Lost & to-be-Found and Christmas

To anyone who reads (probably just me...)...anyway...

Merry Christmas. May you have bright days ahead of you. I know I've been not so keen in updating this "blog" and it's kinda lame. The fact is, I have no idea what I'm supposed to write. There 5 days left (just ignore the time posted at the end of this post, b'cos it's wrong) to end year 2011 and so far, everything is peaceful, no bloodshed at least. This is the last year I'm in secondary school and everything ahead of this milestone seems complicated. I have no idea what I wanna/I'm gonna be; I can't choose which A-level (or equivalent programs) in which institute. Dad, Mum and I kept arguing and discussing.

If I dream of becoming a lawyer, dad says, I MUST go for STPM (4th toughest exam on earth, based on Arull) in order to avoid the Certificate for Legal Practice (CLP) which all Law (LLB) graduates from private universities (local and foreign) MUST sit. The passing rate for CLP is very low, and hence, Dad freaks out.

If I dream of becoming an accountant, dad says, I MUST go for Sunway College Foundation in Accounting or CAT, then proceed to ACCA. Altogether takes 3 years. I'm a Science student. I have no clue what is Accountancy or what is it about. At least, I think it's a job that deals with money.

In my dad's time, people have limited resources and choices. My dad became an engineer.
In my time, people have excess resources and choices. I'm lost. See how does "I'm fine with everything" phrase kill people?
Indecisiveness, the crucial part for a child, that saves time, and time is life.
Preparedness, the essential segment for parents, that saves time, and time is money.

Basically, I can do anything.

"Wrong, my son," Mum said "When I was your age, I was like you, too. You're not brilliant, but you have a large learning capacity."

The moment when parents say "Nevermind la!", is the time they're uncertain of how things would turn up to be, or they're just being overconfident. Another misconception from a parent: Whatever we studied at your age was tougher than what you learn today." The worst part? Nobody listens, and keep on being wrong.

Life is complicated. If you notice, not all information are tucked into those stacks of brochures that you got. It feels like my future that lies in your hand is nothing but just good business. (sounds like Pirates of the Caribbean 3, eh?).

If you guys notice that I've been posting "inbox me any number and see what I say about you" s, it is really kinda fun to lay back and contemplate the moments we had together. In the meantime, spreading loves and "true words" in a nice way to fill up my emptiness (both soul and time). By the way, I reserved the word "special" just for "you". And there comes the feeling again.

There're a few great movies that I've watched during the holidays:

I spent my afternoon cleaning up my desk during Christmas, and in Times Square with my family. I think, people should have gatherings in their houses, instead of looking for parking spaces, queuing up for food, avoiding from flashing cameras (I'm one of 'em with the cameras, but mum don't allow me to take pictures of people), and squeezing through the crowd. I think, more quality time should be spent among family members and friends. Roast turkey, anyone?

This year's (2011)theme for Christmas (my pick) : White Christmas (I know it's not snowing in Malaysia)
2010: Winter Wonderland
2009: Last Christmas
2008: Come All ye' Faithful

Genting Thrill (13-15/12/11) : Day 2

Woke up at 5.44a.m. and everybody's still asleep, stayed awake for about 30minutes then went back to sleep.
Jakey woke up first then everybody woke up. Had instant noodles for breakfast.

*fast forward* and not in sequence.

Bought both outdoor and indoor tickets at the price of RM59. Here are the brief intro 'bout the activities, no pictures, yet.

Pirate Ship
It's like a pendulum whereby it swings. You'll slightly feel the thrill when it reaches a certain height, then swings to the opposite side. Nothing scary about this.

Corkscrew
My 2nd roller-coaster ride after the one in Berjaya Times Square, KL. Not too bad either. At first I thought it's gonna make me dizzy or chickened out, but during the ride my heart didn't pump adrenaline. It's just some brutal shaking on your body.

We queued up for the Grand Prix Fun Cart Ride. No bags allowed,so Ting Meau, Joanne, and Yee Qiong went to search for the locker. Have this ever happened to you that, one person queuing up on behalf a group of people who are not there? Indirectly, the queue gets longer, longer waiting time and finally, more frustration. The people who got their queue "cut" kept on shouting (protesting) "Q! Q! Q!" while the other had no choice but to retreat. I strongly suggest that the administration to talk to the people "cutting lines" instead of letting the 'Q'ers do the talking, which might lead to some bloody scene. Finally, we gave up waiting.

and we met up Ting Meau and the gang for some Herbal Eggs (RM1.50 each)

Spinning Cups
I rather call it the "Tornado of Doom plus lots of dizziness". It was pretty "spinny" and I leaned my body outwards the cup, in which that the blood gushed into my head, leading to some terrible headache.

