Graduation

I was told that parents are happiest during two occasions; their children's graduation and their children's wedding. Not sure how much of that is true but I'm just glad that I'm a graduate although I have to say Imperial freaking robbed me of my university life.

Most of my friends had measly 13 hours a week or something whilst I was busy trying to read & compile the three timetables given to me. Doing a science degree is a BIG NO NO! That itself is an understatement. If all you want is just that qualification on a piece of paper certifying you then let me tell you that there is a bucket load of other easier or more carefree and easygoing degrees to choose from. How I wished someone at least told me that...All I heard about uni life was how fun it is, how much free time you have, boy, how wrong I was!

But at the end of the day, despite all the slavery I sought to and hard work I put in, I'm just glad uni life is over (or should I say Imperial life?). Imperial should really advertise this on their website:

-first year chemists have to submit their lab reports every Friday by 12am

-second year chemists have lectures then labs from 9am-5pm straight

The 12am thing, I never got. Like why would you ruin my Friday nights and make me hand in an awfully and badly composed lab report when you could have received more quality if only you gave me till Sunday 12am? I tend to think the lecturers in Imperial have nothing to do with their weekend & would prefer marking our lab reports to fill in their empty time.

The 9-5 with no lunch break. Isn't there any 'student rights' law which says it's mandatory to give your students at least an hour of eating time or break time? After all it's a proven fact that students who work with enough break time are more productive and learn faster than students with insufficient break time. Hmph!!!

Oh well, what doesn't kill you make you stronger and stronger I became (: Or that is what I would like to believe. Do remind me to send Imperial my medical fees cause I'm convinced I have gastric pains ever since my second year in Imperial began!

SO, if anyone is even thinking of joining the Imperial family, you & I can have a lengthy talk and I'm sure you wanna think twice about such a huge commitment. But like everything in life, all has its own pros & cons. My only advice is to be wise with all decisions, it often deserves more time than we think it does.

To all my Australian friends graduating in 2 weeks, give yourself a pat on the back! I wish I could attend your ceremonies but rest assured I'll be there spiritually. Here is a big, hearty welcome to the next stage of your life --------------> the working world

xoxo

Palindrome

Finland & Estonia

Annual bear campaign which travels the world. Each bear is painted by a country depicting it's own culture. This year this campaign which promotes world peace was held in Helsinki.

Parliament

Thai bear

Cuban bear with a cigar. Very disappointed there was no bear by Malaysia ):

Remains of a wall during the wartime

Pretty, colourful flowers (:

Estonian traditional food and lady

Nice view, sunny day but still cold!

If you're not a fish person, you better not step foot there. Although the tiny fried fishes are very tasty, at one point it will be sickening esp when you realise they do not even serve mushroom soup; only fish soup everywhere!

Best time of the year to visit: July-Sept

Fun facts:

1 Skype was invented in Estonia.

2 Almost 100% of Estonia has wireless internet which includes public places like the park.

3 Finland is the happiest country to live in with of course the happiest people in the world. (Gonna think about moving there now...)

Quote of the month

"Apologising doesn’t mean there isn’t guilt and forgiving doesn’t mean the pain is gone"

Child labour in India

A child carries unbaked bricks to a kiln at a brick factory in Raichak, India.

Seven-year-old Salaj Mohammed Kasim weeps during a police raid on a Mumbai (Bombay) embroidery workshop.

An Indian woman holds the hand of her eight-year-old daughter after she hammered her finger last year while breaking rocks on the banks of a river in Siliguri, India. 

Indian boys look out a window during a police raid in Mumbai.

All of you reading this are fortunate enough to grow up in a nice, cosy environment filled with love. Most of the children in the world aren't even given the opportunity to have a glimpse of a normal household. This cycle of child labour would not stop if we, being the capable ones do not lend a helping hand to end this disgraceful act. Even if it's just a simple gesture like buying Fairtrade products, it would still contribute to this campaign. I urge you all to spread this meaningful message to raise awareness for children all over the world. Thank you!

An overdue apology

No words would justify my actions, no love would bring me back, no hatred would make me forget you, no pain would undo my mess.

I'm sorry for the endless mistakes I made esp to the ppl I put so much faith & trust in who ended up tattered. I won't even dream of asking you to forget the past; am merely seeking your forgiveness and that you let time work it's magic.

I've given up making false promises in hopes of making you happy only to realise these promises will kill you further along the way. I could no longer make you believe my stupid lies and figured it's best to make you cry now then prolong the pain.

If only you heard the insanity in your voice, you would agree that I've done the right thing. I shouldn't have shown you the world and snatched it right out of your grasp in lightning speed. I do take full responsibility in everything that has happened so feel free to pile all the blame on me. I'll rather bear the burden on my shoulders than let you have more weight on your back.

I think it's time for me to grow. To take this world full on by myself and see what life has to offer. Call me selfish/the meanest word invented and I won't even hold the tinniest grudge against you.

