Macy? Macie? May Si? Mei Si!

It’s been so long since I last
blogged. My last entry was in May,
after my final examination and trip to Perhentian and Penang Island. So what have I been doing
since then? Let me try to summarise my past 9 months in just one entry.

21st May – Received a job alert from Jobstreet that caught my
interest. Sent in my

                    applicaton.

22nd May – Called for the interview

23rd May – Went for the interview

24th May – First day of work

It seemed very fast and smooth
right? God definitely planned it for me. Thank you Lord! I’m still working with
the same company, Discovery LearningLabs (www.discoverylearninglabs.com.my).
Job position as a facilitator. My main job responsibilities include developing
and facilitating hands-on science activities / programs for kids ranging from
4-16 years old. Of course this also involves event planning and management.

June

It was then June school holidays.
My company ran science programs in National Science Centre. It was very fun and
tiring at the same working with kids. Some kids were so adorable!! *Nicodemus* I enjoyed
myself. After the holidays, as a starter, I stayed in the office improving
existing guides (for facilitators’ use).

July

My company had been invited to run
programs at Club Med Cherating. We actually have ties with Club Med. Late June
was Club Med Bintan, Indonesia
but I wasn’t involved. I spent almost a week at Club Med Cherating. It was a very
nice village; full of entertainment and activities everyday!

August

My company also works with Astro. We
prepared a one full day program for Astro. Then it was school holidays again. Spent
the whole month preparing and running programs at National Science Centre.

September

My convocation!! All the while I
thought convocation is just a mere ceremony and nothing else. But then the
expressions on my Mum, Ivan and all my friends’ face made it so special. I met all
my batch mates and realized I missed my university life. It was a great
gathering with many pictures taken here and there.

Besides that, spent the whole
month developing new programs for November / December school holiday. That was
really brain draining. I was exhausted thinking.

October

My company has many clients. One
of them is Singapore International School. SIS has set up schools in a
few countries; India
is one of the countries. We went to India SIS and ran our programs there. The
whole month was spent on planning and preparing for the trip. It was my first
trip overseas too! The school is located in Mumbai, India.

I was away for 10
days including traveling time. The food there was superb!! Authentic Indian
food!! So much to tell about the trip if you ask me:)

November

Had a one day program in  Singapore
at …….forgot what’s the name of the school:p Stayed at Royal Hotel at Thompson Road. It was a very “dramatic” trip too. Tell you
if you ask me. Oh ya, it was my first time to Singapore
on a first class couch! Very comfortable journey but was one hectic trip.

Continued to prepare for the year
end holiday programs at National Science Centre back in KL

December

One month of school holidays!! Ran
programs at National Science Centre everyday till 23^rd December. Was
fun:) and tiring:(

Christmas time!! New Year!!

Spent my new year in Singapore with Ivan and his relatives. We were down there at Julia and Robin’s place for
5 days 4 nights. They were very hospitable. The kids are great too, Gladys and
Julian. It was a nice and memorable holiday for me!

January & February

My company is working on something
new…but my job responsibilities remain more or less the same. So there’s not
much to say here.

That’s all the highlights of what happened every
month. Of course there were ups and downs but I’ll leave all the ups here and
the downs as details when you ask me:)

Well, well, another month has passed again. Many things happened in between. I had my final examination and if things go well, Im officially a fresh graduate:)

Right after my exam on the 29th of April, I bought bus ticket and headed to Kelantan on the 1st of May. We were supposed to go to Perhentian Island on the 3rd of May. Since one of us actually stays in Kelantan, we thought of spending some time at this Islamic state. Some of them were there a day earlier and we stayed at Pasir Puteh, about an hour drive to Kota Bharu. My friend’s family had been so hospitable to us!! Accomodation, food and even souvenirs were prepared for us!! Oh, Kelantan is not too bad. Not as "kolot" as I thought:) Gave me a good impression.

