Been experiencing a raging storm of mixed feelings these past few days.
Was happy, was angry, was mellow, was thankful, and worst of all I was also extremely pissed and lonely.
For me, life is like riding a rollercoaster.
Sometimes you yell, sometimes you scream. Sometimes you feel like you're on top on the world that you just wanna raise your hands and shout out to everybody about how happy and contented you are. There are times when you feel like an excited , wide-eyed child whose world is all about enjoying this ride with all its ups and downs. As naive and foolish as it may seem, you are actually happy this way. And sometimes you wish you could just stay that way, as playful as that child, forever.
Yet, there is a glimpse of sorrow lurking somewhere in the shadows; scary lowdowns, terrifying twists and sharp turns that gives one of those painful jolts to your heart, waking you up, slamming you back to reality. Times when even that child will cry, and shriek, and call out for company 'cuz he's too scared to bear continuing the ride alone.
I was slammed down. Hard. Face down, hitting the ground with a bang.
Realizing how pathetic, how gloomy, how indefinite, how insecure everything in front of me is going to be. I have nothing to hold on to. Abstractness, denial, everything falls into place and stops me dead.
I'm so sick of smiling empty smiles. Of nodding careless nods. Of laughing empty laughs. Of staring hollow stares. Of crying meaningless tears.
I want something real. Something honest. Something blatant and sweet, for me to share with the rest of the world, without fear.
I'm tired of living this painful lie.
I wish I could just scream. And shout. Like that happy little boy on the rollercoaster, who does nothing else than being honest to himself. And to everybody else that hears.
That's my wild thought for today.
Have a good night.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
...about another christmas...
So, this year's Christmas went by so quickly for me. I was in Bandung for three days, shopping and slacking and eating and meeting like a zillion people.
Bandung was fun. I always love the atmosphere of this friendly and classic town. Not to mention the soft-speaking locales and the always sweet-sounding Sundanese accent in their tone of speech. I really had a good time getting closer with nature, and everything else that comes along with visiting this town.
But hey, I actually enjoyed all the well-earned retail therapy, the pampering, the food hunting and even the post-crazy-eating-spree stomach cramps which still bothers me even now. Damn not-so-hygienic Indo food, messes up with my digestive system. *sighs*
Anyways. Here are some pictures taken during my trip to Bandung.
Back to Nature!
Location: Saung Sawah Restaurant, Ciwidey
Kawah Putih, Ciwidey
[Too bad it was foggy because of the rain]
Still in Kawah Putih, Ciwidey. Don't I look good in that brown jacket? *winks*
Driving through Pasir Kaliki Street, one of the busiest streets in Bandung
Well. Sorry I can't write much. Thing is, my stomach is cramping ruthlessly and I can't seem to shake of the fear of having some sort of acute illness like typhoid or something haunting me. I need to see a doctor. Fast. Before I dehydrate due to excessive body fluid outflow. *shakes head*
Oh yeah, FYI, I'm going back to Melbourne in about ten days.
Geez. Time sure does fly!
Happy holidays, guys! =)
Bandung was fun. I always love the atmosphere of this friendly and classic town. Not to mention the soft-speaking locales and the always sweet-sounding Sundanese accent in their tone of speech. I really had a good time getting closer with nature, and everything else that comes along with visiting this town.
But hey, I actually enjoyed all the well-earned retail therapy, the pampering, the food hunting and even the post-crazy-eating-spree stomach cramps which still bothers me even now. Damn not-so-hygienic Indo food, messes up with my digestive system. *sighs*
Anyways. Here are some pictures taken during my trip to Bandung.
Back to Nature!Location: Saung Sawah Restaurant, Ciwidey
Kawah Putih, Ciwidey[Too bad it was foggy because of the rain]
Still in Kawah Putih, Ciwidey. Don't I look good in that brown jacket? *winks*
Driving through Pasir Kaliki Street, one of the busiest streets in BandungWell. Sorry I can't write much. Thing is, my stomach is cramping ruthlessly and I can't seem to shake of the fear of having some sort of acute illness like typhoid or something haunting me. I need to see a doctor. Fast. Before I dehydrate due to excessive body fluid outflow. *shakes head*
Oh yeah, FYI, I'm going back to Melbourne in about ten days.
Geez. Time sure does fly!
Happy holidays, guys! =)
Saturday, December 22, 2007
...let your heart be light...
Currently listening to: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera
.raintraffic.
West Gate, Puri Indah Mall, December 21, 2007
It's DARK outside. As in grayish-and-gloomy sort of dark.
I got a feeling that the rain is gonna come pouring down hard any minute. Scratch that. The rain IS pouring down right now as I speak. Seems like the weather's been awfully sweet this past week, though scary water puddles reminiscent of floods are already starting to form on the sides of some major J-Town roads.
Another day. Another yay. I should stop worrying too much and stay happy.
Took my time to lounge in the super-cozy Starbucks Puri Indah yesterday. Finally. And I got a chance to observe the differentiated batches of West Jakartans who frequent this small yet sweet classic-themed [whatever] shopping mall. Since this mall is somewhat so localized, I got to see a lot of familiar faces all around me. Nothing has changed much in the past six months when I was away; even the afternoon-rostered baristas in Starbucks stayed the same.
Come to think of it. Truth be told, Mall Puri Indah is so awfully localized that even its customer types are familiarly patternized. Based on my observation yesterday afternoon, I can conclude and divide the frequenters of the mall into FOUR general categories. Trust me, if you visit Mall Puri Indah as often as I do, or at least used to do, then you'll notice that all four group categories are always omnipresent and existing at all times during shopping hours, even on weekdays, all year long. *laughs*
So, here goes.
Category One: Common West Jakartan Teenagers with color shirts, short pants, clutched-on cellphones, and sandals.
