The Rene Report ver.2

Relocated

2011-10-21T23:13:00.000+08:00

I hardly update this blog and when I update, entries are getting shorter and shorter and I don't really have an exciting life. Thus, I don't see the point of maintaining this blog!

But, I like to write short entries, so I've opted a more micro and minimalistic site! You can find me at Rene's Rant Book

Good luck?

2011-10-08T22:37:00.003+08:00

I am finally blogging on this blog! haha Malaysian Open is over and it was indeed a very hectic week for me. It was suppose to be my semester break and I've spent the entire week going up and down to KL. It's either KLCC or the Bukit Jalil. 2 years worth of KL trip, all in one week haha. And when everything ended, I can feel the lethargic-ness attacking me.

See this autographed tennis ball? It actually brought my friends and I a lot of laughter haha.

We call this Kei ball because it was signed by Japan No.1 Nishikori Kei. and whenever we're in an awkward situation, we'll chant or talk about Kei ball and something funny will happen. And then we'll laugh laugh laugh and awkward no more!

Also, the other day I brought this Kei ball to uni as a good luck charm and pheww my law presentation with the other Irene turned out really well. I din feel like I've put in a lot of effort for the research and yet we manage to pull it through smoothly. Some luck from Kei ball? Hmmmm

2011-09-19T10:26:00.000+08:00

Tokyo Tower 3D puzzle!

thanks for the experience

2011-09-19T10:25:00.003+08:00

Checked my law paper's results and what a relief!!! I didn't do super well but I got a credit!! wheeee. It dragged by GPA down but it was still slightly higher than my expectation. See, art students can do law subjects too! haha

Taking this law subject has definitely opened my eyes. I've learned so much about my country's constitution, visited the Palace of Justice and Federal Court (highest court in Malaysia), met the Chief Justice before retiring, hear a short lecture by the deputy Chief Justice of Netherlands, and another lecture by a Federal Court judge, hear some anecdotes about wigs....

Very good experience indeed! Now I have another law to conquer! Journalism and the law, hopefully I'll do better here!

Blog not dead!

2011-09-15T10:42:00.001+08:00

In case you're wondering what happened to me. I'm still alive! Haha I have too many blogs to update lately. Shoujiki Shindoi and my sports blog ∞ arena. For somehow who doesn't know much about sports, maintaining a sports blog that will be assessed is quite tiring. And not forgetting the weekly sports quiz.. Thank God I usually open my eyes when I go shopping. At least I can recognize some football players, their endorsements and their jerseys. And I've been following F1 since the season begin. Cricket, rugby? Give me a break!

So if you any sports tips, let me know ya!

no surprise

2011-08-26T22:50:00.001+08:00

I think something's wrong with my brain? I'm not surprised if I turn (?) schizophrenic some day later.

Real you?

2011-08-14T21:32:00.002+08:00

People often say "thats so not me!" or "that's not the real me" So what exactly is the real you? Foucault argued that there's no 'real' you, we are all just actors. I actually agree very much with what he said. We act differently in different situations, with power playing a role in it. Let's say that you're some seriously noisy/talkative and loud person. You walked into a library and kept really quiet. Does that means that the person in the library is not the real you? It's still you right? How is that fake you?

Tired tired, very tired!

2011-07-30T21:17:00.001+08:00

What a day! I think I've walked at least 6km today haha. Japanese sensei had some errand to run so no class today. Took the train with my sister to KLCC and then walked to Pavilion to check out their Asakusa inspired 'Tokyo Street' which was opened yesterday. Talking about great timing heh. Pictures and others some other time ya? Lazy to upload it right now. Or you can check out my Facebook account for it.

After Tokyo Street, we continue our journey to Lot 10 and Sungei Wang. I am starting to feel all that fatigue on my calf whenever I stop walking. Walked walked walked and take the train back. Mum was suppose to pick us up from the station but she had a guest at home. So we decided to walk home! Halfway through the journey, mum came and pick us up haha.

I think I'm gonna have a really nice sleep tonight!

Hearing things

2011-07-21T13:15:00.003+08:00

Lately, I'll hear this really loud engine/motor/drums sound every morning, around 6:30AM. The funny thing is I'm the only person who heard it. So I'm wondering, did I imagined it or I have super advance sense of hearing? Hmmm. Gonna but the voice recorder next to my bed tonight to prove that I'm hopefully not schizophrenic or paranoid.

Blah

2011-07-19T20:53:00.003+08:00

I've removed that chat box. It's being spammed terribly so if there's anything just comment under the entry ya.

Today was my very first law class. It feels kinda weird because I'm the only one from my campus and the only arts student among a sea of law students. And because of that, I guess I have to do more readings and write a better assignment.

This is my text book! Super thick for an elective subject huh.

I better start digging those prescribed readings!

We come in peace

2011-07-12T09:50:00.003+08:00

This is my country. A country with people who fight for their rights. There's nothing embarrassing about it. The only thing I felt ashamed was not being there physically.

clean it up

2011-07-10T10:52:00.003+08:00

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein

Honestly, I don't have the courage to march like fellow brave Malaysians who stood up for their rights. All that tear gas and water canon did not stop them from fighting for their ideology.

It's funny that in other countries, when there's a demonstration, police are there to make sure everything is under control. But here, they're the one stirring things up by shooting tear gas and water canons.

"Without a struggle, there can be no progress"- Frederick Douglass

Thank you so much to all those who fought for rakyat Malaysia.

My Holiday Assignment

2011-07-06T10:59:00.003+08:00

Who said that all I do is Bejeweled Blitz? haha

1. Get in touch with the van Gogh in me

2. Make a time lapse video

3. Sand art

4. Think like a cat

hmm..why do I have a feeling that I'm wasting time? Hahah

The day I turn 21

2011-06-27T21:49:00.001+08:00

... which is today!

Birthday to me is just another day.Friends were asking me how am I gonna spend my day and my answer: watch tv! Some gave that "you need to get a life" look haha. I like to celebrate it doing things that I normally do. It makes me feel that I'm still very alive haha.

Ohhh ohh ohh, today, I've finally caught up with this drama series called Umareru (Born). I guess the timing was really right? Haha it was one of the character's 21st birthday and they sang him the birthday song! hahaha

Half way through the series, Kristy's letter came and I was laughing/smiling like a crazy woman though the show was kinda serious. hahaha

Yess! I'm 21! I am gonna exercise my rights to vote to the maximum!

So you want to hunt me in my dreams?

2011-06-20T13:52:00.002+08:00

... I'll crush you!!

I was referring to exams hehe. Never in my life I was so affected by exams. First, I dreamed about attending special tuition class on Arabian literature, which is unfortunately not part of my syllabus. Why can't I dream of some hint of the upcoming paper I have to sit?

And then, I dreamed that my class (high school) was about to sit for Media Audience's paper (the one I took this morning) and to get to the exam venue, we have to climb a slope. There were no stairs and the only way up is through this rope. It's 8am, paper is about to start and while climbing on the rope, someone ahead of my class untie the rope and I woke up before finding out did I made it to the exam venue.

And this morning, I dreamed that I boycott my additional maths paper. Ran out and it was raining. Fell down and saw Akanishi Jin. Don't ask me how or why, I have no idea. So I ask him " Oh you're back? Don't disturb your Tokyo friends ya, they're having exams lately." and he answered "Yes, I know". Ermm... we played tennis in a living room after that and he commented my serve was terrible.

What awaits me tonight?

Alamak moment resolved

2011-06-17T10:00:00.002+08:00

Almost every year for my birthday, I ask for the same thing. It's always Cd or Dvd. Haha back then when I was younger, I've spent a lot of money on buying albums. Then I grew older and my sister set this '4 CDs a year' rule. I didn't agree with it but somehow I obeyed it.

So yesterday, I've decided to get an album and a concert DVD. Ordered, all happy happy and then Kristy asked me a question, I check my orders and ALAMAKKKKKKK!! I ordered the wrong thing!!!!

Thank God YesAsia was nice enough to let me change my order hahaha. Phewwww

TV, Happiness shared by all the family?

2011-06-12T12:54:00.003+08:00

Oh really?

Dad gets to sit on a nice couch, mum's busy serving her family, Son gets to sit on a chair with back rest and daughter on a stool. Very happy eh?

Hot like snow

2011-06-04T21:05:00.002+08:00

Not sure if it's related to the terribly hot weather today but I almost fainted while I was shopping for groceries. It felt this intense force pressing on my head and suddenly I couldn't stand straight. My right knee starts to hurt and I can't stop yawning. Must be some bad blood circulation. It's not the first time something like that happened but it never fail to amaze me whenever it happens. I sleep and wake up early, drink lots of water and still my health condition is so terrible. I guess I really need to pick up tennis again ~~or at least Wii tennis~~. Who wants to play with me?

Talking about heat..Isn't it amazing that F1 drivers can withstand the 50'c to 60'c heat in the cockpit?

Waking up with you in my dreams

2011-06-03T10:33:00.003+08:00

I had a really bad sleep last night. I have this no air con policy and it was really hot last night. I finally gave in, switch on the ac and it became so cold although it was programed at 27'c with only one fan power.

So it's like hot cold hot cold and thats why I couldn't sleep. Thanks to the horrible sleep, I had a couple of really nice dreams.

I think if you sleep to peacefully, you won't be able to remember your dream heh.

The dream is kinda vivid right now. Haha lets just say someone said 'otsukaresamadeshita' (thank you for your hard work) to me in my dream and it's a wake up call that I totally do not deserve that because I've been procrastinating! It made me realize that everyone is working hard and I should too. =)

Bring it on assignments and revision! Lazy me's gonna meet her biggest rival soon!

I wonder why.

2011-06-02T21:23:00.001+08:00

Have you ever wondered why does extraordinary means very unusual or great? If you break up the two words, you'll get extra + ordinary.

extra = more, ordinary = normal. Doesn't that make extraordinary more normal than normal?

Slip it like Freud

2011-05-31T13:08:00.002+08:00

Saturday was 'Freudian slip' day. It started like that

R: Me v: Sis

R: Have u heard of James Patterson?

V: Ya. I have his books la..

R: No wonder his name sounds so familiar!

V: And I've borrowed his books from Moness (Monash)

R&V: *laughs*

R: Kisty (Kristy) told me to check whether big bookshop has his books.

V: Kisty?

R&V: *laughs*

And then during lunch, I wanted to order Old Town egg noodle.
R: One old down egg noodle.

R&V: *laughs*

Waiter: ....

Anyway..Have a great week ahead!

Killing three birds with one stone

2011-05-29T14:55:00.004+08:00

Last Wednesday, my friend Irene was complaining about the dim sum we have in Malaysia. She may be a Malaysian but growing up in Hong Kong has Hong Kee-fied her taste buds. My other friend Sha-lene and I decided to bring Irene to this star of the neighborhood dim sum restaurant. A Zara warehouse clearance and Big Bookshop moving out sale was about to take place too so we decided Friday will be a good day for such activity.

Pick the girls up and head out for some good old Hong Kong style dim sum. Nadia came and join us just when we're about to start nom-ing.

some of the dishes we selected

We found this stairs to nowhere

The warehouse sales and book sales were so attractive that I actually went a few trips. Some stuff I bought within this 3 days.

Zara's warehouse sale.. RM10 each!

book sales

Books, sand art, cheat one converse sneakers (Rm20 only) and another top from the warehouse sale

Letter to the 16 year old me

2011-05-24T21:34:00.001+08:00

Dear 16 year old Chong Ai Rene,

I'm writing this letter thinking that you might want to know what happened in the following 5 years of your life.

