FREEDOM! (FOR NOW)

Freedom, freedom, oh, freedom at last!!!

The horrible mid-year exam is finally over and we have two long months of bliss till the next exam! Okay, I changed my mind. Two months isn't that long. Too bad. Like I was saying the other day, we'll never be free of exams until we go out to work.

But hey, at least I have one thing to be really excited about. The long-anticipated trip to Hong Kong is (finally) two days away! Yup, folks, just TWO days and I'll be on the plane to Hong Kong. Haven't even started packing, let alone bought the necessary stuff for the trip. Therefore, Dad and I will attempt the impossible by rushing to the mall today and tomorrow, trying to get everything done, while Mum will be ironing and packing my suitcase.

Luckily my ankle is getting better. I can hardly feel the pain anymore. It just feels a bit numb. I can't believe I managed to fall down and sprain it. I mean, I'm not that type of person who can walk and fall down just like that. I am going to be like Sarah soon. Not good. :)

Okay, I've got to get packing now. I'll try to write more, and maybe find a computer with Internet access in the hotel. Bye!

THE BRITISH VS. THE MALAYSIANS

Came across this in an e-mail. I must say, we Malaysians are more innovative than the British. Even using such short and concise sentences, we still can get the meaning across. Malaysia Boleh! Okay, maybe not...


When giving a customer bad news

British: I'm sorry, sir, but we don't seem to have the particular pair of shoes you want in your size. If you give me a moment, though, I can check with the other outlets for you.

Malaysians: No stock.


When returning a call

British: Hello, this is John Smith. Sorry to interrupt, but did anybody call my mobile phone a while ago?

Malaysians: Hello, who call?


When asking someone to make way

British: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?

Malaysians: S-kew me!


When someone offers to pay

British: Hey, put your wallet away. This drink's on me.

Malaysians: Aiyah, no need lah.


When asking for permission

British: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?

Malaysians: (pointing to the door) Can ah?


When entertaining a guest

British: Please make yourself right at home.

Malaysians: Don't be shy lah!


When doubting someone

British: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Malaysians: Where got?


When disagreeing on a topic of discussion

British: Err... Tom, I have to stop you there. I can understand where you're coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.

Malaysians: Eh, you mad ah?


When in a tight situation

British: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament right now.

Malaysians: Die lah!


When one is angry

British: Would you mind not disturbing me?

Malaysians: Celaka you.


When considering an option

British: I'll think about it first and get back to you later.

Malaysians: See first lah.

LONG TIME NO SEE

Hello, world! Long time no see! I know I said I'll be blogging more often and I didn't, so... thousand apologies.

First of all... Yo dawg, I'm going to Hong Kong, baby!

Ahem. Right. Need to stop sounding like Randy Jackson.

But yeah, I'm going to Hong Kong on the 19th!!! It was a last-minute sort of thing - Mum forced me to go at the last minute. So now it's settled, and I'm going to Hong Kong!!!!! And now, Mum's taking credit for this trip - she keeps saying, "Oh, I know you'll love it! See? If I hadn't made you go, you'd have missed a chance of a lifetime!" and she's also saying how she's sacrificing her chance of going there because it's too expensive. More like she's too busy cleaning the house. Yes, Mum, we know you're very sacrificial.

Not-so-good news: The mid-year exam is starting next Friday and I am so not prepared! Gotta study, study, study!!!

But then, I'm going to Hong Kong! I just can't get enough of saying that!

THE RETURN OF SU YEN

Happy April Fool's Day, everybody!

Yes, O Great Su Yen has finally returned after two months of hibernation, and this is no April Fool's joke! Okay, since I'm not a bear, I wasn't hibernating. I was just too busy and too (ahem) lazy to blog. So fear not, my dear readers, for I haven't vanished off the face of the Earth.

Right. A quick recount on what's happened in these two months. Nothing much, really. First monthly test was in March - did considerably well, which was shocking, since everybody in my class and the other class are super-smart. Now I'm getting worried about the Mid-term exam, since it's less than two months away.

The F1 season has started! Been arguing with Gabriel almost every day about the drivers. I actually saw the real McLaren car in the Gardens. Very very cool, even though I don't really support McLaren. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me.

My dream to own a full season of House has finally come true. My dad got me the first season as an early birthday present. My dad is now my hero. As you can see, it doesn't take much for someone to be worshipped by me. :) He also bought Pride and Prejudice and Nancy Drew. That's like another two dreams come true. I have been waiting forever to watch those movies. Now I kowtow to him. Seriously.

There has been a political tsunami after the general elections on March 8. BN is now feeling not so comfortable after failing to obtain a two-third majority, although they still form the government. A big shock for them, as well as the Opposition, because Penang and Selangor went to the Opposition. Even more shocking was the defeat of some big guns, namely Sharizat, Samy Velu and Koh Tsu Koon. You can check out Comedy Court for hilarious clips about all these MPs.

