Life in the Granite City

The Desire to Escape...

2010-03-25T05:26:00.002Z

How I wish this is true... Even just for a lil while...

Xmas was here and there

2010-01-09T00:34:00.023Z

The ONE, Prince and I was planning to watch 2012 but they ran out of ticket, so we watched Christmas Carol instead, and that was when I realize Xmas was coming.

As if it was to nail the festival into my head, I received tonnes of emails from Scotrails, east coast railway, Bodyshop, Staples, Amazon, Blackwell's... Oh every single one of them keep shouting XMAS SALES!!! And god knows how much I miss shopping in UK.

I miss shopping in UK during the sales!

I did get a lot of good deal from Body Shop over the last Xmas, and was the default Xmas present for the girls...

One of the thing I miss the most (apart from shopping and the cold/clean air) was the travelling... convenient and lots to do/see!

I used to think when people say time flies; it was just a figure of speech. Now I finally realize time is indeed flying... Last year, I spent Xmas and NY in UK, and it was a white(ish) one. White Deen is very beautiful indeed... Many prefer Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Dublin etc. But I do have the special feeling towards Deen...

After a heavy snowing day...

Around the King's College, covered in snow... School is quiet and beautiful during winter because everyone gone home, and I did enjoy the quietness before I took off to Edinburgh and London for Xmas and New Year

If you care to venture a bit more, along the King St. or the beach opposite the school were covered in beautiful snow...

Deen harbour covered in snow looks slightly prettier for a change instead of the fishy smell... But daylight is really short-lived in winter... By the time you walked to town (Union St) from Uni, it's 1/2 gone...

In the middle of the winter, the very very winter, morning, noon, afternoon and night looks almost the same. U will have the 6 hours of mere-light to get things sorted... Felt like Dracula at those days.

One thing about Aberdeen Weather Forecast and you can be sure is it's UNPREDICTABLE...
one minute it can be quiet, next it has crazy snow storm, next it turn dark but nothing happen... Just be ready with your GoreTex Jacket at all time... End of winter is the messiest, when the ice started to melt, it will get all mushy and muddy, get your boots ready too...

I think it's about time to honor what this blog was meant to be, capturing life in the granite city from Ning's eye... tiny as they might be, I hope it bring something fresh, and leave some good memories...

Here it goes... a journey back to relatively young memory lane... (to be continue...)

So they left, so I cried...

2010-01-08T12:02:00.015Z

Back to Malaysia after straying for a year or so... (photo from new year count down)

I'd been back for 4 months.. The lonely and lost feeling lingers. but started fading..

On the very contrary of Eldar, who told me it felt like he never left after he got home... things are in much different shapes for me.

Home was my first stop... it was glad to be back but I can't help to feel sad when I only get to visit god-granny's grave instead of herself. It was emotional ... She left when I was preparing for the final exam and I did not get to say good-bye ... I miss her dearly and hope I make her proud!

Nana herself was much different since... I decided not to venture too far for the next year or so to stay close to her. After all, I am her favourite grandchild whom inherited her strong-will that got me this far...

My lovely niece little Jade is growing up fast.. She was just a baby when I left, and I was worried that she would not recognize and thus reject me after one year... But thanks to SKYPE, she know me as EE that always talk to her on the laptop and finally came back with chocolate and is now her BEST FRIEND...

Jade jade has grown so much since I left...

Not only she developed lots of skills and personalities, she also thinks I am her best friend!

Apart from Jade, time spent with my brother Jay was the most precious... he changed and that worried me a great deal at first, so much so that I almost felt anxiety attack. But after much communication and effort from both part, things got better, and I was eternally grateful...

Reconnecting with Jay was the biggest concern of my return... He still got the purity in him, though he is also going through some rebellious period... The painting project was part of the reconnection effort, and it went well... We just want the best future for u...

Home visit was short but wonderful. Even manage to catch up with some form 6 friend whom I didn't see for almost 9 years; attended Frankie's wedding and meet more high school friends! Now that Dr. Paolo has been assigned to Miri, and he definitely brings lots of sunshine and laughter to people's life. I can already see Jay idolizing him!

Met up with form 6 friends that I have not seen for 9 years... and visited lil rain's florist...

@ Frankie's wedding with YY

Coming back to KL was a bit harder, because that means leaving my family behind again after so long. But it helps to have the Prince-CK, the little Princess -Huai Chiing and the Baby Blue Fish-Lee Chin here... I called them out on my first Monday night and they jumped right on board to sing K that night till 1am even when they have to work the very next day!

Little Prince and Baby Blue Fish (can't find lil princess's picture)... Old friends stay same old same old, it's like going home... hanging out with them

Going back to work was the hardest... I came back with lots of excitement only to find out that there were many new faces, while old faces were either gone or felt distance from me... I was lost and lonely and sad... gasping for air and turning anti-social... The fact that Bee is here helped a whole bunch for me to go through this transition period.

Bee and I are of the same species... I guess...

To make things worse, it was time for MM to leave... MM, the reason why this blog even exist... was leaving... the night before he took off, we had a quick drink and I forced to hold back my tears... But I cried very hard the next day when he text me before boarding 'Bye Ningy, Elvis has left the building'... He left... It was real... and so I cried...

It was sad to see Steve leave... The thing I dreaded since the first post of the blog finally happened...

Direction

2010-01-07T03:00:00.008Z

I had been hiding in my comfy hobbit holes and staying low since I came back. It doesn't matter what deadline is pushing me, what comment I'd got, I was working aimlessly. Don't get me wrong, I work hard, I was born with that. But I wasn't working as target-ful as I used to be when Elvis was here. I work all over the place...

SO I would start with seismic picks and think hmm... I wanna look at the synthetic, hmm... the impedance, hmm... the logs, hmm...t he petrology, hmm... the biostrat...

Before I knew it, I was building a world class database for reservoir management rather than doing a correlation for screening phase that would be used for well planning! Ning wake up! I must have screamed to myself a million times but no... I was still lost in the database playground.

... ... ...

All of a sudden, I was inspired, just because Phil asked me whether I already have a work plan and kindly suggest, in an informal kind of mode, which we could sit down some time to draft the plan and follow up once a week to keep track on things...

This put me to shame but also brought back my energy, spirit, motivation and inspiration that was long lost... probably left with Elvis.

So I kicked off with the correlation, and it turned out to be much more possible than it seems...

Without any clue, I email Elvis, 'I like Phil' I said, nothing else. Elvis replied saying 'So do I and he's a nice person to learn from.' Well, what can I say, the feeling is mutual!

Sudden Rush of Autumn-ess

2009-10-20T10:56:00.013+01:00

I woke up to a very cute Google Talk msg from Young Knight Eldar (Insafutdinov)- 'I am a Guitar God '... That makes me laugh and forgot 1/2 of my fever... The knight has been practising his guitar, and the last I'd checked, he's playing like a semi-pro!

I scrolled up and saw what the knight wrote the night before 'Autumn is beautiful, just came back from a walk and...'

