. Perched on five-footway begging for money in numbing temperatures...
I guess if you can survive that, you can survive almost anything!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
(Exhale) "Aiyor..."
That has been my signature gesture since the beginning of 3rd year.
Guess it has become too much for Charlene who, when I sat next to her at NLT today, turned to me and said, "Why are you sighing so much?"
Actually, I don't know either. It started off as a response to stress, but I think it's now progressed to a habit, much to the annoyance of others.
It reminds me of this episode of Friends that I watched not too long ago.
Rachel found a pair of undies at Monica's flat and Joey was forced to admit that it was his (although it actually belonged to Chandler) because he had promised to guard the secret that Mon and Chand were dating.
Rachel: "Joey, why are your underpants on the couch?"
Joey: (Shrugs) "Because I'm Joey?"
So the next time someone ever asks me why I sigh a lot, maybe I'll just take my cue from Joey and say, "Because sigher (saya) Adeline?"
Guess it has become too much for Charlene who, when I sat next to her at NLT today, turned to me and said, "Why are you sighing so much?"
Actually, I don't know either. It started off as a response to stress, but I think it's now progressed to a habit, much to the annoyance of others.
It reminds me of this episode of Friends that I watched not too long ago.
Rachel found a pair of undies at Monica's flat and Joey was forced to admit that it was his (although it actually belonged to Chandler) because he had promised to guard the secret that Mon and Chand were dating.
Rachel: "Joey, why are your underpants on the couch?"
Joey: (Shrugs) "Because I'm Joey?"
So the next time someone ever asks me why I sigh a lot, maybe I'll just take my cue from Joey and say, "Because sigher (saya) Adeline?"
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Yes, find me that man!
I like reading the profiles of famous personalities.
That's one of the things I check out in the cyberworld when I have the time. Yeah yeah, I heard you. I am a kei po chi.
This morning, for no apparent reason, I decided to log on to MIX FM's website, with the intention of listening online. But once I got there, I couldn't help but notice Serena C's image on the main page.
Serena C? Doesn't she deejay for HITZ?
Apparently not anymore. My sister told me she's moved over to MIX FM a few months back. She, Ross and Mesh, who used to DJ at HITZ are now colleagues at MIX. What a small world!
I like Serena C's sassy style on air. I think she's a cool DJ. But really, who is she? What's she like? Intrigued, I went to check out her profile and here are some of the interesting anecdotes I pinched, courtesy of mix.fm.
What do you think is your greatest achievement? - Not dying (yet). Hehehe
In the movie of your life, who would you play? - Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (tell me which girl hasn’t dreamt of that?) (agreed 100000x!)
In one word, how would you describe yourself? - Yummy (good one)
How old were you when you fell in love for the first time? - When Ah Kao who sat next to me in class lent me his Buku Latihan. (I nearly fell off the chair laughing)
The place that best reflects your character is......Somewhere between heaven and earth. (well said, girl!)
There are also some I picked out from the profiles of Richard and Ross, the latter of whom is the perfect epitome of "I knew I loved you before I met you". Shh, don't tell his wife though!
Richard
Hobbies or special skills: Getting wet…and doin’ it real deep… Scuba diving lah! (zha do)
Choosing any musician, dead or alive, who would be your ideal band line-up?
Ayoh! Why you make me think so much? (Manglish at its best)
Happiness is...just a word, you have to be it to know it. (wah...so deep :P)
What was your most embarrassing moment? They’re all embarrasing so how? (so Malaysian!)
Ross
How do you spend your nights off? I have no nights off! I have a baby son!!! (aww...)
What would you like to be remembered for the most? A good DJ, Great dad, Solid in midfield! (aww...)
How far would you go to get the attention of someone you liked? Can’t do that anymore. Married. (yalah yalah!)
But of all the witty remarks, I like this the best. It's stunning. Breath-taking. Almost impossible...
Serena C
Happiness is....waking up next to the person you know you’re gonna spend the rest of your life with, basking in his natural scent that you can’t get enough of, and mentally taking down every single detail of that face you love stroking – NOW FIND ME THAT MAN!
YES, FIND ME THAT MAN TOO!
That's one of the things I check out in the cyberworld when I have the time. Yeah yeah, I heard you. I am a kei po chi.
This morning, for no apparent reason, I decided to log on to MIX FM's website, with the intention of listening online. But once I got there, I couldn't help but notice Serena C's image on the main page.
Serena C? Doesn't she deejay for HITZ?
