Back To The Drawing Board

It's been a boring but pretty productive (and interesting; I'm looking at you Monday) week.

To ease my incredible and uncontrollable boredom, I've decided to spend my long holidays at my desk drawing. I finally have all the time to draw now. Feels a bit odd.

I've gotten back to that unfinished Gears of War piece, and it's coming along pretty well. ;D


At present.


Also I'm gonna start soon a sketch of Isaac Clarke from Dead Space. Thrilling, if you catch my drift.












Still very much stuck in my head.

Why So Serious?

UPDATE:
More pictures from Joanne Lim have been added.
More pictures from the Uchimuras have been added.

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Went to One Utama today for our Year 9 Terra Farewell, organised by our very own Joanne Lim and Momoko Uchimura - you have my thanks!

Arrived there at 1100, went to the rendezvous point (Topshop/Topman, First Floor, Highstreet) and no one was there - or so it seemed. We, Ellya and I, sat down on the bench right in front of the combined two shops and why no one was here, the e-mail clearly stated "be there by 11.00am." Then we looked outside on the bench in front of the neighbouring shop. It was Momoko and Kanako, The Uchimuras!





Ellya kept rambling about getting Starbucks, so she did. A Caramel Cream Frappuccino, which she clearly didn't intend on sharing. Waited for a bit and slowly everyone started popping up. Soon the entire gang, about less than half the class (most couldn't make it), was here. So in total we have:

- Mr. Oo (Business Studies Teacher)
- Ms. Ong (Class Teacher and English Teacher)
- Ms. Diana (Combined Science Teacher)
- Joanne
- Momoko
- Kanako
- Yeung Fwu
- Vikram
- Ellya
- Bernard Keo
- Lydia
- Joshua Lee
- Bernard Sam
- Julie Chan (though she wasn't there for more than half the time)

* Plus a few more unexpected people (more on that later). ;)

Josh and I returned to Starbucks for some of our own drinks. Though I spilt mine. Gah.

We walked half-way round OU looking for a place to eat. I nominated T.G.I.F., as did Julie, but got overruled. Julie changed at the last minute. Hrmph. So we ate at Nando's. After placing our order, I followed Joanne and Momoko to go buy our tickets. I think we confused the guy. The thirteen tickets totaled up to RM143. Golly Gee.

Went back to Nando's, got everyone to cough up RM11 and awaited our orders. I think we all confused the people here too. Either that or they are really unexperienced. They kept coming with the wrong orders and it seemed as though they were giving us extra dishes. We immediately said we had to check the bill afterward. We talked a lot, ate a lot. And when the bill came, utter chaos - it was incredibly funny. Vikram was yelling at the thing and kept like pressing the calculator. Yeung Fwu was insisted to sum up the thing but said this was far more amusing. In the end we just chucked money/spare change (that was me. hee) and hoped it would total up. and it did. Vikram held all that money in a ball, crushed it in that book thing and gave it to the waitress. Ms. Ong gave the idea of us to just run, to you know liven up the farewell. We would ultimately pay of course. We just wanted to scare the crap outta the people. :)





















Sadly, we didn't do it.

The movie was to start at 1430 so there was alot of time to burn. We opted for the bowling alley up top, right beside the cinema. This is where the fun begins. ;)




















Rather disturbing.








































Then we watched The Dark Knight. I went to the bathroom halfway. Darn large-sized drinks. It is a spectacular movie. Very slick. Though abit too long, I might add. At times bombastic, the music ultimately captures the nihilistic tension of the film with panache. I have to say Christopher Nolan's sequel surpasses the original with an intense, disturbing masterpiece. Watch it.

Also, Heath Ledger did an amazing job reenacting the Joker. May he rest in peace. Though was it just me or was Rachel Dawes in this movie pretty old and ugly? :/



* Oh and by the way, the Joker looks pretty hawt as a lady. HAH. Watch, you'll understand. ;D

Then after exiting the hall, sort of backstage, was where our farewells (and the whole point of this outing was for) took place. Everyone had to leave already and well. I had to say goodbye to the people I used to hang out with in school. Bernard Keo, Joanne Lim & Mr. Oo, among others. It is quite a sad thing to see your friends go, probably never to see them again.

But there's really no need to say goodbye.

