22 November 2006
And the Report Book says...
EDIT: 3-12-2006I got third in class.
Let's gasp! *GASP*
After about 6 years of staying stationary to 2nd position, I finally let my guard down. And off I tumble to the ground (well, not really) and claim the empty spot of the guy who snatched away my place.
I shall drown in sorrow and collect buckets of my tears. Boo-hoo-hoo! And probably after that, I jump off IBB building in Bandar. Because I got third. OH THE AGONY! How the academic institution have driven me insane, mad and utterly depressed and rejected. Goodbye world! Goodbye everyone! I miss you all, take good care of yourselves yea?
No, I was only kidding. *gives nasty grin*
Okay, seriously. I'm not so depressed over the drop in my position. It's not THAT bad. I'm actually so much more better at handling this news now compared to last time, when I can throw my tantrum these sort of things. Now's not so terrible. I'm a mature person now, and I'm going to handle things in a mature way.
I sort of anticipated it anyway, since my efforts made in studying were considered less than that of previous time's. Somehow, I got distracted this term. So I deserve to get third. But the news got me by surprise though, because I really do not
I'm evil! Very evil!
I don't even dare do such things. That's really mean, you know, seeing he has done nothing
I seriously wonder who got Number 1. If you got Number 1, and you are reading this, please tag at my tagboard with your name so that I know who you are. And do some things to you too :P.
I was looking through some of my papers just now. My Biology papers were the most hilarious! I was laughing at my answers, and how ridiculously easy the model answers were, and how mega-short the essay answers are compared to my pages of writing. Makes me feel so =.=".
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Mushroom for beating Gay Man. Hahhahaha...
And now, I shall enjoy my holidays in a state of euphoria.
ADDENDUM: It wasn't Mushroom who got 2nd. It was Nathaniel. Mushroom got 4th. I was told the wrong info, lol!
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 12:57.
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15 November 2006
Chronicles of the Sabah Trip - Day 3
Yep, it's Day 3 now. But I first would like to apologise for this late blog post. It was supposed to be done this evening, but somehow I managed to pull my brother away from his Maple Story game and we both played Monopoly. It was fun! Hahaha, we tried bankrupting each other with hotel rents. Because I possess more hotels and he landed on them more, I was the victor and nearly the loser. His Mayfair houses nearly killed me!Moving on to Day 3. I woke up to the sound of a really nasty alarm ringtone of Cikgu Bronie's handphone. (He was my roomie, along with Tze Yan and Alex at that time) It was terribly noisy I tell you but fortunately it rang for about a minute. So I got up, brushed my teeth, washed my hair and off we go down the many flights of stairs carrying our baggages to the restaurant there near the Gunung Emas treetop cabins. Talk about
No offense Jia Yee, but I sort of expected you to have really messy hair and big black bags under your eyes since I thought you had a restless sleep that night, but thank goodness you were able to sleep through the night and look normal! Hahaha!
We ordered breakfast there. I ate a chicken pao which Alex didn't really want to eat. The Form 1 girls did not ordered breakfast as they feared the food there was dirty, since Maria had a stomachache the last night after eating the food there. Poor them. I wonder how they got the energy to trek through the forest...
While I was eating, Cikgu Amelly tried to show me the big grasshopper clinging at her shirt. I was trying to pinpoint what she tried to show me and scanned the area high and low until I gave a gasp when I saw the hideous grasshopper. The ones sitting on my table gave an expression which was something like this: -.-"! Nai Kiat tried to grab hold of the grasshopper's tail and toyed with it with fascination. Alex passed an unnecessary remark, saying he wanted to squash that thing. Hey, the grasshopper did nothing to you la, kill it for what? Very inhumane, which ironically was his typical characteristic :P. Yes, yes, I know, be crass! *rolls eyes*
We departed the place later at 8 something and we headed to a Rafflesia Centre (I don't know the name). Surprisingly and not surprisingly, the place was closed when we first arrived there. Luckily, a car came and the staff helped us to open the gate and then called the forest ranger to guide us into the jungle there later.
Our purpose there was of course, to seek for the biggest (and probably the stinkiest too, at least that's what I read) flower in the world, Rafflesia by going into the jungle near there. Do you know this flower was first discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles, and the flower was named after him? We explored the small Rafflesia museum while waiting for the guide. He came later and told us that the jungle which we're going to hike has leeches. The ones with short pants cringe, those wearing slippers went "Eeek" and the rest went "Illl!". I was scared (why should I lie that I wasn't? Lol!) too, and I shudder at the thought of having a leech bit me. Those brown slimy annelid that crawl up your leg and suck your blood. They are probably from which Vlad Dracula and vampires evolved from! I'm not going to let some bloodthirsty creature crawl up my skin, puncture my skin and suck the living blood out of me!
With lots of groans and moans from us, we hesitantly made our way into the jungle. We thought it was alright, since there was a concrete paveway but that was just the beginning. As the guide swung open the creaking gate, lo and behold lies the jungle that holds lots of secrets, and leeches. Someone said, "Eee! I'm scared! I don't want to go in anymore!" Well, like it or not, all of us have to since we came THAT far.