We left for Perhentian in the morning, 3rd of May. It was a 25mins speed boat ride from the Kuala Besut jetty. We spent 3days 2nights there. What did we do? Most of the time at sea, of course!! Snorkelling and island hopping…Lang Tengah, Redang and other Perhentian smaller islands. Riding the speed boat was as exciting or even more terrifying than a roller coaster!! ( coz Im afraid of riding roller coaster) The underwater world was just fantastic. Colourful, plentiful and beautiful corals and fishes:) We girls took pictures like nobody’s business!! We posed at the beach, rooms, everywhere including underwater!

However, this trip had its consequences…Came back tanned:( Butt was sunburnt! Owch!!! Arms were so so so so tanned! Skin is still peeling now. Not to mention the bumpy speed boat ride, though caused my adrenaline kept pumping but also caused my back to ache! Sis says I look healthier than my usual pale-fair complexion…u sure Sis?? Coz I look "dark"! Anyway, I must thank Jasmin, Su Yee, Yen Yen, Cher Ken, Ming Huai and Lian Chee for the wonderful time we had together!

Then the following week, went up north of Peninsula Malaysia to Perak, Penang and Kedah. This time it was a 4days 3nights trip. Half of the time we were in the car coz we didnt know the roads there!!We only relied on road signs. Quite adventurous actually:p A new experience.

We stayed in Menglembu at my relative’s place. It was so super warm there. I was sweating though was sleeping underneath a volume 3 ceiling fan! Visited another distant relative which I have not seen before! The following morning went back to town to have dim sum for breakfast. Very nice!

Then we went up north all the way to Kulim to visit the longest Tree Top Walk in…..Asia I think…950metres. Rm10 admittance fee for an adult. Honestly, it was a peaceful walk but I don’t think I would use the word "breathtaking" to describe the view. It is located at Sungai Sedim, so visitors can actually picnic or camp there. This is free. Accomodation is provided too.

We headed to Ferringhi next. Checked in at Sri Sayang service apartment, just behind Rasa Sayang Hotel. The beach was just across the road. It was quite dusty in the room:( Hmm…the beach there…I just couldnt stop comparing it with the east coast!! Haha. Should have gone to Penang first so I could fully appreciate and enjoy Perhentian beach:p We also went to Teluk Bahang. I must say Im really disappointed with the people, these two Indian men from two different stalls at the Ferringhi Bazaar. Such insolent people!! If they didnt like us bargaining, could just say no instead of raising their voice. The sad part was I didnt get to buy what I wanted to buy for so so so long:( Super disappointed that night…

The next day we checked out and visited Kek Lok Si. What a huge temple! Took us almost 2 1/2 hours there. Taking many pictures too, thats why:p Checked in at Red Rock Hotel, used to be known as Agora Hotel. Hotel is still being renovated. But the rooms are ready. Quite nice I would say:) Went to Gurney Drive for dinner then Gurney Plaza. Met up with the UM Easter Commitee (they were there in Penang too).

Packed and left Penang after buying Ghee Hiang’s biscuits with the Easter Comm. Went back to Ipoh to buy the famous salted chicken and …home sweet home!! I enjoyed myself very much. Oh, this trip I was accompanied by my mum and my Beloved:)

After all these, it’s time to stay still and look for a job…..we’ll see how ya

This year’s birthday is the best ever so far!

First, Sook Wan celebrated my birthday A MONTH earlier and was the first to message me as well! Thank you so much for making me feeling special in your life. Thanks to Jasmin, Su Yee and Yen Yen who celebrated both my and Ming Huai birthday too. It was really sweet of you guys to plan the day! Knowing you guys is one of the best things in my uni life:)

Second, my brother gave me a present! He gave me a Titus watch the night before my birthday!! All the while, we, siblings, didn’t really buy presents for each other. It was an awkward moment when he said "Nah, for your birthday", and I was a lil’ shy too. But I was really happy at the same time!! Thanks Bro…

