Lumut 2013: Of Food, Friends, and Forced Balding...

Lumut. On the 8th to the 11th of July 2013, I and a 9 more friends from Monash University took a holiday to Lumut, Perak..... ALRIGHT. that sounded VERY preppy. I shall continue in a more casual tone.

Yes, we went to Lumut, three Year 3 Sem 1 seniors, and eight of us Year 2 Sem 1 semi-juniors. We had a blast of a time there, we ate, swam, watched telly, and pranked each other. For eating, we had a barbecue on the first night, and it was most enjoyable. Friends, food, fellowship, and fire make a great recipe for joy. In the next few days, we enjoyed Hockchew food, as well as some snacks. Among this was the red-wine mee suah, a most curious blending of ingredients to produce a delicious burst of flavours. Also there was the kong peah, a form of confectionery with biscuit-like consistency and an onion filling. I drool as I recall these wonderful flavours.

For entertainment it revolved mostly around the jokes told and situations that occured. However, one of the best memories of this was one morning where we all sat around a TV to watch a sci-fi film. It is well said that you should never bring an author to a film based on his book, a detective to a mystery film, and an actor to any film. To this I add that you should NEVER let a group of aspiring scientists watch a science fiction film. The result of this is most hilariously destructive. We fought and debated with the scientists in the film on their inaccurate and invalid assumptions, accusations, and conclusions on the science of the film with hilarious results. (OK, Fine, the filmmakers weren't scientists, but could they at LEAST do some decent research on their topic?)

Finally, the pranking...As a matter of personal pride, I managed to dunk almost everyone in the pool except for two of the seniors (lucky boys...I'll get y'all some other time). As a direct result, the girls in the group decided to get some retribution (personally, I don't know what took them so long to decide on it. I'd have avenged myself long before).

On the third day, three of the girls kindly decided to drive out to buy breakfast. However, it took them so long to come back that they decided to bring back lunch as well. Little did I know that they also decided to buy a pack of waxing strips for my legs, something that they had discussed for the past semester as a respite from the stress of exams and assignments (for those of you that do not know, I have a semi forest covering my legs, and I am proud of those beautiful hairs). That night, after a movie, I was sitting on the floor minding my own innocent business, and enjoying the relaxing environment of friendship and camaraderie. Oh how unexpected was the betrayal. Within a blink of an eye, my life changed. From peacefully sitting on the floor, I recall being piled upon by my friends. The next thing my mind registered was being pinned down with the weight of about five people and not being able to move. While struggling, I looked down, and to my horror, I saw a clear patch of plastic stuck to my right calf muscle. At that point, I knew I was doomed and that resistance would be futile. I ceased to struggle and braced myself for the hair wrenching pain of a waxing strip and the heart wrenching pain of the loss of my pride. This came quickly and did not cause much pain. I thought to myself "There, they have waxed me once. I hope they are satisfied". Never was I more wrong. Unbeknownst to me, the waxing strip could be used up to four times. As I turned away, I felt an impact on my other calf muscle. Dreading to look, I came to the harsh reality that I had indeed been pasted with the waxing strip again. Attempting to remove it, I felt a shot of pain rush up through my skin. I knew then that once the wax was applied, it wasn't going to come out without taking my beautiful strands of disulphide bonded proteins with it. I had to submit to being waxed yet again.  After the second removal of the waxing strip, I again thought that I was done. However, it had to happen yet once more before my vengeful friends were satisfied that I had been justly recompensed for my pool pushing crimes. They say that the third time's a charm, and that it usually is the best. This was proven wrong this time. On the third time, my inexperienced friend thought that it would be kinder to slowly remove the waxing strip, instead of tearing it out with lightning rapidity. Guess what? It hurt WAAAAY worse. But this was the last wax for the night. I was happy to escape with the majority of my leg hairs still intact.

