long gone...

It's been a healthy month since I last blogged. Or has it been longer than that? Hahaha, well, when there's something else occupying a bit part of your life, something else would have to go. Which in this case, is my blogging time.

Not that I've lost all interest in blogging. Though I should realize that everyone are slowly drifting away and don't take blogs as our form of communication any longer. Me included. But anyhow, I'll try to post as often as I could, even if not as frequent as I used to.

So, what have I been up to for the past month? Nothing much. Work, eat, sleep, date, etc. All those regular stuff you do in your working life. And yeah, dating, perhaps I would talk about that the next time I blog. So far things have been going great, and if I'm blessed enough I hope this will remain for as long as I live.

Anyway, that's all for now. Don't feel like writing so much, haha... Till the next time, guys, hope everyone are having a great time wherever you are.

i've got my graduation gown...; )

One hell of a tiring weekend.

Spend the entire Saturday working, 6am to 12am, and still managed to catch up with a few ex-coursemates for a late supper.

Sunday was great. Organized a mini gathering with all my ex-coursemates and had a buffet steamboat in Sunway. Pretty good attendance too, with 13 out of 36 showing up, and a few more couldn't make it just in time as they only arrived late night. After the steamboat everyone came back to my house for a drink and shower (some were staying over for the night), and chatted all the way till 2am.

Today was crazy. I couldn't imagine myself being so kiasu, going back to uni at 7am to queue up and collect my graduation gown. Bugger, I swear I'll never do something like this again. 7am, and I'm only the 309th person in the queue? Crap, if my ex-coursemates weren't rushing to return to their respective hometowns, I'm gonna go collect tomorrow noon and save all the unnecessary hassle. Was making jokes with my friends, those who arrived at 8am, they must've got queue numbers like around 2,000, hahaha... Finished everything by 4pm, and already having a very terrible headache, went back to the shop to reschedule all my jobs to tomorrow.

Thank God this only happens once in a lifetime.

But overall, it was still quite enjoyable, spending the past two days with these bunch of fellas. Really missed their laughter and sarcastic jokes. Took all the work stress out from me for a couple of days, and enjoyed some moment the way we spent like back in university days.

Work resumes tomorrow, and another month has passed.

the hot upm issue...

Haha, this may sound really funny, I thought after watching the videoclip of UPM's latest production, I'll get all riled up. But instead, I managed to laugh it off.

Perhaps I'm getting a bit too tired of issues like this. Frankly speaking, the first time I watched the videoclip it never occured to me that it has anything to do with racism. Somehow, us Malaysian always find oppoturnities to stir up a war among races in this country.

I don't like it one bit, but I've learnt to not let it spoil my day.

Don't plan to link the video to this blog, but it's easy to get hold of it. I would recommend everyone to have a view, but let's just discuss it without name-callings and racial insults. I just don't see the point of silly arguments between people who aren't involved in the whole thing. It's hurting the country and they aren't helping.

birthday celebrations...

This probably is by far the sweetest birthday I've ever had.

A few celebrations, meet-ups and calls from plenty of friends.

'The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.'

One of these days, if I am to lose everything in life, I know the one thing I will not lose is friendship. And if there is going to be a day when I lose one of my precious friends, it would be as though I've lost everything in life.

Thank you, friends, for being my friends.

bon odori...

Been there. So what's the hype?

Anyway, a last minute plan again (after the sudden trip to my ex-housemate's hometown to fish a couple of weeks ago) which was only confirmed late afternoon today, and off we went to Shah Alam's Melawati Stadium.

Perhaps we got there too late, about 8 something, there wasn't a lot of stuff to look at. Some japanese dances joined by hordes of spectators, the stalls were closing and we didn't get to taste much japanese food. So we just walked around and looked at strangers having fun taking pictures with girls in kimonos.

Bumped into my labmate from uni, of all people. Haha, kinda missed her too, didn't contact each other ever since final examinations. Had a lengthy conversation, talked about our current lives and stuff, till the security decided to shut off the lights and force the people out of the stadium, at 9.30pm! What? That's pretty early isn't it?

Anyway, not like I cared much, was sweating like mad over there. So off for dinner at Sunway before dropping back at my old hang out place in SS2. Another weekend has passed.

The following 2 months will be hectic. Let's hope I'll stay healthy and not trying to be too greedy, getting a couple of days off too. Looking forward to meeting my ex-coursemates again end of this month when we'll be collecting our gowns, and hopefully the coursemate gathering and convo dinner next month will be successful.

Dead tired. Haha, pardon the expressionless post, I'm just too lazy to type a proper one.

looking into the future...

These days, I don't really have the urge to blog. Maybe it's because of the mood, or maybe it's because that my life is kinda boring, I don't know. Anyway, I just can't seem to find anything to write anymore. Nothing interesting is happening in life, and there's nothing much to blog about my work.

