Inspector Graduates!

Inspector collected his results last morning.. He is now an Honours degree holder! YAY!!! The day has finally come!! It was a sheer 2 days of emotional torture for him as the results were officially released on Thursday, but we collected it yesterday instead. The joy!! The relief!!

He deserves it. Really. Perhaps it may not be as excellent to others, but it is for him and for me. I've seen him struggled throughout his course. I've seen his disappointments. I've seen him being at the edge of wanting to quit halfway through, yet he stuck on with the course. I know for the fact that he really put in his utmost effort, especially during his final year, waking up early every day to go to the library, then to classes, back to the library between classes, and library again till before he goes back home. I was there with him when he went to the library on Saturdays to revise (while I read my novels, listen to mp3s and all. Hehe..).

During our daily phone conversations, he would tell me what he learnt on that day's lectures. or when his term exams were approaching near, he would revise then explain to me every single detail, how the flow or hierarchy is like, the definitions, the equations, the ratios, methods used, stuffs like that. He would explain them in such a way that I could understand them. or he would keep on working out the sample questions until he finally gets the answers.

I've seen him being tensed up during his finals, especially when I drove him to his exams venue one of the days, we reached there 2 hours earlier, I held his study guide, threw a question out from it and he just went on and on about that topic, including describing the graphs and all. And not forgetting that he was already working full time during his finals. It really wasn't easy working and revising at the same time. He was only given a day's leave for each of his exam dates. I know most people would probably say, "Hey! That's how I was too! So what? Big deal...". But if they were in his shoes, they would understand that it is something huge for him. I know it is.

It doesn't matter how people perceives you as. Whether they think you're useless, you're brainless, you're lazy or whatsoever. Or that your results are not that fantastic as theirs. I truly believe that every single person can excel. It doesn't matter whether you excel in your studies or in your job or anything else. It doesn't mean that if you can't score a string of A's in your exams, your future is over. So, maybe your friends and family or anyone else discourages you, looking down on you. It doesn't matter. Your life, your future is in your very own hands. Don't let anyone get into your way. Don't ever let anyone, not even your own family puts you down from achieving your own goals. As long as you give in your 100% effort into whatever you are doing, be it in your studies or work, to reach for the stars, that is what that matters the most. Self-achievement. That's what makes the victory smells even sweeter. Nothing else beats that.

You know what makes it sweeter for Inspector? Apparently most people failed this particular subject, including an "I'm Mr. Smart Guy" of that subject. But Inspector passed it. ;) And the other thing is that, he's already a permanent staff in his company without even needing to show this trials or finals results. He's already been deems as the "up and coming person" by his Regional Manager to the rest of the staff. He doesn't need to show his degree certificate at all.

I'm proud of him. I'm proud that he did not give up. I'm proud that he gave his utmost best shot, and he got more than what he wished for. I'm not saying all these coz he's my boyfriend. I'm merely stating the fact that everyone, anyone can be like him. Everyone can do the same. Everyone can excel. Hopefully, he can be some sort of a motivation to everyone, that like every cloud has a silver lining. As long as you don't give up putting in your best effort, your silver lining will appear one day. And when that day comes, you will understand how sweet self-achievement is.

As for now, congratulations to my dear Inspector!!! *Muakz*

Happy Birthday, Moorish!

It's Moorish's birthday today. We organized a suprise birthday celebration for her during the weekend. Boy oh boy, was she shocked and speechless!!

It was seriously tough to plan that. Sue & I had to get hold of her boyfriend, KY and her ex-Leeds housemate, EH. We didn't have KY's contact number. All we knew was that he's working in an Oil & Gas firm in Rohas Perkasa. So, thinking thinking.. "the power of the Internet!", I Googled it. Turns our that almost 80% of the firms in Rohas Perkasa are Oil & Gas!! Gosh.. So I scrolled down the page and a name seemed very familar. I remember Moorish mentioning that firm's name in her emails. So, I tried my luck and called up the company, looking for KY. The name exists!!

Anyway, on one side, Sue, KY & I corresponded through e-mails, and decided that we should book for a room at Prince Hotel under KY's company. On another side, EH said that her & Moorish's other housemate, YL was coming up from Singapore to celebrate Moorish's birthday. So, we were gonna group everyone together!

Had some problems fitting everyone's plans in but at the end, we managed to get a room at Micasa Hotel. So the actual plan was, Moorish was supposed to meet up with EH and YL for their housemates' reunion. Moorish was actually searching for a hotel room for them to stay (she did ask me to check the rates for Cititel). So we planned it in such a way where EH said that her mom could get a cheap rate in Micasa (in actual fact, KY was the one getting the room), and it took me, KY, Sue and EH to convince to take up Micasa instead of Cititel. That was tough! Finally she agreed and we got on with the plans.

Saturday afternoon, Sue, Inspector & I went to TMC to get the stuffs for steamboat dinner. We kept putting stuffs into the basket and was worried if they were enough for 11 people. I went to King's and got a Cream Cheese Blueberry Cake. We met again at Micasa, Sue checked in and we started preparing the steamboat. The room was fantastic!! Extremely posh for a hotel apartment!!! It has 2 single beds, a TV, wardrobe with a safe in it, kitchen sink, fridge, microwave oven, toaster, living area, dining area with a huge working desk, and a balcony!! For RM 165!!!!

