Izzoshineca

Macedon Ranges

2010-01-09T15:06:00.017+08:00

Location: Mt. Macedon

Having a bit of a road-trip with friends over the holidays. Let me narrate:

So, this is a plaque to commemorate Aussie soldiers from WWI;

This is Memorial Cross. It is huge;

The plaque on the base of Memorial Cross

A sword on the back of the cross. That is one giant..;

A rose...thing (I forgot what these are called);

These are the Hanging Rocks;

My friend Bing Cheng doing 'the pose' in front of one of the Hanging Rocks;

Me. And some sort of staring pose;

A-ha! Didn't believe me when I said these rocks actually do hang, did you?

View at the top of the pile. Mt. Macedon on the left;

Leaving a mark;

...in some hollowed out rock;

A steep alternative down;

One more shot of those eroding Hanging Rocks;

And finally, a shot of the inner-workings of a brewery at Woodend.

Happy new year everyone!

Dreams

2009-10-22T07:42:00.010+08:00

It's such a strange phenomenon, dreams. Is it really true that its just a way for our subconscience to communicate with the conscience mind? And why is it that we don't remember as many of our dreams as we did as children? Have we slowly lost sense of this subconscience of ours? Doesn't this entire concept sound all too familiar? Has 'expert opinions' affected our way of thinking, generalising all our thoughts into the same one? Perhaps we have opinions/beliefs that we think others would accept just to fit in. (Phew, that put an end to all those continuous questions. Do I ask this many questions?)

Going back to the point... I've experienced a few de javu moments in dreams. Some that are not exactly the same as I have dreamt but in an otherwise similar context. Things like how in the dream you'd be sitting on the right of said person but when it happens you're on the left. It's strange really.

Then there is the case where you only remember what you dreamt about in the first 10 seconds after you wake up... then you forget. And then, when a situation reminds you of the dream, you recall. This begs the question, do we still dream just as much as we did in our childhood days but just not remember them as vividly like we did before? I suppose someone might have come up with an answer to that by now. Hmm... maybe I should get a book on dreams... would be interesting.

Anyways, something else that I've heard alot about is that sometimes you know that you're in a dream and in a way try to alter how the dream world works. Well, to be honest, I've never experienced that before. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out that when a shark chases me on air I was dreaming -.- What more can I say to that? Haha... sometimes I'm glad that dreams turn out to be just that, dreams. I've had bizarre dreams that are in a way connected to what was happening in my life. The first few weeks I came to the UK I dreamt about being in a car with my dad... except it crashed... and i died... and watched the aftermaths as a ethereal entity in the sky. Not the most fun dream I've had. I asked my dad to get a new a few days after that. When I got back he bought two :) Hmm... what do you know... that dream might have actually resulted in a most pleasant surprise!

So yea, it's my 4th week in uni and things have been going well. Liking this new house and my kind landlord. Apparently, for 300 quid a month (excluding gas and electricity bills) it's quite a good deal. Phrases that people have used to describe the house are 'massive', 'big', 'is it just for four people?', 'nice' and, have i mentioned massive? Living with an indian and two hongkies. All guys this time. You seriously don't wanna hear your female housemates moan with their doors open and look them straight in the eye like half an hour later... So yea, there you have it. A post from me in a very long time. I've better catch some shut eye, dream a lil bit and hopefully get up in time for lectures. Did i mention that I have four 9am lectures and a 10am one? Sigh... how I wish they'd be sensible next semester and change it so that we don't just have a lecture at 9am in the morning and the second one starting at 2pm in the afternoon. Then again, their responce would most likely be what the aerosmiths made into a hit record:

'Dream on!!!!'

Jin out

Coming saturday..

2009-09-25T11:38:00.003+08:00

My University's football team will be playing against James Madison University this Saturday.

Their student body's 20k, ours is 9k.

Their Band has 400 individuals, ours has 190.

I'm excited!!

It's pretty neat for our 38-year-old Uni to be at its current level.

Hosting this game is definitely a milestone.

Can't wait!

Tomorro's our last practice and Saturday we do our Show facing the Home side.

Here's me having a grand time!

http://dabour.smugmug.com/ShowPiX-Photography/Events/USSBA-Liberty-University/9704685_8p3xZ#656039606_KU7oP

becks out*

The building isn't blue

2009-08-09T23:02:00.005+08:00

L'immeble ne pas bleu.
The tonsilly voice of my Livemocha French 101 teacher reveberates in my eardrums.

I had a really good first summer break. Both in Brunei and Malaysia.
It's incredible that so little has changed during my absence of over a year.
It lifts my spirits to see that my parents and my granny haven't aged a day either. In fact, they look healthier because they've grown tanner after the drives to and from KB.

My summer was good because:

1. I did not upset my parents. Nor did I argue with them. I was such a good girl I didn't even ninja.

2. I was able to bond with my sister and we've only been at each others' nerves twice. Thats a record. Over clipped toenails and ignition turns.

3. I was given the oppurtunity to teach piano! On a Shigeru Kawai Grand. And the setting couldn't have been better. It was with my former piano teacher. My rewards were twofold. Not only was I paid more than expected, what I've learned from my students, their parents, my former teacher and about myself was an authentic experience. There was not other way I could've taken all of that in doing anything else.

4. I was healthy.

5. It wasn't THAT hot and humid. Really I was bracing myself for something more. And I left Brunei when it started to get really hazy.

6. I caught up with friends who mattered. Jessica R, Pei, Sheeling, Yan, Vui, Christina. Uni friends might be with me 24/7 (dorms) but friends from home have known me for at least 7 years.

7. Shopping and eating spree in KL with Pei.

Pei, or SPY rather, is one of my closest friend. I'm really glad she still is. Having gone as far as she had, she showed no inflated ego. If anything, she came through the lights, camera and action a more matured and grounded young woman.
Also, retail therapy, tastebuds tickled, cravings satisfied, ALL in RM!! Things I really appreciate after coming to the states.

7. No heartbreaks. No boyfriends. No drama. And I've never felt more love.

My flight back was horrible. The turbulence and crowd with babies really did me in.
But I recovered after 2days thanks to my Taiwanese friends here. The dorms aren't open yet so I'm currently chilling at their chic and cozy suburban Parkside Grande apartment until Saturday when band camp starts.

Such joy it is to not live by a schedule.
To laze around like a phython, catch up on soaps, update playlists, read, meditate, chat on msn with people on different timezones, and stroll by the park outside lit by fireflies.

Its times like these I find out that Paddington Bear is from Peru

and that Stephen King ate 7 plates of scrambled eggs all at once when he was four. His baby-sitter locked him up his mom's closet and puked all over her shoes. Needless to say, the baby-sitter was fired. I'm reading his master class entitled In Writing.

*becks out.

Yo!

2009-07-22T19:55:00.002+08:00

I've started my driving lessons about a week ago now. Its going well. A few hiccups here and there. I'm learning with Shak driving school, a place in Batu Bersurat under the care of instructor Bernard. Though, just call him Bernard. Interesting name I must say. Hes chinese but I suspect that there is a hint of Philipino somewhere in him. His Bahasa Melayu is mariculously fluent, nothing like any other Chinese person I've met before except maybe for the fish monger at pasar Gadong.

Now heres a surprise, I got a my exam results a while back. I failed one of my modules so I have to go for a resit. So far I've been revising for this exam. Statistically speaking, I think its one of my traits to fail during my first year of anything whether it be Sixth Form or University. I get better as time progreses, Statistically speaking.

However I don't study constantly every hour, sometimes I go play golf. I've been playing frequently nowadays, I would say 3 or 4 times a week at empire golf course. I also practice my swing at home. My goal is to bogey every hole by the end of summer holidays. Now its no secret that Brunei has its own Professional Golf Champioship. One of my dreams is to participate in this event sometime in the next few years I would say when I'm 24. Though I've pared some of the holes at empire I lack consistency though I do feel like I'm getting better, I remember the days when I would lose 6 or 7 balls in one round of golf at empire, quite embaressing. Since the Brunei Open is in a weeks time, the empire golf course management team as per usual, have been letting the grass grow i.e longer roughs etc.. I went to play there a few days ago and had a tough time finding my ball though I could see it clearly when I wasteeing off. Its very annoying.

Anyway, Me and the family have decided to spend 2 weeks in Indonesia i.e Jakarta and Bandung for holiday so thats going to set my driving lessons back thus my friend Huda will surpass me in driving experience but its all good since I started earlier albeit a few lessons earlier. So until I get back... Be Cool and Stay Cool.

Regards

Muizz

The recovery

2009-07-18T20:55:00.003+08:00

AHHHH CHOOO!!!!! Phew, don't worry. It's not swine flu. I'm just allergic to dust and the digital cobwebs are really starting to pile up in this blog :p So yea, Jin's back in Brunei. And yes I may not have any obligations to meet but going out everyday whether to pick up your sisters from school or work, meeting up with friends or going poker-ing at night leaves you tired when you finally get back home. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason why I've not been blogging much. Hope thats enough of an apology to our hard posting blogmaster Rebecca :p

So lets see, whats new in Brunei...

Yea...

Its the same old same old. Some new structures are being built but other than that nth much has been going on. Almost all our yellow ic-ed Chung Hwa friends (e.g. Chung Sun, Ing Siang, Cai Yen, Yen Lu, Derick to name a few) have gotten scholarships from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defense but sadly none were fortunate enough to get the prestigious Sultan's scholarship. Not that thats a cause for concern, getting any type of scholarship is fine by me. So congratulations to all of you who managed to work hard and getting your ridiculous 4 or 3 or 2 As for A level. You deserve your scholarships.

Alright, I know for a fact that people's attention span for a post is short and to make a post long will only serve to bring boredom. Since more and more people seem to be environmentally aware, I'll end with an interesting fact on what type of solutions scientists have come up with to reduce the effects of global warming.

The following is just what i remembered from a Discovery channel episode (so there might be some mistakes) :

Huge icebergs all over the world such as Arctic and Greenland makes up for almost 10% of the worlds surface and as they melt from greenhouse effects, water levels will rise. This will mean land that are close to sea level will be sunk. A solution to this problem would be to slow the melt rate of the icebergs. How? That is the genius of whoever came up with this answer:

Cover the icebergs with reflective materials to stop sun light from melting it.

It was a cold autumn day...

2009-06-16T21:28:00.002+08:00

A friend and I decided to visit the Shrine of Remembrance. This is the view of Melbourne's CBD atop the viewing balcony of the shrine.

I admit, it was a bad day for shorts.

Miss Cali, we've got your back. -LU

2009-05-03T07:08:00.004+08:00

“I think that in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

-Carrie Prejean

Carrie Prejean, the reigning Miss California, made a special appearance at our uni on Wednesday convocation (our last convocation of the semester) in a sit-down interview with Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.

After making it to the top five in the pageant, Prejean was asked a question from guest judge Perez Hilton, a homosexual activist blogger, about her beliefs on the topic of legalizing same-sex marriage in each state.After expressing her personal beliefs, Miss California Carrie Prejean's chances of winning the Miss USA 2009 pageant came to an end.

Prejean finished runner-up in the pageant.
Second place!!

Jerry Falwell Jr asked Prejean, a student at San Diego Christian College, how she felt on stage that night.

“As I was standing on that stage I felt so alone, I felt like I was up against the world. I saw Donald Trump sitting there in the front row, my family, my friends were nearby — millions of people were watching it on national television. I was so nervous …” Prejean said. “They instructed the question to Perez Hilton and he then asked the question, and from there I just knew that I was either going to please man or please God.”

“To me, it’s scary that we’ve come to a point in this country where somebody like you is castigated for supporting the institution of marriage between a man and a woman — something that most Americans support — and it just shows all of us what our challenge is in this next generation to turn this country around. We deeply appreciate what you did and for standing up for what you believe,” Falwell said.

She did a talk on our school's radio station with some Law undergrads after her appearance at convocation.
http://www.afr.net/.

Oh...Also Perez Hilton called her the B*word as seen in this video.

The precious Prejean's response to that is, "I'm praying for him."
and we all should pray for him.

Nevertheles, after convocation, a throng of boys hit backstage to try to get her photography and her autograph. A classmate (an aviation major who drove her in the jet she arrived in) is head over heels in love with her.

Must suck to be in love with someone unattainable.

Time to go back to my books!
Wish me luck for COMS, American History and English exams!

becks out*

Another music video

2009-04-22T23:41:00.000+08:00

Just thought I'd share this for the time being. Enjoy!

As I grow older..

2009-04-20T04:56:00.006+08:00

..I see that the beat of life has to go on.
Even if the situation and the enemy tries to dampen your spirits.

..clovers seem easier to find. And everyday can be your 'lucky' day.

.. I realize the significance of being international.
It has nothing to do with inter-skin-colorational.

...I appreciate Einstein more. And I pray for those like him yet to be discovered.

.. big / famous landmarks seem to have shrunk.
And appear to be less imposing.

..crossing the road alone has become less scary.

..I realize that being crazy is a way of life..

...it is only permissible when you're not crazy alone.

becks out*

that day.

2009-03-30T08:04:00.005+08:00

I had a very productive weekend. Things I did:

1.Practiced a lot of my Lizst Etude for Tuesday,
2.Met up with Emily who moved off campus and her boyfriend,
3.Ran 12 miles on Fri, Sat and Sunday,
4.Did laundry,
5.Read for English,
6.Caught up with a few friends I was close with last semester.

I want to try out dolphin therapy someday.
Or even some form of therapy where you get to spend time under the sea.
I think I have great connection with fishes, and make great eye contact with them.
After all, I did grow up eating at least 43 pairs of fish eyes.

I went to a Kappa Delta Phi Meeting, and the reality of me becoming a Virginian high school music teacher seems more believable. I'm glad I'm a specialist in the music field. It won't be that easy to cheat.

My bowels have been way too active lately. And it's not because of Metamucil.
The sender of this post and I are experiencing the same phenomenon. Sigh!~

33 days more till the end of Spring 09 semester! We're making our way up!!
This was taken on our way up to the balcony of the Castle of Central Park.

Chelsea and Olivia.

It's time to take a shower..and practice more music.

becks out*

spring break videos

2009-03-29T08:12:00.011+08:00

Here are a couple of videos taken while I was in NYC.

Some of them are really short cuz they were caught when I wanted to capture a photo, and pressed the video mode button instead.

If a photo speaks a thousand words, a video speaks a million.

#1 Taken at Sundary Service Brooklyn Tabernacle.
It felt like it was in heaven, and we were all clouds of angels singing.

Watching this makes me less fearful of death.. I mean, after judgement, it will be paradise. And the sound of angels' choruses resound all through day and night.

#2. This was at the middle sidewalk in Central Park's entrance.

#3 Really cute designer pugs.

#3 This is a squirrel climbing a tree in Central Park.

#4 Times Square at night

#5 Chelsea commenting on the pedestrians and bus driver.

becks out*

In reverie: Prose

2009-03-27T11:50:00.008+08:00

If you woke me in the middle of the night, and asked me to name something important that I learned this week...
I would promptly tell you that I learnt that WRITING IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!

Writing is something everyone should be committed to do every day.
It's great if you can talk and communicate with music, body language, arts, culture, images.But the memory of all that communication doesn't will not be revisited until it is inked (pen). Or leaded (pencil). or even chalked..if you're Goliath and keep your journals on walls of blackborads.

