M.A.M.B.A.N.G. U.L.T.R.A.

My English Is Rotten.

2012-01-29T00:36:00.000+08:00

The first time I chat on the internet was with this American guy, in 1998. I was still in the university, and he said my English was even better than anyone he knew around him. That was high compliment, coming from a person from an English speaking country.

Then I got to know a few penpals, from Germany, Papua New Guinea and Canada. We exchanged letters (yes, that's what penpals do, this unfortunately extinct hobby) and we have no problem understanding each other because we use proper English in our correspondences.

I lost them all when emails became the next best thing....

I read excessively. Sometimes walking and reading at the same time. (I walked everywhere because my dad thought it would be dangerous for me, even to ride a bicycle in the city). I stopped reading books for fun in the national language since I was 14. To me, the description and expression in English seems far superior.... Or it was just me.

Anyway, I write BETTER than I speak. Nobody is quite willing to strike a full English conversation with me, to my regret. Even chatrooms nowadays are filled with short-handed words that will make any honourable English teacher cry. (Like today, I just learnt that NSFW means 'not suitable for work').

Oh, and I used to stutter when I was very young.

I feel like my grasp of the language is slowly slipping. I don't have much time to read properly now, and I really hope I can finish all the ebooks I downloaded recently. Being here, reading all your blogs helps a lot.

So sorry if my recent entries are without pictures. I am not sure how to add them using this iPad of mine....

Evil Teacher Quotes....

2012-01-20T11:33:00.001+08:00

I looked at the sky.
I looked at you.
I rather look at the sky.

R.I.P. My Friend.

2012-01-15T00:59:00.002+08:00

I got back this afternoon, turned on the tv and watched a slew of Japanese animations on satellite tv to blow off some steam. We had a meeting earlier this morning and I hate to be burdened with paperwork. But that will be another story.

So I lazily took my iPad, Paddington from the coffee table and flicked on Facebook as I watched the cartoons. Hurm... As I went through some messages and a few tagged photos, one status update caught my eyes as it began with condolences...

A friend is spreading the news that one of my alumni guys was involved in a grave accident and was dead on the spot. He was grazed by a car while riding his superbike, fell and was hit by a trailer behind him. He was dragged under the heavy vehicle for a very long distance.

His head was crushed by the tyres.... I have seen these because there were pictures of the accident and the body all over the news and the internet. Horrible terrible pictures.

This guy used to bunk next to me when we were in boarding school. We weren't that close (mainly because I was the resident psychopath and social leper all rolled into one) but we did get along well. He was a funny guy, had a lot of close friends and very active in sports.

He was married, and had a three year old kid. I never knew his family because we drifted apart after boarding school. But I got a glimpse of him once in a while in Facebook when some friends uploaded the pictures of their activities, mainly futsal and alumni dinner (which I never attended).

He was my age, 33. So much promises and vigor, yet cut short by fate.

Sometimes I felt that I can live forever... But at a moment like this, the thought of our own mortality is a very bleak road to go.

Rest in peace my friend. I will always remember your smiles way back in school.

The Witch Doctor Will See You Now...

2012-01-12T13:57:00.002+08:00

I have a mixed view about traditional remedies and treatment. It's all great with natural herbs and exotic spices, but when it comes divining illnesses and shady practices (in my point of view) I avoided them like the plague.
Last Sunday my mom asked me to accompany her and a few friends to a 'bekam' session. BEKAM is an ancient tradition, where blood is sucked out of the skin at some points of the body. A needle (or lancet) pricked the skin at a particular spot and then a container was placed upon the tiny wound, vacuumed so blood can be drawn. For every few minutes, the container will be removed so the trickle of blood can be wiped off the skin, and then replaced. Each session might last for one and a half hour, and the amount of blood drawn vary for each subject.
My mom and her friends finished their sessions (hours!) as I read a very thick book, outside waiting for them. Then my mom asked me to take the treatment as there was no one else in line for it. As a dutiful son, I obliged, took off my shirt and trousers (a towel is provided) and had my blood drawn voluntarily by the practitioner.
It was one of the most boring few hours of my life (this new year).
As I walked out of the small treatment room, I saw my mom and her friends listening to another practitioner with rapt attention. Oh, oh, I smell a money trap.....
And I was right. My mom had ended up spending a few hundreds ringgit on medications I don't think she really needs. The girl was also trying to bait me by asking about my health, and even had the NERVE to guess my illnesses through reading my palms! Major quack clackety clack!
But I played it cool, and smiled at every foolish noises that came out of her mouth.
Like I said, I am a dutiful son ;)
And this quack prescribed me a bottle of the essence of garlic of all medication! I ate garlic on a DAILY basis, girl! That's why I am healthier than the next person. But I kept my mouth shut, and took the prescribed bottle gracefully (my mom paid for this too).
On the way back, my mom chirped at how much better she was after the treatment. She said she felt lighter and her hands trambled less. I nodded to all, but the same cannot be said to me.
I felt nothing. There was no improvement, or anything less with me after the treatment.
Maybe my body refused to believe in such a celebrated treatment (prescribed medication notwithstanding).
Or maybe my guardian angel wont let me get influenced so easily.
My mom wants to return soon. And I will drive her there.
I am a dutiful son, yessiree!

P.s.- i tried to find a suitable picture to put here.... But I don't think the lot of you will appreciate me for it :p

The Rarest Sight In Town...

2012-01-02T19:40:00.001+08:00

This morning, my housemate asked me to accompany him to the bank to ask for a loan. As I have nothing to do at home, I obliged and took a book with me (David Eddings' The Tamuli Trilogy, all 485 pages), knowing that I'll get bored waiting for him at the bank. I didn't want to use my iPad @ Paddington because... some might say it would be SO pretentious :P And I just got it, didn't wish it to get stolen yet...

So he parked his car a few hundreds meter from the bank and we continued on foot. As we were crossing the road, something hit me... Here am I, walking to the bank holding something that I've never seen anyone carrying in public, ever! Not this town, this district, even the big city. A story book!

This made me laugh out hard, in the middle of the busy road. (Yes, I do that sometimes, suddenly laughing at hidden jokes)

My housemate asked me why and I told him. He had no comment on this.

I love books. And I envied those of you who lived near good bookstores and huge public libraries. I'd hate you even more if you got SO MUCH money to buy every book you desire.

Books (that I want) are quite expensive here.... Cheap local books, mainly with tales of love and crappy matters are of no interest to me. Well, one man's poison might be another's bread eh?

I've seen people who read EVERYWHERE on tv, at the bus stand, waiting for their turn at the bank, picnic etc. A culture which reads is a great culture.

The first verse in the Holy Quran ever dispatched by Gabriel to the Prophet begin as thus; "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created all that exists." This shows that even God has a very high opinion to the culture of reading...

Ah, this is me rambling again.... Maybe the book owners of Malaysia read their books exclusively INDOORS, in the private safety of home or whatever. ebooks are not really popular here because they are so hard to get for the less computer savvy people.

Out of 10 youngsters here, 4-5 would have mobile phones in their hands... The age of MTV had killed radio stars. Cell phones had replaced books for the role of mobile amusement.

What a world we live in...

p.s. - anyway, the bank was CLOSED as the 1st of January fell on Sunday. We forgot about this and spent the rest of the morning amusing ourselves at the nearest Tesco...

The End Is Near (for Teachers here...)

2011-12-29T22:03:00.001+08:00

Gosh! Only six days before the school STARTS?!! I wish to have another month of holiday. Christmas had just passed and I know you guys are having a lot of fun with your presents and stuff. I have a lot of FUN with my PlayStation 3 and iPad 2 too.

And I just found out how to download free ebooks a couple of days ago.... Yay for the internet!

I started to keep my aquarium alive again...

This is a fighting fish. Once upon a time they were abundant in the rice fields here, but as Malaysia has grown into a modernized country, the rice fields are fewer and the fishs are almost extinct. Nowadays, most fighting fish come from Thailand, the country up north. Only male fish got sails / plumage like this. The females are more dull and smaller. They come in a myriad of colours, my fav are blue and red. Most in metallic hues :)

Two male fishs cannot live in the same container... they will fight, thus the name.

And have a look at this box full of roses....

These came from my three rose bushes at the front of my house. The rain brings a lot of blooms and it would be a great waste to let the flowers wilt or rot. So we carefully cut every rose and then naturally dry them in a copper pan to make pot pourri. I have a huge bowl of them now :)

Ok, time to have late dinner. I might have some sausages fried.

It's name is PADDINGTON

2011-12-25T10:51:00.000+08:00

I am sorry if I was absent for 10 days, because I was rather busy. Busy gaming my heart out with my PS3 and bonding with my iPad 2 ;)
I got both of these gadgets a week before Christmas. Some of you might remember a couple of years ago that I always mentioned about playing video games in my blog. Then the machine got broken, and all the king's horses and men couldn't put it together again... I was PlayStation-less for a year, and that was bad for me. No outlet to vent this vengeful soul's rage... Killing people in games is the next best thing after the real thing ;)
So the Man has been good enough to let us, the civil servants to get a month's pay bonus this December, a week before Christmas. And I bought a new PlayStation 3, and happy days are here again! Yay for gaming!
As for the iPad 2, a doctor friend of mine was willing to let it go after a couple of months use. He said that it was too complicated and was not really practical to do work with. He's right, I am using it now and me think it's sole purpose was to look good in our hands. And last night (Christmas eve) after discussing with my housemate, we christened him with the name 'Paddington'. (the PlayStation is too much an honourable brand to give it a nickname)
so now you know why I HAD to be busy these few days. Don't fret, I will always visit your blogs and after the frenzy has abated, maybe we'll hold hands and play with the fairies in Wonderland! Oh, that's me full of cough syrup.
Until then, a Happy Christmas to my Christian friends from all over the planet! Yay!

History of Hair

2011-12-15T02:45:00.001+08:00

Rock Chef of the Rock Chef's Warren blogged about his hair a couple of hours ago and I decided to blog about mine too. Not the one now, but the one I coloured a long while ago.

Look at the character on the left... This is Iori Yagami of the King of Fighter, an arcade game franchise very popular in the late 90s. He happened to be my muse when I was in secondary school, 16 year old me, who was already seeped in irony, fights and evil. Much like his hero. <--

So during the midyear holidays that year, 1997 I coloured my hair with Clairol's 'Burgundy' hair colour. I did it myself and was rather lacking on the 'never let the dye touch the scalp' direction. I paid for ignoring that direction... but that comes later.

My hair was flaming red in the sun! Back then, in a society of 100% black hair, I stood out like a lighthouse! People pointed and children stared. It was not a natural colour for anyone.

My dad, who was always the silent one, one day remarked that he was now FAMOUS, having a son with bright red hair. Everybody in our small town knew about me he said. My mom, believing it was only teen-angst, left me be.

I returned back to boarding school in anticipation... My school mates were shocked, but never dared to comment (I was brutal back than to criticism). I was only worried about the reaction of the teachers.... as I thought the sun and moon of them, i.e. very highly. If they reacted badly, I would be so downcasted.

The first school assembly with red haired me, I admitted that I was so afraid they would call me up to the front and have a row. But NOTHING towards that happened. The teachers were aware of me (the gossiping escalated a notch at their seats), as I stood right in the front of my class row. The Principal and Vice Principal noticed too. I had my heart drumming like crazy, but NOTHING happened...

On the third day of school, at last I dared to ask my History teacher (who was quite chummy with us) about the why. He said, yes, the teachers saw me and right after that assembly they went searching inside the school's rule book about hair dyes... and they found there was NO RULE against it. No rule, so I was legally safe. (Synthetic hair dyes were quite new to Malaysia back then). So there will be one in the NEXT YEAR'S rule book.

Sometimes I didn't believe those days happened, but they did. The only boy in school with red hair. Unfortunately I didn't have pictures, (no camera rule) :P But I did look good back then.

Now to the part when I ignored the direction... As I coloured my hair myself, it was a messy and sticky job and I might have used too much colouring too. And my scalp was totally seeped with it... My red hair lasted for almost TWO YEARS because of that one time of colouring. Fortunately I didn't get bald or I'll kill myself for my own stupidity. The reddish tint disappeared by the second year gradually.

Talking about long lasting hair colour...

So that's all folks. Now we can see people with colourful hair walking the streets with no one batting an eyelid. The world has changed.

What colour is your hair today? :)

I am a Wyrm, who waited for any opportunity...

2011-12-10T18:24:00.000+08:00

My housemate and I went to meet an old school friend at the local Secret Recipe. We are of the same age, and as I was divorced, he was never into any real relationships before. Our conversations had a wide spectrum; from the impoliteness of today's youth to the rising price of cosmetics at Guardian (you must ask? Maybe I was born with it, but SOME people do depend on creams and such :P)

And in the middle of snacking (the heavy slices of chocolate cheese cake) he told me that he already have a new laptop computer and is willing to let go of his iPad 2 for half the price. My housemate head perked up at this because he is REALLY interested in that offer. I told my friend that my housemate was looking for a touchscreen computer and would he sell it to him.

My housemate was hesitant, mainly because he didn't know my friend that well and partly, he didn't have that much money. Than suddenly, that dreadful dragon inside me roared 'AN OPPORTUNITY, TAKE IT!!!' And without ceremony I offered to buy my friend's iPad instead for myself.

My housemate face changed at this.

In the previous post, i think I wrote about me not needing a new computer. But this is a spanking new iPad 2 costing at half of its price. And next year, if God and Government permits, I will have that raise promised. PlayStation 3 and iPad 2 before Christmas. Sounds good.

No need to shout hypocrite that loud! :)

On the way back, I had to placate my housemate in the car. It took some time for an angry guy to listen to reason. I told him I knew he didn't have enough money and although the iPad will be mine, I'd let him use it as he allows me to use his laptop for gaming.

A win-win situation. Don't you think?

(some of you would think.... now I know why he has so few friends) :P

Needful Things

2011-12-08T02:11:00.002+08:00

I already have a laptop computer, but I am using my housemate's because it is the more powerful to play games with. I do not see the need to buy a better computer.

I already have a car. It's big, dusty, battered and not as shiny as it used to. Some people asked me why I didn't buy a new car. I don't see the point to owe more money from the bank.

I have clothes that might be a decade old, yet I still wear them. Why throw away good garments as long as they aren't torn? I RARELY go shopping for clothes, even for any festivities.

I love my boots. I wear construction boots to school. I started to wear boots when I was first posted in the backwaters of Borneo. That was 8 years ago... I gave away that first pair of boots to a favourite student of mine and bought another one in 2007 (brown). I am still using the same pair, but usually I wear the black pair, the one I got for my wedding in 2008.... Years of wear. Gosh, they ARE durable.

The thing is.... why we need to be so wasteful? The last time I met my youngest brother (last week), I saw he had a new pair of shoes, a new backpack, some rather expensive clothes and toiletries that I would think twice before buying. And he has not finished his study yet (insert 'parasitic organism' here). My mom paid for all that. This is sad because if I had a say in this, he would get a single penny from Mom.

Be grateful with what we have. I do not need that wonderful tablet computer because my ol laptop is still working. I don't need a new cat because I already have one and three ferrets (two ferrets were given to me by desperate owners with problems). I don't need those shiny set of pots and woks because my steel pan is still great in fry ups. And of course, just because you have a bad-ass sound system you think I'll run crying back to Mommy.

It's nice to have new, expensive stuff. Everybody wants them. But do we really have the NEED?

...........

Oh OK, I might buy a new PlayStation 3 soon. But I NEED it! It has been a year since my ol PS3 was not in working order, and the games in the laptop were rather sketchy because of the average machine.

Oh, and I might NEED that train set I had my eyes on...

And those collars for my cat. She NEEDS it.

Tra la la la la.

p.s. - That's me sitting on the carpet. We have chairs in this house but I always prefer to sit on the floor while watching tv, playing computer games, eating, heck, almost everything. See? Save the wear and tear of my sofas and dining table set :P

Long Time No Siege

2011-12-05T22:59:00.001+08:00

Finally, I got my permanent internet connection hooked up this afternoon. I regrettably had to abandon this blog for a long while because of the previous unsatisfactory broadband service I paid monthly.