Anyway, EH came over with another friend, SY, and we waited for Moorish to call EH. Moorish was to meet up with YL at KLCC, while EH was to 'check in' for them, and then Moorish & YL was to drive to Micasa to meet up with EH. So, when they arrived, EH went to meet them at the reception, the steamboat dinner was prepared, we waited in the dark. When they finally came into the room, opened the room door, turned on the lights and Moorish stepped into the room, we shouted "SUPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She was flabbergasted! *lol* Had the whole night eating steamboat and the birthday cake. :) It was too bad that KY had to be in Singapore for work at a very late notice, otherwise it would be an even more memorable birthday for Moorish.

Hehe.. Post birthday celebration, she said it was the best birthday she has ever had. To me, it would be, coz she got to celebrate her 24th birthday with her secondary school classmates as well as her Leeds housemates. What's more, with KY contributing to the plans. Hehe.. Hope that it will really be a memorable one for Moorish. It was all worth it. :)

Happy Birthday, Moorish!!

Where Is The Love

There's been too much of violence going around the world practically every day. Even Malaysia is not safe. Rape cases (to the extent of raping one's own young grandchild), killing (regardless of age of killer and victim), suicide bombings in Indonesia, bombing of the U.N. HQ in Baghdad, and now, suicide bomber in Jerusalem.

It's been so depressing reading the newspapers. What happened to world peace? What happened to "love one another as you love yourself"? Is there nothing that we can do to make everyone united, to make this world a loving and caring place to live in? Life is like, God's greatest gift, so why are people taking God's gift for granted? What do they get for destroying and toying with other people's lives? If war is being used as an excuse and is a sure way to "get rid of the most dangerous living person in the world", then why is it getting worse now? Why are the people still living in fear? Why are there still so many lives being taken away?

When will all these end?

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin' in the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how a nigga works and operates
Nigga, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (the love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (the love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our own direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive to lovers bound

People killin', people dyin', children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us, send us some guidance from above
Coz people got me, got me questionin', where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love), where is the love (The love).

~~ Black Eyed Peas feat. Justin Timberlake - Where Is The Love ~~

*Tik Tak Tik Tak*

If you're wondering what sound is that, it's the sound of me playing with the abacus. ;)

Long story.. After my paternal grandfather, Yeh Yeh passed away recently, my relatives had been eyeing on his abacus. Coincidentally, Mum went back to my maternal grandfather, Gong Gong's office in Pudu yesterday to visit the staff there. She remember he used to keep an abacus. Since the abacus is a very "hot item" back in Dad's hometown, she asked for it. The clerk found it and handed the abacus to Mum. I'm now keeping it in my room. Hehe..

If you asked why, it's coz I feel that the abacus is something very personal to me. One, it's something very precious to Gong Gong. He had been using it practically his whole life, doing calculations for his business and personal expenses. It was like his life depended on the abacus. So much of calculations that the rods were already loose. Two, Yeh Yeh used to teach me how to use the abacus when I was very young. I remember going back to visit him, I would see Yeh Yeh sitting on the wooden chair with the abacus on the table in front of him, and he would go *tik tak tik tak* on it. Being a very curious person then, I would sit by him, watched him do that. One day, I asked him what was he doing, he told me and then taught me how to use it. Simple addition, like, 1+2.. 8+9.. 27+34..

So, having the abacus with me now, it will always remind me of it being Gong Gong's precious asset and that Yeh Yeh was the one who taught me how to use it. ;) It's like, a memory of both of them. If I haven't had the abacus now, I wouldn't think that I would remember how to use it. And so, last night, I was happily calculating away with the abacus. *grin* I'm sooo gonna treasure that forever!!

Time Flies

Can't believe it's been 3 weeks since Yeh Yeh passed away. It felt as if he left us last night. Have already applied 2 days of annual leave in early September to go back to Dad's hometown for Yeh Yeh's 49th day prayers. Every now and then whenever I hear Teresa Teng's song "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" ("The Moon Represents My Heart"), it reminds me of Yeh Yeh's death, coz the band was playing that song during the funeral procession. I think the song will forever remind me of Yeh Yeh.

You know, I keep thinking that whenever I would go back to Dad's hometown, I would see him sitting on his favourite wooden chair by the wooden table, waiting for us to arrive. Or he would come back from his daily morning trip to his favourite coffeeshop. He would ask about my studies (when I was still studying) and I would tell him how I fared in my exams, he would be so proud. He would give me some pocket money to study harder and become a doctor. I used to tell him that I would become a doctor one day so that, whenever he fall sick, I would treat him for free, I could take care of him. I ended up as an Engineer instead. But he was still proud of me coz apparently I was the first and only engineer in the family tree. ;)

I still miss him a lot. My grandparents would always want to come up to KL, to see how were we doing, to see our house and all. Now that Nai Nai's all alone, we're hoping to drive her up to KL for a week's stay or something, somewhere in the near future after the 100 days mourning period. I'm looking forward to having her in the house. ;)

Let's Kick The Ball

Played futsal yesterday at Outdoor Sports. Guys (Inspector & his friends) vs Girls (the girlfriends). Super tiring! But had good fun, man!

I fell on my butt once. Seriously loud *thud*. I got up, my butt and my right leg ached and became numb. Couldn't really run for a while. But after that, I felt ok and I scored 2 goals!! *lol* Lucky goals la, considering we had a goalie and the guys' team must be keeper-less. Hehe..

It has been a while since I last exercised. Now my whole body is aching like nobody's business. Would love to play another round of futsal this coming weekend though. ;)

Happy Birthday, Inspector!

It's Inspector's birthday today!! He turns 24. ;)

He's at work now, so hopefully he'll have a good day. I will be seeing him for dinner tonight. Yay!! We're going to BSC American Chili's. Went to Angel Cake Shop to collect his blackforest cake (his fav) last night. Hopefully he'll like it. Happy Birthday, dear!!! *Muakz*!!