More Third-World-isms

Hmph. Just got reprimanded for having my laptop cable lying on the floor. At least it was flat on the ground and not raised at some level that could potentially trip and kill people who walk past. Just another example of what Ed would call "Reasons Why UK is a Third-World Country"...

There are hotspots around the library. And there are also tables, and there are also walls with power sockets. BUT!!! The tables are not right next to the power sockets!!! So obviously, if you have to charge your laptops, your cable is going to have to creep across the floor a little bit. While it's not right beside the tables, it's still quite near, so your cable can actually lie flat on the floor without being a danger to people. BUT!!! There is then a sign right above the power sockets that says that personal computers/laptops can be connected to the power sockets as "ONLY IF CABLES TO NOT CROSS THE PASSAGEWAYS". Except there is no possible way to charge your laptop without your cables crossing about 1 meter of the floor.

...

Tell me how like that?? I stick my cables onto the ceiling instead issit??

Flat E & D

Flat E & D
Originally uploaded by Veetwo Siew Mai.

Meet the residents of flats 3D & 3E.

From left: Joanne, Caitlin, Joanne's Teddy Bear Ellie (short for Elphinstone), Minna, Fran & Suzanne

One Big Long Summary of Updates

No. I'm not off getting wasted in Scottish pubs. And no, I haven't found any cute Scottish guys in kilts. No wait... I have!!! In fact he's in my room right now. I just haven't taken a photo of him yet.

Anyway, let me give a quick update on what happened since I arrived here 2 weeks ago.

As soon as I arrived in Aberdeen with my dad, we almost immediately went down to the University to see how many administrative things we could get done. I managed to pay for my entire year's rent, apply for a bank account and find the students' accomodation office all within the same day. We even had time to have a walk around the university and then a short walk into town. After that, since there was really nothing I could do with the university until I moved in and met my advisor, we just made multiple trips down into town and down to the beach. Then on Saturday (I landed on Wednesday, 14th September) we made a trip up the coastal road in an attempt to reach Macduff since there was supposed to be a really good aquarium there. On the way we (or rather my dad) got side-tracked by a malt whisky distillery that allowed free tours of the distillery and its production areas. We even got treated to free whisky! Well... I thought it was vile but my dad seemed to like it.

On Monday I officially moved into my new room. After saying goodbye to my dad for the night, I just never felt SOOO miserable in my whole life. I almost completely broke down after I sent him off, even though he wasn't leaving for Singapore until the next evening. So the next day, even though it was a tight fit as I had to meet my advisor at 2pm, I made sure I had lunch with my dad before he got on that plane.

After that, I was horribly homesick for about a week as I went about with my flatmates around the various Freshmen activities that were going on. I never actually found the Singapore Society so I joined the Malaysian Society instead. And the International Students’ Fair was just plain boring, so I didn’t quite bother about the International Society.

Then over the weekend, I went down to Glasgow by train with one of my flatmates, Suzanne, who’s actually been to Singapore!! Lots of people here still think that Singaporeans don’t speak English. *roll eyes*

Oh. And I never actually got to meet my advisor until yesterday, during the engineering department’s Induction games, which is basically just like an orientation day camp. It lasted until today, for which I am very grateful. For once I can’t wait to start classes. That first “meeting” turned out to just be an introductory talk by the department. Zzz…

Anyway. This post will be followed up by some photos. Managed to upload quite a few, but not all. My quota in Flickr is running out. So I think about 50% of my photos will have to wait until October.

Miss everybody lots. Please please PLEASE e-mail lots, and comment lots. I may not actually be able to blog so often anymore as my apartment doesn’t have internet access. If I want to use my laptop’s wireless, I need to walk down to the school library which is probably only 5 minutes away, but I don’t fancy walking through the freezing cold every night just to use the internet for an hour or so. Once in 2 days to stay here for a few hours is still ok…

Siew Mai Lives!!

More to come... Or you can just go over to Flickr and see some that I've already uploaded. It's not everything though.

Miss everybody lots.

Last Minute Packing Part 3

My mother vacuum-packed my clothes... (-_-)"' Although I have to admit that it works. Everything fits nicely into my suitcase. Now trying to fit all my laptop/camera/phone cables & application installation cds into my carry-on pack, which will also be holding:
- my laptop
- a change of clothes in case something happens to my luggage.
- book(s) to read
- my electronic dictionary
- 1x woolie sweater
- travel OralB set (14 hrs in the air... must have fresh breath in case meet handsome-until-can-die guy)
- mp3 player
- small face towel

Dammit. My travel sewing kit has no needles and needs black thread.

