My chocolate run ~

by Dorothy Koomson

It was not only an awesome entertainment and an unexpected-romance comedy for those who seek some chick-flick reading.

It was what I needed or some sort of comfort that my life is not as peculiar as I thought it would be.

Well, you can't help when you keep questioning about yourself or how you react throughout these years. Why did you succumb to such habits all these years (Yes, I might have been called a grandma or old in mindset) and to do a regular check in reality, whether in life you are going in the right direction?

I mean we do not have all the answers we need in life. Sometimes, or most of the time, you stumble on the right answers when you are already in the middle of something. That's life.

I am a try-it-all girl if I am given the chance. You may not know it due to the fact that I am rather reserved about myself but yeah. I can talk to any stranger on the planet and can last for hours (or weeks) but eventually I will turn into my usual quiet self like an automatic switch button, when the time comes. It's like the time setting for your bread that pops up from the toaster. I did notice this but yeah, the question was why? haha, I found out about this during my college years but it took me this special book to give me the answer behind the weird switch.

And I always question or rather doubt whether this is right or trying to make sure that the path I chose will not lead me to destruction. For example, money and stability are two major factors that women look for their future husbands. What if that particular bloke has none but all others? (Well, this post IS related to the book mentioned- so I narrowed the question down to some romance-related or rather an all-time-favourite quote. Yes, you might have guessed it- IS HE THE ONE?????????

Oh well back to me- I know I am going to defy the natural laws and I knew when I grow up, I would not set in to be the same like all others. I know but Can I handle the future. Let alone handle other people to adapt to my choice. Again, the question has been burning in me and Yes, I might ignore it now and then. But, in the end, we all have those mysterious and out-of-the-world questions that hung to us wherever we go.

But I had a little tiny peek at the future today when the book let a new perspective to sink into my brain. I won't know for sure but I will keep going as it has turned out to be My Chocolate run- all this time.

I hope you find yours, Reader ~

The power of Believing and Hope

It's okay if things change.

It's okay if I have to fight off problems everyday of my life.

It's okay if I feel alone sometimes in this journey

It's okay that I am not willing to give up

It's okay if I got tore apart and pushed over by Reality

It's okay if I lost something on the way, maintaining my values and beliefs

It's okay if I still love those moments

It's okay if I am still fighting for the future and present.

=)

Someone said . . .

What may be good for you may not be the BEST for you. Although this was a comment on facebook, I wonder how true is this for me.

It is a bad year for me ever since I came back from UK. I never felt so out of place.

So many times these ugly things  happened. But I kept telling myself it would be better again and again. Did I manage to trick myself to be happy and perhaps, this is not really what I want?

So many rejection from so many sources just because I put myself out there. They say if you aim higher, maybe you might fall near the stars above. I feel that this is far from the truth. Perhaps it is based on one's perspective.

Believe me, I did try. I am not sure this is going right anymore. I know when you throw yourself out there and try anything, you must be prepared to face the rejection and failures that you don't even expect to hit you.

Can I take any more of those hits?

I can't just complain and do nothing. Whether I like it or not, I am alone in CLP. I am the one sitting for this BL**** EXAM. I have done my homework and have reached to the midpoint of this journey. To throw everything now is a waste of my time and energy.

Tell yourself, it's alright if nobody appreciates you or things go wrong. For after a stormy rain, the sunlight will show itself again. It is just a matter of time and hope.

Paintball or Pain war?

haha well the title speaks for itself.

Recently, I decided to brave myself and signed up for a paintball session which took place in Summit. Dome Paintball. It was reasonably cheap as we managed to score Groupon. RM 38 for 200 pellets. Well, 30 + of us signed up to give it a try. We were so excited that the facebook event page was filled with discussion on war cries, how to divide and conquer, and how the groups are gonna have war!

I was pretty damn scared because of the rumour that paintball leaves BRUISES or SCARS on your skin. As a paintball virgin, I was terrified and I google-d on the precautions and preps I should take on b4 entering doom zone.

well, look at us. so Happy to gather with friends for paintball

We gathered at Summit USJ after lunch etc. Arrived there and waited for other teams to finish so that the field will be ours. While waiting, some teams were planning how their team is going to win the game and other were just listening how LOUD the shooting was when the teams were battling it out!

Always wear something thick/baggy/long to cover your precious skin. It helps as you need all the protection you can get.

Never open your mask when you are in the field, as Anything can Happen- including going blind if any of the shot got your eye. *Touch wood*

Always listen to the marshall and keep your guns down man when you are out of the field. Remember your safety pins so that the you won't accidentally shoot when you are out of the field.

Finally, try not to shoot your opponent when you are less than 3 metres from one another. It is Awfully painful!!! And try not to shoot friendly fire on your OWN team mates. It happens.