I will see them again, I'm sure of it.

So we walked out of the cinema, and saw Leon (who had already finished his movie Hancock). He accompanied Ellya and I to the drop-off and pick-up point. Apparently he had sat next to this "really hot girl" and he had "gotten to know her". Interesting.

At the point, to Ellya and my surprise, we saw Jasmine Chan of KDU. Haven't seen her for ages. We and Jasmine go way back. Way back.

Long story, short: It was one helluva day. THE END. :D














You have stolen my heart. That song is now stuck in my head. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

Twilight

Slept at around 0445 today.

Lost a bet with Laura -

Great, I owe Somebody ice-cream. ;P

Stolen.

You have stolen my heart.

---

Stolen by Dashboard Confessional.

The song I'm currently listening to. The song I'm hooked on. The song you should be listening to. Listen to it now! Gives you that tingly feeling/sensation.

Long Ways To Go

Terribly sorry for the lack of updates, internet's been down for the past few days. Saw loads of men over at the power station and well, the reason probably revolves around that. I cannot explain how happy I was when I woke up at 1100, got out of bed and walked over to my Mac, to see I was signed in on Skype.

Alright, let's get started.

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Friday, 25 July 2008 - Commencements Night. Woke up at 0900 for a change, and went off to school - reaching there at around 1100. They had already begun the Academic portion of the rehearsals and I'd missed my citation reading rehearsals. Huzzah!

All citation readers were called off to Mr. Alphonsus' Room for practise and briefings, so off I went. In the room, everyone was practising reading, and all I was doing was just sitting there; awkward, let me tell you. Ellya's Citation was in Mr. Alphonsus' Mac, so nothing to be done there. Helped Penny get all the pronunciation, flow and word modulation right and I think she's pretty good speaker. After most of everyone was gone, off to rehearse more no doubt, I read from Mr. Alphonsus' Mac Ellya's citation. To my surprise, I only needed to read it once. Hellyeah.

* The next two paragraphs chronicle my few hours as Mr. Alphonsus' Secretary. Probably why you didn't see me as much.

I was asked to stay back 'till he had seen all the speakers to follow him to print a few citations and to make extra copies. During this time, I helped him transfer and modify some other citations he had just received in the form of e-mails. Helped bring Selina to Mrs. Usha for "training", among other things. After three citations, I followed him to the Teacher's Resource Centre - oooo, I know. It's at the library, you know that little glass room the Librarians had their meetings in? On the way, we discussed on how the school's so incredibly big and thus needs a lot of meaningless walking and detours to get to just about anywhere.

At the resource centre, helped him to print, label, number and organise the citations. They're a lot of citations, include the copies and you can say we made a book. After that, went down the lift to Ground, walked behind the receptionist into one of the doors. Saw like ten Tv's piled up on one another displaying various scenes in and around Cempaka. Sat down, and helped Mr. Alphonsus' make a book with the citations. More gheng, mah.

Went back to the hall for more rehearsals. The Bolero Dance is, I gotta say, really good - has a catchy beat too. The Orchestra is as amazing as ever. Played the Chinese Drums for awhile, then had our official Friday Training session. Chinese Drum Teacher came. Saw the some of the orchestra members (Laura, Momoko, Kanako to name a few) walk onto the stage. When we started playing, saw them run and close their ears and such. One of the more rewarding things I joined chinese drums for. *Chuckle.

After that went into CPAC to get changed into my formal attire and freshen up - I didn't sweat as much so it wasn't too difficult. Hanged out in Dance Studio 1 (?) and Ms. Joanne can sing and play the guitar. Talked around abit. Chilled with Qi Shaun. Siew May can play Apologise on the piano! I find anyone who can play music on an instrument invigorating, as clearly I can't produce thus said music. * Wink, wink.

Canteen for dinner. Sat with the orchestra (like the good old days). Iseriouslyneedmuchmoretimetobreaktheice. The fruit punch was really good, the food was oookayla. Tried to get a few conversations going, to no avail. Kok Leong kept staring at Hao Zi, Joshua Lee and I. 'Twas freakishly freaky.

