Q: I have this disease where I'm completely aware that I'm annoying but I have absolutely no way to stop myself.

Credits to nami64 (c) Haunted Memory

I did the most brazen thing an employee could have done at work. Aku balik rumah awal (precisely one hour earlier) without any notification for my supervisors whatsoever. Then again, I told them I had to do some blood works and to settle the badge problem. I’ve gotten all that done in approximately two hours. Now that they are taken care of, I am left with my two stage PPD test and relevant vaccines (that is if I ever need to take more, that I will find out from the blood works result). Excellent timing, since it ties in nicely with the new semester week. Satteto...nap time.

Note: One of the best anime fighting scene I've ever seen has to be from the new Hunter X Hunter between Gon and Hisoka. Had me on my toes for that one minute. Check out episode 35 if you don't believe me.

Osu,
Vonnie S.

Q: Of course I remembered. And I wondered if you did too.

I just came back from the first class of my semester. It’s a lot of information for a first class, but the professor probably got ahead of himself and jumped right into teaching. So much for leaving early, instead I got bombarded with information that surpasses my knowledge. I’ll probably need to continue sparking my interest in drugs and pharmacology. But judging by the syllabus, the class seemed to be a cinch if I study hard enough. It will remind me of my Biopsychology days, mere absorption of technical terms, its application purpose, and its examination value (that is I’ll only memorize it if the chance of it appearing in the exam is high). You may then question my study method. Then again, I have never been an excellent student, but rather one who studies sufficiently to do well. Being overachieving is not my thing, I was aware of it since my undergraduate days. So I’ll be alright in the end. J

Fighting,
Vonnie S.

Q: Makes me wonder if their skies are a little murky and a lot brown.

Oh, you dang know where we're going right now.

It was 7.30 in the morning and the sun was hiding beneath those drenched, morbid clouds. I was heading due south east, and the bus ride is stuffy and bumpy. I hadn’t felt any sign of drowsiness at that point in time, which was a good thing. When I am heading off to work – often for eight hours –I always try to be mindful about staying vigilant and to always be on my feet. The kids aren’t blood-sucking vampires, but they can look pretty frightening to someone who’s never seen a child hitting oneself before. In some cases, they aggress at others, and yes, it’s a handful of a job. But someone’s got to do it.

Meh. I should stop right there. Anymore and I’ll be violating some papers I’ve signed at the institute. Someone came by to buy off the old office chair and a stack of printing paper. Five bucks could buy me a free lunch tomorrow. It’s exactly what I need. Sixth postcard came in the mail today, so did the electricity bill.

A dog’s life,
Vonnie S.

Q: An ugly personality cannot be photo-shopped.

I had garlic bread last night, thanks for asking. And at noon, someone will be coming over to check out my wares. Then I'll be having pizza on LekP (since those wares technically belonged to her before she left the US). No matter what, I need cash for food deliveries anyway. Wow, I can't believe the lunar New Year is just around the corner again. How small the lap of a year must be for it to be here so soon. Time for new clothes, and poker faces; I'd need that when I Skype with Malaysians back home, especially with those decked in red and dancing at the beat of money packets. I keed my cousins, but it sure wouldn't be an easy week as usual. This year's even more so, since I'm alone, but I'd probably just order take out chinese food to make me feel better I suppose. 

I've finally mastered Fairy Tail's Theme song in slow-mo on guitar! That's two songs in the month of January fulfilled! Finished Lord of Misrule yesterday night too! That's a double whammy! 

Update: Sold of $5 worth of wares, but still no pizza after all. Gonna have my ramen and then head for potluck with the Hopkins kids tonight! 

Bulu ayam,
Vonnie S.

Q: Where there is desire there is gonna be a flame, where there is a flame someones bound to get burned.

You ain't the only one snowing now Kalamazoo!

It seems dinner with the UMBCians is canceled. That just placed me in a dilemma about tonight’s meal; to either eat instant ramen, order in pizza, or toast bread which I can sorta butter it with Nutella. Then again, there’s always the option of not eating, but that would put my stomach in an awkward limbo. I’ll save myself a lecture from PL about health by coming up with this solution:

Order Papa John’s pizza with that one coupon you found in the mail, but since you are low on $5, paste an advertisement in the elevator begging to get someone to buy that extra printer you stored away for emergency.  

Should the most preferred option fail (that is no one calls in to purchase it by 7pm), then I shall either have ramen or bread depending on what I’m in the mood for. Otherwise, I can always choose to walk out of the apartment to Chipotle. Heck no, the cold has locked me in for the weekend.

Good. Now that’s taken care of, I’ve got an announcement to make. It is not a life changing one, I assure you, for it’s more of a personal favor for a college friend. I was approached last week to contribute to the ChiAlpha’s blog as an international student studying in my alma mater. I wasn’t quite on board at first, but since the one essay I sent to ISV for their contest didn’t win me anything, I figured that it’d still go to good use. And thus, it ended up with KatieR.

If you’re ever so interested in it, I might post a link up here soon. We’ll see about that!

Chow da mao,
Vonnie S.

Q: Boy, you better get used to African timing...

Been sleeping on my tummy since the injection, and it was helping me get through the night better. My left arm felt sore, as though I played badminton for five hours straight the day before. Bah, on top of that, I’ve gotten my first injury while at work today. My kid hit me on the face, and then proceeded to scratching at my forearm.  I was simply glad that the wound wasn’t deep for it to be reported or anything. Many of my colleagues went “aww…that’s for the initiation ceremony! Congrats!” Meh, at least I can still walk out of the unit, feeling awesome with this new battle scar of mine.

And so, there was a reason to celebrate the beginning of semester. I went for McDonalds for dinner. Say what, you may have gone one second ago. Fast food ain’t the best meal out there, but boy, the McRibs was simply succulent yesterday. It was way better than the ones I had in Kalamazoo for some reason. Strange eh? Besides, it was near to the Hippodrome Theatre. Why, I scored tickets to the Beauty and the Beast musical at 7.30pm (cost $42 per person but worth every dime). Three others (PF, HJ & SarahH) joined in on this enchanting night, and we had a wonderful time. If I have to summarize this musical, it paralleled that of the Disney cartoon film version, but extended further with more songs and scenes. So you can expect a lot of familiar tunes and characters on stage for you to sing and dance to.

Last night’s musical was special for two more reasons; one, a marriage proposal took place during the intermission, and two, Ann the usher was a pleasant old lady whom I had the pleasure to talk to. Might consider going back there for another musical just to speak to her again. Who knows really?

Ah returning home felt so good, until I collected my textbook from the mail boy. Twas a reminder that classes are starting in the coming week. Boohoo.

To be human again,
Vonnie S.

Q: The world isn't made of people who can analyze others like you can!

Hey guys! I am actually using a font type of my own handwriting. You might not believe me of course. But that’s cool. I don’t always expect you to understand what an awesome person I am. I respect your decision to think otherwise, but yea, we're still one happy family. Anyway, feast your eyes on this whole new visual spectacle. My cakar ayam writing makes its debut today and you'll see it more often in the future. Finally, this blog is closely resembling an actual physical journal. Can't wait to hear from you about this new feature. You can write to me all about it!

“It might be impossible to do stuff for others without thinking about what's in it for ourselves." In the end, it maybe just all about yourself.

News: Taken two shots to the arm today; a flu shot and a TDAP vaccine. Now for one blood test away to being officially cleared!

Coin toss,
Vonnie S.