Released, or break free?

" Home is where the heart is. Going home means going to the heart. Or is it? "

Intermission. Usually, when i'm watching a tv show, i dislike intermission and wished they never exist. But now, i wished there are more of the 'intermission' actually, what more in my own 'drama series' in uni. Yes, and yay, it's my mid semester break! What more, it coincides with Raya and based on the poll's result, you would agree no more that food, as always, has a position in your heart and places higher than others.

Actual date of my break is the 27th Sept, but on Thursday night, the 25th, it struck to me that the holidays have begun. On Friday, i only had a Physics lab session and my partner and i completed the experiment fast enough for us to print the necessary items before heading back to our rooms, packed for back. The excitement was unbearable and intense, and as i waited for my father to come, my eagerness for home grew tremendously. Had lunch at Pusing with my father not far from my uni. I have been to Pusing a few times already and it's high time for me to give credits to the food there, especially the Chinese kuihs. Tasty and delicious, the kuih sold there like the 'sa kot', 'wu kok' and 'cucur udang' are also reasonably cheap. Enough with them, we returned back on track to KL.

Saturday was the first day of my break, and also my holiday. It was. And my family and i went south to Melaka for visiting and not to forget, makan-makan too.

Stopped for lunch at this shop for 'wan tan mee', nicknamed 'Scooby Doo'. The noodles is good. It looks plain but don't be deceived by the outside, the taste is great!

Menara Taming Sari- from bottom to top. Later, we went for window shopping at the Dataran Pahlawan- our preferred place for shopping in Melaka.

Dinner at Seafarer Rest. We got the seat overlooking the sea. Love the pic, love the sea!

Be seated while enjoying the cool breeze, the lovely evening and the horizon.

Dinner is served, with a glass of red wine. Yummy!

Came back to KL the next day for another occasion- my teacher's 50th birthday. The birthday celebration was held at the Lembaga Getah Building, opposite KLCC. The food was great, the party was entertaining and enjoyable, the moment was memorable, and i even met some ex teachers there too! The celebration ended near 10.30pm and we headed back home after a long, tiring but fun and enjoyable weekend.

The theme of the celebration, i suppose, is slightly Bollywood! Unique and great!

So much fun during the weekend, i wonder whether i broke free from the chains or i was released by the wardens willingly. Why not i spend my holidays to the fullest now, and hit and bury myself back into the books when i resume my study in uni? wc08 is excited, ecstatic over the weekend and looks forward to more great things this week, with Raya all in time. He is in love with this 'intermission'!

Season 1, Episode 3 : Mid-Sem Break's Coming!

" Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity " - Bo Bennett

Just a few more days would be my first ever mid semester break in uni. And i simply can't wait for it! Apart from the holidays, which means i can have time to rest and relax back home, it will also be the Hari Raya celebration when i get back, which means it's going to be the 'makan-makan' season too- isn't it just right, to live to eat? Just thinking of chicken rendang, ketupat, ayam percik and all other Malay delicacies like kuih talam, cookies and for my scenario, super-delicious cakes ranging from chocolate cakes to bread pudding cakes just makes my mouth water! Yummy...


To spoil all the excitement i'm anticipating, the week before my start of Mid-Sem break would be rather hectic- as i'm predicting it would be. Supposedly our Moral Studies Test should be held on Friday 19th Sept, it was postponed to the next week due to unforeseen last minute changes that our lecturer wouldn't be able to come. While some may see this as a sign of relief, i, on the other hand, dislike the fact of it being postponed to the next Wednesday. Why is it so?



Already scheduled is our Thinking Skills Test on Thursday. I thought with the Moral Studies Test over, i could at least take some time out over the weekend and later focus on the coming Thinking Skills Test. With the change, i, on my part, had to reschedule my time so to allocate time for both, giving first preference to Moral Studies and then Thinking Skills. Plus with the eagerness for the break, as i'm so looking forward to it, i, on and off feel lazy to bury myself within the lines of knowledge and daydream about home. But who am I to complain this much? My situation here isn't half as bad as some of my friends.



Some of my friends will even face a more hectic day- Wednesday in particular. As the Thinking Skills Test isn't done simultaneously, some are having their test on Wednesday. This means that it's a double dose of tests in a single day. To make the already-busy day busier, some will have their Moral Debate Presentation on Wednesday too! Not only that, i do have friends here who will be conducting their English Drama Presentation the coming week. Comparing my situation to their's, who am i to complain this much?