Apparently not anymore. My sister told me she's moved over to MIX FM a few months back. She, Ross and Mesh, who used to DJ at HITZ are now colleagues at MIX. What a small world!
I like Serena C's sassy style on air. I think she's a cool DJ. But really, who is she? What's she like? Intrigued, I went to check out her profile and here are some of the interesting anecdotes I pinched, courtesy of mix.fm.
What do you think is your greatest achievement? - Not dying (yet). Hehehe
In the movie of your life, who would you play? - Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (tell me which girl hasn’t dreamt of that?) (agreed 100000x!)
In one word, how would you describe yourself? - Yummy (good one)
How old were you when you fell in love for the first time? - When Ah Kao who sat next to me in class lent me his Buku Latihan. (I nearly fell off the chair laughing)
The place that best reflects your character is......Somewhere between heaven and earth. (well said, girl!)
There are also some I picked out from the profiles of Richard and Ross, the latter of whom is the perfect epitome of "I knew I loved you before I met you". Shh, don't tell his wife though!
Richard
Hobbies or special skills: Getting wet…and doin’ it real deep… Scuba diving lah! (zha do)
Choosing any musician, dead or alive, who would be your ideal band line-up?
Ayoh! Why you make me think so much? (Manglish at its best)
Happiness is...just a word, you have to be it to know it. (wah...so deep :P)
What was your most embarrassing moment? They’re all embarrasing so how? (so Malaysian!)
Ross
How do you spend your nights off? I have no nights off! I have a baby son!!! (aww...)
What would you like to be remembered for the most? A good DJ, Great dad, Solid in midfield! (aww...)
How far would you go to get the attention of someone you liked? Can’t do that anymore. Married. (yalah yalah!)
But of all the witty remarks, I like this the best. It's stunning. Breath-taking. Almost impossible...
Serena C
Happiness is....waking up next to the person you know you’re gonna spend the rest of your life with, basking in his natural scent that you can’t get enough of, and mentally taking down every single detail of that face you love stroking – NOW FIND ME THAT MAN!
YES, FIND ME THAT MAN TOO!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
The Devil Wears Power
For some time now, I realise I've been manipulated by a creature I don't have a name for (or rather, I refuse to give acknowledgement to). And it's taking charge of my life instead of me.
But I guess I better clear the haze up in case you think I've been possessed or something similar.
Choi choi choi. Tai Kat Lai See.
This devil without a face is in fact a combo of procrastination, laziness, weakness and everything little thing that antagonises my efforts to be industrious, productive, and erm, wholesome.
Ok, take Thursday for example. I said I was gonna go to Crwys+Albany Road to do only 2 things, that was to send my jacket for dry cleaning and go food shopping at Tesco's. But surprise surprise, I wondered into Peacocks, Woolworth's and those nice little shops at Central Road, and ended up spending money and wasting time for something I don't need!
And when I was at Tesco's, I promised myself I will only buy healthy food this time around, but hey ho, the 'buy one get one free' Doritos offer was too much to pass so I greedily stuffed them into my basket. On my way to the check out counter, I couldn't resist those lovely strawberries at the fruits aisle, so I decided to buy 2 boxes.
Looking across the fruits aisle, I saw the dairy section, and a fattylicious thought struck me.
I could have it with cream! That would be heavenly, wouldn't it? You'd think the image of my arteries being clogged up would have kept me away from it but ha! Temptations have a way of blinding even the most sensible of souls. I now understand why some of my lecturers continue to smoke even though they know the hazards that come with it.
It's all to do with WILLPOWER baby!
Usually, when I'm walking alone, I'd think of songs to sing in my head that would make the journey less boring, but the entire walk back from Albany Road that day was filled with only one thought...
"When is the best time to have my yummy dessert? Tell me Quando Quando Quando!"
Sigh...
Then yesterday, I had plans to do up my notes on histamine and asthma, but upon seeing I have a new DVD dispatched to me by LoveFilm, I couldn't say no. Failed miserably to contain myself so I spent the evening watching Miss Congeniality 2, which was quite good as far as sequeals go. Found it funnier than the first. Ok I know iMDB users only rated it 4.8, but I don't like to trust that website because come on, they rated the Godfather 9.1. How extreme is that? Ok fine, I've not watched the whole film but I fell asleep in the first 5 minutes so that is a testament of how "good" the movie is in my books.
Haha, as if watching the movie hadn't make me feel guilty enough, I had my 'strawberry with cream' dessert to go with it. What a double dose of sins!