Right now, you're probably struggling to solve an equation in Additional Math's tuition. You must be wondering.."I do all my homework everyday but why I still can't score in add maths." And there's Chemistry and Biology that you just cannot do well in. Don't worry about it okay? Thanks to all that failure, today, you're very open minded when it comes to failing assignments. Some of your friends weep when they did not do well. But you, you're able to accept it and become motivated by it.

Don't feel that you're the stupid one in a class full of smart people. It's true that you did very badly for SPM but don't worry, because you made it into a world class university. Everyone was shocked by that including you haha. Your university was one of the top 50 universities in the world. The ranking dropped by a hundred spots after your first year. Not trying to imply that you're the one responsible for the drop in rankings heh.

Remember when you always tell your dad that you'll be the first female F1 driver? That did not happen within this five years. Haha but you manage to get a driver's license within the first try, without any money involve under the table. Everyone was shocked by that, especially your mum. Everyone expected you to fail but you did it. You did it because of some really lame joke by KinKi Kids. That joke came into your mind right before the test and it helped you relax. Soon, you'll realize that driving is not as fun as what you expected and F1 driver? You rather click on the F1 button on the keyboard.

Oh oh.. that South Korean boy band that you always praise "their Japanese song is so beautiful".. They're no longer one. They're now split into two groups and you un-fan them some time before the split took place. You still enjoy listening to their song though.

August 26,2006, you said that you intend to take up piano lessons again. But it did not happen in this 5 years time. You attended a charity concert for the survivors of the Tohoku earth-quake and your self esteem was killed by the piano performers. Kids..not even half of your age plays the piano so smoothly just like your typing skills. You may have the ear of a musician but you certainly do not have the talent of a musician.

On a different note, your friends are doing quite ok. You'll go for a food review with Clair, meet up with Kristy to celebrate Kochan's birthday + New Year.. They both struggled in looking for a job and I have a feeling you'll be like that too. Although it's been five years, you are still unsure of what you intend to do after graduating. Still so fickle minded. That doesn't change eh? And, you're still so anti social.

Your high school friends are all over the place. Estee is in Monash too but in Melbourne pursuing a degree in nursing, Ashton's in Russia doing medicine. Kim and Jackie are in M'sia but you won't be meeting them very often because everyone's very busy.

Remember how you always wanted to learn Japanese and visit Japan before you turn 20? You felt so annoyed whenever people tell you to study English first before learning Japanese. Don't worry about that. Five years later, you're already at the 'intermediate' level when it comes to Japanese. You've also visited Japan..after turning 20. You walked on the streets of Tokyo all by yourself, not worrying about any communication problem. You even own a J-blog that you put it a lot of effort in updating it.

By the way, are you checking you Friendster page right now? That favorite site of yours will turn into a site that you're embarrassed of. You even deleted your friendster account! Facebook is what you'll use. You don't really see it as a social networking site but as a place to play Bejeweled Blitz. Do you know you become super excited whenever you talk about Bejeweled Blitz?

That white Panasonic phone you're using right now? It's gonna die on you in 2 years time. 2008, you got yourself a one of a kind in Malaysia, Softbank phone. You really love that phone very much although it's just a very basic phone. Smart phones can't tempt you. And that iPod you will receive on your 17th birthday... it 'died' too. Water from your water bottle spilled on it when you were driving to university. You were really sad and try all sort of method to retrieve it. Your parents bought you and iPod touch a few months after that. Although it cannot be rescued, you still keep the iPod device, hoping that it will work again some day later.

You don't live in DJ anymore by the way. Your family has shifted to the next neighborhood. It's a very quiet place, just the way you like it but deep down, you miss your old house very much. You'll dream of it very often. And you're still dreaming about teeth falling off and that primary school friend of yours.

That shopping complex located opposite of your high school.. Apparently they'r gonna destroy and rebuild an office building instead. That's kinda sad because just like your old house, it has lots of memories of you, your family and friends. You'll spend lots of time in KFC studying biology with Kim and Ashton in 2007.

And....You have an imaginary dog named Ran living in your room haha.

From,

You in 2011

A Toast

2011-05-21T21:33:00.003+08:00

Today was my cousin's wedding reception. I am really happy for him that at one point I almost teared recalling all the bad things I did to him haha.

Back then when I was just a kid, my female cousins and my sister doesn't like to play with me. Maybe it's because I was one of the youngest grandchildren of the Chong family? I still remember that there was once they keep scaring me by saying that there's a tiger behind me! So bad right? haha I was really scared you know haha.

Whenever they gather around and play, I'll go and disturb this cousin who is nine years older than me.

There was this chocolate that I really hated. I told him that it's the best chocolate and I'll give him one. The moment he ate it and gave a 'funny taste' expression, I laughed at him.

He was reading a book on Winston Churchill and I'll disturb him by pronouncing 'Churchill' in a very funny accent.

And also when he had bruises due to playing sports, I would press it really really hard..If you think that's terrible.. I also always jump and then sit on his lap.

The day before leaving to London,I went to his house and play music and games on his laptop. I think I was experimenting the laptop's battery haha.

Such a horrible cousin ain't I? haha Maybe thats why other cousins doesn't want to play with me..hmmm

Anyway! I hope that my cousin and cousin in law will lead a wonderful life in London!

Good night!

2011-05-14T11:07:00.002+08:00

I have this no switch on air-con policy in my room because it's a waste to switch it on for a room that has one person inside. But the weather has been terribly hot lately and I always wake up as if I've just ran a marathon. To save electricity (plus some cockroach issues in my sister's room), I told her to come and cram into my room.

From this...

To this! haha

Rilakkuma has a special 'right' in my room. They get half of the bed so we had to bring in another matress hehe.

horrible weather

2011-05-11T21:18:00.003+08:00

Hate it when lecturers give extension!! Even hearing the word makes me feel lazy.
I hate it even more when I was defeated by the lazy side of me. AHHHHH. Installing Stay Focusd for Chrome so I don't spend too much time on Bejeweled Blitz!

On a very different note, one thing that I really like about communication studies is I get to learn about fandom and audience. It answers so many questions that I have been wondering about all these years. If I'm attending graduate school, I'll definitely research about fandom. Haha I think I'm turning into a fan of fandom studies hehe.

Talking about future, I'm in my last year of a bachelor degree and everyone's asking me "What do you intend to do in the future?". I don't know! It's so vague. I don't see myself as a journalist, definitely not study material, PR? I don't like to deal with people.. Ahh, I have a feeling that I'm just making up excuses for myself.

The weather has been really terribly hot lately! Please take good care of yoursel!

Laughing over the same old joke

2011-05-10T11:37:00.002+08:00

Every week before Japanese class, my sensei will ask about how was our week. So I told her that I failed an assignment. She ask why and I said I did it half heartedly, thats why. She was really shocked to hear that. "Wow, there is actually something that you don't take seriously?"

Haha It's very funny cause my family at home conversely, thinks that I don't take anything seriously... Which I think is very true.

I am such a two faced person haha.

Random thought of the day: There's no expiry date for me when it comes to jokes.

Year 1125

2011-05-05T20:22:00.002+08:00

Came across this Past Life analysis from Clair's blog

Want to know yours too? Click here!

Waking up with you in my dreams AGAIN!

2011-05-05T16:57:00.002+08:00

This afternoon, I have reaffirmed myself that choosing law over a writing subject is a wise decision. For someone who interpret things very literally and shallow minded at the same time, writing subjects are just far too abstract for me. I failed my Authorship & Writing assignment in case anyone is wondering haha. I don't feel very disappointed because I've sort of expected it and it's not my first time failing an assignment. And it's also my fault for wanting to finish doing it for the sake of finish it. I should have asked for an extension as I have a valid reason. But there's no point thinking about it now. I'm gonna turn all that 'what if's' into motivation!

On a different note, I've learned something interesting today. There's this female author named Marguerite Duras who is really controlling, manipulative and possessive. She would make her readers read or watch her work the way she wants it to be interpreted. If not, you won't be able to make sense of what she writes/directs. Interesting ey?

And a little note to my repressed memories. If u wish to make a comeback, please return in an obvious way. I don't wanna spend my entire day thinking about it. Thank you! I really don't like the idea that there is something my brain knows and I am completely unaware of.

no-no-no

2011-04-29T14:17:00.004+08:00

Sorry about the lack of updates! I'm suppose to be on a week long mid semester break but I have two assignments due on the same day next week. I wonder who sets all these due dates..

Royal wedding today! I'm happy for the Royal Couple but honestly, one of the local TV station here is a bit too excited about it. They have sent their reporters to England last week or two weeks ago. Every evening when I switch on the news, there's a corner dedicated to the Royal Wedding. At one point, I thought that the Royal couple has wedded. That tv station also created a guest book for audiences to sign their wishes and a Wedding Wall for people to submit their wedding picture. I get the excitement, but chill!!!

One good news this week! The faculty of law has accepted my application. So I'll be taking one law elective next semester! I hope it's a good decision. I really need to work hard to build on my GPA.

Ahh.. Happy Weekend!

Biting more than I can chew

2011-04-25T12:01:00.003+08:00

Note to self:
No overspending, and a bigger no to overindulging!
If I can resist a slice of cake or a scoop of ice cream, a DS or anything else that I don't need will not tempt me. =)

And I'm breaking the habit tonight

2011-04-21T21:09:00.003+08:00

Wednesday was a horrible day for me. My immune system decided to have a very sudden protest on me. Hot, cold, sleepy, nausea, weak legs... I am suddenly feeling everything. I'm still wondering how did I manage to drive back from uni. Anywa, chucked down a couple of pills and I'm much better now.

Hmm.. recently I felt that text messages or tweets that ends with the letters LOL is really annoying. The content is not even funny in the first place! Whats with the laugh out loud? Then I realize I like to end my sentences with hehe or haha. Is that annoying? Maybe I should fix that.

Anyway, an early Good Friday to those celebrating the day =)

It's a bird story

2011-04-17T21:31:00.002+08:00

Yesterday while I was doing my Japanese homework in my sister's room, my sister came and sat next to me. It was quite chilly that morning so she had her jacket on. I noticed some white spots on the jacket and I then I ask her "Is that bird droppings?" and immediately a bird flew into my sister's room, through her door. Apparently the bird flew into my house from another window haha.

I was the one who notice it and screamed "AHH BIRD!!"

The bird was banging against the window really hard obviously it's trying to get out but doesn't know that its a closed window. And then some choc-chip look alike object(?) and some papaya seed just come falling from the bird.

And I screamed again "AHH NIAO DA BIAN!!" (bird's droppings in Chinese)

No idea why my sister went and hide behind her door haha.

I knew that I had to open the window but I was really worried that it might attack me or throw some poop on me or something. Then I realize..it's probably easier to clean bird droppings compared to the dead body of a bird who died of haemorrhage.

Opened the window and that bird with a bad tummy flew away.

Don't tempt them

2011-04-12T12:58:00.003+08:00

The current snatch thief trend in Malaysia is like this : *points video below*

In a week, my dad witness two of such incidents. After hearing his story, I went to Daiso to get a Window Protective Sheet. I don't think it's gonna be useful but it makes me feel a little safer. Pasted it and my car's window now looks less attractive because I'm the one who pasted it! It will look like a different thing if my sister was the one who paste it.

I usually put my handbag on the carpet(?) of the passenger seat. It may be safer compared to putting it on the passenger seat but I guess it's better to not tempt the snatch thieves. Prevention is better than cure.

