Bayview

Oh, if the name sounded relaxing and recuperative, I'd like you to think twice.

It's actually the street name of our new house, and it only spells disaster and loads of troubles when it comes to moving new houses. So, it all started when I got back to Australia. 

It. Was. Scorching. Hot. None like any other hot weather I have ever experienced in Australia, and those that remained in Australia throughout the summer had claimed that it was one of the hottest days. Hell. Imagine my discomfort after alighting the plane, with all the jet lag and that depleted stamina. I could only stay in my friend's house for the day and frankly speaking, it was really uncomfortable, and it's not their house is at fault. That night I had to sleep on the floor, yes, with just a superbly thin comforter which you can find on an airplane (with pillow oh god thank goodness). Not to mention a whole forehead of continuous sweating. However I still have them to thank for, as in for taking us in. I slept in pretty early, but in all honestly I couldn't sleep, I was actually waken up by a sudden stroke of heat. I was sweating. Badly. There and then I realized I really couldn't do this. I went downstairs and sorta get a drink and chill while figuring how am I suppose to spend the night.

This, you have got to believe me. Somehow, there's a voice at the back of my head just whispered to me "Lester, remember? You have a fan." AH! The joy in realizing that! I immediately ransacked my properly sealed boxes of stuffs that I have left in their living room last year, and recovered the fan. OH, thank god! The night was a ton better with that fan. Although it was dry still, at least it stopped my sweating to a significant amount. The next few nights were so much better with the change in weather, and I moved downstairs to occupy my friend's queen sized bed with another friend. 

Until the next major move, I sorta filled the days with Starcraft 2. Hell, I think I improved by NOT playing for over an extended amount of time. Oh, did I also mention my class had already started? And that I miss the first lecture, on the first day because it was raining. Oh c'mon, it's not like I skipped one for the sake of skipping one. Besides, we actually went shopping for some stuffs for our house. Washing machine, bread toasters, vacuum cleaner and furniture are to be named. We already plan to hire a van and drive on our own after making those purchases, because paying delivery for both Harvey Norman and Ikea is unwise. Plus, we had to move our own boxes and belongings. It all started at Harvey Norman. Somehow, I just feel like God has been very kind to me, and I'm starting to oversee all the hardships he had me encounter. One of my housemate, JiaYean , her brother had a friend who worked in Harvey Norman - discounts!

We picked several of the items of our choice, and head to look for her. Apparently she's placed at a HM booth outside of the store, whilst still being in the mall. She had the desktop to issue invoices and prices, so she did so. At nearly the price of the original cost of the item. She was really nice, and to top it off, she even made us coffee using Nespresso which is like insanely expensive. With the invoice, we made the payment first and have it collected another day. That, and we scouted Ikea and noted the items of our choice so we could make haste with our purchases the day we got the van. That being said, I did check whether Ikea provide storage services, apprently they don't, unless with a charge. Meh. 

So, if I'm not mistaken, it was last Wednesday. When all hell broke loose. The plan was to hire a van on Thursday, however I was waken up by a phone call by JiaYean that Ikea has 30% sales on god knows how many items, and we're guessing our items would have a chance of getting discounted. (Just FYI, none of our stuff had discount). So I had to quickly get up the bed and get ready to rent the van because they were already on the way back from campus. I had to call HM and the van rental place to check for their availability. Well, that would be my first time driving a van. Although it was auto, 10% of myself actually wanted to drive manual just for the thrill. Heck, driving is serious business so I stuck to auto. HM was cake, we arrived at the HM warehouse and grabbed the washing machine. Then head over to Ikea (which HM is in the same mall as well). 

This is the very interesting part. I had four items to grab in terms of furniture. A chair, a bed frame, a mattress and lastly the bed support plank. Chair and support plank was in abundance. The bed frame and mattress ran out completely. I swore I cried inside myself. The next jump from the bed frame was around $39 to around $139, so was the bed, which is a hike of around $60. "Who gives a shit about bed frame aesthetics, the bed is meant for sleeping, I'm just a student! I'm suppose to save!". I requested the staffs to help check for any existing stock and explained my predicament that I have the van only for today. One tried, the other couldn't be bothered. Bitch. So unsure about whether the other staff would actually check, I decided to stay there for a moment. Until my senses told me to give it up and look for alternatives. I was really reluctant, but I had to. I mean, what choices do I have? So then I started looking for another mattress, and the moment I picked one and about to leave the shelves, something caught my eyes.  Two mattresses magically appeared on the shelf. I approached it doubtfully, and checked the code. 

