just some thoughts...

It's amazing how time really flies and you hardly noticed it.

It's only today when I just realized so many things during the one hour bus ride home. I really think lonely bus rides for me is the thing that triggers my thoughts.

My blog turned 3 on the 16th of september (I usually would have noticed it on the day itself but not this year). Looking back just one year ago on my post this time of the month, I have to admit, I changed a lot this year. I changed for the better.

My bus rides last year tend to have me thinking of really unnecessary silly, emo stuff. I read back on my posts and I just giggled on how silly I was. I gotta say, I was pretty down last year around this time. On what? Sorry, it's just for me to know and not for anyone to find out. Ask me and I'll say NO. Nyehehehehe.... But I'm sure you can guess it larr.. typical. But don't even think I'll elaborate on it :p

Just today during the bus ride home, I realized the way I think is different. No more of the last year's stuff. I'm pretty much a happier person, really living life to the fullest, trying my best to make the most out of everything and just ... just stop thinking. Move on, the past is the past. Maybe all of us have to go through that phase, but one day, we'll grow out of it. I think I have. Pretty fast eh? I've definitely moved on.

Somehow, something (which honestly do not know what) just made me realized that... Hey! IT isn't everything... it's just an extra something, no rush into it, it will happen if it's meant to happen. Alright, to put it the wiseman, darren's way.... IT is usually either money or guys. So, go figure! Haha! just click on September 2006 archives and you'll know my emo-ness.

But yeaa... just today I realized, I'm no longer like that. I've changed. Maybe it was actually just last year as I wasn't like that the year before. Haha! Lonely bus rides? I don't dislike them anymore. In fact, I'm enjoying it. I sleep :p

Hehehehe... yea.. just a lil something i realized and i'm amazed with it. I'm happy with it. Haha!! Time flies, people change, we move on, and we start fresh, don't you think so? ehehehe...

Current time: 8.26 p.m.
Date: 28th September

to my swannie swan swan

This post was meant to be published on the 18th of September 2007...

To someone who's so naive, who believes nearly every single thing i say, who's blur most of the time. Someone who thinks a lot, someone who's most likely to embarass herself in front of everyone, someone who emo emo all the time (now less larr....), someone who would drop her water bottle in the toilet bowl and still pick it up and wash it ....

....... it's all these tiny lil things that you do, that you are, that will always put a smile on my face. It's all these things that always gives me something to do to you :p

To someone who loves chocolate like crazy, who would usually order mocha at any coffee shops, who would live for music, who loves emo songs, who is a big fan of purple, who prefers buying closed toe shoes instead of open-toed ones, who's favourite lucky number is 3, someone who always try not to miss any F1 race, someone who's a good tennis player, who loves to play with balls, who's a big fan of schumi, roddick, federer.....

...... these are few of the facts that I currently know about you and I'm sure I'm about to learn more.

To a hardworker, who would stay up till 3am sending out emails, who would do anything without any complaints, somewho who is a good planner, who is responsible, who will always try her best to please everyone.....

..... these are the qualities that makes you so loveable, that makes everyone like you and hard to hate. These are the qualities that you have that will make you a true leader.

To someone whom I met last year. To the very first friend I made in university. To my sports buddy, my travelling companion, my other half, my trusty map reader, my makan kaki.

To the one who took me around Penang last year. To the one who would roll down hills with me. To the one who made a deal with me when we turn 25. To the one who talked me into joining UMSA which I have no regrets at all and I have to thank you for that. To the one who supports me all the time, who always have my back, who keeps me sane, who listens to my rantings. To the one that never fails to make me laugh (both AT you and WITH you), who do things out of the world that only a Ying Swan will do, things that I will always remember. To someone who will always be the famous main character in the stories I have to tell others to make them laugh ......

.... Thank You for all of these for the past 1.75 years!!! You are truly amazing and indeed a blessing to me. Thank you for coming into my life. Meeting you, being your friend, is simply one of the bestest things in my life!!

Happy 19th Birthday girl! Here's to many many more wonderful years ahead and many many more memories to be written down in our hearts.

I'm sure you had a wonderful birthday and thank goodness no sabo-ing this year, right?

Nyehehehehehe..... Love you lots my other half!!

And because I'm Sher Mayne and you are Ying Swan, I shall dedicate this awesome video to you!! (a clear example of why you are just a full ball of laughter!!)

i'm back

not that long afterall.. missed me?

hahahaha!! got windows xp cd and microsoft office cd from family friend last night... hence... my internet is all good now!!

really a blessing to have met people like them... had an early mooncake celebration last night at their house as well... ahhh.. good food good food... and so happy they had the cds!

anyway, my laptop is still not all done yet.. still copying files back into my laptop ... the microsoft office cd is a wee bit outdated... don't have microsoft frontpage :( i do need frontpage to blog bout my trip.... so i'm still waiting for the microsoft office cd from auckland to be sent over!! thanks rayvin in advance...... and also still need to reinstall the anti-virus thing which i would need the online guidance from roger... hehehe... thank you roger in advance.. prepare to be bugged by me :p

a lot of uni work piling up. so much readings to do! man, i don't even do readings back in auckland. here, i HAVE to actually read them!! *sigh* and why o why did i choose to do physics? it's like all back to college again.... and obviously, i've forgotten everything! *sigh* need to get the numerical part of my brain working again.. that is if it still exist. no sleep for me tonight until I get the physics quiz done :(

but right now, i'm off for some sports! basketball. a substitute for netball :p it's gna be all girls so won't be dangerous. i'll take care, i will....

Current time: 2.12 pm
Date: 23/9/2007

MIA

I will be MIA till....

till i find a windows xp installation cd and a microsoft office cd and reformat my laptop.. or maybe just reinstall windows xp....

something wrong with my laptop.. can't access internet explorer or msn.. the only thing i can go onto is Skype.. so yea.... don't expect me blogging till..... till i find the cds....

My other half .... I still owe you a blog post.... Happy Belated 19th Birthday and I am sure you had heaps of fun during ur bday... hope u like my lil surprise ... ekekekekekekeke :p

till then... Bye!

Current time: 5.39p.m.
Date: 19/9/2007

the birth of my scar

What a weekend!
My dearie Swannie swan swan did help me sum it all up in facebook...

"hardout lah u..
not even there for a month u got injured and went clubbing too.. lol..hope you're better now.. faster come bac n i want to see ur stitches/scar
at least u got stmg to remember from canada d hahahaha..
take care"

teeeheee. i shall elaborate on it...

Friday, went to club 737 which is located on one of the tallest and largest building in montreal. It didn't look that tall or that big. but yea... that's what they said. What was the event about? I'll just copy and paste la... feeling lazy...

"Come join the fun where the international student associations of McGill, Concordia, HEC and UQAM will be present to celebrate the commencement of the semester and to recognize the unity of the international students associations into one network called “I’M Etudiant” (Montreal International Student.) The party will be held at 737, one of the most popular and elegant nightclubs of the city, which features two floors of music, an open terrasse with a breath-taking view of the Montreal skyline and great drink specials!"

The view from the roof-top was great and it was really windy. Didn't manage to take a proper view of the city at night. Wasted. Went with my housemate, Evangeline. Thank goodness I had someone to go with. 8 bucks for ticket but yeaa... just decided to go and see how it's like.

The security/bouncers were really strict. They actually spot-check each and everyone very thoroughly. And the guys get touched all over before they can go in. From head to toe, including their bum bum but excluding their *ahem* ... but it was pretty close.

Halfway throughout the night, we bumped into Kim, another girl from Auckland, and her friend, Samantha whom I do not know where she's from. Not too bad after meeting them as it's better to dance with just another person. Hehe... Plus, we scored ourselves two free tequila shots. A guy came up and talked to Samantha and decided to shout us a tequila shot. After more chatting, it came down to whether he could remember our names and he had a hard time remembering mine. Hence, another tequila shot from him. Haha!! And all Kim and I did was just standing there and Samantha did the talking. Teeeheee :p

The Aucklanders.... Evangeline, my house mate ..... And Kim, another girl from Auckland Uni :)

Three of us who got shout tequila shots :) Evangeline was too tired and she was at somewhere else sitting down.

So how was the clubbing experience? Well, let's just say... I didn't enjoy it that much. I guess it's not about the location, but more on the company. I miss Auckland. I really had a great night during my sending-off party back in Auckland hence nothing can beat that. At least there's the free drinks, a few good companies, and I can say, I've been to the highest and tallest building in Montreal :p

The next day.....

Went to Chinatown to buy groceries. In the evening, I went for ultimate frisbee.
It was actually a proper game where we actually play against other teams. The team I'm in is the worst team in the pool, apparently they are the only team who goes in there and just play for fun and if lucky, they'll come out with a score of 13-1. Other times, it will be 13-0. Lolx! It has been like that for the past few years but they are the team that have the most fun on field. I guess I had to put aside the competitive edge in me and just enjoy the game. How I found the team? Well, it's a team that the mcgill christian fellowship put up with and yea.. since I was at fish frosh, they decided to call me to join. Haha!!

Ultimate frisbee is fun. It involves a lot of running (more like a lot of short sprints as you have to chase after the frisbee) and also proper skills to throw the frisbee properly and catch it. Decided to join as it will give me a good workout.

Anyway, two minutes into the game, the opposing team already scored a try.

And then two minutes after that....... that's when it happened....

The opposing team was throwing the frisbee to his teammate and I was only a few metres away from the team mate so I knew I could just intercept the frisbee and we will gain possession. So then.. I charged and sprinted and jumped to intercept the frisbee! Voila! I got it!! But a milisecond after that..... WHAM!!!! One of my teammates, who was coming for it as well collided into me. He is a big, tall guy I must say. It hurt but I felt fine and was happy I managed to intercept it ad gain possession of the frisbee. I got up and said .."I'm ok! I'm ok! Play on!!"

Then.... I looked down and there I saw it. Blood dripping from my head onto my brand new, WHITE, champion hoodie. First thing I said...... "ohhh no!! my hoodie!!!" Then I realized, my head was bleeding. It was bleeding non-stop. I was so frustrated that my hoodie is getting all the blood. White colour you know! And it's new! *sigh* I was obviously fine, no concussion, no dizziness, no headache.

Got off court and went to first aid and cleaned me up. The fella said the cut is really deep and I will have to go to the hospital and stitch it up. The hospital was only 5 mins walk from the gymnasium but since I didn't bring my health insurance card with me, I had to walk back and grab my card. By the time I walked home, it was already 7.

Evangeline followed me to the hospital. The signs at the hospital are pretty bad. We walked up the road, following the Emergency sign. And somehow, we ended up at the maternity ward?!? which was pretty funny. Not a pleasant place by the way. I definitely do not want to have babies at this hospital. My baby will be traumatised for life!! I'm telling u, the place is just freaky!! But yea.. in the end, we managed to find the right emergency ward. It was more off a so-called emergency ward coz everything is so slow moving and the process I had to go thru...... wahlau!!

First, I had to go to the Triage and get them to check me up briefly... Then wait for like 10 minutes to go and register to see a doctor. When I was registering, they asked me a lot of questions. From my address to New Zealand and even my religion! wahlauu!! But I guess, it's part of the registration procedure. I bet if I were taken in unconscious, then I need not go thru all these processes!

Then, I waited for 3 hours to get to see the doctor to give me my stitches. They could have told me I have to wait for that long. Could have gone and grab dinner first and come back. *sigh* Felt so bad for evangeline who had to wait so long for me and she was so sleepy. She was already sleepy when we were doing our grocery shopping at Chinatown. Took some pictures in that 3 hours and also texted home and yingswan. Lolx! and then lynster and jellymi also texted me. Haha! Hence, I was occupied for a lil while with my phone.