It's a bit troublesome but I think it might be better to put handbags and laptops in the car boot when you're driving. But don't forget to take it out! Someone might bang your car boot or hook open your car boot. true story.

Let me have a sweet dream tonight!

2011-04-10T21:02:00.003+08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was taught about psychoanalysis theories on literature. Ever since that lecture, I've been trying to psychoanalyze myself and because of that I haven't been sleeping very well lately.

And the depressing part is, I won't be able to find out what am I repressing because it's being repressed.

Anyway a quick intro on Psychoanalysis.

Sigmund Frued said that your repressed memories or unfulfilled desires usually comes back to you either through dreamwork, parapraxis/Freudian slips or certain compulsive behaviors. Yes, its the return of the repressed! It comes back to you all the time unconsciously, just that you won't notice it because it comes back in a different form.

For example, you witness a murder in a tulip field while the song 'Umbrella' was playing in the background. It's so traumatic that you couldn't remember about it. The thing about the brain is it automatically shuts off over traumatic memories in order for the owner(?) to move on with life. It's like a defense mechanism.

Maybe you'll dream about tulips and wake up feeling really uncomfortable or whenever you hear the 'ey ey, umbrella-ella-ella' you might cry or something, but you just don't know why.

That's why we're always dreaming about being chased , being late or searching for something.

Not sure is this related to psychoanalysis but I keep having Deja-vu moments lately. March 10th, Hanshin earthquake suddenly pops out from my mind. And the next day, although not in Osaka and Kobe, there is indeed an earthquake.

March 12th, the word 'funeral' comes into my mind all of a sudden and indeed there was a funeral the next day.

April 8th, the word 'nuke' keep appearing in my dreams!! I was even wearing this t-shirt that has the word 'nuke' printed on it. The next day while researching for my journalism assignment, I found out that Fox news actually use the word 'nuke power plants' instead of nuclear power plants. Up till yesterday, I've never came across the word 'nuke' in my entire life! I don't watch Fox news because its faux and I don't even know what nuke means!

Hmm..I don't know. Shall dig deeper into psychoanalysis and see what I'll learn about it!

Robinson

2011-04-08T20:14:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the lack of updates! The past two weeks has been really hectic for me. I have 3 assignments, 2 online postings and a draft. All I did was read, type, read, type, read type with a lot of procrastination in between haha. At one point, I began questioning myself. Am I being stubborn for not asking for an extension? I was really worried because one of the assignment is worth 50% of the course marks and it's a literature subject. For someone who take things very literally, literature is definitely not my forte.

Thank God I didn't ask for an extension because I would probably be struggling with it right now. =) The moment I drop the essay into my lecturer's pigeon hole, I felt so relieved. I can finally start playing Bejeweled Blitz again!! (That was the very first thought that came to my mind)

Tomorrow, I'm gonna get myself a Strawberry and ice cream crepe to reward myself!

Time to change?

2011-03-29T12:32:00.003+08:00

Judging from the content and length of my entries... I'm thinking to switch to micro-blogging. Hmm.. I don't know. I've been blogging at blogspot under The Rene Report since 2004. Contributed nothing to the world
Sheesh, my super old entries are so annoying!!

-Who starts their blog post with Yoz! or Heyz! Whats with the excessive 'z'
- I use to think that 3GB is huge storage space.
-I use to spell expensive as expansive.
-I use the word 'chun' a lot. (something or someone that is really good/skillful/cool)

Thought of the day

2011-03-28T15:15:00.002+08:00

It's ironic that the smarter you become, the stupider you are. Whats the point of getting a degree when you can't even dispose your own garbage. I feel that way all the time I enter the uni's library and cafeteria. Candy wrappers, plastic bottles, plastic cups, soda cans... Is it so hard to just throw it into the garbage bin? Is it so hard to put your meal plates into the designated area?? It's not time consuming and it's not even a hard task that requires a PhD or something.

My friends said that its a Malaysian mentality.. Hope not.

I just want to sleep

2011-03-27T12:30:00.004+08:00

Maybe I should really consider changing this blog's name to The Rene's Random Rant of the Day.

Today's rant is about being the youngest in the family. Being the youngest means that you are/ in charge of:

1. Technician of the house. Something is wrong with the TV, PC, Karaoke, Astro, Wii, telephone... RENE!!!

2. Cockroach and bugs terminator. Hasta la vista, Baby.

3. Youngest and still a student. If the maid is not around, I'm in charge of cleaning.

4. Take the blame for everything. Moms have a skillful way of turning the blame on you.

5. They ask you to cook. You cooked and they'll be like "What's that? I don't dare to eat."

6. If the family is eating out, the youngest one is in charge of brainstorming where would or what food would be good for dinner. They'll be like "up to you" and you suggest something they don't like, they'll rebut you like a one sided debate.

7. Someone coming back late? My job to wait for them to come back before going to bed.

8. Say something you think is smart but sounds stupid to those older than you.

Love/Hate you

2011-03-24T15:55:00.002+08:00

Sigmund Freud is.. I don't know? He 'hunts' us almost every semester whether its a psychology, communication or writing subject. His psychoanalysis theory is very interesting. It makes me want to find out what am I repressing unconsciously. Maybe that's the I have this OCD of washing my feet every 15 minutes or so. Why am I always dreaming about the same thing? Why am I dreaming of this? Why do I like Japanese food and not Mexican food? Why I don't like to study? Why do I rant so much? Why am I such a 2-faced person? Why do I have the habit of sticking out my tongue or sometimes bite my lips when I'm concentrating on something? Why Freud why?

But I won't be able to find out by myself because it lies deep in the unconscious. That's the hate part.

My random rant of the day.

The big Dee

2011-03-19T22:43:00.002+08:00

Last Friday, my course coordinator send the entire faculty an e-mail regarding a new elective subject will be available next semester.It's a law subject. (Malaysian and Singaporean Constitutional Systems)

At one point of my life, I thought of studying law. When I saw that, I was like ehh... it might be an interesting subject. But!! it's 100% exam based which is so not my thing. ~~because I don;t like to study~~

Currently, I've choosen Screen theories as my elective next semester. It's also quite a heavy subject with a friendly but yet scary lecturer. "Don't ever plagiarize, you have no idea how many books I've read" The moment he said that, my friend and I had goosebumps. My friend thinks that the lecturer reads 10 books a day. And I'm quite convinced by that.

Ahh.. noir films or law? mini mini maini mo

And I woke up tonight

2011-03-16T21:21:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the MIA lately. I've been terribly busy lately. Over the weekend, I was very occupied with my grandmother's funeral. I was the guardian angel of the money box. Very important mission you know. I have to sit with it the whole 2 days and not leave it alone. Al of us were more relief than grief. My grandmother was someone really tough and strong, full of anger. There were several times death came knocking but eventually when off. She has so much anger and so stubborn that even when she's weak, she still curse people. She's 90 and she can't walk, think and eat properly. It's a relief that she's finally letting go because she's in so much pain. I took some pictures of the wake, funeral and all. Not gonna upload here. It's all on facebook.

My grandmother accepted Christ about 6 years ago, so the funeral was Christian style and pastor from my uncle church came and host the wake. It was kinda awkward cause I use to attend Sunday School in that church 10 years ago. And everyone was like HEY, I recognize you. How are you, are you still going to church etc etc. The kind of question I really hate to answer.

But, everything went out really smooth and the family got a little closer because of this event. I really hope that my grandmother is able to rest in peace.

PS: The price of dying is so expensive.

Now that's two different dreams..again

2011-03-08T08:48:00.003+08:00

There are 2 dreams that I often dream about. I guess it's pretty common cause I've heard stories from my friends that they dreamed about the same kind of thing too. ~~referring to Kristy~~

The first one is the losing teeth dream. And its always more than one tooth. This morning I 'lose' like 80% of the bottom teeth. It felt really real and quite scary at the same time.

Did some Googling and there's some theory about teeth falling. You can click HERE to read more.

Another dream is about my primary school classmate. It's been 9 years and I've never seen, talk or even keep in contact with him but he keeps appearing. We're not even close in the first place. The funny thing is he looks exactly the same as 9 years ago. I probably couldn't recognize him if I see him on the street..I guess? haha

I have yet to find any theories about that dream..any take?

Year 3

2011-03-05T09:01:00.003+08:00

Was expecting JLPT results but this came to me instead. ~~a cert can't buy me~~

Anyway! third year has started and it's only the first week but every lecturer is talking about assignments! One subject that I'm very concerned about is Authorship and Writing. It's the hardest subject in the entire Art's faculty. But I have to take it because its a core subject. And the failure rate is 10%. Thats why I have to spend my weekend with poets from the Romanticism. Definitely not a fun thing.

But I'm definitely looking forward to learn more about this subject. First week was WOW! I didn't know so many things. We learned about authors from ancient Greek culture to the Medieval and then print culture and copyrights. The lecturer's really friendly and funny but has this aura that makes me scared. Haha especially when he was talking about plagiarism. "Don't plagiarize, you have no idea how many books I've read".

As for other subjects, the same lecturers are teaching..so Yay! They're like the angels of extension and they're very willing to help students. ~~makes me feel bad for not paying attention in class~~

Hello, Is it me you're looking for?

2011-03-04T08:50:00.002+08:00

Haven't been updating my blog lately haha. Too busy with the other one. I use to be really proud to make it into the current university I'm in. But lately, I'm so glad that I'm a third year student already. Studying any longer will just make me feel that this university is no different from any other corporate.

Now that's two different dreams

2011-02-24T10:19:00.006+08:00

Last night/this morning I had two very funny dreams. So interesting that I force myself to wake up, write it down so I won't forget the content of it and then back to sleep.

The first one was about Kim, Ashton and I went on some 'Sweets' marathon. We started with gelato, then custard pudding, baumkuchen. We visited a chocolatier and there were some professionals tempering chocolates. After chocolates, we head to this Japanese style cafe named Giants for some pound cake, short cake and tea. The waiters and waitresses of Giants are dressed in Yomiuri Giants pro baseball uniform, not the Giant super market ya. I probably got the Giants idea from the book that I've just finished yesterday. And guess what was the custard pudding's shop's name? BATA! Yes as in Bata, the shoe shop. But there's no shoes involved in the dream haha.

Mi Amigos!

I guess I've been watching way too many patissier related shows lately. I finish 63 episodes of Yumeiro Patissiere (anime) in less then 2 weeks. And there's Chonmage Purin, a movie about a samurai who time traveled to current Tokyo and found out that he's actually quite skillful at pastry making.

The next dream was a medley of scenes from a collection of Japanese movies and dramas. Some scenes that appeared in my dream did not exist in real TV world. But most of it does la. One image that appeared several times was the Zen statue (?) that appeared in Chonmage Purin. I don't know why it appeared so many times. I woke up, opened my eyes and I saw the statue's head right in front of my eyes. I close eyes and open it again and it's still there. Quickly close my eyes again and I was like Shit! What is that??? Open my eyes but this time a little calmer and realize that the 'head' is actually the ear of the plush toy Rilakkuma I'm hugging.

THIS!

This is what I saw la. But it was really dark that time so the color sort of looked like the Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army. It was really scary la. Felt so stupid when I realize it's just the bear's ear.

It reminded me of the time when I got scared by my vintage sling bag. It was a Friday night and I was watching this Korean variety program called 1 Night 2 Days. Best TV program ever! Anyway, the director told them that if they manage to capture a UFO on an analog camera, they'll be given like 1 Million dollars worth of lunch money. They really wanted the money, one person threw a bottle cap up while someone distract the director, another one took the picture and others try to block the director's view.