Even more so in an incredibly simply yet smart form of writing: journaling,

Journaling is ideally the best way to let you know that you do thoughts, and that you have had certain thoughts on certain things. This is really how you account for the things you do, the way you feel, the way something strikes you, the way you responded, and even the number of times you did things without thinking. It gives you a better perspective yourself. And really..that's how you'll improve.

I strongly believe that each person should carry 3 journals with him/her each day.
For me at least, I need 3.

1 for my daily evotions, prayers, convocation and chapel sermons.
1 for my daily piano practice.
1 for my daily personal thoughts on everything in life. (I include my diet, workout, outfit, dreams (sleep), response from reading and a lot of random thoughts)

I urge all of you readers to start journaling your life!

Don't know where to start?

These prompts should help you out.

I inserted my own examples until #7, true for today and this week.

Journal Writing Prompt 1
Try to think of small things that you are normally not aware of in your life. Take a look around the room you are in and finish this sentence:

I am grateful for _the peace in my room___.

Do this for about five to ten minutes.
Journal Writing Prompt 2
Look over your gratitude list (see JWP 1) and finish this sentence.

This list surprises me because _ i was compaining about not having my privacy a couple of minutes ago____.

Next,

Writing Prompt 2
A Squidoo page featuring some general journal writing topics.
Journal Store
A store featuring leather journals, unlined and lined journals, books, and other journal related items.
Journal Insights
A weekly e-mail newsletter where journal topics, thoughts, and resources are shared.

Journal Writing Prompt 3
Think about thoughts or things that have been popping into your head lately. Finish this sentence:

I am feeling drawn towards _people who run for fun ___.

What is capturing your attention? What is calling you? Don't censor yourself.

Journal Writing Prompt 4

Look over your list from JWP 3. Finish the following sentences (pick one or do all):

I am surprised that I am drawn towards _people who love to run _ because _i used to think that running is the lamest sport ever, and people here run for scholarships__.

I think _running a 5 K marathon with Alpha Lamda Delta__ would be a fun thing to pursue because _I will get to say I did it ___ .

__lately, I have been running in the mornings and nights at William's Stadium's tracks___ it reminds me of ____the track team people in my COMMS Skills class____ (think of a person or memory and expand by describing the person or memory).

Journal Writing Prompt 5
Irritating or annoying things are common place. Finish this sentence:

_My clumziness___ drives me crazy because ____this massive bump on my head just healed, and now I have a flesh-deep scrape on my left arm from hitting myself with the shampoo cap in the shower just now _____ .

Journal Writing Prompt 6
Re-read the journal entry from JWP5. Try to read it in a detached manner, as if you were reading someone else's journal. Now answer this question.

When I read the journal entry I feel ___that clumziness is not a way of life____ .

How has your perspective changed? How do you feel about the writer and the person being written about?

".......Rebecca Chin
......
.....
stop being a klutz"

Journal Writing Prompt 7

Use the person or thing you wrote about in JWP 5 and make a list of positive, good, or beneficial qualities this person or object possesses.

Can you think of any? If no, why not?

If yes, are you surprised by the things you wrote?

Journal Writing Prompt 8
The last time I let myself do what I wanted without thinking about the consequences was _________.

While doing this I felt ______________.

The outcome was __________________.

I would or would not do it again because ____________.
Journal Writing Prompt 9
Right now, I want to _______________.

I can't do this because _______________ or

I can do this because _____________.
Journal Writing Prompt 10
I want to give up ________________.

I want to give up __________ because _________.

I know I can do this because _______________.

___________________________________________

there are 11 other prompts which I recommend going through, see http://www.squidoo.com/dailyjournalwritingprompts

Really, it not only makes you a better person..also in a lot of ways, a more eloquent being who no longer just merely passes each day without significant involvement with the human race and the universe.

Becks out!!

The precise moment

2009-03-24T07:44:00.005+08:00

I just checked my google mail and these photos were forwarded to me a long time ago.

Imagine how precise the photographer captured the moment these photos were taken.

Hehee.. funny animals make me happy.

Neways, my prayer leader's roomate down the hall is going to travel with John & Kate plus 6 to New Zealand and Australia for the summer.

How fun!

Which reminds me of a speech I heard today about multiple in-vitro babies.
And Nadia's case.

EEK!!!

I'm gonna have nightmares about this...
I hate persuasive speech week. My classmates for COMS skills put so many morbid photos for their speeches.

=X

becks out*

Street Art..I loike

2009-03-23T08:42:00.006+08:00

Art on Buildings

Art in signposts

Art on telephone boots

Art in illuminators

Art in glass cubes

Mac Store in Manhattan.

The Best thing in the world

2009-03-22T11:32:00.003+08:00

What's the best thing in the world? June-rose, by May-dew impearled;
Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;
Truth, not cruel to a friend;
Pleasure, not in haste to end;
Beauty, not self-decked and curled
Till its pride is over-plain;
Love, when, so, you're loved again.
What's the best thing in the world? --Something out of it, I think. by

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I like truth, when it's not cruel to a friend.

Think about it, when you're being truthful, yet not meaning to hurt, the consequences will bring you and a your friend closer together.

becks out*

10 Things I covet

2009-03-20T09:36:00.005+08:00

I'm sure all of us have one of those nights.
The wordly things you wish you possessed, which would make you a better person, at least look like one, or feel like one.

Covetousness is such a terrible sin.

Anyway,here's a list of things I've wished for:

A huge library in my home with collections of books from all over the world that I never got to read.. and Vogue magazines of course.

A Cadillac 16

or a jaguar convertible

A personal airbus to fly in.

Hotel rooms I own that I can check in and out whenever all around the globe.

When it comes to jewellery, I'm easy to please.
Swarovski's for me =D heart the blue rubies collection

A diamond encrusted grand piano. USD 1.2 mil Kuhn-Bosendorfer

A designer persian feline creature.

An expensive dog.

Another huge room- full of designer shoes

Especially black ones.

A purple, Swarovski crystals lined kitchen

Happy Birthday, Jin Hua!

2009-03-19T12:23:00.001+08:00

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

and that you dont mind me thugifying you.

Take care, dude.

my pores are clogged

2009-03-17T12:01:00.004+08:00

I really should be reading George Washington's 13 page Farewell Address right now.
I have so much more to do after this, I wna cry T_T

That's poor time management on my part.

So NYC was awesome.
http://nycdiaries09.blogspot.com

It was a mission trip with 4 other girls on my hall.

Crazy and amazing at the same time.
We have so many stories, we're hoping to get your journals published.

But the pollution did not do my skin justice.
Plus my system is completely mucked up now. 13hours of sleep to 3...to who knows how many hours of sleep I'm gna get tonight.

I still have to complete these before I go to bed:
1. FIVE pages of Cursvie handwritting to do.
(which I can't hantam cuz it's gna be mailed to some Blosserette who critiques it and gives me official score to determine my credibility of becoming a VA Middle School Licensed Teacher)

2. Twelve Sight Signing excerpts to practice

3. FIVE rhythmic dictation excerpts. Pretty much a tongue-twisting chant session.

4. Pick something Green to wear for St Patrick's day. For 10% discounts at my fave salad bar on campus.

I only have myself to blame

= (

Here are some photopraphs I didn't post on facebook

Your typix Manhattaner:
Toddler in BM, Mom in Marc Jacobs sweater carrying a LV tote.

My friend's dying cat, Xavier. He' 13 human years.

The fake Empire State Building in Brooklyn. haha

Park and Go's which held my fascination for over an hour.

Cuban Mojitos I never drank

this tells you that drugs are being sold here

Newspaper dispensers

A subway station entertainer

Becks out*

It's peanut butter jelly time..

2009-03-04T16:25:00.002+08:00

Hey all!

It's March already - nearly a quarter of 09' done. And I've spent the first six weeks of it 43 degrees south of the equator. That's right, that's how far south Tasmania is. 'Twas an interesting work experience. But first, some housekeeping to do...

Muizz! Man, now you know how I feel with the dry scalp thing. What do you mean "a little dandruff"? I've got a fair bit, but it gets better the shorter my hair is. Haha.

Jin: Stop procrastinating. :p Hey, can you help me scout for some cricket shirts? I've gotten into cricket (I'll explain later) and have been looking around for a team South Africa jersey. Never thought I'd ever learn the sport, but I did, and I'm liking how team SA kicks Australia's butt.

And last but definitely not least, Beck. I spent valentines' day reading this guy's book in an open field then spending the evening enjoying a birthday party/farewell party/valentines' party down in lil' Tassie.

Anyway, Uni semesters here have recommenced and things have gotten hectic real quick for me. Switched blog providers, though I've sort of fallen out of the routine of blogging. Must be the cherry picking.

Well, hope all is well with everyone. I'll do another update soon. Let's finish this off with a bang:

Ausdruck

2009-02-26T10:16:00.009+08:00

For my one-hour credit Concert Choir Class, we are working on Brahm's German Requiem.

Ein deutsches Requiem, nach Worten der heiligen Schrift

We are performing this at convocation in April and travelling to Roanoke to perform with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. O boy!!

This is the RSO

This is David Wiley- The Conductor of RSO.

We're only really going to be able to rehearse with the RSO once. We're already following his orders and meticulesly drawing hairpins, checks and tenuto marks over our books.
Honestly speaking, we have so many musical notes to jot down, including the German pronounciations, it'll take four hours to notate our respective books (the entire 7 movements of our performance).

This is the first movement.

Lyrics in English:
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
They that go forth and weep, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them

This is our Conductor.

Dr. Hugo- Chairman of the Music Faculty.

He wears glasses and has a scalpful of silver hair now.
Quite a character, I must say. He's a tenor. He literally fell to his knees and laid flat on his back when we received the Requiem books. He taught us how to keep our cheekbones lifted, our parted lips in an upward curve while singing, in order to sound German. Every chorale needs an upbeat leader like him. He always prays for President Barrack Obama on Chapel days.

The other key figures in my life as a freshman undergrad music major here in LU

Dr Kim (chi). My piano studio lessons professor.
He looks like a scientist here.

Dr. Beavers, my Aural Skills and Theory professor.

last but not least..
Jason Behr

Yes, he is THAT dude from Roswell.

toodles.

*becks out

of George Hewes and Erin Shore

2009-02-24T11:57:00.003+08:00

It's incredible that we're into the second half of February already.
The number 23 and the 23rd day of the month holds some significance to me.

I like to take a look over the month on this particular day of every month..

Cuz it's my birthdate.

I know it's anal. But I'm asian and I like to count. And age still matters before you turn 21.
So I'm technically 19 years and 2 months old now.

People who tend to become close friends with me has this same birthdate.
Peiyi, Jefferey, Siang Siang, Mahalia, SOAS 11 just to name a few.

Secondly, how can we forget..it's Brunei's Independence day.

http://brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Feb09/24/nite01.htm

Read 25 years of Sovereignty.
(I wanna puke everything I see the anti-zit ads on Brudirect..but that's my only way of keeping in touch old Dull-russalam's happenings.)

Counting down,

I have 2 more weeks til SPRING BREAK!!
Which means..NEW YORK MISSION TRIP!!

I'm going to NYC to work with Brooklyn Tabernacle, a couple of Orphanages, Battered Women's Shelters and quite possibly Soup Kitchen with the amazing girls of 21-2.

My happy-0-meter is 9.35 today.

Things that made my day:
1.Being confirmed that great minds think alike. i.e. My mind and my GNED Professor's mind.
...Specifically on Engagment and Marriage.
2.Seeing Mr Tobasco NOT in his plaid flannel jacket thing.
3.Accurately completed theory homework.
4.My comms skills proffessor sharing a secret with me
5.Not being late for Convo
6.94 % on previous Theory quiz.
7.A 100% on lit quiz on Eudrora Weltz. and being let out early for English.
8.Confirmed my return ticket to KL without CHARGE!! =D

Things that accounted for the remaining 0.65:
1.Missing Blueberry bagels
2.Not seeing Mahaghandilia
3.Not doing great on Coms skill Quiz
4.Tmrw's History reading and EDUC hwk and Aural Skills
5.My ironwoman kickboxing instructor's absence today (the fill-in wasn't quite as good)
6.Being charged $3+ for calling Delta's "Toll Free number"

Okay..I need to go out to catch a green comet.

Gutten tag

*becks

The purring flute case

2009-02-15T14:21:00.003+08:00

Happy Valentines!!

How'd y'all spent yours?

I took a book with me and read by the grave of our late Chancellor,
did research and worked out.

I havent posted in such a long time..Ive forgotten how to.

A lil recap on my Winter Break..
Here's a little Martha Stewart project I did over winter break.

The very awesome family I stayed with over Winter Break.

I cant really type now cuz my roomate's asleep.
And Im still getting used to my new laptop..

I do have tons to talk about..but not in this post.

....

Found this pretty amazin' photo of the person I love the most in the entire world.

My mother. The 'xiao' on the cup is the 2nd character of her name too.

becks out*

Epiphany

2009-02-09T09:30:00.010+08:00

Most of the times in life even though you understand the concept of 'doing the right thing', you don't have the conviction to follow through; everytime you sit in front of the television instead of studying, eating ice cream but not doing any exercise and in fact, writing a post rather than catching up on lecture notes. Then you start to wonder why your exams did'nt go well. And perhaps with some self introspection, one might see the reason why. It all comes down to the old chinese saying, 'your greatest enemy is yourself'. Haha... having said this, I feel rather pretentious. A preacher but not not a practitioner. To have conviction, that is what it takes to be a great man.

Jin

Not washing hair part 2

2009-02-01T08:42:00.002+08:00

Hey all

Its been 2 weeks since washing my hair. I've found out that when you leave it this way the accumulation of dead scalp is way faster than if you were shampooing and using hair products. So after 2 days of not applying to water to scalp it feels itchy. I run my nail on my scalp and I see white stuff. The condition of my hair is greasy but yeah its been 3 days since I've washed it. But it is starting to go bouncy I think. I'll upload pictures when I'm vain enough to take a picture of myself if you want to see go to facebook. But yeah everything is working well. AND NO IT DOESN'T SMELL. IT JUST DOENS'NT SMELL OF SHAMPOO.

Anyhoo, today Yumni(Bestfriend) came over to Southampton so I spent the day with her. Its great to see her. Talked about loads of stuff. We went to the docks, it was my first time there though I've already been here for about 3 motnhs. I also went to the Isle of wight which is 30 minutes away from Southampton by ferry. Made my weekend worth while. Oh, how I miss my friends(Writers of this blog as well). Anyhoo, I need to take a shower my scalp is real itchy.

Bye

Muizz

P.S

Its the adventure that matters.

Not washing hair part one

2009-01-25T00:18:00.003+08:00

Hey all

Week one

Its been a weeek since I've stopped washing my hair. To tell you the truth, its getting a bit greasy. It doesn't smell (yet). I just realized that apparently in order for this to work I need to brush my hair more often. I don't Brush my hair so its kinda like uh... a habit. This is because when you don't wash your hair your hair gets tangled easily, I just found out that today. There hasn't been any dandruff ( Josh I know you have some). This is how it works wash hair everyday with water. Massage hair with water only!! Massage till the scalp. This is to prevent the buildup of dead scalp which in turn will be dandruff. So things are looking good but theres still a long way to go. I'll update in a weekly basis. Getting back in the groove of posting.