"we do not tolerate any form of violence.." I guess they really do need to put that sign up because I was on the verge of being violent since I had to wait for so long!!!!

About 11, it was finally my turn! Was actually pretty scared. I mean, stitches! I'm ok with injections and blood donation. But stitches? That's like going in and out of your skin god knows how many times!! It turned out fine. I didn't really feel anything because the doctor injected some freezing agent on my wound. That was actually the painful part. 4 injections. I counted. The stitching process was fast. The whole time, I could just hear the needle and thread going in and out but couldn't feel anything.

Then, I had to wait for more than 20 minutes for a nurse to come in and give me a tetanus shot, tell me where to go and take out the stitches in 5 days time and check me out. Really hate the wait.

By the time I came out, it was midnight. Poor evangeline who waited the whole time for me. Obviously, we were too tired to cook after such a long day. So, we headed to chinatown. Thank goodness there's a chinese restaurant which closed at 3am! It was our first time since we arrived, coming out together and have chinese food.

E and her beef noodle soup. Thanks girl for waiting for me the whole time!!!!!!

Me, my scar and my char siew fried rice. Wanted duck noodle soup but I texted mummy and she said it's better not to have duck after a wound. No prawns too!

Food wasn't too pricey. It came up to 9 bucks each including tax and tips. Hehe... and it was good :D Also had soya bean milk with the dinner, and they gave us fortune cookies and oranges for dessert. So at least, we did have a happy ending for the day. Haha!

Got home around 2 something and then slept around 3. What a day! What a day indeed!!!

And now... say hello to my newborn scar, currently with 5 stitches on the left side of my forehead.

Birthdate: 15 sept 2007

Now I've got two scars. One on the left, one on the right. The one on the right(from this pic, it's left side la.. haha!) was when I was a little naughty girl at the age of 2. I was running around as I didn't want to eat my food and then WHAM! Hit the wall and then went to hospital and get stitches! Haha! But yea.. it isn't that obvious now....after 17 yrs? lolx!!

And swan and roger said .... "I think you should just stick to netball la!"

Will I still be playing frisbee? I hope so. Cannot let this kinda things stop me from playing right? Just like touch. Hehe... If not, I don't have any other things to do here already!!!

*sigh* another scar. On the forehead somemore, so obvious. So ugly. Now want to find a guy also even more harder right? hahahahaha! Maybe in 5 yrs time it won't be too obvious? Then after that can start finding prince charming.. ekekekekekeke :p

Current time: 3.38 p.m.
Current Date: 16/9/2007

food cravings

I can't wait for this Monday. Where I will be buying all the unhealthy junks for my consumption. I want ice cream, chocolate drinks, chips, chocolate biscuits, cookies, nuggets, pies, frozen pasta meals and more which I can't think of right now. For the past 2.5 weeks, I've been eating oh-so healthy. Well, to my standard, it is healthy. Haven't had ice cream of any sort, no sweet chocolate drinks, no junk or frozen food since I arrived. The only unhealthy thing I ate was pizza, it was for free so yea... hehehehe..... And pizza to me is actually healthy. It's got pineapples (fruit), tomato sauce (tomato is vege :p), meat (protein) and the pizza base is obviously carbs!

My dinner for the past 4 days (you can see that I ran out of veges.... :p)

Pasta with mushroom sauce .... Chicken rice with ginger chicken n GRAPES

Leftover chicken soup with noodles and GRAPES.... Steak, mashed popatoes, mixed veges

I need more variety of food and in larger amounts. I'm getting my appetite back!! I have got cravings!! I'm telling you, Shermayne can't stay healthy for long. 2.5 weeks is already a huge achievement for me. I ate my veges, my fruits, my carbs, my protein. But when Monday arrive, I'm gonna feast on junk! My sweet tooth is really calling to me!!!

Monday, monday it is. Why wait till Monday? Because Provigo gives 10% discount on Mondays to students who spend above $50 dollars. Hence, this is me here, generating a list of things to buy on monday so that I will reach 50 bucks and get 10% off!!!

Monday Monday.... hurry up!!!!

Current time: 10.54p.m.
Date: 13/9/2007

look on the bright side

Because not all is bad and things are getting better ...........

- First weekly allowance of NZD 118.98 is in!!
- Bankdraft processed. Can finally withdraw money!!!
- My expense sheet indicates that I'm below my budget for food. Spent $150 to last me three weeks when I budgeted $100 per week. Yayyyy!!!
- The crazy little things like fightpokes, vampire and werewolf biting, racing, petting, feeding, looking for MUNNY that goes on in Facebook just makes me laugh
- The discovery of the free SMS on facebook is the most useful application and I'm glad I have it!
- Got rice cooker from auntie suzanne!!!!!!!!!!!

first week at mcgill

First week of uni is over. How's it so far? Well, can't really say much to it just that it involves a lot of walking, fast walking!

From my place to uni, it takes 15 mins if I walk fast. Then from the uni, I need to get to the gym (where most my classes are) which takes another 15 mins walk. Then after one class, I'll obviously walk back to the main campus (15 mins) and then in the afternoon, I'll have to walk back to the gym (15 mins) for my next class. And then.... walk home. So it's basically one hour worth of fast walking per day. Haven't manage to go jogging yet. Need to find a nice place for jogging. The only nice place so far is at MacDonald campus but it's an hour bus ride. Lolx! Better jog before winter arrives. They do have an indoor running track here tho!! Well, the sporting facilities is just WOW!!

