Till the last drop I had

It's Saturday May 29th.
It has been a long time since I wrote.
Occupied with both my parents and my brother
My old lady too occupied with free-cell game
Days were like these during the days I did not write
Today a double celebration, Mom's birthday & my convocation/graduation day, a unique Red Ice Wine brewed from British Columbia, was opened and savoured till the last drop at the Gan's family (Jullian, Josephine, Jotham, & Melissa). I had the privillage to the very last drop of the indescribable fine & sweet ice wine. It was shared among 9 other people including myself over raspberry pie on vanilla ice cream (2 scoopings).

I made Conchinita Pibil for my family and they just love it. Mom couldn't stop teasing me about the pig's butt or the pig's backside, sometimes slipped her tongue and blurted "hey, the chicken backside was reaally gud!" I'm like "chicken baaaaaackside lah!", reminds me of Michelle Tan. I will probably from this day onwards remember pig's backside whenever Michelle Tan exclaim chicken backside. I had to constantly remind mom it's rump, or pork's rump. Just because, just because it sounds so much better. I couldn't help laughing about it whenever she mentions it and tease me about how good the "chicken backside" was!

Wednesday, May 26th.
The convocation went all well. It was nothing as I expected where proud parents and family and friends would constantly applause and cheer for their son/daughter's achievement when s/he walk down the stage to recieve his/her degree and being congratulated by the Chancellor of the University. I came to realize that "Universitas Saskatchewanesis" is the actual name of this University (U of Saskatchewan) and thus the actual name of the province. It's probably in Cree? Loooks Latin, though but certain could be Metis as well. Don't you come asking me for the meaning of it because I can tell you it is actually quite self-explanatory without feeling surprise that you can actually understand that in English. There's no need to reach your nose with your arms around your head.

My parents, my brother and Simon (a family friend) were seated up on the most high balcony of the Centennial Auditorium and I'd imagine looking down it must have been extremely difficult to locate a bald-headed guy who calls himself Danny V-Li Teok who again may appear as a tiny black dot (he has black hair, remember??) from above. I was seated 5 row from the stage somewhere in the middle (about the 11th -13th person from the most right). I was quite disappointed as dad did not do a great job at video recording the event but just a mere 20 seconds of recorded time when I walked over the stage with to receive my degree after my name was announced. He missed this part where my name was announced. *sob!* It would have been nice to watch the entire thing on video or DVD but I don't that is quite possible. I will depend on how articulated I am to describe this significant event (not only limited to myself) to whoever wants to know. In fact, I have already anticipated poor media captures. Because I am trained as a photography (as a hobbyist) I will make better pictures for my brother as well as for my friends. It is at this point of time I wish my friends have the know-hows of photography and/or video recording. There are a lot of professionals out there but certainly you'd agree with me it is a waste of resources to hire them just for this event unless you are born with a platinum spoon in your mouth. But otherwise, a commoner just like my family, I have to push myself to accept what's there for me. At least I can view the video and still see blurred colors and visions. After all, the most vivid pictures for this moment of my life is and will remain in the hollows of my brain. They will never be lost.
-Ran into Ayako, Ayako Saito. She was climbing up the stair from Lower Place Riel and we were going up on the escalator from Lower Place Riel. I was still in my graduation gown. Said hello to her she looked from the corner of her eyes and returned a "hi". Tried to talk to her but she kept on walking and did not even stop for a second to engage in a conversation. Oh, don't get me wrong. She might be in a hurry or whatever, but her body language spoke the loudest and it was like telling me to "back off, I'm not interested in you nor am I ever going to talk to you!" She just kept her pace and thru the doors of Upper Place Riel and out she goes. I paused for a moment, just off the treshold of the escalator, tried to recalled what did I say that could have offended her tremendously. I just know we had a lot of fun with Michelle Tan, Ee Lynn, and herself during the winter break of 2003. If she pretends she doesn't know me anymore, she has my pity. I mean, how can you not know a person anymore?? It will either be that you're trying to be rude or you recently had amnesia. I don' know what the heck is going on.

I really love the lady boss at Ding Dong restaurant, dishing out Vietnamese style meals or rather cuisines. I wasn't there with my family as I was tutoring. The boss, I call her Auntie, was so persistent with smiles on her face about me resembling more of my dad. 3 times dad denied, 4 times Auntie rub it in. LOL! Knowing Auntie is a very amicable person whose personalities would tickle anybody's bones, I can be sure that was something to laugh at and was a wonderful and enjoyable experience, to dine out in a not-so-fine restaurant that we've been frequenting sicne the arrival of my Sponsorship Director and his Madam. Aunties' warmth is what brings us students back to her restaurant again and again.