It's the holidays..... School will only start at the end of December and I have lots of days to laze around, sleep or do anything we can do with so much time in our hand. For instance, today, I woke up at 11.30 pm and took this video of Kiki before I took my very belated bath.

I never consider myself as lonely. Heck, I was posted in the middle of the jungle for 4 years, and a literal lone wolf since I was a child. But it's nice to have someone who sits next to you without judgment.

While stroking her, I found out that her fur has grown too long.... Now I see the wisdom of sending your pets to those saloon for fur clipping.

Just wanna tell you guys that I am back :)

p.s. And yes, that's me in my towel still!

The School Was Burgled Last Night!! (yet again)

2011-09-21T21:14:00.000+08:00

For the 3rd time this year, our school was 'raped' by some irresponsible individuals, which I believed to be some long gone ex-students of ours. I believe this to be so because the thieves knew which rooms to hit for maximum loot - mainly the school office, the staffroom and the coop. Let the pictures do the talking.

The door to the office. The aluminium panel pried and the door was open in force.

The steel grill of the office. The padlock was cut with a heavy duty metal cutter. See how enterprising

our ex students can be?

The desk of a teacher in the staffroom. Those boys really sacked her place to look for spare change.

Desk of another teacher.... Those dastardly ingrates. This teacher was recently posted here a couple of months ago.

The desk next to me, a lady friend lost a laptop computer and some money she was saving for some students. The computer was placed inside a lock drawer under her desk and as you see, it was wide open (drawer now on the floor, far from the desk).

And last but not least, yours truly own desk. Nope, its supposed to look like that - messy. What irked me the most was, the thieves stole my Flash Scrabble set!!! I have cursed violently inside the entire day, hoping their legs to explode and their spawns born unbelievably dense.

Now you see what a little education can do for some people. Sorry, I am still sulking over my lost toy :(

Day Off With Cat

2011-09-17T21:17:00.000+08:00

I was spending the afternoon today with my cat. She has grown very fat, a result of good diet and not much exercise I guess. My cat, Artemis II Kikuraides (or Kiki in short) is 2 years, 7 months and 4 days old today. I bought her from a pet shop which mainly specialize in tropical fish and exotic animals. I fell in love with her in an instant because she was a fluffy and playful calico cat. (Calico cats are considered bringers of good luck in Japan and China. Thus the popularity on Maneki Nekos @ Lucky cats transpired).

Anyway, this post is not about the history of feline or anything... Kiki spent the afternoon running around me, as I sat on the carpet watching tv (I prefer to sit on the floor, not because my sofas are uncomfortable... I just prefer the floor. Thus I bought a heavy Japanese low table to sit at). I played laser tag with her last night (she chased the red laser point around, great fun!) but I think she still had fun running after invisible mice around the house.

And frequently she would return and pawed my legs, and sometimes my chest. I think this is an indication; 'Hey, look at me. I love you.' Sometimes I had to shoo her away, that clingy cat :)

But one time, as I was checking her back paws for matted fur, Kiki bit my hand suddenly. It wasn't hard and rather playfully, but I was surprised and slapped her in the face in reflex. She meowed in surprise and raced to the kitchen to hide. I am quite ashamed because I knew she didn't mean to hurt me. She is a happy and active cat after all.

I clapped my hand and called her name 'Kiki! Kiki!' and she returned back to me running. As she pawed my legs, with her luminous eyes in mine, a revelation was upon me. "Even a cat can forgive and forget, so why can't I be a bit more forgiving?"

I apologized to the cat. Cradled her in my arms (this always have her looking bewildered) and tickled her tummy.

I'll buy her a new collar soon, after pay day :P

Long Time No See....

2011-09-11T21:42:00.000+08:00

Goodness me. It has been ages since I peeked into my own blog. Some of you might have thought that I died or something.... It's ok, it's my own fault neglecting my online friends.
So life goes on for this averagely-paid civil servant... Only three interesting things happened since my last post;

1. My Kia was sent to the workshop thrice. Three different cooling tubes leaked and sprayed for three consecutive weeks. I did some minor repairs of my own but they weren't good enough and I was afraid that my car would explode if I didn't send it to the workshop. Strangely, I was not really worried for these series of unfortunate events, and I cannot even explain why I felt so.

2. After posting my email address at one obscure site, I began to receive a tremendous amount of junk mails and fake proposals from around the planet. I got VERY FEW emails which arrived from people who genuinely seeking friendship. I say, the age of internet KILLED a lot of innocence and well intentions.

3. I traded two of my handphones (an Acer beTouch and a Nokia C3) for a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro. A cute smartphone, but it can drain a lot of battery before midday! I still have my LG Cookie and it is now used to replace my now not-reliable alarm clock.

And now.... the political fires in school were burning high again and this time I didn't start them. This happened when many teachers realized that they didn't get enough appreciation from the administrators as they thought they should (low marks in performance score). Many teachers were angered and started to question the powers-above and as I expected it to happen, they were not satisfied by the answer.

Dirty politics. When the undeserving got a lot more advantages than honest working dudes....

I Made Her Cry and Am Proud About It.

2011-07-28T20:47:00.001+08:00

Once upon a time there was an elder lady in my school who taught Arts and language. She had a very high opinion of herself and was very insensitive to the feelings of other teachers around her.

She refused to see her faults, and thought that everyone else adored her and her antics. Her colleagues, most of them younger, had to endure her - meaning trying not to create friction by ignoring and never talked back in front of her face. She was the Head of the Language Department after all, and the lack of retaliation made her believe that she was invincible.

Last month, she made a huge mistake. She woke up some of the worst traits in me - psywar artist and ruthless avenger. It all started when she hit a fellow teacher, in my name.

It happened like this; She was angry at me and a few teachers for not completing the attendance list for our extra classes. A few teachers were there, in the staffroom, carefully ignoring her rants, and continued their various work at the common table.

Maybe she got angry being ignored, or maybe she had a momentary lapse of judgment... she picked up a rolled up newspaper and hit a teacher next to her in the face, hard! The teacher was surprised, more than hurt and she cried there and then. As for the vicious offender, she just stood looking and didn't say sorry at all. Yes, that kind of b****.

I was duly noted of the incidence later by a few friends. It angered me so much; partly because she hit a friend while being angry at me but mostly, I hate her inconsiderate gut. I was miserable for 2 months for a couple of years ago because of her and it is high time to pay her back.

So I turned to Facebook for war - the Truth will hurt. I wrote two very scathing status updates for the entire world to see, aiming at her behavior and criticizing her power hungry and in arrogant disposition. I even used some bad language to point the matter, but that's more of a personal view. (the FB status updates were in Malay, and I wouldn't want to ruin your day by translating them).

As I expected, she saw the Facebook updates (a few remaining minions alerted her) and was raving like crazy because of it. She accused EVERYBODY who commented on my updates as traitors and backstabbers. She cried in her office, cried on many not-really-sympathetic shoulders (who had to endure her) and cried everywhere. She was miserable... and we don't even care. She even met me at last, telling me that she will never forget this as long as she lives. Good, I want it that way.

And last Tuesday, we had a farewell ceremony at school, for this very woman was promoted and will transfer to a new school. During her farewell speech, she RANTED and ACCUSED many people again, for all to hear - teachers and students (who knows nothing of this). The ceremony, her ceremony was greatly marred by her own hands. The star of the show, me, was noticeably absent at the assembly, because I do not wish to see her face and prefer to lounge in the Physics lab instead. While listening, I was laughing hysterically and I guessed correctly that the rest of the teachers had no sympathy at all for her for this extraordinary feat of hers. She did mention my name personally in her speech, for being someone she will never forget :P

She is no longer in school now. And the school was much quieter, oh and yes, happier! Some students did ask the teachers about what happened during the ceremony, but most teachers preferred not to talk about it. But not me, I tell my students what really happen because they should learn that one day they might meet people like that.

Yes, Facebook can be a weapon too :)

I've Gone Beyond Anger With You

2011-06-30T10:16:00.000+08:00

What would you do if some students decided it is very OK to disobey the school rules? What would you say to a couple of students who always arrived late to school without any plausible reason? What action can you take if a boy refused to tuck-in his school uniform in class?

The challenges of modern teachers today.... it's not about teaching young minds to their best limit. It is to discipline these rowdy buggers and not having them broken (well mostly) at the end of the day.

As volatile and draconian I can be, I DO love my students - but not all. I love those who obeys, who finishes his / her homework on time, who keeps silence on cue (e.g. Mount Teacher about to go boom), who always greet their elderly well, who dresses well to school, who has their workplace tidy etc.

I hope I wasn't asking for too much.

Children will behave as children... but those kids who can think beyond their age will go far.

Yesterday, as I was teaching a class of 16 year olds about the principle of thermodynamics, I've noticed three boys who sat by the window had their faces down on the desk, sleeping or pretending to be.

I had enough. And usually I would lash out some rather degrading remarks on such ignorant youngsters.... Then I remembered that I had dished TOO many advice, TOO many scoldings, TOO much love on these particular boys. So I told the rest of the attentive students;

"Now, I've gone beyond anger with you. I just cannot be mad with you anymore."
"But why sir? What do you mean?"
"I realized that while most of you do care for your future, it is not so for a few friends of yours. I've spent too much energy scolding people, and as I do not wish to have high blood pressure at my age, I think I'll just let you be, and do as you please."
"But they are only a few...." (the boys were still immobile)
"That is why, my fondest regards and wishes go to those who LISTENS to me. As you are not my children and you know my stand against disobedient students; it is imperative for you to be on my good side for your own good. For example, as I have no interest to scream at you now, that does not mean I will not slash a huge chunk off your marks from this coming test. An eye for an eye. Keep on sleeping."

And they woke up....

Tell me if I do wrong. Or do you prefer physical punishment? Oh, and the school counselor is a friend of mine and I do sent a lot of problematic kids her way.

I've gone beyond anger...... to the calm seas of I-Don't-Care....

I Used To Look Up To Matured People...

2011-06-21T21:31:00.001+08:00

Earlier this morning, as I drove along a rather narrow stretch of road, in a part of rural area, Mr Accident suddenly decided to come knocking again. He came in the form of a senior citizen behind the wheel of an old red salon.

I moved my car to the left, with a few inches of my tires from the storm drain, waiting for the red car to pass. But it didn't.... Oh ok, this might be a lady, who is not sure about her driving skills... I thought.
So graciously, I reversed my Kia back, some 30 metres away to the front gate of a house. The road was wider and I hoped the red car's driver will have more confidence to manoeuvre there.

There was smoke raising from the engine of the red car. I heard gears clashing and the car moved forward and backward in front of me. Not wanting to be late to school, I raised my right hand out of the driver's window, beckoning the opposite driver to drive past - because the road was SIGNIFICANTLY wider and safer now. But what happened next etched this day into my 'Special Day To Remember 2011' memory.

The red car lurched to the front and hit my right front bumper!!!!!!!

Did I scream? Cussed the dark morning blue with my colourful words? Went out of the car with a meat cleaver?

No, I didn't. Actually I am a veteran of many car accidents.... People hit ME on the road, not the OTHER way around. Seriously, my Kia was quite an accident magnet, and she still rolls on. FYI (1 van, 2 motorcycles, and now 2 cars). Before you people pointed out that I might be a dangerous driver.... happily you are wrong. I drive VERY defensively, even some people who knew me was surprised at this!

So (back to the story), I closed my eyes and sighed. The red car reversed and at last it managed to move next to me. But another surprise. Yippy ka yay.

The driver rolled down the window (oh, he's an old man, with very white hair), and as I expected him to apologize.... the guy suddenly cussed and cursed me for being an arrogant ba*****. He said I should know to give him more way. He said he lived around there, and he has more right. He said I am an arrogant bas**** (again). He said I was a terrible person and so on.

I heard these all with utter disbelief. And he berated me for more than 2 minutes (I checked my watch) and now four cars were queuing behind his red car, waiting.

You wanna know why I waited for more than 2 minutes listening to his tirade? I wanted to see how silly people can be, and my late father once told me; No matter how an older person is wrong, DO NOT retaliate back just yet, wait for your chance. If it was a younger guy, I'd stepped out of my car and punched him in the face.

And I had to yell to stop him cursing, telling him that people have to go to work and have a nice day. I drove past (remembering his license plate MAA 9402) and I had no problem with the cars behind him, where the road was narrower. This speaks VOLUMES!

Reached school 10 minutes later than usual, and checked my front bumper for damage. As I predicted, only scratches.... (you should see the damage done to the car which hit my Kia hard at the back last year, it was a total wreck, and my car had a dented back bumper only. Korean cars rock!)

I told a few colleagues about this incident, not for pity, but just releasing steam because I couldn't believe an older person was capable of doing such act. More mature, and you should be wiser. Oh, anyway, the guy who hit my car from the back WAS ALSO an older guy!

Now tell me what you think.

p.s.

- I returned very late from school this evening... as I drove VERY slowly along that narrow stretch, I looked up for the red car at the several homes along the way. What you expect me to do? Yes, Daddy told me to take my time, right?

But the car wasn't there. The senile guy might live deeper from the road...

Nevermind, I have your plate number :P

Post Midnight Musings....

2011-06-21T00:38:00.000+08:00

It's 12.26 am in a hot and balmy night.
A tea candle burning in an IKEA glass thingy next to me.... just because I enjoy the flame.
Why I was absent for 4 months?
Was it the infamous writer's block? Swallowed by the dastardly Void? Or just plain lazy?
I don't know, but I gave a reason like 'bad internet connection' to some friends / people.
Which is COMPLETELY true.

I did a lot of interesting things these past few months....
Might talk about it here, if people are still interested. If not? Ah, that's so metaphysical.

Am now watching several guppies swimming in a Japanese-made aquarium (small, yet very functional).
Love guppies, as they are so interesting to watch - colours and dynamics.
My love set this up for me this afternoon. :)

I am bored....
I'll wake my ferrets up to accompany me for a while.
By poking at their tummies, really.
They sleep like logs.
Oh, and I have another ferret, a female.
Will post their pic soon. :)

I might be back soon enough.

Wait for it.

My 'Cute' Bungalow (2 km away from Mom's bad ass abode)

2011-02-14T09:20:00.002+08:00

My house from the front. I used a double dose of herbicide to kill the weed one month ago. Whosale slaughter of the grassy kind! My housemate piled the stones he collected around the house under the palm tree in front. Hey, doesn't my Kia looks like a Porsche from here?

The front sliding glass doors with grills. Look carefully (click the pic for the HUGE picture). Those are not curtains, but colourful wrappers taped to the glass. Too lazy to get curtain railings.... And this makes the house cooler with the shade.

Home theater system, on top of a hardwood low cabinet. Look at the miniature ships! (from students for last year's Teacher's Day) I might wanna start a collection of them soon :)

Sofa set in front of the tv. I bought the coffee table recently, because it matches the black hardwood tv cabinet and dining table. You can see my collection of ~~deadly weapons~~ canes I used on students in the brown vase on the right. That vase was made out of rolled paper, and then painted with syellac. My housemate made it when he was in secondary school.

The dining table with the stolen table cloth. My cat, Kiki can be seen here, wasting the space :) The small palm plant on the table is real. We will move it outside when it gets too big.

A part of the kitchen. We like the kitchen to be spacious (both housemate and me love cooking) so every furniture was moved accordingly to the side. I stole the yellow egg boiler from my mom two days ago :P And lookie! Another palm plant!

We have three rooms in the house. I put my ferrets inside the middle room, cages and all. I let them out to play once in a while. Disco and Kaos in the right big cage. Jewels, the new ferret on the left. Kiki is seen here visiting her cousins.

The front, again. You can see six patches of grass, planted experimentally by my housemate. He volunteered to do the landscaping around the house. Moral of the story; Find someone who you can use extensively as a housemate. [The lower outside wall was rain stained and a bit mossy - 3 years worth of neglect. I might paint it bright red soon]

p.s. - I cannot show my bedroom; it was messy and I was not in a mood to clean it up. I am sorry if I cannot update my blog as frequently as before, but I will try soon enough.

