S.I.M.P.L.I.C.I.T.Y

Something really big is happening, in Victoria Institution. So big, that such secrets are kept so silent that hardly anyone would know. I did manage to know bits of it.

Come to think of it, human beings are so full of secrets. Throughout my observations, as well as my personal experience, it is so hard to keep secrets in which other people often tell you about, or secrets involving others. On the other hand, when you have a secret, especially when you are involved, you tend to keep such secrets so well. Of course, this is just my personal points of view, no offence.

These days my habits have ‘suffered‘ a thorough change. Even since my mother returned from the ward in the Pantai Medical Centre, I would come back home everyday and to remain in the living room to look after her, until someone else returns home to take care of my mum’s needs. Until now, my mother’s movement is still very limited; and a little movement cause intense pain especially around the operated organ. And yeap, if my mum is to compete with a 90-year-old grandma in a walking spree, my mother is so going to lose. Yeah, it’s that slow. Haha. (Laughing)

Normally I would come back from school, and then immediately rush towards the computer. Too bad the computer is on the first floor, while now I have to take good care of my mother in the living room below. Too bad.

Speaking of a son with no filial piety.

According to today’s TheStar Online online article, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results are to be announced in the second week of March. However, I feel a bit odd regarding the education ministry not specifying the date for the collection of 2008 SPM results. Regardless of that, I could make several assumptions, based on how it used to be like last year.

The second week of March is from 8th (Sunday) until 14th (Saturday). Like what they always do all these years, the SPM results are usually released after the first batch of National Service (Program Latihan Khidmat Negara, PLKN) trainees return from their 3-month training, AND before the second batch of NS trainees begin their PLKN training. According to the Khidmat Negara official website, the duration for the first batch (Kumpulan 1) is from 27 December 2008 – 11 March 2009, whereas 19 March – 8 June 2009 for the second batch. Since the second week of March stretches from the 8th till 14th, and considering all the above factors, the possible date for the official announcement of 2008 SPM results is either the 12th or 13th of March. I personally do not really think that the officials would choose 14th March, which is a Saturday, perhaps because it is not a schooling day.

Whenever it is, all the best to all 2008 SPM candidates!

Back to myself, everything was fine today. Throughout the day, I’ve been averagely happy, not really because of anything either. Call me insane. Haha. Still, I went through the day with much laughters and talking. Erm, is this something very unusual? I think no. (Laughing)

The Malaysian University English Test (MUET) tutor, Puan Jaya, made my group of four, to speak on a specific topic given earlier. I had been trying to avoid it, seriously, e.g. requesting my friends to not remind Puan Jaya about the speaking session. The past few days, our group did manage to void from being randomly picked, however this time she personally called for groups who have not completed their speaking assessment, which ours was the first for today. Oh well. Our topic was about motorists not helping victims of a hit-and-run accident, yada yada.

For me, I was supposed to speak on why these motorists, or in other reference, bystanders as well as passer-bys, fear of being involved in a hit-and-run accident. Previously I was mistaken to have related this fear of being involved to the person who have caused the accident and then fleed the crash scene. Then again, I re-read the text, and then realized that I am to related the fear of being involved in the motorists (or the passer-bys and bystanders), not the suspect who has caused the accident and escaped the scene.

When it was my turn, I was to speak for 2 minutes without any pause. Of course, I do have a piece of papers with some points in it. So I spoke. And thankfully, I never really shiver and become nervous. Thumbs up! Haha. My fear for speaking in front of class has vanished, ever since I am under Puan Jaya in Victoria Institution. She speaks flawlessly, and always do speaking sessions with us, just to boost our confidence and speaking skills. Magically, it did work on me. While many students do not like her (especially the true Victorians), I have to admit that she is a wonderful MUET tutor. She is in fact, the reason why I am so much better in speaking now. Until now, I have never really tried public speaking, except for a English storytelling competition in SJK (C) Kwong Hon, and some other forms of public speaking in SMK Bandar Baru Seri Petaling, and once in SMK Seri Saujana while visiting the school as part of the Youth’s English Society (YES) activities. Those were of total failures, I have to admit.