For a split second, I thought I was back in the lone autumn street of Aberdeen looking at trees in every different colour before the leaves fall off... Gosh, much to my surprise, I miss Aberdeen.

It could be the fever or simply the hormone, I had an emotional day thinking about the one short, yet eventful year in Aberdeen. So much memories, be it sweet or bitter, it was there to be cherished. Many things flash through my mind...

The first day of school when I met Birgit and almost certain with the first glance that she would be my best friend, and turned out that she's the best one could dreamt for... The Oct party, passing notes during classes, motivating studying session, her life saving heroic moves, our endless chit-chat, Northumberland field-trip, the origin of her nick name- Queen of Queens, the yummy cooking session, my first advert calendar, the painful ankle incident, the friendship ring... and the frienship I know would last forever...

First encounter with the knight was when he asked where to do the police registration... Little that I know we would be such close friends. It was probably the second term when I realized he's such an interesting person well resembling a live-walking encyclopedia. You would be amazed by how much the knight knows, behind his kind soul of course. His kindness was shown unintentionally through many minor incidents... and I do miss the last 2 weeks when he had to rushed for his thesis which he got 19/20 as he well deserved it.

The famous Thais-Tee and Tina make quite an impression on the first day itself... they were 'fashinably' late and successfully maintain that glorious record for the entire year. They are sweet, kind and full of energy (when it comes to party of course). My first personal encounter with Tina was when she told us endless joke about the silicon bras at Oli's party, and Tee when he confessed loudly in fron of the course co-ordinator 'I LOVE DRINKING!'... Of course I do miss the many partying time with them as well.

Those were the good times... but my close encounter with the AUTUMN were during those lonely days before I got close to any of them, before we were overwhelm by the seamlessly tight study schedule... I walked down the street alone and saw the trees, the powis, the flowers... I love autumn, I always do... The knight then shared some nice poem with me, by Puskin... They are really lovely, see it for yourself.

Maybe if you do, you would stumbled across this particular one that got me emotional at the first place... It's so beautiful that I am sure it touches the deepest part of every soul with your very own devoted experience...

I loved you once:
perhaps that love has yet to die down thoroughly within my soul;
But let it not dismay you any longer;
I have no wish to cause you any sorrow.
I loved you wordlessly, without a hope,
By shyness tortured, or by jealousy.
I loved you with such tenderness and candor,
And pray God grants you to be loved that way again.

放弃爱你的人，痛苦，放弃很爱的人，更痛苦，爱上一个不能爱的人, 最痛苦 ...

Time to go

2009-09-04T00:42:00.001+01:00

Finally it's time to go... the seperation is way different from what I have anticipated, not sure for better or worse, just the way it is.

Farewell... Bye.

What do u do when u hate urself?

2009-08-25T02:26:00.000+01:00

发霉的情绪

2009-08-18T23:02:00.002+01:00

湿漉漉的情绪，

无视于窗外高照的艳阳，

独自走到阴暗的角落，

让自己发霉，发霉，再发霉

分叉的地平线

2009-08-18T22:54:00.007+01:00

分叉的地平线，懵懂的憧憬，

疑惑的盼望，无谓的执著

懂了,够了,累了,算了...

无法解释, 只能沉默

我的对话

2009-08-13T06:29:00.005+01:00

为什么，我问我自己，不懂得，我回答。。。

不懂，不了，不同，不屑。。。

谁懂得，谁又在乎了。

Tag by Yii, long time ago.

2009-06-15T20:07:00.005+01:00

Thougt this is teenager's game, but since the person who tag me is my dearest brother, I shall do as told...

Personal - 10 questions。。。。
01 Name：Ning
02 Nick Name：No Nick Ning
03 Blood Type：Type A
04 Horoscope：Libra
05 Gender：Female
06 Age：Same like Dumbledore
07 Current Add: London
08 Current School: University of Aberdeen
09 Mobile Phone: Got 1 Blackberry. Just lost my Nokia (>_<)
10 No.?: Don't call, too expensive 。。。。

Friends - １０ questions。。。。
11 Best Friend: Lavannia/ Birgit
12 Person you hate： Prof. Umbridge
13 Prettiest Girl Friend：Alana Tischuk
14 Cutest Male Friend: Eldar gua (general public's opinion)
15 Girls you hate：Hypocrite
16 Guys you hate: Rude
17 Good friends: CK, Lavi, Kai Liang, Huai Chiing, Roz, Lily, Zoh, Birgit etc.
18 Who do you go out often: Lavi, Birgit, Eldar
19 你身邊最憨的朋友（限１個，不能自己）: Huai Chiing
20 你身邊最可愛的朋友（限１個）: Huai Chiing 。。。。

Love - １５ questions。。。。
21 Are you loving someone now： Sure
23 If not, when would you like to meet your other 1/2: Not Applicable (Where is 22?)
24 How many people have you confessed to: 1
25 How many people have confessed to you: 6
26 How many bf/gf have you had: 1
27 Are you occupied now: Yes
28 What would you do when a good friedn from same sex confessed: Tell her it's my honour
29 If your first love suddenly confessed to you, will you accept: Oledi
30 Why do you like your partner now: He sais it's the true Love, I think it's the superglue.
31 你和另一半牽手過嗎： Of course
32 你的另一半抱或親過嗎: Of course
33 你跟異性牽手過嗎：Of course
34 是誰，你們什麼關係：BF, friends, grandpa, uncles, baby brother, cousins...
35 現在有人在追你嗎：No

混合題 - １０題。。。。
36 如果有天，好朋友離你而去，你會怎樣：Fare them well
37 如果有天，好朋友背叛你，你會：Grow up & get wiser
38 如果有天，好朋友對你喜新厭舊了，你會：No big deal
39 如果你很受不了你的父母，你會離家出走嗎： I am already too far away
40 你上課認真嗎 : With coffee, yes.
41 你功課好不好: Ok gua
42 你开电腦都在幹麻: Working, assignments, emails, blogging, FB, watching endless movies, youtube, tudou, pps, ebooks, games, music, skyping, chatting...
43 你的即时通有多少个同性: Oh please not get there, my contact book is too huge!
44 你的即時通裡有多少個異性: Please refer to 43. 。。。。

兇手題 - 1 0 題。。。。
45 傳給你這份問卷的人是誰：Jay Chai
46 这個人對你好不好：Sweet & nice, lately like to bug me for new laptop & internet though
47 這個人是你的誰：Brother
48 你有喜歡過這個人嗎：I love him
49 你們認識多久了：Since the 1st day he was born
50 這個人是怎樣的人：Cool
51 這個人正／帥嗎：I think yes, but it's just my opinion
52 這個人跟你有沒有在一起过：We used to live together
53 萬一你喜歡這個人，你會怎麼办: I love him since the day he was born 。。。。

聯想題 - １０題。。。。
56 說到正妹你會想到誰：Nicol-pussycatdolls
57 說到帥哥你會想到誰: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
58 說到憨你會想到誰：Huai Chiing
59 說到痴你會想到誰：Jay (I copy his answer)
60 說到暗戀你會想到誰：Gigi
61 說到出去玩你會想到誰：Lavi
62 說到聰明鬼你會想到誰：CK
63 說到傻子你會想到誰: Ah Teck
64 說到笑點低你會想到誰: donno
65 說到愛笑你會想到誰 : Me 。。。。

學校題 - 1 1 題。。。。
66 你的班導是誰: No such thing anymore
67 你的座位是第幾排第幾個：0103
68 你最喜歡的老師是誰：Steve Carney
70 你的英文好嗎：ok gua
71 你的體育好嗎：nope
72 你的数学好么：used to, not anymore
73 你喜不喜歡你的校長: Horrible!
74 你的學校好看嗎：Yes, when is snowing or sunny
75 你的班級是：MSc IPG
76 你的班級在幾樓：Upper Ground Floor

Little Prince...