The next morning, after a delicious (Fine, I was probably famished, hence the word "delicious")  breakfast of instant noodles and scrambled eggs, I accidentally turned my back on my friends as I bent over to throw away what remained of my breakfast. I felt a slight pressure on my right calf, and looked down. To my horror, not only had I been pasted with waxing paper yet again, but this time, there were TWO strips. Needless to say, the torture continued, with one strip being removed, and repasted before the process was repeated with the other strip. It took me about five times to successfully obtain both strips and hence save myself from any more waxing. At the end of this rite of torture, I experienced a potent concoction of emotions. Sadness at the loss of my hair, rage at the perpetrators of this horrific crime, and a hilarious need to laugh at the absurd patchiness of my legs and the blatant asymmetry of the bald patches. What an experience.

I can say that the above narration (yes, no names of my friends...for their sakes :P ) was greatly paraphrased due to the need to  quickly convey my fondest memories of this wonderful trip. However, I'm sure that you can see that it was a trip of much joy, fun, bonding, and an extreme amount of laughter. I can honestly say that I do not miss the place, but I miss the closeness and friendship of this trip. May our friendship and camaraderie grow in the semesters to come, and may we have more trips like this in the near future!

Back.... and its 2013. What has happened in 3 years?

Wow... I'm back in Blogger. I'm personally quite surprised at myself since I thought I'd leave this blog to die due to lack of attention. But let's try to do a summary of all that has happened since my last post in 2010. 

Its now 2013, and a LOT has happened. Let's see:

2010: Entered college, and had a LOT of lessons learnt. Matured in both thinking, and physical skills. One major memory was when I dropped Psychology due to the fact that I couldn't accept what was being said about the human mind. The lecturer was most kind, and said this to me: "A wise person understands, but does not have to accept". I have never forgotten that.

2011: Messed up my AS units, and learnt humility the hard way. Fought to regain confidence and momentum to pass the A-Levels, and by God's grace (Cliched term, but definitely true) I passed. After that, I spent 8 months not doing much, but did spend a month working for my uncle. ( I assembled SMATV antennae with him, and I learnt some stuff about the signals side of construction). I also spent 10 days in Cambodia with some children from underprivileged homes. Again, another year passed that I learnt a LOT of lessons on maturity and character

2012: Started Uni in March, I'm now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology (BSc. Food Sci/Tech). I learnt several things:

1) Times New Roman is quite nice as a font. It grows on you. So is a Justified allignment. FYI, I really love the way science cites stuff as well (Nerdmax, 2012) 

2) Studying alone helps to a certain point. But, the addition of friends to the studying helps tremendously (Ok fine, we do chat and laugh a lot, but ah well, we get the job done :P )

3) I LOVE science, but HATE exams

2013:  Worked for a month in MCKL Marketing Office and learnt a lot of lessons on how to handle people and situations. It was also a great way to learn how God puts me in places for definite reasons. Through a friend in MCKL I was introduced to a company that offered me an internship for my year end commercial attachment. I don't think it's luck, I think it's God. AND, I started Year 2...IT.WAS.TERRIBLE. Long hours, tough lectures, and tough labs. However, again by God's grace, I made it out alive. I'm currently waiting to start Sem 2. And that's where I am now.

It can be definitely concluded that I've changed a lot since 2010. I've matured, and expanded my view of life and approaches to situations and people. I've learnt a lot, and experienced a lot. Let's see how it goes from now on ;)

The awesome E2DL

Definately I've been in denial of my true nature. I cannot deny it any longer. I'm a light addict!!!! Recently, I just revisited the Surefire site, and I found out that my favorite light, the E2 Defender LED (E2DL) just had some new modes added, AND, the price(which was formerly RM 750+), fell. But, sadly the new price of my beloved light is still WAAAY above my "affordable" budget. The price is now about RM 500+..... sighs.... A RM200 drop, and I STILL have that light WAAAAAAY out of my reach.... Sighs... I shall go into a corner and emo...

My new blog title

Yesh, if you have noticed, my old blog title has disappeared... I hereby present to you, BENTROPY.

Ok, Its apparent I need to elaborate on this point. Entropy is the amount of disorderliness, or randomness,in a reaction system. Therefore, BEN-tropy is the amount of randomness in Ben Liew!!!! YAY!!!

For the sake of randomness, I hereby present: THE SINGING VERMIN!!!

For AGK

Why is lightning faster than thunder ?

Ah Beng and Ah Lian were on the beach on a stormy night. There were lightning and thunder all over the place. Ah Lian asked Ah Beng, “Why is it we always see the lightning before we hear the thunder ?

