Today...I took a great leap and possess a silver unevenly rectangular box that holds within it...the power to preserve light.
As you might remember from our physics lessons in high school, everything we see we see because there is light. So this box of mine can capture a moment's light and give me the liberty to choose to visit the photo printing shops for developing the light on some glossy paper.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I smugly present to you (drums, people, drums!)...my Nikon Coolpix L11!!! 6.0 Megapixels, ISO 800, 2.4" LCD and 3x optical zoom plus a really cute mini tripod, 1GB Nikon memory card and some free photo-printing card all for the price of RM385!!! That's the deal you get when you have people like Cai Xia with you to do the bargaining.
Ok la, nothing too fancy but hey! I've been wanting a camera since ice age! So now that I've got one, though not a very canggih one la, I can now devote my free time (or whatever's left of it) to photography!!!
Yay!
(calms down)
Now I have to do my work.
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Friday, 1 February 2008
Our Red Herring
RED HERRING: irrelevant diversion.
(As found in The Little Oxford Dictionary, my little friend.)
Joshua Phua is one. A good one at it too. The class clown of my class who is always surprising us with his remarks and implications of how everything can be related to a certain taboo topic that involves activities behind closed doors.
I salute thee in some ways for your creativity, Joshua. At least he makes the class laugh a lot.
This is an example of how surprising Joshua's wit can be:
Setting: During Grammar tutorial today, Ms Wee was giving examples of broken English likely used by UTAR students.
On white board, the example sentence: He nervous.
Grammatically, that is wrong. We should add a verb in between "he" and "nervous".
Result: He is nervous.
"Nervous" is an adjective.
But no...
Joshua: "No, "Nervous" is his name, so he is Nervous."
What in the world, Joshua...
Smacks forehead, signs off.
(As found in The Little Oxford Dictionary, my little friend.)
Joshua Phua is one. A good one at it too. The class clown of my class who is always surprising us with his remarks and implications of how everything can be related to a certain taboo topic that involves activities behind closed doors.
I salute thee in some ways for your creativity, Joshua. At least he makes the class laugh a lot.
This is an example of how surprising Joshua's wit can be:
Setting: During Grammar tutorial today, Ms Wee was giving examples of broken English likely used by UTAR students.
On white board, the example sentence: He nervous.
Grammatically, that is wrong. We should add a verb in between "he" and "nervous".
Result: He is nervous.
"Nervous" is an adjective.
But no...
Joshua: "No, "Nervous" is his name, so he is Nervous."
What in the world, Joshua...
Smacks forehead, signs off.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Kerajinan yang tiba-tiba dan lecturer yang menginspirasikan
Yes, I've decided to try to be a little more diligent with this blogging thing because I know that I've just been too lazy to type out whatever I have on my mind. What more, it seems that I have gone back to my old ways of being private.
Privacy aside I realise I tend to forget what about that I would have really wanted to blog about in the day. This happens so very often. Even now. It is happening.
I might need a moment to try to recall what was it that I so semangat berkobar-kobar wanted to rant about.
There's this quote I remember from Mr Gerald Green public speaking workshop that I attended two months back that goes something like that: Ideas are like slippery fish. If you don't spear them by the end of a pencil, they swim away.
Mr Green suggested we have an ever-ready notebook with us at any hour of the day to jot down whatever ideas that dawn upon us in times unpredictable. He told us of how some people even wake up int he middle of the night to jot down ideas in the notebook. So how? My ideas are usually very abundant when I'm showering. Cham la, notebook get wet.
I'd better take his advice nevertheless. Will save a few ringgit to afford something neat from Creative Products.
Right. So what was I at before talking about my renewed efforts to fight forgetfulness?
Oh, it must be about this superb class I'm having now in this semester that has an ultra fantastic lecturer giving us out of the ordinary lectures! No, I'm not being too dramatic here. I really do think that highly of Dr Carmen Nge's classes. We're taking Critical Reading and Thinking with her and yes, if anyone could, she could make me want to go into the education line.