My maid ran away on the night of the elections. She didn't take any clothes, money or passport. I'd say she's crazy, but Mum thinks that there might be some sort of syndicate that recruits maids and takes them away. We are actually coping quite well even without a maid. So it was sort of a blessing in disguise. Although we never cook at home nowadays.

The piano recital in my teacher's house on Sunday went surprisingly well. Granted, I made one or two mistakes and forgot two chords, but still, I wasn't half bad! I was the only girl who wore pants. I looked like a boy, or to be exact, a pageboy. Next round, I'd better wear a skirt, because I looked so out of place among all the flamboyant dresses.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I'll (hopefully) be blogging more often!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOANNE!

Went to Joanne's new house today to celebrate her birthday. There were only a few of us - me, Helena, Joanne, Mithrra, Joanne's cousin, Amanda Koh and Amanda Khoo (those two names can be seriously confusing sometimes!). Chin May was supposed to come, but she went off to Penang. Too bad, I couldn't see the NeoWoman in action. :P

Basically, we just hung out in front of the widescreen TV in Joanne's house and played Nintendo Wii. There were lots of squealing and laughing and shrieking. It was really fun, and it was also really nice to see all my old friends again. I've missed them so much! They still haven't changed one bit.

I've decided, after the Chinese New Year holidays, I'm going back to visit all my teachers - and see all my friends again!

Anyway, I'd just like to say:

Happy Birthday, Joanne! You've grown one year older!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Well, my first day of school was like any normal school day, with the exception, of course, that I was in an entirely new environment. Woke up very early - 6.15 a.m. just so that I wouldn't be late. Turns out that we newcomers had to wait about 45 minutes before we got our classes. They placed me in the first class - 2 Amanah, which, apparently, has the responsibility of maintaining the school's academic image. Only the first day and the teacher was already lecturing us about how we must score at least a B for every subject.

Once again, my form teacher so happens is also my Sejarah teacher, and I suppose he does know his work quite well, considering he's taught Form 5 Sejarah for quite a while. He actually looks like my father - in fact, the resemblance is uncanny! He came in for a very long time and was talking a lot about how to study Sejarah effectively (apparently, we have to keep thinking about him - in his own words, "Untuk belajar Sejarah, kamu semua mesti sayang cikgu kamu dulu.") And also, he claims that his sixth-sense is very hebat - he proceeded to analyse some of us and 'sense' our auras. It was just plain hilarious. I haven't met any of my teachers save for my Sejarah teacher, and so I have no idea how they are going to be like.

Today certainly did bring some surprises. I recognised quite a lot of people there, and some were, indeed, very surprising. Like, for instance, Sofia, whom I thought was still at Cempaka. And Harris ... apparently he changed schools all of a sudden.

Well, here's to my new school, and I hope that I'll be able to stay in the top class until I'm in Form 5!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL

I can't believe that one and a half months of year-end holidays is over so fast - just like that! I mean, it's already a new year, and tomorrow it's back to school for me. Now, as always, I'm torn between two emotions - looking forward to school and not wanting the holidays to end.

Tomorrow, I will be the new girl in school all over again. I'll have to learn where my classroom is, how to navigate the hallways, how to get to the canteen and such. And I don't even know which class I'm placed in!

I really don't like being the new kid in school. You've got to get adapted to the surroundings, and the first day is always the most awkward. You don't know anybody in school, and most times, attempts to make friendly conversation with the old-timers can fail. Oh yeah, and not to mention the weird stares some people might be giving you.

Well, I'll definitely miss all my friends back at my old school, but I'm also looking forward to making new ones here!!! And I'll definitely go back to visit. So don't worry, yeah, Chin May? :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!!!

Usher in 2008!!!

What are your resolutions for the new year?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all of you bloggers (and readers) out there! Have a jolly holiday!

Some Christmas quotes and sayings:

'Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.' ~ Norman Vincent Peale

'He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.' ~ Roy L. Smith

'It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.' ~ W. T. Ellis

'At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year.' ~ Thomas Tusser

The famous Christmas poem:

The Night Before Christmas
Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below.

When, what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!"
"On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

'THE GOLDEN COMPASS' NAVIGATES ITS WAY TO MAJOR LET-DOWN

Yesterday was the second time I went to Golden Screen Cinemas after so long. This time, it was to watch the highly anticipated (for me, anyway) 'The Golden Compass'.

