2006... The year that flew by...

Well its the last day of 2006... and almost 2007... and i guess its an appropriate time to look back on what can be summed up as the year that flew by. Although for me the year 'flew by', i gotta admit its the busiest year i've ever faced... with heaps of big decisions and milestones. I reckon the highlight of my life.. and the lowlight of my life so far has occurred in the past year. But in the end... what really pulled me through were all of my friends... those who are there for me when i'm happy or sad, smiling or crying, whatever the situation is, my friends were always there for me. I met heaps and heaps of new friends, which probably don't know how much they have impacted on my life... also old friends from high/primary school which I am so happy to still be awesome friends with.

I can barely remember 2006... it started off on a bad note: my uncle passed away on 2nd Jan because of throat cancer. I spent new years in the hospital ward, and woke up the next day with the news. I knew 2006 would be when I turned 18... but adulthood really hit me in the face then. Life can come and go just like that... but I remember one of the last things I heard my uncle say... he said that he was satisfied and happy with his life. That really challenged me to live a good life and be satisfied with whatever it throws at you. I should be happy because maybe there will be no tomorrow? I should tell my friends how special they are to me as if it was the last time I could do that.

Another step for me in 2006 was the beginning of university life. I was happy with my course and eager to settle into university life. The first thing that hit me was the scope difference between school and uni. In school there are 25 people in class and 1500 in your school... but in uni there are like 100+ people in a lecture and like thousands of people in the actual campus. I was lucky to find a group of friends who are really friendly and also relatively focused on uni =P. Also, was able to meet with other friends during breaks, which was really good.

Because of uni and everything... I think my friendship groups were really mixed and stuffed up. I rarely met up with high school friends, and i wouldn't say I had 'best buddies' among my church friends, but I was really blessed to find a new group of friends through badminton. These people overlapped to church friends and also friends of my old friends, so it was really cool! I reckon I wouldn't have survived the year without these people, and they mean so much to me.

I've said it so much... especially in the last few months (where i've tried to get the most outa them by sleeping at 1am at least every night) but I think its true. Time goes by so fast. Once we catch up with wat is happening around us, something else pops up and we have to catch up with that. Can't we just pause time and savour those moments? There have been so many occasions where I just wish time was infinite and at our mercy. Also times where we could just have things the way we thought them out to be. Times where everything would be perfect. But we live in a fallen world, where imperfections are abundant. Life can be cruel, but life is something to be treasured. I don't wanna ever waste a moment of my life. One thing I've learnt is to always have a smile on my face ^__^ ... Its been plastered there by various ppl many times this year... and I hope it won't need to be plastered on anymore! I probably will still be evil and mean when i can get away with it... but otherwise I wanna be the best person and friend I can be.

2007 is coming... with its ups and downs. Sure... there will be moments of helplessness, but I know for sure that there will be times of celebration... times of happiness, love, friendship... times that I wouldn't trade anything for. 2007 is a big year... let's just hope its a good year for everyone! ^______^

Random

Holidays...

Well the past few days have gone pretty fast... been keeping myself busy with church stuff, badminton, work, reading, and the occasional msn chat or two =P And its amazing! tonight will be the third night in just about 4 months that i've slept before 11!! Great accomplishment for joshi~!!

Mmmm christmas time is getting closer~ less than 2 weeks away!! I wonder wat suprises will there be this year? Lots of X-mas carols coming up i guess... voice gonna die and everything... Work is making us wear santa hats and stuff... But the most important thing about X-mas is to remember and remind ourselves of the truth behind it! X-mas isnt just some made up time where some big fat red dude comes down ur chimney (or the big fat red dude who is lonered at plaza says my parents) and gives you presents... That's obviously a fairytale. Just remember... why X-mas equals presents... and then you'll realise what the greatest gift can ever be... and what the greatest gift is...

Badminton + holidays

Yes holidays sinking in! Last sunday was QLD Juniors Badminton comp... and it was awesome! Got there at about 2 and bummed around with the others... everyone was playing so seriously! Watched heaps of games and umpired a few too... talking with ppl about really random stuff :S listening to ipod... until my first game at 3:45. Man... my games were all pretty scary... against state level players and stuff! Under 19/21 singles... won my first game amazingly and comfortably 31-24. I pissed the guy off so much with my serves and he chucked his racquet on the ground. Talk about anger management lol.

Then a few more mins passed... then had to verse brian... crazy state level A/open player... and lol.. was beating him in the beginning 14-9. I was like OMG! Think he wasn't playing very well though... and i didn't give him many smash chances so yeah. I think I managed 20 points in the end. I was happy... was playing pretty well hehe. Then i got wasted by this dragon club dude... he was playing awesome and i was still playing okay... i got just under 20 points so that was okay. hmmmm... haha then i vs'ed this Aus jr team guy... he beat me 21-1 once ages ago so that was a scary proposition hehe. I was beating him in a few stages... then he romped home and beat me about 31-20ish so I was pretty happy still. Then vs'ed this other dragon club guy and lost about 31-20 and i was dead at that time so meh. Can't believe i beat a state team dude and got 20ish points off everyone else hehe. Then up came mixed doubles lol. Me and Elaine had this game plan =P and it worked LOL. We were both a bit tired (well i was anyway...) and SOMEONE kept on hitting the net and giving nice lollipop shots *stare* but we got through and won comfortably... even though the scoreline was a bit close. Then came MD which sucked so i wont talk about it.

Funniest moment was when it started storming... thunder went BOOOOM! and then... LOL half the lights went out! One court was closed cos all these leaves and rain came in through the top lourves... and the other courts had a bit of water on them too! So the lights went out for about 20 minutes... and with 1 unavaiable court for about 1hr... the comp was delayed soooo long. On the way home all the lights on mains rd were dead.. and the intersections were all chaotic. Luckily no stupid drivers on the road or else joshi might not be here. Crap moment was when sandy did a spectacular 180 degree twisting dive! lol thats not the crap bit... that's the awesome bit =P crap bit is she did her ankle badly :( hope you get well soon =P

Anyway more later... c ya

When it all falls apart

Have you ever looked forward to something... something that u really really wanted to go to, or some event that u just really wanted to take place, or just a certain day to come... but when that day came, your expectation, anticipation, and all that excitement and hype was just torn to shreds? Not just torn to shreds... just totally obliterated. Your anticipation gone down the drain... but thats not all.. not only that something is gone... your future is just muddled by this unexpected twist of fortunes.
I am not a guy with huge expectations... and i'm sure there are many out there like me. There are times wen u just wanna smash your head on the wall out of frustration or disappointment... not because of your huge expectations, but merely because logic has not prevailed. Somethings that are straightforward become a tangled mess.
I personally have never experienced what it feels like when everything is falling apart around me... but gee... from what i'm going thru now... it must be a pretty bad feeling.

December has come... what now?

Well, it seemed like yesterday we were staring into a new year... 2006... but now, we are looking back at a year that flew by so fast... and waiting for 2007 to come! So much has happened this year... and there's so much to look back and reflect on, yet theres still so much to come in the last 31 days of 2006. So many good and bad, fun and lonely, happy and sad moments waiting to happen. Well... lets see what is in store for December of 2006!

1. Christmas!
2. New Years Eve
3. Holidays
4. Work
5. Meeting up with friends that we haven't seen in a while
6. Eating out
7. Poking people!
8. Late nights *yawn*
9. Movies
10. Saying goodbye to friends ditching aus XP
11. Playing sport!
12. Swimming
13. Watching sport!
14. Reflection time
15. Fooooooooooood
16. Poking people!
17. Learning CAD/CG programs
18. Badminton self-training
19. Being nic... *coughcough* mean..
20. (hopefully) Presents!!!

Things to do this Holidays

1. Spend heaps of time with friends... especially the ones I didn't get to bum around with due to various different reason
2.Rest and relax after my first year of uni! Stupid late nights and everything took its toll...
3. Work and get more $$$ and more work experience... Hope i get more shifts than I am getting now!
4. Play sports on Nintendo Wii with the wireless controller thingo... *drives to shan's house*
5. Watch all the movies I missed this year *stares at certain ppl*
6. Eat out at many different restaurants... yum yum!
7. Poke people i didn't get to poke during uni *pokepoke*
8. Play heaps of crazy badminton with my friends
9. Wish my friends merry christmas and a happy new year for once (instead of being in malaysia)
10. Re-learn mandarin and maybe learn cantonese
and finally... 11. Clean my room XD

Scientology is a Joke!