It takes only one first lecture with her and I dare say the whole of EL Y1S2 is definitely in love with this subject. My first thoughts were how the class seemed like a lesson in comedy and that's good. There's no falling asleep to what lullaby lecture with Dr Carmen (With the exceptional exception of Kung. His head was rolling here and there last Monday. Though I'd have to say the classroom was like a sauna).
As if being a delightful lecturer is not enough, I recently found out (via the tip-off from Pei Ling) that she writes for Off The Edge and had taught in foreign lands before UTAR.
The way she carries our lessons, guiding us on how to prod our young minds and bringing up issues that matter in our society. I have an impression of her as a person who has a thirst for life and change for the better that radiates and imbues motivation. And all this with the unmistakable humbleness: I noticed she didn't introduced herself as Dr Carmen but only Carmen.
Personally, I find it surprising that she remembers my actual name, Ying Xiang. For the first time, I'm voluntarily called that in uni, by an educator. If you know me well enough, I tend to introduce myself as Elizabeth rather than Ying Xiang because it sometimes takes a great deal for people to get my Chinese name right. What with the "Ying Xing, Xing Xiang, Xiang Ying etc" variations that have plagued my childhood, I know better. (Though I still love the name my dad gave me.)
So till I'm full of words and thoughts to be spilled here again. That is, if I remember to get the notebook to remind myself of the words and thoughts.
But I'll remember Dr Carmen for sure la.
Privacy aside I realise I tend to forget what about that I would have really wanted to blog about in the day. This happens so very often. Even now. It is happening.
I might need a moment to try to recall what was it that I so semangat berkobar-kobar wanted to rant about.
There's this quote I remember from Mr Gerald Green public speaking workshop that I attended two months back that goes something like that: Ideas are like slippery fish. If you don't spear them by the end of a pencil, they swim away.
Mr Green suggested we have an ever-ready notebook with us at any hour of the day to jot down whatever ideas that dawn upon us in times unpredictable. He told us of how some people even wake up int he middle of the night to jot down ideas in the notebook. So how? My ideas are usually very abundant when I'm showering. Cham la, notebook get wet.
I'd better take his advice nevertheless. Will save a few ringgit to afford something neat from Creative Products.
Right. So what was I at before talking about my renewed efforts to fight forgetfulness?
Oh, it must be about this superb class I'm having now in this semester that has an ultra fantastic lecturer giving us out of the ordinary lectures! No, I'm not being too dramatic here. I really do think that highly of Dr Carmen Nge's classes. We're taking Critical Reading and Thinking with her and yes, if anyone could, she could make me want to go into the education line.
It takes only one first lecture with her and I dare say the whole of EL Y1S2 is definitely in love with this subject. My first thoughts were how the class seemed like a lesson in comedy and that's good. There's no falling asleep to what lullaby lecture with Dr Carmen (With the exceptional exception of Kung. His head was rolling here and there last Monday. Though I'd have to say the classroom was like a sauna).
As if being a delightful lecturer is not enough, I recently found out (via the tip-off from Pei Ling) that she writes for Off The Edge and had taught in foreign lands before UTAR.
The way she carries our lessons, guiding us on how to prod our young minds and bringing up issues that matter in our society. I have an impression of her as a person who has a thirst for life and change for the better that radiates and imbues motivation. And all this with the unmistakable humbleness: I noticed she didn't introduced herself as Dr Carmen but only Carmen.
Personally, I find it surprising that she remembers my actual name, Ying Xiang. For the first time, I'm voluntarily called that in uni, by an educator. If you know me well enough, I tend to introduce myself as Elizabeth rather than Ying Xiang because it sometimes takes a great deal for people to get my Chinese name right. What with the "Ying Xing, Xing Xiang, Xiang Ying etc" variations that have plagued my childhood, I know better. (Though I still love the name my dad gave me.)
So till I'm full of words and thoughts to be spilled here again. That is, if I remember to get the notebook to remind myself of the words and thoughts.