Lately, many of my ex-coursemates are writing actively in their friendster blogs. Almost all of them wrote about the good ol' times in university, and how much they miss that kind of life. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thought university life was a blast. Right now, I'm just happy to have some of the best memories a man can have.

So, fast forward to my current life. I can safely say that I have no problems adapting to my current job (heck, I've been working part time here for the past 8 years), and along the way learning many part and parcels of the business. Good thing is, I've been given oppoturnities to explore new things and ideas, something I am quite fond of doing.

I am now having thoughts of just getting on with life, and scrap the further studies plan. I don't know, this is the hardest decision of my life.

I do not want to be financially dependent on my family for the next few years of my life. I mean, I'm already 23 this year. When I finish postgrad studies I'll be like, maybe 26 or 27. And that is such an old age to begin my career. A career in biotech, which is like non-existent in the country now. There are just too many risks taking this path and I don't have a clue where it'll lead me.

On the other hand, the job I'm having now is secure. I see so much potential in this field and there are plenty of ways to expand the business. Which is a nice thing for the company and for myself too.

I'm imagining the two of myself taking on these two different paths, and in 10 years time I see one with a PhD degree standing in front of the lecture hall giving lessons to a bunch of monkeys who are only concerned whether you'll give them photostated notes later, and another one who have established himself in the industry and financially secure (if he is yet to get a girlfriend, haha...).

I know, I have an entire lifetime to work for money, but for the time being I am very concerned about being financially secure. I don't want to stretch out my hand and ask for money till I'm 27. At 27 some of my friends may even be married already and started families of their own.

I wish to move out and live independently, have a steady career and stable life before I reach 30. And to do that, I would have to be financially equipped.

Dang, just what the hell should I do...

stay alive...

Nothing much to talk about regarding work, but the title isn't related to my work in any way.

I've just returned home after watching the movie 'Stay Alive', which is kinda cool if you asked me. I know, it's working day tomorrow and I'm still awake, but I just feel like I need to write something here to keep the blog alive, for the time being, hehe...

So, the story's about a spooky PS2 game which is under beta testing played by several fools who came across it after the main fool's friend died playing the game. You're supposed to stay alive (duh) in the game and finish off Count Elizabeth (the baddie here) but if you don't and get killed, well, you'll die exactly the same way you die in the game. No prizes for guessing correctly the plots that follow, I'll leave it to yourself to catch the movie in the big screen (support anti-piracy!).

Apparently, this movie's game is based on a true story of Count Elizabeth. I'm not too sure how true is this, but I'm gonna google about it soon just to satisfy my curiosity. How cool would that be if the game's really based on something that's so creepy.

I find the movie not as horrifying as the trailer, much to my disappointment, but it was a good movie nonetheless. Original plot (or did they actually plagiarise from Jackie Chan's Police Story 4?), good concept, nice cast, just not enough gory scenes to satisfy most horror-movie lovers.

I'd give a rating of 8 out of 10, but it may be biased since I enjoy horror movies. Go catch it in the cinema yourself if you doubt my rating, haha...

rats...

Oooooh, guess what I have in my hands now?

"Super Service" written by Jeff and Val Gee.

Satisfy yourself while satisfying customers.

How exciting.

This is what happens when you work in a field totally unrelated to what you study. Bwahahaha...

I wonder how long it'll take before my eyes shut off.

the lecturer's wedding...

About a week or so has passed, nothing much to write here except that England sucked against Paraguay, hahahaha!!!

Watched the game since it's played early, didn't plan to watch World Cup at all honestly. Not really my type.

Anyway, went to a friend's church wedding today (and skipped work btw). Not really a 'friend' friend, the bride was my lecturer actually, who happens to be a senior in residential college back in uni but she graduated BEFORE I came into the college. The bridegroom is also a senior of mine in college, and he graduated BEFORE the bride came into the college. Damn confusing, whatever. The point is both of them are my superseniors, get it? Went to the wedding with one of my ex-housemates and also a coursemate of mine who took the same paper under this senior of mine, together with some other seniors too. Wow, my first time attending a friend's wedding, this is a sign that we're getting old, hahaha...

Looked like a bunch of 'jakuns' cuz no one knows how much we have to put into the angpow. ;)

So, congratulations Pauline and Joel! May you be blessed with happiness forever!!!

crossroads of life...

Okay, so I'll officially begin work on 1st of June. Not what I expected, but you can never expect what's ahead in life.

I'm sorta in a dilemma. See, my family would really like if I stayed in the family business line, so that there will be someone taking care of the business when they retire. I can understand that. My father went through a lot to establish his business, which he is very proud of, and he definitely would be disappointed to see his hard work falling into others' hands. My brother got lucky, he opted to leave and got a job of his own, leaving me to deal with all these. And my parents don't trust my sister to handle the business, and I can see why.