Here are some quotes about the founder of Scientology that are just so stooopid and funny!

"Hubbard enrolled at The George Washington University, where he took a course in civil engineering. His grades, however, were consistently poor and university records show that he attended for only two years, was on academic probation, failed in physics, and dropped out in 1931 without a degree. One of his classes was on "atomic and molecular phenomena"; on the basis of this, he later claimed to have been a "nuclear physicist", though his records showed that he scored an F in this course."

"In later years, Hubbard claimed to have been awarded a Ph.D. by Sequoia University in California. This non-accredited body was, however, later investigated by the Californian state authorities on the grounds of being a mail-order "degree mill" and Hubbard later publicly "resigned" his degree after it had become the subject of comment in the press."

"In June 1941, with war looming, Hubbard joined the United States Navy as a lieutenant junior grade. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he was posted to Australia but was returned home, possibly after quarrelling with the US Naval Attaché, who rated him "unsatisfactory for any assignment"."

"Subsequently, he was given command of the harbor protection vessel USS YP-422, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Again, he fell out with his superior officer, who rated him "not temperamentally fitted for independent command.""

"Shortly after taking the PC-815 on her maiden voyage from Astoria to San Diego, California, his crew detected what he believed to be two Japanese submarines near the mouth of the Columbia River.They spent the next three days bombarding the area with depth charges, after which Hubbard claimed at least one Japanese submarine had been sunk. A subsequent investigation by the US Navy concluded Hubbard's vessel had in fact been attacking a "known magnetic deposit" on the seabed."

"Shortly after reaching San Diego, Hubbard ordered his crew to practice their gunnery by shelling one of the Coronado Islands, a small Mexican archipelago off the northwest coast of Baja California, in the belief it was uninhabited and belonged to the United States. Neither assumption was correct."

And yes... this is my basis on saying that Scientology is a joke!

11 things...

I was bored so i decided to copy people and write 11 things about 11 people i know:

1. You have been an awesome friend over the years. You stood by me when others just walked away. You’ve changed a lot since back in the days… but I know that we’ll always be there to help each other.
2. You were always the insane one… and I’m saying that in a good way! I think that we share a weird but great friendship and I hope it continues *poke*
3. I’ve been stuck with you for fives years… and probably am still stuck for another five years. You’ve been a good friend, but you really should stop wagging uni and relying on me hehe.
4. I ditched you. Now you ditched me. But still.. we’ve somehow come through with an undisturbed friendship. I’ll always pay you out and you will always be my guitar apprentice.
5. Time flies by so fast… I wish we just had more time together. Sometimes you can be slow and random, but I will never forget your uber huge smile ^____^ <3
6. In the past 10 years, only recently have we really talked to each other. We’ve always been close to best friends, but now I can really say that we are awesome friends.
7. You’ve been a great friend over the past 5 years… sometimes you even feel like a big sis to me… even though I am taller than u !!
8. We have our ups and downs. Sometimes I can be pissed to death at you, but for other times you are a nice guy. I’m really sorry for being pissed at u ><
9. We’re about a generation apart, and I do understand why you seem to hate me. But I’ve never really hated u and I really wish and want to make the friendship between us better.
10. You’re a fun person to poke and annoy =P sometimes we do share a lot but for the most, we are pretty good friends
11. We became friends coincidentally, but since that day we’ve been great buddies. I hope we can continue being awesome friends, and that you will continue to see me mesmerize you in soccer *wink*

Time

Time is something that governs our physical world. Do we really think about it? or do we just let it pass by to waste without thought or knowledge? I know I do it... but all the times we procrastinate, are lazy, or we hesitate on things... we really are wasting this special gift of time. And then, if we are about to die... we always wish that we had more time. I think everyone wishes they had more time... but that's something outa our control. We just gotta remember to make the most of the time we have. Opportunities come and go... and sometimes we just watch them come and go without grabbing a hold of it. Otherwise we find an excuse not to take it. Sometimes we should tell people how we feel about them... everyone has good friends and people they love. If suddenly something happened, and you couldn't tell your friends how much they meant to you, how would you feel? If you didn't tell someone that you loved them, how would they know that someone actually cared about them? Time is passing by... don't waste it!

Funny Story...

A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband.
Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.
"Careful," he said, "CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my GOSH! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my GOSH! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful . CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!"
The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."

holidays?

This holidays have passed by so quickly... mostly has been catching up on sleep... and probably getting sleepier from doing nothing hehe. I don't think i've achieved much but i'm gonna treasure all this bumming and sleeping and relaxing time =) because the next few weeks of uni will be crazy assignmenting~!
Anyway... I've been thinking for the last few weeks... with all the stuff happening around the world... what people would do if they knew their life was about to end? If they just knew about what would happen in the future, would they change how they lived? I'd say yes. at BLT we had this similar topic... and its just a stark reminder to us all that we only do have one life, and that one life is getting closer to an end every day. Some people will say... "live life to the full!" and that's true to a certain extent... but my thoughts are (and you can debate this) that you should "use time wisely, and take any opportunities given". How would you feel if tomorrow your best friend disappeared, and today you're debating/argueing with him/her over silly issues? I know i'd feel so so so bad. Everything seems to feel a bit different with that in mind. That's why its so important to have a big smile ^____^ on your face, always being happy^^, never letting arguements come between you and your friends, and settling them as soon as possible.
I found this poem a long time ago, and some of you might know it... but it really affected me... made me really think about the way i act and stuff..

random

Some quotes I blogged more than a year ago... how true they are...

"Some people are so special that once they enter your life, if becomes richer and fuller and more beautiful than you ever thought it could be."

"Love puts the fun in together...
the sad in apart...
the hope in tomorrow...
the joy in a heart."

The past two weeks have been so busy and crazy... I just can't wait til the mid-semester break. I just want some time to take things in... and not be stressed about a certain 60% assignment that we left til 2 weeks before due date! Amidst the busy and crazy times... many good... great things have happened^^ and I feel the best i have felt in ages and ages~

On a slightly different topic... MC has been recording the past few worship services, and he's been sending the mp3's of the songs out. Ironically... his first mp3 recording was of *drumrolls*... ME -_____- and the second recording had *drumrolls* ME again *sigh*... I've been listening to my awful singing this past week.

Work was really weird today... started at 9 so i went out at 8 cos i thought traffic would be really bad... but suprisingly it took me the same time +5 mins to get there. So i sat in my car and daydreamed for 30 minutes. When work started.. i heard sirens... and apparently there was a bad fire at woolworths down the road >< ... Also got some good badminton contacts during work ^^ but otherwise it was a boring boring work day -_____- i was so happy when i finished ^^ :P

anyway i'll stop rambling about nothing

bye bye =P

"Triple" Towers

Check out this new design for the WTC ground zero site! It has been designed by three famous architects: Sir Norman Foster, Lord Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki. The design has been approved and will be built between 2007 and 2012, and all three buildings spiral down to the WTC memorial at ground zero. It looks pretty good...

Spring Boredness

*yawn* It's spring! well I've been caught up in assignments and I have no clue what to blog...so i decided to check out some old emails and copy paste them here:

When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that
ballpoint pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 billion developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300'C.

The Russians used a pencil...
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Random Restaurant in Taiwan

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What happens if women ruled the world

Rain...

Its raining! Just what i wanted to wake up to. No sunlight to disturb joshi's much needed sleep ^___^. Its been a long time since I've seen these overcast days, and smelt the dampish air which nearly always signalled the impending rain. Brisbane's been scorched with heat and sunlight... even in these winter months, and its just a nice refresher to have rain cooling everything down. Its been such a crazy month... I don't really know how it went by so fast... and its gonna be september in a few days~ Been attempting to finish my assignment in the past few days... we have a ctirique (a presentation where lecturers and tutors attempt to criticise our designs and give us feedback) next week. My project was to design a juice bar, toilet block and a bike housing in a part of UQ (the grassy knoll for those who know where that is). Unfortuntately... we have this new lecturer from perth... and she is the worst ever! She treats us like high schoolers... and shouts and us and everything! Ended up staying at uni for only 2hrs on monday and 30 minutes on tuesday. Last night we had our Growth Groups bible study. Talked about stuff and the topic about superstitions came up. I seriously dunno why people believe in those kind of things... Did you know that buildings don't have a 13th floor in english countries (and 4 in asian countries)? About 75% of streets dont have the number 13. Its soooo stooopid... and ironically... we lived at number 13 in New Zealand (it was an old house) and we currently live in no. 4 (because no asian buyers would buy number 4 in macgregor... so we got a dirt cheap price =) ) . All these man-made beliefs -____- and i was told that i have really big baaags -__- luckily i got like 9.5hrs sleep last night ^^ thx to ppl who made me sleep XD.
ok... back to work =(

Blur...