I believe in you, the strong person you are when we first met. That you'll be able fix all problems, to mould yourself into a stronger person for some lucky girl out there waiting to be found.

I only want the best for you in life and pray that there are no more short comings in your life. May you be blessed with health, happiness, wealth, beauty, intelligence and most importantly a good and kind heart.

I'll be here if you ever need me. I'm merely giving you what I owe you most right now; time and space.

God bless!

Simon Cowell laughing!

Contentment

I've been very confused with life lately. Or more like have been making some important decisions which will affect my life and some are still "left behind" cause my brain simply cannot process anymore information.

From young, we were advised to strive for the best; to play tennis like Anna Kournikova, walk like Gisele Bundchen, sing like Christina Aguilera... So what is the best? How do you define best? Cause my best could differ from your best which differs from his & her best. Has it ever crossed your mind that no one can be the best at anything all the time? One could only be the best for some time. Cause at some point someone will overtake you. Going up the ladder must be fun but when you're at the top, it'll be a hard fall downwards.

So when is enough enough? Being content is on route to happiness so is it a sin to crave for a handbag or a nice ride or to dine in Michelin stars restaurants? If it's a sin does that mean we'll never improve since we're not trying harder? Or is it only human to want something we don't have?

How do we decide that we're content? Or that you could do better? Or you deserve more than you receive?

SIGH! Maybe I'm over thinking cause I'm mentally exhausted but my body refuses to sleep. Story of my life...

Sexy Singapore

I finally revisited Singapore after seven long years. Going back to the same country even though it's a different city is NOT acceptable to me and what more Singapore when it's teeny weeny? Maybe China could be an exception but definitely not Singapore. Like come on, there's 148 countries in this world, I'll much rather go to some far away or perhaps an exotic place than return to the same country.

But I'll definitely give credit to Singapore because this small island is not recognizable at all. A bit shocked though I didn't expect much less from Sg. As usual I played the tourist and visited the zoo, bird park, science centre, casino, Universal Studio; not to forget the drinking at Clarke Quay & shopping at Orchard Road. (:

A show at the night safari

Indian temple

Big red Chinese temple

E trying to be funny

The very beautiful swimming pool in the shape of a ship on the top of 3 buildings *engineering marvel*

Casino - ground floor

Universal Studio

To me, Universal Studio is way over rated. Well I'm a little biased cause I do not go on roller coasters; heights and speed are a bad combination. Also, I was told tickets are often sold out and that I should book my tickets online which I very well did. And guess what?!? I woke up and it was RAINING! Since I wasn't allowed to cancel the bookings which was really unfair, the one hour walk costed me SGD70. I wouldn't recommend anyone to go cause it's very small compared to Disneyland & they have that silly non-refundable policy. Not impressed!

Looks like Sg is not such an efficient country after all :S

Pink briefcase

Isn't this just so cute?!? 

If I owned one of this I would already know how to fix everything in the house by now. But it's not mine so that explains! It looks like a good investment since the tools look useful & pretty and surely one day it will come in handy.

Anyway, tmr is the last day of Hungry Ghost Festival. It's a traditional Chinese occasion where joss sticks, incense and food are offered to the deceased. Hence, I'm going back to my hometown in Malacca later today for 2 days to pay my respect. 

P/S: I hope everyone enjoyed the Merdeka celebrations ytd. Well who wouldn't? Any reason for a public holiday! Our country is still progressing so well at 53 esp with the recent announcement of KLIA 2.

The one Malaysia theme (Malay-Indian-Chinese)

I am obviously one proud Malaysian

Mom's big 5-0

Last month, my dearest mom turned 50. Hence, my sis & I decided to throw her a small celebration at the Mandarin Grill in Mandarin Oriental Hotel next to KLCC. Mandarin Grill is very famous for their exquisite food and sure enough they lived up to their reviews. Wine was good, service was excellent and if you get a side table (through advance booking), you'll get a glimpse of the city as well.

An assortment of bread

A tasting plate for appetizer

Lamb chop

Burger

Lobster

Their signature grill meat

NB: All portions are generally very small except for the grill meats where there is a minimum weight you have to order. 

My smart sis also arranged for a saxophonist from the hotel to come when we brought the surprise cake to my mom. Staff are very very helpful, they helped us hide the presents and cake when we got there and almost everything went as planned. 

Carrot cake with macarons

E & I bought the cake from Whisk. It is the most delicious carrot cake I've ever tasted in my life. It has minimal sugar and is a healthier option especially after a very heavy meal. But need not worry sugar lovers cause Whisk serves red velvet cakes and cupcakes as well. Whisk is a family business in Empire Shopping Centre and I would recommend everybody to pay them a visit.

Anyway, after the cake and the bottles of red wines and the recall of childhood stories we of course had to snap photos of this happy moment so here goes:

xoxo