Being unemployed

One month since the end of STPM. Looking at how things are going, I am officially unemployed. Nothing for me to do at the moment, except surfing the Internet, photographing things and contributing to Wikipedia.

Even when I gotten myself a job, it will be hard for me to wake up in the morning. For the record, these days I wake up at 11 am. Obviously I am not a morning person, and alarm clocks are ineffective. During my school days my mother will wake me up (yea yea, laugh if you want). My biological clock for sleep seems to be set to twelve hours.

Working in a game shop? Sounds fun. I could use a PS2. And the additional benefits, such as free games is a magnet. The downside is that the risks are huge. Getting in trouble with the police is a no-no. And the distance is quite far, requiring me to commute by car. I don't need to tell you that the fuel for such will be killing me monthly. There's no bus service to the place, and I don't have a motorcycle.

Welcome to the real world, NSDS3.

Christmas is approaching

To my Christian readers and friends, Merry Christmas. Nevermind what some people will think about me.

This year, Christmas is celebrated in the rain. It's raining heavily everday now. Either we will have a wet Christmas or a flooded Christmas.

If you are searching for the real meaning of Christmas, buried by intense commercialisation, read this. Listening to Duran Duran, sometimes I wonder what the hell I am doing. No doubt influenced by the Snark, I've taken 80's music into my heart.

I recommend listening to Wham's Last Christmas and Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas.

Mount Singghi

Looks like a lesung (mortar). Or even a dead volcano. It is located south of Mount Serapi (to the left of it if you view the mountain from Kuching).

Photographed from the top of Bukit Siol, where the North Kuching City Hall is.

Pictures, Pictures!

The Sarawak Museum.


Mount Serapi and the Matang range. Taken from Wisma Saberkas.


Kuching International Airpot.


Mount Santubong from the beach during low tide.


Mount Singghi. Looks like a dead volcano when viewed from Kuching.

3 a.m. I'm hungry. Time to find some food. Raiders of the Fridge, charge! *uleuleuleuleuleuleuleuleuleuleule*

Sad as a rat

Been thinking about my friends that I won't see anymore. I'm not a social man, rarely attending gatherings. They are spread out everywhere. Some are in Russia, other in the States. Even in Malaysia they are widely dispersed.

My butt is stuck to the computer chair. Trillian is not running. I'm trying to hide. Not from anyone, but from myself.

I need coffee.

Busy Holiday/I'll Never See Them Again

Holiday means slacking off? No, it gets busier for me.

I attended a meet with my friends on the 23rd. Became a 'consultant' for Mr. L, who bought a Playstation 2 on the 24th. After that, it became so hectic that I can't remember what I've done. What have I done?! D:

Anyway, back on topic. My parents' foster daughter arrived in Kuching on the 30th and will be staying with us until Christmas. Now, don't you dare suggest naughty things. Not with my mother's sixth sense.

--

School's ended. Goodbye. While I don't show it, deep in my heart I know that for some of my friends, this will be the last time I'll be seeing them. Fate, life and death have a part in it. I've seen the example in my father. 25 years after his Form 5, there are still his friends that he met for the first time for 25 years. Some had passed on.

My advice to those still studying: write your full address in the school magazine. Buy a school magazine, don't make excuses. Don't try and not put your name in it.

Believe me, twenty years from now you'll regret it.

Ahh...I'm Tired

Santubong in the background, me in the foreground.

I'll be heading for Santubong tomorrow. So bed, here I come. Cheers.

The SPCA are not scums

Running along Petaling Street, I encountered this post. It infuriates me. How could he?

...or you can leave them in a market-place or restaurant where there’s plenty of food. That’s a better fate then being sent to the Society of Perpetuating Cruelty to Animals...

Now, now. Leaving them in public places is a form of cruelty itself. You will be placing the burden on the community. Not only that, the cat and its litter will be in peril. Run over by cars, kicked around by people, showered with hot water... a worse fate. The number of the cats will multiply, and they will be viewed as pests instead of cute, adorable pets.

SPCA is neither a place for unwanted pets nor somewhere to leave your pet when you went on a vacation or Raya or whatever. Strays go there, not pets!

The number of people with his kind of mindset is worryingly high. Don't want the cat/kittens? No worries, just dump them somewhere!

Neuter them damnit.

Narcissm? Maybe not

Did I mention that my birthday was on the sixth? I didn't! Must have been too deep into STPM that I didn't blog about it.

Happy 19th, me!

All done 'ere

Reformatted my hard disk and reinstalled Windows XP. Along with mIRC, BitTornado, Firefox, Thunderbird, Spyware S&D, AdAware, Acrobat Reader, AVG Anti-Virus, QuickTime, Real Player, Media Player Classic.

Lost my Firefox bookmarksdue to carelessness. :( Oh well, have to rebuild it from scratch.

Critical parts of the system are up and running (firewall, updates, anti-virus, anti-spyware, drivers). I believe it's time to say mission accomplished.

Meeting My Old Friends

(This entry is meant for Wednesday, 23rd of November. Positioning of the pictures have nothing to do with text, except for the last two.)




Some time ago someone planned a lunch at McDonald's. The day came. I started off from my house at 1300 and got there at 1320. There was no more parking space in front of the shop itself, so I had to park at Tun Jugah's basement. Walking from the complex to McD, I ran into my friends who were apparently going to attend the same lunch. We chatted for a while, and I went scouting the McD to see for any sign of our friends.

Found three of them. Jd was there too...



Paid three of my friends' meals. For me, two pieces of chicken, french fries and a large Coca-Cola.



I haven't seen some of them for two years now. Absence makes the heart go fonder.



Had a good time. I was the last to leave with this girl's group. Went checking Popular bookstore for a while before deciding that trying to buy something with people moving boxes about is hard.



I am very happy.

McD and meeting my old friends on Wednesday. 'Consultant' for my friend who is buying a PS2 on Thursday. Came back at 2100.

Been busy. Talk later. Tomorrow to my village.

STPM Dah Habis!!! Goodbye to My School For Seven Years

Yay!!! Open up the torrents, widen the bandwith: it's time for entertainment.

The last paper was Physics Paper 2. I think I screwed it. Doesn't matter anyway, since I can't change anything more.

