206. When time is lost to its meaning

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.

~ T.S. Eliot

I haven’t been very active here – that I know. I have busied myself gardening, trying new food, and have spent most of the hours tutoring and finishing my assignments. THOSE alone are enough to have me all too tired and yes, have made me call it a night everynight before 10pm. I have sent my greetings to some friends but I shall extend my greeting to whoever is reading this right now,

To all my muslim viewers and friends,

Salam Aidilfitri! Have a selamat hari raya to you and your family! It is a blessing to be able to celebrate this occasion again and be here to be part of the whole celebrative community! Maaf Zahir Batin!!

205. When time is as precious as preciousness.

Right. So the past week revolved around trying to finish practical reports that never seem like they would be done. On top of that, I was tutoring three times per week and barely managed to get some workout at the gym. Bummer. Nevertheless, last week was a pleasant week. One of seven days, I spent less than $40 at Villa Mauri to celebrate a pre-birthday-day with darling and his cousins. He was literally surprised when the waiters and waitresses came in with a dark and white chocolate truffle cake. I need toget some pictures from Cat! It was enjoyable.

And not very long after that day, I spent a few hours of the evening celebrating one of the oldest and wisest professor I know, Dr.C. I was touched to see and know how many students despite his aggressive and strict  demeanour happily and willingly organise a birthday party for him. The MAN has turned 70 indeed! It’s an achievement to turn 70! and it’s more of an achievement to look so 25! haha. =)

But I guess, most of the past week focused more on plant phylo and gastropods and bivalves and polychate worms. SIGH! I find them absolutely interesting, no sarcasm mind you but I don’t like it how we are ASSESSED on them when all I want to do is ENJOY them. hehe. like no reports but just reading and finding out what part does what and which appendage grab food and stufflikethatbah! =D

Speaking of which, I need to finish that report!

204. Keep running.

The clock is ticking, and lately it has been ticking fast. Before I could stop and take one deep breath, the lights have turned green and I’d  find myself running again, taking little breaths instead. I keep running and running, things around once seem like pictures so clear now appear a blur. Now, I’ve reached a cross-road, a point where a choice has to be made. But before I reach out my leg to step onto a new path, I asked myself what I have experienced before this.

It then hits me hard.

All I could remember are a few bits and pieces of everything – like a blur. I tried recalling- names and dates, important events and notices and all I could conjure in my mind are vague details. I shook my head and muttered, you’ve got to be joking…

I then realised how much I wanted to get to the crossroad, for it is a point on the route-to-take to get me where I wanted to go but I’ve forgotten to notice and treasure the gems laid along the path.

And so she stopped talking.

And since you’ve decided on which path to take, don’t rush and take your time for it’s not where we want to go or how fast you get there that makes you a winner, or any better than anyone else… it’s what you have gone through to get to that point that defines you.

She stood up, smiled and walked away.

203. Much indeed.

If you have tuned in to pilihan 95.9 last night, you must’ve heard me. Yeah, I’m equally surprised. I was invited to the studio by DJ Izan during the forum I went to and have happily invited Ben to come along since he’s a hard-core pilihan fan! It was a blast!

The theme of the night centered around Innerchild, attitude, relationships, and above all, music! I have never been inside the studio thus last night’s first impression was how space-ous it was and slowly I realised how no script is really needed to interact with the listeners!

I was very excited the whole night and despite the studio being so cold, I was partly sweating! I couldn’t believe some of my friends called in… the experience was just different. Very unique. Thanks you guys!…for tuning in!

But I must say, I wouldn’t have been able to be there if Billah did not put my name into the forum list! I wouldn’t be given such an opportunity! So, I do have to thank Billah for this, and also Ben for accepting the invitation. It’s definitely one of those rare opportunities!

The past few days have been interesting. Much indeed. I was able to be in a conference filled with so many important guests and listen to their opinions and share their perspectives to be surprised by one of the best DJs, DJ Izan. In addition to that I managed to also talk briefly with some people I have not seen for a long time! It’s always nice to meet coincidently with people whom you least expect to see!

But I must say, days before these moments, I along with my huge classmates have been working very very hard and for long hours too in practicals! Something we need to do to get good grades. So far, hardest was genetics.