Third, PKVians. Thank you so much for the cake, the birthday song and wishes:) Having you guys singing birthday song in the middle of our PKV meeting, in my final year, is really something very memorable. Thanks Sze Meun for your "love letter":p Not to mention last year’s birthday where Amy tried so so so hard to distract me from looking behind at the approaching PKVians, thanks! One of the best things in life is having friends remembering and celebrating your birthday…
And Im really happy to be part of PKV…sigh..Im feeling a bit sentimental now..wondering is it because Im leaving uni soon…PKVians have left something in my life, been a blessing to me and definately make my uni life a wonderful journey of life…Thanks

Fourth, Seraya gang (high school gang). We had steamboat buffet for dinner. I enjoyed the night VERY MUCH! We were laughing and crapping most of the time.  We haven’t been able to do that for quite some time in mamak due to our hectic schedule. Second round though we couldn’t have it at Secret Recipe, still I was happy coz Gin Li wanted to join us. She could have thought the night was just another birthday of a friend. I was even surprised they bought me a present! I never thought to have free dinner/birthday celebration and present together!! Thanks pals..Tux, Drew, Voon, Gary, Goon, GL….Thanks to you too Dear for being part it. Thanks Chong E for the birthday wish though you couldn’t make it:)

Last but not least my family. Had to celebrate with them the next morning as I came back very late hanging out with my gang. Didn’t know they were waiting for me. Felt so bad. Anyway, Sis bought 10 different slices of Secret Recipe’s cake for me!! It was so nice of her!! The cake was super special and beautiful. It was the first time my family singing birthday song for my birthday..so awkward..so touched..so funny! oh ya, we had: marble cheese, oreo cheese, carrot cheese, classic cheese, chocolate banana, chocolate fudge, walnut cake, apple sth cake, peach sth cake and hi-fibre sth cake..hehe..forgot the names:p Thanks Sis and everyone..

And the last of the last, thanks for the cd Dear.. Couldn’t help smiling watching it:)

Thank you for all the other birthday wishes too:) Thank you for remembering…
Thank you Lord for all these wonderful moments in my life and the wonderful people I have known. Thank you so much!!

I can’t believe it I’m busy!!! Oh no!!! All the while, I always tell people that I’m ok, "nah, not too busy…i can handle things…."

This month is a bit full of "activities" for me. Just last Saturday, I went to The Ship (fuiyo!!) at Jalan Bukit Bintang to celebrate a friend’s birthday. My first time there and I had potato salad!!!! Haha

Anyway, this coming Friday, have to do a survey with 100 residents!! Wonder how am I gonna finish it in a day…Besides, I have not come up with the questions, printed and photocopied them!! Then I have tuition on Wednesday and Saturday…Ehem…Im giving tuition, not taking it. What am I teaching?….Biology lor…Haven prepared too:(

Next Saturday I have a field trip to Taman Alam, somewhere in Kuala Selangor. Seems fun?? You wouldn’t think so if you have to spend rm70 just to stay a night!! Yes, food is also provided. And they said it’s good food…nasi briyani…Does it have to cost so much??? Aiyo, my heart aches…

The following Saturday there is another field trip to Pangkor Island. (Wah, why is Mei Si having so much fun with her studies?) Ok, I heard that. Fun is fun lar…but we have to pay ler…this time at least hundred plus plus (staying a night there) Besides I need to submit report after each trip. Hello..they are still study trip, need to submit reports:(

I have a few datelines too…2 presentations and a report in 2 weeks time, another report (not including Pangkor and Tman Alam) in 3 weeks, Poster presentation of my thesis and an exam in a month and my thesis in 6 weeks!!! Aduh…inhale…exhale..inhale…exhale..

Aiyo….Ok! Better stop ramblings here:p Phew, feeling so much better. Anyway, had a great month last month:) Holidays…Valentine’s Day…Chinese New Year…food..food..glorious food!!! (what’s that song??) Fortunately didnt gain weight…lost 1 kg!!! kekekeke…Hmmm….Im so happy even Im busy now…I can’t believe it!!