Here comes my weird theory:
People with better concentration/focus (which see and remember things easier) tend to have higher possibilities of having headache. 

Please correct me.

Bumper Boats
I took the queuing time to recover from the headache. Bumper boats are just like bumper cars, just that it's a motor on a float with no wheels (duh?). Be careful while bumping with others as you may get wet. A boy bumped at us a few times so we decided to give him a lesson by "besieging" him...in a friendly manner.

Ferris Wheel
Ahhh! Here comes the relaxing ride. 3 of us boys (Jing Hong, Yi Fai and me) cramped into one compartment and started to act gay. It was a breathtaking ride to see almost the whole theme park from up there.

Archery
Ting Meau bought 250 arrows for RM99 and was divided into 7. I'm starting to get a hold of this game. No bulls-eye so far. It requires strength, endurance, accuracy. The bow should be parallel to your eyes while the other hand holding the bow is straight. That's the theory.

It started to drizzle a little while we queued up for the Rajang River Ride, so that ride will resume in 20 minutes time. Who cares it's raining or not. We're still gonna get wet during that ride. *splash*

We had lunch at Hainan Kitchen. Chicken Rice (steamed).
After that, we met the other group of friends and I decided to buy tomorrow's bus ticket back to KL. That was my first time buying tickets at Genting, so I didn't know well. Pardon me. I asked the counter fellow whether I could buy tomorrow's ticket and I didn't hear clearly that he said "besok naik besok beli" (ride tomorrow, buy tomorrow). It was kinda awkward till Jing Hong rescued me. No tickets bought.

Jing Hong and I met the others at the Spinner, which Jakey and Yee Qiong were on. Ting Meau, Yi Fai and Joanne were riding the Merry-Go-Round.

Pirate Train
The queue was not long. Nothing scary, so Jakey and Jing Hong made shouted to add some thrill during the ride. Yi Fai took some awesome pictures during the ride.

Dinosaur Land
Mmmm...around 5 dinosaurs with plenty of rocks and a suspending bridge, which many people rocking it. Ohh...there's a homo-sapien statue greeting you at the "ribs" entrance. It was pretty cool and misty, a great place to let your thoughts set soar. *Icky* yeah...I was being sentimental...no.no. it's not a trauma from any of the previous rides.

Bumper Car
The sort of game that suits everybody, whereby you could bang anyone. In this case, the boys focused on the girls (Jakey and Yee Qiong). While queuing up, the boys observed which car is the smoothest. I didn't pay much attention to the conversation. And, I didn't even feel like playing, so I hooked up with Yi Fai in the same car. The working principle of the bumper car is quite simple, there's an antenna at every car in contact with the metal net above which gives out electricity, hence generating the motor. One of wires got snapped, and the faulty car was blocking the way, so the attendant tried to push the car aside, but his efforts were of no avail. Then comes the cleaner which succeeded by sliding the car using one foot (like a skateboard) and controlling the steering. The attendant could only laugh in vain.

We queued up for the Flying Dragon, basically a roller coaster as well. Since no camera is allowed during the ride and I've rode that before (with mum), I skipped this one and took care of the DSLR. This is the first time in my life using a DSLR and the pictures taken were awesome. Pardon me for not knowing how to use this thing.

Spinner
Yi Fai brought Jing Hong's camera along the ride and took some really great pictures of us. The spinner is basically a swing that rotates, instead of going forth and back. The crayola blue and azure sky was really beautiful, paired together with the awesome lighting of the Spinner, a perfect combination. Told ya' (or now you know) I have a great POV on seeing things!


Pirate Ship
Yea...we played it...again. And this time I brought Jing Hong's DSLR along. *rock a bye baby on the tree top*


Merry-Go-Round
A slow and steady game, and some of us got anxious and decided to loiter in that double-storey rotating structure. We were all shocked when the Indian operator is fluent communicating in Mandarin while asking us not to move around!


Oooh...Jakey, Yee Qiong, and Yi fai went for the Space Shot for 4 times!!!! Wow.  It propels you till 185 feet of the ground and drops you till you can't scream. Looks pretty exciting and scary at the same time. Now, I regret it. XD    I promise, I'll be back.

Grand-Prix Fun Cart
Ok. This time we made it...after a long queue. However, it was worth it. XD An uncle chatted with me on critical it is for me to plan for my future now, importance of getting good results and socializing. He is from Penang, a Hokkien, and speaks fluent Malay. He stated that the future trend that tough jobs will get a higher pay and Australia is a great place to study. I found quite contradiciting when he mentioned that "when we're older we'll have lots of time to play" and then his wife and son appeared, impatient of the queue and asking him to "abandon" the queue. I think, we'll never get to enjoy full privilege of fun at all stages of life. I think I could pass my driving license! XD although I appeared almost last.

