"Study Hard"

Shocking news is, “Statistics say around 95% of young adult aged 20-35 do not have a dream in life!”

So peeps, raise up your hand if you can tell me what is you dream ????

It has been in our culture, where starting at the age of 7, our parents will tell us to ‘study hard’ so that we can get a ‘stable job’.  Yes, we’ve been sent to school, so that we can earn our Bachelor Degree and get a ‘stable job’ at the ‘big company’. That kind of thought has been instilled from our great great great grandfather’s generation up until now.

I’ve studied hard all years of my life. I spent three quarters of my living as a person ‘studying hard’ so that I could get good results. Don’t get me wrong, I’m  very grateful for whatever that has been given to me by God. I won’t achieved what I had if it’s not because of His will. I’m very very thankful for that.

I learned how to read at the age of 4, I passed the UPTS when I was in Primary 3, I got 5A’s for my UPSR, 8A’s for my PMR and straight A’s for my SPM. Did my International Baccalaureate right after high school and finished my Bachelor Degree in Applied Geology just last year.

It has been set in my mind to ‘study hard’. I’ve been programmed to do so since I was a toddler.

So, now what? Get a good stable job at a big stable company??

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People, let me ask you, is ‘studying hard’ makes you one step closer to your dreams in life? Do you have any sense of accomplishment after ‘studying hard’ and finished your formal tertiary education?

And, what does it mean by having a ‘stable job’? Does it mean –> Insurance benefits by the company? Loan granted by the bank? Let the HR department grade you and put your price??

If you answer YES to most of my questions just now, it means that you’ve not been going after your passion and dreams but you’ve been going for security and assurance instead.

But then again what is dream and passion? There’s more to life than just ‘study hard’ and get a ‘stable job’

Hmmmm.. Something for all of us to ponder on.

My Baby Sister

I only have one baby sister. Mom said she got pregnant because I wanted a baby sister so much that I sucked my own toes (just because I heard some old saying that says if the youngest child of the family start sucking his/her toes, the child’s going to have another baby sister/brother). Haha, not the most brilliant kid after all. Pfffttt. See B, things I do for you.

The memory of mom getting pregnant with my baby sister was rather vague as I was not even 3 at that time. But what I do remember is I went to the mall with dad to buy a mini Hello Kitty bolster for her when she was still in Mom’s womb.

I also remember during the day she was born, I had a very high fever. Maybe because I was too nervous to meet my new sister mom was about to deliver. Dad was at home with me and my other siblings, he was giving me the Pink Cough Syrup when he got a phone call from the hospital saying that my mom just delivered a healthy baby girl.

I was excited, but once I reached the hospital, it was never the same anymore. Suddenly, I wasn’t the cute one anymore, the attention has shifted and I was left alone standing at the corner, minding my own business. I was merajuk-ing but obviously no one was kind enough to notice. Haha.

I love her nevertheless.  Pffffttttt. You know why I said so? Because when she was 4,  I freaking stepped on the dentist’s shoe when she cried while the dentist was pulling her teeth out. I scolded the dentist, saying that he should be more gentle with small kids. (Quite a gangsta huh?)

Now that we are all grown up into young ladies whom are not so *ehem* ladylike *ehem*, I might not be stepping on people’s shoes anymore but I’d do anything (maybe more than stepping on the shoes) just to protect her. 

Those days of pulling each other’s hair, fighting over toys, competing to be dad’s favourite were over but I’m glad to have a sister whom I can share everything with. We had our fuss and fights but we never fail to have each other’s back. And I thank God for that.

She’s having some rough time now, but I know her and I know she’d get through this, I know she will.

Be strong, just get the battle done and over with!

So, here’s to my babysister and a lifetime of friendship and companionship.

Love and kisses all the way to Canada!

1996, i think?

2008

2009

2010

Spa Day Out

The 1st prize winner for Faces Curtin Photo Contest 2010. Big fat congratulations to Johan Iskandar!

*Long overdue post*

I woke up early, did some work. And then, around 12 noon, I was off to……

a 5-star seaside spa resort at Mandara Spa, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa *jumping up and down*

Okok, the reason why I was so excited is that I got a free massage treatment voucher. I’m a sucker for anything free (hey, it’s free why not?). I used to have this matches collection of every single hotel, when I went for holidays with my family. My mom got sick of it, she threw all of them without asking me when I was in boarding school (Yes, very supportive of u, mom).

The free voucher(s). Thanks Mandara Spa 

Note that there are two vouchers. Wonder who was the other one coming along? It was Seqam aka Johan Iskandar Mohd Nasir, the best photographer in town, I swear. Hehe.

I like the deco of Mandara Spa, very Balinese-ish.  I was asked to come 15 minutes earlier than the appointment time. So, I managed to snap a few pictures before going into the treatment room.

The refreshment. Ginger tea and minty hand towel.

Mani-pedi section

So I went into the private treatment room, changed into just sarong and I was given a foot massage and scrub. Then off we went to the real deal, the Oil Head Massage.  I got to choose the type of ointment for the massage. I was in the middle of writing my thesis report at that time, so I chose ‘Tranquilizer Oil’ as I wanted a calm and soothing massage. I drowned in the  soft hand of the Balinese masseuses. I swear, at that moment of time, it was like nothing else matters.

The next thing I heard was “Maam, you can get up now”.  And I was like “Did you set the time correctly? ” Haha. 

The treatment room

Foot massage and scrub corner

Outdoor bathroom. Thank god, the glass is tinted.

I was about to give the spa 10/10 for the great services, but they don’t have a hairdryer. So I think I gave 9.5/10 instead.

I had to dry my hair the ‘traditional way’. Pftt.

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Remember I told you earlier, that the spa voucher was free and I told you about my spa-partner, Johan? The vouchers were the 1st prize gift for Faces of Curtin Photo Contest 2010. He is such a gentleman that he shared the voucher with me. So sweet, right?

Johan and me, with the Balinese masseuses.

Thank you Johan for the spa day out. I wish you will be one of the top photographers in Malaysia with many pretty snaps. And oh, a successful geologist too!