2009-06-12T04:20:00.002+01:00

'If some one loves a flower, of which just one single blossom grows in all the millions and millions of stars, it is enough to make him happy just to look at the stars. He can say to himself, 'Somewhere, my flower is there...'

'这就象花一样。如果你爱上了一朵生长在一颗星星上的花,那么夜间, 你看着天空就感到甜蜜愉快,所有的星星上都好象开着花...'

The night before UTAH

2009-06-11T19:22:00.008+01:00

After the stair incident on Monday, we were all hoping for Miracle...

Tee & I prepared lunch & took it to Birgit's, later joined by Tina & Eldar. I even collected the luminuos jacket & hard hat for Birgit, still hoping her ankle would get better... It didn't.

I was still living in denial on Wednesday... 'Birgit can make it.' 3pm, Birgit told me she emailed the school secretary that she can't make it. I just chucked everything into my lugagge & took off to her house to see her.

We were both very sad, but tried out best not to show it. We chit-chat as usual until Oli came home, which meant I was late for my appointment with Eldar.

I felt reluctant to leave, but it was time. I cried on my way back.

I was late so Eldar & I missed the movie. But we had a nice dinner to celebrate his belated birthday. Eldar managed to take my mind off from my sadness. by talking lots of other stuff... he's amazing in making things seem better than they really are.

Tee & Tina finished their dinner almost the same time as us. After retrieving Eldar's mobile phone from the cab, we went to Tina's flat together. Getting ready for the flight to UTAH early next morning... but without Queen of Queens... Birgit.
>.<

Eldar & I at his belated birthday celebration

Not Over Yet.... I

2009-06-10T23:00:00.005+01:00

Monday morning, when I having one of my 'revenge sleep' session from the crazy night out... I got a call from Birgit (QoQ).

(10am, a bit early for coffee isn't it?)

'Hello, how was your trip?' I thought Birgit is calling me for a cuppa coffee @ our favourite Starbucks. (ZzzZZ)

'Ning... I fall down from stair...' (!!!!!!)

'How are you right now?.... ' (?!?!??!)

'In great pain and I can't walk. I need to go to the hospital...' (!!!!!)

'WAIT, I WILL BE THERE ASAP'...

I hopped on a cab 10 minutes later on the way to rescue. (It felt awfully familiar... to the rescue? Oh yeah, I did spent some weekends taking Tee around looking for dentist... Am a ABERDEEN HOSPITAL AGENT!)

Birgit looked all pale in great pain. We got the cab took us right to the emergency unit. Birgit was attended by a young cute doctor not too long afterwards (thank god! The other young lady looked like she will eat all the patients)...

After some routine and x-ray (and they didn't even ask whether she's pregnant! Well she's not.) Birgit even got to choose what colour she wants for her bandage... She chose a ELECTRICAL GREEN one...

On the way home, we tried not to think about whether or not she will make it to the long waited UTAH field trip... It's only 3 days away... but there's still hope right?

Tina & Tee visited Birgit after they heard the news. We cancelled the group cooking dinner that night... and they change the venue to Bobbin. They wanted to buy me dinner because they just got their bonuses... but I wasn't in the mood, and didn't have the energy...

Deep down in my heart, I knew what will happen on Thursday, April the 16... But I still hoped against hope... that she could go...

(to be Continued)

Birgit (aka QoQ), very sporting girl
Hard to imgaine she sprained her ankles taking down the trash...

Crazy Night IV, the Closure

2009-06-10T21:22:00.008+01:00

When I woke up in the morning, Tee was already awake, freshly showered & holding his own phone that he just top-up...

'What should I say to him?'
'Ask where he is and say you want to see him...'

Tee, Tina & I visited Tom at home that afternoon...

He told us that he was so drunk that he didn't remember what happen the night before. But someone told him that Rene and him was having a great laugh and some fun with the cotton or something...

He was still wearing his favourite t-shirt full of blood, but seem alright apart from the absolutely sore head (Duh...)... It was a relief to see him joking as usual, even with such a big bump on his head.

When I finally got home that evening, I met Eldar online. Apparently he finished his credit calling me, & walked blindly on the street for 2 hours before he finally got a cab. The cab driver told him he's milessss off from home... He got home safely eventually... Poor ELdar.

What a night... *sigh*. Finally I could sleep soundly, thinking that everything is finally over (or not?)...

~~~

Cheerful TOm, he's the funniest guy in class...
Not the luckiest one I suppose...

Eldar Insafutdinov, aka YKE
who finish his phone credit calling me to confirm the truth that Tee didn't believe,
end up walking in the wrong direction for 2 hours
& finally got a cab home... safely... THANK GOD!

p/s:
(The next morning)

Oli: Honey, how was your night out with your friends last night?
Birgit: Oh, I can write a book about this eventful night...

(Apparently many more 'things' happen/almost happen/didn't happen... HOwever those stories shall remain discreet to protect individual's privacy... )

Crazy Night III

2009-06-10T19:58:00.009+01:00

Tee was awake, he insisted he killed Tom thus he deserved to die.

I tried my best to convinced him that Tom is alived but he asked for proof...

I texted Tom but not expecting any reply yet since he's probably getting stitches or sleeping...

My phone was running out of credit so I text Eldar asking to find out about Tom's condition from the others and let me know... His replied around 3am 'I am so drunk!', then he called. He sounded really drunk but he managed to find out that Tom is alright, and is staying in hospital for a night just in case....

'I don't know where I am, I was walking with these guys and now I can't see them... I don't know where I am...' Oh my god, not another problem?!
'Is there anyone near u? Ask them where you are!'
'NO no one is here'
'Any cab?'
'No...'

The converstion went on for a bit, without any progress because he was too drunk & I decided to hung up to save him some credit to call a cab when he's sober again...