The "I saw the UFO" expression of one of the guys was so convincing that I kept thinking about UFO that night. When I hop on to my bed, I realize that my bag was standing on my study table, facing me directly. I was like "What if it's UFO?". Couldn't sleep and had to hide the bag inside the wardrobe. Told my sister about it the next morning and she was like stupid la you. hahaha

Hmm?

2011-02-22T21:13:00.001+08:00

Sometimes my determination scares me. 3 hours non stop of Bejeweled Blitz.. seriously??

Diggin' those books

2011-02-21T15:09:00.002+08:00

My very final week of semester break is finally here! Am I ready to go back to uni? Hmm.. maybe.

Last week, I told my sister about my plans for this week. "I'm going to revise for the upcoming semester and study for Saturday's Japanese test". And she gave me that "Unbelievable SK-II" face. After fixing that dropped jaw, she said " But you don't even study for JLPT!" or was it "But you usually study last minute..." Sorry that I have a lazy face. haha

And the answer

2011-02-13T21:49:00.002+08:00

Jeng jeng! Lazy to take a picture of it so I'll just Google that 'tool' heh.

Eye glass/mask(?) chocolate!

Guess who visited my house the other day?

Hello! Hope you had fun

Can someone teach me how to arrange things nicely? I manage to transform this

to this

But I still feel its messy. Anyone have a good way of storing CDs and DVDs that comes in different thickness??

Question?

2011-02-10T11:41:00.003+08:00

Last night, SOMEONE said that I'm a lazy bum hmph! But it's true la haha I admit that. The lazy side of me is my biggest rival ever. IIsh.

Anyway, this morning while I was brushing my teeth, I notice some water droplets on my hand and suddenly thought about this. What color is water? Is it colorless? If its colorless, why is it visible to the eye? Air is colorless as well but why we can't see it? Because it's less dense and lighter? But it's more abundant right? Hmmm.. the lazy side of me decided not to go and Google it. haha

On a different note.. quiz time! haha

Guess how was this photo taken! no prizes for that hehe

Efficient-nya

2011-02-09T21:58:00.002+08:00

Haha these couple of days have been pretty good. Yesterday. I finally went to the post office to send out long due parcel, photos and post cards. Hopefully it reaches who it should reach soon and safely! Went to the bank and banked in my angpau money. Read about 30+ pages of the book I bought from Tokyo. And today, I finish off my Japanese homework (I usually do it a day before class), cleaned and rearranged my wardrobe. It is now color coordinated haha. Surprisingly I actually have quite a lot of blue clothes. Hmm.. And I manage to finish off whatever that I plan to do. Whoo! I even had the time to watch TV.. not bad haha.

Tomorrow's mission is to rearrange by CD shelf! It's like a metropolis in there. Poor CDs trapped in a shelf as if it's a train during the rush hour. Must use space efficiently!

If only everyday is efficient day.

Tokyo Trip part 3

2011-02-08T15:58:00.000+08:00

The fifth day in Tokyo was a Saturday and knowing that I’m interested in picking up some Edo facts, my host family brought me down town to Asakusa and Ryougoku! There are about 20 images here, so I’ll resize it at 240x320 ya.

I like this picture! It tells you the place ‘Edo dori’ (Edo street), you can see the Tokyo Sky Tree and the gold object. As a fan of KinKi Kids, there’s only one thing that I can think of when I see that gold object. Four letters, it begins with a ‘u’ and ends with an ‘o’ Sigh....

Hello Asakusa!

The infamous Kaminarimon with my host mother. It was quite crowded that day as it was a Saturday. Everyone was so busy taking pictures of the Thunder Gate haha.

Kaminarimon

Walk pass the Kaminarimon and you’ll see stores selling all sorts of stuff from key chains, maneki neko, tea pots, tengu’s mask, swords and even wigs!

Masks! Tengu’s (red long nose) my favorite one.

Did someone say that Domoto Koichi was here?

Need some motivation? Get a daruma doll

Maneki neko

Try spotting the mannequin in a chonmage on top of the roof. Come to think about it, I should have bought a chonmage back haha

Not a rare sight in Asakusa

This is taken in front of Sensouji with my host father and host brother. Nihongo is really complicated eh? 浅草 is pronounced as Asakusa and if it’s 浅草寺, it’s pronounced as Sensouji. The wonders of Kanji!

Sensouji~

Everyone was totally inhaling the smoke and some was brushing it on their hair. The smoke is believed to bring you luck and those unwell will feel better after inhaling it. I don’t quite believe in it but did so anyway cause I was really desperate to get better.

Good luck smoke?

Time for some Omikuji! Put in 100-en and shake the container, invert it upside down and a chopstick-like object with a number on it will fall out from the hole. My number was 78.

“I wonder what does 78 says”

Open the drawer with the number 78 written on it and take a piece of paper inside the drawer.

Hmmm....ok?

Don’t understand what it says? They have the English translation printed at the back whooo!

“The highest, excellent fortune”

Okonomiyaki lunch was right after that. Was still feeling unwell so I didn’t really eat much. om nom nom

Sizzling hot okonomiyaki

Right after lunch, my host parents and I head over to the Edo Tokyo Museum located in Ryougoku.

Ironically very contemporary looking exterior

Opposite of the museum, there’s this school and in front of the school, there’s this statue. I’m not sure who is it but it kinda reminded me of Urashima Taro

Urashima Taro ka?

There were lots of things in the museum! I’ll probably dedicate an entry for that. In the mean time, just one picture haha. Back then during the Edo period, houses were built using wood thus when one caught a fire, it spreads like a wildfire. Edo was repeatedly devastated by fire and one of the most serious incident is the “Great Fire of Mireiki” which killed about 100,000 people.

Anyway, the tool I carried is known as the ‘Matoi’ It is used by firemen to notify people of a fire nearby or within a building.

It weighs 15 kilos if you’re wondering.

Okay, so when you’re in Ryougoku what is that something/someone that you MUST see? O-sumo san of course! The tickets were really expensive so you might want to settle with watching it on NHK.

O-sumo san tachi taking a stroll?

These are the Sumo nobori flags. Really colorful eh? By the way, Sumo wrestlers have really interesting names. If you want to learn Kanji, you can look into Sumo wrestler’s names.

Now wave your flag

After visiting Ryougoku, we went home. Guess what is for dinner? *cue sushi kuinee song* My host mother made the maki sushi while host father made the nigiri sushi. It was really really tasty!! On par as the restaurants we have here.

Maki sushi

Nigiri sushi

To be continue...

Take a break

2011-01-31T15:51:00.003+08:00

Hello hello! Gonna take a break from the Tokyo updates and here's some recent updates.

First of all, please vote for my entry for ANA's contest

This is my picture haha I wanted to take e a Nara inspired photo but my reindeer hair band broke!! and my sister even suggested 'Okinawa no Umigame' picture haha
and as much as I love Tokyo... Osaka is the place I want to be. *insert KFC that's where I want to be song*
Anyway, CLICK HERE to go to ANA's fb page and join!And HERE to vote for me! Please vote for me! Probably very hard to get into the top but please vote for me ya =) So I don't have to eat Takoyaki made of recycled materials haha.
Anyway a quick update on what am I up to lately.

Reading! currently reading my very first all Japanese book ~~besides text book~~ Let's just say I'm thankful that I didn't buy Kangerou (a Japanese novel) when I was in Tokyo.

Super bad hair day. Nope, I'm not blowing my hair haha.. was haha it's like Jin's Gokusen hair in a not so stylo way?

And.. the thing about staying at home is you lost the sense of time. CNY this week and I'm still not feeling it.

Tokyo Trip part 2

2011-01-28T13:26:00.001+08:00

It’s really funny that geographically speaking, Malaysia is only 1.5 time zones away from Japan and am I undergoing what people call a jet lag??

Third day and still barely alive. But I felt that I’ve wasted one day yesterday so I should at least walk around the neighborhood today.

Breakkie of the day. Rice, omu and *cue Tegomass’ miso soup song*.

Nerima city!

After breakfast, I started my adventure. I went to Homepic which sells a huge variety of stuff from DIY to food. I wanted to get a square fry pan to cook tamagoyaki but somehow I forgot! AHH. I shall just stick to not-in-shape tamagoyaki next time.

Next destination was the super market and 7-11 to hunt for some omiyage.

very bad hair day

This is me half alive, after a ‘fight’ with the flight. I had to at least take a picture because I really like the Nordic top I wore (can’t really see in the picture). Should have save it when I’m feeling better.

Strawberry shortcake

I had Strawberry Shortcake for lunch at a pastry shop nearby. It was really good!! I was feeling sick and this cake actually appeals to me. Must be some super cake. I manage to finish the whole thing but sadly, I ended up vomiting everything out.

Walked around the town, bought some super strong motion sickness medicine, came back watch tv, fast forward to dinner time!

oishii bangohan

I’m not sure what is dish called but it was REALLY GOOD! Appetite has not fully recovered but I still manage to nom some stuff down.

rice and hotate

Mushroom rice, mochi-ish dish and hotate (scallop). The hotate was a huge challenge for me. And yes, I got chocked by it. Had to pull it out from my throat.

I was feeling 20% better on the fourth day so I decided to go to Ueno’s Ameyoko today. I didn’t know that Ueno was so far compared to Shinjuku or Shibuya. More info and pictures on Ameyokocho can be found HERE

Ameyoko

“Ameyoko is a busy market street along the Yamanote line tracks between Okachimachi and Ueno Station, the site of a black market after World War Two.”

I like this place!! Things are quite reasonably priced here. I saw the exact same items in Asakusa and it’s about 20-30 yen cheaper in Ameyoko. So before visiting Asakusa, you might wanna visit Ameyoko first. The people there were quite friendly too. They were like “Gong Hei Fatt Choi, Xin nian kuai le” (Chinese New Year greetings) to me. They also keep mistaken me as a China tourist.

cheap cheap watches

Guess how much did I pay for these 2 pair of watches? Less then 2000-en in total! Totally love the Kanji watch but its slightly oversize for me. And there’s a story behind the other watch haha. I was at the watch store, pointed to that watch and the guy was like “are you sure you want this one? *points at another model* this is the most popular model right now” I insisted that yes I want this watch and turns out that this is the only stock left. ~~should have asked for a discount since it’s a display~~ and he replied “ woahh you’re really lucky, today must be your lucky day” Oh really? I hope so too.

And for dinner~

curry rice style="font-style:italic;">To be continue...

Tokyo Trip part 1

2011-01-25T12:18:00.001+08:00

Finally the long awaited Tokyo Trip report! Sorry it took me so long to update. I was having some major adaptation problem back home. Suddenly I’m dehydrated, migraines, back problem etc. Anyway, enough of the rants, story now.

Back then on the 11th of January, I board Air Asia’s flight D72652 to Tokyo. During the first half of the flight, everything was really good. I read the magazine, flip through their pamphlets, read the emergency guide throughly.. I was like “Hey, I can totally take this to London”.

