Thank you very much and happy new year

I wonder if I can procrastinate like this kitty and tiger next year :)

• Thanks to all my family and friends who make this first year in Oz a wonderful experience:

1. My family:

Daddy and youngest brother, talking over the phone almost every month

Young brother, technology consultant and online hobby-sharing buddy

Mummy, phone-gossipping and sharing tears and joy together

1. My friends who kept in touch through online and snail mails (not according to order^^):

HuaHua :)

RouRou :)

Zaza :)

Huey :)

Olivia (Swiss or Indonesia) :)

Erica :)

Jean :)

• Thank you for sharing all your joy and life with me even though I am away :)

1. My friends in Oz (not according to order^^):

UKM officemate and soon-to-be-neighbour: Atie (in Adelaide) :)

FSSK UKM mate: Amrah :)

LTU buddies: (Back row) Pankae, Anh Le, Tracy, Riam, Hery, Manik (Front row) Me, Thasnaon, Getrude, Neil

Social Sciences buddies: Song, Bee, Rosyidah, Tracy, Hoang

Hui Min, the first Malaysian I know in LTU; Tracy, the first Sarawakian I know :)

Steph and Jan, never fail to cheer me up and make me laugh :) Thank you two for existing in Politics department!

Song, Tracy, Phuong and Hoang. Words cannot express how helpful and friendly they are, and they make School of Social Sciences a better place for me :)

Tracy and Huyen. Lovely duo whose office was always invaded by me :)

Me, Suraya and Susheel at Geelong Waterfront. 1 Malaysia-Lovely girls!

• 
  

• THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

May God bless them always.

An inconvenient truth: Australia and Malaysia's road toll comparison

Source: 7 News, Yahoo Australia, 27 December 2009

1. I am looking at the Australian festive season's road toll, and that makes me feel Malaysian road death toll is really extraordinarily high. You can say we have more festive seasons so we have higher road accidents and road death, but Australia is almost 24 times bigger than Malaysia, with slightly bigger population than Malaysia.

1. Look at the single and double-digit numbers above, and then try to look at Malaysia's death toll which are NOT fewer than 4 digit each year:

• http://micpohling.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/malaysia-road-accidents-statistic-2000-2006/
• http://www.swivel.com/data_columns/show/8644078

It's kinda sad and scary really :(

Keep up the good work next year!

• 来年からがんばる! \(≧▽≦)/

For this moment, allow ourselves to procrastinate for a while^^ Though you may not like moe or cartoon voice, just pay attention to the lyrics, LOL^^

Happy new year 2010!

2009 Year End Christmas holiday Travel

We will travel for approx. 219 km in total from Melbourne City to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, and then travel across the Port Phillip Bay on Queenscliff-Sorrento Searoad ferry to Sorrento and go back to Melbourne via Mornington Peninsula.

1. We will explore the historical twin towns which are developed to protect Melbourne City during WWI and WWII. The highlight of the trip for me is the searoad ferry because if we are lucky we may be able to spot dolphins, seals, and even whales^^ I don't know if this is the right season for whale to swim by here LOL.
2. If nothing happens during the cruise, then the next highlight would be the Point Nepean National Park. I like everything about Point Nepean, from its historical values, aborigine site, mystery (one of the former Australian Prime Minister lost (while still in office) when swimming at one of the beaches there), and of course the marvelous scenery:

(丌▽丌)

I want to stand on the tip of Point Nepean! 3-day tour, here I come!

The best heptagon I’ve seen in ages

The 7 deadly sins and their combination in relations to the modern world.

• Credit and kudos to Thisisindexed.com by Jessica Hagy.

I find most mathematicians' blogs amusing, including xkcd.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO)

• Many thanks to SS for the free ticket!

The symphony of the last day performance is Brahms and opera The Valkyrie: Wotan's farewell, see this page.

• Never expect to get a seat so up front!^^ It's on the left side of the stage so I can't see what is at the back or on the right (LOL)

1. The conductor is the uber famous Otaka Tadaaki 尾高 忠明.
2. The one standing next to conductor and was flashing in white because of my stupid camera is the famous bass-baritone (equivalent of soprano for female?) John Wegner.

Because of him, I would love to watch at least one opera in Europe one day! His eager eyes are scary and intimidating while plying the role of Wotan. But some part of it is quite sad esp when Wotan is biding farewell to his daughter whom he condemned to be sealed in the Ring of Fire until a hero who is not afraid of the Ring of Fire to come and save her. This is Act III from the whole act of Die Walküre (The Valkyrie).

• I accidentally turned on the flash while taking this photo -_-"
• Luckily no one came to me and blame me or something LOL

• The Concertmaster or Konzertmeister (or leader in UK) on the right, I can only see his back^^ He is brilliant, though I know little about music. I observed all violinists and there are differences in unison.

• The orchestra will play some tune on their music instruments before each performance starts :)

• Almost full house in Hamer Hall of Melbourne Arts Centre.

• With nearly 80 years experience of playing in the MSO between them, Principal Second Violin Rudolf Osadnik and Double Bassist, Anthony Smith are set to retire in December after long and distinguished careers with the Orchestra.

1. I was wondering when i noticed all music notes stands have some colourful ribbons hiding underneath. It happens to be their end-show tossing at the retiring musicians :)
2. This is the last show for Melbourne International Arts festival and also the last performance from the orchestra with their best musicians :)
3. My love and knowledge for classical music increased after reading Nodame Cantabile :) The power of manga yay! But following the author's sickness Carpal Tunnel Syndrome made known that put the series on a hiatus, I am wary of my own working habit in front of PC/laptop too o.O

Ievan Polkka

Polka Source: Polka Blog

• OMG I just found out that one of my favourite Vocaloid songs of all time is actually a traditional Finnish song!

• All these while I thought it is "Levan polkka", but it is actually "Ievan polkka" that means "Eva's polka" XD Polka is a traditional dance in Central Europe that is spread to the whole Europe and also to other continents ^^

• The original Finnish lyrics provided by one of the Finnish youtube commentator:

1. Rätsätsää ja ribidabi dilla
2. Beritstan dillan dillan doo,
3. A baribbattaa baribariiba
4. Dibi dibidibi disten dillan doo
5. Ja barilla stillan deijadoo
6. A daba daba daba daba daba dybjabuu,
7. Baristal dillan stillan duubadäg
8. Dägädägä duu duu deijadoo

I also like Kaito (male vocaloid)'s version of Ievan Polkka:

• For English translation of the song, view this video's info on the right side panel. This video also casts the Finnish singers (real human beings XD) version of the song^^
• The band is Loituma and comprised of 4 singers. And the Loituma girl, who spins the leek (Welsh onion) to the tune of Ievan Polkka, is not made famous by Hatsune Miku but Inoue Orihime 井上 織姫 from 死神 Bleach! What a surprise!

Everyone, let's sing to the tune: Rätsätsää ja ribidabi dilla Beritstan dillan dillan doo...

XD

The horoscope thingy and my work

Source: Pacific Lutheran University

• It's been a very long time since I last checked my horoscope, and today when I checked it at noon, I had my childhood feeling back: "OMG, that is so true!" (I was very into horoscope from Primary 5 until Form 1) LOL

Your Daily Horoscope: November 17, 2009

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept 22 (Wrong Sign?)

There may be important news about your home or the place where you live today, Virgo. What's even more exciting is that there may be important news about work, like being called into action. Today is one of those on which your greatest advantage will come from paying attention, and by being ready to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Not moving fast enough could cost you today: it's one of those "early bird catches the worm" kind of moments. Be careful not to blurt out your opinions too soon, too loudly or too strongly.

• Today I have a very very important news about my "work" a.k.a. fieldwork, I am indeed "being call into action".
• I tried my best to "move fast enough", sending the necessary emails, planning for tomorrow's to-do-list.
• I hope I can be the early bird that is able to catch the worm!
• Btw I really like this calligraphy-styled zodiac sign while searching for the image for this post :)

What do I want to do and how am I going to do

Anna Jinshikaya

1. I am rubbing my temples, though may not as graceful as Anna Jinshikaya.
2. I hope the light bulb can come to me when I need it. I need to write as much as I can, NOW.
3. At the same time I wish I can live my life to the fullest, not missing any moments of it. And not sitting in front of the PC or laptop staring at the blank Microsoft Word document with only 2 or 3 lines. And not checking FB and emails like an OCD.
4. The weather is so hot, I don't want to walk under the scorching sun any more, my arms and my face are already tanned, in 3 days. But I need my soy milk.
5. Just stop ranting and continue to write something academic dammit.
6. Today is Remembrance Day. Lest we forget.