Mobile blogging... Still no broadband in sight... sigh

2011-02-07T09:19:00.001+08:00

The Chinese New Year holiday just passed. What you all doing were doing?
New house is gorgeous. Had a road trip 600 km to get the spare refrigerator from my housemate's late mom's house. She passed away last Dec, of cancer.
The school office was burgled during the holiday. They emptied the safe and wrote stuff on the principal's room walls. The adminstrators have a huge headache. Am happy not being one.
Is wondering when he can afford to buy the huge black cabinet for his books and toys....
Is still missing you guys.... Ha!

Mobile Blogging 3

2011-01-22T11:45:00.002+08:00

My broadband connection at home was still terrible.
I apologize because I know I promised some pictures, but it is most difficult to upload them through mobile phones.
I may terminate my broadband service and will wait for a better offer from other telcos.
Anywho... Breaking news. I got another ferret, female this time. A distraught owner had to leave for Taiwan and as I was the nearest ferret boss, naturally I got to keep his ferret as nobody else knew how.
Kaos and Disco got a new sister :)
See ya all later.
Mighty busy with school and cleaning the little bungalow.

Mobile Blogging 2 : Everybody is a paparazzi.

2011-01-17T12:39:00.002+08:00

Saw a dead body in a local barbershop last week. Took a video.
Saw a car turned turtle in the heavy rain yesterday. Took a video.
Cannot upload it to my blog.
Dang.
Everybody with a mobile is an instant reporter.
Live your life.
Worth living?

First Mobile Blogging

2011-01-13T13:39:00.001+08:00

Sitting quietly in the staffroom.
Listening to the merry chatter of female teachers.
Obscenely loud.
My teacher's report still undone.
Messing with people mind is so much fun.
Gosh, look at the time...
A class awaiting; brainwashing and reprogramming is my gift.
Must had been an inquisitor in my past life....
:p

Enigmatic Me

2011-01-11T00:01:00.002+08:00

I taught Science to the lower secondary, and Physics to the upper secondary students.
I am good at what I do, although I must admit I hate giving out homeworks because of the fuss in marking them soon. Which is very OK to all my students :P
So I make it a point to make them understand, and keep the assignments minimum at best.
Ain't I swell?

The second week of school... and reports of students smoking behind the classroom block poured to me from various prefects and spies.
I tossed the names to VP of Students' Affair and gave praises to my special agents in the field.
Feels like the FBI handler in the espionage films.
They all report to me, to the gigantic chagrin of one particular discipline teacher, who thought she alone was popular enough to be chummy with students to get the info.
Take that b***h.
See? Fear does have it's advantage.
I run my Prefect Board like the Gestapo. Ve hav vays to make ye talk!

From the faces in class; 89% are simply fascinated with me. Not enough fear there.... may crank up the factor these few days. Never too late to teach them to fear ~~God~~ Prefect Teacher.
Yes, and I am smiling as I do threats, so they don't take me seriously.
Until it was too late.....
Dastardly me.

Did your teacher ever asked you to stand for two whole periods just because you are a few minutes late? Did he / she ever asked you to copy ALL of the questions and answers in your failed exam paper THRICE? (40 objective questions, and many many structural. And time them by 3) Have you witnessed someone so immersed in badness leaves scathing insults burning in your young souls for years?
I did all that on a weekly basis, and sometimes while sitting on the teacher's table too, cross-legged.
Yet they adore me....
Ermm.......

I have MY OWN BUNGALOW :P

2011-01-10T00:40:00.000+08:00

Yes, with my meager pay, I can still afford to have my own house. A 'cute' little bungalow in a housing estate, in front of a local university, less than 3 km away from my mom's place.

Neglected the house for almost four years. Why? I was supposed to live there with my wife, had kids and lived happily ever after..... but fortune never smiles on me that way, so I purposely left the house to ruin, because it was a reminder of my failed effort to have a bright future.

I had a strong desire to move to the house now because my youngest sister will get married this March.... and it will be awkward to have two married couples (her elder sister already married) visiting my mom's place with only ONE room available. So I did the honorable thing by moving out of my cramped room into the spacious living place I already have, but conveniently forgotten.

So I had them install the water meter sometime last week.... and hey, later that evening somebody from my new neighborhood called (I am still staying at my mom's) telling my house was flooding. The buoy of the water tank above the house was rusted and water kept on pouring out of the overflow system and YES, my house was flooded inside too!

Did I scream with anger? Cursing God about this fate? Nope. I know it's my fault. When you neglected your belongings, they will bite you back, and always at your wallet (read the previous post about 'Ghost in the Shell). I had a friend to climb into the roof to fix it. Fortunately I didn't have any stuff lying on the floor or they'll be ruined by the water.

.....I have plans for my cute bungalow. But for now we'll have to wait for the electric meter to be installed, and then the wiring man, etc. I am in no hurry..... March is still far away. :)

Will take some pics of it soon.

p.s. - The clerk in the Water Supply Department called the row of houses as 'cute'.... It angered me at first, but come to think of it, yes, they are quite cute, as they are a bit smaller than common bungalows, yet I have so much space around my house for future renovation and addition. Those will come much much later....

Midnight Rambling......

2011-01-06T00:33:00.000+08:00

The fan only a couple of metres away, full blast, yet I am not cold.
The wall clock; 12.30 am, damn, it's late.
Stolen various works from the internet, so I can manipulate them to be mine later.
Evil gets no rest on weekdays.

Work is interesting this week.
Poisoning new minds - obey me and you will be safe from harm.
90% of target group (students) had fallen to the ~~evil~~ charm.
Feet aching like heck walking around the block.

Going to move to new house soon.
Bungalow :) [insert your jealous thoughts here]
Hope I got a better internet connection soon.
Because now, it's worse than crap.

...... I should have written like this a long time ago....

School Is Back / Beware of Friends

2010-12-31T20:50:00.000+08:00

School will open next Monday and I am somewhat happy because I got what I wanted; The Prefect teacher, a new class full of more intelligent students (they used to give me the lesser classes because I am a man, ergo, I can control the rowdier sort of children. Sexist!) and a promising batch of older students for Physics (last year's was a total disappointment).

And last year performance as a fear-causing entity in every essembly made the job 'Assembly Coordinator' officially mine this new year. Meaning, I can yell and reprimand students / teachers legally now (insert evil laugh here). Yes, I am the Sue Sylvester of my school.

Anyway, I am telling you guys to be careful with your friends, no matter how chummy you guys are. My younger brother had a new handphone last week, after he saw mine, and was showing it off to the entire house. The phone was really nice, way more expensive than mine and the latest in communication technology. And it was stolen from him three days after he purchased it.

One friend stole the gadget while he was meeting a bunch of his buddies at a petrol station nearby. He realized the theft later, but cannot do anything much because OF COURSE nobody admitted stealing the phone. He was in a very black mood these few days before departing to the university.

Too bad then. That was a VERY NICE handphone. :P

Anyway, here's wishing you guys a Happy New Year!

p.s. - I am sorry if my presence isn't felt in your blogs lately, but it is not entirely my fault. The broadband service I am using is rather performing poorly these few weeks. I want to change to a new service this January. Remember me, will you? :angel

Ghost In The Shell

2010-12-26T10:45:00.000+08:00

Hello people..... sorry for the VERY long absence. I have a heavy paperload to finish, as the school will be opened in a couple of weeks time. I use the computer everyday, yet I have no idea what to write and my broadband service was playing merry hell with the connection.

Anyway, I want to tell you guys that I just bought a new phone, a Nokia-C3, yes, the Blackberry for poor people :P I didn't want to waste my money on a new phone.... really. But my LG KP-500 Cookie (LG keeps naming their handphones as foodstuff; Cookie, Ice-Cream, Chocolate....) failed on me last week. The touchscreen wouldn't work properly, it was so frustrating. I kept turning it on and off, taking out the battery and memory card, and even threw it to the wall a couple of times in anger.

But the eerie thing happened when I began to use my new handphone, the Nokia. Cookie was suddenly good for use, behaved as any obedient electronic gadget. It galled me greatly, as now I have two mobile phones AND I wasted money to buy the extra one I thought I needed.

That Cookie must've done this when I was thinking of getting myself an IPhone.... Dastardly done.

And my Pilips home theatre system was acting funny too. If I ever play a REALLY high-definition DVD, it would act up and stuttered right at 1:09:00 (one hour and nine minutes) of the movie. This would never happen to a regular DVD.....

That Pilips must've done this on purpose after hearing me boasting to some friends about my high-definition DVD collection. Evil cd-player you!

.... I do believe that some inanimate things have a bit of a soul (thus 'Ghost In The Shell') If you said / think bad things to a machine, it might retaliate in some ways that severely damage your wallet. I was hating my car last year and it almost blew-up.

Oh.... and I lost THREE watches last month when I neglected to wear them. The watchman @ clocksmith said that he was unable to save them.... See what I mean.

So be good to the stuff you have. They want your care and attention too.

And below is a picture of a herd of goats I hate the most.....

These animals belong to my younger brother (the guy in red) and in this scene, these smelly creatures had escaped from their pen, and poured out into the street. My brother and mom keep these goats behind our late grandmother's house, some 10 km away from our home. So they have to shuttle twice a day back and forth to feed them.

As this is not my project, I have no interest to care for them. These goats are huge and smelly. For me, a good goat is already dead and stays on the plate :)

Gosh! It's the 10th of December already?!!

2010-12-10T13:43:00.002+08:00

It has been a week already - seven days of utter laziness and unproductivity. I woke up very late in the morning, spend the few hours awake playing computer games, visited my mother until 3.00 pm and returning back to my friend's rent house to wait for his return from his part time job at a waterworld resort.

Yes, I am staying with a friend until the 20th December for now. His house and my mom's are not that far, scant 4 km apart. I stayed with him because his housemates can only return after the 20th, and he doesn't like to stay alone, especially at night.

Anywho, we got to cook our own meals - mainly because I am against eating out frequently, and got to talk to each other untill bored stiff and surprisingly, sleep early every night.

We watched Narnia; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D) earlier this week and although I found it was decent, I was simply a bit annoyed because the film makers had strayed much from the original plot.

I've read all the Narnian books; from 'The Magician's Nephew' telling how Narnia was born till 'The Last Battle' where EVERYBODY died and go somewhere 'pleasant'.

So when somebody said "Eh, what happen? Is that the end of the story?" at the end of the film, there goes another ignorant who never bother to seek / read the books.

I look down on ye people from my high pedestal of fantasy; those thrill seekers who never bothered to read the entire Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narnia etc series - and yet dared to comment that the films were mediocre at best. If you don't read the books, don't you ever dare telling people how much you understand the flawed story you watched on the silverscreen.

Sorry. I was simply vexed by the prejudiced reviews regarding a few of the best fantasy books I ever read by some ignorant movie-goers who never set foot in a bookstore (I blame FaceBook for spreading this).

On a happier tone; happy Friday! :D

Happy 32nd Birthay To Me - Yay!

2010-12-03T17:28:00.000+08:00

It's my birthday today and I spent the whole day sleeping and playing Age of Mythology - The Titans.

I've got nothing special planned, unlike the party I held last year.

No birthday cakes, no presents. Most birthday wishes I got were from Facebook, and all were replied promptly.

I got older, and I cannot say I am thrilled.

But I am thankful for my health and the few people who really care whatever I do in life.

I might want to go out this evening to get that potpourri for my car - as my own birthday present.

Oh ok, some of you might not buy all this lonely-oh-poor-me thing... because you ARE correct! The birthday party IS actually on the 16th December! I was born on the 3rd and my new significant other the 31st December. So we decided to celebrate at the middle of the month. :D

A Good Cook Is Not An Evil Person (have you heard of this?)

2010-12-01T15:58:00.001+08:00

My friend was in the kitchen, and yours truly was busy defeating Indian and Chinese oppressors in Age of Empires III - the computer game (Japanese Samurai Rules!) in the hall, adjacent to the kitchen.

I was back-seat cooking (is there is such term?) as usual - giving orders from afar.

"Make sure you blend the fresh turmeric too."
"But I think the powdered turmeric would be just enough," he said.
"Do as I say, it will taste better - powdered and fresh."
.......
"Put some tamarind inside the pot. Not so much though."
"But I never use tamarind in this dish. I am not using bird's eye chillies, just regular chillies, ok?"
"Just put that sour stuff in the pot, it will taste better, believe me. And good call with the chillies."
"I am putting the coconut milk inside the pot now..."
"Finish the entire carton, we will buy more soon. Don't forget a bit of salt."
.......
"How long do you say we need to boil these crabs?"
"Eight to ten minutes. They are rather small after all." (three sea crabs, almost a kilogram)
"Oh ok. Hey look, they are turning red!"
"I thought you cooked crabs before?"
"Long time ago, and I was assisting my sister."
.......
"Ok it's all ready. Come and let's eat. I have rice ready."
"Ok, wait up." (me reluctantly leaving the massacre of the traitorous East India Company. Paused the game.)
"So what do you think?"
"Hey, you forgot to cut the crabs in halves before putting them in the pot!"
"You never told me that."
"Oh ok, ok. No biggie." I took a bite from the crab innards after some difficulties taking off the top carapace.
.........
"It tastes good, yes?"
"You are pulling my legs. I think I fail to cook it properly."
"Yes it does, try it yourself. You are not a bad cook."
"Thank you." :D
"With your cooking skills and my dominating presence, we can open up a restaurant after I retire."
..........
Yes, that's what we did this long school holiday. Experimental cooking.

It Happened In The Toilet...

2010-11-27T03:49:00.002+08:00

I went to Tesco this evening to get my regular supply of red meat and other interesting stuff I might fancy. But before I took the escelator to the market floor, I went to the washroom next to the food court to wash my face, freshen up or whatever. Who knows? I might still have the lipstick I used to accommodate the gown I wore for last night's drag party. Kidding :D

As I swung the door and entered, I saw a cleaning boy (boy, not man, as he was too young to stamp 'maturity' on) moping the washroom floor. The boy suddenly stiffened, rigid, with his mop clutched closely to his chest, his eyes nailed to the wall, looking at nothing.

Oh-kay..... I told myself. Must be the evil persona oozing from me that made innocents gripped with fear. I ignored the boy and entered a stall to continue my business. I heard the boy continuing his cleaning as I was in the toilet.

I emerged from the toilet a few minutes later, and as I wash my hands and face at the sink, I noticed the same cleaning boy hiding behind an empty stall door. He knew I saw him, but made it a point to hide his face. The washroom was still empty except the both of us.

Do I know this guy? Did I ever do anything to harm him? Killed his cat or goldfish perhaps?

As I shopped for my stuff, I kept wondering why he acted thus. And suddenly it dawned on me as I walked past the food court on my way back to the car.

He was ashamed of his job. Very much ashamed I think, that he didn't want people to look. I watched some foreigners; Bangladeshis and Vietnamese cleaning up the plates and utensils from the tables and of course, no locals doing the same job. Young local boys and girls think that such mundane jobs as 'low class' and they would die in embarrassment if caught working there by friends.

Waiters, cleaners, labourers, factory operators.... the least popular jobs among the young locals. And to fill in the jobs, foreign workers were called in and now these people are EVERYWHERE. From your local grocery stores to the frontdesks of six-stars hotels (yes, Malaysia DO have a couple of them). They are cheap and are willing to work for longer hours.

....I don't feel pity about the boy in the toilet at all. The future is not written in stone. Some wise men said that education is a way to prevent poverty and I believe in that. And if you are not that bright, be a good and willing worker, one day you will be paid in kind. Hardworking and politeness are hard currency (in my case).

Why work in such places in the first place anyway, boy?

How can you get ****ed THRICE in an afternoon?

2010-11-22T18:40:00.002+08:00

The boys were very different, though both wore spectacles and of the same age, 15. The smarter dressed boy had curly short hair, thin and wore braces. His friend, with wild hair, had took off his uniform and wore t-shirts instead, a few minutes before they arrived at the city. They took a bus from a boarding school near the capital.

The capital city was big, crowded and hot. The curly haired boy asked his friend to take him to a arcade game centre.
"But I thought you don't like arcade games," his friend said as he bought a couple of comics from a newstand.
"I just wanna see the place, never been there all my life. Please?"
"Oh ok, normally I don't play around this place, but I will take you to one. The games here are lame and old."