Myself, on the other hand, would prefer to further my studies in what I'm interested in, a postgraduate research in biotechnology. Or at least that's what I think I'm interested in. My supervisor advised me to further my studies overseas, preferably in UK or US. Mind you, those are not really cheap options. To do that, I would desperately need a scholarship to ease the financial burden. Besides, I don't really want to keep stretching out my hands (I need to stop using the word 'hand') to receive allowance from my parents anymore.

Of course, by continuing studies, I am pushing myself into a corner, right into the academic path. A lecturer or something related. I'm not too sure if that's what I want to be. Or can be. I definitely do not want to end up as a scientist trapped in the lab 24/7 like my final university year, but I can't think of any career paths after this, yet.

Another thing is that, my parents hope that, even if I managed to obtain a scholarship to further my studies, I would still come back after that and rejoin the business. If this is what I'll be doing, what's the point of doing my postgrad studies?

I don't know if I'm suitable for the business world. I've never imagined myself in this position. But now that I've graduated, things like these come into the picture naturally, and they're torturing my mind.

Am I the only one having these kind of problems, or everyone feels the same when they graduate?

myteam vs malaysia...

...is totally crap.

I don't understand. The only thing I learn from this match is that both teams sucked. I can't even remember why I turned on the tv to watch the match in the first place.

Well, at least the national team won 2-1. I can't imagine Shebby celebrating a victory with his ragtag kampung MyTeam. These amateurs played like... amateurs. They can't head the ball, pass, hold or dribble, and their keeper can't make a save if the opposition's shot isn't aimed at him. And I think there were like 10 players who were strechered off the field, and the keeper cramped in the first 30 minutes by just standing in the penalty box.

And the national team? Seeing them struggling against a bunch of amateurs proved what we feared all these while: that local sports are hopeless.

Damn, I need to go sleep now.

xmen the last stand...

Damn, I seriously hate the latest installment of X-Men movies.

How can they possibly kill off Cyclops just like that?! It's like, only 15 minutes from the start and he's dead, even his bloody ruby specs have longer screen time than that guy. What a pity. I don't even know how exactly he died, this really irritates me.

And Prof X, dispersing into thin air? Man, this is totally not what I wanted to watch. I wanna see all the good guys fight side by side, not getting killed off one by one!!!

I guess bringing in so many characters into a 2-hour movie really have its down side. No one shines throughout the movie (other than Wolverine and Storm, but then again these 2 are the main characters), and they don't look or act like those characters in the comic books I grew up reading.

I am so disappointed.

a survey to waste time...

Don't feel like typing a a lengthy post, do I did a survey instead. Hahahaha, will blog normally some time soon.

BEST

1. Male friend: Several of them (You guys know who you are)

2. Female friend: Several of them too, hahaha...

3. Vacation: Trip to Kuala Gula. Man, life in a fishing village is so darn relaxing...

WORST

1. Time of day: 2 pm (Yawn, feels like taking a nap)

2. Day of the week: Monday blues

3. Food: Some vege. I hate most vege.

4. Memory: Too bad to remember...

LAST

1. Person you saw: My sis.

2. Talked to on the phone: Chang Wang, talking about booking tickets for 'Da Vinci Code', woohoo!!!

3. Hugged: Yean, during last week's farewell dinner.

4. Text: Yean. Damn, she still hasn't replied after 6 bloody hours.

5. messaged over friendster : Kam.

TODAY

1. What are you doing now? : Doing this stupid survey, hahaha...

2. Wearing : T-shirt and shorts.

3. Better than yesterday : About the same.

TOMORROW

1. Is: Gonna more interesting than today.

2. Got any plans: Going back to uni to look for a lecturer and ask her why my name is missing from the results' list.

3. Goal: Succeed in finding my lecturer, who's often missing from her office.

4. Dislikes about tomorrow : Possibility of failing to find my lecturer.

FAVORITE

1. Number : 3, 27

2. Song : At the Beginning (Damn old song)

3. Color : Black and blue, my favorite hue

4. Season : Um, it's either rainy or sunny around here...

CURRENTLY

1. Missing someone : A lot as a matter of fact, I'm missing my coursemates' company and laughter around me...

2. Mood : So so.

3. Wanting : To enjoy my last 2 weeks of holiday before starting work. Travel travel travel!!!

TRUE or FALSE

I am a cuddler - Wahahahaha, how false...

I am a morning person - FALSE!

I am a perfectionist - False.

I am an only child - False.

I am currently in my pajamas - False.

I am currently pregnant - What the hell... false.

I am currently single - True.

I am currently suffering from a broken heart - False.

I am left handed - False.

I am addicted to friendster - Some true in it. Only some...

I am online 24/7- False.

I am very shy around the opposite gender - Depends on what kind of people, really.

