Happenings

Today I am supposed to work, as I hadn't been given the day off. Unlike most of my friends who have the whole week to party, I have to wake up on Monday morning and face the blues...

But then again, when I reached my lab, it was locked. Ho ho, my supervisor wasn't here.

So what does one do when he finds himself locked out of his workplace?

He snakes around finding something else to do :)

Initially I went to the computer labs which are open 24-7, but it was lonely and cold there so I came up to the library which was open. Yep. Right now I'm typing this post using one of the computers in the library.

Naturally, I'd look up the usual sites; Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, The Star online paper, and chat on MSN. Not many people online today (my best guess is that they are all out partying or just sleeping in bed) so I ran through The Star, reading up today's headlines

But I found it so boring... dull... unfulfilling...

Started to look at other sites online (by the way I cannot access THOSE kinds of sites here, my admin will come running after me with a knife if he finds out). It started off with plain old University of Melbourne's website, reading up more about the university and the courses and everything else that I already knew ten times over. I remembered I wanted to learn Mandarin so I googled up for Mandarin courses in Malaysia and LifeLongLearning, went to the MCA site and found a few leads but nothing interesting in particular.

I don't know what made me start googling for "laser hair removal treatment". Yep. I've always told my friends that I want to be a white chicken (i.e. hairless boi) but the irony behind it is that most of my friends want to be like me, as they equate hair with masculinity… they have so little hair to spare (read Sahara desert) while I’m having enough to spin me a scarf (read Amazon Jungle)

I beg to differ. Cleaning up hairballs under my bed, clumps of hair under the shower, and having to consistently trim and shave has become an annoying routine.

I’ve always been jealous of my not-so-hairy male counterparts while they’ve been jealous of me. I like the feeling of being hairless but we will not go into the mushy details, shall we.

So I was reading up on this IPL, “Intense Pulsed Light” treatment. It is actually treatment using a device that sends light of various wavelengths through your skin, and the hair follicles supposedly absorb the light and get burnt by the heat it produces, killing the follicles (saying goodbye to the poor ol' strand of hair). From there I proceeded to google for the cost of the treatment and places where I could get it done

Then I remembered about Men's Skin Centers, some centre catering for metrosexual men like me who are insecure about their outer appearances so much so that they are willing to fork out thousands to "change" it... and of course, I remembered about Carl Ng who posed as a model for Men's Skin Centers' advertisement in The Star.

But googling for Men's Skin Centers resulted in irrelevant search results.

One search result was particularly interesting. I came across a blog belonging to a guy who named himself "drownedglass". There was no actual name on the website so I'll call him DG from now on to save my sorry fingers from typing out such a long name.

So Mr DG had a very interesting blog indeed. I started reading a few of his posts and intuition knocked on my door. He was too PLU to be true.

From the ramblings to the terminology, you could tell. I started to read more and more about this mysterious DG and I found that he sounded very much like the type of person I'd love to make friends with; witty, opinioned, bitchy, flirtatious, open minded, hilarious, intelligent... the qualities I associate with good character and the ability to carry out an interesting conversation.

There was one thing I liked about DG, and that was his frank remarks about anything and everything. As compared to me, I was more "reserved". I tend to think twice about what I say when posting on this blog of mine, whether it may offend anyone that is reading it. DG on the other hand was not afraid to speak his mind. Too bad he didn't have a face pic to show otherwise I would be able to match a face to the posts

On the left side of his blog there were links to other blogs. Since I was so darn free I just clicked on this link called "alex"

And lo behold.

I came to a website which was very tastefully designed (seriously guys, do you think I'm overdoing it with the praise? I'm genuinely impressed!!) and had many pictures. It belonged to this guy named Alex Tang who resides in Damansara (near my place. VERY near)

Of course, the first link I clicked on was "photos", judging by the fact that there was this cutie photo above that link hence everything else that followed should also be cutie...

And I was right.

Tons of bodies, beautiful beautiful gym bodies, trips to Bali and the like... faceshots and portraits of beautiful people, landscapes and panoramic views of beautiful places, candid shots with funny poses...