Eventually, some of the teams were damn aggressive. I think they went delusional and determined as much to CONQUER the opponents and they thought they were playing Counter Strike 4D.

Some of us were enjoying the fun and we play as we were, not too tensed up to Kill the opponents but just backing up our team mates and focus on the FUN.

AFTERMATH


1. Bruises, be it coloured with red or brown or black.

2. Bleed like a man? Some poor soul might get head and finger shots.

3. Sweat like a ? The mask got fogged up from our heavy breathing. I guess we were too hyped up or scared of the opponents and fogged our masks.

4. Make friends like on your first day of school =)

5. Enjoy the fun and smile like a CHAMPION !

I Can't Help It !

Everybody has goals but how far do you go to the extent of sacrificing things in life for your goals?

For me, this year, I have to kill this mother of all exams, namely CLP. It's not easy this year as compared to other years or examinations where I can roughly figure out what my strategy is.

If  I want to kill this exam, what should I lose to gain this pass? I am already losing so much fun by limiting myself from going out so much with friends and family. I am trying to restrain myself from wasting time 'lepaking' too much. I am trying to be more efficient when I am building bridges with the law books. All in all, I limit how much I can have fun in life. It is depressing and I wonder whether it is worth it, after all these years.

Yeah, people might say, SHUT UP, cos you got better results than me or job offers or university offers. You might think that I am showing off but I am most definitely not. If I am showing off, I will put it IN YOUR FACE kinda situation by grabbing every chance I have to state how great are my results or offers (After your every sentence). And I won't stop.

Call me a result-oriented person and I am quite the extremist, I still can't balance much between play and work. Throughout the years, if I want 'IT', I can achieve IT. Well, not to forget the sacrifices I make to reach IT. People always assume that 'WOW YOU'RE SMARTER THAN ME, THAT'S WHY YOU GET TO HAVE THE RESULTS'. If only, maybe, you work harder than you had, don't you think you could make a difference in your future marks? I mean let's not open our big mouth and blame it on other individuals' smart brains or 'I am dumber' statements. Just stop whining and start doing. If you fail, it must be your fault (entirely).

Oh well, I still can't answer this question as to how far more am I willing to burn 'things' into ashes for CLP?



Can you answer yours then?

Let's Face it. Let's Face Rejection!

We all have taken NO for an answer. We all have received 'Unfortunately, You are unsuccessful. We wish you all the best in your future undertakings.' We all have faced the phase where nobody wants to support us or our ideas. We all have, once or too many times.

Be it our crush from high school or presenting our slideshow in front of our boss. Or the teeth-gritting moment when you are waiting anxiously for your interview call-back or university application feedback. Oh let us not forget about rejection from people when we are new in the school or workplace.

Let us face Rejections upfront and not squirm behind the seats. Let us rise up to say Enough, Rejection and you shall not pass ! (haha, some 9GAG Gandalf joke) Let us see that we Triumph over rejection AND COME OUT GLORIOUS!

Check it out - http://9gag.com/gag/564106

I have faced rejections countless of times and I definitely have been upset so many times too. I mean sometimes we cannot help it but feel so upset. Rejection brings that out of you.

Such a negative word or is it?

But don't you think it can be a Positive word?
First, reduce the R to rejection. Keep telling yourself, it is the other person's loss for rejecting me because in the end, I will be the best student/ partner/employee/ person that you miss out!

I have received rejection from workplace, universities and more applications. When applying or going through an interview, I decided to be myself and offered them the plate of the true me. I know what are my strengths and weaknesses and some people may not like what they see, thus the rejection word again.

But I appreciate rejections. I really do. Without rejection, I would not have gained that determination and strong will to study my hardest for my final year of Law degree in Newcastle. Without rejection, better opportunities will not fall into my lap. Without rejection, I will not realize more about myself and Improve to be a better me.

I thank you, rejection. For without you, I will not be here or be who I am today.

So, let us spin rejection into Our Sensation!!!

If Only I have the Emotion detector!

Not mind reader, mind you! I mean I do not want to hear thoughts from people. A thought sometimes does not mean anything as it is a fleeting idea that zoom through your brain. Sometimes, they are harmless and meaningless, created by irrationality or erupted due to raw emotions.

What I want is a machine that can predict the person's emotion based on what I say or do or show her/him.

Imagine planning a surprise party for your beloved best friend and she actually hated the present or the crowd that you gathered in her house to shout 'SURPRISE!' after she arrives home. I want to know whether she/he will love it before I put the whole plan into action and avoid the sour/ disappointed episode.

Simple things like trying to help your sweetie or parents in their work or school but then it backfire because they think you are trying to show-off and barking on how to do their work.