Maybe its the effect of aging? I've heard the cliche "time flies" so many times in the past few weeks... and it just seems to be so true! It feels like its still holidays... yet its almost midsemesters. It felt like figs camp was last week... but it was two months ago. It feels like time is moving way too far ahead of me... leaving me behind with all my memories and thoughts.
So much has happened in the past few weeks... and the one that i want to talk about now is BLT... When i say BLT... you're probably thinking... joshi ish hungry! and yes... that is kinda true =P But BLT in this case stands for Brisbane Leadership Training... which is a camp run by a bunch of asian churches. It was so cool to meet up with guys I met last year, and also to meet new guys, and other guys that I was never able to meet. It was a great experience, learning more about the bible, more about other churches, making new friends all over the place, and being encouraged and encouraging others in their respective lives. I met heaps of new friends, and heaps of people that i knew of, but never was able to actually meet.
Funniest part of the camp was when Ping met his twin... TIM!!! They look SO alike its not funny! (well it is really funny =P) Other funny moments were at night when the guys dorm had their 'man-talk' bench... with their serious discussions about stuff which i have no idea of... because i was trying to sleep/talk on the phone... when i was invaded by the whole dorm on both nights! Encouraging moments was when me and iggy shared heaps to each other about our churches and other stufff... and also when i met jess... who is from the same place as I was born! and she knows my uncle!!??! craziness! Relaxing moments were freetime when we went to the beach, and also on saturday night in the dorms where we all got to know each other better. AWESOME moment was when we got seconds in our meals! I can still remember jeff running to get his seconds hehe. Worst moment was when i woke up at 5am to EVAN snoring his bum off... and then coming back from my hot shower at 7am... still hearing him snore -_____-
Well... what else has happened? the answer is... a lot! but hopefully joshi is still in one piece and ready for whatever life decides to chuck at him!

Rest!

These past few weeks have been so busy~ so later this arvo i'll be going to the sunshine coast for some rest and relaxation! well... its not really all relaxing... will be doing hardcore bible studies and that kinda stuff... but hopefully it will be a good refresher from a mind saturated with uni and other thoughts. The best things about these camps are the free time periods on saturday afternoon. They are always filled with fun sports and games, relaxing quiet/sleep times, and catching up time with people you see once or twice a year. Every camp we've been to, i think we always spend an hour or so down at the beach just sitting around, chatting, and soaking in the sun, fresh air and natural views. This seems so far away from the lives we live normally... stressing about work, running around organising things, and other activities ppl do. It gets u away from all the horrible news about murders, wars, and other things like that. I think theres many people who are really into their lives, that just need to hit the pause button, and take a breather or two, and just really appreciate life, and all the good things God has given us. All the opportunities and gifts that come our way, that we take for granted in our busy lives. *shrugs* hope this blog makes sense ><

Where is the world going? part II

Yes... where is the world going? Part one was talking about the disasters and all the bad stuff happening in the world... Part two is on the same wavelength, except its slightly different... Part two is about architectural disasters! Now you may ask... 'what in the world is that?' but its easy! Look around next time you go down to the city, and ask yourself... does this look right? does everything seem in place? If you rock up in Paris, you'll be greeted with classical archways, and then you will be bombarded with the most beautiful buildings in the world... from all different architectural eras. The only rival to the stunning Paris cityscape is probably the classical architecture in Rome. But back to to the topic.... Next time you look around when you're heading into city... ask yourself what looks wrong? And you will picture this:

Yes, this is the building being constructed at the moment... Brisbane Square. The idea is from the Federation Square design in Melbourne... except the design leaves food for thought. Whoever came up with the colours for this design should be shot immediately. For one, my architecture friends and i shiver everytime our bus passes this 'lankmark'. The colours are bright and vibrant... totally contrasting with the polluted river, stone treasury buildings (and others), and does not look in place. The second reason why I don't like this building is it shields the visibility of the Brisbane city hall from the river entrance. I didn't reaslise this until a few days ago. Was this planned? If it was, I'd like to see the reason why the council/developers would want to hide the 'heart' of Brisbane. I think above the first six levels, the design isn't too bad, but I won't comment too much on the first few levels...

Contrast this to one of the beautiful buildings in Guang Zhou, China at the moment:

Guang Zhou Museum (The "Swan" by night)

Where is the world going?

The 21st century has been marred with many human tragedies... terrorism, war, famine, drought, flood, air disasters... just to name a few. But i can safely say that the world at this very moment in time is in total chaos. I remember the day when there was no such threat of major conflict or terrorism... but now, its evident left, right and centre.
A chill goes by my spine everytime i hear the words 'breaking news' on TV... it usually means something disastrous has happened. I was shocked when i heard about the 'conflict' occurring in Israel and Lebanon. I guess some wars can be justified..... but where do these governments draw the line between 'going to war'? Then a few days later... the whole breaking news about the terrorist plots in London appear. It already is a risk to get on a plane to US/UK, but now its almost like suicide. My thoughts of going to france/italy etc. to check out the architecture around there have vanished by travel fears. This new escalation in terrorism is a depressing and chilling reminder to the world of the lengths these people will take to achieve their purposes.
This leads me to the question... why do people seek war/conflict/pain? There is enough loss of life as it is from natural disasters... yet, people still have this vicious intent to kill. Personally.. I can't even stand conflict with any one of my friends, yet these people gain pleasure by hurting people. It just goes to show how mucked up the state of the world is at the moment...

Sick.

It started on Sunday arvo... it was the 'jam session' or music practice for the muso's. Usually I get paid out heaps for singing really really softly... so on sunday, since I'm now a worship leader, and one of just 2 guys singing, I decided to sing with more confidence... It was good and stuff... but at the end of the session my throat/voice was just dead. Then after that, had badminton at griffith... was probably one of the best badminton i've played... had to verse all these crazy people... 8 games in a row... at the end i was totally dead. Monday was a 'paniccy' day at uni. Had a competition due in on tuesday at 2pm... and I was the only one in my group at uni until the afternoon... so i was like o___o for 4 hours. then in the arvo started crazily drawing on the computer, and continued when i got home. Then on monday night... started coughing... didn't think i was really sick... but it just got worse. Tuesday was more paniccy than monday. Was running around wasting money and stuff until the 2pm deadline. by then, my voice was gone, i was sniffling, and dead tired. As soon as the presentation finished, I jumped on the bus home. Then at GG on tuesday night at e's place, it just got worse. I was fully feeling the fatigue and loss in energy. I was like a living zombie -_____- wednesday i slept for about 18 hours... and now i'm wagging uni and reting at home. It just sucks that sickness just interrupts every part of your life. I didn't really want to miss uni today since thursday we do the most work... but i don't really want to get sicker... so here i am bumming around... Hope no1 else is as sick as me... and if you are sick... hope u get better soon!

Continueing analysing asian things...

Firstly, I played badminton at UQ with some of the international architecture students and other archi friends... and this guy who told us he hadn't played in ages... he was actually matching it with me and peter! We're both pretty decent badminton players... but he was matching us! It just shows the level difference of these type of things around the world... It's like how the substitute bench of the brazilian team would start in any other national team in the world. Also reminds me that Queensland Roar (the soccer team...) bought this chinese player dubbed 'the chinese beckham' ! Everyone should watch this team being asianised... now with two awesome asian players (also the 'korean guy'). Maybe in 11 years... they will have 11 asian players... who knows :P

Anyway... secondly and lastly, last night went to singbattle (kinda like aussie idol but in 1 seating) with some friends. Some of the people singing were actually really good, but then a few literally made me fall half asleep. I dunno if it was coincidental or anything... but all 16 songs i heard were all depressing love songs... some examples are "jian jian dan dan" (simply), "May I love you", "Wo bu ming bai" (i don't understand), "Ge Qian" (stranded), and others... It seems that the asian music industry is infatuated in portraying this image of 'helpless love'. I mean... yes its better than all the swearing in the english industry... but its not a good image to portray to the millions of asian kids.