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I will forget something important. You can count on it.

Eff eff eff...

Omae ga Utsukushii

好きだ。本当に好きだ。でも私は何も言ったなかった、だから君がまだわからない。でもそれならもいい。わたしすぐに発つだから、もいい。しあわせである、ね...

You're Beautiful
James Blunt
Back to Bedlam

My life is brilliant
My love is pure
I saw an angel
Of that I'm sure
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won't lose no sleep all night
Coz I've got a plan

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face
In a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
Coz I'll never be with you

Yeah, She caught my eye
As I walked on by
She could see from my face
That I was fucking high
And I don't think that I'll see her again
But we shared a moment that will last 'til the end

There must be an angel
With a smile on her face
When she thought up that I should be with you
But it's time to face the truth.

I will never be with you.

Last Minute Packing Part 2

Started putting stuff into the suitcase. It's crazy, I put in 2 sweaters and 1 old winter coat and it looks like almost half the space is gone already. Either I'm a lousy packer or I'm going to need a bigger suitcase.

Went to Centrepoint with the folks just now to see if any inspiration struck. Found a very nice 2-piece jacket from Timberland that had a removable fleece lining. SUPER NICE CAN!!! But $399... Damn ex. Anyway *very grudgingly* I guess I already have an old coat to start with and I will have other coats to look at in Scotland... *grumble* Ooooh... And also found very very VERY nice boots in Timberland also... One-inch tall, broad heeled boots. Sibeh chio leh!! *GUSH!!!* Haiz... But again... I suppose I can find them in Scotland also... SIGH.

Anyhow, as I was packing (taking a break to blog. Hee hee), I realized that I've forgotten that I need to get socks!!! Dammit... How the heck do you forget about socks??? Siew Mai's brain must be steamed to nothingness liao... It's this slight cold I caught I tell you. Nasal congestion and sore throat for a week already. Erk. But it's OK! I'm going shopping with Nekoweenie tomorrow afternoon. Well, later this afternoon actually, since it's technically Sunday already. Will make good use of the Isetan vouchers. Hohoho!!! Anyone want to join us??

The Rain Came Down

空から落ちて来るのは...

あれは雨ではなくて。

[Ending lines from "Broken Wings" by Tane - Trinity Blood Ending Theme]

Last Minute Packing Part 1

Talk about last minute. I'm going to be flying in about 4 days and I'm still slowly spring cleaning my room. Tell you on Monday I'll be doing very last minute packing and Tuesday afternoon will see ultimate last minute packing.

I've bought new underwear!! Wahahaha... I must be mad to announce it to the whole wide world. But some of it is quite cute. If this blog weren't a G-rated blog I'd post a photo here. (^_^) And no, they are not Hello Kitty thongs. Hello Kitty is evil.

Anyway, remember this checklist?

I have most of the Essential Must Brings already, except:
1) Pocket Bible
2) Walk-about shoes
3) Personal medicine stash

Ok well the medicine is all over the house, I just haven't put a small box together for myself yet.

So I'm basically all set I think. My documents are in order, tickets are printed out, got some warm clothes to start with, got the Lonely Planet guide, and even have a suitcase ready. Am I missing anything??

Hmm.. Ok people, I have four $10 Isetan vouchers left (used one on a pair of sweat pants. I love shopping!! Hohoho!) . What else do I need to get??

Siew Mai Flickrs!

In preparation of all the photos I will be taking in Scotland, I have set up a Flickr account! Apparently I've got sort of a default account already because I've got a Yahoo! account. So cool hor!! Hahaha...

Anyway here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veetwo_siewmai/

And here are the photos for SSS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veetwo_siewmai/sets/896138/

Sorry that there aren't more photos of the gang, I wanted to take the group photo too but I hadn't figured out how to set the camera to the self-timer mode...

Oh. And have I mentioned that I have a new camera? Well, I have a new camera. Lalala!

Reply to Mrs Budak

What can I say but "Thank you."

Part of me still cannot believe that I'm leaving. Part is raring to go off on this brand new adventure. And yet another part can't bear to part with the comforts and loves right here...

The depression and denial I went through one year ago is still a fresh memory. With that in mind and with the support I realize I have back home, I will take care. (^_^) I'll be ok.

Thank you.

SSS Post-Mortem

Lalala... This post is two days late. Hehe...