Choo, Jakey, Yee Qiong, and Yi Fai went for the Flying Coaster ride. After their first round, I wanted to join along as it looks pretty exciting, but the queue was closed. This is something new that your body is laid horizontally and being projected through twists and thrills and finally ended with sudden jerk. Woootz! That's the closest thing you could be like Superman!

Bumper Car
Somehow, we played the bumper car again. I was beside Yi Fai who was driving. Jakey and Yee Qiong got bumped pretty hard by the boys. Sorry! XD


4D Motion Master
Ever watched Mr Bean : The Movie where he visited a 4D movie theater and played with the wires to make it more exciting? Well, this one is different. First, you have to queue up. I mean qqqquuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeee uuuuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppp, for like more than 1 hour just to experience the show. Ting Meau taught Yee Qiong how to whisle, Jing Hong was quite hungry and a little sleepy, Yi Fai played with Ting Meau's PSP, Jakey was FBing via handphone (I guess) and I was observing the crowd. At the entrance, we were given a pair of glasses each and being seated on a special chair with safety belts on. The show started, named "Pirate Story" with you being part of the thieves trying to steal "something" from a pirate in a museum. The pirate got alive and then all the crew and crabs were alive, then we were being attacked and canons everywhere. Finally, the pirate got killed by his own canon. The End. Yea...it was 3D alright, but the 4th D didn't give me much suspense and excitement. Actually, the chair just shook with some "sssss" sound bothering beside your ears. Again, I got a little dizzy after wearing the glasses. We played with the escalator by going up against it, and I tripped. * Embarrassed* XD

Euro Express
The indoor roller coaster ride is basically fast and sweeps steep corners. It gives you a view of the indoor theme park from above, whilst "shooting" across the KLCC, Big Ben, Venice, Eiffel Tower etc. The only thing that freaks me a little is I thought that I'm gonna bang into the San Francisco Bridge before it comes to a halt.

Once we got back to the room, Jing Hong and Yi Fai straight way fell asleep, without having their clothes changed or took shower. I would have done the same as well, but the motherly and the extremely hygienic cautious Jakey instructed me to. Yea...I'm an obedient kid. Then, the rest who were still awake looked at the photos mostly taken by Ting Meau and the rest of us. Oh gosh...my expressions were really weird. I have to take extra precautions on the way I walk, talk, smile, wear, stare etc etc etc. Yi Fai was sleeping at my place actually, so I slept at his...on the sofa. Ting Meau put on "Canon in D" all night that got us fell in sleep in no time.

Good night.

I'll conquer the Space Shot and Flying Coaster next time... XD

The Knot

Finally, I received the notification for which camp am I posted to for National Service (PLKN).

If you're part of the "crew", yet not knowing which camp you're in, kindly refer on:

 http://apps1.khidmatnegara.gov.my/penempatan 

and after keying in your IC num., you'll get something like this:

(this is what I got)

KUMPULAN :1 

PUSAT BERKUMPUL :PERHENTIAN BAS KAJANG, JLN REKO, KAJANG 

NEGERI PUSAT BERKUMPUL : SELANGOR 

NAMA KEM :KEM PLKN TITIAN BINTAGOR, REMBAU, NEGERI SEMBILAN

ALAMAT KEM :KG BINTAGOR 

POSKOD KEM :71150

BANDAR KEM :REMBAU 

NEGERI KEM :NEGERI SEMBILAN 

TARIKH LAPOR :01-JAN-2012 

MASA LAPOR :9:30 PAGI 

Mum got shocked that I am in NS, and is squeezzing every sort of ways on skipping or postponing PLKN.

But to me, I'm lucky enough to be in the first badge, which starts as early as New Year and ends by April? 

By that time, I'll be getting my SPM results and then further my studies....and here comes a knot....

So far....my parents and I agreed on me doing Law. I can't figure out any other suitable courses and jobs...

Mum declined Journalism for me, and Dad is quite stingy nowadays. Dad emphasizes that GCE A-Levels is very expensive, takes a very long time, furthering my Degree in Law (LLB) costs about 1Million, not finding a good job, gets very low pay, failing exams, thinking that Cambridge A-levels will lead to no other universities but Cambridge because of the name, criticizing why I have to choose my courses now, hoping that I'll further my studies in local Universities, bashing those colleges and universities providing A-levels, comparing his times and nowadays education system etc...etc...etc...

Basically, Dad is keeping all his money to himself and have no sign of funding me in college, or whatever I've chosen. Money is not everything, but can we at least sit down and discuss about this matter? It's your son's future that you're playing with now after so many times of avoiding this conversation. The reason why I prefer International Uni more than Local Uni is because they make international and national people, while Local U graduates are more likely to be bounded in their country. 

I've been Googling for A level courses, and yes, it is pretty expensive....around RM15,000 to 20,000 for most universities and colleges. However, if you're the Rich type, you might consider Taylor's (around 28k).

People like me opt for something suitable....like 

1) Sunway University : price not stated (around 20k)

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/668839

2) Methodist KL : RM11,700 to 13,500 

http://www.methodistcollegekl.edu.my/images/Fees/fees%20brochure%2017-06-11a.jpg

3) Brickfields Asia : RM10,500 to 15,000

http://www.bac.edu.my/index.php/programmes-bac/pre-university-programmes/a-levels

4) HELP : RM21,000 to 25,000 

http://www.help.edu.my/academicprograms/gce_alevels

5) TAR : RM<10,000 (according to internet forums)

http://www.tarc.edu.my/bursary/fees.htm

6) St. John : RM11,000 to 13,600

Well...there you go...life is full of choices...

*Poof*

Dad insisted me on going STPM, instead of A-levels, hence, furthering studies in local universities.

I'm not saying how tough STPM is or how the local Universities reputation are, but to study abroad is one of my dreams.

Dad added that A-levels and abroad is too expensive and would like to spend his money on other stuffs...cars...properties...investments....

*poof*

I'll earn a scholarship if I get into A-levels. Fair?

Morale

Hey guys,
If you have read my previous post on "Rainbow" , you would have known that our house maid has gone home.
and my house is currently a little messy....(my territory is the messiest!).

Here's the point:
What I can't tolerate is the nagging, shouting, accusing, fighting, commenting, criticizing (very form of negative communication words you can think of)....the very second I step into the car when my dad picks me up, I would get a damn freaking unfriendly welcome....
~eg "where have you been? Why so long?" , "Be more alert ahh!!!!",  "You think I'm your driver ah???" , "Wasting my time only la you! 1 minute I can earn lots of money!" etc....

okay....If I was energetic, then I would have shown some respond or even quarrel...though its not really right to fight with parents....

But, if I was down (moody) that day, those scoldings would have just open a blackhole sucking all my morale which is already low enough!

Parents.

Hey, guys...this is gonna be a little "moody" post.
So, basically its 'bout parents...
First of all, let me make this clear: I still love my parents.

Parents are always right, don't you damn agree with that?
When they call you, you can't hear them calling, and you get scolded (in my case, I'm being referred as deaf)
When I call them, they can't hear you and you'll get scolded for not making yourself clear enough ( referred as mute)

and...almost everything I do, there must be an opportunity (or two) for parents to slip around to scold you.
eg:
1) you're studying, and they'll say :"On the table lamp!" (although its bright enough to me)

2) while practicing m guitar, they'll comment: How come every time its the same old song? What's the purpose sending you for classes, huh? Wasting my money and time. (yup, money comes first!)

3) Why are there so many books on your table (instead of desk)? You cannot focus like that mah!

4) Winser! Winser!! come! what's this arh? (its a box) come!!! come arh!! Winser! What's inside? (I'll just reply: open the box lar..!) oooohhhh!! Winser! come!! see what's inside??!! what to do with these things arh? come!! I said, come!!!!!  (its a lemniscate, sign for infinity)
  (P/S: the whole process won't come to a fullstop until I have to abandon my work to entertain my parents.)

Lastly, parents always hope to their children to be successful. In order to "stimulate" (its different than "encourage", almost to the extend of "criticizing"), parents like to compare their children to almost everybody.

When parents see Michelle Wie (a female golfer) via TV, they'll say: hey, look. People has become a million aire, but look at you!!

When they see Justin Bieber, they'll sigh: Aiii....people only 16 years old can become a singer, why you cannot arhh? (goes the same when they see Scott from American Idol)

oohhh....and they can even compare me with myself!!! "Look at you last time, so obedient!" "Last time arrhh...you always listen to what I say."

Once, I just shouted at my dad:" why don't you take him as your son??? !!!!". Sorry, for losing my temper, but I think my capacity is wayyy higher than you guys.

I'll try to control my temper (come on, Imma' teenager! what do you expect?), and remain silence.
I learnt my lesson: when I reply more, I will receive more nagging."