Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Its never great fun to celebrate your birthday during exams, a phenomenon that has frequently plagued me, and I'm sure, all the souls born in the early part of January. It is normally this period of time that school, college, university semesters begin, and exams are held. Normally, no one (including the birthday celebrant) will have the time (nor the mood) to do anything, other than wish that the exams were over, or that somebody would invent a time machine, travel back to 7th century China and discourage the brilliant people then from standardizing exams.
Nonetheless, I'm extremely glad to be in the presence of good friends on the day that marks me a year older (exams nonwithstanding). Although I couldn't have the wild partying (Monopoly or Scrabble) and celebrations with a huge bunch of people, and I couldn't revel in the sheer happiness of edging closer to death, it was still a meaningful 22nd. My birthday lunch was with my closest university blokes in Restoran 52 (yes, Semenyih), and as I said during the table speech, "I couldn't have asked for better friends." (and no, Johnson, I wasn't lying).
Receiving the cake...
Making sure it doesn't stay in one piece...
Joyce in one hand, cake in the other...(many thanks for the gift.. =)
With Lauren (thank you, for the balloons, and everything else..haha..=)
With some of the guys...
The Gang @ Restoran 52 (we took this photo 3 times)
Many thanks to everyone, for the wishes (Facebook, sms-es, and in-person), gifts, calls, and cards. =)
Here's to turning 22.
Posted at 02:33 pm by IsaacCheah
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Cheah's Goat-Sheep Conversion Theory Thursday, January 03, 2008
Recently, there was some uncertainty as to who came up with the goats being sheep without wool theory (it fluctuated between myself, Lauren, and Yenli).
So as to set the record straight, I hereby lay claim to that theory, aptly named Cheah's Goat-Sheep Conversion Theory ®.
Here is the theory.
I believe that studying for exams are starting to take their toll on me.
Posted at 05:16 pm by IsaacCheah
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Monday, December 31, 2007
*WARNING! MASSIVELY LARGE POST!*
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Well, here we are, near the end of another year. Again, as I browse through My Pictures folder (its still called 'Isaac's Pictures'), bits and pieces of the past come floating back, and everything is just like it happened yesterday. Here's a short summary of my life, in 2007.
January
The year rolled in with a surprise birthday party for me, in the Semenyih ghost house. It was a small affair, but the people that mattered were there, making it a meaningful one. Not long after, Wei Xian popped by for a visit to Semenyih, but not before a quick trip to Port Dickson to visit with Joyce. It was roughly at the end of the month when we organized a surprise birthday party for Kohilan. The humorous part would be when, Wei Xian, in all her innocence, quietly crept up to the room upstairs, and announced to everyone in the room, "Eh, come downstairs.. The cake there adee.." - with Kohilan standing in the middle of the room. I bet everyone in the room was stunned. The month ended with a pleasant trip to Sungai Tekala with Chi Ming, Wei Xian, Yenli, Joyce and myself.
Soon Seng's Birthday - 8.1.2007
Trip to PD - 26.1.2007
Kohilan's Birthday - 29.1.2007
Trip to Waterfall - 30.1.2007
February
Valentine's Day saw me organising a day of surprises (in the form of redeemable coupons for Joyce), ending with a message spelled with candles by the Semenyih lakeside. Near the end of the month, Chocolate Sundae played in front of royalty, at the Nottingham Alumni dinner, alongside the cool Jip Jingga.
Valentine's Day - 14.2.2007
Nottingham Alumni Dinner - 24.2.2007
March
March was a rather perilous month, as we encountered wildlife in the form of a snake in the house, after a small yee sang dinner. Nonetheless, we managed to pound the snake's head into pulp, thus making us proud snake wranglers. Yenli celebrated her birthday in grand style, with a gathering at Maison's KL. I volunteered to help out at the Nottingham Open Day, and it also the first time that I led a group of excited parents and their kids around the place, explaining about the various amenities and some such. Right after the Open Day, I collected a guinea pig from Shanti, proudly strapping the jar into the seat, and carrying Jeannie, the new addition to the TCC family, home. The SIFE Fashion Show, under Weng Lum's helm, was held at Zouk, KL. We appeared at the club to lend our support, and managed to feast our eyes on the various bodies walking up and down the aisle. The month ended with the Squash Club tournament, my last project as the President of the club.
