Smile, it's summer

These past few weeks have been... hard to describe, really. That (and my laziness in updating) has left this blog quite miserable-looking :P oopsy.

Random: I love love love the movie "500 days of summer"- the perfect "not-so-love" story with a quirky/nostalgic feel throughout the movie with awesome music by Regina Spektor and The Smiths (mmmm brit pop is awesome).

I love this one in particular. It screams "SUMMER!!!"

Anyway.

This week marks the 2nd week of summer studentship at the lab. Same lab as honours, with same supervisor, so it's all familiar faces. One thing that's different though, is it feels more like a JOB now than just a project I have to score at. Well mainly because instead of having to pay tuition fees before, now I get paid. :) No more studying at night, though to familiarise myself with the new project I do need to constantly read a lot of literature and get the techniques right. Thank God for commercial biotech companies who come up with genius kits to make our lives much easier. The project is basically based on using genetically modified bugs in to generate biofuel woohoo!

Feeling pretty bummed today and yesterday as Amy, my flatmate this year, has left for Christchurch yesterday morning :( She's been such an AMAZING flatmate- from the late study nights during winter at the lounge with the heatpump on, the yummilicious seafood chowder and ciabatta that she makes, daily routine of putting away the dishes at night, to paying the bills on time hehe. I'm the oldest of the gang, but I do feel like she's the big sister of the flat, and keeps Sharon and I from killing each other :P Amy, I know you don't read my blog, but hey miss future doctor, you're just an amazing person to be with and I miss you already!

 Group photo taken at Amy's farewell/end of exams dessert night last Friday

Oh, and you all (especially May May) would be proud to know that I baked cream puffs with custard fillings for that night! First time ever attempting to bake that, and it was YUM :D I also just made kacangma (a green herby chicken soup) last night, mainly for Michelle. It's crazy how west Malaysians have never heard of it before.

Val's post-it notes & crumpets for Amy, sitting on the front porch one beautiful morning.

awwww... isn't she the sweetest?

The baking talent runs in the flat, what can I say? :P :P :P

The latest below are Sharon's creations: cute little sheep/roses made for Jackie's baby shower about 2 weeks ago

Aren't they just TOOOOOO cute?

Pink roses oh-so-pretty

October/November- the months of crazy amount of birthday celebrations.

The latest was last Saturday: Hsiu Ping turns a year older! We all hid in her room while she showered and surprised her when she walks in (with a towel in her glorious self teehee), had lots of junk/good food :)

Late October: Glenn our Filipino/American-BK manager-silver lining leader's birthday.

Surprised him by filling up his room with 200 balloons (one of them filled with Influenza as claimed by Ron) and had dinner at JRS restaurant.

Last but not least, Alexander Ethan Yeo was born on the 17th of October, 2009 :) Fondly known to us as Xander. He's a heavy boy (almost 4kgs!). Gave us a scare last week as he was admitted to ICU for serious jaundice, but all good now. He's been keeping Mich awake at night, naughty boy. See that cheeky little smile? I can just imagine him growing up to be a charming, beautiful boy.

This photo was taken just before he dozed off. It was luck, really, so hard to catch him smiling to the camera!

The "I know I'm cute" look :)

So there is definitely a lot of things happening (even if it's summer in Dunedin), yea shocking right? Chyi, have a blast in Singapore/Brunei (as you most definitely will) I AM JEAAAALOUS! It's nervewrecking waiting for results, knowing that it will also determine my scholarship result, which will only be out just before Christmas GAH! 

Tonight's going to be a good night *cue music*- we're celebrating Ron's 21st at the posh & fancy Luna Bar. Also, I can't wait till Sunday when I leave on a plane to Welly (again)- I can't say I will get sick of that place. Yeah it's windy but gosh, have those people that complained ever been to Dunedin before? :P

ooh la-la

The worst is over. I've done my part (not the best answers oh sigh) but I'm believing for the BEST to come to pass. :)

So last exam was yesterday afternoon, and immediately I came home to my recent addiction.

*wink*

Watching "So You Think You Can Dance Canada". Of all the reality TV shows, I admire and love this one the most. Their talents are unbelievable, outfits were great, songs were perfect for choreography, and the best part- the yummiest dancer of all - Nico :D

Oh btw he also won the first season (last December).

I quote from one of the judges: "(he) you are the reason why boys want to dance". Not only is he an AMAZING dancer (not one of his performance was so-so, all of them GREAT), he has the charm, body, humility, and did I mention the part about him being super hot?

