Tiring Festive Period

Lately there is hardly time to catch a breath!
So many things to attend to, mainly fun of course. :)
Let's see if I can recall what I have been doing...

Ricky, my KL mate from Perth, came down to Kuching, and lived with me for 10 days. So from the 14th of Dec until the 24th of Dec, I brought him around chucking at him all the local delicacies he could handle. You name it, he's tried it (and a little bit more!). On and off, Lionel, Lawrence, Kenny and Jerry joined us... like going up to Ching San Yuen (Lawrence, Kenny), Cultural Village (Kenny) etc. I managed to squeeze in meetings with Ying Ying, Jia Yiing, Eugenie and a couple of others. Met Jing, Cassie and Yee Wei before that.

(Above) @ Ching San Yuen

(Above) @ Cultural Village

I also went to Mulu during that time, from the 18th of Dec until the 20th of Dec. This Mulu trip was by far the most random trip I have ever taken. Ricky was keen on going to Mulu so despite it being the wet season, we decided at 4.00pm on the 17th of Dec to go to Mulu against all advice. We went straight to Sak Soon Travel Agency and got ourselves flights at 7.00am the next day - absolute nutcase. Mulu trip was good.

(Above) Day 2 of Mulu - Do ignore the expression.

(Above) @ Deer Cave, the largest cave passage in the world

Ricky left at 11am of the 24th. Sent him off, caught up with some overdue sleep before I went to Lawrence's house for the afternoon. Went to Bella Italia for Christmas Eve dinner with, let me see, Chien, San, Yee, Rence, Kenny, Wei, Siang, Shyang, Laura, Kshih and Maomao :). I introduced a few of them to Bella before and they all loved it so since we failed to book a table for 12 at Bla Bla Bla, Bella was the next best place.

After that, we went for a few drinks (perhaps a few too many for some lol) at Lounge 2 at BDC. Shu Wei treated us all to a bottle of Jack Daniel's. Thanks man. It was a decent night-out, made better by me rubbing our lucky draw ticket on Kenny's shaved head. It was to prove fruitful as we won the prize 10 seconds after that!

(Above) @ Lounge 2

Went home at around 2am, slept at around 3am, and was picked up by Lawrence at 7am on Christmas Day to go to Lionel's St Faith's Church's Christmas Day Service. Had breakfast with Lionel's Dad, bro and Kenny before that though. After Church we headed to Lawrence's house for a few rounds of FIFA 2008.

Had lunch with Hsiao Siang, headed home for an hour, before we played football. Harry and Jerry joined us. After football, we had Christmas Day dinner (or was it Ivan's Birthday dinner?) at Siang's place. Curry was great, Kachama was intoxicating and prawns were fresh. Oh and I won 1 coin too many...

Next day? Back to work after 6 days off!

Good Ol' Perth

2nd December today. I have been back for 6 days - reached Kuching afternoon of 26th November. I am not missing Perth, even though I spent 5 long years there. Maybe it's because I know I would be back there one day.

What I do miss, is the many people I got to know and love over the years. I was doing a clean-up of my computer, and came across a lot of pictures taken in Perth. Below are some in chronological order.

Warning: Dramatic change in body fat up ahead.

The people from Murdoch College. I started my 5-year stint in Perth doing Year 12 - the Australian version of Malaysia's STPM. As you can see from the picture, I was so bloated. In Lionel's words when he saw me in Kuching at the end of 2003... "a ball".

A group of friends I grew very close to over the years. From left to right, Rick, Kai Lin, Matt, Ru, Jeff, Raine, Myself and Karn. The picture was taken at Analakshmi, an Indian vegetarian restaurant situated near the Perth Bell Tower in 2004. This is memorable because of all the open tables IN the restaurant, I booked a table OUTSIDE the restaurant out on the balcony. It was at night, it was close to winter, and it was by the river... All night I was greeted with "Thanks Charles!". Haha, nuts.

This is my surprise birthday party of 2005. So much effort from everyone to make it a memorable one. As you guys can see I was all dressed up, because "initial" plan was to go the Burswood Casino. So Jeff picked me up, and said he forgot his wallet. Fishy, fishy. Went to his house and voila, walaoeh. Joelle's cake was so good.