Yee Sang - 4.3.2007  Snake Wrangling - 6.3.2007  Yenli's Birthday @ Maison's - 8.3.2007    Open Day - 16.3.2007 SIFE Fashion Show @ Zouk - 22.3.2007
Squash Tournament - 26.3.2007
April
Sports Week took reign as the first notable event of the month, where most of the TCC participated in some way or another. Strangely enough, quite a lot of the TCC guys went for the CIMA conference where Joshua almost tore his own eyes out, in KL. Later in the month, the uni played host to Silent Scream and Bus Company (who later went on to win the Battle of the Bands competition). It was a rather musical night, and I recall Kwo Kuang comparing shoes to one of the performers. It was also about the same time where we gathered at the SA to eat cake in honour of Sue Ann's birthday. Sadly, Jeannie, our pet guinea pig, succumbed to stress (we believe it was overly loud clapping and shouting by Kohilan), and died. There went our TCC pet.
Sports Week - 9.4.2007
CIMA! - 14.4.2007
Silent Scream and the Bus Company - 18.4.2007
Sue Ann's Thingie @ The SA - 19.4.2007  Goodbye Jeannie - 23.4.2007
May
Exams took precedence over everything else, this month, and it was only after the whole affair that we gathered for a last dinner for the semester at TGIF. I found out that I managed to get free passes for Pirates of the Carribean 3 from Nuffnang, signaling my very first payoff from the company. Not long after that, we had dinner at Nero Teca, an Italian place in KL. We've never been, since. Weng Lum's farewell (for the Work and Travel US Programme) was at SOULed Out, where I remember ordering naan.Almost immediately after that, five brave fellows stepped forward and consumed 25 seafood dishes at the Bangsar Seafood Village buffet. It was indeed a night to remember.
Last Day of Exams - 18.5.2007
Nuffnang Movie Screening - 24.5.2007
Nero Teca - 26.5.2007  Weng Lum's Dinner @ SOULed Out - 28.5.2007   5 Pigs in Bangsar - 30.5.2007
June
Halfway into the middle of the year, I had lunch with Joyce and her friends in KL, just before I started working. It was almost at the same time when I went for a late movie (Ocean's 13) with Kwo Kuang, Weng Hoe, Lynn, Yenli and Chui San, at the Summit. Joshua and Ze Xin celebrated their birthdays at William's, Damansara, which was one of the last few times where I saw Chui San before she left for the UK. Near the end of the month, I popped by TGIF where Yenli, Lynn and friends gathered to watch 'So You Think You Can Dance?'. I didn't, and missed the opportunity to meet Hui Ling, who was also present at the event.
Sungeiwang & Summit - 13.6.2007  Joshua and Ze Xin's Birthday - 22.6.2007 So You Think You Can Dance? - 29.6.2007
July
Meeting up with Karen, Chun KIt, and Edwin was a breath of fresh air, and an opportunity to catch up with old friends. The church members also gathered at Strawberry Fields, Taipan, to celebrate Sher May's birthday. The very next day, I made a trip to Subang Parade to catch a glimpse of Michael Learns to Rock, one of the stars that actually appeared in the small town of Subang Jaya. Close to the end of the month, we celebrated Tony Gan's birthday in Secret Recipe, Centrepoint, where we made friends with the fellow's ex-schoolmates. July also saw my seniors leaving the uni, and I drove down to Semenyih to say goodbye to them at their Graduation Ceremony. Finally, at the month end, Sham, Dominic and I participated in the Alliance Bank Focus Group meeting, where people from several universities gathered to discuss about a case study. Interesting stuff.