This major group contribute to about 60 percent of the whole population of customers. West Jakartan youth are informally known for their casual uniformity when it comes to regional clothing style. Shirts, shorties, on-hand cellphones, sandals, sometimes aided by rubber message wristbands or postman bags, all in matching colors. Well this is how I used to dress like when I was a confirmed West-Jakartan geek. In fact, I returned to the conformity and dressed this way yesterday, with some minor modifications, for the sake of remembering; something I had so long ago been disposed of, sadly. *sighs*
But, yeah. This type of happy-go-lucky teenagers call Mall Puri Indah their unofficial HQ. That includes the old seventeen-year-old me, of course. *winks* They can be often seen gathering in clusters somewhere around the food court, wandering around in the ever-so-comfy Gramedia, or sitting noisily chattering away in Starbucks. They address people with "Oi!"s and "Eh! Gila, pa kabar lo?"s and "Najis lo nyet!"s all spoken in a certain tone only they can pronounce.
I just love seeing them, listening to their sandal soles brushing on the ceramic floor, even looking a bit like them for once. This way I feel young again. *slaps myself*
Alright. Moving on...
Category Two: Your Average Kind of Bored, No-Work-All-Kids Housewives
This customer group is at its peak of numbers during idle afternoon hours. Plenty! They usually wander around, sometimes running errands, sometimes just hanging out with fellow housewives, waiting for the time to pick up their kids from school which never seems too early or too late a time.
Some typical traits? Casual shirts. Jeans. Untidy. dyed or highlighted hair. Ever-present cellphone. Common sling-bags, preferably branded ones. Ring any bells? *laughs*
Well my beloved Auntie Ling is one of them, surely. I was referring to her, and her chatty friends all the way through. *grins*
Category Three: Typical Slack-offs or People on Holiday With Nothing Too Frikkin' Much Time to Spend *points at myself*
Not much detail. These people mostly dress up a bit like people from Category One, only more sophisticatedly so. *blinks* This group consists of people in their early or nearing twenties, currently back from abroad to spend holidays here *points at myself again*, or even Uni people here also on holiday with nothing to do after semester exams.
These people can be easily recognized by their usually more-casual tone of speech, occasional English blurt-outs, and of course new-and-improved West Jakartan style. They address people with "Haaaaaaiiii!!"s and "Ya ampun boooo lo beda banget sekarang!"s and "Anjrit kmana aja lo?!"s complete with screechy laughs and a cigarette or two.
Some come with laptops or PDAs in their hands, some with catchy sunnies, some with nothing at all. But by judging from the happy looks on their faces, I can tell that the pressure of J-Town doesn't get to them. At least not anymore. And they should be proud of that.
Finally, last but not least...
Category Four: Families!!
Either with or without over-active kids, with or without uncomfortable-looking ashamed pre-teens, with or without fully-occupied babysitters, with or without grandparents and elders, even with our without parents. Whilst the concept of family mall is so out of the picture for Mall Puri Indah, it is still unavoidable to witness families lurking around each and every corner of the place. Most come to eat, others come merely to kill time with the excuse of 'having quality time'.
Yet it always warms my heart to see kids holding hands with their parents, while smiling and yelling and exchanging contented glances with each other. Reminds me of the faded peacefulness of local West Jakartan areas I had apparently forgotten. Despite all the flood and all the drama surrounding this area, its people are still happy, and that's what is most important.
You think so? *smiles*
Well enough of this super-dismissable analysis. I already start to sound like a real freak.
Gash. I need to start revising. My textbooks are already yelling from the inside of my neglected Country Road bag. It's about time, perhaps.
And I'll be away to Bandung tomorrow for three days to spend Christmas day there, by the way. I smell some serious shopping spree. And endless eating! *laughs*
So, given the chance to yell out the greetings right now...
JJ's happy as he can ever be. And he wishes his blog readers this equal sense of happiness, if not more, in this very best time of year.
Have a BLESSED holiday season, guys!! *hugs*
Luvyah all. =)
.raintraffic.West Gate, Puri Indah Mall, December 21, 2007
It's DARK outside. As in grayish-and-gloomy sort of dark.
I got a feeling that the rain is gonna come pouring down hard any minute. Scratch that. The rain IS pouring down right now as I speak. Seems like the weather's been awfully sweet this past week, though scary water puddles reminiscent of floods are already starting to form on the sides of some major J-Town roads.
Another day. Another yay. I should stop worrying too much and stay happy.
Took my time to lounge in the super-cozy Starbucks Puri Indah yesterday. Finally. And I got a chance to observe the differentiated batches of West Jakartans who frequent this small yet sweet classic-themed [whatever] shopping mall. Since this mall is somewhat so localized, I got to see a lot of familiar faces all around me. Nothing has changed much in the past six months when I was away; even the afternoon-rostered baristas in Starbucks stayed the same.
Come to think of it. Truth be told, Mall Puri Indah is so awfully localized that even its customer types are familiarly patternized. Based on my observation yesterday afternoon, I can conclude and divide the frequenters of the mall into FOUR general categories. Trust me, if you visit Mall Puri Indah as often as I do, or at least used to do, then you'll notice that all four group categories are always omnipresent and existing at all times during shopping hours, even on weekdays, all year long. *laughs*
So, here goes.
Category One: Common West Jakartan Teenagers with color shirts, short pants, clutched-on cellphones, and sandals.
This major group contribute to about 60 percent of the whole population of customers. West Jakartan youth are informally known for their casual uniformity when it comes to regional clothing style. Shirts, shorties, on-hand cellphones, sandals, sometimes aided by rubber message wristbands or postman bags, all in matching colors. Well this is how I used to dress like when I was a confirmed West-Jakartan geek. In fact, I returned to the conformity and dressed this way yesterday, with some minor modifications, for the sake of remembering; something I had so long ago been disposed of, sadly. *sighs*
But, yeah. This type of happy-go-lucky teenagers call Mall Puri Indah their unofficial HQ. That includes the old seventeen-year-old me, of course. *winks* They can be often seen gathering in clusters somewhere around the food court, wandering around in the ever-so-comfy Gramedia, or sitting noisily chattering away in Starbucks. They address people with "Oi!"s and "Eh! Gila, pa kabar lo?"s and "Najis lo nyet!"s all spoken in a certain tone only they can pronounce.
I just love seeing them, listening to their sandal soles brushing on the ceramic floor, even looking a bit like them for once. This way I feel young again. *slaps myself*
Alright. Moving on...