~~~

I turned around and told Tee what Eldar said about Tom, but he didn't believe me.
'Eldar is drunk, how can we take his word?' At this point I feel like killing myself... Or him!
Tina came home right on time before I kill anyone. Apparently Eldar was suppose to walk home with Her and Laurence but they lost him half way, and he was on the phone (It's MY FAULT)...

~~~

Tee started to asked the same question he has been asking me for the past 4 hours to Tina in Thai... However Tina started talking to me about the night that I missed and 1/2 ignoring Tee. I told Tee if he get some sleep we would get my phone top up first thing in the morning, find out where TOm is and we will visit him together. This finally put him to sleep while Tina and I chit chat away...

I finally fall sleep while laughing at Tina's jokes and incident, especially the one which she put her foot on the edge of toilet bowl to fix her boots but end up slipped & stuck in the toilet bowl (ew...)

zzzZzz

~~~

(to be Continued)

Tina & Eldar

Tina, Tee, Eldar & Ning

The Crazy Night Part II

2009-06-01T19:42:00.005+01:00

' Is he alive? Is he alive?' I was bombarded by this same question from a same person from 12-5am.

What happened? Well everything happen to quick, but last for so long...

We stopped next to some ATMs as some of us wanted to withdraw some cash. Everyone had their fair share of alcohol by then and were pretty much lay back, relax & might even be a little drunk.

Tee (aka WT, NKT) was asking how I felt after my uneventful fall... But before I could finish my sentence, he hold up his hand to stop me (pretty dramatic, that is why I think he's a bit drunk) and ran towards TOm on the other end who was teasing Tina.
... ... ...

'OMG, TOM?!?!' The result of the playful hit was much worse than anyone would have anticipated. Tom fall backward on his head and LAID STILL...

'OMG he's bleeding!'... Tee & Tina's hands are full of blood now...

'DOn't touch him,' Laurence was calm while James managed to called 999 for ambulance.

'Tom tom!!! OMG, WHAT HAVE I DONE?' Tee collapsed and started crying.

... ... ...

After 5 minutes which seem more like a life long... Tom moved!!! The guys helped him up and he was able to walk & talk again. The bleeding seem to ease a little comparing to the pile on the ground...

'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'...

'Oh I am fine, I don't need stitches.' Tom
'NO you must go. The ambulance is coming...' Friends

'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'...

A few patrolling officers came and started asking questions. Rene & Tom seem to be handling everything well. Tom was talking to them in a very steady mode.

'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'...

TOm came & talked to Tee. 'DOn't worry I am fine. See I am ok. Don't worry!' TOm hugged Tee

'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'...

He was already in a hysteria and nothing could stopped him. A bunch of people talked to him but he only thought he killed Tom. ANd he kept hitting his head on the bus stop.
... ... ...

After a while the ambulance came. Rene went to the hospital with Tom while the others walked to Espionage...

'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'...

Everyone tried, and finally gave up.
'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'

Most of the people has gone up to Espionage... It was getting really cold outside...
'I KILL HIM, I KILL HIM'

We can't go up to Espionage coz the bouncer won't let us in.
'People that can't walked on their own should go home'
'Let's go home Tee.' 'NO. I want to see Tom.'

It last almost an hour and I was frozen. Finally with Fiddo & Emmanuel's helped, I dragged Tee to a cab nearby.

'No I can't take u guys, he looked drunk & sick.' Of course the cab driver meant TEE.
I was so COLD & gave it one last shot 'He's not drunk, he's cold. Please please please, it's too cold!'
'OK'...

... ... ...

We managed to put Tee to sleep. Emmanuel take off at 12.30 to join the party and I was there watching over Tee. Hoping he would sleep till the next day... or at least until he got some sence back....

BUt he didn't He woke up 1/2 hour later and same thing continued...

(To Be Continued...)

walking out from the first bar...

Tom (front) before the incident...
... ... ...

Espionage... The one I missed

The Crazy Night Part I

2009-05-29T12:28:00.010+01:00

It was the night that everyone was looking forward to. All 26 exhausted MSc IPG students went out for a lovely meal in La Taska.

Laurence, Tom, Birgit & Eldar taken at La Tasca

We then headed off to tonic for drinks.

Knowing my alcohol allergic, I was only seeping my rum coke carefully.
But when Tommy Boy bought everyone a shot to celebrate the ending of our final final exam, I couldn't resist but took that little harmless looking vodka shot.

(5 minutes later)

'Birgit, I am soooo drunk!'
'Oh that is good, you're suppose to be drunk for this night.'

... ... ... (blackout)

'Ning are you ok?!' Birgit & Tina's voice
'What happen?' My own voice
'You collapsed on the floor. Are you ok?' Birgit hold me up 'Let's go to the washroom'

... ... ... (blackout)

'Ning I need you to drink this' a glass of iced water was in front of me, and I am standing in the toilet.
*glass smashed*

... ... ... (blackout)

'Ning I need you to throw up.' I was in a cubicle now with Birgit....

... ... ... (blackout)

'HOLLY CRAP!' Apparently I throw up succesfully during one of the blackout period & the cubicle was such a mess! Birgit was still holding me.

'Dont' worry Ning drink this' another glass of ice water appear in front of me.
'OMG I am so sorry, this is soooo embarassing!' I was totally awaken then
'Don't worry it happen to everyone! It's normal' Tina

Birgit started cleaning the mess I made...

I went into another cubicle and sat down, regathering my senses...

'Is Ning ok?' I heard a classmate asked.
'She's fine now after she thrown up' Birgit
'Oh no what are you doing, the workers here clean that.' classmate said
'No she's my friend and I want to clean up the mess.' Birgit
'But why, I won't do that if I were you.... & How's Ning, do you think we should call a cab and send her back?'
'No, she's fine and she will come with us to have fun!'
'Ok' Classmate walked off

... ... ... (sitting still)

'Ning don't lock the door!' Birgit & Tina.
'I am fine, I am coming out now.'

After I went out from the washroom...

'Are you ok?' Eldar asked & gave me a big hug!

'I thought you were a pile of cloths on the floor and I thought, hey someone dropped their jacket'

'I was just talking to you and I looked the other way for 2 seconds and when I turned back, you were gone!'

The group decided to go to a nightclub for more drinking & dancing...

Birgit insisted that I should tag along to have fun. Well, why the hell not! It was suppose to be a fun night compensating the hellish months we have just been through.

What could possibly be worse than what happen just now right?
So the party went on... & yes, it did get worse...

(to be continued...)

It was like a DREAM

2009-05-18T01:17:00.008+01:00

Everything was like a dream... I am not sure that it even happen...

Did it really? Too many things happen...

From the crazy exam timetable...
- to the even crazier class night out that I got so drunk & collapse on the floor,
- to the whole Tee hysterical night for causing Tom to fall on the back of his head...
- to the incident of QoQ that prevented her from the long longed field trip...
- to the whole lovely awesome trip that seem too good to be true...

and *BANG*! All of a sudden everyone is on their own seperate way...

Were those even real? If they still say real by the time I wake up, I should blog about them...

BTW, I AM BACK.

Well this photo was taken in Chicago Airport which wasn't even on the original itinerary, so I guess it is real after all...

UTAH Field Trip

2009-04-15T00:27:00.009+01:00

I will be on a field trip
16/4 - 1/5
to
UTAH

then

a 'special' trip
3/5 - 11/5
to
EDINBURGH, PARIS & LONDON

My Friends...

2009-04-14T20:35:00.011+01:00

Friends care for us in many different ways...
Some with words, some with actions, some with hugs, some with kisses, some with inspirations, some with encouragements...

