Olden Days of Penang....

I have always wondered how does the real Penang look like back in the olden days, how does thing work and all the historical stuff. People would tell me to go to the museum to find out but frankly, I don't see the credibility of Penang Museum.

Here are some photos that I found..... (Can't remember from where though...)

I don't know how credible this pictures are but they are still giving some basic information and pictures of how things back in the olden days looks like... All the little things that our parents do and how do people live as well as how things are sold and stuffs like that....

Kingdom Hearts....

Kingdom Hearts...... Fantastic Game (or maybe it is just me because I was not exposed to a lot of games...)

My cousin and I started this game when we were both in secondary school but we did not manage to finish it in about 3 years time. (We only play during the school break from November to December.)

We managed to go to about seven worlds but managed to lock four worlds. However, this time, we played from the beginning of the story and we managed to end it within a week. The front part was based on our memory if we can remember anything about the world and is able to give us some hints about the world that we are playing in.

Now we are done playing this game.... and waiting to buy the second and the third part of this game..... while waiting for the forth part... to be out this end of the year....

Scardy Cat?

Why is it that I lack in confidence? Why is it that before something even start doing something, I will chicken out and tend to think of quitting instead of gathering the strength and courage to keep on moving forward?

I don’t know how to answer any of that. It is like a mystery to me, trying to solve it myself. Of course, the problem lies within me. It is because of how I think and how I make things more complicated myself when those stuffs that are laid in front of me are so easy to be done.

No matter how many times I tell myself that I am not going to think negatively, sometimes, I just feel that I am deceiving myself which is a huge crime. Sometimes I manage to gather my thoughts and just forget about those pessimistic stuffs that I was thinking and focus on the good things. However, this could not last long.

I wonder how can I help myself…. to build up more courage…. to stop being a chicken… to stop being a pessimist?

Penang In BBC News....

Penang, my hometown became a part of BBC on the day of my birthday... Oh, nothing special, just happy that it gets free publicity in an international news agency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8745325.stm

I am not happy with the government, that is a fact but hey... Penang is still my birth place and I still love it no matter how dirty or stinky some of the places are but hey, I always tell my friend that if you come to Penang and you want to have some good food, just remember to look for places that are dirty and stinky, I am sure they sell good, tasty, yummylicious food.

I wouldn't call myself a true Penangite YET but once I have visited all the beautiful places in Penang with my beloved camera, I will only start calling myself a true Penang Kia!

Anyway, check out the video in the website, it shows some pictures of Penang in the olden days and I never thought it looked that way....

Legal Age...

"You are finally legal to do everything”, so said my cousin.

Yes, I am finally 21 years-old and legal to do everything such as going to the casino which I tried when I was 17 and was denied the access. So now, I can just go and flash my IC to them (hopefully I get to flash as it means that I look younger than 21 and they still need to reconfirm

whether I am allowed to step my foot in there or not) and walk in.

Some people usually take this number 21 as a big thing, but for me, it was, until a few years ago when I wish I could just be a teenager for life. That would be great. The older you go, the more responsibility you carry.

Well, some of my friends that I knew or people I heard about, they celebrated it quite grandly. For me, it was simple and nice as well as touching.

First of all, I would say that the biggest present I get was to get a place to stay for my 2 years tenant here in KL as a student of Monash University, Sunway Campus. I just need to spend RM2 for a daily trip from my aunt’s place to go to Uni and study. Quite convenient an I get to do some exercise such as walking. 10,000 steps a day leads a healthy life.

Secondly, my sister, cousin and niece made me a cake! So touching right, that my sister actually made me a cake. It was Oreo Cheese Cake in a heart shape, sprinkled with some heart toppings and with some round silver thingy and they formed an ‘S’ at the bottom of the heart which I did not notice until my cousin point it out.

This present was given two days before my birthday and it was a surprise with dinner cum supper of KL style Hokkien Char aka Tua Pui Mee, courtesy of my aunt (different aunt as the one I am staying with for my next two years).

Another wonderful thing about my birthday is that I get RED EGGS for my birthday!!! Back in Penang, I only get to eat red eggs when my parents’ friend’s kids are one month old and they give us a box of food. This year, it was different; I get to have it on my birthday!

