No title

Sunday:
Went to Genting with family just for the sake of getting inside the casino to see how it looks like, and of course, for my parents and aunts and uncles, its their time to gamble again. Anyway, got into the casino, and mum applied a membership card for me. yay! Full-fledged gambler dy :P Neway, walked around inside the casino, dad gave me 100 to play, but I just won't, cuz haven't started making my own money yet. Maybe next time when I'm financially secured. Dun wanna be a habitual gambler in case I got hooked to it :P I left within half an hour though, cannot stand the smell of cigarettes in there. Yen Yoong only told me today that there's a non-smoking zone inside, no mood to explore that day cuz it's just me alone with the stinking cigarette smokes D=

Monday:
Christmas Eve! And according to that, everyone eats western food on Christmas Eve @@ I wonder what kind of logic is that. At 1st we went to The Ship to try to get a nice dinner, but it was way to crowded, I mean, even the people waiting outside seems numerous. And so we left and headed for Victoria Station instead. Also lots of people, but mum and bros managed to get a table while me and dad went to park the car. Seems like its easier to get a table if you come in with 5 people, rather than couples, which made up most of the crowd waiting outside the restaurant.

My dinner:
1. Chocolate milkshake
2. Bread
3. Baked scallops - appetizer
4. Cream of mushroom
5. Black Mushroom Steak - main dish

Nice! :D

Tuesday:
Seafood lunch... eww... so I opted to stay at home and cook noodle instead.
And, my Christmas was spent at home starring into the ceiling over my bed :P

*****

Should really go learn my songs now, or at least prepare to face Adyll's wrath when I go back :P

Random

A record of the worst chain of bad luck in my life, Korea trip last day:
1st, maybe due to the food I took the night b4, my tummy felt a bit painful.
2nd, the breakfast is super lousy, the sausages seemed to be uncooked, and the PRC tourists are damn rude.
3rd, no lunch provided, but couldn't find any korean food restaurant, forced to eat italian food.
4th, a bit headache in the plane.
5th, dropped my wallet with my IC, student card, student pass, atm card bla bla bla in the plane.
6th, passport chip faulty, won't let me through the machine, have to go through manual passport check

*****

Lucky two nights ago Korean airline people called and said they found my wallet with everything intact. Money oso still there, though I dun mind if they take it, only RM10 inside, most importantly my student pass, IC and matric card still there :)

*****

The STAR, Saturday 22 Dec 2007, WORLD

The seven 'medical myths' revealed

LONDON: Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster.
These well-worn theories are among seven 'medical myths' exposed in a paper published yesterday in the British Medical Journal, which traditionally carries light-hearted features in its Christmas Edition. Two US researchers took 7 common beliefs and searched the archives for evidence to support them.
The lack of evidence has been recorded in a study published in the American Journal of Psychology, they said.
The other 6 myths are:
> READING in dim light ruins your eyesight.
The majority of eye experts believe it is unlikely to do any permanent damage, but it may make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing.
> SHAVING makes hair grow back faster or coarser.
It has no effect on the thickness or the rate of the hair regrowth, studies say. But stubble lacks the fine taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of coarseness.
>EATING turkey makes you drowsy.
It does contain amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.
>WE use only 10% of our brain.
The myth rose as early as 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is silent or completely inactive.
>HAIR and fingernail continue to grow after death.
This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dried out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails.
>MOBILE phones are dangerous in hospital.
Despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interfernce with medical equipment. -Reuters.

*****

Artist: Amy Adams
Song: That's How You Know(Enchanted soundtrack)

Giselle:
How does she know you love her?
How does she know she's yours?

Man:
How does she know that you love her?

Giselle:
How do you show her you love her?

Both:
How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?
How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?
How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?

Giselle:
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind her, or she'll be inclined to say...
"How do I know he loves me?"
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?)
"How do I know he's mine?"
(How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?)

Well does he leave a little note to tell you you are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is grey? Heyy!
He'll find a new way to show you, a little bit everyday
That's how you know, that's how you know!
He's your love...

Man:
You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to need her
To believe you love her

Giselle:
Everybody wants to live happily ever after
Everybody wants to know their true love is true...
How do you know he loves you?
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you need her?)
How do you know he's yours?
(How does she know that you really, really, truely-)

Well does he take you out dancin' just so he can hold you close?
Dedicate a song with words in
Just for you? Ohhh!

