CNY dinners

I'm back!!! I came back on monday, the same day my results come out. At least I enjoyed my holiday before the so-called day of judgment.

I failed the same paper again (2nd time). So far I've only failed 2 papers, finally passed the third attempt for the 1st paper, now hopefully I'll pass this paper on my third attempt too.

the other 2 papers I took were borderline passes. 52 & 50 (passing mark is 50)!!!! it's a miracle, that's what it is. I'm very grateful & thankful for even passing.

I forgot that to mention that I was also going to Austria, not just Italy. So my trip was for 7 days, 3 days in Italy, 4 days in Austria. Went to the Vatican, Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice. VENICE ^____^ it was AWESOME XD I'll blog about it, don't worry ;-) then also went to Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna. The snow capped mountains were very beautiful ;-)

I meant to do this before leaving, but was too lazy, so I figured there's no harm in being a little slow (or outdated). Because nobody expects me to be fast anyway ;-)

So, for those who don't know what chinese new year dinners are like, or rather, the kind of CNY dinners I eat (with relatives), I thought I'd just put up a pic ;-)

actually, the traditional CNY dinner would be dumplings, & I posted up a pic last time when I was in China, if you forgot what it looks like, it's here

I forgot to take a pic of the yee sang! but there's pictures of it online anyway. I hope this person doesn't mind me taking the pic, but I doubt it.

if I took this pic myself, it probably wouldn't look as good T_T


actually, the only reason why I wanted to blog about it was to post this pic (& talk about it of course hehe):

it's what I've been eating for years. At least, since I was about 8 years old. It's Roasted Suckling Pig. Piglet's skin. Probably people who're not used to this would find it gross lol. I loved this when I first ate it. That lasted for about 5 years before I started getting sick of it haha.

But just because I'm sick of it doesn't mean other people are sick of it ;-( so I still have to eat it, but I just eat one piece or two. Cause it's oily. That's partly what makes me feel so sick. Also cause it tends to have a lot of fat on it. Otherwise it's just crispy skin. Think of it as similar to crispy chicken skin from McD or KFC.

I normally don't talk about food, & I find it strange, so I'll stop now.


PS: dunno why my pic for the previous post doesn't work (as in, it can't be seen), but it's too much bother for me to do sth about it, cos I keep on getting an error, so it's surprising that that post could even be published T_T probably some ppl might prefer that post the way it is, without the picture lol

The pre-CNY mood

I think I know why I was so depressed in the beginning. It was the thought of working so fast that got me down ^^; on one hand, excited, cos it's sth new, on the other hand, it sounds super tough, & stressful...

if I feel so stressed just because of a thesis, how can I even cope with work? *sighs* well, no point thinking about that...

But anyway, it's going to be Chinese New Year! ^__^ I felt I just had to post before that hehe

I'm going to Italy! XD

just finished an exam yesterday... it was audit... my first thought when I looked at the questions was "I'm screwed". Then I started getting all metaphorical or something like that.

I thought, this audit question is just like a mine field. & answering the question is like looking for the mines T_T & it feels so impossible to know where the mines are cos they're really hidden, but there were a few obvious ones. But I think I probably stepped on a lotta mines. I'll be lucky if I have even my head and torso left.

Just kidding haha I have no idea how well or badly I did, but it felt as bad as that.

another thing that happened recently (only just yesterday too!) is I seem to have a virus (worm) on my thumbdrive >__> & it spread to the computer & my hard drive. damn it T__T

now scanning with AVG, but not sure whether it's helping or not. cos I already scanned & removed the thing, but when I connected my hard drive again, it's still there haih

but nvm about that. I'll see what I can do.

oh! I know this is pretty stupid, but last year there were a few things I was obsessed about. I always get obsessed in things, & my obsession keeps on changing. This time it's Steelheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^_________^ seriously, if you could hear my thoughts, you'd get sick at the name of it, cos if I could show my obsession, I'd keep on saying Steelheart lol

I bet you don't know what's Steelheart. It's fine, I don't think many people do



Basically, they were one of the older bands who started in around 1990. During the rock period lol & I feel bad to point out, but the guy in the middle is the vocalist haha I always seem to focus on the vocalist, but I think most people do

For those who don't know, I like rock songs. Generally. But never really listened or loved rock songs that much. I just like the general sound of rock songs. & it's most likely because my father likes rock songs (well, he listens to a lot of songs, not just rock), & I grew up, or rather, even when I was a baby, I listened to rock songs, so I think that's why I like it so much? It is definitely partly because of that, I'm sure.

