Hooked on Sudoku
June 26, 2007
It’s official now. I’m hooked on Sudoku. Today, Rob and I played like 5 or 6 puzzles on MSN. I’m surprised I actually understand how to play it. Some of you who are familiar with the puzzle are probably thinking “How hard is it to fill number 1 through 9 in all those boxes?” Forgive me for I am no smarty pants. I’m quick to blurt out smartass comments but when it comes to numbers, I really truly do suck at it.
I know I said last night that I would post up pictures of the sun halo….(yes a “but” is coming) BUT I forgot that I don’t have my watermark program to copyright my pictures. The program is on the tappy and being the great procrastinator that I am, I still haven’t transferred certain programs and files to the lappy. Honey, if you’re reading this, can you please send me the watermark program the next time we talk? It’s nice to have a geek boyfriend who has all the programs you need (sorry honey but I still think you’re a HAWT geek *wink*).
My current favourite song is by Mandy Moore. I’ve always liked Mandy Moore. Moore (pun intended) importantly, I’ve always loved her music. Her latest album carries a new song called “Extraordinary” which I love and totally can relate to. The music video is by far one of the most unique ones I’ve ever seen. I’m sure you can find it on YouTube because I’m too lazy to search for it and install the codes here. I’ll install some kinda player on here so you guys can listen to my favourite songs. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it doesn’t play automatically when the page loads. I know how annoying and irritating unpleasant that can be. Here are the lyrics (at least what I can make out from listening to it a zillion times):
Extraordinary by Mandy Moore
I was a bay tree
Quiet and unseen
I lived in stories but inside I kept a mystery
I was a starling
Nobody’s darling
Flying in perfect circles just for company
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
to be extraordinary
A midnight airplane
A window blowing
I know I am another sparkle in the sky
I shine on copper
Still undiscovered
But you might see me in the corner of your eye
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
to be extraordinary
Waking up to wake up someday
I am my own parade
Stopping off at a sidewalk cafe
Wind is playing in the trees
Kicking up confetti leaves
Seems as if it’s all to say
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
to be extraordinary
Great lyrics right? Well go get (and when I say get, I mean pirate download) it. This song reminds me of my insecure teenage years. I was fat (and still am HAHAHAHAHA) and felt ugly. I’m not saying I think I’m beautiful now. I’m just saying so what if I’m overweight? Yes, I know it’s not healthy. I know I can eat better and exercise more, which I am doing. Just because one is slim/thin doesn’t give them the right to insult those of us who are wider. I may be labelled as “fat” in society but you know what? I’m happy. I’m happy with my life. I will admit I’m not entirely happy with how I look and would love to be more in shape but everyone gets that kinda feeling.
Just because you’re slim doesn’t make you more beautiful. With an attitude of constantly insulting people, I bet a million bucks that you’re less attractive than the next jolly, fun overweight person. I think I speak on behalf of all overweight people when I say BIG IS BEAUTIFUL. Hahaha
So those of you out there who constantly use “fat” people as a mechanism to make yourself feel better and more superior, get a life. There’s more to life than being slim and insulting people.
I have more to say but ermmmm I have to use the bathroom. 😛
Ok, if you must know, I have to do #2. Don’t “ewwwww”. As if you don’t shit poop. Adios~
How nice
June 25, 2007
Just wanted to say a big thank you to the person who sent me this offline message on my meebo: “You’re not writing anymore? I’ve always find your blog very interesting. I just like the way you write things…. STRAIGHT, UP FRONT! I’ll be a your BIG FAN if you write books!! I’m serious!!!”
Don’t worry I’m not quiting blogging. Just needed a little break. It is very nice of you to say those things and I am deeply honoured and appreciate your kind compliments. You should read my thesis chapters, that will make you think twice about being a fan. LOL But thanks! I hope you keep coming back. 😀
Warmest regards,
Shin
Back
June 25, 2007
It has been almost a month since I left the blogsphere. At first, I thought I could just leave and not look back. To be honest, I think I love blogging so much so that even if I don’t get to write often, just writing once a month would satisfy me, so to speak.