'The Golden Compass' is based on Philip Pullman's 'Northern Lights', which, in my opinion, is one of the best books I've ever read. However, I think 'The Golden Compass' was quite a let-down. The book was much, much better. But of course, it isn't fair to compare the movie with the book, since the book would obviously be better. But still, there were quite a lot of fighting scenes, so towards the end, it was fighting, fighting, and more fighting. Boring. *yawn*

Nicole Kidman stars as Mrs. Coulter, the head of the Magisterium, otherwise known as the General Oblation Board, which takes kids to the North for experiments. When Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) finds out that her best friend Roger (Ben Walker) has been kidnapped by the Magisterium and taken to the North, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon (voiced by Freddie Highmore) set out to rescue him, a whole other bunch of kids who've met with the same fate, and her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), who has been captured by the ice-bears in Svalbard. The journey to the North involves encounters with Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green) and her clan of witches, ice-bears, Samoyeds and Tartars. Will Lyra be able to overcome all these challenges lying ahead of her? Well, for those of you who've already watched it, I'm sure you already know the answer!!!

Yeah, that was such an obvious statement!

'ENCHANTED' ENCHANTS!

Finally. FINALLY. After waiting for a week and maybe more for the release of 'Enchanted', I finally got to watch it!!!!

Yesterday, my cousin and her boyfriend took me to Golden Screen Cinemas to watch 'Enchanted'. That was the first time in around 5 years that I've been to a cinema. I can already imagine your gasps of shock - "What??! Su Yen hasn't been to a cinema for that long?!"

Okay. Okay. I'm sidetracking.

Well, 'Enchanted' is about this girl, Giselle (Amy Adams), who lives in Andalasia, a fairytale land which she can sing to call the animals when she needs help. A bit like Cinderella, really. One day, she dreams of her Prince Charming, and suddenly a huge ... slug comes to her house and tries to eat her. Coincidentally, Prince Edward (James Marsden) is riding through the woods and he saves Giselle from the slug. They immediately fall in love and plan to get married the next day itself. (Wow ... that's pretty fast!!!)

But, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) is determined to stop the wedding, no matter what it takes. She banishes poor, innocent Giselle to the busy city of New York, and Giselle has no clue where she is, how to get back to nice, peaceful Andalasia, or what to do here in New York. Long story cut short, she is rescued by weary, divorced lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey).

Meanwhile, back in Andalasia, when Prince Edward learns that Giselle has been sent to New York, he too, goes there, determined to save his 'one true love', the girl who 'completes my duet'. Pip, the chipmunk, joins him in the search for Giselle, which turns out to be very hilarious, what with Prince Edward constantly creating trouble and Queen Narissa plotting to kill Giselle.

I thought that Patrick Dempsey, who is currently known as 'McDreamy' throughout Hollywood, who's got the whole of Hollywood going gaga over him, was just OK. He played the part of a typical Prince Charming, which in my opinion, is veeeeeery boring. I think James Marsden as Prince Edward was better, because he was so funny and so ... dumb. Really.

I won't talk much about 'Enchanted', in case I spoil the fun for those of you who haven't watched it yet. But, it is a movie that is definitely worth checking out.

Well, next movie - 'The Golden Compass'. Soon I will be a seasoned 'traveller' to Golden Screen Cinemas! Ha!!!

LIVE AND LOUD, KUALA LUMPUR 2007

Went to Live and Loud yesterday. Thanks to my cousin, we had media passes, but in the end, it didn't really make a difference.

It was quite a let down, really. We only wanted to see Whitney Houston perform, and we thought it would be a good idea to turn up early, so Mom drove Dad and I to the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club at 7.30 p.m. Well, we didn't get in until about half and hour later because it was so packed.

Once we got in, we decided not to sit in the media tent because we couldn't see anything from that angle. So, instead, we hung around in the field - far, far away from the stage, because the music was so loud.

We sat (actually, more like 'stood') through two and a half hours of local celebrities performances, and then we had to wait for a while for the bands to be switched. Next up was a 45 minute-long performance by Shaggy, who did manage to entertain the crowd, and didn't fail to endanger my eardrums with his music. -_-

And then, everybody was waiting for Whitney Houston to make her appearance. We had to wait almost an hour before she came on stage. My ears were almost gone by that time, and it was already almost 1 a.m. Finally, when she did come on stage, she started off with some song which title I do not know, and then 'The Greatest Love of All', which was quite ... er ... different from the one I'm used to listening to. So after about three songs, Dad and I decided to cabut because it was already so late. Apparently, a lot of people had the same idea in mind. People started to stream out after listening to Whitney for a short while. Poor Whitney. But she shouldn't have made us wait for her for an hour!!!

I just found out that Elliot Yamin performed earlier - what a bummer. If we had gone earlier, we could've caught his performance. Oh well, there's always the TV and YouTube!!!

I hope my cousin has got tickets to 'Enchanted'. I can't wait to see it! :O

EIGHT RANDOM THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

Rules:

1) Each blogger must post these rules.
2) Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3) Bloggers who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

Okay, let's see...

1) I have a slight obsession with the British accent. Hey, you can't blame me - those newscasters on BBC sound so good!