Recently dad and I have been discussing about the possibilities about going to the U.K. for Law studies. Whenever I think about it I tend to get a little numb on my knees as I imagine the number of books and literatures I have to read and know. I-m-a-g-i-n-e, just imagine the size of a New York's public library (no, not thaaaaaaat small!) and you gotta read all books therein within 3 years. If you don't get numb knees, then you should check with your doctor if you're suffering from Sensory Retardment Syndrome. U.K is a new place and it'd be great to live there for 3 years! I'm 24, turning 25, I mean, the opportunity cost of spending another 3 years in school pursueing another degree that could be a great combination with Business Economics, my first degree, can be very rewarding in the future. The other side of the argument is work/job experiences. I'm forgoing that if I go back to school. But I had thought a few months back that I had enough of studies and exams. I should take a break. I want to waste time and be mindless about thins for a while then go back... like a prodigal child. But a prodigal child who knows what he's doing. Where is my direction? Where am I heading? Show me the way!

To be continued...

Convocation day

Woke up at 6:45am, one hour earlier than scheduled because the clock on my cellphone was screwed up. It was quite chilling outside with a 6 celsius and windy (gushing up to 28 km/h) and feels like 1 celsius.

I am still mesmerized by the fact that I shall walk away from the Dean on the stage in Centennial Auditorium with a Bachelor's degree awarded to me. "You have done well, Dann!", I thought to myself.

"Mom! hurry, we gotta leave!", I shouted to my mother who's in the washroom taking her time powdering herself.

Yoshida, model for me this spring/summer
H!

The online pimp

Today, like any other day, I was reading news online at The Star checking up on the recent severe abuse case of a 19-year old Indonesian domestic maid by a merciless and mentally retarded house-wife and a mother of 4 children. Whenever I finish reading a story I'd look else where to click on to read further. I hate to look at ads but as this ad runs it cycle again, I thought I saw somebody familiar. I was like, "Oh my god! Is that him?!" I waited for the next loop and confirmed that it is Srikanth, one of my best friend whom I grew up with. He's online for the world to see but I'm more interested if he knew the sweet girl who comes next after his picture.


Right-click on the picture & save to get the fullsize view

He could really be a model for some fashion magazines, I thought. He works in an advertising firm and I figured it would have been much difficult to get my picture out to the world when I'm not in an ad firm.

Earned 30$ for a 2 hours session of Photoshop 7 tutorial today. Scheduled for 2 more sessions next week.

And she was gonna cry...

Since mom's arrival things has been a little wee bit different. I gave up the comfort of my bed to my mother so I can sleep on the floor with a camping mat with 3 pieces of pillows on it for cushioning and a head pillow. Clothes hanging everywhere the hangers can hang on to.

Yesterday, Friday, lazed around in my room with practically nothing to do. Later in the afternoon, I decided to walk down to Student's Health Center to get a check up on my left arm again and be advised explicitly and learned that the rotary cuffs were torn. The beautiful blond doctor has doctored me in both ways. She was unsure whether one or more rotary muscles were torn and after many simple diagnosis our doctor-patient ordeal were concluded. What a relief! At least I know what went wrong in my arm. At Medi-clinic on Circle Drive and 8th Street, I knew nothing and thus, was uncomfortable until yesterday.

Mother was certainly on a shopping mood, not for herself, but for both my brother and I. I couldn't recount the number of times she went in a shop and mentioned what she was interested in or more like what she was looking for and told the sales girl why she was getting it. My family will be attending my convocation on May 26th. I feel proud to be around her especially these time when she has every reasons to brag about her son(s). I figured that that is what mother's do. Those many days of toil in the past has finally paid back when she can step back and look at her son, sigh a relief, and brag constructively. The way I am today is partly (or at most) molded from the long boring naggings of a failtful, loyal, patient, meek & humble, enduring, and generous mother. And I know she was gonna cry... when she would hear all these.

I bought a coat and a shirt and tie. I supported mom's idea that dad has to pay for all these because he has never bought one ever for us (my brother and I). Furthermore, I could also use it for future job interviews after wearing it to the May 26th's convocation. Sounds cunning and witty but I couldn't reject the idea mother suggested. hehe.