Then back to the North Hall, for some last minute preparations. While preparing the chairs, grand piano, etc. we had wonderful rhythmic background music. ;D

Finally, Commencements was about to begin. We, the Prefects, ushered parents and friends in. I can't tell you how many times I've said "Welcome", "Good Evening", "Sir" & "Ma'am" - I lost count. Introduced my parents to a few friends, and amidst the large crowd I saw a few familiar faces. Then as everyone came, we quietly slid out for the procession.

We lazed around for ages, until we finally lit our candles. No, we weren't entering yet. We were blowing each other's candles out while trying to protect ours from evil people. Then much later, we finally began. We walked in, walked out. That's the basic summary of what really happened.

Came back in from the side-doors and basically just stood at the middle aisle for probably a few hours. My legs were on fire. We didn't do much here at all. Wished I was somewhere else. Before the citation reading, I quickly went out to the Men's Room. As I crossed the bridge, something caught my eye. I just stood there, mouth gaping. I did my business and then went downasked them to stop. Lots of noise were being made, and I seriously didn't want them to get in trouble - hope they didn't take it the wrong way. People were walking around, it seems. And to tell you the truth, if it wasn't Commencements Night but just some ordinary night, you might find me joining them. Though, I won't say what happened. It's not my story to tell. ;)

Went back into the hall, when up for Ellya's Citation reading. My throat was really dry and I felt phlegm creeping up the insides of my neck. When I uttered the words "Ellya's twin brother", I paused deliberately to hear the mumblings of the audience. Priceless. Though not to say there weren't any awkward moments. I paused when I announced my sister's achievements and well, the audience I think was wondering whether to clap or not. I chuckled a lot into the mike. It was pretty fun. And the Chinese Drummers said that citation was the sweetest. I hugged Ellya at the end. No "Awww's" though. Pshhhhh.

Walked down the stage, signaled Vanessa (the only other Chinese Drummer Prefect in the hall) and rushed of to CPAC once more. Quickly changed and went back to the backstage of the hall. Then saw Laura, Si Mynn and Siew May fumbling with Nicholas' Rubik's Cube. Julian (little one) was playing with a phone with the other small kids looking on. Ian asked me to take out my shoe, and I think he wanted to like try it on.

Then a few long waits outside, then we performed. I don't think it was our best performance though. But it was okay by my rankings.

Also today marks the last day I see Janice before she leaves for Australia to further her studies. She's already there actually. Just Skyped with her.

Gonna Miss You, big sis! Take care, Jan Jan Jan.

---

Saturday, 26 July 2008 - Uncle Yam and Auntie Kelly's Wedding. Most weddings are moments of happiness bringing two people sharing their deep intense feelings of affection together. Sorry to say this, but for me it was pretty boring. Sure, I smiled lots and it was pretty good to see everyone so very happy; but it was so boring.

Sat at what a few parents referred to as the "Kid's Table", all my dad said was "HAHA. Good luck." I went "Hey, watch out. I'm looking after your Camcorder tonight. GOOD LUCK!" * enter evil grin

First I wanna thank a few people. They actually replied my smses and kept me sane for the long hours. Vikram, Shi Fen, Laura and Joshua Lee. Thank you so very much. :)

Sat with Annabel, Ellya, Alister, Sharmaine, Jonathan, Joshua, two guys, a ballet dancer who's 12 and his brother. Didn't get to mix as much. But got to know everyone except the two guys before the end. I actually only began to hang out with only Annabel, Ellya, Alister and Sharmaine. I knew Jonathan since I was a little kid (we used to play together when we were little) and Joshua (he's 9 I think) slightly, but we barely talked until near the end.

We walked around alot, ate, drank. Plus Alister and I began our evil deeds - looking for chocolates (the souvenir things) to steal and consume among other things. The waitress lady looked at me and him foraging at the kitchen place and I went "Uhhh. Hi. Nothing, nothing." It was pretty okay. :)

Kept rubbing in Alister's face that we had holidays. Al of us (Annabel, Ellya, Sharmaine, I) did, 'cept him. Five of us were one group then.

There was loads of singing and I think a few people were drunk. One dude like went up to me, put his arm around my neck and told me stuff about him and my mum in their Malacca Highschool days. I was like "Uh.... cool?" And people kept pointing at Ellya and I. Probably found out we were twins or something. :P

The little kids at our table were very, very intrigued by Alister's and my MP3s. I let them watch the Avatar Season 3 Finale. Kept them from bugging us for a while. Don't get me wrong, they're cute and fun just a bit annoying sometimes. One of them kept blowing his breath at my face asking me to like smell it and stuff. LOL.