As usual, Puan Jaya always give every speaker marks according to the MUET Speaking Test marking scheme, and comments as well. The first task, which is what I did just now, is composed of three components, content, language and communicative abilities; and each component carries a maximum mark of 15 marks. This time, I had 13, 12 and 13 marks respectively, according to the order. She did mention that I spoke well, however I got 12 marks for language because she said something like, “You spoke too soft at times, where I could not hear what you’re saying. So, 12 marks for language.” Also, she has always advised me to speak louder when it comes to speaking.

Honestly, people always say that I speak very softly, even back in the SMKBBSP days. I won’t rebel such statements, instead I will increase my volume and speak louder. Then again, even with me struggling to speak louder, regardless whether it is a presentation, speech, etc, I often fail in this manner. It’s more like, I am born with such a soft volume, that even if I try hard to increase its volume, I always fail miserably. I could also presume that there is another reason to it. Very rarely I would raise my volume, so such a habit of speaking softly all the time makes it so hard for me to speak loud. Oh well.

In my class, there are a few who can really speak well, and have confidence and constant eye contact with audiences while speaking. Admittedly, from what she told us, Dasheni, Tana, Reuben, Wai Hong, me, and a few more. Not showing off here, haha.

Ouch, got to go for now. Nite ^^

And before I leave, GOOD LUCK TO ALL 2008 SPM CANDIDATES! Better get good results, yeah? Or else I will… (evil laughter)

Jiann.
XOXO

Who Do You Think You Are?

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not about to begin an argument, or expressing my dissatisfaction or anger.

“Who Do You Think You Are?” is in fact, a British genealogy documentary series that has aired on the BBC since 2004. Made by Wall to Wall, in each episode, a celebrity goes on a journey to trace his or her family tree.

Though I may recognize the name, I actually never watch any episode of the award-winning TV show before. I only came to know this TV series while checking out websites that publish descriptions of all the new TV show episodes, etc.

This show is nothing much to me, either. However, what really attracts me is the logo of the series.

I’m not really into designing, or anything related. But still, I love cool, great graphics. The logo for the TV series looks exceptionally minimalistic. Plus, I love how they actually design the whole logo.

The above is a book, accompanying the third series of the award-winning BBC television series, entitled, “Who Do You Think You Are?: Trace Your Family History Back to the Tudors“. According to the official BBC Shop, this book gives the amateur genealogist all the tools to trace their ancestors back over six centuries, taking them on a fascinating historical journey into the past.

Still, I have no interest for the book, and I’m no genealogist too.

Instead, I may want to check out the some of the episodes. Looks delicious and interesting enough. (Chuckling)

For everyone who may have known about the current health condition of my mother, though I admit that I never really want to tell others specifically what surgery has my mum underwent, thanks for everything, and for all the wishings. Hehe. Just don’t worry, not even a bit. (Smile)

Of course, I don’t expect to receive many response from many people either, well my blog isn’t really that popular anyway, at least for now. I never ever posted the link to my blog in Facebook, Friendster, Twitter, or even in Windows Live Messenger. I do know only a very, very few who only realize that I have a blog, haha. Maybe I should do something about it.

And also, the results for the 81st Academy Awards are out too! I did not really expect anything unusual or surprising this year, though. Still, Slumdog Millionaire managed to win 8 out of 10 nominations. Can you believe that? I didn’t manage to watch it as yet, sigh. At least The Curios Case of Benjamin Button didn’t perform that bad too.

Check out the official results here,
http://www.oscars.org/awards/81academyawards/nominees.html

Gosh, this year there seem to be a long list of movies that I have intense desire to watch, namely: -

1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Curios Case of Benjamin Button
3. The Pink Panther 2
4. Changeling (already watched it, very sad story)
5. Bolt
6. Bride Wars

At least these are some that I can think of, for now. (Laughing)

And due to the incredible popularity of Slumdog Millionaire, I am having my eyes on its original book, where the script of the film is adapted from. The book is titled, Q & A: A Novel by Vikas Swarup. Honestly I don’t even recognize who the author is, unlike some more popular ones like J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Mitch Albom, Michael Crichton, etc. And lately I’ve not been really an avid reader, oh well.