Mini Meetup - 4.7.2007
Sher May's Birthday - 7.7.2007 Michael Learns to Rock Meet the Fans Session - 8.7.2007
Tony Turns 19 - 20.7.2007  Senior's Graduation - 21.7.2007 Alliance Bank Focus Group - 28.7.2007
August
I was already working when Kwo Kuang had his surprise party in SOULed Out, the place which I managed to reach (on time) using the (in sequence) the monorail, train, bus, and taxi. This was where Yenli and Lynn where proud to be the first two to arrive, only to find out later that the rest had arrived earlier, but had gathered UPSTAIRS. A smaller gathering took place at Ludhiana Station, Bangsar, where we had fantastic Northern Indian food. Pretty much nothing happened in the middle of the month, but at the end, we had a dinner party for Zhao Heng's 21st, at Swenson's, Subang Parade. 3 days after that, I bid my colleagues farewell, and proceeded to arrange things for the new house in Semenyih that I would be moving into. The BLC Church Camp was in Taiping, the most peaceful place (but more importantly, the cheapest food around).
Kwo Kuang's Birthday @ SOULed Out - 2.8.2007
Ludhiana Station - 9.8.2007 Zhao Heng Turns 21 - 27.8.2007
   Last Day of Work - 30.8.2007
BLC Church Camp - 31.8.2007
September
It was near the beginning of the month when I went over to Sugath's place for a BBQ to celebrate his 21st birthday. The day after that, I managed to catch a gig by Rendra Zawawi, at the Bangkok Jazz, KL, together with Li-Lynn and Joey. Esther Ng, another old family friend's daughter, and former schoolmate, turned 21 in grand style too, in the Dorsett Regency, KL. Here, I was given the opportunity to give an impromptu speech, which I managed to dredge up from old memories and rememberances. It was at Starbucks, Taipan, that I managed to spend some final moments with Li-Lynn before she went over to the UK, and what a fun night THAT was. Around the middle of the month, we all waved goodbye to the Nottingham-ers who were leaving for the UK, at the KLIA airport. We were already back in Semenyih went Eng Teck celebrated his 21st at Restoran 52 (commonly mistaken for 51, 53, 54 and all the numbers within the 50- range), Semenyih. It was a day for team spirit when the whole kampung in Semenyih showed up to get *a**e*'s car out of a large drain hole. Julie also had some of us over at her house, for a quiet get-together for her 21st birthday (where I managed to meet up with some old schoolmates. Hidup 5 Usaha) Joyce's friends, Siew Yeng and Rui Rui, graced us with their presence in Semenyih, where we celebrated Siew Yeng's birthday with a dinner at Secret Recipe, Kajang. The Mooncake Festival didn't pass by unnoticed, as a small group of us gathered candles, and walked around the university with make-shift lanterns and happy smiles. Finally, near the end of the month, we saw Matthew turn 21 as he was thrown into a pool at his place in Shah Alam.
Sugath Turns 21 - 7.9.2007
Lynn, Joey, and I @ Bangkok Jazz - 8.9.2007 Esther Turns 21 - 9.9.2007    Starbucks With the Gang - 10.9.2007  Goodbye Nottingham-ers! - 17.9.2007 Eng Teck Turns 21 - 19.9.2007 *a**e*'s Stunt Driving - 20.9.2007  Julie Turns 21 - 21.9.2007 Dinner With Siew Yeng - 24.9.2007
Mooncake Festival - 25.9.2007
Matthew Turns 21 - 29.9.2007
October
Our nice neighbours in Semenyih invited us to a BBQ, where I found out that Pin Pin's slippers were the best slippers in the world. The ACE Society had organized a ice-breaking trip to Sungai Gabai for its members. Me, Joyce, (and strangely enough) Lauren and Yenli made our way to the waterfall, where we discovered the beautiful Semenyih dam which looked almost as if it weren't in Malaysia. Again, nothing much in the middle of the month, except for my first time to Pavilion, KL, and the Connaught Night Market, Cheras.
