Rochester Park - A Haunting...?

This is where the spec dip took us last Thursday - beautiful Rochester Park. Its old, its forrested, its full of history. Seems like a deep, dark place for a murder to take place or some spooky stuff to happen. We were supposed to select a location for the film "Psycho" but set locally. That's what location researchers do. Just thinking of Rochester Park while watching Discovery Channel's A Haunting makes it sounds like the perfect setting for such a TV show. Take a look at the pics.


The road seems dark with dense growth eh? Imagine this place at night. Imagine walking down this road alone at night. I wish the lamp posts weren't there though. Then it'd be totally the forrest and the moonlight. Creepy stuff.


Looks run down eh? Some of the places look really spooky. Who knows what went on in there years ago? Maybe some happy family dinners. Maybe some fun times of kids playing in the garden and the out house. Maybe some gruesome murder?


That's the back of number 34 Rochester Park. The first house we saw that permitted entry into the grounds. Actually, this is one of the better kept homes in the area. The one above is in really bad condition compared to number 34.


The kitchen area. This one is in average condition. Some of the counter tops were broken, but generally looks inhabitable. There is that stain on the floor though its probably dirt more than some unknown substance.


There was another house with the door wide open and a part of collapsed fence that I managed to go into when I went to get better indoor pictures on Friday. This is what the living room looks like generally. Lots of broken stuff lying all over the place. Upstairs, the floor was littered with what looked like soil. Really dirty! Looks like the floor in the picture, but much, much dirtier. I think I would love to spend more time looking around the house if I was with someone else. Anyone wants to go with me sometime? And maybe a night time exploration too. I want to see how haunted the houses can look.

One classic way to make the house look haunted would be to show a shot of a window, then suddenly something moves across it in between the curtains. Uggh, they just showed that not too long ago on A Haunting (episode titled Hidden Terror). That's pretty scary stuff.

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On My Nerves

Bobby Chin. Uggh, I can't stand his accent. Wan dallah! *Shudders* Its driving me up the wall everytime I see him on Travel Channel. I really go as far as changing channels when his face pops up on the telly. Uggh. Give me my come dine with me!


I'm possibly the only person who gets irritated by hearing Sexy Back by the above guy. I think he's over rated, but before you kill me, I'm entitled to an opinion. That's mine. You can love him to bits if you want, but just don't get me involved. Hearing his song everytime the Ms. Singapore Universe advert came on TV was traumatising enough. Gimme smack that over this sexy back. How do you bring sexy back in the first place?

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Random bits

One is Regina. The other is Carol. Regina cracked me up during ICMT lecture yesterday.

Ms Low: Who is to blame for global-warming?
Me: Humans...
Ms Low: Who is to blame for the state of the environment?
Me: Humans...
Regina: Then blame what? Animals ah?

Yes, Regina, we blame animals for breathing out carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. As there are hundreds of millions of them, they too should take the blame for contributing to global warming and environment deteriorisation. Yay! Blame animals! Heh.......

Oh, and everyone should listen to the song "Harry Potter Die". Its sadistic.

Yum, yum, yum. I want to blow the candles and then cut the cake!

This is Mr. Ethan Reese Fernandez putting in the candles on his birthday cake. We celebrated last Friday, before I left for home and Laine for Kedah. Ms. Ashley 'Mak Cik' Megan Fernandez is starring at the cake in eager anticipation.

I'm so excited! Omg, omg! Can you feel the excitement?!

And here is "Datuk" looking all excited to blow out the candles and cut the cake. Can you feel the excitement? He couldn't wait to get started. The lil tyrant was really excited to celebrate his birthday so early (its actually later in the month).

Ah, finally the moment we've been waiting for.

This is what happened...
Everyone: Yay! Now you can cut the cake!
Datuk: Come Ashley! We cut together.
*Datuk & Mak Cik cut the cake together*


Time for a Fijian recap.

Episode 9
RC: Nil
IC: Orange - Earl, Yau-Man, Boo, Edgardo, Cassandra
TC: Green - Michelle, Stacy, Alex, Dre, Mookie
Booted: Michelle
Merge tribe: Bula Bula

I agree that Jeff screwed Michelle over royally in this episode's TC. Seeing that Alex had already said "I have no reason to vote against __________" several times, was there a need to ask everyone? Jeff interfered too much. Poor Michelle!