Wishing Uncle Yam and Auntie Kelly many long years together. :)







Some old not yet forgotten feelings may have been rekindled.

Big Splash.

Chilled with Janice in morning at CPAC (the strings studio to be exact). Stayed there 'till 10 ish to practise the Chinese Drums. How you might ask? By singing. ;)

After that went over to Mr. Alphonsus' Room to hand in and "upgrade" Ellya's citation. If you haven't guessed it already, I'm reading it. Stayed there for awhile, learnt a thing or two from the man and was given a holiday task for them choral speakers.

Then changed into something a bit more buoyant (more on that later), and walked over to the hall. I-Movie Competition. Was quite proud of the Seladang I-Movie - loved the props. I won't post any spoilers here other than our titles were 25 Candles and Beruang's effects were f*cking awesome (I use that word very highly; go watch the I-Movie, you'll understand). They had a scene similar to Wanted's bullet curving. Yeah, that awesome.

Big Splash. First time jumping into the pool with my sports attire and certainly not the last. After the official "jumping", all of us lined up by the side of the pool and systematically dived into the pool. It was amazing not only because of the organisation but also because of the sheer amount of people doing it. Absolutely spectacular.

Then I changed way over at the Boys' Toilet in N1, which was much, much drier, cleaner and emptier than the Boys' Locker Room by the swimming pool. Got into the full-black attire for the Commencements Full-dress Rehearsal. Didn't get to hang out with the orchestra (as usual), but I did get to talk to Qi Shaun for awhile while searching for Vanessa. It also wasn't much of a rehearsal if you asked me. The Chinese Drummers only performed once, and even then some of our drummers had already gone home or were having the Life-Saving Course - that was around 1615. I skipped my Life-Saving Course today to practise for Commencements which is tomorrow. Even as I type, Ellya's still in school saving Xin You or David's life probably.

Also, I discovered I have a knack for cracking Rubik's Cubes. Leon and I like messed up and completed a cube five times over. Don't expect me to do it again. It was probably a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

Do come for Commencements tomorrow. It'll be one helluva ride, I assure you (minus the long prize-giving sessions).

Oh, and did I mention my mother's performing as well? ;)






The Perfect Peoples are gonna Stay Perfect.

The Darnest Thing.

A Chinese Drum ripped a huge hole in my pants.




* if you don't call that the darnest thing, i don't know what to call it.

Don't Ask

During the Prize Giving Rehearsals today, most of us didn't do much. There were already so many prefects around. So a few of us sat on those high chairs in the hall and begun playing the most absurd of thought games imaginable.

First, we each took took turns saying individual prefects in our little inner circle and then we say the first thing that pops into our minds:

Khong Fwu: PANDA!
Bernard: Sarcastic.
Harpreet: HIPPO!
Najiha: Carrot.
David: Goody-goody. :)
Syazana: dumbass. ;D

* Right after the final name, Khong Fwu & I were kicked in the rear by thus said person. Horrible, agonizing pain ensued.

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Next, have you noticed several people in Cempaka resemble or can be personified by animals (and in some instances plants)? If you have, join the club. ;)

Here are a few:

* For obvious reasons, I won't go typing all the reasons of why the specific animal has been chosen. Wanna hear the reasons? Come find me.

Vikram: Shark
Julie: Robin
Khong Fwu: Panda
Ellya: Gazelle
Xin You: Rat
Ee Leng: Chipmunk
Yeung Fwu: Tiger
Michelle: Dolphin
Varindra: Lamb
Joshua Lee: Red Panda
Bernard Keo: Bear
Vanessa: Flower
Najiha: Carrot
Syazana: Flamingo
David Kam: Hamster
Ee Von: Duck
Harpreet: Hippo
Phoebe: Carola's Parotia
Cherise: Tortoise (or as she likes to put it, PEN-YU!)
Bernard Sam: Monkey











laura is cool and now i owe her AND emma ice-cream.

Honoured.

Found out I'm doing something much more than just Chinese Drums.