So many things that I can’t believe in…Life is wonderful~~~ Sometimes full of unexpected things happening:)

Better get back and focus my work…focus..focus..

Wow, it has been a month since I posted my last entry. I finally have the time now. Many things happened in that particular one month  period. Many ups and downs but Im happy to say, Im now in a holiday mood!!! Yay, after a torturous month!!

Let’s leave the downs and focus on the ups for now.

Despite all the downs, I have actually learnt a lot. I have become more "resilient and resistant". I know how to pull up and balance myself after I tripped and slipped. I will not allow myself to continue slipping and cause my fall. Since I have been through tremendous pressures, I now am impervious to similar ones and able to withstand escalating ones better, will not easily be conformed to it.

I had a great time spent with my coursemates. Seven beauties and I had our dinner at Rumahku, in front of UMMC. We were there for two hours. We chatted and crap a lot of things; studies, lecturers, friends, future, lame jokes and a little of guys lar…Took many pictures; some perasan ones, pretty ones, casual ones, candid ones and also "obscene" ones!!! Haha. We changed our spot from sitting inside to outside after finished with our food, where the bright moon and stars were clearly visible and brightly shining. Too bad, instead of admiring the beauty of the moon, some taught of mooncake!!! So not romantic betul ler…..spoiler..:p

As the night advanced, we headed for our "second round". Where?? One of the most popular places in KL, Zouk!! My first time….so I felt a bit "sam pat". The place was nice and cool, dark with UV lights, so mysterious. NOt many people when we reached at 11pm. Night was actually still early for them. We sat down on a couch and continue our girls talk. But the dance floor was so super packed when it was 1230am!! In fact, the whole Zouk was packed! Errrr..I’m not really a dancing person, besides I was so dizzy with the lighting (u know that "kinda shooting here and there lights") and so many people all around, I retreated to a so-called safe zone. Sat quietly at a far corner listening to the music with another two friends. But then, Cigarette smoke everywhere!! So unbearable, horrible, torturous…eyes could hardly stop blinking. Nevertheless, it was a good experience. To be out with a bunch of girls, experiencing the real night life in KL together. Haha, maybe once is enough though.

Then I had a one day field trip to Fraser Hill. Initially, if I could, I didnt want to go. Had a bad experience 3 years back. Never, Ever wanted to go there AGAIN. I really hate the long and winding roads there. If you think Cameron is bad, trust me, this is worst!!! What to do..field trip..like it or not, I had to go. Took a motion sickness pill half hour before we gathered. Guess what? We were supposed to go there by 4WD!! You know how bumpy it could be…Yes, it was a super bumpy journey, being thrown left and right all the time! But the driver was fast, didnt feel that "draggy", probably because of the fresh air of the morning and the nice view of Sungai Tua and ……Dam. Forgot the name.

Up there when we reached, it was so super windy and cold~~~~Milo panas became not panas in five minutes…After we were assigned, oh, by the way, our task was to assess the whole area, something to do with Ecotourism, we started our journey with respective groups. 

Fraser Hill is very tourist friendly. Helpful Information Center gave out maps and information of interesting places. We were also lucky to have a pakcik driver drove us around WHEREVER we wanted. Waterfall there was nice! Peaceful, refreshing. So many beautiful private bungalows everywhere!! Beautiful as in so British style~~ Nice resorts and accomadation places too~~ We went to the lake where you can try boating there, Strawberry-with-no-strawberry-yet farm, golfcourse, woodball course, horseriding (see only) and archery (also see only). Anyway, not that Im promoting Fraser Hill, but if you like cool, fresh air, beautiful flowers, beautiful bungalows, green environment, not-so-typical-Malaysia-look-kinda-place ( really very "ngoi kok" feeling:P)….Fraser Hill is the place!!!