Episode 10
RC: Cassandra + Dre, Boo, Yau-Man
IC: Yau-Man
Booted: Edgardo
Hidden Immunity Idol: Alex played

Dre is a wishy-washy player. Please vote him out somehow or other. He's uggh. Mookie is irrational. Emotional. Mookie's whole game has been that way. He mastered Erica's boot. Mookie + Rocky = Death.


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Back in school

School's back in business (ack, what an opener considering my faculty is called School Of Business)... Yay or nay? CIBM, ICM, WFM, ICMT, MIA, NUTW, DTC. The new module abbreviations for this year. They stand for Corporate Identity and Brand Management, Integrated Communications Management, Writing For the Media, Issues & Crisis Management, Media In Asia, Nutrition & Wellness, Directing The Camera. Wonderful eh? They've changed spec dip from Mon & Tue 4pm-6pm to Thu & Fri 4pm-6pm. How positively evil! Mon & Tue were bad enough, now Thu & Fri? Uggh.

We have lots of projects I hear and no exams. Yay or nay again? Its going to be a long 14 weeks more. We have a 3-week break in the middle again - 2 weeks for term break and mid-semester test week is free for us since we have no mid-semester tests. As Nad said though, it probably means we'll be working on ICM. The client came to brief us yesterday on the scope. So exciting! Do you feel the excitement? No? Probably right.... I'm not too thrilled. But well, my grades (and those of my fellow group members) count on me playing my part so I'll definitely do my best.

Doris is our PTN again. That's something to genuinely smile about. She came up with a I Love Ms Nga Vow in lecture today. Hahaha. Funny stuff. Besides all the projects coming in, Hatch Communications will be getting into gear this week too. Talk about fast eh? Will be looking forward to meeting the newbies. This sem is going to take loads of perserverence to get through. *Sigh* At least we got to watch Animal Farm somewhat yesterday during MIA. That was fun. But yeah, the wheel's gotta turn slowly first before getting into gear 5 eh? Give me some time I'll prolly warm up.


I edited the picture last night. 5 dudes and a dudette (like 5 smurfs and 1 smurfette, LOL). Then I wondered, where is it that I have more friends? Here or in Malaysia? Thinking hard about it, I'd say I have roughly an equal amount of friends in both places. Whom am I closer to? Counting the time that I've spent, that should be equal as well. But no doubt, I'm thankful for these people I know.

5 dudes & A dudette
4 dudettes & A dude
CAFE family
Casers (the old name was too embarassing)
The Trigon Bunch
Ignyte Peeps

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This trip's memories

Continuing from the previous post, another relatively long one. This trip was about bonding with the young cousins, looking after them while Uncle Freddie & Aunty Jeanette were away in Bali. Dealing with the little tyrants. Above, you can see Ashley and Ethan playing in their "houses". Poor Mak Cik had stomach flu, so her tummy hurt. She kept asking for plasters to put on her tummy. LOL. And she really stuck them on! You could see the marks where the plasters were. I sent Ryan to school a few days. His school is HUGE. Sekolah Sri KDU Kota Damansara. Very modern. He looks cute in his uniform. At least its different from the usual white shirt and blue shorts of the public schools, even if the colour combo of grey and navy blue is rather drab... Brandon was busy with his spongebob game everyday. He's seriously addicted to PS2, TV and the computer. Might be a problem when he goes to P1 next year.


And other cousins too. Left to right: Dave, Laine, Vinder. Vinder's D & L's cousin, but we get along fine. Dave looks, hmmm, weird in that picture. Sorry cuz! But yeah, it was fun eh guys? This is probably the longest time I've ever stayed with you guys. 7 weeks! Just went by too fast. You know I'll miss you guys. Especially Laine when you go to Kedah. Sigh. When're yer holidays? Kedah is really far y'know?!?!


An early morning shot of Kuala Lumpur. Its a nice city - congested, surprising, beautiful. Please let this be my future home. Even if its congested and dirty, that's its unique culture and I love the city (not to mention working there). Surprising, the things that people do. They queue up to get on trains, they don't steal seats given up to those who need them. Its just little things like that that can make you smile. Especially compared to here where we have so many campaigns to "educate" people about this and that... Also, the people there. Mr. Andrew, Laine, Vinder, Yin, Ting, Ezra, Ash, Dave, and my whole lot of family members there. Gotta love each and every one of them cause they're all awesome in their own way - friendly, fun, funny, you name it.