This is the last day of school. I will be leaving the place where I had spent almost half of my life at. Deep in my heart I know that I won't see some of the teachers and even my friends. Fate will decide.

Goodbye, Kolej Abdillah.

Playing: Queen - I Want to Break Free

Seven Down, One To Go, WOHOOO!!!

Chemistry Paper Two. I don't want to talk about it.

Playing: The Who - Baba O'Riley

How About Funding a PhD?

Yes, you read that right. Jikon Lai needs your help. In the long term, the benefit will be received by the society.

My Mother and Her Sixth Sense

"You have a girlfriend, don't you?" said my mother one day while we're in the kitchen.

My mind shifted into 5th gear immediately. "Wh-what? I don't have any." My mom continued, "You're sure? From the looks of it, you're quite popular at school.* 'Abang NSDS3', or something like that. And the messages in the phone..."
* I am _not_ popular at school.

"Don't have any."

"How about Dj?** Isn't she your girlfriend?" Mom displayed one of her I-know-it grins. Uh-oh, I have to end this conversation. "No, she IS NOT my girlfriend!"
** Dj is my second crush. Also part of my nickname. I never knew how she figured that I had a crush on Dj.

"Hmm...L have a girlfriend, doesn't he***?" she said with another grin.
*** How the hell did she know that? Even L's parent doesn't know that! It's a very confidential thing!

"Eh? He have?****"
**** I feigned ignorance.

"He told me.*****" At this point, I said a pun that made her laugh so hard that she forgot about the girlfriend talk.
***** Unlikely, since L has never met my mom.

So if you ever meet my mom, beware. Cause she have the sixth sense.

Screw you, QKU ####

To the person driving Honda Jazz QKU ####,

Fuck you.

Think tailgating me is clever? Be thankful that I didn't slam on the brakes. The hell are you speeding for when we are nearing the roundabout?

From my rear view mirror, I can see that you are from the same school as me. A word of caution: should I ever find your car parked anywhere in the school, I will make sure that it will be undrivable.

Your parents bought the car for you? Well, in case of an accident they'll pay for it huh? From how you drive, I can say that it won't be long. You are still in probation, looking at the P sticker on your car.

Kiss your SPM goodbye cause I'm cursing you.

Love,

NSDS3

Six Down, Two To Go!

Chemistry Paper 1 - ouch.

Playing: Queen - Killer Queen

Who is Dawn Yang?

I don't know. She's not on Wikipedia. Fact is, I have no idea. At all.

And what blogwars?

Five Down, Three to Go

Mathematics T 2: t3h pawnage. I got raped. And the fucking computer died on me today. Typing this from Knoppix.

Playing: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Four Down, Half to Go

Physics Paper 1. Western shoot-out. Ugh. Waiting for Maths T Paper 2 to start.

Playing: Queen - I'm In Love With My Car

Three Down, Five to Go

Pengajian Am Paper 2 made my hands cry. Ugh, it hurts so much. But the pengawas said my graph is good. *kembang* I went out-of-topic in question 2, where I wrote a whole essay on supermarket while the question wants something about counters (government departments and stuff).

Physics Paper 1 after this, 1400-1545. Good luck!

Playing: We Will Rock You

Two Down, Six to Go

Pengajian Am Paper I is easy enough, but the policies question screwed me up somehow. Is there anyone out there who can really remember all those stuff?

Playing: Queen - We Are the Champions

One Done, Seven To Go

On Friday I sat for my Mathematics T Paper 1. Being the realist I am, it doesn't look to good.

Playing: Queen - Another One Bites the Dust

The Battle Has Begun (STPM)

I'll be having my Mathematics T Paper 1 tomorrow, from 0800 until 1100. A 'D' grade is expected. Believe me, it's that tough. My advice: if you're not hardworking, stay away!

I have a strong belief that this will be my last education. Intend to get a job after STPM rather than leave university with a debt that, if I'm lucky, will be fully paid before my first child is born.

Main Screen Turn On

Word verification turned off, comment moderation turned on.

Have a nice day.

Sparkling Grape and Raya

Sparkling grape juice. Without them, my Raya is not complete.


Non-alcoholic, so you can pretend it's wine, I suppose. Albeit a little 'pseudo wine'.


"Hey, gimme some! This ain't fair!"


"Whatcha looking at?"

Selamat Hari Raya, and Happy Deepavali (a little bit late, I confess). I am so going to enjoy those sparkling grape juice tomorrow.

The Colonel's Dilemma

The secret number.

The relationship between the Matchmaker and Miss G. is not in good condition. Their ties had been severed. Hence, I am unable to ask for the Matchmaker's help anymore.


RM28.56, unused since September.

Now, back to my story. On her birthday I gave her a call. Said this and that, told her that I liked her. We messaged a little bit after the talk where I SMSed her a message that read 'I've always liked you these three years'. Her response is to be expected. 'But I don't know how you look like'.

I didn't tell her that I came from the same school as her. The personality that I had been using is someone from a different school that saw her face in the school magazine.


Unused reload coupon

I would like to come clean before I leave school. STPM ends on the 22nd, SPM 30th. God, give me the courage.

Reload and tell 'I am an ex-[same school as you] Form 5 student', but leave out the '...and still a Form 6 student at [school]' part?

Today Malaysia mourns.

My deepest condolences to Pak Lah and his family.

Malas

I'm too lazy to blog anything.

I would like to thank the visitors and commentators who visited my blog in regard to Malaysia Day. Reading the comments, I agree with what most of you had said.

Sad. Really sad. I've nothing more to say.

Lately someone had been leaving inciteful comments around the Malaysian blogosphere, notably Peter's and Mack's blog. Both of them made a police report.

For me, I will delete the comments. If he came again, I will notify Blogger and it's up to them to take any action, if possible.

Surat layang has entered the electronic age. It is one of those things that is embarrassingly Malaysian.

Malaysia Day - Afternoon Edition

It is disheartening. Today in school I did not hear any mention of Malaysia Day. Well, save for the yelling boy. When I mention Merdeka, they dismissed the thought since for them, it was last August.

