Graduation!

Ok, I have been neglecting my blog for quite some time. After all those ups and downs in the sea called life, I have finally managed to crawl myself back here to blog about it. Up first and one of the foremost important event in my life, GRADUATION! I have finally graduated!!!

Being the pioneer group of PISMP *cough* the *cough* white rat *cough* group *cough*, the convocation ceremony could not be more grand. Venue? Putrajaya International Convention Centre! 477 Mathematicians had their graduation on the morning of 17th April 2011, including me! *proud*

White teddy from dearest mom and green froggie from bro and future da-sao!

Not to forget, let's throw our mortar board!

With a degree at hand, shall I aim for Masters next?

Enlightment

This morning, I received a link from Cindy. It's a song called "You are for Me" by Kari Jobe. Listening to this song over and over again with my eyes closed, I felt that God was right beside me. I was quite sure He was and He whispered to me to "Hang on" like what my mom have been telling me the last few days. I think I felt him patting me on my head before He left. Imagination? I have no idea.. but it felt really real.


Then, tears just run down my cheeks. It's a mixed feeling but I am pretty sure I felt the feeling of relieved being in there. No more giving up to depression for I will hang on. For He will not forsake me in my weakness, I should not be giving up this easily.


I also know that He is not the only one who will not forsake me in my weakness. My mother, my brother, my relatives have been there by my side too to help me overcoming this obstacle. Of course, to my dear friends too. Thanks for not forsaking me in my weakness. I really am grateful that you guys tried to cheer me up in every way!~ ♥

Being Homesick

This is going to be quite an emotional/whiny post. So, if you plan on calling me ungrateful or to judge me in any sort of negative way, I suggest you to stop reading and just exit this browser. This girl need to release some emotion or she'll blow up into million pieces.


Last week, this very same day, I could be described as cheerful, crazy and fun! All that has changed. I am now Audrey the moody, depressed and lifeless.


My first placement at SJK (C) Chung Hua Engkilili brought me to know nice colleagues. A bunch of nice people who I can see been helping me to adapt to the life there. So far, that's the only positive thing I can feel being there.


I know, I know. Compared to most of my coursemates, I am considered to be lucky to be placed at a school that could be reached by road. Constant electricity and water supply as well as being able to have Internet and mobile line.


However, being brought up in a family of single parent, I dare to say that I am deeply attached to my mom and my brother. To top it off, my mother suffers from thyroiditis which affects her heart. Her condition is getting worse and she's living alone. It just hurt my heart and soul not to be able to stay with her and to look after her. Every single day being away from her is killing me.


When I'm in Engkilili, I failed to put my heart and soul into educating the pupils there. Their main communication language is Mandarin and being as banana as I am, I can't seem to communicate with them effectively. I had to rojakkan my Mandarin, Bahasa and English just to deliver a simple message. Unlike my last Internship, I have not yet discover that same passion and fire to teach and to love teaching...


My living condition there does not help either. As it is a small town, it is hard to find a rental place where I could walk to my working place. Currently, I am living in a room that was once a store with poor air ventilation. Sun ray and wind could not reach my room. Hence, I need to switch on the light which made the room more humid. I'm anticipating heat-stroke anytime soon. Oh and I can't use any electrical appliances with high voltage or else I'll lose my only electric socket there is!


I guess this is one of the down time in my life. I'm super emo and super homesick right now. However, I do believe in time, it'll heal together with God's help. For now, I guess I need to whine it out.


So, be grateful with your current life if it does not give you any difficulty! Love thy parents cause you'll definitely misses them when you have to be apart from them!

The Much Awaited News

The much awaited news that bound to come has finally arrived. I woke up to a call that excitedly exclaimed our placement's out. Hence, I called JPN Sarawak anxiously. Fifth call and it got through. My placement: SJK (C) Chung Hua Engkilili, Lubok Antu, Sarawak.


The first thing that disturbed me was not its location but rather the fact that it is a Chinese school. I was shocked to find out that I got posted to a Chinese school when I barely know how to converse in Mandarin, what's more to say to be able to read or write in Chinese! However, I am grateful that it is just a four hours drive from Kuching. Road accessible, electricity, water supply, phone line, all there. To add to a bonus point is that the school is located inside a town!


