It's been awhile...

Yes, it has been some time since I last posted anything. Looking back at all my previous posts, I realise that things have changed a lot (and I do mean A LOT!) since then.

For one, I've got a new housemate and we get along well. Secondly, Sundae is now under the care of a 'kuai low' family - we can't bring her back to Malaysia! Sob! I've also completed my Masters and am currently unemployed (er, I'm actually selling handphones for Three but I'm just going to ignore that bit!). Oh yes, there's also that bit where he proposed and I said yes! So I am officially 'booked for life! Yay!

So there. That about sums up the going-ons in my life since I got my Dopod last year. Want a more detailed version? Email me. My inbox has been awfully empty as of late. Hehe.

Erin's getting a new toy!

Guess what? Erin's getting a new toy! Woo hoo!

*jumps around merrily!*

Check it out: http://www.dopodasia.com/Dopod/Singapore/En/Products/PDAPhone/838Pro/

That's it. Updates on everything else will be up after my exams. I know, I know, it's long overdue. But who cares? Do you?

Anywaaaaaaaay, *in sing-song voice* I'm getting a new toy! I'm getting a new toy! New toy! Yay! Arriving on Wednesday. Can't wait! Weeee!~

Fiji appetizer...

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

Going to be a lil' busy typing up a report of the trip, preparing for an exam and spending time with my mum (who'll be visiting soon, yay!) - so to keep things short and sweet, Fiji was wonderful! Aside from the non-stop seminars, the bit of 'free time' we had was filled with lots of sun, sand and sea!

This post is just to whet the appetites of those who have been bugging me about the trip (although I suspect they're just hunting for souvenirs!). Hehe. Will post pictures, and give a more detailed account of a the trip when I'm up to it!~

Til then, here are two words I learnt whilst on the trip!

Bula (pronounce 'Mbu-la') - Hello, or a general way of greeting someone. Use it when you see someone you know/don't know/want to know/don't want to know or simply because you feel like yelling something. I found myself stuttering the word (and looking dazed and confused as everyone and I mean everyone 'bula-ed' me!) on the first day. But by the end of day two, I was 'bula-ing' my way through everything! If you're planning a trip to Fiji anytime soon, this word is a must-learn!

Vinaka (pronounced 'Vee-na-ka') - It simply means, 'Thank you'.

P/S: Anyone has a bottle of 'Fair & Lovely' to spare? *e-hem* You know what I mean....

Why so?

A couple of days ago, a friend (on MSN) asked, "Why does your blog simply narrate the going-ons in your life, but very little about your inner thoughts and feelings?"

Stunned, I simply answered, "Lazy-lah! Have to think about how I feel...ish!"

Nonetheless, after that conversation, I felt a teeny-weeny bit bothered. Have I been doing that? Rather detached posts? Rarely expressing my innermost thoughts and feelings?

It must be true. After all, someone did point it out.

I guess the problem lies in my pride - the side of me that doesn't want to be seen as vulnerable.

If my blog were an anonymous one, I wouldn't give a donkey's tail who came and read the 'inner' me. But it's not. Hence, I can't truly express what I feel, what I want, what I dislike or even the ever-changing wave of emotions that bombard me everyday.

It's sad, I know.

Maybe, just maybe, one day when I feel a lil' bit braver, I'll let you catch a glimpse of the 'real' me...

Like, d-uh...

THE STAR, August 2, 2006.

The Prime Minister has issued a warning – those who spread untruths and slander on the Internet will face the law.

If information in blogs, websites and online portals were incorrect, bordered on slander, caused disturbance or compelled the public to lose faith in the nation’s economic policies, their authors would be detained for investigation, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“We cannot allow such matters to flow through uncontrolled,” he told newsmen after attending a briefing on the proposed Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man here.

“They say all kinds of things, make all kinds of dubious claims. We cannot allow them to abuse the freedom earned under the media. If left alone, they can say or pass on all kinds of things.”

Abdullah also said that those who sent out such information via short message system (SMS) would also be held accountable.

“If they abuse the freedom – more than the present freedom given without any restriction – we cannot allow it,” he declared.

“Where in the world is there such a freedom, where one can freely spread incorrect information and slander without having to own up to it?”

Answer: The Internet. D-uh.

Strange but true...

Ever get the feeling that something’s not right, but you can’t prove it?

I’m not exactly sure if my nagging thoughts are on the mark, but recently I’ve started suspecting that my doggy is being framed. Oh sure, call me paranoid, but I know my Sundae. She may be a mutt at times and dig up the trash or tear my undies to bits, but she definitely does not have a shoe, scarf or pen fetish! Furthermore, she’s a quick learner. Whack her thoroughly once and she’ll more often than not, stay away from that item – forever!