Other than that, I’ve also been targetting on other books as well, one of it is “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga. This author, however, is a freshly baked one. The White Tiger is in fact, Aravind’s first debut novel, published in 2008. The reason how I came across this book is mainly due to its recognition worldwide, that the novel won the Man Booker Prize in 2008, too.

On top of that, Dan Brown has also announced quite a while ago that he is writing a new novel. Later it has been known to be titled as “The Solomon Key“. Honestly, I seriously have positive praise for his internationally-renowned “The Da Vinci Code” novel, which has also drawn an endless list of criticisms and trial cases as well. I have got great desire to read his “Angels & Demons” novel too, but never manage to. (Sigh) Now I am waiting for Dan’s new novel, The Solomon Key to be officially released.

Here are some that I target to buy and read, sooner or later.

1. “Q & A: A Novel“, by Vikas Swarup.
2. “The White Tiger“, by Aravind Adiga.
3. “The Solomon Key“, by Dan Brown.
4. “Angels & Demons“, by Dan Brown.

Other than the ones listed, I do not really have any idea on what other books to read. Normally I would go to the Popular, MPH or the Times bookstores, and go browse for books. Haha, I do sometimes judge books from its covers. You know, whenever you browse through books in shelves, sometimes you would have your eyes fixed on books with beautifully-designed or interesting covers. Hehe, you get what I mean here.

Anyhow, have a nice day. And thanks for your support and wishes. I am doing all right now, at least my diarrhea seems to have calmed down for the moment, after I took the Imodium antidiarrheal drug, which I bought for RM 3.80 for 6 capsules in the Caring pharmacy nearby.

Nite nite. ^^

Today has been relatively fine and usual, my father has been up early in the morning to visit my mum at the Pantai Medical Centre hospital in Bangsar. The surgery undergone seemed to be a success, and now my mum is resting well in her ward. I don’t really enclose all the facts when I blog, I just believe that sometimes not everything personal and private are worth blogging or telling others when there is zero necessity for others to know as well. For this matter, it is more of a family thing, though all my relatives and parents’ friends know too. Hehe.

Regardless of what, my mother has been in ward since this Monday, whereas the surgery was performed on Wednesday. While everything has been a success, I am pretty upset that my mum is actually facing all sorts of pain and effects of the surgery. My mum can hardly walk properly now, due to the post-surgery pain. Basically fow now, she has to take an entire month of home rest before starting to work as usual, if my mother’s recovery is doing well.

Just one phrase, I love you, mum! All your spoiled sons want mummy to be fully recovered! Muaks, muaks, muaks.

I am not left out too. Erm, not really. Since 3 days ago, I’ve been having a rather bad diarrhea. I don’t really what is the cause behind it. The possibility may be due to spoiled food, not speaking of the spoiled fish curry in the previous blog post. I have no fever at all, nor even any weakness.

Ought to visit the toilet, yet again, real soon… (sigh)

This week is definitely another busy week, even more for the next one.

Firstly, all the completions for all my exercises and notes, for every subject, which are to be handed to the principal to be checked and verified. You know, like what we always have in secondary schools. Remember? Oh well, since I’m still in a secondary school, I simply cannot escape it, unlike you people in colleges or universities. Not to mention this will be my last year for doing this, as well. Hmm, how much I hate this thing! But on the bright side, this is how people make others finish their homework, isn’t it? Haha.

Other than that, schooling schedule for next week will be a very packed one. I am still on the process of finishing everything which I am supposed to have finished. (Do I have any?) Plus, all the preparations for the coming Hari Sukan. Basically I am, with my gang of Form Sixers, responsible for the perhiasan (decoration). Haha, this sounds so girlish, sigh.

