Euphoria

Done, it's all done. Just one more thing to go, and my months of suffering is going to end.

Not to forget to mention, first week in INTI is absolutely wonderful, except for the enrollment.

Curse

I never quite believed in curses, but this woman's story probably shows more than coincidence. Found it from Reader's Digest.

Kathleen (named after an aunt who died who died in a plane crash) and her brother Joe(named after a uncle killed in WW2) has the Kennedy curse.

When she was four years old, her grandparents were killed in a plane crash.

Her uncle, President Kenndey, was killed.

Another uncle, George Skakel and her dad's best friend killed in a plane crash (another plane crash? How many do they have?)

George's wife, killed when she choked on a piece of food. (How unfortunate)

Her father was killed when she was 16.

Her friend, was beaten and lay in a coma for 30 years until he died.

Another friend died in a drug overdose.

Her brother Michael died in a skiing accident.

Her cousin John, his wife, sister-in-law died in a plane crash. (Again?)


Maybe there are really things like fate. Is future in our hands?

2008...Ends with a bang

How I wish I could say that... Sadly, the only thing on my mind are regrets and hearbreaks on the last days of the year.

Fine, I am not going to sound so emo when this is a brand new year. This year isn't too bad afterall, I might feel satisfied when all this has passed. I did have plenty of new experiences, had some of my wishes came true, conjured up more wishes I have never dreamt about...

Enjoyed my friends' write up about the year. Glad to have INOPE.

To a certain degree, the year 2009 did start with a bang... launched 5 missiles... I'm coming to the end of the journey.

Hope to blessed by more luck in the new year.

Once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I love reverse psychology

Reverse Psychology

Definition from Wikipedia: a persuasion technique that involves the false advocacy of a belief or behavior contrary to the belief or behavior that is actually being advocated

Example:

From the Simpsons

Homer's Brain: Don't you get it? You've gotta use reverse psychology!
Homer: (Whining) That sounds too complicated.
Homer's Brain: OK, don't use reverse psychology.
Homer: (Insulted) All right, I will (use reverse psychology)!

First signs of reverse psychology misuse:

Rants

Just a short post on a series of unfortunate events.

Got to UTAR 2 hours before my scheduled interview. Decided to look around. Lazy to take the stairs, since they have 2 huge elevators and narrow stairs. Door closed. Shouldn't it be moving? Ah, there's where the fun part starts. The intercom in the lift began to buzz, and my mom started to freak out. I pressed on the emergency button, but I seriously doubt anyone would be hearing us. Luckily after a minute, the lift opened by itself.

There are, of course, 2 ways to look at this incident:
1. I was unfortunate, the lift did work for others.
2. I was lucky, the lift opened by itself.

Given my pessimistic nature, of course I would be thinking about the first one.

Fine, the lift is not an issue anymore, I would be taking the stairs.

Next, the interview part. Stupid me said a thousand stupid things in the interview, and even the interviewer wasn't very amused. I might be the most immature person applying to MIT, ever. To sum it all up, I just did a great job in showing him why I am not suitable for MIT and engineering.

I am still feeling the effects of my stupidity.

AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

I just noticed something.

According to a website dating 2007-2008, Tambun Cave is still accessible.

I am going to kill the security guard for telling us its closed.

I am going to kill Fatt Chi for asking the wrong person and telling me that the Tambun Cave he's talking about is the Tambun Cave I talked about.

Finally, I am going to kill myself for not being sure whether its open or not.

Stupid me....

Ipoh Trips

This could easily pass as one of the most hectic and tiring trips I've ever had. Even China isn't this tiring. Tour from 7 to midnight. Plus cannot sleep in the car. I pity Fatt Chi, having to drive us everywhere. Since Jyo is doing the updating, I am not going to parrot her.

Here's some thought on the place that we didn't have the chance to visit.

Yes, Tambun Cave.

Apparently, it is closed now, and all is left is a jungle and a snake possibly bigger than an anaconda who ate a tourist years ago.

According to this site, this cave is just spectacular.

According to an unknown source, Tambun was once a fishing village, and the fishermen drew cave pictures 2000-3000 years ago. Amazing isn't it?

There are 30 forms of paintings on the wall. They were most likely painted with haematite, a type of red colouring easily available in the area and by ancestors of the Orang Asli living around Tambun. The motifs include human, abstract and animal designs depicting their surroundings like rusa , pelanduk (types of deer), kura-kura (tortoise), dugong and a figure wearing a headdress similar to that worn by the Orang Asli. The cave also contained some neolithic artefacts but have since been removed. It is said that 'the motifs resemble those found in Papua New Guinea and Australia but it is not known if there is a direct correlation between them in terms of age and cultural links.' (The encyclopedia of Malaysia: Early History, Archipelago Press)

What appals me is that such historical site is not preserved and never promoted. Think of its potentials as a tourist destination. Now the only thing accessing it is a snake. What a waste!

And oh, instead of Tambun Cave, we have this on every brochure promoting Ipoh.

The train station. Which is only worth passing by.