There is no hope for the human race: Pro-rape group and the University of Sydney

What the hell are these male students thinking and how does the University of Sydney reacted toward these jantan?

There is no hope for the human race.

Kaito 『YOU』

My music therapy at the moment ~(￣▽￣)~

This fully computer-synthesized voice amazingly healing souls.

What did you say? 何を言ったの？

Raw whale on menu in Shimonoseki Japan Photo: Danielle Demetriou

Source: Telegraph UK

1. I just can't believe how thick-skin people (or news agency or media) can get.

• Most Japanese have never consumed dolphin or whale meat and many are opposed to the kills.

(Mainichi Japan) October 16, 2009

1. I can still remember very well a Japanese says she cannot resist trying out whale meat when the restaurant offers it on the menu.
2. And also the local's effort to promote whale meats to school children and the children say the whale meat is delicious and they like it----an attempt from the supporters of "Don't let the whale-eating tradition die out".

So.. what did the Manichi Daily say again?

50th post: You are the CSS to my HTML

I love this :)

• But heck I hate to read and understand CSS. Plan to start another blog with password protection feature but to understand the CSS in order to edit the template and customize the site is a pain in the ass for me.

You can actually buy the T-shirt HERE.

This post makes my day: How to let the world knows Dokdo belongs to Korean

One of the song posted in his second post which is a sequel to his first post. Must read his first post!

• It's about "How to let the world knows Dokdo belongs to Korean".

• This guy is a foreigner who used to teach English in Korea. And he loves Korea in many ways, including dedicating this blog "Dokdo is Ours".

• Personally I think all three language in Korean, Mandarin and Japanese mean almost the same thing.

• Dokdo or 독도 in Korean is originated from the Hanja (Chinese character in Korean language) is 獨島. While in Mandarin, it is the same words 獨島 in traditional Chinese and 独岛 in simplified Chinese, all pronounced as Du2 Dao3. In both Chinese and Korean Hanja, it means Single or Unique Island. In Japanese, it used the Kanji (Chinese character in Japanese language) 竹岛 and its pronunciation or in Hiragana is たけしま or Takeshima; in Chinese character or its Kanji, it means the Bamboo Island (pronounced as Zhu2 Dao3 in Mandarin).

• I highlight Hanja and Kanji in orange because both of them means 汉字----Chinese characters or the writings of Han 汉 people. So just stop fighting for the tiny island (it is actually like how Malaysia and Singapore fight over Pulau Batu Putih (Malaysian, means the White Rock Island) or Pedra Branca (Singaporean, means the White Rock in Portugese: Pedra is rock and Branca is white). You see, all means the same thing. Btw, in the end the ICJ judged it is Pedra Branca so it belongs to Singapore, but a pile of smaller rocks "Middle Rocks" belongs to Malaysia. I can still remember on the "judgement day" (LOL) all lecturers in UKM watching TV awaiting for the result (because UKM Historians and academicians including from my department involved in presenting evidence and facts etc).

I should continue to do my work now T_T

Mao's Last Dancer

• brought 3 packs of tissue, used half pack only. OK lah.

• Well, I learned not to have high hope to go to any movies that are adapted from books. Like Harry Potter, like many others, lots of should-be-in-the-scenes stories are not included in the movie.

• Nonetheless it is a nice one, especially for those who don't read books or yet to read the book.

• I was brought to tears in 2 scenes. 2 scenes only. I expect more but... nah. Partly also I don't want the other cinema goers saw my pig face so I actually held myself together during some scenes that reminds me of some sad or touching descriptions in the book. And funnily, when it is supposed to dig into that deeper feeling or some further details in the book, the movie stopped right there and switched to something else. Which made my tear held half way and kena telan balik LOL. Now that's funny^^

• I would say the first half of the movie is very well-executed although not all details from the book are included. The second half.... erm, like, I don't know how to put this: too fast? skipping too many things? I don't mind if they will make this a 3-hour movie, I rather watch this for 3-hour and get back-ache rather than the 3-hour King Kong that really gave me not only a back-ache but also headache -_-"

• Some interesting facts on the actors: http://www.licunxin.com/film.htm They are all related to Li Cunxin himself in real life! I love the cast and the actors :)

• I like the review written by Jim from The Age. I agree with him on almost all points :)

I'm gonna watch this on this Thursday

Mao's Last Dancer

Cover of the CD Book

Li CunXin

• I was brought to tears while reading his story and watching the trailer.
• Am preparing packs of tissues for the cinema this coming Thursday.
• It's a true story from Li's autobiography, please go watch the movie!
• Read http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/03/1064988386797.html
• and also watch the trailer:

Happy birthday Confucius 孔夫子

Confucius is born 2559 years ago, happy birthday 孔夫子!

