Dec 25, 2006

1.00 a.m.

I went to bed around eight on Christmas Eve feeling drowsy, and woke up five minutes before midnight, just in time to wish myself ‘Merry Christmas!’

I don’t celebrate Christmas, but being in the room alone on Christmas Eve, not to mention Christmas itself makes me understand how those who cannot celebrate Christmas with their family and friends feel.

I tried to make a U turn to Dreamland, but found it difficult to do so. Seems like there’s a traffic jam on the other side of the road going out of Dreamland. People are busy with their parties, so who needs to be in Dreamland anyway? ;-)

I remember spending my Christmas Eve listening to Christmas carols performed by local church choir groups in my neighborhood. It was simply harmonious! For the first time ever, I missed the carols back home.

Some columnists wrote articles on Christmas which were featured in yesterday’s papers. I see a common message in every article: as long as you’re in Malaysia, it’s racial unity that brings everyone together and as long as you’re a Malaysian, you celebrate Christmas. Christmas is interpreted differently in this side of the world; the significance of Christmas transcends even the finest lines of religion and culture.

I guess that’s the cue for me to do my Christmas shopping then. ;-)

7.08 p.m.

I spent the whole day out with my friends. They wanted to buy some supplies for the coming semester, so having nothing to do, I just tagged along and help them carry their load.

This Christmas is quite special for me as it is filled with different things to learn and think about.. Just this morning, I pieced together the meaning of Christmas in Malaysia’s context. Can’t believe there’s more in store for me as I move along…

A revelation hit me as our trolley bumped into other people’s trolleys during one of our ‘detour’ in a hypermarket: the most meaningful way to spend time is being with one’s family. Apparently, the youth make a fraction of this hypermarket’s visitors today; most of the visitors consist of families with different shapes and sizes: a man and a woman walking together, pushing a cart – thingy with a baby inside [is it a stroller?] / a man walking in front, followed by a woman and a few children / a little girl holding the hand of a man, coaxing the man to buy her a cute pencil box…
How I wish I could fly back to my hometown and be with my family.

The babies were so cute! Some of them even managed to sleep despite the shopping craze around them. And the men and women who lead those groups of kids look so loving! Wow, they must’ve had a great time together.

The age – old cliché of ‘you never know what you have ‘till it’s gone’ sounds true after all. I used to avoid those rare occasions when mom and dad made plans to go out for brunch or just window – shopping in malls. Looking back, I wish I’d grab every chance I have and spend time with them.

After putting the revelations aside, I have one more unanswered question to ponder on: why are these revelations keep coming to me? Am I the Scrooge of the modern world, getting all these lessons from spirits of the past and the present? Why today, why now, why me?

What is the real lesson to be learnt here?

Dear Santa,

I woke up this morning with a nagging thought about you and your presents. It’s two days before Christmas, and I’m pretty sure you’re busy doing some last - minute preparation for your gifts galore. You must’ve been an efficient man, delivering presents to kids around the world in just 24 hours.

It is said that you only gives presents to kids who fall under the ‘nice’ category. Those who are ‘naughty’ will receive nothing more than coals. I was wondering, how do you define ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’? Kids behave under the influence of the people they mingle, the environment they live in, as well as their feelings and emotions. These are external factors, and don’t you think it’s unfair for those ‘naughty’ ones to be deprived of presents just because they live downtown or their parents are drug addicts?

Oh, and another thing, how do you monitor so many kids at the same time? You work in mysterious ways, Santa, and assuming you’re up to date with the latest innovation, you’re most likely to complete your tasks with the help of electronic gadgets.

Having asked you these questions, am I ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’?

I apologize for all the weird questions. My curiosity arose due to the fact that I was bombarded with different impressions of you on TV: a big bellied Santa, a Santa who can slide down chimneys while carrying a big belly, a Santa will magic powder that can do any tricks, a Santa who’s old with a smile that’s good enough for a commercial, a Santa with a North Pole that looks like a factory… Can you tell me which impression of you is accurate? Or am I free to make my own assumptions?