This week I set a record of the most hours in uni in a week for me... mon 9-4, tues 10-5:30, thursday 9-3:30, friday 10-4:30... thats like 27.5hrs!?!?! closest I've ever gotten to the supposedly 28 contact hours i have :P Been reading heaps lately... staying up to like 1amish... probably should stop that *sigh* Can't wait til tonight though! night games :) hope heaps of people come... then it will be crazier than last year! This coming week is getting busier and busier though >< hope everything works out~

Late Figs Camp Addition

A beautiful sunrise that kick started FIGS camp 2006 at our beautiful new venue!

Our small figs Group (minus MC)... which is pretty big compared to previous years, but I think is just right for a 'homely' youth group.

The whole circle formation reminds me of the Lord of the Rings III Return of the King scene where the fellowship and all the 'good guys' are in a circle as the black gate opens and all the orcs and stuff come out... makes me have the feeling of comfort and encouragement that everyone will be there for you whatever happens in life!

Chinese Tradition?

Ever since I went back to malaysia in the beginning of the year, I've watched a handful of chinese comedy/romance genre movies, sometimes with friends or other times on recommendation... just to waste time or learn/get used to mandarin/cantonese... and I can see an obvious pattern in all this... is it how a typical chinese relationship goes???

1. Guy sees Girl
2. Girl goes away (95% is probably girl dying actually )
3. Guy gets reminded of girl and realises that he's in love with her
4. Girl comes back temporarily
5. Guy + Girl together for a short time
6. Girl goes away forever
7. Girl leaves reminder (letter or something) for guy to understand how the girl enjoyed the time with him.
8. Guy is sad at circumstances but happy to have met the girl, and sees life in a better way

If this is the case in chinese culture.... this must be very shocking at the very least... Chinese culture must be full of girls dying, heartbroken guys, and girls resurrecting/reincarnating for a short while ... *sigh* why can't people come up with a better plot for movies. This is a really random post... just wanted to say that :P

Two days and already behind

Monday was the first day of uni for the new semester.... not used to the early mornings... i woke up at 7:15 after numerous loud alarms (which is very unlike me...) and was late out of the house... luckily i got two buses (160 and 407) which were just about to leave and therefore i ogt to uni on time. We have a new lecture room today... and i found out that it is on the other side of the uni from the architecture block... and is a VET lecture theatre -__- stupid architecture lecturers making us walk 4230320m for a lecture... and we were also locked out of the lecture room for 20 minutes because of some security reason. This semester's theme is 'Threshold' which is an area which separates and joins two places. Our first exercise was to make a montage/collage which describes a 'reading' (which was about a place with two descriptions, and we had to think of the 'in between' area). The task was due for presentation at 3pm. I left at 1pm so :P lazy me... i should start staying hehe. Yeah met up with some friends at uni... went to city and wandered about... with some high school memories flooding back *cough*myercentre*cough* and un-lonered some friends on their way home... bummed at plaza and yeah~
Tuesday was a similar story... had a 10am start at the studio... we had a new exercise, of designing a room with two parts and a threshold in between, simulating the ideas of the readings we did on monday... it was pretty hard thinking of an idea... but i finally got one. It was 12 noon and 3pm was the presentation again. Looking around the studio, i realised no one had started, so again... i left early :P and apparently i didn't miss out on that much hehe. went to friends place to have the supposedly 'final games' of soccer (WE10) on ps2, and then played some basketball with friends + random people (one of them was like 2m tall -____-) and went home to conclude another day of 'uni'

RISK

Well.. i just got home from playing a 4.5hr game of risk:lotr edition. Me and Tom and the might of the Nazgul took on the power of the Men of Gondor (aaron and jeff). The game was very intense for all 4.5hrs... and ended when the ring was found in Osgiliath (near Minas Tirith) by me :). The irony was that we had such an intense game going, just for me to roll a 6 + 5 to find the ring (you need double 6's normally, but i had my troops in Osgiliath at the time so i got -1 bonus!) It was also Jeff's turn next, and as it turned out, he had a pretty good plan up his sleeve. It seems such a waste that all that 4.5hr of battle was decided by a lucky roll of the dice, and that things can change for so much better in an instant! This kinda translates directly into life... 13 weeks of hardcore study all tested by one exam (however lucky or unlucky you are...), 6 years of university just for the day you get your degree, 20+ years of a single life changed by the decision of marriage, the list goes on and on! There's always a crunch time for all your work/time invested in the thing. The risk factor that goes into it is how the decision goes... you can be lucky or ride on your luck to a good ending or have a bad day and have a bad ending. So many events/decisions in life involve risk and timing/luck and can change your life in an instant!

New Joshi Family Member!

Some may remember about twelve months ago we had the first induction into the joshi family...
Hebe! Out of Hebe came fine melodies and harmonies... the quality of the sound obviously matched the strong physical presence of this magnificent masterpiece.

Now comes a new christening into the Joshi family! The new member is *drumrolls*...
JOA!!! the zippy blue corolla... sleek and eye-catching design... with a hardworking engine (and 6 speaker stereo) to match! JOA has a great expectation to live up to... being adopted into the noble Joshi family... but she will undoubtly deliver in due time.











Also... we have a new mascot for the Joshi family...















Yes indeed the awesome Dormitory boys!!! The best lip-syncers on the planet with the funniest expressions ever! The guy on the left actually reminds me of Don from church hehehe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEYbZaYih4Y&search=bu%20de%20bu%20ai is a very very funny video clip so if you haven't seen it its worth a look :)

*sigh*

I remember the day we first met
Two months and three days ago
I knew you were different, special, unique…
And I didn’t want to let you go

Your presence, your smile, your laugh
Created complete chaos in my mind
It was like a distant dream come true
I’d found life’s find.

I don’t want to let you go
Never let you disappear
I’ll protect you like a priceless treasure
Won’t let you shed a tear.

Every day I’ll tell you
That you mean the world to me
I just wish for the future
Will we really be…

Will we really be together?
As the story begins to unfold
Will our relationship last forever?
Like in the fairytales we were once told.

I wish, I hope, I long
For the day when finally
I can tell you just one more time
That we will be for eternity.

A Change?

A few days ago I was walking up the stairs from badminton and mum suddenly said: "Hey Josh... you're smiling for once! It's like the first time I've ever seen u like that for ages!" The fact was I didn't even know I was smiling... but it's definately something different. Normally at home, I am either expressionless or always gloomy, but now it seems like it's not the case. I dunno what sparked it... maybe its because I'm 18? or maybe because I just don't worry much anymore. But either way, it seems like a good change. I remember certain people have always told me to smile. Also I know of other people who just always have a smile on their faces... and it brings so much joy seeing them go about their lives in such happiness. Is their face the truth? Or is it just a facade for a depressed soul? For me, I can honestly say that I am happy in my life. Past worries and memories don't seem like a burden on me, and present and future worries... I will take them as they come and go. I feel like there isn't much to fear anymore. Just smile and be a happy person ^^ It will not only affect me, but will bring one more happy person into the world =P

Figs Camp + more

Again the annual figs camp took place... for the first time by ourselves. A new location, a new speaker, a new topic... everything was new this time around! I took the role of co-ordinator again, and on my part, i thought it was an awesome camp! We had 30 people on camp, which was abut 10 more than original expectation. The trip up to the coast was safe... and was amusing due to our walkie talkies :). At one stage we had the brisbane bus lines on our channel, and another stage we had michael buble singing hehe. We got there to find E and S uncharacteristically early! We had a nice rest and woke up to a beautiful saturday morning. Going into the first session, some people were a bit uneasy at the topic, and this was frustrated by a certain cable (the laptop to projector cable) gone missing! Then we saw a black volvo zooom out and come back 20 minutes later with cables in his hand. First session was really good. We talked about Love and how love is from God, and it requires commitment and the ultimate act of love was of Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins. The second session was about dating. There were interesting points that came out of this session for some people, and if you want to know more, talk to me personally :) After lunch we had crazy/tiring games. Just before sunset some of us walked to the beach and had some relaxing time. After dinner was skits..... and the standout was Mr Fart detective aka Will hehe. Sunday morning brought the session of Marriage... where half of the younger kids tuned out... in truth it was a good session. Then we had a discussion panel, clean up, lunch and a massive photo/relaxing time. After many goodbye's our four car touring party started home. Winding down the coastal plains to the inland highway, that concluded the best figs camp i've been on :)