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Cheras Commencements 2008
25.07.2008

Of Socials and Orchestras

Right. I'm having Science now, and to tell you the truth I'm bored out of my wits. In Science for pete's sake! Post-finals are incredibly and terribly boring. So I shall update my blog on recent events. :)

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Friday, 11 July 2008 - Ryan and Joshua stayed over for the night. Fragged Resistance: Fall of Man, watched Harold & Kumar: Guantanamo Bay.

We barely slept, for good reason. Whenever the lights were turned off, all hell broke lose. :)

For more, head over to Joshua's blog. It's over on the right.

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Saturday, 12 July 2008 - Prefect Socials. Can't say much more, other than I made loads of new friends, had loads of good food, watched Kung Fu Panda, compared myself to a book (yes, a book), did a few handstands on the book over a tupperware, & cartwheels, single-handed cartwheels and round-offs down the slope leading down to the North Hall; after everything. :D



* Photo courtesy of Chooi Ern.

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Monday, 14 July 2008 - Chinese Drums practise for pretty much the whole day. Then, at 1300, orchestra came into the hall. :)

Saw all my old WoZ buddies again. Gosh, I really missed them. We caught up, played around a little and practised in front of each other. It was really good to see them all again - Qi Shaun, Laura, Siew May, Si Mynn & Dennis (who's returned from the U.K.).

Ooh, ooh. And I sat on one of the orchestra chairs while they were playing... for the first time! Never sat on one of those chairs while they were performing before. :D

How To Save A Life

Joined this Life-Saving Course, to learn rescue skills. It's held every Thursday, from 1530 to 1700. Huzzah. :)

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DAY 01:
Water Life-Saving Course.

PARTNERS:
Ellya & Hana
Amelia & Momoko
Ranil & Jonathan
Xin You & Bernard

Well, we learnt how to save people who are drowning in and under water. In THREE ways! :D

It is incredibly strenuous. I tell you, it's nothing like in the movies. I think by the end of this whole course we'll all end up to be much tanner and muscular. Towing a body in the water isn't as easy as it looks. Plus we have these exercises where we're supposed to "strengthen ourselves".

Xin You and I took turns to "rescue" each other. I think I did a pretty good job. Xin You as well. We're Trainee Heroes! ;D

Jonathan (water-polo player) was like racing through the water. Ranil was so relaxed when he got towed (until his turn that is). ;P

Ellya had her Dancing Legs. 'Nuff said.

Momoko and Amelia we're pretty good too.

And we've gotten through Day 1. Check back next week for Day 2! :D

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Also just so you know, I didn't do THAT badly for Business Studies.

Pisces: Your luck will be doubled today. You will know what this means when you encounter it.

Hell yeah.

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Ryan and Joshua sleeping over tomorrow. :D

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Commencements is right around the corner. Gonna be meeting a few old friends again. Can't wait. ;)

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The E3 Media and Business Summit
15.07.2008

Left Alone

Vikram and I were the only Year 9s in school today.

* Ellya had dance practises.

Majority of the Year 9 weren't in school. Those Year 9-ers that did come, went on some field trip to ASWARA (a cultural and arts centre of sorts).

The International Population was extremely small today. In short, today was like I Am Legend. Except there were two protagonists (*wink wink) and everybody else wasn't mindless nocturnal, hairless, hissing, hyperventilating blood-suckers suffering from measles. :)

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The Bunkers also left for Malacca today. Before I left for school at 0600, I had a brief chat with Ben in my room.

* Only the table lamp was on, so the room was barely lit. Ben was still in bed, I was all ready for school. I walked out from the bathroom, he turned around; bright awake.

Benjamin: Looking all smart, aint'cha.
Bernard: Had a good sleep?
Benjamin: Heh, fairly. You have the most annoying alarm clock. It's like some sort of blinking rooster.
Bernard: Try waking up to that for 11 years. I guess I'll catch you later, when you come back up [from Malacca].
Benjamin: Yeah, I suppose. Do hope we get to catch up again.
Bernard: You go have fun in Malacca, alright? Go get those satays you've been dreaming about.
Benjamin: Haha, yeah. Gonna be seeing loads of old people. Hey, do you leave for school with your sister (sounded like sista)?
Bernard: Urm, yeah I do. Why?
Benjamin: Cause she just came in here half an hour ago.
Bernard: Holy Hand-baskets.