Oh dear dear. This has got to stop.
Like what Gracie Hart says, "I need to wake up and smell the machiatto".
I really do.
And I'm not going to give it to the devil. Anymore!
But I guess I better clear the haze up in case you think I've been possessed or something similar.
Choi choi choi. Tai Kat Lai See.
This devil without a face is in fact a combo of procrastination, laziness, weakness and everything little thing that antagonises my efforts to be industrious, productive, and erm, wholesome.
Ok, take Thursday for example. I said I was gonna go to Crwys+Albany Road to do only 2 things, that was to send my jacket for dry cleaning and go food shopping at Tesco's. But surprise surprise, I wondered into Peacocks, Woolworth's and those nice little shops at Central Road, and ended up spending money and wasting time for something I don't need!
And when I was at Tesco's, I promised myself I will only buy healthy food this time around, but hey ho, the 'buy one get one free' Doritos offer was too much to pass so I greedily stuffed them into my basket. On my way to the check out counter, I couldn't resist those lovely strawberries at the fruits aisle, so I decided to buy 2 boxes.
Looking across the fruits aisle, I saw the dairy section, and a fattylicious thought struck me.
I could have it with cream! That would be heavenly, wouldn't it? You'd think the image of my arteries being clogged up would have kept me away from it but ha! Temptations have a way of blinding even the most sensible of souls. I now understand why some of my lecturers continue to smoke even though they know the hazards that come with it.
It's all to do with WILLPOWER baby!
Usually, when I'm walking alone, I'd think of songs to sing in my head that would make the journey less boring, but the entire walk back from Albany Road that day was filled with only one thought...
"When is the best time to have my yummy dessert? Tell me Quando Quando Quando!"
Sigh...
Then yesterday, I had plans to do up my notes on histamine and asthma, but upon seeing I have a new DVD dispatched to me by LoveFilm, I couldn't say no. Failed miserably to contain myself so I spent the evening watching Miss Congeniality 2, which was quite good as far as sequeals go. Found it funnier than the first. Ok I know iMDB users only rated it 4.8, but I don't like to trust that website because come on, they rated the Godfather 9.1. How extreme is that? Ok fine, I've not watched the whole film but I fell asleep in the first 5 minutes so that is a testament of how "good" the movie is in my books.
Haha, as if watching the movie hadn't make me feel guilty enough, I had my 'strawberry with cream' dessert to go with it. What a double dose of sins!
Oh dear dear. This has got to stop.
Like what Gracie Hart says, "I need to wake up and smell the machiatto".
I really do.
And I'm not going to give it to the devil. Anymore!
Monday, March 12, 2007
A Syioking Weekend
Oh how I hate thee...
As much as I LOVE having fun, I also hate it when the fun stops and I have to force myself to get back to reality. There's nothing worse than having to endure heart-breaking withdrawal syndrome!
I left for Birmingham on Friday after a head-spinning week (imagine having lectures, labs, workshops, and a coursework plus a test due on the same day). It was a relief to be past that now but the test was shite. Can't remember the last time I felt so hopeless about my performance (hmm, actually I think I do - it was the PH2106 exam last autumn which until today I don't know how I managed to pass). The PK test on Friday was so depressing that I thanked God there was something to take my mind off it soon after I finished.
And that was what brought me to Birmingham.
The sports enthusiasts among you might have guessed that it was for the All England Badminton Championships but not to worry if you didn't. Just as long as you remember 11th March as the day we made history by winning the MEN'S DOUBLES event in 25 years!
This whole talk about going to All England started way back last year, when I thought my Brummie friend (correction, my Malaysian friend studying in Brum) was going to graduate this summer. Decided to ambil kesempatan and made him buy me the tickets the moment it was out for sale (yes yes, Adeline the Kanjiong Queen :D). And thanks to Anson's efforts, I was there to witness a weekend full of world-class badminton!
I was quite lucky - in that the matches that were played after I reached NIA on Friday evening - were those which featured the Malaysian team in action (matches started at 5 but I only got there at about 7.30). Tan Fook and Wan Wah were leading in the second set against the Danes but they lost at the end, going down in 3 sets. After that, it was Kien Keat and Boon Heong who took on the never-say-die Koreans which saw them win in straight sets to book a place in the semis. To add icing to the cake, our women's doubles team did us proud by beating the 4th seeds to reach the semis, which I believe is a first for the women shuttlers in the entire history of Malaysian badminton. Too bad Mew Choo couldn't join her compatriots as she lost to the aging Zhang Ning who - despite her age - is still winning matches (way to go girl).
The semis ensued without any hiccups on Saturday, and I guess it was time the spectators sat up and took notice of this small but proud nation. The Malaysian fans literally took NIA by storm with our ever feverish Malaysia Boleh chant throughout the match in which KK and BH demolished the Danes (who beat WW and TF the day before). Many Jalur Gemilangs were hung or draped with so much pride that no one could deny our presence even if they felt compelled to.
Badminton wise, KK and BH played exceptionally well (imho). They were so calm that the Danes were making a hill of unforced errors which gave the game away! Anyway, who cares lah, their loss is our gain!
Unfortunately, Pei Tty and Ee Hui couldn't repeat the feat of their male counterparts and went down tamely to a Chinese pair. It would be nice to have a non-China representation in the women's event for a change, as it is becoming more and more of a stalemate if you don't mind me saying!
Think about this. If a badminton fan like me woke up on Sunday morning with butterflies in my stomach, you can imagine the gamut of emotions that the players actually go through on the day of the finals.
Men's singles was played first, and Lin Dan won against his team-mate whose name I forgot (sorry mate, it was an all-China final). I was praying and hoping that the Men's Doubles event would be the last to be played so that I wouldn't walk out of the stadium an hour after reaching, but no, they were up next. The lunch that I had bought earlier had to be put aside because I was too nervous to eat. Honest. Adrenaline was pumping in every single blood vessel of mine and it was no wonder my heart was beating at 200 bpm. Ying Yie, Anson's friend who I met at Brum that weekend, had to calm me down as I grew quite tensed. And if you had seen me on Sunday, you wouldn't have thought that the idiot who was shouting and screaming at every opportunity was actually your friend Mun aka Adeline. Positive, without a doubt.
But in my defense, every self-respecting Malaysian was cheering on KK and BH with Malaysia Boleh and you'd be losing out if you didn't follow suit!
Haha, I think it was more of the nerves talking than anything else to be honest!!!
Our opponents in the finals were top seeds and World Number One Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. Our players started the set superbly with well thought out shuttle placement and lightning reflexes, which drove the Chinese pair in circles, forcing many shots into the net. We won the first set quite comfortably but had to stifle a minor comeback from the opponents in the second before sealing off the championship point in style. No prizes for guessing who went wild on the last point :)
As much as I LOVE having fun, I also hate it when the fun stops and I have to force myself to get back to reality. There's nothing worse than having to endure heart-breaking withdrawal syndrome!
I left for Birmingham on Friday after a head-spinning week (imagine having lectures, labs, workshops, and a coursework plus a test due on the same day). It was a relief to be past that now but the test was shite. Can't remember the last time I felt so hopeless about my performance (hmm, actually I think I do - it was the PH2106 exam last autumn which until today I don't know how I managed to pass). The PK test on Friday was so depressing that I thanked God there was something to take my mind off it soon after I finished.
And that was what brought me to Birmingham.
The sports enthusiasts among you might have guessed that it was for the All England Badminton Championships but not to worry if you didn't. Just as long as you remember 11th March as the day we made history by winning the MEN'S DOUBLES event in 25 years!
This whole talk about going to All England started way back last year, when I thought my Brummie friend (correction, my Malaysian friend studying in Brum) was going to graduate this summer. Decided to ambil kesempatan and made him buy me the tickets the moment it was out for sale (yes yes, Adeline the Kanjiong Queen :D). And thanks to Anson's efforts, I was there to witness a weekend full of world-class badminton!
I was quite lucky - in that the matches that were played after I reached NIA on Friday evening - were those which featured the Malaysian team in action (matches started at 5 but I only got there at about 7.30). Tan Fook and Wan Wah were leading in the second set against the Danes but they lost at the end, going down in 3 sets. After that, it was Kien Keat and Boon Heong who took on the never-say-die Koreans which saw them win in straight sets to book a place in the semis. To add icing to the cake, our women's doubles team did us proud by beating the 4th seeds to reach the semis, which I believe is a first for the women shuttlers in the entire history of Malaysian badminton. Too bad Mew Choo couldn't join her compatriots as she lost to the aging Zhang Ning who - despite her age - is still winning matches (way to go girl).