Oh, speaking of today too. You know what, something really bad actually happened. This morning, I went to the Bukit Jalil LRT station only to find out that the station was temporarily halted. Gosh, there were tons of people waiting outside, including school students. Just a look behind the bars, where they use to avoid people from coming in, I can see a couple of some-who-look-like-technicians repairing a faulty pass-by counter (in which you are supposed to insert the LRT card and then walk pass it), just one. And you know what, the authorities actually halted the entire operation of LRT in the Bukit Jalil LRT station, only because of that one faulty counter! At least that is what I believed to have happened. (Sigh) Even if they are worried that some people may take the opportunity to slip through that faulty counter, can’t they just send a couple of staff there to avoid people from using the faulty one?! You cannot actually stop everyone from using the LRT service when the fault is so minor! Everyone was stranded outside the LRT station. Come on, I have a school to go to, other students too; people have to go to work, etc!

At about 6.40 a.m., finally they opened the sliding bar, allowing people to enter. Of course, everyone was late! Everyone rushed towards the counters, and then to the train. Gosh, you’ve got to look at how big that crowd was. Thankfully I have a RM100 monthly pass, no need to wait for queue at all. Regardless of that, to wait for a LRT train to come at 6.40 a.m. is already extremely late, not to mention it takes about 20 minutes to reach the Hang Tuah station. Then again, worse still, the LRT train arrived real late, at about 6.50 a.m.. Definitely I am really unsatisfied and angry about this matter, plus I was already so late to school.

The LRT train arrived at Bukit Jalil with a great number of people in it already. No many remaining seats. And as it continued to travel through the Ampang line, there seemed to be more and more people coming in. The number of people in every LRT station seemed to reach skyhigh, there was a crowd in almost every station. Immediately it gave me a thought that perhaps other stations were affected too. Reaching the Tasik Selatan station, the LRT train was already fully packed, there was even not enough space for people to squeeze in. I was stuck in the middle of the crowd, trying so hard to remain near to the left door, which it will open upon reaching the Hang Tuah station.

When it reached the Hang Tuah LRT station, I did manage to squeeze myself out of the crowd. It was almost 7.10 a.m. that time, and I was late for sure! Walking up the steps in the station makes me see at least 100 to 200 people going towards the pass-by counters. Just imagine the amount of people there! Of course, I did meet a couple of my classmates there, who were also late because of this, as well as quite an amount of Victorians too. Okay, we were all very late.

And then again, something else happened. This time, it did not involve me at all. While I was walking side-by-side with my classmates to VI, there were some other Form Sixers and Victorians walking at the back too. If you are cautious enough, you may be well aware that the bridge connecting the pathway (near the Hang Tuah LRT station) and the mosque on the other side of the road, had been abolished since last year. I’m not talking about the bridge for the KL monorail. So, we have to walk down along the pathway on the right along the shops, just in front of the apartments, and then walk back up at a small stairs to the road. We do that every single day, if you ask.

What happened was, someone actually poured old, spoiled fish curry from on top of the apartment! My classmates and I were on the way walking to school, and there were these 2 other Form Six girls from VI too, at the back of us. And you know what, at a particular moment, a person poured old and spoiled curry from above the apartment. And boom! Both the VI Form Six girls at the back kena-d! A lot of curry, in fact! Seconds later, they eventually caught up with us, up on the road, waiting to cross the road to VI. Upon seeing them, we were all surprised and shocked to the maximum! I tell you, I can even smell the curry from far away. Of course, the girls were completely covered in curry, their hair, uniform and bags were all in curry! Without a doubt, they were extremely angry over the matter, and kept screaming out curses and anger. Can you imagine that?! Worse still, the curry was old and spoiled fish curry! We know this from its smell, actually.

I wonder. How could someone be that inhumane, freakishly brainless and stupid to even want to pour old, spoiled curry from above the apartment? Does he/she even has a brain?! Pouring curry from above an apartment, huh? Is he/she so brainless to not even have normal human senses to know how people would react over this?!

Gosh, I am so darn mad and angry about this, even though I admit that this has nothing to do with me at all. How much today’s world has become.

While I was talking to my friends who came by LRT as well, they also did mention that the LRT stations at their places (along the Sri Petaling – Chan Sow Lin line) were affected too. One of them is from the Sri Petaling LRT station, while another from Sungai Besi. In conclusion, this would indirectly mean that, only because one extremely minor problem in the Bukit Jalil station, the entire operation in all the Sri Petaling – Cheras LRT stations was halted. Can you believe that?! This is an unacceptable nonsense!