Other things such as your good intention to be more caring or thoughtful and be there for them might just make you fade away from their world. They might just want to be alone without you interfering.

Other situations like missing out on your friend/ relative who have been all-time low and depressed might lead to an ugly picture. You will most likely want to know all the emotions inside him/her to know when to lend a helping hand to avoid anything bad happen to them. At times, a simple kind gesture can save a life.

If only this machine exists, but I'm just dreaming!
If you watched Click by Adam Sandler, you know what I mean when I say with this machine, we will not be leading a LIFE afterall. Experiencing emotions and people are what we do, instead of relying on some machine to tell us to be human.

Life ~

Dreams. Actress/ petshop owner/ dancer/ travelling photographer

I am not doing what I like / passionate about.
What am I doing then?

I followed the safe path, not so fun but apparently I am good in it. I can do the crazy and painful task of reading and being the best in my year. I can but why?

I am a different person at school and outside. If you only know me in classes, I am super serious and it's the nerd appearance that you will get. I don't bother dressing up for classes. As it is, I deem attending them = torture! So, dressing comfortably kills the pain in a minimal way.

If you met me at parties, I go crazy over dancing. I do not need the help of some 'medication' to get high over dancing beats. No, thank you!

Why am I pushing myself for this evil degree of law and secretly imagining myself, so stylishly as a lawyer?
I could so do photography, acting or back-up dancer. hehe

or perhaps working at pet shops. I love interacting with people or animals. I particularly ADORE THIS ONE. English bulldog. I can't afford her at the moment > < So sad!

I know I am not that young or old yet. I still have dreams of so many things I want to do. So much to see in this universe to the extent that I am still not content with what I have. I love seeing the world and meet all kinds of people that just surprise you with their life stories and how things are back at their homeland.

I watched Bullfight in MADRID! It was really sad at the same time breathtaking. I really don't know what else to say.

Perhaps I can be a travelling photographer cum blogger for tourist attractions? I am still an amateur at editing pictures though. 

London -Tower bridge. Beautiful night view, aint it? It is just something about discovering new things in life makes me jump up and down, getting all excited !

What I am saying is in the end, YOU make how your life works out. Work with what you have and always tell yourself I can even when I fall or ended up in the wrong path, I still can turn things around!

Me? I am still dreaming while trying my (perhaps not so best effort) to pass my CLP and perhaps become a lawyer and help my dad out. My dreams are still alive! I am so gonna make them come true! I KNOW I CAN!!!

My Body, My Say

Typically, asians have the stereotype that women must be extremely thin to be pretty or beautiful on the eyes. I find that quite irritating and sad to have generations after generations taking heed of that stereotype and let it be engraved in our mindsets instead of doing away with it.

Fine, it is true that body shape which is fit, is awesome. And who does not want to have model-like body or voluptuous yet fit ? Well, I think as long you are not too fat or too thin, it is fine to be whatever shape you want to be. As long you maintain a healthy diet to make those deadly diseases such as heart attack far far away from you.

People abroad (not in asian countries) appreciate women more in all kind of shapes and sizes. I mean firstly, they do not discriminate anybody based on how their look or how much their weight scales are. They are both pros and cons. This mentality can either kill you or set you free. One thing is you do not feel that insecure about yourself and people generally will treat you better compared to those in asian countries. However, due to that, it might encourage people to be overweight and they might not care less.

I know I can put on weight like crazy cos I love to eat. I am not that fat if you have seen me in person. However, I do not like to starve myself to be so scrawny until ' the wind can blow me away' kinda situation. Perhaps... I live to eat !

Well, just Enjoy life! Carpe Diem (seize the day!), Everyone! Don't live your life based on what others say/ might say about you! 

Ochado tea N Crepes

I might be biased as to favouring Ochado tea due to the fact that I like the ambience and . . . I know somebody working there. Awesome unifi all to myself at times and not to mention good customer service, always with their Welcome and Please come again! =)

Personally, I love their Okinawa Milk Tea and Pop egg (something which pops in your mouth, leaving a caramel sensation!) The lychee is nice too. I love sweet stuff so if your tastebuds is different than mine, do try others (the best-seller on the wall) and not to mention the japanese crepes. Do not leave it for too long as they will melt and will not be as tasteful as fresh from the refrigerator.

They also have mango flavour at RM 10.90 and the others are less than RM 8 each slice. I can't wait for Green tea flavour!

They have promotions now and then. The one which I often visit is in Kota Damansara (Giza) and they have outlets in Pavillion, Setapak and Puchong (Opposite IOI mall).

Visit Ochado to try them today! Oh, did I mention that they're from Japan?

Newcastle + Law = Best potion ever!

