READ: ****This event was not created by me. It was created by someone who cares deeply on Tumblr, and I am only spreading the word.****
It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.
Join this event and invite everyone on your friends list. Don’t let their deaths be for nothing. Let it mean something, and let’s do something to change this country for once.
Out of the approximately 28 million people in Malaysia, where I am, I highly doubt that even 10% of our population will be aware of this going on. Neither will many of them give a damn, because this is something that is taboo here, in the Eastern side of the world. We are a conservative society, yes, but it’s time to start moving forward, I think.
Despite being a Christian and having people preach at me my whole life that ‘behavior like this is bad’ and ‘against the original intentions of God’, I still believe that each one of us have our own rights. If He’s all that great and omnipotent, would He not want His creations to live in peace and harmony with one another, with free will and passion? Everyone says that nobody knows the will of God, or what His intentions truly are, because we, as ordinary humans just can’t understand Him. So how can anyone insist that they interpret His Words as such and such? How will anyone know the real meaning behind it?
Anyway, this is something I’m gonna be a part of. People may not understand the reason behind me wearing purple this 20th, but at least I will know I’m doing something for my beliefs. Not only will this be for the six of them, but for everyone else who’s true to themselves, everywhere around the world.
I have a perfectly good reason for not updating as frequently as before.
I hope.
There's my excuse.
I have Tumblr now.
:P
Just think that Tumblr is easier for the very-lazy ol' me.
Will try not to neglect this baby, though.
Still, nobody reads anyway.
So, no big loss la, kan?
>.>
Last weekend I heard this guy say that people nowadays blog/tweet/Facebook because they all want attention.
There's some part of every human which always craves attention and wants others to take notice of them, hence they rely on means such as Twitter and Facebook to express themselves.
In fact, these social networking sites are so extremely popular in the world today that they're verbs in their own rights.
Like, "I'm Facebook-ing now" and "Tweeting from my handphone" are now acceptable English sentences, if only because everyone understands what they mean.
But, in my opinion, these websites are not all about attention garnering, right?
Blogging, for example, consists of a whole range of topics on which people from all around the globe expound upon.
The most popular type of blog is the personal blog.
These are blogs on which individuals post various information, be it on themselves, their lives or basically anything that comes to mind.
They are open-ended blogs, with no limitations as to what people can put up on them.
Of course, this means that they're the most widely used type, because of the freedom people have with them.
Then comes the service blogs.
These are blogs which offer services such as buying/selling items (Blogshops).
Obviously, these are mainly for money-making purposes, but there are some instances where these blogs are used to showcase an individual's talent/handiwork.
These blogs are also quite popular, as they make purchasing easier because the users only have to order and send out the payment to receive the items.
We also have the travelogs/foodies.
These are blogs/online diaries which focus on various places or food.
They introduce foreign spots or famous local delicacies to people around the world who will most probably never have the chance to personally visit those places.
In these blogs, photography is crucial as descriptive writing alone is not enough to attract readers.
Lastly, we have the showcase blogs.
These are blogs people set up to exhibit their artwork/photos/misc. items on the world wide web.
Think of it as a sort of art gallery, but with a bigger range.
Photobugs and models love these, as they're also a sort of portfolio one could refer to if considering to hire the writer.
But of course, they're not only limited to professional photographs taken with dSLRs or beautifully panoramic scenes of the Grand Canyon; they can be a gallery showcasing a rock collection or a photoblog made especially for someone's favourite pet cat.
On the web, the possibilities are endless.
People can be whomever they want to be, as long as they're hiding behind the perfectly practiced facade of a computer monitor.
True, in many instances people really are seeking attention when they use these facilities.
But surely there's more to that?
So, what do you blog/tweet/Facebook for?
P.S.
Blogs were chosen for examples at random from blogging toplist sites.
In no particular order, of course.
:D
Sorry for the almost week-long hiatus, I didn't have much time/mood/energy to update.
But, but, but, today is different!
Today I'm filled with so much leftover energy that I predict a day full of catching up on whatever I need to catch up on.
Know why?
'Cos I passed my driver's license test this morning!
And yes, on my first try, too.
So what does this tell us?
That I'm better at driving than I am at riding motor?
Or that when given a chance to sweet talk the JPJ officer personally, I've a much better chance of passing?
:P
Being random, sorry.
Okay, moving on.
The past week has been busy like WHOA.
I've been going for driving practices, planning out the 2nd Manjung Company's 15th Anniversary dinner, rehearsing ACS's presentation for that night and catching up with all my friends who've come back from KL/Kedah.
Especially Sam, who came down up to Sitiawan from KL to join us for the company's anniversary celebration.
