Il Divo
Posted: May 30, 2007 Filed under: Music Leave a commentWent to see Il Divo last night. Much to the chagrin of my colleagues back home.
“You ni gi sana nak buat PhD ke tengok concert??”
Hur hur..
I actually considered going sexy back and watching J.T but that’d just make hubby hurl inside out (not to mention it is amat tak sesuai for someone my age and with my *cough* keinsafan), so not wanting to risk him feeling sick (or me tersesat balik gitu), I’ve decided on a more, uh, cultured event.
I’m not a fan of Il Divo. Not really into big, opera-like voices though I dig classical music when reading those incomprehensible journal articles. My kinda music is more ‘poppy’ in nature and a bit of chick rock (Kelly Clarkson go-go!).. So when my housemate offered me a ticket (sold to be exact, it wasn’t a free lunch!), I wasn’t exactly jumping with joy. But after looking at the ticket seats, I thought “What the heck..” No way can I afford their tickets back home, nor would I have company (hubby’s not into concerts). And besides, apart from gaining knowledge, I’m not here for the stress only. A ‘lil bit of fun was on my itinerary when I stepped out of that plane. Hubby was quite surprised when I asked him (yea.. a wife must ask permission right?). He was more surprised that I would have the time to go for a concert rather than watching Il Divo per se.. Hehe.
Took quite a lot of pictures and videos too. And that’a not being a fan. If I was, I’d be one of those groupies who scream and linger after the concert for individual photo sessions. *Sigh* Those were the days when I was much younger and hantu..
The boring bit: We were asked to open our bags prior to entering the concert hall so the ticket master can glance what’s inside. Prolly because we were the only ones carrying big bags unlike others who were dressed in proper concert garbs (i.e. no bags and no umbrella). She was very nice and seemed a bit apologetic actually. I know she was only doing her job and I took no offense at all. But I don’t blame them for being paranoid. We were after all, the only Muslims there, complete with scarves and sitting exactly in the middle. When I glanced around the stadium, it did occur to me that if I were to carry a bomb, the whole place would indeed go kaput in 5 seconds flat. Given that there were no children, and all those attending were white adults, it would be the ‘perfect’ setting for a genocide. But I’m not into killing, just into several hours of music, so they have nothing to worry about. Heh.
Music wise, they were after all, Il Divo. So no compaints there. Just didn’t understand what they were singing about at times, especially those songs in foreign languages. But I must say I was taken by their opening act, this pianist called William Joseph. I dunno who he is, prolly a somebody in the U.S but he played extremely well. Guess it’s due to my knack for symphonies and piano concertos.. His songs, or piano playing to be exact, would just be great as an alternative sound bite when I do that literature review. Am I an old soul or what?
The men belting out their songs. Since I’m using Black K, the quality of my photos doesn’t leave that much to be desired. But, can do lah..
Of Carrots and Cabbies
Posted: May 27, 2007 Filed under: Food, Rants Leave a commentI baked today.
Carrot cake, complete with cream cheese icing. My first attempt at baking -ever. Oh hubby would be so proud. Back home I’ve always wanted to bake, just that we don’t own an oven (hint, hint). Maybe I’ll get one when I get back (but I won’t if somebody got it for me first). Apart from cooking, which I find to be quite therapeutic, baking I think brings that word to a whole new level. If what you bake ‘jadi’, the feeling I tell ya.. banyak syok tau! I got an 8.5 out of 10 from my house mates. Hehe. Yeah, am pretty pleased. Cakes, anyone?
~~~~~~~~~
On an unrelated news, my house mate who came back from her afternoon stroll met my ‘favourite’ cab driver. I mentioned about him before here. Guess what? I thought I was the only one not being a good Muslim in his eyes, but I couldn’t help laugh when she also kena ‘sound’ with him. Compared to me, she is sooo ‘the very’ observing especially in terms of dressing. Her tops are all long and loosy-loose, jeans twice her actual size. He uttered the same, “You’re not a good Muslim for wearing jeans.” Even prolonged his advise to “Look at the Muslim world, because a lot of you don’t follow the religion, that’s why we have all this crisis..”. Adoi.. But my friend retorted back, “What I understand is, it’s ok as long as it’s not tight.” Terdiam that mamat. He kept quiet till they almost reached our place, when suddenly he asked her, “Do you believe so?”. He siap asked her if she prayed five times a day. Uh, hello? When she said, “Of course”, he had the cheek to ask, “Are you sure?”..
Ok, is it just me, or brownish people from the Middle East or South Asia in general are rude at times? I’m sorry if there are any Arabians or Pakistanis who come across this page but I’ve met more than my fair share of them who are not only rude but weird. To them, only they are correct. They won’t listen to others and quite simply, intolerant. Even among my former students originating from those regions, I need to always go Yoda and tolerate their extremely stubborn and obnoxious behaviours. Of course, there are those among them who are kind and considerate, but that’s gem-like rare.
I guess the cab driver above has this weird perception that covering the aurah equals to wearing jubah (or jilbab/abaya in their term), only. That’s just wrong. Islam is a beautiful religion. It is tolerant, unlike you. So long as you cover the parts that ought to be covered, you can wear jeans, corduroys, skirts, gypsy tops, boots, sneakers.. whatever. Covering the aurah doesn’t mean we have to look boring or the same like those in the desert. There’s a reason why women (and men) wear jubah over there. The desert is hot with loads of sand storms so wearing the long cloak is actually cooling during the day, warming at night and very protecting from all those dusts. Please get your facts straight before scolding strangers.
Definitely no cake for you!
Freewriting Anyone?
Posted: May 25, 2007 Filed under: PhD Leave a commentWhat is the difference between writing and editing?
I tell you what, apart from the spelling, I never actually thought there is any major difference between the two. Of course we all know what writing is. Heck, I’m doing just that this very minute. But what you didn’t know was that just two seconds ago, I had wriiten ‘butt’ instead of ‘but’. Now that’s editing.
I attended this writing course today, yea.. How geeky. So anyways, our instructor was this charming and eloquent of a man who holds a PhD in Chemistry but there he was, all confident and actually very good at explaining to us on how to get into the habit of writing.
One of the most useful technique I learnt today was ‘freewriting’, where given five minutes and a prompt question, you just write. Write about anything, without stopping and without succumbing to that need of correcting your grammar. The key is to keep on writing, in complete sentences of course, and that you do not re-read what you have just written. Only do that after you finish. Sounds easy? Why don’t you give it a try? Thing is, our body or writing muscle, if there is such a thing, works in this system that overly supersedes our intelligence. I don’t know about the rest of you but I have this itch of always, always stopping every 4 to 5 sentences to look back and, I dunno, admire my writing (??).. Pretty sad, but I can’t help it. That will ultimately lead me to cross out some words here and there, or replace whole new sentences altogether.. The minute you do that, you ain’t a ‘freewriter’. You’re a ‘structurer’ a.k.a boring, dull writers.
Now there’s nothing wrong with the latter. I’ve been doing just that the past 28 years of my life and I think I’m doing a-okay. It’s just that at times when you have a deadline, such as a thesis of 100,000 words to be written in three years, that may require a bit of work.
So you may be thinking, what’s so hard about that? Primary school kids could write 80 words in half an hour, so what’s stopping you postgrads from writing that much in three years? Know what? I totally agree. Say we spend 5 days a week writing (leave the weekends to partayyy..), so in 3 years, we’d have 720 days. If we were to produce 100,000 words, that’ll just require us to scribble about 149 words a day. I might be writing that much in my blog entries.. So not too shabby, right? Wrong.
In academic writing, the ‘fun’ isn’t really fun in a normal sense. That’s why we get Professors smiling to themselves down the hallway or a PhD candidate bumps her head as she walks into the kitchen.. But that’s just me. In formulating a model, for instance, we’d be in this constant state of obscurity. Blur-like sotong. Only we know (sometimes we don’t) what we’re talking about and the goal is to make everyone find it fun and understandable as well. So given that hazy abstract in our heads, to put it on paper, well, as I said, will require a lot of work.
That was why this ‘freewriting’ style may be of use to me.. Hopefully I’d be able to break that unhealthy habit of editing in the middle of me writing, so that all my ideas will be able to flow freely without that constant urge of making the perfect piece.
I guess it did work.. a bit. I mean, I only looked back twice *wink*
Pleasant Surprise.. Or Is It?
Posted: May 22, 2007 Filed under: General Leave a commentYeay.
This has GOT to be the best news I’ve heard ever since my Supers told me that my research questions were ok. Looking at it from an economic perspective, heck, there’s just so many ‘textbook answers’ to go around. The extra income that public servants receive will undoubtedly expedite their spending, which in turn, is just what the fiscal policy is aiming for in accelerating further our economic growth of 5.6%.. Or, this higher pay will boost the public sector’s delivery systems, hence, in line with the Government’s wish to increase efficiency (quote borrowed from Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting).. Of course there’s always the political side to it all, “Oh this one is just timed for the election lah..”