And suddenly it occurred to me that I wanted to be like these people… I wanted to have fun

As these people are having fun out there, I am obsessing with work and study. I am complaining about everything and anything that comes in my way (which includes people I meet), hating every small detail about a place and passing rude remarks about strangers on the street whom I'll probably never get to know in person

I'm obsessed with the way I look (read "laser hair removal"), with the way others look, with the amount of money I have, with the number of gray hairs I have on my head, with the type of car and house I wish to own upon graduation, with what I'm going to do after graduation or even before I enter my university...

I am thinking about everything and anything else B U T... having fun.

I'm thinking about growing up fast when everyone else wants to be a kid again.

It occurred to me that so much was happening in my life, but I wasn’t having FUN per se because of my stupid attitude

These people, strangers to me, posting pictures online to tell the stories of their escapades... they seemed very much a world away from the world I am living in.

I cannot say that they are genuinely happy people or that they are accomplished in their lives as I do not know them in person. But all I can say is that I wish I had memories like them... friends like them...

The one photo that really captured my attention was a picture of the four of them, Mr. Alex and his three friends, smiling. So what they say IS true. A picture speaks a thousand words.

What is it I want now? Do I want a holiday like theirs? Deepavali-Raya is around the corner and I've got nothing planned. Then again, I must realise that I am only 19 years old while these people are fully grown (in the more humble sense of the word) mature people with incomes which make overseas travel affordable...

DO I NEED A VACATION OVERSEAS? AM I LOOKING FOR ONE?

No. I'm just looking for happiness.

Where will I find it? Perhaps today, I found it in the many portraits of anonymous people smiling their way into the lens of some camera...

Many things are happening in my life... just like theirs. And many things will happen in the future, God-willing. I’ll probably have tons of opportunities like these anonymous people in the future; after all I am merely a teenager now and have YEARS ahead (don’t I just love to make you people sound OLD hehe) Perhaps all I just need to do is stop and savour those moments instead of being jealous of other people's moments… and of course, make sure the events are well documented so that I’ll remember them for life

Now I truly understand why I was making such a fuss about owning a digital camera in the first place

Blur

Have no energy to write.

Mind cannot think. Been blank for the past two weeks.

Occupied with work, very little time for leisure/ friends.

Ah. For the love of life.

Personality Test

I got this test from my friend Jonathan whose blog is linked to my page in the right column. The result...

You Have A Type A- Personality

A- You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Can this test be trusted??? Try it for yourself!

Friday Frangi

The initial plan was to meet up at around 10pm so that we (my friend and I) could go for late dinner and chat until it was time for Frangipani.

But lo behold. He suddenly had something up so he sent me a text message... telling me he was late.

At that time, I was already in the taxi heading towards Kelana Jaya station, and I was kinda annoyed.

What the heck. I took the LRT to Pasar Seni and then from there I walked to Bukit Bintang area. I took a small detour into Petaling Street to see if there were any goodies to buy, but I found none. The whole trip from Pasar Seni to Bukit Bintang by foot was around 25minutes, not counting the short detour into Petaling Street.

I walked towards Menara Maybank and then down Jalan Pudu, walking past Tung Shin Hospital and then taking a left turn into Tengkat Tong Shin. I passed the nice collonial shophouses by the way, whistling some tune and feeling happy... although I was sweaty it was a nice walk. Really enjoyed it. Didn’t' know that Bukit Bintang was so nearby.

I was in Changkat Bukit Bintang at around 10.45pm but it was empty, save the few pedestrians and people eating in the restaurants. Empty in a sense that there were very few PLU's there.

Initially I was still very pissed at my friend, which I later discovered had gone to meet another friend before me... So I walked down to Jalan Bukit Bintang and stood in front of Starbucks BB Plaza... just stood there looking at people to see if there were any cute people in the crowd. But there was none.

I decided to walk back to the almost empty Frangi. On my way back, down Changkat Bukit Bintang, a prostitute actually waved at me and smiled, asking me whether I wanted her services, but of course, I declined. Haha. I wonder what she'd say if she knew I was PLU. Well, I was dressed up... very dressed. I've never encountered a solicitor outside before, and it was my first time.