Dad called at last. We did not know where his whereabouts as he was suppose to arrive with his friend, Simon Ignatious, 20th. I learn that he, dad, rented a car from Vancouver and drove to Calgary. He rang me up at 21:19 (Saskatoon's time) when he was 1.5hrs away from the city. The thought of 2 old (well, not that old) men still have some sense of thrills of adventure seeking. When I asked why, "There's nothing to be seen when you fly" was the answer. I'm like, yeah right, what are you going to see during the night when the skies are already dark?! It has been 28 years since dad last stepped on this land, Canada. So, I think he was really excited to want to drive down his memory lane. My mother, on the other hand, thinks dad is out of his mind to even try that after a long haul. Well, they just arrived from Malaysia.

Went out for bubble tea with Albert P. and 3 of us. We missed out the Miss Venus Bikini model search contest at Shockwaves on 8th street. Kendra called me up this morning and I knew she won and was excited to tell me about it. I was right. She won and is going to Florida and will receive other prizes all totalling up to 10,000$ US. One lucky girl! I could hear she was almost crying her hearts out. I know, she's just overwhelmed and elated about the news that she did not even expect. I am lucky too, well, in a sense that I'm worthy to be the person to know she won and she told me personally. Expressed her feelings how she won and how she did it. It's wonderful! She's wonderful!

Felt like I lost an arm

My left arm still hurts whenever I tried lifting forward. Its excruciating pain won't allow me to completely lift my arm forward without the help of my other arm. Thank God it's not broken or twisted but just a sprain. Dr. Eustace saw me and I was disappointed because he didn't communicate much with me so I didn't exactly know what was going on with my arm even after X-ray was taken (speaking of which, he did not even invite me over to look at my X-ray with him and explain).

My mother arrived today. Benson, who has been wanting to go back since Monday and is *still* here, drove my brother and I to the airport to pick her up. She didn't noticed I kept my arm behind the zipper of my jacket I wore until my friend mentioned about my arm in the car on the way home. Mom was shocked but she was okay soon after. The weather was rather cold, colder than yesterday and the day before. It was plus 6 and with windchill it felt like zero to one degrees celsius. My breath was visible although not as obvious as minus 20's or 30's.

I received a Fable Castel bi-way pen from mom as a graduation gift. My brother received a similar one as well. Good lord I have cleared the kitchen and my room before her arrival. The stinking pungent poop-like rotten smell just by the corner of the hall way before the kitchen has been discovered and discarded. Apparently it was me who left the rotten prawn/shrimp shells in one of the boxes chucked in that corner. Believe me, it was super stinking. Smells like dead roden with maggots creeping on and through its body. Yuck! I honestly couldn't imagine what my mother's reaction would be when she sniffed it out before me.

Jill called today and it was definitely a pleasant surprise to hear from her after many many days of trying to get hold of her. She'll be leaving for Atlanta tomorrow for 5 days. I haven't seen her for a long time and I miss her. Really fun to talk to her. Love to hear her sniggers, sound just so angelic cute girlish feminine? whatever. A turn-on for sure.

Well, I'm looking forward to days of adventures with both my parents around and my brother. Hopefully SASKATOON has "much to offer" than rumored.

I found Alderamin. She's b-e-a-utiful!

This might sound crazy but a friend of mine we went out at 1 in the morning to the University's fields on Cumberland Avenue North just to star-gaze. There were not as many stars as the nights during camping last week. Alderamin is a star not too distant from Polaris, using little Bear's bottom's edge as guide. Imagining a linear line across from little bear (ursa minor), we'll see a constellation that looks like a kite. I'm short of words to describe this experience and I truly apologize. During this time my eyes gazed into the heavens, I noticed a shooting star from the corner of my left eye as I looked southeast. We were lying on the fields equipped with a constellation map, a pen-knife flash light, and a DPSS green laser pointer. Finally, I actually used this appropriately rather than distracting cyclists and pedestrians on sidewalks during the night. hehe! Could be fun, as well as dangerous to them. I sold it and shipped it off today. Im going to miss using it. Pointing a star or a constellation have never been easier with it. We saw almost 7 moving stars. It's hard to point out with your fingers but with it, its beam is so visible during the night and only realized it's an aircraft flying about 35,000 feet above us. My friend was like, hey, don't point to it. Pilots may get distracted and crash the plane down. The laser can only go up to 5000feet, hello?!