2) I like 'verbal-sparring' (that's putting it very mildly, actually) with my cousins about anything that comes to mind. Arguing with Gabriel about F1 also is pretty enlightening! :D

3) When I first learned how to cycle, I used to cycle up and down the street in my neighbourhood. Once, when I was happily whizzing downhill, I lost control and my bike started to head to the right instead of staying on track. I panicked, totally forgot about the brakes, and hit a huge tree, nearly falling into the big drain. Now that was scary!

4) I grew up watching Barney. Even though I was way past the 'Barney stage', I still continued watching it until I was about eight, I think. And I'm not ashamed to admit it!

5) According to my mom, I was completely hooked on 'The Sound of Music' when I was two. I watched it a grand total of 20 times when I was a baby!

6) I often use words that end with -ly. The word I use the most is 'obviously'. There are so many people around me who often state the blatantly obvious that I can't help but roll my eyes and say, "Obviously!"

7) I love imitating people, especially my teachers (sshh...don't tell them that!). My personal favourite would have to be my (former) Maths teacher, because his accent was so hilarious and so easy to imitate! If you'd like a Mr. Kumara recitation of all the polygons in the Form 1 syllabus, I'm your girl! (Everybody in Sri Cempaka, do not EVER tell him that, or else I'll be dead meat!)

8) I have this habit of putting the tip of my pencil/pen on my upper front teeth when I'm thinking very hard. But don't worry, it's not contaminated with my saliva! Haha...

Ooh, I'm done! Now's the fun part - tagging people! Hmm...let's see who's going to be my victim! Muahahaha *evil laugh*

People whom I'd LOVE to tag:

1) Goh Chin May (yes, Chin May, you're at the top of my list - very special, you know? :P)
2) Amanda
3) Ally
4) Jessie (my cousin)
5) Bryan (my cousin - if you actually read my blog!)
6) Gwen Yi (if you still have a blog)
7) Joanne
8) Erika

GOODBYES ARE...FOREVER?

I can't believe that yesterday was the last day of school! It seems like only just yesterday, I was a small fry walking into the gate of Sri Cempaka, getting lost in the hallways and having to ask the intimidating prefects the way around. And it really is hard to believe that almost one year has passed and in less than two months we'll be 14!!!

I'm sooooooooo sad, because I won't be seeing all my friends anymore. I made so many new friends this year, and now I won't be able to see them again ... boo hoo! I'll ask Mom to let me visit next year, okay, Chin May? I promise. :D

I'll really miss Cempaka. The teachers, all my friends, the Vico, the spicy chicken (don't laugh, Amanda!)...

Alright, enough with the sappy moments. I had dinner at the House of Pancakes at Hartamas Shopping Centre yesterday. For those of you who haven't heard of it, you really should try it out. They make THE best pancakes I've ever tasted. And yeah, you might think it's a bit weird to have pancakes for dinner, but trust me, they're not just normal pancakes with maple syrup and butter. The House of Pancakes serves over 100 types of pancakes, and it is just so hard to choose what to eat! But their pancakes are really good. Oh, but I think I've already said that...haha.

Well, I gotta continue with my movie, so bye for now! Remember to check on my blog, 'cause more posts will be coming your way more frequently this two-month holiday!!!

POP THE CHAMPAGNE AND LET'S PARTY!!!

At the start of the year, I recall mentioning that I would only be able to really celebrate after all exams are done for the year. Now, it's the time to pop the champagne and celebrate with gusto!

Finally, the final exams are over and done with! *screams hysterically and waves arms about like a particular person* Four days have passed in a blink of an eye and suddenly, it's all over. It's actually quite hard to imagine - three whole months of pure bliss. No studying, no fretting over anymore exams. And best of all, no more actual classes! Yippee!!! Life just can't get any better right now. :D

On a rather depressing note, the marathon sleep which I'd been planning (and anticipating) didn't quite work out today. *sigh* After school, Mom had to go to the bank, and somehow we got sidetracked and landed up in Taman Desa buying groceries. There went that heavenly picture of snuggling up on the couch and crashing out for three hours. *sobs* Well, I guess I'll have to catch up on that soon! I have been sleep-deprived these three days. Been sleeping at 3 a.m. and waking up three hours later, grumbling and moaning to myself. There was one day when I even slept at 4 a.m. trying to cram all 16 chapters of Geografi into my already sleepy mind. That was the first time I've slept at 4 a.m. just because of Geografi. Gah. OK, I've made up my mind that I officially DO NOT like Geografi.

OK, I'm off to do something not very productive on the Internet now...like maybe look for new wallpapers (my desktop is currently lacking in stunning wallpapers). Or maybe I could log online to see who's available to chat right now. Whatever. As long as I don't use the my remaining time to do anything that involves studying. I've had quite enough of that for a while, thank you very much!