Bridging Fantasy & Reality

Pangkorrrrrrrrrrr! ROAR!!! Was the BOMB!!

A very beach-y affair!!!

So much happened that it's impossible to sum it up into one blog entry. I'll give it a shot, but nothing beats being there and experiencing it for yourself. This trip gave a whole new meaning to adventure.

Day one

- upon arriving, we met with the heap loads of ATC rotaractors who shared our mode of transportation. Little did we know that we were about to be bonded closely for the next three days. Mmhmm, mr. Saleh, Abu Naza was it??? or Umbi as Ben so forwardly put it, BC. All these weird allegories with an underlying history...

- Journey there was fun with truth sessions (which only Ben participated in, with Alex contributing to the endless questions), sharing bus seats with Ben and Cass - terrific experience, interlaced with endless neck cramps and countless rounds of cho tai tee which improved my game *cough* *cough*

Us in the Ferry

- After settling into our rooms, we decided to go snorkelling. We were taken island hopping and snorkelling together with some Port Klang rotaractors and Bernard + hot babe. The boat ride was refreshing! Snorkelling apparently wasn't as good but I had nothing to compare it to so I liked it.... apart from bein attacked by the coral reefs. Oh, and it was the time of the month too. 2nd day to be exact. How the heck did I manage to go into the water??? Don't ask!!!

- Later at night, there was the roll call and District Board Meeting and then this eco adventure thingy. Ben and I ended up walking miles and miles with our group members back to the jeti just to snap pictures along the way. We were required to do this and not merely some psycho people with nothing better to do. So I spent the early hours of my 20th birthday, completely drenched and on some windy never ending road. Sigh.

- When I came back to the room, there was a surprise waiting for me.... Tadaaa! I was genuinely surprised. And happy! Until Ming Yie started playing with the wax and freaking us out.

Sorry, very pixelated!!!!

- For some reason, I felt the urge to do something crazy and the plan was to get drunk. Requested alcohol from Eben and the gang. Soon after, Calvin called, inviting us to their room. And so, we went. I was forced to down this putrid tasting drink, Chivas I think.... Raw chivas, which burnt my troath, yet didn't get me completely intoxicated la. They sang me the rotaract bday song, I think it went "oh y r u born so beautiful, o y were u born at all, sth sth, give up! give up! sth sth n then the verse repeats it self". I managed to see Dinesh and a few other rotaractors in a different light.... Ben was gone after a drop and Cassie couldn't walk straight. Leez was the only sober one.

- I went to bed, still drenched, without a shower and with a dead cockroach lying at my feet. How's that for a getting down and dirty???

Day two


-Woke up and showered first thing. Realized the shower was all for nuts coz there were hunters waiting to throw me into the pool. And into the pool I went, a few hundred times that day.


- Went kayaking and banana boating with the rest of the gang, had a blast, and unfotunately, a tan!!! Like I need one!! Pfft! Kayaking with Ben was crazy!! We had an afinity for the rocks....


- The guys went volley balling after that and the girls chatted animatedly in the room over junk food! Heaven!!! So much fun gossiping about each others lives'!!!

- Later that night was the celebration of Rotaract 40 years together with the January Babies Birthday bash... They got us a cake and sang the rotaract bday song for us. And then the DRR declared the fellowship drinking session and the rotaractors went crazy with drinks.

- Everyone had their personal favorites and I just went around tasting one drink to another and indulging in "bottoms up" moments with different groups of people.

- The night was crazy!!!!!! I saw all my friends in different lights. Was particularly fun seeing everyone slowly evolve into different beings. The laughs never ceased. I was genuinely amused.

- After the dust settled, I did shots over card games with a couple of guys from ATC. And then it was my turn to pass out. Went straight to bed.

Day 3





-Particularly mellow. We woke up late and swung by the beach to capture some group photos for keepsake.

- Then had to pack up and wave goodbye to pangkor. Had a great time on the bus and it was almost too hard to go home......