There are two events that I wish to discuss here, Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day. Of the former I have no intention of downplaying its role. The United States of America as a whole celebrated the Fourth of July even though only its thirteen colonies declared their independence at that time. But there is a catch: people remember when their state was bought or joined the United States.

The emphasis on Malaysia Day however must not be ignord. On that day 42 years ago the states of Sarawak and Sabah, with Malaya formed the Federation of Malaysia. A little bit of research will show that Sarawak became independent on 22 July while Sbaah (reportedly) gained its independence on 31 August. Those dates are not remembered except by serious and amateur historians.

Let us run a ‘what if’ scenario: what if Sarawak and Sabah had not joined the Federation? The Brunei Revolt of 1962 (which I doubt many Malaysians know) led by Azahari Husin of the Partai Ra’ayat and the North Kalimantan National Army (Tentera Nasional Kalimantan Utara) was against the formation of Malaysia. The revolt, while unsuccessful, convinced the Sultan of Brunei that joining the two neighbouring states to form Malaysia is not an option. Fortunately, the revolt did not do the same to Sabah and Sarawak. Either we would have remained separate as two different nations or joined Brunei to form the Federation of North Borneo which was Azahari’s vision.

Or another possible outcome: we could either be absorbed or annexed into Indonesia. Malaya would have been surrounded by it. While the Confrontation was launched by Sukarno in response to the forming of the Federation, he would still be hostile to Malaya since he sees it as a British puppet. And a Malaya surrounded on three sides by a hostile neighbour is not a good situation.

On both sides of the South China Sea, voices can be heard demanding an explanation on why there is so little done to remember Malaysia Day. Two years ago, on the 40th anniversary of Malaysia there was nothing. Nothing to remember it. Nothing to remind us of the formation of our nation. The date was confined to school textbooks and soon forgotten after the examination. Papers run interviews on Emergency heroes, but for the men who herald in a new chapter for Malaysia there was not even a biography. Where are the Confrontation heroes? Something is very wrong.

The so-called attempt at ‘bridging the gap between the Peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak’ is unsuccessful, the cause most likely being both sides failure to understand each other. West Malaysians view East Malaysians with fear, whispering ‘black magic’, being unable to understand our culture. Only West Malaysians who had traveled to East Malaysia had this prejudice removed, then again a small number who had not traveled does not have it. East Malaysians, who are more open are perplexed by the West Malaysians’ conservative attitude. The view that they came here to rob our natural resources is a view held by a few, fortunately. The situation is not helped by the fact that East Malaysians are often discriminated in the Peninsular, mainly in the universities, mostly by Malays.

I have nothing against West Malaysians. My mother is one of them and she has a Permanent Resident status in Sarawak. In a way, it makes me one of the East-West Malaysian hybrids. Having seen both sides of the lake they often can be found siding with the East Malaysians. Why?

In my ending words, I would like readers to remind and wish others a ‘Happy Malaysia Day’.

Lest we forget.

Matthew Anderson Lockhart
0915 20050916FR
An empty classroom, still.

P/S: West Malaysians, if I had offended you in any way, I apologise.

Salutations to the following bloggers for remembering!
earthnic
laine
suanie
lone
MENJ
mr. badak
shin
visithra
David Teoh
mac
ambigious wanderer
shook
rin
michelle
Dee M
mcheah

The Error of Celebrating 48 Years of 'Malaysian' Independence

It pained my heart.

Buntings and banners everywhere shoved it down our throats. Fourty-eight years of Malaysian Independence. What a joke. Forgive me for being politically correct, but isn't Malaysia is only 42 years old? American citizens, while celebrating the Fourth of July did not let it slip from their minds that it was the day the original thirteen colonies declared their independence. Sadly for us Malaysians, that is not the case.

The Americans can be forgiven for they do not have something like our Malaysia Day. But for us, we have it. Then why 48 instead of 42? We have something specific, by all means remember it, celebrate it.

Happy forgotten Malaysia Day.

Matthew Anderson Lockhart
0934 20050915Fr
An abandoned classroom.

P/S: Salute to earthnic, laine and suanie for remembering.

Malaysia Day - Midnight Edition

Today we are celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the formation of Malaysia. So much had been done during those years, so many people were involved.

Alas, not all is well. East Malaysians look at West Malaysians with suspicion, West Malaysians doesn't know anything about East Malaysians. This thing has been going on for many, many years now. Without proper attention, Malaysia's unity will be cracked...

Happy Malaysia Day.

Eve of Malaysia Day

(inspired by Freddy.)

Monday Loathing

What a day. Pengajian Am Paper 2 almost killed my hand, wrist and arm. I wrote essays on globalisation, drug abuse and the Federal government's income. The usual stuff.

Certain times in a year I will go berserk and download a lot of songs, whether it is an old hit or the latest one playing on the radio. I got Low Million, Queens, Gorillaz, Green Day, just to name a few. Why the music industry has not offered a bussiness model of custom CDs is beyond me. The idea is that customers get to choose the tracks that they want and have it burned on a CD. That way, customers won't have to pay for songs they don't want to hear.

Malaysian Day is coming soon. Did you remember? If it failed, Sarawak and Sabah would've been in Indonesia by now, or the Federation of North Borneo. So I'll be sitting here celebrating my independence while the folks in the capital celebrate the closing of Independence month. So much for 'equal with Malaya'.

I'm supposed to be studying for Maths T Paper 2 right now. Having problems with trigonometry and differential equations. Serves me right for not paying attention in Form 4. Listen up, Form Four students! Don't screw around with your basic!

60th Anniversary of Kuching's Liberation

Raising the Sarawak flag at the Batu Lintang Prisoner of War Camp

On this day sixty years ago, Kuching (and in effect, the whole of Sarawak) was liberated by the 9th Australian Division. After 3 years and 9 months of occupation, the people of Sarawak are finally free.

"You are all free people!" - Brigadier General Thomas C. Eastick, addressing the inmates of the Batu Lintang POW camp.

Major General Yamamura Hiyoe, Japanese commander of the Kuching area, surrendered to Eastick on board the Australian corvette, HMAS Kapunda that same afternoon. The swords of surrendered Japanese were thrown into the river at Muara Tebas, some were kept as souvenirs by the Australians.