* If all goes well, I'll be seeing them before they return to England. And if we're all lucky, they'll be coming to Commencements. ;D

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The E3 Media and Business Summit
15.07.2008

The Bunkers.

I'm terribly sorry, but I have to say this:

"I did not go to school yesterday. Intentionally."

However, before you jump to conclusions, I must tell you I "skipped" school as my relatives from England have come to Malaysia for a visit! I haven't seen the Bunkers for four years. Four. They arrived last night after a long delay in the flight, and would be staying with us for two nights.


Benjamin & Ellya.

We had a long chat in the dining area 'till 12 ish, then we went to bed. "Aunt" Sophie bunked in Ellya's room, "Uncle" Ben in mine (my room smells of England now btw ;) ) and Granduncle Clive and Grandauntie Lina in the guest room beside mine (and since our rooms are connected via the bathroom, now my bathroom smells of England too :) )

In fact, come to think of it, my whole house smells like England. Ahhh. :)


Benjamin, Granauntie Lina & My Mum.

Bernard: My room and bathroom smell of England! It was right after Ben opened his suitcase. :D
Sophie: The smell of burgers, probably.
Ben: Hey, hey, hey.
Bernard: That's probably the reason. English Burgersss. :)
Ben: There we go. Thanks! :D
Ellya: I think that wasn't a compliment. :P

* You just have to love their accents.

If you must know, uncle, auntie, granduncle and grandauntie are complete over-statements. Ben's 16, Sophie's 20+, Granduncle Clive's 50+ and Grandauntie Line's 50+ as well (20 years younger than her sister [my grandmother]).


Granduncle Clive, Sophie & Half of Ellya's face.

We woke up at 0945 the very morning we slept, to Sophie and Ellya's laughing. I can't believe them. They barged in and laughed at us while we were still in bed. We stayed in bed for ten more minutes, and finally Ben got up and showered. I got up soon after. We ate roti canai for breakfast. Yum. :)

* Ever since Ben was on the plane he's been talking about Malaysian food. He says give him 200 satays and he'll be happy. :P

After that we went to Petaling Street. Not much here, walked around, smelt weird smells, bought stuff. Ben got some dried meats (those square things) and I got my chinese drum shoes (black ones), track pants and a monocular. The latter is the one I find quite interesting. Monocularrr. :)


"Used in hunting, survival and espionage." Useful. ;)

We then went to Low Yat Plaza. Got Ellya her pair of Black Razer Headphones. Granduncle Clive bought Sophie a new iPod Nano 4GB.

We came back, and reminisced about the past. Later Ben, Sophie, Ellya and I went off cycling. We cycled round the whole of Kota Kemuning (our sort of "town area" - very large, mind you). After cycling with Badminton equipment strapped to Benjamin's and my backs, we returned to the moderately sized park behind our place for a little game. Ben keep assuring he'll "kick my arse" but we both did pretty well at that. :)

We also saw a few neighborhood friends and this amazing cute little fuzzy dog that could do amazing tricks. And by tricks I mean TONS and by amazing I mean INCREDIBLE. Ellya said, and I quote, "I thought that only happens in movies!". That amazing. ;)


CHA-CHA! :D

We got back and cleaned up. I tempted Ben with MSN. Clearly he and I have yet another similarity: We're addicted to the Internet. We are almost EXACTLY alike, he and I (we do the same things, eat the same things, hate the same things). Like what our mothers say, "Soulmates."

We went off to dinner later at Sunway Pyramid. The Dragon-I. Probably one of the best Chinese Food establishments I've ever been too. Look for it. I'm still full. :)

So now, everyone's watching American Gangster downstairs while Ellya and I are trying to sleep for school tomorrow. YES, we'll be coming tomorrow. The Bunkers will be leaving for Malacca at 1100, so tonight's their last night with us. Though we'll catch up with them again when they come back up to KL. Whooh. Can't wait for that.

Plus, they got me Paul Smith EXTREME from England (a.k.a. after-shave). Not sure if I'm gonna use it anytime soon though. Ben says, "You know, if there's anyone special around. :)" I'm sure there is. :P

AND hopefully. Just hopefully, they'll be coming for Commencements. :)

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The E3 Media and Business Summit
15.07.2008