Sorry I haven't take pictures of it yet. Don't even know whether I'll be taking pictures of all the facilities.You might as well go to the website and see the professional pictures and see what they have. Lolx!!

http://athletics.mcgill.ca/facilities_home.ch2

All of this for FREE! Well, it's included in our athletics fees where all the students have to pay it regardless they use it or not. To be honest, I don't even know how much is it because I haven't paid anything yet and I haven't receive any emails or letters saying I need to pay such thing. So maybe it's free for exchange students? Hahaha! Will see in the next few weeks. But yeaa.. to use the fitness centre (exercise equipments etc), will have to pay $15 extra per semester. I think it's still way better than uni of auck but yeaa... what's the point of me being accessible to all these when there's no one to play with me? Lolx! No point joining the clubs here because they are like WOW!! Very competitive... inter-varsity competitions are very often. I think.... I think I'll just be a supporter over here. Hehehehe....

I'm so sorry I haven't took any photos of uni and the surroundings. All the photos I've been taking are photos in my apartment, mainly... my food.

This is my very first home-cooked meal on Tuesday. Rice, onion chicken with VEGES. Mum said presentation looks good. I really think it's the plate ($3 only!) that makes the food look good. Haha! See, I'm eating my veges. Well, it's nice veges. Taste like the spinach back in Malaysia but apparently it's not spinach. I do not know what it is. I just bought it coz it's leafy and looks easy to eat. Haha! It was my first attempt cooking rice on the STOVE as I do not have a rice cooker nor do I have a MICROWAVE. I have not cooked rice on stove in my life!! So yea.. it got burnt. Slightly burnt and the rice sticks to the pot. Thanks darren though for giving me some tips coz if not, I think it won't be edible at all. At least still can eat and not a big disaster.

My very first cooked breakfast! For the past one week plus, I've been eating bread and cereals and sometimes muesli bars. But today (friday) I only had class at 4.30 hence I managed to prepare a good breakfast for myself. Sausage topped with melted cheddar cheese (unhealthy but I like my cheese ok), eggs and toast. Normal la but I'm so happy with my egg! The yolk did not pecah!! And I cooked it on a steel frying pan. Most of the time when I try to cook this kind of egg, the yolk will usually pecah even on the non-stick pan. If I cook on steel pan, confirm pecah! But today I got lucky and it turned out PARFAIT!!

So happy, it made my day. And for dinner tonight, I decided to cook as well. You see, I'm money-less. Literally down to the last nickel. Nvm, Monday can get money d! So yeaa... Friday night and I'm eating in. The only meat I have left is pork ribs. Chicken finished d. And the only dish that I have cooked before using pork ribs is... Bak Kut Teh!

One big pot with 500g of pork ribs because the small pot is too small for 250g and the big pot is too big for 250 g. Hence, this shall be my dinner tomorrow night as well!

Look at the veges. And look at the rice!!! Not burnt anymore. Third attempt. Rice didn't stick to the pot. Only thing is, this time is a wee bit watery. Nvm, tmrw night, it shall be perfect! I hope.. hehehehe...

This is how I actually eat my bak kut teh. Dump the rice into the soup. So it didn't really matter tonight if the rice was watery or not. It tasted good. I'm happy. It's mummy's recipe of just pork ribs, soya sauce, garlic and cinammon stick. No bak kut teh spices needed. Hehehehe... Usually mum would put oyster sauce but I don't have money to buy oyster sauce but yea.... it still tasted real good so I can do without the oyster sauce, healthier also. Haha!

So yeaa.. that's it. My first week of cooking. Really have no idea what's on the menu next week. Wait till I get my $$$money$$$. I want to buy so much stuff. First, I need a watch and perhaps a new pair of shoes as I didn't buy one when I was back in Auckland. Then FOOD! Snacks and chocolates. And then meat. More meat. Beef, chicken, pork.... Ahhh! Ooo!! And an oven dish which I can put into the oven so I can bake pasta, chicken, and cookies!! Then I'll have to buy butter, flour, sugar .... Hahaha! I can see myself getting fat in no time!! Right now I don't think I've put on weight yet with all the walking and limited amount of food. Wait la when money comes in. Nyehehehehe.....There goes my weekly budget of $100 on food. Hahaha!!!

Alright, that's it for now. Time for.... hehehe.. my addiction :p

Current time: 10.44pm
Date: 7/9/2007

Not the typical what-i-did-today post

Not the typical what-i-did-today post....

31st-Friday: Went to auntie suzanne'se house for dinner. Our own tiny lil merdeka celebration. Lolx! Nice family. Am so blessed to meet such wonderful people. Thanks to them, I saved heaps on buying bedsheets, pillow, pillowcase, kitchen utensils and so on. I'm a lucky girl.

1st - Saturday: Fish Frosh! No idea what frosh is but yea, it's like orientation like that. Didn't join the one that the uni organized as it costs 65 bucks because of the unlimited beer they have. Not a good way to meet friends - everyone will be drunk. Instead, I went for this alternative frosh organized by several christian clubs in the uni -Fish Frosh! As evangeline was a christian, hence I just tagged along. It was great! Nice bunch of people, really friendly. Started with a free pancake breakfast and then in the afternoon, went for this scavenger hunt. Didn't really get to see the place properly as we were basically running around trying to complete our tasks. Let me see ... I kissed a horse, I kissed a stranger (a lil kid so not too bad :p), I asked strangers for their phone numbers and did many crazy poses with statues. Sorry, no pictures. If one day I get hold of them, then it'll be up here. Was so tired the whole time as my jetlag kicked in on Friday. Didn't have jetlag when I arrived as I guess I was so busy hunting for houses and then after settling down, then the jetlag kicks in. Came home, Skyped with mummy and daddy for half an hour then went for a nap. Supposed to go out at night for bubble tea with the same group of people but I couldn't wake up. Slept from 8 till 9 the next morning.