So I know the names of rock groups, but don't really know their songs. But my father recommended Steelheart more than 3 years ago (maybe in 2006) because he was recommending rock ballads to me (basically rock group singing slow & soft love songs lol). Cos I like to focus on the vocalist when I listen to songs, but of course, I usually like the general beat & rhythm of the song.

Also because I told him I like guys singing really high pitched haha at least I know what I like, altho it sounds really weird. So Steelheart definitely fits in that category. ;-D

So I'll recommend his softer songs here, cos I don't expect people to bother listening to what *I* recommend, but you never know. Sorry, but I don't know which sites would have the song other than youtube, so I'll put youtube links: All Your Love, Mama Don't You Cry, She's Gone (um, this song is a bit sad lol). Then there's I'll Never Let You Go, which I <3 a lot, a lot XD but it's a little bit noisier than those 1st three songs.

By the way, those were all hyperlinks =_= just in case it went unnoticed ^^; and those links I passed were specifically links which didn't really have any video (you know, the kind where it's just an image, & the only thing different is the audio streaming) except for Mama Don't You Cry, I think that's a fan made video. Nothing wrong with that, it's just not their music video. Yeah, I'm obsessed that way. These kinda details I like to know!!! T_T & for all of them, the lyrics are at the profile, for those who like knowing what the song is about ;-) The Mama Don't You Cry & She's Gone were the ones my father recommended to me.

Now I'm gonna talk more boring stuff about how I got obsessed lol you can ignore this if you want (I always feel people would never be interested in reading this kinda thing, but if you do read it, you've made me very happy ;-D).

I was listening to my compilation of favourite English songs, including Steelheart, of course (the ones which were recommended to me, or rather, the song, I'll Never Let You Go XD). I'm lazy to explain how I heard that song when it wasn't recommended to me in 2006, but basically, I happened to have heard it from a music video from my father's collection.

So, when listening to Steelheart (I get to type their name so many times! XD wtf), I had this sudden urge/craving to listen to more of their songs. More like, whenever I really like the song, & the vocalist's voice, I tend to listen to more of their songs, & (usually) like it, unless the aspect of the voice that I like could change so much in other songs.

It's funny, cos like 2 years ago, I had the urge to listen to Steelheart's songs, & I did, but it just passed through me like a lot of the other rock songs. Maybe there was only one song that I liked more than the others, but that was about it.

But with that memory of that one song, I decided to look for that song, to listen to it again lol & that's how I got obsessed *ashamed* I dunno why, but my taste in songs keep on changing, depending on my mood. Why now I like the songs so, so much when last time I didn't feel anything is beyond me.

PS: I got distracted, so I forgot if I had anything else to say, but I think as usual, I wrote more than enough. & the scanning finished. I think it's fine now. Just that I couldn't find something (not computer-related) for the trip to Italy T_T so I'm feeling quite pissed off... haih what a sad way to start the holidays

PPS: I suddenly remembered what I wanted to say lol er, you see, cos I like guys with long hair (a lot), & I just saw how Poison (another band) looked like, I couldn't help thinking, it's too bad that I wasn't born in that rock period cos it would've been AWESOME *__* my mum doesn't like guys with long hair (just like most people), but seriously, rock groups last time all had long hair. It was the fashion then. Too bad for me that it went out of fashion. At least in japan, it's still sorta in fashion lol

ok bye bye

1st fortnight of the year

Sorry I haven't posted in more than 2 weeks. I've been meaning to post since last week, & the only thing I could think to say was that I was feeling depressed lately, & I wonder why. But since the only thing that happened was that classes started again, I guess that's a good enough reason.

But this year is a bit different from previous years. Not only am I attending classes, I'm doing a thesis. & I started my thesis before my classes. I think that was what was depressing me. I'm not cut out for this kinda thing T_T

On the other hand, the thesis isn't so bad. Just made me very stressed, intruded into my dreams, & caused me to worry a lot. Maybe I was also depressed cos I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but I doubt it.