A few days ago Rob told me “It’s a good blog. You should keep it up.” It’s nice to hear such words of encouragement from someone. I looked through my old posts and realized there are just so many memories documented. I don’t think I can ever leave my blog. I love my blog, not because someone commented that it’s “good” but simply because I love writing. I know I am not the best blogger nor am I great at writing. I just know the satisfaction of being able to pen out words to describe what I feel and/or think.
I finished and handed in Chapter 2. I’m reading and working on Chapter 3 at the moment. I hope to be done by mid-July. One chapter a month should be do-able for me.
Last week I was surfing on Oldnavy’s website and was shock to see V-neck tops for $0.01 each, yes you read that right, ONE CENT. I quickly told Rob to take a look cause I thought I was seeing things. To cut the story short, Rob ended buying NINETY shirts in M, L and XL of all 6 colors, 5 of each size of each color. Shipping was a flat rate of $5 so the grand total was $5.90. We were both giggling like kids in a candy store. I mean NINETY tops for less than $6?!?!?!
The next day he gets an email from Oldnavy saying there was an error with the pricing on the website! They won’t honor the sales. What the hell! Those tops were listed for one cent for 2 hours and then the pricing became $0.01 – $12.50 as some colors had limited size so it was so “cheaper”. Now it’s all priced at $12.50. For that, Oldnavy sucks! I got all happy for getting 90 tops (even though I can’t fit in a M size one)!
Fellow Kuchingnites, I’m sure most of you saw the sun halo phenomenon last Friday (I think, I forgot which day). I took some pictures but the view of it wasn’t so clear from my house, plus the sun was blocked by clouds. The rainbow ring around the sun was faint but enough to be noticed. I’ll post up the pictures tomorrow or something.
Anyway, just wanted to say I’m back! So please come back for more updates. 🙂
Hiatus
June 1, 2007
**I have decided to take a hiatus from blogging, at least until I have things straightened out with my life, especially with my thesis.**
Short update
May 31, 2007
I had lunch with Soupy aka Siew Pin today at Crowne Square and forgot to take pictures with her. Arghhh I keep forgetting I have a camera phone. =S I wanted to take pictures of my lunch and show Rob and make him drool. HEH
More and more people are getting into playing Sudoku. Innitially I didn’t want to get into it because I know me. I get hooked on these things very easily. But today, Rob and I tried it online on MSN and I have to say it’s quite interesting. Oh God, I think I’m starting to get hooked. Honey, this is your fault. 😛
Anyway, tomorrow is Gawai and most working people will have the next 4 days off. So, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai 😀
Pinkie
May 30, 2007
Meet Pinkie, my new phone. Yes I’m starting to name my new gadgets, with Rob’s help of course. 😛
The Nokia N72 is not so common in the market. Even the Nokia Malaysia website doesn’t have any info on it. I had to go to Nokia Asia Pacific to find the specs. It has a 2 megapixel camera which is sufficient enough for me seeing as I already have a digital camera. Innitially I had wanted to get the Nokia 5300 but after discussing with Rob and my dad, I kinda decided it was a bit too childish for me in terms of color and style.
I’m still trying to familiarize myself with the buttons and functions. I have been a Samsung phone user for over 2 years so I need time to get used to Nokia again. My first Nokia was the 8250. So, as promised here are pictures of Pinkie…
Pinkie with a rubbery plastic cover on to prevent scratches
Without cover and you can see the screen protector is starting to peel off
I love the detail at the back
Isn’t it pretty? 😀
I keep forgetting that I have a camera phone now. I did have a NEC camera phone but the phone pack didn’t come with a memory card or USB cable so I don’t take pictures with it, plus the picture quality wasn’t good. So, like I said, I keep forgetting I have the ability to take pictures with my phone now and I still bring my digital camera out with me. Of course this phone can’t replace my beloved digital camera (which I think needs a name, any ideas anyone?).
Ok, back to the thesis. Ciao~
What a nice week…
May 26, 2007
Sorry I have not been updating much this week. Been busy with everyday stuff and working on Chapter 2. It has been a good week for me because…
- My tumy doesn’t hurt anymore!