So we trekked our way down and up. The initial journey was pretty okay, if not easier than the cross-country at Bukit Shahbandar. Little did we know what was in store for us. I wish I can stare at the green jewels hanging from the branches and admire the emerald canopy, but I was too busy looking at the path at where I was going and also walking as fast as possible to prevent the stinking leeches from crawling up my feet and bite me. I was really glad that I chose to wear shoes and long pants for the trip (I actually didn't expect we're going into the jungle), but that wasn't enough to keep my mind in peace. I don't know who told me this, but one of my friends told me that leeches can still crawl up your shoes and under the pants "sleeve" and savour your tasty blood.
While hiking in the jungle, I took the opportunity to snap pictures of sunlight filtering through the leafy canopy, down to create a curtain of mysterious light near the undergrowth. I think that makes one heck of an amazing panorama that gives the forest such beauty and mystery. Snap, snap, and I got this one. I quickly moved away from my stationery pose to prevent leeches from crawling up my skin and also not to block the human traffic behind me.I love the picture below too. Somewhere while hiking, I looked up and saw this. Of course, make hay while the sun shines, so SNAP! I took this. It's amazing! See how the sun peeks in between the circular gap of the canopy? Isn't it pretty? Of course it is! Say yes!
So we walked, walked and walked. Not many words passed among us. We just followed the leader, who was the guide, and Tze Yan. Suddenly, there came a scream! Everybody panicked. Which leech claim which victim? The answer: Cikgu Amelly! She was reacting somewhat like, "Ahhh! Ada leech di kaki sayaaaaaaaa! Aaaaah!" I think Alex laughed at her. Wow, I couldn't imagine my own BM teacher having a fear of leeches since she was the head of Adventure Club, surely a leech is nothing? She, or someone else, quickly took it off from her and she let Alex and Maria go in front of her for "protection" I guess.
Then, came another horrendous scream again, this time from Eileen. I was shocked again. It happened so fast twice in a row, and I thought Eileen was pretty brave? Well, she's not so when it comes to leeches. And yea, she screamed. Hahaha! We told her to remove it, but she didn't want to since she afraid of the pain and also she was afraid that it would infect her wound. So she decided to let that thing cling onto her until it's full which it will let go automatically.
Finally, we reached a pondok and Cikgu Amelly quickly sat down and inspect her wound. She ushered us to go first. I stood around worrying for no apparent reason and when I saw some leaving, I followed suit. Little did I know that she won't be following us AT ALL, leaving us all out in the jungle alone with the guide while she rested at the pondok the whole time!
After the pondok, the terrain of the forest floor became more difficult, more slippery
That's when I realised I wasn't born a Tarzan, but a weak and pathetic city guy.
I shrugged and I moved on, carefully stepping on roots that somehow formed natural steps, avoiding slippery muddy ground and of course leeches. Eileen's one was still stuck on her, and she made a small cry, "Why are you still stuck on me?"
I don't know why, but somehow I fared much more better at that time than others. Not to be a show off or anything. Lol. So we walked and trekked and hiked and by this time, I was starting to be a little tired. I was wondering when I will get to see the big one! Then suddenly, there came a shout and then a cry. It was definitely Jia Hui's signature shout. I didn't know what happened back there as I was already way in front; probably a leech bit her or something.
I remember a stretch of very narrow path that was really slippery, difficult to manoeuvre about and without much trees and vegetation to hold onto for support. And that was when the scariest thing happened in my whole life.
"OH MY GOSH! ALEX!"
The few of us who were way ahead of others gasped when Alex, our dear Alex, actually SLIPPING DOWN THE SLIPPERY RAVINE and nearly got swallowed by the forest down below. IT WAS FREAKING SCARY I TELL YOU. I was not ready to witness a death happening to one of my friends. There's still a lot in life for him to go through. To put it bluntly, it was scary shit and so many thoughts crossed my mind. Most of them very pessimistic ones, but at times of danger like that, anything could happen.
THANK GOODNESS he managed to grip his hands on the steep ground and was sort of hanging there. Nai Kiat quickly came to the rescue! He put out his hand, Alex grabbed on it and he heaved him up while Eileen was sort of "the support". That was really a close one. Thank God he was still alive and in one piece even though he had scratches and some wounds. I think he was pretty badly shaken though.
We told each other to be careful even though we knew we have to be. Fortunately the rest of the hike was pretty much okay, but the terrain deep inside the jungle was really getting too difficult and challenging as well as slippery. It was quite dark too, and leeches harboured everywhere. It was scary I tell you, and I asked myself whether we are already there or not. Speaking of leeches, Alex who quickly recovered from the accident kept on saying that he wanted leeches to suck on his wound or something. He says they have some "health benefits" or something I cannot remember. But he did say earlier in the journey that leeches aren't poisonous and won't do much harm. They suck and go, it's their way of life. I doubted him and I did some research online on Wikipedia. Turns out he was right. Still, scary!
