A Kick in the Arse

I refer to my uni timetable that is.

I was of the mistaken belief that I would only require one lecture per unit, and as such, I was all set for free days galore. [two, to be exact]
Then I asked the lecturer whether these lectures were compulsory lectures or repeats. The little fairy-land I had managed to build around myself in my euphoria, slowly crumbled away to ashes, dust, fire and hell when I heard the answer.
So now I have no free days, and one random little lecture in the middle of Thursday. Which more or less takes out 5 hours of my life to travel, listen to the lecture and get back home again.

Uni so far has been alright. People are amazed that we have thing like a 'film class' [only for amazing english students like me though]. On the bad side, it ends at 5pm...thankfully, it only lasts for about three weeks. People are even more shocked once I reveal that watching part of the 'Simpsons' series is included in the film class. One would think we watch more intellectually stimulating movies at university, but apparently not.

Nothing much else to write. But that really is my kick in the arse for the week. =)

Mishy <3

A New Beginning

Tomorrow is the first day of university. The 23rd of February is the day that the University of Western Australia officially opens.

NERVOUS!

What was pure excitement during Orientation Week has slowly dribbled away into pure nervousness.

I have a good timetable. Or as good as one can get it to be in any case. Classes on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, but I have Wednesday and Thursday off for me to relax, finish assignments, go to work, etc.

I'm crazily nervous for tomorrow. Because I don't know anyone who's doing the Arts or more specifically the Communications degree with me.
I envy people who've got the most amazing verbal communication skills because they can get places.
Sure, I'm doing the Communications degree. But my skill lies in my writing. Not necessarily in my speech. Certainly not in my social skills.
It feels as though I've been getting through by relying on one friend. Who has the most amazing verbal communication skills. And he's not even doing communications!

I'm rambling on. But it made me have a think through today. It made me wonder if I knew what I was doing, and whether it was the right thing.

University is a new beginning. For me. For a lot of people. The gateway to a life you never knew existed or could exist.

The future depends on it.

Most of it would be my own fault. I don't know how to relate to people. Small talk is a mission for me. I read a health article where the writer advises you to look out for symptoms of Aspergers in yourself or in your child.

I've decided that I'm slightly 'Aspergic'.

But whatever. New beginning.

I just hope I make the most of it.

Mishy <3

O-Day Festival '09

This is the day that culminates an entire week's worth of information session, events and crazy meet ups that is UWA's O-Week.

And it's been an absolute blast! Well, O-Day has been I guess. Some of the FACFind Days were a little dreary. This week alone, I've been heading to uni every single day of the week. It does get rather tiring.

Ironically enough, although most of my interest lies with my Communications course, I know more people doing Commerce, Engineering, Science, Medicine and Architecture than I do the people doing Arts!

First up - I had to go for the Commencement Ceremony where we received our...*drum roll* commemorative keyring! *crash cymbals*
Somehow, the words 'commemorative' and 'keyring' simply don't go together. I at least expected a statue. A plague. But a keyring??

Meanwhile, I have been conned into joining almost 6 clubs during the UWA O-Day today.
Okay, so I intentionally joined the Malaysian Student's Union and will hopefully be going after the AIESEC organisation. However, I was most definitely conned by the Singaporean Student's Society, sorely tempted by the ASIA group[and eventually gave in], amazed by the United Nations Youth Organisation and rather daringly pointed at and dragged to the Arts Union.

Okay, so maybe the others weren't such a waste of time. But the Arts Union maybe was. And I wasn't kidding about the SSS since they more or less hijacked me and my friends and wouldn't let us go till we joined.
Most clubs were giving out 'freebies' as well. Take MSU, who included a pack of Indomie in their goodie bag. My dad is of the great belief that I was won over by a simple pack of Indomie. I told him I wasn't 'simply bribed' by the Indomie because I had no idea that we were getting freebies. If I'd known, I would've haggled for a pack of Maggi Mee first. Like any ordinary Malaysian would.

All in all, a good week. My shoulders are hurting from all the freebies the clubs gave us. Although the Guild has more or less managed to dosh out my lunch in that time span.
So thanks to the Guild. =)

Mishy <3

O-Week [Day 1]

Okay. So uni orientation week has officially begun.

My feet are tired, hehe. And I've never met so many Malaysians and Singaporeans in Perth before in my life!

The day began with a 'Big Breakfast'. I have no idea what kind of meal I was expecting to be honest, but we were served with a piece of flour-like thing that slightly resembled a pancake. Or, well, they said it was a pancake. That came with honey. Which definitely tasted better than the so-called 'pancake' did.