JOY. IN IT'S PUREST FORM. Oh man! I caught a glimpse of a staff pushing a huge trolley away and I presumed they placed it back due to customer's change of mind. "Thank you God!" was all that in my mind. However, the storm's not over yet. I still have my bed frame to be worried about. So I did the same thing, however more willingly since I've got the good deal of getting a decent and cheap mattress. God bless that man that heard my cry and dire request. He came back with loads of the bed frames, which he actually did go to unpack extra for me and another China dude who requested the same thing. I thanked him, but he seemed to be very preoccupied with loading the frames onto the shelves. I really wanted to extend my gratitude, really, but I'd look like an idiot. So I could only walk past him after the simple "Thank you so much" and pray silently for him.

Well, that's that for the day, we dropped what we could at our new house and called it a day. Next day was pretty frantic and hectic as well, as we were rushed by the due time of 12pm and at the same time having the need to do grocery and grab winter quilts and bedsheets at a mall. We exploited the van to its fullest it seems, buying all heavy items for grocery such as rice etc. The unloading was hurried as well. However we still manage to get everything done, just taxed our body's stamina that's all. It was worthwhile really, at least we get to save a lot of money, 

Moved in yesterday, including today we've done cleaning for the total of 2 days. That includes a lot of vacuuming and cleaning. The previous tenants were nice to arrange and pay for carpet steam cleaning with their own expenses. That is my room thus far, and I'm missing a study table as you can see. Getting one from a friend this Thursday. House's pretty cozy and huge, rental's relatively cheap as well. I think everything is still tentative until this Thursday where I had to drive a van again, this time down the city, to fetch sofas and tables and beds for the rest of us. A lot of adjustments and arrangements had to be made, but that's expected. Everything went pretty smooth actually. Again, I have God to thank for. 

Guess that's that for today, next time would be an upload to be facebook with a video of a tour of the house and perhaps more pictures! Hopefully this weekend, and hopefully I could get a trip down a beach going this weekend as well. Oh and the Yarra Valley vineyards, ah.

Checked in

It's officially Tuesday now and the idea of packing my life up and getting my ass up in the air for 8 hours just bores me out. Yeah I do miss my awesome new home and my awesome new room alright, but it's not like I'll go crying about missing my home. I think I've just gotten too numb with this, need to keep shifting my life and getting myself out of my comfort zone all the time.

......and crap, to digress completely from the said topic, I actually having a difficulty in figuring what song is relevant to today's entry and mood.

So back to the packing, I mean it's human's nature to be bored by the constant shift in environment. 

......digress. Actually I'm sorta done with the packing topic.

I get to visit my condominium's most expensive Penthouse unit. Boy. That was insane. The purity of the insanity that you get upon setting your eyes and foot into the Penthouse is overwhelming. The Penthouse was mindfucking. At 38th floor, with 7330 sq ft, that is 3.5x of my current unit. 4 bedrooms with maid room. Enlarge the second picture, and see how far it actually extends with me standing at the other corner of the house. It's...plain crazy.

......weird. I feel like digressing again.

On a side-note, I actually getting increasingly cranky these days. That include filing a complaint to a security at my condominium and raising my voice at a cashier girl at Guardians today. 

Story - 1

It's a fine afternoon when my friend drove to my house to meet up with me at my place. You know how condominiums have designated visitor and resident parking. So I drove down from 1st floor parking and when I reached the visitor's parking, I figured I've forgotten to bring my water bottle so what's the harm in just, parking at the visitors and take 5 minute at the tops to grab my bottle? So I did and this old grumpy (they're suppose to be young, vibrant, good looking and polite securities until they've decided to change the whole lot of them because their contract ended and they needed to head back Nepal ) security came and spoke to me in Malay that I couldn't park here.

Look sir, you don't speak Malay with me in this first-class condominium. Half of the residents are Korean and Caucasians. You've just severely degraded us. Well of course I explained my predicament here that I just need 5 minutes at the tops to grab something real quick. He then go on and blah-blah-blah which I wasn't paying attention at all because of all the gibberish that I couldn't be bothered with BECAUSE I'M THE FUCKING RESIDENT. So I smiled and replied "I'm a resident". He actually had the guts to tell me no again. That tone and expression, oh you're really looking for a fight. I spent the next 1 minute arguing with him and he still insisted no.

Cocky securities. I hated these sorta low-life who dared raising their hands at me. I'm not asking a lot, I'm asking you to do your job without overextending yourself. 