Wow I have written so long about Fraser Hill alone. And Im supposed to write what were the ups that I have been through the whole month. Ok, to keep things short, another one is I have been in this new phase of life for quite some time. It delighted me to be reminded of it. I am more sensitive and less ignorant as I go through it. After some lessons.

Guess better stop here. Getting too long…and Im also tired of recalling:P

Four things many don’t know:-

I am quite an introvert

I was a left-hander

I can’t swim, but I can do backstroke

I can’t watch horror movies without a pillow/ somebody else’s shoulder

Four movies I can watch over and over:-

Sound of Music

Little Mermaid

Artificial Intelligence

Harry Potter

Four places I have lived:-

Jalan Ipoh

Jalan Sultan Sulaiman

Taman Bukit Teratai

12th Residential College, UM

Four TV shows I love:-

CSI

House

Tru Calling

30 Seconds to Fame

Four places I have been on vacation:-

Port Dickson

Fraser Hill

Langkawi

Genting Highlands

Four of my favourite food:-

Fried glass noodle (spicy)

Seafood (spicy / sweet & sour)

Pandan Indah Foodcourt claypot yee mee

McD french fries

Four places I’d rather be:-

Scandinavia

UK

Canada

Home (Malaysia)

Four songs currently listening to:-

Jay Chou - Still Fantasy album

radio

radio

radio

Four other people who will be tagged:-

Wei Gin

Sin Loo

Goon

Chien How

Left my house at 830pm yesterday with everything so unsure. Taking the lrt to Hang Tuah station…DiGi service was down (isk..isk..) hence had problems contacting my friend, didnt know where to meet, so many people everywhere..so hot…didnt know whether can we really watch fireworks….

Thinking must be watching fireworks at Bukit Bintang and cramping with so many other people. As a result, the air would be so humid. And due to high humidity and high specific heat capacity, people would be drenched with their EDPs dispelling the night air with sour smelling "aroma"…ok…a bit too technical

Anyway, it didnt happen. At 10.40pm, I was on the 31st level of Angkasa Impian kondominium (if Im not mistaken), it was not the top level but somehow looked like the roof of the condominium looking out to the whole KL view..KL Tower, KLCC, Lot 10, Low Yat Plaza…It was windy too. Oh so nice~~~Thanks to Goon and his friend:) Thank you Thank you!

As time passed, more and more people came up (should be residents of the condominium). Then….BANG! And "wah~~" The first firework was launched, looking real big in front of us. Kids were then heard "wah-ing" with every explosions. And before the spectacular display ended at Bukit Bintang, another array of fireworks was launched at KLCC. So wonderful…how people could create something so beautiful out of explosion when it seems to only bring destruction…

As the usual me, just as everything has ended, I was commenting that just a few minutes of dazzling, mesmerising, astounding display of fireworks, they were now million particles of pollutants in the air. Haha..I wasnt trying to be "sou heng"..just came across my mind to say that…" Im irritated when u say something like these, pouring cold water to something "hot"…but I also like the way u balance things out"  Thanks.. I really enjoyed myself.

Happy New Year everyone! May this be another fruitful year.

I have always believed that there is good in everyone, no matter how bad the person may seem to be. And today, I met one who was so kind to me even though we barely knew each other.

I was given a 10% discount at a shop by this girl!!! (Har??? 10% only mah…) Eh, it meant a lot to me ok?! The price initially was over my budget. No…No…No couldn’t compromise though it was over by 10%. Over means over, must stick to our budget..(very serious) this is part of discipline.

I was asking her for recommendations. Then I asked her the prices, to know where I should look at. Looking as innocent and naive as a good girl could be :p, she asked me gently and awkwardly "How much is your budget?". After telling her and discussing with her, I found one.

"Errr..how much is this?" Har..overbudget leh…She tried to help "U can get discount if u have J-card? ( No, I dont) Popular card? ( Popular?? No, I dont) Credit card? ( Err..Im just a student..no) Oh..