I was trying my best to macerate the specimen only to find the cells not being what I want them to be. haha. We were supposed to see some mitosis happening. It was constant failure until the first hour and a half past. Since we could keep trying and trying and constantly being assesed, I managed to finally.. to finally… get this one when clock showed the last half an hour to lunch break.

Cool, yes? haha. You should’ve seen Tiqah’s! Her slide was fanstastic!!! But ah well, no point going on when you can’t see it. =/

This coming Monday would be my first day volunteering in BARC. I’m already quite excited!! The only thought that makes me so tired now would be the amount of practical reports I need to finish! I’m overdosed with reports! And you know… overdose of anything is unhealthy. ;D haha. I should tell my lecturers that.

Selamat berpuasa you guys!!!

202. Making a change. A difference.

I was at the National Environmental Conference yesterday with Billah, Husrin and Tiqah. The conference centered its attention towards trying to develop Brunei with “green” being one of its criteria. Brunei Darussalam is well known, publicly and worldwide – not for its oil and gas only but also for its richness in biodiversity and the pristine greenery that still exist; with some parts of it, minimal to human impact.

But that wasn’t highlighted at the conference. There were talks about Smoke Haze, a presentation given by Dr.Rajasekhar Balsubramanian from NUS, Singapore and also about Waste Management System by Dr Jerry Leonard from Canada. Excellent speeches I must say but personally, I could not see how such speeches are anywhere fruitful if specific questions are unasked and unanswered. For instance, there are evidences to show that some systems do work in other countries but are we adopting their techniques to our country without considering some rather important aspect like culture and customary routine? and if we do, are we going to keep negotiating about what’s best without actually starting a project? Perhaps I’m being too critical without taking everything into consideration but the whole picture so far shows more initiatives are taking place without actual progress.

Now, because we know how important it is to keep a country clean and more important to always remember to REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE and after listening to the speakers yesterday, we must also RECOVER and to have RESPONSIBILITY.  No, no more 3Rs, it’s 5 Rs now! But what is the point to have everything planned out but no support from the majority? To make a difference, oh one can indeed make a difference but it takes every individual to make a real change, a real significant change!

Trust me, you don’t need to be Einstein to know how to reuse plastics, reduce electricity consumption when not needed and to recycle unwanted goods. Yes, I do mean goods because someone’s waste is another’s raw-material! Indeed, such a statement can only be made after hearing Ms Anita Roper from Australia that gave a talk on “How Green Business can be Good Business”. In pure honesty, there were alot of questions, relevant to private and government sectors whom would like to start going green but they just don’t know where to start. Thus, addressing their queries aloud. At the end of the discussion, the main point drawn was basically for individuals, companies, private and government sectors to take the risk on implementing a well-drawn up plan.

The last presentation was on “How BSB can be a Sustainable City – Ideas and Suggestions”, presented by Dr Djoko Prihanto. He gave a very well drawn up presentation with many technical aspects of town planning – what should be done and so forth. I was however very disappointed when “sustainability” was not highlighted in the presentation. Well, I guess it’s more correct to say that emphasis on sustainability did not touch close to what I thought of sustainability.

Sustainability is basically to allow us, this generation of homo sapiens to consume as much as not to impede the next generation from having what we currently have. We cannot consume more than we need for that is not sustainable. We cannot destroy if we don’t need to destroy for if such is done for the sake of development then such a development is ruthlessly unfruitful. Why? Because a balance is not achieved. A balance is needed to be achieved from all aspects of economy, social and environment before true development takes place.

This then tempted me to raise a question- which I should have asked only did not manage to yesterday. If an area is found to have endangered species (and I do mean being endangered worldwide), would you strip that area for development? Would that be sustainable? What would you suggest?

Yesterday’s conference allowed me to meet with many fantastic people and speakers. It’s one of those types that make you really think and would really like to make a difference!

Shouted too at Brudirect [215hits @ August30th].

201. Lethargic.

Especially today. My day started early, first sending off my sisters to school around 6am, nothing really interesting there – something I shan’t dictate but what is interesting and also utterly tiring was how I’ve spent 8am (that’s when class starts) to 12pm on one practical, then RIGHT after that, rushed myself to a math class, then as it ends at precisely 2pm, I have another practical which runs till 5pm. No, no lunch- and no good breaks in between. I’m sure some others might have hectic-ier schedule, mine today however could be considered as one of the many firsts that made me so breathlessly tired! Thus, I shall at least write a note about it. I haven’t been THIS busy since two years ago. haha.