P.S

I still haven't shaved since December. SO be cool everyone.

Muizz Out

Its been a long time

2009-01-17T22:54:00.001+08:00

This is going to be brief. What I want and have been doing.

1) I've not shaved in a month.

2) I've not had a haircut since coming to the UK.

What I'm planing to do.

1) Continue not to have a haircut

2) Continue not to shave

3) Not wash my hair for a month.

What I mean not wash hair is not using shampoo and conditioner. water is still allowed

Muizz Out

3Z3K13L

2008-12-18T23:26:00.002+08:00

Meet my newest nephew, Ezekiel. He's a lively young lad, which is why we never let him out of our sights too long.

Thing is, I enjoy watching toddlers interact with the world around them, see how they experiment and learn with things. Not exactly a guy thing, I guess.

Gotta love nephews at this age.

No sleeping dogs lie

2008-12-18T02:18:00.011+08:00

The title of this post is for Sandie who farts
and sleeps at the foot of the Becki's bed.

When it gets cold in the middle of the night,
it seems impossible to pull the covers because Sandie's lying on top of it.

It's also part of the lyrics from Speeding Cars by Imogen Heap.

She's not that innocent.

This is Becki playing the trumpet.
It's the first day she's every played it in her life.
That's Sunil from South Korea by her side.

And this is a little instrument she plays within herself you just have to watch!

Observe how there's a little gap between her lips.

I'm guessing its something somewhere along her Alimentray Canal.
She does it with her mouth open or closed,
but never with her lips sealed shut. It's one of the Becki things.

I love her to death.

Only one in a million of a family can be this cool to make you forget about how you were being broken up over the phone twice in the same year.

becks out*

Sapphire and faded jeans. I hope you find your dreams.

2008-12-17T12:53:00.012+08:00

So last Saturday morning was spent at Downtown Fayetteville, where the annual Christmas Parade took place. Becki's younger brother was playing their grade school drumline.

The people parading were from Organizations i.e. the local Water, Electric. Fire, Wind, Wood, Departments. There were also random ones like a group of middle-age men in Duocycles, Menopausal women in Big bikes and rollerskates, a throng of grumpy kids in tap-dance shoes, I-robots, people dressed in STAR Wars costumes.

Despite the cold, I really thought my first parade in the US was a relivable one-of-a-kind experience. Fo shizzle.. bopping to the rhythm of the Cadencing drumlines, hooting out and Princess-waving to High School Homecoming Prom Queens in flashy Corvettes/Cadillacs/Mustangs, sipping watered-down hot chocolate, watching doe-eyed kids bundled up in winter clothing squeal for Santa, and fighting the crowd for free Tootsie rolls is worthy of Sacredi morning sleep-in.

Bwa...

So this is a Victrola

A sweet piece of furniture in the living room.

Becki with Curly Hair. She was orginally blond.

Becki with Straight Hair.

She plays the Vibes in LUMB, the flute, drums, guitar and just learned the Trumpet today. She always play something else within herself...which I didnt know she did until today. It is absolutely incredible. Wil Post up the video soon. For that, she is now my hero.

___________________________________________________________________________

Becki's dog, Sandie.

becks out*

I fly like paper, get high like planes.

2008-12-16T05:56:00.006+08:00

There's only so much you can put into one room.

This was my desk.

This was my bed.

This was Kait's bed.

Far less that you can leave behind...

Only this much that can be taken with you.

These are the befores and afters of White Gloves day.

It's a major spring cleaning/packing/tucking away day.
Every room is supposed to be as bare as possible before its occupants leave for a month-long Winter Break.

An empty hall.

A wilted rose.

Is this it?

Becks out*

Bern. New Bern.

2008-12-13T06:25:00.005+08:00

Greetings from Fayetteville, North Carolina, the land of the.. IDK what. I haven't been outside the house yet.

It's been musically overwhelming to be at the Pochon's so far.

We left a rainy and dreary Burg 5pm Thursday, and arrived at 915pm Thursday. One of the star players of LU's All-girl Volleyball NCAA team took us on her ride. Her name is Nicky and she hadn't had chocolate(and soda and fried food) in 4 months! The strict LU athelete broke her diet with Chocolate Drizzled Pretzels and Utz Sour Cream Potato chips, sponsored of course by yours truly. She has to stick to her diet throughout the semesters. So she can only really stuff herself with jank over Summer break and Christmas Break. Or her scholarship gets terminated.. o_0"

I say musically overwhelming because I just realised there are at least 5 objects you can play music with in each room here, at the Pochon household.

There was a trumpet, violin, piano, flutes ( mine and Becki's), and a Victrola(don't tell me you don't know that is) in the living room. There's also the drum set and guitars. I love the coziness of the home (her mother must've been slaving away putting up the Christmas decorations). They're a bunch of really warm and loving family.

I'm excited about meeting Becki's High School friends. I'm going to watch Twilight(2nd time) tongiht.

Being out of school has really left me dazed. I had to count out with my fingers to figure out what day is today. I called my mom when I got here, she thought I got kicked out of the dorm and had to leave earlier than planned. Hahaa..

Pictures up soon!

becks out*

Pedestal, the word of the day.

2008-12-06T02:10:00.007+08:00

Right, just to post something up for the sake of posting, I'll just put up a short poem.

Thoughts
Life is so full of ambiguity
This thing called understanding
If misread can be interpreted wrongly
And lead one to much mourning.

How to live this life of mine
When day has turned into night
I truly want to create a new design
Something that to the hopeless is light.

Perhaps this is an unachievable feat
For one who has no belief
Perhaps it is the catalyst for a leap
Transforming one into a new leaf.
***

Well, I've got nothing much to say at this point other than I'm getting obsessed with poker and that in 2 weeks or less I'd be having my December break. Would be going around UK visiting friends and relatives. Haha so I'm guessing that my next post would most likely be around January... or whenever I feel in the mood :p

Jin out. (I don't think the small letters under the title is noticeable.)

Who has to know?

2008-12-04T19:13:00.005+08:00

Becks asked me to blog about my favorite secret from the post-secret blog. To be honest I find it fairly awkward to be looking at anonymous confessions, maybe because I'd like to think that if you've got a secret you might as well tell the right person or tell no one. Posting it up is like playing with fire - seeing how much of an audience you can conjure up before the whole 'Oh no, they know it's me' guilt trip comes along. But that's just me.

So yeah, I went to that blog but I didn't pick anything inflammatory or felonious. Instead, I remembered a music video from a well-known band that I watched back in Form 5 that had the same concept. The lyrics do have a sense of seriousness and nostalgia when I think about it but long story short, my friend and I had a tendency back then to add tongue-in-cheek to such tunes. And by that, we thought we found the funniest ever secret in the video:

We really couldn't help but laugh every time that one pops up. I still do at times.

The song's called 'Dirty Little Secret' by All-American Rejects.

La mère ne l'écouterait pas

2008-12-04T08:12:00.004+08:00

Asteriods Galaxy Tour-Sun Aint Shinning No More.

akusukasukasuka

Well, I got my mind out of sight
lost the common sense,
got a rave in my brain
like i’m without defense.

Till I catch my eyes right in front of me,
It’s a bloke of a man finally taking me.
Hey cute from the left, oh yeah
Why’d his move he had me shake out a lie
He really had it going…

The crowd’s getting thinner
we are getting closer,
with a hole in my head
he took me to his sofa…

Well now the sun ain’t shining no more,
I don’t know why but I’ve seen it before.
Ain’t got no joy no man to lean on,
He leaves my soul on the floor like a doll.

He was gentle, he was hot,
he made me feel alive.
so in love I was falling,
ooh, it’s early morning.

He took me in his hands
and squeezed me real tight.
I was humbled (???)
but depending on this guy
he didn’t last very long,
a week or maybe two.
when he called me on the phone
saying baby I don’t love you.

Just another one-way love
always giving never getting.
And now I feel so stupid
it’s like a deja vu ooooooo

Because the sun ain’t shining no more,
I don’t know why but I’ve seen it before.
Ain’t got no joy no man to lean on,
He leaves my soul on the floor like a doll.

For a while I’m shining
but later I’m crying.
Instead of getting stronger,
I’m always getting weaker.

[ taken from www.videosundry.com ]

becks out*

Gobble gobble gobble

2008-11-30T05:09:00.004+08:00

Thanksgiving

3 Reasons why we college kids light up at this word:

i) It means a 7-day break from school!
ii) Home and the three F's: Family, Friends, and Food. The Americans' equivalent of CNY. I even received a USD$20 gift money in a card.
iii) It's 3 weeks before Christmas Break!

So I left the Liberty University grounds on Wednesday to spend the rest of the weekdays with the Camaratas.

Had an all American Thanksgiving with Turkey, Turkey stuffing, Pumpkin Pies just to name a few.

This is when all the nice silverware are taken out from their boxes and unto the dinner table. I found out when we were doing the dishes later, that an average fancy set would set you back by at least USD $500.

Gramp Duncan and TJ Camarata holding a conversation.
Gramp Duncan was a missionary in Kuching for 30 over years now. He speaks bettter Malay than I do. And probably misses Kolo Mee as much as I do.

Our 8-month preggers hostess.

My makeshift room at the Camaratas. It's nice to walk around barefoot again. My feet can breathe again.

So the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year.
Of course we girly girls had to hit the mall. I got a gold pair of heels for LUMB Christmas Banquest (coming Tuesday) and 2 bottles of Pink Perfume from Victoria Secret.

It's not officially winter yet. But the trees are botak already.

I like doors.

Becks out.

Brighton Beach

2008-11-26T22:14:00.007+08:00

It was a sunny day yesterday (surprisingly).

And those are called bathing boxes. They're privately owned and used to store whatever stuff they store like jet-skis and over-sized board shorts or something.

So if you're ever in Melbourne and want to check it out, let me know*. B)

*Unless it's the middle of winter, then you're on your own.

A Tale of Calories.

2008-11-26T01:00:00.007+08:00

I've reached a point where I can no longer be satisfied. Not at least until I consume some authentic Asian food. Specifically from Borneo.
Gone were the days when I thought off the shelf, non-cookable, western food was wholesome and livable by.

These are what I've been eating for since I've been cooped-up in the dorm room to nurse gastric pains,clogged nose,throat,and ears since Thanksgiving break started.

Vitamin C rich juices, tasteless soya bean milk and yoghurt.

Cherry Flavored Cranberries. ( I know right? Who would want a fruit in the flavor of another fruit? Think Banana flavored Watermelons. Redunk!) But I like them better than raisins.
A wheat snack

Styrofoam coated with chocolate with Strawberry Jam.

Mint Patties.

The only type of chocolate I allow myself to have because it helps with the stomach pains.

These are what I wish I could have..

Wantan soup which I always burn my toungue with.

Miri Kolomee

Kuching Kolomee

Brunei Kolomee

They can be distinguished by:

a)the texture of the noodles. The Miri one are curly and clumpier. The Kuching one is starchier. The Brunei one is rubberband-like.

b)The "toppings". The Miri one has orange colored charsiews. The Kuching one has liver (not always the case). The Brunei one is Halal, hence the chicken shreds.

Tomyam Soup

Ohmyword..THis is my fave.-Tang Hoon soup (with bittergourd Yong Tofu)

HH: You really should make sure eat all of your fave Brunei/Chinese food before you leave for Vancouver Island!

becks out*

the spirit of the Calimba

2008-11-24T08:09:00.004+08:00

This is what I want for Christmas.
It's a one octave thumb piano. AKA the Calimba.

I saw it on Ebay. The item's location is in UK. hinthint*

I discovered this instrument at the VMEA Conference but it was sold there for like $50 or above. And they're plain wooden ones. Cash-sucking sponsors.

Have a nice day!~

Becks out*

Football Talk. Fan the Flames!

2008-11-23T06:15:00.005+08:00

I was never a fan of American Football, never will be but I gotta say I'm toadally in for showing some school spirit and cheering with everyone else in the stands.

Fo Shizzle, there's nothing more phenomenally inspirational than being on the field at the start of the game, when the flag is raised, when we unite in prayer, when we play the fight song and feel the gust of wind sweeping through my face when the Football team giants rush out. I also like to observe their hairy calves and study the whiteness of their tights. (Just kiddin')

Being on the Marching Band is a privilege. Besides us, TV crew, waterboys, First aid people, Referees and Videographers, nobody else gets to be on the field as close to all that game day action as we do.

Today, at 1.00pm Eastern Time, we had the final Big South Conference Football game of the season, at LU'S William's Stadium.

It was us

against Elon Phoenix. Ranked 12th in the Nation.

At 4.25pm...

WE WON!!!!!
26 to 3!!!

Winning this game is one of the factors that helps to determine if we get to play off season. If we do, it's the first time in history!

"Liberty Football’s chances of reaching the playoffs rest on its final regular season match-up as the Flames take on the No. 12-ranked Elon Phoenix this Saturday."

LU football Team in alternative Uniforms.

The Cheerleaders!
Also on the photo is our Mascot, Sparky the Eagle.

LU Flames Football Head Coach: Coach Rocco.

It was such a good game. Sure it was cold and my toes and fingers numbed. But the game ended early. The Marching Band played well. It's the last game of the season, the Seniors of the Marching Band and the Football Team members were called out to line up for recognition.

There is a possibility of us Marching Band people travelling with them to play for play-offs. We only find out on Monday. It could be Dallas Texas or Appalachian State University.

I am so proud of our school's athletics. Its on game days like these when people brave to cold to show some support for the team. It really pays off when we win big.

What I'm most proud of the fact that we give God the glory at the end of the day.

Check out this survey
_______________________________________________________

Today, LibertyFlames.com will reveal its player questionnaire responses from defensive back Kent Hicks, fullback Derek Bishop, defensive lineman Soeren Wendland and offensive lineman Spencer Hodges.

Kent Hicks – KH
Derek Bishop – DB
Soeren Wendlend – SW
Spencer Hodges – SH

1. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
KH – Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe this is so true.
DB – John 3:16
SH – Philippians 4:13

2. What is your favorite movie and why?
KH – I don’t really have a favorite movie.
DB – Gladiator
SW – Rambo, because he is so awesome.
SH – Heavyweights, because I’m fat.

3. What is your favorite memory while competing in your sport?
KH – When I recorded four interceptions in one game.
DB – Starting as a freshman in high school.
SW – Starting in the 2005 German Bowl in front of 20,000 fans, which was televised nationally.

4. What is your most embarrassing memory while competing in your sport?
KH – It is very embarrassing every time I get a pass caught on me.
DB – Any time I fumble the ball.
SW – Getting ejected for fighting in a close game, while playing in Germany.

5. I came to Liberty because …
KH – I wanted to grow closer to God, educate myself further and to play football.
DB – It was the best place for me.
SW – I received a scholarship.
SH – I wanted to make a difference.

6. Share something that people don’t know about you or makes you unique from others.
KH – I was adopted into a large family.
DB – I’m cool.
SW – I spend a lot of time studying.
SH – I like to listen to We The Kings.