But I'll remember Dr Carmen for sure la.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
B-a-c-k
And suddenly she has the urge to revive her lackadaisical virtual journal.
Cos she has suddenly the inspiration to blog about certain things.
About uni, ideas, pals, lecturers and ambition.
And she will do so later on because it's almost lunchtime now and she has to go to uni already.
Gosh, how she misses writing. Time to pick up the virtual pen and let her old pal know she still cares about it.
She is me and she's signing off.
Till then, my handful of audience.
Cos she has suddenly the inspiration to blog about certain things.
About uni, ideas, pals, lecturers and ambition.
And she will do so later on because it's almost lunchtime now and she has to go to uni already.
Gosh, how she misses writing. Time to pick up the virtual pen and let her old pal know she still cares about it.
She is me and she's signing off.
Till then, my handful of audience.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
The 8 things
Bah...I was tagged by Pei Ling to do this what-makes-a-guy-perfect thing. So there! The 8 qualities that make a man my man.
1. Show me some intelligent sense of humour, baby! As cliché as it sounds, I just love laughing (or maybe guffawing)! If he could take life with mirth, we could really enjoy the ride. Of course, I don't think brainless humour is always funny. He's got to possess some wit and sarcasm lah!
2. Have a brain. No lah, don't have to challenge Einstein's Theory of Relativity to impress me but he'd better be no dimwit.
3. A go-getter. Not afraid to go out there and get things done. Proactive guy... I could learn a lot from him.
4. Extroverted. Yeah, I want my guy to be sociable so that I don't have to be the one and only companion for everything single thing! It's nice to be wanted for company but sometimes I'd need to breathe lah.
5. Omniscient. Whether he wrote the encyclopaedia, read a library or swallows 6 dailies everyday. Know lots and lots of stuff so he can tell me about them as bed time stories. I'm inspired by people who have knowledge. And I want him to be my constant inspiration.
6. A little Romeo (or metro is it?). Heheheh, some romance please. Write poetry for me, teach me tango, cook me candlelight dinner (um, I can't cook to save my life, really) and make me feel warm and fuzzy.
7. Loyalty. I want my man to not be afraid of commitment. I cherish some freedom and movement but loyalty and commitment are the foundations of relationships. The lack of them will equal stunted establishment of trust. How is anything going to work without trust?
8. Always have faith in me. When I'm losing grip and I feel as if the world is crumbling around me, I'd want to know that there's still him believing that I can pick myself and the pieces up. I always want to stand on my own feet, and I'd love a guy to can encourage me to do it.
And now I tag...
Ee Lin
Steph
Bee Yee
Jess
Jo Ching
HJ
Mi Shel and
Quenic
RULES:
1. The tag victim has to come up with 8 different points about his/her perfect lover.
2. Have to mention the gender of his/her perfect lover.
3. Tag eight other victims to join this game and leave a comment on their blog.
4. If you are tagged the second time, there is NO need to do this again.
5. Lastly, and most importantly, HAVE FUN DOING IT.
Happy posting!
1. Show me some intelligent sense of humour, baby! As cliché as it sounds, I just love laughing (or maybe guffawing)! If he could take life with mirth, we could really enjoy the ride. Of course, I don't think brainless humour is always funny. He's got to possess some wit and sarcasm lah!
2. Have a brain. No lah, don't have to challenge Einstein's Theory of Relativity to impress me but he'd better be no dimwit.
3. A go-getter. Not afraid to go out there and get things done. Proactive guy... I could learn a lot from him.
4. Extroverted. Yeah, I want my guy to be sociable so that I don't have to be the one and only companion for everything single thing! It's nice to be wanted for company but sometimes I'd need to breathe lah.
5. Omniscient. Whether he wrote the encyclopaedia, read a library or swallows 6 dailies everyday. Know lots and lots of stuff so he can tell me about them as bed time stories. I'm inspired by people who have knowledge. And I want him to be my constant inspiration.
6. A little Romeo (or metro is it?). Heheheh, some romance please. Write poetry for me, teach me tango, cook me candlelight dinner (um, I can't cook to save my life, really) and make me feel warm and fuzzy.