ONCE AGAIN!!! The Triple Letter Gang surfaced to wreck havoc on the stomachs and cholesterol levels of unsuspecting siew mais. And I do believe that this round was PARTICULARLY sinful. I mean... Main dishes aside, the two very rich cakes were enough to give us all cardiac infarcts. That and the ridiculous albeit very amusing discussion on toilet behaviour, the finer points on pimple squeezing and farting, which Budak was all too glad to demonstrate. A lot. Much to the chagrin of Mrs Budak and Monkey (who got the bulk of the "shooting").
Sadly, Ash couldn't join us due to work. (T_T) But I'm sure the "scenery" made up for the loss of good food. Heh heh. And of course, a certain Phoenich had ISSUES... :p Resulting in his absence as well.

Well, if you guys had come, this is what you'd still be digesting:

SSS Roll-Call


1)算盘子 Yam abacus balls - Joelle (I don't know why but now I will think of lacy underwear and crabs when I think of you. Imagine crabs wearing lacy underwear... (O_o) )
2)Various fried tidbits - Monkey
3)Otak - Monkey
4)Carrot basmati rice - Siew Mai
5)Babi sio - Siew mai (peranankan host must have pork dish. haha)
6)Nutella cake - Mrs Budak
7)Fruit crumble - Mrs Budak
8)Strawberry cheesecake - Laurence (sam sui women... *snigger*)
9)Wine - Joelle & Monkey LHam (sorry Ham!! siew mai blur)
10) One bar of chocolate - LHam (eh... forgot to take it out.)
11) 2 salads - Siew Mai's mum

It was a lot! Although I think less than usual. On the other hand, we had more desserts than usual. Homemade nutella cake and Mezza9 cheescake. *pengsan*

[3pm: must showcase Mrs Budak's fruit crumble. She say never take picture... See more of her nutella cake *drools at the memory*...]

Scrumptious Siewmai Suppering

Update 10.29pm:

SSS-ed!!

More Updates to Come. Hehe.. I know I've been a lazy blogger.. (T_T)

**********************************************************************************

At the pleadings of a certain furry mammal, SSS shall be pushed back one day.

Date: 4 September 2005
Time: 5pm 1pm
Area: Sin Ming (obviously I'm not going to post my precise address on the WWW am I?? Perverts.)
Dinner Category: Oh, the usual potluck. Lemme know what you'll be bringing.
SM's Menu: Carrot Basmati Rice and Babi Sio or Babi Tempra. Plus a salad of course. (^_^)v

*Fake lucky-draw-host accent* Do a comment or e-mail RSVP and you will receive ONE directions to Veetwo Siew Mai's place!!

Yee-yah. Anyway, let me know if you're coming and what you're bringing and you'll be put onto the guest list below:

Dim Sums/Animals/People Coming:
1) Monkey!! (Something Columbian... such prompt reply!)
2) Phoenich (threatens to bring pizza)
3) Strawberry Cheescake (Teutoburg)
4) Mr & Mrs Budak (Wine + ...)

Expected to Come (or else. wahahahaha!):
1) Joelle
2) Ash
3) Nekoweenie
4) Aronwy
5) Jemalelinh (got a wedding to attend.. (T_T) )

Mizuno Siew Mai!!

I've signed up for the Mizuno Run!! Wahaha!! 10km here I come!!! Training starts now!! Even though I only signed up for the Fun Run category... My mum signed on for the women's open. Siao. And... *ahem* Since I signed on for the run, and seeing how I've been needing new sports shoes for a while *proud smug look*... Heheheh... I have bought myself a pair of Mizuno shoes!! 40% discount!! Wahahaha... Now I am all equipped to run 10km. (^_^)(^_^)(^_^)

It's easy enough to finish 10km in 2hrs by brisk walking... So the aim shall be to finish in 1hr 30min. *superhero pose* YOSHA!! Siew Mai Banzai!!

Checklist

Cheap thrill of the day: I just realized that my nicknames combined, Veetwo Siew Mai, and my real name share the same initials: VSM. How cool is that?? Whahaha. Ok cheap thrill over.

These couple of days I've been thinking and thinking of what I should be packing into my 23kg for Scotland. So I've written out a list of things I can think off besides the obvious clothes, underwear and toiletries. This is a list of the extra stuff and it's split into 3 parts: Essential Must Brings, Non-Essential But Still Brings & Would Like To Brings (although most probably I won't).