Life wouldn't be fun without friends now would it? This is one awesome buncha dudes. Too bad Jon wasn't there or he would've been in the picture too. And not forgetting, the also awesome Ms. Michelle. Thanks really y'all for the time you've taken to come out and meet me. Literally at the drop of a stone you guys come over for dinner and to chat.

And so, I need to thank a few people....

THANK YOU
Aunty Jeannette: You're an awesome employer - fair, fun and cool. The experience was a good one, learnt lots in the 7 weeks I was there. Really wish I could stay on. Future employee for you? Haha. But really, thanks for this opportunity and for letting me get a taste of the industry.

Mr. Andrew: This is one helluva awesome dude. So glad I got to work alongside you. Thanks heaps for the educating at the client meetings, taking time to explain stuff, answer questions. Its been a very memorable 7 weeks, hope to meet sometime again.

Laine: Thanks cuz for the awesome fun crazy times we've had together. Yer quite a wild girl eh? Lol. But yes, all the best to you in AIMST. Hope we'll have the same holidays eh? Miss ya.

Dave: Dude, thanks so much for all the lifts. And I think yer a pretty good listener actually. Ever thought of being a psychologist? Nah, that's prolly Laine's thing eh? All the best in the A Levels.

Ash: Ms. Ash! How to forget you funny you. And I always happen to bump into you at the most unexpected times eh? But yes, all the best in your studies too. Was good to work with ya and to know ya.

Ezra: Hey, just a shout out of thanks to you for making the RSVPs a success. Handling the media list was no joke aight? You did good with that one. All the best with the America thing.

Aunty Ivy & Uncle Berty: Thanks for letting me stay in the house. And the provision of meals too.

Aunty Audrey: Thanks for looking after me Aunty Audrey! Will take you out for supper some time when I'm up there.

Uncle Freddie: Thanks for helping with the passport! Without your help, it would've been so much more of a hassel.

End of Thank Yous

I was just thinking, in all my work experience, I've had really good employers. I sure am blessed to have such kind employers.
NParks: Ms. Andrea
ST Venture: Uncle Stanley & Aunty Nancy
Trigon Communications: Aunty Jeannette

Employers can really make it a nice place to work in or a horrible one. All of mine have made their offices some place that is great to work in. Some of the best memories will be there too. Thank you God for your blessings.

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Reality Check

Okay, anyways, I was just talking to Laine on meebo then suddenly it hit me like a tonne of bricks or a bus just rammed into me - I'm going back to school soon. Mehh, its been nearly 2 months. Yeah, I do miss everyone back home and all but I also like it here. Its like the decision of the century only that there is no decision to be made and only one option. Anyway, here's what this whole 7 weeks has been about...

The above picture is what the client deals with. Those are the Super Panamax cranes. Really huge things. Like, the lowest horizontal bar is 40 feet up in the air. Talk about high eh? And when not in use, the boom bar is pulled upright for safety issues. With it extended, wow, its gotta be long. I started out just observing what they were working on, which was a corporate video for the client. I attended some client meetings, saw how meetings were conducted.

Then after that I moved onto the real annoying stuff - the RSVPs with the RSVP team. Elaine, Ash, Ezra, Dave and I. Selvi was there sometimes, but usually it was the 5 of us. Writing, calling, photocopying, faxing, checking, sealing, mailing. Staying up till the wee hours. It might've been stressful but it was fun somehow.

Then there were the times we brought our work everywhere with us. Imagine doing work in coffee bean eh? *sigh* Yeah, that's how bad it got. 1 hour-nighters and stuff like that. Mostly due to me being the only one who had the key among the 5 of us so no matter what I had to wake up by 8am to open the office so we could be there to answer in-coming calls even if we weren't making out-going calls.


This trip was also spending numerous hours with Laine, going crazy, and taking lots of pictures. This was in Decanter, the work place of "Floppy" and "Abu" and the most famous line of all - 'one scone is actually five scones'. Huh? Yup, someone actually said that. What they meant was one order is five scones, they don't sell anything below that. Lol. "I like Abu" kinda made us stick to eating lunch in Decanter. So much so that the staff knew us quite well I'd say and would stop to chat from time to time when getting the bill and stuff. That kinda answers my question of why were we always blowing money away eating there when the mamak is less than 10 minutes walking distance... Heh.