We had loads of fun with him around.
;D
Oh, and I managed to spare time to go watch Resident Evil: Afterlife.
Which, by the way, is a very violent show.
Thank goodness we didn't watch it in 3D, else we'd all get heart attacks.
>.>
Still, that's gonna be the first and the last Resident Evil movie I'm ever watching.
Unless got someone going with me whom I can hug and squeeze when things start exploding on screen.
Any takers?
;D
Just got back from Kelly's birthday party.
Was fun, but I didn't bring my camera, so no pictures.
Although, I'll wait for the rest of them (Who, smartly, brought their super canggih cams) to upload all those super DFA pictures onto Facebook lah.
(:
Anyway, ugh, I don't like riding at night on my motor.
It's a lot of work, and if it's too late, it's scary.
Worse thing is when it rains.
Gods, can't wait till I finally get my P-license so I can legally drive.
So we had a barbecue at Kelly's place, with the whole gang of us 5S3 sakais.
On the plus side, there was loads of yummy food, and BBQs are always bound to be fun.
The bad thing about having open charcoal fires and inexperienced cooks, though, is the heat, the smoke and the burnt food experimentations.
But it was the first ever BBQ I've been to with hash browns and marshmallows offered to us to destroy over the fires.
Oooh, and and and, there was this big bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup, which was awesomeeeee.
So yeah, I had a pretty good time.
Now, though, my hair smells like charcoal smoke, even after washing.
Ughhh.
And by the way, every time I think of the word 'party' now, I immediately associate it with my end-of-year Singapore trip.
Oh yes, I'm very likely going down to Singapore after my SPM, guys.
It'll be tots AWESOME.
Anyways, HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY to Kelly.
Wishing you many happy returns of the day and a bright future ahead.
:3
Okay, who DOESN'T know Namewee, huh?
The mastermind behind YouTube hits like Negarakuku and Nah, Siti Inshah?
Come on, the dude's a national celebrity by now!
He's well known all over the Malaysian web and his name's even in print/on the news.
So, if you really haven't heard of him, you must be like, some really ulu person who lives in the middle of a jungle without TV or internet.
Anyway, he's facing the possibility of legal action being taken upon him for posting all those controversial videos, most of which take a direct hit at the Malaysian government.
The kerajaan dudes wanna stick him in jail for voicing out his opinions through video media.
I think it's all bullsh*t.
They can't sue someone for speaking their minds.
I totally don't agree with their pending decision as to whether or not Namewee should be brought to court.
All he did was express things as they are, and since we do have a law that protects the freedom of expression, I don't see why it's a big deal.
Unless, of course, that law (Like so many others) only applies to those who are 'bumiputera'.
It's not that I totally agree with Namewee's methods of expression.
I do have some issues with his extremely foul language and choice of words, which tend to make him seem a lot less serious than he could be when dealing with these sensitive topics.
I mean, if he were to be civil and talk with the flair of someone who knows his stuff, he'd sound a lot more convincing.
But of course, that way he'd have attracted less viewers and garnered less attention.
Everybody loves a scandal, innit?
But he's got the guts to say aloud and shout it to the world, the issues we're facing here in Malaysia.
Extremist he may be, but he's done what few people dare to do and gone that extra mile to make himself heard.
At least the things he say are true, right?
Freedom of speech and expression FTW, people.
It shouldn't be just a concept in the Perlembagaan Malaysia which we have to study pointlessly about in school.
As of many other Articles in there, too.
So, trials are over.
Am free for now.
Still don't feel like much though.
Oh, gods.
Anyway, my first day after trials was a Friday and the morning started off by going to CHMC for a BB meeting.
Strange that I should be going even after I've already graduated from it, but... Meh.
After, went for regular yumcha session with the GG Gang (Alan, Alex, Ervin, me) and Ling Jia.
 |
| Teh ice, Milo ice, Kopi peng |
Then, drove all the way down to Lumut Waterfront to lepak for a bit.
As usual, when GG gets together, crazy stuff happens.
Aaaaaand, we camwhore like WHOA.
 |
| Vin and Alan |
 |
| Trespassing on private jetty |
 |
| Vin found a dinghy |
 |
| Alan found a (very patriotic) boat |
 |
| And they both found a cement swordfish. FML. |
 |
| The Thinker and Mr Incredible |
Yeah, well.
THEY camwhored, anyway.
I got some nice scenery shots, though.
Too bad I didn't have my camera on me; had to make do with a W595i's 3.2MP.
Oh yeah.
I drove Vin's Myvi into a cement pole, too.
