Friday, November 23, 2007
On a humid Wednesday night, 25 TCC (Taylor's Community Centre)-ians converged on Relish, a burger-joint in the heart of KL, to (pre) celebrate Joyce's 21st birthday. I had originally booked tables at Nero Teca, but at the last minute, was unable to get them due to the large number of people that were attending the function. It was a good thing that Weng Lum suggested Relish (which was just beside Nero Teca), and a phone call later, we were set for the event.
When we were ushered into a private function room on the upper floor, I heaved a sigh of relief; our inevitable crazy antics wouldn't bother any other patrons. The dinner started normally, with everyone ordering their respective meals and drinks. Things started to go a little off the mark, however, when the cameras were whipped out, and everyone started moving about to snap photos of themselves, the food, the tables, and the quaint tomato sauce bottle on the tables. I'm sure Siok Kin was aghast at seeing how 'cam-whore'-rish the whole gang was, especially when Kohilan started taking pictures of himself. Nonetheless, things proceeded in a humorous manner, until the food arrived, and everyone set to gobbling burger patties and lamb shreds.
The ladies..
Happy people (who had not received their food)
Strangely, only Yenli looks blur in this picture
Kohilan proves that he can take a camwhore picture with 11 people in it
The food eventuallly finished, and it was about that point when the 'surprise' birthday cake arrived. The birthday girl blew the candles, cut the cake, and returned it to the kitchen, for them to slice it into small pieces and distribute them to everyone.
The birthday girl with a samurai sword
Me helping the birthday girl with samurai sword
That was when Zhao Heng, Kohilan, and Joshua went mad. Literally dancing to imaginary music, it was a hilarious sight to see the three jokers entertain themselves (and everyone else watching) with the kind of nonsense that only a genius like Zhao Heng can think of. I sincerely believe that the management had never seen such behaviour, let alone such people. Nonetheless, everyone was genuinely happy, and so was, I'm sure, the birthday girl. Many thanks to those who came to the event, and rest assured that your presence there was essential in turning it into an wonderful night.
We managed to take a PE3 Group Photo
The Three Retarded People
Yet another Three Retarded People
Finally, a group photo. (with everyone in it)
The next day, it was time for just me and Joyce to celebrate her birthday. She had always wanted to go to the Eye On Malaysia, so I thought it would be a good time to bring her there, before they packed up and left, in January.
The Eye on Malaysia, in Titiwangsa
We got the other couple in the gondola to take this picture for us
The Twin Towers and KL Tower, in the distance
The Eye, as the background
Shortly into the ride, we started to feel hunger pangs, so we were rather glad when it came to a stop, and I could take Joyce to our dinner venue.
The KL Tower, a bit closer up
We had a pleasant evening, dining on a buffet spread of Eastern and Western cuisine. I made sure that I had more of the expensive stuff, and that meant downing several mussels, various seafood, beef shanks, salmon, and other pricey items. The view of the city, of course, added a more romantic ambience to the whole thing (the soft jazz music playing in the background helped as well)
I made sure I loaded my plate with mussels and funny cheese
Not a great table number. NIce view, though
The dessert table
Joyce happy with the dessert table
Some desserts
One of my lifelong dreams fulfilled; Drinking coffee at the highest point in Peninsula Malaysia
Us
Now, after the meal, I brought Joyce home. I had promised Joyce that since I was taking her to dinner, I would not get her a gift. So I didn't.
Instead, I made her a fountain.
Yes, it will crumble into pieces after a few days
For those who knew what I was up to for the past month, here is proof that the (inaccurate) replica of the Nottingham lake managed to work (with lights AND pump). Many thanks to Kohilan, for setting up the surprise in the room (I don't think that Joyce would have expected a lighted blue tub to suddenly appear in a locked room with music playing in the background), and to all those who were supportive throughout the time I was cutting the wires and painting the plaster bridge.
Joyce and her fountain
Finally, very many happy returns of the day, to my beloved Joyce. May the Good Lord bless you with many things and keep you safe and sound.
Us again
Have a good one, this year.
To read this exact same article (with slightly different fonts) on Joyce's blog, click here.
Posted at 09:46 pm by IsaacCheah
Link to this article!
Filed under:
Pearl Tea and Magic Shows... Saturday, November 17, 2007
It all started, when, while coming home from dinner, Kohilan suddenly uttered, "I have a craving for bubble tea."