So the boy took his friend to a 4 storeys commercial building near crowded the bus stop. He was a very brave person, known to walk almost everywhere in the city alone, sometimes late at night. His other friend felt safe around him, and they were close.

The arcade centre was at the top story of the old, yet still busy building. The place was rather dark, and the machines were indeed not very new, as the wild haired boy had said. It was rather deserted, because most youngters prefer to play the new machines at the new mall further. The boy with the braces said he wanted to try some games.
"Play on. I will stand next to you."

After a couple of unmemorable video games, both decided to leave and visit a bookstores across the building. As they walked to the elevator, side by side, two huge boys came between them from behind. It was very sudden, and of course frightening for the children.

The boy with the braces eyes widen with fear, and he bolted away like a rabbit! His friend was not that fortunate, as the bullies took hold of his arms and led him away, to a much darker part of the floor - the abandoned food court, next to the arcade.

There, he faced a group of a dozen boys, all larger and much older than him. Some seemed to have never been to a school in fact. The leader of a gang, a dark boy with pimply face, was sitting in the middle, eating a plate of noodles with a fork. He looked up as his minions pushed their victim to the front.
"We got this one Boss, the other kid escaped."

The 15 year old eyed his captors; he was not afraid, only greatly annoyed and vexed. His face reddened and his eyes became slits behind the lens. One might say he might attack the entire group, from that murderous look in his face.

But that was lost to the leader of the bullies and most of his gang, as the place was too dim to make up anything. As he forked food into his mouth, he asked;
"Do you have 20 cents?"
"Yes," the boy answered.
"Do you have 2 ringgits?"
"Yes," he answered again.
"Do you have 20 ringgits?"
"Yes."
"Now give it to me," the bully smiled behind the filthy table he was sitting.

"No."

The head bully had his smile wiped from his face, his minions making unwelcomed noises and threats. Surely that was a first for them.

The boy turned and walked past the two sentries behind him. One bully tried to pull his arms, but failed and ripped the plastic bag the boy was carrying. As the boy bent down to collect his fallen comics, he hissed;
"Touch me again and I will kill you."
And then he walked to the emergency stairs... he was half expecting a chase but it never happened.

As he descended, angry at himself for being caught, he met three disheveled men sitting on the stairs on the third floor. One stood up to bar his way and put out his hand;
"Give me your money!"

The boy, who was already angry, lashed out loudly instead;
"Get the F*** out of my way!" and stormed past the surprised men.

The boy finally reached the ground floor and he way was barred ONCE again by another man, this time a creepy drug addict, who made his abode under the stairs. As he rose unsteadily to his feet before the door, asking for money....
The boy kicked his feet under him, with the expensive black leather shoes all boarding school boys should have. To add injury to more injury, the hellish boy stamped on the junkie's chest twice before screaming and leaving the scene of crime via the door.

The afternoon was still bright, and the boy's fury was abated somewhat after his assault. He hadn't the mood to continue shopping, so decided to go back early. As he continue the short walk, he saw his cowardly friend waiting anxiously at the bus stop.

"Why YOU........."

p.s. - this happens to be a true story, about me. Rock Chef's entry reminded me of this incident, eventhough his is a happier and more delicious one :P After the three (failed) muggings, I had a boot knife and wore high cut basketball shoes during outings.... I don't carry knives anymore, but the shoes turns to boots for easy kicking :v

The building. Believe it or not, I went back to the place a few weeks after that.

I couldn't find the bullies, well good for them.

The Prophet's Cat

2010-11-20T04:38:00.002+08:00

"Muezza (or Mu'izza) (Arabic: معزة‎) is said to have been the Islamic prophet Muhammad's favorite cat. According to legend, Muhammad one day awoke at the sound of the call to prayer. Preparing to attend, he began to clothe himself; however, he soon discovered Muezza sleeping on the sleeve of his robe. Rather than wake her, he used a pair of scissors to cut the sleeve off, leaving the cat undisturbed; when he returned from prayers, the prophet received a bow from Muezza in thanks. He then stroked his beloved cat three times. The accuracy of this story is not clear, as no references to it are made in the Quran or the hadith.

It is also believed that when Muhammad gave sermons within his household, he would often hold Muezza in his lap. Further anecdotes state that Muhammad sometimes used water that Muezza had drunk from for wudu (washing before ritual prayers). Due primarily to the love Muhammad displayed for Muezza, Muslims are traditionally encouraged to regard cats as lovable and cherished creatures. Mistreating an animal is seen as among the most severe of all crimes in Islam."

- from Wikipedia -

p.s. - I already knew about this and decided to share this piece with you. Another myth (yes, because it might be not true, but still delicious to hear) is the letter 'M' on most kittens' foreheads, the prophet's initial because of his love for his feline friends. [Which I think is not true, because they never use other letters than Arabic at that time] But check it out on the nearest kitten! You should see the 'M' pretty clear.

Now look at that 'M'!!!

The School In The Middle of A Jungle, And Next To A River.

2010-11-16T20:32:00.002+08:00

Thanks a lot for the very VERY heartfelt comments in the previous post.... If you guys were in front of me, it would be a very interesting discussion of good versus evil and all related subjects in the realm of different life experiences.

As for Mr Grayquill and his ~~minions~~ supporters.... I must agree that you guys are correct in some cases. (This is high compliment, because I rarely applaud people, so cherish while it last guys). But alas you are not here to show poor misguided me the way to proper conducts..... But I promise to be a better human in the near future!

So, I have a few pictures I've scrounged and stolen of my old school in the heart of Sarawak, Borneo - SMK Katibas.

This is a part of the fabulously long Rajang River. It snakes for thousands of kilometres. Notice the trees, they are actually GIANTS. So the river is indeed wide. My school was WAY at the bottom of the picture.

Oh lookie! Here's the boat we used to travel between the heavier populated parts of this state. It is really a bus that floats, with seats and of course, emergency floats for.... errrr emergency, such as sinking in the crocodile infested water :v

But we arrived to school with style..... on THESE. These are called 'perahu panjang' or long boats which are more suitable to travel in shallower streams. These boats are made from wooden planks, so much lighter than the metal boat above. The risk of tossed into the water, very high. (But never me though, I wonder why I have a charmed life....)

And tada! This is the VERY jetty in front of the school! A water pump was fixed next to the jetty. You can see some students arriving, wearing safety jackets..... This is a redundancy as most students know how to swim, by living next to the river all their lives.

Another express boat, in Sibu, a city near the coast. The mock clock tells the boat will depart at 5.30 pm. Next to the boat is a motorized junk, filled with groceries for the rural parts.

More students from my school on a trip to the long houses. 'Long houses' or rumah panjang are indeed long, and housed a lot of people. It's like connected terrace houses, with a very long covered corridor through it. Tourists love visiting them, maybe for its 'ol worlde' charms.

So, imagine touching down at the airport.... and then spend the night in the city and hopped into the first express boat in the wee hour of the next morning for a two hours journey. Then reaching the small town of Song (yes, Song, no pun intended) and waited for the next long boat to the school. The journey from Song to SMK Katibas is about 1 hour 45 minutes long (remember the long winding river?) The further we go, the clearer the water...

But I remember; we did a lot of waiting then. For the boats, for the boat drivers who are not at their boats, for students who should be in their respective boats..... A LOT of waiting. And I am an impatient monster (so you know how often I got angry).

Ok, that's all for now folks. I will have more time to assault your blogs after this Friday, as the school holiday will start. For now, enjoy these pics and do ask if you want more. I will try to put more pics of the school soon.

I miss being at that school by the river...

True Tales; The Students And The Teacher

2010-11-09T09:17:00.004+08:00

Once upon a time, I was first posted in the huge forest choked island of Borneo (Google it, will you?). The school I first taught in was in a very rural area, and can only be contacted by river boats and satellite phone. It was a beautiful school, (mainly because I had many modifications and beautifying projects made using the backbones of many students during my reign of terror (during my few last years there). But this post is not about that.

The teachers of the school, my colleagues were young, as only junior and capable civil servants will be sent that far into the middle of nowhere. The students were mostly of indigenous people who lives around the area, but ALL were housed in the boarding hostels provided. This is to ensure EVERYBODY attend school on time and to have control over discipline (and for the parents' peace of mind, not having to send their children to school, so far and difficult from home).

Now, this friend of mine, a kindly man, was a sort of a welfare-organisation-on-legs. He was always giving help, mainly to the poorer students, indiscriminately. As a person who cared a lot less, I told him that his actions would be thankless, yet he only smiled and said that there were too few of people helping. I think he believes in the great rewards at the hereafter (which is a good thing, I hope many people are like this actually, believing in cause and effect).

So there were this couple of siblings; a girl and her younger brother. They came from a very poor family (same as the rest) and were average in everything; looks, academics, etc. My friend decided to have this two as his personal goodwill project. Meaning; he helped these two a lot more than the rest. Where he rained money and love to the rest, for these two, it POURED! The other colleagues only shook their heads at this aggressive act of kindness.

He's a good soul, this friend of mine.
Fast forward a couple of years later....
One afternoon, somebody told me that this particular friend of mine was seen crying as he arrived from the nearest town, by boat (an hour journey). This seemed odd, as he never cried and was always smiling to his throngs of students. I went to his quarters, and he was indeed crying, and after threatening to sever all ties of friendship, he finally told me why.

Remember the two students; the girl and her brother? The girl had finished school two years earlier, and the younger brother was still studying in his final year at the school.

My friend met the two of them by accident at the small town, as he was buying supplies. The two young people were sitting at an eating stall, just finishing their breakfast and was enjoying the morning air.
My friend saw them and decided to join the table as he hadn't seen the girl for quite a while. But as he approached....

The girl stood up and left, his brother followed suit. They saw him coming and decided to leave.
Not only that, from the face of the girl - it showed disgust.

Now, please kindly tell me WHAT kind of people are we dealing with? (And as you at it, which special hell would you put these two in?)

My friend was heartbroken. And I was livid with anger (this is one turning point in my life; never put your full trust in a student). If I was there, I'd rip their ungrateful hearts out (one of the reasons many dare not cross me, I was a terror back then).

You might say that this only happens rarely, but in this new era, this modern world - it happened again and again. Children lie and hurt, yet when reprimanded, cried foul. Where is the respect for the elderly today?

A good and caring teacher was scarred emotionally, maybe for life. By having him faulty, a lot of students will lost the chance of having a meaningful relationship with a nice man as he.

I am not saying I suspect EVERY child to be evil and prone to hurt feelings. It is just nowadays teachers have to be more careful to help those in need. Being a naturally bad person, I am sorry to say that I only help those who wish to better themselves. I told you people I am not nice before, right? :v

This is the entry I promised Grayquill :)

p.s. - as for those two, the girl married young and was divorced much later, with a baby. As for her ungrateful younger brother, he faced hell in school - the collective wrath of all teachers who heard and sympathized our colleague. You do not wish to be a student every teacher hates. He did badly for exams and then was never seen again.

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These.

2010-11-05T10:48:00.000+08:00

Last night, at Parkson's.... I was poking on the merchandise displayed, yes literally with my forefinger...

All were soft, fluffy and generally white. Albeit few came in boxes, some in plastic bags but mostly in flimsy cloth covering. My significant other was standing on the next rack, hugging the fluffier items.

A sales girl oiled herself nearer from my right. She raised her eyebrows at the vicious poking experienced by her charge. But before she said anything;

"Don't you have anything better than these?"

"What form are you looking for, sir?" she was polite, thankfully.

"I am looking for something cool, even cold. These are not cold enough for me," as I pointed to the products of foamed rubber, cotton and even downy feather. But before she had time to answer...

"Hey, these are infused with peppermint! This one ylang ylang. And those with green tea?!! Do these stuff really work?"

"Personally, I use the green tea one. It works for me, sir."

"Oh ok, good for you then, but I will not get this," I sniffed the peppermint out of the unzipped bag. It was not strong though. The price-tag was frightful too.

"If you are looking for the cooler ones, there are some on the level below."
"But we did arrive FROM below."

"Have you seen those in grey boxes? They are synthetic, with memory contour. And I personally think they are the coolest of all."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, we just got here from there, and there is NO grey boxes."

"??? Then I will follow you downstairs. I personally put them there."

...... she followed us down the escalator and finally we were there, behind a huge pillar, where 7 boxes of fluffy yet expensive items hid, away from their brethren a few aisle away.

"Oh, ok. You shouldn't have put them so far from the rest."

"Would you like to feel them?" she opened up a box and withdrew the innards.

"Wow, this is COOL. Firm, yet so fluffy. Where does this come from?"

I bought the stuff right away. Japanese products rock!

I used the pillow last night. And it was awesome! :D

What Happened to All Those Knowledge I Taught You?!

2010-10-31T22:37:00.000+08:00

I was marking the final exam Science paper this evening and I felt really disappointed with the answers I saw written in the pages. I know I am not a bad teacher, and I do get better results than some, yet I wonder what happen in our previous lessons and exercises.

Teaching is so much as an investment. You pour a lot of energy and resources, and then expect good results from your investment. And if your investment goes down the drain, we wonder whose at fault here... Normally I blame the students and sometimes, the parents..... But this entry is not about pointing fingers.

Thousands of years of paedagogy, yet many children always chose the wrong path, and it was the responsibility of teachers and good parents to pull them back from the dark side. What's with bad things that made people fascinated? Does long hair, not wearing your uniform properly etc made you cool in school? Personally, I am amazed and couldn't understand why the same students keep doing them. (Ok, ok. Actually I know the reason, but I decided long ago that 'If you don't ask for help, I will not help you.').

Focus in class, and lock-in the information you got by reviewing it later. That's the gist of smart studying. Last week, on Thursday morning, I sat with some students before the assembly started, watching them reading some textbooks. Ok, ok 'reading' is definitely a lie. They PRETENDED to read. Yes, I saw their eyes skirting and gazing the books, but they read without comprehension! And it dawned on me that the few hours of study that are worth it are the ones they got by remembering what the teachers said, not by reading books.

Are we doomed? Oh yes we are. If this continue to plague the younger generations. But it's so hard to cultivate the reading culture when children are more interested in games and irresponsible past-times....

.... why must I bother with this anyway.... I'll do my job as the very draconian teacher I am. Cut the losses and care for those who are promising. Those who cannot cope (or refused to join) will be left for the wolves. Life is war. Don't let anyone tell you different, comrade! :v

The Best Toy I Ever Got (for now)

2010-10-27T00:37:00.003+08:00

Let's put the PlayStation 3 and my computer games aside for now....

I love a couple of board games; Monopoly and Scrabble. Don't do much chess though, because I am too impatient. I rarely played other board or card games because I was simply not that interested.

So.... playing a board game all by yourself is a bit silly. (That always happen to us evil people with no friends... the minions were too stupid to even play snake-and-ladders). The board games also come with small, very easy to lost pieces, or made out of flimsy material which will deteriorate after heavy use. (Tell me if I am wrong)

So one fine penniless day last week I went to Parkson's and saw something cool at the Toys Section. Scrabble Flash (age 8 and above). I want! (the little boy inside me)

And I bought the damn thing yesterday (for myself), with a remote control sports car (for my significant other) when my account went ka-ching recently.

It was a lonely person dream come true (sad smile, still happy though). I got to play Scrabble all by myself. Scrabble Flash (a Hasbro product) consisted of 5 electronic tiles that communicate with each other, by building words and keeping score while at it. Too bad the longest words are only 5 letters long, but it amused me greatly, and there were no repetition of the same words that I was aware of.

The digital display on each tile is big and nice, and I am sometimes amazed that five letters can create sometimes 30 and over words.
We get to rearrange the red tiles to form new words. And for every new word, the tiles go beep! (ha ha ha) The game has a timer, and if I was stumped, the tiles provide the solution. Now that's what I call VERY COOL.

If I have children, I'd let them play with this. But I don't, so I tell you to get this cool toy for yours. :)

It's about USD 30 or 24 pound (last I checked).

p.s. - oh, and you can play this with other people too (which I refused to do)

Of Ferrets and Death

2010-10-25T11:03:00.001+08:00

Disco doing his I-Am-A-Rug Impression

Kaos enjoying a body rub after a long walk.