Category Two: Your Average Kind of Bored, No-Work-All-Kids Housewives
This customer group is at its peak of numbers during idle afternoon hours. Plenty! They usually wander around, sometimes running errands, sometimes just hanging out with fellow housewives, waiting for the time to pick up their kids from school which never seems too early or too late a time.
Some typical traits? Casual shirts. Jeans. Untidy. dyed or highlighted hair. Ever-present cellphone. Common sling-bags, preferably branded ones. Ring any bells? *laughs*
Well my beloved Auntie Ling is one of them, surely. I was referring to her, and her chatty friends all the way through. *grins*
Category Three: Typical Slack-offs or People on Holiday With Nothing Too Frikkin' Much Time to Spend *points at myself*
Not much detail. These people mostly dress up a bit like people from Category One, only more sophisticatedly so. *blinks* This group consists of people in their early or nearing twenties, currently back from abroad to spend holidays here *points at myself again*, or even Uni people here also on holiday with nothing to do after semester exams.
These people can be easily recognized by their usually more-casual tone of speech, occasional English blurt-outs, and of course new-and-improved West Jakartan style. They address people with "Haaaaaaiiii!!"s and "Ya ampun boooo lo beda banget sekarang!"s and "Anjrit kmana aja lo?!"s complete with screechy laughs and a cigarette or two.
Some come with laptops or PDAs in their hands, some with catchy sunnies, some with nothing at all. But by judging from the happy looks on their faces, I can tell that the pressure of J-Town doesn't get to them. At least not anymore. And they should be proud of that.
Finally, last but not least...
Category Four: Families!!
Either with or without over-active kids, with or without uncomfortable-looking ashamed pre-teens, with or without fully-occupied babysitters, with or without grandparents and elders, even with our without parents. Whilst the concept of family mall is so out of the picture for Mall Puri Indah, it is still unavoidable to witness families lurking around each and every corner of the place. Most come to eat, others come merely to kill time with the excuse of 'having quality time'.
Yet it always warms my heart to see kids holding hands with their parents, while smiling and yelling and exchanging contented glances with each other. Reminds me of the faded peacefulness of local West Jakartan areas I had apparently forgotten. Despite all the flood and all the drama surrounding this area, its people are still happy, and that's what is most important.
You think so? *smiles*
Well enough of this super-dismissable analysis. I already start to sound like a real freak.
Gash. I need to start revising. My textbooks are already yelling from the inside of my neglected Country Road bag. It's about time, perhaps.
And I'll be away to Bandung tomorrow for three days to spend Christmas day there, by the way. I smell some serious shopping spree. And endless eating! *laughs*
So, given the chance to yell out the greetings right now...
...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
JJ's happy as he can ever be. And he wishes his blog readers this equal sense of happiness, if not more, in this very best time of year.
Have a BLESSED holiday season, guys!! *hugs*
Luvyah all. =)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
...the best time of the year...
Currently listening to: Christmas Time - Backstreet Boys
Now THAT is how Christmas decorations are supposed to look like.
I always admire Mall Taman Anggrek for its breakhthrough themes and decorations each Christmas time, every year.
It's raining gently outside now. Beatifully so. And suddenly I feel mellow.
Remembering all the things I used to do when the gorgeous December rain came knocking on my windows during those long-gone days of my high-school melodrama of a life.
It's during rainy days like this that I can finally sit back and think over my life a little bit. How days go by so quickly I don't even have the chance to make moments last a little while longer than a flash. Nearly a week has gone by since I arrived back in this town, in a blink of an eye, yet I'm still here, trying to race with time, fighting a losing battle with Destiny, picking up the pieces, lagging so far behind...
Sometimes I feel like my life is just like one big race, with no breaks in between to let me catch my breath. Is it my fault that I suffocate and faint, and beg to quit every once in a while?
The same feeling got all over me when I came to watch the Smukie Christmas celebration yesterday; I met a BUNCH of old friends, hugged people, high-fived people, shook hands with teachers, got a chance to mingle with Smukiez Choir, you know, stuff like that. I was happy, to say the least; seeing all those smiling faces again really made my day.
But then, as today I sit and ponder, rewinding the happy moments yesterday and recalling those faces, I start to look back, and remember. I still have loads of unanswered questions, unfinished business, unaccomplished goals, which are yet to be fulfilled. Meeting those people once again remind me of these longings, these things.
I miss my life here. During Christmas time, with friends, and loved ones.
Geez. I should stop here. I don't wanna spill my guts and break down right now.
I don't want the beautiful rain to catch me crying.
Happy rainy day, guys. =]
Now THAT is how Christmas decorations are supposed to look like.
I always admire Mall Taman Anggrek for its breakhthrough themes and decorations each Christmas time, every year.
It's raining gently outside now. Beatifully so. And suddenly I feel mellow.
Remembering all the things I used to do when the gorgeous December rain came knocking on my windows during those long-gone days of my high-school melodrama of a life.
It's during rainy days like this that I can finally sit back and think over my life a little bit. How days go by so quickly I don't even have the chance to make moments last a little while longer than a flash. Nearly a week has gone by since I arrived back in this town, in a blink of an eye, yet I'm still here, trying to race with time, fighting a losing battle with Destiny, picking up the pieces, lagging so far behind...
Sometimes I feel like my life is just like one big race, with no breaks in between to let me catch my breath. Is it my fault that I suffocate and faint, and beg to quit every once in a while?
The same feeling got all over me when I came to watch the Smukie Christmas celebration yesterday; I met a BUNCH of old friends, hugged people, high-fived people, shook hands with teachers, got a chance to mingle with Smukiez Choir, you know, stuff like that. I was happy, to say the least; seeing all those smiling faces again really made my day.
But then, as today I sit and ponder, rewinding the happy moments yesterday and recalling those faces, I start to look back, and remember. I still have loads of unanswered questions, unfinished business, unaccomplished goals, which are yet to be fulfilled. Meeting those people once again remind me of these longings, these things.
I miss my life here. During Christmas time, with friends, and loved ones.
Geez. I should stop here. I don't wanna spill my guts and break down right now.
I don't want the beautiful rain to catch me crying.