So I lost the argument. Correction, I couldn't stand all this blathering. I went back into my car with utmost defeat and annoyance. When I'm about to drive out, I actually wind down the window and asked for his name. There and then he displayed signs of fear and smile and replied his name AND THEN WENT ON WITH HIS BLAH-BLAH-BLAH. I actually said it was enough and he obviously didn't stop. Old people and their grumbling. I actually just rewind my window back up and drove away.

When I got back I approached the Head of Security and reported everything to him. THANK GOD he's an understanding fella and he's been here in the condominium as long as I had. It really felty like chatting with a neighbour when I brought up the issue to him. I have to emphasize again on how I would usually speak in a gentle tone with anybody UNLESS they've decided to trample on my kindness. You'll get hell. He got hell. For the next few days he did salute me with more respect. 

You brought it upon yourself. 

(To which I'd like to explain the situation further. It's really for security purposes that I should ought not to park at visitors because they do crosscheck all the vehicles for safety purposes from time to time. Hence his unwillingness to let me park there in-spite of numerous other available spaces. The Head of Security did suggest that I park at the handicapped if I ever bump into the same circumstance. The thing is, HE could've told me all that like the head of security did, rather than that he told me "no" for every request I made, with that bloody cocky expressions of yours as toppings. Good job there. )

Story - 2

I was shopping at the pharmacy Guardians today with my mom. Upon getting all our stuffs in the basket we approached the counter and place the items on the counter. I was unwrapping a green-bag whilst this Malay cashier girl was scanning the items. She was chatting with the other cashier girl.

The. Whole. Fucking. Time. Without even acknowledging our presence.

Fine by me. Then I said "oh, sini ada bag" and I actually opened the bag for her to place the items inside. 

Boy, the conversation sure was more important. 

She was going to get a plastic bag and put those items in, and you know how I hate to be un-environmentally-friendly. There and then both my mom and I increased the decibels of our voice and mention it again that we do indeed, have a bag of our own, and we would like to save the plastic bags. 

Really? You were that indulged in that conversation?

I actually said very sternly, and raised my volume to a moderate extent at the cashier girl "SINI ADA BAG". She finally stop her conversations but had the GUTS to tell me "janganla marah". This is when I need to show these disrespectful insects who's the boss here. I actually already have my arm rest on the cashier and I told her very, very, very sternly that "Bukan. Sini ada customer and you asyik cakap kat situ". Bitch finally knew her place. Both the cashier girls finally got to work instead of talking. She did right by shutting up and finishing the deal with utter silence, else wise I would really give her hell. I walked out first, then my mom. My mom did mention to me afterwards that the cashier girl later apologized to her and mentioned how sorry she was. My mom too, agrees that these snobbish critters need to be taught a lesson if not for their constant impolite act to customers. 

That and a whole long list of me experiencing idiotic bastards who take my smile and my politeness for granted. Funny how packing my luggage could lead to this.

Tinted visions

Haven't updated my post for a while, probably due to my internship and how much of my stamina it drains on a daily basis. It's true that everyday after work, you just want to sit down and do nothing. Absolutely nothing except relaxing and recuperating.

Chinese New Year been pretty fulfilling, like it literally fills up my entire CNY schedule to the brim. It was more of a dare, to myself that I could handle all the invitations etc. It'd probably didn't occur to a lot of people around my age but if you're reading this, it'll do you good if you take this to heart, because you guys had it taken for granted and my past circumstances put me in a situation where I'd learn to appreciate it and see the importance of it in the future. Don't take it for granted that you've got 10 invites from 10 different group of friends, I know many of you would start to weigh friends in terms of their value and how you'd prefer a certain network of friends instead of another. True, it's only human's nature when two groups of friend come together at the same time to be weighed on the scale, but remember this - a promise's a promise. I have nearly 10 days of my CNY holiday packed with activities and invitations, and I'm proud to say I've not broken a single promise, only very early notices with compensations. Whoever comes first, comes first. The common practice of "ffk" and ditching events is shameful, it's an insult to the word "integrity". A simple act of that devalues yourself. Don't. 

Primary classmates, teacher and I.

Many of you definitely took it for granted as well for when you have several invites coming at you. This is the prime time to forge those friendship where many of you would fail to see the very importance of it. The sheer thought of yourself being wanted and popular, and that you could put those invitations aside because it does not suit your mood will one day be your harbinger. The times when all of us dwell into the working life that we would all be saddled with the rest of our lives will bring that into test. People would be tired and lazy to respond to such case and time will erode your bonds with your friends. There and then you'd think you're fine, until the day you needed external help. Would you then cry over spilled milk and say "hi" to those that you've cast  in the barren lands?