7. What has been your defining moment as an athlete?
KH – It has yet to be seen!

8. My first car was a…
KH –1994 Honda.
DB –1994 Isuzu pickup truck.
SW –1990 Ford Escort.
SH –1997 Safari van.

9. If you could be somebody else for a day, who would you be and why?
KH – The President of the United States, to see what it’s like to run the world.
DB – Zach Thomas.
SH – Justin Vargas, because he is hot.

10. Who is your favorite Liberty athlete?
KH – Rashad Jennings, because he is a beast, I just like to see him run hard!
DB – Myself
SH – Josh Weaver

11. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
KH – Take things one day at a time
DB – It is what it is.
SW – There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.
SH – Follow your dreams.

12. If you could change one rule in your sport, what would it be and why?
DB – Allow teams to celebrate touchdowns.
SW – To allow roughing the passer, because the quarterback deserves to take a hit every play.
DB – No offsides.

13. After graduation I would like to …
KH – Play football for a NFL team.
DB – Make money.
SW – Go back to school and earn my M.B.A.
SH – Take a break.

14. When I have an hour of free time, I like to …
KH – Twist my dreads.
DB – Sleep.
SW – Relax.
SH – Sleep and eat (same time).

15. Words that describe me on the athletic field (and why) are …
KH – A beast, because I’m too big for all the small wide receivers out there and I’m scary.
DB – Hardnosed.
SW – Focused, because my teammates always make jokes that I don’t talk during practice.
SH – Nasty

16. If you could compete in any sport against any athlete, who would it be and why?
KH – Basketball, and of course against Michael Jordan. Who wouldn’t want to play against him? Before football, basketball was my love.
SW – I would like to be a wrestler and compete with the WWE athletes.

17. My craziest ambition in life is to …
KH – Succeed.
DB – Be a millionaire.
SH – Settle down.

18. Do you have any pre-game rituals?
KH – To get as focused as I possibly can.

19. If you could have dinner with three people throughout history, who would they be and why?
KH – Lil Wayne, Deion Sanders, Pretty Boy Floyd, because they are all people I admire.
SH – Takeru Kobayashi, Coach Danny Rocco and Coach Pete Sundheim

20. A place I’ve always wanted to visit, but never had the chance is (and why)?
DB – Bahamas
SW – Hong Kong
SH – Mexico, because it seems nice.

21. I choose my uniform number because …
KH – 26 rhymes with Hicks, picks and is just a good look on me.
SW – I used to play with that number in Germany.
SH – My dad used to wear that number.

22. What are four or five things you could not live without?
KH – God, family, friends, money and football.
DB – Food, water, sleep and my mom.
SH – Food, milk, water, mac and cheese and ice cream.

23. My personal goals this season are …
KH – To win a national championship.
DB – To help our team win.
SH – To learn to snap the ball better.

24. What sets football apart as a sport and makes it appealing to you?
KH – The contact and the corner position.
DB – The physical nature of the game
SH – Having the ability to hit people.

25. If I won a million dollars, I would …
KH – Live stress free.
DB – Spend it.
SH – Be rich (tax free).

26. What cartoon character are you most like (and why)?
KH – The Hulk, our body types are pretty much the same.
DB – Mr. Incredible
SH – Tasmanian Devil

27. If someone would look at the songs on my iPod, I would be embarrassed for them to see I have this song …
KH – Maybe a chick song.
DB – I don’t have an iPod.
SW –“Mmmbop” by Hanson

28. The first thing people notice about me when they meet me is …
KH – My size.
DB – My neck.
SW – How tall I am.
SH – My boyish good looks.

29. When you were a little child, what did you want to be “when you grew up” and are you pursuing it still as a career/profession after graduation?
KH – Yes, because I wanted to be a NFL baller.
DB – No, because I wanted to be a pilot.
SH – No, because I wanted to be a fireman.

30. If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
KH – To fly anywhere, because gas prices are too high.
DB – Invincible
SH – Slow down time, so I could have a faster 40 time.
________________________________________________

It's really hard to fathom how many people we're playing in front of.

I have to be reminded.

Williams Stadium Single Game Attendance Records

Attendance Date W-L Result
1. 15,631 10/14/06 L
LU 13, William & Mary 14
2. 15,311 8/30/08 W
LU 49, North Greenville 10
3. 15,307 10/27/07 W LU 48, Presbyterian 14
4. 14,925 9/1/07 W
LU 38, Tusculum 14
5. 14,411 11/3/07 W
LU 37, Coastal Carolina 24
6. 14,273 11/10/07 W
LU 73, VMI 34
7. 13,893 9/29/07 W
LU 68, St. Francis (Pa.) 10
8. 12,623 10/3/98 W OT
LU 28, Charleston Southern 21
9. 12,431 10/11/97 L OT
LU 27, Hampton 33
10. 12,331 9/8/07 W
LU 35, Shippensburg 14
11. 12,316 10/8/94 L
LU 7, Delaware State 22
12. 12,273 10/4/03 W
LU 31, VMI 28
13. 12,056 10/21/06 L
LU 24, Gardner-Webb 27
14. 12,050 10/27/90 W
LU 37, Samford 10
15. 12,021 10/2/99 W
LU 38, Johnson C. Smith 2
16. 12,016 9/3/94 W
LU 52, Concord 0
17. 12,000 10/2/93 L
LU 30, North Carolina A&T 38

An average of up to friggin 10 to 12 thousand people!!

I haven't been feeling too well since my return from the VMEA conference. It's nice that I get to curl up in my bed, watch Heroes and read my picks from the ILRC in peace. 90% of the girls are gone for Thanksgiving break. I get a whole week of this bliss!

becks out*

No, Jin. Not really.

2008-11-22T14:11:00.002+08:00

Okay, so I youtube surfed and came up with two songs.
Because Jin,I absolutely disgaree on that part about Chinese not digging Malay or Filipino songs.Talk about being racist. Tsktsktsktsk..

Okay, so you have to listen to this!

Titi Dj: Separuh Hidupku.

An oppurtunity to brush up your Malay skills.
Pay attention to the lyrics. It actually made sense to me.
And it's sensibly singable too. Quite a learnable tune.
It would be really nice if you could play this on the piano and sing it to S*f**.

Also, this is a really nice Filipino song.

Perhaps Josh could translate it for us?

Last game of the season tomorrow!!
Wohoo*

becks out.

A breath of fresh air.

2008-11-22T12:48:00.001+08:00

Aight, just to start some posting after touching up the new blog template. Hmmm... I'm not completely satisfied with the look tho. Shrugs* some other time I'll try finding another template. Seriously, I've gone through so many templates already. Somehow the ones that i really like are only exclusively for Wordpress. I'm tempted to change back to wordpress to be honest. If only they had C-box, that would'nt have been a decision to be made.

Right so I've been doing a little bit of online shopping through Amazon, you just can't believe how good it feels to be able to do shopping online and being able to read other ppl's reviews and not needing to just discuss with whoever is with you at the time your shopping. Haha so far its been good. Already bought quite a few things there. A rice cooker, speakers, books and a pair of headphones. Looking forward to buying more stuff online :) Nice to have a debit card.

Which reminds me. That f***ed up Natwest drove me mad waiting for their debit card. Stupid thing. I thought 2 weeks wouldn't be TOO long but after a week i gave up and applied for another at HSBC. It took less than 5 days for it to arrive at my doorstep. As for Natwest? Let's just not talk about it. I'm fed up with it already. The sole purpose of me keeping an account there is simply to serve as mobile and laptop insurance and to get a free railcard.

(I apologize for the first time foul language is used on Izzoshineca but I feel that it is the best word to express what I felt.)

Switching the railway tracks of my train of thought, I've been really bored of my songs and have been looking out for new music. But because of the risk of being caught using limewire here, I've just been youtube-ing around. I'm surprised that I've been fascinated by this korean boy band, Big Bang.

Their music is what I'd call modern hip hop. Something like Justin Timberlake's most recent songs with a hip hop beat to it. That, and some korean rapping and singing with some occasional english phrases thrown in. Haha give it a go:

Again, pay attention to the music not the video. Theres nothing special about the video but the music's sensational. Well... no offense but maybe it wouldnt appeal to Muizz and Josh just like how malay and philipino songs would'nt appeal to me :p Haha maybe its just that I havent heard of the great ones but who knows? Not being racist but thats just how ppl are in general

Hmmm... since I'm bored and have no idea how to end this post. Lets just end it with something thats unfamiliar to me and which I've learnt from becky.

Jin out.

P.S. Thanks carrie for sending songs (mostly Big Bang) to me through MSN. Hahaha stay cool!

While my leg gets fixed.

2008-11-16T20:04:00.002+08:00

Yeah, I managed to sprain my ankle after some intense basketball. Nothing serious. But during my usual perusing of YouTube, I found an entertaining AND interactive video...

Think you can get Chad, Matt and Rob into their meeting on time without failing? By the way, I failed once. :P

Alright, I better not waste any more cyberspace. I'll post up some real photos next week of Brighton Beach.

bleeker streets.

2008-11-15T13:50:00.009+08:00

I'm kinda torn apart between signing out of the dorm to live with the Camaratas or staying on campus for Thanksgiving break which lasts for a week and begins 2mondays from today.

Why I should NOT sign out:

1.I'm already missing 2days of classes, one band practise and to travel next week to Norfolk, Virginia to attend a Virginia Music Education Association's Conference (VMEA).

This is where the conference is held.

Where our sessions are going to be at. There's gonna be like 10 sessions at one period, so I'm really gonna have a hard time picking.

It's a requirement for me as a Music Ed Major to attend at least one throughout my tutelage here. But I wouldnt mind going all 4 times. There's 12 of us going from LU. I'm so pumped I get to ride with our LUMB only female drum major(conductor). It's her Senior year, so it's a last chance to get to know her.

VMEA chamber session

Imagine this-3whole days of spending time with people who eat music, sleep music, drink music, pee and poo music. It's gonna be a milestone in my career life cuz I'm going to be exposed to great teachers of the Creative Process. I'm so excited about it I haven't been able to sleep.

2. Final jury (sorta like the ABRSM practical exam) is on the 5th of December. I know I did okay for my recital, my private lesson professor is satisfied with where I am and where I'm going; but I just feel really inadaquate. I've heard the other students play, and I'm not really better than them. I feel like I'm not really being pushed to my potential. So staying back means I could get a whole lotta practice done.

3. It's before exams. I can't really relax and not be studying.

4. LUMB might be playing for the season play-offs. If I'm travelling to Arizona, I risk not being able to be back to play with LUMB.

Why I should sign out:

1. I don't want to look like a reject being left on campus, and eat leftovers for a whole week.
2. I miss the Camaratas. Including the dog and the Python.
3. I want to experience the Americana/Alaskan/Hawaiian/Arizonian/Japanese-American Thanksgiving.
4. It's a great catch up time for me and Dorcas, and we could really help-out Miho, who's 6months preggers now.

I think I sound a little trivial sometimes. Compared to all the other dilemmas people out there could be in. And not being sheltered over Thanksgiving. Like, there's people having to sleep on the streets.
The Bleeker streets.

The reality is, I really do have bigger problems, but Blogger isn't the best place to share them.

Lykke Li- A little Bit.
A Stockholmian artist. Why are they so talented?

On a more spiritual tone.
Have a look, it has a really awesome tune.
It sounds like it coule be from a soundtrack from the One Tree Hill.
Tenth Avenue North-By your Side

*becks out

Have we met?

2008-11-09T08:46:00.001+08:00

This week consisted of Election, Post-election glumness, Recital preparation, killer music-theory part-writing homeworks and going to recitals.
School will be out on 10th December. 2 more weeks til Thanksgiving. Then it's exams and school's out for a month!

I've been on the down low these couple of days.
Struggling with my self-esteem due to my apperance.
I wish my hair was nicer, my skin flawless, my body fitter and firmer, my teeth whiter..

Things I have done to correct my appreance:

1. I went the tanning salon to even-out my tan. Didn't work for me. (Glad it was only $7.50)Duno how the american girls come out 2shades darker.

Noone else would've seen a difference, except myself cuz I stripped everthing off except 4my bikini bottom so there's a tan line from it.

2. Crop off my fringe with my own hands.

3. Bought self-tanning skin bronzer and teeth whithener.

4. Running laps in the chilly night at the outdoor track on a daily basis this week.

5. Getting up at 9ish to swim on this morning.

Oh btw, this a popular American snack which you have to have to say that you've been to America, next to Reese buttercups of course.

They're called combos. Like every other American snack, it is salty, contains tons of useless calories, to be eaten on Movie nights, and is high addictive.

Say hello to my new speakers. They are inseperable and very slim. The one on the left is Romeo and the one on the right is Zhu ying tai.

I think I'll be MIA for the next couple of weeks. Gotta study for exams, prepare for recitals, plus I'm going away the weekend before Thanksgiving for a Music Ed Conference and rushing back to play with LUMB for a game, then go away for Thanksgiving.

*becks out.

G blocks Roast Dinner and firework display

2008-11-09T07:48:00.003+08:00

I'm not an amazing cook or anything but I'm really proud of the roast dinner we just had today ( I hope my mum is reading). Like how the 2 pics below...we had lamb and chicken

Became this pic below

but that isn't the full configuration though the pic below is... cauliflower cheese, gravy,roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and roasted parsnips and stuffing.

and here is the proof that I and my flat mates were actually preparing the roast dinner

I'm not trying to overshadow Jins post or anything but you gotta admit that it does look nice. Notice how the 2 pics above shows the days changing quickly. It was only an hour and a half from the first pic to the second one. Here are the pics during the dinner

The fireworks went like this real cool something like jins one but it was raining really heavily so that kind of spoilt the mood but it was well fun. I'll prove to you how heavy the rain was and how soaking wet we were with one pic

But anyhoo it was an amazing night and the washing up has been done so...I'll tell the recipe later on. I made the stuffing for the chicken as well.

Muizz out.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

2008-11-08T03:52:00.023+08:00

So there we were standing on the muddy field all watching stars on the 5th of November... when suddenly everything turned colourful as a yellow shooting star cut through the cold night sky...

Halfway making a wish with eyes closed, everyone heard a loud explosion as the sky suddenly erupted into an explosion of red...

Hahaha if you have'nt watched V for vendetta yet (which you should cuz its an awesome movie), then you probably won't know that on the 5th of November the english celebrate the ~~fact~~ ~~that a person failed to blow up a castle and kill some of the heads of the country~~ foiled attempt by Guy Fawkes to change the social injustice brought about by the people who ~~happened to be in the House of Parliment~~ ~~at the time of his planned~~ ~~assasination~~ governed olden day England with an iron grip. In the modern era, who cares about the history of these things? They just call it Bon ~~Jovi~~ Fire Night and not Guy Fawkes night nowadays. Pity for the Guy who actually made the word 'guy' happen. No puns intended.

4 hours ago...

Got picked up by Andrew, a first year econs guy whos cool, and we went back to his home to play some poker, eat dinner and drink. An old familiar feeling being in a car... it's the first time I've been in one since I came to the UK. Haha so anyways, I met George whos Andrew's ~~boyfriend~~ girlfriend, a coursemate of hers called Gillian, and Andrew's housemate James. The two girls are psychology students and James is an English student who also analyses the subtleties of human speech. Basically, people who play games with and read peoples' minds. Had some spicy chicken and mee and chocolate fondue (melted with candlelight, it took ages!) with marshmellows.

already feeling a little tipsy

Talked about the most random things on the dinner table after we were done eating. From comparing marshmellows to cowfeet (don't ask me, I did'nt get it :p) and sheet binders to wedding rings (something to do with a tie to fasten the marriage between papers).