All:
He'll find his own way to tell you
With the little things he'll do
That's how you know
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love
He's your love...

That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
He loves you
(la la la la la la la la)
That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
It's true
(la la la la la)

Because he'll wear your favorite color
Just so he can match your eyes
Rent a private picnic
By the fires glow-oohh!

All:
His heart will be yours forever
Something everyday will show
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love...

Man:
That's how she knows that you love her
That's how you show her you love her

Giselle:
That's how you know...
That's how you know...
He's your love...

*****

I miss your lovely smile
I miss your sweet voice
I miss your wonderful presence
Most of all, I miss you dearly

Korea Trip

Day 1

Plane took off at 1:05 am from KLIA, and we reached Korea's Incheon International Airport at 7:30 am local time, which is about 6:30 am in Malaysia. Met our tour leader, Kenny, whose parents are from China, holds a Taiwan passport, but was born in Korea, yes confusing for me too...

Anyway, departed from the airport at around 9, and we were to travel from the west-most side to the east-most. Oh, and fyi if u dunno, it's south Korea not north :P Anyway, the whole journey would take about 4 hours, so we had our lunch at around 12:30 in a restaurant. Love the food there! They put very little seasoning, and not much oil too. The style is some sort like steamboat though. A specialty side dish in Korea, kimchi was served in every single meal that we have there. According to our tour guide, a meal in most Korean household consists of one main dish that's hot, and a few side dishes including kimchi that are cold. By the way, the chopsticks are made of metal and are very very thin, and it's very tiring to hold for long, so sometimes I just use the spoon provided :P

The cutlery provided are the same everywhere

After lunch, we continue our journey on to Seoraksan National Park. Seoraksan literally translates into ice hell mountain :P Nothing much there, a Buddhist temple, a huge Copper Buddha statue, and these:

cute bear :P

me trying to look like a ninja...
nah, it's freakin cold, my ears are about to drop off!

It's freaking cold there by the way, about zero degree celsius. That's why, after that, the next destination is hot spring. Ok, they say it's a hot spring, but more like a spa. One thing about it is that there are no special changing rooms for one person, just two different entrance, one for men and the other ladies. And the locals dun mind seeing each other naked, while us tourists feel a bit uncomfortable >.<>

Day 2

Morning call at 7am today, and meet up at lobby to go dinner at 8. I love the people in the tour group this time, all of them are very punctual, in fact my family is usually the last one to reach the meeting place throughout the whole journey. We're not late though, just that they're early :D Anyway, breakfast is buffet style, western breakfast.

After breakfast, off to Daepohang Fish Village. The seafood there are so weird!!!! Some of them I've never seen b4, while some of them I've never seen them in a size so huge! Oh, another info from Kenny, Korean will usually eat anything raw if they can eat it raw, that's why the lack of seasoning. Here are some of the seafood:

Literally translated as sea intestine @@

I have no idea what these are :P

sea cucumbers with spikes

squids!!! Lots and lots of live ones!

red crabs

These fishies look like they're dead, but they swim upside down

ok, he's not seafood, but he's so so adorable that I decide to put his pic here! and guess what? He knows how to pose too! he only move after I took the pic

some large crabs

two very huge crabs! at least about 1m in length

weird fishies

bloated fishies

hairy crabs

squid sashimi, some of the tentacles are still moving... bleh DX

handsome bro no.2 enjoying it

handsome bro no.3 enjoying it too

After the fishing village, we need to travel for another one and a half hour south then east to reach the skiing place, Phoenix Park. According to Kenny, only the leader of China is allowed to use "Emperor XYZ", the Korean leaders are only allowed to use "King". And also, dragons are only to be used by emperors, and so korean kings are not allowed to use dragons, but instead, they use phoenix. Took our lunch near the skiing resort, then went and rent the skiing outfits. We reached the hotel about 3:30, so kenny decided to take us in at 6:00, cuz there'll be a maintenance at 4:30 and we won't be able to do much in an hour and a half. Checked-in to our rooms and then sleep and lie around :P

first ever snowman of our own

Power Rangers!