- I got a new phone! After about two and a half years of using the same phone, I caved in and got a new one. Actually, it was my dad who bought me the phone, to be exact. It’s a Nokia N72. It’s not that popular here in Malaysia so it took me a few days to finally find it because most stores don’t have it in stock. Furthermore the color I wanted, which is PINK(!) is even more rare. I almost gave up and wanted to get a black one and then buy a pink casing for it. But Rob said I must keep looking and I found it! In his exact words,” You have to get the pink phone honey! It matches your blog!” Bleh, make me sound like such a bimbo. I LOVE MY PINK PHONE! I’ll post up pics soon.
- My mom came back from Perth bearing gifts for me! Clothes, shoes, haircare products and chocolates!!! I have new clothes. YAY! Like I mentioned before, due to my size it’s kinda hard to get clothes here in Kuching. So when I say I’m fat and have a big ass, I’m really not kidding.
- The supervisor is helping me with the scholarship application. Apparently, he had a conversation with the head of the scholarship committee and brought up my case. Guess what? Remember all that crap the dean was telling me about being not eligible to apply? Well, the dean is a lying cheating scumbag. He NEVER talked to the head of the scholarship committee. So, on Monday the supervisor asked me to give him all the relevant documents to apply and he will personally go see the dean to get his signature and if he doesn’t want to sign it, the supervisor will ask him to put in comments in the form as to why he refuses. When that’s done, supervisor will personally hand in the application to the head of the scholarship committee. So nice of him! =D
I just got back from playing badminton and I’m a little sore. Took a hot warm shower and I should work on Chapter 2. Going to bed soon though cause I have plans tomorrow morning.
Laters~~
Atlanta: Thierry and Georgia
May 22, 2007
Meet Thierry and Georgia.
Like I said before, my cousin in Atlanta has two adorable kids. Thierry, the boy, is the elder one and is 5 years old and Georgia, the girl, is 3 years old. Now, bear in mind that when I was there last year, Georgia was only 2 and talked like a 5 year old! Thierry will be 6 in September and has great drawing skills. He’s very creative. Georgia calls herself “Princess Georgi” and loves Walt Disney’s Princesses i.e. Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle etc.
I miss talking and playing with them. I had met both of them before when my cousin came back in 2005 and Georgia was only a baby so she had no idea who I was. Thierry had an idea who I was, referring to met as the aunt who constantly brought him to McDonald’s for Happy Meals. The day I got to meet them in Atlanta was fun even though I was tired. I played and talked with them. By bedtime, I was reading them stories and Georgia invited me to sleep with her in her tiny tiny bed. Hahahaha
Anyway, up until now they still remember me and just last month when my cousin was looking at a new house, Thierry suggested they have an extra room so that I can stay with them and play with them everyday. How cute is that?
To be honest, I didn’t think that I would adore kids that much. I guess the exception is just how charming these two are. Here are some pictures.
Georgia with her “Ariel” pose.
I see a future model in the works.
The last night I was in Atlanta, I made the kids put on their Halloween costumes. It was just too funny. I especially love Thierry’s Spongebob costume as I like the cartoon so much. Georgia was also cute in her Cinderella costume that came with a tiara, a wand and a pair of glass slippers lookalike that were just TOO big for her.
See what I mean about the slippers?
Playing with my hat and scarf
Thierry the scarecrow
I also took the liberty of taking some videos of them. Some of them they were talking, some they were dancing. The ones below are them singing Christmas songs by the tree.
Did you hear my cousin going “He doesn’t know how to sing” in mandarin? Hahahaha
Now to the singer in the family. Remember, Georgia was 2 years old when this video was taken.
Isn’t she a darling? I just laugh when I watch her waving the wand around like she’s a teacher scolding kids in class.
Who would’ve thought I would miss the kids this much to make a post out of it?
I’m allergic to mussels
May 20, 2007
Remember I talked about having a gassy/bloated stomach a few days ago? Well, it has gotten worse since then. I’m getting churns and occasional sharp pains on my left side. To make matters worse, I had gotten my bloody curse on Friday. So, add (literally) bloody cramps to the equation! I have been miserable since Friday. The feeling comes and goes so just when I think I’m feeling better, I get those churns and sharp pains again. I also feel nauseous and have been getting diarrhoea the last couple days.