Anyway, in between the usual hectic schedule, I managed to find a slot to watch G.I.Joe with Sen, which was brilliant I must say!, and managed to attend a seminar which was “rather” compulsory – half of us didn’t turn up.  Seminar went well – I’ve learnt that an ant’s body part does include a term called petiole (like the one inplants! haha).

I’m not sure whether I have talked about this anywhere in my previous blogs before (I doubt I have) but I did apply a position at BARC as a volunteer during the end of my holidays. Amidst the busy checking and drawing, drawing and checking under the microscope of Echinodermata and some Annelida, I’ve got a call! I’m offered three slots to which I have to choose one at the moment – so I have chosen Medicinal Plants! I should be starting soon although this idea might just probably make my already busy schedule into a more hectic one. This is not good at all.

Oh well! It’s all about taking one step at a time then! yes? =)

When make up covers your true face texture. Like when your clothes cover your identity. So when your true face texture is seen, it’d be regarded you’re someone else, like when you show your true identity that doesn’t reflect what you wear. Git-it? lol.

200. Semester starts again.

It’s one of those times when one’s blog enter this phase of hibernation – I’ve much to update, for you to read if you are much interested but also for myself so that I could read and remember what I’ve gone through. But haven’t the time you seeeee…  Semester starts again – I’m in year 2 now and I’m not in a bit excited about it – yet. I’m still “recovering” from the long holiday mood although I must say the past holiday did not quite feel exactly like a holiday. It was as if I did not properly rest at all! but alas, what can I do now? The ball has started rolling. I need to keep up.

Recently, the haze has both directly and indirectly slowing down productivity in all sectors. The trapped heat and stuffiness that linger in the air make everyone feel in so much discomfort. Walking around campus grounds made me feel rather agitated and dehydration is making me dizzy. No good at all. However, it’s good to know that Heavens heard our (silent) prayers and have sent down rain to clear the dirty air. Although I must say, no contribution of clean air by those faggots who love open-burning. They drive me very much up the walls. >=(

Heading to Seria tomorrow!!

And next week on, college work starts to kick in!! I’m still wondering how I’d survive 4 practicals in a week. SIGH*

I’m still thinking about our recent trip. It was too quick to last but manage to linger in my head, conjured memories that I hold ever so dear…

I’m uberly tired.

199. Away in Singapore

It was rather a spontaneous decision – we talked about it early Monday morning and by afternoon we’ve bought the tickets to Singapore. We have been dwelling on the subject whether or not to go but thank goodness it was a yes since…well, where else is better to get good winter clothes?

Darling and I, along with mom and aunt went to Singapore to buy winter clothes for him. In the end, we managed to tick most of those stated in the checklist – in one day. With the most important-thing-to-do done, we spent the rest of the two days trying out good food and more shopping!!

So we went to places in Bugis and Novena and oh! Ion Singapore is now opened! It’s a big big awesome building with awesome architecture selling awesome good stuff. There’s 7 floors – loads of goodies.

I’d say I’d never get tired of the MRT. It’s so convenient and walking in Singapore is just. lovely. Everyone’s walking and the distance is hardly felt since most of the time you’d be looking at the advertisments that surround. But damn sure thing, my feet are sore now. haha.

We reached home at around 1am. It was a lovely trip though the start of the new semester would greet me in less than 10hours time. Nope, I’m not prepared.

sigh*

198. Betta Fish.

I’m very interested in flowers, very fond of them I am indeed. But just yesterday, I was out with my aunt to an aQua shop, somewhere in gadong, and so suddenly did it come, this interest towards fish. The fighting fishes on display caught my attention.

I have always found fighting fishes to be very beautiful but I never get a hold of any of them since they are not very friendly with other fishes. I guess I never seem to like just having one fish in one bowl. But yesterday, God knows what strike me with so interest, I bought two fighting fishes, one male and another female, got them a bowl and also got a live water plant. Got a few decorative stones as well – for the bowl.

Now, in my room, I have flowers freshly plucked from my garden patch in a small vase and a fish bowl with fighting fishes!! They make such good companions when I am reading or writing up notes.

Such beautiful creature.

197. Just not ready. Yet.

I’m not ready for the new semester to start.

Just aint ready yet.

=(