Happy rainy day, guys. =]
Monday, December 17, 2007
...about being back home...
Currently listening to: Home - Daughtry
Oh my GOD.
I can't believe I'm finally, FINALLY home.
Ugly worn-out airport. Hungry-eyed suspicious people. Extra-thick layers of pollution. Annoying shrieks, even-more-annoying street yells. Worse traffic, more cars, endless Busway constructions everywhere. Crazy jams. Ignorant as ever people. Sucky hot humid weather. Unpredictable rainfalls. Super-slow Internet connection. Along with other painful stuff I can't even bear to share here.
J-Town hasn't changed much. Or has it, truly?
Yet still, it's only J-Town. And, as Leyi puts in just now, this is HOME.
I've been EATING endlessly like a starved pig these past two days. Dunno why, but I just can't seem to resist all the temptingly good food on display within my sight range. Bye bye calories. Let me worry about being healthy when I'm back in Melbourne; for now I wanna enjoy my extra-short holiday here to the most.
This metropolis reminds me of so many things. Old memories; good ones, bad ones, special ones. Old friends; close ones, colleagues, pals, besties. Reminds me of the childish, naive, super-busy town-boy I once was. And most of all, this is the town where I grew up and became the person I am today. So I guess I gotta stop whining and be grateful that I'm still given the chance to visit this town and reminisce the good ol' days of surviving life here.
And it's not like I'm not missing Melbourne. But I know that I have the next two and a half years. maybe more, to spend there, but only some couple more days to be here.
So, COME ON PEOPLE!! We gotta meet up!
Can't describe to y'all just how excited I am now. Got like a ZILLION appointments with old friends and I really want to make these will-be-happily-busy days last forever.
JJ's home. And boy is he HAPPY.
Alrighty catch ya later guys! *hugs*
Oh my GOD.
I can't believe I'm finally, FINALLY home.
Ugly worn-out airport. Hungry-eyed suspicious people. Extra-thick layers of pollution. Annoying shrieks, even-more-annoying street yells. Worse traffic, more cars, endless Busway constructions everywhere. Crazy jams. Ignorant as ever people. Sucky hot humid weather. Unpredictable rainfalls. Super-slow Internet connection. Along with other painful stuff I can't even bear to share here.
J-Town hasn't changed much. Or has it, truly?
Yet still, it's only J-Town. And, as Leyi puts in just now, this is HOME.
I've been EATING endlessly like a starved pig these past two days. Dunno why, but I just can't seem to resist all the temptingly good food on display within my sight range. Bye bye calories. Let me worry about being healthy when I'm back in Melbourne; for now I wanna enjoy my extra-short holiday here to the most.
This metropolis reminds me of so many things. Old memories; good ones, bad ones, special ones. Old friends; close ones, colleagues, pals, besties. Reminds me of the childish, naive, super-busy town-boy I once was. And most of all, this is the town where I grew up and became the person I am today. So I guess I gotta stop whining and be grateful that I'm still given the chance to visit this town and reminisce the good ol' days of surviving life here.
And it's not like I'm not missing Melbourne. But I know that I have the next two and a half years. maybe more, to spend there, but only some couple more days to be here.
So, COME ON PEOPLE!! We gotta meet up!
Can't describe to y'all just how excited I am now. Got like a ZILLION appointments with old friends and I really want to make these will-be-happily-busy days last forever.
JJ's home. And boy is he HAPPY.
Alrighty catch ya later guys! *hugs*
Saturday, December 15, 2007
...intermezzo...
Hey y'all! It's awfully early and I'm tired as hell, but I feel like I gotta share some updates.
Well guess what? I'm already in Singapore Changi Airport, people!!
Alright let's stop the superhappiness before I start jumping around like a madman in the middle of the airport. *laughs*
Anyways. Yeah, the seven-and-a-half-hour flight was good and smooth, as usual. Managed to get a couple hours of sleep and watched some good movies on board. Now I'm waiting for my next flight to Jakarta which is still like three hours away in this magnificent airport in the middle of the tiny red dot land commonly known as Singapore, and I have exactly NOTHING to do.
Thank God they have free Internet service here.
At least I can delay my no-civilization oath for a good couple more hours. *winks*
Alright then catch ya later guys!
Hopefully I can be in touch again when I'm FINALLY safe and sound in J-Town.
Well guess what? I'm already in Singapore Changi Airport, people!!
Alright let's stop the superhappiness before I start jumping around like a madman in the middle of the airport. *laughs*
Anyways. Yeah, the seven-and-a-half-hour flight was good and smooth, as usual. Managed to get a couple hours of sleep and watched some good movies on board. Now I'm waiting for my next flight to Jakarta which is still like three hours away in this magnificent airport in the middle of the tiny red dot land commonly known as Singapore, and I have exactly NOTHING to do.
Thank God they have free Internet service here.
At least I can delay my no-civilization oath for a good couple more hours. *winks*
Alright then catch ya later guys!
Hopefully I can be in touch again when I'm FINALLY safe and sound in J-Town.
Friday, December 14, 2007
...a million miles away from here...
Currently listening to: Counting Down The Days - Natalie Imbruglia
Alright.
Just so y'all know, I lost my frikkin' glasses this afternoon and right now I'm typing without any sight-helping aid on, squinting my eyes with my lips nearly KISSING the monitor while feeling incredibly stupid, so forgive me if I sound a little pissed-off.
Well actually. Scratch that. I'm not even thinking of staying pissed off anymore. 'Cuz guess what? I'm GOING HOME!!
*jumps around in the background*
This has been nothing but GOD's amazing grace the whole way through. I can't believe that I managed to get that ticket and can even fly home EARLIER than I wanted to! Gosh. HE is amazing. Truly truly amazing. I can't describe just how thankful I am now. *sighs*
Anyways.