Why raise this up? Because while people all over the world celebrate 15 August as the end of World War II, Malaysians celebrate nothing. And come September 11, we think of another incident, famous globally but not this.

This is Sarawak's Liberation Day. This is a day forgotten by all.


A Sarawak-related Post by Matthew

In Memory...

In memory of
Zainul Ariffin
30 March 1986 - 7 September 2003

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Classic Movie Are You?
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Saturday Report/ Laporan Sabtu/ Laporan Ari Sabtu

<---English--->
I can't believe how early I woke up this morning. 8 a.m. Headed downstairs, had char koey for breakfast and washed down with green Nescafe 3-in-1. Went upstairs and changed into working clothes: an old t-shirt and a battered shorts. Painted the gate black. Finished at 1250, after which I took a shower (remember, I haven't brushed my teeth either) and went down to have lunch. Kuchei Rojak! If you have time, visit him near the Blind Masseur Centre in Batu Lintang. But be quick: on some days they already sold out by 11 a.m!

I crashed out until 5 p.m. due to sheer exhaustion. When I'm too productive, I'm scary.

<---Melayu--->
Aku tak percaya aku bangun awal pagi ni. Pukul 8. Turun tangga, makan char koey untuk sarapan, minum Nescafe 3-dalam-1 yang warna hijau tu. Naik atas tukar baju: T-shirt lama dengan seluar pendek koyak rabak. Cat pintu pagar dengan warna hitam. Habis pukul 1250, lepas tu mandi (ingat, aku belum pun gosok gigi) pastu turun lagi makan tengahari. Rojak Kuchei! Kalau ada masa, kedai dia dekat Pusat Urut Orang Buta dekat Batu Lintang. Tapi cepat: ada hari diaorang habis jual pukul 11 pagi!

Pastu aku tidur sampai pukul 5 petang, letih sangat. Bila aku rajin gila, orang takut dengan aku.

<---Melayu Sarawak--->
Blogger's note: I speak the Sadong dialect of Sarawak Malay. Most of the time, West Malaysians hear the 'standard' Sarawak Malay: the Kuching dialect. I use the Sadong dialect with my close friends and family, and the Kuching dialect for everyone else.

Sik cayak aku bangun awal pagi tok. Kol 8. Turun tangga, makan char koey pake sarapan ngan Nescafe 3-in-1 warna ijo ya. Nait atas tukar baju: make T-shirt lamak ngan sluar pendek kuyak rabak. Ku ngecat pintu pagar ngan warna itam. Abis kol 1250, pas ya mandik (ingat, aku lom gik merus gigi) pas ya turun agik makan. Rojak Kuchei! Mun ada masa, kedey nya kat Pusat Urut Orang Buta kat Batu Lintang. Tapi kenak cepat: ada ari sidaknya abis jual kol 11 pagi!

Pasya aku tido sampe kol 5 petang, lelah rilak. Bila tang aku rajin, takut sidak.

NSDS3 blogs in English/Melayu/Melayu Sarawak

<---English--->
I never dreamed that this day will come, blogging in Malay. Ah well, Merdeka is approaching and though I have some issues with the Central Government I'll just close my ears and pretend it's Malaysia's Merdeka.

After what seemed to be a terrible way to spend the week long school holiday, I awoke this morning with yet another problem: collarbone. My right collarbone aches all day and still is when I'm typing this. And every time I breathe in, my chest feels painful.

I guess it's one of the body's sign that you had been sleeping in the wrong direction.

<---Melayu--->
Aku tak pernah terfikir yang aku akan blog dalam bahasa Melayu. Takpalah, Merdeka pun dah dekat dan walaupun aku ada isu-isu dengan Kerajaan Pusat, buat masa ni aku pura-pura yang 31 Ogos ni Malaysia Merdeka.

Ingatkan cuti seminggu ni dah teruk, rupa-rupanya pagi ni aku bangun dengan satu masalah lagi: tulang selangka. Tulang selangka sebelah kanan aku asyik sakit sepanjang hari ni, masih terasa sakitnya waktu aku taip ni. Bila aku tarik nafas, dada pulak rasa sakit.

Mungkin ni salah satu cara badan beritahu kita yang kita tidur dengan cara yang salah.

<---Melayu Sarawak--->
Sik pernah aku terpikir yang aku akan blog dalam bahasa Melayu. Sikpalah, Merdeka udah dekat dan walaupun aku ada masalah kit ngan Krajaan Pusat, buat masa tok aku purak-purak yang tigasatu Ogos tok hari Merdeka Malaysia.

Ku ingat tek cuti seminggu tok dah terok, rupa-rupanya pagi tok datang agik sigek masalah baru: tulang selangka. Tulang selangka belah kanan aku asyik sakit ajak sepanjang ari tok, waktu naip tok pun agik berasa. Tarit napas, dada agik rasa sakit.

Kali tok sigek cara badan kita madah yang kita tido ngan cara sik betul.

Reminder to Self II

Submit something!

http://swiftywriting.blogspot.com/2005/08/swifty-announces-something-special-for.html

Changes in the Colonel's Diary

I have updated the sidebar. Notable changes are the drop down list and I have also changed the Creative Commons license to Attribution-NonCommercial-NonDerivatives 2.0, a more common one used by bloggers.

Sadly I have to disable Anonymous posting now. The spammers have found this blog. My apologies to all non-Blogger users, especially chrissie. I will go and flag the spammers that are on Blogger. For the others, well, I can do nothing at the moment.

Cheerio.

EDIT: Fuck, 5 minutes after I posted this entry another spammer came knocking on the door. Nabeh.

Edit 2: Anonymous commenting have been re-enabled. However, word verification is required to comment. Again, I would like to apologise for the inconvenience.

Back from Meeting the Doc

I just came back from seeing the doctor for the second time this week. As you can see from my previous post, my health is not in the green area lately.

Waiting in the reception area, I attempt to finish The Catcher in the Rye. The cry of a baby woke me up from my reading. Oh, the clinic is open 24 hours (but the doctor has to be called, but nevermind) and also have a delivery center. This day must've been the most productive as I heard two baby crying as they enter the world. One mother actually walked to the car after giving birth. That came as a shock to me.