Busy Holidays

Hmmm... this holidays is so packed and busy!
1. Gold Coast Open
It was a really good tournament... even though I bombed out on some events. Played really well generally and came 2nd in C Mens Doubles and lost in the semi-finals of B Mens Doubles. Mixed doubles.... results weren't great... but I think i played really well in CXD and so did Sandy (accuracy!) and BXD wasn't that bad considering both of us were injured... 2 close games and one crap one (which i injured my hip a bit). Singles for B and C were bad resultwise, but I had bad luck in C... first round against the runner-up (wasted first set and 21-17 in 2nd set) and then nearly beat the winner of the consolation (31-28). B singles was same story as C first round, but i could've won the 2nd set... but i played well so thats good :). Thank you to Jeff, Elaine, Sally, Sandy, Bob, Tom, Sharon, Ben and anyone else who was bumming around with me down at the coast. You guys rock!
2. Figs Camp
figs camp was looking bad when there was less than 20 forms in... but nowww... A MASSIVE 31 regos! Its crazy!?!? I've been resorting transport and groups and everything out the past day. Its looking really really good this year :) so happy. Still feel a bit sad and sorry for those who can't come for wateva reason... i know some of you really want to come... :( will miss you guys.
3. World Cup
A sad end to the Aussies who should have won their game against Italy. The Socceroos' world cup has been marred by referee errors and dubious decisions from start (Nakamura's goal) to finish (Grossi dive/tripped himself on an innocent Neill for Totti to convert at the penalty spot). The Aussies played well and deserve immense praise from the footballing world.

Worst Draw Ever.

*sigh* I have the worst GC open draw in the world -_____-. First is BMS... this draw isn't too bad... okay first round... second round with kenny if i get through. Then its CMD... i thought this would be my good event, BUT they decided to make it groups and put me with the UQ people -_________- its not good... will be an entertaining match but my hopes aren't that high. What's more is that i only get 2 games or 3 max because i'm in a group of 3 instead of 4. Worst ever draw is BXD. Not because of my partner.... even though didn't really want to be with her (lol no offence) but the OPPOSITION! crazy crazy crazy opponents. Come and you'll see. I'm scared :( oh well.

Simple yet so Complex

In the 40 buildings I have to memorise for my one exam, the building pictured above is probably one of my favourites. Its a design by Le Corbusier called Maison Domino. When I first saw it, I thought it was just a normal building frame.... but when we learnt more about this design, it was clear that it was different. This is one of the prototype designs for modern buildings. Concrete structure is used, the floorspace isn't bound by walls, the posts are not at the edge of the floorspace, and the space is of a free form as opposed to being dependant on the structure. This was a turning point in architecture, and this design, in its simplicity, explains the new, complex and radical movement towards modernism.

This year, I/we have likened many characteristics discussed in a building to the characteristics of a person. For example, every building has a context, background and experience. Every person comes from a different background and is in a different part of their life, and is experiencing different things to other people. I think the phrase 'simple yet so complex' applies to humans too. We see heaps of people every day, and we just take them for what we see of them. Yet, each and every person has their own mind, their own thoughts and their own feelings. Every person is going through their own ups and downs, their own rollercoaster, but do we recognise that? As a building has a facade, so does a person. I guess the moral is you shouldn't think that everyone is cruising in life, because its often the opposite. Sometimes its good just to be a bit more careful in things you say and do, and also to help those in difficulties. And the best thing is to make them =)!

Hello World Cup

Indeed the world cup has begun! Joshi fell asleep 30 minutes into the first game -____- and has not watched a game since saturday morning *sigh*

The last few days have been crazy... Friday and saturday were finishing assignment... friday night and saturday morning was world cup... got home at 4 20am!?!?! Saturday 3pm was euan's house warming thingo... was really really fun! and got home at about 10 to enter GC open discussion. Final verdict = josh has to find someone to room with... or pay crazy accommadation rates.
Sunday = lead service and one of the songs were so high that I totally died -__-... but otherwise it was pretty good ^_____^ ... bummed around (well.. it was a meeting) at Onie's lil house then it was off to the 6:30 service to do an interview for figs.
I finally put my entry into GC open! I'm so gonna DIE! All B and C events... yes... even singles... i'm gonna get murdered in B singles, but hopefully i'll get better in singles cos I find it much more fun and interesting these days.
Oh well... good luck in exams for those who have some left... and *poke* for everyone who's finished exams ^_^

The Idea of North

Yesterday the "Oldies" and me went to watch The Idea of North at the powerhouse. Tickets were a cheap $15 bucks..... however I got free tickets since I'm a net bum and replied to their complementary free seats before other people :P It was a really good show... besides a video camera on a huge metal arm swinging around the stage and on top of the audience. The Idea of North is an a-capella group featuring a bass, tenor, alto and soprano. They do all sorts of music styles. Their best song last night was a rendition of "Fields of Gold", and the funniest were "Staying Alive" and their fast lyricing song to a jazz tune (forgot what it was called). Also they made us singing "She's so Lovely" in 3 parts... and as usual it was really fun^^.

After the concert we tracked back to get some food... someone decided to go to this 'middle-eastern' restaurant... and had turkish bread with dips, turkish pizza, kebab meat, and other random and nice stuff! funniest moment was when a police car parked next to a bus stop and jay-walked across the road... cars stopped thinking they did something wrong hehe. THEN a bus pulled up and couldnt fit into the bus stop properly... and we dashed to get a piccy of it to send to the police dep. but... we were too slow :( On the way home was a good time to rest.... after a few minutes of rash driving by 'he who must not be named' .
















1. The idea of north with me, sel and amy at AGMF
2. my updated design :P

A Semester of Design

Project 1: Design an exhibit for an Artefact in the UQ campus (3 weeks, 23%)












Project 2: Design an Office space for two architects (4 weeks, 27%)















Project 3: Design a Research Centre for two people in Mt Cootha (7 weeks, 50%)

Next week = Living off Coffee!

Yesterday I finally had my critique presentation for my third and final project: designing a research centre in one of the park areas at Mt Cootha. This involved bussing and walking up Mt. Cootha and sketching parkland, thinking of ideas for my design, getting wasted by the lecturer for a crap design, and then repeating this about three times. All three of my courses have basically finished, and now its time to get my drawings in for folio and my ONE exam :P

Next week I'm going to be living off coffee doing all-nighters watching soccer world cup and doing up all my drawings! how FUN!!! *rolls eyes*

Anyway... today i've been resting from the past few days of badminton and assignmenting... just reading my lecture notes and browsing through random blogs here and there. Its so weird how many people i 'know' or know of. Thinking of going to the Gold Coast open on June 24-25 and doing an over-nighter or something... if anyone wants to join me, tell me :P Figs camp coming up too on June 30 - July 2... Its gonna be awesome!

Well i need to go to uni for some exhibition...

joshi~

Farewell City of Brisbane Open...

Today was finally the end of the 3 day City of Brisbane Badminton Competition... it started last sunday, continuing yesterday til today.... Many good things and bad things came outa this comp:
1. Badminton is fun
2. Badminton is tiring
3. Singles is fun fun
4. I can play both C and B grade now ^^

Yeah its been a pretty fun week... I got into the Semi's of C mixed doubles (we shoulda won...), Quarters of C mens doubles, 2nd round of B mens doubles and 2nd round of C mens singles. It was also awesome watching/hearing about Elaine killing everyone and getting regraded ^^ even though we can't play mixed anymore :( she's heaps heaps good now! And my uni friend Peter who got into C mixed finals... and won the 'loser cup' of both C singles and mens doubles. Hopefully i can link up with a coach before the next comp and play heaps good :P

Life.

Don't you feel like sometimes you are living in the past? I feel like everything I do... has already happened before in my life. Situations, emotions and issues seem to repeat itself. Is there a way of changing this habit?