And also about reconnecting with "long lost" friends. Really glad that I did go ahead and call Justin the day I did. If not, they'd only exist in the online world and in memories and photographs. But this is us trying out some of the camera features, basically going nuts if you haven't already guessed. But yes, good times eh?


Speaking of good times, the RSVP team and our cookout and our idle chit-chat on so many things. Like Ezra's boyfriends for instance. Haha. The final day of work and stuff like that. Oh, and the curtains! Will remember Ezra's chicken though, I feeling like eating it again! And Ash and her funnies, that I'll remember too.

But what would it be if I updated everything about this trip in one post eh? Right! So I'm gonna collect more photos and update them in the next few days.

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An evening out while the clock ticks

Yesterday I managed one last meeting with the dudes....

And the dudette. So what're they called? The dudes and one dudette? Haha. Lame me.... =_=" Anyway, am gonna miss the gang. They're great people yo.

See what they got me. Hai yai yai, how much trouble for them to get it? But really, THANKS GUYS. Hugs to y'all. John Mayer's songs are cool, listened to it twice already. Its awesome stuff.

One shot, two treatments. Love it. Nice eh? Okay, so butter me up and tell me you agree, lol. But yeah, was a fantastic time as the day I leave draws closer. And the day to projects and stuff, ahhh, don't speak.... I don't wanna think about it cause I'm enjoying it as it is here. Anyway, I digress yet again.... It was a fun night with the 5 and I'm glad I got to meet with them 3 times (that's like once every 2 weeks). And thanks Jon for the lift to the KTM station. Too bad didn't get to talk to you much. More like hi, bye.

I wonder how many years its been since I've spoken to you guys really. Even so, these 3 meetings haven't made up for all those years. Will come back in June okay? You guys need to stay over or something too. Heh. I'll take you guys for wantan mee and char kway teow and stuff (Justin & Ben, I know you guys will love it seeing that we all like food ;] ). Yeah, so do keep in touch aight? Michelle too. So quiet last night! Thought you were uber bored.

Oh, and thanks for the help last night too. That was a really good find!

I still have some stuff to get before I go for some other peeps. And I'm supposed to meet Aunty Gillian and Uncle Christie on Saturday for lunch. Mr. Andrew also asked me to go out for lunch. Friday there's a dinner tenatively with the rest of the family (welcome home Uncle Freddie & Aunty Jeannette and Happy Birthday Ethan or is it Brandon?). Today is just plain and simple. But I kinda feel tired (late nights, early mornings). Tomorrow I ought to get up early and see Ryan some. Hmmmm.....

Anyway, I'll save some thoughts for later. Everything seems like some mambo-jambo now.

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Survivor Fiji Recap

I haven't been keeping up much recently with Fiji. Sure, I do watch the episodes on youtube, but I don't keep as close tabs on it as I did with Cook Islands. Nothing spectacular about this season, but its still Survivor. Anyway, here's a recap.

Episode 1
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted: Jessica

Episode 2
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Erica

Episode 3
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Sylvia

Episode 4
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Moto
Left - Gary*
Booted - Liliana
*Medical emergency

Episode 5
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Rita

Episode 6
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Anthony

Episode 7
RC - Ravu
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Rocky

Episode 8
RC - Moto
IC - Moto
TC - Ravu
Booted - Lisi

Next week they merge to the Bula tribe.





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Easter Weekend

This weekend we had a cookout for the Trigon Call Centre Operators to uhh, reunite before I leave KL. Anyway, Ezra made the chicken and Elaine and I made the salad, normal mushroom spaghetti and the spicy olio spaghetti. Dessert was ice-cream and hershey's chocolate sauce. Drink of the day was Zappel. Looks good?

The pre-grilled chicken. Lots of honey went onto the chicken and it got that awesome burnt black skin. Love, love, love. It was delicious. To use Nigella Lawson's words (she's from Travel Channel's Nigella Cooks), "deliciousness" and "gorgeousness".

That's Elaine cooking her spicy olio spaghetti. What's the move? Its the toss!

Ezra and Ash "I like Abu" in the kitchen. I like Abu. Oh goodness, what a laugh!

Last but not least, the purple chillies. Never seen such a sight before eh? Well, they do exist, but they look like miniature brinjals to tell you the truth. Then they change to this vibrant red colour - flaming red. I really need to get a picture of it.

Anyway, that's about it with the pictures. Just the other day, I was in the taxi and wondering - is there something wrong with our education system? I remember someone asking someone else to complete their homework for them. Like, whaa?? Then I realised, probably even with an excuse, the student would be likely to get a scolding or detention or something. Thus, to avoid that, the student asks classmates to do the piece of work for them instead. Someone who is more profficient at it and understands it. Better still, someone who can get a perfect score at it.

But the downside to this is that the student avoiding punishment doesn't gain anything much from it. Other than the avoidance, the student alienates themselves from the subject matter. So should the lecturers/teachers get mad and get the student to find ways around (look, if this happens often, then wouldn't the kid bomb out at exams, a reflection of the educator's performance) completing homework or let the kids miss deadlines and hand up homework without punishment. Mehh, I think too much.

Easter weekend was good. Lunch was with Uncle Berty, Uncle Marcel, Aunty Audrey, Aunty Sylvia, Devinder, Elaine and David at Sri Melaka. Man was the fish good. Hope you had a good easter weekend and a Happy Belated Birthday to Shwee!!

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Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
no I won't give in

Keep holdin' on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just, stay strong
Cause you know
I'm here for you

I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say (nothin you can say)
Nothing you can do(nothin you can do)
there's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend ah ah
I'll fight and defend, ah, ah yeah yeah

Keep holdin' on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just, stay strong
Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say
nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Hear me when I say
when I say
I Believe
Nothing's gonna change
nothing's gonna change
Trust in me
Whatever's meant to be
We'll work out perfectly, yeah, yeah, yeaaaaahhhh
La da da da, la da da daa

Keep holdin' on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just, stay strong
Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say nothing you can say
Nothing you can do nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Thanks to the one who showed me this song. Thank you

-LIVESTRONG!-
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Stories from Malaysia

I recently bought the novel of Spider-Man 3. The story is AWESOME. I can't wait for the movie to come out. One more month! Woo-hoo! This movie (as with all Spider-Man movies) will be great. I can assure you that. The story has lots to offer (I'm trying not to reveal too much information). Basically, you'll see the black Spider-Man. Previews have shown Peter Parker to be the black Spider-Man so that I can say. Who's he up against? The Sandman. Spider-Man 3, in cinemas May 2007.

I met with the dudes again last night at Subang Parade. And gave them the CDs I got for them. The looks on their faces - priceless! I'm so glad I got it for them really. Justin sent me an sms to thank me today. Haha. Its all so worth it! And I saw Aunty Pauline too! Its good to see her.

Not only that, Ms. Michelle was there too. I was never aware how old they were but now I know. =) No worries guys. I just need to get down your birthdays. Haha. But yeah, it was good to meet them and we need to meet at least once more before I leave. I just noticed, my face looks kinda fat in that picture. Have got to do something about that...

How cute can little Cosmos be?! One of the rare face-pics of the dog. He's seriously scared of anything and everything - cameras, phones, thunder, lighting, Kaiser, people. Poor funny little Cosmos. Can you imagine him killing a squirrel?

That's what he looks like when he's resting. His "mattress" lies at the bottom of my bed now. I like having him there actually. Haha. Its just different somehow.

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I missed April Fool's

This is Ashley, who will be turning 3 years old soon. I will be staying at Mak Cik's house again next week! She has funn ways of saying things, here's a list.

Baby Bop (from Barney) - Bee Bop
BJ (from Barney) - Bay Jay
Jono - Jonal
2-years-old - Two os oh

And Mak Cik likes pink baju. You should see her tantrum face though, whooo...

L decided one night to embark on a crazy project of completing a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. We did it in what? Like, 13 hours? Its waiting to be framed now. Cool eh?

In addition, my two cousins took me to see the Championship League Trophy. Apparently it was doing a world tour. I didn't get what the big hooha was actually, but I'll go with the flow and say it was cool of them to take me.

For entertainment, there was Mr. Bean's Holiday. The movie was kinda cute. Sabine. You? Mr. Bean! Sabine! Bean! Sabine! Bean! LOL. He's mad la. The tagline on the poster was "One of these two has a brain smaller than a peanut" and another was "Disaster has a passport". Oh goodness.

This was taken on the way home from work. Please do tell me its nice!!! LOL. Aight, gotta get to work.

Oh yeah, before I forget. Anyone in MIA class 3A51 please do let me know. I know that the 4Js (Jo, Janice, Jingyi, me) and Fitri are in the same class.

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