The doctor is quite high-tech for a GP. He got an electronic device, the Patient Monitor 8000, to measure your heartbeat and blood pressure. Then there's this Dr. Camscopesomething. He'll put the wooden stick on your tongue, still make you say "Aaa" but your throat gets magnified real large on the TV screen. Sure saves him the time of looking down people's throat.

I've been given four medications: a cough syrup, packets of asthma tablets, fever pills and phlegm and mucus 'melter'. Quite a haul.

Hope it will tune down after all this medication. I'm quick sick (pun not intended) of having my sinuses expand and blocking my damned nose.

Edit: I forgot to mosaic the clinic's name. My apologies, Dr. Y.

The Catcher in the Rye

I had just finished reading The Catcher in the Rye. Bought it at a book sale in Top Spot Food Center(!) for RM 27.90. Actually, it's less than that. It had a 30% discount off it's price, but I'm sure it's actually more. The book was bought on 17 March this year, on Thursday (gee, I'm a freak for actually remembering that)

The Catcher in the Rye, if you have not read it I must say you missed something about American Literature. One of the most controversional book ever written, the Catcher in the Rye is banned in some public schools in America and occassionally libraries as well. However, it sometimes found itself in the literature curriculum in the more open schools.

Fifty years ago this book is controversional. It still is. Holden Caulfield, the narrator and main character is one hell of a boy, thinking that everyone around him are phonies. In today's world, who can't think like that? But the year was 1951 and while some things are beginning to open up, not everyone is.

This book is a hard read but it sure is worth the time. While I picked the book up in March I only finished it today, having little time to sit down and hear what Holden have to say. Thank God for the holidays. We follow the adventure and misadventures of Holden when he was kicked out of his school owing to his poor grades, and how he spent several days in New York before going back home because he doesn't want his parents to find out. The language will scare, terrify and horror the soccer mums. It is for the more mature people out there. If you are not into the mind of people and the realities of life, this book isn't for you.

Tiga the Three-Legged Cat

Meet Tiga, the three-legged cat. "How come?" you ask.

We found him in the neighbour's garden shed. One of his legs seems to be fractured and by the time we found him gangrene has already set in. We took him to the vet and he amputated the rear right leg. For a time after the operation our little kitten, Kris, chewed at the amputated spot much to the discomfort of Tiga. The joke is that Kris is hungry and is looking for a drumstick to eat.

Rub him in the right spot and he will raise his amputated limb to scratch the itch. Seems like cats have phantom limbs too.

Reminder to Self

Visit sc3000.com some sunny day. Or http://www.sc3000.com/knowledge/.

The Colonel is Sick

It has been four weeks of coughing now. The first week my phlegm was sticky and clear, the second and third it's yellow, the fourth it's green. As for the first week, the cough was from the chest; later it came from the throat.

But this week is the worst. My head throbs with pain without the headache. My head feels 'full' when bending over, my sinus actually creak much to my horror. I suspect sinusitis and bronchitis, but that I will leave to the GPs to diagnose.

Appointment with the doctor tomorrow.

You Want to Talk to Who?!

What's your response on receiving a call from an unknown number?

3310 rings. I grabbed it, thinking of someone. Not.

"Hallo."

"Hallo. Siam?" an Indonesian voice greeted me, much to my amusement.

"Siam?"

"Ya, Siam." Yes, Siam.

"Di sini tidak ada orang namanya Siam." There's no one here with that name.

"Siam adik saya." Siam is my brother.

"Sudah saya bilang, di sini tiada orang namanya Siam." I've told you, there's no one here with the name Siam.

"Oh, begitu... trima kasih ya." I see... thanks.

"Sama-sama." You're welcome.

0301...what number is that?!

After Action Report - 22 August 2005

The invasion has begun. But it's like Omaha beach, you see. Landed but bogged down, unable to advance inland.

Yes, this has something to do with Miss G. Good day.

NSDS3 on Race-Based Parties

Reading the Berita Minggu today, I come across an interview with Dr Khoo Kay Kim. In my opinion he have a very open mind, and I wish Malaysia have more people like him. Dr. Khoo raised many important points, among them race-based parties, how dangerous it is and how we, the young Malaysians, can make a change.

One sentence that caught my attention is this: "Kita perlu menggalakkan golongan muda melihat itu secara liberal. Tapi untuk melakukan susah. Kalau ahli politik tahu, dia akan menghalang kerana masa depan politiknya bergantung kepada kewujudan perpecahan itu." which roughly translate into "We need to encourage the young to see it (racial issues) in a liberal manner. But to do it is hard. If the politician knows, he will block it since his political career depends on the existance of the divisions.

I have yet to see one party in Malaysia that can really claim itself as a multi-ethnic party. In the years of old, there are a number of political parties that can claim just that. But now? To make matters worse, there are even two or three parties that claim itself as championing its race.

I can not vote until November 6th, 2007 when I will be 21 years old. By then, I would have made up my mind on whom to choose. But if the party that I believe to be good for the people raise non-sensical issues, like how the floodgates create flood (!), then I have no other choice but to go with the one that have more brain.

Any attempt to talk with my friends about politics will get me into trouble. They are the stereotype of race-based parties, only thinking about their own instead of the greater issue and the world outside. To think that they are the future gave me the chills.

Blog Under Renovation

As you might had noticed, this blog is going through a major renovation. Notably the header and the blogroll, which had partly been converted into drop down menus for easier and shorter page (thanks to Belacan for the idea)

The background will be changed to white, the text will be larger. Of course, a number of personalisation are in my mind and you will see them later.

Bumiputra Being Discriminated by Bumiputera

What the hell? lilpixie wanted to buy a home, but was denied the Bumiputera discount because, according to the fuckers, she ain't Bumiputera. Fuckers asked if she is 'a Bumi convert'. She spoke with her lawyer. There will be some ass kicking over at the fuckers' office.

Remember what I said about second class Bumis? Sometimes the treatment is worse than what a non-Bumi get.

Restricted

All documents, posts and reports regarding Miss G. is from now classified. This does not apply to posts older than 0000 August 20 2005.