Neighbour's Cookout - 1.10.2007    ACE Society Trip to Sungai Gabai - 6.10.2007  Pavilion and Connaught Market - 31.10.207
November
Fast forward to the second last month of the year, the university played host to the MAPCU games, in which some of our TCC-ians took part. Eng Teck and I were there to show our support. Not too long later, on a random weekend which we stayed back, we witnessed a magic show (of all things) in the local Semenyih temple (of all places). Siok Kin, Han Yang, Kian Siang, Kohilan and I, had never had been so amused drinking pearl tea. The next day, we woke up ridiculously early for the International Economic Conference, also hosted by the university. The weekend proved to be a rather busy one, when 5 of the people who stayed behind took a trip down to KL. I had previously asked Kohilan for directions to the Eye on Malaysia, since I was planning to bring Joyce there for her birthday, followed by a dinner at the KL Tower. Kohilan, thinking that I meant THAT DAY ITSELF, was aghast when I asked, "Hey, can follow me to Eye on Malaysia ah?" Miscommunication is always humorous. I organized a group makan for Joyce's birthday, in Relish, KL, where some people seemed to get so happy it bordered on madness (glad that you all had so much fun, guys!). On Thursday, the plan came to completion when I managed to succesfully bring Joyce to the Eye, and KL Tower, without getting lost. The month ended on a tasty note, when a carful of us managed to sample the famous Jogoya, Starhill, and stuff ourselves full of salmon and all manner of seafood.
MAPCU Basketball - 10.11.2007  Pearl Tea & Temple - 16.11.2007 International Conference - 17.11.2007 Sudden Trip to Malaysian Sites - 18.11.2007  Joyce's Birthday @ Relish - 21.11.2007  Joyce's Birthday @ Eye On Malaysia & KL Tower - 22.11.2007  Pigging Out @ Jogoya - 30.11.2007
December
The final month began with the Christmas Party organized by the SA, in the Great Hall. Chocolate Sundae re-emerged to belt out a couple of Christmas carols, followed by a great performance by the kids of Desa Amal Jireh, guided by Shanti. Yenli managed to pull me to the Battle of the Bands, with Kwo Kuang, at the Sunway Surf Beach, Subang. Here, I got my first taste of taking pictures with stars like Hannah Tan, and Adam C. Jessica, our family friend's daughter, had a wedding reception at the Shangri-La, KL, where I managed to meet up with Jollivet and Harpreet, old friends whom I haven't had a chance to meet in ages. Yenli and I wished Weng Hoe a happy birthday in his new house, at Setia Eco Park, Shah Alam, (although we arrived rather late). Christmas was spent in church, watching a play together with family and friends. Ek Ming's gathering at Tony Roma's, Cineleisure, gave a chance for us to meet up with the ex-Taylorians, and talk the night away. Finally, after being postponed for several months, Aaron, Sugath, Joel and I managed to meet-up for a short drink at Starbucks, Subang.
Christmas Party in the Great Hall - 5.12.2007   Battle of the Bands - 14.12.2007 Jessica's Wedding - 15.12.2007
Weng Hoe's Birthday @ His House - 20.12.2007
Tony Roma's & Flying Beef - 26.12.2007
Meetup With The Old Gang - 30.12.2007
Resolutions - (Things That I'll Try to Accomplish This Time 'Round)
1. Get a First Class Honours for my Degree Program (almost impossible, but God works miracles)
2. Get buffed up (ok, so this didn't work last year)
3. Treasure the last year in university
4. Get a job!!
Well, thats about it, for now..
So, here I am, typing out the events of the year with a smile. Yes, there HAVE been moments of sadness, and regret, as well as periods of being down, and in the dumps. But then again, there have been times of great happiness and joy, when I reveled in the pure fun of being with friends and loved ones, sometimes both. There are many events that I omitted from this entry, but will continue to play on in my mind, snapshots of memorable happenings. Although the next year will prove to be a challenging one, I guess, with the presence and encouragement of the wonderful people around me, it won't be too bad, after all.
Take care, 2007, and Hello, 2008!
...here's to a wonderful year ahead...
Posted at 02:31 am by IsaacCheah
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Tony Roma's & Flying Beef... Saturday, December 29, 2007
Some of us had arrived slightly earlier at the Curve, so we decided to grab a quick bite at Kopi Oh! (Cineleisure), before Kohi, Zhao Heng and I toted our laptop bags into the cinema to catch "I Am Legend". After the movie ended, we quickly went down to Tony Roma's, the meeting point for Ek Ming's gathering. Before long, all the invited people were pulling out chairs at the table, and the meal commenced in short order.
The signboard explains all. Lauren ordered this, since there was a 'TR' * symbol next to it.
Lauren was SUPPOSED to order this, but it had no 'TR" next to it. So I ordered it instead.
Lauren and I Vincent hasn't really changed.