'Will you marry me?'

Haha and James did an awesome impersonation of one of characters from Pirates of the Carribean. I'll let you guys guess who his supposed to be. Two words. The first starts with C and the other, B.

Arrr... where's me monkey?

We talked about even more random stuff I think but that I've somehow forgotten and before we knew it, it was already 8 and the fireworks would be starting at half past eight so we had to rush out of the house and walked or rather jogged, George did'nt trust us... and herself driving her car cuz we drank a little, to campus. The journey back to campus was a really dark one and to make matters worse, it was raining. My black shoes turned brown. I had to wash it up later when I got home at 12. -.-

Hmmm so fast forwarding an hour or so, after the fireworks we went to buy some more wine but which we later found was crappy. Went to see a live band perform just right next to where the fireworks were before heading back to Gillian's place (even though she was reluctant :p).

Thinkin' bout thinkin' of you, summertime think it was June

Another guesswork for you guys. What were they singing?

So off we went drinking even more. Lol I think someone said the wine was like 'sweet warm piss'. Haha what can we expect from 3 bottles for 10 quid? Went to Gillians place and they got wasted. I could'nt take the bad taste of what they passed off as wine :p So 3 bottles of wine, some toasts and fishfingers that Gillian made (Thanks!) later...

This Andrew and George dancing

This

James thinking his a Jedi

And finally THIS! Go figure!

I'll let the pictures do the talking :p I won't be posting anytime soon after this. Haha but it will most probably be about my room and my hongkie friends.

Jin out, and very likely to be on hiatus :)

66th post, room 66

2008-11-07T01:08:00.001+08:00

This is just to refresh this blog. I live in room 66. I'll show you a pic..

From izzoshineca

My room is also known as the Simpsons room. Its a fairly big room, allowing me to take at least 6 step wall to wall and it is sufficiently enough to allow 5 people to sleep in albeit it being a little bit crowded. WARNING: This does not include luggage space... so a comfortable living area will be a room of no more than 4 people. Since I can't upload photos right now I'll describe my room instead. I do not have an en suite room so i only have a wash basin i.e sink which all I need actually. There are 2 showers both of which are on my floor, so thats convenient. For all of you that think having an en suite i.e a room where there is a toilet in your room is a necessity.. its not, save your money. I have come to the conclusion having a communal shower and toilet is a very good thing because it forces you to get out of your room which means a little bit of socialising with flatmates. It also help you to build up your consideration towards your flatmates i.e don't hog all the hot water, don't spend too long in the shower, don't dirty the toilet, don't dirty the bath and thus generally a cleaner person.

Another thing, if you live in a terrace where the flats are connected.. please make sure that the door connecting the flats is locked.. A strange man from the flat next door suddenly came into our flat today and just decided to just use the toilet as well as the shower. God knows how many times hes done that. Its alright to leave your door open when you're in your room, it lets air circulate but please do lock your door when you leave, even if its just for a short trip to the toilet. It isn't your flatmates that you should worry about, its the people that are connected to your flat. So have fun and I'll upload the photos when i figure whats going on. I recently installed and anti virus program bitdefender so that may be the cause. Tell me if you know anything, comment box is open 24 hours a day

Muizz out

I have a poem as well and Halloween part 2

2008-11-03T19:22:00.006+08:00

My poem is actually specifically directed to one person, Best friend Yumni Kim Asman. I made the poem one lonely night while about to fall asleep. So here it goes..

Whenever you're around ,
You make me calm,
So at ease,
Easing my problems away,
Like a breeze in a summers day,
Without a whisper, Without a sound,
You make me calm,
Oh... What a wonderful person you are,
Yumni Kim Asman

Muizz Matsatejo

Second part of this post will be just pictures... and some words...

Deepak and me.

This is the only picture I have for Dennis.

And Bryony and Deepak

Muizz out

Upon much insistence.

2008-11-03T17:20:00.001+08:00

Haha, nah. Just post sharing between blogs. Anyway, a poem...

It's interesting what time and distance can do,
Magnify those that have been important to you,
Singe away the superficial things that you knew,
Adds colour to what one has to pursue.

It's interesting what time and distance can buy,
Another perspective to what, how and why,
Some space to buffer the occasional sigh,
A few more lines to add to a reply.

It's interesting what time and distance can show,
The complexity of not knowing where to go,
Intensity of feelings buried under the snow,
One or two more idiosyncrasies that you didn't know.

It's interesting what time and distance can do,
Forget or remember how to stay true,
Revisit the old things we still hang on to,
Wait and see if tomorrow starts anew.

Interestingly by J.B.V.B.

Ewen/Kaine/beautiful stranger.

2008-11-03T11:47:00.015+08:00

Hello there stranger.

I would like to give you an intense stare...

Just because I have curly hair today.(Aw common..waht's a blog without a lil annoyance)

***
Just got back from running at the outdoor track with my roomies. Love the feeling of my ears flapping in the cool breeze. (okay..maybe not flap)
Such a blissful band-free weekend.

Daylight savings just started today so Lynchburg is 13hours behind BSB.
It was perfect timing to squeeze in that extra hour of sleep n not miss Campus Church.
It gets better. It's election Day on tuesday- NO CLASSES!!!
_____________

Here's a little update on the Obama n McCain campaign businesses in our skl.

Obama's Side. Rep- Tim Kaine

"Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine visited Liberty University during Monday convocation, representing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. As co-chairman of the Obama campaign, Kaine shared his views on the candidate, while addressing the economy, abortion and gay rights.
“I have a real heart for people, who though they may have wonderful opportunities, decide to dedicate their gifts and talents to serving the least of these,” Kaine said. “And that really expresses at the core who I think Barack Obama is, a person of strong faith and values who wants to watch out for the least of these.”

taken from: http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm?PID=16046&artid=468
_____________

Mc Cain's Side-Bob McEwen. (Joe McCain came earlier this semester)

He delivered a superb speech.
"The United States is a unique, special place because it understands that God is the source of our rights, McEwen said. “There are those who want to change our association, our tradition — our history that makes us. Then they want us to be just like any other country and when they do it — if they do it — there will be no other place for us to go.”
While the country faces challenging economic times, the speaker pointed to the freedom and wealth Americans still have, stressing the necessity of protecting those qualities.
“Limited government gives us more freedom,” McEwen stated. “Fewer taxes give us more freedom. A strong defense protects our freedom, and that’s what government should d
o.”
Taken from: http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm?PID=16046&artid=470

FYI, McEwen was popular in his days in congress.

"In the spotlight in his last term
McEwen served on the Public Works and Transportation and Veterans' Affairs Committees from his election to 1991. By 1989, he had risen to be the ranking minority member of the Public Works Committee's Economic Development Subcommittee and was sixth in seniority on the full committee.[24] During the 99th and 100th Congresses, he was also a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. During his last term, in the 102nd Congress, he left Public Works and Veterans' Affairs for the powerful Rules Committee and served on its Legislative Process Subcommittee. He was chosen for the Rules Committee by Republican leader Bob Michel of Illinois, but McEwen would grumble that "the Committee on Rules is stacked in a partisan manner 2 to 1 plus 1" by the Democratic majority.[25] During the 102nd Congress, he was also on the Select Committee on Children, Families, and Youth."

He was one in few of the congressmen that still made an impact in the public Americana household after his reign.

"After his defeat, McEwen remained active in politics, but press accounts said he spent most of his time in the Washington, D.C., area residing in northern Virginia.[53] Since 1997, he has been a partner with eleven other former Members of Congress in the Washington firm Advantage Associates, a lobbying and consulting firm. He founded FreedomQuest International, an international investment banking firm based in Washington, D.C. McEwen took to the lecture circuit, delivering speeches for $10,000 apiece.[54] During the 2004 presidential election, McEwen traveled widely to speak for George W. Bush, focusing on Ohio. In 2006, he joined the law firm of Greenebaum, Doll, and McDonald as a consultant in its Cincinnati and Washington offices."

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_McEwen#Returns_to_private_life

Neways..it is common knowledge that most of LU-ian's are rooting for McCain. Our votes would really make a difference in the state of VA because there's gonna be 9k ish of LU-ians who are gna make their votes count for McCain. At least that's what's being predicted..

Enough of the Election talk.

Didn't do anything special on the 31st, just put on a purple cape and pretended to be Lord Licorice and gave out Candy to kids. We already had band camp n a dress up thing on tues.

My fave costume for our Tuesday Hall Meeting dress-up thing.
I didnt want to wear my samurai girl one again cuz it smelled like bonfire.
So i went as a carrot. - effortless n kinda disastrous.

Anyhooz..I noticed none of us here have ever done those survey things u see in other people's blogs. I'm not one to step on the bandwagon usually..But why not?

Here we go!...
Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the first page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation.

1) The age you'll be on your next birthday.

2) A place you'd like to travel to. Stockholm. at a music fest.

3) Your favourite place-Any European Art gallery

4)Your favourite Food-Caviar Sandwich

5)Your fave Pet-Persian Cats

6) Your fave color combo

7) Your fave piece of clothing- the versatile Levi's Skinny's.

8)All time fave song. Most Nouvelle Vague's.

9)Fave TV show. Aussie-Rove

10)First name of significant other/crush

11) Town u live in - Lynchburg, VA

12) First job. RnT Electronics!

13) Dream job. An anchorwoman for CNN. If I had all the talent in the world!

14) Bad habit-Messiness

15) Worst fear -ULAR

16) One thing you'd like to do before you die
a)Evangelise to as many people as I can.

b)Give my mom (and dad) a pleasant, retired life.

c) Help hidden talents to be discovered through music. On ivory keys.

****

What's a post without an ending vain shot?

Goodbye curls, goodbye stranger.

becks out.

Since everyones talking about it

2008-11-02T06:41:00.016+08:00

Heard of those melodies that you are familiar with but just can't place where its from? Well, I've got a few of them old school songs:

Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow

My ringtone. It's not a too well known band but some of their songs are mega hits. I find the Please disturb me sign random and funny ahhaha.

Crazytown - Butterfly

Crazytown-Butterfly
Uploaded by kunvatha

Another old school song, heard they bought the sample from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and just added the rap to it. Which reminds me, 'By the way' is a good song too but since most of you know it I won't be posting it up here but just go and check it out if you want to. I've introduced quite a few songs from around 10 years ago, so lets go EVEN far back :p I'm sure you've heard of this one:

The Stranglers - Golden Brown

Cool song about heroin back from the 80's. How can anyone forget the harpsichord passage?

Iron & Wine - Passing Afternoon

A beautiful reminiscing song I heard on House (the series).

So anyways, I've been having all those lectures with one hour breaks in between them and going back to my room from campus would mean two 10 minute walks so I've been going to the music rooms instead. Been trying to write music and this is the first complete-ish song I've come up with. Haha give me some feed back :p

Recorded on my w890i sony ericsson phone. The sound qualitys not exactly good and I had a few hiccups here and there. Haha but anyways, enjoy.

Jin out.

Flat mates part 4 and The regulars and Halloween Part one

2008-11-01T19:07:00.012+08:00

I remember back in form 4 when we had to do this English presentation and remembered Eng Yuns presentation about Halloween or al hallow. So our flat a party to celebrate. It was last night and it went pretty well. Here are the first set of photos

This is Lucy grafting up our pumpkin. Shes suppose to be Bellatrix Lestrange. I think her hair suited the character as its naturally curly. So GOOD!!! ON YA LUCE.

Heres some one y'all have not met yet. The Girl to the right of Andy is Oilivia i.e his girlfriend and shes one of the 2 regulars of the house. The definition of a regular is a person who comes to this house often and she fits the criteria. Andy is suppose to be the devil and liv is a witch.

WARNING!!! REMEMBER THIS PHOTO!!! This is Deepak before the party and he is such a lightweight. This is him during the party..

He was mad and embarrassing himself last night..

Thats Hardy and me, Hardy didnt bother to dress up and just decided to put on the kife through the head thing. I had drizzles of fake blood on my face and sprayed my hair purplish red.

The new girl here is actually one of my flat mates... The last and only one!!!!!!! Philippa!!!!
WOOHOOO!! So that completes our G unit house. Shes a second year and is doing economics

This is Ony and is one of the regulars. He is Philippas boyfriend and hes already graduated. He plays World Of Warcraft a lot and has at least one character leve;lled up to 70.

So thats part one donne, more fun pictures in due time. So some has to post before I do that i.e JIN HUA!!! .

Muizz out

Coins

2008-10-31T00:09:00.005+08:00

During the first 2 weeks that I've been living here, I didn't have a debit card so I had to pay in cash. As commonsense will tell you not all goods here have prices that are whole numbers and I only had notes then, so in return I get change i.e coins. Being new to the coin system, I don't bother to use these coins thus they have been accumulating in my room. Though I do use them to pay for laundry but thats pretty much it.

From the left 2 pound, 1 pound, 50 pence, 20 pence, 10 pence, 5 pence, 2 pence and 1 pence. Heres the collection from another angle..

I should really deposit it into a bank but I keep on forgetting. So there you go I keep on accumulating these coins whenever I go to the Glen Eyre shop where they do not accept debit cards. Thus I'm hoping to accumulate till the one pound reaches the next shelf.

NB: As of right now I still do not know how to use the coins.

EDIT: Liv( you don't know her yet) counted the coins last night and totaled it up to 52 quid

Muizz out

Okay, my turn with the music.

2008-10-30T20:40:00.003+08:00

Alright, since I've got one exam paper to go which still a week away and since this topic has been circling around I might as well introduce my picks that I have been listening to recently.

Nineteen by Tegan & Sara. This live version sounds better than the studio recording in my opinion.

Fishies by The Cat Empire. A local Melbourne band!

Last but not least, To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra. Yet again, simple and wonderfully crafted. The video was just recorded by some random person in a nice neighbourhood but it really fit with the song.

Oh yeah, I listen to this classical radio channel whenever I'm driving at night to pick my dad up from the train station.

what I call Music.

2008-10-29T13:31:00.004+08:00

Hello.
Pardon the shortness of this post. I don't do mid-weeks. But I'm really itching to share some good music.
This post is gna be a recommendation of songs I've been listening to.

As a Music Ed Major, I am challenged to listen to 20hours of classical music a week.
I'm not really accomplishing that. I really shouldnt take the access to the database to us for granted. It's http://liberty.classical.com/ - if anyone wants to subscribe.

My top 5 classical numbers:
1. Sicilienne by Faure
2. Pictures at an exhibition: The ballet of the newly hatched chickens in their shells by Modest Mussorgsky
3. Danzo Cubano by Aaron Copland
3. L'heure exquise by Reynaldo Hahn
4. Sonata No.1 : IV: Ruvido Ed Ostinato by Alberto Ginastera
5. 6 Dances in Hungarian Rhythm by Bela Bartok.