It's sucha nice day out today. Didn't want to get bored sitting at home staring at the computer screen so I decided to go out skating. Went to look for my brother who was not home so I headed on to Brunskill Junior High school for a nice gravel to skate on. Tried a trick move and I was moving fast; fell down 3 times. The first two on my bump, and the last one sent me to a clinic for an X-ray scan on my left arm. Apparently, it was a sprain and thank God it wasn't dislocated or the like. Now, I'm typing with a sling over my neck. The anti-inflammatory / pain-killer prescribed to me has some very horrifying side-effects. You don't want to hear it. So do I. Don't wanna get stomach-ulcers, burn my oesophagus, nausea, etc. sigh! I bet mom will be shocked when she arrives tomorrow at 16:38. hehe. This sling will definitely create a lot of attention.
Like Kendra said, it's not that you're ADD or LOA, but you're merely enjoying the attention you get. By the way, ADD and LOA is the abbreviation for Attention Deficit Disorder and Lack of Attention respectively.

I stumbled upon a poem posted (not written) by a blogger who is from Malaysia. I find this guy is quite articulated and quite talented in writing indeed. The poem is about smile. Enjoy!

A smile cost nothing, but gives much.

It enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it,
and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it.

A smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters good will in business,
and is the countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary,
cheer to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad,
and is nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value to anyone
until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours,
as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

Smiles! think positively! Take care and get well soon, danny!

Close encounter in the night sky

Many have claimed to see unusual phenomena and/or objects in the skies and people often question their credibility. I am not a fervent believer of such stories but I do know that we are not [quite] alone.

My green laser pointer got sold in eBay and I'm going to ship it to the buyer tomorrow. I know I'm going to miss using it so I decided to go out and star-gaze using the laser pointer for one last time; well, more like star-pointing. The laser pointer has some sentimental meanings to me and so, again, i think I'm really going to miss it. When I was gazing into the night sky for a while already with the laser's beam visible, I noticed 4 objects flew over me in a parellel line heading southeast. It was moving very fast and silent. There were no wings and I really didn't think those could be big birds like goose; I could tell the shape of it from the faint lights reflected from under its body and my judgements convinced me they are not birds. I could not confirm what I saw were UFO's because i don't quite believe I'm ever so lucky to encounter one. If they were really UFOs, then have them come down and meet me. I want to say to them, "Show me the way... to your home" so their place will be a place of history when I return as a hero who have destroyed their planet. drop a nuke and run like never before. In the future, there will be no more lame stories like Alien Spaceship encountered in Tennessee farm acreage abducted farmer's daughter or an Alien's body with a husky dog's head. gross!!

There's something missing about this blog. I suspect it is missing substance. This substance is essential to every stories that will bring back readers or at least create an impression to readers. When a story lack of substance, the writer lacks that substance too. Love and relationships are not something I will love to write about because I think I'll end up complaining about a person more than I would proclaim my feeligs for her. What should this blog be on as the main theme besides my boring life? Everybody has their boring days and if I write my boring days then that makes me a boring writer. Comments are more than welcome. There is a link just right below every stories I write. Write to me.

I watched "Secret Window" by Brad Pitt today and figured that it's just another movie on schizophrenia, a multiple personalities disorder. I believe that everybody is a schizo in one way or another. When you're faced with problems or during a decision making process especially on something you've never tried before (i'm narrowing down the scope to ones that society deemed to be negative or not good), you'll often hear your 'other self' speaking in your head. We all grew up with cartoons and I'm sure Tom & Jerry, the silly witty cat and the little smart mouse, is very familiar amongst you. You've seen a little angel Tom speaking to one side of the cat's eat and a little devil Tom on the other side when he's up to no good. When you talk to yourself; when you're just over with a quarrel with your wife, your other self becomes more evident gradually. Some people don't think about it, while others do. Everybody's little schizo is not a real problem because we're all normal people, people without the severity of a real schizophrenic. Like my friend I wrote about few days back, in his email he wanted so bad to be somebody he is not. And I found out that he has been trying so hard to be "The ladies' man" just to please his female peers. Because of disappointments and also usually fueled by anger from not getting what one wants, the other part which he is not begins to manifest itself. Who is the other part of him? I'll find out, but I know that part of him is up to no good. I will have to find a way to suppress that part from emerging. It is about life & death. I, again, will become a hero upon successful suppression of schizo patient. My other self, whom i named Kevin, will help me. ;)

Baby's day out

Back to writing again.
Received a call from Charmei 2 nights ago and learned that she was going to plan a BBQ outing on Sunday, which is today. I thought it was suppose to be an invitation, and it is by the way, but she admitted she has never actually done an event like this before. I was questioned mostly on the how-to's part. I thought since she has never done it before, shouldn't she have kept the number of invitees small so as to avoid major disappointments and probably embarrassments? Well, it kicked off today and most of us were there and it all went smoothly. She was almost thrown into the river, though. Funny.

