Monday, February 16, 2009

My Life-Changing Experience on Valentine's Day

This is truly something worth blogging about.

So, you must be wondering what I did on the 14th that was life-changing. Well, I went for an orientation retreat with the ex-form fives of 2009 and some of the leaders at Peacehaven.

That's not the life-changing experience that I'm talking about if you're wondering. Anyways, in the afternoon, we went up to the Genting Theme Park, a place I barely visited in my past 20 years of life. And guess what??

We sat (or flew? or maybe stood?) on the Flying Coaster!! Yea, I know some of you might have sat before and may not be a big deal for you as it is for me, but it really was for me. For those who know me, you know that I'm not the adventurous type and can be very 'fearful' of these terrifying adventures. Nevertheless, I braved myself (all 3 of us - Priscilla, Sharon and I) to take up one of the most difficult challenges in our lives.

While I was contemplating whether to go for it, Priscilla helped us make the decision to go by saying that "this will be a life-changing experience on Valentine's Day!' (hence the title of my post). I thought about it for awhile and with a reluctant and yet excited feeling, I said "OK." In my head, I thought, "What are the chances that I get to do such a crazy thing on Valentine's Day in Genting? We might as well just do it since we're already here!" Along the themepark, Priscilla and I were pointing to and thought of taking other kind of "roller-coasters" that looked pretty much safer and slower than the one that was anticipating us. The other girls didn't look much worried than the three of us. Rebecca certainly did not, as she had sat on it before and so did a few others. It was actually Rebecca who suggested this life-changing experience. Thanks to her I'm now braver than I thought I was.

After buying the tickets we kept glancing at the coaster track like it will make us feel any better. Just before starting the 'flying' experience, I forgot to unload my handphone and had to run back to pass it to an ex-form five cg member, who was too afraid to take up the challenge that she volunteered to take care of our things while we embark on the adventure. While running back, my feet had a cramp. Interesting, huh.

Then as the three of us were strapped (or rather caged) in our positions, we thought to ourselves, "This Is IT." Sharon prayed out loud on behalf of us and all three said a unanimous "AMEN" as we took off, slowly at first, climbing up the spiral track. That was nothing. We held tightly to the hand rail and were soon at the peak of the track. As we saw the descending track line, all of us thought the same thing, "I don't wanna do this! Why on earth are we here?! Can we go back down?" Yes, of course, by "flying"! And soon after, the adventure began. It happened so fast that I screamed the moment we went down the descending track. The two of them beside were soundless. It made me wonder while I was screaming, whether they had fainted or had already suffered a heart attack just by looking at it. I just "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" the whole time, from the peak till it slowed down.

When we came down, both Priscilla and Sharon were laughing and my face was pale as sheet (not shit) and I could feel my legs numb. When I asked the two why they were so quiet throughout, Sharon said she was laughing the whole time beginning when I started screaming. Priscilla, on the other hand, was too scared to utter anything, not even to let out a scream.

That was IT. My life-changing experience on Valentine's Day. On the way back from Genting, Rebecca asked if I would go again the next time, I said "No. Once is enough. Once in a lifetime."

Now, come to think of it, "Would there be a second time for me?"




Friday, February 06, 2009

A Brilliant Article

This is an article worth reading by Hannah Yeoh.


