Q: I've only been there with my family.

Akira is sho cute! I wanna snuggle with this doggie~

Nuggets and fried rice for dinner. O yea, such simple pleasures of life, before that dreaded routine of journal reading. I wish a foolish human like me can pass grad school like how I would randomly punch buttons on the console to win a fighting game. Behold my true power. I’ve defeated PJ at these sorta games that he bowed at my overwhelming strength and resilience like a cockroach. I guess a true warrior shouldn’t be defeated by such adversity! Hey, I’m the king!

I am going to count on the stars that PL will be able to come over to the US in June. We need a reunion bad!

Patheticness,
Vonnie S.

Q: So the kid cracks under pressure as well?

Don't mess with Hongki's, man.

Shit just got real. It looks as though I have a dozen strawberry patches growing on my face. Dafuq. (I always wanted to know what it feels like typing that word. The situation seemed to call for it.) Bloody rashes. And I've got class tomorrow too. It's fine to forgo work, but I've got ten points at stake for every class I miss. Now that's just plain cruel for the vaccine to take effect (or blossom more like) this week. Sigh, I suppose it's always better than to have it over midterms coming up in two weeks' time. Sad case of itchiness though. These madness have to stop; both you live viruses and bad internet connection!

What's this about horse meat found in Ikea products? Geez, narrow miss. Lucky I turned down dad's offer once to eat at their food court last time. Gave me the shivers just imagining savoring on my favorite animal. Chances of that batch making into Malaysia is near zero though.

Puke,

Vonnie S.

Q: You will always be happy to see your own race in a foreign country.

“I read your diary, and it said that you were in love with him…” Ah, Tap Tap Revenge 4 has some pretty sweet songs. I have like four journal articles this week and as usual I am struggling to finish them. The reading gets dry after a while, and to think it’s only my second semester. Yikes. But having TTR4 on my S2 helps me roll through the pages in good pacing. For every five pages, I’ll get to play one song. Not bad for a performance management design, since it’s very fair and achievable. Usually, I had to go through an entire article to watch one episode of anime. But that trick wasn’t effective enough, so I tweaked the system. Genius behavioral modification at work right there, but it still loses to poor physical health. Geez, might have to take Monday off, simply because I’m getting the cold and feeling the chills.

I might just go for a light jog in the morning to sweat this crappy feeling away. I wonder how PL is able to deal with pharmacology stuff at all… I am getting lost with all these talks about agonist, SERT and shitnitz.

Monday blues,
Vonnie S.

Q: Moving up in the world.....soon.

Some girl from Germany sent me a message requesting for a direct swap. She sounded like a New York City fanatic (based on her profile information), but I had none (NYC postcards) left since I sent them all out last month. It was unfortunate for her, but she’s settling for a city skyline postcard of Baltimore. That I have, and I can get them easily at B&N whenever my supply runs out. There is something iffy about direct swapping though. In case you’re lost on this topic, to do a direct swapping is to trade postcards. So I should be expecting a German postcard coming by should I comply with the bartering conditions. However, “should be” doesn’t always imply “will be”. I mean, if the sender on the other end made a request and you gullibly send one away, she can always choose not to send hers. Get it? There is no way of tracking unlike the standard Postcrossing assignment of addresses (which carefully bears postal codes that you can key into the website to see who it’s from).

What the heck, life’s too short to fret over small matters.

Sent away,
Vonnie S.

Q: This psych degree can kick rocks ugh!

The knowledge I gain from here exists to change something. Changing something is the duty of those with such knowledge. I didn’t study my ass off to choose who I would save in the future. In fact, I believe in saving everything that I can, so that I wouldn’t have to watch anyone walk away from a helpless victim of circumstances.

Hmph, some heavy duty thoughts early in the morning; my brain was up late at night again, partying and sprouting nonsensical philosophy. How convenient, I can feel a fever coming too. Ugh, another lump emerged and this time it’s behind my right ear. This is bullshit, I didn’t sign up for weird things to grow in me. Now that botfly video BrittanyB showed me last week doesn’t seem all that funny anymore. It’s high time I down some herbal tea and lay off those “heaty” snacks. May things get better within this week, I hate feeling so low in the dumps.