Later, we moved on to the 'O-Quest' where we were made to go on some random treasure hunt a la 'Amazing Race'. I was grouped in with a bunch of lovely people, thankfully. And from there, we raced across [or rather, slowly strolled across] the campus answering questions and partaking in all kinds of random group activities. Such as the one where we had to form the letters U-W-A [no prizes for guessing why] with our bodies. *Leow attempted to convince our Senior student that by forming the letters with a pile of leaves, he was using his body anyway. He also attempted to convince her that the whole group using their hands would definitely still count as using our bodies. To no avail, and after several minutes of debate, we finally settled into this shape:

Yeah, it might've just been easier to get to this stage without all the fuss and bother, lol.

If you can't make it out entirely, it IS meant to be a U-W-A. Not very nicely made though.

Then there was a free lunch. Which, after the episode at breakfast, I decided not to partake in because really, the half-hour long wait wasn't worth it. Mind you, they were serving freshly barbequed hotdogs, so not as bad as expected.

After, I was about to head home, but was persuaded by unyielding friends to stay for UniMentor. Even though I didn't sign up. But I headed on down anyway. I'm glad I did actually, cuz my mentor's cool and actually really helpful. Not that I realised this before. :P Anyone heading to UWA, I actually recommend it. I didn't realise I had so many unanswered questions until I was forced to go to the session and have a talk. So yes. Go. regardless of whether you want to or not. Cuz you might find that you actually need it.

Anyway, that's Day One over. Next day, here I come. =)

Mishy <3

Single's Awareness Day

Just for you all to know - I am going to be slightly emo again.

But on a good basis. I mean, if I were attached, I'd be celebrating Valentine's Day. But I'm single, so it's Single's Awareness Day.

Like everyone else, I believe it's all just a commercial farce. And who can argue? If you loved someone, you wouldn't only be showing it once a year. And if you're one of those people who do believe that you can only show affection once a year, it's a miracle you've still got your partner with you.
I mean, just looking at the price of roses jump during the February month is killer! My aunt has a rose bush, growing in her garden. And a little boy of about 12 knocked on her door and asked her if he could have one of her roses because he wanted it for his girlfriend.

His girlfriend!

Dude...you're TWELVE!
Okay, maybe I shouldn't be so shocked, this is Australia and we are a new generation.

Twelve!

For Valentine's Day, I am celebrating it spectacularly with...a day at work!! Hoorah!

Not.

But because Lotterywest decided to hop on board the commercial bandwagon on Valentine's Day, I will be forced to endure near death conditions at work serving people who are desperate to buy the winning tickets for the 14 Million Mega Draw on Valentine's Day.
I love the staff at work, don't get me wrong. I work with great people. But I am not happy about serving some smelly customers who don't know how to queue.

Geez, it sounds a lot like China.

And we at work have risen to the occassion by dressing up in red and white for V-Day. Come one, come all. We promise to entertain the masses. :P

Hmm, interesting thought. How nice of Lotterywest to set the prize pool at 14 million on the 14th of February.

On the other hand, this day is probably a good excuse to consume chocolate. How many women don't like chocolate, it's almost imposible to find one who doesn't! Funny though, how attached women try not to eat chocolate for fear of getting fat, but single ones eat chocolate to get through their non-attached depression. Irony much?
So really, why do men still give their girlfriends chocolate on Valentine's Day?

Moral of the story - Don't waste, give your chocolate to single women!!

But yes, Happy Valentine's Day to those who are attached. And Happy Single's Awareness Day for those who are otherwise.

Mishy <3

Friday the 13th [of February]

Woe is us.

Well, nothing bad has happened to me today, but I guess I'd better not say anything, cuz it might catch up with me tomorrow instead!

Sad to say March the 13th also falls on a Friday.

Hopefully, this means that if I have to work on a Friday next month, almost no one will come to buy lottery and will stick with the safer cards. I hear heaven calling already.

Well, orientation week [or O-Week as it's called at UWA] starts next week on Monday. Which is good. Because the four walls of the house are starting to get all too familiar. I'm starting to wonder what it'll be like and whether I'll be able to cope. I mean, I'm no stranger to having to cope with making friends. But come on. This is university. Not school anymore.
Needless to say, school and university are two very different ball games. We're taking the difference between cricket and baseball. [for people who don't follow sports at all, there is a substantial difference I assure you]
Yeah, I do know some people who are going. But not nearly enough though. And not the people I'm all that close to either. Make closer friends? That's difficult though.

