Today we had Merdeka Day celebration in school. There were some pretty funny sketches. And we sang some patriotic songs.

There’s this group of Indian guys that are fantastically sporting. I like them very much. They are so enthusiastic and wouldn’t mind “losing” face to have a great time. Then there’s this group of junior Malays guys. Fantastic group of people also, always so cheerful and always so unassuming. I like them too. When they started singing the song Keranamu, 31 Ogos and Jalur Gemilang, they’d swing their arms around each other and do the “polka” dance move.

Just to let you know, I’ve changed a lot this few years. One thing that used to do but dislike to do now is to draw attention to myself with very BIG actions. I just don’t like it anymore. Maybe I’m less attention seeking which I hope I am. By God’s grace I’ll be better in the years to come.

I joined in with King Chai with the bunch of guys singing boisterously and dancing like mad. At first I was feeling out of place and a little humiliated. Two reasons why, one, I didn’t know the songs by heart and two, the girls on the other side were watching. Plus, I was extra noticeable because I was wearing my MPPPU blazer. Dang.

As the rowdy gang continued to celebrate Merdeka Day, I looked around. I saw looks of people staring expressionlessly at us and a few smiling. I was wondering if they were scoffing at us. I was worried of being a hypocrite by doing all this yet disliking what I was seemingly doing whole-heartedly.

But I felt a warmth in my heart. I thought:” Hey. This IS what Merdeka Day’s all about. Behind the screaming and the dancing, it was actually people of different skin colours, opinions, cultures, backgrounds and religion throwing away their pride and risking their reputation to affirm one another through a song that we still love and appreciate one another.

For what it’s worth, it’s a glimpse of hope that the true Malaysians still exist. Regardless of what people say, my definition of Malaysian is this:

“A Malaysian is a person who loves and respects fellow Malaysians. Period.”

That’s it. No strings attached. I’ve met people from other countries who whole-heartedly give their lives to love Malaysians. I consider them Malaysian also.

Are you a Malaysian?

I was tagged. Out of pure rebellion and anger at the peer pressure exerted upon me I’ll not give in to the tag. But instead, I have creatively started my own. I call it labeled.

Name 20 persons and 20 things you can think of, do this survey, and label 5 people (note that my mind is blank. there for I’ll start from a preset list.):
20 persons:

1. Lim Cheng Yee (this name sounds so familiar)
2. Lam Woon Cherk (the puppies at his house are so cute!!)
3. Woon King Chai (He’s a guy)
4. Daniel Eh (I think he’s a guy, he sure acts that way)
5. Joanna
6. Chew Soo Ling
7. Ngan Hui Beng
8. Yow Han
9. Pactu!!! (He’s a chinese! Actually he’s an indian)
10. Ryan (who tagged me.)
11. Chee Yi
12. Wong Mei Sun
13. Jacky
14. Yu Hua (I think I misspelled her name, but it was her birthday last Wednesday)
15. Chee Yong
16. Pek Ying (She plays badminton)
17. Paulus (Mr. Paulus)
18. Hui Ying
19. Mei Qi
20. Chew Sze (I think I misspelled her name also)

20 things:

1. computer
2. pen
3. CD’s
4. Speakers
5. Guitar
6. table
7. chair
8. plates
9. cups
10. water
11. Sofa set
12. fan
13. candle
14. chemistry notes
15. physics textbook
16. external hard-drive
17. nail clipper
18. nail clippings
19. toilet bowl
20. toothbrush

Questions:
1. How did you meet #14 (Yu Hua) was she holding #14(chemistry notes)?
For the a hundred million peanuts I can’t remember! But I know I met her when I was in Form One. I think.

2. What would you do if you hadn’t met #1 (Lim Cheng Yee) and if he didn’t have #1(computer)?
Goodness gracious, I have no idea. I don’t really know him actually. So happens that the name is stuck in my head. I don’t he even exists. If he did not have any computer it wouldn’t matter. Or would it??

3. What would you do if #20 (Chew Sze) and #9 (Pactu) dated while holding #20 (toothbrush) and sitting on #9(cups)?
Oh goodness, what have I started??!! BAHAHAHA!!! I’d laugh my head off that’s what I’d do!!! Chew Sze and Pactu?!!! BAHAHAHA!!! Dating while holding a toothbrush and sitting on cups?!! What is this world coming to??!!!

4. Would #6 (Chew Soo Ling) and #17 (Paulus) make a good couple while being a professional #6(table) and #17(nail clipper)?
First of all: BAHAHAHA!!! Secondly, I think it’ll be a total waste if Soo Ling lived to be a professional table. Anyway, I don’t think she’s Paulus type or Paulus her type. Must note however that should Paulus become a professional nail clipper and sets up his own beauty centre, I might, and I stress again I might go there ONCE.