I actually do not have as much time to listen to my kind of music. But here's my top 5 picks of non-classical muzak for this week:

1. Stark by Ich and Ich.
I was introduced to this song by Korean Air. Be sure to make use of your Airliner's entertainment set. I love listenning to foreign music because I block out the literal meaning of the song, but I get a lot more from the dynamics, the chord modultaions, the texture..etc.

2. Redhead girl by Air. Typically my kind of music. Lack of lyrics, repetetive beats and melody.

3. Hands on me by Vanessa Carlton. This is Pop. Or simply to put, music I cannot study to. But I dig the lyrics and the video.

4. Falling in love at Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg. My roomie kept playing it. It's kinda like a theme song for our room now.
Sorry html not embedded. Search on youtube manually.

5. Di Johnston- You're Too Pretty.
I love her asian fusion and her wispy, gentle voice. It would make a good lullaby.

Sekian, TRM KS.

becks out*

The unanswered

2008-10-28T21:29:00.002+08:00

So there I was in the kitchen with Deepuck and Bryony, it was the day after the epic party nextdoor and everyone went with the exception of me and Hardy, instead we decided to watch a movie. Deepuck and Danny came back pretty early so they didn't feel the effects of the hangover which everyone else had. So here is my attempt to post my chat up line

Deepuck: I don't understand Bryony, how do you do it?

Bryony: Do what?

Deepcuk: Not get a hangover, you look like you don't have a hangover, you were drunk yeesterday night, reeeight?

Bryony(I'm not really sure about this one but I think it went something like this): Yeah I was

Deepuck: You don't look like it...

Me: Then again, shes been out almost every night, so you wake up everyday to her hangover face. Imagine a day if she didn't go out she would look *pause* Gorgeous.

Bryony: HAHA, That was very charming Muizz..

Me*oblivious to whatI just said*: Damn what did I just say...*reality starts to catch up now* hahahahaha, that was pretty good wasn't it?.

Bryony: Charming.

So there you go my first ever chat up line and I didn't even realise that I was doing it.

NAPPER STORY

I have this reputation of being the kid not because because I'm the youngest but because I take naps in the afternoon but not in my room. It just happened when one afternoon I went to steve' room and decided to listen to some music(meatloaf actually) using his killer headphones. So I lied on his bed and listened while closing my eyes. Then I fell asleep. I'll post a pic later on.

Muizz out.

REAL REAL REAL SURPRISING

2008-10-26T18:01:00.007+08:00

So I was at my flatmates room, ANDY, using his laptop when all fo a sudden he pounces on me and suddenly punches me directly on the nose. There were all together5 of us in the room i.e Hardy, Dennis, Andy, Olivia and Me. Hardy managed to restrain Andy from doing any further damage on me by locking Andy' arms like a super duper break dancing move. I went to the sink and drained of my blood.

KIDDING!!!!! JOKING!!!!! I LIED!!!! ANDY WOULD HAVE NEVER DONE THAT!!!

Here is what really happened, I was in Andy' using his laptop and suddenly my nose started to bleed for no reason at all. It sounds real pathetic now, not only am I the BABY here I have to be the Napper( talk about that later) as well as the bleeder. MAN....I am such a kid. But oh well here are the pics

To tell you the truth I was going to keep the blood just like that for Halloween but dennis was too disgusted about the whole thing and told me to wash up. You should've seen Andys face(he doesn't like blood), it was sooo funny, there was like no symmetry at all on his face and the contours were of such weirdness that he could've been wearing a mask that that was molded to express complete disgust for blood.

Anyhoo, at least I have a vague idea of what my Halloween costume will be. Oh... and thatnks to Lucy for being a good mentor and Bryony for caring. Speaking of Bryony, you will not believe this but I made a spontaneous catch up line which to her was very charming but more on that later.

Muizz out

bolero

2008-10-26T12:08:00.010+08:00

God job guys. We've passed the 50th post!!

I've had this clump of hair that was tangled together very tightly in a complicated collection of knots for a couple of weeks now. Every now and then, after my showers, I'd brush that part to try to loosen the knots to no avail. So I got this detangler. I dampened the tangled part and sprayed it like 10sprays knot-to-knot. I then left conditioner in it for like 2 hours. After 45minutes of nerve-wrecking, muscle-cramming, painstaking efforts of getting the tangle to untangle, I had to come to the conclusion that didn't work either. So i had to chop it off. sniffles* I kept it in a ziplock bag. I'm gonna add eyes to it and name it Bolero. He's gna be my new pet for Halloween.

This bloody bunny was hopping at Scaremare. Scaremare is a yearly evangelical ministry set up a couple of weeks before Halloween. It is a continutation of the woods with with different themes within cottages and mazes set-up temporarily on one of the many pieces of lands owned by LU.

The idea is to give the patrons a good scare. At the end of the last Scare-station, the patrons are led into a white tent where the gospel is being shared, and tracts are being given out.

Liberty University marching band had its Halloween get-together a week earlier. We call it Hayfest. Mahalia came as Juno, I came as Samurai Girl, Jonathan came as Michael Jackson. The outfit's from Ebay. Its actually a lot more elaborate with the whole regal-looking sleeves thing going on. But..too lazy lar. no1 impress here.

It was a really neat party because it was at this campsite with a graveyard at its entrance. For real. The founder of the campsite died there in a freak accident. He was just building the second set of obstacle course when one the railings gave out and he fell. The Band officers incorporated these stories and also made a gig like Scaremare. We were given a tour around the woods, in and out of cabins. They hid in the cabins would pop up at us to scare the wits outta us.. Angmos make really good spooky people with their eyes.. Band officers-Cabin Tour guides with their lamps. I had an awesome time overall. We had a bonfire where I felt much luvin. I also had my very first smores made in my first bonfire. They made a big deal out of it. Someone announced it. Limelight on me as I ate. AGAIN. See the trend? (As mentioned in the Buffalo Wings Post)

Hahaha..So funny they started singing the Star Spangled Banner. Our band director delivered a couple of messages that spooked us out. But the important part was our testimonials. About how we complain LUMB sucks big time, but we stick around cuz it really is awesome because God is faithful and sovereign, thus, the end result is mind-blowingly rewarding.

The baby bonfire before it grew. The flute section carved our band director. It was his 50th birthday that night too. The pumpkins by the Clarinet section. KunG Fu Panda! I borrowed this book from the Library. The deeper I dug into it, I realised how human these great composers were. Just like anyone of us, we need God. For a direction in life, or a will to carry out. This book did not say they were all Christians. But their works suggested that they obtained their inspirations from the Bible and the values based on it. My fave one so far is Brahm's story. He grew up in a miserably poor family. His very first public performance-an impromptu- was at a pub. On an outta-tuned piano. He was playing dance music to his college students. Don't wna put up his page cuz it was really darkly printed. His German Requim showed his devotion to the Scripure the most, precisely on love and comfort.

This is my prayer leader. Lydia Mercer. She's rad because she was homeschooled, spent her extra time doing the arts: Musicals, Paintings, interior designing, drawings. Everything she does speaks art. She lays out cookies and vanilla puffs symmetrically. Lol. Besides that, she reflects what a true and humble servant of God should be. 2months into our friendship..and I have already been encouraged by her in so many ways.

Our hall being very orange.I love 21-2!

becks out*

My word

2008-10-24T22:14:00.003+08:00

This is going to sound weird but... I've got a.. something like a cliche or more like a characteristic trait since I've been here. Its a word that I would have never used if I were in Brunei or with my old mates i.e j'07 or any other friends. It just so happens being around my flatmates have triggered me to say this word very frequently. But just to make sure that I'm not really, my flatmates also have words that they frequently say as well, on a daily basis. So here it goes

Muizz: Seriously as in c-ri-yus-li i.e say really quickly

Lucy: Really as in Reeaaaly i.e elongated REA + ly

Dennis: Hello as in really posh Heey low i.e short HEY + elongated LOW

Steven: Infectious giggle as in its really hard to explain i.e must meet him in person to really appreciate his giggle

Deepak: Literally as in kinda normal but might have a quickened TER

Hardy: Fu%&ing H*ll *sigh*, there is very very short pause after the first first syllable of the first word and the second word is pronounced as Hyel followed by a sigh

Andy, Philippa, Bryony, Dan: I've not found their words yet

Anyhoo, I really need songs to hear and the comment box is open 24/7. Oh and is it just me or is this blog getting more publicity coz its getting pretty international i.e the way its suppose to be.I think I want to visit Kent where Jin is and some of my other friends. I wonder how they are doing.

Yeah but c-ri-yus-li

Muizz Out

Wordplay.

2008-10-24T20:35:00.003+08:00

...Somewhere in the RMIT Swanston Library...

Josh and his Sri Lankan friend Steve are in a group study room going through math questions.

Josh: Alright man, let's get back to this.

Steve: Yeah, cool.. A second later.. Wait, my knee's about to pop.

Josh: Looks at leg. Suddenly throws hands in the air and lands his lifeless body on the table.

Steve: Laughs. Yeah.

Josh: Well, you did say it was gonna pop.

Flatmates part 3

2008-10-24T05:06:00.006+08:00

Here are 2 of my other flatmates

This is HARDY. Don't ask me where the name came from but his character is HARD as well, if you get what I mean. He curses a lot and he is from China. His English is alright and hes prone to cursing ( there will never be a day when I will not here him say F*%King H*LL!!

This is Steve. Hes the most accomplished among us i.e 3 grade A's for A levels, a completed Duke Of Edinburgh gold International award, a grade 8 for violin and a grade 7 for piano. Hes doing Music and German. Also he has this infectious laugh and lastly hes from Nottingham.

So one more to go. Stay tuned for the next post.

Muizz out

Relic

2008-10-22T20:15:00.007+08:00

So I was rummaging through the piles of files and folders in my room when.. guess what I found?

Page 1. Ring any bells Becks/Jin?

Page 2. Hmmm...a photo.

Check out those pearly whites. Dang, Jin Hua was still taller than me then.
Left to Right: Jin Hua, me, Chen Hoe, Zong Lin.

Okay, just to fill Muizz [and those who were not in CHMS from form 1-3 of our year] in this was a regular publication by our lil' group called 4RTA. We had just been studying about the different political groups in History classes (what topic was this in?) when we decided to form our own. Good fun.

-Josh B. goes back to revising.

Eat your words.

2008-10-19T11:23:00.007+08:00

Remember how I was saying that it's fall but it's still not cold in the last post?
I guess I spoke too soon. It went down to like 5deg C today! Absolute torture! I spent the whole day outdoors being chilled to the bone with LUMB preparing for and playing for the football game against Lafayette.
We lost. LU 21, Lafayette 35.
Nevertheless, I had fun and LUMB rocked the socks of the visiting families.

Check out the photos from last week's band photo day.

Us pit people wear all black.

Trombones

L:Rusty Crown-Soundcheck guy, R: Lee Sandy-Bass Player
The wonderful front ensemble dudes and dudettes.

Hats and plumes we don't get to wear.

This is Chantalle Levasseur. She missed the game today because of a health issue. She might be leaving us for good this weekend. I really hope she gets to stay. She has been such an encouragement and an epitome of French-Canadian, Vermont-bred Independant chic.

My fave crowd. The 2nd best thing about LUMB.

Us doing what we do best! I've just started to get close with the people on my cart. Namely, Lee, Steve and David.
Similarities among them:
They're really good-natured and laugh like little boys.
They don't intimidate me. (Obviously because they're shorter than me! Except Dave)
They play some sort of guitar.
They always want to sound louder than me.
They look very Irish.
They would make really good Hobbits. =P

This for Louis. The girls of The Hill 21-2. He is terrified by blonde girls. Guess what?! We happen to have 50+ of them on my hall.

Vale's latest additions to the Walls of 21-2-207.

ArcDeTriomphe to my left.

Jin, u know I'm doing this to annoy you.

bleh =P

Becks out*

Gone are the days

2008-10-18T23:51:00.019+08:00

Ah... the days I went through with only one quid in hand are long gone. All I've got to say is that HSBC works fast despite all the financial difficulties most banks are in at that time. My bank draft got through a few days after my bank account has opened. It even earned me 1.22 quid when I withdrew it on the 3rd of October. Sadly, I closed my account with them before the 2 weeks cooldown period ended (which means i dont need to pay the 6.5 pounds per month thing for 6 months). I thought that Natwest would be a better alternative, esp when they are going to give a rail card worth 25 quid and insurance for both my phone and laptop. All that for around the same price as HSBC. Well, even though the deal seems enticing for most, I would still need to wait 2 weeks for them to open my account. I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is that somehow my form 'got lost in the transaction'. You are walking down to the bank thinking that after waiting patiently for 2 weeks you'd be able to finally get your debit card and do some online shopping but no... you have to wait ANOTHER god damn two weeks. Save to say, while Natwest gives you more benefits, HSBC provides better service. I'm giving Natwest another chance to redeem itself. OK now that the bad news is out of the way, let's move on to some better ones.

I'VE GOT IT!!!!!! Yes, I've made up my mind to get

Sony Ericsson's

sleek, elegant and sexy w890i. You've just got to admit that it has this chocolate-ish quality about it. The mocha colour probably plays a big factor. I have no complains yet with this sweet phone of mine. Cept for the lack of an auto-focus on its 3.2 MP camera.

I initially wanted to get a contract phone (which basically means that I have to pay a certain amount each month for a fixed time period and in return I get some benefits which is usually a free phone) but it so happens that my debit card didn't arrive on time because of a certain incident. Well, I was'nt about to wait for another two weeks before I get a phone so I just went ahead and bought it. So now I'd have to top it up every 2 weeks - 1 month. Well, cie la vie however you spell it. Oh and my numbers +07547068394 by the way.

Have you experienced using built in laptop speakers to watch movies or listen to music? Other than having a terrible high and mid sound, it has absolutely NO bass. So after enduring this torture for three weeks I could'nt take it anymore. This is when I turned to Amazon and borrowed a friend's debit card. Made the order. Next thing I know, I was walking back into my room from a lecture the next day and saw:

You can't imagine how excited I was assembling the whole thing together. After around 15 minutes or so (most of the time was spent taking pictures of it and chatting with friends online about it) I played a song on it. Well... to be honest, it was a little disappointing. The bass was not as great as i was expecting it to be and it produced some quite irritating higher notes. But the problems were gone after a few minor tweaks with windows media player and after a day of music, the speakers finally settled in and produced better sounds. Wooo~ gone too are the days of terrible sounds from laptop speakers with no apparent bass!

Now my laptop does'nt need to keep whining about how terrible it sounds :)

All I've got to say is without HSBC clearing my bank draft I would probably be washing dishes somewhere... Hahaha I would put up a photo of the cash I had at one time but nah. Maybe some other time. Til then, cheers!!

lovin' my T40 Creative speakers

P.S. I would have liked to talk about my room and cooking more but due to the imbalanced content of this blog I chose to talk about electronic stuff instead :p Hahhaa, boys and their toys. Josh, come on!!!! Contribute, we have a situation to correct here!!! Becks, don't make this blog seem like its made up of 3 girls and 1 guy!!!

you always have a sneer in your smile

2008-10-17T08:03:00.003+08:00

You know it's fall in the US when:

You see these pumpkins.

Pirated.

Jerry Jr-LU Chancellor.

very expressive

It thinks this is supposed to be LU Flames.