Looking disappointed and a little desperate while mumbling to myself and my friend whether to go for it. She, being an ordinary staff suddenly said, "Then u ‘borrow’ my card to get discount la." She didnt show me the card and I really didnt know which card she was referring to. Too stunned to be happy thinking I must have heard it wrongly. She brought me to the cashier and later ..zik zap(-10%). Hahahahahaha..so happy!!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you for your kindness!! So touched!! She even gave me a nice box for it. Thank you Thank you!

The moral of the story is : Little thing done by who you think is nobody can achieve a great effect to somebody:)

Life is always full of surprises. I think I did something that would really send my friends to a cardiac arrest..ok Im exaggerating. Hehe..Perhaps they would just (visualise this) look blankly at me, then with their eyes slowly dilating and protruding, mouth open wide and round, ( a moment of silence) and then "WHAT??!!" shaking their heads in disbelief. That’s not "just", that’s quite a lot for a response!

I had already received this response from some friends and Im expecting more to come. Most probably I would stop getting this after Chinese New Year when the news would be totally "broken" out then. Though I dint receive this response from closer friends, still I had to go through some "gruelling interrogations".

Initially, I dreaded the day when friends would be giving me that kinda response. Now? I find it funny and enjoying looking at them responding! Haha

New beginning of the new beginning has just started for me last friday. There is something Im afraid to deal with, but I think the knot is slowly untying. There are also a few tough challenges and they will always be there. I know I have to embrace them too. Well, if there couldnt be a change in circumstances, I guess we have to pray for a change of heart then, right?

There can be many types of "first time" in our life and there are also many which have already been done. (no, no, no devilish thoughts ok?) However, when there is a Start of Something New, it is a New beginning where you start from zero. It is just like there will always a first time, first time in this and in that and all things …including different challenges ….in a new life. Come to think of it, this is so true. Silly me to realise now.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" 2 Cor 5:17

Do u think u have someone who has wronged u and it is very hard for u to forgive them? How’s that feel? Bitter? And what about u being the one who has wronged and needed forgiveness? This is even bitter then.

It is often said that we, human only see the speck in other people’s eye and not our own. True in a way…I mean how could u see something in your eye…yeah, unless u look into the mirror. And when u see it, u would be dying to remove it from your eye.

It goes the same when u realise u did something wrong and u wanted badly to "remove" it. But what has been done, it’s done. There is nothing u can do to undone it or remove or erase it from your memory. Especially it is something u know it is wrong all along and yet u still did it! "What is this!"

Initially, u might wanna escape from thinking bout it. U know u were wrong, but u do not wanna know to what extent. Sooner or later, u would be convicted. It is just a matter of time. And u would feel the need to do something and that whatever u are going to do would most probably change things the way there are at the moment..for better or worse. Tough choice huh?

Convicted because u can no longer live in denial. U have admitted that u did something wrong, something u know it is wrong and yet u still did it is worst. U’d feel betrayed by yourself. This is tough because u are accepting the fact u had been a hypocrite! "How could I?"

This is not the end of it if u plan to do a confession to whoever u think u owe them the truth. It’s torturous when u have to reveal everything, no more denial. It’s even worst when they question u back. it’s like a slow death..

Forgiveness sets us free. It is the same when u r forgiven. By whom? The Almighty God of course, the person u think u r wronged to and yourself. U couldnt control the first two, u r just so sorry that u’d have mixed feelings…afraid..u lose all sense of securities..maybe u’d even cry alone..

Though u can at least know for sure about u but can u forgive yourself for being a hypocrite, for trying to run away from responsibility and for inflicting pain in others when they have to bear the truth with u? Besides, somethings done is done. There is no room for denial after confession. The impact is there. U’d feel ashamed. Things have changed.

Im neither psycologist nor counsellor, this is just a piece of mind . When we feel helpless, God is not. And He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for our sins. This is one of the great truths of the Bible and definately is our assurance of His love great enough to forgive us when we come to Him in a heart of repentance. Then we should stop being too harsh on ourselves. But then again we often forget about it and feel the other way…I wonder…