That's one of the regrets I have in life. I never seem to grasp any so called 'opportunities' that are available... or I don't even see any opportunity altogether and miss the point! It takes heaps of courage to go against this vicious and cruel cycle of life. And when the courage is there... the opportunity is gone.

One day I'll hopefully have the 'no fear' attitude... but I guess we all have to dig in and hope for the best.

The world through blind eyes...

Can you imagine if you were blind? For me... I don't know how I'd get around if I couldn't see properly.... and thats not even at the stage of blindness!

I always remember what my dad taught me about sight... He always told me it was the most important of the five senses.... and at all costs i should protect my eyes.

Its really amazing though, when you see these blind people in the streets, on bus stops, and everywhere you go! You'd think they'd be struggling their way around... but they are doing really good actually. Some people get frustrated at them, but they are just ignorant of the fact of all the mental and physically strength they use to manouver themselves around almost as good as a normal person. These guys are really nice people... always cheerful and positive. It feels so hard to rely totally on touch and hearing senses and requires a lot of trust and faith.

Ummm this seems like a random entry.. and the moral is ...umm.. never criticise the blind..... they are extraordinary people!

Crazy Days

My conclusion from my first week of being 18: Need More Sleep!

Saturday Night: Fa Cup Final was on. Being a final, and with my favourite team, Liverpool, playing, I just couldn't stop myself staying up to watch this game (it started at midnight). With the score at 3-2 at the 89th minute and liverpool losing, I was getting ready to go to sleep at 2am WHEN Stevie Gerrard scored from 35 metres out in extra time!?!?! Back i sat to watch 30 minutes of enthralling extra time, and then to penalties they went. All we need to know is liverpool won and that made me feel a bit better about my decision to stay up until 3 30am.

Sunday: Played guitar really crap at church. Then had to wait at landmark for about 30 minutes for a table we actually booked... *sigh* nothing special about the food... and off to figs camp meeting i went! After debating for many minutes about the figs camp menu... i decided to call it quits and go to complete my marathon 14 hours of badminton in 3 days.

Monday: After sleeping at close to midnight, I woke up at 8 10 realising i had a lecture at 9am! Scrambled outa bed as fast as ever and out of the house by 8 20ish and got to the bus stop at 8 25! There were moments where i thought i'd actually get there on time... until my bus to uni stopped on adelaide street because of stupid constructions! Just wanted to abuse the company for blocking up adelaide street just before 9am.... SO DUMB! *sigh* got to uni at 9 30 to another boring lecture with the newly named (because of his weird fashion sense and some personality issues) "Metro Mark". As per usual.. he droned on about some house in straddie that someone in the department designed. He could have told us how to construct a timber framing model (which i have no clue how to do) but nooooo... Went to pizza place for lunch to meet up with my high school buddies (belated birthday lunch~). It was really fun! Then went home to catch up on sleep.

Tuesday: After sleeping at 10 30 (*nods* 10 30!) i woke up late yet again at 7 40! Got to uni 10 minutes late only to realise that our erratic and unpredictable lecturer decided to call off our review! What a stoooooopid decision... and i came to uni just for it! *bleh* forced myself to walk back to the bus stop and home instead of hunting him down and kic.. nevermind! :P Did work from then til about midnight ><

This weekend is shaping to be totally awesome! City of Brisbane Badminton comp. on sunday *yayness!* Can't wait to play mixed with Elaine and to play mens doubles.... nonstop smashing!!!! like malaysia does! Probably the first comp. i'm taking seriously.. compared to the other ones i just smash and smash since i didn't know my partners.

Coming 7 weeks are totally crazy though~ Almost every weekend is fully booked due to badminton, figs, uni, concerts and other outings. Portfolio is due in early june.... first and last exam on 16th june... then 100% world cup!!! (since camp prep will be close to finished by then :P)

May is the Month of Mayhem

Good things about May so far:

• no more hot weather
• i'm 18 finally
• finished my Principles assignment
• World cup in less than a month
• PS3 release date (according to e3) = Nov. 17 and costs $999 with 60gig drive
• Stinky Ping is moving away from macgregor (hmmm... wait thats a bad thing... gotta drive to 8 miles)
• Euan and Sel are finally married
• Mite be getting tutoring job soon (defiantely get a job in this month or 2)
• City of Brisbane badminton open ^^ Playing C mixed (with elaine), C mens and B mens (with herbert) and C singles!
• get to see everyone in high school and uni suffer from exams and assignments (only 1 exam and 1 assignment hehe)
• figs camp coming up ^^

Bad things about May so far:

• Football season has ended
• stupid 7 week assignment due soon
• site visit to morningside tafe
• making an a3 landscape model out of cardboard
• 3 hours of guitaring >___<>
• not enough sleep eeeeeeeeeks
• have to start moving my butt and organise figs camp
• silly issues popping up here and there :(
• Malaysia lost in badminton semi finals :(

ok i'm sleepy :P hope this is somewhat meaningful stuff... but probs not lol.

Thank You.

A BIG thanks to everyone who helped me have a great 18th birthday! Thank you to everyone who came over for the dinner, those who sms'ed me, and those who said happy birthday to me. I felt very special and it means a lot to me that i can share this milestone with all of you guys.

The day started off like a usual sunday... after a rather late saturday night... got a few phone calls, sms's and people on msn saying happy birthday to me at midnight or near (alice was 2 hours too early =P and elaine was first). Got to church and did the usual sunday thing... maccas and setting up. Then we had lunch and music jam session. I got a little suprise and i'm probably going to be playing guitar again =). Then came home, paniced a bit about the dinner and my assignment. Everything seemed good until the esky started leaking and water was everywhere on the floor, and derek called me to say nandos forgot my order and had to wait an extra 20 minutes for them to convince the nandos people that i actually did order and pay, and they cooked up about 5 full chickens on the spot for us.

So was in a anxious mood... then Jason, Elaine and Jan turned up... which made me feel heaps better =) no more big suprises! Everyone started turning up (last person was typically 25 minutes late =P) and two people didn't make it due to family and other reasons. So we tucked in to heaps of nice food... pizza, nandos, noodles, satay, salad, cake, and other nibbles. After, played 'how well do you know josh?' in groups... which the 'white guys' (Ping, Aaron and Warren) and Sally, Elaine and Leonie tied first. Leonie totally fluked the Q 'when did josh last cut his hair?' to the exact day! freaky ayeee. After we played taboo and time crisis 3 when the 'just married' couple made their late entry! I really feel sorry for them.... late + late = mega late... just hope they might cancel each other out and be on time for things for once!

It was a memorable night... thanks again to everyone! you guys are the best =D And I will try to grow up like 90% of people tell me to do hehe.

~joshi

23 hours of legally being a child

17 years, 364 days, 1hr (and counting)

Well, i haven't really thought about it much but it's finally starting to hit me. In 23 hours time i will be legally an adult. In 22 hours and 58 minutes i won't have to get my parents to sign consent forms, or anything like that. In 22 hours and 57 minutes i should be acting much more mature than what i am normally like. In 22 hours and 56 minutes i have to VOTE (bleh) and do other stuff i didn't have to before. In 22 hours and 55 minutes....

Just before i tip over the edge into adulthood, its appropriate to look back to my past. I'd like to say that i'm proud of everything i've done over the years, but I don't think that is ever possible. However, its pretty clear that i have somehow survived, and that's not an accident. I can remember many instances that i feared for my life, both physically and mentally. Times when death has literally stared at me in the face. Other times when i just want to curl up and hiberate forever. But somehow, i am still here. In the past 17 years, 364 days, 1 hr and 11 minutes, I have learnt the big 3 influences in anyones lives: God, Family and Friends. Without my friends, I would probably have given up on life. Without my family, I would not have had such a headstart on life that i currently have. Without God, I would not have life. Nothing can buy these three things. These things can only be reached from deep within your heart, where the unbreakable bonds of family, friendship and fellowship intertwine with each other.

Oh well..... if there's one sign that will remind you of my childishness when I am 18, it will be me poking you^^ Even if i tried to act like an adult, everyone has their child within (ba da ba ba ba) which cannot be tied down easily.