*Western Georgian calender is 28 September; Chinese Lunar calender is 27th day of 8th lunar month, which falls on 15 October this year 2009)*

Am posting this because in Mainland China they are celebrating the teacher's day in conjunction with Confucius birthday today.

Some well known Confucian quotes:

• "When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them." 知錯能改，善莫大焉。(Lit: To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue.)

• "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" 己所不欲，勿施於人。

• "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my crooked arm for a pillow - is not joy to be found therein? Riches and honors acquired through unrighteousness are to me as the floating clouds" 疏食飲水，曲肱而枕，樂在其中矣。不義而富貴，于我如浮雲。

• "To understand nothing is to understand everything." 知錯大 能改，善樂在其莫焉。

I disagree with the translation for the last quote. It should mean something like "know your wrong deeds and willing to correct them, there is joy in doing so". I am not sure of the meaning of the second verse though .but the first verse is definitely about "to realize what is wrong and attempt to correct it". We learn this in the shortened form: 知過能改，善莫大焉 during primary school. I don't think I am mistaken about this, but... who knows the larger meaning of it is "to understand nothing is to understand everything"?

Argh, unacceptable. That English translation is deviated too far away from its true meaning!

When I googled and apparently lots of Chinese site take this translation and circulate it as the correct translation for the proverb. Oh please Wikipedia, that is wrong!

Art works related to Confucius: http://www.onelittleangel.com/wisdom/art/sacred.asp?mc=15

Raya food and more healthy diet + lifestyle

Saya akan timbang diri sendiri sama ada pada hari Rabu atau Jummat ini, kemudian buat pelan detox dan jadual masa gym serta renang. Sekian.

• I have lots of pimples now and my stomach is bloating almost all the time. Urgently need to detox myself not only from the oil and charcoal food but also from lack of sleep. Will start to adjust my lifestyle back to normal. An email from my student that titled (translated from Mandarin): "Irregular sleeps equals to commit suicide---for people who don't sleep at night", somewhat rings an alarm to me and I suppose I should live a healthier lifestyle.
• I will force myself to go to campus everyday and do my work in the office as much as I can. And this, will require me to wake up early and my room will be the place for leisure and rest only. Making the bedroom as my workplace is probably the factor that contributes to my on-and-off insomnia. But to tell the truth, I love to do work in my room. Hmph.
• Need to build up my stamina at the gym, I lost to a nanny in swimming on the last Thursday and I am ashamed of myself^^
• Lately it's cold again and I don't sweat much. No detox activity at all. No good^^

Aja! Aja! Fighting!

20th Melbourne Queer film festival

Stumbled upon this while booking ticket for Australian Malaysian Film Festival^^

1. This is so interesting!
2. But I'm not sure what they mean by Become a member and enjoy benefits all year round! ^_^

• But let's pray that I won't be in Melbourne during this time LOL

26 on the 22nd

• It's my birthday on 22nd September.
• I don't feel like celebrate it because I had so much fun for the past 4 days.
• I had given myself birthday gifts last month so I won't get myself anything this month.
• I will instead calm my mind and make myself be more focus on my research.
• I just started planning my research plan for the next 3 months, starting today.
• I am seeking peace of mind.
• I am seeking for forgiveness, from my parent, my brothers, my friends, and everyone I know.
• I have a wish. If it is not realised, it's OK :)
• I must improve my academic English.
• I must be well-prepared for my field work and my further chapter writing.
• I wish happy Autumn Equinox day (first day of Autumn) to the people who live in Northern hemisphere countries. That's how I get "Autumn" in my name :)
• I wish I am wiser than previous years. Amen.

Raya di Perantauan

Raya Open House at Basha's studio at Carlton

Raya Open House of Desa Bundoora at Reservoir Civic Centre

• Lots of things on my mind that I wish to say here but my brain is too tired to function. I think the most important thing is gratitute and appreciation during Raya. We hope people are REALLY forgiving each other and appreciate the bonds we bind either from Malaysia and also in Melbourne. You girls are the precious Elixirs that I found in the PhD journey and I thank GOD for that.