5. Describe #3 (Woon King Chai).
Fantastic diplomat, wouldn’t have survived Form 6 without him. Good punching bag for jokes. Has certain TENDENCIES which are… how do I say… not appreciated by me. Maybe it’s a matter of preference. He’s hot with the juniors. At least that’s what I heard.

6. Do you think #8 (Yow Han) is attractive when he holds a #8 (plate)?
Since we’re members of the same gender, I reserve the right to not be attracted to any man. EVEN if he is holding a plate. Unless the plate is made of magnetic rock. Then again, I’d be attracted to the plate.

7. Tell me something about #7 (Ngan Hui Beng) and whether she has an obsession with #7(chair).
She’s a girl. She has long hair. She is in the same class as me. No, I don’t she has an obsession with a chair. But I wouldn’t know anyway.

8. Do you know anything about #12 (Wong Mei Sun) and her #12 (fan)?
Yes! She’s a girl! And she is part of the gang of girls that sit a row behind me. I don’t know if she has a fan. If she does, I think that would be her boyfriend. Wait, what fan are we talking about?

9. What is #1 (Lim Cheng Yee)’s favourite food? Is it #1 (computer)?
I have no idea. Like I said, I don’t even know if he exists. But we can leave computer out as a food of preference.

10. What will you do if #11 (Chee Yi) confesses that he/she likes you because of your #11(sofa set)?
I’d sell my sofa set to him and get a restraining order of at least 1km.

11. What language does #15 (Chee Yong) speak when he talks to #15(physics textbook)?
Mostly whispers of gibberish, hand signals and a lot of writing.

12. Who is #9 (Pactu) going out with when he carries a #9(cups)?
I don’t know. But I bet he’s at mamak or some where that serves beverages.

13. How old is #16 (Pek Ying) and how long has she had a #16 (external hard-drive)?
She’s 16 (please don’t slap me if I get it wrong!). She hasn’t had an external hard-drive as she doesn’t have a driver’s license.

14. When is the last time you talked to #13 (Jacky) in #13 (candle)?
Never. Could never talk in a candle. It’s to wicked in there with all that wax.

15. Who is #2 (Lam Woon Cherk)’s and #2(pen)’s favourite singer?
Woon Cherk’s probably Jay Chou. As for the pen, if it’s Pilot, I think it’ll be Aerosmith.

16. Would you date #4 (Daniel Eh) while holding a #4(Speaker)?
I’ll leave this one for you to answer. Your answer can’t be too far from mine.

17. Would you date #7 (Ngan Hui Beng) while holding a #7(chair)?
Depends, if I’m holding the chair for her to sit, maybe but not now. If it’s PERPETUALLY holding a chair during the date, then NO.

18. Is #15 (Chee Yong) single and does he have a secret crush on #15(physics trextbook)?
Ask him yourself. But about the textbook, I think he has!

19. What is #10 (Ryan)’s last name and does he like #10(water)?
Tubs was his last name and I think he likes water. He frolics in it.

20. Would you consider being in a relationship with #19 (Mei Qi) or #19(toilet bowl)?
I don’t believe in double-timing. But if I had to choose, I think this is a hard one. Mei Qi’s a girl. Therefore is suited to becoming a wife of a man. Toilet bowl is an instrument of sanitary relief. That, a man also needs. I guess I’ll choose Mei Qi over a toilet bowl any time.

21. What school did #16 (Pek Ying) go to get her #16(external hard-drive)?
A driving school, cause you need a driver’s license.

22. Where does #6 (Chew Soo Ling) live and where is her #6(table)?
She lives in her house which is coincidentally also the same place her table is.

23. What is your favourite thing about #5 (Joanna) and #5(guitar)?
The fact that she can give me the guitar. =D hint!

24. What do you think about #13 (Jacky) and his relationship with #13 (candle)?
If he were in a relationship with a candle, I’d think he’s a complete idiot. Thankfully he’s not. So I think he’s a really cool guy!

25. What do #4 (Daniel Eh) and #18 (Nail Clippings) have in common?
They’re from the same body.

26. What special qualities does #5 (Joanna) and a #5(guitar) have?
Joanna makes music by strumming her vocal chords. And the guitar makes music by strumming it’s guitar chords.

Now the customary labelling ritual:

1. Darth Maul, I label you evil
2. Gmail, I label you quick
3. Woon Cherk, I label you smart
4. Ryan, I label you 1 a.t.m. for pressuring me to do this.
5. Daniel Eh, I label you lacking-of-a-blog.

