Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Wow. I'm surprised by all the love I got. So, if I'm not as alone as I think I am, I got a question:

?dael had a question at 10:27 AM

Saturday, September 22, 2007



I wonder how many readers I have now. Probably one or two. Three if I'm lucky.

It makes me feel like there's no point in blogging anymore, because I'm writing for an audience, not really myself. I've made it a point to myself to get a post in everyday, but what's the use if nobody reads them?

I recall a time, long ago, when people actually cared about my humble blog. They'd always leave a comment, or a drop a message in my shoutbox. And they'd say something to me if I didn't post anything for days. Now, no one cares if the last post was last year's. Comment counts are down to a zero. And I'm leaving messages for myself in my shoutbox just so the older ones move down, which makes me feel better.

And lately, I've made an effort to read the blogs on my links list, and I've left messages in the blogger's shoutboxes and have commented about their posts, just to let them know that "Hey, I'm alive and well, and so is my blog!" Nothing. Absolutely nothing. My cry of existence and for acknowledgment falls on deaf ears.

I'm sorry for sounding this way. I just feel so depressed now, so unloved. I feel lonely. Invisible. I've hardly any company here, and whatever company I used to get on my blog is now gone.

I know this is a just a phase of my life, and that I'll get over it, but this is how I feel now, and I have to say something about it. In the past, I would've never allowed myself to succumb to this level of self-pity, but I've decided to let myself go, so you all know how I feel.

(And I'm sure I've irritated my remaining readers with this post. I'm sorry.)

And I know being lonely is something everyone must learn. I will, in time, but for now, just let me validate my feelings. Just let me purge all this negativity from inside me.

So, now that you know how I truly feel, you may be compelled to do something about it. Well, let me save you the time and trouble, because you don't have to do anything at all. It's too late now.

Heck, you might only be reading this a week after I've posted this. And really, I wouldn't be surprised.

Nevertheless, I want to thank you for sparing some time to come and check up on my latests blogs. And I am deeply sorry if I've offended you with my words, and/or if I've wasted your precious time with my negative rambling.

?dael had a question at 5:31 PM

Friday, September 21, 2007

I'm going to a neighbouring church with the choir tomorrow. We've got a special program lined up for them.

I can't say that I'm all excited, because I foresee myself being by...well, myself. I haven't bonded with anyone in the choir. I only know less than five people by name. Sad, isn't it? Not the situation, but me not making an effort to get to know people. I don't blame anything or anyone else but my friggin' self.

At least I'll get to visit a new church, and sing for God. That's all that matters, that much I've got to be thankful for, and that's all I should focus on for now.

?dael had a question at 6:35 PM

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Can you change the word calm into a noun?

Calm
adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb –adjective

1.	without rough motion; still or nearly still: a calm sea.

2.	not windy or stormy: a calm day.

3.	free from excitement or passion; tranquil: a calm face; a calm manner.

–noun

4.	freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.

5.	Meteorology. wind speed of less than 1 mph (0.447 m/sec).

6.	freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquillity; serenity: She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.

–verb (used with object)

7.	to make calm: He calmed the excited dog.

–verb (used without object)

8.	to become calm (usually fol. by down).

—Related forms

calm·ing·ly, adverb

calmly, adverb

calmness, noun

Well, in a way, yes. As you can see, one related form is calmness, a noun.

There's another related form, according to a student, and it's calamity. Yes, that's right. Calamity. How did I miss that one?

*Definition taken from Dictionary.com.

?dael had a question at 2:47 PM

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

How's rhinotillexis for a new word?

You'll never guess what it means. Want a clue? You can find part of the word in rhinoceros, rhinoplasty, rhinology (doesn't mean the study of the rhinoceros, okay?), and countless other words.

...

Any ideas? Want another clue? Tillexis is Greek for "habit of picking."

That should have rung a bell.

Well, if not, rhino is Greek for "nose."

Aha! Yes, I am laughing with you right now, if you're laughing, that is. If you're feeling a little stupid, take heart, I was once in your position.

If you still haven't figured out what it means, let me put it together for you. Rhinotillexis (Greek rhino "nose" + tillexis "habit of picking") is the act of extracting mucus and/or foreign bodies from the nose with a finger or other objects. (Definition from Wikipedia.com)

Now that you've just learned a new word, use it to show others how much smarter you are than them, and laugh at their blank faces as they rack their inferior brains! Muahahahaha!

Disclaimer: Okay lah, I'm not a bad person, although the end of this post proves otherwise. I just like making fun of things, especially people. I don't really mean the bad things I say about people unless I state otherwise.

?dael had a question at 6:09 PM

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

So here I was, reflecting upon the day's events for something blogworthy to poke fun at.

Nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary. All I had was a couple more hours till midnight. I was going to have to accept that I would end the day without blogging...

...until the fire alarm went off yet again. This is the second time it's happened. The cause? A burnt burger patty on a plastic plate in the microwave. Yup, you read it right: plastic. Not the microwave-safe type, but the disposable type. Quite a lot of smoke it made. The fire guys had to bring in a fan to suck the smoke out. The hall now reeks of smoke.

Ignorant much? I think so. The microwave's been around since forever, that you'd think some college students should know better, like what can and cannot be put inside. They might as well have put aluminum foil inside. I'm sure by now the culprit has been identified (and he has to pay a fine of $200 for a false alarm), but I don't know who the idiot is. I'm better off not knowing, I reckon.

If there's a silver lining in this, it's that I got something to blog about. I can rest easy tonight!

?dael had a question at 7:12 PM

Monday, September 17, 2007

The guys on my floor have taken singing in the shower to a whole new level.

They perform highly improvised duets and trios, and, amazingly, they sound really good. Songs are sung in a variety of styles, most commonly pop, but once in a while, you will hear an operatic tenor belting to the accompaniment of the irregular rhythmic pattering of the showers. Amongst the musical styles, the most rare of all is the yodeling, the quick alternation of the high and low registers of the (male) voice. All in all, these styles combine harmoniously to form an eclectic mix of music that makes practicing good hygiene more enjoyable for everyone. Heard of "elevator music"? I see, or hear, a future with "toilet music".

(I sound like a music critic.)

Consider the age-old practice of shower singing revolutionized. I'm proud to be surrounded by great musicians :)

?dael had a question at 5:48 AM

Sunday, September 16, 2007

I've decided to put down some of my notable "firsts" for future reference, and for the times when I feel like I can't get any stupid-er.

1. As of September 15, I've been here for exactly one month! And yet, it doesn't feel like it's been that long...
2. On September 9, I made my first trip down to Sydney with Joy and Charmaine, and then had dinner with Mae and Victor.
3. On September 12, I got a free ticket to attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House. (Although I have to say that it is smaller than how I had initially pictured it to be...)
4. On the night of September 15, a couple of mates and I celebrated two of my mates' birthday at a restaurant named, get this, Yummy Thai. All the workers there are Thai with the exception of an Australian girl (who can speak a little Thai). The BBQ chicken was fantastic...
   
5. I aced my first audition for The Promise, a small group of singers, very much like Chamber Choir in Mission College, which, I must proudly add, I was a part of. Now I just have to wait for an open spot. As soon as there's one, I'm filling it. In the meantime, I will be undergoing vocal lessons with the director.
6. I had my first Subway. (I know, I know. I've been missing out...) It was a "sweet onion grilled chicken", I think. It was really good, and it was about 1 foot long! It lasted me the whole night till lunch the next day.
7. Bought myself my first scarf! It's brown, long, and made of wool. I've always wanted to wear one, and the cool weather here definitely warrants it! Wrapping a scarf around your neck can really make a difference.
8. My first meal in Australia was salmon sushi... and now I'm hopelessly addicted to that stuff. I never thought I'd like the taste of raw fish meat until now. Goes really great with soy sauce...
9. My first cup of Milo wasn't a disappointment, more of a surprise, really. I've heard how some Malaysians dislike the taste of Australian Milo, and I expected the worst. I hate to differ, but I ended up liking the taste! I can't really describe how it's like, but IMO, it's more chocolaty. Others have said it tastes milky.
10. My first semester here in Avondale is great, putting aside negative elements. It's time to see the silver lining. Nothing ever comes without its bad side.
    

That's all for now. I think I'll write about notable "seconds" later...

p/s: I think this is my first longest post since I blogged about Australia!

?dael had a question at 7:32 AM

Friday, September 14, 2007

Haha.

The lazy afternoon silence is broken; a voice is heard on the PA in the Watson Hall*: "Ladies on the top floor, ladies on the top floor."

Then come in unison shouts from the residents of the second floor, shouts that welcome the women as they ascend the carpeted marble stairs.

In other words, they all went gila when the girls came to visit some guys. I laugh at the at the workings of the brain of men. Sometimes I don't understand why guys behave the way they do, when I am one of them.

*Watson Hall is the name of the Men's Dormitory.

?dael had a question at 7:43 PM

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Heh. Sorry for the long I've-not-been-updating period. Vivian, don't you just love that word? Period. I've been quite lazy busy lately. Could hardly fine the time to drop a few words here.

*cough cough*

I had my first birthday party today! Well, it wasn't mine, as *some* of you might have realized. I meant I attended my first birthday party of a friend. Yup, that's right, I've made friends with some people here. Yay for me!

We had pizza (4 boxes), strawberries, some potato chips, Arnott's Shapes, and a weird but delightfully tasty punch with fruit bits thrown in. The birthday cake was richly coated with caramel and cream with ground almonds in it. It was too sweet for me, but I'm sure the others enjoyed it more than I did. (I couldn't even finish my slice, which happened to be bigger than my fist. I know, shame on me for wasting food. I *am* thinking of the children in Africa.)

And then we ended the night with a game of UNO, one of its countless variations of playing. I'm not going into detail about the game. Heh.

Well, that's all for tonight. I'm pooped.

?dael had a question at 8:08 PM

Sunday, September 09, 2007

I'm going to Sydney today!

I've not been in the city yet. The closest I've been to it would be when I was at the airport.

I'm excited. Yay!

?dael had a question at 3:59 AM

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Brrr. The cold is really getting to me.

It's like being in an air-conditioned room, only you can't find the remote control to the air-conditioner, which has been set to the lowest temperature possible.

The temp's only 14 degrees Celsius. It's nothing really, yet I'm freezing my butt off. And the wind doesn't help either.

Having said all this, I do welcome the cold. It makes one appreciate the sun more.

?dael had a question at 9:40 AM

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Here's one of my embarrassing stories:

Some time last week, I went over to the cafeteria for lunch. By that time, I've had already met a couple of people, whose names and faces I've somewhat forgotten. (It's like after we've had exchanged names, I'd completely forget them seconds after...)

So there I was, near the front of the line (well, there wasn't really a line, because there were only three people, including me). Then, a student cafeteria worker waved at my direction, and instinctively, I waved right back. At this time, I was frantically running through my mind all the faces I've seen in the last couple of days, searching for her face, desperately trying to remember if I'd ever met her.

Not quite familiar... But then again, people are really friendly, they greet you and stuff, so I greeted her right back.

And then inevitable happened: Another girl in front of me waved at her. I quickly pulled my hand down and wiped the smile off my reddening face.

SHE WAS NOT friggin' WAVING AT ME!

I don't think I need to finish that story. Let's just say I didn't feel so hungry after that stuff up...

?dael had a question at 7:58 AM

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Two days of no sunshine, and the cold returns.

It's so cold that even a mundane, harmless activity like washing hands turns into a form of torture.

But I love the cold. Sure beats sweaty armpits anytime!

?dael had a question at 3:08 PM