This is the Mooncake Festival of 2006 at Su Qin and Ann's place. I lived with a homestay family for 3.5 years, but moved out in the middle of 2006 to live by myself at Johanson Promenade. How lucky was I to get to know Edward? He was like a brother figure, and helped me heaps in adapting to the new environment. With him around, dinner was never a problem!

This was taken April 2007. Went Down South with 3 Kuching friends and a Greek/Aussie. From left to right, Tung, Chuan How, Myself, Sin Joo and Paulie. We covered a lot of places in just 3 days. It was the first time I actually drove in Australia, and it was quite an introduction as well, driving over a thousand kilometres all up. Very sleep-deprived, but very fun.

Shared the best Thai food in Perth @ Saowanee's Place, North Perth, with Ricky, Nicole, Cherie, Jeff, Rick, Kai Lin, Raine and Karn. This was initially meant to be a farewell dinner, but then we decided to have another one at Joy Garden!

These are most certainly people I am going to miss heaps. We played indoor soccer everyweek at UWA's Recreation Centre. Quite a few Kuching lads in there, like Heng Teck, Asrul, Xin Long, Brandon and Wui Hao. Sure, I will have a lot more futsal sessions in Kuching... but it's just, well, different. The compact play in Perth (when playing 1 bay) calls for a different approach when playing, and my understanding with Bryan bears striking resemblance to my understanding with Lionel... maybe even better.

This was taken 3 weeks ago. Nicole was behind the camera (how nice of me huh, dragging her to take picture). I truly love and appreciate Mr and Mrs Leong. They took fantastic care of me for over 3 years when I lived with them, and I will never forget how Mrs Leong cried when I left. I have grown to know them so well, along with their sons and grandchildren.

Tina, Lisa, Melanie, Myself and Ricky. This was taken 2 weeks ago after Aeroboxing class - me and Ricky's final Aeroboxing class before heading home to Malaysia. I am a true veteran, being the only person having attended 4 years of Aeroboxing - beating even our instructor Lisa. Our class usually goes up to 7 or 8 people... with a few regulars like myself.

This was taken last week @ Joy Garden, with just a few of my closest friends. Someone not in previous photos but in this one is Gianni. Gianni came to live with me in Kuching for a week 2 years ago. We then went to Bangkok and Pattaya together, and then spent a few days in Kuala Lumpur. He does Law, like myself.

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These are just some of the many pictures. Never got to take one with Diana, who I came to know better near the end of my stay in Perth. The chabo hates taking pictures! Anyhoo, been great fun over 5 years... should have got to know a few people better as well - people like Nicole my housemate who, despite having seen her sleepy eyes and bad hair in the morning, I feel has more sides to her. No one to walk you home from University anymore, bratty! Oh Matt if you are reading this... sorry we never got to catch up during the busy period.

Ricky will be coming down to Kuching in less than 2 weeks. Close buddy from Perth, and I shall unleash upon him all the great food Kuching has to offer... like caterpillars and crickets.

Qi

Taking You Home

I want to pack you in my box, and take you home.

In other news, boxes have all been packed, with about 175kgs worth of belongings. Lloyd came to pick up the boxes this morning, and I had to pay AU$500. Brought my 2 bikes to Cash Converters and they gave me AU$120 for them both - not too bad. My DVD player, however, went for AU$15. But then it's not branded so didn't expect much. The printer did not sell, though. Neither did the dumbbells.

I want to pack youuuu in my box, and take youuuu home.

Qi

On a Jet Plane

It's been a long while since I last blogged, but I have been really busy finishing up my Honours Paper and one final exam. I am all done now, and I am all set for the next stage of my life.

I am leaving Perth, for good.

Will I miss this place? To be honest, right now... I think I will not, but perhaps after a while, I will. What I am going to miss, is the many friends I have made here, throughout my time in Year 12, and throughout my 4 years in University. It is scary to think that after 5 years, I might never see these people again.