*********

Nirmal dropped by for a sleepover yesterday!!! Was so fun. We (Nirms, Cass and I) had a late dinner. And then chatted in the car outside Cassie's house for a LOOOONG time before waving g'bye to her. Nirm and I went for coffee to chat more and then hung out by the poolside till it started raining cats and dogs. AND THEN. In the spur of the moment, we decided to go out and play in the rain. It was a completely spontaneous thing! Like crazy people we sloshed around in the rain and ran for cover everytime the lightning struck. So fun! Altho at one point we thought the Gods were playin a trick on us, coz everytime we put ourselves out there, the rain became a lil less heavier. Oh well!

You know you love me!

xoxo

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Fresh starts thanks to the calendar they happen every year --just set your watch to January, our reward for surviving the holiday season is a new year. Bringing on the great tradition of new years resolutions, put your past behind you and start over. It's hard to resist the chance of a new beginning, a chance to put the problems of last year to bed. - Greys Anatomy, Season: I haven't a clue!!-

Been wondering to myself why the start of a new year's always filled with so much hope.... Hope that maybe this year, we'll be able to sail through without the minor glitches, maybe this year, we'll finally meet that perfect stranger that will remain perfect sans the arguments... Maybe this year, everything will fall into place where appearance is concerned. Maybe this year, there won't be even an iota of failure. Thing is, why wait for a new year to put so much pressure on yourself?? Why not make resolutions in the middle of April or on the 28th of October? (...simply banging a date...) Maybe the reason people generally give up on their resolutions so fast is coz they keep telling themselves that there's so much time left to get started on their resolutions and before you know it, we're making New Year's eve plans yet again.

So, I've decided to make a resolution everyday and achieve it to the best of my ability. Not huge resolutions, like "today, I'm going to stop being a selfish b*****"... but teeny, easy to achieve resolutions that evokes personal satisfaction... That way, every day will be emotionally stimulating, especially in a new environment.

Speaking of new environments, I leave in approximately one months time!! And after some self evaluation, I realized the most daunting thing about going overseas to study for the first time is being alone. I will be alone alone! As in, I have completely no contacts in New Zealand. And, I also happen to be someone who cannot live without company. I thrive on company okayyy. And there is no exaggeration there. I've never had a meal all by myself since I was in primary one, no, make that kindergarten.... So I've already come to terms with the reality that the first few months might be tough. But I am not going to make it even tougher for myself by leaving with negative thoughts. I anything but not excited about this trip. I mean, come on! I spent six months thinking about how life's going to be like when i finally get there and making calendars with positive thoughts and stuff. So the last thing I wanna do is let my thoughts be infiltrated with insalubrious expectations. I am afterall the loveable Dimi. I'd like to think that whereever I end up, people will love me.... Fact is, no one is going to love you all the time and I'm going to have to live with that. You either love me or hate me. Either way, I am me.

I just found out that one of the masters students, Melissa, will be on my flight. Pretty grateful. At least the flight won't be as daunting as I expect it to be. Coz if you add my absent minded-ness to the entire scene, I can only imagine the calamity that will befall me on the much anticipated day.

New Zealand issues aside, this week started out fab.... Attended Reshme's 21st on Saturday. Pictures can be found on Cassie's blog. Sunday was a day of much needed rest. Went to Mallacca on Monday. It was so hot, I could've melted and died.... but I survived. Visited Mahkota Parade, Dataran Pahlawan, Jonker Street and the Stadthuys building. Had lunch with Mike on tuesday, complete with engaging conversation. And went shopping with the girls today. We walked around Jalan Telawi from 11 in the morning until 5 in the evening. ANd! We got identical slippers from Novo!!! Gold ones.... Funny story. At first, we all wanted the black ones so we made the sales person fetch us the correct sizes. Then we decided, the silver ones were perkier..... And out of nowhere, the gold ones became terribly appealing. The sales girl must've thought we were a bunch of loonies. We're such kindred spirits! I'll miss u guys to bits Leez and Hua!