Here's evidence. Link.

Oh, that's not the only time he gets shirtless. Hmm how do I write this blog post without me sounding like a pervert :P Watch the series and you'll see more of where that came from. He may not have the most well-defined six-pack, but BOY look at his passion and technique...

photo credits http://cathyblog.jean-cathy.com/

Oh, and he's the cutest when he speaks French. And it's hard to believe that he's half deaf! That just makes him so much more adorable *sigh*

Now I feel like taking a summer school French course :P AHHHH, jealousy Julianna, jealousy! My high school friend who's still enjoying her exchange at Paris. Go find a hot French dude and make me proud! hehehe.

Summer is dawning upon Dunedin & I'll drool all over Nico all I want while I'm not busy shopping/preparing for the ultimate trip up north/thinking about exam & dissertation results. But for now, life is still good. 

eeeeeee-YEW

OMGosh.

Click at your own risk. No, this isn't a spam (my blog didn't get hacked), but I just saw some disgusting photos and thought I had to share it.

This guy defines 'ah beng'. Well, him and all the other contestants and this so-called "Mr. Photogenic" contest on facebook.I'm not even wanting to look through the girls' categories. It's simply just too painful to see how this Y-generation is giving into the peer pressure (seriously?!!!) of dyed golden hair, pouty expression, fake-but-make-it-look-like-it's-expensive jewellery, incredibly DUH names (the link says it all), and damn broken English (ok fine Manglish but those don't even qualify for Manglish; more like 'Bengish'). Or maybe, it's nothing to do with pressure at all- now that's equally depressing.

On a cheerful note, mum announced to me that my birthday has just recently been declared as a public holiday starting from next year! In Malaysia, of course. Woohoo! They're finally making Malaysia Day official. Read the news article here.

I'm surviving. Supplied with caffeine and armed with a can-do attitude (I try).

it's time like these...

When the lights were almost gone
Where dreams started fading
When I couldn't find home
You looked for me

When my praise was empty words
And I didn't see it
When my prayers were lifeless
You still listened.

Now that I'm next to you
I realize
That I can't live
Without you.

No I won't live
Without you.

And I can't help
Loving you back.

Sing songs to the tune of His glory
Set glory to the rhythms of His praise.

Nothing else could satisfy

"Tune of His glory" by Pinsekirken Ungdom (a Norwegian band)
Lyrics from http://equalsharing.blogspot.com/

I'll never stop singing & playing music, that's for sure.

***

I can't believe I'm still slacking so close to the final exams ever. 4 more days *cue horror movie music*

Anyway, as you would know by now, I've decided to take up the offer of the 10 week studentship during summer. A few reasons: my supervisor was kind enough to OFFER me one when it had to be applied, $5000 (oh yes that speaks for itself), spending summer here in Dunedin (cough) with my lovely girls, getting more experience and stuff to write in my cv hehe, and just time to think about what to do next year I guess. Bad news is: I'm starting on next Monday right after exam at 9am :( There goes my beauty sleep. Then again, it's familiar territory, and I can imagine it would be pretty casual and not 9-5pm work anyways.

Then 2 weeks later, travel travel travel!!!!!! =D

Oh, and Sarah (from Studholme) is getting married this summer! Got a text asking my address for her to send an invite ;) Ahhh, exciting times.

gearing up

Blog inactivity is predominantly caused by the dawning of the exam season. Oh wait, the FINAL EVER exams ever to be undertaken *big fat smile*

So the stakes are high. Even more determined to do my best ever in my 4 years of uni life. Definitely a huge sigh of relief when I saw the 'A' written on top of my BIOC453 assignment- which I didn't have much time to complete after micr oral exam and all. Interpretive exam was last Friday, I think I did terribly :( Praying for a miracle to be honest; crossing my fingers that my crazy-as answers about Neanderthal mitochondrial DNA will somehow make sense to the markers.

And of course, the hype of having Alexander Yeo being born into this world :D He's definitely a big boy, doesn't cry much, and sleeps in the cutest way (he has his cute little hands curled up to his face). hehe. Ray looks so proud as a dad and Michelle, you're just so amazing to have gone through all that. :) Not going to post photos on blog or facebook for now due to privacy requests.

My first exam is next Thurs, next and last ever on the next day Friday eeks. But yay I can't wait for all this to be over!