As the meal progressed, several incidents occured. Here is a chronological sequence of events.
05th minute into meal : I feel small bits of beef land on my jeans and hand. I look around to see Lauren waving her fork and laughing.
09th minute into meal: Kohilan feels droplets of ice on his face. He looks around to see Lauren waving a straw and laughing.
12th minute into meal: Kohilan and Rajiv leap away from the table, as a tidal wave of ice lemon tea comes flowing along the table in their direction. They look around to see Lauren laughing and a glass not so vertical on the table.
We conclude that there may be a direct corrolation between laughter and interesting food occurences.
Nora, Ek Ming, Sue Ann.
Rajiv, Nora, Sean, Sue Ann, Nizam, Lauren. I think she was explaining something to Nizam here. The Good-Looking Guy + The Good-Looking Girls The Bespectacled Guy + The Good-Looking Girl + The Good Looking Guy Lauren posing in between Rajiv and Kohilan
Nizam falling asleep, Sean on the phone, Nora grinning away, Ching Yen being Spike, Soon Seng looking hostile.
This feels so PE3 -ish Can you imagine that we've known each other for 3 years? (as noted by Sue Ann) Almost PE3. When the meal had ended, we stood outside the restaurant for about 1/2 hour.
 See the symmetry of the arrangement. The person with hands covering his face is Vincent.
Picture Attempt #1: Fail
Picture Attempt #2: Pass Sometimes, mannequins can look spooky Me, Lauren, Vincent
Another interesting night, before we packed up, and headed back to Semenyih.
*Zhao Heng was given 5 guesses as to what 'TR' stood for.
Soon Seng: "So, whats 'TR'?"
Zhao Heng:"... 'TRademark'?"
Brilliant first guess.
Posted at 10:49 pm by IsaacCheah
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Weng Hoe's 21st, and Empty Highways... Wednesday, December 26, 2007
It was almost 11.00 when I came home from dinner with family, so, I called Weng Hoe to check and see if the rest had already left.
Soon Seng: "Hey, are the rest still there?"
Weng Hoe: "They're still here.. But by the time you come, I don't know le. Before you leave, you call and see.."
Soon Seng: "Ok then."
So, after swinging by Yenli's place to pick her up, I patched another call through to Weng Hoe.
Soon Seng: "Ok, we're going to leave now!"
Weng Hoe: "Eh, the rest going to leave already la. Only left my SU and BB friends."
Soon Seng: "Hmm.. Nevermindle, but you won't be sleeping so early, right?"
Weng Hoe: "No, but no need to come le."
Soon Seng: "But the important thing is YOU are there mer..."
(a repetition of this conversation took place between Weng Hoe and Yenli as well)
Setia Eco Park, the place where my funny friend just shifted to, wasn't that hard to find. After about 40 minutes, and some phone calls to Weng Hoe to confirm the place, we finally drew up at his driveway.
Setia Eco Park. I stopped the car in the middle of the highway, so that Yenli could take this shot.
Me, with interesting lighting, and a bit of Yenli. I actually drove against traffic. (See the sign on the road) I had already gone past the sign, but since Yen wanted to take a picture of it, I reversed in the middle of the road. (the beauty of untravelled highways)
Only Kwo Kuang and Eng Teck were left from the TCC bunch, and before long, they left too.
But not before Kwo Kuang posed for this shot.
We spent about an hour talking to Weng Hoe, in his room.
Yenli grimacing into the mirror (we don't know why) "Taking A Potentially Dangerous Picture" Checklist1. No double chin. Check.2. Double chin cleverly concealed. Check.3. No double chin, and grimacing face. Check, and check.
We bade farewell to Weng Hoe, after I tapau-ed chicken and lamb. I managed to take the wrong turning back home, so it took a bit longer to get back, but hey, I guess it gave me and Yen more time to catch up on things (sorry bout the toll though)
Well, Happy Belated Birthday, Mr. 23! Have a great one this year.
ps. Sorry Weng Lum, thats all the photos I have..
Posted at 09:33 am by IsaacCheah
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Monday, December 24, 2007
 * Semenyih goat with fake antlers, the closest thing to Rudolph I'll ever see
Posted at 09:28 pm by IsaacCheah
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