2nd-Sunday: Woke up from a wonderful 13 hrs sleep and then lazed around as evangeline went to church. Finally a day where I don't have anything to do. Good that I can relax but bad coz I just started thinking about everyone back in nz. The super sports sundays, the yogo moments, the eating sessions .... *sigh*

Throughout yesterday and today.. I was just thinking. I had so much free time to just think.

Realized I'm missing out on so much. So many things going on back there. The free merdeka lunch (I'm always a sucker for free food) .... The upcoming road trip up north ... arghh!! I really wish I can go as I had so much fun the last road trip!!! And this time with van!! Swannie, make sure next easter we go ok! promise me..... but then it'll still be diff coz vanessa won't be here next yr... *sigh*

And then there was the ball. I missed a superb ball. One which I didn't want to go in the first place because of................. But that was before the dance practices started. Before I met more wonderful people. Before I knew it was gonna be so much fun. Once the trainings started and once I got to know these people better, then I regretted. Because all these factors over-ruled the two reasons that made me didn't want to go.

Why did I pray so hard to go on this exchange? Why didn't I just decline the offer to go on the exchange when I got accepted? Why didn't I just book my ticket on the 27th and skip the first few days of orientation so that I won't miss the superb ball?

I should have prayed less. I could have declined the offer. I would have booked my ticket to fly on a later date.

Here I am on the other side of the world missing out on so much fun back home. Here I am wanting to experience the feeling of being an international student but I'm not really since I'm not staying in the residence hall. That was also one of the main reasons why mom wanted me to go on an exchange, so that I can experience how it's like to live with other students from all over the world and mix around with them. Now she's even considering of sending me to the residence halls when I go back to akl next yr. Haha! I doubt I would want it after this. Lolx! Should have just done that in the first place eh? Would have saved heaps!!!!

(after even more in-depth thinking and analysing.....)

I realized this is life. Where you have to expect the unexpected. I didn't expect I would be running around Montreal looking for a place to stay. I didn't expect it to be so hard. I didn't expect I have to wait for so many days to just open a bank account. I didn't expect I have to survive with 40 bucks for more than a week. I didn't expect the majority to be speaking french. I didn't expect for all the menus to be in French.

But all of these happened. I guess it's all about adapting and moving on.

And the answers to my own questions....
Why did I pray so hard to go on this exchange?
Not just because of running away from responsibilities. In fact, I actually put myself into having more responsibilities. It was because I want to be challenged. To overcome whatever crap is being thrown at me. An opportunity to be a stronger person.

Why didn't I just decline the offer to go on the exchange when I got accepted?
Because I don't want the hard work of applying for this exchange to go away just like that (besides, if i were to decline it, I won't be getting $3000! It's all about the money baby!). Because I have troubled some people to hand up my documents and I have to make their time worth it. Because it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Why didn't I just book my ticket on the 27th and skip the first few days of orientation so that I can attend the ball?
Because if I were to arrive a day or two later, I will still be homeless and be spending heaps on backpackers. I won't be here blogging, I won't be poker-ing.. I will still be running around looking for a place to stay, I will be getting more blisters, I will be more than broke because of backpackers.

It is true indeed that everything happens for a reason.

Things may seem sucky right now but I believe with time, it will be better. Because eventually we will move on. We will stop thinking on what we could have,would have, should have done... Because there isn't really a right or wrong decision. It's all about how you go about it after making that decision. Be positive and everything will be a-ok!!

School starts tomorrow. I'm all ready for a new semester. After more than 2 months of break, welcome back!!

Bye bye house-hunting chores!!! The search is over!!!!

New semester... clean table. Fresh start!

The lil empty space I have in my room. Let's see how long this tidy-ness will remain.

Notice anything familiar on the door? hehehe.. told you i'll bring it!!

Because I'm broke. Because I'm trying to save money. Hence I can't afford to buy a pencil holder. Time to recycle! A pencil holder made from a water bottle. Haha! The water bottle was FREE. Heeheee.... I think the lubang btwn my fingers getting smaller and smaller d.

Current time: 10.46p.m.
Date: 3/9/2007

happy birthday audrey

To the netball coach and captain aka Mamasan aka Audz aka Audrey Chong....

Happy 23rd Birthday to you!!!!
I can't thank you enough for being such an awesome coach. You really drilled us hard and committed so much. Thank you so so much. We have improved so much compared to last year. But too bad the ref wasn't on our side. You've done your best and we couldn't have done it without you. Those trainings were intense but at the end of the day, there was always a feel good factor to it.


I enjoyed all the training sessions that we had. Though my face doesn't show it, deep inside me, I do and I am so lucky to have you as the coach. We've grown stronger as a team, thanks to you who taught us how to criticize each other and also taught us that what happens on court stays on court.

I can say, on behalf of the whole netball team, thank you very much Mamasan!! Have a wonderful happy birthday!!!

And to a friend who always cares about me. To a friend who always make sure I'm alright. To a friend who can tell right away when I am stressed and not OK. To a friend who would always ask me "u ok babe?" and will do anything to make things better......

Thank you very much and Happy happy crazy birthday Audreyyyy!!!!!

To a friend who laughs at her own jokes ... to a friend who can very well live on a deserted island and entertain herself ............

You're AwEsOmE!!!! Classic!!!! You rock my world voooooo-man!!!!


Happy Birthday Audrey!! Typing this is already making me miss you so so much! Have a wonderful party (probably having it right now?) and may all your wishes come true and that everything goes smoothly for you.

Love you babe!!!!

Current time: 3.57a.m
Date: 1/9/2007

addiction and apartment

Current time: 3.02 a.m.
Date: 31st August 2008

I'm still awake. Supposed to be sleeping as tmrw will be another busy day but....... i found something new on facebook. well, not really new and not really found it, i knew it was there.... more like.... ......i tried out something and....................i think..... i think...... i'm addicted :S it's fun la... lolx!!! lost so much at the start looking like an idiot but towards the end, i started to get lucky hence i got kinda addicted.

can u guess what's so addictive? hahahaha!!!

