Just Blogging Around

I chew my nails when I’m stressed. Or it is my bad habbit since I was young. I tried almost every products and methods to stop myself from chewing nails, but nah, it is just not happening. It is an on-off habbit. I don’t chew nails on Summer and Winter holiday, yeah..’cos nothing much to stress about during happy holiday. I chew almost everything off when I have exams coming up.

Wherever, whenever..just like those smokers–you light up a ciggi when you are waiting for a people/cab, stressing out,  watching movie (provided ciggarate is not banned in cinema).. And yeah..restless leg syndrome is abit like that as well-these ppl shake their leg ALL the time. The later is more like a pathological and medical problem.

 

 

Those were my nails when I gone crazy. It can be as short as few milimeters!! It is very painful. It stings when I wash my hands, or even when I dry my hand under drier. It is like some kinda of neuroceptic pain.  I always deeply regreted it after.. but my guilt doesn’t stop me from chewing nails either. *I don’t understand myself either*

My excuse is: alas! Better than those people who addict to nicotine or dexy, riiight? *alasan*

 

 

For this point of time, before I start chewing my nails again. [Yeah, I’m stressing out over here.] So, I decided to put on whole set of acrylic nails (again). I tried this before, its efficacy sustained abit longer. At least, unlike those chemical product, man! They are so bitter!! Some of them even contain chemical that make you nausea!! Too bad, I get used to the taste pretty quickly. *sigh*

 

 

So, I am the one started setting fire on my own arse, right? Therefore, I have to tanggung all the consequences by myself. One of the shitty things is, I can’t type on mobile phone keypad as much I usually do. *cheepiet* It is abit painful, and really, I don’t want to break my newly put on acrylic nail. If the new fake nail drops off, the pain lagi kill me!

 

 

Another problem is: wearing and removing  contact lenses is a b*tch! Look at this photo…and if you do wear contact lenses..imagine there is a piece of plastic contacting your cornea… dot dot dot. Geli right?

 

 

Anyhoo, when I have acrylic nail one, it certainly ‘upgrade’ me abit. I can say this to Kian: Ney! can you throw the rubbish pls, I have my acrylic nails on. Can you pls do my dishes pls? Can you pls help me to do this and that, this and that pls..and that! and that! and this…..yeah, because I have acrylic nails, honey. *insert puppy eyes* :P

 

 

At the end of the day, I really don’t like the idea of chewing nail and then using acrylic nails to fix this problem of mine. This scenario is exactly like those ppl who abuse drugs, and have had to go to rehad to get rid of that sh*t. Sigh..at the end of the day, if I won’t want to go thru’ this problem, why on earth, Cynth, you started at the first place? am asking myself.

*itchy arse*

I am just not very much into this Spring mood thingy. Don’t know why. I thought I mean to be delightful, happy, excited…as the usual. But I am just not very much into it.

The work loads from all over the places is eating up my soul. Or I shall say, I am allowing the hectic schedule to eat myself away.I am kinda stressing out. When I am into this ‘depression’ mode, I am lack of motivation.

I’m not very motivated at this point to do the usual stuffs that I enjoy the most, like swimming, talking to people (BIG BIG issue here), gardening, composing a post in my blog, and…even drinking water. Worst part is, I start chewing my nail(s) again. Man!

I can’t get myself to sleep early, for some reasons. G! This is killing me. I love heading bed early, and getting up early to do housework, while enjoying the sunshine. I strongly dislike poor sleeping habbit, end up I had to wake up in the middle of nowhere.

 

 

No! I don’t need a break in my life. In fact, I want to do more! I want to get involved in doing things, anything! You name it! [p/s: assignment excluded, sorry.] I am more than ready to go back to another pay-free clinical placement, I want to get involved in different activities, I want to read a nice book (Jeremy Clarkson will be nice)..I am ready to learn. What else?

Erm… I don’t know, really. Do you have one of those days like this?