The people in front of my slowed to a halt and didn't move for quite some time. I stomped my feet on the ground hoping that leeches won't crawl up my shoe up my leg. I asked in an annoyed tone, "What happened? Why you stop?" Then the guide pointed to me the Rafflesia on the ground. I was like "There?"
I was really shocked beyond words because the Rafflesia I see certainly didn't match the giant ones I envisioned. They were REALLY small for a big flower. And I felt that I have been cheated and bluffed and lied to horribly. I quickly shoved these thoughts back to my head and tried to forget about them, but someone said we should stop there because the rest are still lagging behind and didn't think they could make it so far anymore. So we stopped there to see the 3 small Rafflesias. It was A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT. We came all the way, to see 3 small and not so fabulous Rafflesias? Forget it, I can go to Google Image Search and right-click and save pictures of Rafflesias the search results gave me, photoshop it to make it look like I have took it in a real forest and host 100000000s of them online! It makes it so not worth it at all!
So here it is, the Rafflesias! They may seem big, but in reality it's smaller than you think! I took pictures of their close-ups. Enjoy, because it's not easy to trek all the way into the Borneon jungle and just take pictures of Rafflesia which isn't so big after all.
I find it an insult if you say the Googled Rafflesias look much better and more professional =\.
So after that, we made a U-turn and have to suffer through the really difficult terrain. This time, I crouched often and grip my hands on the soil, roots, rocks and green carpets as well as thin tree trunks. I didn't care about how dirty I was about to be, all I want was to see civilization! Besides, the dirtier I look, the better. At least I can testify with credibility that I ACTUALLY trekked through the jungle!
So my friends and I went back up to the pondok much much later and we decided to take a short break. I can't remember what or why, but instinctively my pulled my pants "sleeve" up with my shaking and trembling hands. I actually wondered during the whole journey why I was so lucky not to get bitten by a leech. HA! Turns out I wasn't so lucky after all!
I shrieked with a very high-pitched voice! And my glasses fogged up and my vision blurred! I tell you, I actually experience a near-fainting spell. I could feel myself getting really light-headed and really dazed. I stared at the big, fat and utterly stupid brown ICKY creature that was having its bloody good time sucking the blood out from near my knee. I was stupified I tell you. I cannot believe I succumbed to a leech.
And my scream, why oh why does it have to hit the soprano range! I hate puberty for missing out on my voice box. At least deepen my voice fully la, not alang alang! Can't believe it man. Not only was I really scared, I was embarrassed as hell and my face was probably burning red hot. And I perspired a lot. And Cikgu Amelly was insulting me. Ughhhh... I really feel so paiseh I tell you. Words cannot describe how I feel. And Alex was laughing at me! -.-" And they say my scream was pretty loud too. Why must I born with such a big mouth?????
Stupid, is all I can say!!!!!!
So I stared and stared at the thing that's sucking my blood away from me. I didn't even give permission to donate my blood to some jungle worm! All that blood...slurping down to waste. More and more people converged. I was breathing sort of heavily and didn't slowed my breathing until Cikgu Bronie came. Jia Hui took the opportunity to take a picture of the nasty thing with my leg. Hey, that leech was pretty big I tell you. It's big, brown and FAT! And it curls itself up in a U-shape. *shudders* I can even feel it now.
The funny thing is, I never remembered feeling it crawling and biting me. Seems like it released some form of anaesthetic when it bit me. In fact, I felt nothing at all when the fat ugly creature sucked my blood.
Anyway, Cikgu Bronie came and I asked for his help seeing he smokes and brings a pack of cigarette along with him. I think he knew what I wanted him to do. He lit his cigarette and placed it near the leech but I withdrew. I didn't fancy experiencing the pain! I hesitated for a couple of times till I am ready to let him do his job. He poked the cigarette butt at the leech's body and the leech wriggle and crawled on my sock and leg and I, well, screamed again lor! And shook my leg pretty hard, struggling to fling that beast away from me. And when I couldn't find it, I panicked. I was already imagining that thing crawling up my legs into my...you-know-what. It's really creepy okay!
Thank goodness the leech dropped on the floor and after some time looking for it, Cikgu Bronie found it and he stepped on it and blood, MY BLOOD, spurted out from its body. Talk about a waste of blood. I could have donated it to the blood bank. The blood was dark red though. And the wound keep on leaking blood since the leech release some sort of anti-clotting agent to prevent blood clotting. The wound took some time to clot and I find it annoying.
And that's the end of the fiasco. After everything was alright, Mr Bronie went to Eileen who had another leech clinging near the same spot the other leech was clinging on (which had already fallen off). She refused his help, instead saying that the leech will drop off by itself when it's full.
And thus ends the big fiasco!
And they made a big joke of how I reacted, especially Cikgu Amelly. It lasted for the rest of the trip. -.-" Har-har-har!
After that, we then went back and me being more cautious this time ensuring that no more leech bites me again. So I overtook a lot of people who was already tired this time and soon I found myself walking alone in the woods. Somehow, I followed my instinct of following the trail of dead leaves. It was scary walking alone, and I regretted abandoning them. So I walked and walked while muttering a prayer under my breath. I huffed and puffed and drank water and huffed and puffed.
I was feeling very scared when the trail was blocked by a clump of dead tree branches, and I retraced back my steps. Then I realised I was right on track and went back again as I recognised the two dark spiny things on the forest ground which Maria pointed out to Cikgu Amelly earlier. And I went back and I saw again the dead branches that was blocking my path. Sensing that I missed another not so obvious detour, I looked around more carefully and spotted one. I followed it and thank goodness I got to the other side. I said a thank you prayer and quickly went on.
My path was then blocked by some tree trunks and I have to climbed over them (and I don't remember doing so). I got to the other side anyway. I had a weird feeling that I was lost again, but I shrugged off and continued because somehow I knew I was right.
I finally sighted Eileen, Jia Hui and Nai Kiat who were quite lost and boy, was I more than relieved to see them. Jia Hui asked me about a certain landmark which she don't remember seeing, but I did, and so led the way. And we walked and walked and finally we reached the gate! Success! I was happy, happy, happy! I finally am out of the crazy jungle out there and I smiled when I saw buildings!
I walked back and saw a few guys who got there earlier than us. As I ran out of water and was feeling thirsty, I asked them where to buy water and I received a not so nice response telling me they don't sell water there! Can you believe it? Don't the people working there need water to drink? So I sat at the stairs to the museum and scowled my face to wait for the rest to come so that we can go and get a drink. They came much much later and we left the place, probably never going there again.
Some of us after seeking the Rafflesia. See how tired
All the crazy jungle trek just to see some small Rafflesias? Nah, not worth it.
So this was a big thumbs down. It only made us tired and feeling very, very sasak.
I shall blog about the rest of Day 3 tomorrow. It's getting late, and I need to sleep. Sigh~ And I haven't read much on INFORAMA. Maybe tomorrow? I see you guys later.
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 00:10.
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14 November 2006
For Gary and Alex
Hey, you two! I managed to grab this picture in KK. Thanks to Alex for pointing that out! It's over here!
RAMLI EH!
Ha! In your face, Gandhis! =P
LOL!!!!!!!
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 21:54.
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13 November 2006
Chronicles of the Sabah Trip - Day 2
Hi guys! We're now in Day 2 of the trip and basically, this whole day was mainly on rafting on the upper course of a river, somewhere near Kota Kinabalu. This place's roughly about an hour plus from the city. It's very good! I recommend everyone to go there when they go KK. I forgot the company name (so embarrassing!). I think it's Riverbug. And look for Ah Ming, one of the guides there. He was our rafting guide, and he's a funny guy. Hehehe =).The scenery on the way was absolutely amazing. The interlocking spurs, the green mountains full of equatorial vegetation and the river with quite high velocity and dotted with rapids; it's absolutely breathtaking I tell you! I was like "Whoah!" and "Ooh!". Too bad I was feeling rather tired as I didn't got enough sleep the last night, so I was half drifting off and half admiring the view. Man, I should have taken out my camera and snapped some snapshots. Words alone cannot do the scenery justice.
The bus stopped near a primary 'kampung' school, which was weird. Then we realised we have to walked to the place which was on another turn. The road was not suitable for the bus to travel. So we walked to there on foot and I saw buffaloes for the first time in my entire life! I became less and less sakai as I saw more buffaloes during the trip.
Before we got into our respective rafts, we were briefed on the dos and don'ts: how to save oneself when falling into the water, how to position oneself on the raft, how to hold an oar, how to row the boat, what to do in the event of capsize etc. I just nod and nod my head while trying to regurgitate and store these information in my little head. I was too excited to begin our journey down the river. Then we put on a lifejacket and a helmet and I headed to a boat together with Cikgu Bronie, Eileen, Chia Chia, Jia Hui and our guide Ah Ming. As my bare feet stepped on the water, I couldn't help but shudder a little. Although it was cool, it was definitely refreshing, and I got used to it pretty quickly.
Before we set off, Ah Ming splashed us with water for reasons I don't know. Maybe it helps us to get used to the water? After that, he shouted the word "Forward!" and off we row the raft down the river. Waheyyy! My heart was beating really hard now and adrenaline rushed around my body.
Okay, so we encountered our first rapids where the river velocity is higher than usual. In layman's term, it means that the river is fast flowing here. This is because the river bed drops a bit due to erosion by the river and blah blah blah. So yea, as the waves hit us, the boat went up and we screamed in happiness (LOL)! It was exhilarating for sure! It was scary at first, and I nearly lost my grip on my oar but everything was okay after that as we encounter more rapids along the way.
These pictures show what happens when we were cruising along the river. They were taken by other photographers stationed at various parts of the river bed. These pictures cost RM 50, I've bought it and showed it to you all for free. So you better appreciate it! HAHAHAHA!
Unfortunately, Cikgu Amelly borrowed one from me so I can only show you guys 3. The last group photo was taken by Cikgu Amelly herself and it was distributed to us before we headed back to Brunei.
Let's see, we mainly rowed the oar and thank goodness we took quite a lot of breaks as well. It strains the muscle (okay, so I'm weak, NOT!) when one rows a lot. We relaxed at some parts when the water is calm and at rapids when the current pushes the raft forward without us rowing it. We rowed when the water is too calm and when the water currents are strong. The scenery along the river was absolutely majestic with high narrow bridges, mangrove trees, rainforest trees and more trees, and beautiful mountains filled with trees. You can say the greenery improved my eyesight!
Along the way, our raft nearly capsized when it hit the rocks and I was really scared because I wasn't too sure what to do when it did. Eileen was very funny - she wanted the guide to purposely capsize the boat, while Jia Hui was quivering, saying "NO!". The guide was so funny too, he was trying to push Jia Hui to the river and she was like "NO! Don't!" In the end, he did, and Jia Hui fell and she cried (she really did!). Boy, the guide was so confused and he didn't know what to do. But he and Eileen lifted her up anyway and she cried for a few minutes before returning to normal. And Alex and the guys whose raft was behind us laughed at her! Lol! Funny lar!
In one of the pictures above, you could see me leaning backwards a lot. I cannot believe the photographer was there and took a picture of us when I somehow was slipping back into the raft thanks to the water current. So stupid, I look so out! (In fact, I look very OUT in all of the photos =\) And it was embarrassing because I fell backwards into the raft instead of the water. Of all the places to fall. Hahahaha!
At a stretch of slow flowing river water, the guide ushered all of us to jump into the water and experience body rafting. Wow, it was simply amazing. I swam and stayed afloat. It was really a load of fun! Too bad we have to get in soon as there were rapids in front of us. I swam and climbed back to the boat with difficulty. The current pushed me further away from the boat when I actually wanted to swim back to the boat. Lol...
At one point of the river, it was 'raining'. There was a narrow bridge above us which was also carrying a pipe. We thought what that was and the guide told us it was toilet water. "EEEeeeeeee" was the sound I heard. Then the guys behind us were coming and they were like "Wooooo!" and "Yahayyy!". Then the guide told them it was toilet water. Well, I don't need to describe their response. But it was definitely funny! Thank goodness it was just a joke; it was actually clean piped water that burst out from the broken pipe. So sayang the water.
Oh yes, there were also naval wars and battles. Not. We all took the opportunity of splashing each other with water with the oars and it was loads of fun! Everyone got really really wet and drenched. It was a funny sight =).
I saw so much geography from this trip though. Classes on 'Upper Course of a River' flashed back before my very eyes as I remembered the different river terms and features. I saw rapids and even saw eddies! Wow! It was so cool! And tons of other stuffs which I forgot now.
So basically, the journey down river was mostly rowing, relaxing and enjoying the scenery and talking with the guide a. The girls were mostly speaking to the guide in Chinese and poor Cikgu Bronie who couldn't really understand what they were bambling about. Poor him!
After journeying down the river for 14 km, we stopped and we had a group photo. We then showered and then ate a scrumptious lunch buffet. After that we went back to our hotel, packed our stuffs and vamoose to Gunung Emas Treetop Cabin. 2 un-air-con buses took us there and we saw beautiful mountains with lush forest. Yes, I know it's boring to hear forest here, forest there. Then we went up so high we actually drove through low clouds (I didn't bother with their names). It was amazing. Alex wanted to catch clouds but he couldn't, because it's just air with water vapour. Boo! But he did so anyway.
So we arrived at a very cold Gunung Emas and we were flabbergasted when we saw our cabins high up in the mountain. Okay, it wasn't "so high up the mountains" but it's not very nice to climb up so many flights of stairs just to get to your freaking room. And so sad, I forgot to take a picture of the cabin but I try to describe them.
Inside our cabin were bunk beds and a double bed. I opted for a double bed because I wanted comfort that time when I sleep. =P In the middle of the room was part of a live tree trunk which was alive and has insects crawling on it as well as carvings on the trunk. I admit, it was pretty scary at first but I got used to it and didn't have much problems at all.
Then, we climbed all the way down just to have dinner. There wasn't much variety of food served there though, it's like a kopitiam. It was cool, yes. And the waiters are sort of blur blur one. Hahaha...
Then we climbed all the way up and bummed at Eileen, Jia Hui and Chia Chia's cabin where we played 'Big 2' and I lost more than 5 times. Yes, Alex and Eileen, I still owe you guys a duck dance. Hahahaha! Let's forget about it, hmmm? They very smart, they took advantage of my losing streak and said that those who lost 5 times in a row (a.k.a. me) must do what the winners say.
So after that, we went to the Lilian, Jia Yi and Maria's cabin which was more dilapidated than the rest. Their toilet was in a sorry state as it was not only dirty, but infested with insects as well. Ill! Poor Jia Yi who cried because she was scared of the cabin as someone told her stories of the woods (Well, you know la). We talked to them about random stuffs and left their room against their will. They actually wanted me to sleep over there for security's sake and they were afraid of the insects but I rejected because I thought Cikgu Amelly wouldn't approve of it.