I'm going globetrotting again. I'm not that excited. Again.
Some people will have already guessed what I'm on about. But ah well.
I'll see. I can't wait to start eating and going out again. :P

14 Million Superdraw on tomorrow. I can hardly wait.

Mishy <3

Going Back

So.

I'm going back to school tomorrow morning.

Shock. Horror. Nauseated face.

Not for a bad reason at all to be honest. Certainly, I'm not repeating Year 12 again. [the Good Lord forbid...] And I've definitely returned all my library books. :P

Nope, I'm going back for a 'Welcome Assembly'. Or a 'Come-back-and-brag to-the-School' Assembly as I like to call it. I don't want to do the bragging, but I do want to see friends again, especially since it's been a while. :P

Then I've got an entire day of work to look forward to. Whoop-dee-doo. But working Wednesday is great, so I'm not overly bothered. :P

AUD$40 Million draw tonight...who will win...?

ME?

Wishful thinking.

Oh my, I'm turning into a gambler! Mustn't play with lottery. Gambling, bad, very bad. Must...resist...urge...

Oh who'm I kidding. 40 million bucks!

And you're not going to win it.

I'm happy to win 50 dollars so that I can reimburse all my lost money when I spent it shopping.

That's what all the gamblers say.

No they don't!

Yes they do.

Oh alright, maybe. Some. So what?

Stop gambling!

Working at the lottery store is a dangerous gamble.

Pun not entirely intended.

Mishy <3

...On Being Emo

Okay. So I've been kinda sorta depressed for a while. Not that anyone knew that.

Crazy things've been happening, and they're all things I obviously have no control over.

So first up - Ms. Rames's death.
She was the Malay HoD, back at my old school in Malaysia, and she passed away due to a stroke if I'm not wrong.
I didn't know her well. She was never a teacher of mine. But she was a strong woman, who did things with great dignity, and I felt it during my time there. Her death came as a great shock to me, personally. Because I had no idea that she had any medical problems at all. But then again, I haven't been a part of the school for years now. Nontheless, any kind of death upsets me, even though I believe that we all go to a better place when we pass on. I guess it's just the shock that 'so-and-so' woke up one morning, only to pass away tragically. Or another scenario I always imagine is 'so-and-so' going to sleep and never waking up the next day. I get more upset whenever it's someone I know, however distantly related.

Whatever. I just don't like death.

Next up - Australia's kooky weather.
And I take this on a more personal level cuz it's threatening me too! Rising floods in the North East and raging bush fires in the South East. I can't imagine what's happening to everyone there.
Most of Victoria is being destroyed by fire after fire. When I watched the special news reports on raging bushfires in Australia just now, the latest was that an 80 kilometer wall of flame was headed for one of the towns in Victoria. Eighty kilometers. Who's going to be able to escape that quickly now?!
And then there's Queensland, battling wave after wave of floods. And now threats of crocodile attacks in the flood waters? I knew there had to be one con of living right next to the Great Barrier Reef.
And of course, Perth is getting by quite nicely without too many disruptions. [as usual...*sigh*] But we're still getting bushfires, such as the one in King's Park. And the one at Whiteman's Park. [both lit by humans, the buggers] And then the one closeby to my house. My house. I'm starting to freak out, and wonder where I should run and whether I can take anything and what would happen if both my parents are out of the house [which occurs rather frequently] and are unable to drive us outta there quick. Especially since I live right next to bushland! Hmm, better start getting my sneakers ready...

Also there - New immigration regulations against Zimbabweans.
So. I had high hopes for one of my friends, *Monzi a Zimbabwean girl, in joining me down here. I've missed the girls from South Africa, and having even one from the pack around would be thrilling.
But guess what? The government's being difficult now. Apparently all Zimbabweans must now have a sponsor who is a relative and a resident in Australia who owns over AUD120000 in order for the student to come here. And not to be crude, but my friend and I both realised that it was because the Aussie government is afraid that Zimbos will come as students, and then refuse to leave, claiming status as refugees once their education is over.
I want to know...since when Australia has been trying to regulate who comes into the country and who doesn't. Australia, since the 1970s, has been accepting people willy nilly into the country. Zimbabweans should be no different.
Hmm, maybe Pauline Hanson had too much of a bad impact. Boo sucks to her!
But *Monzi's got one last shot at getting here. I'm praying that she does.

On the plus side, *Leow is definitely here to stay for uni. =) *Nish is back from her round Asia tour! :P I start uni soon. I still have a job, and my mates are safe and sound. Which I'm happy about.