Santa, you give presents to kids. Do you receive presents from other people? Mind you, treats like milk and cookies children put beside Christmas trees don’t count! What is it that you desire most? Can you let us in on your own wish list for the coming Christmas?

Thanks Santa!!!

Regards,
Doria

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I decided to write this piece after I tossed and turned on the bed since 4 this morning. I’m still under medication, and although the medication is said to give me a drowsy feeling, but I’m still wide awake until now.

I need to sleep while I still have the chance. I checked my time table for the coming semester, and it seems like my schedule will be more hectic than usual; I still have classes from Mondays to Fridays, except that my classes start at eight on Mondays till Thursdays, and nine on Fridays. I end my classes rather late, around five p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and around four p.m. on Tuesdays. Wednesdays and Fridays are rather a bit laid - back for me; I only have to attend classes in the morning.

With so much going on academically, I wonder if I can squeeze some ‘me’ time to do R&R, read books, manage blog, etc.

I checked my results online a few days ago, and the result’s been mailed to my house yesterday. I’d have to count my blessings with such result; although I’m nothing close to 4.0 for my CPA, I’m glad I passed my finals with desirable result.

I try not to brag, but this is hard work, plus blessings from the One above and my parents.

I still remember the times when my course mates didn’t let me in on past year questions and examination tips as we prepared for the finals. If you’re a kid in class and the teacher gives everyone candy except you, how would you feel? That’s how I felt! I knew they live by Darwin’s theory on ‘survival of the fittest’, so their behavior was understandable. And I don’t blame them [seriously!] as it’s all about your own journey for that coveted piece of paper when you’re in university.

On one occasion, I broke down in the room for about one minute, then snapped out of it and told myself, ‘Prove you can do better without the tips and past year questions!’

And I did.

Now who’s the fittest of them all?

Ha, I’m sure with the answer above; Santa’s going to put me in the ‘naughty’ list. No presents for me then. Well, it’s okay… Glowing about the result that you’ve earned with your effort and some help from the One above is definitely better than any presents.

I may be a little late for my Christmas rounds in Blogstream. [My flu's getting worse and mummy kept calling me every day, asking me to see a doctor.] Save some candy canes for me! They're my favourite.

Merry Christmas!!!

For this post, I'm going to put pictures. Lots of pictures. Then it's up to you to fabricate stories based on the pictures...

P/S: The real explanation can be found in my gallery.

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It was fun when it started, even more exciting as I went through the whole process, but ending it is just something very hard to do.

My post tour in Penang lasted for two days, where I spent my time hanging out at malls and Kek Lok Si [a Taoist temple, hosting the tallest Guan Yin statue in the world].

Wish I had more time to go around Penang and look at all the historical buildings and museums. After all, Penang was the first place where the British established their reign in the 19th century, and I just want to have a feel at the old side of Penang where it all happened.

We ended the post tour on a high note by eating out at the hawker stalls and savouring Penang’s famous local delicacies. I bade farewell to Penang on the 13th, where I took a 4 – hour bus ride to Kuala Lumpur.

I stayed in my cousin’s place at Desa Millenia, Puchong Perdana for my extended post tour. Nice condo, with excellent facilities such as a gymnasium, two swimming pools and rough – looking security guards [actually they’re nice bunch of folks] walking around the place every now and then.

I’m thinking of getting one myself, but maybe I’ll look for something extra, like smart, handsome looking guards. ;-)

I went around a rather diversified spot of KL on the 14th, after a good night’s sleep. This spot covers Merdeka Square [where the annual National Day celebration is held], Petaling Street [counterfeit haven, get your LV bags here for rock bottom price], Masjid India Rd [nice Indian food, saris, accessories], Sultan Abdul Samad buiding [hosting all the courts], and this museum next to KL Library. I called this spot a melting pot of Malaysia as this is the exact location to experience the old and new Malaysia. You can learn about the history of this country and walk through places where everything blends in harmoniously. I took lots of pictures here; if my internet connection is alright, maybe I can upload some for you to see.

Hey, for your information, Malaysia will start her ‘Visit Malaysia 2007’ in less than two week’s time. Take some time off to visit this country!