I shall list down the things I want to do..and get myself organised physically and mentally. Life is too short for me to muck around, dun cha fink?

OK! The very first thing I can start off with is… GO TO SLEEP NOW! It is freaking 140am, and I have 8am lecture!!!

*sigh*

As I promised, there will be more photos from the WAPSA Ball.

Most of the photos were taken by Kian and other friends. 

Kian and I had a great time. This is our first time attending dressing-up event, sorta.

 

  

I had no intention to attend the Ball at the beginning. First, I hate dressing up. Second, I still hate dressing up. Having mention the make-up, hair, shoes, ear rings etc etc. And girls, sometimes you get period at the wrong timing, and I hate using tampon. Nuff said for the flow visiting town. Oh yeah, and Winter fat! You know..all the fat that accumulate around the tummy, like your Land-Rover spare tyre, man! So not comfy in a ball dress. Plus the money I had to spend for the Ball.. man, bring your calculator out. Gee! Here 30 bucks, there 20 bucks…. so EXPENSIVE! I’m such an arse when I have to spend money on fashion–not (very much) my type. But, speaking of spending hundreds on kitchenware, food, Nintendo DS Lite, Wii, PS 3 … AH! That’s different story.

 

 

Laine, Mary and Me

Oh well, I was thinking, I never attened one for WAPSA, and I think I should do something before I’m done with School. Pus, my friends keep bugging me: oh well, cynthia… this is the LAST year, we aint going to see everyone much after this. True, True. I really want to see my friends more than anything else. I really want to do something nice with them. So, I guess it is worth to spend the money for a better reason.

Yep, there you go.. that partial PEER PRESSURE got me there. Peer Pressure is a bitch, damn riiiiight!

 

 

The boys. Not gay.

 

 

I didn’t took as much photos as I thought. But it was all good..at least I still manage to get Kian to take some photos with me and friends whom I speak alot. You know, even I do carry my camera around with me most of the time, is not like I can simply snap photos in lecture. Oh wish I could, really.  

The begining of the Ball was a bit slow–having old dude Page singing that ‘ABC’ song. Oh! So traditional.

Things get more and more excited then they showed the video clip James Mullet and Chris made. And guess what?? NAPSA Congress 2009 will be held in PERTH!! Here! In WA!!! I am excited! Guess what? James invited me to be the photographer!!! Yay! 2009 sounds like we still have a long way to go..but hey! It is not THAT far from us if you come to think of it. *gotta practice…gotta practice*

Now!!!! Let’s the party begin, babe~!! *phew phew*

 

 

“Mullet”

Vincent dropped by and say Hi. His hair is see-peh chioo.

 

 

And sui-char-bohs are all over everywhere.  

 

 

L*

 

 

Taking photos in the toilet.  

 

 

Elisia put plenty of effort to organise WAPSA Ball. Million of thanks, sweetie! 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny thing is, I see quite a few number of ppl from my class.. but I have no idea what’s their name.[ops!] Hey! Tak kan you want me to ask: “Hey love, what’s your name” like that meh? Abit paiseh, ok? We’ve been sitting in the class for sooo long. And they have asian names..is not that difficult to remember for me anyway. At the end of the day, I rekcon I should put more effort in talking/socialising with these people. Then again, some ppl in the class form a very isolated group among themselves. Yeah, you get what I mean, don’t you? The Chinese thingy in aussie uni ;P  It is not easy to break the ice. Yeah, way beyond my social skill effort. Oh well, at the end of the day, I just can’t be bothered to give a sh*t. Nuff say.

I love Boney’s dress. Man! These people really have long arm to go with those dresses.

 

 

Forrest*!!! I call this chick Forrest. Long story between us from Melbourne. I think she hated it for once ‘cos I always puke fun at her. But now.. we are cool. You can’t go Congress and party without her.

 

 

Chris*  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

==Photos with lectures==

Yea I know what you thinking. Sorry gals, he is taken. Me thinks. 