Have been thinking about what else to sing other than the “See You Soon”… Couldn’t think of any song that would reflect Form 6 life. So I decided to write another song. Haha… ya… since the last song was about the intellectual side of F6 life, this one’s about the emotional side. =) …I plan to make this my opening song since it’s a slow one. Lyrics:

Standing at the bus-stop
Engaged in a monologue
It’s already 7 o’clock
I stepped on gum and it’s my shoes’ fault

I saw you standing there
Looked away afraid to stare
I’m broken deep in my heart
So near yet so far

chorus:
I’m falling into the bottomless pit called love
I’m falling and I’m feeling the rush
I’m giving my all, I want to give more
Somehow before before I ever hope
I’m crushed

All I want to do is cry
Until a river forms beside
All I want to do is fly
Fly to somewhere I can hide

Repeat chorus
All I want to do is cry
Light shines down from up above the sky
Spread my wings and I start to fly
Fly to somewhere I can hide

Here’s the song:

This song’s about me wanting to do what I want to do but yet not wanting to do it while I end up doing some of it. Hmm… sort of like: There are lot’s of things that I can do and I want to do. Most of them are right, but not all are wise at my age and with my current responsibilties. But I end up doing them.

E.g. I want to be involved in a love relationship with a girl. But I know now’s not that good a time to do it. Yet I still fall in love but never reaches the level I want it to.

To abstain fully is extremely painful. To try with drawn boundaries leaves me high and dry.

p.s. it’s not just about love it’s about almost everything. Even fish. haha.

Yup that’s the song I’ll try to sing at this year’s MPPPU dinner. Yes, try, because I may not get a spot in the schedule due to obsessive fear in people of my jokes. Here’s the revised lyrics:

It doesn’t matter what you think
You’ve got to know your references
You’ve got to look at the questions for
Significant figures

Got to know my trigonometry
Got to know my trapezium rule
Got to finish 3.10
Or I’ll be hung on the ceiling fan

pre-chorus:
Oh, friends let me tell you
I love it here and I love you
Teachers let us tell you
We love it here and we love you

chorus:
And forever will I remember you
We’ve been together since PU1 to PU2
And forever will I remember you
I won’t say goodbye,
We’ll just say “See you soon”

If it says “sediakan graf”
Don’t you do carta pai
Don’t forget to show your working
‘Cause you’ll lose marks and…
*hai…

repeat pre-chorus and chorus

Just want to say
That these are good days
With people like Pactu
Looking at China Man’s face
Fishball, I’ll always remember you
But there’s one thing I can’t stand
We all “Soo” Yong Zheng

repeat pre-chorus and chorus twice

Here’s the version with the old lyrics:

I’ve a sore throat and I was tired. In all honesty, I don’t have that great a voice and I was falling asleep towards the end of the recording. So don’t expect Whitney Houston. =)

I went to get a haircut yesterday at the barber shop besides Maduras in little India.

I’ve heard from my friend that the guy working there is actually an indian immigrant. So the guy only knows limited Bahasa. Which explains the previous incident I had with him. I asked him to cut my hair in such a way that it’ll be easy to gel it into the spiky style. He somehow misunderstood me and thought that I wanted him to cut my hair and gel my hair too.

So this time I was prepared. I noted to myself : use simple Bahasa. I prayed that God would cause my haircut to be good also as I’ve had a bad history with haircuts due to the curly nature of my hair. The barber asked me how I wanted my hair cut in ever short sentences.

“Bagaimana? Pendek? “Simon” (“sideburn” mispronounced)? Atas? Pendek? Boleh guna mesin?…”

Now I don’t know what you’d think but when a guy asks me whether he can use a machine to cut my hair, I have a tendency to worry about my head staying on my neck. Well it wasn’t that bad, at least he pointed to the shaver/hair cropper.

Let the games begin!!Shaaaaaaaave….. Shaaaaaaaaaaaave…. Snip snip snip snip snip…

After a while when the dust began to settle, the barber asked me: “Pendek lagi?”

I put on my glasses, and had a look. It was good. So I was going to say: Ok already lah. BUT WAIT!!! Simple Bahasa!! Ok… So I translated it and said: “Boleh lah.”

So he promptly got back to work. I was my own relaxed self. Now, there was a problem. It is customary to “finalise” a hair cut by nipping off here and there hair that stuck out and maybe even to the extent of just “thin-ing” certain parts. But he was taking so long to do the hair on the left. So I thought about it. I thought:

“I thought I told the guy enough already.”

My inner-Teaser said:

“DEI!! YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID ‘CUKUP’ NOT ‘BOLEH LA!!’ YOU KNOW ‘BOLEH LA’ MEANS…”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

*ahem. Now I have shorten-short hair.

In another incident, I was relating this to my indian friend Punithan…then he laughed at me saying: “Why you don’t want to say something else la?” Then I said:

“What you want me to say? Bahasa is the common language… you don’t expect me to speak English…. unless you want me to speak tamil and say ‘ee lek’ (‘no’ in tamil) ?”

Empty stare.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

Malaysia, there’s no point in being multilingual. It’s not that we don’t use the languages, we just don’t use our heads.

p.s. God is faithful…the haircut turned out well. =) Praise God!