Messy Head

It has been almost a month since I last updated.

So, now I'm back in Kampar, starting my project as an RA. I realize all the academic learning I went through in any level in education institutes taught me a lot of theories. Theories are all the same. They are all reading and understanding. You may like a certain subject because it triggers your curiosity but the hands-on practical for this subject may be boring. Thus, these theories did not 'teach' me what I actually like to do. It's like I'm okay with everything but there is no one specific field that I am really into. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not liking my current project. I'm doing molecular work now and I enjoy it. I just thought, if I was exposed to more fields, then perhaps I would know which field I really like.. or at least which I do not.

There's a lot in my head right now. I got to solve things one at a time. Hopefully with determination comes success.. and hopefully, the success comes quickly.

Holiday Plans

I've finished my whole degree course and I'm practically free until I start my Masters program.

What am I going to do during these 3 months? I don't know.. Maybe I will:

• Go for another trip with friends (maybe somewhere this or next week)
• Go for a trip with my family (confirmed to China in June)
• Work part time from home
• Clean up my room for some space for my clothes
• Clear my wardrobe and donate clothes that I do not wear anymore
• Watch the tonnes of movies I exchanged with others
• Play DotA
• Visit random places (like backpacking? Lol.)
• Erm.. lepak?

After all these, I will return to Kampar as an RA (Research Assistant) before I start my Masters program. It'll be kind of a boring break for me since people I usually lepak with has already started working or are either studying. So, perhaps I'll return to Kampar earlier. I don't know, we'll see.

But as for now, Happy Holidays to me!

Light Writing

Recently, I found my passion back toward Nikcy. It's not like I lost interest in photography before this. It's just that I was busy with a lot of things and didn't really have the chance to take out my DLSR and play with it, until last week when I went to Teluk Intan (see previous post), I realized I actually miss photography a lot.

So anyway, I tried a photography style I wanted to try since long ago. It's called light writing where people use torch light to write in the air, in a dark room or area. For this technique, I had Eric to scribble and write on the air while I experiment. These are the outcomes.

It's actually a very simple technique. All is needed is to manipulate the shutter speed. Then it's my turn to write!

Interesting, isn't it? I'm longing for a new lens, 55-200mm telephoto lens. I'm still thinking if I should get it though. 

Infected- A Second Visit To The Doctor

I just came back from the clinic. This time round, the doctor recommend me to take an antibiotic jab. Doctors and nurses in Kampar are very nice people. They actually explain to you (when they really should) why you should take a particular medicine and how the medicines will help you. The doctor said if I was given an injection, the concentration of antibiotics to my target organ (which is my throat) is higher as compared to taking the antibiotic capsules orally where 40% or so will be excreted out of the body.

So anyway, I went ahead with the injection. It's better than coughing throughout the night and not able to sleep. After what seem like years, I don't even remember how long ago since I had my last jab on my butt. Lol. But this time is not exactly on my butt, more like my hips.

This visit costs me slightly more. I was given a stronger antibiotic, cough mixture and phlegm-diluent and it's RM 50. Pretty reasonable but the dispensary nurse kept explaining to me that the antibiotic pills I'm given are very good pills and are far stronger than the previous ones so it's more expensive. Like she's feeling guilty for charging a high price.

Well, I hope there'll be no more third visit.

Infected

I haven't been very well since 2 Saturdays ago. The symptoms were the usual runny and blocked nose, sore throat, fever-ish, coughing and sore limbs. Naturally, I would definitely though of cold. I did not bother about it for a couple of days till I felt a little worse even after getting some flu inhaler from Sito. Then I started to take some traditional herbal pills I got from Chinese drug stores. Consumed for a day or two and there were no changes, then I tried traditional herbal tea. No changes as well. But heck, I did not pay much attention to my condition. What do you expect anyway when I have 2 reports due (luckily one got extended) and 2 tests (on the same day, to boot!) in a week followed by a report and another test and next, thesis.