I took both of my ferrets; Kaos and Disco to the beach last Sunday. I am comfortable bringing them there as the place is wide and we can move away cleanly if there are too many distractions (to both ferrets and owner).

My friend accompanied me that day, and he got to hold a ferret the first time then. He preferred to pet, hold and walk Kaos as Disco is the nippy one of the two. Kaos is indeed the more docile, and he is a joy to hold.

But as I was watching my friend playing with Kaos (with Disco trying to nip my trousers at the end of his collar) I was reminded of the mortality of my pets. Kaos was born almost two years ago.... and a domestic ferret can only live for 5-6 years. A cat can live twice longer (so no worry for Kiki the Cat yet).

I have another 3 years to spend with my Kaos, then. And I hope he and his mate, Disco are healthy and well as long as they live. I spent a lot of money on premium quality food and treats for my cat and ferrets (and I am happy that my pets are never sick because of this). Unfortunately, the veterinary services in Malaysia are not really competent regarding ferret healthcare. Ferrets are STILL considered very exotic at this part of the world. I cannot trust fully a doctor who never handled a ferret in his whole life!

So, the best of luck for me and my carpet-sharks! I'll try to fill their lives with fun, I promise :D

See? No Hair!

2010-10-19T08:56:00.000+08:00

As the new and upcoming ~~Lord of the Dead Legions~~ Prefect Teacher, I had to sharpen my ~~claws~~ wits on a lot of matters this end of year, so the escelation to ~~world domination~~ the new office will be easier next year.

Teachers and students shoyuld take it easy at the end of year. Syllabi should have been finished, the knowledge brushed and polished with exercises and monthly tests. School fees should have been paid up. All documents should go to appropriate files or people. Ya da ya da ya da.

I saw some girls DANCING on the staircase the other day, from across the laboratory building. They all ran into class when they caught a glimpse of me. I walked to their classroom, and asked the aforesaid girls to own up loudly, my voice travelled far left and right (a teacher teaching 2 class away heard me roar). The girls accused one onother, and finally the boys in the class told me that ALL the girls were out without permission and were on the staircase.

That would be simpler.

So I told these soon-to-be dancers to go to the front and had some measures taken. A girl feigned a faint, literally fallen to the floor, but stood up again when I said that I'd kick her with my steel shod boots if she continued her drama.

Before you people accuse me of being barbaric and all, just please consider if anything would happen to the girls when they are supposed to be in class. Let's say one of them fell and was injured during the dance... And in a few hours, the parents will come to school, gun ablazing, accusing the entire school of negligence. Not once, in their narrow mind to think that it was originally their children's fault. I like to say this; (Some) Children nowadays are like poison, to both parents and teachers.

I heartly congratulate the parents who produced and cares for those children who are a joy to teach.

Back to the class of the dancing female children.... After the severe penalty, I talked to them about the importance of being in class for almost half an hour. I also reminded them that I am always across the building, and see them all through tinted glass (from my dominion - Physics lab).

To disobey again is very unwise. :v

Anyway, I had my hair cropped very short last Sunday for novelty sake. I like it, my students dig it and my colleagues say I look good. But my new love hated it.

What happen to your hair?!!
Why? Don't you like it?
No. I like it longer.
I thought you say you love me no matter how I look?
Oooo, ok ok. I do love you. I do.
Let this matter lie.
Ok, shutting up.

What do you guys think?

With Windows Down And Music Blaring

2010-10-11T11:18:00.001+08:00

I went out to school very early today and decided to have the car windows winded down as I cruised down the road. I switched on the radio and had it cranked up loudly, a morning ritual, singing along with any songs I fancied on any channels I flicked.

And I noticed that every vehicles that I passed had their windows closed, the drivers must be safe and cool with their airconditioning on.

Me, an anomaly with my car exposed, and music so loud that made the motorcyclists glanced. No, I didn't feel popular or spectacular, just enjoying the fresh wind in my hair and around me.

Did you know that air conditioning leech 15 to 20 percent of power from your moving car? When I was much younger, I always wonder why my father switched off the airconditioning while driving up a steep hill, and now I know better :D

So some of the noted songs I sang on the way to school were Doris Day's 'Perhaps', The Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony' and The Bellamy Brothers' 'Let Your Love Flow'.

And as my car entered the school's gate, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's 'Time To Say Goodbye' was blaring out loud for all to hear. (I love this one, if I made a mafia movie, this would be a great soundtrack for a massacre scene :v )

And my students told me during a class later that they think it was a funny song with screaming voices.... Some people have no standard.

I am sorry if I was gone for longer than usual. I was a tad busier at this end of year, with the final exam coming and the closing of many documents.

But I still have time to play computer games and go out to have fun :angel

Will comment on youse people blog as soon as I can :party

Scouts Jamboree of 76'

2010-10-05T11:06:00.000+08:00

The young man was watching the girl intently, from inside his gaggle of admirers. He was a popular scout leader, easy with his smile, and hilarious with his jokes. The girl scout, the focus of his attention, was talking to a couple of friends not far away, oblivious to the small group of scouts, with the young man within.
Suddenly the young man left his circle of fans, walking straight to the girl, standing under the big tree.
The girl, robust but still very pretty, with wavy black hair noticed the young man standing in front of her at last.
With his megawatt smile, the young man asked;
"I like you, can we be friends?"
The girl was jolted inside. So straightforward? Very original.
"Oh ok."
They exchanged names, and a moment later, their home address. The girl's two friend watched this brief conversation in fascination.
It was the last day of the State Scouts Jamboree.

The young man wrote first. And the girl replied his letter promptly.
They exchanged letters for a few months and one day the girl's mother got hold of this and told her;
"If he wants to be serious, come and let me take a good look at him."
Obediently, the girl wrote her mother wish in her next letter.
And a couple of weeks later, the young man arrived at the front door of the girl's house.
With his mother and father...
And they were engaged, and married shortly after.

The young man was my father, who wooed my mom in a most straightforward way, once upon a time during a Scouts Jamboree some 30 odd years ago.

Blast it! I am OVERWEIGHT!

2010-09-29T01:19:00.000+08:00

I did some math this evening and found out my BMI (body mass index) was 26.6. Meaning I am beyond 25, the optimum number, and also MEANING that I am fat!
My weight for the time being is 72 kg and I should reduce it to 65 to get out of the overweight realm.
But this will prove to be very hard.... I love to eat, not excessively of course.
And nowadays, I go out almost every night to see my friends and the main activity we indulge would be eating...
I hate exercising.... I hate heavy lifting.
Oh the dilemma.

OK.....
I'll try to cut my food intake from this day on.
I'll try to go out for drinks ONLY, and no food.
I'll try to eat at home first before going out or be tempted to eat a lot more outside.
I'll try to eat less high calories food (goodbye oxtail soup, pizza, chicken wings etc)
I'll put the dreaded weight on my ankles tomorrow for the extra workout during walking (used to wear them everywhere but decided they were a fuss to take off)
I'll try to take less sugar.
I'll try to get my new love to join me in this crazy adventure.

The key word here is 'I'll try' :D

Wish me luck, you lucky and skinny buggers!

FYI - Once, a long long time ago, I was 85 kg. :angel

Revenge of the Idiots

2010-09-25T13:36:00.001+08:00

I've just returned from school, where we had a short course on health management. But I am not going to talk about the things we did in the school gym, which were many and so festive, it seemed like a small fun fair, complete with blaring pop music (Yes, we teachers do know how to have fun in the absence of students).

It all started when a fellow teacher noticed some scratch marks on the side door of her friend's new car. In big scrawny letters, somebody scratched 'babi' on both doors on the left side of the blue Suzuki Swift. ('Babi' means pig) The female teacher who owns the car didn't realized this, until she was notified by the friend who saw the scratches as she parked next to her this morning at school.

Vandalism... I never vandalize anything when I was in school (though I've stolen great many items from the library, laboratory, and even from the lockers). Vandalism is the lowest form of debauchery for me, destroying public and personal belongings who never did you harm. A cowardly act.

The victimized teacher wasn't a bad lady, she is among those who really cares about students in school. Maybe she caned a few students these couple of weeks, but with valid reasons, unlike me who ENJOYS inflicting pain without much excuse. As friends, we teachers feel sorry for her and if we ever got the culprit... he has much to pay.

Why must we hurt those who try to improve our lives? If you go to school without books EVERYDAY, was it wrong for the teacher to scold you? If you behave unbelievably naughty in class, did you think the teacher enjoy screaming at you? If you dressed shabbily in school uniform, was it proper for the teacher just to let you be? Clueless, impolite and arrogant, I sum these up about the youths today.

I BLAME the parents. Most never care much, as long as their children arrived safe and back school. They were blinded by work and rarely ask their children about school, totally trusting the evil midgets.

I believe some of my blog readers are parents, and from your own blogs, your children are behaving well and successful. I congratulate you on a hard job done well. Education begins at home, I read this and believe it so. Please don't leave everything up to the teachers in school. We are humans too (or in my case draconian :D)

The moral of this story; ALWAYS park your car INSIDE the house compound, especially at night.

My 1st Baby Post (not mine!)

2010-09-19T20:21:00.001+08:00

Look at my youngest nephew! He's brand new, only a month old and already had the yellow fever for the first two weeks after birth. His name is.... name is.... wait up will you.... (rushing to find Mom @ Grandma)

Oh ok, his name is Dzhia Aidan Muhamad, the 1st two names are totally not common, my sister's notion to make her children stand out of the crowd. Dzhia is a girl's name, I think.

Anyway, he is not old enough for me to carry around. So I did my best with all of babies his age - poking his belly with my finger and rocking his cot to make him stay awake. Uncle Ramzu is bad. Very bad. But I never try to do any evil influence over little babies :D

Let the cuteness overwhelm you!

I Refused To Do The Eid Blog Entry Because I Am Ill

2010-09-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

Yes, I was and am still sick. There is this constant storm inside my head and I am coughing like a choo-choo train non stop these past few weeks. (please, say nothing about medicine or cough syrups)

So my Eid was irreplaceably ruined, but I felt nothing much. Visitors and relatives came and went. Lots of food and drinks were consumed, ya da ya da. That's what the Eid is for; a great time to meet relatives, forgive and forget, the mushy stuff, and most of the times the kids got some money out of everybody.

And I spent the entire time in my room, sleeping - it's hard to keep the storm at bay.

Anyway, it's the 6th day of the Eid, school had started yesterday and only 49% of the students showed up. It's rather ok with me as nobody was in teaching / studying mood right after the Eid and I spent my time in class talking about the gruesome murders of the cosmetic millionaire and her three buddies a few days before the Eid. She and three other men were beaten to death, burned and then the ashes and bones thrown into a nearby river to destroy the evidence. It's all about greed and a lot of money here.... Tell me if you want to know more.

Anyway I had a couple of salmon blocks for lunch today. I bought from Tesco and before putting them into the oven, I smeared some mustard with honey and herbs and wrapped them up in aluminium foil. I prefer to to this with fish as the product will be the equivalent of a steamed dish. 20 minutes later in 180 degrees Celcius, with some Chinese fish soy sauce - it was a delight. I will do this more often :D

I went to visit my aunt, my mom's youngest sister a couple of hours ago. She is ill and currently cannot continue her work in the hospital as a staff nurse. We chatted a bit but most of the time we talked about a certain relative she wouldn't want to meet, even during the Eid. When an older relative decided to disown someone, she must have been a very very bad girl. In fact, she is and I also wouldn't want the same girl to visit my mom, her older aunt. But the damage was done, the disgraceful young female attended my house when I was out and about. Enough about that already...

On my way back, I stopped at a dvd shop and bought a dvd. 'Bathory'.... oi, wasn't Elizabeth Bathory the evil noblewoman who drank and bathed in blood of virgins way back in old Europe? As I was pondering this, I hear a loud honking from the street behind me. A car was going AGAINST the one way traffic and was clearly rude about it. I heard the driver cussing and swearing at the rest of the drivers who tried to make way for him. I said it aloud in the middle of the dvd shop; "Stupid and arrogant. I wish you are dead."

The rest of patrons glanced at me and continued browsing.

I wish people would care a lot more....

I am looking forward to see a lot of blood in bathtubs tonight :v Or is it bathtubs of blood? :angel

Me and My Blings :)

2010-09-10T21:45:00.000+08:00

I love shiny stuff. Even as a kid, I loved to keep flashy cards and shiny wrappers, put them into a shoe-box for later observation. Pack rat? Hoarding dragon? I'll go for the second title :)

Once upon a time, I bought a platinum plated choker and wore it everyday. I never took it off. My late father, who was a real old-school guy was visibly unhappy with this as he believed that necklaces were for girls, not boys. But I continued wearing the shiny ornament, watching his discomfort, and and thanking people who complimented on my choker's 'shiny-ness'.

But one day, my father asked me to sit in front of him and asked me to take the choker off. I was waiting for the moment for a very long time, wondering when he was going to stop this evil son of his. I took it off without a fuss and put the choker in a box.

The thing rusted within a week. I am not superstitious, as I believe the oils from my skin had maintained the metal from corrosion.

After my father death, I began to wear an assortment of metals and crystals. I love stainless steel ornaments as they are easy to clean and will never rust. I am wearing a steel choker now (to my mom's chagrin), the more expensive one of course.

Silver does not go well with my skin as it tarnish in a few hours upon contact. I am the living example that the connection of silver and evil creatures is no exaggeration. :D

No gold because muslim men are forbidden to wear gold ornaments. I don't like the colour yellow anyway.

I have my favourite metal choker. And I think I had enough crystal bangles and rings for now. But I can never know if what flashy item will catch my eyes next. :)

Do I Make You Happy?

2010-09-06T22:30:00.000+08:00

Do I make you happy?
Yes you do.
Why you look angry? Are You angry?
I always look like this. And I told you if I am angry, I'd tell.
Let's go elsewhere, it's boring here.
But I like it here.
Ok..... but I'm bored.
Here's my hand, now massage it.
Ok....
Oww! It hurts. Careful, will you.
? But I AM doing this properly. You are the one with the tighten nerves.
Oh ok, go on.
What shall we do tomorrow?
Don't know. No plans.
Let's make up some.
Ok, what you wanna do?
I want to go to the beach. We can have dinner there.
We will see.
It's ok if you are busy.
Erm.
Do I make you happy?
Shut up, you talk too much. :D

Viva The Storm Riders

2010-09-04T21:05:00.000+08:00

The comic series was created in 1989, but I only got to read the first translated issue in 1993. I fell in love with the characters and never failed to get every single issue (this week no. 561) which is published every two weeks.

The series are mostly about these two warriors; Nie Feng (Whispering Wind) and his brother-in-arm Bu Jing Yun (Striding Cloud).

Nie Feng is the goodie-two-shoe of the two. But unfortunately he had inherited madness from his late daddy. So once in a while he went crazy and murdered a lot of people. Shows that sometimes a good guy also needs to blow some steam...

And this is one iconic pose EVERY Storm Riders fan recognize. This was when Striding Cloud went emo after winning the 'Ultimate Sword' from the Grave of Swords Clan.

And here's the Mighty Trio. Nie Feng, Cloud Strider and their recent teacher Wu Ming (No Name).

Here's a shot from an older issue. Wu Ming is creating a swords hurricane to decimate the bad guy in the middle. Now this is the stuff of fantasy :)

I've read a lot of action comics, but I always turn back to the Storm Riders. If you notice the pictures above, they are all hand-drawn by the same guy (Ma Win Shing) and WATER COLOURED! Now that's what I call dedication, even after years and hundreds of issues later.

Take that Marvel!!

Want Equals Need (Usually in My Case)

2010-09-03T21:18:00.004+08:00

I was walking with my friend around the huge bus terminal, Melaka Central when I told him that I wanted to buy a new back pack.
"Do you really need one?" He had seen my backpack at the backseat of my car. It was still in pristine condition, although I had it for almost 5 years. I am a very careful person when it comes to personal belongings (except my car, I do not know why this was an exception).
"I want one," enough said.

We went into some shops and stalls for the perfect back-pack. I got my eyes on a couple of black shoulder bags, but I already have two leather ones (also in very good condition). My want for a new back pack was eroded as the hour plodded by, until we reach our last stop - a sports outlet.