Anyway, in my 1st week of classes, I made an effort to be a little bit more hardworking. I slept before 12, didn't enjoy any excessive entertainment, and studied & did my thesis whenever I could.

Actually, I was spending more time on my thesis than on my subjects, so my plan of being hardworking as usual in the beginning of the year was falling through because I didn't have enough time to spend on my subjects because of my thesis, & the tests are coming up already?!?!?!? ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


.........................................


I think that's how ppl go crazy somehow. Not that I'm saying that I'm gonna go crazy, or else people will think I can't stand working a bit harder or stuff like that. I just feel pressurised, that's all. I'm sure anyone who feels pressurised would get stressed, and eventually go crazy when they can't handle it anymore. The way I handled it was that I slacked after the 1st week. Aren't I brilliant or what?

Problem is I feel totally lazy now. & I'm still doing the thesis so I can't afford to slack anymore. & in between all that, I remembered my blog occasionally. Which is why I'm posting this. If I remember my blog again, it's pointless if I have nothing to write about anyway. & I can't seem to think of a topic when my mind is all messed up from other stuff (yes, I know I can think clearly when it comes to other things, but that's another matter).

So, I'll probably blog again when I finish my thesis (or maybe even after that) or when I find a topic to blog. Simple as that. My thesis should finish by next month. How depressing.

Gone were the days when I could dump all on my work on other people for group projects. I'm just kidding. Don't hurt me.

So much for new year's resolutions. But I never did have any resolutions, so no pressure! Wheeee~~~ XD

oh, maybe this will cheer people up:

it made me laugh, sorta... thinking about it, I laughed a lot more at other things, but I felt it wasn't advisable to share them ^^; hahaha...

Random thoughts in Kuching

Happy new year!

yes, I'm back. was back a week ago, but now only posting this haha well, I was busy. Next week classes & my thesis will start, so I'll be as busy as ever again T_T the hols passed by so fast, but this time my exams ended a bit later than usual, so I think that's why I had less days of hol.

Anyway, on to the random stuff.

I can't understand why the rooster keeps on crowing all the time. I mean, really, I wake up, I hear the crow. Before I sleep, which could be like, 12 am, I heard the crow wth?!? It seems to crow all the time. Not that I mind, but it does feel like there's sth wrong with the rooster somehow.

It's not so hot this time. Keeps on raining though. I wonder whether hot & dry or cool & wet is worse, cos I dislike hot & wet. But at the moment, I prefer the weather now, I think.

One of the days when we were shopping at night (near closing time for the shopping center), the escalator going up stopped moving whereas the escalator going down was still moving. My mum laughed & commented that it's to deter/discourage people from going up & encourage people to go down (& go out) lol

We ate "imperial duck" for one of our meals. A very grand name for a duck. I couldn't help wondering whether the duck was of royal family or something. & yes, I do know what imperial means. It's just that you wouldn't expect a duck to be called imperial, but I guess it's fine too.

The people here seem to be nicer, even on the road. But like everywhere else, there will always be lousy drivers around. When I say nicer, I mean that they hardly hon at anyone, so it feels like nobody really minds if you were a bit inconvenient to other people & vice versa. Also they ALWAYS use their left & right signals. I was so surprised to see it, cos at home, it's not so common to see people always using their signals, which is actually what you're supposed to do in the 1st place.

A CHILD STOLE FROM ME. NO WAY I'M GONNA LET IT SLIDE.

My gums got swollen. I haven't had it in a long time. I don't even know why I'm having it. Why? Why?!?

BUTTER CHICKEN *____*

Downloads are slow at night ;-(

MY GLASSES BROKE WTH T_____T & I didn't think about bringing spare haih

The journey on the plane was very rocky when going back. As though we were being jostled left & right by the clouds. Probably they were just pissed when we went through them.

At home, it is so hot T__T I realised that I was never hot at Kuching in the house, just outside in the sun. But here, there's some sorta heat that lingers even in the house.