I spent the next day in Kajang, visiting a group of people who is in charge of a well – known Chinese magazine for school children. I did some freelancing for this magazine for the past four years, so I felt that I should drop by and give them a visit. Guess what? I was reminded of my pending articles [three, as a matter of fact] by the editor. Got to do some catching up these few days and settle everything before New Year.

I made my way to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] in Bangi on the 16th for AIESEC Malaysia Awards Night. In case you’re wondering what this is all about, this is an Oscar night for AIESEC Malaysia where deserved individuals as well as local committees were awarded for their hard work. It’s the first ever event held in Malaysia, and I was proud to be the first batch of people to witness its birth. My local committee, LC UTM won the most progressive award, and all of us representing this proud local committee cheered for our achievement.

For the next two days, I spent my time hitting malls for some window shopping. Didn’t buy much; just a handbag, a sling bag, a scarf, a pair of ladies’ sandals and some perfume [the generic type, mind you!]. I saw a nice evening gown which is perfect for formal occasions, unfortunately the price tag is too hot for me to handle. I’ve got to hold my thoughts of buying that piece of cloth; I’m starting my second semester in a week’s time and I need more money for books.

It really breaks my heart to see all the lovely cloths and books being left on the shelves without me. Money can do all sorts of tricks just when you needed them most, don’t you think?

It’s 6 p.m. on a Tuesday evening. I arrived at the campus after a 4 – hour bus ride from KL to Johor Bahru. Apparently it rained non – stop in this part of the peninsular; certain low – lying areas were caught in a flood. A part of my university was also caught in the flood; the taxi couldn’t pass through this part of the campus. The campus is so quiet as it will only come to live in five day’s time. Sitting in the room alone with nothing to do but playing games on my laptop, I wonder how I am going to spend the next few days. Should I do more traveling or catch some extra sleep before I am deprived of it once the semester starts?

Ah, screw it. I’m going to live for today and leave my life aside for just a while.

Put together a nice island, a group of hot – blooded youths and some elements of fun, and you’ll get an unforgettable vacation!

I left my hometown on December 2 for Penang to attend AIESEC’s National Leadership Development Seminar [NLDS]. It took me around 10 hours of travel time from home to an island that seems far, far away. The wonderful morning sun shining through Penang was the first of so many wonderful things that came to me starting on the morning of December 3.

I made my way to Universiti Sains Malaysia at noon for our pre NLDS, which is a smaller scale of this seminar in the local committee level. The pre – seminar kicked start at 3 p.m., with a brief opening followed by intense sessions for three consecutive days.

The real thing started on the 6th. Some things you should know about NLDS: One, it is attended by over 500 delegates from over 10 universities and colleges. Two, it gathers all youths from different academic background to instill the passion and knowledge of AIESEC in its target group as well as to give opportunity to its members to discover and develop of potential. Three, it is the biggest youth – organized seminar in Malaysia. Four, it is an international event where interns as well as alumnus of AIESEC lead all sessions if this exciting event. And last but not least: IT’S HOT AND HAPPENING!

It would take me days, in this case posts after posts of narration just to talk about the whole experience. Being in a crowd of passionate and energetic youths somehow made me feel youthful again; the power of youth and its vibe is simply unbeatable. I’m looking at this seminar as another learning opportunity where self – discovery and leadership are developed at its max by interactive sessions and peer – to – peer interactions.

The seminar came to an end on the evening of 10th with a brief but touching closing ceremony. I didn’t expect to shed some tears, but when it happened, I realized I’ve truly connected myself to the wholesome journey with friends and other peers who shared the same vision.

Well, at least I’m not the only one getting all emotional. Even the facilitators of the conference were spotted with teary – eyed and constantly rubbing their face with their palms! The togetherness of all just added some zing to everything.

I’m currently on a post tour around the island with friends who went for this seminar with me. We’re hitting the malls later, not forgetting some famous tourist attractions. Can’t wait to go around Penang and enjoy myself as a tourist, not some delegate from a conference!