Two Things on My Mind

HUSH! You may tell this story to your friend, but do not direct them to this blog! Do not wreck our future!

The first is a birthday suprise I have in store for Miss G., the second is regarding the sexual harrasment of a friend.

Again I enlisted the help of the Matchmaker. She and her friend came to my class to meet someone else. Of course after not talking to her for some time, I am naturally curious on anything new about Miss G. All's well, it seems. I will pass something to her and she will in turn pass it to Miss G., without revealing who I am.

My eye caught someone walking at the 2nd floor balcony. Miss Matchmaker said,"Do you see him?" I replied affirmative. She become flustered.

"Do you want to help me?" she asked.

My reply is to be expected. "Of course. After all you've done."

"Well, tell him this. If he want to get steady with me he should [classified]..." To this I agreed and I will tell the guy some day later. We bade goodbye to each other and hope for the best for the both of us.

***

A friend was sexually harassed. Obscene phone calls are made to her cell, forcing her to change her number. And one day, he groped her butt. Nothing could be done. Her classmater doesn't believe her. I know she would not tell a lie, as I know the real personality of the harasser.

***

By the way, I'm looking for Kanashimi ga Tomaranai by ANRI. Have you got it?

References to Miss G., from earliest to latest:
Bewitched - I
Bewitched - II
The Matchmaker
Love Comrades
A Lucky Star/I Got Her Number
Clearing the Cloud
Being Mr. Natural
The Fourth Meeting

VJ Day

Tomorrow is August 15th, 2005. The 60th anniveresary of VJ Day. To me, it is the starting point towards our Independence. It is also one of the ugly sides of our history, as the Bintang Tiga virtually reign unopposed for two weeks, increasing tensions between Chinese and Malay communities. You might already known what had happened and I will not discuss them here since my knowledge on what happened in those two weeks are vague and patchy.

Three years and eight months of Japanese occupation brought much hardship and suffering to the people of this country. We emerged from it filled with nationalism. We do not wish to be ruled by a foreign power anymore, to be free to choose our own destiny.

It is agreed then, that Chinese and Indians who fulfilled the conditions required are able to obtain citizenship. Understandable, and I do not see any reason as to not to.

Dr. Lim Keng Yaik's call is heard. Unfortunately, people already jumped on his statement and reminded him not to question the 'social contract', again the type that does not want to hear to reason. They seem to say, that after all these years those who have sacrificed so much for this country are still, in a sense, second class citizens. Some might not agree with the term, but the meaning is still the same. Prejudice in the country you are born in?

Malaysian Malaysia!

Post-scriptum: I am a Malay. To be more exact, a Sarawakian Bumiputera.

I Can't See Clearly Now, the Haze Has Come

Sing it to the tune of I Can See Clearly Now!

I can't see clearly now, the haze has come
I can't see buildings and the mountains
Gone are the blue, blue sky that raise me up
It's gonna be a grey (grey), grey (grey)
Sun deprived day

They are burning the land to plant paddy
Never thought 'bout us over here
Where are the fresh air I'm dying for
It's gonna be a grey (grey), grey (grey)
Sun deprived day

Look all around, there's nothing but grey smog
Look straight ahead, nothing but grey smog

I can't see clearly now, the haze has come
I can't see buildings and the mountains
Gone are the blue, blue sky that raise me up
It's gonna be a grey (grey), grey (grey)
Sun deprived day

Fireworks in Kuching, but Not For Mawi

I will now pretend that everybody cares. Mawi won, Felix second place. And I don't care.

But the fireworks in Kuching are not for Akademi Fantasia if you are wondering. No, it is for the Kuching City Parade! In the month of August, 1988 (31st to be exact) Kuching was declared a city (bandaraya). Special meaning for everyone else as well since it's also the Independence Day (and the anniversary of Princess Diana's death, might I add.)

Speaking of anniversary, today is the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. We all agree that it is horrific, that it must never again happen anywhere in the world, not in our time or our children's. Debate over the decision to bomb is still raging to this day, and I announce that I am in the opposition camp.

Firstly, had Germany dropped a nuclear bomb on any Allied city it would be called a war crime, and whoever is responsible for that decision will surely be made to stand trial in Nuremberg. Secondly, while Hiroshima is militarily significant, the city targeted consists mainly of civilians. This is no difference from the Allied bombing of German cities in the days nearing the war. Their morale has already been broken and there is no justification for such acts to be done.

Thirdly, Japan is already on her knees. There is no hope anymore for Japan. But to be fair, I present to you the points that support the bombing. It is essential, essential for us to try to understand both sides' view on an issue as it signifies an open mind and reassuring that we are not bigots.

Hiroshima, never again!

Meeting My First Crush Again

A hot evening in Pasar Minggu. I was in my usual uniform: black jeans; black shirt; black cap; black, polished army boots. I just lost my parents in the sea of human beings. Thank God for the phone. Pulled it out, I thumbed Dad's number and placed it near my ear.

That's when I saw a familiar face. She saw me too.

A smile.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," I said, looking like a food with the phone still clapped to my ear.

We haven't seen each other for three years. I confessed to her before. We have not spoken for five.

A heavy rain followed a few minutes later.

She is the 'Jd' in my name.

There's A New Cat In Town

There was a knock on the door. Mom answered it. Turned out to be the neighbour's mother, a widow. When her husband died, she left his cat with us.

She said that she had captured a cat that was chased by the kids in her village. I find it strange that a cat of such breed is ownerless. The reason that she came to our house is that her daughter is out when she came for a visit.

But the cat, of course. The canine is a she, and at blog time is still nameless. A domestic longhair in a village? Unimagineable.


The lock-up.


Actually, she's scared.


Cat and curiosity are inseperable.

Must find a name. Dad's suggesting a Western name this time.

Saturday Morning Blues

Wake up
early mornin'
Bells ringin'
Birds chirpin'
Cats purrin'

Don't have time for food
Gotta take care of my left foot
Haveta fix the cats' barn
They shit all over, man

Job's done
Begin, the fun!

August 6

Is 60th anniversary of Hiroshima; also Peter Tan's birthday.