Oh, there was a place that didn't allow photographs (these days, more & more shops are like that). Which was fine, just that I was pissed that they caught me taking pictures, & the only reason that they caught me taking the pic is bcos somehow my hand was very shaky that day & I kept on taking a blur pic, so it was my 3rd attempt to take the same pic when they noticed me & gave a warning. So, out of spite, I'm putting it here (a blur pic haih)

it looks like an oil lamp. those are the kind of things I like to look at. but I wldn't buy it.

If you go to Kuching, you should definitely recognise this building because of its colours ;-D which reminds me, I saw Avatar. Well, actually I saw more shows than that, but that's another matter.

just found it amusing when I saw it.

Some stuff bought in Kuching:

I dunno y, but when I saw it, I said "anteater" without thinking

A park. Quite scenic.

The dog that guards the door that leads to the lost city. (Just kidding. Not the part about the guarding dog though)

Exams over!

I've finished my exams! & I'm in kuching! XD XD

it's always a very funny feeling when exams are over. for one thing, it feels a long time ago since I did my exams. another thing is that it feels hard to believe that I just went through those 3 hour exams that were considered as sth similar (but much milder) to Judgment Day for me lol & time juz passes so fast. But I'm really glad the horrible 3 hrs are over (for the moment. still got next year).

it's more that I always felt as though I manage to somehow bypass the hard moments. but atm, I can still rmb how it felt like in the exam hall, so I haven't completely forgotten yet ;-) not that I particularly want to remember how it felt, but it's rare that I still remember it vividly enough, compared to my other faint memories of certain hardships

Also, I got completely distracted at one point when studying. You see, I was thinking about the subjects I failed. I failed the same paper twice. For both times, it was the last exam I attempted. On my third attempt, I passed. But I failed another paper. Which was the last exam I attempted.

& because I had no idea why I failed on my second attempt or passed on my third attempt, I couldn't help thinking that it could be that I failed because I relax just because it is the last exam, in which case it's all my fault for not taking my last exam seriously enough! o_O;;

of course, I knew this was all my imagination & just a horrible coincidence caused by my overimagination. & the fact that I was poor at those papers I failed proved that there was a justification for failure (somewhat). it was still a possibility though.

most of the time I felt depressed though. or rather, thoughts like "I'd have to marry someone just like charlotte did (reference from pride & prejudice) because I'm gonna fail again, & I don't know how many times I'll keep failing, & when I'll ever graduate, & I'd need someone to support me financially."

Of course, I knew it wasn't as bad as all that, & I don't really need someone to support me, but those were still my thoughts. I did think rationally too though, like "The worst case is that I graduate in 2011 (actually it could be worse than that, but I wouldn't wanna insult my intelligence that far, even though I know it has nothing to do with intelligence. it just feels related to my intelligence, or the lack of it).

Some other thoughts were probably regarding the papers themselves, comments etc. Which I can't remember at all.

Oh! Because I knew I was going to kuching, I liked cheering myself up with the thought that in xx days, I'd be on a plane~ ^__^ although kuching itself doesn't feel like a big deal or much of a holiday, but it's the idea of sitting on planes that I like. I like being in airports, as in, when departing to another place. It fills me with excitement somehow. I still haven't been to the airports that many times to lose that feeling. My mum did say though, that I wouldn't feel that way if I was travelling all the time, or as often as some people who have to (bcos of work), & dislike travelling because of it. Actually my mum is one of those people lol but I dun think she minds travelling on holidays as much.

Anyway, although I like the idea of sitting in a plane, actually I don't really like being in a plane. Sometimes the smell feels too strong for me & makes me sick >_> I don't remember having such a problem last time, but in recent years, it has happened more frequently.

I probably bored lots of people edi, should have mentioned that I was just going to crap about stuff.

oh, I also wanted to say, it's so strange. Cos I feel a bit different this time after exams are over. As in, normally I'd be happy. Ridiculously happy. Happy in the sense that I'll just be laughing for no reason on & on just because. Ok fine, not that long. & not the kind of laugher that's caused by suddenly seeing something funny. More like "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA" (similar to the way the giant went FEE-FI-FO-FUM). You should be thankful we're not family members haha

So, I was laughing, but in a milder way. I feel a bit different this time. I feel mildly happy, calm, peaceful, FREE~ *_* and happy! and... and.... empty. Why? I dunno, I just feel empty somehow. Like my brain has nothing inside it, & is incapable of doing strenuous (mind) activities. Actually, it's not true though, as in, I'm sure I'm perfectly capable of utilising my brain. In fact, my mind feels very active atm (probably caused by the lack of work it is doing).