So, being the adventurous people that we are, we tried to find parking near the temple at which the bubble tea van had set up store.
After 15 minutes of driving around, we STILL couldn't find any spaces, considering the fact that the whole town must have decided to converge upon the temple on that particular night. Soon, we dropped Weng Lum off home, but not before Kian Siang said, "I don't mind driving out again, to get bubble tea."
We swung by the uni to pick Siok Kin up, and before long, we were lining up outside the van, describing our orders. Strangely enough, my cappucino bubble tea came with jelly (with no bubbles/pearl), and we found out that we would get it if we waited for another half hour, for the supplier van to arrive from Cheras. Standing outside the temple, we peeked in to watch the most hilarious magic show I've ever seen. (Yes, the magician was Chinese)
Bubble/pearl Tea Van of Semenyih We were overly happy, that night 4 jakuns drinking bubble/pearl tea in a temple. After a shot of bubble/pearl tea, we lost all our inhibitions
A very random night, indeed. Who says theres nothing to do in Semenyih?
Posted at 10:31 pm by IsaacCheah
Link to this article!
Filed under:
MAPCU Games and a Haircut... Thursday, November 15, 2007
Finally, A Pictureless Update... Friday, November 09, 2007
Finally, an update (and one without all the pictures and snapshots that just slow down the already cranky Internet connection that we all suffer from every now and then)
So, the blog owner, at long last, managed to sit down within the university compound (the only source of the Internet, at the moment) and gather a few quiet moments to type out a blog entry.
This update won't be an Event-Driven Post (or, EDS, a term which describes a weblog entry about a particular event or activity. Don't ask me, I just coined it on the spot) Rather, it will be about my recent thoughts and ponderings about life and all its many mysteries.Before you think to yourself, "Oh no, he's going to start with lame philosophy!", and try to blank out the sight of this blog by smashing your screen, let me give you some reassurance. No, I will not start by spouting philosophy, since I'm not qualified to do anything of the sort.
Its already the 7th week of university, and as Yenli has conveniently counted, there are only 20 -odd weeks to go before it all ends, when we finally sit for our finals, and come out, no longer entitled to be call university students. Yes, some of you may be looking forward to this new experience, and eagerly await that day when you drive out past that lake, and the guardhouse, never to turn back again (alright, only for our graduation ceremony). There may even be some who are just praying for all the studying, the waking up early for classes, and the endless group discussions and assignments meetings to come to and end, and say hello to the working world.
Not me. Not just yet, anyway. What began as a rather subdued and somber first month in university carried on into the 7th week, and, sadly, things haven't really picked up all that much since then. I'm beginning to see too much gray around, and, the consistent rain here (although I'm glad that it does rain.. It really helps with the otherwise scorching heat) is a reflection of the rather glum perspective I see with, these days. From all the stories, and life experiences shared, the final year of university life is meant to be the best period in a person's formative education life. Its meant to be filled with meaningful times spent with good friends, sharing good times, and living significant events.
Its the 7th week. What have I done so far?
20 -odd weeks to go. I personally would love go out with a bang, and make this year a year to remember all my friends, and the good times we spent together. Be it mamak sessions, break times spent talking to each other, kicking a futsal ball around the court, movies during our free time, pasar malam visits, whatever it may be, I want to make it special, (or at least memorable, for good OR bad)
But first, let me shake off these feelings of glumness which tend to hover around of late.
I hope I do it soon.
Posted at 09:25 pm by IsaacCheah
Link to this article!
Filed under:
Saturday, November 03, 2007
When I said I was a bit busy a few weeks back, that was a gross understatement.
Yes, this blog writer did not die (I can almost hear the collective sighs of dissapointment), nor did he decide to take a sabbatical. No, this blog writer has been inundated with tonnes of work, and whatever free time he has, well, is mostly spent resting or catching up on sleep.
It was thus that I realised that I had not written anything for the past two weeks. Well, rest assured, my life has not been any more interesting than it has always been, so, I didn't really have any substantial occurences to report about, anyway.
Nonetheless, again, I managed to take some time out to catch a movie with Joyce in Times Square, after dropping by the newly-opened Pavillion. After dropping Weng Lum off at the Esprit launch, we wandered around for about 15 minutes before heading over to Times Square.