The same argument goes to the RapidKL LRT authorities too. How could they be that freakishly ignorant and inhumane that they halt the entire LRT operation only because of such minor problems? Come on! There are hundreds and hundreds of others who have to go to schools, colleges, universities, work, etc. Don’t they even think about other people?!

There goes all my complainings and madness for today. What a day.

Donated an approximate of 350 ml of erythrocytes* (if you’re a biology student, you should understand) to my mother, of course not directly into my mum’s body, which is deemed to be rather dangerous. This time, the nurse seemed to be a lil’ more lenient, in a way where she seemed to be less ‘cautious’ or even have the ‘interest’ to correctly check me. Checks were faster this time, firstly of course with the blood type test. Once again, even though I have already been tested with so many thousand times, my blood type remains as O + as usual. Good, at least it’s a sign that I have not mutated, at least for now. (Laughing)

Hey! At least this time I suceeded in donating blood, though I’ve gotta’ admit that I was a lil’ scared at first. Hmm, that is so not-like-a-guy thing. Reagrdless of what, I did go through all the challenges without much problem, none actually. Hehe, a full-fledged guy, afterall. Yes! Oh, that was yesterday. Good thing that my parents treated me to some chicken rice after the blood transfusion.

Once again, I was bored here again. Of course, this is not unusual for me, as you could expect from a boring, life-less guy from me. (Sobbing) Nevertheless, I went for a blog hopping adventure. While it may not be the most exciting thing in the world to do, at least I know how life is like for others.

(Clearing throat) Erm, did I actually do a blog hopping? Perhaps not quite. I only visited a blog or two. Specifically Sylvea’s blog, the Bian Tai Gang, as well as the Two and a Men. Nothing much, seriously. Sylvea Chan is basically, all craps that she keeps crapping about, even I don’t know what am I crapping now. What kind of crap is this?! The Bian Tai gang, are what they named themselves after. (This sentence looks so gramatically wrong, haha.) Only if you could understand what the phrase, “bian tai” actually means. And for the Two and a Men, I obviously don’t know them, not even any of them. It’s just that I got to their blog after I started googling one of my friends’ names. Doesn’t this sound more like I’m stalking them? Hmm… Hell no! Obviously I’m stalking while not admitting to stalking. Haha.

Other than that, my rest of my life today is boring. Except for the technical, geeky side of Woei Jiann, of course. On that side of me, life is never full of colours, like how you would say normally, “Life is full of colours”, a.k.a. “life is always wonderful and joyous”. Instead, life is always full of codes, numbers and technical thingies. You know, all the binary numbers, e.g. 10010100010101110, etc.

Oh okay, cut the craps! You know what, I met the love of my life, just announced one or 2 days ago in the Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC) in Barcelona. My darling is named, Sony Ericsson Idou, and I could assume that the name isn’t final as yet.

See below. (Clearing throat) Not your below, ehem.

Front of Sony Ericsson Idou

Back of Sony Ericsson Idou

Sony Ericsson Idou, equipped with a 12.1 megapixel camera, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen. Yada yada, yada yada. Basically, there are so many other features, that I already gone malas to describe them all. Well, you don’t expect me to showcase and introduce all new phones in my blog, do you? Expected to be released on the 3rd quarter of 2009, this year.

Isn’t the SE Idou a beauty queen? Gosh, I love it so much!

Staying in home has been freakin’ boring, unfortunately. Though I have to admit that I enjoy conquering the computer and the freedom I have, especially when parents are not around.

Read the online news at theStar Online about the declaration of national heritage status for Victoria Institution today, I did also come to realize that VI has its old, founding name restored officially. Never really heard anything about this. Of all these while, before the declaration, VI had always been officially known as SMK Victoria, in official letters, statements and even school notices. (You know, the government’s policy for all the government schools.) Despite that, everyone in school, even the teachers and school authorities, has been calling SMK Victoria as Victoria Institution, basically the original name sounds a lot more professional and grand. Now that VI’s original name has been restored officially, together with the national heritage status, I suppose there won’t be much difference.