I went into Frangi and sat on one of those nice comfy red couches near the entrance and waited for my friend to come. Another friend had also called me and told me that he was coming (Nick, with his friend Brian) so I was kinda waiting for them too.

I've never been to Frangi so early before... and it was rather dark... they purposely used minimal light for the ambience.

And then this ugly guy, a businessman, roughly the age of 30 came over and talked to me. God. I didn't catch his name and didn't bother with asking him again either. He was just so disgusting.

Not that he was ugly or anything. He was pretty normal... just that the things that he said made him evermore ugly. Initially we started talking about ourselves... and so I told him minimal details... and then he started to tell me about the work he does, about earning tons of money and being a millionaire... I told him that I just want to have a happy life and money was not so important to me... that being a millionaire and being famous is good but not as good as being happy.

And he gave me a 20 minute lecture on the pros of being rich. I was so annoyed. Actually he even told me what I should be doing, kinda like instructing me to take the path that he did. This made me even more angry. I was fiddling with my metal bracelet the whole time I was talking to him, just hoping that he'd go away...

And of course, I was looking out for my friend... with him I'll have an excuse, you see... but now that I was single and alone...

Now you can see why I was a bit annoyed when my friend said he was arriving late.

That guy finally buzzed off... and another Chinese guy, this time more good looking than the first came and approach me.

Wow. Jackpot.

Its like, two times in one night (three if you count the prostitute). I've never had this kind of attention before. Haha.

And this guy intro himself to me (again I forgot his name... I've always been bad with names) and asked me for my number. I was flattered but I said I don't give people my number on the first meet. I give them my number if I've chatted with them on the net but never if I meet them outside for the first time...

I kinda lied about my age and what I was doing... because he was so inquisitive... and I was already getting annoyed. So yeah.

And my friend finally arrived. By that time I was already upset. Threw a tantrum.

When nick arrived it was feeing much better... and then the rest of the night was pretty good...

Even had supper with Nick and Brian in ss2. Brian fetched me home to my place at around 3am... and I was so tired I jumped into the shower, got out and put on my clothes, jumping straight into bed.

A night full of colours. Seriously.

Down Under

Yesterday I received a call from a scholarship officer, informing me that my appeal for an overseas scholarship has been successful and requesting for further documentation so that she can process the contract letters.

I was just speechless.

I had applied for it around May this year, and after going through two interviews I was informed that I didn't get the scholarship.

Many people didn't believe that I didn't get the scholarship, but I was not too surprised...

Of course, to me it was just another one down in a string of failed attempts at getting a scholarship.

But then I had submitted a formal appeal letter to the director, with the hope that he would reconsider my scholarship.

And just yesterday, almost five months after applying for the scholarship, I was called and told that I was heading off to Australia.

The initial feelings were mixed I guess. Wanting to go and yet not wanting to leave my friends behind... because I've got to know so many new friends lately and to only be in Malaysia until February is quite a sad thing. I would probably be in Australia for 3-4years, depending on whether I do the Honours year or not, and after which I will have to return to Malaysia to serve a bond.

This is what I've wanted all this while... a chance to go overseas. And now that I have that chance, I don't know how to react to it.

It's going to be a whole different lifestyle over there. New people, new places, new environment and new cultures... everything will be different. Of course there will be many other Malaysians in the place where I'm going (Melbourne, a.k.a second Malaysia), but it will not be the same as here.

I won't even get to see the stars in the northern hemisphere anymore!

Haha

Anyway, the whole process is very long, from submitting my documents to receiving the plane ticket and the final green light to board the plane to Melbourne... I've got to deal with Visas, acceptance of offer, accommodation, healthcare, insurance... preparing myself physically as well as mentally for this new phase of my life.

And yes, I've got to say goodbye to so many of my friends. Of course I'd be contacting them on MSN or email, but it won't ever be the same, will it?

My greatest concern now is whether I can find enough of good PLU friends in Australia... I've heard many stories about them being more "liberal" there but I don't know anything more than that. All I hope is that I can find a close group of PLU friends whom I can fall back on should I encounter any trouble along the way.

