I had a reasonably sucky night and a wonderful night all within the 24 hour period. Seriously. Friday night started off with our usual futsal training. Another 5 goals from yours truly. Yes, yes, it’s all for my babies. After that, one of my mates, Norman fetched me home and trust me, I thank him a lot for being there, now that I have seen how lousy someone can be as a friend. Let’s not talk about bad stuff and focus on good things, like how I just got back from a wonderful dinner with Laila. Interestingly, I look dumbfolded when I realised I didn’t bring any cash that night and my debit card wasn’t working. I ended up having to use my credit card, which actually isn’t a good thing, considering how my father is able to read my transaction. I kinda overspent this month, plus that crazy night on Friday. I really, really would rather shoot myself than telling my parents how much I spent. I kinda regret going out. One, sorry, I just don’t think it’s fun to spent the whole night drinking. Two, taking advantage of drunken chicks is so not my thing. Three, it doesn’t really help in one day being an engineer in Australia. Getting me in an Australian jail, maybe, but a successful engineer, no. Four, I seriously doubt I’ll meet my future imaginary Mrs. Hanjun Tan there. Am I being right? Or still feeling the hangover from this morning. Yeah, I said morning, got home around 6 in the morning after being ditched by my mates at the road side in the drizzling rain. This wasn’t the night I was hoping for. Anyways, I guess going out with a friend I knew longer was the right cure after that crazy night-morning.

Went to the city around 5 and had coffee with Laila at Rundle. Picture a chinaman with a beanie, 2 hoodies and a coat outside. It was that cold. Plus, it was raining, so not helping. Met this dude on the bus, apparently, he migrated from Scotland 40 years ago. I was astonished by how he currently helping a mainland chinese student to settle down in Adelaide. After that, Lay wanted to grab coffee and so we went to shops to shops to hunt for a hot chocolate.  Most of the shops are full, it was a cold evening. Café Primo was a bit letdown. The steak wasn’t that good. To make up to that, we went to the Oyster bar and oh my god, it was freaking awesome. The oyster was really good. Trust me, it was really good. The stinking fishy smell mix with the sourness of the lemon just added the kick I needed.  The night wasn’t going to end, not on my playbook. We later went to the Belgian bar for mussels. If you think things cannot get better, it does. I would say that night was probably like an orgy for my tastebud. Great, just great. I don’t have any pictures, still waiting for her to upload it. The night ended with a “possibly misunderstood awkward” moment. Ask her, not me.

I think if anyone one of you would to visit me, I’ll definitely give you guys a proper royal Adelaide welcome. My coursemates in UTAR or here, same thing. Cheap people. No one would actually go out for a night of fine wine and dine. Come on, if every damn thing is expensive, just stay at home and eat your own hair. Save like you’re going to live forever but don’t forget to spend like you’re going to die tomorrow. Don’t be a jerk. Please, I can be your superhero too.

Toilet Humour 2: Revenge of the students.

Real man uses pink debit card,

hANJUN

As hard as it for me to believe, we’re going to part really soon. Think about it, we’re on our final week in Adelaide, at least for most of us. I didn’t really notice until Ihsan said goodbye to our coach at the end of last night’s game. For the record, I scored 5. A chill ran down my throat as I realised we would hardly see each other again through out this summer. This summer break I meant. It would be a long and of course, desperately needed break especially for engineering students. Some of us will be enjoying their holidays back home but some of us will be working during this break. I will be working, provided I pass my fitness and medical test. Please, please, please let me get what I want. Oh, the smiths and (500) days of summer. Speaking about summer, the weather in Adelaide has been insanely crazy, with weather scorching up to 42 C on the thursday and a drop to 22C on the saturday. Cannot get any weirder than that.

To be honest, I’m not really happy with where I am right now. Knowing my capability and my personality, I know I can be somewhere better. I sometimes just hate being where I am. Not physically but mental state, I hate being at the wrong place with the wrong kind of people. The worst part of it, I can’t do anything having knowing better. People say ignorant is bliss, I guess so. I mean, by not having to know any better, you don’t have to be better. When I was in Melbourne, when I saw Akil, I see myself being in that place. Maybe it’s just holiday goggles, maybe I’m just used to the people I love. In my life, I cannot really understand things happening around me. My father thinks I’m too choosy and picky about my own life but I find it so difficult to find someone that can see the world the way I do. Most of the time, I can only agree to disagree with those around me. That’s really sad when I’m all alone down under. I don’t see the yesteryears in me right now, I guess coming here makes me realised how different life could be and how if I work hard, I can definitely pull myself out here. Like I said, I hate it here, not Adelaide or Australia in particular. It’s just the emotional and mentally situation I am in like right now.

If you don’t understand what I wrote up there, basically I’m writing about the physical presence of those around me. Speaking about friends, I do get how important friends are in life. Let’s just say I don’t have much friends. Just here and there, I met some that changed my life and how sometimes I think I owe my life to them. During the months after the mining disaster, I used to call Kathir for help and I’m sure he has no idea how much his voice helped me through those dark times. Akil was always there although he wasn’t actually here. Without msn or any form of internet access, I sometimes find it hard to believe we’re still in contact after so many years of being in a different place, different social lifestyle and literally different world. Female friends, not really a lot. I’m not really good with girls actually. There are only a handful and trust me, I love them very much. However, in college, I met a group of different friends. You see, I was born and bred in Subang Jaya yet I have my fairshare of enjoying the lower standard but simplier of lifestyles in boarding school. In college, I cannot imagine seeing people living with such a poor mentality. I’m not ashamed to admit that most of my people live with a poor and unhealthy lifestyle and mentality. They might be rich financial wise but when it comes to people skills, they judge. They always judge. I’m not sure about subang people but there was a time when the people around me were so nice. I never really notice until I met douchebangs, scumbags and wussbags.