Despite all that, I know I shouldn’t be saying this, especially being an academician and a ‘serious postgrad student’, no less.. But hey, this is definitely a fine time to checkout a new car.
Any ideas?
Stop Criticizing Start Thinking
Posted: May 18, 2007 Filed under: Thoughts Leave a commentFor once, let’s talk about something other than my eBay compulsion or uncomfortable workstations. So this is stale news, but I just want to air it out. I’m talking about Raimah Bibi Noordin.
Yes, their story has been on the news for weeks and so many views have been put forth regarding the actions taken by the authorities. Now, I’m not a totally righteous person but to listen to others saying that separating the two as ‘crap’ or a ‘sick’ move, now that totally blows my top. Undoubtedly, those were the words uttered by ignorant souls. Those who do not believe in Islam or its rules. But we also have people shunning this move … And they are Muslims.
Do I think it’s a good move? Of course, not. I have a family and to separate myself from them would be unthinkable (except for educational purposes like yours truly, of course. Hehe..). Do I think it’s the right move? Thing is, I don’t know. But to totally say it’s the wrong move, would not be right either.
There’s this post which touched about the topic, albeit a little bit, and I posted a comment there hoping to find answers, or hints of them. But no, the other comments after me were either wisecracks (not that funny, but laugh lah anyway) or I dunno.. ignoring the picture?? I would’ve said pointless but that would be too mean. Only one person mentioned the issue, and that person only posted the comment today, (or was it yesterday in Malaysia?). Then again, I can’t really blame them. Since it wasn’t my post, other commentaries weren’t obliged to answer me anyway.
But this is my post, though I doubt anybody ever come in here except a handful of people, it is still, nonetheless, my outlet of aggravation.
To those who keep on saying it’s not right to seperate them, so now I’m asking (to, uh, no one in particular really), what should be the right move then? Force the husband to convert to Islam? Let Raimah stay a Muslim by name but continue living with a non-muhrim and practising the Hindu rites? If your answer would be to scratch your chin or hair, or berkerut panjang, then by all means, what the authorities did was well, the only way wasn’t it? Or at least, at the moment. Until somebody pious with noble intentions put forward a solution other than what’s been done, stop criticizing the move as inhuman. Stop saying that there’s no Islam in the way things are handled. In short, stop pointing the finger but put on that thinking cap.
SoHo No More
Posted: May 16, 2007 Filed under: PhD, Rants Leave a commentStarting Monday, I have decided to go to school. Like most research students who find it more blissful and private to do their things in the comfort of their rooms, I spend a major chunk of my time cooped up in my room. Unfortunately, the appeals of You Tube, eBay and THE bed make my abode a bit too comfortable at times that I think, no, KNOW, I need to relocate myself to a more, uh, ‘serious’ surrounding. So why haven’t I been to school anyway? Apart from meeting my Supers every fortnight, I don’t really go there. Hmm, letsee if I can conjure up a list. Yes, there is a list:
1. Twisted
My room, or postgrad office as they call it, is a wide open rectangular space with no cubicles seperating us from one another. There are eight of us occupying this space, each kissing the wall as our little corners are at the edges of the room. So what’s the big deal? The deal is, my corner ain’t that comfortable. I’m not near the window.. Not near the exit.. Not strategic. My study area is at the corner and made up of two unequal widths of desks that I need to twist my swiveling chair to this one right angle just to get close to my computer. Otherwise, I’d be typing with arms outstretched. And once I’m in that twisted position, It would be uncomfortable, wouldn’t it, as my chair is facing north-west while my body’s going north.
2. Popular
While Robert, that’s my colleague who occupies the space next to me, is friendly and nice, he is just too popular among his peers. For one thing, he’s a Teaching Assistant to one of the Professors, hence, our office is his office for consultations. Certain times you’ll have him tutoring International Trade Theory while other times he’d be ranting on and on about the effects of interest rates on the money supply. So when he’s busy tutoring and asking these kids key concepts, I’ll be busy trying to screen my ears from hearing their discussions or trying to resist myself from wanting to raise my hand and answering his questions. Even among the postgrads, he’s the man. We’ll have his Jamaican hommies going “Hey man” (pronounced with ‘a’ in ayam) every hour when they poke their heads in our office. Oh yeah, Robert sits near the door so it’s just as well, isn’t it?