 

 

 Leanne

 

 

Ah! This is my all-time favourite lecture, Jeff. See!! He is not much taller than me. I don’t really like the idea of walking to him, cutting off his conversation with others, and wanting photos. Man, I just can’t help. Is like… you spotted some big time celeb like Matt Damon on the street, your brain urge you to GO! Go and Get photo! Get the memory! Yeah, he is my Jason Bourne  Jeff has been doing alot alot of work in our profession, he is very inspiring. Thou my mark in his unit always dissappoint him, I guess.  [Erm…I’m getting very emo here] 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Geeks! Say CHEEEESE!!!  

 

 

 

Ya see, my hair wasn’t that ‘chook’ie before I gone wild on the dance floor. For lotsa people who have been asking me where I get my Cheongsam from, here it is, at Oriental Cheongsam.

I think I have enough photos for this post. :) 

xoxox

I’m still alive, folks!

I’ve been hell busy in the past week. Uh!

Went to WAPSA (Western Australia Pharmacy Student Association) Ball last night at Parmelia Hilton Hotel.

 

 

Took quite a few photos, this is one of them. Show you my ball dress first…feed your hungry eyes for time being. ;P There will be more photos coming up. Stay tuned.

Comments from previous posts will be replied next week when I have more spare time, and..if prn (latin).  

Combination of all the vit and min you need, almost.

1. Pan fry steak salmon with some fresh lemon juice, wrapped with sushi seaweed.Seaweed Sushi induces slightly aroma, and absorbs excessive fat.

2. Steam brocolli. My all time favorite. Yeah, maybe I just run out of idea what other vege dish  which is easy too prepare.

3. Mix veg fry rice with eggs. I can have any type of fry rice at anytime, any meal.

 

 

Yay for the weekend. I really need more time for myself to do more serious brain-storming work.

What you doing this coming weekend? Have a good one, mate.

‘Jalan Pasar’ simply means Market Road.

Jalan Pasar is another place that I love to show you around in Bagan Serai. Unlike the town, the whole market place itself had a HUGE change throughout the years, sorta.

This sign board placed here symbolises Jalan Pasar starts here:

Years ago, the Council was trying to suck people’s blood by charging for the parking fee. HELLO! This is just a Bagan Serai! People here don’t make millions like those in big city! Give us a break, will ya? ;) The council wanted to charge the people, why don’t they provide a proper parking spaces at the first place? *pui* Anyhooow, the practice didn’t last for any longer because clearly there was lack of consistency in both council and the people, I guess.

 

 

 

This is the beginning of the Market Road. I appologize for the less than perfect view. I reckon the view will be better if the ‘longkang’ (drainage system) was filled up with water. :P  

There were few shops burnt down due to some accident. According to the locals back in 2003(?)*ahem! clear the throat..I’m start kepoh-ing now* I was told by the locals… there was an ‘ah pek’ (old man) who smoked some kind of grass behind the building, left the pot behind unattended, and  the building caught fire. BANG!!! 3 sibilings and mother died in the accident. They were found all hugging each other. Drama eh. *amitaba*

I’m not sure if the ah pek thing is true..but the death is a fact.

 

 

There aren’t many old shops around.  Those that I can recall are the bicycle shop and some chinese grocery shops along the road.

 

 

And of course, ‘Heng Kuan’–one of the old retail shops. Heng Kuan was establised back in 60s, if I’m not mistaken. According to my maternal family, he was the first one to sell bread in the town. Heng Kuan was a generous, kind man. He gave alot to the society; role model of mine. He passed away in 1991. But his name is still mentioned every now and then.

Heng Kuan is my maternal granpa, by the way. :)  

 

 

Seong Seong Club is a social club established back in the old days, where old time businessmen spent their time playing mahjong after work. I tried to take more photos from the inside, heck! the young dude didn’t allow me to do so! what the hell man! And that dude, not even from Bagan Serai! Anyway, I later found out some local witnessed old ghost/spirit playing mahjong..it was pretty scary, eh? 

