Mad.

It’s crazy-mad at the moment.

Still trying to catch my breath.

Over.

I took a day off work yesterday to speak at a music conference in UPM. Being the first speaker of the first session, I was a nervous wreck. Colleen, who was there to chair the second session, would probably be able to attest to how nervous I was.

Thankfully, it went pretty well (I think) and although it gives me a minor heart attack every time I have to present, I will continue to make the attempt to present and publish more. Furthermore, it’s a good start to my Masters journey and I am at a stage where I’m finally starting to see doors opening. It’s great.

That aside, I received another weird message from my mother via sms:

Me: ***** has a weak handshake. Does it mean anything?

Ma: Bewaaare of sheep in wolf’s clothing. Baaaa!

Continuation…

Man: Miss, are you interested in Maxis broadband?
Me: No.
Man: It’s a mobile broadband.
Me: We subscribe to Streamyx here.
Man: But it’s mobile and..
Me: No.
Man: But Maxis broadband..
Me: We use Streamyx.
Man: How about getting it for your home? Maxis broadband…
Me: We use Streamyx too.
Man: …. err, nevermind then. Thank…
Me: *slams door*

Colleague: Another one of them?
Me: Yeah. I’m getting pretty good at it now.

You’re asking for it, aren’t you?

Scene 1:

Lady: Miss, you interested in….
Me: No.
Lady:…our spa package?
Me: No.
Lady: We have attractive promotion!
Me: No.
Lady: Our technology come from…
Me: No.
Lady: You like spa?
Me: No.
Lady: How about massage? You like massage?
Me: No.
Lady: You don’t like massage…
Me: No.
Lady: Err…how about your friends?
Me: I don’t know.
Lady: Ah! This promotion you can share..
Me: No.
Lady: You have boyfriend?
Me: (where the fuck is this taking me?) Yessss…
Lady: How many boyfriends you have?
Me: (?!?!??!?!?!) Oneeeeee
Lady: He like massage?
Me: NO.
Lady: But our special promotion…

**********

Scene 2:

Man: Miss, would you like to donate to our orphanage?
Me: No.
Man: They have nothing you know Miss…
Me: No.
Man: Actually you student or working?
Me: Student.
Man: You dress so well!
Me: *walks away*

**********

Scene 3:

Boy: Miss, you interested in….
Me: No.
Boy: Our spa…
Me: I got hounded by your friend around that corner over there already.
Boy: Oh. Uh, you like massage?
Me: NO. It’s not my thing. I hate it actually.
Boy: ….
Boy: Uh, you want to buy for your friend?

**********

Scene 4:

Me: I would like to check on my updated phone bill.
Lady: Yes?
Me: I’ve already paid for my previous months’ bill but it has still shown up on this month’s bill. Has the problem been rectified?
Lady: Uh…
Me: This is the third time I’m calling.
Lady: Uh…What is your phone number?
Me: ********
Lady: And your address?
Me: ********
Lady: Whose name is the bill under?
Me: ********
Lady: Ok. The balance you owe is ****
Me: Yes. I know. And I’m telling you that I’ve paid my previous months’ bill.
Lady: Could I get the details of that payment? What is your bill number?
Me: ********
Lady: Where did you make this payment?
Me: *******
Lady: *silence*
Lady: Uh…what is your phone number again?

**********

I swear, what the fuck is wrong with you people?

Noel finally made it to USM, Penang!

The move took place over the weekend where Mum, Noel and I, together with the fantastic company of dear Aunty Kim, made the trip up north to help Noel cart up his stuff (and him).

It has taken him 2 years of hard work and savings to get to where he is now and starting today he officially embarks on his Masters journey of 2 years.

Most friends ask why I am not based in Penang, and say that I should at least be based there seeing that we are finally within the same country (although the distance between Singapore-KL/KL-Penang does not alter very much). How I see it is this: He is finally embarking on his true career path. He has finally saved enough do pursue a Masters. He has ideas and great plans that are feasible. His dreams are beginning.

On my part, my dreams are starting to take shape as well. I feel it in my bones. My work is getting more exciting and I’m really starting to enjoy teaching. I will be delivering and publishing my first academic paper in 2 weeks’ time. I have ideas and will actively start work on my Masters in the very near future.

Whether our dreams would eventually meet at the same place (and at the same time) is irrelevant at the moment. There will be a time when we will eventually have to figure things out but for the moment I’m happy to let things be.

It’s an unfolding path.