Danny Choo spotted on the AirAsia’s in flight magazine

Hmm..perhaps I’ve sort of jinxed myself? The later half of the journey was horrible! I vomited four times in four hours time. That’s a new record for me. It’s probably not AirAsia’s fault because everyone seems okay except for me. Anyway, before puking, check your airsickness bag. I’m pretty sure you don’t want a bag with a hole.. like me. ~~don’t ask~~

Around 10PM local time, my plane landed at Haneda airport. We had to take this bus thing from the plane to the airport and it was SOOOOOOOO cold! Pass through the immigration, grab my luggage, greeted by the nation’s favorite boys and the challenge starts here! I have to head to Edogawa-ku by myself with luggage that weighs about 20kilos.

Arashi says irrashaimase

Just as I walk to the arrival hall, someone called my name. I was like “should I turn back?” I did and it was my cousin. I was totally shocked and didn’t expect him to come. Switched on my phone and realize I was flooded with text messages from home informing me that my cousin will be waiting for me at the airport.

Made my very first purchase, which was the PASMO card, transferred several lines, walked here and there and very big thanks to my cousin, I manage to reach my hotel at Edogawa-ku safely, still feeling sick. Thank you very much for the crash course on Tokyo’s train system.

My ‘touch-and-go’ card

Checked in to Mizue Daiichi Hotel which is located just outside of the Mizue station. I book a room via Airasia and the price is really reasonable. I paid like RM183 for one night which is about 5000-en. There’s a book shop right next to the hotel which I think is open 24 hours? Not exactly sure about that. It was open when I reach there (midnight) and it was also open when I left (morning).

Here’s how the single room looked like

The next morning, I’m scheduled to meet my host family at Kamishakujii station, Nerima-ku. Had to transfer about three trains to get there. Is it me or the elevators are really hidden or there are not elevators at some stations? I had to carry my luggage up the stairs and a swarm of people just ran passed me. Wasn’t expecting anyone to help and this really nice obaachan helped me lift my luggage and ask whether I’m ok. To that lady, thank you so much for helping me!

Skipped breakfast cause the sight and scent of food just turns me off! Anything that goes in, liquid or solid will ended up floating into the ocean via my mouth. I was terribly sick and perhaps anemic? Totally did not expect that. It is very important to prepare yourself for every worst case scenario. Remember, what can go wrong, will go wrong!

Met my host mother at the Kamishakujii station and then walked to their house. My host mother prepared a mochi dish for me. I couldn’t finish it cause I wasn’t feeling well. Ate a little and went to sleep.

My very first meal in Tokyo

To be continue...

Monami

2011-01-11T07:30:00.001+08:00

A very random entry today haha

this is what I did when I was 17. haha. The only part about Biology that I love is counting genetics but I wonder why was I distracted?

Cold cold cold!!

2011-01-07T09:30:00.003+08:00

It's so cold lately that I don't feel like I'm in Malaysia. I understand its the raining season but.. it feels like I'm in the lecture theater 24/7. You see I think my house's water heater is solar based? So if the weather's cold especially in the morning, I gotta shower cold water.

A couple of days ago while I was showering, my palm turned really pale and there's this really weird numb sensation. Had to use the hair dryer to blow my hand haha. Some days, I had to 'warm up' before going to shower. Had to run up run down run here run there.

Then I realize that my cold resistant level is really low so.. I have to bring that oversize coat borrowed from my aunt to Japan. I don't care anymore if it doesn't match my boots or it has a pair of shoulder pads inside. =( I also bought a pair of cheesy looking leg warmers from Daiso haha ..Warmth comes first!

New Year resolutions!
1. Find out what I really want to do. I have some things in my mind but I'm not too sure
2. Start working on assignments at least 2 weeks prior to the due date.
3. Keep a diary
4. Improve in Japanese
5. Spend less time on Bejeweled Blizt
6. At least a distinction for my average marks, increase GPA
7. Read more
8. Spend more time playing the Wii Fit
9. Spend less money
10. Be a nicer person

It will be hard ~~especially the 10th one~~ but I'll work hard for it!

HNY!

2010-12-31T23:41:00.002+08:00

Happy New Yearrrr! I know its not New Year yet over here but I'll most probably be sleeping around that time so, Happy New Year in advance! haha

It's Koichi's birthday! But I won't be writing any birthday wishes here, so head over to Shoujiki Shindoi to receive some birthday-ness

New Year resolutions? I'll post it once I've compiled everything haha.

May the New Year be an even better year for you! Yes you! heee

Oh-Zee

2010-12-30T17:16:00.001+08:00

Not asking you to go oh si, but is it Australia day today or something? First came Jessica's Xmas card then Azusa's followed by dinner later with Estee who came back from Aussie last month. hmm

Of bears and Ice cream

2010-12-29T15:43:00.003+08:00

I manage to get my lazy butt to jog a little bit, a very random text message from Jessica asking me to have a great day, finally done editing the birthday video, nephew came and visit and said that I have nice hair, my favorite song playing right now with a hot cup of tea next to me.. Ahhh

Anyway! Last Wednesday, I met up with Kristy, who is in town for her cousin's wedding and family Xmas gathering. Firstly we had lunch at Yuzu. A new Japanese restaurant in KLCC. I assume its new cause there were flowers around the entrance. It was during the lunch hour so we had to wait for about 20 minutes to get a seat. Food was really good and the set lunch is really worth it. I should have ordered it haha

After lunch, we head to the post office to send a Ferrari. Harrods right after that! ~~no money to go to London's Harrods~~

Oh Mr. Big green teddy!

Walked around and then head to Kinokuniya to pick up Kristy's magazines. A total of 13 magazines! It's like books for a Japanese crash course haha

This is my favorite! haha Where can I get that poncho?

And the main event of the day! Haha something that we've decided to make as a tradition

Best gift ever??

2010-12-26T12:40:00.003+08:00

Very very bad idea to try on the winter jacket during noon. Dizzy..

Anyway! Happy belated Christmas! Christmas this year was ok la. I don't remember since when I've stopped looking forward to Xmas. On the night of Xmas eve, while waiting for my sister to come back from church, I didn't even feel that Xmas is just in a couple of hours. The most Xmas-ey thing I did was saying good night to Santa Claus on an Xmas card. No idea why I did that haha. And I've also watched an Xmas special TV program. Not so much of an Xmas person I guess?

Despite being not so Xmas-ey, I still receive a couple of wishes, cards and gifts. Lazy to list names out but you know who you are. Thanks a lot! heeeee Really awesome gifts this year <3

And guess what is the 'best' thing that happened during Xmas? My laptop hard disc crashed. I was just about to back it up and it decided to give up on me. I was really angry at myself for not backing it up any sooner. Now I need to redo my video and finish it before New Year. Busy week ahead.

I've been ranting so much these days. Something more cheerful will come soon! haha
Happy Boxing Day!

Inventing My Own iPad Application for Maxis

2010-12-25T13:46:00.005+08:00

Meet Patchi Botchi, the brainchild of mine if to invent an iPad app for Maxis. The name Patchi Botchi does not mean anything specifically. I just want something that sounds catchy haha.

Basically, this app is for people who are tired of their wardrobe malfunctioning or people who just don't get dress codes such as smart formal, smart casual etc. You'll save a whole lot of time if you have this application because it thinks what to wear for you.

Firstly, you need to create an account. The second step is a little troublesome cause you have to input information of the clothes you have into your iPad. Once the data is stored, you don't have to do it again.

After logging in, it looks something like this.

Just key in whatever information you have

Click submit and tadaaaa~

Scroll down..scroll down

There will be three suggested coordinations for you to choose from. Once you've decided which coordination you would like to use, click on it and automatically it will be saved into your Look Book. You can also browse your friend's Look Book and get a rough idea what will they be wearing. I'm sure you don't wanna end up wearing the same outfit as your friend!

Anyway, do you know that iPads are now available through Maxis? Check out Maxis' Data Plan for iPad

For more information, click here!

This is an entry for Inventing My Own iPad Application for Maxis. Contest ends next 17 January~ Who knows, you might be the lucky one to win an iPad! Hurry and participate!

It takes one to tell one

2010-12-22T10:06:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the lack of updates! I've been sick and buzy for the past few days. It started from last Monday. My attempt to make a strawberry shortcake failed very epicly.

the cake did not raise properly

so I transform them into this

When I was washing up all the baking utensils, my shoulder and leg felt funny. Its like there's this thread/string/nerve? connecting the shoulder and leg and that string was being pulled very intensely. Felt dizzy and almost collapsed. With all my strength I ran up to the nearest room to get some rest. I was breathing very rapidly. I think my brain was probably effected as well? Haha it didn't cross my mind to just lie down at the sofa which was so much nearer compared to the room.

Down with fever that night. Then sore throat the next few days. And then cough, followed by a complete voice loss. Thank God my family was able to sort of understand what I was trying to 'say'. My sister was like "this is the time you should speak in Kansai ben"(Kansai ben is somehow very easy to understand even though you don't speak the language) And then Monday, I had food poisoning. Like seriously? One year worth of sickness took place in one whole week.

I'm much better now, just a little cough and sore throat. So don't worry~~ hee

Say it ain't so, Joe！

2010-12-10T14:18:00.002+08:00

Oh my God! You see, I'm currently on semester break and I don't have an intern or part time job. So I was thinking, I should do something for the house. Besides experimenting with new recipes, I should also not limit my territory to cockroach/bugs terminator and electrical appliances. Since I've downloaded a couple of HQ music video, why don't I try adding some songs into the karaoke machine. It comes with a manual so it shouldn't be that hard right?

I followed 'How to add songs 101' step by step and everything seems ok. Restarted the machine and YES, something went wrong!! Apparently, a whole lot of data has ben 'replaced'. Sheeeeeettttttttt. Suddenly I felt like that kid who broke the vase but didn't dare to tell his mum.

But I called my mum anyway haha. She said that it's alright. We have to learn things through trial and error. I was so relieved ~~or maybe its because she's in her office?~~ but still AHHHHH. So much for being experimental. Think its gonna cost a couple of hundred Ringgits for that.

On another note, there's this guy who keeps burning stuff behind my neighbor's house. Naturally, the smoke will fly over to my house and honestly, it feels like my life was cut shorter because of the smoke. I think he was burning some kind of plastic stuff that produced some really pungent smell. The poor laundry that was dried at the back garden..instead of being fresh and all, it smells like it just came back from a barbecue party.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours

2010-12-09T10:28:00.003+08:00

No idea why that song *points at title* has been stuck in my head for a few days.

Anyway! It's time to write an entry that I do every December. The Previously on The Rene Report 2010 entry haha

January
- King's birthday
- I relocated to a new place with a very weird address. The postman couldn't reach us for a month plus
- I made a video "As Easy as a backflip"

February
- Some monkey came into my house and stole a container of biscuits and some bananas
- Chinese New Year

March
- Second year begins!
- JLPT results! hee something I'm proud off
- Sister's convocation

April
- Major mishearing incident\
- Dots birthdya

May
- Mum's birthday
- Tons of assignment deadlines to meet

June
- Parent's 25th anniversary
- Brought my friend to SS2's Pasar Malam
- Japan Film Festival
- I started Shoujiki Shindoi
- Estee, Kim and I joined a 5KM run on my birthday

July
- New semester begins! Shocked by my lecturer's passing
- Bon Odori
- Sister's birthday
- Huge parcel from Kristy with lots of Japanese goods

August
- Someone added sugar into my green tea!!!!!!!!
- Received my Yesasia goods! First time ordering haha

September
- Cabbage soup, the culprit in making me feel like I've ran a full marathon
- Hari Raya at Putrajaya and Klang
- Bought a pair of Doc Marten inspired boots at a bargain price

October
- Tons of assignment deadlines to meet
- Dad's birthday
-End of Year 2

November
- Final exam!
- Drama marathon everyday

December
- Had the best curry rice ever!
- JLPT N4
- ?
- ?