We played soccer and frisbee together, I mean at the same time. incoming soccer ball and the frisbee plate... yikes! i'm sure we all had fun time and it's nice & warm outside today although it did get a little cooler (plus 14). lots of breezes though. Anyway, here are the pictures of our group and some activities. All pics have been resized to fit this blog. Please contact me if you wish to have the original pictures.


Met a girl who was walking this dog. Walked up to her and asked if I can play with her dog and she agreed. This dog, Roxy, is hyper-active and extremely agile. She's a swimmer too and nothing can stop her even if you threw her ball into the river. She'll bring it back to you



This picture is shot around Victoria's Bridge, the last or the first bridge in Saskatoon.



Similar shot. From left to right in order: Wayman (HK), Colin (China), Gavin(?), Leonard (Shanghai, China), Raymond (M'sia), Tim (M'sia), Sandy (Taiwan), Benson (HK), Riley (Saskatoon, Canada), Charmei (M'sia), Jessie (Shanghai, China), & myself (M'sia)


-no comments-



I've always wanted to shoot this kind of picture. It's just so beautiful. From clockwise beginning from 12 o'clock: Jessie (Shanghai), Sandy (Taiwan), myself (M'sia), Charmei (M'sia), Tim (M'sia), Wayman (HK), Benson (HK), & Colin (China).



Tim's butt was arched in a very obscene way so I decided to sit on him just so that I don't have funny ideas while posing for the camera. ;) *wink*

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Another baby story about a friend of mine.
One of my good friend emailed me just a few days back and the content of the email sounds pretty scary. It seemed like he just did a review of his personal life; like how he has fared in of relationships with girls. Here is his email I never thought he'd ever write:
"MAN usually dont cry, but my heart cried out loud last sunday
just before midnight. I curse the world to fall with me,
there were thunder and rain starts pouring in the north. I can feel it!
13 of them will lose their live before sunrise'
i failed my mission again, totally lost in foreign land.
There i was,i run,run and run looking for the precious someone
in my mother's land where people utter in different tongue
it was so close, yet i lost it without knowing what was the reason!!
The cut is really deep this time, it does make me a stronger person
but as an EVIL person. Once motherly, now i can only see
female vex in them !! I just wanted to be a ladies man but...
I fail when i was good, the world its not fair.
I WANT TO BE BAD!!!
I WANT TO BREAK MORE SOUL THAN ANYONE ELSE!!
I dont believe in HIM, i always get what i dont want!
I realise why there are angels who become devils'
I will only see heaven from my daughter's eyes
I want to denied the gate of heaven! I chose to be in hell"

I didn't really get what he was trying to say especially 4th line. Whatever it is, like my friends have told me I passed on the same advice to him, that whatever goes around; comes around. It doesn't really matter if one believes in HIM (God) whether or not one gets what one wants. For those of you who knows the bible, you should realize the reasons why angels turned their back from God -- they lost their focuses. They were influenced by another who deemed to be as great as God. Where ever one chooses to be is entirely up to that individual's choice but he who chooses hell has chosen unwisely and even more foolishly to proclaim that. I feel it's really difficult to explain to somebody who doesn't believe in the spiritual realms.

As a friend, certainly I do not wish to see my fellow dear friend to "go to hell" just because he chooses to. But there's a subtle mutual understanding that we can't go around pushing one's belief to another. Am I helping out this friend a great favor by just doing this much? I feel that I can do more but at the same time I'm afraid I'll be invading his life.

If things didn't work out between the two of you, why not let go and live on just as life goes on? it's no big deal to lose one person whom you think is your potential partner when you have half of the entire nation's population of females to choose from. Having said this, damm, i feel like a pathetic hypocrite. I don't think I'm over with my Jean, my exgf. My love for her is deep and... i don't know, mysterious? I really miss her.

"Have a good life"

I am having a good life. Never have been better. I'm not worried and stressful days are a matter of the past. I miss you and you've been kind enough to tell me to have a good life. That's the least expected words from you. "I miss you too" never came out, even if I made a cute pout.

It has been 48 hours since I last ate a proper meal. How did I survived with just 3 glasses of milk and 6-10 cookies? Sugar sustained me? I'm not even too sure about this and it puzzles me even more coz I don't know why I had not felt hungry till this late evening 7pm.