RULES FOR JUNE 9 - JULY 9

TO ALL WOMEN
These rules from the Men of the World are to be communicated prior to the World Cup in June/July this year...
List Of Rules. 1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.
2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without anyexceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you willlose it (your eye).
3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.
4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it wont happen. 5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.
6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or "don't worry,they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.
7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during half time but only when the commercials are on, and only if the half time score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".
8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.
9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because: a) I will not go, b) I will not go, and c) I will not go.
10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.
11.The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch??", the reply will be: "Refer to Rule #2 of this list".
12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc. Thank you for your cooperation. Regards, Men of the World

Love.

Today, one of my close friends and kinda mentory guy is getting married. With seeing them doing all their wedding planning, and all the other things involved with the wedding, I just have to ask myself... What is the purpose of a wedding? Dictionary.com says a wedding is a process of uniting or joining together. But is that all? I think wedding is kind of like a baptism. It is a public declaration to God and the World that these two certain people are joining together to form one united body. Marriage is God's idea, not mans. It is yet another custom that has been taken from early christian tradition into secular society. Marriage is also the idea God gave to us, to demonstrate Jesus and the Church. As woman was separated from man at creation, Jesus and the Church were also separated. But Jesus loved the church so much... He even died for the church because he loved the church so much. Similar to a man who would die for the girl they love. As man and wife unite in marriage, at the end of time Jesus will be united with the Church, those who believe Jesus came and died and rose again will be made righteous with God. Love is not a just a feeling or man-made idea. It existed before the realms of time. God's love does not end in heartbreak or disappointment. God's love is perfect. Those who have witnessed God's true Love are blessed by the creator above.

Ugly Butts

No, I know what you're thinking, and NO its not wat you think. Over the years cars have had funny shapes. These are some of them :P











The Infamous Megane... who would do up this car?!









The good old Citroen... with 23inch alloys








Who wants to buy a fuel efficien car that looks like this!?!?









The 'ALL AMERICAN SUV'... YEP its ALL AMERICAN!

Holidays...

After 7 gruelling, packed, and predominantly bludging weeks of uni, we finally get a decent break! But then again, all the things planned this holidays, combined with assignments... it doesn't sound like many uni people will get a decent rest.

These holidays have been particularly good so far cos i've met up with quite a few people who have gone interstate (Melbourne, Sydney, etc.) and come back for the break. Also met up with my high school buddies on saturday for badminton (was supposed to have lunch & dinner with them, but had other things planned... DFO.... omg boringest place in brisbane). Had a huge church lunch at plaza with all the youth which was pretty fun too^^ and played badminton with the antioch guys which is always fun.

On a completely unrelated topic, i just found out that the Australian International Badminton comp (equivalent to Aus Open tennis) is being held in chandler this september! anyone want to come!?!? watch the malaysian superstars!!! Apparently there's an U19 comp that coincides with it ! I want to join hehe :P

stairs, doors, toilets, tables, columns, ceilings... zzz...

Been on autocad for the past 3 hours redesigning my office space assignment for the fourth and hopefully final time! Just realised how much time it takes to make a really really good plan or design. Sometimes you have to edit small things, change big things, start again from scratch, make the illegal or unfunctionable things right, and so forth and so forth, and THEN make it look nice and cool. I think I go the other way round... start with something really good, but when all the other stuff hits me, my design just gets crap and crapper. But I've seen some really good ideas and designs over the past five weeks after being saturated with pictures for 7 hours every week in my lectures and tutorials! We had lectures on space, form and shape, and me and my friend counted the number of times the lecturer said the words space, form or shape. We calculated that she said the word space at a rate of once a minute for two hours :P Last thursday we went to kangaroo point to draw up some pavilions. On the way we stopped at riverside and checked out the buildings there. The buildings are so new and modern and stylish! I recommend checking it out!!! nice nice buildings hehe.

Played badminton 4 times (yes... 4 times) this week >____< . Finally got my smash touch back hehe. Me and Elaine played 3 crazy games on sunday at griffith ><. One of them included a 40 shot rally full of smashes, dives, and crazy net shots! Badminton is soooo fun!

Anyhoo, gots stupid asignment to finish
talk to u all on msn :P
^___________^

-joshi

Seasonal Change

Isn't it so nice and cool now that it's Autumn! The summer weather has finally disappearred and now we can look forward to cooler, cloudier, and more enjoyable days! Coming with this seasonal change is finally a real sense of change in my life. I feel at home in uni, and i have comfortably eased myself into this new life and all the suprises it offers. With uni comes more work and time management needed, and this is definately something new to me. I used to wake up at 8 40 to get to school at 8 55, but now i have to wake up at 6 30 to get to uni at 9am for a lecture! I get home from uni at about 5-6, and then it's dinner and ideally heading to the books, compared to getting home at 3 10 and bumming til sleep time! I guess i can't afford to bum around on msn that much anymore, since life is becoming ever so busy. Badminton time has grown from 2hrs a week to 7-10 hours or so a week.

Its just a pity to see time pass so fast, not being able to really enjoy and reflect on everything you've done or seen. Time is independant. Its one of the only things left that Man has not and will never have control of. Time is limited. Everyone has a birth and a death. Everyone will one day face the crossroads between heaven and hell. If everyone in the world just remembered this, they would put more thought into what they do with the time they have left.

As the wise Gandalf put it: "The only thing we have to decide is what to do with the time given to you."

Back to normal~

yes i am all good again... cept i have my first assignment due in 13hrs and 4 minutes?!?! panic time! anyway since my friend wants me to chuck my poems up.... i shall start with this one:

Time goes past day by day
And the feeling slowly disappears.
The love that I thought would last
For ten thousand years.

As the wind whistles by
And the hot breeze moves though.
My mind is silent and still
I suddenly think of you.

Your smile, your laugh, your presence
Fills my lonely, desolate soul.
The uncertain love of mine
Is once again made whole.

As the seconds pass and the minutes waste away
I feel we are gradually drifting apart.
But even if we are separated by life and death
You will always be in my heart.

p.s. You may realise i always write poems to do with romance... i have other ones but these ones always seem a bit better for some reason~

Different label, same deal...

You know, I thought being a uni student would tell everybody that I am an older and more maturer person, people would treat me that way... but I guess i was wrong. My opinion still counts as zilch. My comments are always jumped on with criticism and doubt. Not a single thread of benefit is laid to me, which is worse than before when I was sometimes given the benefit of the doubt because I was 'a kid'. I just feel so useless... so small... so restrained. Everything i have done feels like nothing now. When i offer my time and effort, I get debated with, ignored and looked down upon and sometimes i can feel the anger and hatred against me because i seem to think more wider and outside the box.

These past few months, I've been thinking of using the exit door. Other people and groups have chased for my effort and time, but i have for many years been faithful. I don't know if there is any point of staying in a place that i dont feel comfortable. I dont feel like anything positive is being achieved. People seem to all decide to stuff up my life at the same time....

Maybe its time for a change... a new setting... a fresh start

but for now, its just a maybe...

Sleep on the bus: a few bumps in the head
Sleep during a lecture: begging friends for lecture notes
Sleep during lunch breaks: an empty stomach
Sleep on the bus home: walking/busiing back a few stops
A good night's sleep! (or coffee :P): PRICELESS

10 things that are weird/interesting about uni:

1. When a prac from 10am til 5pm really is a prac from 10-11 and then do what you feel like after. (Monday, prac consisted of going to art gallery from 2pm til 5pm to sketch, so we bummed the whole time before that, and then arrived at art gallery at 2:30 and left at 4 :P)

2. Uni lecturers/professors are so lazy ( me and 4 other people don't have a table, drawing board, filing cabinet, chair or any space = we can't do work)

3. There are a LOT of adults doing first year

4. The microwave line is 99% asian

5. You see so many people you know everywhere you go (ran into the weird and crazy 'pancreas fiona' who is in 5th year doing med)

6. Begging lifts of people who have cars is neccesary to save bus money

7. Photocopying and ATM lines run for 10-50 metres (lucky i have my own photocopying place at the architecture library!)

8. There are many people who look alike so apparently its hard to tell your friends from random people (yes, my friend did that in melbourne... went straight up to her and got the wrong person :P)

9. Architecture is awesome because there is no homework and no exams :D (for the 2 subjects ive been to anyway)

10. Making asian groups is neccesary to survive in uni! (we got about 10 asians in architecture and about 6 of them are in our little group hehe)

bye bye Holidays... Hello Uni!