Puzzle

2010-12-06T11:52:00.002+08:00

I think there's some kind of time bomb planted inside my head. Everyday when it reaches about 2 or 3PM, it will go off.

Anyway, took my JLPT yesterday and I'm finally test free for the year! The after effect of JLPT was really bad. More like the LRT trip back from the test site to home la. Haha all I wanted to do is sleep!

After the test, it made me wonder a little. Will I be able to stay on until N1? Will I be sitting for the N1 paper three years later? For now I'm determined but in the future I don't know.

Lunch today is cake and muruku ikan. Even my maid protested how 'cincai' I am when it comes to food. She said to me "if there's biscuit, you'll definitely eat biscuit right?" Haha its not that I'm lazy or what. Its just that when I'm at home, eating anything is fine as long as I don't feel hungry. Once a while I cook too, but its no fun cooking for myself.

Oh baby baby

2010-12-03T10:40:00.004+08:00

Whee results was released yesterday and thank God, I did better than expected. Everyone from my family was shocked when they saw my results. ~~including me~~ 1 distinction and 3 highly distinction! The unexpected subjects somehow scored higher than the ones that I want to do well. I manage to bring up my GPA a little bit but next two semester is gonna be a tough one. I have two writing subjects that are like the black hole of the Arts faculty. Need to do even better.

Oh ya, I went to the Japan Embassy the other day. There was this WANTED poster pasted up in almost every corner of the embassy. It's very disturbing. Couldn't sleep because the image kept playing in my mind. My bad for Googling those people.

Harmony of December

2010-12-01T10:32:00.003+08:00

Happy December! In about 4 weeks and we'll be in 2011 already!
It's been about 3 weeks since I started my semester break and there's still a whole lot of things to do before 2010 ends. Results coming out on Friday, JLPT this Sunday, Visa application, study maps, my holiday research topic, video project, need to go swimming etc. Yosh! One last dash, sprint to the end.

Super generous serving of curry sauce! haha it looks dilute but the taste is not dilute at all. Its's rich, but not so rich that you won't feel like eating curry for the next few months.

Monogram!

2010-11-23T22:44:00.003+08:00

I'm gonna send the first batch of Xmas cards tomorrow morning! Its been some time since I last visited the post office. Kinda excited about it haha. Hope the postage won't cost too much!

Ahh..semester break. But I feel even busier than before, as if I have an assignment deadline to meet. And more things are piling up on the 'To Do list'. Must.Remember.Parkinson's.Law.

The year is ending in about 5 weeks time. I think I'm ready for 2011. Are you?

I'm 20 so what?

2010-11-18T16:03:00.005+08:00

Regarding the question I ask earlier.
There is this shop name called XZQT. What do u think that shop sells?

When I first saw XZQT, my brain automatically broke it down to

X = ex
Z = zee
Q = que
T = tee

then, brain joins everything together and registers the word 'Executive'. So naturally, I thought its a boutique selling office wear. But no, apparently its a furniture shop. So not in the name!

Something that I realize lately. When your 90 and you complain about your aching leg or something, most people will take u very seriously. But if your 20, people will think that you're faking it or its actually just some cramp or anything. Hate it when someone doubted me when they found out that I'm going to see an orthopedic. Seriously, when your 90, your blood circulation slows down and naturally you'll feel aches here and there. Isn't it a problem if you're going through does when you're 20? "never mind wan la..." Who are you to say that.

Guru guru PAHHHHH

2010-11-17T10:16:00.000+08:00

No one answered my question! So I'm posting it again.

There is this shop name called XZQT. What do u think that shop sells?

Liz Liz Lisa

2010-11-13T21:20:00.004+08:00

Whenever I read a Japanese fashion magazine, the same thought never fails to appear in my mind - "I want something from Liz Lisa!!!" So, when there's finally a chance to win a Liz Lisa knitted bow hat, I have to take part in it ~~even if I have a wardrobe breakdown or malfunction.~~

Yup, you read it right. Hermes of An addiction to cuteness is having a 100+ followers giveaway!

<--- click click

All you have to do is coordinate an outfit that you think would match this knitted beanie, brown or white, which do u like? Easy easy!

As for me, I would replace this black beret with the white knitted beanie

Long knitted ribbon top, a dark blue or black wife beaters inside, black hand bag, black boots and maybe black leggings..Depending on the weather, occasion and where am I heading to.

Thats not all~

As there are some gold details on my black bag, I would accesorize it with a black rose ring, gold crown ring and a not so gold long necklace.

Heee,something simple from me =) So what are u waiting for, click on HERE for more information about the giveaway!

Bzz bzzz

2010-11-13T19:31:00.003+08:00

Pheww exam's out and semester break is in! But it seems that I just got busier. Need to work on my itinary, upcoming JLPT, get a job but firstly, spring clean! Not only the study table, computer but also the brain. Time to put all the psychoanalysis or hyperreality at a side! And I'm finally going for an Xray for my leg! Time to see whether I diagnose myself correctly or not. Its like a mini 'test' ey?

Recently, I've watched this drama called Love Shuffle. Basically, its about four couples who is having some sort of relationship problem. They decided to shuffle their partners with each other to reconfirm their feelings and what is best for them. It was so interesting that I couldn't stop watching once I started an episode. I ended up finish the entire series within a day. haha it was that good.

Anyway...question to ponder! There is this shop name called XZQT. What do u think that shop sells?

One down, one more to go.

2010-11-09T13:56:00.003+08:00

One paper down this morning, and one last one to go on Thursday! I really need the vibes and energy to continue studying. Yesterday was quite crazy cause I was really determined to study. And suddenly, I'm down with a light fever and slight headache. Actually, I was more productive when I'm not feeling well. I've read so much..I think more than what I've been reading in the past few weeks. A do or die situation I guess? haha. Can't wait for Thursday to come!

PS: My entries are getting shorter and shorter. Maybe I should switch to micro-blogging. Hmmm

Left Left Left Right Left

2010-11-01T14:01:00.003+08:00

As usual, I woke up feeling like an old lady. Not only my left hip bone is cracking, left leg is aching and now the very last rib bone on the left is protesting. But at least I think I found out the reason of the hip cracking hoho. Google is like my General Medicine department. Whenever there is a problem, I turn to it. But it's really funny cause the hip snapping thing.. most of it happened to athletes and I'm no where near that. I'm just someone who has been a klutz for the entire of my life. And still one.

On a very different page, at what age do u think is the time that you can tell yourself to let go of everything in the world and just rest in peace? At 20, you're still looking for your dream job. At 30, you have a good job want a home. At 40, your family is your priority. At 50, you worry about your kids. At 60, you want to see your kids settle well. At 70, At 80 or At 90? Question to ponder.

Hehehe

2010-10-28T15:18:00.005+08:00

Last week, I bought a fur beret at a real bargain price. Or maybe the lady calculated wrongly? Anyway, the problem is it stinks like dog poop. No kidding there. All of it have the same scent so I bought it anyway. The stupidest thing I've ever done is to spray perfume on it. Instead of covering the poopy smell, its became poop + perfume, which is ten times worse. I've sunned and aired it for a few days and it's getting better. Whoo! I guess instead of turning to chemicals, its better to use whatever that is available for us naturally eh? Thank you, Mr/Ms Sun and wind.

On a very random note, I won a cat naming contest haha.

2 things / 2 people

2010-10-21T11:05:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, I was reminded about two things that I really enjoyed doing back then in elementary school. I don't know why but I've stopped participating in such activities after graduating.

1. Choir
I was on the choir club for 4 years, and I still cant sing very well. Haha I don't remember what did I learn from that four years but attending choir practices is something that I look forward to every Friday. We took part in competition and won, we performed for the school's function... My proudest moment would definitely be winning the 2nd place for the choir competition and when the conductor said that I have very good expressions. ~~drama queen ever since I was a kid ey?~~ Haha and I really liked the uniform! Still keeping it although its been 8 years.

2. Table tennis
Actually I like tennis more compared to table tennis. But there's no tennis club in my elementary school. I was in the table tennis club for 3 years and made it to the regulars team. I played for my school when I was 12. Didn't win but it was quite interesting cause I was able to visit other schools and explore their canteen. I still play the table tennis after primary school but no longer playing it in a school club. I don't know why but ever since I got into secondary school, I stop buying the idea of joining a club.

Two people that I really really wanna thank is Clair and Kim. Seriously without them, I don't think I'll be able to survive university. They're not even from the same uni as me haha but they've helped me endlessly throughout completing my assignments. Even if they can't really help, they would try to help. Thank you so much! I really appreciate that you don't shove me away when I ask for help. Thanks!

Week 13

2010-10-20T12:06:00.002+08:00

Everything is going so well this week that I'm starting to be worried. I don't know why but Murphy's Law is embedded in my head after taking PR. Definitely not an idealist there. Haha

Anyway, this semester in a nut shell,
1. I enjoyed my communication units very much this semester. That made me decide to do a double major (Comm and Journalism)

2. The best part of Comm is I was introduced to theories by Althusser and Foucault. Although I felt very lost reading their arguments about there is no such thing is real, power/knowledge, governmentality etc...

3. It seems that most people hates Althusser. Is it because he argued that there's no such thing as 'real' and 'an individual'? But I actually prefer him over Foucault. Haha

Althusser and Foucault

4. Also, I got to watch some really psycho show just to learn more about Sigmund Freud. And lots of hyperreality films as well to study postmodernism.

5. Not forgetting, I came across this really genius author, George Orwell who wrote a book in 1948 and the things that he 'predicted' in the story came true today. He wrote about surveillance camera and we have it on streets ~~even in Monash's cafeteria~~

6.I've passed my comm units before adding exam's marks! This is a first in my entire university life. For the pass 3 semesters, I have to calculate how many marks more needed in order to pass. This time, I'm aiming for the highest!

On a very different note, my kanji loo roll is finally here! haha

Study in toilet? haha

Do me a favor

2010-10-18T17:46:00.001+08:00

It's a bit long but please watch this video~ I'm sure it will make u smile

Lie to me*

2010-10-17T11:23:00.003+08:00

The thing about Japanese dramas is once a tv series ends, it will take some time before the next one starts. To fill in that 'gap', I decided to catch up on American series that I've been missing out.

Some of my favorites include (not in order)

C.S.I not Vegas, Miami but New York, only NY

Time to be psychoanalytic like Freud with Criminal Minds

mystery solving with everyone's favorite mystery novelist Castle

professional lie detectors- Lie To Me

The first 3 are not exactly new to me. I've been watching them for quite some time already. CSI NY tells both about the CSI team and crime scene, Criminal Minds gives a more in dept psychoanalysis while Castle has a comical approach to crime solving.

'Lie to me' on the other hand is fairly new to me. It has been around for a couple of seasons already but I did not take interest in it until I saw their advertisement on FOX. It's really really good! Should have discovered this show much earlier!! I'm too lazy to type what is it about, just click on the wiki link I hyperlinked above ya?

Qualifications of Men

2010-10-14T13:52:00.003+08:00

As much as I enjoy watching Japanese TV programs, I think Korean tv shows have better content. My family and I really enjoyed watching '1 Night and 2 Days' and 'Let's Go Dream Team'. Recently, another show has been added into our favorite list.

Qualification of Men

The show is about the seven men made up of a bossy film director, legendary guitarist who behaves/looks like a grandmother, a comedian with a doctorate degree, another comedian, gag man and two actors.