3. Retro
Half of us in this room are blessed with state-of-the-art, flat screen computers while the other half is still stuck in the 80’s. No prize to guessing which half I belong to, eh? I have such a slow OS that I could finish manicuring while waiting for it to load, plus, the chunkiest, LOUDEST and yellowest keyboard in the entire planet. It makes me cringe and almost apologetic (?) every time I press the buttons. But since the whole purpose of the computer is to type then I can’t run away forever, can I?
4. Kruk kruk..
That’s the sound of my tummy. I don’t know why, but you always get so hungry here in the UK. Is it just me? Even after a plate of rice, I’d be bingeing on cookies or crisps..There’s a recharge center just a few meters away outside my room but being on a student budget, I can’t always indulge in leek soups and crisps. That undoubtedly means I need to bring bekal from home.. Oh, malas nyerr….
I guess that’s it. It basically draws down to not being cosy. Anyways, I’m not gonna pamper myself anymore. “You get up and get busy!” is what I keep telling myself these past few days. After days of twisting my body, think I’m getting the hang of it. Maybe I’d just decorate my space, yea.. That’ll be a great ‘perk me up’. You reckon??
M-Day
Posted: May 13, 2007 Filed under: Family Leave a commentTasha want to say thank u for everything.
And happy Mother’s Day.
Luv u lots.
Can’t wait to see u.
If my little girl can talk, hopefully that’s exactly what she’ll say. As for now, just reading the premonition is enough to make me happy.
Thanks hubby for being so sweet.
Miss you both so very much!
Comical
Posted: May 10, 2007 Filed under: Funnies Leave a commentPrior to starting my *cough* PhD, being the geek that I am, I started this rampant search for, er, actually I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I knew I had to be prepared. Yea.. That’s how sad (or could it be brilliant??) I was.
Anyway, within the first five seconds of ‘PhD-soul searching’ (all thanks to the Googling power), I came across this wonderful, enlightening and less frightening site called PhD Comics. I know some of you may have heard or stumbled upon it by chance. Till today, I’m a big fan of this site where, among other things, it makes me laugh. Not the crazy I’m-outta-my-mind laugh, but, really laugh :).. See, I’m smiling just typing about it.
Here, lemme share with you my Top 5 favourites.
Number 5: Scooped
Number 4: Lives
Number 3: Etiquette
Number 2: Fire
and Number 1: Lost
Hehe..
I’m hoping not to be the only one who finds ’em funny. Otherwise, I know I’m in too deep. Speaking of deep, if you noticed, this site is where I got the inspiration for my blog url, Piled Higher and Deeper. Bet you smarty pants know what that means. Or should I let you wonder?
Cheers.
Jangan Memuji
Posted: May 9, 2007 Filed under: Rants Leave a commentNeah, I’m not attempting to compose my rendition of Shanty and Marcells’ song, but I just need to vent out my utter dissatisfaction towards DHL and its agent, Staples. Just several months ago I was so beriya in flattering this MNC for having such a wonderful and efficient service. But they just had to let me down somehow.
Situation
April 30th, went to Staples (apparently in this English land, or at least where I live, DHL has no shop of its own. It sublets to a stationery company called ‘Staples’.. get it?). Went in, picked my box, chucked my stuffs in, paid. Then waited.. Boy did I wait for this blond to print out my receipt, which ultimately is my tracking number. Bear in mind, at this time, I was half-blind, wandering about a part of town to which no bus seems to exist. I had to call the taxi (another pelik-tapi-benar custom here. We can’t hail a cab, need to call them instead. So every girl who knows better has to have the cabbie’s number in her ‘lil black book, in case she gets stuck at a remote place, lke yours truly at this point). When I called the operator, he said “Sorry luv, there’s not one free at the moment”. Aiyoo.. I was freezing and not seeing properly. Going back in to Staples would be pointless as all those office supplies gave me headaches. Called again 10 minutes later, managed to book a cab, which conveniently arrived half an hour later! The point of this: This Staples place is soo the jauh and menyusahkan badan nak pegi.
Then two days later, I got a package from DHL (“Eh bestnyer.. sapa baik hati send me a box?”). Er, me?? Apparently my package was sent back to me due to this error of having no invoice. Now wait a minute, I didn’t know anything about an invoice. Wouldn’t the blond have told me about it?