One last thing that I got from this was a present from my cousin. She bought and brought back the present all the way from Australia and it has something to do with the field that I am studying. (She said that and I guessed incorrectly). It was a notebook cum file and the pattern is so nice which in the end, I don’t feel like using it until I really really need it.

So that was my 21^st birthday. Simple, nice and wonderful. Thanks to my loving family.

PS: I did not take any photos of the red eggs and also the present I got from my cousin. So do bear with the cake.

Heavy-Hearted...

When you were a kid, you always dream of leaving the house but when the time is finally here, you just don't want to. You want to stay where you are because you know how much you will miss this place and of course the tenants, the food, the environment, the convenience and so much more that you have been growing up with for the past 20 years 7 months and 7 days.

The week for me to leave is finally here. I have not finished packing or should I say, I have not even started packing and I have tons of things I want to bring with me with most of them are not having to do with my studies. I have not finished cleaning my room and it is not even half cleaned yet. There are so many things that are needed to be done like cutting my hair, waxing the car, fixing my grandmother's favourite chair and now with the maid at my mum's shop gone, I wish I could stay and give them a hand especially the aunty who is working for my mum even though she can just retire and sit at home. If it hasn't been her help as well as my parents, I wouldn't be going to college or now even better, University that is so darn expensive.

Maybe all these are just an excuse for me not wanting to leave but I know I will have to go no matter what. I have made up my mind what I want to do and how I want to do. Things do not usually go as planned and I do not intend to stick to my plan but I am going to focus on my goal and surely things will be good.

For now, I just want to spend time with my parents because I will have less of that for years to come. For the past few days, I had a very great days with them. We laughed, we joked, we teased and of course there were those times when I just lost my temper which is a very bad thing to do depending on the times that I will have with them now that I am leaving for KL.

Oh, people will think that KL is just a very near place. You can always come back. It is just a few hours drive. But the one thing that is different is that, you will be far apart from your parents and no matter how many trips you take to travel back with them, it is different from staying with them but I think it will make me cherish them more and learn how to be a better daughter?

Finally the two of them will have the world to themselves when they are at home except if you count that little naughty, playful, crazy dog of mine, then it will make it three. I'm sure the dog will give them some fun time at home. One thing that will not come from the four legged living being is noise. So it will be quiet and finally no one bothering them, no one singing at night and no one who will hog on to the television watching DVDs.

Blog Title...

I read my blog title and just stare at it for a moment or two. I thought about me in the past and the present. I could not see much difference of it... except physically. (Sighh...)

My life has not improved I guess or I suppose I have not taken any steps to change myself....

I tried to see the me in the future..... but it is blur. Well, we are not suppose to look into the future because it is a mystery that we are suppose to find out ourselves.

I wonder, when will it be the time for me to change, but the problem is that, I don't even see a problem in me that I have to change except for several attitudes like towards my education and also my parents.

For things that my friend have said, I do really can't find the cause of it or when I ever do anything sort of like it or whatever that she puts it. Or maybe it is like what she told me last time, that I am in a denial and do not want to see it myself and just decided to blind myself from it?

Well, if the things she said is true, I do wish I can do something about it, but how I just need to figure that part out.......

As for now, my food in facebook is done and I need to sleep to continue cleaning my room and hopefully done packing by the end of the week.... (more sigh)....

Three Fine Words....

Three-Word Phrases, can be tools to help develop every relationship.

There are many things that you can do to strengthen your relationships. Often the most effective thing you can do involves saying just three words. When spoken sincerely, these statements often have the power to develop new friendships, deepen old ones and even bring healing to relationships that have soured.

The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.

~ Let me help:
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.

~ I understand you:
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know - in so many little ways - that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.

~ I respect you:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

~ I miss you:
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other “I miss you.” This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say “I miss you.”

~ Maybe you’re right:
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say “maybe you’re right” is the humility of admitting, “maybe I’m wrong”. Let’s face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person’s point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying “maybe you’re right” can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.

~ Please forgive me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

~ I thank you:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don’t take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

~ Count on me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating “you can count on me.”

~ I’ll be there:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase “I’ll be there.” Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us.

We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

~ Go for it:
We are all unique individuals. Don’t try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only.

Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to “go for it.”

~ I love you:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person’s deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: “I love you.” Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone.