first day of year 3 sem 2, what i did during holidays and just lots of random updates

I will still be continuing my posts about Hong Kong and Shenzhen but a little lazy on updates right now. Will finish it soon!!!

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Today was the first day of classes.

As some may know, I am living in Setapak currently, renting an apartment with friends. My uni hostel sucks, truth be told. It is not only dirty but quite a depressing place. After living for one year there, I am glad to be rid of the place, however convenient it may be.

I came back yesterday evening and the house was pretty quiet. Because half of my housemates are not back yet, including one of my roommates. Sia is even funnier. Three of her roommates are only coming back tomorrow so she had the whole room to herself.

I really don't like unpacking stuff. Takes a whole lot of time. Luckily my room is not very dirty since one of my roommates had been staying in Setapak during the hols due to work commitment.

My first night was basically spend on watching "You're beautiful" the k-drama. Yes I am really slow because I am solely relying on English subbed videos on youtube. Still on episode 2 so don't ask me anything about it yet.

As I previously mentioned, today we went back to our campus to a "newer" classroom. It is not exactly "new" because we are still in BSH5 like last semester but they removed the teacher's table and replaced it with a podium. Also we had new PA system installed. Oh, and speakers too! The funny thing is that the voice that came out of the speakers this morning came from a lecturer speaking at the classroom downstairs. Yes, it took us a while when listening to realized that the lecturer was talking to 2nd years. God knows why us 3rd years have the "privilege" of "eavesdropping" on our juniors' lectures.

This past holidays, I am glad I had the chance to re-connect with my Form 6 classmates. Kekeke. They are a great bunch of fun people. I went shopping, ate lunch at TGI Friday's as well as had dinner at Li Ling's house (cooked by 3 wonderful chefs). [P.S. I won't be blogging about it here, can refer to BF blog for pics...]

Hearing about my friends who are going abroad for their studies makes me envy them. I wish I had the opportunity too. But I doubt if I will be able to adapt to a new place as easily as they can. But if given the chance, I would like to go;)

This hols, I also went to watch the movie, "Zombieland" with roomie, BB. I had doubts about this movie but it turned out to be not bad at all. It is gruesomely hilarious, if there is such a word.

[Random photos:]

I wanted to try some d-i-y projects this hols but I was so lazy that I ended up doing only ONE. Yup, I am really lazy. Just tried some fabric painting. I wanted to do an easy design for my first try. So I got my inspiration when I saw this writing on a T-shirt that Nichkhun 2PM wore. The end results? Not bad, although not as smooth as I would like it to be. I have not wash the top yet though. I don't know if the colour will run or not. I had fun with it, want to do another one again. I will write more in detail in my other blog (once I feel motivated enough to update).

I could not decide if I wanted to buy a new dress for my Chinese Pharmacy Course Night next week. On one hand, nice formal dresses are so expensive and not very practical. So initially, I thought I will just wear back one of my old dresses.

I know my dress doesn't seem like the conventional "prom" dress but, after 2 years of attending course night, maybe, I want something refreshing? Oh well, I like it and who cares what others think about my eclectic taste right? I wondered if anyone will end up with identical dress as mine? It happens quite often than one think actually;)

My briefing on research project (thesis) also started today. Needless to say, I am already in a nervous frenzy even before it starts. My biggest concern is not knowing how to start, how to do and basically, just not knowing what to do. Everyone is afraid of the unknown. In this case, I have never done a research project before so yes, I am quite afraid.

Underneath all the layers of worries and anxiety, there is one piece of good news. Yes, I finally got replies regarding my internship / industrial training for May 2010. I was so worried when I heard my friends getting places when I have yet to find one. I received two replies. And these two places are completely different from one another which makes it even harder for me to decide. The first is Natural Wellness, a factory in Cheras. The other is Tung Shin Hospital. Industrial or clinical? I want to choose a place where I can learn a lot of things so I have to select the place carefully. Not yet made up my mind but I know I will have to soon.

This Xmas weekend, I am heading out to Singapore. Good side is that I have never been to our sunny neighbour before so I am curious about the place. On the downside, I heard on Xmas day, the place is awfully packed with people and since it is only a weekend trip, I am wondering if we have enough time to tour the republic.

And since my dates for internship has been released, I am glad that it does not clashed with my Macau trip in May as well. But my other travel buddies have yet to know their fates so I am not sure if the plan will still go on. The air tickets were such a great deal to resist. Only RM75 for both ways. However, accommodation might take up a large portion of my budget.

The reason I am able to type such a long post is that I am waiting for my downloads to complete. Since studies have yet to officially begin, I thought I might kill time by watching dramas and variety shows online. Sad thing is, it is quite slow. I just wish it will go faster.

something i want to share about b2st - only for kpop fans!!!

************only for KPOP fans***************

Recently there is a new kpop boyband called "BEAST / B2ST". I am not really interested in knowing any of the members' names until I read somewhere that even before their debut, I already knew 3 of 6 members. Why? First is Leader Yoon Doo-joon. He is from the reality show, "Mnet Hot Blood" but he was eliminated. I watched this show because it shows the training the boys from 2PM and 2AM had prior to their debut. Second is AJ or Lee Ki-kwang. He used to be a solo singer. I saw him a lot on KBS Music Bank before this performing, "Dancing Shoes" and "Wipe My Tears" (my fave song). Finally is Jang Hyun-seung and this was the biggest surprise of all. A few years ago, on Channel [V], they aired "The Big Bang Show" which shows the band Big Bang prior to their debut. They had six trainees and two were eliminated - Seungri and Hyunseung. But in the 2nd round, Seungri was accepted and Hyunseung still got rejected. Who knew he would reappeared after all those years, debuting in a new band. Btw, their new song Mystery is not bad and the dance in the chorus is kinda cute...

The Big Bang Show is really nice...too bad I did not get to finish some of the episodes. I wished Channel [V] can re-aired them. I know Daesung's father was very against his son's wishes to be a singer, Seungri was a star in his hometown when it came to dancing but got criticism for his singing, Taeyang was always teased for being shy around girls and never having any gf experience, and TOP was scouted when he often participated in underground rap battles. Jiyong @ G-Dragon was really good both in dancing, singing and also rapping. Him and TOP together are so funny and cute...

about the B2ST members: *click here*

day 2: i heart hong kong...it is a great city

~K-pop~

*People should just leave G-Dragon alone!!! The guy is a genius, can they not see that? Just leave the guy alone with his music!!

*2AM comeback next month. Love Jokwon & Seulong!

*Junsu 2PM accidentally singing to "Bo Peep Bo Peep" is hilarious!

*Jaebeom 2PM is he ever coming back? I love that guy....haih...

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Honestly, Hong Kong is so far my favourite city in the world. I also love Seoul and Bangkok a lot too.

We had lunch in Macau before going to Hong Kong Ferry Terminal. Nearby our hotel, there are not many eating places. When we walked around, we realized that eating in Macau is not cheap at all. We are talking about those "plain" eating shops, not fancy restaurants and based on their menu, the food is not cheap at all.

There were not much choices, either the very expensive or some eating places that are shabby and really really small. I am talking, like, only 4 tables can fit inside. Finally, we found a place that was not bad and packed with customers. Yes, that is my tip when it comes to looking for a good place to eat. If the locals think it's good, it is probably good.

But it is actually a Taiwanese food place. Haha. I know, I should try Macau food instead of Taiwanese right? But the beef noodles was really really good. And the portion is huge as well. We also had dumplings which was not bad but the beef is so good;)

Finally our bus takes us to the ferry terminal where we are supposed to take the ferry to HK

While waiting for the ferry, I was picked to do a survey. Kekeke...I know, so weird. There were a group of youngsters going around asking questions about tourists. The thing is, in KL, when we do survey, it is usually with paper and pen right? But in Macau, it is by using a PDA okay? So "hi-tech" no? And each youngster had one. I thought it was really cool. In return, I was given a pen. Kekeke. Courtesy of Macao Research Centre.

This is our ferry/hovercraft that is supposed to take us across to HK. Honestly, I don't know if it was a ferry or a hovercraft. Because I thought ferries were supposed to transport both people and vehicles. And hovercraft can go on land and also sea. Yes, I am a bit confused.

Inside is really spacious and comfortable. There are also unisex toilets. But the journey is a blur to me. It was so dizzy travelling by sea. Also, really difficult to move around once the journey starts.

Once we arrived at HK, we were all kind of hungry and got ourselves curry fish balls. They are really hot but not spicy at all.

Finally we are in Hong Kong. Love the sights of the city.

Trams in the city - they still get caught in traffic jam however. Because cars still take over the tram lane.

Although HK is small, the population is really high. Because land is scarce, so living here is really expensive.

The first thing that catches your eyes is definitely the abundance of sky-high buildings here. And they all have really unique designs. Mostly based on fengshui. They really believe fully in that.

Malaysian building in HK...very obvious no?

Our first stop is to a Chinese temple in Repulse Bay

Repulse bay is actually a beach, near the sea

I love the myriad of colours in this temple

Unlike Macau, which had clear blue skies (and terribly hot), HK was a little cloudy that day

Only rich people can afford to live near the sea, as evident by the abundance of beautiful and rich condos here at Repulse Bay

Our next stop is to Bauhinia Square. This Expo Convention building is really famous. I remembered it most because in one HK movie I saw, they said the design of the building is supposed to resemble turtle or something like that. It is fengshui, I don't get it.

The golden bauhinia statue is a gift when HK was returned to China back in 1997

The place is really nice if not because there were so many tourists there that day as well. So it was hard to get a good shot. Finally, I went out near the sea view for a glimpse of beautiful HK scenery

For dinner, we had fried duck which was simply delicious. My mouth waters at the sight of it.

Day 1: last day to absorb the rest of macau

Of course, if one were to go to Macau, one cannot miss going to St. Paul's @ San Paulo Ruins. It is definitely a must-visit place. The only downside is that everyone also thinks this way. It was very difficult to take nice photos of the wall because there are just too many heads bobbling around blocking my angles. Yes, that happens commonly at well-known tourist attractions.

I must admit, this place kind of reminded me of A Famosa in Malacca. Haha, slight resemblance? But of course, this one is much nicer. All the sculptures and design on the wall are so intricate, so detailed, they all have a story behind them. But I don't know what the story is because the tour guide's Mandarin description is too complicated. =.= Lol. My Mandarin not that "powerful".

So many people there that day. The worst thing is you cannot stand very long in one spot because people will chase you away for blocking them. Haih...sad reality...

Walking through what remains of the earliest and biggest church in Macau. It survived two fires and all that still stands now is just the great wall.

Looking at it closer, I am quite in awe of the design. It strike to me that everything ancient always have a design that holds so many stories, unlike modern buildings.

There is basically nothing behind the St Paul's Ruins. A stone throw's away however, is an old Chinese temple. Ironic isn't it? Especially since the tour guide said that it was the Chinese who tried to burn down the Church (foreigners) way back when.

The streets nearby. I could not capture the angle well but actually this road is very very steep downwards. In fact, most of the roads in Macau are either downhill/uphill (depending on your direction). I find that very interesting ;)

The official languages here are either Chinese or Portugese. I actually like all the Portugese words here. Lol. Feels like one is in an European country or something...

After dinner, all of us decided to take a walk around Macau city (although we were all so so tired).

Macau city of lights (but all the lights mainly come from the Casinos)

There are so many casinos here (and also hotels!) You turn right, you see one. You turn left, there is another one which is even more grand than the previous.

But I have no interests in gambling so in the end, we decided to just go back to the hotel and get some rest.

Day 2 in Macau. An unfortunate thing happened because our tour guide was unable to get us tickets for the early morning ride to Hong Kong. So, we had quite ample time before our afternoon hovercraft ride. It was unfortunate to me, because that means our time in HK is now reduced and besides, there are not as much things to see in Macau than in HK.

With so much free time, we all went to Hotel/Casino nearby to watch two shows. No pics of the show since I took videos of them instead.

Last pic in Macau before heading to the Macau jetty terminal~

P.S. Btw, I don't know who is the sculpture because the description is all in Portugese.

Day 1: arriving at macau after taking 6.30am flight

The worst thing ever about taking an early morning flight is that I have to basically be at LCCT at 4.30am, which means waking up at 3am. Because during this holidays, I sleep really late, like 1-2am, so I only slept for about 2 hours that day. So so tiring...:(

The flight from KL --> Macau took about 4 hours, and I was sleeping like a pig the whole journey on the plane. It is really uncomfortable sitting on a plane for such long hours.

Arriving at Macau International Airport - It was a cloudy and misty day

Our first stop - Venetian Hotel & Casino

The Venetian shopping complex is absolutely breathtaking the moment you stepped in. Honestly, does it not look like the actual Venetian in Rome? The interior is so beautiful~~!! And the blue skies ceiling too ^^

They have a man-made river with gondolas floating. The ride is too expensive, so I just did sightseeing on foot

It was Christmas decor @ Venetian. the complex is too big that I did not finish touring the whole place

I thought it might be fun to check out the largest casino in Macau (Venetian) since I am 22. But I dunno if it was the clothes I wear or something, I keep getting stopped at the entrance. They did not believe I am above 18 and I had to keep showing my passport for identification. It was so embarrassing~~~

The Kun Lam statue that our bus passed by. Our tour guide says it looks like Western Kun Lam because it slight resembles St. Mary.

Our next stop after lunch is to Fisherman's Wharf. It is actually a theme park but because not many people go there, they are planning to demolish it soon. The above pic is from the Tang Dynasty section.

The Aladdin section

My favourite is def the Rome section. Although I know they are artificial, but they are just so amazing~~!!

Makes for amazing photography too!!!

Sorry for the little kid in the pic, dunno where he came from

Feels like Coliseum at Rome no?

The blue blue sky - It was really hot that day! But of course not as hot as Msia...

The next place we went to is A-Ma Chinese temple, one of the oldest temples in Macau.

The temple is quite small and you actually have to climb a hill nearby. Because there were too many people, Mom and I decided not to hike up.

Nearby the temple were a group of elementary school children wearing sweats. So adorable no?~~!!!

So instead of going to the temple, we walked around in the streets. Looks like a page from an old photo album. Macau has all this lovely quaint streets that has all the nostalgia feel to them.

-To be continued-