Now, I hardly see any of my mates from college contacting me. Throughout the times we’re friends, some of the stuff you said were really hurtful. Although I don’t want to hold this above my head and end all my relationships with those friends back home, but I think I need to say it out. I’m not trying to say that I’m so influential and really stood up in their life but I sometimes get disappointed with the way we never catch up. Maybe Kathir’s right, you cannot expect people to treat you the way you treat them. I just feel a bit gutted by empty promises and failure to live up to their names. It’s sad really that I have to start crossing out names. If you guys don’t have the space and time in your life to include me, I guess I have to move on too.

Geetha's Birthday. Guess who sent the card?

post – script: how can you judge someone by the colour of their skin? It’s really sad when you don’t see beauty in being different.

Colorblind,

h-a-n-j-u-n

4 more days to Structural Analysis. A subject that still makes me go in circles. Unbelievable. At least I don’t have to suffer through it like those days back in Kuala Lumpur. I got some really depressing call out from one of my mates back home. Apparently, things are going his way and he is pretty upset about it. I guess life in that place gives you the unnecessary pressure that we might find ourselves getting lost in. The saddest part is me not being able to help in any way. It’s not like I’m a freaking genius. I’m just an average joe, with an average life down under. It’s not as perfect as you think it is. Honestly, yes, things might be looking up but somehow, I know I can do better.

2 days ago, I witness a very disturbing crime. There is drunk dude in the bus and he wants to get down the bus when it was at the lights. Of course, the bus driver didn’t let him off and he went on and punch the crap out of the Indian driver. I’m not sure whether is it a racially motivated crime or he’s just bloody drunk off his ass. Just feel very bad for the bus driver, he’s just doing his job and well, he just didn’t deserve that. Don’t you think so? Goodness.

When I saw her, I heard “She’s got you high” by Mumm-Ra. This haven’t happened before for a long time. I don’t really know what to do. A lot of my friends gave me a lot of dating tips. I got so confused till a point I decided to turn gay. I’m just kidding.  I guess if she didn’t turn up again, maybe it’s God’s way of saying, “Hanjun, you have no shot. Forget about it.” Guess what, she did but in the end, for some damn obvious reasons, a unnamed voice shouted to me, “You suck, bitch!” Yeah, I’m now the bitch.

My father gave me a tough talk last night. I heard stories and I have to think about it deeply. It’s not like it’s not going to happen to me. The future is so uncertain, right? I guess coming to a country so far away does make you lost every now and then. That’s why you need those who are close to you to always reach out and pull you back. Oh, sometimes how I wish I can be in Sydney right now.

Magill campus toilet humour

Update:

1. Blackberry Bold 2 is out. Great!

2. Top Gear series 14 is back. Crazier as usual!

3. The best thing.

post – script : The closest thing kathir’s grandparents have to a granddaughter-in-law is a chinese boy called Hanjun.

From,

Hanjun.

OSCAR G – MADE IN MIAMI – Back To You “remix”

Sometimes when life takes a new step towards freedom, you tend to lose sight of who yu really are and what you’re doing. Now, I really feel that. What sort of life I seek in Adelaide? Seriously, what type of lifestyle and personality should I embrace while I’m so far away from my parents, my home and my self control. Goodness, I really wish I don’t have to worry about this. I guess these are the temptations while living in a western country where freedom judges your every decision.

I’m not judging. I’m just not used to this kind of things yet. You have idea what kind of things they do here in Adelaide. In Australia, actually, in general. No wonder people change when they’re here. When I say, you have no idea, I think, you really have no idea. Seriously.

That kind of lifestyle is definitely not what I look forward. I do feel lost every now and then.

Damn those Onitsuka Tiger, baby!

Exams coming pretty soon. I really hope I’ll be there for my exams. Sounds weird, eh? I can’t believe this but I think I fell in love. With chinatown. LOL. At first, I didn’t like going there. I mean, come on! Everyone there looks exactly like me. I rather stay at home and look into the mirror. After I went there like 2 times in 2 days, I loved it there. Never mind the yellow faces that stares at you outside the window. The food there is really nice. 5 dollars for an all you can eat chinese food. James with his food stacking optimization skills. I’m so going to play that trick on you, just wait for it. :0

I recently moved to Magill. A bit far from Mawson Lakes but at least I know I don’t have to go campus these few days. The people here are really nice. At least nicer than those people, those cheap people that I actually pay. Screw it. Had a great time actually. Life on the turbo fast lane, I would say. I just really hope things don’t get out of hand so quickly. Pretty pretty. BTW, Luung, Happy Birthday!

I nearly forgot, I’ll get a goal for you. Happy Birthday, Geetha!

post – script: It’s summer and yes, I do miss you.

From,

Hanjun.

One of the greatest night ever in Heidi considering how boring my life is in the suburban area of Mawson Lakes. Real shit boring living here. Believe me. I wanted to name the title as Booze + Food + Girls but I know I would be lying. It’s more of an award night, for those who represented the university in the recent university games. My name, apparently was on the team sheet for the South Australian Challenge. Although I wasn’t playing (I’m just a reserve and yes, I know, I suck at it), my team won. In fact, I’m not too sure whether they won it, all I know is my team made it to the final and for that, I’m awarded. Awesome!

The dinner plus party was held in Ed Castle on Currie. As usual, it was an Australian style party. A lot of booze and just a little bit of food. Bottomless booze. It was on all the uni’s tab. So, a lot of guys just hit the bar over and over again. Ok, I’m not a bad boy. I didn’t really drink that much. I guess the best part was having the opportunity to spend some time with my team mates outside the pitch or the locker room. Ran, Hugo, Susana, Donovan, David, Harry, Tak and Neil were there. Neil won the MVP award for the SA challenge futsal. I was even shocked when he won the MVP for table tennis. :0 I didn’t know he played table tennis. We even joked about starting a table tennis team with Neil as our coach.

Then, in the middle of the party, Dave just walked up a blonde and start chatting her up. Too bad, she has a boyfriend. Dave was pretty upset. haha. We cheered him on as he returns to our circle as if he scored a goal. He then told me to walk up a random chick of my choice and dared me to talk to her. “Great”! She wasn’t interested at all. It’s written all over her face but at least I tried and I have nothing to lose, they said. “Do you think Australian chicks dig Asian dudes?”, “propably not.”

By the way, my mechanical engineering project didn’t fail as predicted. Thank Goodness. It reached up to a metre. Wasn’t really great but at least it didn’t fail. I was really pleased by the fact that I didn’t have much assistant and time to finish it. I had to put in my own time, money and effort, no thanks to you guys.

I would like to end this blog post with a shout out to one of my closest coursemates in Adelaide, Norman. Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a great one this year. Below are some of yesterday night’s picture. I’m not a camwhore but at least my parents (their favourtie passtime is watching my weight) get to know whether I did put on an extra kilos.

Tak, Susana, me, David, Ran, Harry, Don and Neil

Cheers, Don!

post – script : Ozzies love to drink. You cannot believe how many cups some of the other award winners drank.

I’m drank responsibly,

Hanjun

Sometimes when all you do is look as everyone walks past you. In the streets of Melbourne, alleys of Kuala Lumpur and boroughs of New York, all you do is walk past someone. The one before the next one. Sometimes, it’s so lonely when the whole world is moving but you just want to stop and forget the world. When the time freezes, you’ll noticed me just around the corner.

The other day, I went for a job interview. A good opportunity, good job, nice pay and an awesome experience. It’s a 20 miuntes drive away, but I don’t have anyone to drive me there so I took a 90 minutes train + bus ride there. While walking from a closest bus stop to the factory, which was like 15 minutes away, I was attacked by a dog. Nice, the fact that I was suited up, with my white shirt and that skinny tie of mine. Plus, it was freaking hot that day. After all those trouble, I got the job. Despite all these stuff, I’m was really upset, because:

A minute of silence. I’m would like to take this opportunity to send out my deepest condolences and sympathy to Sathya and his family members. I’m terribly sorry for your loss. To be honest, I’m really speechless and shocked cause his dad never showed any signs of sickness. I apologize for not being able to be there. Rest in peace, Sat’s father.

The Orange Sky reminds us of who we are and where we were. We're one and we're home.

 

post – script : I dreamt of you too. I just am too afraid to let you know.

Thwarted,

HANjun

Successful man experiences a big career change, moves from the city to the suburbs, and spends more time with his family. This is the premise of Hank, and yes it is also eerily similar to the premise of Back to You, Kelsey Grammer’s last crappy attempt at making another hit. I don’t have much to say other than Grammer will fail every time he tries to re-create the magic of Frasier with a much less talented cast. One episode normally isn’t enough for me to pass judgement on a new show, but Hank is abnormally boring. I’m not surprised it’s the only one of ABC’s Wednesday comedies that hasn’t been picked up for the full season. Worse yet, they’re even bumping it off the schedule next week to air the Charlie Brown Halloween special.

Actually, it’s for Nadrah, plus, it’s not long ago. I know you miss Melbourne a lot. Never mind, me too.

City of blinding lights

Federation Square

Update – I’ve been crazy busy with the Mechanical Project, finding a new place to live and preparing myself for the finals. Crazy, right? I guess the mechanical project killed me. Look at it. What do you think? It finally reached 2m but it still looks like crap if you compared it with others. Damn it.

Ignore the retard.

For Emma, yeah, for that Emma.

By the way, I think my “off the record” bromance with Arthur took a huge step forward as I went shopping with his sisters and mum last night. That’s so gay!

post – script : I need an Onitsuka Tigers, a pair of black skinny jeans as recommended by Akil and that beautifully elegant Washburn guitar.

This is how my coach calls me,

Tan

Last week, I made a trip down to Melbourne with only 3 things in my mind, uncle Egg Tart, Akil and G. After a week of craziness, I’m back and better this time. A legendary trip!

Uncle Egg Tart

I'm Akil's bitch!

Jie and the retard.

post – script : Nadrah must be so jealous. haha.

I’m your bitch,

Hanjun.

Back to You – the Life and Music of Lucille Starr opened the 27^th season of the Firehall Arts Centre on Wednesday with a taste of Canadian rockabilly and country.  This bio-tuner, written by local playwright Tracey Power, unfortunately, has little to distinguish itself from the multitude of other similarly structured biographical musicals.

Everyone, even those who have never heard of Canadian country singer Lucille Starr, will recognise the underlying story.  Talented girl meets boy and they become big stars. Boy ends up being no good and drags girl down with him.  Girl overcomes the odds and makes it again on her own.

Beverley Elliott as Lucille Starr. Photo by James Loewen

That’s not to take away from the real-life Lucille Starr’s experiences and successes.  Starr made it big in a time when there was no Canadian music industry to speak of.  But this staged version doesn’t add anything new to an already overcrowded genre.

The first act is overly-formulaic and poorly paced.  Beverley Elliott plays Lucille as she returns to her hometown of Coquitlam for a comeback concert in 1981.  Lucille then recalls a series of loosely linked vignettes of her early days as she sings her way to fame.  Elliott does a fine job with the music but is given little opportunity to do much else beyond a few wisecracks and one-liners.

The acting and emotions are left in the hands of the versatile and always enjoyable Alison MacDonald (Songs for A New World, Not Another Musical Co-op) as the younger Lucille and Jeff Gladstone as her music partner and eventual husband Bob Regan.  MacDonald and Elliott are both accomplished singers and they easily breeze through the score.

The story is told completely through Starr’s eyes and, maybe as a result, her husband comes off as one-dimensional.  Gladstone turns on the charm but, as written, his character never quite connects with the audience.

If the show has one strength, it’s the music.  Musical director Steve Charles has successfully knit together a tight unit with musicians Jeremy Holmes and Jimmy Roy.

Luckily, the pace picks up in the second half when more attention is paid to the details and the personal emotional highs and lows of Starr’s life.  But it seems like too little too late.  Back to You, while far from a complete disaster, never ventures into anything worthwhile and is mostly ordinary and forgettable.

Back to You – the Life and Music of Lucille Starr, presented by Musical Theatreworks, plays from September 30- October 10, 2009 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova St.  Tickets are available by calling the box office at 604-689-0926.

Yesterday, the boys invited to me watch one of their games. I went to Parafield Gardens with Hugo and watched one of the games. Hugo said it would be nice, as I would want to be part of the team next season. Hopefully. The boys won 3-2, not without any drama and action. Throughout the whole game, there is this hot headed dude that just wants to hurt our team. I don’t get it. One of the them even tried to kick Huei in the chest. Diving, sliding and just stupid. I don’t really get it. I thought it was just a game. Idiots. Just like the ones I see back home. Bunch of idiots. Well done, boys! Great game.

The boys as usual

Have you guys watched the “Night in the Museum 2″ ending? So awesome. Larry found his potential love interested with the music “Life in Technicolor” playing in the background. Hopefully one day when I meet the potential one, the song might be playing in my head as well. By the way, the video for “Life in Technicolor ii” is damn nice. Funny, but nice.

Surprise, surprise, we’re last. Not actually a surprise. When I found out that Franco wasn’t coming, I don’t think we’re ever going to win any games. The fact that the left winger never tracked back everytime he ran forward bums me out but in the end, it was a team game. Indeed, we lost. Badly.

By the way, guys, my mum’s youngest brother, Uncle Egg Tart got a job and he just bought a new house. I’m going to Melbourne uninvited to celebrate. No worries, I will be back on the 4th and will be full of pictures. Honestly, I wasn’t as excited as the time I went to Tasmania. I think my mind is really full of crap right now. In fact, mentally, I am going through some stuff right now. Not in the holiday mood yet.

I’m just wondering,

if you see a rainbow after a moody and heavy rain,

does it mean that tomorrow will be a better day?

I really hope so.

1st Australian rainbow

post – script : just found out, LRT in Subang Jaya? Awesome.

That is just “Great”,

Hanjun

Wednesday

The 9/8c time slot is the busiest on my grid this year. In fact, I’m glad I upgraded to a third HDDVR at the beginning of this month since it’s the one time of the week when I’m recording six shows simultaneously. I’m sure the full slate won’t survive through October, but at least I’m prepared.

ABC – It appears ABC is making an attempt at assembling a sort of “Super New Wednesday” with a full slate of new shows. I certainly hope it doesn’t meet the same fate as the schedule from a couple years ago when we got hooked on Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money, only to have the writer’s strike kill their freshman seasons, a fate they never recovered from.

Kelsey Grammer makes another attempt at his triumphant return to network television in a sitcom with a premise that sounds almost exactly like his FOX failure from two years ago, Back to You. Successful guy loses success and has to learn to live with a family he has ignored. My love of Frasier means I’ll check out at least a couple episodes, but I doubt this one will last. In an odd coincidence, Grammer’s Back to You co-star Patricia Heaton stars in The Middle, another traditional sitcom that also marks an attempt to show us that network television understands what it’s like to be affected by our current recession. Both shows premiere September 30th.

A less traditional hour of programming follows, starting with Modern Family, a show that follows three families in a documentary style (think The Office) and features an exceptional cast including Ed O’Neill (Married with Children) and Julie Bowen (Boston Legal). As many of you know, I’m a big fan of comedies sans laughtrack, so I have high hopes for this one. Following Modern Family, Courtney Cox returns to network television with Cougar Town. I haven’t learned much about the show, but it was created by Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) so I think it has a much better shot at success than say….Joey. These two shows premiere September 23rd.

Rounding out the night, we have Eastwick, a re-imagining of the 1987 movie The Witches of Eastwick and the John Updike novel of the same name. Be careful when setting this one on the DVR, I would hate for you to end up with a late night showing of 2005’s The Witches of Breastwick.

CBS – Criminal Minds returns in its normal slot for a fifth season on September 23rd. Minds has quietly become a very consistent performer for CBS, which surprises me considering how little support it got when it started. If you haven’t watched this at all before, I would recommend checking out an episode–each week is pretty self-contained so it isn’t hard to jump on.

Comedy Central – The boys are back October 7th for the second half of South Park Season 13, and plenty of ultra-topical shenanigans will be there. Following South Park is a new live-action show called Secret Girlfriend. The show is basically about a group of guys partying and attempting to get laid. I have no idea if it will be good, but the network only ordered six episodes so I’ll check it out.

DirecTV 101 – Continuing their partnership with NBC from last season, DirecTV gets the exclusive premiere of Friday Night Lights season four, starting October 28th. Dillon is in for some big changes with Coach Taylor headed to the newly re-opened East Dillon High School to lead the Lions. Taylor “Gambit” Kitsch and Zach Gilford return, although Gilford will likely make a mid-season exit a la Smash and Street before him. For those who haven’t figured it out yet, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton as Eric and Tami Taylor are the best couple on television. Also, have no fear FNL fans, DirecTV and NBC have already inked a deal that ensures 13 episodes for this season and another 13 next year. Game on.

Discovery – Mythbusters picks up for the second half of season seven on October 7th. From the look of this story, they busted a few windows making the episode in March of this year.

FOX – Are you watching Glee yet? If you aren’t, I’m not sure you’ll need me to tell you to. FOX has declared a media war on anyone who thinks this is just another lame attempt at a tv musical. If creator Ryan Murphy’s name isn’t enough to get you on board, I don’t know what will work. Murphy’s nip/tuck helped start the cable drama revolution a few years ago and now that he’s done with it, he’s decided to do something kids can watch too. In addition to normal promotion, The songs will be taking over iTunes each week, and two albums are already scheduled, with the first one dropping in November. Glee premiered September 9th.

FX – As I posted last week, nip/tuck returns October 14th for its second-to-last season. I would have said penultimate season, but I’m tired of people saying penultimate.

MTV – Real World Road Rules Challenge is back again to meet our need for some sweet guilty pleasure tv. My advice is to DVR it, fast forward through the manufactured drama bullshit, and just watch the challenges. The show premieres September 30th.

NBC – Mercy is yet another new medical show, and normally I wouldn’t give it the time of day. However, it has James Tupper from the ill-fated Men in Trees, so I can’t help but tune in. Apparently, nurse shows are the new surgeon shows–what a super original idea!

The Firehall starts its 27^th season with Back to You – the Life and Music of Lucille Starr.  Presented by Musical Theatreworks and written by Tracey Power (The Jungle Book), Back to You stars Beverley Elliott, Alison MacDonald (Songs for A New World, Not Another Musical Co-op) and Jeff Gladstone.

Beverley Elliott as Lucille Starr, photo by James Loewen

The musical journey of Back to You begins in 1981. Lucille Starr has come home to Coquitlam, BC to give her first solo concert in 25 years. It’s her comeback tour, in more ways than one and her nerves have peaked. The last time her hometown crowd saw her on stage, it was with their other hometown sweetheart, Bob Regan. Coming home has stirred up a lifetime of memories – from the duo’s rise in the country-music charts, her legendary solo career and international acclaim, to the loss of her voice and lengthy recovery.  Now here she is, the first night of her comeback tour, a tour that ultimately brings her back to her music, back to herself and back to you.

Directed by Barbara Tomasic, musical direction by Steve Charles, set and lighting design by April Viczko, and costumes by Barbara Clayden, Back to You plays from September 30- October 10, 2009 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova St.  Tickets are available by calling the box office at 604-689-0926.

Speaking about iPods, have you guys seen the new iPods. Very neat, right?

My iPod is busted. I still love it. I don’t know why but I kinda wept when I heard Blink 182’s “I miss you” lately. Tears of joy. I really miss the days of PMR. We don’t worry about our future. We don’t worry about girls. We don’t worry about our careers. We wouldn’t care less. It’s was just school, tuitions and football. That’s all. To those who witness that beautiful revolution, Kil, Kat, KV, monkey boy, G, JT(maybe he would worry), Law, Brian, E and Zoo. Those were the days. I don’t want to live in the past, yet, I find comfort sometimes by just reminiscing about it. I do wonder when are we going to see each other again. I really do.

I went to Tak’s house on the Thursday night. It was awesome. His family visited him from Sarawak and his mum cooked for all of us. Sarawak laksa. Great night. The fact that Arthur got the sorry end of the jokes made me really happy. I know it’s weird but come on, this all the only Malaysians I see around campus. I feel a bit of an alien, coming from Kuala Lumpur when all of the are from Sarawak. Yeah, bit weird but at least it was fun.

Just got back from the UniSA tournament. Crap, we were the last. What a bummer. A bit disappointed that Franco didn’t make it. We gave away a few soft goals in the end but the game really pushed all of us to the limit. Alex and Don manage to get themselves on the score sheet. I guess, maybe things might be different for the next round. We’ll see.

Last Friday, got really drunk after Alex bought each of us a bottle of wine. I already had a bottle of Amstel in my hand. Then, I finished the wine as well. Got really wasted when I got home. Thank goodness, no hangover. Note to self, don’t drink too much next time and forget about the pub crawl.

I figured out why he’s little bit of a douche. He is someone I adress as ‘Frienemy’. For now, it’s leaning more towards friend than enemy. It used to be 80% friend and a slight 20% enemy but after the incident, kinda boost a slight 5% enemy. It’s lame, I know. He never listens to anyone, not even the coach. Yesterday, during the team talk, he even tried to win an argument with the coach. Unbelievably stupid. I guess maybe Chinese people like myself tend to talk. We don’t listen because we always think that we’re right. That’s really sad.

The wine

The other day when Kathir was eating Vietnamese food, he sudenlly thought, “Poor Hanjun.” What the hell?!?!

Post – script : I’m not boring and naive. Can’t believe you said that.

Can’t figure it out,

Hanjun.

This might sound politically incorrect but I guess her beauty changes the topic. What a horrible week it was. Truthfully, I have had worse week than that, but this has to be the worst since living in the beautiful state of South Australia. As I’m writing this, I’m looking forward for a better week. Maybe a better year ahead.

From the words and colors used for my last post, it is obvious that I’m still nursing a emotional hangover. Sounds weird but it’s a really a metaphor. Everytime after futsal, the term “muscle hangover” is used to describe the tiredness and unbelievable hours put into running, kicking and ‘not scoring’. Yes, I cannot score. In fact, I haven’t been scoring like for a long time. Maybe because I suck. I’m sure a lot of you guys will vouche on that.  

I got a really funny ass story to let you know. Recently, I met this girl. Let’s just say she’s an Indochinese. Let’s keep it a personal mystery. Any of you jackasses wants to know, call me and I’ll try to eloborate more on the new book I’m writing, “The series of unfortunate events of Hanjun’s pathetic life.” Big hit. What happened was, I asked her out for lunch. Through out the meal, I realised that she wasn’t really into me but I thought maybe it’s just the first date, so it’s alright. Then, we went out for a second time and I just can’t feel it yet. 2 days later, which coincidently was last Tuesday, she told me, she wasn’t interested in me. I was like, yeah, ok, fine. I mean, I’m so use to getting rejected and still have more rejection to get used to. I’m pretty sure I’ll get rejected like a trillion million times before meeting the one. So, ok. I was a little bit upset but wasn’t going to kill myself or what. Nothing can be worse than the New York mining disaster. So, alright then, I’m kinda immune to rejection. The big turning point was, she told me, she is actually interested in my friend. WTF?!?! And when she told me who she meant,  it made me go berserk. Well, cause I know that jackass and somehow I feel he’s a kind of douche bag. I would seriously understand if she’s interested in some other indochinese dude. Same race, same language, more comfortable and all those crap. Yes, I do understand. But, that jackass? Let me just say, this dude is not my countrymen and not hers either. And believe me when I say he’s an SOB, he is an SOB. What the hell? Doesn’t it kinda suggest that I’m worse than that scumbag. That is fucking screwed up, messed up and whacked up. Don’t you agree?

I have to honest and admit, I’m a little paranoid. I look forward so much into the happy ending and sometimes along the way, I blinded myself from seeing things changing along side. That has been my weakness ever since I was born. I look forward so much in scoring before I even get the ball under control. No wonder I suck so bad in futsal.

Back to the emotional hangover thing, yes, I was a bit heart broken. Not beacuse she rejected me but I have no idea how that whanker couldn’t got her attention but I couldn’t. You can’t help but to feel the sorrow in losing to a loser. Too bad. Take nothing away, I do enjoy the presence of these 2 person in my life. I’m not bitter over her or my friend and in fact, we 3 are all still friends, right? Hopefully. By the way, did I tell you that I’m going to Melbourne for the Spring break? Yahoo!

Let me introduce one really “blur beyond believe” kinda guy from China. In fact, he claims to be the most handsome man in his country. It’s better if you judge him instead of me.

THIS IS NORMAN

The name itself suggest the face you see

post – script : Just when I picked up the pieces of soul and patch it back together. Wow, that’s a whole lot of bullshit.

I almost thought the world ran out of jokes until today. Not long ago, the Holy month of Ramadhan of the muslim calender started and some of my friends are fasting. Today, reading from the newspaper, a salesgirl was caught red handed stealing underwears from a shopping mall. Inside job. Not really a surprise, considering, how easily it is to sneak things in and out when so many people are shopping for the new year. I used to remember how busy the shopping malls are especially when Ramadhan is ending. Last minute shopping is totally a scam. Back to my point, the woman is now trying to persuade court to release her, since it’s Ramadhan, time for forgiving and loving. So I guess it’s alright to steal during ramadhan. Don’t get me wrong, I believe people deserve a second chance but I don’t think she should be let go so easily. Community service maybe? Do you know what she stole? A pair of panties, six brassieres, three pyjamas, a long dress and a shirt worth a total of RM430.90. Unbelievable. Why do anyone in a conscious mind steal 6 bras? Is it necessary?  She appeared in front of the court with this statement.

“In light of the fasting month and upcoming Raya celebration, please give me a chance. Please do not impose a deterrent sentence which would separate me from my family and deny their love during this special month.”

Isn’t it the funniest shit that you’ve ever heard, coming from someone that is convicted of stealing? I laughed so hard that my room flooded and the tears come spilling from the house. The neighbours thought the house was weeping and it was a miracle. Thank God no one suggesting stoning her to death.

Next up, an almost American mafia story in our own backyard. A woman’s body was found under a layer of cement on the stairs. I hope it’s not any of Don Carleone’s man who did that. Apparently, a foul odour attracted attention from the residents at that apartment and sooner, they found that body lying within a layer of cement. How scary is that. Too bad Malaysia doesn’t possess the crew from CSI. This case would be cracked like a billion years ago. Imagine what you can find under a layer of cement nowadays. Murder has been a problem in Malaysia, often ended up with some gruesome scene and the detectives might be the one puking to death. Last week, a man thought he hit fortune, when a lady paid him some money to get rid of a ‘Golden Statue’ which turned out to be a dead body. The new case was a man was found dead in his car. People walking by thought he was just sitting tight but without any movement for a while. Turns out, he’s dead. Holy Crap!

To the favourite sport in the world, soccer. The new FIFA ranking is out and guess where is hell is Malaysia? 152nd place. Nice, I wonder are we at the bottom of the list. Even Vietnam is higher than us on the freaking list. Goodness gracious. I’m not sure whether will I live to the day to see Malaysia playing their first ever world cup. David asked me during futsal about Malaysian soccer and I lost words. I have no idea how to describe one of the most played sport in Malaysia and how we cannot make it to the majors. All I said was, the only thing the Malaysian team is consistent in is changing it’s player every 5 months. Did you watch how Malaysia was beaten the hell out by Vietnam last year. I watched and I wept for the future of my country’s football.  She said Vietnam was lucky but honestly, our national team just suck. Why would nike sponsor our team? Did you know Malaysia is the second lowest ranked team sponsored by nike? I take so much comfort from that. Yeah, right. I wonder.

Indonesian people has creating problems to Malaysians for years now. I really don’t understand that. Did you every tried typing “Ganyang Malaysia” into facebook search and read all those colorful name those people called Malaysia? Awesome. Recently, some student protester threw eggs towards the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta thanks to some mistake made by Discovery Channel as they insert a clip of Balinese dancers in a Malaysian tourism video. Come on! Is it necessary? Bullshit. I guess misunderstanding is bound to happen when 2 losers cannot accept and tolerate. This has been boiling under the surface for a long time, coupled with the Indonesian model and her so not fairy tale ending and the long battle for marine territory along the east coast of Borneo. I think this fued traced back to the days when we’re so much ahead of Indonesia. This love-hate relationship is going downwards as I honestly speak up for Indonesia. They are moving. In case any of you nut heads didn’t realise, Indonesia is moving ahead in terms of economy. I would say, they are like China 30 years ago when everyone thinks otherwise. Trust me. Think about it, why all the terrorist attacks happens in Indonesia? It’s because there are a lot of foreign, specifically western investors in Indonesia. Why is there a lot of western investors in Indonesia? Figure that out. Indonesia’s main power is it’s populated country. I guess sooner or later if we Malaysians still stay the same, we would lose out. In terms of competition, it will only get feistier. Maybe it will give our ass the kicking we need and in relation, move us too. Hopefully.

A little update about myself. I’m still waiting for E’s call. He’s been in Sydney for 2 months and I have’t got any news from him. What happened? By the way, I guess I’m going to have to start writing my own version of “How I met your mother” story. Kathir said he’s going to help. It will be helping me if he prank me if, “I’m just lying on the bed, wearing my old cheerleader costume and reading engineering magazine”. Laughs.

post – script : She looks kinda cute when she’s lost in translation.

The first date,

Hanjun.

From dingy pubs to The Ritz, Lisa Crawley has played them all. After cutting her teeth in London she returned to show NZ what she had learnt, and has just released her second E.P, Hello Goodbye and Everything Inbetween.

http://www.myspace.com/lisacrawleymusic

Directed by Luke McPake

Back To You

A few days ago, I read across someone that really broke me. I got really really sad when I read it. Not trying to prove that I’m some sort cry baby but if you read it, trust me, it’s disturbing. A security guard in Teluk Gong, Port Klang was brutally murdered. His face was slashed, throat slit and stabbed. Apparently, he fought back real hard with the robber. The factory that he was guarding was attacked and robbed by a bunch of believed foreigners. He was found in a pool of blood by the manager the next morning. How can people live with this kind of heartless act.

Suresh, a father of 4 left behind a wife and 4 kids. He recently took up this job after losing his previous job during the economy downturn a few months ago. I wonder what is going on the mind of the widow and the family that lost their only breadwinner. That must be horrible. I’m so sorry for their lost. Believe me, what happens to the future of the family? You cannot imagine how harsh life can be in Malaysia, particularly when some of us are branded as “immigrants” with some useless to nothing rights. If you would to be in a country like Australia, the murderers might be caught and mercifully, the government might support the family of the deceased.

How can anyone justify such violence considering the fact how the consequence would destroy someone’s life? I’m not just pointing out the death of this particular man. Think about the all the murder in Malaysia and in all those episodes of CSI New York. What happens to the victim and who he or she leaves behind? What happens to them? Their lifes would just hang in the middle of no where. Is anybody going to save them too? I guess life’s too short sometimes.

Rest in peace. Life’s unfair. I know.

post – script : I don’t know why but I keep on dreaming about you when I’m not romantically attracted to you.

Weird as hell,

Hanjun

One of the most fearful event of the past month in Malaysia, except the obvious case of Swine Flu was the apparent suicide of  Teoh Beng Hock, who works as a political aid. I don’t want to discuss about him in this sad and tormenting moment for his family and my prayers go out for all of them. What I don’t understand was his fiance marrying him after his death, I really don’t. It doesn’t mean I disrespect, of course I respect her decision to do so. I’m sure she loves him very much. It just came to me as I recall reading similar news about a woman who married a corpse, claiming that he died before marrying her as promise. The harder part for me to understand was holding the dead guy’s hand while swearing in as a couple. That was really scary, imagine he suddenly came alive, screaming, “Surprise!” That would be happy I guess, considering the fact he’s not dead and can actually marry the woman of his dream. Oh how I wish Ned the pie maker’s touch can last more than a minute. Besides, I also read about cases which includes ghost brides. Yeah, ghost brides. Say, a Chinese bachelor died and one night, his parents got a vision, prompting them to find a after world wife, which so happens to be dead in real life. Most of the time, they found each other and they will end up buried together, so they can spent eternity together bla bla bla. That’s just one of the many scenarios. Are you sure this is healthy? I mean, dwelling on and holding on to something that is already dead. I do understand the lingering pain and suffering but is, sitting down, doing nothing going to help at all? I have my fair share of sad and really upsetting moments, but I came out of it. With all due respect and honour to my traditions and culture, move on!