Am completely burnt out right now. Thank God there's a 2 hour long rerun of American Idol awaiting me!

] Who gets to determine when the old ends and the new begins? It's not on the calendar, it's not a birthday, it's not a new year, it's an event --big or small, something that changes us, ideally it gives us hope, a new way of living and looking at the world, letting go of old habits, old memories. What's important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning, but it's also important to remember amid all the crap are a few things really worth holding on to.

You know you love me

xoxo

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The journey to Seremban

Sunday was bowling for soup day. Well, not exactly. There was no soup involved but definitely lotsa bowling. Destination : Pyramid. Conclusion : there isn't a bowling nerve in this anatomy. I think it's all in the head that I suck. I believe that if I tried to block out all the negative energy, I might actually be a pro at bowling. Unfortunately, the negative energy wasn't merely comin from myself. Thanks to the insistent remarks of surrounding company, I managed to resurrect the humiliation.









Had a fellowship dinner and karaoke session after the rotaract meeting. I ended up having a much better time than I expected. We played pool. And Foosball. And sang, although we were overpowered most of the time. And ate. And attempted to dance. And just had a great time. Yuvraj joined us and yes, nirm, we took good care of him. I know I've expressed numerous times that I'm gonna miss times like these and the people who brought enjoyment to my life but somehow, I feel like I can never say it enough.



Felt a bit nostalgic when the new set of Board of Directors were elected. Everything has been reshuffled. And I guess it's finally time for me to move on. RAC Bandar Sunway has improved and come up so much from the doldrums it once resided in and I owe it to all the rotaractors who stooped to pick up the pieces. Some didn't even know what it was to begin with. But now, they can pass as pros. So much has brought us together and I am so grateful that I was able to do something meaningful with the six months that I had post A levels via rotaract. I am 100 percent positive that Shaun and Leez will only have better times ahead. I don't suppose I have anything to worry about coz I have utmost confidence and trust in them. Sigh.

Oh, btw, do check out the rotaract blog. Leez pimped the whole thing up and it looks tonnes better. So proud!

Attended the pre departure briefing on Monday. Discovered that I still haven't gotten a lot of things done, like sign up for courses and register pick up and bank account amongst other things. Most of the attendees were JPA scholars and clinical students from IMU so I don't suppose I fitted in much. Sigh. Hints of the culture shock I will be facing there..... Random fact : Bungee jumping was invented in New Zealand.

Mood : Waaay excited about Pangkor trip. Plus Mallacca trip with mummy. And there might be a Bentong trip with Ben n those wanting to go if everything goes well. And My bday!!! And Reshme's party this saturday. More trips please!!!

Change; we don’t like it, we fear it, but we can't stop it from coming. We either adapt to change or we get left behind. And it hurts to grow, anybody who tells you it doesn’t is lying. But heres the truth: the more things change, the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh, sometimes change is good. Oh, sometimes, change is ... everything.

Yep. Change is heading my way so fast, I can feel the momentum.

You know you love me!

xoxo

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Doctors give patients a number of thing. We give them medicine, we give them advice and, most of the time, we give them our undivided attention. But, by far, the hardest thing you can give a patient is the truth. The truth is hard. The truth is awkward and very often the truth hurts. I mean, people think they want the truth. But do they really? - Greys Anatomy, Season 4

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Whatever it is, I had a great time yesterday. I will describe it in succinct sentences, but once again, the pictures will have to speak for themselves... Ben was the chauffeur for the day. Left from my place at 6 pm, reached Hua's place to pick Adeloke and Leez by 8 pm thanks to massive jams everywhere and detours gone wrong. Picked Cass up by approx 8 thirty?? Ended up at Modestos for a rather meekly worth it dinner of pizzas, linguini and red wine for a hefty price. At least some of us were satisfied with the eye candy loitering around nearby while others pondered murdering the same source which brought that satisfaction in the first place, ahem ahem. Someone ended up drunk while another found himself that much richer.