Apartment cleaning yesterday. Finally some pictures! Still haven't took pictures of the houses over here and the uni.Will do it one day. Slow and steady la.... atm.... here's my nest for the next 4 months...

2100, Rue St.Urbain, UQAM Residences

Unit 153 D, Montreal, H2X 4E1, Canada.

Lobby

Living room

my room with no bedsheets YET

Maria o Maria!! we look really happy....hahahaha!!

kk, sleep sleep before i start on my addiction again. nyehehehehe....

50th independence day

Happy 50th Anniversary to the country with lots of great food, to the country I was born in, to the country I always look forward to go back to, to the country I love ....

This year marks the 50th year of independence for my beloved country - Malaysia.
WoooOoOoTtTT!! Always and forever proud to be a malaysian! Yea baby!!!!

Selamat Hari Kebangsaan!!!

(i hope i don't get sent to jail or anything for wearing the msian flag...lolx!!! can't blame me. i just love msia so much that i decided to have the msian flag part of my daily dresscode :p)

homeless no more

Homeless No More
I found my place yesterday. I moved in today.
It's a nice place. If only I knew about it earlier on that it would have saved me from the hunting, the sleepless nights and the blisters.

I'm staying at UQAM residences -University from Quebec in Montreal (after translating to English). So it's something like how Auck uni students go and stay at Wellesley student apartments. HAha!! And it feels a bit wellesley-ish as well where there's a living room, a kitchen and then individual rooms. But.... wellesley is bigger and it's close to auck uni. Here, it's 20 mins walk to mcgill. It's all good tho as the metro is only 5 mins walk. Heheheehe... would be good during winter.

Didn't think that we could stay at other universities' residences. Plus, this place did not come up in google during my search because..... it's in french! It's a french university where everything is taught in french. Hence, most people who stays here speaks french and maybe a lil bit of english or not at all! Hardly any parasites from Mcgill stays here. Only know 2 others i.e. evangeline and the other guy that told us about this place.

Very happy with this place. Price also quite alright. $490 a month but we have to buy our own bedsheets and kitchen utensils. Thank goodness for family friends :D Lovely, kind, helpful and nice family friends who's gonna lend me some sheets and pillows, kettle and a toaster. Ahhhh!!! And friday, they are gonna take me out for dinner!

I'm close to being broke right now as I had 600 CAD cash with me when I came. Now have 50 left. Used them to pay for backpackers, food, sim card and my accommodation for the next two weeks as they count the rental starting from middle of the month. Can't bank in my bank draft till next Tuesday and it takes 5 working days to process. So basically I have 50 bucks to survive for more than a week. Will of course borrow some money from evangeline but trying not to. Hehehe...

Alrighteyyy.. time to sleep. It was a long day today. Tomorrow will have to register for my papers and then it's....... house cleaning day!!!!

Current time: 00:25
Date: 30/8/2007 (do u all find this thing here useful or pointless? lolx! shld i still put my current time in my following posts?)

my number

i got a phone number - +1514 961 SHER i.e. 7437

and then i bought credit.... then i wanted to top up but.................. the instructions were in French.... so i went back to the stall and ask them to do it for me...

i've been walking so much today for house hunting...feet hurts.... blisters...still no luck....

BUT...... met someone during the exchange students information session who's staying at a residence like building and he said that there's still 2 bedroom apartments available... so yeaa.... fingers cross and hopefully no one takes it when we go check it out tmrw!!!

can't wait to settle down... this house hunting thing is so shitty... those who wants to go on an exchange, i advise u to look for uni that offers accommodation!!! coz looking for it just consumes a lot of time and you don't get to enjoy/appreciate anything here..... u kno, i haven't took a single picture since i arrived... miserable....

time for bed now... it's still early but it's another busy day tmrw....

Current time: 11.21p.m.
Date: 27th August

happy bday zag

Current time: 11.59p.m.
Date: 26/8/2007

From where I am, I am still not late yet for this....

Happy Birthday Mama Chic!!

kisses from lil chic to mama!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

missing you so much!!!! hope you are doing great over there in msia.... take care!!!!

life is hard

i'm about to cry already.. i wanna cry already....

no, not because i'm homesick.... it's this apartment hunting thing that is making life so hard...

and it really really is different over here. and to think canada is an english speaking country. this part of canada, the majority speaks french. everything's in french! instructions also in french. wanted to catch the bus and everything's in french. Baskeettttt!! At least we managed to figure out what monday-sunday is.

and the people here....not friendly.. majority aren't. they know how to speak english but they just don't want to. they just speak french... urgh! i thought that only happens in france!!!

shitttt!! i wanna go home now.. can i please go home? this is so hard!!!

just got rejected twice today... both places taken up d... am looking for 1 bedroom place and also don't have...*sigh*

Current time: 5.36pm 26/8/07

my flight here

wahahaha!! the backpackers have wireless inetrnet!! woohoo!! so here you go!!

Date: 24/8/2007
Current time: 2 p.m. at LA Airport

Here I am at LAX waiting to board my next flight to go to Montreal. Have to wait for 10 hours as my next flight is a midnight flight. *Sigh* really learnt my lesson. Next time when choosing flight, must also look for convenience, not only the price. Arghh!!

Had to actually check out, go through customs and then check in again. Thank goodness I was able to check in my huge luggages right away orelse I would have to drag them along with me. I am at the airport with no internet connection. there is actually but i don't wanna pay. So yea, typing this out on word. Bought a blended caramel mocha and it taste so yum!! Don't even feel like finishing it. Ishh!! 10 hours wait.

The flight from Auckland to LA was a 13 hours flight. Didn't felt too long. Watched one movie-Waitress, it was alright. Slept and soon ... it was breakfast time. Watched Blind Date but didn't get to finish it. Quite a good movie I reckon'. Wanna finish watching it!!