Fingers itchy to test out an auto car, I was a little careless and maneuvered it to kiss the pole.
I swear I went ten shades of pale when I heard the scrape.
It wasn't too bad, and I promised to pay him whatever it costs to fix the paint-job and a bit of knocking, but I still feel like shit.
He was super gracious about it - didn't even shout at me or anything.
And that makes me feel even shittier.
Gods, will there be no end to my miserable uselessness?
Gosh, I lurve this!
Hahaha...
Just made it a few hours ago, so, yeah.
>.>
Because I was bored, and LA is down for a couple of days:
1280 x 800px wallpaper, FTW.
It looks pretty on my desktop now.
:D
Will be starting tomorrow.
First papers are Physics, Papers I, II and III.
So I mightn't be on often for the next two weeks.
AWOL-ing to focus on studying/giving trials my best shot.
I know, unbelievable for this girl to study right?
But no choice lah...
See you guys around!
:3
We've always heard it being said that our history is what teaches us about our future.
Our history is where we get lessons from which to improve ourselves and avoid the same mistakes our forefathers made.
Our history is meant to teach the younger generations about our past and our legacies, so that we don't forget who we are in essence.
But if these are the reasons why we are learning history, then what the heck have we been studying in Sejarah at school?
Because to me, it appears more to be a chance to show off the achievements people have made in the past, not allow us to learn from them.
To me, it seems like the only reason our Sejarah syllabuses are saturated with Islamic history is to conduct a sort of 'brainwashing' thing, or to convince the 'rest of us' that Islam was a major part of the world's past and present.
And in Malaysia, where we should be taking a leaf out of other, more advanced countries' books, we are instead sticking to a system where we're only focusing on what happened here and not the world in general.
Well, I don't deny that yes, our country's past is important, but what happened to the rest of the world matters, too!
Of course, Islam and its whole movement was a big part of history, but what about everything else?
We have one chapter on Europe's Dark Ages and a few references here and there to the World Wars, but that's about it for Sejarah Tingkatan 4 and Tingkatan 5.
We don't get to learn about the early civilizations; the New World discoveries; the in-depth of the Renaissance and Reformation periods!
Closer to home, we don't even get to know more about the Chinese empires and many dynasties or even the spread of all the other major religions in these areas.
Heck, our textbooks even have ridiculously stupid information errors, especially when discussing the religions.
I mean, who said that Jesus Christ was the founder of Christianity?
That's like saying the Nabi Muhammad 'mengasas agama Islam' (Founded the Islamic religion), and I'm sure that statement would create an uproar in this country if written in the textbooks.
Same concept, okay?
Jesus did NOT 'create' Christianity, he was the Son of God sent from heaven to save the souls of all of us!
For goodness sake, if those historians (Or textbook authors, whichever) can't even get that right, what's to say they got anything else correct?
By not being given the chance to open our minds up to the world and the things happening around us, we have already successfully begun our first step backwards.
As if we're not heading backwards fast enough already, is it?
 |
| Stupid, stupid, stupid Sejarah. |
|
I.
Am.
Seriously.
Loving.
Gossip Girl.
It is my new favourite thing, so.
Just putting it out there.
:D
Anyways, watching movies which reflect real life people in real life situations engaging in real life animated banter is just real life awesome.
Although, real life probably doesn't have quite that much drama, unlike the series.
But I think you understand what I mean gua?
Being able to watch people whose country speaks English as a native language engaging in daily social activities is stimulating.
I mean, Manglish is fun and useful and expressionable and all, but real English is the epitome of awesome.
Your brain has to work fast and try to catch things as they come so that you'd be able to understand what's going on in the show.
And after long periods of dumbing down my language to communicate with people in everyday life, to be able to witness something so different is just...
It makes me happy.
:D
Besides, the look on my family members' faces as I laugh and comment on the show is just priceless.
Like my brother, for example, who was like, "Hah? What so funny?" when I was helplessly laughing over the sarcastic, verbal attacking scenes.
Ooooh, bliss.
And, I hate dumbing down my language intellect just to get through the day.
It's so annoying sometimes when I've got something smart to say, but hardly anyone understands it.
So, yeah, Manglish is going to be the death of this beautiful language in Malaysia.
D:
P.S.
I pretty much have little idea what I'm actually talking about.
Just had carbonated apple juice AND a mug of really sweet coffee, which is gonna be killer for my hyperactive mind tonight.
So just bear with me?
:P
P.P.S.
I feel like downloading all the Gossip Girl episodes, then enjoy swimming in Chace Crawford's lovely blue eyes.
:O
I'm just home from my trip down to KL for the blogging contest's prize-giving ceremony.