Girls ready to paint the town red!

Decided to make our way to The Curve after dinner. Arrived at Curve and got saperated into three different crowds. Alex- the solo avenger. The girls rule, boys drool clan comprising of Leez, Adeloke, Ben and me and finally, Cassie and gang - the ones who took the looooong way there. With phone signals going haywire and crowds reaching claustrophobic heights, there was little that we could do to find each other. My cell went bonkers halfway through, had to shut it off but still some new year messages made it's way through...

Ben was his mischievious self, funding the investment in foam spray to make the end one to remember. Ended getting sprayed not only by him but about 15 random strangers in the middle of nowhere while the three of us girls tried to cling on to each other for dear life. Savage!!! These people simply scan their targets and attack without mercy, strangers or not!@!

Walked around to search for a place with more spectacular views. Found Solo Avenger Alex, while walking and somehow found Cassie and gang just before we went completely crazy with the foam sprays. Sudden blur images of foam! People staring! Attack Ben! Spraaaaaaaaaaaay! Fireworks interfered with the riot. Breathtaking display in the sky. Sudden sentimental moment replacing vengeance to squirt foam. Ben starts the hugging chain and soon we all find ourselves hugging each other and embracing sweet moments in a group hug. What a fantastic year it has been! For friendships, success and ultimate joy. ANd then, foam war resumes. Foam war ends and the Great walk begins. The Great walk ends and the ultimate survival in a massive jam + amidst Leez's constant chimes of Christmas Carols begin.

The fireworks not only illuminated the sky but brought out the sentimental side in all of us

The spraying started long before the picture taking

Sloshed and dirty, yet ever the mischevious minx.... the sprays were to defend myself from brutal slaughter okayyy!

A round of drinks embellished by a few magic tricks at Hartamas later, we all found ourselves exhausted and headed home. Leez and I headed to Adeloke's for a sleepover but we didn't do much sleeping until later in the morning. Poked around with facebook for a while, uploaded pictures and joked til Leez's batteries ran out. Two hours later, our batteries ran out as well.

I remember waking up somewhere in the middle when Leez's dad called. Tossed and turned thinking about how life was going to be in New Zealand. I am going to be leaving so many good friends behind and so many good memories! I can't even begin to imagine it. The next thing I knew, Leez was wakin us up and it was 2 sth in the afternoon!!

My stomach was rumbling like crazy and it was the start of that time of the month (whaddya know! on the 1st???)... Sheesh. Got dressed and headed to SS2 in Adeloke's car. All three of us had LARGE voracious appetites this afternoon. So we went generous with the orders. Three main dishes and two desserts!!! Unfortunately, 3 main dishes later, we went from scoffing down everything like hungry neanderthals to pushing away our plates in disgust, bickering at how we were so silly to order fried stuff. Thank God, we still had place for dessert and dessert was the BOMB! I don't mind overeating with friends every once in a while. It was a special moment for all three of us. Love you guys mucho!!!

Lee Hua (Adeloke), lookin surprisingly alert despite the all nighter, goes to show that experince is all it takes.

Me, so ZONED out!!! Leez looks pretty ok too...

Sorry, half eaten food, we just attacked!

Finally, the most delicious of all delish! Apple Crumble from Swensens... highly recommended!

And finally (no, for real this time), banana split, shared by the three of us, I predict a purge soon, sry for bein disgusting....

Just got back and I'm already blogging! Eversince facebook, I think I've been fighting an addiction to the internet!! Sheesh! Sometimes I log on up to three times a day!!!

I'm sloshed. Hope your new year was as fantastic as mine! I'm gonna do my review later on to save you the boredom of reading too many reviews at once. Off to a whole day of shopping with Leez tomorrow!! *skip* *skip* *jump* *clap*

You know you love me!

xoxo

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