The semis ensued without any hiccups on Saturday, and I guess it was time the spectators sat up and took notice of this small but proud nation. The Malaysian fans literally took NIA by storm with our ever feverish Malaysia Boleh chant throughout the match in which KK and BH demolished the Danes (who beat WW and TF the day before). Many Jalur Gemilangs were hung or draped with so much pride that no one could deny our presence even if they felt compelled to.
Badminton wise, KK and BH played exceptionally well (imho). They were so calm that the Danes were making a hill of unforced errors which gave the game away! Anyway, who cares lah, their loss is our gain!
Unfortunately, Pei Tty and Ee Hui couldn't repeat the feat of their male counterparts and went down tamely to a Chinese pair. It would be nice to have a non-China representation in the women's event for a change, as it is becoming more and more of a stalemate if you don't mind me saying!
Think about this. If a badminton fan like me woke up on Sunday morning with butterflies in my stomach, you can imagine the gamut of emotions that the players actually go through on the day of the finals.
Men's singles was played first, and Lin Dan won against his team-mate whose name I forgot (sorry mate, it was an all-China final). I was praying and hoping that the Men's Doubles event would be the last to be played so that I wouldn't walk out of the stadium an hour after reaching, but no, they were up next. The lunch that I had bought earlier had to be put aside because I was too nervous to eat. Honest. Adrenaline was pumping in every single blood vessel of mine and it was no wonder my heart was beating at 200 bpm. Ying Yie, Anson's friend who I met at Brum that weekend, had to calm me down as I grew quite tensed. And if you had seen me on Sunday, you wouldn't have thought that the idiot who was shouting and screaming at every opportunity was actually your friend Mun aka Adeline. Positive, without a doubt.
But in my defense, every self-respecting Malaysian was cheering on KK and BH with Malaysia Boleh and you'd be losing out if you didn't follow suit!
Haha, I think it was more of the nerves talking than anything else to be honest!!!
Our opponents in the finals were top seeds and World Number One Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. Our players started the set superbly with well thought out shuttle placement and lightning reflexes, which drove the Chinese pair in circles, forcing many shots into the net. We won the first set quite comfortably but had to stifle a minor comeback from the opponents in the second before sealing off the championship point in style. No prizes for guessing who went wild on the last point :)
I think part of the reason why Ying Yie and I went ballistic (ooh, a pun unintentionally intended) was because we both fancied KK. Aiyar, don't roll your eyes lah, we all know cute guys are a sight to behold :P, no? I was lucky enough to congratulate KK and BH when they did their lap of honour after receiving the prizes, but I must say, I was a bit put off by my man's expressionless reaction when I went over to shake his hand and said congratulations. He looked at me rather dazedly and managed to only nod slightly as I gave him an arm-breaking "well done mate" hand-shake. I mean, what the hell?! You just won the All England championship for goodness sake...you're supposed to be feeling on top of the world!
Or maybe he was just shell-shocked. Either by the win or my beauty, oops my enthusiasm, only he knows...
Funnily enough, I actually stayed on to watch the rest of the matches before heading to New Street station to catch my train back in the evening. I guess I needed time to finish my unfinished lunch which I had abandoned some 40mins ago :) The all-China women's doubles was surprisingly an interesting match because both pairs wanted to win badly. It certainly wasn't like the men's singles final, which was more of an exhibition match than real competition.
Then came the highlight of the day, or what Ying Yie accurately described as 'war'. England had a finalist in the mixed doubles event and the spectators were naturally thrilled to have a representation in a competition blatantly dominated by Asians (and Scandinavians to a little extent). Donna Kellogg and Anthony Clark did the St George proud by reaching their first All England final, and they gave the locals something to cheer for, which they did with utmost pride and passion. China's Gao Ling and Zheng Bo were obviously the favourites to win, but they were sadly a shadow of their true selfs in the first set. They just couldn't find their rhythm and nothing was going for them. Nonetheless, they came back strongly in the second set to force the match into a rubber. Eventually, they got their groove back and proved too strong for the English who were, if I may add, a little unlucky to have been the runners-up.
So that was it. My exhilirating, lung-stretching, adrenaline-rushing weekend. I guess the phrase "time flies when you're having fun" couldn't have been more apt even if a little cliched.
A note to 2007: promise me there's more of this to come!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
International Women's Day
I call myself a feminist at heart but when asked about what it truly means to be a woman, I never quite know what to say. It begs the question of what is it about women (beyond obvious anatomical differences) that is different from men?
Someday I shall give it more thought and hopefully it'll do my sex justice.
While we're at this topic, this Madonna track came to mind...