During the start of the flight, I was terrified. It really struck me that I have left the ones I love and will dearly miss for 5 months! And to some, even longer!! It was only after my first semester exams where I started to meet more great friends. And the friendship grew stronger after that. And now, I'm leaving them. It was like... shit!! It's really true that I won't be seeing them for 5 months! It's not just a dream. At one point, I really wish I could get out of the plane and don't wanna go for exchange at all. But, the plane was already in the air. No more turning back now. What have I gotten myself into? I am going to the other side of the world!! I could have just stayed in Auckland. I don't mind the responsibilities anymore because there's also heaps of fun to it. 5 months. Kept on telling myself once I get to Montreal, I'll slowly adapt and have fun and time will fly. I will be fine.I tried to tell myself I am strong but deep inside, I'm not. Then there were also the thought of getting to Canada and then buying a ticket straight back to NZ. Haha!! I was scared. What if I can't make it? What if I cry myself to bed every night coz I miss home. Man, all these thoughts. My heart was beating really fast. But............................ I fell asleep.

Woke up and then it was dinner time. Didn't really have the mood to eat but I still ate since I paid for it! Was still thinking about all the thoughts I had. I guess that was my emo time. Wasn't emo-ing until I was about to board the plane. So to stop me from thinking even more, I decided to watch a movie. It really helped. Forgot about everything and soon enough, I fell asleep again. When I woke up, I felt much better and the movie Blind Date was a good movie and made me happy again.

Now, I'm all good. It is normal for someone to have all those thoughts. As long as it don't get to me so much and ruin my exchange experience, then it's all good. No, I won't be crying myself to bed every night nor any nights at all. I finally am ready. Ready to face this and take up the challenge. I will return. I will return with lots of stories to tell. I will return and say that I had a great time and it will be one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Bring it On!! I'm not thrash talking like the usual this time. I am for real!!

Alright, i shall now attempt to finish at least day 3 and day 4 of my south island trip. Wahahahaha! Swan, done urs yet? lolx!!!

arrived montreal

bonjour from montreal!!

at family friend's place now using the internet.. nice family... first time meeting them as they were friends of another family friend in auckland.... they picked me up from the airport, sent me to my backpackers then came took me out for dinner after my nap...and now i'm at their place using internet...waiting for another of their daughter to come back from work as she's the same year as me and also studying at mcgill.... malaysian... small world don't u think?

had dinner at chinatown then did some grocery shopping.... the first thing i bought: cucumber! Three cheers for shermayne! she bought veges... i bought healthy food today... no meat..... bought muesli bars, cereals, milk, bread and jam.... the food i'm planning to eat for the next few days before finding my apartment.... healthy eh? wanted to get instant noodles but nahhh..... must be healthy since no more mummy to make sure i'm eating healthy.... RaWwwRrr!!

anyway, i'm doing fine so far...the journey here was miserable though.. especially from LA to detroit, detroit to montreal....terrible..cheapo flight....ishhh!!! oh wellz, what's done has been done..... the whole time i was considering whether or not to go LA at all during my trip back.. maybe just forfeit the ticket and buy a one way ticket back to auckland... see how much it will cost me first...still have a long time to think about that.....

as for my flight from nz to LA........ wait for my next post when i get hold of wireless internet on my laptop and u'll kno the experience and thoughts running in my head.... not good ones at all... was blogging abt it in LA airport since i had to wait for 10 hours!!

so so, how's montreal like? well, weather is warm right now. still summer.... gets dark pretty late. like the US, driving is on the other side of the road.... buildings look kinda old over here.... as in the buildings in downtown where the uni is....a lot of places look dodgy and unsafe... doubt i'll be going out much during the nights.... a lot of ppl speak french.. there's also ppl begging for money.... they seem pretty fierce.... i was just walking and they start speaking really loud when i walk pass and ignored them.... guess they were swearing? the aunty said just ignore them, dun make eye contact or anything and just WALK! hahahaha!!

ok larrr...that's it for now...just letting u all know that i'm safe and sound and prove to u that i'm not MIA! see i keep to my promise! but yea, dno when the next time i'll blog.... gna be busy searching for a place to stay as i reali wna get out of the backpackers quick! sharing with so many ppl.. kena conned..the guy wrote to me in the email saying that 4 of us will be in the same room and not sharing with others... stupid.... we are sharing with others..dangerous la.... dun wna get my laptop stolen...hehehehe...

kk, gta go. rude la to just be online. no one on msn also..everyone busy preparing for the ball.. the ball i'm gna miss!!!! ishhh... alrighteyyy..bye for now!!!!!

25/8/07 - 8.49 p.m. @ Montreal

the last post

The Last Post

This is most likely going to be the last post before I fly off. Was actually blogging about my dinner till 5am but then had so many photos to upload hence I decided, save it for Canada.

Was so busy yesterday. Backing up all my files (burnt around 20 cds), then reformatting my laptop, reinstall all the programmes and transfer the essential files back in. Took me one whole day. Still not done yet as I still have to download something but I do not know what as I can't view certain things. Ohh wellzzz.... Took me so long coz I lost the driver cd for my laptop hence I had to go to Acer website and download it. What a day!!!

Only managed to finish everything by 2am. Huge huge thanks to roger who was guiding me most of the time especially with installing the anti virus programme. Yes yes, I learnt my lesson. Install anti virus!!! Thanks a bunch man!! Guess he was helping me so much as he felt guilty for deleting the virus on my hd causing it not to work. Hey!!Everything happens for a reason and if that didn't happen, I wouldn't have realized my laptop was also infected. And if I do realize it only when I reach canada, I think I would be super miserable and feeling helpless! So yea... thank goodness it happened here and I am thankful that it happened. Forced me to reformat my laptop. Haha! Later on also realized my mp3 player and all my SD cards were infected to. But yea, thanks to the awesome anti virus programme and roger's help, I managed to clean everything and be virus free!! WeeeEeeEE!!! Happy!!!