Some are powerful & overt:

'Ning I will protect you,' *bang* they land like superheroes in front of me & divert the bullets;

'Don't bully my Ning,' expect their warning howl at any merest harmful attempts;

'Don't worry, it's ok...' soothing voice from QoQ after the uneventful fall;

'It's ok I know how it feel, you're allergic to alcohol, don't be embarrassed' with hugs, drunk princess would comfort me;

Some are rather subtle:

'......' <-- well they don't say it...

They might run 2 step fwd to chase your phobia away so you don't have to face it;

They might look for the medicine when you look pale & sick;

They might be the only one who notice your eyes are not smiling as your lips;

They might be the only one who hug u when u feel like you can't carry on anymore;

They might be watching from afar looking at u surrounded by people just to be sure you're safe;

'......' but no, they do not say it.

~~~

I am lucky because I am surrounded by caring friends, no matter in which way, they warm the cockles of my heart!

I am so blessed!

Tempting Heart-心動

2009-04-14T18:43:00.015+01:00

Tempting Heart

有多久沒見你以為你在那裡
how long has it been
was wondering where you were
原來就住在我心底陪伴著我的呼吸
apparently you have been living in the bottom of my heart
accompanying every breath I take
有多遠的距離以為聞不到你的氣息
how far is the distance between us
I thought I can no longer smell your breath
誰知道你背影這麼長回頭就看到你
who knows your have such long shadow
I can see you whenever I turn around
過去讓它過去來不及從頭喜歡你
bygone is bygone
I missed the chance to like u from scratch
白雲纏繞著藍天如果不能夠永遠走在一起
if the cloud which lingers around the blue sky
are not meant to be together
也至少給我們懷念的勇氣擁抱的權利
please at least give us the courage to miss
and the right to embrace
好讓你明白我心動的痕跡
so you would understand
the sign of my tempting heart
總是想再見你還試著打探你消息
always wanted to see you again
always inquiring about you
原來你就住在我的身體
seemingly you have been living within me
守護我的回憶
guarding my memories...

Just Wanna Go Home

2009-04-12T21:34:00.005+01:00

I miss WY too much, can hardly bear it.

The thought of doing a summer project on my weakest topic in a totally new territory without any friends, without WY... is so unbearable.

I keep having nightmare, about the exam of that fearful subject, and always wake up with the unknown fear lingering in the air... Kills me inside...

I don't care what result what project what life anymore... I just wanna go home... I just want WY... I miss u, I love u.

Please give me strengths...

2009-04-10T09:58:00.006+01:00

One thing after another, please give me strengths to deal with all these, please shed me light and lead me to the right direction, please help me...

Life is but a Dream...

2009-04-02T08:43:00.004+01:00

Sometimes I wish when I open my eyes, all these are just but a dream...

And that I will forget about everything in the blink of an eye...

Leaded Feelings...

2009-03-31T14:54:00.011+01:00

Woke up feeling all fresh and positive despite slow progress in revision...

All of a suddent... my mood swing around and loaded my heart with leaded heavy feelings...

I miss u...

FINAL EXAM

2009-03-28T18:39:00.007Z

Final exam for this course, and probably...
FINAL EXAM IN MY LIFE!

Brightness after Gloomy Days

2009-03-25T20:43:00.019Z

Brightness is the only thing you would long for in gloomy and dark moment like this...

Clouded by deep darkness, I can't afford to lose my dear friend, not in this way. I am glad that we finally talk things out, and seem to have mutual understanding.

Yes, in challenging moment like this, we should be supporting each other and not hurting... or avoiding each other.

Brightness is welcome, and together, we will walk through this dark time, towards the brighter side.

All the best my dearest friends, WT, QoQ (Queen of Queens), PoM (Princess of Moon) & YKE (Young Knight Eldar).

Faith & Fate

2009-03-23T01:09:00.010Z

IT HURTS... When you care about someone so much & get this......

You're such a good friend. Smart, sensitive, sweet and thoughtful... I thought we share a lot in common, I thought we understand each other.

After all, we are just passerby in one another's life. The moment you said 'I am so tired from fighting with you.' I knew that this has to end. I've never intended to fight, but somehow there's where we always end up to be...

No matter how much I want to ease your pain & soothe your soul... when we hurt each other like this, I shouldn't, and couldn't stand by your side anymore. I am glad that we've met, and I am sorry this is how it ends.

All the best and be strong, that is all I can say.

Beauty is...

2009-03-04T00:04:00.005Z

Courtesy of YKE (Young Knight Eldar- Eldar Insafutdinov)

Nietzsche "The slow arrow of beauty. The most noble kind of beauty is that which does not carry us away suddenly, whose attacks are not violent or intoxicating (this kind easily awakens disgust), but rather the kind of beauty which infiltrates slowly, which we carry along with us almost unnoticed, and meet up with again in dreams; finally, after it has for a long time lain modestly in our heart, it takes complete possession of us, filling our eyes with tears, our hearts with longing. What do we long for when we see beauty? To be beautiful. We think much happiness must be connected with it. But that is an error."

Behind the Veil

2009-03-03T17:53:00.010Z

People thought they know the truth, but they don't.

Because I can not tell ...

Save Me, Spare Me

2009-03-01T18:25:00.011Z

I can't do this anymore...

I should have seen it coming,
I should read the sign,
How am I suppose to know...
That it would hurt me so...

Save me plz, spare me from this pain...
I just can't do this anymore...

Vulnerable

2009-03-01T00:03:00.003Z

I feel so vulnerable lately... I have never imagined I can be so vulnerable...

Everything makes me cry... A song, a word, a sentence, a memory, a thought...

When WY pointed out the main factor of my sadness, I cried. He knows me too well. He's right, I have to get on. Him and Lavi both smell the truth, give the same advice and both are there for me, I know it.

Later, I saw sis's comment on my facebook, saying the first time we met was in hospital, and her first impression of me was when I smile at her after I was born, it touches my heart so deep.

I have never thought about the first time we met, just assume its somewhere home around the blurry memory, didn't think it would be something special like this. And she remembers, so sweet... Reminds me of first impression of baby Yii is when he smile at me the day he was born... Maybe I am just having a terrible homesick at the wrong time, this is critical moment and I have no time for homesick. SY said, 'take it easy.' Thanks sis, I love u, I miss u... I

I miss wy, mom, dad, sis, yii, grandma, mommy, jade, lavi, home, apartment, bed, car, dimsum, nasi lemak, hypo... so much... too much...

LOTR#2: The Ring Tower

2009-02-02T20:17:00.018Z

After the special BBQ lunch, WT and Princess presented a tower each to the queen and myself... Very sweet indeed.

It's a purple (my favourite colour) snow globe with a bear (my favourite toy) cuddling a rabbit (my favourite pet)... with a cute little magnetic trinket!

'And now you can keep your ring in the drawer...' Princess
'And don't lost it again...' WT

('Don't lost it again! Rings are expensive!' Leggie)

Ok ok... your wish(es) is (are) my COMMAND...

Alas, in the secret trinket of the snow tower dwells the legendary ring~ Supervene Upon the Mislaid

BBQ chicken or PAMA

2009-02-02T18:20:00.016Z

Fantastic 4 were sick, together, like a sick date.

(from left: Queen's bf standing in for her; WT with skin allergic;
Moon Princess, oi mak with stomachache, Ning's bf standing in for her)