It's been such a long and eventful holiday that I've somewhat become accustomed to this time of no real structure, heaps of suprises, being flat out busy without any schoolwork weighing down on me and at times feeling that i have no purpose in life. This is the time i work out that i reach my maximum potential in life when everything is choc-a-block and i have to do things by a certain time, or else i die.

These last few days I've met up with all my old friends, and also met some new friends, which is just an awesome feeling. These people come from all nationalities, have different interests and beliefs, yet we can still be such a close group, its just a miracle! Yes, sometimes we do exploit our differences (We paid out one of our friends (a guy) for choosing nursing in uni) but its just makes the world such a better place with all our differences.

Also been watching some asian movies over the past few weeks. WHY does every asian romance movie involve someone dieing in the beginning or before the setting of the film!?!?! Oh well... watched some really good movies, which carry some real truths. One of the things that are foregrounded is that when someone gets a 'second chance' in seeing a loved one, they always make the most of this opportunity because they realise that they did not give enough attention or show how much they love their loved one in their 'first chance'. The reality is that we only get one chance in this world to show how much we appreciate or love someone, and I reckon we should always tell someone how much you love, like or appreciate them!

Uni is coming up next week... I think the past 3 months has acclimatised myself into acknowledging that I am now a uni student. I have a life ahead of me, that everything i have done in the past 18 years has prepared me for. Now it is time to stop autopilot, grab the steering wheel, and pray that God will look after me!

Poem dedicated to all of my migrating friends

This poem i wrote in 5 mins flat is especially dedicated to my best friend since grade 5, Shannon, who is leaving to Melbourne on saturday for uni. Also this poem is dedicated to all my other friends migrating for uni or to get away from me or whatever.

Untitled

We’re standing on the crossroads,
A place I never thought I’d be.
All of our childhood memories
Suddenly rush back through me.

I remember the day we first met,
When you were young and naïve,
We’d always be there for each other
And I never thought you’d leave.

The days we just teased each other
And played our childish games,
I never thought this time would end
But now I can only visit it in memory lane.

Now we are standing at the crossroads
And it’s almost time to part,
But no matter where you are
You will always be in my heart.

by Joshi~

Valentines... Real or Overrated?

Yes... the best day of the year, or the most depressing day of the year, of just another day.... has passed once again. This day has caused a stir among people: Is Valentines day a stunt by retailers and florists for more cash, and a public stunt to get people who usually are shy or embarassed, to give to the one they love, OR is it a lovely day where lovers do wonderful things for each other? Well... I believe it can be both! When i went to the florist on monday to buy a valentines gift for someone, I noted how inflated the prices were! They were absolutely crazy, although the rose looked awesome~ There were even packages for roses which cost a few hundred bucks! On the actual day, I saw heaps of restaurants jam packed full of couples having their nice lunch/dinner together. And guess what.. they slap an extra 10-20% on the normal charge! Also, i saw my friend who normally doesn't give stuff to people usually or at valentines, give TWO valentines presents! I think that if you loved someone, you'd prepare to give them gifts any time, just for a little suprise or whatever, but some guys just wait and wait til valentines to give gifts to their friends/loved ones.
At the same time, i think valentines can be a great day for couples and friends! Whats better than spending a day out with your good friends/loved ones and maybe being childish and having a nice candlelight dinner :) Valentines day shows everyone how much love there is in the world, amid the wars and troubles in this day and age.
For me, Valentines was an awesome day, not just because it was Valentines. I had lunch with a friend, then dropped off a rose at another friend's place, then went and watched the VB cricket finals with Jan, Wazza and Onie! Some desperate people sent valentines greetings via banners i.e. "Sorry hon, We'll do dinner next year" (there won't be a next year mate) and my friend wanted to put "Murali will you be my Valentine?" on a banner! oh well it was fun! Hope everyone had an awesome Valentines!

Is a steinway worth buying?

Yes everybody... The real and original debate is "Is a Steinway worth buying?" For thsoe who don't know, Steinway is the best (i think) piano maker company things, and their pianos apparently are really really good. Their best piano is very exxy though.... about 500 grand i hear. Anyway, we had a debate on sunday which started with this question.

Yes, this is a steinway.... will cost u 500 grand...

My opinion: What a waste of money. Even if I was a pro pianist and i was filthy rich, I would not buy this Piano. Then I'd have to buy some land and build an elliptical room to hold this thing to make the piano sound the best it can be.... which will set me off another 400 grand or so... so the real price tag of this piano is roughly $1 million AU.

Ok.. and the Debate went on... and we started comparing my friend buying a piano to me buying a car. If you think about it, He likes playing pianos, I like driving cars, so its a similar issue. A piano of this price can only be appreciated with a great pianist and by listening to it. A car, acts as a transport, and an expensive car is an engineering masterpiece, an art and design masterpiece, has its luxuries, and even with all these can be purchased for under 100 grand. Bt for the sake of mentioning it.... Look at this beautiful car....

Sleek, Stylish, Simply Stunning.

If you gave me the option to buy a Steinway ($500 grand, up to $1 million) or this Porsche 911 Carrera ($200 grand), and I had to pick one, I will definately go for the Porsche 911 Carrera. If i want to listen to steinway music, I will buy a CD with some Grand Piano Master guy playing for 20 bucks and put it into my crazy sound system in my Carrera and i will get to listen to Steinway quality piano too! Wat a bargain! and then I can buy a cheap Yamaha grand piano and i can play a piano too!! wat a bargain :)

Who wants a boring black piano for $1 mill when you can buy a Porsche Carrera for $200 grand!

Reflection: December - January

These past two months have been a roller coaster ride for me... highs and lows everywhere.. and a new change in life for the better :)

The longest holiday in my life so far has paid some dividends and had some consequences... lots of fun, rest and bumming around... while spent a lot of cash, gained a bit of weight, and haven't found a job yet :(

The best part of this holidays was to go back to malaysia and meet my reles, go shopping where everything is cheap, and to check out how my home is hanging. It was there when i also realised how important my family and friends are to me... without them i'd be a stranger in the world, and no one likes to be alone... While i was there, I witnessed my cousin's marriage, which was a high point, and my Uncle's funeral, which was a low point, which overshadowed the new years celebrations. His last words to me were 'I am very happy.' He was happy with what he had done throughout his life, and that his last week on earth was surrounded by all of his family and relatives. He was also happy because he was looking forward to life in heaven. Other memorable points of this trip were visiting my birthplace :), going to the tip of Borneo :), lots of shopping in KL :P, heaps of food, and seeing S.H.E (HEBE!!!!) in KL :)

When i came back here, it was busy as! QYC camp in currimundi, lots of friends to meet up with, got my enrolment to UQ (Architecture. yay!!), Reles visiting, and shannon's suprise 18th :P

Now I'm looking forward to Uni and all the suprises these next few years hold. Also, have to say goodbye to heaps of my friends who have/are going overseas and interstate for uni. I promise all u guys i will visit u sometime :) Keep in touch everyone while we can....

Check this out...

My cousin's 10 kilo fish!

1/3 of the outing's catch.... pretty impressive :P

Selamat Datang!!!

Yayzz malaysia is awesome hehehe!!! It's about 30 degrees here every day with aircon everywhere i go (for those melting in brissy) and everything here is cheap as! Today i bought a KFC meal (like a 2 piece feed) for 8 ringitt... which is less than 3 bucks AU!!! Satays are 15 cents AU each... which is like dirt cheap.... but it tastes brilliant!! Shopping is good here, and all my reles are here, which is pretty cool. The only thing that makes malaysia crap is its physical shape. It looks like a dull place, and at some places it stinks real bad. But really, malaysia is a nice place, its got beautiful rainforests, modern technology, and everything is like 3 times cheaper than australia! one day malaysia will become the asian capital muahahahaha.

me = going to KL on saturday (yayyy). Looking forward to going to the biggest shopping centre in south east asia :) hope i have cash left lol... guess i have to beg for more from my parents. Did you know that malaysia has 5 main languages... its crazy! Theres malay, mandarin, cantonese, english, and hakka. Its amazing how people can just interchange between all 5 languages so easily here! oh well... back in Aus next wednesday... and offers come out next thursday at 1am sigh... At least i know i should be getting architecture! then 5 more years of slavery sigh...

anyway.. malaysia awaits me :)

byebye