Usually I avoid going into one, as I don't do sports and they normally have none of the things that I like - PSP games, construction boots, toys etc. But this one do sell bags and I saw some interesting patterns on those bags - which were too hip for someone old like me :brow

And I fell in love with a white back pack on display....
"Eh, don't you normally buy stuff in dark or black colour?" my friend interjected when I expressed my desire.
"That's the point. I have so many black stuff, it's so gloomy to be me. Now the inner me wants something in contrast for a start."
"Up to you, your money anyway." And I bought it. :O

I don't really need it. But I know if I didn't buy it then, I'd return back a few days later to get it.

And then my friend returned back to his hometown by express bus, some 500 km to the south for the coming Eid celebration (next Friday). I will blog about it soon enough :h

Lookie at my Eid's new bag! This is actually a bag for badminton players, but the voices in me head told me to get it! (help me)

p.s The letterings are in bright red. My phone camera makes them dull.

Happy Independence Day, Malaysia

2010-08-31T22:59:00.000+08:00

Today, the 31st August 2010 - we celebrated our 53rd Independence Day.

And I spent the entire morning sleeping till noon..... at least I am not making trouble for the country, eh?

Lies Are Faster Than Truth

2010-08-30T00:00:00.000+08:00

Pikachu and two Pichus. Do they look like pigs to you?!

I was idling away the time while clicking on the 100 odd FaceBook accounts in my friends list when I saw this interesting article on a former student's wall (it was tagged to her wall). It was about an earthquake in Russia and some unexplained phenomena which seems so significantly religious in a way (ya da ya da, no need to bore you). On the second paragraph, which was shorter, the author reminded the readers about how the enemies of Islam use the media to spread chaos and anarchy. She gave the example of how the Pokemon franchise was tainted by the Jews, that each Pokemon was secretly named to honor Judaism etc etc.

And if you were next to me at that very moment - you'd FEEL the heat coursing from me. i.e. I almost burst in flames! HOW DARE YOU!!! YOU IGNORANT UNFEELING B**CH!! You stated to the world that you are intelligent, yet you write a load of crap that poisons people's mind.

It greatly angered me because I know that many people believe in these false news. The Pokemon (Pocket Monsters) franchise come from Japan, where really cool toys and their animation usually originate. Japanese people have no truck with the Jews, as they view them as a strong competition in the world economy. So why must you name your pets with people you don't even like?

I love the Pokemon series, as they taught young people to believe in oneself and work hard for success. Nowhere in the series the issue of racism, religion and bigotry was ever raised. The Pokemons are mostly cute, especially Pikachu (also the official logo of Pokemon). But even Pikachu was slandered heavily by the news sometime ago. Some STUPID and brilliantly IGNORANT individuals began to talk about the origin of Pikachu during the height of the Pokemon series, and they named it a 'pig'. A PIG?! Even an 8 year old who follows closely the series knew that Pikachu was a yellow MOUSE!

STUPID. BLATANT and STUPID.

But the damage was done... Throughout the country, parents (these simple minded fools who follow everything in the news) forbade their children from Pokemon. Fans like me tried to explain the truth to people, but of course, we were to few to make a difference. Pig is a great taboo after all. The popularity of the series and toys fell after that.

I hope there is a special place in hell for people who spread lies for fun and profit. If I was the owner of the Pokemon franchise and knew about this, I'd sue billions for damages.

As Mark Twain said; "A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on."

p.s. - I visited the author's account and gave her SEVERAL pieces of my mind. Words like 'ignorant', 'stupid', 'lying' and 'poser' were liberally expressed her way to define my feelings on her thought-less article. Piety is so very good. But religious zealots gave a VERY bad name to any religion, i.e. Islam.

Everybody should be responsible for the things they write.

I Was Your Cookie Monster...

2010-08-29T00:32:00.003+08:00

I Saw An IPhone And I Wanted One!

2010-08-28T09:34:00.000+08:00

I walked with my friend in the mall yesterday, accompanying him to buy new clothes for the Eid, which is around the corner. He bought garishly coloured t-shirts from a few outlets, and as my taste in clothing was as different from him like the earth and sky ;"Do not ask my opinion on your choice, dude."

And later, he bought two handbags!!!! As I was waiting impatiently outside the shop, I wondered what's wrong with the picture here?
"Oh, these are for my mom and sister. They like switching handbags to go with new attires, so I bought cheap bags to make them happy for the Eid."
The handbags were obviously pirated items from China, but they were actually quite nice.

Then we bumped into a couple of friends at the bookshop. We said hi, exchanged a few pleasantries and then got the hell out of there. I was not really in speaking terms with one of the said dudes.

And then I saw an IPhone....
Darn these things we never really need, but can fill the intimate holes in our souls.

"I want that for my birthday," the inner me spoke through my lips.
"Huh? But you already have a touchscreen handphone."
"I WANT!" I've seen and touch an IPhone a long long time ago, but having someone who can make things happen urged me to tell - or the opportunity might skip by me.

"We will see." :) :angel

Before we return, I bought a comb from a Japanese shop. Mine was broken sometime ago - creating hair spikes with wax was a tough job for an ordinary comb. Yes, I only bought THAT plastic thing after almost 12 hours of shopping.

Of Baby Dumping and the Death Sentence

2010-08-26T21:55:00.006+08:00

-Picture removed due to its very disturbing effect on people-

Lately, there are many cases of baby dumping throughout the nation. Young, unmarried girls left their newly born babies in front of people's houses, mosques, hospitals, you name it. This is to avoid caring for the poor child, washing their hands off the responsibility of raising an out of wedlock baby.

And usually, these deliveries were secret, the hospital and the parents were unaware - risking the lives of both mother and child. But the unholiest deed these girls ever did was leaving the babies to die in sad and filthy places. This is beyond barbaric. Even during the darkest annals of history, we never heard of babies dumped into sewers. But it happens now - in my society.

Many sympathizers would say;"The girls must be desperate. You cannot blame it all on the poor young mothers." "Our society was intolerant of unmarried single moms." "Maybe she was raped, it's not her fault." etc

But do all those excuses give you the right to hide the birth and then bury the unnamed child in some god forsaken place by the river?! This is what happen if you let freedom take control over the young generation - where boys and girls mingle outrageously in public, and of course hidden places.

It takes two to tango. Young girls do not get pregnant by themselves. If you were raped, waltz to your nearest police station to lodge a report. Get your inside washed, whatever so unwanted pregnancy can be avoided. Heck, girls! There is such a thing we call abortion at the clinic. So smash your piggy banks to pay for the fee when your boyfriends left a bun in your oven!

The Minister of Women Affairs, with tears streaming in her face had addressed the Parliament sometime ago that something should be done to put a stop on the rising number of cases. And the Cabinet approves of the death sentence to young parents who caused the death of newly born babies in the near future.

You play, you pay - now dearly with your life.

There IS a chapter in family planning (using condoms and other preventatives) in secondary school Science subject. See what happen when you don't pay enough attention in school.

p.s.- the picture above is real and recent, of a baby dumped somewhere in some bushes. The baby was dead after several hours of exposure to the elements. I put this picture to stress my point - humans will not do this, only the devil within. (This is the most graphic picture in my blog to date, I try not to mess minds, but you must see to believe it).

Say yes to the death sentence.

Imagination Can Save Your Future

2010-08-23T11:14:00.001+08:00

I read sometime ago that the profession that uses the most imagination is a teacher. How true, but to make it more specific, you should ask 'Which teacher?"

Believe it or not, I use A LOT of imagination in my classes. For example, last week in the lab, teaching the properties of water.

"Can you tell me some of the properties of water?" and silence befell the entire room. This is the usual reaction when we teach the last classes. Too dumb or too lazy to answer. Always rile me up.
"Now imagine having a glass of water in your hand," I lifted a hand up, while holding my imaginary glass of fantasy water.
"RAISE YOUR GODDAMN HAND NOW AND PRETEND YOU HAVE A GLASS OF WATER OR I'LL GUT YOUR NEXT EXAM RESULTS!!!" a loud voice and a threat to their immediate future usually does the trick. All students now have that metaphoric glass in their hand.
"Now tell me, what can you SEE, SMELL and TOUCH from the water in your glass?" and I got answers at last.

See? Forced imagination is good for yer health!

(I can EASILY take a beaker and fill it with water from the nearest tap, but I didn't. I believe in the power of imagination. A good teacher must have incredible imagination to fill in those unique gaps inside every student's mind)

Of Blue Skies and AIDS

2010-08-22T08:01:00.002+08:00

My Indian blogger friend, et said he was so envious of the blue sky at the beach, even nearing dark in the previous post. So to spite him further :) , and to amuse the rest of you, I am presenting some blue sky pictures I took in school. These are taken with my Sony DSC-H3 digital camera (loving it!). The pictures in the previous post were taken with my mobile phone's camera, LG-Cookie. So they are not as sharp and colourful as my Sony's.

This is near the entry of my school. I snapped this pic first when I saw the sky was exceptionally cloudless and blue. Beyond is the school field.

Thirty degrees to the left of the first pic. Please notice that I prefer to take pics without anybody in them. Shots with people should be full of people.

And this is the elevated platform / rostrum where the teachers sit on chairs for the morning assembly. The school buildings are orange in colour. This picture would be perfect for the front page of this year's school magazine, but I decided not to front this idea. Not like they are paying for my services as the school photographer anyway :P

On a darker note; Somebody I knew admitted in his blog that he is now HIV positive. He had suffered extreme pressure from his peer - the vicious gossips, the patronizing look etc and he had enough. So he tells everybody that yes, he got AIDS and please stop hurting him further. His partner left him a couple of months back, he lost his job and the future is interestingly bleak for this fellow.

I DID advice him not to sleep around like a common slut, but you all guessed pretty well that he ignored my well meaning intention. Now, all I can do, all we can do is watch him dying from afar. Encouraging words, consolation and hugs are not going to help where he's heading.

I did try to help, and I so despise people who asked for help when we said NO in the first place.

What would you do?

At The Beach AGAIN for Iftar

2010-08-17T19:33:00.002+08:00

And yesterday evening it was raining cats and dogs..... A couple of friends had promised to accompany me to the beach to break fast earlier, but as the weather continued from bad to worse...

"I think we should cancel the outing, it is raining so hard here," my friend said via cellphone.
"And what makes you think a bit of wet weather can stop any of my plans?"
"But it's RAINING! There would be very few people at the food bazaar and the beach."
"My point exactly." I hate crowds.

I love rainy days. I think I told you people many times before. :)

The rain continued pouring like some huge waterfall from the sky. We had to buy our food in the heavy downfall from smiling vendors, safe and dry under their canopies and tents. I had to act sensible by using an umbrella, but fiddling with one while buying stuff was so hard! I'd prefer to be umbrella-less, but people might point; Who's that fool without an umbrella in this hellish weather?

Being popular is not a priority.

The two friends accompanying me to the very wet beach. I decided to break fast at the same place like before. We had to wipe the platform dry with a rag before sitting.

The sky after heavy rain. Where the hell was the sun?!

At last it showed her pretty face later in the west. My big friend was busy capturing a video of the waves.

Strange formations of clouds at dusk. And no one else to share it with (only the 3 of us at the deserted beach)

East Coast West Coast

2010-08-14T21:16:00.001+08:00

I was with a friend at the beach this evening, waiting for the sun to set to break fast (yes, it is the Islamic fasting month already, Ramadan). As we watch the orange orb falling slowly amidst the clouds near the horizon, he asked me;
"Why I never see the sun sets in Mersing?" Mersing is his hometown.

I raised my eyebrows.
"You didn't pay enough attention to your Geography teacher in school, did you?"
"And what's Geography got to do with this?" his nostrils flared.
"We are at the beach of Malacca, in the West. Mersing is on the OTHER side, in the East. The sun rises in the east. Japan is in the east, so it was also known as 'The Land of The Rising Sun'. Remember this lesson."
"Yes, TEACHER."

It is nice to make things right (in people's head) :)

The sun sets at the Straits of Malacca. Gorgeous.

My friend taking the picture of the setting sun. His plastic bag filled with cold lychee drink was hung at a nail by the wooden post.

The beach was deserted at dusk. Oh well, it is quieter this way. And look at my dusty and dirty car!

Canteen Day @ When You Let An Evil Genius Handle A Business....

2010-08-08T22:36:00.000+08:00

It's picture blogging time! We had a slew of activities to participate for the Co-Curriculum / Technic Week. Students and teachers spent a lot of time having fun (meaning, no serious teaching took place).

The football match between classes, 10 minutes for each game. But the picture above.... The Teacher's Team versus some 15 years olds. I didn't participate - mainly because I hate football, and secondly I have no interest to be sweaty after an activity. Teacher's Team won 2-0.

Look at the 'raptured' faces of the singing competition judges. This was a huge attraction for students (the reason why most students are silly, they already had their minds full with songs....) I have no interest in this activity too. If I want to hear a good song, I'll buy the cd or even better, download it illegally :P

My fav part of the week; Canteen Day! These are my ~~slaves servants free~~ helpers for my stall. Another female teacher and I managed the stall, but mostly I did the whole bossing people around. We sold assorted nuggets (chicken, crab, cuttlefish), steamed sausages and fried chicken.

Look at the ~~loser~~ competitors next door.... Unlike mine, which sold high calorie and cholesterol choked food, these people had fruits and salads for sale at their stall. Look at the pain in their faces as they never come close to half of my customers. Mwa ha ha ha! (evil laugh) And you still wonder why McDonald's and KFC rule the planet..... Fried stuff people! Oily food is KING!

But these ~~fools~~ competitors came second after us in revenue.... Burgers.... I do not have the facilities to create burgers or Crispy McEvil will be one in the menu for sure. I was told that their burgers wasn't that good anyway :P

And finally, LOOK at the hordes of students at my stall! And look at the face of one, enjoying our steamed sausage. Many of my patrons were indeed brain-washed to buy from me. "Buy or ELSE!" that's the evil business motto. But heck, it WORKS! Some even bought over and over again. Maybe the food was really good, or maybe my magnetic charm. If I can use this power to persuade people in business, I can do great wonders in politics then....

Who wants me to be their new MP? :angel

The Things Girls Would Do....

2010-08-03T23:45:00.001+08:00

In my personal book, female students are more dangerous than boys. In this Muslim country where religious correctness is always paramount, there are different unsaid rules in engaging both sexes. For female students, unrelated males are not supposed to touch them (willingly or not), no screaming abuses, no heavy punishment etc towards them. Female = fairer sex = weaker half.

I call this a GARGANTUAN hill of bull excrement. (Yes, I support equality in all).

Because of these 'privileges', many young females today are every bit the social trash of the society. Because of the 'no touching rule', many girls have stuff they are not supposed to bring to school. Stuff like handphones, make up, perfumes etc.

And some of you might scream at the barbarity of this. "Let the kids have their make up in school! Have you no heart?! My teachers let us wear perfume!" etc etc.
Here, every student must be in school uniform. The meaning of UNIFORM should be suffice to rule out any objection. Unmonitored creativity in clothing, smell and look paves a path to Chaos.

Anyway, we had a spot check this morning and a great pile of confisticated make up and cosmetics was produced from the girls. I had fun crunching a huge amount of mascaras, cheap perfumes, compact powder etc under my heavy construction boots ~~of power~~.

Many girls hid forbidden items anywhere they can think of. Some tried to bury / throw stuff on the school field where they were held before check up. Some put items inside their underwear and bras (despicable!) A few passed their things to girl prefects for safe keeping. UNFORTUNATELY. The items found on / in the field were vehemently stamped on by yours truly, and the pieces went into the dustbin. The items in underwears and bras were all found by female teachers who has EVERY RIGHT to touch girls in this special occassion. And one female prefect was caught handling her friend's mobile phone, she will be demoted soon.

Anyway, let me show you the piece de resistance.... Mobile phones on rice! A couple of girls decided to put their gadgets inside their packed breakfast. The rice was still very hot, I wonder if the phones still work after that. But this ingenuity was lost because my prefects were very thorough in going through people stuff :)

Oh, by the way, the girl with the braces is a prefect. She just posed for the picture for me.