Ah Beng replied, “Ai yah. So simple also you don’t know. Because our eyes are in front of our ears, mah ???”

Ah Beng’s Theory on English Spelling

Aoccdrnig to Ah Beng's theroy on Enlgish, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a
toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.

I think all of us can understand what Ah Beng wrote above. So he must be right. So Ah Beng can be quite clever after all.

Ordering food at an Italian Restaurant

To impress Ah Lian, Ah Beng took her to a very expensive Italian restaurant. After sipping some fine wine, he picked up the menu but could not understand anything as it was all in Italian. Still wanting to impress Ah Lian, he went down the list in the menu and decided to pick the last item. Ah Beng confidently told the waiter "We'll have the last item, Giuseppe Spomdalucci,". The waiter replied, "I am sorry, Sir, that’s the name of the owner."

My dead blog revived

Yes, you read that right. My blog has now been revived. But, alas, I don't know what to do. My writings have wholly been by inspiration. But, now, I have lack of inspiration... can anyone give me a topic that is suitably random for me to blog on? Can anyone provide the energy to post a new piece of randomness? HELLLLP MEEEE!!!!!

I've been away, and while the cat's away, the mice will play

Yes, if you look at that cute little Cbox (which I was convinced to get) on the right, it has been littered with several problematic adverts.... how annoying. Anyways, CONFOUND ALL OF YOU WITH THE WORST OF THE PARAVANIAN CURSES!!!!!!

Oh, and @ Paravania Voice: Thank you for lending me your language skills :) LOL

Orientation...

Yeap, I survived orientation in MCKL. The first few days of orientation were pretty cool,but the last day was the best. Why? Because that was the day that we juniors turned the tables on the seniors. Last tuesday, we juniors were warned to wear dark shirts. I guessed that this would mean getting wet, so me and a few friends decided to have some "revenge". I brought shaving cream, and they brought.... NOTHING! Actually, they just stole some balloons from the seniors and filled them with water..... As a result, well, you can guess... I won't spoil your image of the fun we had saboi-ing the seniors... :)

WOW....

My mum got an email from Homefrontier (a homeschooling online network) about a non profit site called The Khan Academy. The owner is Mr Salman (Sal) Khan. He has 3 degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Techonology, a BS in mathematics, a BS in electrical engineering and computer science, and an MS in electrical engineering and computer science. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.This online site is 100% free and has been really useful to me. He gives online tuition videos via youtube. He was recently awarded the Microsoft Tech Award for education...Check him out....

This post is just for the sake of updating a blog that has long gone into coma....

I never knew I was in Wonderland, but Wikipedia cured my ignorance

You are having a fever/migrane/headache. You lie down on your bed. After a while, you fall into a dreamlike state where, although you can see everything around you, your sense of size, height, and depth perception is warped. You see that your pillow is the size of your house, and your bed is the size of your hand. Your body parts look different because their proportions have been warped. Your left hand is twice the size of your right and your body is half the size of your legs. You see out of your room. The distance to the door used to be a few paces, now looks like a kilometer in length. You look at your (giant) pillow and touch it. What was once smooth and comforting is now coarse and hard. You listen for outside sounds and hear nothing. You try to speak, and your voice sounds VERY different. Occasionally, you hallucinate. You finally fall into a deep, but fitful sleep. You awake and, to your relief, the world is normal.
Have you ever experienced any incident like that before? If you have, you have a syndrome called....... *cue in dramatic music*............. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) or Todd's syndrome. It is a temporary condition associated with migranes, brain tumours, and psychoactive drugs. The person affected by this condition may experience micropsia and macropsia and sensory distortion. This condition is usually present only in children with most of us growing out of it in our teens (probably because we are too sacarstic to believe that our pillow is acutally the size of our house XD)
I used to have this syndrome when I was a child, but never really knew what it was. It used to be a very annnoying event every time I caught the fever. Today, I was scanning through psychology in Wikipedia when this like popped up. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (?) Weird.... So, yeah, the result of reading that article is my first blogpost for 2010....

For the rest of the year...