Synopsis: 101 Things Men Should do Before Death There are things worth trying in your lifetime before you die. The cast of this show will experience it for you. You become a real man and enrich your life as you go for the challenges you have always wanted to do, must do or felt right doing.

Their missions are like not smoking for a day, return to high school, take a license exam, forming a rock band and compete, buying presents for your love ones, prepare a meal for someone important etc

One of the challenge that I really enjoyed watching is the choir challenge. They're supposed to form a choir team of 32 members. (Members were picked via audition) Many people, including rookie singers, rockers, comedians, news anchor, fighter came the for audition. And then they practiced for two months and this is the result! *points video*

It's so touching!!! They use to be really bad at harmonizing and now they trust each other and enjoyed it! Ahh..I miss my choir days. Now I wish that they're a choir club in Monash or something.

by the way, the full episode of the choir competition will most probably be on air next Wednesday on KBS world! hohoho can't wait to watch it on tv

Happy Birthday, Pa!

2010-10-11T20:33:00.003+08:00

Pheww..finally done writing my FTV assignment. Before starting the next one, I'm gonna blog a little bit about my dad's birthday last Saturday. The initial dinner plan was either Tenji or Tao but I ended up choosing Kura because it's closer to my house. Thank God we chose Kura cause the food was really good and my mum had food poisoning on Saturday morning. Imagine having to go through a buffet after a whole day of food poisoning. Terrible I guess.

Kura, One World Hotel

Very nice ambiance (no pic of it)

It's autumn in Japan and in Kura as well

Parents waiting patiently for the food

FOOD!

Dashi Mentai Tamago, from their special autumn menu

Very juicy Saba shioyaki

Ebiten roll

Spider roll

Crispy Salmon Roll

Caterpillar roll

Kimchi chigae seafood hot pot from the autumn menu

Seafood that comes along the hot pot

Started a fire after drinking the soup from the hot pot

The rolls are really really good! The best maki sushi I ever had. Despite locating in a 5 star hotel, the price is actually quite reasonable. ~~cheaper compared to Kikuzakura or Tomoe~~ Definitely worth every amount you pay.

Treble Spaces problem?

2010-10-05T20:52:00.006+08:00

Something funny happened this afternoon. It was raining when I reach my uni. So I brought down my umbrella. When I was about to reach entrance, I saw someone I knew. She attended the same tuition and high school as me back then. She was leaving and did not bring her umbrella, so I offered to walk her to her car la. She ask, "So do you still play piano?" I was really shocked by that because I quit piano 10 years ago, way before I know her. Haha must have remembered me as someone else.

Maybe I have that pro pianist face?

Haha just kidding.

On Monday, I was concentrating on something and my lecturer suddenly came and ask me "Why so gloomy?" and I almost answer "because I have to attend your class". If I don't smile, it doesn't mean that I'm angry or gloomy or what ok? It just means that I'm not a crazy girl who smiles all the time.

I'm not angry, I'm just doing something else

Mo Mo Mo

2010-09-28T15:45:00.003+08:00

Yay semester break! But I have a major assignment to do. =(
I'm gonna have to think like Foucalt for the next few weeks!

There's some really good news last week heeeeee. I've secured my tickets to Tokyo at a quite reasonable price thanks to Air Asia! Please fly to Osaka soon so I don't have to take the trouble to travel from Tokyo to Osaka by night bus. But before this trip, I gotta look for an intern position or something. Ahh..

Of course there's a price to pay for good news. On Sunday, the lightning was really fierce and my gate, astro, fridge, modem, router and cpu was affected by it. Yet to check the karaoke machine. Also, there was a complete blackout/power failure downstairs. ~~yay to that cause grandma's room is downstairs~~.Most of the things are already fixed and I manage to get some really good workout by pushing the gate manually. =)

And I need your opinions. Actually, I've pretty much decided on this already but just wanna know what you guys think about this.Is this Alexander McQueen skull scarf too morbid?

I've seen a course mate of mine and MatsuJun in it and its no where near morbid. Maybe they're able to pull it off la but hmm should I get it? ~~saw an inspired version in Pyramid~~ opinions please! Banyak thanks!

La La La

2010-09-17T22:04:00.005+08:00

Remember my previous post talking about how I ran in a marathon in my dream? Turns out that nope, I did not run. My detective instinct found out that the culprit that cause me to suffer all that cramps and pain.

Cabbage Soup! Damn!

And it's not the first time. But it doesn't occur all the time after consuming cabbage soup though. Most of the time I'm lucky enough to escape this horrible stage/process. Thank God I'm not 'allergic'(?) to other cabbage dishes. Okonomiyaki for the world!

Okonomiyaki prepared by Kim, Ashton and I about a month ago

Anyway, I know this is super late, but HAPPY RAYA to all celebrating this joyful festival. With all the Ground Zero and Quran controversy, Raya this year was not as peaceful as previous years. But still, I hope everyone celebrating Raya had a great time. =)

Like every year, my family and I visited a couple of relatives of us. One in Klang and one in Putrajaya. I did not bring my camera to the Klang visit, so no photos on that. On the other hand, Putrajaya photos!

Putrajaya welcomes you

Putrajaya is... a really nice place to take pictures.Its so wide, green, clean and quiet. Very minimalist-ish housing area.

Testing out the pinhole function

Very blue sky that day

Trying to do a running-turn shot, but looks more like a cha cha haha

A Jump shot with sister's shoes haha

Banana tree planted by my relatives

Sunset on the way back

Looks like salted egg yoke eh?

Hungryy. Craving for pan mee haha

Pleasure principle

2010-09-16T16:00:00.004+08:00

Is this glass of water half empty or half full?

Why oh Why

2010-09-05T15:54:00.002+08:00

I went to bed really early yesterday but instead of feeling really refreshed this morning, I couldn't get out of bed at all! It felt like I ran in a full marathon while I was sleeping. I must have ran with Ryo kun as he was the first person that crossed my mind when I opened my eyes.

Running man?

I woke up at 8am, but I couldn't move at all. My back hurts, my arm aches, sharp pain behind my ear and both leg cramps.I need to see a general practitioner!These cramps has been attacking me since I was a kid!

It was until 9am that I finally gathered enough strength to get up. Walking down the stairs was horrible. It felt like I was gonna fall anytime. And now (7:51PM), I still feel like shit. And I think I'm gonna catch a fever soon. Ahh. Why am I so weak?

Could it be the weather? It rained a lot this morning. Chinese believes in rheumatism a lot though its longer used in medcine.. hmm if it's really because of the cold weather, I don't think a winter trip is a good idea. Sigh.

On a different note, I bought this pair of ~~Timberland inspired~~ boots yesterday. Guess how much was it? Only RM30!

So cheap, I can't resists.

Haha knitted wear, CHECKED! Boots, CHECKED! All I need to do now is renew my passport and an air ticket! Fingers crossed!

I can do magic!

2010-09-03T09:05:00.003+08:00

Life has been pretty blissful for me for the past two weeks. I finish my TV studies assignment a week ahead of the due date, talked to my journalism lecturer about my next assignment, read and summarized an 28 pages long reading on Ideology and Althusser then presented it without making any silly mistakes, bought Ice cream without having to line up casue not many people are aware about the Baskin Robins promotion that begins on the 29th of August, started working on my next assignment and the main highlight of the week, I won a toilet roll, tofu papers and a Japanese phrasebook!

Toilet what?

It's not any loo roll but a Kanji loo roll that I can learn how to read and write Kanji characters. Heee

On another note, who wants to go to Osaka with me this December/January?

Would appreciate it very much if...

2010-08-28T22:18:00.003+08:00

No, no.. I did not forget that I own a blog ~~make it two blogs~~. Its just that nothing worth mentioning happened lately. In a way I should be thankful eh? That nothing very bad has happened on me.

Anyway.. I know you guys are so sick of seeing Koichi's email to me whenever you visit my blog, so I have to update something la.

Like the title said.. I'll appreciate it very much if

People stop sending me scam messages. Hello? If u really need money that badly, the first thing you should do is stop texting people about them winning the lotto or something. I bet you'll be able to save a lot of money from there. I receive two of those scam messages last week. Geez..

Sushi Zanmai maintains their standard. A couple of days ago, I had one of the best meals ever at Sushi Zanmai. It's been long since I had really good Tamago Mentai sushi! Sometimes they serve really little mentai on the sushi. But my last visit was really good. It would be great if the amount of mentai given everytime I visit is as much as what is shown on that photo.

Last Saturday, I had to attend a compulsory lecture in my university. The cafeteria is not open so I had to walk out to one of the restaurant nearby for lunch. I ordered green tea and guess what came? Green tea with sugar. I was really shock when I took the first sip and my face changed immediately. I don't even add sugar into black tea, so sugared green tea is very very weird to my taste buds. Its true that some people do add sugar into green tea, but for me, No No No! It tastes more like syrup, seriously.

Somemone help me eat this please? I made these marshmallow cause the initial plan was my friends coming over for a couple of rounds of Trivia Pursuit (Wii game). But the plan did not went on. So now I have lots of marshmallow inside the refrigerator.

Give me a break.I am tired.
Why is mid semester break so far away?

This week..In a nut shell

2010-08-20T12:32:00.004+08:00

This week started with an argument with my grandmother. As usual, her biological clock is 12 hours off. She was whining on and on about my maid forcing her to bath. I couldn't stand so I corrected her. "It's PM not AM!" And guess what she replied? " How dare you side the maid. You're so cruel and heartless. bla bla bla Thunder will strike on you." I got angry, raised my voice and say "I'm not scared, I didn't do anything wrong." and she replied "You're a small kid, you don't know. I tell your father!" But too bad for her cause everyone knows about her 'jetlagness' except for her. Quite sad eh.

So that leads me to the question of "Is it okay to do/say something really bad if you're old? Should people be respected for their age? I know when you grow old, your brain will probably not function as well as when you're young. Alzheimer bla bla bla. But is stubborn-ess embedded along with old age? I thought that senior citizens should be wise and experienced. That's why they're respected right?

ANYWAY,next.
This week was filled with lots of 'waiting'.

On Wednesday morning, I received an email from Koichi.

click to enlarge

At first, I was like WHAT? Koichi. And then I realize it was Tofugu's Koichi writing in to inform me that I did not win in their giveaway. Haha I knew that I didn't stand a chance cause other's are so creative. But I was really looking forward for the release of the results.

And then, I waited for the pair of fake glasses I ordered for my sister, waited for my yesasia stuff to come and waited for my camera. Everything came before Thursday! Which was really great cause I really need the camera this weekend and have been waiting for Yesasia for a couple of weeks.

Talking about Yesasia, I manage to find some really steal deals last month.

Koichi's Ayakashi single for only $3.50 and Kanjani8's Muzekinin Hero for $10.50. I ordered it on a Saturday and on the following Monday, the price went up to $10 and $19.50 respectively. Phewwwww.. saved some money there. Haha I also bought Garasu no Shounen, Tsuyoshi's Utuskushi ware no Sora, Rilakkuma sticker and a birthday gift for a September born haha. I might send it early to u this year hahah I don't even know whether u have it in your collection or not hmmm

Anyway..thats all for this week I guess? Haha gotta go check out some readings on the Frankfurt School.

Six Feet Under

2010-08-14T20:45:00.003+08:00

I know, I know..I've been abandoning my blog for way too long! I'm so sorry but I'm very occupied with assignments. ~~and I've played too hard for the past few days~~ Currently I'm working on a paper that requires me to write about realism and issues of representation of this TV series called Six Feet Under.