I thought the week before the Mid Sem break would be the most exciting week, with all the excitement to go home piling up, but it would also be a stressful week to some. Anyway, ever since i entered uni, time seems to fly at warp speed. Day after day, when life becomes semi-routine, i couldn't even feel i've been here for about 2 months. So, comparing to just one more week, hopefully, time will just fly as it already has and soon, the weekend would come and it will be time to say good-bye to my uni-room, for now.



wc08, is counting down his days to the Mid Sem break with lots of enthusiasm, excitement and anxiety!

Season 1, Episode 2 : Moonlight, mooncakes, uni...

" Eat mooncakes under the bright moonlight and play tang lung. Don't ever forget this lovely tradition "

You've seen a little about my campus, now i would like to bring you to a place where i go through every single day, my 'village' (hostel). My village is a nice place to study. Surrounded by lakes, it becomes cooler in the morning. Apart from that, the air is fresher, less polluted and cleaner with the trees aplenty. As you turn into my uni, keep straight, turn left at the first roundabout and continue to move straight until the end of the road. Named V6 or Old V5- because it's old, my block is the last in the village.

Welcome to Propana. Abbreviation, P.

As you enter the block, first you'll see the 'common room'. There is Astro and because of that, during the weekends, here becomes crowded with football-goers.

Not much further is my room. My roommate and i always try to keep the room clean and tidy so that it feels homey...

Last Sunday, 14th Sept 08 is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake or Lantern Festival). It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This festival is closely linked to mooncakes. There is a folk tale about the overthrow of Mongol rule facilitated by messages smuggled in mooncakes. Known that Mongols don't eat mooncakes, the message to rebel on the 15th of the eighth lunar month was written on a piece of paper and the mooncakes were circulated. At the end, they successfully overthrew the government and henceforth, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated.

Due to some reasons, i was unable to go back home to celebrate with my family and i had to spend my Mooncake celebration here in uni with my friends. The International Culture Club organized a Mooncake Festival Celebration and i was reluctant not to participate in it. The celebration was held at the other, much further, village, we called as V5. On paper, it was supposed to start at 8.30pm but due to some technical problems, the event was delayed 30 minutes later. Despite the delay, the event ran smoothly and it was definitely a different experience compared to celebrating at home.

Bought a Mooncake for RM 4.00. It's ok, but better to have one than not having one at all. After all, it's the Mooncake Festival... Traditional mooncakes have an imprint on the surface consisting of the Chinese characters 'longevity' or 'harmony'. Mine here is a lotus-seed filling with yolk- even i don't eat the yolk.

Back to the celebration, the night started with a brief introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Next, it was the Chinese Orchestra performances. I loved the sound of the instruments when they are played harmoniously together. They belted out a total of 3 songs, Chinese ones of course, and i could tell by the look of the faces that we were impressed.

The opening act- Chinese Orchestra performance...

Close-up view of the performers. Great job!

After the three melodious tunes, it was time for games- unfortunately, for this, i was reluctant to participate and therefore stood as a loyal spectator. While the games were carried out, i drifted to the light refreshments area. Served on the tables were some mooncakes- yolk-less, some snacks and two jugs of drinks. Honestly, i have never taken so much mooncakes at one time. As i've said earlier, it was a 'different' experience. Done with the games and refreshments, the night gave way to the group of Vietnamese performers to grace the stage. The danced their traditional dance in their traditional outfits.

Uniquely entertaining...

Events after events, it was high time for the lantern parade. There were lanterns on sale but i managed to get one for 'free'- don't ask me for any further explanation. We lighted our candles and soon illuminated the night with the colourfully lit lanterns.

Prepare for the Parade. Find for twigs to carry the lanterns, or get a stick.

Group of friends before walking the Parade. Lovely lantern, isn't it?

Tried to snap photographs during the parade, but i didn't want to stop so i settled for this blurry picture.

Halfway through the parade, i finally decided to take a picture of us and so here it is!

The lantern parade was last on the list of events and soon the celebration was drawn to an end. However, my friends and i were obliged to attend yet another small celebration.

Tedious and meticulous, what will the final product be?

Tadaaa....

Hang some 'tang lung' on the tree!

