Christmas is over, and the new year is approaching. I believe that even though it may seem overrated, with all the commercialism attached to it, it still represents a new beginning. It is the time when students advance another year, when people have new beginnings, when we experience renewal. Isn't the new year a time to make resolutions? A time when we try to change for the better, to improve ourselves.

It is a time of reflection also. As I think back, it amazes me how much I have changed over the years. I am only 17. Still young in some older people's eyes, yet to the young I am old. As I child I thought of how nice it will be to be 17, with all the privileges of that age. Well, it is no different to me. But this year, 2007, has been a turning point. I had finished my secondary education, and was enrolled in the South Australian Matriculation, a pre-U course. Now I have also completed it and got my qualifications. This year is marked with milestones: Learning to drive, traveling on my own, making new friends, enjoying more freedom, studying for myself, and so many more. This year has been full of experiences for me, good and bad. But I enjoyed myself this year. It is something I will cherish when I grow further.

Next year will bring more changes. Friends will grow further apart as we spread out to different colleges, different universities. Families split as we teenagers leave home to further our education. With all this changes, we will definitely change ourselves. But will we manage to keep the memories that link us together, and maintain our relationship as we grow further apart? I certainly hope so.

Once, I thought that being 17 was great. Now, I just realize that it is the threshold to something greater. But it also comes with sacrifices. So, as the new year comes, let us go forward to be who we are, to challenge ourselves, and more importantly, to cherish out time together.

Time really passes by fast. By Tuesday word of the SAM results coming out on Wednesday came out. On Wednesday I snuck off to college, prepared to receive the results of my 7 month education. After that off to shopping with Wei Vern and her siblings for Christmas.

Anyway this is the end of the post, I wish everybody out there

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO ANO!

Genting Highlands

This happened a few days ago. Bryan had planned a trip to Genting and called us to go. (Who is us, you wonder? Soon you will find out) Since Bryan wanted to beat any existing traffic jams in the morning we had to leave our homes early in the morning. We reached KL Sentral by 7.15am and met up with Priscilla and Keith there. Then we took the earliest shuttle bus to Genting (which was at 8 am) and then continued our journey up by skyway.

I found out something: Bryan is afraid of heights. Hee hee ^^

Misty after a downpour.

~Steph and Regina~

Hon Fu and Bryan

Having fun are we?

Posiiiinnnnnnnnng!

Priscilla

Round and round and round and round... @.@

Miniature Genting!

Posaaaaaaaaaaaa!

We took the Corkscrew twice, the go-kart and assorted other rides. Although I couldn't bring myself to try the Solero Shot and the Superman - which, in my opinion, would make me ultra-sick. I mean, even the Teacups make me dizzy. And I thought this ride was only for the kids. But Steph and Bryan loved this ride so much that they went 3 times on it!!! Once is enough for me, as it is much much more scarier than the Corkscrew. Seriously.

One thing I hate about Genting - the inflated prices!!! Food up there is like x2 the price of food down here in the lowlands. But the trip itself was enjoyable.

The Genting Experience

We caught the last bus back at 8.30pm. Not that we wanted to, but because all the other earlier buses were fully booked. Well, at least we had the whole bus to ourselves, with all the seats we wanted. We bid goodbye to Priscilla at KL Sentral and went back to Subang by KTM. To round off that night we went to the mamak at USJ 2, where we ate satay and kerepok lekor with cheese. Only arrived home at 12midnight. Whew, what a tiring day~

It's amazing how ignorant of things we can be. I never realized how many things happen in the background; things that we never see and take for granted.Why do I realize this now? Well, actually, I'm working at Taylor's University College. So far it's only been one week, and boy is there alot of things I found out. In one week, we (the student helpers) have done so many things I don't know where to start. We have packed and repacked pamphlets and brochures (like, thousands of it), served parents who seek counseling, packed letters, carried stuff and ran around like mad. It's not an easy job.

Today is Open Day at Taylor's. A very busy day too. Any parent who comes in just see a hall filled with people, and counsellors and student helpers. But we do many things behind the scenes. We make sure the place is kept clean. We make sure there are enough pamphlets in every booth. We make sure parents are attended, and run to find counselors and tables and chairs. We keep watch and conduct campus tours. Basically, we're on our feet the whole day. And so is the lecturers and staff.

Anyway no one will appreciate our work. Well, except those who really know what we went through. It's like this all over the world, no matter who you are and what job you hold. It's a thankless life, and at least it pays.

The weather is like hot hot hot. Every minute I'm out in the sun drains my energy. I am never good in hot weather. I'm the type of person called the 'puteri lilin' - someone who cannot stand the heat. And yet I loved the weather when I came back to Malaysia after my student exchange. Spain was really really cold and to feel the heat again after two months of constant freezing was really nice. Until now.

Ok, actually this afternoon's 'exercise' made me really hate the hot weather. I was shopping with my mom in Giant. From 10am to 3pm we were there. 5 hours! My mom filled two shopping carts full while I ran around getting ingredients for my pasta and lasagna. When we were at the register I had to unload everything in the carts to the conveyor belt and then the packaged stuff back into the carts. Haih. By myself, too, since my mom ran off to do some other stuff. Then I had to unload everything again into the car, and once back home from the car to the house. Very very tiring I tell you.

Nothing much going on. Can't believe that 2 weeks has passed since my finals were over. It feels more like 2 months. So far I've watched 30don and Stardust and went walking around Pyramid. This week I'm going to work a little. The money should be useful for my Christmas shopping. Now I better make up a list.