So, I coughed till I vomited twice, rest in between my studies and work but my health did not improve and my voice got more and more hoarse. Till one night, when I was out to watch football, I talked till I completely lose my voice. Completely! Never there was once in my life I completely lost my voice. The worst I've endured before this was hoarseness and that's all. But this did no scare me either. I knew my voice will come back to me the next day and yes, it did. Only it got a little sexy and 'shy' to come out (I had to scream to produce a low volume voice). Lol.

2 other are liquids, not shown here.

We all know about the emergence of H1N1 lately and my family, one by one, called and persuaded me to visit the doctor. Finally last night, after 13 days of torture, I went to the clinic. The doctor diagnosed me with laryngitis. It's a type of viral infection on my larynx, that is my voice cord. This is why my voice box is non-functional. I was given 7 types of medication and cost me RM 45. One of the medicine given was antibiotic. I was so tempted to ask the doctor why did he prescribe me with antibiotic when I got a virus infection. Antibiotic does not work on viruses but as a typical Asian, I did not ask. I started taking the drugs since last night and it has been 4 doses since but I haven't felt better. Let's hope for the best! I want to speak loudly like I used to ><

To Mom, Dad and Kayah, We have No Generation Gap... Actually.

This is a special post for my parents (including kayah). We are actually from the same era! I went through the 70s' and 80s' like you did :)

Convinced? Lol.

For more photos, go to Album 1 and Album 2.

New Member To The (Camera) Family

I started of with a nameless blue Canon Powershot A460 in 2007...

Then I got Cammie, my pink Olympus FE-320 in 2008..

I used Cammie for a year and a half then I got Nikcy, my Nikon D3000 DSLR during Chinese New Year 2010.

Today, I got myself a metallic pink Samsung PL101 dual screen camera! His name, well, Psam.

A conclusion you can make from here? I don't really like normal black or silver cameras. I like colours! ...Exception for my Nikcy. (P/s : That lame black one is my sister's.)

Suddenly A Chic-Lit-A-Holic

You knew that in my previous post I said that I can finally start on my FYP and all. So logically, I ought to be reading journals, articles, anything my FYP-related. Indeed..

But instead, I'm suddenly so into a slightly different genre. 

Before this, it took me up to months to finish reading a moderately thick novel. Surprisingly, it only took me a week or two to finish a book. Hmm.. was it because I'm bored? But hey, I could spend some time on journals but... 

Yes, there's always 'buts' and ironically, the sentence usually ends after the 'but' with no apparent reason for the 'but'. But what? But I can't find the journals? But I can't get connected to the internet to find journals? But I don't know which and what journals to look for? But I don't understand the journals? But I'm LAZY? You choose the best answer.

I've finished reading and left with none, so I borrowed 2 from the library earlier today. I went to the library for these books instead of looking at thesis. Yes, job well done, Eliza.

Happy Halloween!

I'm bored and well, since it's Halloween today, I decided to play with some of my innocent pictures.

Before....

After...

Amazing how by just tinting the photo a little and add the blood shot eyes can change a pic, huh? Lol. This is an amateur photo-editing result but hey, I'm kind of proud considering that I used Paint XD

Happy Halloween all!

HOT!! (again)

Just to demonstrate how hot it is in Kampar...

 It's 33 degrees Celsius with a feel like of 34 degrees anyway. Damn! I already have 3 fans blowing me!

Phytochemistry..

I always thought numbers are the most confusing.

Just when you think Maths is difficult...

Think again!

Well, okay. I still think Maths is the most difficult and limited Chemical structures are still manageable.. I hope. Phytochemistry exam on Saturday!

HOT!!

IT'S SO HOT!!!!!!

(Image too little, click on it for larger view)

According to the weather report, it's 32-degree in Kampar but feels like 42-degree!! What's wrong with Kampar? If it's 32-degree then act like 32! Don't act like 42!! And the lowest temperature for today (if it ever rains, the fact is, it did not!) is still 32-degrees! Argh!!!

It's so hot my wet hair dries in 5 minutes without hair drying!

It's so hot I can just dry my clothes indoor!