I bite my nails - True, my friends, very true.

I can be paranoid at times - True.

I currently have a crush on someone - False. But I feel like crushing somebody...

I currently regret something that I have done - False.

When I get mad I curse frequently - False.

I enjoy country music - False.

I enjoy jazz music - False.

I enjoy smoothies - Partly true.

I enjoy talking on the phone - False.

I have a cell phone - True.

I have a hard time paying attention at school - False.

I have a hidden talent - True true!!! hahaha...

I have a lot to learn - Perhaps true...

I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal - Plenty there...

I have a tendency to fall for the "wrong" guy/girl - Yeah, true I guess...

I have all my grandparents - False. Damn, I have bloody lot of grandparents ok?

I have at least one brother and/or sister - True.

I have been told that I am smart - And also handsome, cool, clever, and everything nice, hahahaha...

I have been told that I have an unusual sense of humor - Wickedly true.

I have broken a bone - False.

I have changed a diaper - False.

I have changed a lot over the past year - If you're talking about my hair, well...

I have done something illegal - True, sigh...

I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color - False.

I have had major/minor surgery - True, when I was really young even I couldn't remember it myself. Was told about it by my mother.

I have killed another person - Would it sound too fake if I answered true?

I have had my hair cut within the last week - False.

I have had the cops called on me - False.

hey there...

...guess who had just just finished studying? ; )

Time to take a rest, have some fun, think a while, before I get back to blogging.

Ditto.

end of a chapter...

Wow, only another week or so in university. I'm so gonna miss this lifestyle.

Second paper out of the window this noon, that was my last ever biology-related exam. Two more left, logical thinking and basic Korean language. Life ain't that hard after all.

You know, the past couple of weeks have been really emotional. Not that I'm showing that on my face (when do you see me make facial expressions anyway?), but I've been spending a lot of time doing stuffs that I did ever so frequently that I won't be doing that often anymore in the future.

Stuffs like going to the market at 7am to buy ingredients for lunch.

Stuffs like hanging out at mamak stalls for a weekend Liverpool match.

Stuffs like playing football with my coursemates, even though most of us can't kick to save our lives.

Stuffs like chatting till wee hours in the morning with the housemates, and waking up half past noon.

Stuffs like arguing with coursemates whether an M13 or pBR322 makes a better cloning vector.

Stuffs like living a university life.

Man, I hope time stops, right at this moment.

bitch...

Oh cool, my computer chose the best possible time to die on me, going kamikaze together with my thesis. What a great way to end my university life. I really got f***ed upside down by lady luck this time.

Where are miracles when we need them most?

Silly me, they only happen in books. Screw technology.

ice ice baby...

Everything's cool, baby, everything's cool.

Finals, here I come.

make it short...

The long hair of Livingmonolith

January 2003 - March 2006

Rest in Peace

Short hair. It's feels really weird. This must be the shortest haircut I've ever had. And hair gel sucks. Why do people cut short hair and apply gel? It's bloody uncomfortable. Am I regretting it? Bloody sure I am. Now I realize everyone give lousy advices. And still dare to come to me and say my old hairstyle looked better. Hahaha, that's amusing. Crap.

busy as usual...

Assignments, tests, presentations, thesis report. What else to expect?

I freaking hate hypocrites. If you're too busy to organize another test, then don't. No one's forcing you to. It was never in the schedule anyway. Don't simply blame us because you are the one who wanna help to pull up grades for 'some' people. If that's what you wanna do then don't complain in front of the lecture hall. What a whole load of bullshit.

Important date: 8/5/2006.

Last day of uni life. That's like, 40 odd days left.

to all friends and family of John...

Friends and family of SIlent Scream

This is just to inform you that Silent Scream's lead vocalist, John Samuel Oommen has been hospitalized. John was badly assaulted in his attempt to aid an old lady who was being carjacked by 3 armed men. In the events that followed, the armed men slashed John's neck with a 'parang', resulting in severe lost of blood. He was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite what had happened, the 3 armed assailant is still on the loose.

The injury incurred were severe. The 'parang' very narrowly missed a few major arteries in the neck, sparing any irreversible damage, and possibly fatality. Thanks to the effort of the emergency medical team, John is in stable condition and is now resting in the hospital.

We hope that you can join us as we pray for John's recovery and the prompt arrests of the 3 armed assailants. More importantly, we hope to spread the message over the importance of keeping one's vigilance over their own safety, especially when driving late at night in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. The world is seemingly becoming a dangerous place.

Your sincerely, Silent Scream

Damn. Never thought I'll be reading this sort of news happening to someone I know. This really sucks. Makes you realize that there are so many important things in life.

Get well soon, John. I'm praying that you'll be back on your feet as healthy as ever.

The assailants will get what they deserved. Cruel bastards.