Pearl in the night sky? The moon only reared its full face about midnight. It was overshadowed by clouds earlier that night. What a lovely full-moon this 15th day.

Past midnight, i was set for bed already. I had to admit, the night has been as lovely as the moon itself. The celebration held not only pulled the Chinese students in my uni but many other races and even international students turned up to make this a joyful event. Well, internationalize the culture would be an objective right?

Ever wondered why i named this episode moonlight, mooncakes and uni? Allow me to explain. Firstly, about the uni, no further explanation needed. Mooncakes, what is Mooncake Festival without mooncakes, and i took lots of them this year. Moonlight? Have you heard of Moonlight Resonance? If you reply 'no', let me inform you then. It's a Chinese TV drama series, and it is really good. Plus, the story relates to mooncake (business and culture) too. This drama series is a worth-while watch, with all it's drama going on in the family and how they still can stay united. An A grade to the scriptwriters, producers, directors and cast for expressing the emotions in the show so genuinely. Watch it, if you have the time, and you'll be just as addicted to it as mooncakes. I'm still chasing after the series and eager to know how it is going to end.

wc08 is delighted he celebrated Mooncake Festival and no doubt, this would be a new experience to him.

Season 1, Episode 1: As a Student again

" The lady or The Tiger " - Frank Stockton

I realise that since i have entered uni, i've seldom write or post much about my life here. And because of that factor, i've decided to categorize all posts about my life in uni hereafter under the same style of title but with different episodes each time. Seriously, life in uni, if it can be made into a movie, would definitely be a box-office hit. Why do i say so? Let the story begins...

I am here for nearly 2 months already. How time flies? It feels like it was just yesterday i've completed my SPM and heading down with my friends to KLCC to watch Beowulf. Being 2 months here also means i'm back to being a student again. More hectic and busier, school life is not the same as uni life! Cherish school life, enjoy uni life.

'Desperate', as i've written in my earlier post, could be one whole post on its own and therefore i'm keeping it for later, may be for episode 2 (spoiler). This episode, the pilot, would focus on my study life and how it has been this far. Doing Foundation in Engineering, i have to attend 21 credit hours for semester 1 and the remaining credit hours for semester 2. The subjects i'm taking are English, Moral Studies, Thinking Skills, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Maths and Co-curriculum: Modern Music. 60% coursework marks means i have to consistently be prepared for quizzes, tests, projects, assignments, tutorials, lab reports and presentations.

Brief intro on my studies done. Now, what have i been doing here all this while besides studying and blogging? I joined the UTP Debate Championship even though i don't really like debating. In a group of 4, one reserve, my first round of the debate was held on 20 Aug 2008. Given the topic 30 minutes before the debate, my teammates and i decided to be a little more creative and came up with some unusual points. I got the government side and topic given was single word 'Abortion'.

Wanna POI?

Me in action.

Looking at our opponents!

Though we didn't get pass the first round and were immediately axed out from the championship, we did our best, but it just wasn't enough. Anyway, this debate is to give us the extra exposure and experience, and to prepare ourselves with additional confidence to debate sometime soon. Apart from the debate, recently, we (since it was a pair work project) had to present a poster on one of the short stories assigned to us by our tutor. We selected one scene from the Lady or the Tiger and spent almost 2 days to complete the sophisticated poster about the scene. Tiresome, i'm glad we managed to pull it off though.

Closed doors...

Doors wide open. The lady or the tiger, go read it. And title of poster, heart versus reality. I wonder?

As co-co is one of my subjects, i selected Modern Music. We were asked to choose an instrument for the class and i chose the trumpet- don't ask me why, i just chose it.

The trumpet! Buzz.......

Trying to buzz around...

As a student again. Starting to learn new stuffs, starting to expand my horizon. Life here in uni is so far so good, could be better, could be worse either. No matter what, have fun while studying! There are still loads and loads more in store for me here in uni, and i've yet to discover. Guess what, after my Moral class one Wednesday evening, i happened to notice a complete ( not really, 80%) semi-circle rainbow. Not only that, there were 2- one is the real one, the other is the dimmer image (sort of like a reflection).

Look closely for the image. One end...

The other end. Look closely for the image...

I wanted to catch a full view photograph of both ends seen, but i was too near. Settled for these 2, i hurried back to reach my cafe early so that i need not have to rush for dinner- it's the Ramadhan month and they break fast at about 7.25pm.

wc08 is back to square one, of being a student again, and trying his best to make the most out of it here in uni.