Later at night, I heard that she saw a bee in a toilet (EEee!) and she went to the other guys toilet to use. Then somehow, they complicated things and thought she saw apparitions so they told Cikgu Amelly about it. Then she told Nai Kiat and Aston to sleep over their cabin but then Jia Yi said she wasn't scared anymore and yea, they left their cabin. Ask Lilian for more information.
That was Day 2. Day 3 coming tomorrow, so keep watch. If you guys (nudges Lilian) are interested to see all the pictures I took in the trip and want to save them, you can go here.
P.S. While I was typing this half-way, my computer restarted unexpectedly. I was really in anguish because I thought I've lost them all. Thank goodness Firefox can restore my session, and everything I typed was still there. Thank you Firefox. I wouldn't know what to do if I used Internet Explorer instead. I would cuss and swear again =\.
P.S.S. I provided more space to see your typed out tags and provided a link to the site's Cbox itself in case the tagboard fails to load (which usually does).
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 14:52.
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12 November 2006
Help?
My computer keeps hanging while surfing the Internet with Firefox, my PC lags, Cbox sucks and connection lags sometimes. But the main thing is the hanging part. I never face it when I used my old motherboard. Can anyone help me please?
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 22:11.
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Chronicles of the Sabah Trip - Day 1
Hi guys! I'm finally back in Brunei after 4 long endearing but very enjoyable days in Sabah. The trip was pretty exhilarating and fun! So without further ado, let me begin with Day 1.It all started with a telephone ring. Cikgu Amelly called me to say that we are only to be at the ferry terminal at about 7.40 am, not 7 am. I was kind of annoyed since she told me and the others only last minute and I could have woke up later. But at least she called before I left the house. So I spent the time using my PC and going online for a while.
I met up with the rest of the people in the ferry terminal at about 7.45 am and we waited for Cikgu Amelly and Cikgu Bronie to come before departing Brunei. 13 students joined the excursion and they are: me, Alex, Tze Yan (sp?), Daniel, Nai Kiat, Edwin, Kheng Aik, Jia Hui, Eileen, Chia Chia, Lilian, Jia Yi and Maria. Most are Form 4, the last 3 girls are Form 1 and Tze Yan's in Primary 5. We set off for Labuan at 8-something am. The boat ride was pretty uneventful, sort of. I stared at the scenery outside for the first part of the trip and then read The Historian while talking to new friends who are in the excursion.
[EDIT] Removed angry musings, added more story.
After we arrived at the renovated international ferry terminal in Labuan (big improvement lar!), we went to get some refreshments before heading to Labuan Airport. And my goodness, the airport was really stuffy and hot! It was undergoing renovation, so there wasn't any air-con at the check-in area. It was made worse when we had to wait for so long for the security officer to come and scan our luggage. Must he have his coffee break at that time and make us suffer in a hot furnace.
After that, we checked in the 23 baggages (most of them were donations for the orphanage). Jia Hui did something funny at that time. She stood behind a super tall white guy and asked Cikgu Amelly to take a picture of her without the guy's knowledge. Jia Hui said she wanted to remember how short she is compared to that really tall dude. I think he was about 2-3 heads taller than her! So funny la! And after she took the picture, Jia Hui was about to walk away when the guy turned around. Hahaha! Close one!
I seriously wonder how they managed to stretch a 15-minute long flight to more or less 1 hour. Here's what happened. We're supposed to catch a train but then since the train's schedule was not 'ngam', the plans for the train has been changed, or rather terbalik-ted.
So because of that, Cikgu Amelly decided that we should fly from Labuan to KK. Our flight was supposed to be at 11.30 am but we only got in like...10 minutes later? We tried to squeeze ourselves through the narrow aisle and sat in our respective seats. Guess what? The plane didn't budge for 15 minutes.
So, the plane took off much later and before we're flying properly, the seatbelt lights switched off and the announcement said the refreshments will be served shortly. Before I even got my hands on the peanuts, the plane was already starting to descend. Daniel who was sitting next to me was like, "So fast?"
Before I even finished my peanuts and juice, the seatbelt lights came back on, and the announcement said we were about to land soon. After that, we soon landed at Kota Kinabalu rather bumpily. I forgot to tell you that the take off was more or less similar. In other words, the pilot was bad. Lol!
All this happened within the span of 15 minutes. The check-in and check-out took about nearly 1 hour. This is how they stretch the aeroplane's time.
And for the first time, I actually used the stairs to get out from the plane instead of the aerobridge. It's really cool but it's sad that there wasn't any read carpet. I want the red carpet! Hahaha... And the stairs is the aluminium flooring thingy. Definitely wasn't the stairs I have envisioned!
So after that, the taxi took us to Asia City Hotel (I hope the name's correct). It sounds fancy and I expected a 5-star hotel, but my anticipation turned into a disappointment when I saw the small hotel in a block on shops - something like the Brunei Hotel, except much smaller. The lobby was really small, but thank goodness the hotel rooms were really okay. At least it wasn't that dirty or smelly or poor in quality. Like your average 3 star hotel if I'm not mistaken.