Well WT blame me (as usual) while Queen and I blame him...

Judge for yourself:

Wednesday (28 Jan 09):
WT, Princess and I were locked outside of class room by Queen's secret admirer... We turn and twist and push and pull, nothing worked. We were left with 3 options:

1. Break the door (enter like Terminator)
2. Knock on the door (enter like Loser)
3. Walked away (absolute Sloth)

Despite the fact that WT was keen to try his Hercules strength after various work out session by breaking down the door... we decided to start cooking BBQ chicken instead.

WT after various intense work out sessions

The BBQ chicken WT cooked was delicious as usual. However, queen (high fever), princess (stomachache) and I (fever) got sick that night...

Thursday (29 Jan 09):
Queen and I on MC. WT & princess had PAMA tomyam instant noodle for lunch in my flat. All of a sudden WT had scary rashes all over the neck up to the face... (actually looks quite natural on the face)... itchy and nasty.

WT with skin allergic

Now that everyone recovered, naturally finger pointing starts...

We were sick because of:
a. Tee's BBQ chicken
b. Ning's PAMA instant noodle (tom yam flavour)
c. The plot of queen's secret admirer

I say A.

Beating Insomnia

2009-02-02T02:49:00.002Z

I can't sleep, I just can't.

'I suffer from it sometimes, but after I exercise I can sleep earlier.' Tee

'Exercise is a good cure for insomnia. Maybe you can drink some milk. I tried before, sometime it works but sometime it doesn't.' Alvin Low

'Just shut your eyes and you will sleep.' Mom

I tried... but they don't work. Even after I run, after I work out, after drinking milk, after listening to music, anything... I am wide awake with tired body and soul.

Lying on bed for 4 hours after work out, I forced myself, and I am still awake.

Where is the Ning can sleep up to 24 hours? Gone...

LOTR#1: The Fellowship of The Ring

2009-01-24T02:53:00.018Z

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Not exactly as grand of a story, but it also involves a ring that was Presented-Lost-and Sought by a FELLOWSHIP...

It was MY WEDDING RING...

Yes yes, I lost my wedding while I was having snow ball fight with my friends... Regretfully so, though I must admit the fight was indeed QUITE FUN. Many thanks for the faithful 'Fellowship of the Ring', and specially one for JABBY who actually found my engagement ring.

For what's worth, WY got me a NEW RING, yeah. So... the story continues...

One Ring for the Engagement on Xmas eve,

One Ring for the Binding of two Hearts as one,

One Ring Supervene Upon the Mislaid

One for the Clumsy Head on Her Lonesome Days,

In the Land of grayness that the sun forsaken

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the coldness bind them

(Don’t forget to buy me more ring darling…)

Long Distance Relationship

2009-01-24T02:33:00.013Z

I bumped into an old friend that I haven't meet since 2000 on facebook and started catching up with each others life. She has just broke up end of last year, 3rd relationship that didn't work out. So she ask me about my love life...

Simple, I met WY in 2001 & got married 6 years later. Anyway, when I said we're apart for a year, I got some familiar questions...

'Is that gonna work?'
'Are you not worried?'
'How do you do it?'

First... it's working; Worried? If anything happen, it's fated, nothing we can do about it; How? There's no special remedy, nor guide book. One has to cope what one must cope... I never said it's easy, it was NEVER EASY.

So, what do you think?

1. DO u believe in soul mate?
2. DO you think distant relationship could work? TO what extent?
3. DO you think YOU can survive distant relationship, to what extent? (Or you have experince in this?)

Victory of Lonesome

2009-01-24T02:15:00.010Z

I will have a totally lonely CNY. Birgit is out of town, Tee basically disappear from earth despite the fact that he sorta agree to have CNY eve dinner together, after not returning my movie invitation...

Sit and rot, victory to lonesome.

Write

2009-01-13T12:50:00.006Z

It's exam time, show time,
No time for doubt, nor hesitation,
Do it! Jia you jia you!

2009-01-10T23:51:00.007Z

Ning, you are bloody dreadful and annoying
No kidding...

Just Kill Me Already

2009-01-09T02:13:00.008Z

Can't sleep can't study, just KILL ME ALREADY!

I am so doom...

New perspective for 2009

2009-01-05T03:18:00.010Z

Not too late for new year resolution eh... Simple, just stick to the PLAN and do it WELL.

Gone Gone Going

2009-01-03T16:09:00.013Z

There goes the good holiday and I am back to a messy room with a reluctant heart... reluctant to get back to reality, reluctant to study, reluctant to sleep and reluctant to wake up.

Alarm woke me up this morning after a 2 hours sleep, I jumped out of bed and was panicking for WY to catch the expensive flight back to KL. I was looking for him in my room when I realize he's gone, already back to KL.

All of sudden my room, and my life felt like BIG VOID. So I started living in denial again... Can't even find a friend to talk to and distract myself... Feel like Harry Potter living under the stairs, wondering why Hermione and Ron haven't been writing all summer...

Gone is the holiday, what's left is only the sweet memory, adding yet another page on this journey of life... And by right, I should be fully recharge for another term, or more critically, for my exam in 2 weeks time, why am I feel so jaded?

Well, just give me another day or so, and I will get back to my 'tiger' mode ready for the next challenge... just a bit more.

Happy New Year!

The Pandora's Box

2008-11-28T20:01:00.024Z

In the deepest lake of the darkest cove lies the latched Pandora Box... Forgotten and abandoned for the goodness of mankind...

Evil never died, nor it ever subside... All were unleashed.
Impertinent perdition deluged entire mortal world...
Alas, it was meant to be, and so will it be...

(Ning C.~2008)

Totoro~! For Shin Yi

2008-11-13T18:59:00.004Z

I learned from Tee and Tina that we could watch movies (in many episodes) in You Tube...

And the first thing I thought about was My Neighbour Totoro. I watched it long time ago with sis, sweet memories. We're very much like the sisters in the cartoon, I always want to follow what she's doing, and she's always playing both easy and tough role on me as the elder sister.

I want to dedicate this blog to Shin Yi, the lovely sister, daughter, wife and mother now.

I miss you and I always do love you. My best sister.

Do I Miss Weng Yuen?

2008-11-10T09:24:00.012Z

I often get these questions

"Do you miss your husband?"
"Do you miss Yip?"
"Do you miss ME?"

"Yes, I do" I always reply...

That is not my genuine answer... To tell you the truth, not only 'do' I miss him, I miss him miserably sometimes. Separating with him at the immigration check out was the hardest part of whole journey. I am glad that I did not let him see a single drop of tear. In fact I cried when I was in Miri, when I was saying goodbye to Steve, and most of all, when I went down to the departure hall... It was a late night flight, and the whole lounge was almost empty... It was just too perfect to burst into tears finally realizing how lonely I was...

But I told him and myself, we're married, we're mature, and we're committed. But as I told him, I don't like saying 'I miss you' all the time in the phone, and make some funny crying sound. I think that make me weak. I rather we talk about life, every single bit of our lives... Ups and downs, fun and bitter, thoughts and facts rather than empty 'I miss you'.

Sharing every bit of our lives make me feel like we are close to each other, secure and connected. There's no use in whining on how miserable we feel because that makes it worst. After all it's only one year...