On the bright side, I’m learning to play Clannad’s Dango Daikazoku song. With decent effort, I believe anyone should be able to master the song. I have reason to believe however, my guitar needs some serious fixing. The higher E string seemed to have lost its mojo, indirectly causing cacophony I cringed at every play. Meh, I have no one to help me at that (I had LanceT back in Kzoo) and I don’t wanna travel all the way to a store in search of a mechanic. It’ll stay that way until someone decides to take the job.

I pay peanuts,
Vonnie S.

Q: It’s supposed to be like this, you feel me?

Omg, my entire floor smells like it’s on fire. I was about to head downstairs to the laundry room when I made a detour to the management office. A girl and a brown kitty (sitting complacently on her lap) greeted me and almost instantly, I knew she is a fellow resident of the apartment complex. “My poor thing was so upset I had to come down. My lungs are being tortured as well.”

A Japanese garden in Germany? Sign me up for it!

Honestly, I don’t feel good myself. But this postcard in my mailbox came at the right time. And it's good to know that the cause of the smoke ain't actual fire. Thank goodness.

Add me,
Vonnie S.

Q: Jokingly blamed it on my being international.

There is a bulge right behind my ears, perhaps an inch below my hairline. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s bothering me quite a bit. A medical student kindly informed me that the bulge is harmless and that my lymph node is swelling quite a bit from an inflammation (perhaps). “Your body is doing its best to fight away some bacteria that’s all,” he said pretty confidently.

I believed in his words since I just took three different shots over the month. It might just be the MMR at work here. That’s why I dislike vaccines; however, they are compulsory at the current workplace. Pfft, now that the weight is off my chest, I can focus on more important agenda. If only this Korean girl would stop kicking the table… Am at the local Barnes and Nobles fishing on their free internet. So yup, I’m sharing the table right now. Laptop battery need to die faster ya’ll.

Harlem Shake ain’t the Harlem Shake. So sad nia…

Burekfasto,
Vonnie S.

Q: Signals that dial together, connect together.

I ride with my Floridian classmates to class every Thursdays for the rest of the semester. Nothing less than two “f*ck” words is heard every time; twas as though being inside the car gave them a reason to be vulgar. Hm..perhaps it’s their hatred towards Baltimorean drivers. The compact space within the moving container smells of cheap deodorant and wet boots, but we were discussing the study materials. Half wishing that the quiz would be easy this time compared to the last. Fair enough, my classmates are already in their twenties and young (still), the lack of tasteful vocabularies will make an old English teacher go into depression. They are fun-loving people, and being surrounded by Floridians in Baltimore is a pretty interesting dynamic or environment. I have yet to be completely comfortable with them, but I believe this semester will see us engaging in thoughts more often than not. Fingers crossed, we’ll gel well.

Dayum right,
Vonnie S.

Q: Should've just called him whiskey...

All you surfers out there, let's hang ten!

Got a postcard from Russia and a Valentine’s Day card from PJ. My mailbox resembles a happy meal from McDonald’s minus the expectations. It is hardly predictable what I’ll get in the mail; some samples from Walmart, complimentary magazines, vouchers, and uh, bills. Of course the best stuffs are handmade with the recipient in mind. I want to thank you for making my day.

Shalom,
Vonnie S.

Q: So is this statement valid?

Taught ShariP and AnthonyC how to do the Malaysian style Rock Paper Scissors. I am mighty impressed at their acceptability of this foreign concept. I quote ShariP, “so violent, yet so true.” In case, you never ever question (because you always swallow what’s given to you) our “one, two juice/som", revise it once more to see that the “rock” pulverizes the “bird”. Remember that scene from Budak Kampung with his lastik? Yup. The western culture and a lot of the younger people these days are mighty attracted to elements that exude themes like sex and blood. While I do applaud efforts to move forward past racism for a more globalize unification of all good people, we are unfortunately growing weaker against temptations. Remember the days when your mother specifically reminded you to never date anyone until you've gotten a job? Well, I don’t really expect you to remember anyway, you forgetful mess. Which explains why you got yourself a partner in college, or worse, in bloody high school. I keed you. Some things will never change; somehow you’ll always find a way to get around these rules. Your best shot-- YOLO (you only live once). Genius.