It seemed to be getting worse so I caved in went to see the doctor. It’s been 3 days and normally I don’t get menstrual pain that long. My body temperature was a little higher than normal so the doctor checked for appendics but I was okay. I tried to explain to him what I felt in the stomach but it was hard because it’s a combination of a few things.
The doctor did his checkup on me and concluded that I have some sort of bacteria in my intestines cause I was allergic to something I ate. On Wednesday night, I had some mussels for dinner. Within 30 minutes, I felt an uncomfortable poke in my stomach. So I guess it was the mussels. Who would have thought that mussels would make anyone feel THAT bad.
Now, I have a bunch of pills to take and some rehydration salt to mix with water that tastes bland yet has a salty smell to it. I SO don’t like it. I almost gagged when I took a sip the first time. Yuck!
Well, I’m gonna get some rest now. My stomach is not being friendly.
The forgotten post: Atlanta
May 19, 2007
I realized not too long ago that I totally forgot to post up pics and whatnot about the trip to Atlanta. I only visited a few places in Atlanta because I was there for like two days or so. Enjoy the pictures!
If you guys didn’t already know, the 1996 Olympic Games was held in Atlanta, Georgia. So here are some pictures of the Olympic Park.
It was a nice sunny day in Atlanta but my heart was gloomy. I left Chicago that morning and I hardly had any sleep. I was still trying to get over the fact that I didn’t know when would be the next time I’ll see my Robbie. So, if you think I look sad or smiling fake in some pictures, you know why.
The 1996 Olympic torch
Walking in downtown Atlanta was a lot different than in Chicago or New York. There aren’t as many tall buildings or traffic jams and people seemed more laidback. I got excited when my cousin told me she was taking me to the CNN HQ!
The CNN building from afar
Getting closer
And I’m there!
The CNN building was so huge, decorated with flags of countries around the world. There is large food court when you walk through the main lobby. For a week day, the building was packed. I wondered if I would meet some CNN newsreaders but since I don’t have Astro to watch CNN, I wouldn’t know I met one if I did. You can tour the building by paying a fee of like $30. I thought it was quite a hefty penny to pay so we didn’t take the tour.
My cousin did pay for me to take a picture in the CNN newsroom. She called it a Christmas gift for me since I got her Grey’s Anatomy on DVD. 😉 The portrait cost like $18 and I think it was worth HER money. If it were me, I’d do curency conversions in my head and refuse to get my picture taken. I’ll have to scan the picture to show you guys.
Since we didn’t take the CNN tour, it was a short walk through the lobby and out the back door. Five minutes down the block we reached the famous Underground Atlanta. There wasn’t much to see though because it was just basically a shopping haven for tourists. There were lots of stalls selling souvenirs and food. I had my share of shopping in New York and Chicago that I didn’t buy much in Atlanta. I did buy a keychain and refriegerator magnets as it’s kind of what I do when I visit a place.
I think I forced that smile. =S
My cousin and moi
We also visited the Coke HQ and there was a Coke store inside the ground floor. I saw a Sprite t-shirt that looked really nice, with glitters and all, but it costed $50!!! Too expensive my liking. Actually, most things inside the Coke store was pretty expensive. I guess it’s sorta like a brand name in itself.
I’m surrounded by Coke merchandise!
Coke polar bears
There was this guy who was filling up a Coke vending machine that looked like the ones you see in old movies/TV shows. You popped in 4 quarters and out comes a bottle of Coke. Then you open the bottle cap and drink up. Nice cold refreshing Coke! Ahhhhhhhhhh.
Drinking Coke the old-fashion way.
Roadside flowers
Flowers seem to bloom much nicer at the Chicago Botanic Garden than that right? Okay, I’m just biased. =P
That was pretty much it for my first day in Atlanta. Just turbo-sightseeing I guess. Even though it seemed like a short day, but by the time we were done, it was close to 4pm and it was time to go back to meet my cousin’s kids. My cousin has 2 kids, a boy and a girl. I had so much fun playing with them. They are an adorable pair so check back for the next post.