Do I miss WY? What do you think?

Do you love WY? Why do you think I got married?

Next Dawn... 下一个天亮

2008-11-09T11:19:00.019Z

They are 2 things I hate about myself.
One is when I feel lonely and another is when I hate myself.

Most of the time I like being alone admiring the peace and quietness. But there are times when I suddenly feel lonely and helpless...

There's many things I love about life and this world, everything seem beautiful and nice. But when syndrome 2 comes, I will think the world hates me, including myself, thus I hate the world in return.

What do I do? I stay alone, reorganize myself... and hide myself until I am normal again... I don't like anyone to see the weak side of me...

I call it the Ostrich Syndrome, burying my head into the sand hoping no one would see me...

And wait for the next dawn...

Birgit's Party

2008-10-24T23:52:00.006+01:00

Birgit invited us for her boyfriend, Oli's party. Tonna and I took a bus to their house at Union Grove. Well it was 8 pm but the girl sat behind us in the bus was so drunk that she thrown up... ew... Luckily not on us...

We were the first to arrive. Tina and Tee joined later. It was such a lovely party and Birgit is such a talented cook. She prepared lots of delicious food... Oli is tall, cute and nice. They make a sweet perfect couple!

Anitha, Tee, Tonna, Tina and Ning... a bit drunk from light light Cuba Libre

Tee, Tonna, Ning, Birgit, Tina, Anitha and someone...

My favourite photo, Tina and Tonna, the 2 hotties.

Tina is such a babe. She told us a funny story about silicon bra, and make me laugh till... I have never laughed like that since high school....

Tina: You know in Thailand some girls want to have bigger boobs and we wear the silicon bra. But when we dance the bra would slip down... And my friend will come and whisper 'Tina, Tina, watch out, you have '4' now'.

But since she's in middle of dancing, she would just cover with her hand and continue dancing.

Tina: But now we have secret weapon, glue...

Haha, she is so adorable...!!!

My 1st British Birthday

2008-10-21T01:32:00.010+01:00

I am a Libra, born on the 21st October. The good thing to be a Libra is we are voice of justice, love and patient. The downside is our birthday always fall on EXAM TIME.

When I was 1/2 studying the dreadful geophysics data processing, someone knocked on the door and...

It was a Birthday Bouquet from MIRI

Later on, Ester knocked on my door and gave me another bouquet which I then mix into the first one.

Jen bought me a birthday cake and it's delicious...

The next day after exam, Birgit and Tonna passed me a birthday present, A BOOK of SCOTLAND beautiful places, all four season. The scenery is absolutely stunning!!!

The best was the msg on the card ' I know you love book and I know you won't have time to see all those places...' lolz. Birgit bought it 2 weeks ago from Amazon...

Another thing that wasn't meant to be my birthday present but it did cheer up my mood big time was this box from Zoh (the amazing Zohriyyah!)...

It arrived in such a mess because one of the milo pack broke... But I can't help to laugh all the way. There're so many things in the box and I felt soooooo touch. Including kuih raya which is a donation from the angels.

It's the biggest gift box ever, and I haven't laugh so heartily for so long... The box not only save my money, motivates me to do better but also brightened up my grey day in Aberdeen. Thank you my friend(s)...

Before and after:

Well, not bad at all for a exam home away birthday. I didn't expect 1/2 as fun as this... However, I did expect something from my hubby. But you might have noticed, none of those was from him... Nothing. My first married birthday, I received NO PRESENT from my new wed husband. Hm...

Autumn

2008-10-19T01:16:00.007+01:00

Flowers...

King's College

Meston Building...

Drilling and Logging Facility Visits

2008-10-16T23:36:00.015+01:00

Well, brain detonation program is not all intense lecture all the time. Sometimes they do let us go out like a group of lemmings...

1st Visit- Weatherfold Drilling Training Centre

The guy looking into the camera is very 'perasan' one, he kept posing for us, haha. Maybe he saw the prettiest girl- Tina there and that's quite normal. The instructor was very funny, explain well but with rapid scottish accent.

Birgit smile like sunshine. Tina and Tom in front.

Last but not least, group photos...

2nd visit- Baker Atlas & Inteq logging facilities

Tonna & Birgit

Pretty Tina

Tee & Ma

The Matrix...

And now we look forward for the Northumberland Field Trip, a PROPER FIELD TRIP, yeah!

Brain Detonation Program Intro

2008-10-01T05:08:00.006+01:00

When they said this MSc IPG course is really really intense, I didn't know what they actually mean was 'BRAIN DETONATION PROGRAM'. However, as a Chinese, I should be happy because you are getting more than you bargain for, that should be good business and well worth the price no?

Anyway, here's a class photo taken during one of the classmates birthday.

The girl in red is my favourite, Birgit from Germany, my favourite football team too.

There are a few couples in the class and potentially a few more. Like high school sweet hearts, fun to watch, haha. We shall see...

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Ning: Have you notice some couples in the class
Tee: Yes of course
Ning: Really? How many pairs?
Tee: Three
Ning: Wow, not bad your observation. Tell me who?
Tee: First is Rene and Lindsay
Ning: Oh that one I also know long time ago, who else?
Tee: Second is xxx and xxx (I won't say their name here because they are not 'confirm' yet... Shall give more room for their relationship to develop)
Ning: Ah, not bad, I also noticed. Who is the third pair?
Tee: Third pair is Birgit and (Ning's mind: Huh? Birgit my best friend is having intra-class relationship? Why I never notice?)
Tee: and YOU...

-_-"...

Tee is funny...

Count Down #2- KL

2008-09-09T09:00:00.011+01:00

After coming back from Miri Farewell Trip, it was time to farewell KL...

My first farewell present from leng lui Yuen... lovely... and Magnets from Leg, but maybe not a farewell gift...

Farewell buka puasa dinner at Mdm Kwan with SWEET hotties... and lovely earrings...

Farewell Lunch at Thai Thong the next day. Shame that leng lui Yuen wasn't able to join us, but she and MR bought me a very very nice farewell lunch after that... And I finish my last day at work with another farewell dinner, with Huai Chiing and Kailiang...

Eat my way here didn't I... I am so blessed with lovely friends, colleagues, family... They are many farewell gesture and gift I haven't put up here (with little Koala, Shella, Rico, Wee...etc), but really appreciate their kindness and blessings.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

My last farewell was actually with MM @ starbucks, Citibank. It was difficult to smile at the end when I said good bye... I want to thank him, but I know, I can never thank him enough for what he has brought into my life. For that, I officially declare that He is entitled for free retirement package tailored for him. I will take care of him when he gets old, drunk, broke and unwanted. (This is the safest offer since he's rich, healthy with a lovely superwoman as wife and 2 cool son).

Count Down #1- Miri

2008-09-09T05:24:00.009+01:00

Well, I meant to write this post long time ago but didn't have time... will just slam things in...

I will start the first countdown from Miri, went home twice before I came here. It was around moon cake festival so we had a early celebration.

Mommy make some mooncakes for me, lovely little thing...

Mom prepared a superb dinner... and some scarfs that give me warmth in the heart more than the skin...