Yeah. I'm flying home in less than 24 hours. First flight in the morning, I suppose, before it's even bright and early. But it's good anyhow; that means I'll spend the whole night together with the amazing KrisWorld! *laughs*
Just finished stage one of quick-packing some couple of minutes ago, and now I'm hoping that my bags won't exceed the allowance limit. Since I'm carrying home all sorts of things, including Christmas gifts, Aussie souvenirs, textbooks *sighs*, clothes, and other crazy stuff you don't even wanna hear about. But I'm only gonna be bringing with me a small luggage, a small traveling bag, and my lovely handy Country Road tote bag along with me. So I guess should be no problem right? Hope so hope so. *stares dreamily*
And since the Internet connection back home is surely gonna be UBER-SLOW, as Ian puts in, I will most certainly be online-civilization-deprived for about two and a half weeks, before I will be flying back to Melbourne again next year *shakes head*. So, yeah. I will try to keep in touch and update this blog while I'm home, but no quick updates, okay? Just wanna make sure that we're all under the same state of mind for that point.
Can't wait can't wait CAN'T WAIT TO GO HOME!!!
*jumps around again*
I promise you guys I'll be having a GREAT time in J-Town!!
So catch y'all later. Hopefully real soon.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! *hugs*
Luvyah. =)
Alright.
Just so y'all know, I lost my frikkin' glasses this afternoon and right now I'm typing without any sight-helping aid on, squinting my eyes with my lips nearly KISSING the monitor while feeling incredibly stupid, so forgive me if I sound a little pissed-off.
Well actually. Scratch that. I'm not even thinking of staying pissed off anymore. 'Cuz guess what? I'm GOING HOME!!
*jumps around in the background*
This has been nothing but GOD's amazing grace the whole way through. I can't believe that I managed to get that ticket and can even fly home EARLIER than I wanted to! Gosh. HE is amazing. Truly truly amazing. I can't describe just how thankful I am now. *sighs*
Anyways.
Yeah. I'm flying home in less than 24 hours. First flight in the morning, I suppose, before it's even bright and early. But it's good anyhow; that means I'll spend the whole night together with the amazing KrisWorld! *laughs*
Just finished stage one of quick-packing some couple of minutes ago, and now I'm hoping that my bags won't exceed the allowance limit. Since I'm carrying home all sorts of things, including Christmas gifts, Aussie souvenirs, textbooks *sighs*, clothes, and other crazy stuff you don't even wanna hear about. But I'm only gonna be bringing with me a small luggage, a small traveling bag, and my lovely handy Country Road tote bag along with me. So I guess should be no problem right? Hope so hope so. *stares dreamily*
And since the Internet connection back home is surely gonna be UBER-SLOW, as Ian puts in, I will most certainly be online-civilization-deprived for about two and a half weeks, before I will be flying back to Melbourne again next year *shakes head*. So, yeah. I will try to keep in touch and update this blog while I'm home, but no quick updates, okay? Just wanna make sure that we're all under the same state of mind for that point.
Can't wait can't wait CAN'T WAIT TO GO HOME!!!
*jumps around again*
I promise you guys I'll be having a GREAT time in J-Town!!
So catch y'all later. Hopefully real soon.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! *hugs*
Luvyah. =)
Monday, December 10, 2007
...christmas eve will find me...
Currently listening to: My Only Wish This Year - Britney Spears
Just finished my Business Law Assignment *yay!* this morning bright and early, and now I feel like passing out on my bed until like Thursday morning or something.
Seriously. I have never come across a more lethal, suicide-triggering pain-in-the-arse subject before in my entire life. And I thought I WAS suicidal. *shakes head*
Oh by the way. Moving on to my bitching of the day...
Personally, I think that in terms of Christmas decorations, dear ol' Melbourne sucks. As in SLACKING. Big time.
Like, say if there was a worldwide competition that wants to determine which city has the best, most creative, and most stunning Christmas decorations up out-and-about at this time of year and actually rank all those decorated cities in order, I'm pretty damn sure that Melbourne would definitely lag on the ranks. Severely. Somehow it pains me, and I'm not even emo for heaven's sake. *sighs*
Even J-Town, regardless of how drenched and wet and occasionally flooded it often will be around Christmas time, could possibly look more decently Christmas-y if it wants to.
I mean, look. What's the point of starting early if you guys don't maintain the progress and in the end lack behind? I remember that the first pioneer glimpses of Christmas were put up in the city area as early as mid-November, and then I thought it was gonna be like merry and GRAND when December finally arrived. Turns out that my hopes were kept a little bit too high. Or at least I think I did.
Oh well. At least people are TRYING to keep up with the pace.
Here are some snapshots of Melbournian Christmas I took when I went to the city to start shopping for Christmas gifts last Saturday.
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This tree above just caught my eye when I was waiting for the 900 bus on my way home. I'm intrigued by the way the wrap that Seasons Greetings cardboard around that tree and then have the guts to call that a decoration. Well, no pun intended. It looks kinda cute anyways. Good effort for by the City of Monash! *laughs*
So, guys. Whaddayathink?
And oh yeah, for the sake of emphasizing self-proclamation, here goes the last picture of us ex-Smukiers posing together in front of the HUGE Westin Hotel Christmas tree thing. *winks*
*looks at picture with dreamy stares*
Alright I'll just hop on to bed and actually TRY to have a good rest.
Considering it's four days away to home and I can barely contain the excitement.
Have a BLESSED Christmas week everyone!!
Catchyalater. *hugs*
Just finished my Business Law Assignment *yay!* this morning bright and early, and now I feel like passing out on my bed until like Thursday morning or something.
Seriously. I have never come across a more lethal, suicide-triggering pain-in-the-arse subject before in my entire life. And I thought I WAS suicidal. *shakes head*
Oh by the way. Moving on to my bitching of the day...
Personally, I think that in terms of Christmas decorations, dear ol' Melbourne sucks. As in SLACKING. Big time.
Like, say if there was a worldwide competition that wants to determine which city has the best, most creative, and most stunning Christmas decorations up out-and-about at this time of year and actually rank all those decorated cities in order, I'm pretty damn sure that Melbourne would definitely lag on the ranks. Severely. Somehow it pains me, and I'm not even emo for heaven's sake. *sighs*
Even J-Town, regardless of how drenched and wet and occasionally flooded it often will be around Christmas time, could possibly look more decently Christmas-y if it wants to.
