Hillsong United in KL

Over 3000 ppl packed into Glad Tidings PJ to worship God. Though I think I'm in the wrong generation, almost all of them are way younger than me. =P

University of Melbourne Open Day @ KLCC

Went to KL Convention Centre this morning with Kee Win to volunteer for the Melb Uni open day. Helped out with registration then spent the next few hours at the Eng faculty booth entertaining prospective parents / students.

I spotted this lying on the table, and browsed through the Melbourne Engineering Research Institute 2008 Research Summary, almost 400 pages thick. I was amazed to discover our final year project warranted a mention.

Quite a blur photo, but here it is. (Btw, Chong Shen and MC, your project description is right there as well)

It was a fun experience. Hearing the questions posed, talking to the other volunteers and Uni staff, and learning a lot at the same time. It's interesting to note the disparity in opinions regarding the new Melbourne Model. Some parents are very keen on the idea of providing their kids with a more well rounded eduction, whilst for others, it is quite a hard sell, as they question the need to have to study an extra year (which means their spending more money). It didn't get past me either how much higher the fees currently are compared to when i was first there. But this is the way to go for the future, and I guess it just takes time for changes to be accepted. After all, it is like a double degree. 5 years of studying, and one graduates with not just 2 degrees, but a Bachelor's degree AND a Masters degree. After that, I did a spot on the panel and shared my experience of my time in Melbourne (which i think i ended up advocating the benefits of staying in residential colleges more than promoting the uni itself. haha)

Oh, and one more thing. I took a photo with Andrew Ooi, our much fabled and (in?)famous lecturer. He's originaly was from Penang, and used to work for NASA, but he's probably the most interesting lecturer in the faculty. He does the most ridiculous of things, like 'accidentally' writing on the OHP with a permanent marker. Or, to illustrate that an equation goes on and on, he wrote " + ...........", the dots stretching right outside the confines of the whiteboard, so much so that he starts writing on the wall..! Instead of labelling equations the conventional Eqn. (1), (2), (3), he'll label them with stickman symbols, or students names etc, etc. I guess it's good that he perpetually tries to be funny and cracks a joke every few minutes or so, making it impossible to doze off in class. And he used to ask students to take a photo with him so that he can post it up on his blog / Facebook account or sth. Well, much belated, but i finally have a photo with him. =P

Pulau Batu Putih

Just found this funny from yesterday's newspaper headlines. After a protracted wrangle with both Malaysia and Singapore claiming sovereignty over Pulau Batu Putih (known as Pedra Branca to the Singaporeans), the International Court of Justice has ruled that the island belongs to Singapore. But the ICJ HAD to somehow give something to Malaysia. So what is Malaysia's consolation prize? A tiny outcropping of rocks called the Middle Rocks. Only problem? I doesn't even exist during high tide.! I tell you, only in Malaysian politics can something like this be twisted to sound like a victory.

Glory Glory Man United

A long night. A roller-coaster of emotions. A fantastic game of drama which did justice to a final. Chances galore, chances spurned. Woodwork saving the day thrice. Nothing separating the teams after 90mins. Drogba's moment of silliness. Status quo after extra time. The heartstopping, nerve-wrecking lottery of penalties beckons. Ronaldo proves the detractors wrong with a goal on the big stage; yet contrives to miss a penalty. Terry slips - penalties move on to sudden death. And finally, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. An apt commemoration on the silver anniversary of the Busby Babes. Who could have written such a script.

Champions of England. NOW, kings of Europe.



Update: Came across some viral images making fun of poor John Terry making it's way around the web. =P

Marié Digby Live @ 1U

As part of GAP's marketing campaign, a free public concert featuring Marie Digby of Youtube fame in was held in 1 Utama.

The massive crowd, at the concourse area in front of GAP. And that's just downstairs, not to mention the many more clustered around the railings on the above floors.
After almost an hour of preliminary banter, competitions, quizes, obligatory promotions and free handouts by the Mix.fm emcees, only did Marie come on stage. She opened with her single 'Say It Again'.
And moved on to the piano.