 

 

Next to Seong Seong Club, there was a coffee shop, which I never remember its name. I was told by the owner, she was going to terminate the business after Chinese New Year 2007.

I pretend to ask her about this painting if she want to sell it to me. Cheecky bugga.

Folks, this caligraphy was written since ~100 years ago!!! It is a piece of priceless antique!!!

She was amazed when I asked about it. And there were plenty of old old old men who were sipping coffee, overheard our conversation, trying to get involved (kepoh) too.

They all wanted to find out how I knew about this ‘hidden secret’, who the hell I am, where I from, some of them were quite offensive, they thought I must be the outsider who was trying to pinch the caligraphy or something. Uh uh ah ah! Too many questions! I ended up have to tell them, I am Heng Kuan’s grandaughter. AHHH! Bring my dead grandpa name..shut their mouth up. =_=||| 

When my grandpa name was mentioned, they treated me super nice and friendly. They even showed me other ‘antiques’ around. Celaka punya Bagan Serai mentality.

 

 

Back years ago, there were plenty of hawkers running their breakfast along the big longkang. However, all of them had been moved to a new location. Ta dah!!!! Bagan Serai has it first eva FOOD COURT now.

Originally, this location was a wet market; it had been transfered to elsewhere, somewhere behind Tong Wah Primary School. I never visited the wet market ever since it was transfered to a new location. 

 

 

There are few hawkers who are still around since my kindy time. My all-time favorite is that middle age guy who sell Loh Mee and Hokkien Mee (noodle). The taste of noodle remain the same thru’out sooo many years, and it is always yummie.

By the way, in general, this is how the hawkers pack soupy noodle:

 

 

The Fried Keow Teow stall is still run by the same person, but I never liked it. I was looking for the lady who fried Fried Kueh Kak..sigh, no signs of her. The stall that sells drinks (recalling from memory, drink available in sequence: pineapple drink, chao keuh (aka leong fun), chendol, bali, soy bean, soy bean jelly) Correct me if I’m not right.   

 

 

Market doesn’t look happening during the day, except breakfast. I didn’t usually grab a bite from market ‘cos mum get most of our brekky done. I usually buy almost everything (from one end to another) few days before I fly out from home, stuffing myself with all the food, drinking freshly made soya milk like no tomorrow…all the ‘hard work’,  just to make sure I don’t miss out any yummie local food.

For most of the Chinese, the highlight is 2 days before CNY, where there are plenty of things going around in market ol’ place. This year this time, plenty of chinese floak back to Bagan Serai from all over everywhere on earth. It is time to check out (kepoh) people…who got married, who got pregnant, who got gf/bf, who become thinner/fatter/long hair/short hair/gay/lesbo….Bagan Seraians will b*tch to the max whenevr they can, this is BS– all can Bull Sh*t mann! Hahhaah. *joke*

Honestly, I don’t enjoy going to night market especially people starring at me, thinking I’m a bloody tourist. Alas, I do carry a camera with me, but it doesn’t mean I am a weirdo. So ’sam pat’ can? Plus, my friends mostly won’t be home till the day before 1st day of CNY..not much fun really.

 

 

Comparing to old days..the  night market is more entertaining. They now even set up a big stage, they do all the dancing thing, singing. All the superstar wannabe..hey! I am not teasing at their skill..to some extend, I sorta look high up upon those young gals who dare to dream BIG, and have the gut to perform infront of dirty oldmen. The gals I saw this yr when I went home was okay. Few years back..seriouly, I had no-eye see. They dressed up so sexy and showed skin all over everywhere until VIP sponsors sitting at the front row wanna vomit blood. It is Bagan Serai afterall, man. Give those oldies a break, okay? They did donate plenty of money, but it doesn’t mean there is a necessity to sacrifice dignity.

 

 

Lotsa housewivies do their last minute shopping here..whereas for the young folks, its more like checking out ppl, acting ‘cool’.

 

 

More food..  