As a lot of waiting was involved throughout the whole day, I decided to snap a few pictures of all the lovely presents I got. Man! It's not even my birthday and I get presents. I think I should leave more often. Kekekekekeke :p

Champion hoodie from Swan!! Omg!!! So happy when I got it. Have been searching for it for so long!! It's either no size or not the type I want. THIS is THE ONE!! Thanks Swan!!! So happy!!! Truly my other half.Hahaha!! I'll save you from the embarassment this time. You know what I mean. I won't tell anyone what happened unless you want to. But please please, remember to do that the next time you give people presents k? Hahaha! You don't want to embarass yourself again!!! Girl, I'm gonna miss you so so so much when I'm there. Thanks for the post you dedicated to me in your blog as well. Nearly made me shed a tear. Hope you still stay the same when I return and all the best with all your papers this semester k! Priorities..get them right. I realized you've been getting them right so far.So proud of you!!

Door organizer from Vanessa, rayvin, peilyn, jooann and jasmin. This is so cool man! Never thought of getting one but it would be so useful. Especially for someone like me who tends to lose/misplace/forget things.Hahaha!! Thanks guys!!!!

Dolphin necklace and dolphin card from my sports science friends. Looks like they do know me as well eh? Gonna miss them heaps. Because of them, I am enjoying my course. Just loving those cats!! Prowlers... hahaha!!! Next to the dolphin card is a super duper lovely handmade card by natalie with a photo of me and her and a photo of me and her other half. So nice!! Thanks nat and david!! I am sure to see you guys when I come back. Stay crazy you two!!!

Travel journal from Debbie (will try my best to fill it up! perhaps at places that don't have internet, then i'll use it. Then copy it to my blog. Heehehehe.. thank you!! It came with a pen as well. So cool!). Next is a bear bear card and a pen from Miss. Gladys!! Had lunch with her on Sunday with Swan and Peilyn. I will be missing you too you siao cha bor!! And yes, I have packed the pen into my pencil case and will bring it to Niagara Falls and take a picture with the pen. Ok? Prove to you that I did bring it to Canada. Haha!!!

And last but not least.......
Something from the UMSA tribe as a token of appreciation.... Something that you can't find anywhere else. The one and only limited Nike shirt edition!!

Had all the players signature on it and a really sweet message. Awwwwwwww..... you guys can really melt my heart. To the person who came up with the idea (must be swan or jeremy la!!), thankss!!! It's so nice!! I took like heaps more pictures of it and one day, just one day, I will put each and every of them up! Hahaha! I'm not gonna take it to canada coz I love it so so much and I wouldn't want to get it dirty nor do i want to risk losing it. It is hanging up in my room now on my notice board and it shall be remaining there! Thanks once again!! I really do enjoyed the job as a sports officer. Sure there were the down times but the result is sweet in the end :D Gotta thank Swan for keeping me sane throughout the whole time especially before Bersatu. And a huge huge thanks to Jellymi! Thanks for guiding me throughout the whole process. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to do it. Thank you!!! And also thanks for waking up with me on monday morning at 6am to book courts. There were a few other victims as well...nyehehehe.. ivan, wee chin and kee wee. Hope I didn't miss any other victims. thanks guys!!

And also thanks to the whole UMSA tribe for getting 2nd place overall in the Bersatu Games this year. Was so afraid that we wouldn't even get a placing!! So proud of all of you. I know it wasn't really an enjoyable bersatu games this year but it was really not under my control. Though I do hope all of you had fun during the pre-bersatu trainings and made new friendship. Don't you reckon' it'll be a challenge for next year's sports officer to live up to this? Heeeheee :p But I'm sure he/she will be able to hack it!! (That is if I'm guessing that person will be taking the role of the sports officer la!)

So now, this is me. Flying off to Canada in less than 12 hours. Flight got rescheduled to 2145 instead of 1305. Which is good as I get to go into the city and say my last goodbyes! bonus la! Hehehehe....

This is also me ending the role of UMSA's sports officer for 2007. I truly had a great time and if I were to do it again, I would!! As jeremy told me at the start of this year, it is really a fun job! Now I know why. Hahahaha!!!

Goodbye to.... to my last post I will have in new zealand for the next 5 months. After this, I will be blogging in Canada. Don't worry, I definitely won't be MIA in my blog. I may be MIA in person but never in the blog.

To those whom I will never see again after my trip ... I will be missing all of you so much but I'll be seeing you in msia when I do go back. Keep in touch. I do not want to be losing you just like that. Realized it's mostly people whom I met this year and got to know them better towards the middle of the year. Vanessa and PeiLyn, I'm gonna miss both of you so so much. Vanessa, you've been a really great friend and a great dance teacher. One who have faith in everyone. Yes, everyone can dance. Don't dance the steps, dance the dance. i will remember that. I'm already missing you. You said if we are going bersatu next year, you'll fly to nz and support us. Is that true? Hehehehe.. I'll be looking forward to that!! thnx for everything girl!!! Peilyn..... *speechless* You're just....... you're just..... the highlight of my days la... netball next year will definitely not be like netball this year. To foong and uda who also told me they might not be here next year when I come back.... *sigh* It was great knowing both of you. Great fun during volleyball trainings and the road trip. Will cherish those wonderful times forever. See you guys in Malaysia la!!! Who knows? You might see me riding a whale back to msia... whalerider.. nyehehehehehe.... only some ppl kno bout this joke...haha!!!

Okie dokie.. that's it. I'm off. 5 months. Is it that long? I'm sure it'll fly by pretty quick. By the time you know it, shermayne's back!! Hope everything stays the way they are when I come back.And if it do change, may it change for the better.

Bye bye!!!!