Other than that, in the article, it generally boasts about Victoria Institution, which does not really interest me that much. (Though I have got to admit that I keep blogging about Victoria Institution, I don’t know why.) Regardless of that, I do have to admit that some facts are pretty interesting to know.

He (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal) said the school was the first in Southeast Asia to have cadet corps and a school band.

It is very true that Victoria Institution was the first in Southeart Asia to have cadet corps and a school band. Erm, am I repeating the phrase? I am not too clear about the cadet corps. About the school band, I really have to admit that VI has one of the best school bands around. Almost every year, the school band keeps winning awards, plus they are very often sent to foreign countries to represent the school or Malaysia. Even in the international stage, VI has won quite some competitions too. The other thing worth mentioning about VI is the prefect board, as well. The prefect board in Victoria Institution was also the oldest in Southeast Asia, too.

Oh my god, I think I am becoming more of a Victorian as ever. And, this means trouble. Really, Victoria Institution is brainwashing me, help!

Victoria Institution is to be proclaimed as a National Heritage.

So, the rumour I heard seems to be true. Good one. This event can even be found in Facebook, can you believe it? Gosh, this school is so full And I believe this news is first conveyed through the Victoria Institution Old Boys’ Association (VIOBA) official website, through this link.

Read the following invitation as published in the VIOBA’s official website.

VI to be proclaimed as a National Heritage

“Good news to all Victorians! Victoria Institution to be proclaimed as a National Heritage along with 38 others nationwide. All of you are invited to attend the proclamation ceremony as follows:

Date: Saturday,14th Feb 2009
Time: 9.30 a.m.
Venue: Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur

This event will be attended by the Heritage Commissioner and the Minister of Heritage, Unity, Cultural and Arts, YB Dato’ Seri Haji Mohd Shafie Bin Haji Apdal, who is also an old VI boy (batch of 1976).

While the organizers could only allocate 200 Victorians to be seated in the school hall, around 500 Victorians are expected to watch the proceedings live on close circuit TV (CCTV) at the quadrangle. Therefore, this is the perfect time to organize batch gatherings and reunions on that day. Catering is available by request.

Looks like VI is really becoming a tourist attraction. Just imagine the school being a hospitality college and training centre, where we are specially trained and taught to treat, serve and guide tourists. Haha.

It is actually quite a cool thing, at least to me. Not many schools have such recognition, though. Haha. And this adds a star in my personal rating for Victoria Institution. (Giggles)

Still, I’m not going. Terlalu malas nak naik LRT dan datang ke sekolah, plus I’m not too fancy about this kind of thing. Haha. You can always ask me, “What kind of Victorian are you?”

My father’s and mother’s not home, my eldest brother too. And this means, complete freedom! They are actually out for my mother’s side cousin’s wedding, which my younger brother and I supposed to go, until Sunday night after the wedding reception. However, we couldn’t make it, due to a schooling day tomorrow, supposedly.

Woo hoo!

Oh, speaking of the coming week, I am actually asked by my parents to donate blood. Not only me, though, the same applies to my eldest and youngest brothers. If you ask, it is not a charity work. The donated blood is then passed to my mother, who will undergo a surgery really soon. Father told me that we all are going to donate our blood straight after school on Monday, oh well.

Donating blood is actually a new thing to me, not too new though. Last time, when I volunteered to donate blood (only because I see most of my classmates go for it), several months back in Victoria Institution, there were quite some tests to do before you can actually donate your blood. First, if I could still recall, is to test your blood type. Mine is an O + (positive) blood type, which I already knew since young. And you know what, even for the first test, I was already about to faint after the health officer extracted just a pinch of blood from the vein on my wrist using a needle, just to test my blood type. Of course, I never mention anything. So, I actually proceeded to the next test, where the other health officer was to test my blood pressure and some other factors. And it appeared that my blood pressure was below normal. Of course she did ask me a few questions regarding this, and it looked like the lack of sleep was the reason why I had low blood pressure. That was when I realized the reason why I felt like fainting after a bit of my blood was extracted to test the blood type.

Hopefully this time I’d be fine, just need a couple of sufficient sleeping hours before donating blood. Haha.