Nothing much, really.
Four long hours' drive down to pick up some books and RM100, then four long hours' drive back.
Can't say I'm not disappointed that I didn't get an Ipod Touch, or that the system should have been more human-judge-based rather than votings, but a finalist out of 70+ entries from all over Malaysia doesn't seem too bad, I guess?
Just feeling a little down, because the trip was seriously tiring and seemed like a bit much just to pick up RM100...
Oh, well.
When I feel like I'm up to it, maybe I'll upload some photos and stuff.
Not now, though.
Like, effing exhausted now.
KL traffic and roads are biatches.
Gods.
Just a short update, anyways.
I am very, very, very sick now.
Like red-eyed, runny-nosed, sneeze-crazy sick.
Thought it was just sinus as usual, but it seems to be a extending into cold instead.
Oh, gods.
(I kind of 'adopted' that "Oh, gods" thing from Percy Jackson. >.>)
Anyways.
Today was WendyD's birthday and we celebrated at school.
It was kinda like Jack's birthday a few months back, right down to the Secret Recipe cake and the whole 'hush-hush' atmosphere.
But then again, when you live in a small town like Sitiawan, Secret Recipe cakes are considered treats and school is the best place to celebrate with everyone.
So, yeah.
Was cute, the way we put things together at the last minute just to celebrate it for her.
They tried so hard to keep her from knowing, but I supposed she kind of guessed anyway.
Still, it was fun and one of our last so-called 'happy moments' before the end of our final year arrives.
So I smuggled my camera to school and the whole bunch of us camwhored and stuff.
Okay, I guess I'm a little behind on this, since The Sorcerer's Apprentice came out about a week ago.
But hey, I live in a small town with just one small cinema in it, so give a little leeway lah, okay?
So anyway.
Sorcerer's Apprentice has a really predictable storyline.
You know, like really powerful wizard defeated by really powerful witch who is in turn trapped in some jail-like thing by the powerful wizard's student.
Then the powerful wizard dies because he's been mortally wounded and he tells his student that the only way to really kill/destroy the now-trapped powerful witch is to find another dude who is even more powerful-ler and has the fate of the world in his hands.
And so the powerful wizard's student (Who can, by the way, live forever because of some powerful spell) goes in search of this dude so that they can all save the world and be reunited with their respective loved ones.
Throw in loads of action scenes, a dragon or two, a whole lot of fire/burning stuff and a little bit of physics applications, and there you have The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
It was really predictable - quite a number of movies use the same storyline so that it's totally overused already.
But this movie's saving quality was its not-too-bad acting and the wicked effects.
Oh, yes, and it had a bit of humour in it, too, so at least we had some laughs.
But it was the first ever magic-related movie that actually explained magic in scientific terms.
Now that is something new.
=)
Anyway, the verdict?
3.5/5 stars, for the awesome action scenes and good actors.
Definitely not Avatar material, but it's worth watching if you're just out for a light, fun night.
Oh, oh, oh and the main actor (Jay Baruchel) was cute.
Not hot cute, but 'kawaii' cute because he acted the bumbling, clumsy, nerdy university student who was cool in his own way after all.
:3
P.S. - If you ever intend to watch the show, do remember to look out for a scene where David Stutler (Jay Baruchel) uses his newfound magic powers to clean up his laboratory.
He literally commanded the mops and brooms to work on their own, while he went to have a bath.
Needless to say, something went wrong and (The powerful, dead wizard's chosen student) Balthazar Blake (Nicholas Cage - See? Impressive line of actors!) gives him a lecture about it afterward.
The scene was so totally Mickey Mouse!
If you've watched the old cartoon when you were young, Wizard Mickey did the same thing too and fell asleep, ending up flooding his whole castle.
It was cool watching it acted out.
:D
 |
| Mickey Mouse in The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1940s) |
 |
| Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) in The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010) |
And it's something I've wanted for, like, EVER.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet:
My new Kingmax external hard drive!
Have a lot of things in your computer which are important?
Tired of your laptop lagging because of hard drive overload?
Need to carry large files around which can't fit into thumbdrives?
Well, worry no more because Technology has given us the amazing invention called the External Hard Drive!
It's small, it's sturdy, it's portable and most importantly, it has a huge capacity.
(Oh, it's shiny, too!)
Yes, ladies and gents, this Kingmax baby has 640GB worth of space, which is double of most laptops and desktops (320GB).
It comes with its own pouch:
It's only 2.5 inches, and fits into my palm.
See?
^^
Anyways, am happy that I finally got this.
I've been needing it for a loooooong while, on account of my laptop slowly getting overflowed with my miscellaneous folders and art pieces.