Was it you?
Vonnie S.  

Q: Has anyone seen my phone? It's red and dead.

I dedicate today’s post to the sweet bagel lady at my workplace. This week, she gave me two bowls of butternut squash soup for free. She refused my card twice and honestly, I readily gave up at her words, “take it back there right now.” She meant that I should take the soup and find a seat at the sitting area. “I’ll always take care of mah peeps,” she said with one wink.

One tired morning, I rubbed my right eye. Some alien fragment in the air found its way into it, stinging at my every blink. The bagel lady thought I looked pitiful (well, I was half tearing just then), and offered me a drink. I kindly turn down her offer, and immediately she asked me if everything was okay. I have always known that she’s a nice lady. People liked her for that cheery attitude and swagger (she does these cute dances behind the counter). So I am still thankful at her caring thought that day. A comforting memory of Baltimore I’ll forever have whenever I see a bowl of hot soup next time.

You sure?
Vonnie S.

Q: Living alone can make you weird, study finds.

Oranges make me super gassy, especially right after a meal. Frown as you like at that statement, I cannot argue against my bodily functions. In honesty, I’d rather be a whoopee cushion than to suffer a bloated stomach. I’ll be staying indoors a good 90% of today, and living alone gives me the right to be super obnoxious. The 10% will see me at a Punjabi & Halal store nearby; an adventure beckons, and who knows, I might find treasures beyond my wildest imaginary world. I keed. It might be a perfect time for a walk outside. After lunch, I would want a good digestion process start-up and a little, slow-paced exercise may aid it. Of course, I needed some snacks that would help me get through all these studying I have to do over the next few hours. Meh, procrastination to the max! I’mma even tired of writing the same dang thing each week. YOLO.

Neopets is indefinitely coming up with a new plot. Excited nya~

Future gadget,
Vonnie S.

Q: Hypocrites are hippos.

Grocery shopping on a lovely day is a treat. I rarely get to have an easy walk around the neighborhood, for some reason it is either the unbearable temperature or the gusting winds that tripped me off. I’d take it as a sign that Spring is upon us, Baltimoreans. Time for those sunnies to make their appearances once more; the heavy coats and boots may retire to the closet until October rolls around the bend. I’ve skipped Journal Club today because I wasn’t quite charged up for an early rising. Don’t I deserve a break for skipping out on V-day yesterday? Haha. Words of a typical procrastinator; you won’t ever see a want for productivity need. I keed myself. Productivity is required of me this semester, so I’ll hit the books after dinner. There, happy?

Roasted honey chicken and mihun soup tonight!

Ideas, ok?
Vonnie S.

E: Happy Singles' Awareness Day!

Will you be my Eeveevolution?

What sorta Valentine’s Day is today? I left home early for work, then went for an evening class, only to return home at 9.30pm. Tired and brain-fried, I recognized nothing but the warmth of my blanket. As I lay to rest, I was simply glad that the day is about to end. Outside this silent studio room, the Cupids continue their hunt for those to fall in love.

XOXO,
Vonnie S.

Q: Never thought I'd say this, but Monday needs to come by faster.

Parent training time! One little birdie is leaving its nest soon. I got to role play with an in-home staff, and I had a ball throwing plates on the floor. But it wasn’t like that for MaeganP who was kicked in her thighs, and now she is on crutches for the rest of the week. Sigh…injury, no matter how big or small, is a common sight at our workplace. I assure you that it is only a matter of time that I’d end up that way somehow. That is, if my carelessness beckons it. Until then, time to one up laziness and do some article reading!

What is with these Harlem Shake videos?!

Document1,
Vonnie S.

Q: I think my heart might explode...and I'm okay with it.