Good habit to stay slim and slender

Fresh orange juice and fresh vege with strawberries salad. I love organic food but I have to travel to fresh markets to buy them at cheaper price^^

1. Don't skip breakfast. Even if you wake up late. No matter what, even if you're going to be late for something, grab something to eat, don't skip!
2. Don't take bath right after you eat a meal. So the best way is to bath first, before taking any meal. Taking a bath right after you eat is the cause of your tummy/small belly! Or, rest at least 1 hour after taking a meal before taking a bath.
3. Take the stairs instead of lift. Walk more can tone your legs. Though there are myths saying do more legs exercise would make your legs more muscular, but hey, that is really not the case. Look at the models on the runway and imagine how many miles or kilometers they walk in 1 day (including training and all). Yet they also work out in the gym (on the treadmills some more!). So the muscular thingy is just another reason to be lazy.
4. Think positively. Be happy!
5. Don't go to sleep straight away right after having a meal.

So far these are the things that I can think of, they are additional notes to my detox plan. These are some very simple things to do but apparently nobody is willing to do it. Sigh.

I lost 3 KG in 3 days (or 2 and a half day to be exact!)

Avocado blended with soy milk and topping with blueberries

1. It sounds simple and what you need to do within these 3 days are: Detox for 2 days, eat fruits only for 1 day (on the first day), and 1 hour workout at gym for 2 days-----my total weight loss is 3 Kg. Cool!

Alternate Plan A

1. My detox plan used to be very simple: drink 2 litres of water in the morning for 1 week. And then you eat normal lunch, tea break and dinner or even supper for the rest of the day. I did this during primary school and secondary school when I felt there is too many toxin in my body LOL. Sounds good? Not everyone can drink 2 litres of plain water in the morning.

• My first try (primary 5 I think) I could only drink 800 ml. But I manage to swallow down 1.5 litre the next morning and on the third morning I can drink 2 litres without feeling want to puke.
• I repeated my water detox plan later in university not because I were gaining weight but because I ate nasi lemak nasi goreng and all the unhealthy devilish yummy Malaysian food everyday but still remain slim. I thought there must be something wrong with me (ada ulat dalam perut?) so decided to wash myself clean by drinking lotsa water.
• And I can tell you that for my 3 years of Bachelor study, almost everyday I peed oily urine and also oily faeces. What to do, we were not allowed to cook on campus (no kitchen at all by the way) and I stayed on-campus for 3 full years, so I ate out EVERY SINGLE DAY and the food are damn oily.

Kiwis and fresh blueberries

Alternate Plan B (which I was adopting now)

1. But here in Oz the food are fatty in terms of margarine fat and yeast fat and I don't really fancy salad without salad dressing. Hence on Day 1 I try to use fruit detox: Avocado soy drink with blueberries and 2 kiwis for brunch on the first day of detox. That's all.

• When feeling hungry just drink lots of water. When you go to pee you will see oily substance in your urine! That means the detox plan is success! I also did an one hour workout at the gym in the evening: burn 100 calories on treadmill, another 100 on the peddler, and another 100 on cycling. I did some weighing too on my legs and arms. And of course don't forget a must do routine: pilates. Go to sleep early if you are very hungry.

1. On Day 2, if you cannot stand drinking plain water only in the morning you can choose to make yourself some tea. Some people prefer green tea but for me OoLong tea is the best. For the differences and benefits read this, and this.

• I love Oolong tea since I'm young, before I read about these articles, mohoho. I ate 2 kiwis for lunch. But in the evening I felt very hungry so I decided to eat very little rice with lots of carrots, 100g of baked beans and very little tuna. And then rest for at least half an hour before you drink water or tea (if you drink right after eating it won't help digestion).

1. On Day 3, repeat Day 1's routine: water or tea in the morning, avocado drink for brunch, workout at the gym for one hour. It was at the gym that I weighed myself and found out I lost 3 Kg. So I happily went back and make myself Day 2's dinner with more rice, more carrots, more tuna, and more baked beans LOL. Topping with cheese some more^^

And with this detox + exercise plan I manage to fit into super skinny jeans in the shortest timeframe possible, yay! Which means I lose 1 to 2 size perhaps?