A joyous 'Pat-sap' birthday celebration!

" There surely is a lot to talk about being 80 years old. Happy Birthday, Yaya! "

Months of planning, weeks of preparation, days of shopping, hours of happiness, minutes of smiling, and seconds of excitement. The time has come, an event in my family that is far more greater than the Olympic Games. Thursday, the 4th September 2008 is definitely one of the greatest days in my grandfather's , or Yaya, entire life. He could proudly announce to the world that he is 80 years old now. And he is not an ordinary being, he has seasoned and has experienced almost everything in life- simply, he has a story to tell.


A great story-teller, a loving grandfather. I recalled, he used to tell us (my family) stories of the past, dated to even before my country's independence. He also told us stories about our old home, his job and even my grandmother, whom we call Mama. Still hale and hearty, after my SPM, i often follow Yaya down town. He will take me out for breakfast (usually porridge, the expensive but tasty one). Then, we'll walk to the banks or occasionally to the 'market' building. Often, as we walk to our destination, he tells me stories. He points to the run-down but historic buildings to show me exactly where it happened, or where he worked before. He also tells me where my aunt used to work and where my Mama goes to fetch my uncle and my father during their schooling life. Interesting as it may seem, there are so much that sometimes i couldn't remember them myself either- great memory! Now, he's 80 years old.


A grandfather, a father, a brother, an uncle, and even a granduncle he may be known as. But surely, a great person to all! I prayed hard for being able to attend his big day, as you may know, i'm in uni and it's not easy for me to get back during the weekdays due to packed schedule. Fortunately, my prayers were answered and i managed to get back home to join in this joyous celebration. Despite tests on Wednesday and Friday, my presence there means more to him, and i'm glad i made it. My dad fetched me from uni, thank you!


I was home at about 4.30pm and there was no time to waste. We had to rush and book the toilets to prepare ourselves. Dressed up not long after that, it was time for us to hit the road, to Bukit Jalil Club. As usual, the MMR2 will have traffic and it stalled us a while. In the light drizzle, we arrived the ballroom at nearly 7.00pm. Hurry...

There's still time for preparation.


Guests begin to fill the seats and mingle around. The party is not exactly started, but it already has.

Half past eight, everyone arrived and the party kicked off. Cousin WaiKitt was the emcee of the night and the party started off with a photograph presentation made by cousin LengSi. The presentation was on photographs of my Yaya when he was a child, when he got married, when he went for holiday, and with his grandchildren (me!). After the presentation down memory lane, dinner is served. I'm not going to talk about the food, it'll make your mouth, and mine too, water. But on the whole, the scrumptious dishes were delicious.


Halfway through dinner, we were pulled to a halt for yet another presentation. This time, it was a video of all of us (his family). One by one, our short takes were projected onto the screen and all eyes were on them. The video was great, hopefully i can get them to be posted here. Much credits should be given to cousin LengSi because she pulled off yet another great presentation to fill in the young night. Dinner is resumed.

Happy Birthday to you! Cake cutting ceremony.

A dear moment with his brothers and sisters on stage. A family of 10 should share 10 times the happiness. Youngest brother giving his speech.

To me, this is one of the best part in the celebration. All his younger brothers (my Yaya is the eldest) and sisters, and Mama are on the stage with him and the cake. All smiles!

Handing over of the giant card ceremony.

All guests were informed to sign on the giant card upon entrance to the ballroom. Purpose : To signature your presence to this joyous celebration as remembrance.

After all is said and done, time for some 'yum seng'!

My Yaya is feeling young again. Ahem....

Ladies...

... and gentlemen.

Cousin WaiMing and me...

Cousin SueYin and me...

Impromptu, we sang to my Yaya and indirectly end the night, though it's still young.

I bet you, my Yaya was smiling throughout the night. It was his night and no one can steal his limelight. It would be an understatement and i'm not giving justice to everyone then. Each and every one of us present left with a radiant smile on our faces and clearly indicate that we enjoyed the night just as how my Yaya has enjoyed it.


wc08 isn't sad that it's over, but ecstatic that it has happened. He again would like to wish, if not too late, a very joyous birthday wish to Yaya : Happy 80th Birthday!