So, what is a doggy owner to think when strange things start occurring? Shoes get bitten (all of a sudden!), scarves are torn and a pen (in a nice UNMOVED pen holder) is crushed to itsy-bitsy pieces? Definitely yau keng-kuang (something fishy in Cantonese).

You see, if those things were destroyed under normal circumstances, I’d be alright. I’d whack Sundae ‘til her butt aches and nag her about boundaries. But they weren’t.

What makes me so certain? Elementary, dear Watson. Elementary.

Last night, upon my return I noticed that Sundae had attempted to ‘de-ball’ my scarf. She had pulled the strands off the end of my scarf which was in a shape of a fluffy ball. Minor damage done since I could push them back into place. I hit her hard, placed the damaged scarf in her face and left it there, basically for her to contemplate the graveness of her actions. Result? No more playing with that particular scarf for Sundae.

Today, to prevent a similar episode from occurring, I placed the damaged scarf and the ball’s filling on a high, narrow table which is beyond Sundae’s reach (the same table I put food stuff, and other fragile items). Not only is that table beyond her reach, it’s also quite wobbly which makes it hard for her to TRY to leap on it without me finding out. And so, I left the house with a sense of assurance – Sundae’s been whacked and has learnt her lesson, scarf is safely beyond her reach.

Lo and behold, when I got home today, the scarf and the wool filling Sundae had pulled out last night was all over the floor. I confronted the only person who was home, I’ll call him Kawan Serumah (what a coincidence for him to run out of his room the moment I came back!) who in turn blamed poor Sundae.

I was adamant. There was no way on earth Sundae could have gotten on that table unless, as Ed sarcastically pointed out, she sprouted wings and flew! AND, if she had dragged the scarf down after stretching her body a few inches longer, the filling she tore out the night before would be at the foot of the table and not at the other end of the room. ALSO, why would my dog place the rest of the scarf on my chair? The response I got, “I don’t know how, but unfortunately she did! I’m sure!”

I was and am furious. How dare he blame my dog. Things are beginning to add up. Not the first weird thing he’s done or said. Hmmph, why do such a mean thing? Jealously? Doesn’t he know that a dog is a man’s best friend?

Random thoughts...

Semester break just ended and I miss it already. Sigh.

The hols were pretty good. Didn't do any of the things I planned to do (go camping, visit Sydney, finish off a series of anime, get a part-time job, sleep in late...) but it was still wonderful. Spent time getting to know some people from church, played poker, watched movies, cooked, cleaned, shopped, hung out...you know, the usual.

Class on Tuesday was pretty interesting. It was nice being the one in 'the know', instead of the this-is-my-first-sem-and-I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing-here student. For those who I have yet to inform, I'll be going on a course-required trip to Fiji in August. Funnily, I feel a little anxious bout the trip. Weird huh? Most would jump at the chance to take such a trip (a holiday cum learning experience paid for by my parents!) and yet, here I am feeling all worried at the thought of having to travel semi-solo (1 week with coursemates and the other alone). Maybe it's because I've never done anything like this before. Staying at a backpackers' lodge, finding my own transportation, travelling from island to island....alone!?!?! Also, when all's said and done, this trip is assessed ie. I have to be on proper professional behaviour at all times! I have to ask the right questions, do the right kind of research, give valuable input and suggestions to government officials, mind you and among all the 'buat pandai angmoh' students, I have to 'buat even more pandai'! Furthermore, when the trip ends (I'll be off on the 21st of August and back on the 4th of September), I'll be required to submit a 2000 word review of the trip (12th Sept), sit for a 2 hour paper on the subject (12th Sept) and complete a 5500 word research essay (17th Sept). And what about my other subject? I am so dead.

Now that I've got those negative thoughts off my chest, let me just say that I can't wait to head off to Fiji! Woo hoo! The academic trip basically starts on the 24th of August and ends on the 30th of August. That means, I have 7 blissful days on a vacation island in the middle of cold winter here in Melbourne, all to myself (and the occupants & visitors of the island that is!). How great is that?

Besides my trip to Fiji, I've also been looking for a part-time job. I have too much time on my hands! Well, not exactly. If I were to be a model student and follow the unit guide and spend 5 hours of preparation a day for each subject, I would have virtually no time to live, let alone look for a job. I'm not exactly going all out in this search, but rather it's a 'come what may' attitude. I'll just answer a few ads here and there and see what happens. I'll be fine either way.

Er...yeah....that's it.