Siew Mai's Checklist

Essential Must Brings:
Bible (shall go and scout for a small pocket one)
1 winter jacket (got an old grungy one I took to China and South Africa)
Woolen cap + scarf (got new ones liao. (^_^)v hee…)
Laptop (old dinosaur though it is, it is still functional)
Handphone + charger
Digital camera (Dad is going to buy me one!! Whee!!)
Travel alarm clock
Extra pair of shoes to walk around in
Small hand torch
Small personal stash of medicine (panadol, clarinase, nasal spray, etc)

Non-Essential But Still Brings:
MP3 Player (if my mother buys a new one, I will inherit her old Creative which is still way better than my Samsung Yepp which is now falling apart at the seams. *cross fingers*)
Discman
Sketch book
Books to read (Trinity Blood novels + Leather-clad woman on cover book)
Electronic dictionary + travel Japanese-English dictionary (otherwise how to read my ToriBla, you tell me?)
Drawing pencils
Bits of accessories (earrings mainly)
1 or 2 small carry bags/purses

Would Like To Brings:
Photo Albums
Anime (NO NO NO!! Focus Siew Mai, FOCUS!!)
My scanner
My speakers (but obviously, this is not going to happen. (T_T) So sad.)
1-person rice-cooker or crock pot
Oil burner (it’s shaped like a teapot and stove! Very cute!)

And of course, Nekoweenie mentioned I should bring make-up... But I'm still debating whether or not I really need to bring any over. I hardly wear make-up in Singapore as it is...

It's not a complete list, I'll probably add and erase stuff as I go along. Suggestions and tips are most welcome of course, especially from those of you who've been overseas studying before.

Flight Confirmed

First must report on my treadmill achievements! (^_^) Did a full hour today!! Yay!! Only breaked for about 5 seconds after 15 min to change treadmills coz the headphone console thingy on the first one was a bit wonky. Have no idea what my average speed is. Was too whooped after the whole thing to notice the scrolling numbers on the LCD display. Top speed was 9km/h though, the jogging/running started at 7.5km/h and lasted for about 45min (yes, i take 15min to warm-up... :p). So I'm guessing total average speed is about 7km/h? Yay!! So happy. Legs all tingly and threatening to give way after that.

Mum is suggesting I join her at the Mizuno run for the 10km route. Wondering whether or not I should give it a try. Actually I'm more interested in the 40% discount off shoe purchases after you register but then I'd actually have to do the run. (T_T)

Anyhow, after my dad and I ok-ed the proposed dates, it is now confirmed that I will be flying 13 September, Tuesday. Suddenly seems so fast hor... My goodness. I'm really going over!!!

13hr 30min flight time to London, followed by another 1hr 30min to Aberdeen. (O_O)'" My joints will lock and freeze...

Siew Mai Play Water

Wheeee!!! So long never swim liao!! So fun!!!

Went to the NUS pool to go swimming with Monkey, who attempted to go one further than her other zen monkey cousins. The result was a lot of talking between every 2 laps of the small pool. Wanted to swim in the big pool but it was being hogged by all these poser jocks with bad tans and thinktheylookdamnhotbutactuallydamnugly faces. Don't these people have lectures to go for or tutorials to bid for?? So free ahr... Ok lah, some of the bodies were worth looking at. But most of them were just... Ew. Especially those in silver swimming trunks. EEYER!! *pui*

After treating the YIH canteen to the rare sight of one monkey and one dim sum wolfing down cooked potential-chick and briyani-ed dead bird, the monkey went off to an interview whilst I went off to the bank to get a new passbook and apply for a debit card.

For some reason, the supplementary card my dad is applying for me is taking forever to process. Just last week I had to re-submit some form for the card. So in case this card doesn't come through, I will be getting a POSB debit card. I've been avoiding this for the simple reason that it's one more temptation for easy-spending. (T_T) 忍，烧麦，忍！

Things Are Speeding Up!!

Hehehe... My legs are tingling. (^_^) So proud of myself. Even though only walked/jogged/ran for slightly less than usual (40 minutes only today), I did manage to push my average speed up to 7.1km/h with a top speed of 9.5km/h. *satisfied look* So proud of myself!! And did 3 sets each of leg presses and hamstring curls. Want to to do quart extensions but 1)the machines were all taken and 2)I had to rush off to the UK Visa Application Centre to collect my passport. They only allow you to collect between 4pm to 5pm. Damn weird lah.