So my room-mates were Alex and Tze Yan and they were pretty much my roomies for the rest of the trip. So we kicked off and relaxed there. And then prank-calling the girls for fun. It was funny really. So stupid, I can't believe I actually did it with Alex and Tze Yan! Just like how the other councillors trip during the KK trip last June. Loads of fun! Oh yeah, we also moved around rooms to 'disturb' them. Just like what Mable and Jordine did, except we didn't talk dirty =).
We went down later to have a late lunch and after that did our shopping in a shopping complex (the same place we went to shop during the KK trip; we used taxi to go there, not the one near the hotel). So yea, we walked and shopped around. But we went to the arcade first before doing our shopping (naturally). I didn't buy much there, except that I bought a novel called The Life of Pi which according to Amazon.com rankings is pretty high up. So thinking it was good, I bought it. The shopping was pretty boring. Nothing much to buy. The things sold there aren't appaling (except for books!).
Sometime later at night (I think), we were about to disturb the Form 1 girls when we met a ROFL Jia Hui, a giggling Eileen and Chia Chia. The two men who were standing at the elevator door were shocked when they saw them and slowly backed away. So funny la, they thought they were crazy! Tze Yan and I asked them what happened and it seems like they lost their keys to their room. Well, not actually lost, but here's what happened.
Eileen took out the key with a big key-chain which was a big plastic key from a switch and left the room. I don't exactly know what happened (ask Eileen for clarification) but she decided to go back to the room. Then a funny thing happened. She used the big key chain and tried to open to the door and was surprised that she couldn't open to door! Hahahaha! Then she realised it was the key chain she was holding and then tried to use the key but she couldn't find it!
Finally, it dawned on her that the key must have somehow dropped in their room when she took it out from the switch. And so they cannot go in and they decided to look for Cikgu Amelly, who wasn't in at that time. We then told them to look for the receptionist. (They were still laughing very hard! Aiya, you can imagine la!) The receptionist was very amused to hear their story and she helped them to open the door la. And they were still laughing about it! Hahahahahahah, funnny larrr!!!
Later, my roomies and I went to the Form 1 girls' room and watch CSI: Miami. WOW, the show was so cool man! I cannot believe that I actually enjoyed it. I thought it was one of those boring mystery shows that are too pedantic. I was wrong! Thank goodness Alex persuaded and recommended the show to me. After the show, we went back to our rooms to watch another episode of CSI: Las Vegas.
I was banished to the floor when I slept later. I definitely cannot and don't want to squeeze myself in between Alex and the little tyke Tze Yan. It was a double bed. So I volunteered to sleep on the floor. Bad idea. Not surprisingly, the floor was really hard, harder than my bed (which is considered quite hard) and way uncomfortable. In fact, it didn't felt like bed at all! Duh! I have to bear the rough carpeting. I even resorted to using the hotel towel as a "bedsheet" and steal one pillow from Cikgu Amelly who slept alone, but then she invited her niece over to sleep with her. Hehehehe! I wonder where her niece gets her pillow from. Whoops!
I didn't got a good night's sleep though. I was basically waking up at almost every hour, due to the cold air-con and also the uncomfortable state I was in. It was really really cold (to most of you, it was not really). Sigh~ I woke up pretty early at 5 and decided to take a shower at 6. I didn't get quality sleep. And can you believe the Form 1 girls prank called us so early in the morning at 7? So jobless and hyper la they all so early in the morning.
That is basically Day 1. I will tell more stories on this trip very soon tomorrow. Let's hope I've got the mood to do it. Pictures will also be up soon. That's all for today, I'll blog more tomorrow!
P.S. Can anyone suggest new tagboards or some other form of "chatboxes"? I HAVE loads of difficulty in loading people's Cboxes, including mine and I can always tag not more than 3 or 4. So sad la.
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 12:59.
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05 November 2006
Remember remember the fifth of November?
Lol, only reason I'm even here posting is cause of the famous quote in the title. Those who've watch the movie would know, and for those who haven't, tough luck. Its from V for Vendetta btw. Thanks to Shim for reminding or rather, make me realize today was that day. Nothing special actually, just thought it would deserve a post of its own.Well since I'm posting might as well just talk about the Muara beach outing since Shim wants me to. Arrived at school around 7.45 maybe? Give or take. Usual routine, get there, talk talk, and wait for the bus to arrive. Quite a number turned up and the bus wasn't enough to fit everyone, so some had to tumpang some of the teacher's cars. So soon the bus came, got in, and headed off. The clock in the bus was like, 1 hour behind? so when it was 8 it showed 7 o.o Oh well.
Got there, got off. Everyone settled down and were given time off to do what you want. We weren't allowed to enter the water but some did anyways. I just, stood and observed, what everyone else was doing. Seems there were a bunch of form 2s there as well, brought by Mrs Simmonds i think. There was some mini-football field there, so could see people playing around. Also got some other small field where it was turned into a rugby arena.. how fun. More or less everyone did what normal people do at beaches. Victor actually brought two fishing rods and was trying half the morning to fish, but erm, put bluntly, he fails. lol. Some people were building sandcastles, some were collecting seashells, flying kites, playing volleyball i think, saw ball, no see net, or just plain sitting down and enjoying bliss. I did mostly the last option, but yea not the point.