Well uncle Feng visited us and it's needle point show time... One of mom's top talentsssss (yeah, this and the knitting and the dancing and the kungfu and the...)

As usual Yi is thoughtful and sweet... think for others more than herself... and it's a MONKEY WORLD... (the sticker is now on my hostel wall)

Last but not least, BLESSING ANGPAOS

One from poetical dad...and one from mommy...

I thought I am old and mature, but I still felt very sad right before I leave.

One more year, I told them... One more year and I will be able to share the burdens on their shoulder.

I love my family, and they my top priority in life.

(to be continued)

First Intimate Contact with Aberdeen

2008-08-20T20:38:00.013+01:00

Immediately after the workshop in London, MM and I took a morning flight to Aberdeen- survey trip to University of Aberdeen.

The admission office arranged for a tour to take us around the campus with 4 other students who look like Yii's age. They were all accompanied by their parents.
I saw the FAMOUS cathedral that Jo got married. The tour guide said it's fully book for next three years and advice us to book it now and look for candidate later.

Elphinstone student hall, I will be staying here for a year (not this particular block though)

We then met Prof Macdonald to talk about the MSc course and also the final project. He took us to see Dr. Mads Huuse, a young Denish geophysicist who reminded me of Kim Hansen.

MM took a few photos for me as See Ming wanted to put it in Hess Newsletter... Feel so awkward... (paisei)

Weird photos...

MM took a few too...

We grab a drink from St Machar's and MM said it's good to balance study with fun, so we took these photos...

Well, then we grab a few more drink on the way at a few pubs and bars... MM told me the funny story about how he hit his professor's head! LOLZ, I will never forget that one.

Then it's dinner time... Hm... Indian food? Yes, and it turned out to be GREAT.

This photo was taken from my bedroom at Skene House Holburn, never did I know that would be the little path I take every so often to Birgit's house...

It was such a wonderful trip, and meant a lot to me.

I am so glad for this opportunity. This is a great thing the company has done for me, sponsoring me for this program and I intend to study hard and make the most out of it. Aidan was the man who make it happen, for that I thank him. I respect him in many ways for he's the man who walk the talk. Rani has been very helpful as well.

However, the one man I can never thank enough is MM.

MM is like a best friend, like a brother, like a sister, like a teacher, like a father, like a son... It's hard to describe but he's my 'gui ren', the type of person who change your life (for the better).

I told him when he's old I will take care of him and Janine. I know they are rich with 2 sons and will never need me, but the offer is genuine without expiry date. I don't think he believes me though.

Anyway, I wish for the best for MM and family. The very lovely Carneyssss.

First Intimate Contact with London

2008-08-16T20:08:00.015+01:00

My first time to UK was for work. We had a workshop in London office. Puji and I took the same flight and we landed at London on 15 Aug. We decided to take a little walk around the city on 16 Aug while waiting for MM to arrive from Manchester.

We first found out where the office is... Which is just around the corner from our hotel (Hilton) at Adelphi building.

Then we decided to walk across the bridge to have a look at the London Eye which is next to the National Musical Hall.

We met some famous character on the way too, including Jack Sparrow (he was on the phone with Elizabeth) and Mickey Mouse was waiting for Minnie.

Next was of course towards the famous parliament house, or BIG BEN.

And then the Buckingham Palace...

I particularly like this Narnia-looking statue...

We got a call from MM around noon and walk back to hotel to meet him for lunch. Puji took this photo before we exit through the entrance. What interest me was the man at the back was walking his pet- a ferret. How cool is that!

We passed by Trafalgar Square, where the national gallery is. There was a big crowd there waiting for the Olympic game to start, and UK won a lot of medals that afternoon.

MM took us to where Charles Dickens used to hang out... 'The Lamb and Flag', or its prominent old name, 'Bucket of Blood' for the Prize Fights.

We had Sunday Roast at the Wellington before going back to the hotel to get ready for the workshop.

Well that was the short 1/2 day sightseeing in London... Well, be ready London, I will be back. See you soon.

Mighty Mentor (MM) Steve Carney

2008-08-08T20:08:00.009+01:00

This first post is dedicated to a very important person who change my life. He's the reason why I am here in the Silver Granite City. Bless him for his pure benignity & genuine kind heart.

He is widely known as the 'sizzling hot lava' but at other times referred to as Steve Carney. He attained his current title, MM (Mighty Mentor) for mentoring Ning, Shin Ni and Chai. I can talk for days and nights about how kind (or strict) and hilarious (or mean) he is... But I shall save that for another time, as this post is meant to recognize his hard work (and mental deterioration having to put up with me for 3 whole years). This is a copy of the letter of appreciation I wrote for my boss (He asked for a few bullet points but wrote a long girly one as usual, despite my poor and limited English skill...)

"When Steve and I joined Hess in 2005, he took the initiative to mentor me even though there was no proper mentorship structure/program in place. He started by introducing me the concept and structure of the industry, including the responsibilities and functionalities of different disciplines and functional groups throughout the value chain.

In order to build a stronger technical foundation, Steve outlined the appropriate trainings for me, and followed up the trainings with informal discussion (learning and application and work). Likewise, he also helps the other fresh petrotechs whenever they seek for help or advice. He helped HR to set up the IPIMS training module (IHRDS), a comprehensive training package now available for all.

On the technical ground, he emphasized on the importance of hands-on learning and experience. He facilitated me throughout the 'Bumi Deep Scoping Geological Study' and West Flank Resource Assessment' (Carigali Hess ) in 2006, 'JDA Integrated Reservoir Characterization' and 'Low Resistivity Low Contrast Pay Study' in 2007 and 2008. Not only has he taught me the technical knowledge and skill, he also helped me with essential soft skills (presentation, report writing, communication, creative and critical thinking) to improve the quality of my work. Steve promotes liberal thinking and open discussion with constructive ideas, thus encourages us to speak up at work.

As a mentor, he also makes sure that I take up responsibilities and challenges. He inspired me to present out technical work at the Hess 2006 Geoscience Clobal Technical Conference (GGTC), 2007 Global Reservoir Technology Conference (GRTC) and published a technical paper at the Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Annual Conference 2008. He motivated me to pursue my passion for further study with Hess and agreed to be my mentor during the study.

Steve is attentive and motivates me to do my best. Hes is also a fantastic teacher and has made me reach further than the goals I have set for myself."

Yes, I can never thank him enough, he is my Mighty Mentor. And no I don't have a better photo coz that's how he's like in front of the camera.

Unless you consider this one as his serious side...