The trees are starting to turn red. But the weather's still very warm. I feels odd because I've always associated cardigans, komkipper, falling leaves and pumpkins together with fall.

I went to the Art exhibition by the wife of the late LU founder. That's life-long dream no#2 fulfilled for her.

I overheard a middle-aged couple's conversation with her. She said our late founder never got to see most of these paintings though the last one she ever did was executed in 1998.

It wasn't until recently she started taking them out and sorting them to make this exhibition happen.

Time to go shower then practice piano.
Becks out!

glitter and be gay.

2008-10-16T02:06:00.009+08:00

There was a faculty recital on Monday night at PA101, in one of our larger classrooms. The Music Department doesn't have the poshest buildings, but it caters to our needs. Lily Hsieh- The only Asian voice instructor stole the show of the night. Her piece is Glitter and be Gay from Candide by Bernstein. Watch her. She completely disprove the Asian stereotype of being less creative or expresive than westerners.

In one short night, I was able to have a lick of my professor's performing styles.

This is Dr. Beavers, who I have MUSC 105 and 107 with. He plays the classical guitar and has his eyes closed most of the time while he plays. His eyes have the most unique shade of blue though. He is so down-to-earth, approachable and easily-understood, I'm acing in both his classes.

This is my private piano lesson instructor, Dr. Kim. He's Korean and has a really adorable daughter. He's the first male private teacher I've ever had. I'm still trying to get used to his style of teaching. I like to describe him as a thorough and careful person. He explains a lot by his words and elaborates further by demonstration. Even his choice of performance piece is a carefully chosen piece. It's the classical Beethoven sort which follows the rules of composing quite strictly. Thus pleasant to the ear and not absurd sounding. (I am not really making sense here) I like him enough.

His piece was the 1st Mvment from Beethoven's Sonata in Eflat major, Op.33.

This is Dr. Kevin Super. The percussionist and front ensemble director for LUMB. I don't understand him half the time he speaks. Cause he has a really thick Southern accent and he hardly moves his lips or open his mouth when he speaks. But oh boy, I love his marimba-playing. The sounds took me under the sea(think Little Mermaid) and to the dance floor(think Michae Buble in Sway)

Last weekend, I almost lost my Candian roomie's Juicy Couture top. I didn't have a red top which wasn't Pjs and we had to wear red to show our support for the Football team.

I was panicking the whole time cuz I remeber folding it after picking it up frm the laundry room. I still wna be in my roomies' good books. She kept shaking her head off and saying, " It's fine. It's just a shirt" She found it stuffed in the space between my bed and my dresser. I mean I would feel really bad if I lost it though she has a lot, a lot of clothes. Tons of tops she doesn't wear. She lets me borrow them and I do let her mine.

We're almost the same size but I think I should stick to my own clothes for now and really spend less time picking out what to wear to class. I end up wearing the same stuff anyway. I have new stuff I havent worn yet.
Like this top I bought from Pavillion before I got here 3months ago. Sigh! I don't like fashion dilemmas.

Becks out*

My flatmates part 2

2008-10-14T05:57:00.005+08:00

Continuation from part one. Here are 3 other of my flat mates

This is Lucy, took about 5 times to take this photo of her. Shes doing English and Philosophy and shes pretty easy to talk too. She worries a lot too. She calls me Moeiizz

and this Deepak, pronounced as dee-puck( as in hockey puck). Hes the sportsman of the flat. He does population science

Daniel here takes math and he lives across my room. In my opinion hes the most calm among all of us.

So there you have it, 3 other ppl that I live with. 6 down and 3 to go.

Muizz out

Happy Birthday To our Admin. Where's the birthday suit?

2008-10-13T02:24:00.004+08:00

Joshua. One of my few best guy friends. My hiking partner. My neighbour. My music-loving friend.

I thank God for crossing our paths and giving me a chance to have a guy friend like you. It's cool that we share the same faith. It's flattering that I have a friend which a lot girls have crush on. (Btw, did you know tons of girls toadally dig it when you drum?)

I miss having deep conversations during our hikes and taking in the best in nature with you.

I'm really grateful for having had a guy bud which I could be close with and yet remained completely platonic.

Thank you for the friendship and for making this blog possible.

Have a really nice Birthday.

My flat mates part one

2008-10-12T23:58:00.006+08:00

Hey all
My name is Muizz Matsatejo. I go to the University of Southampton doing BSc Economics and Actuarial Science. But I do a bit of politics and psychology as well.I live with 9 other people i.e Steve, Phillipa, Dennis, Andy, Daniel, Bryony, Lucy, Hardy and Deepak but its been more like 11 which makes it a very merry place to live in.So I will introduce you to them one by one. Well 3 of them for now.

Well this is Dennis he's my neighbour, like he lives next door to my room. He usually takes over my MSN when I'm onine. So be careful when chatting with me on MSN.

This is Bryony she lives upstairs, literally above my room. Shes always on the phone.

and this is Andy. In this photo hes talking to Olivia, his girlfriend.bleh!!!

Anyhoo thats all for now, more pictures of my flat mates will be in this blog in the coming few days and my daily life in this new place!!

Muizz out.

Le monde

2008-10-11T14:47:00.009+08:00

Thievery Corporation. I love their Music so much.
I could listen to them all day. I'm so glad I found their stuff. It's so me. Feels like I've found my soulmate.

This one's Le Monde.

Sunrise.
My days have been go-go-go non-stop since sunrise.
Welcome to my life as a Music Ed Major AND a LUMB member.
I sprained my ankle a week back but its just started to swell to the size of half-an-egg. Cuz I resprained it. First time down awkward stairs, second time just walking.

I just did my laundry. The laundry room freaks me out BIG TIME. People talk abt deep stuff, subjects with gory details and gossip so loudly there and I feel like I'm eavesdropping. And you'll get stared at. Your every move. I feel like every piece of my garment is being scrutinized during loading.

So I never stay a sec longer pass the time when my businesss is finished. I would rush out. Tonight, I picked up a piece of male underwear! It didnt stay for long. It just layed at the top of my laundry through the journey from the laundry room back to my dorm. But still.. Eww..

Crazy Band day tomorrow. We're taking group photo with uniform, playing at William's Stadium and going downtown for THE show. It's the Lynchburg Fest. We're doing exhibition. Wordyness part of this post ends here.

Pictures from Myrtle Beach as promised.

*

Dr Super. Artillery and Percussion Director.

Wear Deo often. No limbs outside window unless u're the Bionic Woman. "Children". LOL

Tiffany- Band President. Who turns 20 today.

Dr. Kerr. Band Director

Our Hotel Suite.

Living Area. It's not Empire. But it's here in the US, paid by LU and right by the shore.

I'm loving the blue Ocean.

Hard Rock CAFE! Shakira and Fergie have been in here.

Carlos Santana's guitar.

Someone's drumset.

Meet the Siamese Twins. Mahooligan and Chantaligan!

Wet from the Beach.

IT's SUGAR

Guard girls and Drummer boy.

Wawaweewa.

Naughty sweets.

Pick me up, before u gogo!

For the Desperate.

Hide me in your love, Mr. Plant.

Mahahlily. love her!!

Blowing into my ear.

I had a really great time. It's gna be hard to beat this Fall Break!

Toodles, children.

Becks out*

Assasin. Hill Style.

2008-10-07T07:01:00.006+08:00

Today is the first day of school after my return fom the Myrtle Beach Trip, Coastal Carolina with LUMB. I still hear the ocean waves and taste the salt. I had such a good time. Our Band Director thinks its the best Going Away Game so far. And of course, WE BEAT COASTAL!! 43-38!!

I'm so exhausted from the trip, but the week's just getting crazier. It's 2nd season, and we've got an exhibition AND a football game to play at this Saturday Night. Classes were so sluggish and quiet today, everyone's hearts are still in the holiday. But Band rehearsal was exceptionally good.
Will post about the Myrtle Beach trip soon. Cuz I miss it too much to do it now.

I shall talk about about what happened before the trip.

Last Tuesday Night, I received my envelope with my target's photograph.

Who wulda thought murder is fun.

This is my target for Assasin. Assasin is an ongoing game 21-2 is having with its sista and brova dorms. The objective of this game is to KILL as many targets as you possibly can. No tackling ( Cuz that's low class and quite frankly, against the LU way), tickling, or immediate body contact. Only Nerf guns or Nerf knives from Walmart can be used. Killing is not allowed during convo and at the Dining Hall.

I know who my Assasin is. My superfragalisticaspialidoecious roomie tipped me off. =D
But my Assasin could be killed anytime without me knowing, and her Assasin could be my current Assasin. You can shoot only your target, but not your Assasin. You can only RUN AWAY. It's a thrill. =D

I want to win this. Or at least kill 3targets before I get killed.

---------------------------

My obession with winning takes me to heights I never thought it would.

I took up a challange at Buffalo Wings. It's a restaurant/pub like TGI Fridays, only sketchier.

A very pretty server.

So I had to eat 12 wings in 6minutes in their spiciest sauce.
It was really not that spicy larr..Lousy angmolangz. What really grossed me out was the chicken skin. Eww..

OKay..It was a little spicy. But it was just stinging my eyes. Thus the tears.
The whole house (or the people on our side) were cheering for me. I was down to 40secs..N i was so stuffed. It was kinda embarassing. I had sauce all over my face.
Don't know why I have a tendency to be in the limelight at the wrongest moments.

My die-hard fans. L-R: wahtshisface, Jaleesa, Bobby, Neshawn

Kim and Mahalily.
With these people cheering for me (oHWGawd,u shuda seen their faces, I was more entertained by them than them by me), I persevered and shoved the last 2 thick-skinned wings down wherever they would go. I absolutley could not let them down.

Crowning glory. A round of applause from the house. And a polariod pic to be stuck on the wall of challenge winners. (I get a shirt fom them too) hAHA. Half the ppl who go there are LU-ians but I doubt any1 will really recognise me. But I'm sure my ancestors would be beaming at me for being the first Asian and Asian chick to win this challenge. I've got hardcore Cina and girlgirlhood pride in me. Don't play play.

I swear I will never do anything like this anymore..if I can help it.
Have a nice week!~

Becks out*

For once...

2008-10-01T21:37:00.014+08:00

...I think I'm the quiet guy doing the non-blogging here. Yes, I know, I should stop hiding behind my cliched excuse of 'I'm the typical hard-working uni freshman' which obviously doesn't quite fit my description. Thing is, during the weekends I just like to unwind and kick ba- 'Josh, can you do something useful around the house? (dad)'

Yup, perks of living with family.

Anyway, updating you all on life here in the down under...It's Spring! The birds are chirping, the flies are starting to dart about and people are starting to bring out their shades. Oh btw, they're called 'sunnies' here. LOL.

I'm in the middle of semester 2 of Aerospace Engineering, a pretty 'fly' course (get it?) here in RMIT University - 'Royal' Melbourne Institute of Tech. The thing is, i'm not too sure what's so royal about it, as you're about to see:

Ah, the view of Melbourne city from Engineering Building 57. Has a certain jeeneh-say-quah (now you know why I do engineering and not french history) to it.

The cafeteria. Looks kinda dilapidated doesn't it?

Me pwn-ing pinball; Ghassan waiting-for-me-to-quit-so-he-can-install-his-laptop's-wireless-driver

Kate! She does aerospace as well, but, yeah...

More chillin' in the library study room(as you can see I still eat sandwiches)

Uh, Kate, now would be a good time to have my phone back.

See? I don't really see what's so 'royal' about all that, but yeah, I'm not trying to undermime the privilege of studying here. Alright, to cap it off, I'll show you a few pics of my suburb.

My house is over....there. I think.

Excuse the resolution, I'm just using my N73 to take all these shots. Hopefully I'll snap some decent ones with my camera in the city if I get some free time. And to the guys in the UK: make sure you guys check up on that Air Asia X $500 London-Melb promotion.

Thanks again to Becks for constantly reminding me to post with such gentleness and ladylike-

(11:22 PM) rebz* Merci. sky: BLOG!!!!

:p Laters.

O-chih

2008-10-01T00:33:00.005+08:00

See these bruises?

This is the price I pay for being in LUMB.
Being in the pit requries me to haul my coffin from the truck to the our cart on the field every at every practise. Initially, I was using the force of my hip, and the coffin edges kept knocking against my thighs.

This hickey-like bruise is from the slam of two metal rods being unscrewed. I was unscrewing the mic stands.

Guess that's why my tattoo artist thinks I have high-pain tolerance. I'm always hurting myself I don't even notice it.

~*~

Went clothes shopping on Sunday with Dorky (Dorcas). We took the path behind The HILL-my dorm. Couldn't help noticing how pretty the view is.

Dandelion Puff.

Fall is coming. We have a couple of warm weeks before it starts getting below 13deg C. I'm already in the Fall Break holiday mood.

My all-time fave chill number.
Zofka-Parfum Vanille

*becks out!

TGIF. Fri before fall break 08.

2008-09-27T06:52:00.010+08:00

It is freezing out there!! It's the 5th Official day of Fall. 14 deg Cs. I could Love it if it wasn't so humid. I miss Oz's dryness.
Just got back from LUMB practise outdoors at the Intramural Fields.
We're playing at Lynchburg Classics tomorrow night. The premier of the complete show of Director's Cut.

I love band!!
Watch this Band Camp video.

I'm so pumped! Can't wait til we hit the road though next thursday.
From October 3rd-7th, we'll be travelling to Coastal Carolina to play at a couple of Uni football games and High Schools. We're spending 3nights at Myrtle Beach.

It's T-HIS coastal! Coastal Carolina. LU's official rival for every sport and atheletics team. We LU-ian are so gung-ho about the whole beating coastal thing, we have shirts to show the spirit!

That's my Ecuadorian roomie Vale in the Beat Coastal shirt.

Guess where we're stopping halfway to play?

...

Disney World, Florida!!

This castle looks so magnificent, I'm being reminded of princesses.

Speaking of princesses, I was Princess for a night. I received love letters from My Prince- Jesus Christ!

I love receiving love letters and love notes, btw. These do count!!

The first time I got one of these, I thought it was a love note from.
But it's actually a warning.

For not clearing my desk.

Anyhoo..I'm straying from the point. So those Love Letters were written by Sheri Rose. Sheri Rose came to visit us for my EVAN(gelism 101) For Women Class this week.
That night, I went to TRBC for her sermon about being a princess for extra credits.

Sheri Rose was Mrs. USA 1996.
Question: What's the difference between that title and MISS USA?
Answer: Cellulite. (She said that!)

She's been through a lot. Her high school ENG teacher said she's a born loser because she has dyslexia. She got so depressed she tried to commit suicide. That afternoon, she tried to get in front of a running bus.
You know why she's still alive?
She jumped behind instead.

LOL. Yes, she's that awesome. Another joke. But its true. She's been throught a lot, done and might be percieved to have accomplished a lot.-She had her own production company which did Fashion Shows. But it was short-lived.

on one of her sets

It wasn't long before it went bankrupt. You're thiking failed Tyra-in-the-making.
That's not the point. With her background and testimony [She has 5seperate sets of immediate family because of the number of times her parents have divorced and remarried] God knew she would move women and girls to Salvation and took her to a completely different path.
She preaches to 30,000 people yearly, and has a U.S.No#1 Talk Show today.
Visit http://hisprincess.com

Jin, I can symphatize with you. I'm waiting for $$ to be wired over too. But at least Im not stuck with microwave food. If i got sick of the food at the dining hall, I can use Meal Points assigned for the semester.