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I have my future pretty much planned out.
So now it's all about execution. I want to achieve so much before I turn 30, so I better get cracking huh? It's going to be one hell of a journey, but I will get there I am certain of that.

I should really be uploading some pictures I have taken recently but no time for that - the box people are coming to collect the boxes tomorrow and I have a lot to go through.

Leave you guys with lyrics to an emo song (I bought a shirt as a gift yesterday, and it says "Cheer up, Emo Kid" with a sad smilie at the end of it - I am sure she'll like it). And before you ask, no, I am not that emo kid. I hate emo kids. But Lionel is an emo kid. :)

Didn't come here for crying,
Didn't come here to break down...
... it's just a dream of mine is coming to an end.
And how can I blame you?
... when I have built my world around you?
... the hope that someday we'd be so much more than friends.
And I don't want to know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming...
... when even now it's more than I can take.

Qi

How Are You?

How are you?

It's been a year.
The couple of months...
... spent exploring each others' worlds a year ago are still fresh.
Feels like yesterday, you know.
The feelings are long gone, though.
I tried recapturing the feelings.
Did you?
It felt real.
So real.
What we had resembles a dream, a wonderland...
... that we did not want to wake up from.
But reality had to set in.
It had to.
The uncertainties made it blissful.
The naivety made it memorable.
Moving on to newer things, better things...
... there will still be little things.
Little things that brought back memories...
... of those months of Spring.

How are you?

Qi

Very Thai

Went for the Thai Festival @ Russel Square on James Street in Northbridge. According to its official website, the Thai Festival "arrives in Perth for the first time with huge showcase of Thai food and culture in all its forms bringing the taste of Thailand to people in Perth." And boy oh boy did we taste Thailand.

Above: The Spicy Thai Chicken Salad

Above: Baby sausage (tasted salty, sweet and sour... no really)

Above: Thai dude making "Money Bags" for fying

Above: This is like, 10% of the crowd

Apparently I look Thai. A couple of years back, I was at a bus stop when a Thai student asked me if I was Thai. And after going to this Thai Festival, I am convinced I look Thai!

Seller 1: สบายดีรึเปล่า
Me: ???
Seller 2: คุณต้องการซื้ออะไรครับ
Me: @#%*&...

Nut and Joe, my housemates, were part of the organising committee - pretty cool organising a huge event like this I would think. I went with Ricky, Nicole, Cherie and Michelle, and it was good fun. Who am I kidding? Whenever there is food involved, it's going to be fun. I saw Khem - haven't seen in for 3 long years. Caught up with him a bit... he put on a bit of weight I must say. But chubby is cute... right, Nicole? Right this moment, Nicole is nodding profusely in agreement.

After some glorious food, Ricky dropped me by Udub's sports center as I caught up with Mark and the other boys for a 3 grueling hours of indoor soccer.

Bliss. Back to my 18,000-word research paper.

Qi

Tagged

Alright as a general rule, I do not respond to "tags" - just ask anyone who has tagged me before, like Jing - sorry, Jing. People have tried in Xanga and failed... but today when I went to play soccer, the following conversation took place after soccer:

Diana: Eh qi, I tagged you. Remember to do!
Qi: Don't want lah.
Diana: Must do.
Qi: My blog very serious one leh.
Diana: Why so serious?
Qi: (forgot what I said)
Diana: I don't care arh. Must do arh.
Qi: Don't want.

5 minutes later when walking to car...

Diana: Qi, do arh!
Qi: ...

(Conversations were not recorded - pardon inaccuracy)

Two names you go by:
1. Qi
2. Zu (don't ask)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Specs
2. PJs

Two things you would want (or have) in a relationship:
1. Fun
2. No strings

Two things you like to do:
1. Dreaming big
2. Making money

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. Home
2. Motivation to complete 18,000-word paper (hereinafter referred to as "paper of the century")

Two things you did last night:
1. Watched soccer
2. Watched Back to the Future

Two things you ate today:
1. Chicken Salad
2. Thai Kueh Tiaw

Two people you last talked to:
1. Mark
2. Nicole

Two things you’re doing tomorrow:
1. Work on paper of the century
2. Prepare for workshop

Favorite day of the week:
Tuesday (don't look at me like that)

Two favorite holidays:
1. Chinese New Year holidays
2. Self-declared holidays

Two favorite beverages:
1. Self made protein shake
2. Prune juice

Two things about me! Things you may not have known:
1. I used to weigh 85kgs.
2. My stamp collection can buy me a few cars.