I mean, look. What's the point of starting early if you guys don't maintain the progress and in the end lack behind? I remember that the first pioneer glimpses of Christmas were put up in the city area as early as mid-November, and then I thought it was gonna be like merry and GRAND when December finally arrived. Turns out that my hopes were kept a little bit too high. Or at least I think I did.
Oh well. At least people are TRYING to keep up with the pace.
Here are some snapshots of Melbournian Christmas I took when I went to the city to start shopping for Christmas gifts last Saturday.
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Here's that solo HUGE Christmas tree in front of the Westin Hotel, along Swanston Street, that strangely reminds me of that beautiful, equally-if-not-more HUGE Christmas tree in Mall Taman Anggrek back home. *sighs*
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In Australia, Christmas means Summer; that's probably why snow-like ornaments are so rarely seen as part of the decorations. Stars, leaves, and flowers are used instead, just like those endless lines of stars hung nicely all the way above and along Bourke Street.
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There's another deserted-and-out-of-place-looking Christmas tree standing in the very center of QV Square. It breaks my heart seeing that tree, I dunno why. I sure hope they will put up some frikkin' supporting decorations around that tree or they might as well just bring that lonely thing back down for the sake of aesthetics.
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This tree above just caught my eye when I was waiting for the 900 bus on my way home. I'm intrigued by the way the wrap that Seasons Greetings cardboard around that tree and then have the guts to call that a decoration. Well, no pun intended. It looks kinda cute anyways. Good effort for by the City of Monash! *laughs*
So, guys. Whaddayathink?
And oh yeah, for the sake of emphasizing self-proclamation, here goes the last picture of us ex-Smukiers posing together in front of the HUGE Westin Hotel Christmas tree thing. *winks*
*looks at picture with dreamy stares*
Alright I'll just hop on to bed and actually TRY to have a good rest.
Considering it's four days away to home and I can barely contain the excitement.
Have a BLESSED Christmas week everyone!!
Catchyalater. *hugs*
Thursday, December 06, 2007
...it's christmas time in the city...
Currently listening to: Silver Bells - Clay Aiken & Kimberley Locke
I'm still trying to cope with the fact that Aussies down undahh celebrate Christmas time during Summer. Getting used to it just fine, yeah, but still I find it hard NOT to get jealous when my friends up high in the States are experiencing constant SNOWY PERIODS right about now. *sobs quietly*
Whatever. I'm still thankful that Christmas time is here, finally. The decorations are up, along with those usual bright-red-and-green-everywhere color invasion. And because it is Summer, people are out more often, so it actually must be quite fun celebrating Christmas in the heat for once. Alright. I should just stop complaining. *smiles*
Today's weather has been AWESOME so far. Thirty-two degrees, tops. And the breezes are just too cozy.
Reminds me of those Japanese anime series and mangas I used to craze about all the way through my preteen years, where Summer there is depicted by long holidays, endlessly intense heat, minimal clothes n maximum style, fun trips to rural areas visiting relatives (most typically grandparents and the like), and of course noisy sounds of buzzing Summer insects all around.
I mean, omigod. Seriously, I love love LOVE this kind of Summer.
Now I know why those Japanese anime and manga creators make Summer scenes their favorites. Despite the sometimes unbearable heat and the constant feeling of dehydrating that haunts you each and everyday, Summer days are actually beautiful in their own ways.
You guys think so? Maybe not.
Most Asians I know are not particularly fond of Summer. Well except quite a few. I'm NOT particularly fond of Summer, in general. I don't know what's gotten into me today. The heat, perhaps?
Or maybe I'm just being plain random, like I always am. Yeah that's more like it. Hahaha.
So, like my current Facebook shoutout, I am sooooooo totally feeling the Summer heat. At least for today.
BRING IT OOOOONN BAYBEHHH!!! *laughs*
I'm still trying to cope with the fact that Aussies down undahh celebrate Christmas time during Summer. Getting used to it just fine, yeah, but still I find it hard NOT to get jealous when my friends up high in the States are experiencing constant SNOWY PERIODS right about now. *sobs quietly*
Whatever. I'm still thankful that Christmas time is here, finally. The decorations are up, along with those usual bright-red-and-green-everywhere color invasion. And because it is Summer, people are out more often, so it actually must be quite fun celebrating Christmas in the heat for once. Alright. I should just stop complaining. *smiles*
Today's weather has been AWESOME so far. Thirty-two degrees, tops. And the breezes are just too cozy.
Reminds me of those Japanese anime series and mangas I used to craze about all the way through my preteen years, where Summer there is depicted by long holidays, endlessly intense heat, minimal clothes n maximum style, fun trips to rural areas visiting relatives (most typically grandparents and the like), and of course noisy sounds of buzzing Summer insects all around.
I mean, omigod. Seriously, I love love LOVE this kind of Summer.
Now I know why those Japanese anime and manga creators make Summer scenes their favorites. Despite the sometimes unbearable heat and the constant feeling of dehydrating that haunts you each and everyday, Summer days are actually beautiful in their own ways.
You guys think so? Maybe not.
Most Asians I know are not particularly fond of Summer. Well except quite a few. I'm NOT particularly fond of Summer, in general. I don't know what's gotten into me today. The heat, perhaps?
Or maybe I'm just being plain random, like I always am. Yeah that's more like it. Hahaha.
So, like my current Facebook shoutout, I am sooooooo totally feeling the Summer heat. At least for today.
BRING IT OOOOONN BAYBEHHH!!! *laughs*
Monday, December 03, 2007
...it's been raining since you went away...
I have just understood the whole reason behind having an accurate, up-to-date daily weather forecast system published on the net and updated every half a day or so. Especially when you live in a city with ever-changing weather conditions like dear ol' Melbourne. Thank God the Australian government is thoughtful, and technologically-equipped. *laughs*
I still vividly remember going to bed last night after kicking aside the usual warm-and-handy covers, trying to cope with the dryness by opening my windows wide and keeping the box fan on. Fast forward a couple hours, and I woke up this morning frantically searching for my covers, shivering due to the sudden presence of the cold, welcomingly-humid air that the morning shower brought to the area.