I will not eat for the rest of this year,
I will not drink for the rest of this year,
I will not use the toilet for the rest of this year,
I will sleep for the rest of this year,
And I will definately not eat pork for the rest of this year.....







All these because the year will end in about 20 minutes from now...... :)

A REALLY Random Post

Now, can ANY of you guess what this is for??
here's a hint: It is used for medical tests....
here's another view......





















Ok, If you haven't answered it yet, here's the answer:
















This container is used to collect your poop for samples in a medical exam..... :)
Still hungry??

FINALLY

FINALLY I managed to drag myself to write a post..... I'm just enjoying doing nothing now...... just eating, sleeping, online-ing and basically enjoying myself.. this is just to let all my form 5 friends know :)

First blog post in... not sure how long..... I think 3 months++

Yeap... this is my first blog post in a LOOOONG time... I writing this because I'm feeling lame. It is virtually impossible for me NOT to think about a lame joke whenever I see something normal. (ie, if I see a chicken, I say,"why did the chicken cross the road?"
Also, I'm under a weird spell... I talk in my sleep and HEAR it!!!!
I'm getting weirder and weirder, curiouser and curiouser......
Now, I shall walk away.
*Walks away*
No, wait, I'm feeling lame, so I shall hobble away...
*hobbles away*

Oh where, oh where, has my identity gone

Our identities define us. When asked about ourselves, we would mostly talk about where we find our identities. For example, some of us find our identities in our computers. Our internet lives are our identities. When asked, "who are you?", we launch into a long, and complete lecture on our lives online. Our 1,000,000 Facebook "friends" (of whom we personally know less than 1 percent). Our twitter posts, our blog posts, and our COMpost.....
To others, who they are is what they eat. When asked about themselves, they launch into a tirade about healthy foods, whether for or against.
And still others are finding their identities in something more dangerous. Friends. Who we hang out with and what we do when we hang out has ceased to be a product of us. Instead our friends and activities have DEFINED us. Why? Are we so insecure that we need our FRIENDS (who, most of the time, are just as insecure and immature as we are) to define us? Is the maxim that we quote, "everybody is different", just words that are incoherently mumbled out of our mouths for "proper" occasions?
It is normal and proper for a young person to want acceptance. As a matter of fact, a proper amount of the want of acceptance is healthy. However, it is important NOT to let this insecurity rule our lives. This will ultimately lead to our destruction. When the object that we find our identity is lost, broken, or destroyed, we lose our identity. We lose our purpose. We become confused. Why? Because the very thing that defines us is GONE. When that happens, we feel empty.
I have to confess, I too am insecure. Often, I slip and fall into the depths of emo-ness. But, there is one thing I know. If I am to have a secure and firm identity, it has to be found in someone that is eternal and cannot be lost, broken, or destroyed.

Awww......

It is not often that I am caught up by puppy, but this time I couldn't help myself. A couple of weeks back, outside my grandmother's house, I was just lazing with my family. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a streak of black. As it edged cautiously nearer to me, I couldn't help myself but I got onto my knees and started looking closer at the puppy. Without a trace of hesitation, it quickly walked to me. Disregarding all thoughts of hygiene, I started stroking the dog. Within moments, a mystical bond between man and dog formed....
Here are some pictures of it:



Somehow, That poor little thingy was so curious about my hand, feet, sandals, etc...

See what I mean?? It just didn't stop licking me..

I couldn't focus the phone camera properly... It was just too active

Hunter pose...

Anyway, after a while, we had to go in for dinner. Sadly, we had to leave the dog outside. First, it started gnawing at my grandmother's gate, then it started whining and yelping.... Sighs... What a pitiful creature. It tore my heart to see it so sad, but, after five minutes, it went off to get another victim...

I feel so melancholic when I remember that dog......

Unveiling the new blog for QLSH1991

Yes, you heard it right. The blog I have awaited so long to see is now active! Quincy Lee, 18-year-old photo-genius and animal master, now has a BLOGSPOT!!!! He decided to move away from his last site into this new one!!! HE ROX!
http://incy-quincy.blogspot.com

Is Computer Destroying My Family Time?