Mishy <3

Well I'll Be Darned

This happened quite a while ago. Last year in fact. But it never fails to bring a smile to my face whenever I think about it.

Conversation at school:
KC: I was so out of it today that I was brushing my teeth and doing my hair at the same time!
JB: So what would happen if you used your toothpaste to do your hair and your gel to brush your teeth? ...Minty fresh hair...
Me: And teeth with extra strong hold! Or...wet look teeth?

Hmm. So it turns out that hair gel IS a good investment after all. Much better than toothpaste is at any rate, since it does the job of the toothpaste too. I mean, who'd want 'minty-fresh hair'?


Another episode would be just before our mock exams:
JB: For my exam[Building and Construction], I get to build a brick wall and then knock it down!
KC: For my exam[Cooking], I get to bake a mud cake!
Me: Ooh, care to let us try your exam?
KC: But we're not allowed to eat the brick walls...

...of the mud cake I hope, KC. XD

I find it ironic that we were taking about mud and bricks in the same sentence, even though we were talking about two completely different subjects. Does anyone else find this weird?

I'm gonna miss all this when I get to uni. I mean, who am I going to have these memory-making conversations with now??

Mishy <3

Giving Up

I really have no other words to express it.

I love my country. It's an amazing country. There's food, there's shopping, nightlife, people, things to do, places to see and a heritage which we could be proud of.

But politics wise...I'm losing hope. Giving up. Writing it off.

However you want to say it.

So. Four members from PAS have crossed the floor. One into BN, and the other three deciding to go down the Independent path. The Independents will however be siding with the government.
Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim is going crazy [even though he has yet to show signs of it]. Najib seems to be smug about this newly found victory, considering BN hasn't had a hold over Perak in a long time. All while the rest of Malaysia is struggling to just get by and live peacefully.

Politics isn't what it used to be. It was meant to be For the People, By the People.
Politics is all about a power struggle now. Who's got the power, who doesn't. Who wins, who loses. Who has the final say in each and every decision.
Politics was meant to represent the people, make life better, care for the people. Help those in need, make decisions which will benefit the people when push comes to shove, or even before that happens.

I'd really love to know how this 2020 vision that Datuk Badawi had in mind is ever going to come about. We can never be a first world country without the proper values and the proper base. That idea and goal was a sham right from the beginning, even before it was announced to the country.

I love my country. I love Malaysia.

Just not her current politicians.

Mishy <3

Counting Down...

Create your own MySpace Countdown Counter Today!

As you may probably see, and realise - I am rather bored at home and cannot wait to be bored out of my mind at uni lectures instead.
At least there's the one hour travelling time to look forward to.
Back...and forth...
And then there's work to fill the time.
Catching up with friends.
Lots of getting out of the house.

Ah man, who'm I kidding, I'm excited. :P
And I really do need to get out of either the house, or state soon.

Mishy <3

TCK Day

So it's been the subject of much discussion on the tckid forum lately. I myself have been thinking about it endless times.

The idea of a TCK Day would be...amazing.

I know that it's nothing compared to say world poverty. Or Zimbabwe. But it's still an important topic. The TCK stands up for racism, sexism, diversity, even our ever increasing globalisation.

My idea was to have some kind of TCK Week, rather than a day, in which we could fit everything we wanted to do, all across the world. It HAS to be all across the world, otherwise it wouldn't work. The idea of a TCK is to be international, and that's what I want to do.
During the first dew days, groups of TCKs could try to raise awareness by hosting talks at international schools, private schools, public schools, workplaces, offices. Talk to some TCK celebrities, do some interviews, gain media attention if necessary.
During that week, invites would be distributed to a TCK Fest where the week's efforts would culminate in a TCK video viewing, art jams, little stalls selling artworks and TCK books, maybe a few TCK celebrities coming, language demonstrations, and so on and so forth.
T-shirts would be specially made for the event, as well as little buttons.

I know I'm completely drawing from the Con-fest experience, but I reckon that when they started this Con-fest stuff, they had a good idea of what was going on.

The t-shirts were a huge point of concern, especially about whether the slogans would segregate 'us' from 'them', which was not what we wanted to do at all.
So as a way of inclusion, I guess, what would and wouldn't be appropriate for those who don't see themselves as Third Culture Kids?

1. "The Future is Upon Us: TCK!!!"
2. The phrase 'third culture kid' in as many languages as possible.
3. "I dare you to ask me where I'm from."
4. "You know you're a TCK when... ."

If you have any suggestions or opinions regarding the slogans, please help and give them. =) Any help is appreciated, and we want everyone to be involved in this. =)

Mishy <3