It was around eight, the rain didn't show any signs of ceasing down any time soon, and there was ABSOLUTELY no way that I would be able to walk through the rain without getting totally drenched along the way, not to mention looking like a soaked cat when I reached college, so I decided to sleep in. *yawns*
Not bad, not bad at all! Considering the weather was all cool and wet and comfy. I've missed the familiar mild scent of rain-washed grass a little bit too much, I guess.
And the rain didn't stop the whole day. I had to fight my way through the strong wind walking to college to attend the afternoon tutorial, and halfway through the tute a rainstorm started thundering noisily outside, scaring the shit outta me. But in the end it was all good. It is very breezy outside as I sit down typing this post, with the birds chirping and the fresh winds blowing. I call this HEAVEN. *sighs*
Oh yeah. I took a couple of pictures of the beautiful backyard at my house just now, right after the rain stopped pouring.
My landlord likes to garden, so during mid-Spring around last month, the backyard was full of beautiful colorful flowers! There was one big bush of red roses that were just GORGEOUS! It was right in front of Andrew's window so his room used to smell like roses everyday during Spring. Hahaha.
Too bad most of the flowers have withered now. Summer's tough this year, and the plants tend to die down quicker than they are supposed to. Oh well. Still smells good outside, though. Some mysterious purple flowers have just blossomed yesterday near my window, so it gets really sweet-smelling everytime I slide open my window now.
And haven't I told you that we have a dog in the house?
Say hello to Clumsy!
Isn't she just ADORABLE? *smiles*
She's actually a playful nine-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever with a very good sense of humor. Hahaha. But seriously, she's the friendliest, and snuggliest, dog I know! I don't know how it all started, but now she's really close to me somehow, and for some unknown reasons she always likes to nibble my feet, sniff my clothes, and lick my face. Well not that I mind anyway. I love her to bits. *winks at Clumsy*
So, yeah. I was playing with her after taking my time out and about in the backyard, breathing in the post-rain fresh air, and she was not being her usual superhappy-Clumsy self today. She just approached me, did a little bit of her habitual sniffy-sniffy action, then just sat on the grass waiting for me to pat her or something. So I decided to make her chase me around and take some adorable pictures of her using my cellphone.
At this kind of time I am thankful that I'm living in the suburbs.
Despite the quietness and the remote peacefulness of life around here, at least this way I'm closer to the ground. Closer to the green green grass. Closer to nature and its wonderful creatures.
Maybe I should start hugging a tree everyday? *slaps myself*
Just another ordinary day in the amazing life of JJ.
I hope your day has been equally awesome, wherever you guys are.
Happy rainy day, everyone!! *winks*
I still vividly remember going to bed last night after kicking aside the usual warm-and-handy covers, trying to cope with the dryness by opening my windows wide and keeping the box fan on. Fast forward a couple hours, and I woke up this morning frantically searching for my covers, shivering due to the sudden presence of the cold, welcomingly-humid air that the morning shower brought to the area.
It was around eight, the rain didn't show any signs of ceasing down any time soon, and there was ABSOLUTELY no way that I would be able to walk through the rain without getting totally drenched along the way, not to mention looking like a soaked cat when I reached college, so I decided to sleep in. *yawns*
Not bad, not bad at all! Considering the weather was all cool and wet and comfy. I've missed the familiar mild scent of rain-washed grass a little bit too much, I guess.
And the rain didn't stop the whole day. I had to fight my way through the strong wind walking to college to attend the afternoon tutorial, and halfway through the tute a rainstorm started thundering noisily outside, scaring the shit outta me. But in the end it was all good. It is very breezy outside as I sit down typing this post, with the birds chirping and the fresh winds blowing. I call this HEAVEN. *sighs*
Oh yeah. I took a couple of pictures of the beautiful backyard at my house just now, right after the rain stopped pouring.
My landlord likes to garden, so during mid-Spring around last month, the backyard was full of beautiful colorful flowers! There was one big bush of red roses that were just GORGEOUS! It was right in front of Andrew's window so his room used to smell like roses everyday during Spring. Hahaha.
Too bad most of the flowers have withered now. Summer's tough this year, and the plants tend to die down quicker than they are supposed to. Oh well. Still smells good outside, though. Some mysterious purple flowers have just blossomed yesterday near my window, so it gets really sweet-smelling everytime I slide open my window now.
And haven't I told you that we have a dog in the house?
Say hello to Clumsy!
Isn't she just ADORABLE? *smiles*
She's actually a playful nine-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever with a very good sense of humor. Hahaha. But seriously, she's the friendliest, and snuggliest, dog I know! I don't know how it all started, but now she's really close to me somehow, and for some unknown reasons she always likes to nibble my feet, sniff my clothes, and lick my face. Well not that I mind anyway. I love her to bits. *winks at Clumsy*
So, yeah. I was playing with her after taking my time out and about in the backyard, breathing in the post-rain fresh air, and she was not being her usual superhappy-Clumsy self today. She just approached me, did a little bit of her habitual sniffy-sniffy action, then just sat on the grass waiting for me to pat her or something. So I decided to make her chase me around and take some adorable pictures of her using my cellphone.
At this kind of time I am thankful that I'm living in the suburbs.
Despite the quietness and the remote peacefulness of life around here, at least this way I'm closer to the ground. Closer to the green green grass. Closer to nature and its wonderful creatures.
Maybe I should start hugging a tree everyday? *slaps myself*
Just another ordinary day in the amazing life of JJ.
I hope your day has been equally awesome, wherever you guys are.
Happy rainy day, everyone!! *winks*
Saturday, December 01, 2007
...it's not over tonight...
Currently listening to: Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5
Yesterday I set a whole new record for myself, and my less-than-impressive academic life.
So here's the thing.
I worked on my overrated Buyer Behavior essay for like, what, almost 12 hours in a row? I basically camped at David's unoccupied room at our Stockdale HQ all night long, basking in the extra-fast Internet connection there and thanking Ko Bagas for the generous 'ride', in lack of a better word. *bows down*
Yeah. Some 12 hours of working, and working, and working. With a brief McDonald's pit stop in between, btw, but that didn't help much considering the state of extreme panic I was in. Don't have the exact hour calculation, though, but yeah that should give y'all a good enough picture of how I'd worked my arse off all the way Thursday night till Friday morning.