Monash coursemates and more and I.

Time and time again, there are people around who want to get to know you better and offer you the chance and platform for such an opportunity to take place. It's ok to be uncertain and seek a companion for such events, well, that's you. Usually people would take an extended amount of time to wait for someone to take the lead, my question to you is, what if there is none? This is the typical situation where you really burdened the organizer because of your selfish reasons. I have personally seen several of such case and I see the frail humanity in those disappointing individuals, and I can assure that it was the case because when I took the courage and be different. That too, applies for volunteering yourselves and making sacrifices. I may have brushed the issue aside but I saw it crystal clear and will see and treat you in a very different way already. I'm just simply astounded by your blatant lack of awareness of the situation, do you not see how this attitude of yours will imply to your future friends if you continue this path? Do you not know what SINCERITY is?

Monash coursemates and I.

Although this dare to myself for this CNY may have been a tad tiring, however it has been enriching and I learnt new lessons. It is also my resolution to be more truthful to myself and the people around me. There ARE friendship I have called off this vacation, call me harsh - but the lies and the betrayals were too much. I'm not blind and I'm not deft, and think again if you think i'm boring at the times when I'm quiet. "A wise old owl stood on a tree; the quieter it gets, the more it hears; the more it hears, the more it learns", something from my most respected teacher in the past. Although God has had bonds severed this holiday, but I sure do make an effort to learn something from it. HE also allowed me to see what I really have in my hands. 

Collegemates and I.

This holiday to be honest haven't been the calmest actually. I sure heard a lot of things going on around me. Sometimes I gotta hand it to the Malays - their Hari Raya is a very good practice to forgive and forget. Something that I will not deny having difficulty in. Although that department requires much more improvement to be made, however I gotta say I'm pretty proud of my anger management. It's more like, I have discovered alternatives to solving issues, so to put myself in a calm state when I encounter it. Somehow, I just learn that a lot of things are really not worth my time, let alone letting it worked me up. Hence my blog title which I have a great sense of affinity to it - it's like watching a bad movie, you just turn if off if you don't like it. At the same time, I also start to not bother with who wins the end of the argument. It just does not matter if you know you've done your best and you're sincere about it, let them twist the facts however much they want, that's what they do. They'll do what it takes so that triumph at the end of the argument comforts, and assures what was their uncertainty. I need not face your condescending looks when I lose that argument, I know so long at the end of the day, if I could face God and lift my head up high, it would be suffice.

Primary schoolmates and I.

Amidst of all the chaos, I too am glad I have things in my possessions that are invaluable and priceless when compared to money. Something that outweigh that materialistic thing which corrupts the mind of others and make them do hurtful things. It's at the back of the mind of people doing, and saying hurtful things. Yes, I am truly blessed and also grateful at the same time that such thing would not bother as much as others, however it's also the choice of each individual to define what is important to their lives. There are always richer people than me, but it's my decision to remain unmoved by that. That being said, I'm glad I can find friends who have the same moral value as I am and really, I'm glad to even get the vibe that, nothing else matters so long we're together and happy.

ACS(I) boarding schoolmates and I.

Well, I sure have a lot of philosophical statements to make, probably because I haven't been venting much recently I guess. Well, I finished my internship just last Friday and although I'm pretty free and bored at home but I SHALL not say so (actually I just did, but it was a lack of a better word to describe my situation!) I would still prefer this boredom over working anytime. That and I shall make my last year as a student a blast in Australia. Oh, before I forget, the highlight of my CNY has got to be the Pulau Pangkor trip, big thanks to the planners, I basically just nod to everything they asked, that includes my presence to the trip. I actually promised to join the trip (knowing that there is 4 days holiday in a row and that anyone in the right mind, would plan something within the 4 days because the all of us are working) without knowing the itinerary at all! The awkward moment when the organizer text you to confirm again prior to inviting you by verbal means, and then you text back asking how many days the trip is going to be. Best damn thing is, I actually wanted to go to a beach pretty badly this holiday and, the second I thought it's going to be impossible, IT HAPPENED!

It's a very good feeling to be at a beach, really. 

To me arms I stretch them wide, to thee mother earth I embrace; And the boundless ocean wide, shall take away all my worries.