Before You Guys Think I Am Dead :P

2010-07-31T10:14:00.000+08:00

As the tough guys would say; Suck it up and join the battle! We need no wuss.
I am no wuss, but being extravagant is always a good way to be the target yourself. Anyway, my sulkiness is ancient history (last week). I have a replacement for my broken vessel of love, but UNFORTUNATELY I cannot tell any of you here. God knows how many of my students are reading this :P

Two days ago, as I was driving to the cinema.... an accident occurred scant 50 metres in front of me. An old Indian man was ploughing / pushing his ancient black bicycle across the street when a small white compact car sped by and fully hit the back tyre of the man's bicycle!!
The aftermath was hillarious :O Many would expect the poor man to be flung on the road, his bicycle became twisted metal. No, nothing happened to the man, nor his bicycle! But the front bumper of the car was RIPPED wide open and fell on the road!!! HA HA HA HA HA!
I laughed out aloud because the driver of the car galled me; he sped off, escaping the crime scene. Maybe he thought he had caused harm to the old man, but how wrong a criminal mind can be. Serves you good for being reckless on the road and stupid to boot.
As for the old Indian man, he didn't look shaken, only a bit annoyed and continued his way across the street. His bike was not even dented a bit.
Now that's quality ancient stuff :) I wish I can take a picture of the bike. It's one of the old black bicycles manufactured predating Independence. Very rare now on the streets.

On a lighter mode, let me show you a piece of polar bear fur I have in my possession.

It's so bloody fluffy! The polar bear must be so fat and furry! Die polar bears, DIE!!

It's a kind of a mini rug, on my bed. The fur so luxurious to touch. Must have a bigger one soon...

Hold your horses boys! Before you (animal lovers) disown me for being a fur freak, I am just JOKING. It's not even real fur. It is actually wool spun to create a very furry rug. I love polar bears, ok :) I used to have a huge polar bear as a child a long time ago. I bought the rug from IKEA 3 weeks ago. :angel

Shopping therapy is a good thing.

For the Best I Ever Had

2010-07-26T20:03:00.001+08:00

You are beautiful
your love, phenomenal
We spun our dreams
in the promises, eternal

You complete me
like no one ever do
Though so much tears were shed
our love had always went through

Your smiles light me up
being with you, divine
I just cannot express enough
how blessed, this heart of mine

But so suddenly you went away
with reasons, you said best for us two
Great sorrow is within me
It aches so bad, without you

When you left me, you took my happiness and a great part of me.

I will always love you, Bu....

Help Me, I am Falling Into The Void!!

2010-07-24T00:36:00.000+08:00

My blogger Void....

I was reading my previous entries this evening and realized that I am losing it... I used to write really often, was FIERY :fire about everything, and felt good about it.

Every month, there should be an average of 20 entries.... but the number has shrunk to even less than half of that. Aiye.... what has happened? :~ Did I get lazier than ever? (IF that is even possible).

I so envy the nice people who blogs every few days... Interesting and close knitted social life must you people have. My life IS interesting, but I just cannot put everything here in cyberspace. Some issues are too sensitive, some too horrifying to hear and maybe even a few that can bore your brain mass to liquid death. :xo

Ahh..... well, playing it safe for now. I am starting to feel that I am falling into the spiral already.

I know HOW to bounce back. But that would take some investment, and even moving out of my mom's house :P

Anyway, here's enjoying your posts my blogger friends! :party

p.s. - I wanna sulk somewhere for now.

I'm Bloody Beautiful and There's Nothing You Can Do About It

2010-07-19T21:03:00.002+08:00

Teaching percent : 67 %
Viciousness level : Minimum [feeling nice. An overall wonderful day :) ]

This morning, we had a photography session for the school magazine. I had forgotten all about it, even though we were told about it last Friday. Fortunately I was presentable, with my maroon shirt, black tie and Dockers trousers. But I stood out still....

You see; I was wearing a white belt with a red stripe. Male teachers are supposed to wear dark coloured belts, of leather or whatever.

I tried to be inconspicuous, but a colleague handed me a digital camera and asked to take all the pictures with him! Meaning; I was out right at the front of EVERYBODY. I saw tongues wagged and even the Principal gave me a puzzled look. Bugger.

Later that morning, as I hung out with a colleague, she said;
"You looked very gay today."
"And why is that?"
"The way you dress these days, and what's with the white belt?"
"Does a belt makes somebody gay? I do look good now than way before right?"
"I admit, you look much better now. You used to be quite scruffy."
"Scruffy.... right...."
These women... I know they have heard of metrosexual men, but decided not to acknowledge it.

And I even pretended to be 'stupid' much much later in the staff room by asking some female teachers about make-ups and face foundations. They did answer my questions, while giving me queer glances which I was really used to - being a weird person from the start. They even told me examples of cosmetics they are using.... oh the things you must hear in the name of curiosity.
"Do you wear make up now?" one of them asked.
"No, and still I have flawless skin than most people here."
A conceited reply, yes. But it is the unchallenged truth. Narcissistic me 8)

Anyway Technobabe still finds it hard to believe I wear construction boots to school :) And here's my two pairs of boots. I usually wear the black pair (aptly named Black Hammer) while the brown leather (Men's Club) was neglected by me for almost half a year. But I wore them to school today! FYI, Black Hammer was one of my wedding dowry from almost 3 years ago.

Reasons for wearing them? Indestructible. Once I literally kicked through a wooden door with Black Hammer (in a fit of rage, in class, something to remember eh?). Sometimes, unlucky students were kicked too. Secondly, they hear me coming clearly - even from afar. I walk like a tank, a student once said. :fire

Constructing Space Rails is akin to Assembling Gundams....

2010-07-18T17:59:00.002+08:00

I was walking with my bff when I saw a toy display at the mall - steel ball bearings zooming on elevated rails and never ending (unless the battery goes flat). SPACE RAILS!! - it said at the box. I had my eyes on the same kind of toy two weeks ago at 'Toys R Us' but the item in front of me was 40 % cheaper. Mainly because it was a copy manufactured in China.... but who cares. I WANT ONE!

So after reaching home, around 11.30 pm, we opened the box and started the construction.... The plastic pieces were numerous and the manual, even though was translated into English - was badly so, and not giving much help. It took us until 1.25 am when I shook the damn manual in disgust and threw it away.

Let's do this our own way!

And we did, and finished the rails at approximately 3.30 in the morning. :) We drove to the nearest 7-11 but they didn't have the battery size we needed. Bugger....

And MUCH later at 9.00 am, we bought the battery at another grocery shop, installed it and watched the ball bearings zoomed around. It's a rather nice set up. :party

I think I'll get a new Gundam robot soon.... it's so calming to build your own toy :angel

I wish to bring this to school for my students to see, because a lot of Physics is implied in setting up the rail. But I decided not to, oh selfish me. They'd think it as only a toy.

Humdrum Day.....

2010-07-15T00:02:00.000+08:00

So what I have achieved today....

Woke up, bathed, clothed, accessorize and drove of to school in 30 minutes. But I had to turn back scant 100 metres later because I forgot my PlayStation Portable... :o
Met a student from my class who skipped school, tortured him there and then at the assembly square and then sent the bugger to the VP of Student Affairs.
Doing my rounds.... insolently stepping into classes and severely pinching students without neck ties on their chests. I don't bring my cane nowadays.... that was the image of an orthodox teacher.
Receiving info from informers... went to class 2C and rounded up two boys who smoked and skipped school. Sent them to the VP. He (the VP) must hated me for giving him a lot of trouble. :v
Attended my 1st class for the day (1E) and as I was feeling happy, I told them the answers to next week's Science exam. I stole the questions from the internet for use.
While waiting for the second class for the day, I played my PSP to kill time in the lab. Gosh, I love role playing games...
Taught electro-motive force to my Physics students. Two of the boys were INCREDIBLY dense, playing around in front of me. I'd like to rip their hearts out but one of them is the son of my colleague. This is sad. And 15 minutes before ending the class, we talked about how to move drugs through airports and escaping detection by the police. See, I like to make my class interesting :)
Left school 30 minutes earlier. Bought some fish for lunch. I love fish!
Had steamed fish for lunch. Decided to make fish soup tomorrow afternoon.
Slept like a satisfied boa-constrictor in the guest room after lunch.
Woke up very late. The house was so quiet and dark.
Internet. Internet. PSP. TV.
Here's typing this....

Moving On Up

2010-07-12T21:36:00.000+08:00

A guy I used to go out with (we used to be FRIENDS, ok?!) visited my bff last week, when he was stuck at home because of fever. I was somewhere else in the state, minding my own business and my friend was prudent enough not to tell about the visit until it was over.

The guy and me were not speaking to each other for a very long time since a year ago. We just drifted apart, for some reasons privy to me and him.

So when my friend told me about it....
"Why he came to see you? He never liked you anyway."
"I don't know. He just called up and then said he's coming to see me."
"I see...."
"We only went out for a meal at a restaurant near my house."
"Ok."
"You are not angry?"
"Hell, no. Why must I? No reason to be so."
"He did ask about you. And I only told him the things he need to hear." <-- Good boy! :o
"Oh, ok."
"He got more money now after joining in some direct selling business...."

I lose interest after that. I am lazy to make more money through business and I don't like hearing about ex-friends with more money than I do. I should get more money through many means (some might be so evil, I will not state here) but fortunately I am also known as a very lazy guy.

The world and its inhabitants are safe from my aggressive business deals at least - for now. :v

p.s. - Interestingly, the guy met my friend to ask about me. Hurmm...

Hello There People, I am Back!!

2010-07-11T19:29:00.004+08:00

It is good to be back and thanks for your kind words in the previous post. :) I am well, and feel a lot better after spending some quality time with my friends and pets these few days :party :mj

Me and one of the very few best friends I have. I visit the beach now and then, just because I love a windy place to go people watching :) Don't let the purple shirt misguide you, he is actually a very nice guy. I always persuade him to throw away the offending piece of clothing but he refused - it attracts attention, he says :v

The Stars of the show - my mega ferrets!! Big, cuddly and ferociously searching for affection. Now I am able to bring BOTH ferrets to the beach when I finally got another harness, second hand it was. Kaos and Disco has very different temperament each, but still they attract huge amount of onlookers. If the kiddies got to close, we just let the harness slack so my ferrets can chase them away :P The sight of my ferrets baring their teeth and running towards them always make children run - but for ferrets owners, that is NOT aggressive behavior, the ferrets are actually SMILING and wanna play with you! [sadly, the lack of knowledge builds great walls against understanding]

This is an experimental shot taken with my digital camera. I call this pic 'Turn Left, Turn Right', after a romantic movie with the same tittle. My friend Firdaus has a snapshot camera, and he took some nice Lomography pictures with it. I was a model in some of them :) and gosh, I do LOOK GOOD! ha ha ha! :k I will try to scan some of his pics soon with his permission here.

And this last picture I took at our school's field is for you readers to think about.... Two workers were diligently cutting grass using petrol-consuming machines in the afternoon heat. And they took forever!! [FYI, they finished it in 2 days]. Where I was studying in 1990's, our school got THREE HUGE fields (not counting the netball courts) and only one gardener to do the job. So he rode a motorized lawn mower and finish the job in less than 2 hours! (Really, I was watching him, as I was sitting idly by the fields one afternoon a long long time ago).
The moral of the story; Bad economics at work here. The job can be done faster, cheaper and with fewer manpower with a bit of investment. But why it cannot be done? Because for the sake of HUMANITY. Let's give some luckless people jobs, the poor poor sods.
I call this an IMMENSE waste of time, energy and money. And also an insult to the thinking mind.
Do please tell if you disagree. :angel

Blogger Makes Me Sad :(

2010-06-29T21:50:00.002+08:00

I am sad. Not crying out loud,screaming with-fist-up-to-God-grieving sadness. Just downright heavy hearted sad. And I will tell you why :~

I've been blogging for more than two years, and I met some fantastic men and women in the blogsphere which somehow, maybe they already know or not - I call friends. Yes, you guys who are reading this.

For those who have seen my entries, and personally know me, you might judge me as a very abrasive guy, who speaks his mind, and maybe hurts some feeling (oh ok, maybe a lot) along the way. But I know you ALL know that I never aim to hurt anybody THROUGH your very own blogs.

My comments might sound rash, maybe weird. But I never intended it to cause maximum damage to your sensitive collective hearts.

So last night, I commented on a fellow blogger's picture she put up recently. I asked a question about a characteristic of the building in her snapshot. And less than 15 minutes ago, she sent me an email, asking me to stop asking stupid questions in her blog. Or was it my aim to pull her down.

You can say I was so disappointed in this kind of people. Didn't your teachers tell you; ASK IF YOU DON'T KNOW. I am a teacher, and I practice what I preach.

In her email, she made me sound like an idiot, which I am not. She might have the idea I was toying with her, but GOOD GRACIOUS woman! Malaysia has VERY FEW CHURCHES!! And when I asked about the state of its windows, why must you be so overly sensitive?

We live in different parts of the world. So why must you assume I know everything you know?

So the best thing I can do is withdrawing myself from visiting her blog ever again (I regularly did this, and now I know why she stop visiting mine. She thinks I am not good enough to be her friend). I even deleted myself from her follower list.

And the last thing I did was sending her an e-mail reply, apologizing profusely for being 'stupid' and promised never to bother her again (even though there was nothing to be sorry about in my opinion, but I don't make war with strangers). I also told her that I am so sorry to be so truthful in her blog, because she had shown herself to be appreciative to only 'nice' and 'sweet' comments from her readers.

This made my head hurt. I so hate people with plastic personality.

I will be offlined for a few days in blogspot. No, I will not be lost or fall out of grid. I just need to think about the hypocrisy of humans and how to deal with people who just cannot stand the truth.

I love you all. :f

Tales From The School 2

2010-06-29T13:51:00.002+08:00

"Where's your da*n assignment?" I was fuming in front of the class. The teacher's table was between us, fortunately, or my claws should have sunk into his chest.

"I left it at home," his voice was so low, reminiscence of the pesky mosquito. The entire class was already quiet with abated breath.

"And why is that? Lie to me and only God can help you as I will make sure your entire future flushed down the drain!" Yes, I CAN do that. Ask your nearest teacher for assistance.

"....."

"Speak louder."

"I was watching football. And I overslept."

...... anger raised like an evil tide inside me. World Cup or not, the class must go on.

"Tell me. Do these football players you reverently watched last night know you live and study here?"

"No."

"Did they tell you to watch them on tv and ask you to forget your assignment?"

"No."

"Are they here now to help you answer your excuses? Did you get a single cent watching them play at the wee hour of the morning?!"

"No."

"So you know who is at fault here. Not football. But you. Now go to that corner and complete three times the original amount of assignment I gave you. And I want it finished by tomorrow morning."

I rarely give out assignments, but when I do, it pours!

And YES, I got something against the World Cup. People shouldn't give excuses and accuses the ball. You watch it, then you will pay for it (at work and school).

Tales From The School 1

2010-06-28T22:30:00.001+08:00

I was refilling my Parker fountain pen from an inkwell at the common table in the teachers' lounge this morning during a free period.

"That's a shiny pen. Must be expensive. How much you bought it?" a female teacher who was sitting nearby, watching me asked.

"Somewhere below RM 100." I answered curtly as I didn't like this particular older woman. She's a known backstabber.

"It's a lot of fuss using fountain pens.Young people these days must go with the times. Even I've never seen teachers my age using fountain pens anymore." See? She's ancient, chatty and patronizing the wrong sort of person (i.e. me).

"I like it."

"Bah, I think you just love showing people your expensive stuff and all. You don't fool me."

I just hate this particular bi***. If we were living in darker times, I'd ask her outside for a duel to the death. She just wont let it rest.

"I like it because it reminds me of my DEAD father. He always used fountain pens. You do have a father, don't you?" I said this coldly while screwing the pen together. She did not deserve a glance from me.

That kept her quiet.

My late father was quite a legend in his own right. He was a great teacher in Economic and Literature, and phenomenal in sports. The principals who ever had him will never be willing to part from his service. He was the only male teacher who coached netball in the entire state. Most elderly teachers know him.
Sometimes it galls me because I am his exact opposite, like all his negative energy was channeled into me...
I teach Science.
I hate all kind of sports.
I am not easily friendly with people like him.
The list can go on.