7. Loyalty. I want my man to not be afraid of commitment. I cherish some freedom and movement but loyalty and commitment are the foundations of relationships. The lack of them will equal stunted establishment of trust. How is anything going to work without trust?
8. Always have faith in me. When I'm losing grip and I feel as if the world is crumbling around me, I'd want to know that there's still him believing that I can pick myself and the pieces up. I always want to stand on my own feet, and I'd love a guy to can encourage me to do it.
And now I tag...
Ee Lin
Steph
Bee Yee
Jess
Jo Ching
HJ
Mi Shel and
Quenic
RULES:
1. The tag victim has to come up with 8 different points about his/her perfect lover.
2. Have to mention the gender of his/her perfect lover.
3. Tag eight other victims to join this game and leave a comment on their blog.
4. If you are tagged the second time, there is NO need to do this again.
5. Lastly, and most importantly, HAVE FUN DOING IT.
Happy posting!
Saturday, 3 November 2007
The silver screen salutation
Ladies and gentlemen, may I declare Stardust...the best movie this year! Seriously, I left the cinema seat feeling the way I felt when I finished Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Fantasy and action thrillers are my favourite movie genres but when comedy does it part well in these two genres...baby, you (the movie) have won my heart. Nope, pun not intended.
Gosh where do I even begin to spoil the movie for you...
Let me introduce the quirks you should look out for :
The Old Guard who appears in the first scene. Never found out why he was designated to guard the portal to the other world, Stormhold, but watch out for his second and third appearances later on where he'll surprise you with some combat and apparent cowardice. Haha, makes for a good laugh!
Then there's the Lightning Traders (is that what they're called?) with Robert De Niro as the supposedly fearsome Captain Shakespeare. Brush aside your first impression of the sky sailors, they have a wicked sense of humour that unveils itself towards the climax of the story. Captain Shakespeare is actually a gay (?) and softie but because he thought he had to safeguard his fearsome reputation he goes all out to act merciless. Unknown to him, his whole crew actually knows that he's not scary! And everyone just played along to uphold the reputation of their captain. De Niro sure cracked me up with his portrayal of a self-deceiving character.
Watch out for curious names like Ditchwater Sal, Una, Primus, Secundus, Tertius, yada yada, Septimus which are kinda ridiculous but at least they help keep the audience on track with the many many characters.
Oh, and not forgetting Michelle Pfeiffer! As pek-chek as she can get in her hunt for the star that fell from the night sky, the story had to see her witch character make fun of herself. When you see the bunch of hair just coming off her head and her boobs suddenly greeting her stomach, you'll understand what I mean.
I saw the movie poster and I'd never thought this movie was going to be somewhat hilarious like Pirates but, gee, in all of the seriousness of the battles and importance of keeping the fallen star, Yvaine, safe there lie sprinkles of witty lines and unexpected comedy. Boy does it make the whole ride a good laugh and fantasy!
Despite a few minor plots going on in the story, the audience won't be lost because everything is well played out, coming and going at the right instances.
I salute the cast, crew and the novel (yes, Stardust is based on a novel). Now this is what movies should be like. Movie-magic justice well served 'cos I don't regret any buck I spent on it. Even Jason Bourne can't beat this. Personally, Stardust makes me wanna fall in love. It's so fantastic I'm considering getting the novel and maybe the DVD as well.
And yeah, Charlie Cox looks way better on screen than in still pictures.
EVERYONE GO WATCH THIS ONE-HECK OF A MARVELOUS MOVIE!!!
Fantasy and action thrillers are my favourite movie genres but when comedy does it part well in these two genres...baby, you (the movie) have won my heart. Nope, pun not intended.
Gosh where do I even begin to spoil the movie for you...
Let me introduce the quirks you should look out for :
The Old Guard who appears in the first scene. Never found out why he was designated to guard the portal to the other world, Stormhold, but watch out for his second and third appearances later on where he'll surprise you with some combat and apparent cowardice. Haha, makes for a good laugh!