花痴。痴情。

那今天可有那个机会听到田甄馥的歌，名“花花世界”。

虽然呢，那音调非常的柔美， 但我不禁会像起自己有多痴情。

依然还是爱着。。。你的你。

2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

All in all it's been fun for new year's eve and new year, except for the inconsiderate driving by some drivers on the road, not to mention dangerous as well. Just a day before new year's eve I decide to drive on the outer lane of a round-about (of which I usually pick the inner lane because I trust myself than others), and just this once, I almost got into an accident. I only knew when the head of a Hilux was right next to my door. Gotta thank God for saving me.

That aside, my Friday was awesome. Got my paycheck that day, on top of that we get to leave the company early with the mercy of our boss. Was able to leave 4pm that day, but being the workaholic I am sometimes, I actually stayed till 4.30, which was not all THAT bad. Speaking of which I finally understood why my parents were stubborn about finishing their work even if time's already running late. Well honestly speaking there's nothing to understand, we just DO IT.

New Year's eve dinner at Janelle's place with Tian Hui and Ee Ling, not to forget the awesome Sara. After which we went back to my place at Desa Parkcity to watch the fireworks. We were greeted by some massive crowd which is...beyond my comprehension. I'd never expect such a huge crowd. Thousands. After all we managed to get into my condominium and had a great fireworks view. It was spectacular. That and never had I view a fireworks parade and find it not high enough.

Below are some snapshots of the fireworks, which I finally put my newly acquired D7000 to work and...it was definitely at a satisfactory level. Do click on the pic to get a larger view, they're very high in detail.

Pretty good weren't they? Well that's for new year's eve, the next morning I was greeted by this as well. 

A wallet alongside with two shirts. All in all it's been a great two days, and it was great catching up with my friend, Sara. Truly grateful to have friends like her around which you could really feel comfortable around with, and also be able to share feelings and really have someone to talk to. So yeah, looking forward to all the good stuffs to come in 2012!

Christmas

This Christmas, have been unfortunately been very unhappy for me. That is of course, I am put into an undesirable situation where I felt compelled and extremely forced to comply to it. Besides, the recent meeting with friends from various networks bored me a lot, not implying my change of heart, but it does bore me and it only means one thing when this occurs to me - I haven't been spending time with myself. Hence the need for me to actually sit at home and do absolutely nothing but be with myself in solitary, confinement, absolute stillness and peace. Which honestly speaking, I've been really wanting this Christmas holiday to fulfill that role and unfortunately I really do feel like I've been robbed of that. There's really no way around phrasing it and there is really no point in sugarcoating it, it's just how I feel.

I really do commit at work and I feel tired already for being so committed to one thing already, to have a second issue to be shoved down your throat will agitate you. Although the recent issue of being sickened with a certain friend or two does hold true, because of events of late which really allow me to see who that person really is. There is nothing but disappointments and complete loss of faith, trust and hope in that person. There is no longer value in the friendship, hell, I wouldn't even call you a friend, rather just a "contact" now. Although to digress the topic a little bit, I do hate people who ask to be invited. There are numerous of them who does it subconsciously and I feel disgusted usually. I would never do so and sometimes when I sense something off with a certain invitation that was done so commercially or just a display of good manner to just ask you, I would turn it down, although usually sometimes some friend would term that as "loner" or "unsociable" which I would like to correct you right here and now, to take it back and categorize it as the said reason above.

All in all, I am still very unhappy with the fact that my mind therapy schedule is reduced to ashes. Although it still struck me just now that, perhaps God is reminding me of the discovery of what I really want a long time ago - that nothing else really matters, when I could not be happy.

residual

Woke up from a what seems like a lifetime in a dream

Opened my eyes and stared into stranger surroundings

Conscience are like drug injections

Killing my o' fairy land 

in my dearest memories

When all but seems ash of my dreamories

Stood still a residual of it

a light so tiny but never-fading in this pitch black warzone

Sands of time all but eroding that light as we speak

but still hung a glimpse of that precious dream

still so clear in thy eyes until me arms are around it

and here it is -

That blue ink pen drawing on a tiny foolscap paper

with funny triangle shapes and circles 

and a kindergarten sun in the middle of it all

tucked into the safest corner of my wallet

without my knowing

without my awareness

when I fell asleep on you

because I know I'm safest around you

This moment reality is at full gauge

This moment reality is my lens that filter my sight

but that slip of paper will forever resides in me

that uncontested memory of your drawing 

that is so... YOU

 will remind me that you still care

and your voice echoed

"It's ok"