In any case, I got my entry clearance!! Hee hee!!! So cool!!! Ok cheap thrill. But it's so exciting!!! Heheheheh!!! Now I just have to nail down that travel agent... He's supposed to have come back from leave on Friday.. Hmph.
[8.44pm Update]
My mum just forwarded me a tentative itinerary from the travel agent. Tentative date to leave is 13th September. Once things are confirmed, I'll post again for anyone who may be interested.

Good Times, Good Friends (^_^)

I just had to put this in a separate post. To put yesterday's August MMM & today's outing together in the same post would make either one seem less significant somehow. And they were both very important to me in their own special way. So they both deserve a separate post. My weekend has been made, thanks to the Triple-Letter Event gang and a very good friend. :)

Today was spent hanging out at Cineleisure with Phoenich (who STILL hasn't updated his blog. Tsk) who paid for my lunch (soft shell crab & prawns) from Cafe Cartel. Thank you! (^_^) And he even had a very sweet surprise. What I thought was a new handphone for himself (although I didn't tell him that. Wahahaha) was actually a matching winter cap & scarf set for me to take to Scotland. I think the waitress thought he was proposing or something though. Bwahahaha... She looked embarrassed at having to interrupt just to tell Phoenich that they'd run out of rodeo ribs. *snigger* But it was very sweet. Thank you Phoenich. (^_^)

After a rather fishy lunch [tip to everyone in general: just go with the red meat.], we went up to watch 七剑 Seven Swords. It was quite an enjoyable show, although I didn't quite get the ending. I guess it's one of those wuxia movies which leave space for future directors/scriptwriters to pick up where it left. And I can't decide if the kids were reciting a poem with all the swords' names inside. Didn't quite catch the words. Ah well, who cares about the kids when there's 甄子丹 Donnie Yen!!! *swoon* So cool!! Oh the swords were quite cool too. Of all the swords I liked 天瀑剑 the Heaven's Fall sword best. (^_^)v Donnie!!!

The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to find, then navigate the children's section of Kinokuniya; trying to send each other off by MRT even though we were both actually just going to take a straight bus back to our respective homes, and walking one big pointless round through Orchard MRT to the Orchard Boulevard exit when we could've just walked right through Popular.

How to say this without sounding mushy (I've actually backspaced this line countless times already)... Phoenich, you'll be one of those friends I'll miss tonnes, even though you never knew my real name until months after we first met and that was AFTER Guowei had to tell you. :p Ok enough mush. *shiver shiver cringe cringe*

Good food, good time spent doing ultimately meaningless things and good company. What more could a siew mai ask for.

Well. Ok. The food was a bit suspect but hey! Two out of three ain't bad.

Another Successful MMM

And may I add, extremely filling. I'm still feeling the effects of it since yesterday actually. Fwoooh.

As usual, the polite dinner conversation just disintegrated into a lot of talk about sex, pron and big... assets. And since this time round we had some guests from the other side of the globe - Andrew from US and Roger from Holland - the Monkey even treated us to an online flash animation of international "comings". Andrew seemed rather embarrassed by all the sex talk, though I can't imagine why. :p His Dutch friend though was just unfazed by it all.

It was 5 hours of wholesome great fun, companionship, laughter and too much good food which passed by all too quickly. And who could forget the lessons in Singlish 101. ("KSM NB KNN!!!")

Apologies are in line though, as I totally forgot about the onesingaporeminute item that all the guests were supposed to bring. Even the Budaks brought Mr. Budak's duck. In the end, we never took the OSM photos as many of us forgot. Truly sorry for spoiling your plans Monkey. (T_T) How can this poor dim sum make it up to you...

Also as usual, I cannot post any photos as the siew mai does not own a digital camera. *hint hint to anyone in general* So here is my monthly report on the menu:

August MMM Food Roll Call
1) Beef, seafood & vegetable kebabs - Monkey
2) Homous - Monkey
3) Mini chicken pies - Ash
4) Not-so-lumpy potato salad - Joelle
5) Fried sausages - Siew Mai
6) Spiced cous cous disguised under.. Stuff - Siew Mai
7) Vegetarian soba - Mr & Mrs Budak
8) Wines - The Budaks & LHam (who brought "the best chateau in France!!" according to Roger)
9) Evil poison Hagen Daaz ice cream cake - Laurence
10) More evil poison NYDC brownies - Andrew & Roger

(O_O)"' I still cannot believe that we practically wiped out the whole spread, except for half of the cake and half the potato salad. My conscience is killing me after all that. I have to confess.

Forgive me Treadmill, for I have sinned....

Next up: SSS. Who's coming? (^_^)v