 

 

I didn’t feel eating much when the crowd were jampacked everywhere. However, there is one thing I would never give up trying is : Ban Chang Kuih (Chinese Pan Cake) 111.

 

 

And this Ah Pek..been selling Ban Chang Kuih for many many many years! and he is still ALIVE!  

 

 

Gosh! This is fantastic mannn! 

 

 

Nowhere on earth you can any better Ban Chang Kuih like this…. Nowhere on earth you can find a place like Bagan Serai, too.

 

I experienced my first hailstorm today.

It happened at approximately 320pm or so. I was taking a shower, getting myself organised for work. I heard there was a loud noise out there. WOW!

 

 

Man! This cannot be real–I said to myself. Kian wasn’t at home at that time. I couldn’t share this special moment with him. Argh! I quickly grabbed my camera, and took some photos before they melted. 

 

 

Unlike other individual experience of hailstorm…This one was sooooo tiny and cute!!! Look! They looked like tiny pearls..and melted on my fingers.  

 

 

They were all over everywhere– our rose garden, neighbour’s garden.  

 

 

Backyard.. 

 

 

I was kinda panic as I had to rush to work too.

 

 

But yeah, I never forgotten to snap some nice photos for Kian, you and myself.

:)

I

I have few posts coming; all dedicated to the town where I used to live for about 15 years.

I wasn’t motivated to get those posts done, not until one of the ex-Bagan Seraians (Uncle Ray) stumbled upon my weblog and dropped me a message sometimes ago asking me about Bagan Serai. *wow* And guess what? Uncle Ray happend to be my family close friend’s relo!!! What a small world, eh?

There are few more people who originally from Bagan Serai living in Perth at the moment who get to know me thru’ my blog. They know my parents, my dad’s shop, my family know them, their relos, …. yer know, small-town thing. But, but, I don’t know any of them! *generation gap*

p/s: Uncle Ray is not my uncle. This is how Chinese people call the elderly.

Anyway.. First post is all about the Town, and it is not a long post either simply because Bagan Serai aint no big town.

 

 

 

Nothing much had been changed in the town, except the council build an overhead bridge in the middle of the Jalan Besar (Main Road).

 

 

And yeah! Bagan Serai first ever traffic light! w00t! The traffic light is located the junction toward Jalan Parit Buntar. There was a Shell Petrol Station on the right, remember? It has been demolished years ago.

 

  

The big mosque is located in the center of the town. It has been renovated, and countless air conditioners were installed too. nahbeh 

 

 

Most of the building and shops remain unchanged. The shop owners might probably just put a new signboard , so the shop may look ‘new’ (personal opinion)  

 

  

 

 

 

 

Old name, new business. 

 

 

Old name, old business, new shop  

 

 

sorta brand new  shop and name

 

 

There are few old coffee shops which are still around. Lau Soon Hup is one of them. 

 

 

Every morning, those male oldies gather in this kopitiam (coffee shop), discussing about every bloody single issues aka gossip.

 

 

Over one of the best drink in Lau Son Hup is ‘Charm’ [coffee and tea mix ], these oldies talk about politic like they can rule the entire kingdom, they gossip about everything from whose son and whose daughter getting shortgun married, etc etc Classic eh?   

 

 

There was one time when I was having my holiday back home, I walked in Lau Soon Hup with my brother ..They asked my brother in Teow Chew: OI! jit kai lu kai char bow peng you ah? [English: this is your girl friend?] My brother answered: se ah! ngia boh? (Yes! pretty?) Another oldie:boh lah! kai mek si Hock Chor kai cha bow kia lah! [No lah, that’s Hock Chor’s daughter lah]

Haha! See! Told you! It IS a small town, they know my dad, my brother, me myself, and I don’t even know them! Haha!

There is nothing much could Bagan Serai offer to the people… nowadays, Bagan Seraians are all over the places (and world). If you are one of the Bagan Seraians, drop by and say Hello, will ya?