For many of us, the computer is just a tool we use to connect with friends and, sometimes, extended family. But, do we realize that the computer is taking away our time with our IMMEDIATE family? I sometimes fail to realize that the one hour I spend on the computer is another precious hour robbed from my family time. I also fail, at times, to realize that the computer is ADDICTIVE. This sad fact is even more true with the internet and portability of laptops.
Like drugs, the computer is GREAT to use and to play with. And, like drugs, it gets boring after awhile. But, since I am in denial that I'm addicted to the computer, I just return to it insted of getting help. And, the addiction continues.
Although the computer itself is dangerous, it is even more disastrous when it is coupled with the internet. The internet is just as deadly as the computer, and, just like the computer, it is ADDICTIVE. I can't count the number of times where I have, instead of spendind quality time with my family, spent useless and purposeless hours with the computer. The internet is so destructive because it gives me another personality that is everything I want to be but am not. In other words, I get to pretend to be someone else. This other person that I am is one that is popular, attractive, fun, and secure. In other words, this second personality is just a facade and a mask to hide my insecurity. I get to become a fake person. I have a personality that is "pirated". As we all know, most of the time, pirated goods may SEEM good on the outside, but do not withstand a more detailed inspection. It is impossible to ever be secure through a shortcut. Our security, if it is formed through covering up cracks in out personality, will NEVER withstand a detailed inspection of who I am. How dangerous a false personality can be.
My family, on the other hand, can offer me security. My parents, much as I hate to admit, build my personality. I become a better person when I learn from my parents. Siblings cause rivalry, and develop personalities. Without doubt, even though we have rough times, I will not hesitate to defend my brother with whatever force necessary. Be it in words, or blows.
The computer is a tool, but a dangerous tool. It can be used for building up a relationship, or isolating myself from the world. The internet can be used for connecting with friends, but it can rob me time from my family. I must use these tools with caution. I must remember to control it and not let it control me. I have had enough of this addiction. Breaking free is tough, but I must.

My trip in the Center of the (Klang) Valley and back

After reading the title, you'd think I went for some nature trip or something.... BUT, does nature have AIRCON???
Truth is, I was invited to Mid Valley by Chloe last Friday. I went to watch "Night in the Museum 2". Unfortunately, I made a mistake and went there VERY EARLY. But, as a result of that, I got to read one short story by Fredrick Forsynth ( the Veteran) and, I got to try the SUREFIRE 6P.
For all non torch fanatics, Surefire is an American torch brand that builds GREAT torchlights. But, there is only one problem, Its VERY expensive. (mimimum price: RM250)
ANYWAYS... I met up with Chloe, Suwen, Lynn, Joey, Kye Chin, and.... JARETT!!!!!!
They just finished watching Hannah Montana 3. And, I found out something about Jarett. He is Sensitive. According to him, he nearly cried. (maybe that is why all girls like him, he is sensitive). After that, we waited for Tim Sim to arrive. Then, THE MOVIE.
After the movie, I followed them on a walk. It was a walk of purpose. It was a walk to find FOOD!!!
After a (small) lunch, we lepaked for awhile in Food Garden. After that, we walked around. Unlike the previoius walk, this was a walk without ANY purpose whatsoever. Its only purpose (to me) was to watch Suwen run into EACH AND EVERY clothing shop, and getting DRAGGED OUT by Tim and Chloe.... lol. After that, they went into a CD shop. Tim was looking at the "Group" section. I was looking at the "Jazz" section. Lynn, Suwen, Joey, and Kye Chin were looking at "EVERYTHING". Jarett was caught up in the " International Female" section, and Chloe was caught up in the "International Male" section... ACHEM...
After that (and a lot of random walking), we left Mid Valley. The journey back was quite normal for everyone else BUT ME. Why?? I had a purpose. I had painstakingly plotted this move for a long time. I was going to get a HAIRCUT!
Actually, that haircut was LONG overdue. My parents kept asking me to get a 'cut, but I kept refusing. I kept refusing because I wanted to get my haircut without them knowing. So, on the journey back, I asked Un. Jerry to drop me at a Indian barber near my house. My plan was to get my haircut and walk home. However, the second part was impossible. It was impossible because it started STORMING. So, I was forced to ask my dad to pick me up. What an ANTICLIMAX!!!!!!!!