Called DHL. After listening to their “Press 1, press 7” instructions, I finally made it to talk to a human being. Several minutes and countless credits later, the lady asked me “Why didn’t you put the invoice along with your package?” ..Funny, ain’t it? The main thing why I called you about, you asked me back. I don’t know anything about an invoice, nobody told me I had to pay or do anything about an invoice. I’ve never heard of the word INVOICE till five minutes ago. She later emailed me the invoice, told me to print it, fill in the details and deliver my package back to Staples. &#%
But I did anyway. On May 4th. Went back to that godforsaken place (do I have a choice? It’s the nearest DHL service counter in my area), waited for another century to pass, like it was really difficult right, to process my invoice. I brought a friend with me this time ‘cos I was still in the blind.. We sat on their 29.99 showroom office chairs, positioned directly in front of the entrance door. So we were like, the receptionists la pulak, appearing to greet the customers on their way in. But who cares.. I’m not gonna stand for an hour, which was how long it took to get things done. Done? Or so I thought. I asked Blondie, “Is there anything else? I really don’t want to come here again..”
“Nope. This should be it. It’s relatively simple really. The system just won’t let us enter your information”.
Ah, the system. Why didn’t you say so earlier? We could’ve sent an electronic army over to DHL circuit and kill their IT personnel. But just too glad things are over, I waved buhbye.
The next day (May 5th, a Saturday), tried my tracking number. Wait a minute, ‘Package was succesfully sent to Mummy V’. Huh?? Called DHL again, but since now I got the hang of it, managed to dial the right number and talked to a human rather quickly. “That was your old tracking number. You should enter your new tracking number now.” Grreat. Blondie didn’t give me any new tracking number and since I’m not a Briton who appears to know what to ask for on their first time dealing with DHL, I didn’t ask lah right?
Called Staples, Blondie wasn’t in. In fact he’s never in when I call to talk to him. His co-worker took my surname and contact number and said she’ll look up my tracking number. 15 minutes later, “Hi, I can’t seem to find the paperwork for your package. Tell you what, lemme call DHL and see if they’ve got your pack”.
“I already did, they don’t have it in their system yet” I replied.
“Which number did you call?”
Wait, there’s another number?? Funny, in Malaysia we only have one number, toll free some more!
Apparently it’s a different number. So she hung up, leaving me to wait anxiously. Half an hour later, she told me that the DHL office is closed and will be back on Tuesday, since Monday was a (bloody) bank Holiday. Not knowing what else to do, I went to DHL’s website and emailed my query to three addresses, ‘cos I wasn’t sure which email has real people reading it.
Yesterday (THE Tuesday), I played Sherlock trying to track my tracking number from 8.30 in the morning. To no avail. Staples just never ring me back after taking my surname, destination of package and my contact number for the umpteenth time. When I called, they insisted they were busy (Hello, I was at your place, twice, and there don’t seem to be a beeline like at Jusco!).
Frustrated, I called the other number that Staples lady gave me. There must only be ONE operator working there as my calls were never answered by anyone but a recorded voice! 5 or 6 hours later, I finally managed to speak to Customer Service. He said my details weren’t on the system. So he gave yet another number to call -the depot, where supposedly all the packages would’ve been dropped before leaving the country. Huhu.
Till this morning, no one seems to exist on that depot. No one picks up the phone.
So I’m now without a tracking number and haven’t a clue to where my package is.. In answering my email, DHL called me and insisted that “There’s nothing we can do without your tracking number. It’s quite simply, not our problem because Staples haven’t given it to us”. Staples, oh dear God, that darn shop is just employing a bunch of nincompoops not knowing how to use a computer or what lah..
And the best part, I paid GBP 47 for this ‘wonderful’ service.
*********************
Latest Update
Called the DHL Customer Service (again) and finally talked to someone who doesn’t resemble a robot. He actually tried to help me! Wow, never thought they were caple of doing that. He said he’d call Staples for me and try to locate my package. “Give me 30 minutes”. Five hours later, he called, apologising of course for being a bit late (a bit??) and said the thing I’ve been wanting to hear for the last 10 days, “I’ve tracked your package and I’ve got the tracking number. It just left Germany an hour ago, so don’t worry, it’ll reach Malaysia real soon!” Yeay. Still not getting rid of this post. It’s gonna remind me not to use this service again. Unless of course, someone else is paying and get Stapled.
Mac or Vista?
Posted: May 6, 2007 Filed under: Gadgets Leave a commentAnother reason why my Mac rocks.
PiledHigherAndDeeper 