Nic Private Limited: October 2006

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Destiny

Miracle happens when we least expect it. Destiny changes in a twist of fate. Path that lies ahead turn when choices are made. God's plan for everyone has never been revealed.

We decide what we want and how we want to do things. We decide for ourselves how our lives and our futures are going to be. But there is always something beyond our control. Who would have expected catastrophies to occur out of no where ? Who would have planned for misfortunes to descend on ourselves if we have control over them? No matter how powerful we are , we are still vulnerable and susceptible in face of Him.

Still remember the day when Dad brought me to INTEC 2 years ago when i got my offer from JPA to study in Indonesia. I was in the middle of the cross road. Two paths lie ahead of me which will definitely lead me to very different destinations. Indonesia? STPM? What should i do. I missed home , i missed my friends. I am not prepared , physically , mentally and emotionally. I told Dad i want to go back , i want to reject the offer. Dad assured me everything will be fine at the end of the day. In the end i succumbed to his persuasion.

First semester was an ordeal. Calling home was practically about how i can appeal for a transfer. I had tried to appeal for the umpteenth times. But everytime my hope is shattered, until i finally came to accept the fate that yes , I AM GOING TO INDONESIA. Nevermind what people say , how they think , i will do what i want to do.

And time passed by so quickly. Two years has just elapsed. And i am all ready and well convinced to go to Indonesia. Then out of a sudden , with a twist of fate , i was offered to study here in Czech Republic. Never in my wildest dream have i imagined myself stepping on this piece of land. Honestly speaking , i do not even know where the hell is Czech when i first heard of it. But after almost 2 months here , i am very much adapted to the life here and started to like this place.

In retrospect , what will i be doing if i were to terminate contract 2 years ago. I would be very very far from where i am now. Life is always a roller coster. So sit well , fasten the seat belt , and enjoy the adrenaline rush!

In House Chef

Can you smell it?

Dhal

Rendang Chicken

Curry Potatoes

"Kung Pao" Pork

Western Breakfast

Fried Chicken with Brocolli

Tom Yam Fried Rice with Pineapple

I like cooking , my roommates like eating , what a perfect combination we make. No matter how tiring a day can be , our dinner can never be compromised , our stomach can never be deprived of good food. Sometimes it may take more than an hour to cook and 10 minutes to finish up the food , but the satisfaction gained will outweigh all the hardwork of preparations.

Hmm..Maybe this can be my second path if one day ,medicine is no longer my choice. Hehe. But till now , i still like the bones and muscles i study. Muscles look very much like our chicken drumstick too!

Malaysian Rojak

Coming here has made me realise one thing - i am truly a Malaysian Chinese. Having been brought up from this multi racial country with her rich and diverse cultural banckground, i am moulded to become a Chinese with my own identity , far detached from my ancestor back in China. And i am who i am as a result of years of assimilation of cultures and languages that trangress all borders of races.

When i speak Mandarin , i speak Malaysian Mandarin (Ma-Man maybe) which is very much different from our Taiwan friends. When i speak English , i too speak Malaysian English(Manglish) that is very much different from our UK friends. But who cares? That is who i am and that is how i speak.

People sometimes do not understand us , as if we speak another alien language. It is no big deal for all Malaysian students , as we are so well adapted to our own version of Rojak Language."Eh , what did you makan just now?" "I makan the what liao , erm how to say that , oh , tang hun ar , you know?" "Oh ya. Walao eh , you very keng ha , here also can find tang hun ho!" What a myriad of colours. What a wonderful rojak we have whipped out!

They are even more amazed by our self-created exclamation. Waliu! Walao eh! Fuiyo! Fulamak! Alamak! Ah Pa Ah Ma! It is meaningless yet blurted out so spontaneously.It's sort of a personal identity. They try to imitate us , our language , our accent ,and yet there are some among us who try to fake their British/ American accents. For God's sake , what's the point? What's so wrong with our own Malaysian accent?

Just be proud of who we are la...

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Deeparaya Celebration

Festive mood is in the air once again. The smell of Indian Dhal , of Malay Rendang , and a fusion of both , it's Deeparaya!Sadly to say , none of us can fly back to be with our beloved families and friends. But we had our own celebration of it. Small reunion dinner in the room and open house for all Malaysian students in Anam's place. Uphloding the spirit of Malaysian Rumah Terbuka.

The night before Deepavali ,we had some , in fact only two fireworks to play with. Everyone got out of the apartment and waited for 15 minutes just for a display of fireworks which lasted only for split seconds. And it's a chilly night of about 5 or 6 degree celcius.

Deepavali day. Makan day. For Malaysians , all celebrations are eating feasts. So all ingredients are prepared. Chef is ready to dish out all the Malaysian cuisines - Rendang , Dhal , Nasi Briyani and Gong Pao Pork.

Outcome , yummy yummy. Not bad though. Not of self praising. Hehe...

Hari Raya , another makan day. Big feast again. Really really sumptuous , mouth-drooling delicacies. Stomach is filled to its maximum capacity , followed by photo sessions at the hostel lobby. Everyone is donned in traditional costume.What a sight to behold!

Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Deepavali!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Sunday

Yawn..... 9 am in the morning. Woke up.

Perfect breakfast of omelette with ham , cheese , tomatoes and garlic.

With one cup of hot coffee with thick milk. Whiff of aromatic coffee alerted the olfactory sense.

Getting ready to............. STUDY

My Day Out

It has been week since my last outing. There are loads of work to be done in so short a time. Almost asphyxiating as i can say. From anatomy to biology to biophysics to chemistry , not forgetting Czech and Latin language. Practically all the waking hours are spent with books , and also my new found joy - bones and muscles.

Finally here came a weekend with less work , not to say totally free. So better grab this once in a month opportunity to explore Olomouc , to the new undiscovered territory.

I must say we were pretty lucky that day. See the tram in the photos? It is one of the oldest tram in Olomouc, And it operates only a few times in a year. It's prefect timing and sheer luck to be able to get into one. Wa laa... Taking a tram back in time..

The town of Olomouc still retain many of its glories of the olden days. Basking in the autumn sun , strolling along the brick path and taking in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the town square , what a way of relaxation!

Not forgetting the existence of a small community of Vietnamese here in Olomouc. They live by selling cheap imitates of clothes and shoes. Pretty cheap. However , some locals ostracise them as they do not oblige by the Czech laws. In Czech , all products sold are under 2 years warranty. Obviously with such cheap price , we do not expect these comprehensive after sell services. It's just like our very own Petaling Street , boasting with international "brands" of Gucci , CK , LV... Everyone knows things there are fake , yet people still patronise them..

Olympia - the premier shopping complex in Olomouc, comparable to JB Aeon Tebrau , but relatively smaller in size. It's autumn sale now. Great bargains are on the shelves. I bought a jacket at only RM80 plus. Not imitate duh...