Ah…assume your friend became a part-time zookeeper at the quaint Central Park Zoo. I was to be in charge of caring for a wild bobcat; its unpredictable nature makes it an interesting study and a sight to behold for visitors of all walks of life. People could not pet the animal for it frightens them, yet one does not understand how this creature that resembles every bit of a domestic household pet could be so vicious. As zookeepers, we are expected to interact with it, learn its body language, and when the bobcat goes in for the kill, deal with it. I survived a burst mode today. It came out of nowhere, a point I’d like to say meant that we know not a reason to have set it off. My bobcat targeted smaller preys indiscriminately, and caught in its fury, I escaped the pandemonium with scratch wounds. Thankfully, the deeper ones are below my right thumb. Scrappy lil fellow.

Full bar,
Vonnie S.

E: Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Happy Chinese New Year, dear readers! I was hoping this city gets painted red this week, for it would give me plenty of reasons to celebrate this auspicious rebirth of the Snake year. Unfortunately, the Americans could care less, in fact none of them bothered to wish me, with the exception of the usual “how are you?” I am not offended either. Not everyone is culture conscious, per se, so I appreciated it that the few Asian Americans did take the effort to share a little happiness with me. It is upsetting that I am away from home during this time of the year, but one has to realize that this sacrifice would be worthwhile. Eventually, I’ll be moving back closer to home and being alone on festival days will be but a distant memory. I could use such encouraging thoughts for now.

Anyway, here’s to wishing all of you a happy, healthy, wealthy, and awesome new year! For those of you who are snakies, may it be YOUR year homies!

Red pau,
Vonnie S.

Q: Why is there no white colored pencils in[side the] box?

Should I just order take out instead? Tempting sial...

Only in America. It’s the eve of Chinese New Year today, and I broke a big rule, except I ain’t gambling this year. I made the exception to study over the weekend (you can blame my workload for that), encompassing two chapter readings and seven articles. Meh, I no eye see. It is supposed to be a day of new beginnings, but here I am, working off last week’s assignments. Tonight’s dinner is hardly Chinese; baked potato with rosemary herb and ginger sauce beef with rice. And instead of a reunion dinner, I’d be alone for the first time. You will feel sorry for me; I know you will be because you’re a good friend. I felt sorry for myself too.

But since this is my year (of the Snake), I suppose even the God of Prosperity should help me out here. My ancestors should forgive me for abandoning spring cleaning, touching books, and not relaxing in the company of people. This will hopefully be the worst Chinese New Year for me, and I’d be completely content with this week. For now, I’ll just do what I normally do, who knows, I’ll have a lil ice cream & movie tonight.

Smell red,
Vonnie S.

Q: UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ...

Dang, I shed like two minutes of tears watching this video. I'm missing home so much already. Need to call my parents tonight to schedule a group Skype session with my relatives too. They'd be bloody excited to see my bloated face. Haha^^ Hey! I am not implying that I've put on weight. Now, time to dig into the book!

Not too sure what was that all about. I went to Cold Stone with a coupon for a buy one free one ice cream. Instead, I was told to pay 50% off the price of one cup. So I actually paid $1.70 for two cups of ice cream. I did not argue because (1) the cashier was fumbling over his own words and I couldn't make out what he said, (2) it was a very good deal and (3) I was in a hurry to meet the others. Oh well~

Deal with it,
Vonnie S.

Q: Hmmm will there be more Disney songs in it.

I was clawed on the face today. Budak aku nih macam anak kucing; kukunya bukan main tajam. But learning to deal with these aggressive behaviors is giving me the practical skills I need to succeed in this field. At least, I’ve gotten a glimpse into the severest cases of the autism spectrum. And as I walked out of the apartment today, I had an epiphany—a desire to source out other centers around Baltimore (preferably accessible via the free shuttle), and try applying for a job there. Chances would be ice layer thin, but to hell with fragility. The whole point is to gain as much experience (while earning some pocket money), and to ultimately, go back to Asia. I’ve realized that my longing for home is solid strong, and the desire to take care of my parents outweighs the idea of getting a Green Card. People can talk all they want; after all I do not put leashes around their mouths. It’s my damn life and I’ll live it however way I work it to be. In fact, there is no right or wrong way when it comes to living for I always believe in personal preference. So ask yourself, is it more important to live life to the fullest or to live one that fulfill other’s wishes instead? It will be your call until the very day you reconvene with Mother Nature and restore the balance to the circle of life.