1st time seeing snow

At 5:30, we gathered at the lobby and kenny brought us to the ski equipment rental shop.the shoes were so so tight that you can't move ur ankle. A safety feature so you won't twist ur ankle in case u fall.it's also very heavy, about the weight of University Physics... on your leg while ur walking... Anyway, we all walked very very slowly to the skiing ares, it's hard to get on the escalators with those shoes :P Leanred the basics from Kenny, and then we started skiing! Woo hoo! I fell down 3 times during the whole 2 hours of skiing. First time, cuz too fast, can't control, 2nd and third time purposely fall down to avoid collision.

me in skiing outfit

mum fell down and we all laughed XD

Had a dinner of ramen, which taste almost the same as the Shin Ramyun available in Malaysia. Anyway, their english are damn horrible... I wanted to order a cup of cold milk, and he thought that I said the milk was too cold and when to heat it up instead zzzz... That night I slept horribly though, my arms aching like crazy, cannot move it even the tiniest bit or it'll be in excruciating pain >.<

Day 3

Morning call at 6:30, gathered at 7:30 for breakafst. Today we had korean style breakfast, with rice and all. Left for WalkerHill Casino after breakfast. My first ever entry into a casino! Woo Hoo! In Korea somemore :P No camera inside, so just got pics from the entrance

Then we went to a shopping Mall:

interactive soccer on the floor, you can kick the ball and it'll move

After that one, another shopping mall in DongDaeMun(ring any bells? There's one stall selling snacks in vivo oso named DongDaeMun):

outside the mall

Had dinner there and then went to check in to Phoenix Hotel, near MyongJin.

christmas deco in the hotel

Day 4

Visited outside the presidential building, the Blue House, equivalent to the White House in America. No pictures allowed, but this here is outside of the building:

phoenix

a family of dried-grass men

Then off to the National Art museum, they have the 12 zodiac signs outside, which I took a picture with mine :D

Boku to tora san desu!

Then visited the Amethyst centre, a Korean traditional house, and then the palace. They have people wearing the guards uniform there re-enacting the past. Change shifts oso like very grand, with drums and sorts accompanying the guards to relieve the ones already guarding.

the guard captain

one of the guards

Then a tourist center and off to a river with lots of christmas decos. had barbeque pork for dinner.

Day 5

Today's breakfast was especially lousy... ewww... dun wanna describe that much. After breakfast, we went to a kimchi making school to learn how to make kimchi. After that, they have some costume inside the school too for us to take pictures in. me and my 2nd bro wore an army official's costume :D

me and my youngest bro made some nice ones.

posers

caught a criminal!

guarding three ladies

and I have to take this one in the end, poser mah :P

Had some carbonara for lunch, then off to the airport we go! Super tiring, but super fun! I dun mind going for the skiing again next year :D

Super tiring Monday!

Woke up at about 9 in the morning, then had a 'little' breakfast, consisting of the koay teow from my favorite stall! Then went to Selayang Mall to play badminton with Ying Chi, Mun Ping, Wei Keat and Lee Fu. It's been so long since I've hold a badminton racket, but still, I managed to at least not lose out to the girls :P Although... Lee Fu's skill pretty much improved a lot though. Sent Lee Fu and his bro home after playing cuz it's raining.

After badminton, I went back home for a simple lunch, then it's time for a movie with the gals. This is the 1st time I've been into the cinema in Metro Prima, since it doesn't exist yet the last time I visited. Watched Enchanted, not bad I guess, a lot of singing and stuff, some mushy things here and there. No wonder the other two guys dun wanna come. They'll fall asleep within half an hour I guess... XD Talking about cinema, it's pretty cold this time cuz it's not that full. The seats in front of us are practically empty, and the seats on my left are empty too... lucky I brought my jacket, else I'll freeze to death without any body heat beside me :P

After the movie, we went to have a snack at KFC! Man I miss the chickens here! So damn better then the ones in Singapore. It feels like the price is very expensive though... the number is double of the ones in Sg... yes I know it's the same value, but I can't help feeling that it's expensive due to the face value :P Had a chat with them after the meal, and I find that us in NUS are so so lucky compared to them, their Uni practically sucks big time... UUM don't even have internet connection in the room, they have to go down to the cafe to use the internet, and no battery charging allowed in the cafe either. The lab coms in UPM, only 3 of them have microsoft office @@. Worst of all, starting last sem in UUM, they need to use Touch'nGO for their shuttle bus cuz some idiots complained that it's not fair to charge everyone for the same rate cuz some lives nearer and some further, previously all the bus fees were included in their school fees.