At around 10 Mr Loh gathered us all and gave some brief explanations on waves, and gave some formula about it, which i was sure i would forget by the next day, which i really did, so i won't know and so i cant post it up. Something about frequency equals period times lamna or something O.O Don't ask, i don't know. Basically he didn't even take 5 mins to explain, and we were all dismissed and allowed to do what we want again. So, times goes by, an by 12 bus was here, everyone gathered, cleaned up, got in, got home. Oh and during the bus ride, Mr Loh was singing some Malay/Indonesia song, bout some country guy and city girl liking each other but could never be together cause of differences. It was, interesting...
Well that was about it for the beach outing. Towards the evening, went to Jason(Lew)'s house for barbecue. Mostly just with the guys along with a few girls, simple barbecue, nothing much. Twas fun, though towards the night it began to rain so the barbecue had to come to a halt, but at least we had all eaten already by then. After dinner, we played a rather interesting game. Simple, yet entertaining, and it kept us occupied for pretty much the rest of the night. Game was called "I'd never..", brought up by Gary. Basically everyone in the game has a drink, someone starts a statement with I'd never.. and continues it, and whoever has actually done what the person said, has to own up and take a drink. So...imagine all the bizarre and retarded, mostly perverted, questions, that could possibly be known to man, being questioned among us. And actually having some of us admitting to some of the things being asked that night, was rather, -insert desired adjective here-
Overall it was a good day yesterday, and had that really been the fifth of november, it would've been a day to remember, but it wasn't so whatever. I must be really bored having typed out all this, and so are you all having read it. I shall stop for now. Good day.
Steven put thoughts into writing at 15:06.
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What I Did Yesterday
Before I begin, I want to show you guys this fabulous message forwarded by Luisa Jie Jie. Thanks =D.
I think it's a very good one. I especially like the 2nd and 5th point. Lol!
Okay, so yesterday I wasn't as lucky as you guys to go to Muara Beach and have your share your fun there, while I was stuck along with 4 other people in a very cold AVA Room in a school miles away from the beach. It's so unfair la. I really missed out a lot of fun you guys must had. Man, so sad la.
I was there for the INFORAMA Grand Final Quiz "rehearsal", and apparently we're going to have 3 more rehearsals this 2 weeks before the real deal on 18th. Depressing. And I hate the what..."buzzer round". My reactions terlalu lambat. Bleh...
We didn't do much over there, just see the people trying to solve some technical and some other difficulty. And yea, get to the front and do some quiz. It's all really boring really, compared to you lots of guys.
Bleh, bleh and more blehs.
I'm so jealous! But thank goodness tomorrow's schedule is still kept intact. I'm going to the cinema for a movie marathon yahoo! But can anyone give me more details about it, i.e. what time we are supposed to be in school/cinema, where's the meeting place, what to wear, and what time it ends. Tell me through the comments field or tagboard. Thanks a lot.
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 14:06.
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03 November 2006
White and Nerdy?
Has anyone heard this song before? I find it seriously hilarious, especially the music video. When I first saw it on Youtube, I thought it was a pun, stereotyping nerds and etc. But it is really funny! I never laughed at songs before! Wow! It's kind of insulting la, but it's not really.I was shocked when Krystal FM aired this song on radio twice already. I was like, you mean this is actually a real song that is new? I never liked rap songs. I've to make this one an exception (the music is not bad, and the lyrics are just totally hilarious). And apparently, both my little brother and I love this song. Lol!
Catch White and Nerdy on Youtube, or on Krystal FM.
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 11:59.
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01 November 2006
It's the first of November!
I really couldn't believe I was able to wake up early this morning, like about half past seven. I got everything ready and I headed off to someplace where I will pursue the academic knowledge. Yes, I actually went back to school for discussion on Computer Project. Miss Mary snatched me and decided to train both me and Jia Yean for the upcoming Inforama Finals. Oh well, so much for that!Nothing much happened over there. And part of the school was
Halfway through we decided to call it quits. I then returned back to class while Jia Yean went home. Thank goodness Mr. Eric gave them a long break, at least I can bum around. Hahahahaha! I was being bored and hyper. >.<
At 1, I went for piano replacement class. It was okay, and I managed to pull off my B piece pretty well. Hehehe... After I stepped out of my class, I saw someone taking a puff at the stairs, probably he came from Netcom.
I was aghasted and deeply surprised to hear a familiar voice calling my name. "Hi @#$$^$@#$%@$@#^#$%@#," was my reply, but I don't want to say no more. I cannot believe this guy from our class was there taking a puff or so. Man, I pening kepala from all the confusion. Even my brother was asking me, "You KNOW that guy?"
I hope he will cut off this nefarious habit asap. Sighhh =(
So here I am, once again!
freshrimp put thoughts into writing at 15:07.
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