For now, I'm searching for a second guarantor, who has to be below 45 years of age, not related to me, and have a monthly income of more than RM3000. If I am unable to find a second guarantor (my father has agreed to be my first guarantor), then I won't even get to take up this scholarship. But who will want to be a guarantor? Especially if that person is not related to you?

God I hope I find one fast. I can't wait to go.

It came

Today is the happiest day in the whole entire year!

Gosh. I can't even begin to establish what is happening... it is all happening so fast

I don't know how to say this, but I know that I'm very very happy

I can't take it... the esctacy

New job

I have just passed my second day as a lab assistant!

And the things I have learnt: how to wash iron waste, how to prepare medium, o-phenantroline Fe2+ concentration analysis, autoclaving, and haemocytometer count.

Wah.

And I will soon learn DNA-extraction and purification, Northern blotting, gel-electrophoresis, PCT (polymerase chain reaction), inoculation, Gellan gel preparation... wah... so many.. I can't even remember the scope of what I'm about to learn..

My supervisor, who happens to be a PLU friend I've known for quite some time, has been a bit naggy with the details and protocols but overall he's been quite supportive.

I actually love this job very much. Sure I may have extended hours (because one has to adhere to the length of an experiment and not to one's working hours, example a Fe2+ concentration test may take more than 10 hours to complete if done on a large scale...) and I am not paid overtime, but I think I enjoy the job nevertheless.

Furthermore I get to play with so many things that I can only dream about in university life as an undergraduate. Many things I've learnt in A-Levels will be taught here in my new job... and I won't even be doing it at undergraduate level! Imagine that... I'm at Pre-university level and I'm already conducting DNA-centrifugation and protein analysis!

Just imagine what it will do to my CV. Brilliant! I like this job. Though I think they should pay me higher for the labour I am providing them haha.

Tomorrow I'm collecting my salary from my former cafe! I'll be getting more cash into my account! Bring it on!

Today's a windy day. Lovely for sleeping.

Bliss.

Window Shopping

Today I went to KLCC to meet my friend for a movie.

But prior to that, I was window shopping. You see, I was in KLCC much earlier before our scheduled meet-up.

I went to the Swarovski counter in Isetan and looked at the collection on display. Nothing particularly interesting as there were few products available. Furthermore most of the bracelets and necklaces were too feminine, not for my taste.

I had a nice decent chat with the sales girl for about 20minutes and shared my concerns with the local scene... politics, the budget, Malaysian fashion sense.... the usual over-the-counter topics. And turns out, she guessed that I was 23 years old! What an insult!!!!

She was also 19 years old, much to my surprise.

It was interesting to have a conversation with this Malay lady, seeing her background and where she was coming from... after a while I realised that she was no different from the rest of us PLU's... Pretty much human, wanting love and admiration, looking for acceptance...

After that, since I was wearing very smart clothes, I went into Hugo Boss black label and tried on a few of their clothes. Bliss.

I went over to Avenue-K and into Z Zegna, their flagship store. Actually I went in just to look around, but I got excellent service so I decided to try on one of their coats. The window display had a particularly attractive lambskin coat, so I asked if I could try it on

Whoa. I can't describe how it felt. Maybe I'm too "ulu" as I've not worn a leather jacket before, but it was...well... like heaven.

Very tight at the seams, slim fit, and smooth. Moreover comfortable and not too heavy. Silky soft and slightly shiny, and the inner lining still had the distinct smell of leather. Really really nice.

I tried it on in front of the mirror and fell in love with it immediately.

Grey Topman t-shirt = RM34
A pair of brandless jeans = RM79
New Balance shoes = RM260
A Z Zegna lambskin coat = RM8200
Feeling like a million dollars = priceless

Of course, I had to politely decline and say that I didn't want to buy it.

Went to Hugo Boss orange and red label in Avenue K but there was nothing impressive. I really didn't have much time as my friend had already started calling me before I could start browsing.

Went for dinner and then a movie. Felt really happy at the end of the day. Heck. I enjoyed myself a lot.

Must have been the coat. Then again, it could have been a sequence of events. Who's complaining? :)