We went shopping for clothes afterwards, I got myself a black long sleeve T-shirt for the Korea trip, but seems like the gals can't find anything that they want though... ehehe, thx for shopping with me! One thing though.... I found out that my mum bought the exact same one for my dad this morning(Tue), and I was like stunned.... zzzz arghhhh... you get what I mean...

Sent Wei Yi back around 5.50, then went straight back home. reached home about 6. then tried to nap, but then bro wanna play DoTA, so ok lor... After dinner, we went out to Selayang Mall to get shoes for the trip and a pair of new glasses for me, cuz there's this one night that my knee can't help itself and kissed the specs :P Seems like Eric is still working there and man he's changed a lot! His hair is way longer than b4... seems like a lot of guys like to leavetheir hair long after finishing secondary school :P Anyway, I went for an eye examination and he says that my eyes has gotten better... right eye drop from 350/100 to 325/50, left eye 250/100 to 225/0 @@. This is so freaky.... I nvr did anything to improve my eyesight oso... all I did was stare at the com for hours playing game or surfing net, or lie on the bed with my novel without proper room lighting... the world's gone crazy... either that, or I'm the one going crazy.

Got the 2nd Artemis Fowl book from Popular yesterday, and man it is good to know the staff there personally! I got staff discount for the book! Wheeeee :D After that, went down to Papa Toast for supper with parents and bro. then go home, one last round of DoTA, then sleep, at 12! I'm surprised that I can sleep so early oso, usually at least 1 or 2 only go sleep. But maybe cuz I haven't taken any nap and I played badminton in the morning.

Hope fully all the days spent at home will be as eventful as yesterday or else I might just be bored enough to get a whole load of novel :P

Overdue post

IT1801
1st ever NUS paper that I took so happily and came out early without any fear at all and sure of getting a good grade for it :P

SSA1201
Crapped through all the way through the questions. Seems like a lot of people took the same question as I did, 3, 5 and 9 @@

EE2004
A bit sucky, cuz lack of practice. But none the less still ok i guess.

EE2011
Most horrible paper of my life! Yes, life! Not just in NUS. Have never left so many blank space in an exam paper in my entire history of taking exams...

EE2005
2nd easiest paper in NUS, open book, think i could answer the questions without much difficulty, except for the last one :P

MNO1001
Dunno what to say.... can answer the questions, but dunno whether correct or not... most confusing module I've ever taken in terms of what I should have learned... It feels like I just go to tutorial every week to talk and talk only, not much else. Oh ya, and the video.

Lady luck! Where art thou? I seriously think that I've been very very lucky in exams up til now, I've always skipped chapters and concentrated on a few, based on hunch, nothing else, not even any research into past year. Happy to say that in the past, the things I studied all came out, and the things I didn't just didn't. But not this sem T_T

*****

After last paper, I really felt very very VERY BORED!!!!! came back, brought laptop down to 4a, and started to stone. Dunno what to do oso... the series that I liked I finished watching dy b4 finals. Even the games I was playing doesn't seem so appealing to me anymore. Played for about 5 minutes then I sien dy...

Went for choir practice at night, and it was quite enjoyable! I miss the practices so so much!

Went to Tanglin Club for carolling yesterday, specifically for the Lady's Luncheon event thingy... Place was nice, the refreshment they served was also not bad. The crowd was quite nice that day too, gave us applause on the right moments, and I was even smiling broadly when we were leaving the stage :)

After that went to vivo to join syen, sarah, chunkit, ryan, carly and wei feng walk walk a bit. Watched golden compass with them and oso chubs and y2, who were almost late... XD The visual is nice, but the storyline not that good. Well... I expected that from a visual adaptation of a novel, like harry potter... Anyway, after movie, went to Page One for a stroll, and I got myself a new book, Artemis Fowl, which I finished reading this morning by the way :P

Left around 7.30 cuz my feet are ady screaming for wearing leather shoes for one whole day. Met up with James and suyin for dinner, then went back room and started stoning. Then read novel... stone again... nap.... read novel.... stone >.< then played a game of dota versus AI :P

Artemis Fowl not bad, just a bit too short though the storyline, and a bit too simple. But well, I'm a sucker for magic stuff, so sue me.

ARGHHHH!!!!! Dunno what book to read anymore.... Last time used to be able to go to a bookstore and find a nice magical book that'll keep me enthralled for days, but now I can't seem to find any that suits me... any recommendations anyone?