As usual, I'm bad at ending my posts, so here's a pic to end it ;-D

early xmas present that I got before my exams XD I liked the way the boxes look (I <3 how presents look anyway), so I had to take pics ;-D


make that 2 pics lol. I never expected to get chocs for xmas, but this chocs are rather special, you see. They're TRUFFLES *__* & never sold before previously, so my mum bought them for my siblings & I. The last time I ate truffles was when I was 8, & those truffles were from America, so it's not like I expected to eat them again (cos I didn't expect them to come here, after so many years).

I'm not blogging till after exams T____T which is actually 16 days from now *dies*

What I wanted to post, but didn't post, last week...

I've been neglecting my blog lately ;-( because of some intensive classes during last week & weekend till this week, so I haven't had the time nor the strength to blog. Actually, I did want to blog, but got distracted (it's ps fault), so fine, it's not that I couldn't blog. Although it's true that with all this studying & revising, nothing else comes to mind except studies-related stuff.

Actually, not true again. There were thoughts that went through my mind, & disappeared as abruptly as they came. But even if I could remember them, I didn't think they were very interesting, although who said a blog needs to be interesting anyway.

... & that's where I stopped, & didn't write anymore haih. It's sad when something sucks you dry & leaves you feeling totally empty somehow. I didn't use the computer at all last week, so you could say I was trying to get rid of my distractions, but it didn't work that well either.

I got sick <------ just an update if anyone's interested. I'm still coughing even now T________T

I was gonna post some stuff that isn't original but easier for me to post, things that I like & wanted to share with others, then I changed my mind cos it was wasting time, but now I changed my mind again lol

I'm posting it in the next post, just because I want to give a special title for it, hehe XDD

... as in, next post, the post below this post, because if I put it in the next post on top of this post, some ppl wouldn't see this post, & then it'd be like, why am I writing this anyway? on the other hand, why are people reading this anyway. so yeah, just close this page & do something more fun, that's what you should do.

Cannibalism

lyrics from the movie Sweeney Todd (Todd being Johnny Depp XDD & Lovett being Helena Bonham Carter XD both people I like)

I'm not good with explanations, & I thought people wouldn't mind reading this & that they wouldn't feel lost just reading this kinda thing, but if I'm wrong, sorry then. You don't have to read this, it's just something that I like & wanted to share.

If you want to hear it

MRS. LOVETT: Seems a downright shame...

TODD: Shame?

LOVETT: Seems an awful waste...

Such a nice, plump frame

Wot's 'is name has...

Had...

Has!

Nor it can't be traced...

Bus'ness needs a lift,

Debts to be erased...

Think of it as thrift,

As a gift,

If you get my drift!

No?

Seems an awful waste...

I mean, with the price of meat

What it is,

When you get it,

If you get it...

TODD: HAH!

LOVETT: Good, you got it!

Take, for instance, Mrs. Mooney and her pie shop!

Bus'ness never better using only pussycats and toast!

And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!

And I'm sure they can't compare as far as taste!

TODD: Mrs. Lovett, what a charming notion

LOVETT: Well, it does seem a waste...

TODD: Eminently practical

And yet appropriate as always!

LOVETT: It's an idea...

TODD: Mrs. Lovett, how I've lived

Without you all these years, I'll never know!

How delectable!

Also undetectable!

LOVETT: Think about it!

Lots of other gentlemen'll

Soon be comin' for a shave,

Won't they?

Think of

All them

Pies!

TODD: How choice!

How Rare!

TODD: For what's the sound of the world out there?

LOVETT: What, Mr. Todd?

What, Mr. Todd?

What is that sound?

TODD: Those crunching noises pervading the air!

LOVETT: Yes, Mr. Todd!

Yes, Mr. Todd!

Yes, all around!

TODD: It's man devouring man, my dear!

BOTH: And [LOVETT: Then] who are we to deny it in here?