Two jobs I have had in my life:
1. Legal assistant
2. Japanese restaurant chef

Two movies I would watch over and over: (and do)
1. Pulp Fiction
2. Hitch

Two places I have lived:
1. Kuching
2. Perth

Two of my favorite foods:
1. Japanese food
2. Italian food

Two places I’d rather be right now:
1. Happy where I am.
2. Renderred invalid by number 1.

Two people I think will respond to this
1. I will not put people through the pain of doing this.
2. Whatever you are thinking, Diana, answer is 'yes'. :)

Racial Tension

*This post may offend certain people. Only proceed if you have an open mind. I take no sides in this post, for I respect everyone as a unique individual.*

This is one thing that has been on my mind quite a lot these days.

Racial tension is at an all-time high, or perhaps we just get exposed to more and more of these hardship because we are at an age to form our own opinions on the issue. Like it or not, the race issue will always be there. It is not something you pass down from one generation to another, though that plays a part. It is not something that just comes naturally either. It is something that stems from our own experiences, and therein lies the problem. We feel strongly about where we stand after we have experienced racial tension, making it impossible to eradicate, and even harder to break down and analyse because what is tension? What is racial discrimination? It is a vague idea. It is sad, but it is the truth - and truth hurts.

"A pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay and Chinese" has been the description used to promote Malaysia, but how true is that? How often do you see Malay and Chinese engaging in a "vibrant" and "interesting" fusion? How often do you see Malay and Chinese out in public together, to do normal things like shopping, watching a movie etc? Of course, these things do happen, but how often? And how many friends from the other race do you have? I never thought about these things, but now come to think of it, it is indeed quite startling. Malaysia have sinked to a point where the damage done is beyond repair - its irremediable. And, there is no fusion, stop kidding yourself.

When I say there is no fusion, I mean, as a whole group of people - the Malays, and the Chinese, collectively. Individually, though, situations can be different.

But, I think if we were to mix them up, both Malay and Chinese, it has to happen from a very young age - not in Universities, surely. You see, if we have Chinese schools and Malay schools, exactly how well would one race know about the other, when they do not understand each other at all? Even in a government-funded mixed schools, the Chinese flock together, and the Malays too. Birds of the same feathers flock together, they say... and it is an apt description here. Back in my high school in Kuching, we had Malay schoolmates, but surprisingly enough, they were all in one class - and the other classes were almost entirely made up of Chinese students, with a couple of Dayak students here and there. I mean, I never thought about it back then, but now looking back it does seem a little odd - if not very. Sure enough, our school was, and is still, influenced by the Teo Chew Association... but if you ask me, if you are going to have a mixed school, then mix them up, for heaven's sake.

I will share my experiences in the next post, and briefly look at Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia.

What do you think about all these?

Qi

Ditching The Old

The Friendster Blog is slowly but surely running out of space...
... and they make people pay for an upgrade.

So, to hell with that, I say.
Most of my mates use blogspot anyway, so might as well make the switch.

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Once - Aku Mau

Kau boleh acuhkan diriku
Dan anggap ku tak ada
Tapi takkan merubah perasaanku
Kepadamu

Kuyakin pasti suatu saat
Semua kan terjadi
Kau kan mencintaiku
Dan tak akan pernah melepasku

Aku mau mendampingi dirimu
Aku mau cintai kekuranganmu
Selalu bersedia bahagiakanmu
Apapun terjadi
Kujanjikan aku ada

Kau boleh jauhi diriku
Namun kupercaya
Kau kan mencintaiku
Dan tak akan pernah melepasku

Aku mau mendampingi dirimu
Aku mau cintai kekuranganmu
Aku yang rela terluka
Untuk masa lalu

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I recommend everyone to download this song.

Qi