Skated down downtown via University's bridge at plus 4 celsius. Fell once on my bump just before the bridge because of uneven surface and annoying pebbles were in the way. Used to know how to stop on slope but I just felt hopeless and clueless. The only way to stop I guess, right now, is to fall. That's a definite stop.

Camping in the nowhere

I was away from May 9 (sunday) to May 11 (Tuesday). Three of us, Benson, Richard Wong, and I, headed out 2.5 hrs Northwest of Saskatoon to a place regional park called Meota. It's between North Battleford and Llyodminster but closer to the former. The car we were travelling in was packed with food, primarily meat and poultry; hoping to BBQ all of it after a long winter period of school. I was like, y'know, "hell yeah! it's about time we BBQ some stuffs" Arrived at campsite a 30mins late as we missed some turnings; we would be heading towards Llyodminster if Benson didn't turn back coz we're on the wrong highway. My bad, i was the so-called nagivator.

Arrived to the lonely campsite (we were the only people at the site) and excited and can't wait to start the fire the traditional way, not by striking 2 stones but but repetitive drilling of 2 fire wood. My hands were not made to last for this kind of mundane workout so I grabbed some dry grasses and gathered some smaller pieces of wood and lighted a fire on it (using a kitchen lighter; hehe!). We cheated but who cares? Set up tent and one of us will have to sleep in the car as the tent could only fit 2 people.

We chose to camp on this day and thought it will be nice and warm but little did we expect that night itself it was friggin' minus 15 with windchill, we were told the next day. Woke up in the morning at around 09:30 and noticed some icicles were just above my head, dripping cold water into my eyes and forehead because the day was already warming up. Now, that is a definite-wake-up call. That night, I had to have my face covered up as it was just too cold and windy outside. The bond fire we set up didn't help much to keep us warm. On the second day, I helped Richard over the fence where firewoods were kept. It's quicker to get wood that way instead of standing on two pieces of wood and pick out one by one with armpit on fence. We were planning to set up our little grand finale bond fire at night and hoping this will really keep us warm, dont want to be freezing out arse out again like the night before. It was funny when we all woke up and told each other how friggin' cold it was to sleep through. My brother's sleeping bag really helps and has kept me warm. Without it I really don't know how i would have survived. Later, we went to the lake nearby with intention to fish and it was low tide. Didn't catch any fish to BBQ and that's unfortunate. What's more unfortunate is that we do not know how to fish. Snapped some pictures and went back to chopped more fire woods. Chopping these woods are not as easy as I thought. Those are really, really hard & dry wood. We exhausted so much energy doing this. Even the ground is pounded in and probably can be an evidence of thousands of wood been cut. Our only tool was a small cheap camping axe for that job. Some time in the afternoon, a wild hare crawled nearby our car and when noticed, it ran away so fast! Missed a photo opportunity! *sob*

We ate all 3 days and 2 nights. Mainly beef & chicken, bread, sausages, and bacon. I'm vegetarian for the next 3-5 days.

Benson "upgraded" himself from the cook to our camp's most dangerous alchemist. He wanted to make a bomb! I just wanted to throw in a battery and wait for it to explode. He wanted to make a BOMB!! haha! T'was really funny, especially to see him so involved with flammable liquids around him. Richard who is suppose to be objecting his actions, offered him (Benson) his skin lotion because on it Richard pointed out to Benson that the lotion is flammable. I was puzzled for a moment but as soon the lotion is in Benson's hand, I could see how happy and excited he was probably already thinking of all the possibilities he could do with that flammable skin-lotion! Of course, he went psycho by spraying that lotion on every flames he sees. lol!

I found out that woodpeckers (type of bird) are extremely shy OR maybe just too afraid of humans. However, after much attempt, I had a great photo shot of it. Will post up here soon.

later.

eBay wonders

I have been selling a piece of information for not more than 10$ in which will allow the buyer to acquire a camera or other gadgets for only US$39.90 as oppose to paying an ugly sum of at least US$600. I was totally surprised today to know that someone has bidded up my price to $156.50! For the past month, it has never been sold more than 13$ and today i'm getting more than ten folds. It's been great!! I doubted the winning bidder would pay but after looking at his flawless feedbacks (100%) I'm sure he will pay, and he did! I was even flabergasted as this is totally out of my expectation (because I think that piece of information I'm selling is not worth a hundred over dollars; hehe).