New reading,
Vonnie S. 

Q: There's something I want you to see.

Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) has got to be one of the darker anime I’ve watched. At episode ten, I am watching a story that is relatively depressing, yet carries genius storytelling that draws one into it. You’ve got an oddball outcast male protagonist and a psychopath female stalker as main characters. Sounds twisted? Wait, it gets trickier. Packed with gore (blood spills and beheaded) and lies (don’t get me started on how many characters committed this sin), this anime is not for the faint hearted, I can assure you that. However, this anime/manga (whichever) was the talk of the otaku town for a reason, and that is a big deal in itself. If you’re prepared for some visual nightmares (some thrill-like experience you get from watching horror movies), then do give this a shot. Just be very careful to take each episode with a pinch of salt and move on; being bothered by it won’t do you any good per se. Do understand that with good storytelling comes with testing unsafe waters, but one should not indulge unnecessarily. Why am I ridiculously raising the red flag here?  Haha, I care too much for your well-being. Nuf said. I have to sleep now. Nighty night.

Missed call,
Vonnie S.

Q: Congratulations! You just won a trip for two to the Bahamas.

How I stay Malaysian in the United States:

         1)  What wakes me up is Milo, not coffee.

         2)  I use Tiger Balm when it itches.

         3) Panadol is the ultimate solution for any internal body pains.

         4) Keep a tab on the price differences, as every cent counts when    
         shopping.

         5)  Leaves home on the dot, hardly early time wise.

         6) I boil my drinking water, despite having them previously filtered.

         7)  Still prefers the fork and spoon combination when it comes to
         silverware.

         8) Dropping the “lah” bomb in English sentences during conversations            with (non-American) Asians.

         9)  Downloading or piracy trumps buying the original.
   10) Constantly comparing both countries; despite its flaws, you know
        Malaysian food beats Western cuisine any given day.

    Update: The Ravens leading the 49ers! XD Superbowl just got wild!

Alamak,
Vonnie S.

Q: I avoid wearing branded polo tees, don't want people to think my name is Calvin Klein.

A rather unproductive day it was for my internet connection denied me access to necessary materials posted on Blackboard. It chose to be a brat, disconnecting as it pleased, and hardly commend my effort after all that diagnosing and troubleshooting. Yes, I nearly second guessed my laptop’s ability in keeping a connection. Well, this sleek machine may very well have been a flirt, a deduction byproduct of an annoyed owner. Anyway, I still managed to marinate the chicken (for curry) and the beef (for stir-fry), both of them neatly packed in Tupperwares for tomorrow. They would be my week-long meal, saving money and time. Then again, I might be going for that pizza party. Baltimore Ravens will be battling on the fields against San Francisco’s 49ers. You are clear at my disinterest in American football, but everyone seems to be at someone’s party tomorrow night. I suppose, I should just embrace the excitement. Who knows, Baltimore might be painted purple on Monday, and I may be a good $10 richer.

Puhlease,
Vonnie S. 

Q: Life is a field trip and there's no permission slip required.

Omg Baltimore…why are you doing this fire drilling today when it’s the only day of the week that I’m off? The loud bell reverberated throughout the floors of my apartment complex. Even as I went downstairs to drop off a postcard (heading towards Germany), I was helpless against the cacophony. Bolting into the elevator, I heard muffled ringing on the other floors as well, and on the third floor, a neighbor walked into the elevator space. She made a look that could only mean “I’m bloody annoyed.” After attending the journal club in the morning, I came home to this nuisance. But this should not ruin the day entirely; I made enough curry to last me till tomorrow night. So I have a present for you--this simple blog post today.

It's confirmed, my second class of this semester will be the cause of heighten blood pressure and stress level.

Touching dreams,
Vonnie S.