Last week, a particular blogger in Singapore disputed the bust claim of the newly crowned Miss Singapore pageant. No wonder I always believe Singaporeans have nothing to do. They have a reasonably comfortable life and therefore, spent most of their time looking at other people’s business. I guess for some particular people, having bigger cans mean everything. People judge by beauty and that’s very common. In fact, people with better looks tend to get better jobs. It’s the force of nature and for me, the only way to look good is, by keeping fit. I notice, no matter how ‘not good looking’ you are, as long you’re fit, it’s pretty good. That’s why I’m working for a fitter lifestyle, for my own health and well-being. Besides, really wish I can make the team for next season’s Parafield Gardens competition. Yet, by the end of the day, I won’t be surprise if I would to be judge because I don’t look that good. For example, the biggest whanker in Subang, Ng Cho Ming, he is very particular about bust size but I don’t blame him. In fact, most of the time, we end up listening to his stupid stories. What I’m trying to say is, stop wasting time and do something useful. Hold on, I can’t say that, I’m actually wasting time as I’m writing this. Well, don’t tell me you haven’t seen a hypocrite.

A few days back, a Malaysian policeman was caught cheating on his wife. He was caught in a compromising position, yeap, the paper described it as “compromising”, so I’ll let your imagination flow endlessly. His wife was so pissed that she poured acid over his body and of course, he was badly injured. At first, when I read this news, I thought this must be some old dirty man but boy, I was wrong. He is just a 20 something year old man with an almost similar age wife. I can’t believe that. I’m no holy man but apparently, most of the domestic violence in Malaysia is likely caused by an affair. So, to the man out there, what do you think? Should you marry someone you don’t love or should you cheat on your wife? The decision is still yours. In Malaysia, nothing really matters if you would to treat your woman badly but what happens if your wife is some sort of Aghani Warlord’s daughter, oh my God, you’re screwed. Next thing you know, you will be sitting on a chair with your hands tied, your head covered with bag and your apology will be live telecast in Al-Jazeera. It doesn’t just end there, before you know it, you might stoned to death, biblically. To all man and woman of course, learn to love.

post – script : Strumming my pain, with projects. Killing me softly, with assignments. Telling my whole life, with lab reports. Killing me softly?

Long live sacred Malaysia,

Hanjun.

Lately, you’ll realised there isn’t any “interesting” news floating around any Malaysian newspaper, I wonder is it the conscious mind of Malaysian revolting or just some world-saving Peter Parker late on his column. It really begs a question, what should I write his week. Actually I myself am late for last week’s blog post, normally I’ll try my best to make sense out of absolute senseless. It’s until yesterday I noticed something in the newspaper here down under that inspired some nonsense out of me. So, what happened was, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles was spotted having a unexpected grin when the Highland dancers’ skirts accidentally blown up by the strong gust, exposing their undergarment. Funny how the photographer actually manage to snap a picture out of it. I’m not sure that you noticed, 2 weeks ago, the president of the united states of America, Barack Obama was caught in action staring at a reasonably attractive woman’s ass. Truthfully, I have no idea how she looks like, all the picture showed is only her “Howard Wolowitz’s out of this world” behind. Research showed that man spent a year of their lives looking up woman, or how my native tongue called “usha awek”. I find it funny yet at the same time true, I have coursemates back in malaysia cannot control their perverted eyes from staring at woman, be it a 70 year old grandmother. Yes, it’s human nature, specifically man. I never blame anyone for doing that, but like my father said, live life moderately. Come on, my former coursemates(you know who you are), is it necessary to do that all the time, even when I looking into your eyes and talk to you directly? It’s really rude, not to mention disrespectful. One of them told me and I quote, “Looking at girls, is normal, and of course, there isn’t any stupid people like you that don’t always look at girls, no wonder you don’t a girlfriend.” Feeling a punch is going directly perpendicular towards his fat ugly face, I held back and told him, “Habits are the parts that makes our life, if you cannot control yourself now, don’t expect yourself to be a faithful person one day.” I don’t know why I said that, but maybe sometimes somethings in life are true, but some are not. I have no idea.

Prince Charles's grin.

Maybe both of them are enjoying.

Notice David's eyes?

 The weather here has no been the ideal winter I had in mind. Snow fall and the Skiing is definitely not available. In fact, some morning, the sun releases extra stinging rays alongside the freezing winds of morning, which sometimes is either too cold or too warm, and then, I realised that I have completely no idea what to wear. Speaking of weather, I came to a point, back in Malaysia, we don’t need weather reports, won’t you agree? So, next time when you turn on the tube, you’ll see this, “Good morning, we’ll bring you to the weather report. If this is your first time in malaysia, it’s hot throughout the whole year. If you’re in Malaysia long enough, the weather will be the same. If you would like to know the weather for your area, look outside your window, it will be the same the whole damn day.” See, get my point? Malaysia, we’re in the freaking equator, expect everyday to be the same. I kinda miss listening to the thunderstorm, I can’t recall the last time I heard a thunderstorm. I think yesterday, but it sounded like a fat boy falling down the stairs, I’m not sure.

2 years ago, I receive a message in friendster. Yeap, friendster, so old school but that was 2 years ago, when people would actually ask, “Facebook who?” Back to my point, that message was sent by one of a pair of pathetic idiots from my high school and it was really stupid. Apparently, in 2007, Digi, one of Malaysian Telco came out with the “yellow man” advertisement with the cathchy “I will follow you” song. People sang that song everywhere they go, it had that kind of effect on Malaysians. So, what happened was, the sender, being a so called religious person, called upon non-Christians to not sing that song as “I will follow you” is actually a Hymn. A hymn is a typical song of praise and specifically of Christian origin. Pathetic. How can singing a song that has no particular meaning while showering, walking or relaxing change anything? You can call me radical but I just don’t see it that way. Now, I want everyone to know, “Glory glory Man United” is originated from a Hymn. Non-Christians are not suppose to support them. Eat that, mindless crap!

post – script : She haunts my dreams but not entirely in a scary way at all.

Written by,

Hanjun.