It's so hot it can make Syria hide in shame!

It's so hot it can melt the sun!!

(I know I make no sense, but.. it's just too hot!)

Boom Boom!

I went to PC Fair Ipoh earlier and got myself a pair of little speakers. They are like 2.5 inches cubes which cost RM 39. They're not as good as my brother's speaker at home but good enough to give me the extra volume my laptop couldn't provide me with. Lol.

Maybe I can start clubbing in my own room now XD Nah.. impossible. The bass is not good enough!

Cracked

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It's not even a year old. Sigh.. I wonder if I can send it for warranty? Tell them it cracked all of sudden instead of I dropped it. Lol. Guess Guat Shan and I always share the same fate. Her phone was soaked in water!

On a random note, I can't wait for week 13 (another 3 weeks) to come.. PANGKOR this sem! :D

Buzzzz..

Like every sem, it's once again, my busy week.

Only difference between this sem and last sem is that last sem, my busy schedule was thoroughly distributed from week 4 to week 12 but this sem, my busy schedule is packed into 3 weeks.

I have like 3 tests in a week and 5 tests in 2 weeks. This excludes assignments, reports and presentations. These are the times where it feels like, you know, you've worn a really uncomfortable pair of shoe out for a whole day shopping, and you can't wait to get home to take your shoes off and relax your overly strained feet. If you get what I mean ;) These are the times where I can't wait to go on a relaxing trip with my friends!!

It's already week 8! Time really flies on Boeing 787! XD

Edit : One of my test (Phytochem) has been postponed! I'm soooo happy!! :D

Bon Odori 2010.. Off.

Today is the 34th Bon Odori in Malaysia. The last time I went to Bon Odori was 4 years ago in 2006.

30th Bon Odori, 15th July 2006.

I think many already know that Bon Odori is a Japanese Ghost Festival and every year, there would be a festival held in 2 places in Malaysia, which are the Matsushita Stadium in Shah Alam and Esplanade in Penang, to celebrate this event.

I've never been to the one in Penang and since I enter my uni life, I made a some sort of 'promise plan' to myself that I would go to Bon Odori in Penang while I'm in my uni life. I made this self-promise back when I was in foundation, almost 4 years ago.

My favourite Bon Odori fan.

There are many self-promised plans I made and for most of them, I managed to fulfill, if not contented with what I did. But for this Bon Odori Penang plan, it is otherwise. 

Ever since I made this self-promised plan for Bon Odori...

31st Bon Odori 2007 - I was in foundation and I remember clearly I had my Economics test on the same day.

32nd Bon Odori 2008 - I was in my first year degree and I have no 'kaki' to go with.

33rd Bon Odori 2009 -  I was in my second year degree and I attended Manchester United Asia Tour 2009

34th Bon Odori 2010 - This year.. :(

Reason for missing Bon Odori 2009.. but did not regret :D

This year I have the group of friends I want to go with, I have my housemate who wants to go as much as I do. I might have the time and there was even an initial plan but.. I did not go after all. Why?

* I have 3 tests on the following week and though I might have the time to finish studying and actually attend Bon Odori, the guilt is there.

* We might not have enough transport to get there.

* Guat Shan have a paper on Monday.

* EE have test today and will be tired (burning midnight oil the night before) if we go later and especially more tired for those who will be driving.

I even got my mom to send me my yukata from home.

It's already my final year as a university student and yes, I know many told me that I can attend next year and that Bon Odori will still be there and all but this is my self-made promise and attending next year is not the same anymore. It's no longer under my uni life plan. Every year I tell myself, "It's okay, I'll go next year", and heck, I can't tell myself this anymore this year.

As exaggerated as I may sound, things will not be this bad once it's over ;)

Indecisive

It's the time that I do not like the most- making decisions. Major decisions.