This is what I had for dinner today.

It's a quesidilla. (kay-see-di-lah)
I have to have them in quarter-sized bites, sip green tea in between to not let the cheeziness overwhelm my stomach.

Bought Krispy Kremes to share with my roomie's for tomorrow's brekkie.
I'm spending the next 17hours in my dorm. It's sat.I get to sleep in!!

The girls on my hall are really into the TV SERIES-THE OFFICE. A couple of them have Dwight Shrutes on their walls. No thanks, I'm sticking to Audrey Hepburn.

They went to a $1-THE OFFICE-themed party.

L-R: Jenni, Abi, Victoria.

Abi is supposed to be Dwight. So Marc Jacob-sy.

I have a tendency to lose my glasses and when I'm really desperate, I'll use my new pair. But I hardly leave the room with it. It's too different from what I'm used to.

So I was taking a photo to analyze how it made me look.

It gave me grey eyes!!
I so did not photoshop these.
Why should you believe me? Because I don't have photoshop. And computer programs here cost a bong. Pirated softwares or softwares from back home don't work here, i.e I don't get updates. Of course I wouldn't spend up to $200+ on a program that lets me make photos of myself look nice? or grey-eyed.

I bought my glasses from Sydney Optics in Shah Alam, KL.
TEL: 03-5637 9055
But they'll only work if you're as cool as me.

Becks out*

In England

2008-09-27T05:22:00.009+08:00

A few days here and I've already spent around 200 quid. The things here are rather pricey and sometimes you just have to think twice before buying anything. Exchange rates suck. S$2.8 for 1 pound which is pretty crap. So yea, I'm in a tight spot right now and am living on microwaveable food and is missing home cooked meals. I want to try cooking but wait... I don't even have enough money to buy a sauce pan much less a rice cooker. Without those whats the use of buying the ingredients? Well just leave it at that.

So far my university experience has been alright. The people here are really friendly. I've not met an unfriendly (I don't think rude is an official word here) person here as of yet. I'm getting along fine with my house mates. A spanish, pakistani and two english. All girls. And just hold it for a moment before you guys do the wolf whistling... one of them has very bad hygiene. Not flushing after using. I hope you get the idea without me going into elaborate details. But yea, other than that they are cool.

So I was just looking online to see which phones to get. I've heard quite some good reviews for the O2 company so that would be the company I'm going with. As for the phone itself, I'm sticking with my trustworthy Sony Ericsson after loving my previous w810i SE phone. It might just be a once in a company's lifetime perfect phone but I'm willing to give them another shot. I'm opting for either:

The Sleek, Elegant and Sexy w890i

or The Hip, Cool and Robust w760i

But for the moment, my plans of getting a new phone is on hold until my bank account opens and my bank draft gets through. Sigh. I'm only on around 40 quid. And its supposed to last me til next Wednesday. I just hope the bank draft clears on time. Living on microwaveable food is not fun.

Jin out.

Almonds and between.

2008-09-25T12:18:00.013+08:00

So I was at the OIS(OfficeofInternationalStudents) and describing my heritage and explaning for the umphteenth why most Asians don't have to be child prodigies to be able to speak 3 languages and 2 dialects fluently.(at least the Bruneians and Msians) We ended up talking about how comprehensive this site is.

http://www.livemocha.com (Sorry, I don't know how to add the hyperlink)

They were saying that there were other Linguistics Skills Training Programmes used by the US Gov to train the outgoing army men and diplomats which costs about USD$400 each purchase was not even half as effective as livemocha.

This could be the key!! Especially for half-bucketful learners like me.
I eem soi gona be learning Freench and Spaneesh.
My Canadian roomie knows French as a 2nd language
my Ecuadorian roomie's mother tongue is Spanish. voce.tem.sinten.dote.bem.

Speaking of languages..I am toadally diggin' the Facebook Pirate Language.

Aye Aye Captain. Pirate English: Me hearties. swank. scurvy. plank.

I dyed my hair over the weekend.
Yeah, I came to the US of A to study.
I also got a tattoo, dyed my hair. Both within my initial 2MONTHS here.
Perfect recipie for a rebel. (Yes, grandma, angmo-bf is a possibility too)
Nolarr. Me so guai. It's the worst I could get.
The color's Medium Mahogany Brown by Loreal Paris. AGAIN.(Peiyi insisted that there were no results when she did it in Form 5)

My darker roots were growing out and the mop of thing covering my head was starting to create an illusion of 2 different hues existing unharmoniosly, especially when I'm under the Sun during LUMB(LibertyUniMarchingBand)practices every Mon, Wed and Fri, on the non-marching front ensemble of the Marching band. Does not look flattering at all when the Band Director and Drum Majors look down directly from the 18foot-tall podium.

It's a subtle difference, but at least it's more uniform,browner now.

Crabby me.
Apologies for my inabilty of smiling and taking a photo of myself simultaneously.

I miss my Mommie. sobs* cause I haven't been skyping with my motheur and sisteur for a week now. Counting down the days til they return from their Manila week-long vacation.

Pseudo-Cina Almond cookies..
Almond biscuits/cookies are supposedly my Mommie's fave biscuits.

It's too eggy looking. Tastes okay, goes okay with Hot Cocoa.
But's not even close to the Begawan Solos from Merlion-land I am craving for.

Hmmm..I've been training myself to take out the U's in my writings.
Larissa would despise for it. I miss you Larey!! Miss how she gets worked up whenever we hear Fergie's GLAMOROUS on the radio.
I <3 her because she's the first to have called me on my US number and left me a message on my voicemail. Get this. Nobody ever records voicemails for me.
Everyone dials and let it rings until the beep for voicemail sounds. They HANG UP!(I do that too)
I admire her for not being intimidated by the voicemail lady's voice.

Here's a song which is so catchy that it's been my ringtone on my RAZR since Jan08.
My phone rang in the middle of ENG101 class.
But it's one thing to turn it off in embarassment and another with DIGNITY.
The class were nodding in my direction and grooving along * sky-high moment.
Don't you love it when people appreciate your music taste?

Not necesserarily the video for it. It's hmm..How should I put it? different. HAHA
THE BIRD AND THE BEE- POLITE DANCE SONG

becks out*

hahahaha

2008-09-23T21:56:00.004+08:00

I really have to post this... I was having a convo with my friend on MSN, I shall not reveal his name because it would be too embarrassing for him or so he thinks.

Me:So how are the chicks there?
Friend: Pretty good but there are the wannabe ones
Me: Huh?? Wannabes??
Friend: Yeah like this Asian one
Friend: They say they use original South East Asian stuff but they taste not so good
Me: Um.. when I said chicks I meant girls
Friend: REALLY??? HAHAHAHAHA
Me: HAHAHAHA
Friend: Wouldn't that be funny a blond trying to be Malay..
Me: Yeah hahahaha
Me: Man I gotta post this on my blog
Friend: No you don't, not a word
Me: I won't say your name

So there's an example of misinterpretation...

Anyhoo, I'll be off to the UK on the 25th and will be going to the University of Southampton doing Economics and Actuarial Science. So everything is going well. I am so excited..

AND THUS EVERYONE GROWS UP. "Keep in touch guys"

Muizz out

Birthdays.

2008-09-21T01:54:00.002+08:00

It's that one day of the year when you feel like you're King, Queen, Princess, or Prince of the jungle.

The limelight's on you, and people feel obligated to be nice to you.

It can a carefully planned one, and the plan could backfire.
It could be uneventful, yet enjoyable and very memorable in someways.

Most of my birthdays have been pleasant.

One of them was terrible cuz my sister ran away from home. Hah.

Two girls on The Hill 21-2 (obviously, my hall) had their birthdays in the last couple of days.

Taylor from my prayer group, in the room right acrosss mine.(She has a tattoo of a plant across her back).

The other girl is Sarah Colein. Her bithday was on Saturday.
She has the loudest, coolest and most interesting personality on the hall.
She's a great story teller too.

Every girl on the hall and the brother dorm should be able to remember her name cuz she really stands out.

The entire hall gathered and lined up to go to convo without Sarah.
We were deliberately late, so our entrance was quite conspicuous.

Dj from the next room and Kaitlyn my roomy with the most volumous hair.

Know someone with a birthday?! Greet them with this poem!

Birthday Reminder

It's your birthday, so don't feel down;
Don't think bad stuff and frown;
Your life should be filled with mirth;
Just look what you've done since your birth.

You started out really small,
Now you're really filled out and tall.
In the beginning you would just cry,
Now you can laugh if you try.

You've done quite well since your start,
So as you grow older take heart;
Keep up the good work and don't be a jerk;
Stay happy till you're an old fart.

By Karl Fuchs
From:
http://www.poemsource.com/funny-birthday-poems.html

becks out*

The mysterious 'v' in Joshs name????

2008-09-19T20:31:00.003+08:00

Joshs full name is Joshua Benjamin V Bautista.

Now my question had anybody thought of what the V stands for?? Obviously I know what the V stands for as wel as where it cane from but some people wouldn't. In my opinion the V keeps some of Joshs personality elements mysterious thus maybe a way for him to score chicks.

Girl: So whats you name?
Josh: Joshua Benjamin Bautista
Girl: *Looking at one of joshs assignments*But I see the V in your name
Josh: Oh that, its my other name... Its very secret
Girl: That's interesting *Girl walks towards her girlfriends and then look back to Josh in a interested manner

Oh and the V does not stand for vendetta...

Muizz out

Its been a while

2008-09-15T23:37:00.003+08:00

I am done completely done or I will be when Wednesday comes.
Plane tickets check
Visa check
Scholarship check
contract signing check
Clothes check
Bag check
Medical check up check

So I'm good for the UK friends.

Anyhoo last night I had a song stuck in my head haunted me till one in the morning. I had at the tip of my tongue at 1.03 a.m and the song is boston by augustana

And another thing.
Apparently all four of us have a trait of saying out at the end of each post... I wonder where that came from

Muizz out

love this video

2008-09-14T00:26:00.002+08:00

My all time fave song.

Becks out*

Joe Mc Cain

2008-09-13T03:51:00.003+08:00

This is Joseph McCain aka Joe. He is a staage actor, newspaper reporter, and brother of John McCain. A man I saw speaking 20 feet away from me this afternoon.
It was pretty cool that he showed up today because he has been out of the spotlight, not wanting to say something wrong that may work against his older Bro's campaign.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/07/mccain_brother_stays_out_of_spotlight/

Among the few things he said which sounded important was, " If any of you happen to run into Osama Bin Laden or any of those thugs that killed 3million American citizens, I want you to tell him that there is no place for him to hide if John McCain is President."

And he kept stressing that he would not dare to call someone a hero. But he would say that he has done a heroic effort.

Joe Mc Cain, Second from left. The man speaking on the podium here is the 2nd longest held US prisoner of any war. Admiral Bob Schumacher. He was held for 8years 1month.
This elderly woman in Blue has killer leggings. She kept walking around and getting in the way of videocamerasa. Hehe..I had to refrain from reaching behind her to fold down her dress tag.

Hmm..I'm not into politics, But I see a picture.. A 65 year-old man representing his 71 year-old brother running for President. Sweet, aint' it? He actually spoke twice today. Once at Convocation this morning. And he drove up to Roanoake then drove back here to speak in this rally.

For full coverage of his visit, see: https://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm?PID=15758&artid=372

That's all for now.
Have a nice weekend.

*becks out

Fatpack; The Lord's kindness & grace

2008-09-06T12:28:00.007+08:00

It's finally Friday night and I'm so glad I get to catch up on me-time. Only for to night..Cuz the my entire SAT will be dedicated to Marching Band. Sunday's strictly for church, homework and Revisions.

Right, so marching band's doing the second football game of the season. We'll be playing towards to home students instead of visitors this time. So there's a really high possibility that the LU folks will actually hear me. *gasp

All of that aside..

Let the pictures do the talking.

My roomie Vale and her friend Katie's pet fish..
We get to keep the mini-fighting fish in our room one whole week alternate weeks

Say Hi to Fatpack!

Just keep swimming and looking pretty..

Doesn't he have the cutest whiskas?

En. That's the 3rd Chinese character of My sis and my Chinese name.

It simply means kindness and grace. My folks wanted my sis and I to always remember The Lord's grace towards us. Oh btw, Grace and Mercy is different.

Grace- God giving us what we don't deserve. (In Evangelical term= Salvation). Mercy-God not giving us what we DO deserve. ( In Evangelical term=eternal condemnation)

I decided I never wanna forget that. So last Sunday, (31st, August 2008-MERDEKA!)
I popped in the tattoo parlour and got this lil' guy on my skin. For as long as I live.

Doesn't look like a fine job here. But it is. N i love it!!

It's actually really tiny. On the right hip.

For a first tattoo..I wanted to be on the safe side. With me sweating like a pig every other day for Marching band, the healing process might be not that easy.

I thought it was a really wise spot. Like not so prominent. But I get to show it off too..If I wanted to. Provided I get rid of those love handles and get abs.
Becks out!!*

恩; Merdeka!

2008-09-01T08:45:00.008+08:00

It's Malaysia's National day today. Can't say I feel entirely patriotic abt it. After all, I can't sing the National anthem. And I did escaped(postponed) NS.

So band did awesome yesterday night at the season's kickoff game. Liberty University beat Greenville Crusades. Don't know the score. Don't get American football. Too complicated. =S

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNrtkpas7B0

Also, and my right hip is no longer bare.

YOU toadally know what I'm talking about =D

Photos will be up in the next post.

Oh btw, this is Caramata(My hosts when I first got here)'s pet phyton..
Don't recall which species it belongs to.

Matilda

It isnt usually mean, but it bit its master just before I was about to carry it.

It hasn't been fed for half a week or so.

The bite on Micah's arm which could've been on mine.

Matilda just wouldnt let go.

Have a nice week!!

Becks out

Passing afternoon

2008-08-29T22:07:00.004+08:00

*Come and find me - Josh Ritter playing on Windows Media*

So I'm down to my last few weeks in Brunei... don't really feel any excitement or fear. Its more of a feeling of inevitability. Have'nt been doing anything much these days. Just finished all four seasons of House - a definite recommendation from me together with Prison Break - and am trying to get all the songs they used in the series. Most of them have this type of country feeling to it, played with just a few simple instruments such as the guitar with some light accompaniment by the piano and drums. I find it simple and nice. My taste for trance music is slowly dying. So anyways, back to the main point.

I'd be going off to the UK on the 19th of September. I've done most of my medical checkup and am just waiting for the results to be back. As for the visa I've booked a meeting in a few days. Driving exams next week. Guess everything is wrapping up. I'm sure this three weeks I have left is going to go by real soon. I like my room with its light yellow colour and my... wheel chair (basically a chair with wheels underneath) that allows me to move around in my house - not room - without the need for standing up. Yes, I'm that lazy :p Hope the room that I'm gonna get isn't that much smaller than my current room.

I'm spending more time at home. It's going to be a lot different the next time I come back home. The first chapter of my life is going to close when the plane takes off.

Jin

*Passing afternoon - Iron and Wine ends*