Girls can wear jeans
And cut their hair short
Wear shirts and boots
Cause it's OK to be a boy
But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading
'Cause you think that being a girl is degrading
But secretly you'd love to know what it's like
Wouldn't you? What it feels like for a girl.
Silky smooth
Lips as sweet as candy,
Tight blue jeans
Skin that shows in patches
Strong inside but you don't know it
Good little girls they never show it
When you open up your mouth to speak
Could you be a little weak?
Do you know what it feels like for a girl?
Do you know what it feels like in this world, for a girl?
Hair that twirls on finger tips so gently
Hands that rest on jutting hips repenting
Hurt that's not supposed to show
And tears that fall when no one knows
When you're trying hard to be your best
Could you be a little less?
On a separate note, pls tell me I'm not the only heterosexual female who thinks Madge looks v hot on the latest Elle Mag's cover??!!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
PK
All non-pharms should be glad they're not doing a ridiculously abstract subject called PK (short for Pharmacokinetics).
I don't mean to swear but it really is PK!
%&*^!!!
I don't mean to swear but it really is PK!
%&*^!!!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Lazy Sunday...not
This is THE day I'd want to be snuggling under my comfy duvet and sleep the day away. Let the wind and rain fight all they want out there, for I have my radiator emanating warmth from within...
Although I didn't think I did badly, I don't fancy my chances that much. Why? Well...I don't know...just gut feeling. Plus, just as I left the room I remembered that I forgot to give the patient lifestyle advice, so there we go, a few marks down the drain for not thinking on my feet.
In summary, it's been a good run. Hopefully the streak will extend to Manchester, but if not, I'd be proud to hang my head up high knowing that I've done my best and lessons learned will be remembered for the future.
Sigh, what a pity that wasn't to be had.
Woke up at 8ish this morning and took a 2hr train to Birmingham for McNeil's Responding to Symptoms competition semi-finals at Aston University. The school round was held sometime in December and I emerged as the first prize winner (hence being given the chance to represent Cardiff to compete with other pharm students through out the country for a place in the finals). Essentially, we were tested on our ability to source out information from the patient (role played, obviously) who was presenting a symptom at the pharmacy counter, and were subsequently judged on how well we counselled them on the treatment recommended (if any). It's organised by BPSA (Pharm Assoc of GB) and sponsored by McNeil Ltd. There were 16 semi-finalists in total, and only 4 will be chosen to enter the finals in Manchester next month.Although I didn't think I did badly, I don't fancy my chances that much. Why? Well...I don't know...just gut feeling. Plus, just as I left the room I remembered that I forgot to give the patient lifestyle advice, so there we go, a few marks down the drain for not thinking on my feet.
In summary, it's been a good run. Hopefully the streak will extend to Manchester, but if not, I'd be proud to hang my head up high knowing that I've done my best and lessons learned will be remembered for the future.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
What to eat?
Pics sourced from fotosearch.comThis week, like the past 20 weeks since the start of 3rd year, has been suffocating. Been busy with uni work, uni work, AND uni work. Oh, have I mentioned UNI WORK?
So much so I've been skipping meals of late...
Well, okay, maybe not entirely. I should probably rephrase "skipping meals" with snacking, before everyone else starts lecturing me on the importance of healthy eating, especially mama dearest!
I have been eating, rest assured, just that it's not such wholesome food. I usually have rice for dinner, complete with meat and veg but lately it's been conveniently substituted with crisps, biscuits, cereal bar, Kit Kat (er gotta finish them soon coz they're all expiring in March) and yes, chocolate cake last night, which in my defense couldn't be helped due to circumstances. It was a floormate's birthday and we celebrated her big day with a self-baked choc chip cake. Imagine the guilt after the 2 slices that I greedily helped myself with!
Frankly speaking, I don't think it's hecticness that has driven me to such measures, it's also the very baffling "what should I eat?" decision that I find troublesome to make. God forgive me for being such a brat, I mean there are millions of people out there dying of starvation and here I am, complaining about WHAT to eat, honestly Adeline, get a grip.
But it is a tough call don't you think, especially for someone who's not a good cook in the first place...
Wuu-huu, sick of eating bread dee lah...day in day out sarnie... *shudder*...such is the ang moh lunch culture for ya...*sob sob* give me wan tan mee, hokkien mee, chee cheong fun, rojak, nasi lemak, chap fan, and my mom's cooking, which is what I missed the most, above everything else!
p/s: Any simple and healthy lunch/dinner ideas I can try out?
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