TODD: (spoken) These are desperate times,

Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for!

LOVETT: Here we are, now! Hot out of the oven!

TODD: What is that?

LOVETT: It's priest. Have a little priest.

TODD: Is it really good?

LOVETT: Sir, it's too good, at least!

Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,

So it's pretty fresh.

TODD: Awful lot of fat.

LOVETT: Only where it sat.

TODD: Haven't you got poet, or something like that?

LOVETT: No, y'see, the trouble with poet is

'Ow do you know it's deceased?

Try the priest!

TODD: (spoken) Heavenly!

Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,

but then again, not as bland as curate, either!

LOVETT: And good for business, too -- always leaves you wantin' more!

Trouble is, we only get it on Sundays!

Lawyer's rather nice.

TODD: If it's for a price.

LOVETT: Order something else, though, to follow,

Since no one should swallow it twice!

TODD: Anything that's lean.

LOVETT: Well, then, if you're British and loyal,

You might enjoy Royal Marine!

Anyway, it's clean.

Though of course, it tastes of wherever it's been!

TODD: Is that squire,

On the fire?

LOVETT: Mercy no, sir, look closer,

You'll notice it's grocer!

TODD: Looks thicker,

More like vicar!

LOVETT: No, it has to be grocer --

It's green!

TODD: The history of the world, my love --

LOVETT: Save a lot of graves,

Do a lot of relatives favors!

TODD: Is those below serving those up above!

LOVETT: Ev'rybody shaves,

So there should be plenty of flavors!

TODD: How gratifying for once to know

BOTH: That those above will serve those down below!

LOVETT: (spoken) Now let's see, here... We've got tinker.

TODD: Something... pinker.

LOVETT: Tailor?

TODD: Paler.

LOVETT: Butler?

TODD: Subtler.

LOVETT: Potter?

TODD: Hotter.

LOVETT: Locksmith?

Lovely bit of clerk.

TODD: Maybe for a lark.

LOVETT: Then again there's sweep

If you want it cheap

And you like it dark!

Try the financier,

Peak of his career!

TODD: That looks pretty rank.

LOVETT: Well, he drank,

It's a bank

Cashier.

Never really sold.

Maybe it was old.

TODD: Have you any Beadle?

LOVETT: Next week, so I'm told!

Beadle isn't bad till you smell it and

Notice 'ow well it's been greased...

Stick to priest!

(spoken) Now then, this might be a little bit stringy,

but then of course it's... fiddle player!

TODD: No, this isn't fiddle player -- it's piccolo player!

LOVETT: 'Ow can you tell?

TODD: It's piping hot!

LOVETT: Then blow on it first!

TODD: The history of the world, my sweet --

LOVETT: Oh, Mr. Todd,

Ooh, Mr. Todd,

What does it tell?

TODD: Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!

LOVETT: And, Mr. Todd,

Too, Mr. Todd,

Who gets to sell!

TODD: But fortunately, it's also clear

BOTH: That [L: But] ev'rybody goes down well with beer!

LOVETT: (spoken) Since marine doesn't appeal to you, 'ow about... rear admiral?

TODD: Too salty. I prefer general.

LOVETT: With, or without his privates? "With" is extra.

TODD: What is that?

LOVETT: It's fop.

Finest in the shop.

And we have some shepherd's pie peppered

With actual shepherd on top!

And I've just begun --

Here's the politician, so oily

It's served with a doily,

Have one!

TODD: Put it on a bun.

Well, you never know if it's going to run!

LOVETT: Try the friar,

Fried, it's drier!

TODD: No, the clergy is really

Too coarse and too mealy!

LOVETT: Then actor,

That's compacter!

TODD: Yes, and always arrives overdone!

I'll come again when you have JUDGE on the menu!

LOVETT: (spoken) Wait! True, we don't have judge yet,

but we've got something you might fancy even better.

TODD: What's that?

LOVETT: Executioner!

TODD: Have charity towards the world, my pet!

LOVETT: Yes, yes, I know, my love!

TODD: We'll take the customers that we can get!

LOVETT: High-born and low, my love!

TODD: We'll not discriminate great from small!

No, we'll serve anyone,

Meaning anyone,

BOTH: And to anyone

At all!