Melbourne

Hello Melbourne!

The flight was a pretty different experience, with a Thai crew flying me back to Aussie instead of the usual Malaysian crew. I must say the crew was rather older than expected, but the only young one there was just as proficient. On board I also met this friendly local, whom if not for her innocent yet delightful smiles my flight would have been so dreary.

After 3 months at home I surely needed a little getting back used to Melbourne. But after a while it's all apparently good. I miss the ambient lightings, the carpet that makes the room cozy, the indulgent bed linens, the priceless Kozyndan and Dave Kinsey posters that adorn the room, and last but not least, the music from my desktop that goes with them so well (be it Oscar Peterson, DJ Krush, or Zero 7).

Currently, my biggest anticipation will have to be this Friday's birthday + start of semester party. I'm only hoping I won't pass out and instead have a good night.

End of Summer

Dear all, happy Chinese new year!

After almost 3 months here, the end of summer in Melbourne marks the time to go back again (looking to save some money, my flight will span a total of more than 13 hours, including a transit in Bangkok). This holiday was pretty filled with activities and a little excitement here and there, mostly pleasant. But time flew because the majority of it was spent in my internship in Ernst & Young.

This will be my final year already. I've been very lucky to have barely passed Financial Mathematics II that was to determine if I'm still able to continue Actuarial Studies. But it's good to finally see my timetable now filled with only 4 subjects, i.e. the normal load. With a little more effort I'm pretty sure all will end good end of this year.

I guess one of the biggest decisions I've made during this holiday is to not apply for a PR in Australia upon graduating, rather to hop straight to Singapore. We will see how things go, but I foresee good prospects (hopefully) and lotsa lotsa parties (pretty certain I must say)!

Speaking of which, I'll be looking forward to my birthday celebration on 2nd of March, the first Friday of the semester. What better time to party?

I thank you to all those who spent their time with me, and to those not in Melbourne, I look forward to see you guys again next Jan!

Thai x2

(due to the laptop's damaged backlight, this will be the first post written on the TV screen)

Seems like everytime I head to Thai Club something bad's gonna happen for sure.

So yesterday we were there because beer was dirt cheap if you'd enter by 10. We ordered enough to get each of us down. When the live band was over, most of us went back while I went upstairs to the dancefloor with another two friends.

It was all pretty good (perhaps even more enjoyable than average), although I'd really preferred to be a little more sober considering the experience I have with this place. Plus, having to abstain from booze whenever I drive, this trip back to KL (and the messages in the radio) sorta reminds me that it's perhaps a little smarter to party without drinking.

Until we were approached by this harmless looking lady, offering us drinks and shit. She's from Thailand. And her guy was there with her as well.

Then the night ended and the guy disappeared. So she clung to us. She dragged us to Aloha. Already so pissed, she ordered another bucket when I was in the toilet consulting for strangers' help. The typical advice given? Do her tonight and think tomorrow.

So we dropped her at Cabana Inn because she said her guy was there. Just as we walked away she yelled at us, showed us her middle finger, and asked us to come back. So we had to escort her back to Cabana Inn, knocked on the guy's door for a few minutes and left when, of course, nobody answered.

A friend called telling me that he's waiting for us in front of Aloha. So we went, and I begged for her help. She being the brave one, pushed me into the car and asked that Thai to fuck off. We drove off and Ben was saved.

What an experience.

Way'Ree'Us

It's been a while now. Partly because I'm usually occupied during my internship (be it work or MSN) and the laptop's condition (its backlight not working, one hand has to hold a torch light trailing the mouse). But it's all good now as the internship has come to an end and my brother is back from his Aussie trip with another laptop.

Although my internship only lasted for a few weeks, trust me the goodbye part wasn't easy. I'm not too sure of how internships worked in other places but I definitely feel that our bunch as a whole was really fun. Plus I am not too sure if it's ironic or merely unfortunate, but I was introduced to all the big-timers in EY only during the last day there.

Malaysian celebrity promoters can go really far. T-shake. Could you guess what's that? If you had spend RM59 buying Hannah T's (Hannah Tan, that is) 'premium' album (that's the only version they have), like me, then you would probably know. To enter yourself to a chance to win some funky prizes, not only do you need to write the usual slogan, but you would need to take a picture of yourself doing the most creative T-shake you could possibly think of.

How many of you all even knew there was such a... shake? And if you had actually checked the album cover out, I bet this could be your first reaction:
1) bloke: that's red hot!
2) chick: how did this pass the censorship board?
3) the Issue readers: Ben was right.

More local flavour. I was having dinner at Sakae Sushi when Reshmonu performed live outside Laundry bar. But to be honest I really didn't know when was he singing and when was it that someone was just doing an opening or supporting set. I would actually have loved it if we could just dine outside Laundry for the whole night. But it didn't really matter. By the time we finished, I only managed to watch half of Reshmonu's Superfine performance. I was immediately captivated. It was FUN and that muruku head guy could actually sing darn well! (Dear muruku, I did not mean it as an insult to call you this. I just don't know of other words to describe your hairdo. It's not braids, it's not locks, I'm just clueless) I am yet to go CD shopping again, although I certainly hope Mr Monu's album doesn't come in a premium package.

Nike flagship store in KLCC. Anyone who's into sneakers or just shoes could probably not miss the big Air Force 25 High (all-white) canvas hanging in the store's display. But I wonder what's the point. The manager wasn't helpful nor did she even looked at me in the eye when she talked. Nor did she know if the High all-white model was ever going to be available in Malaysia. Aesthetics? Possibly. They just want us to know that Air Force One is celebrating its 25th anniversary and we could only pray that the good ones will be here, for selling that is.

Ben, whine on.

(By the way, a T-shake is done by crossing your forearms or two index fingers together. From what was illustrated it looked like it was done by a single person. From its name, being a shake, I wonder if it should be done by two people crossing the forearm/index finger with the other)