She sang a couple of other songs and then we went downstairs to do some shopping. Though i rejoined the crowd and watched a few more performances.

Here are a few videos that i took.

Marie's reprisal of the song that catapulted her to fame on YouTube, Umbrella by Rihanna. (Cue for everyone to whip ot their video camera, SLRs, camera phones, etc. Btw, i even spotted one hardcore photographer who brought a mini ladder with him..!! hahaa. )

I think there was an intermission after this, but alas we decided to go home.

Anyway, didn't know too much about her before this and was never a big fan to begin with. Prob only caught a couple of her covers on Youtube, but nevertheless, she impresses. Some artists shine in the recording studio, and falls flat during a live performance, but glad to say, this girl has talent. She has a beautiful, melodious voice, and is more than adept with the guitar and piano, not to mention her ability to compose. And Jeannie, i know you always keep harping on about how kids of mixed parentage turn out good looking. Well, another case in point, she's an attractive blend of Japanese-Irish-American blood.

Ppl have been reminding me recently that Jerome is her most ardent fan. So Jerome, in case you're reading this you might be even more upset to discover that there was this one fan on stage (by virtue of this competition whereby one has to sing on stage to determine who can best imitate Marie's singing). Well anyway, at the end of it all Marie gave each of the contestants a hug, and if i'm not mistaken, that one guy quickly stole a kiss and gave her a peck on the cheek. hahaa. Oohh, and also Gary's friend managed to catch one of the posters they were throwing out (the same as the one at the top of this post).



[Just a random, perhaps related note of interest. Did you know that you can watch higher quality Youtube videos by appending the term '&fmt=18' to the end of a particular URL? That is, if there is a higher resolution version available (e.g. the video above).]

2 years to a quarter century

So yes, i just turned 23 (just having to type that number makes me feel so old!!). Anyway, this year's birthday was just low-key, no fanfare or parties unlike previous years (which was good coz that meant no opportunites to get sabo-ed). I honestly didn't realise my birthday was approaching until just a few days ago. Got woken up in the morning with phone calls and smses wishing me a happy birthday (though all those who called from Melbourne claimed their intention was more so to wake me up, what with the time difference).

Michelle was nice enough to ask my plans for the afternoon and having none, we decided to go for lunch. Had lunch in Italianni's at 1U, which was great, considering the many planned meet-ups thus far had failed to materialise. =)

Got back home and then i went with my family to the Royal Sporting House sale in their warehouse in Subang, next to Sports Planet. Lots of branded clothings and shoes, which were going for extremely cheap prices, everything had a 40-60% discount. Many items caught my attention, but unfortunately almost all the clothes were left in XL sizes. Shoes had only one size left. That's what happens when you go to a sale on the last day. Lesson in point, if there is a sale make sure you go on the first day. Anyway, bought 2 shirts, a couple of socks, a cheap tennis racket, and football shoes.

Admittedly, i don't really need the football boots, but RM115 for such nice looking boots, which are comfortable and super lightweight, i just HAD to buy them. =P

Dinner was at Victoria Station near my house with family and a few relatives. You know how in these places they would sing a birthday song to whoever was celebrating their birthday? Well, over the course of the meal we heard the song being sung 3 other times. Seems like a popular birth date, and i personally know another 2 frens who share the same birthday. =)

Okay, anyway just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the wishes, the calls/smses, the presents, the meal/company, and its nice to know that ppl still remember me, especially all those far away in Melb and other countries, some whom i haven't seen in ages! On another note, looks like the birthday reminders on Facebook serves a very convenient purpose. I've been inundated by tons of wishes on FB, to the point where the first page of my Gmail is practically filled with FB notifications. Haven't read them yet, and to those be patient, i'll slowly reply over the next few days.