In the end, I completed the bloody essay, AND the reference list, AND the appendix pages, AND the mainly-random-copy-and-paste abstract, at about FIVE TWENTY in the morning. Had a chance to look out the window and realized that the sun was almost rising right there and then. Then I stopped and it came to me that yes it was Summer, and of course the sun rises early, you sleep-lacking dumbhead! So, yeah. *sighs*
Then I tidied up, cleaned up a bit, sneaked out of the house, and walked home feeling somehow triumphant. By the time I reached home it was already around 6-ish, and the morning sun was KILLING me. It was really, REALLY weird walking home during sunrise, since I felt like with each step that I took, the sun went up a little bit higher, and when I finally got home it suddenly felt like it was already noon. *slaps own face* But then again I was awfully sleep-deprived at that time so there was a possibility that I was already half-dreaming when making my way back home.
The end of the adventure?
I rushed into my room, threw all my stuff randomly, put my laptop on the table, ran outside to the sink to wash face, changed clothes, yawned a little, set the alarm, jumped into bed, opened the windows a bit to let the fresh morning air in, then went straight to Dreamland. Work done, sleep done, I submitted my assignment at 2 pm in the afternoon with a satisfied YAY, hoping at least I'd get a supposedly well-deserved Distinction for this mess. *winks*
Well.
Too much for a 15%-of-total-mark-worth assignment, yeah?
That's what ALL my friends were telling me the whole way through. But despite all that work, I am actually proud of myself now.
I mean, geez, never in my life had I committed this much effort into any academic work before. And when I say never i sincerely mean NEVER. So this must be quite an achievement for me. At least, self-actualization-need-ly speaking. *laughs*
Thanks to Ko Bagas for letting me camp in Stockdale HQ. *wipes tears off eyes*
Thanks to David for kindly lending me his room, although he's away in Surabaya.
Thanks to Andrew and John Lie for the assistance and everything else.
Thanks to Adeline, Lina, and my old friends for the cheering chat windows.
Thanks to Jacelyn, Ian, Asha, Fanny, Ivy, Hahn, Feby, and everybody else in my Marketing 2 tute for sharing the same burden and dreading the same deadline I had. *laughs*
And, thanks for my lovely tutor Hassnain for the HUGE HUGE help and assistance. Wouldn't have done it correctly if I hadn't seen you in advance! *smiles*
And in the end, I thank The Big Guy Up There, as always, endlessly, solemnly, faithfully.
At least now I can enjoy my well-earned weekend in peace.
FOURTEEN DAYS TO HOME!!
The countdown is sooooooooooooooo ON, people. *laughs*
Alright then take care 'k?
Have a FABULOUS Summer weekend! =D
Yesterday I set a whole new record for myself, and my less-than-impressive academic life.
So here's the thing.
I worked on my overrated Buyer Behavior essay for like, what, almost 12 hours in a row? I basically camped at David's unoccupied room at our Stockdale HQ all night long, basking in the extra-fast Internet connection there and thanking Ko Bagas for the generous 'ride', in lack of a better word. *bows down*
Yeah. Some 12 hours of working, and working, and working. With a brief McDonald's pit stop in between, btw, but that didn't help much considering the state of extreme panic I was in. Don't have the exact hour calculation, though, but yeah that should give y'all a good enough picture of how I'd worked my arse off all the way Thursday night till Friday morning.
In the end, I completed the bloody essay, AND the reference list, AND the appendix pages, AND the mainly-random-copy-and-paste abstract, at about FIVE TWENTY in the morning. Had a chance to look out the window and realized that the sun was almost rising right there and then. Then I stopped and it came to me that yes it was Summer, and of course the sun rises early, you sleep-lacking dumbhead! So, yeah. *sighs*
Then I tidied up, cleaned up a bit, sneaked out of the house, and walked home feeling somehow triumphant. By the time I reached home it was already around 6-ish, and the morning sun was KILLING me. It was really, REALLY weird walking home during sunrise, since I felt like with each step that I took, the sun went up a little bit higher, and when I finally got home it suddenly felt like it was already noon. *slaps own face* But then again I was awfully sleep-deprived at that time so there was a possibility that I was already half-dreaming when making my way back home.
The end of the adventure?
I rushed into my room, threw all my stuff randomly, put my laptop on the table, ran outside to the sink to wash face, changed clothes, yawned a little, set the alarm, jumped into bed, opened the windows a bit to let the fresh morning air in, then went straight to Dreamland. Work done, sleep done, I submitted my assignment at 2 pm in the afternoon with a satisfied YAY, hoping at least I'd get a supposedly well-deserved Distinction for this mess. *winks*
Well.
Too much for a 15%-of-total-mark-worth assignment, yeah?
That's what ALL my friends were telling me the whole way through. But despite all that work, I am actually proud of myself now.
I mean, geez, never in my life had I committed this much effort into any academic work before. And when I say never i sincerely mean NEVER. So this must be quite an achievement for me. At least, self-actualization-need-ly speaking. *laughs*
Thanks to Ko Bagas for letting me camp in Stockdale HQ. *wipes tears off eyes*
Thanks to David for kindly lending me his room, although he's away in Surabaya.
Thanks to Andrew and John Lie for the assistance and everything else.
Thanks to Adeline, Lina, and my old friends for the cheering chat windows.
Thanks to Jacelyn, Ian, Asha, Fanny, Ivy, Hahn, Feby, and everybody else in my Marketing 2 tute for sharing the same burden and dreading the same deadline I had. *laughs*
And, thanks for my lovely tutor Hassnain for the HUGE HUGE help and assistance. Wouldn't have done it correctly if I hadn't seen you in advance! *smiles*
And in the end, I thank The Big Guy Up There, as always, endlessly, solemnly, faithfully.
At least now I can enjoy my well-earned weekend in peace.
FOURTEEN DAYS TO HOME!!
The countdown is sooooooooooooooo ON, people. *laughs*
Alright then take care 'k?
Have a FABULOUS Summer weekend! =D
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