Me and Joyce
Pavillion
Not too long after that, it was a quick trip out to Taman Connaught, Cheras, to visit the famed 'pasar malam' (night market), together with a bunch of my friends.
Surprisingly, it tasted quite good
E-Guy manages to look 'yeng' in a candid shot
That would be Lauren's hand, reaching for the 'lok-lok'
Note what we are holding
The gang sitting around asam laksa bowls
Well, thats about it for now. Back to book-swotting. Stay tuned for more (not very) exciting events!
Posted at 12:29 am by IsaacCheah
Link to this article!
Filed under:
A Trip To Sungai Gabai (with colour photos!) Saturday, October 13, 2007
When Joyce and I first signed up for membership in the ACE Club, it was so that we could take part in the trip to the Sungai Gabai waterfall, the first event organized by the club, as an ice-breaking session. Strangely enough, Lauren and Yenli were equally fast in filling out the forms, which was surprising, since Lauren would usually avoid areas with plenty of trees, and animals.
Nonetheless, the Saturday morning came, and I drove over to uni to pick Lauren up. Me, along with 6 9 other people were the designated drivers for the day, so we listened carefully while Kar Yong explained how to get there. Apparently, it wasn't too difficult, since I had already gone to Sungai Tekala before, and Sungai Gabai was only a short distance from there. Nodding enthusiastically, we proceeded to our cars, and with Joyce, Lauren, and Bryan (ACE Committee Member), I started off to meeting point 2: Petronas.
Chi Ming and Eddie were there bright and early
Short briefing
It was about here that Yenli appeared in her trusty Kelisa.
After filling up on petrol and buying the necessary items for survival in hilly areas (snacks and chips), we started off, all 7 10 cars forming a convoy. I was expecting to reach the place in quick order, since it wasn't too far from Sungai Tekala.
Or so Kar Yong said.
Sungai Tekala is approximately 14 k.m. from the turn-off junction in Semenyih. Sungai Gabai, however, is ANOTHER 16 k.m. from Sungai Tekala, making that approximately 30 k.m. Not exactly close. On the way, however, we did pass by Semenyih dam, which has one of the most scenic spots I've seen in Semenyih. After traversing winding roads, and almost running over monkeys, we finally arrived at the place.
Upon arrival, we sniffed the fresh air.. which smelled like monkey poo Distracted by the scent of monkey poo First group photo (Lauren, Me, Yen, Joyce) The climb up the stairs was rather tiring Along the way, we decided to stop for a while to snap shots. I took one of Chi Ming taking one. More tired people.
After finally reaching the rest area, we had several ice-breaking games, designed so as to enable us to know our fellow ACE members better.
Giving instructions
 Me, grinning like an idiot (I can't remember why, though)
People looking at pails. See me demonstrate how to catch a cold, wet cloth.
After the games, we had a free and easy session, where everyone just plunged into the waterfall. It was a fun affair, with most of us trying the natural rock slide, and just wading about, trying not to freeze into a popsicle in the cold water.
Photos become fewer, as I thought it wouldn't be a good idea to bring a camera into a waterfall We still had good 'ol Chi Ming, though, who took pictures first, BEFORE going in.
Nice group photo..
The attraction would have to be the natural rock slide, where (almost) all of us took turns to push ourselves off the ledge and careen down the slope, to end up with a splash at the bottom (I recall Yen pulling my foot as she went down, and since I was sitting perched at the edge of the slope, I went sliding along right behind her). A fun experience, nonetheless. After all the sliding and wading, we had our lunch of chicken rice, and then proceeded to take pictures.
Group Photo Me and half the Committee Members Me and the other half of the Committee Members Since we were wearing towels, we were inspired to become superheroes. Guess what we were supposed to be. (click here for the answer)
Soon, it was all done. Collectively, we decided to stop by the dam, to continue our photo-taking. It was raining however, so I only managed to get a few shots, before I scurried back into the car.
Beautiful landscape (doesn't look like Malaysia, does it?) The row of cars (look closely, and you can see hands all sticking from the cars)
My failed attempt to take a panoramic shot
The convoy took to the winding roads again, and before long, we were back in uni, preparing to go home.
A fun trip, at that. Waterfall, anyone?
Posted at 01:07 am by IsaacCheah
Link to this article!
Filed under:
|
|