Six Feet Under was a little disturbing yet unbelievably real. I guess maybe it's because the discourse is related to death and it's a taboo topic for many. It has a lot of ideologies behind it. Maybe I should write this for my TV studies major assignment next time.

On a random note, has anyone watched 'Inception'? ~~is it still on cinemas?~~ If you've not, better go and catch it. It's very Christopher Noolan-ish and I highly recommend it. After watching it, I can never look at dreams at the same way anymore.

Anyway, I gotta go bury my heads in books that talks about death. I promise a proper update next week! Haha

Confession

2010-08-07T22:29:00.004+08:00

If you can't even plant your feet steadily on the ground, don't even think about floating to cloud nine.

Don't try to defy gravity, It gets uglier when greed takes over.

Thou shall not tempt me.

Pi Pi Pi Pi

2010-07-29T13:57:00.006+08:00

Hello all! Sorry for the lack of updates. Keeping two blogs made me realize how boring my life is. Haha but it's alright. I am contented with what I have right now. Anyway, I'm having a migraine right now so I'll make this a quick one.

This afternoon, the Pos Laju guy came ringing on my door bell with a parcel for me. Hmm.. I don't recall ordering anything online. So the first two thing that came to my mind was "Did my sister order something using my name?" and "Did I win something?"

Tokyo omiyage from Kristy haha

I was really excited as I unwrap it because I totally did not expect this! She just came back from Tokyo like 2 days ago? Haha anyway this is what she gave me

A box full of goodies and lots of Kit Kat

It's mine! haha

Inside the box:

Tokyo Banana, Kit Kat, Shiroi Koibito etc

JUMP note book ~~I'm born in Heisei~~ Gonna use this book to plan my Japan trip

And the loveliest souvenir of all, KinKi Kids postcard and Ohkura fan license(not in picture cause I've kept it inside my wallet)

And a huge variety of Kit Kat ranging from Soy Sauce, Uji Matcha, Sakura Matcha, Roasted Soy Beans, Roasted Almond and Strawberry Cheese flavor

So for now lets hope that I manage to find a 'plumber' to fix my leaking and clogged nose so that I can taste the snacks and write a review soon.

PS: Pi Pi Pi Pi is the sound of the post man honking

Shock is real Shock

2010-07-20T10:01:00.002+08:00

Break is out and school's in! I'm back to the 'burying heads in scholar's journal's' lifestyle.

My first lecture of the semester is FTV1010, Contemporary Television Studies.About 7 minutes to nine, I entered the auditorium and sat at the fourth seat of the last row, my usual spot. The freshies were making lots of noise, probably excited about their very first lecture while the seniors would just chillax at their own seat.

9:15Am...Mr. Benjamin's usually very punctual. Maybe he's caught in a bad traffic? I thought to myself

9:30AM.. Still no sign of Mr. Benjamin. This is when impatient people starts to complain and grumble. I was one of them.

9:45AM.. another lecturer came in and delivered a lecture on Godzilla and Alien vs Predator. "Trust me,I'm not trying to kill time. It's related to your studies," The lecturer said. But I wasn't really paying attention because I don't remember what Godzilla was about (watched it 12 years ago) and I've never watch the latter.

After undergoing another 2 more lectures, I've totally forgotten about Mr. Ben's absence until 8+pm

Mr. Benjamin,
You're one of the best lecturer Monash ever had.
Thanks for making your lectures and tutorials so fun and interesting.
Thanks for introducing some really awesome movies that I've never heard of
I wished that I was enrolled in your class during my first year and not in my second.
May you rest in peace.

hmmmm

2010-07-17T10:02:00.001+08:00

I've been receiving several complains about the amount of dust and spider webs in my blog these days. Haha..nope I'm not abandoning this blog, I'm just busy completing whatever task that I've planned to do this semester break.

Next Monday marks the commencement of my fourth semester. It felt like yesterday I was still worrying about whether Monash would accept my application or not. And next week onwards, I'm already half way through my degree.

Results were released a couple of days ago and thanks to everyone's wishes, I manage to maintain my distinction streak for my journalism subject. However, I didn't do too well for my elective subjects. I didn't do too badly but I was so close to a distinction. Damn!! Ah.. I guess I have to work harder next time to increase my GPA. Talking about results.. my JLPT mock test result will be released tomorrow! Not much hope in that cause I didn't really study and it is a level higher than the level I'm suppose to take. I would buy the lotto if I passed it hahah.

Anyway, I've been fooling around in the kitchen a lot lately. So much that I've earned the title of 'Insane Chef Lee Seung Gi's brother'. (Lee Seung Gi is known for his seemingly abysmal cooking, which often results in food which all the other team members usually end up regretting to have eaten.) My sister's the one who gave me the title.. no idea why brother though haha. Very saddening but its alright..I'll make something better next time ~~hopefully~~

The four dishes that I've made:
1. Harusame salad

2. Rare cheescake

3. Handmade Udon
Epic fail at the noodle part. But the Udon broth was really good. ~~On par with restaurants one~~ The reason for my failure is because I added too much water. Ahh.. Must be more careful next time.

4. Oyako don
I was watching this Chinese cooking program called "Nothing is Bigger than Eat". Funny name I know. One guy did the Oyako Don and it turned out really good. I was inspired and decided to try it and it turned out REALLY GOOD! I'm not trying to boast but my sister actually recognize this. So, I'm quite confident with this dish. hehehe

June Highlights

2010-07-04T12:37:00.004+08:00

I'm a lazy bum bum...haven't been updating my blog properly since 2 weeks ago? haha I'm on a semester break but I'm even buzier compared to the days when I have to attend lectures and tutorials. Despite the 'jam pack schedule' ~~allocated for books and dramas,~~ I was able to do some activities that I wouldn't usually do like:

1. Caligraphy

This was taken during the Study in Japan education Fair. The main reason I attended the fair is to "be detective Conan's voice" as advertised on the poster. Instead of Conan, I was able to 'be Ayumi's voice'. Anyway, back to calligraphy. The last time I did calligraphy was 5 years ago! That explains the ugly writings haha.

2. Japanese Film Festival

Every year, the movie that I want to watch will fall on the day that I have a paper to write. I was really lucky this year cause "Dear Doctor" was screen a day after my final paper. Whee! The film was really good! I would have written about it for my major assignment if I've seen this film earlier on. Will blog about the movie some other time.

3.Completing a 5km run with the other 2 amigos

A blister on my toe due to the run haha. But it's ok, cause I have one extra certificate to be added into my archives haha. Someone even wanted to swap their medal for our certificates.

4.Drove to One Utama by myself

My mum is extremely protective when it comes to driving. I've been driving for 2 years and she still feel that I'm a freshie driver. The traffic was so awesome. Green lights all the way from home to One Utama. All hail green ranger! Anyway, I clip a ribbon on my hair and realize that it's time for a dye.

5.Reading

Reading is not my hobby but I've been doing some reading these days. I've read 5 novels in less than 2 weeks time. And they are all mystery fiction by Higashino Keigo. Among the Galileo series(there are 5 books in this series), I like "The Devotion of Suspect X" best.The moment I start reading, I can't stop. Gonna catch up on the Galileo drama next week.

hmm..thats all I guess?

So what is it for again?

2010-06-29T20:08:00.003+08:00

Everyone loves free wifi. Its a common sight to see people with a large coke and a laptop sitting for hours in Mcdonalds or guys tip taping their smart phones in a shopping mall when the girls are buzy shopping.

But whats the point of having free wifi when:

or

or even worse..

"The page you requested has been blocked because it contains a banned word"
I would love to know what banned word is that.

Sunny Side Up

2010-06-27T20:16:00.002+08:00

First of all, whether via Text messages, Facebook or Twitter..thank you very very much for all the birthday wishes. Yes, I am one year older and hopefully one year wiser. Haha but there's one thing that I really want to point out. My name is not Irene but Ai Rene. I know they both have the same pronunciation but I really don't like my name to be spelled as the former. That is not my name. But I still appreciate the thoughts of leaving me a message. =)

Next, I am super tired and sleepy right now. Woke up really early this morning to participate the Standard Chartered KL ~~Marathon~~ Run. Estee, Kim and I signed up as a group for the 5KM family fun run. It's only 5km and it has drained out every single drop of energy of mine. To people who ran the full marathon, you have my respect. I've never even drove 42km in one trip for the entire of my life.
Will blog about the full story with pictures some other time! I have a feeling that I won't be able to climb out from bed tomorrow morning. Haha

House Keeping

2010-06-21T22:36:00.004+08:00

After weeks of considering, I have decided to start a whole new blog for my Jblog entries. In another words, The Rene Report is now my personal blog where I'll ramble and rant about my daily life.

To my friends who comes to my blog, hoping to read something about what I did last weekend, you now do not have to go through all that ToyotaHondaAjinomotoMoshimoshiKawaii anymore.

Conversely, readers who click on TRR, in hope to find something informational, you no longer have to read about how I was chased by a stray dog. Not that I was chased by one, but you get the story.

There might be some overlapping between both blogs but I'll try to draw the line ya?

And now introducing...*drum rolls*

正直しんどい

Shoujiki Shindoi

There's nothing much there yet, but it will grow very soon. I have a couple of entries in my mind already. So please support Shoujiki Shindoi if you're interested ya?

My Water Moments

2010-06-21T11:28:00.007+08:00

Let’s go to the beach! Swimming, snorkeling, diving, banana boat… you name it

And how did I ended up here again?

If only I have a water proof camera that is temperature, dust and shock resistant, I would be inside there, underwater and not out here posing with fishes with a sad face.

*drum rolls* Introducing the world's slimmest water proof camera, the new Sony Cybershot TX 5 camera

Captures breathtaking underwater shots up to 3m deep for about 60 minutes, equipped with the Anti Motion Blur function and has the ability to take 10 shots per second, you’ll have no problem capturing yourself with Nemo swimming in the background when you go snorkeling. With this 10.2 Megapixel camera, you might even capture Nemo’s scales! Just the right camera for your underwater experience.

Those without the later version sof Photoshop ~~like me~~ would know that stitching panaromic shots manually can be quite troublesome. It’s even worse if your hand moves up and down and the shots taken doesn’t match. Worry no more cause this camera has the ‘effortless panaromic’ function. The Intelligent Sweep Panaroma will recognize subject movement and stitch things up automatically to create a natural looking panaromic shot. Easy peasy!

Besides that, TX5 also comes with the Handheld Twilight mode function. When the amount of light is limited, I prefer to increase the ISO then using the flash. However, one setback about high ISO is your picture will have a lot of ‘noise’ in it. Furthermore, you have to use a tripod or place it on a still surface for a better photo. The Handheld Twilight mode reduces noise and allows you to take cleaner and sharper images even if you hand hold your camera.

Like the Chinese said, a sparrow might be small, but it's five organs are complete. Just like the sparrow, this camera may be really thin, but it definitely is one smart camera.

Interested? Here is your chance to own one of it. Nuffnang Malaysia is currently giving away not one or two but THREE Sony TX5. All you have to do is write a blog entry with "My Water Moments" as the title and include the following in your entry:

-Take a picture!
-Tell us how it reflects the theme of ‘My Water Moments’, and how the photo could have been better if you had a water-proof camera like the Sony TX5.
-Mention the features of the TX5 in your blog post. For more information, click here.

and then, submit it here. Hurry, cause contest ends on the 4th of July!