Summer memories

Finally, the Autumn chills make their presence, marking the coming end of summer. It has been a worthwhile 4 month break indeed. For once, I've completed most of the stuff in my to-do list. In short, here's some things checked out from the list.

1) finish my CC#2 Toastmasters speech

•   I've been in this club for about a year now, but I've learned quite a lot. The experienced speakers in the club are all friendly and helpful so it really builds a conducive environment to improving one's communication skills. I've always been one who's close to having a nervous breakdown when asked to give a speech in front of an audience, so this club propelled me to a new confidence and opened my eyes to a world with way more opportunities.

     

The one I go to 

(http://toastmasters.skule.ca/)

*Just a heads up, Toastmasters is not a breakfast making club. It's an international organization where one can improve his/her communication and leadership skills through various activities(presentations, speeches, debates, and many more).

2)  visit the Land of Opportunities and the Big Apple

•  Well, not that I've always wanted to go there, but since I'm just next door, why not? Took a 4 day tour to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore and Pennsylvania. Visited places like Harvard, MIT, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Rockefeller Centre and a few more. Overall, the trip felt like a week. We were in the bus most of the time considering the long journey between the cities.

Harvard's Big Library (forgot what it's called =P)

The First Amendment at Washington

The former World Trade Centre, making it way to the top once more

 3) read at least a book till the end

• Never liked books, maybe never will. I'd either space out or sleep before finishing a book. So, I'd decided to give it another shot. Went through my dad's collection of books and some caught my eye. One of it was about palmistry(the art of reading one's palm and making objective remarks or predictions), another about numerology and astrology, and a book called 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'(challenge accepted from friend).

Interesting book, but more like one to motivate rather than educate

•  For once, I'd arrived at the conclusion of a book. And not just one, but two (didn't finish Rich Dad Poor Dad). For palmistry, I learned that signs like crosses, stars, grilles, vertical lines and etc. have their unique individual meanings and that we can roughly estimate our predicted age(best not dwell on that, kinda ruins the spontaneity of life). Numerology was pretty straightforward in that our date of birth belongs to a certain star and that star exerts influence onto our personality. Then, there was 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'. My friend who's studying business in college mentioned that most business lecturers recommend reading this book. Knowing that I wasn't one who likes to read books, a deal was made. If I were to finish reading the book within 3 days, he'd buy me lunch for the next week. Just for the fun of it, I took up the challenge. I didn't finish it though, but it still was an interesting read. Not one I would highly recommend, but surely something to keep one occupied for a while.

4) moving in to a new home

• When I got back to Malaysia at the end of June, little did I realize that I was about to be a labourer, an expensive one at that. Just a week after the touchdown, we got the keys to our new crib and our work began. We bought the house and the furniture lockstock barrreled so there wasn't much room for our old furniture to come in. With a bit of innovation and lots of patience, we managed to get the interior done in a month. Not to mention, we made about 30 rounds to move the furniture from the old to new place. Thankfully, both places were in nearby neighbourhoods.

The dining hall

Part of the garden(used to be a swimming pool)

Front of the house

Main hall

Antique lantern lights

• The exterior landscape took the other month to complete. Despite being quite a hectic job for 2 months, it sure was a worthwhile experience. After all, nothing beats spending the time with the family while renovating a house, not forgetting the satisfying feeling one gets from seeing a job till its 'Mission Accomplished'!

5) obtain my Malaysian driving license

• Maneuvering a vehicle ain't my forte, but hey, why not? Did the first half of my lessons a year back, so I was forced to do the other half this break anyway. Never really understood the idea of the clutch, so it was a liberating experience. Fortunately, I didn't really felt left out since I met Vei Sean, an ex high school buddy on the same exam day. Despite failing the highway test the first time, I succeeded on the second one. Well, at least now I need not worry about being asked for a non-existing license while driving on the road. And also, now I finally know how to drive manual on arcades =D.

6) improve physical fitness

• Well, I guess everyone has this goal. During my 2 months stay in Toronto, I decided to make use of the community gym nearby my apartment. Free membership but limited spot available at one time. Fortunately, I got a spot and decided to visit the gym 2-3 times a week. I guess the rumours were true. The first or second visit is usually the toughest because we're too lazy to get out of our comfort zone. After a couple of visits, it really felt nice to go there and break a sweat. At least, I don't feel that much of a walking stick anymore.

7) catching up with latest movies

• When I got back to Malaysia and started hanging out with my ex high school friends, I realized that I was kinda left out in certain conversations; thanks to 8 months of not keeping up with the latest movies. Due to the tortoise internet provided by my Maxis broadband, I only could keep up with the ones now showing in theatres. Watched a few like the Expendables 2, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen(supposedly British comedy), The Three Stooges(comedy). Have yet to watch Total Recall despite the mixed reviews. All in all, the enjoyable part was having an awesome company to watch the movie with. So, a very special thanks to those who cut some free time to enjoy a movie or two. =D

8) Yumcha sessions

• Definitely a not-to-be missed in the list. Nothing beats having a cup of teh tarik with a couple of friends and chat about life. So, a special thanks for an awesome time to Edward, Chee Boon, Izzul, Hong Zhang, Ashvind, Chee Hong, Sailendra, and Hema. It's great to hear from you peeps again and to know you all are doing well. All the best in your studies and hope to meet you all soon! However, didn't had the opportunity to meet a certain few. Sorry for being held up. I'll make it up to you peeps soon. =)

9) Food

• A visit to Malaysia will never be complete without first enjoying Malaysian food. Didn't get to try everything that is to be offered though, but still, something is better than nothing. Had char kuey teow(fried flat noodles), Kampar fish ball noodles, curry wantan mee, nyonya kuih and nasi lemak(fat rice). Just thinking about it makes me drool. Sorry for the very few photos for you peeps to enjoy though. =P

Hainan Chicken Rice At Hoe Kee Restaurant, Jonker Street, Melaka

Bak Kut Teh(Pork Bone Tea) at Klang

Curry laksa...with cockles(kerang)!

Fried pumpkin coated with salted egg(Two Fatty Seafood SS2, PJ)

Roti Canai! (Grand City Restaurant, Section 11, PJ)

10)  Write about a dream

• Just an idea to improve my writing skills. Had a decent dream a few weeks back about an alternate world. Haven't started writing on the draft yet but the main ideas are there. Will post on the blog once it's done.

11)  Blog about my summer experience

• I've only started blogging this year thanks to a friend who is an inspiring blogger. Hoping that my blog will be of that level soon may be too much to ask for, but I hope to improve my blogging skills and someday, inspire others to blog just as someone has inspired me to do so. Therefore, feedbacks are very much appreciated.

Well, 4 months sure have gone by quickly and my second year undergrad is about to begin. I shall give it my all and hopefully, achieve much satisfying results than the previous term. Aite, that's all for now. Thanks for reading and I hope you peeps have enjoyed this. All the best to those who're about to start their new academic year. Adios.