These Boots Are Made For Combat

I received this combat boots from my uncle who was in the Territorial Army (Askar Wataniah). Since he was discharge, he does not use it anymore. I also received a pair of parade boots, with iron soles (paku).

The size fits my feet perfectly. Comfortable if you are going to stand guard for a few hours, the reason I wore it while being a guide during my school's entrance day. Needless to say, long socks are necessary lest your legs are going to get sore. Due to my big feet, which is 10 inches, my ankles also get the brunt of moving around. I always keep it polished, Army issue are hard to come by!

I don't know when will I wear the parade boots. Due to the metal soles, walking on cement and concrete is very, very hard. I had a few close calls the day I first wore them. The sides are hard too, and it's longer than the combat boots. But if you are going to march in a parade, this boots are a must. Nothing beats the rhythm of metal-soled boots striking the asphalt together.

If you ever see a man in black jeans, black shirt, black cap and black boots running around Kuching, the chances are it is me.

And often mistaken for a skinhead.

Death All Around

Waking up this morning, I heard from my mother that a former neighbour had passed away from leukimia. She's just 50 something, if I recall correctly.

Reading the newspapers, one survivor found, two dead and one still missing. Mother said that she heard on TV3's Berita Terkini that the missing person, Ramli Jamal, is confirmed dead.

Reading the blogs, I found out that Grace's grandfather passed away on the 25th.

My condelences to all.

Utusan and NST's Mistake on the Crash

Yesterday, NST's frontpage placed two circles on the picture of the crash site - indicating that there are two survivors. But no. There is only one, as other newspapers circled the same picture - only with one circle. What I am afraid is that NST raised false hopes, and it seems so. (Anyone have yesterday's copy? I would like a scan of the frontpage)

Today, Utusan Malaysia's graphic on Page 12 placed the helicopter 500 meters above the ground, in the rainforest canopy. It doesn't take long to realise that banana trees doesn't grow in the canopy, only on the ground.


Commissioner of Police Dato Talib Jamal pointing to the crash site at a journalists' briefing (Source: Sarawak Tribune)


Close-up on the drawing board - X marks the crash site (Source: Sarawak Tribune)


A more accurate graphic on the crash site (Source: Utusan Sarawak)


Utusan Malaysia erred on this graphic.

I hope that NST and Utusan will make a proper announcement regarding the mistake.

A Dream About the Crashed Helicopter (II)

Whoa. Is it a coincidence that I dreamed about the survivors? Cries of help heard from the crash site and a man in blue was seen waving to the Search-and-Rescue helicopter. I hope that all survived.

In my dream, I saw the helicopter perched on a rock with men in orange clothing surrounding it. While this does not materialise well, the crash site is situated on a harsh terrain - beyond a hill, where it is more easier to climb from the Indonesian side.

A friend of my friend's sister, her father is the pilot.

My Dream

A Dream About the Crashed Helicopter

Yesterday, I dreamt.

Two mens are waving from a helicopter that is lying on its side and has a broken tail. The scene switched to a group of men in orange clothing gathering around the chopper which was now perched on a rock.

That is all.

One Thing to Do After STPM

"Someone told me long ago there’s a calm before the storm,
I know; it’s been comin’ for some time.
When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day,
I know; shinin’ down like water

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?

Yesterday, and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard,
I know; been that way for all my time.
’til forever, on it goes through the circle, fast and slow,
I know; it can’t stop, I wonder"
- Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Creedence Clearwater Revival

I'm thinking of growing a beard and keeping a long hair after STPM. Hippie or reggae, that's the main question. John Lennon, Bob Marley? Interesting question. Maybe I'll get a guitar and start singin' at the Waterfront, everyday, with a hat for collecting the money and loose changes. Eve of Destruction, Knockin' on Heaven's Door are some of the songs considered for playing.

Lately there have been something quite wrong with my heart. I'm having chest pains most of the day. Yesterday I decided to try to reduce my coffee intake (3 cups of Nescafe Rich 3-in-1, with the last two cups drunk in succession). So I started my day with tea, and for recess a bottle of mineral water. Just that the taste of the mineral water is very weird.

And to answer CCR's question, yes, I have seen the rain on a sunny day. Link here!

Attack of the Kelkatus

Last night, I heard tappings on the window. Accustomed to such things, and knowing that they are bugs, I ignored them. Until this morning, when dad showed me the photos he had taken.

They look like mysterious beings from outer space.

Or furries.

Or even flowers.

Eeeep!

This starts to look like the ROFL Waffles auction, but in this case the kelkatus is stealing the garbage bin!

Close up:

My favourite:



Not as bad as some years before, when the porch was covered with them! I had to wade through, so bad was the condition. The kelkatus usually come when the moon is full (read: high tide) and/or very heavy rainy days.

But Mother Nature is beautiful, ain't she?

Hush Little Baby

Sleep, little baby, don't say a word
Papa is gone to Sunday Market

If he came back without a shilling
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring

Huh? Am I Ok?

For the past few days, I had a strange sensation in my chest. Today I feel cold in the area around my left chest, near the heart. I wonder why - maybe it is the chain of events that have been moving so fast lately, that I have a hard time catching up.

Everyday I walked around 400 meters from the school gates to the bottom of the hill where my mother will pick me up. No problems, except that you have to walk 150 meters (in distance, not height) uphill, then walking down will be quite a breeze if not for the crazily driven vehicles that threaten to turn me into pancakes. There are dogs, but they are hardly a problem - they consider me as a friend.

I know I shouldn't complain about walking. Others have it harder than me. My mother used to walk two kilometers from the bus stop to her house up on a hill. And the journey from the school to the house took about two hours, so it's dark by the time she reached home. She left home early too, around 5 am.

My daily scheduele are as follows:
0545 - Wake up, do everything that you do every morning.
0620 - Breakfast.
0630 - Leave for school. If my sister woke up late, it will be 0640. Damn.
0640 - Arrival. 0650 if sister woke up late.
0710 - Class starts (offically)
0715/0720 - Class starts (unofficially)
1400 - Class ends (unofficially)
1410 - Class ends (officially)

And people in other schools went back at 1240. What the hell?

MUET Results Online (Mid-year 2005)

Looking at my stats, I found out that most people who came across my blog from search engines are searching for MUET results. Well, here's a link!