Got a pair of rollerblades today at Sportschek. It's been nearly 10 years since I skated and back then I was a pro. I did stunts and went on ramps and did all those twists and sommersault tricks but now maybe my old bones and weak muscles won't allow that no more.

And today, I received a letter from the Dean's office and the first line went like this:
"I am very pleased to congratulate you on having completed all requirements of the College of Arts and Science for your Bachelor of Arts Four-year degree which will be awarded at Convocation on Wednesday, May 26, 2004."
I was so excited! Finally, I have accomplished something in my life; not that I have never though. haha! My plans after this is to probably look for something to do with my life before I start to think of going back to school. What should I do if I were to go back to school for another 4-5 years? Engineering? Mom called me this morning and I told her I wanted to do architecture and she forbided me because she said it'll be very difficult to find a job with that.

Kurt Fletcher, a friend of mine (Metis), ditched me for the camping trip we were all suppose to go. He said the rest of the 12 people who were suppose to go ditched him first and it was only his girlfriend, himself, and his dog, plus me. I was still willing to go even if it was the 4 of us but he didnt like the idea maybe because he wants to have a private time with his [new] girlfriend. Maybe it's a bad idea to go with his girl too. I don't want to be seeing or hearing things I am not suppose to. I don't know who's telling the truth; who ditched who first. it could be that because he is still going with his girl, he ditched all of us and me. whatever. i don't really care. If it's true, he's a man of disappointment and very selffish.

Idling mind

It's 2.5 hours past midnight. There was not much to do for the entire day as I stayed home all day; which was good as I could save some money. Furthermore, it was cold today and thought it was going to snow but it didn't.

Came to school at 23:50 to watch some Cantonese comedy movies (VCD) in Arts146 alone. The good news is that it was entertaining and it was definitely way better than watching it at home on 15" TFT screen of my laptop. coz here in arts146, i used the projector and watched it on big silver screen .. theater like. *winks* I felt like a murderer, I murder time because I have to and if I don't my idle mind would just drown me in boredom. This is for survival. geez, now i have to go back and it's freaking cold now. minus 3?
not suppose to be cold but hey, we just came from plus 20's. if it was the other way , minus 30's, right now i could have gone home with my shorts. i'll cut the boring story.

later.

Say Goodbye

Say Goodbye (zhu fu), a song by Jacky Cheung, playing as background music as I type this. Triggered some memories about my friends in the past and was comparing with the present. Some left, others came and eventually left. Only a few stayed. The rest left with promises to keep in touch but sadly those promises are usually behind the viels of hectic schedules to come out and be fulfilled. Life's pretty much revolving around goodbye's.

Did some gardening work today at Sherry Lin's house, Renee's aunty, with Charmei and Jessie (Shanghai). At noon all works stopped for lunch and I guess all got too lazy after eating and soon we continued watching the Cantonese series about paintings (Cruelty to Oblivion?) from where we left the last time. Took a nap at 15:15 for 2 hours when the smoke detector went off. "Noo!! Who that rookie doesn't know how to cook?" The smoke found its way through my closed door from the gap below between the floor and the door and I sniffed it. Smells familiar and smells good by the way. Didn't want to get up but the alarm went off again. I guess I had to get up anyway and I did. As soon as I opened my door I saw Benson standing up on a chair trying to remove the smoke detector from the ceiling.
He asked, "You just got up??"
"No, I came back for a nap"
The thought of a magazine flashed in my mind because that's what everybody living upstairs with me does whenever the smoke detector goes cuckoo. We would fan as hard and as fast as we could to shut up the detector... And there he was, twisting the smoke detector off from its secured position. Now, it dangles from the ceiling and would tell anyone that it has been tampered. That's Benson's signature there! I asked him later in the evening,

"Why did you want to take off the smoke detector from the ceiling?"

"Because that's what I'd usually do when I was living in Emmanual St. Chad", he explained in a matter of fact tone. Silent after.

I was like, "Ooh, okay. But this is a house and smoke detectors actually helps to notify everybody about a potential fire hazard. Not a very good idea to remove or to tamper with it. you were here many times when the smoke detector went off and I was cooking. hm, maybe you forgot"

Back to reality, there he was still standing on the chair with his left hand on the SD and his right hand probably searching for a wire to pull. NOOoooooo!! it's funny! I told him to get down and he did. I found a magazine and fan off the smokes so that annoying high pic alarm would shut up. He went straight to the kitchen to see how his Pork Chop was doing. Looks good... with all the smoke. :P Man, this guy must be something! It's just a hilarious scene--Benson's best alarming smoked pork chop! I didn't try it, but I have confidence that it's good!