So, weeeeee~
On another, equally happy note:
My Vampire Diaries series has finally finished its very, very, very long download.
22 episodes took my stupid supposed-to-be-54Mbps-Streamyx-connection-but-is-much-much-slower line 3 days plus plus to complete.
GOSH.
But still, it came out clear and HDTV quality.
So, yay~!
Can't wait to start watching, because the show is NICE weh!
No sparkly vampires, no emo, sadistic main actress, and no Robert Pattinson.
This should be a bomb.
^^
We've all heard of terms like 'dumb blonde', 'preppy snob', 'drama queen/king', 'emo goth' and so on.
The world is full of stereotypes; classes in which everyone places everyone else in so that each and every person can be defined by a specific adjective.
But how true are names like these?
How really dumb are blondes, or pretty girls?
How really stuck up or snobbish are rich kids?
How really show-offy are school jocks?
People always say that stereotyping is bad and that everyone shouldn't be doing it.
But what if there really is some truth in those names we call others?
Here's my theory:
How people turn out to be depends a lot on the environment they've grown up in, their backgrounds, their personal values and the characters.
Confused?
Let me give you some examples.
You call that pretty girl dumb, because she may have the looks, but is still stuck at the bottom of the class.
Well, she probably has never had to use her brains, because her looks already get her everything she wants and needs.
Her charm and beguiling nature is dominant, therefore giving her no reason to develop her other skills.
After all, why work hard when others can work for you?
Rich kids.
Snobby, stuck up, cocky and all those stuff.
But they've been provided for all their lives by their money-loaded parents.
Whatever materialistic items, they have and their needs fulfilled by the house's maids and servants.
They never had reason to take care or even watch out for themselves, so why start in school?
They've been pampered and cuddled and well-provided-for; naturally, they feel at ease and proud of themselves because they have nothing to worry about.
The same goes for jocks and athletes.
They've got the talents, so it's only human nature to want to show off, isn't it?
Nerds, dorks and bookworms are antisocial because they're never given a chance to shine.
Their domain lies in the academics, so they stick to their comfort zones.
Stereotypes don't necessarily fit everyone, and a lot of people don't like them, either.
I'm not saying that everyone should be moulded and conformed to fit society's expectations of them; I'm just saying there is some realism in the class (If any) that society has deemed you to be a part of.
Yet I have been either going out, lepak-ing all over town or sitting at home reading my Galaxie magazine.
Sedangkan my tests start on Tuesday.
WTF max.
By the way right, why do so many Chinese artistes/actors/actresses have ridiculous names?
I mean, I was just browsing through Galaxie and came across the name Real Ting.
He's Miriam Yeung's hubby and is rumoured to be joining Miriam on stage at her next concert.
His name cracked me up, so I decided to Google him to see what he looked like.
The verdict?
Oh, there's nothing 'fake' about him, all right.
So what's with Chinese artists' penchant to choose totally ridonkculous names?
For example, Fish Leong.
Do you see any resemblance of her to a marine animal?
(Is that even correct grammar??)
Well, maybe her slightly-puffy eyes...
But still.
Why Fish, of all the nouns the English language offers?
Why not Shark or Eel or Dolphin, then?
Dolphin Leong, hmm...
I'm not insulting her lah; don't sue me.
But c'mon...
Or a certain Vinx Lin.
The name reminded me of yet another animal:
Ladies and gents, meet the mink.
It's one of the cousins of the otter and the weasel, for your information.
Meet also the minx:
Which is a pert, impudent or flirtatious young woman.
Okay, guys, you can stop drooling now!
So I was thinking, "Vinx Lin is definitely a girl..."
Okay.
Not a girl.
A (Pretty hot) guy.
Who, unfortunately for him, has a very, very odd name.
And, of course, our very own Malaysian stars:
Henley Hii and Orange Tan.
*Sighs*
Please can you people find better names to call yourselves?
I really respect you guys for making it big in the entertainment industry, which definitely mustn't have been easy.
But gosh, your names really are farh-neee!
I mean, you guys are all great artistes/actors/actresses in your own rights, I have nothing against you.
Just your names, y'know?
If you're gonna wanna be famous and internationally known and stuff, at least choose English names that are memorable because they reflect you and suit you, not memorable because they seem to be random syllables or nouns picked from the dictionary.
But of course, it all boils down to personal taste.
Anyways, who am I to speak?
My name doesn't even suit me to begin with.
Like, seriously?
SERENE??
(Okay, this picture's from a couple of yearsssss ago and I look like a freak. No comments! =.=|||)
Jym Chong??
I rest my case.