Then there's the Lightning Traders (is that what they're called?) with Robert De Niro as the supposedly fearsome Captain Shakespeare. Brush aside your first impression of the sky sailors, they have a wicked sense of humour that unveils itself towards the climax of the story. Captain Shakespeare is actually a gay (?) and softie but because he thought he had to safeguard his fearsome reputation he goes all out to act merciless. Unknown to him, his whole crew actually knows that he's not scary! And everyone just played along to uphold the reputation of their captain. De Niro sure cracked me up with his portrayal of a self-deceiving character.
Watch out for curious names like Ditchwater Sal, Una, Primus, Secundus, Tertius, yada yada, Septimus which are kinda ridiculous but at least they help keep the audience on track with the many many characters.
Oh, and not forgetting Michelle Pfeiffer! As pek-chek as she can get in her hunt for the star that fell from the night sky, the story had to see her witch character make fun of herself. When you see the bunch of hair just coming off her head and her boobs suddenly greeting her stomach, you'll understand what I mean.
I saw the movie poster and I'd never thought this movie was going to be somewhat hilarious like Pirates but, gee, in all of the seriousness of the battles and importance of keeping the fallen star, Yvaine, safe there lie sprinkles of witty lines and unexpected comedy. Boy does it make the whole ride a good laugh and fantasy!
Despite a few minor plots going on in the story, the audience won't be lost because everything is well played out, coming and going at the right instances.
I salute the cast, crew and the novel (yes, Stardust is based on a novel). Now this is what movies should be like. Movie-magic justice well served 'cos I don't regret any buck I spent on it. Even Jason Bourne can't beat this. Personally, Stardust makes me wanna fall in love. It's so fantastic I'm considering getting the novel and maybe the DVD as well.
And yeah, Charlie Cox looks way better on screen than in still pictures.
EVERYONE GO WATCH THIS ONE-HECK OF A MARVELOUS MOVIE!!!
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Kiddo
I feel like a kid now.
Shel has just left and I'm back to how life has been for the past three weeks- silent at home.
Remember how we felt when we were kids? Upon the departure of cherished visitors, there will come this mushiness that makes you allow yourself some time to be depressed. As if we're mourning the sudden and crude absence of that beloved company.
I'm allowing myself to be a kid and feel all that sentiments I used to feel when my relatives and cousins leave at the end of the holidays.
Sob.
Never realised how much I could miss Shel till now but I'll get over this melodrama and hope she'll be coming in November again. Well, it's something familiar to look forward to in my current life of experiencing everything new. There's a sliver of comfort in knowing that in this ocean I'm in, I'll meet my good old trusty buoy.
Penang is 40 days away but I refuse to think about it. It makes as if I'm not keen with what I have in my hands now. In keeping strong, I'm doing my mighty best to avoid missing home and all that smells like childhood. Counting down the days will not encourage me to embrace the present.
Right then, I think I've just managed to blog myself to emotional stability.
I'll have to work now.
Shel has just left and I'm back to how life has been for the past three weeks- silent at home.
Remember how we felt when we were kids? Upon the departure of cherished visitors, there will come this mushiness that makes you allow yourself some time to be depressed. As if we're mourning the sudden and crude absence of that beloved company.
I'm allowing myself to be a kid and feel all that sentiments I used to feel when my relatives and cousins leave at the end of the holidays.
Sob.
Never realised how much I could miss Shel till now but I'll get over this melodrama and hope she'll be coming in November again. Well, it's something familiar to look forward to in my current life of experiencing everything new. There's a sliver of comfort in knowing that in this ocean I'm in, I'll meet my good old trusty buoy.
Penang is 40 days away but I refuse to think about it. It makes as if I'm not keen with what I have in my hands now. In keeping strong, I'm doing my mighty best to avoid missing home and all that smells like childhood. Counting down the days will not encourage me to embrace the present.
Right then, I think I've just managed to blog myself to emotional stability.
I'll have to work now.
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