Went out to the gym and worked on chest and arms. Felt good. the pool hours really suxx! couldn't swim after 2pm Mon-Fri. And later, we caught a movie called "13 going on to 30". I thought it's a girly-girly girl movie in which I was not even interested. Hopped theatre and sneaked into another to watch "Hellboy" , which is almost similar to "The league of the Extraordinary Gentlemen". Action-packed! my type!

That's it! Will write another day.

Best & cheapest T-bone steak

Hang-out at the library and had a long chat with Snowflake (Kendra's eldest sister) about her life and her beliefs. It's odd to hang-out there because there's practically nobody at the library especially during this time of the year. People are tree-planting, job hunting, and painting houses earning money. Ah, good news today and I am convocating in May 26th! Maybe that's why I'm at the library trying to get back that feeling of "studying"; weird.

Char Mei, a very cute girl and super nice came to our house for a black pepper T-bone steak in which Benson and I made. Sooo good! Didn't realize how easy it was to make steaks. When we're done working on our delicious steaks, we then remembered something was amissed--potatoes!! T'was too late as they're sitting and relaxing in a hot bath. A waste? Not really.
Then hangout at Yanbing's place for a while because Kirk Backstrom started talking with Benson about stuffs. Believe me, this guy can go on forever.


The looks of our first attempt at the steak; comparable to ones served at The Keg


Charmei and Benson posing before their dinner. I thought I noticed the drips of saliva from the mouth of these two people?


Meeh, the so-called iron chef taking a pose with Charmei after Benson insisted.


The woman with big long nasty knife gone wild with her food. Beware! report to your local authorities if you see this woman galavanting in your neighborhood. She'll devour your meal like there's no tomorrow!

It's full moon tonight
Gazing at the moon light gives me a shiver
The glow from it consumes my imagination wild
Somehow it's weird coz I felt hungry while gazing at it

My friends left for home
Home for them is Malaysia
My roommate left for home
Home for him is Guangzhou, China, Asia.
A friend of my came in to occupy his room
This friend is Benson.

Have not been writing for a week now already.
I'm free but I don't feel that the freedom I should enjoy.
Should I not know that freedom is what I am doing everyday -- boredom.
Whenever my rested body awakes me in the morning, my restless mind asks where and what should be done for today. It seems there are nothing much to do compared to past months where school work is wha I get up to daily. I should really complete ESS website because Mary Jane, the secretary of the Department of Economics, told me Monday that a link was inserted to their brand new website. It's good news, and if I don't work on it, it'll be a bad news for all. Ah, pressure... this pressure I miss. The pressure of deadlines. The pressure of debts is climbing up on me too. damm!

The Mexican girls left Thursday. Found out that Daniella took with her my negatives. I'm okay with it but it'll funny if she had brought it back to Mexico. I'm just hoping I will get it back, not harping on it. I heard they are vacationing in the greater parts of Toronto and will soon travel to Montreal. Ah! Those brochures I said I will pass to them but non of us remember about it. Looks like we're all absent-minded sometimes, most of the time after pampered with a gooooood meal.

Went to gym on Friday and saw Omiyesu, a hot Metis girl. Went to her house to watch hockey; it was Calgary Flames vs. Detroit. Detroit won. Met her mom, who later revealed me her 2 precious cook book from Malaysia. She learned that I'm from Malaysia too and held me ransom for a cooking day Wednesday May 5th. I know we'll make yummies. Odd, but I think cooking is what I like to do when I have time. Photography too.

Yesterday, I ate all day. ha ha! believe me, I actually ate all day. I was with Char Mei and Jessie (Shanghai) in Sherry's home. Sherry, a person I have forgotten, is the aunty of Renee, a sweet girl whom I met about 2 years ago was here for ESL and gone back to Taiwan when her course ended. We were at her place making a Taiwanese snack called "Jiu cai He zi bao" that looks like dumplings. It was good! We started making from 12noon till 6:15pm, after which I had another appointment with Yanbing to make Chinese dumplings at her place. There were lots of people there laboring for the dumplings. Kendra was there too and she worked out her first few dumplings, which turned out to be not-a-disappointment. ;) There were just so many dumplings not many of us could finished it all.

Today, nothing much happened. waiting for tomorrow. waiting to gaze into the bewitching fullmoon again. signing off friends. I have bore many already. You'll not be the last.