To those who argue that the political crisis in Perak now is a taste of Pakatan's own medicine (referring to the Sept 16 takeover plan), they have failed to see the key differences between the two. If you remember what happened when Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed to have the numbers to form the new federal government, he wrote to PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi requesting him to convene an emergency sitting of Parliament. This was rejected by the PM. The next constitutional option is to press for the dissolution of Parliament to make way for fresh new elections. That was also not entertained. Anwar Ibrahim exhausted the constitutional means that were available to him. If Pakatan were to act unconstitutionally and lure defections, then we will be having a new government today. But we didn't and we will not act unconstitutionally. So you can't say that Najib's coup and Pakatan's plan were one and the same.Some may also say, well what about the earlier defection of Bota assemblyman, Datuk Nasarudin Hashim? Why did Pakatan Rakyat accept him? Why not force his seat to be vacated for a by-election? Let's keep things in perspective here. His defection was that of an opposition lawmaker to a governing lawmaker. His defection did not alter the balance of power in the State Assembly. Pakatan Rakyat remained as government, and BN as opposition. Status quo. Logically and intelligently, anyone can safely assume that Pakatan Rakyat didn't need a defection from BN. Thus, he defected on his own accord and on his own will. There was no need for Pakatan Rakyat to force him to vacate his seat as he did not win the seat on a Pakatan ticket. The Pakatan government really has no standing in forcing him to vacate a seat which wasn't earned by Pakatan in the first place!I must say that I had great respect for Sultan Azlan Shah. Until yesterday. I wonder how he could possibly consent to the formation of a new BN state government when constitutionally, a government is still in place. And to even approve to a new Menteri Besar when the existing one is still in office? How can any state have 2 heads of government at any one time? There can only be one Menteri Besar of Perak. This is a mockery. The Menteri Besar can only be removed by the State Assembly via a vote of no-confidence or via the dissolution of the assembly. And none of these two constitutional means has been requested by BN. How can anyone claim that Najib and Anwar are one and the same?Next, the Sultan called for a "unity" government to be formed by BN and the Independents. Let's be clear about this. The Independents are in no way legally bound to represent BN. Well, at least not yet, not till they officially become members of a BN component party. All that the Sultan and Najib has from them is a verbal assurance that "we will be friendly to BN". And just by appearing in a press conference with Najib, it justifies the change of government? What if next week these Independents were to be seen in a press conference with Pakatan? A real "unity" government envisioned by the Sultan should have been an all-inclusive government of Pakatan, BN, and the Independents. Pakatan and BN each have 28 seats, and the Independents 3. Thus, no single party or coalition has a commanding majority. If there is to be a "unity" government, it calls for a new coalition of PR-BN-Ind which is impossible. Thus, what the Sultan has called for is simply a name without substance. What "unity" if it's going to consist of only single-minded representatives - all "friendly to BN"? That's not a "unity" government, it's a BN government. This is a mockery of the intelligence of Malaysians. A beginning of what is to come with this PM-to-be.


Well said.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Stacey needs to update her blog

Hello everyone!





I did it again! I abandoned my blog for more than a month! Sigh... it's one of those moments again...





Anyways, just a quick one for the sake of posting something.





I have a second cousin who's four years old. She's so cute, she can do a cute pose for you to see. Here's prove for you.



Ta-daaaa!

I know she looks kinda 'lala' posing like that. I bet it must be the influence of the China people after staying there for two years. BUT... she's really not, ok. She's English, or so she claims. Her grandparents once asked her, "Xian (her name), are you Chinese?" She replies, "No, I'm English." See, I told you.

I used to play with her when she came to my house about two years ago before she moved to China with her parents. When I saw her again this time around, she kinda remembered me cos when her parents asked "Do you remember Stacey che che?" I remember the exact words she said. It was funny though it didn't make much sense. She simply said, "I remember her but I like her hair..." Lol. Cute.

One other thing, we had a reunion lunch on the 2nd day of CNY in BP and we sat in the same table. My other cousin who's married and has 2 kids came up to our table with her children and asked them to call my second cousin "Aunty". Our dear friend here of course was in utter shock and had a concern look on her face! I should have snapped a picture of her with that look and the argument that followed between the 2 of them. The conversation is as follows:

Cousin: Call "Aunty" (asking her kids to address her)

Xian (2nd Cousin): No! I'm not an aunty! I'M ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD!

Cousin: Yes! You are an aunty!

Xian: NO! I cannot be an aunty! I'M ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD!

Cousin: YES!

Xian: NO!

This went on for a good 3 minutes arguing about her being an aunty. After being tired of arguing realising my cousin is also a persistent person, she just stomped back to her seat with a huge glum on her face complaining "I'm not an aunty! I cannot be an aunty! I'm only four years old!"

We, those of us sitting at her table, cannot help laughing at the whole scene that took place. The louder she screamed "NO!", the louder we laughed. Even my cousin's kids, both aged 8 and 6, were giggling by their mother's side, thinking their mother must be playing a game with their younger-than-them aunty and enjoying the fun of watching the two argue as much as we did.

That was my second cousin being unable to accept the fact that she's now an aunty. At the age of four. HAHA. Come to think about it, I should have taken a video of the whole thing. What a waste. It would have been up on the "America's funniest home videos".

Well, I guess that's about it. That's my second cousin for you. :)