I headed out to JPN Sarawak to collect my placement letter. The attitude of the two officers who handed me the letter made my day worse. FRIENDLY is definitely not a word to describe them. I really felt like a dumb person that got thrown into a cage of vicious lions. All I could do during those 10 minutes was nodding and talking in a soft voice.



Anyhow, I guess I can't run from this fact, no matter how much I wanted to. I am just praying to God to guide me for what is best in my life and to give me the strength to get through this stage step by step. Oh how I miss my carefree childhood life now!

Laksa Sarawak

Being a Sarawakian, there is one food that I am proud to have in my hometown.


Everytime I saw this picture, it always make me drools. I love Laksa Sarawak. The fresh prawns, chicken stripes, beansprout and vermicelli along with its yummylicious sauce.

I never get tired of eating it. Every week, my mom and I would bring my grandmama to eat Laksa Sarawak. We usually go to the one at 3rd Mile Golden Arch Commercial Centre. However, last week, we went to Chong Choon Cafe's located next to the Air Asia's office. Actually both tasted similar but what I like about the Laksa Sarawak from Chong Choon is that it has less coconut milk.

This dish is a must-eat dish when you are in Sarawak, especially in Kuching!
Are you drooling now?

Chinese Astrology

The Dragon Personality
Above all else the Dragon is a visionary with grandiose goals. You tend to boldly confront the mightiest obstacles and accept challenges that seem beyond the reach of others. You are not only decisive but, having made a decision, tenaciously hold onto the idea, moving heaven and earth if necessary, to fulfill your dreams. You are often flamboyant and even occasionally come across as strikingly or mysteriously different or unusual. This can be caused in part by your stylish dress and, or, your high energy level. You may also have natural leadership ability along with this talent for attracting attention. You take pride in yourself and your confidence. It is unlikely people will say you lack self-confidence.

Unfortunately, there are times the Dragon never gets beyond being a dreamer. Perhaps your big dreams are too impractical and you’re just being fanciful. At times you might appear to people as a strange eccentric or just someone who is all talk and no action. You sure can be unpredictable, and we can never know whether yours is the next great idea or just some crackpot scheme.


The Dragon Relationships
What you see is what you get. You tend to be very direct and to let people know how you feel and what you expect of them. In your search for the ideal partner, you might find yourself often hesitating to move forward in a relationship and, or, unwilling to make a permanent commitment. When you do, however, it is your intention for it to last.

There are times when it is hard to live with you. It is not unusual for you to have an excessively high opinion of yourself. This can grate on the rest of us in those moments when it is obvious to us you are superficial and your behavior tactless. And, occasionally, you can be insensitive and offensive in your speech and mannerisms. This is normally not intended but probably a consequence of your being wrapped up in your own thoughts rather than paying attention to our needs. In spite of these tendencies, you are likely to also have a warm, giving personality overall. You can be very generous to your loved ones. Also, that wonderful Dragon dynamism and infectious optimism is likely to keep you in good stead even when your behavior is not the best.


Source: Chinese Zodiac Sign

2011 Resolutions?

It's one week after New Year. Can I still wish Happy New Year!? LOL...

2010 has been a roller coaster for me. For study life, I had a hectic one. It was the final year and the research assigned had really gave me a big impact. Sleepless nights, incomplete data, literature review, citations... However, being able to complete and published it, I could not be anymore happier.

2010 was also the year where I had to bid farewell to my coursemates and those of the same batch. I spent five and half years with them, literally. We stayed at the same hostel, ate together, celebrated occasions together and joined all sort of activities together. Well, I can't say that all of it was of sweet moments but all are definitely worth to be remembered. I would not want to replace my coursemates with any other.

Other than study life, I am also grateful for my family and friends I have around. Be it coursemates or good old Greenian friends. They were the one who made my life more colorful and pushed me to strive for another day.

2010 has been good to me. Thanks for everything and in case I have hurt anyone including you in any other way, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I wish 2011 would be better for all!


Oh ya.. My 2011 Resolutions!

1. Stop pushing myself outside my limit by learning how to say "No".
2. Live a healthier life. Less junk food, instants and more exercising.
   
3. Resume my routine to donate blood.
   
4. Spend more time to help around the house.
5. Complete a round of Bible. Gain more understanding on God.
6. Spend more time with friends when they are around. Less "FFK".. xP
   
7. Update my blog at least twice a month.
8. Get mom something nice and memorable on first paycheck.
   
9. Save more money!
10. Get a gorillapod and pancake lens for NEX-3.