That genetics for you. Sometimes monsters are born among good people.

Testing template 'Penciling' by et

2010-06-27T14:14:00.009+08:00

I am trying this new template made by the fabulous et, a fellow blogger from India. I think his Penciling template is wonderful, at least it is more cheerful than the black one I used to have. It is high time to change the look of my blog.

"A change can do you good" - Sheryl Crow.

This is a custom made template (I hope no one else is using this) and comes with cute smileys! Ok ok, go to his blog and download if you really want it.

Here's some smileys. :angel :party

p.s. - to comment, you have to click the number in the conversation bubble on the top right of this entry.

The Legendary Bean

2010-06-27T00:13:00.002+08:00

I was browsing through some websites and found a video I've never seen of actor Rowan Atkinson, more famously known as Mr Bean. I love this guy, he's a comic genius - and British too :)

In this video he performed all by himself for a huge audience. His timing with the invisible drums was phenomenal. :P

The Most BORING Country in the World....

2010-06-26T13:03:00.002+08:00

The most boring capital city in the world... The people should run away and live in another country. But strangely, it didn't happen.

Malaysia is not a really large, nor rich country. Average is the more adequate word. 54% of the people are the indigenous Malays, 30% Chinese and 16% Indian, at least in the Peninsular (there are several other races, but I am not in the mood to calculate perfect percentage today). Multi-ethnicity. I am not saying we live SO agreeably next to each other, but the bloodshed and bigotry are kept at the very minimum (by force, law and if-you-don't-stop-playing-with-fire-we'll-sue-or-better-still-disown-you).

I am not saying the scenario is bad. I've read from several blogs (including some from this very country) stating that Malaysia is the MOST BORING PLACE ON EARTH (right after Iran). They told the world that stuff people take for granted like consuming alcohol, taking drugs, kissing in public, acquiring the service of a prostitute, gambling etc are taboo in the country. They said people are bored senseless here. They said people are not free and are constantly pinned down by the dictatorship government to obey the rules. They said people are not safe and are constantly living in fear of the Man. They said the government are forcing non-Muslims to be Muslims or suffer the consequences etc etc.

The most boring country on Earth?! Does consuming alcohol and renting sex workers makes you EXCITING and WONDERFUL? Is obeying the law for the good of the society, bad for world peace? Does having a leader who REALLY cares for the wellbeing of his people, eradicating those VERY few who are the real menace to the country, considered a dictatorship? Do we bomb churches and other places of worship? Does the IRS come knocking and persuade you to pay through our noses or die?

I love this country and even though it does have flaws, but as an intelligent being, I am so grateful I was born, raised, live and maybe die here. Too much freedom is BAD for your karma, I like saying this. Living in a free country does not mean you can do anything you want to do.

People has forgotten what 'anarchy' means.

So, if you don't have anything good to say for your own country, go and apply for the citizenship of the country you think is ideal enough to have you. People who have no loyalty should never be allowed to set foot anywhere on the motherland.

It must be reminded that traitors is one of the reason of the many major wars, fall of civilizations, occupations in human history.

I am so loving how they treat traitors in China.... a bullet in the head :)

p.s. - anyway, alcohol and pork CAN still be consumed, but by non-muslims only. NOn-muslims are also allowed to gamble. See? We are not ogres.

Do You Read Books?

2010-06-22T19:36:00.000+08:00

I was reading a book I recently bought at the teacher's table in front of the class. (Terry Pratchett's 'Unseen Academicals, I love this author) I gave the class (13 yrs olds) a lot of assignments to keep them quiet as I pursue leisure in government's own time.

"Sir, what are you reading?" the boy right in front of me asked, his pen poised on his exercise book.
"Apparently this is what we call a book."

And I continued reading.

"What is it about?" he asked again after a few minutes. His buddy next to him was also not interested to continue his assignment.
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"That's a very thick book." (only 540 pages)
"No it is not, I've read thicker books than this."
"Where are the books now? You got many?"
"At home. Yes, Three cupboards."
"Wow. You must be very rich." He noticed the price sticker at the back of the book.
"Nope. I collected them for years. When I was your age, I have no money, so I steal books from richer friends and even the library."
"WOW! Cool!" Now I have a couple of round-eyed boys not doing their assignments.

"Finish the work or I'll kick you in the shins." (I am infamous for this, usually aimed at unaware naughty / noisy boys from behind. Among the reason I love wearing construction boots with steel tips for work).

"I cannot finish reading a book that thick." I was assaulted by the same boy again.
"I am not surprised."
"I would get easily bored and sleepy."
"That is not the real reason. You are intimidated because this book is in that alien language nobody here speaks - English. Right?" I put down the book.
"Maybe."
"Sir, if you give him a dictionary and force him to read the book, he cannot even finish until the End of Days." the boy next to the chatty one jabbed in.

There was laughter.

But it is quite sad and true. Malaysian society has never risen far from its old nook. Reading is not yet a strong culture here...

UPDATE!!!!!!!! Sex and the Banana Tree. (It's Hot!)

2010-06-21T20:57:00.001+08:00

Read the previous entry. I promised a follow up, updates to this scandal that might destroy the immediate future of two seemingly innocent lovers. (Sorry, can't help it).

So this morning, before the assembly, the Vice Principal of Student Affair told me to get to the boy and start digging the dirt. "Ve must know Everything! Go get him mien Inquisitor!" "Yes, Fuhrer!"

So I called the boy to the ~~torture chamber~~ counseling room, and after shooing out the REAL counselor out of it, I began the ~~interrogation, torturing,~~ questioning the ~~suspect innocent~~ boy.

I always have ways to make people talk, if I put my mind into it. No need thumbscrews or the iron maiden here. My nick name 'Silvertongue' should ring the bell in your head. (Yes yes yes, I may be a bigoted, crazy and arrogant son-of-a-bi***, but to gain confidence in another is quite easy if they heard my voice. And I am quite cute too! Ha ha ha ha).

So as the late Michael Jackson a.k.a. Mikail said before he kicked the bucket; THIS IS IT!

The boy admitted that the girl dragged him into the bushes.
The boy admitted that they were in the state of undress when caught.
The boy admitted every situation described by my (various and reliable) informers who witnessed their inappropriate deeds in and out of school. (Hanky panky, kissing etc) Softcore :P
He is very sorry. He is SO SORRY. He wouldn't do it again.

But that's not it....

I dropped the bomb at last.... "Tell me, truthfully. Have you ever had sex with the girl?"
And after quite sometime, after gazing into two fathomless dark pools (i.e. my eyes, I took off my spectacles for maximum effect of truth-finding) he said, "Yes."

This is a revelation (when some of you said what's the big deal about it). You see, when they were caught 2 weeks ago, both vehemently denied doing more than hugging and kissing in that selected grove of banana trees. They were questioned by the primier Discipline teacher (i.e. not me) who is known for her harsher methods. I got better results and the truth by not even rising my voice, in a chat-like way (Take that, ol biddy!)

He got misty eyed then. I asked them how many times you both had it. Twice. Same place? Yes.
Goodness gracious, are you stupid! If I wanna have fun, at least I find a more covered up and safer place than in some errand bushes.

Who took the initiative? The girl. Really, not you? She forced me both times. Oi, this can be called rape. But you were raped by a girl!! The shame. He smiled at this.

Why didn't you push away? He was quiet.

I already know the answer. He might not volunteer for the act, but fun is fun.

As the Malay proverb goes; A crocodile will never turn away a fresh carcass.

more to come soon....

p.s. - I feel like a Gestapo all the time in that room. Slimy and evil. Rest assured people, I never tortured the boy to get my information. He even kissed my hand before he left the room!

Dreams of the Realm I

2010-06-20T23:13:00.003+08:00

"Why we must slaughter everybody in that city?" the raven haired boy (Pip) asked a few hours after we left the carnage.

"So we send the message to everyone that nobody can defy the Empire," I answered as the horses approach the crest of yet another green hill. The black smoke and fire can still be seen behind the darkened forest.

"But you don't have to kill EVERYONE. Some might be innocent, in contrast to your belief."

"I think sending the message is the most important idea here. By eliminating everyone, there will be no one in that particular area to stand against us in the future," Emma interjected from upon his horse, Binky, on my right.

Pip sniffed and clutched the pommels of his dual long knives.
"But they might have relatives in other cities an d towns. There would be no end of it!"

Reining Binky as we reach the top of the hill, the fair-haired Emma pointed due east.
"Once, there was a thriving town over there, the men were proud and hardworking. They reared the best cattle this side of the Realm for our capital. But the men began to get ideas above their station, and charged exorbitant prices and refused to pay tax, saying they deserved more for their services. Over there."

"I don't see anything. Only trees." Pip stood on the stirrups to peer into the gloomy dusk.

"My point exactly."

I smiled as we descended the hill.

Pip and Emma (both boys approx 10 yrs old but cannot age) are fictional characters that have been running inside my head for several years. We had many fantastic adventures together, all on the vast planet of the Realm. I think I should write about some of our adventures :) I try to tone down the savagery and blood for general view.

What's Love Gotta Do With This?

2010-06-19T11:16:00.001+08:00

I am unique and sometimes my mind steers towards the insane (run people, run!) but I am only human. Once upon a time I dated so regularly a good friend of mine (I miss this guy, Kirk Wines, but he fell out of the grid) told me I changed partners more often than he changed his shirts. Which is true. Dating was not only a game, but a search for that miniscule yet gargantuan emotion we call LOVE.

I dated here, I dated there. Heck, I met people EVERYWHERE!

I've met a few people I fancy so much, and was fortunate that my feelings were resonated. They showed me so much love and devotion that it SO hurting when they had to go away (one of them died quietly a long distance away, not wanting me to grieve - I only knew of the news after a few months of desperation).

That was a long time ago. Love is that wonderful feeling that free, yet constrict us. It is indescribable. For a despicable creature like me to find true love is next to impossible. But amidst the sand, after all the searching, it shows when the person opposite you smiles...

The Dragon was chained. He has a new keeper.

I want somebody who looks over my shoulder and say 'No, you cannot do that to people!'
I want somebody who will not judge me much because they already know the person within.
I want somebody who is always ready to go wherever I wanna go.
I want somebody who will listen to my difficult problems and try to solve together.
I want somebody who looks good and made me proud being with them.
I want somebody who place me very high in their social life, preferably just next to God and family.
I want somebody who finish up their food, or even better, feed me from their plate.
I want somebody who is willing to be with me in hard times.
I want somebody who can die for me (LITERALLY)
I want somebody who cares.
I want somebody who loves me...

For my love; Heaven is your face. Your love for me makes me be with you forever.

p.s. - I neglected to tell you people that I already found that person :)

Sorry Is Indeed The Hardest Word

2010-06-16T18:33:00.000+08:00

I am sorry if you cried, cause I know it hurts
I am sorry for the many things I shouldn't do or say to you
Because you are not one of them
Forgive me, for taking you for granted

I am sorry if you think that this is the end
I am sorry when your patience has finally gone
You are the best I ever had
Forgive me, for being that pain in your heart

I am so sorry it turns up like this
I am sorry for wasting your time and love
Yes, I do not deserve you
Forgive me, for misleading you from the path

I hope you can forgive me. Because there is no one like you.

The Voices in My Head Forced Me, I Tell Ya!!

2010-06-13T21:47:00.000+08:00

In my Facebook entry, I told the whole world how I was captivated by some rings last Thursday. They were so shiny! The voices in my head said I must have one, or I will lose sleep that night. And I bought one ring to appease those entities and walked by a watch shop next to the jeweler and saw a most exciting piece of chronography (i.e. a watch). The invisible forces in my head SCREAMED again!

Above is the said silver ring, set with one orange stone with little white crystal embedded into the metal. I own several rings and this is not the most sparky of all. Yet my first with orange stone. Most of my silver rings have red, white and yellow stones. (I do not know the name of these coloured stones, be my guess to educate me).

And I am ashamed to admit that I bought the watch against my better judgement... This is my 13th watch in my possession, and my 4th automatic. I prefer automatics these days as many of my watches began to show their discontent by running out of batteries. At the same time too! What caught my eye about this watch that it was nothing like I've ever seen before in an automatic watch. The mechanism is so simple and consisted in one bar across the watch. And the pendulum that winds the spring is decorated with white crystals. I've only seen this kind of organisation in VERY VERY EXPENSIVE watches and so... I must have it AND it was the only one of its kind in the shop.

I took this picture by shining light through the back of the watch, which is transparent.

EYKI is from Taiwan, China. Hope they create a lot more of beautiful watches to compete with Japanese companies.

p.s. - note to myself. Hearing voices in the head does not make you Joan of Arc, but it's the next best thing. You will never be alone anymore :)

I Love Cats (Just next to Ferrets)

2010-06-08T07:38:00.001+08:00

By popular demand (oh ok, only two of you did ask, Technobabe and Choco) I present a slew of cats that had entered my life these past few years. Yes, I am a cat person. Ferrets are feline cousins too (makes them virtually family).

This is Artemis, my male cat back in 2007. He was badly injured by ravening dogs and crawled back home to die in our kitchen. I bought a slingshot and put metal bearings in those canine brains much later :(

Artemis and a couple of nameless cats belonging to my mother. My mom always feed stray cats and they will stick around the house because of that. The cage behind them are for rabbits.

This is Artemis II Kikuraides a.k.a. Kiki a year back, her first day at home from the petshop. I bought her because she was the most docile and playful kitten of the whole lot.

And this is her recent pic. I took this yesterday when I let her out for play. After the death of Artemis, I NEVER let any of my cats roam free around the house anymore.

A maneki neko @ Japanese fortune cat. I had this in my car before I gave it to a friend. The right paw beckons good luck. I also have metal key chains of maneki nekos.

And the most popular cat of all (This side of the planet, right after Garfield) is the blue cat-robot Doraemon of Japan. The franchise have over thousands of animated episodes and the merchandise are super cute. I have a huge (and cute) Doraemon mug in the teacher's lounge, 3 times larger than average. :) I'll take the pic soon.

p.s. - The name Artemis can be used to name both male and female. Some friends argued that it is a girl's name. Apparently they don't read as much as I do :)

Please do ask if you wanna see pics of others.

All pictures were taken by me, except of Doraemon.

Something You Guys Have To Know About How We Roll Here...

2010-06-07T01:55:00.001+08:00

Below is the reply to one of the comments made from the previous entry. I just need to fill up the gaping ~~holes~~ abyss of information about how we do things here. Please keep it in mind as Malaysia is a very conservative country and some things you take for granted in your country may not easily exist here (though I am very open for discussion). My reply might sound like I was angry or somewhat, but that's how I always roll, even in real life :)

We come from different parts of the planets :)
1. What they did was a CAPITAL offense. They SHOULD be expelled from school, but still, we are thinking of their future. Stripping off roles is the LEAST we can do to lessen the humiliation. We are not ogres.

2. Now comes the blaming part... Who is at fault? Schools here made it a point to tell the parents about their troublesome child, before any major move is taken. This GIRL (as you never knew her) had been warned SEVERAL TIMES not to go ANYWHERE near the boy. And of course she wouldn't listen. Her parents did what they could (I will not mention what) but still... a bad seed grows into a bad tree. FYI her parents are normal and functional.

3. Sexual education IS integrated into the syllabus, believe it or not! And we got lessons in Moral, Civic and Religion education to emphasize the do and don't. So imagine the kind of GIRL who is impervious to the MIGHTY ONSLAUGHT of good teaching at school! FYI she was sent several times to meet the counselor.

4. I am not a model child. I am a teacher. And it PAINS me to see nice children ruined by despicable individuals such as she. Never ASSUME we did nothing to prevent such thing to happen.

And we always think about it. (Of course we will never call the girl a slut in her face, but nice is nice, and she isn't).

:)

p.s. - I am not a vulgar person. If I call someone a 'slut', she deserves it because she has the quality of one. Kisses and hugs do not work with many children today. I am a teacher, and I meet hundreds of children everyday - of all shapes, age and level of attitude. We label them all CORRECTLY (well mostly) :)