Okay, fine. Maybe not that major but having 6 empty columns to fill my choices for my final year project isn't an easy task for me. I have to admit being unable to make decision and being indecisive is one of my biggest weaknesses. I have always find it so difficult to make decisions. Perhaps I just consider too much while making a decision. Like for my FYP, I would consider things like,

Is the project fun? Will I enjoy doing it?
Is the project long or short? Will I have enough time to finish it?
Am I good at the techniques required for the project?
Do I choose between something I like, or something that will look nice in my resume next time?
Should I choose between grade or learning something new?
What can write for my thesis? Are the sufficient resources/information for me to write my thesis?
Who is the lecturer handling the project?

And on, and on...

Deadline to submit the form is this week and I've picked my top 6 but have not arranged them in order. Even if I arrange my 6 according to my priority, I might not get what I actually want because there are like tens of students competing for the same project title as me? I don't know, maybe I should just arrange the 6 in alphabetical order and just see which one I get. Lol.

Back To Basic

Guat Shan and I was having our breakfast when the ballot result came out.  I messaged Prince and asked him to check since he was at home. One by one, the message came..

"OMG! Kembara didn't get!"

Needless to say, I always have no luck. So, the Aveo registered under my name did not get as well. Then another message from Prince came.

"We registered 3 cars only this sem? I don't wanna walk to uni!!"

I quickly messaged Sito, whom was still sleeping, and asked her to check. It took her about 15 minutes to reply and in that mean time, I was chewing my nails off while Guat Shan was calmly sitting and eating her breakfast. 15 minutes later,

"As lucky as I am or the kancil is, SUCCESSFUL!"

I was in a public space, I shouted. Yes, now that I thought of it, it's embarrassing.

The last time I drove this car was during foundation mid-sem 2.

Who would predict that I'll ever be driving back this little white Kancil?

Well, I guess it's always better than having to walk to uni. Welcome back to the family, Little Kancil :)

Just Another Short Update

I'm once again, injured from badminton, on the same knee. Only this time, I hurt my ankle too. No, I did not dislocate or sprained my ankle. Just that an old injury 'reemerged' (is this even the correct word to use?)

I've sprained my ankle pretty badly when I was 12 and I regret that I did not tend it properly that time. Now, whenever I strain my ankle a little too much, it'll hurt :(

 I have to wear this now.

Anyway, for this week and coming week, there'll be no badminton sessions. This week, my kakis' all went back to their hometowns for cheng meng and next week, I'll be retuning home as well. So, badminton with Guat Shan and I, anyone? ^^(P/s: We do not have rackets.)

It's already week 10 now, another like one month to my finals. Time really flies. I once read an article on Yahoo! that our Earth is actually rotating faster that its usual speed due to all the phenomena (earthquakes) occurred lately. I want to blame it on the planet for our shorter days and nights (rather than blaming myself for not utilizing my time properly. LOL.)

For continuous weeks, I've been sitting for tests. Perhaps week 10, well, in a way it marks where my busy period ends. Don't get me wrong, I still have one test and 3 labs tests coming in the following weeks and of course, reports and assignment as well. This week itself, in 2 days, I'll be sitting for 2 papers.

Oh well..

P/s : I'm currently so addicted to several songs, one of which I recommend, Glee's Don't Stop Believing. If you're interested to understand the song further into the lyrics, try the version by Sam Tsui :)

Happy CNY!

Reasons to like Chinese New Year : 

1. Ang paoSss!!

2. Bak Kua :D

3. Mandarin oranges <3

4. Pineapple tarts

5. Fire crackers & fire works

6. Family reunion & family gathering

7. New clothes 

8. CNY movies

9. Gambling!! (how could I forget?)

10. Feeling Chinese *proud*

Reasons NOT to like Chinese New Year : 

1. House cleaning

2. Assignments and reports (when everyone else is enjoying)

3. Test right after break (which leaves an option for either bad result or studying during CNY or struggle like hell when break ends. Which?)

4.  Getting into study mood once break ends (It's difficult!)

5. Getting fat :(

Luckily, there are more the reasons to like than to dislike. Guess I'll enjoy first XD

HAPPY YEAR OF THE TIGER, EVERYONE!!

And Gong Xi Valentine XD