MUET Results (Mid-year 2005)

The Fourth Meeting

Recess time. I spotted the matchmaker and her friend going to the library. Since I had finished eating and drinking I was on their heels in seconds. Distracting her friend was done easily; she had something to do - because I reminded her - and left. I approached the rack where the matchmaker is, it's quite hidden from view and spying ears.

"Hello," I said to the her. "I would like an update regarding Miss G."

She was startled for a moment. "Very well. This might be considered as a good news for you. About her having being attached, well, I found out that he is just a friend."

I heaved a sigh of relief in my mind, as I usually restrain myself from sighing. We chatted, no, more like discussing various issues regarding relationship. The matchmaker enquired about the status of a friend of mine, I answered that his status is very much in the dark. Direct and subtle enquiries does not work as he often gives vague answers.

The next line took me by suprise (but I don't show it to her, just raised my eyebrows like Vulcans and Teal'c do).

"I like someone in my class," the matchmaker said. "He likes me too, but we both have trouble expressing our feelings."

Ah-ha.

I made three guesses, the first and second one didn't nail it but the third hit it - right on the spot. When I described him (as his name escaped me at that time), she is visibly flustered.

I will do my best to help you, Miss Matchmaker, after what you have done for me.

Mid-Year MUET Results Are Out

Being the stalker I am, I checked it one hour before everyone else got theirs'. Bashing the keyboard, I kept getting error messages. I wondered why. To my suprise, the MPM insisted on dashes ( - ) inside the identity card box. This is the first time that I have encountered a dialog box requiring you to put in your dashes! Not even university application form have that!


Getting band 6: alright, I've done it. But it won't help if I screw up on my STPM. Heard that the higher your MUET scores are, the harder your English classes in Uni will be. But that's just rumours, ain't it? So have to work hard, starting three months before this!

Background Music: Queen's We Are the Champions

P/S: Also the only one in school to get 6... *kembang*

MUET Results Mid-year 2005

Cat: Killed; and Curiosity

It was Friday. Shot from a moving car, therefore I apologise for the blurry and reflective picture.

Being Mr. Natural

This will be the third time that I have become Mr. Natural. As you can see from my posts, things had been moving very fast for the past few days. Well, I got to know that she is already attached.

Often we hear of 'there are a lot more girls out there'. True, true. But not getting any after three tries is a let down. My honour demands -- and I accept -- that should a girl already have a boy, then all attempts are to stop at once.

And so passes another chapter of my life. Excuse me for a while because I need to be depressed for a few hours, then happy a couple more, then depressed again, then loony...

Bee Gees - Mr. Natural

Clearing the Cloud

Weeks ago, I spill the beans to my friend. 'The beans' being me liking Miss G (you can find stories of her if you are patient enough to dig into this blog). She being the matchmaker that she is, offered to dig up Miss G's number. I said, "Whatever suits you."

Today she SMSed me to call her back. I wasted productively used 0.15 Euroes calling her on Skype, because the charge from Celcom to Maxis is quite huge in total.

My apologies for being unclear. It was the matchmaker who SMSed, it was the matchmaker whom I called.

Hope I'll dream of her tonight...and no Nadz, the story is still in progress ;)

A lucky star/I Got Her Number

A lucky star.

Weeks ago, I spill the beans to my friend. 'The beans' being me liking Miss G (you can find stories of her if you are patient enough to dig into this blog). She being the matchmaker that she is, offered to dig up Miss G's number. I said, "Whatever suits you."

Today she SMSed me to call her back. I wasted productively used 0.15 Euroes calling her on Skype, because the charge from Celcom to Maxis is quite huge in total.

Now what?

Love Comrades

It is, perhaps, one of the strange relationships that I had encountered. Feels as if you are watching Onegai Twins, where the two girls forge alliance with each other to gain the love of the boy. But let me tell you my story.

In the year 2003, yours truly is in Form 5. A friend of mine, lets call him Mr. O, who was my classmate the year before is a frequent visitor to our class and my home (no, no hanky panky here). Through this visits I came to know that he is interested in Miss L, a girl whom I have set my eyes on during 2001.

Instead of an all-out rivalry between the two of us, we became love comrades instead. Sharing information is but a few things that we do, including tapping the other on the shoulder should Miss L pass by. Alas, Mr. O's interest in Miss L quickly waned and he changed targets to two new girls: Miss C and Miss R. Again the pattern emerged. Both of us are interested in the two girls, but we are not enemies.

Mr. P, who is a classmate of mine and also an anime fanatic is my love comrade. Also in the year 2003, I've noticed a girl. Quite different from others, I must say. I asked Mr. P's opinion and he agreed with me. An ad hoc survey was conducted randomly, and most of the respondents agree that she is --beautiful. The Girl.

But things don't quite last. Mr. P went to Labuan for matriculation, while I took a six-month hiatus before re-entering the school.

At present, Mr. O is attached, Miss R finished her matriculation, Miss C will be sitting for her STPM this year and Mr. P has not got any offers from universities. As for Miss L, the last I heard of her is that she is studying some place 20 kilometers away from my present school.

And I'm still trying to win the Girl's heart.

Smoke on the Road

Syed Hamid Albar: Contact Wisma Putra for Enquiries

(Through My News Network) : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Malaysians who have relatives and/or friends living in London to contact Wisma Putra for enquiries through the following:

03-8887 4000 (Office Hours)
03-8887 4570/8889 2746 (After Hours)

Malaysian bloggers in London:
Mark
Jon Choo
Jay

Tony Blair to Make Statement at 1200 GMT (1900 Malaysian time)

Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair will make a statement regarding the explosions at 1900, Malaysian time. If you have Astro then watch BBC for the statement.

The fastest source(s) for news are here:
Wikipedia
Wikinews

Faster than you can say 'London'.

Why I Went to Johor

*You saw someone polishing a trophy with soft cloth. After finishing, he switched the camera on and started taking pictures. Noticing you, he said... *

Hullo. You might be asking why I was absent for four days beginning Friday last week. Here are the reasons:






There are two sub-catogeries for Home Library - Village and Housing. Mine's housing, which have ten participants from all over the country.

He he he...