After the angst-y post about not being judged, I thought of posting one about the awesome year I had for prospective students who are considering for Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom !


 ♥  Professing my love to Newcastle!


It was one of the most amazing and crazy study year of all times. I am glad I picked a university and city that I adore so much. Perhaps it matched my personality which has a knack of doing things, going out and meeting new people.

Dear Newcastle,

I miss you so much because of the SPRING and awesome breeze.

 

I miss you because I met these beautiful gals there =)

And I love how super-friendly the people are and the parties are crazy. They just so know how to party and let loose to have a GREAT TIME! Dancing at Madame Koo's, Perdu, Liquid, Digital and more .  =)

hehe and cheap, amazing liquor. I don't really drink and only do occasionally. Well, as long you know how to drink responsibly, go ahead and have fun tasting all the flavoured ones and most of them you cannot find  here in Malaysia ! The one in the picture is apple-flavoured. Yummmy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hate that I am apart from you Newcastle. Don't you miss me?

The Northumbria University is AMAZING! The library is 24-hr and has moving shelves, underground - a student's best friend, especially when I am in my final year. I never felt so amazed like this in all my studying years. It motivated me so much to study and research as much as I want! 

The lecturers and tutors are crazy-smart and friendly (well, apart from a few which should not be named unless you approach me for some TIPS. hehe)

The extra activities are beyond your imagination. I mean I kinda regretted when I did not have enough time on my hands to join any of them. Degree is my paramount concern as my classification is based solely on my final year in Northumbria! They even have LGBT and more. hehe

I miss studying there without the sweat and I do miss the cold. Snow? We had too much of it, not to mention the FIRE ALARMS that kept us out in the cold until it was clear that it is safe to go back into the building and sleep. After for while, the snow became so annoying as some people just kept slipping down, but I did not and managed to maintain my balance =) Snow fight was so painfully cold to play but fun!!

All in all, Newcastle gave me such memorable moments until to the extent that me and my friend nearly agreed to bail the air plane that was calling for us to fly back to Malaysia !

Best potion ever ^^ (refer to the title of this blog). What can I say, I got hooked instantly until now, regardless whether I am still stuck in Malaysia !

=)

Love from me, oh How I miss you Newcastle.  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Does NOT mean I'm rich!

I am a LAW graduate from the United Kingdom. I know it is bloody expensive to even pay for the tuition fees and living expenses for even a few months.

People will always be wow-ed or amazed by the time they realized that I am an overseas graduate. Worse, they might just cast a permanent perception that I am stuck-up, spoiled or waste money like how we breathe oxygen.

I mean I know how exorbitant it may be to even study final year in the United Kingdom. Come on, RM 5 = £1! And it was as high as 7 times before it dropped to 5 times our Malaysian Ringgit.

No offence to whoever insisted that I am spoiled or do not appreciate the value of money when you know I studied my ass in my final year in Newcastle . . . but I am offended!

I know how much my family went through to give me an awesome education, especially a year in the UK. I know how many people could not even think bout this golden opportunity and they have to stay in Malaysia to finish your education. I do not look down on people who studied here and I remain amazed when I hear people getting First Class doing the external programmes here. They are tough solid rocks!

The thing is my parents may be able to foot for the expenses for that one final year but -
I AM NOT RICH. I am just like you, a student or perhaps like you who have just started paying for their bills on their first job/ part-time. I do appreciate money and my parent's effort to continue supporting me. I do not like to ask for money from my parents (if I can) . I mean even my phone is from the dinosaur's era! All my friends told me to get a new phone (that includes my 10 year old brother!). Well. a lot of people are having smartphones and even kids have IPADs in their hands.



What I am trying to say is let us be slow to judge an overseas graduate. Cos some of us are just like you, save for the awesome parents who happen to be willing to sponsor us to go study overseas.

I do appreciate what my parents have done for me. How do I repay them? Study as smart and hard as I can  and hehe - First Class Honours in my hands !

Catch that Dream

When we are young, let's give our all to catch our dreams.

When we are young, let's not waste time saying that there's still time in the future for things like love and passion for things we believe in . Let's do them Now!

When we are young, we should be slow to make mistakes but when mistakes happen, quit expressing your regrets and create something great out of them.

When we are young, we must learn to use our youth and build a legacy that even your-future-self will be amazed what your-younger-self could do.

Let's believe in ourselves and these dreams of ours ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qSRTgW9xAk
Suddenly- Kim Bo Kyung- City Hunter (Closing song)

Party Rocking International Women's Day at Vertigo, Gardens

As promised, the pictures from the awesome and fun night of dancing to crazy beats is here! Mind you, I go crazy over dancing cos I love how the music moves my body all night long!

We went to Vertigo on Thursday (Ladies's Night), which was located near G6 at Rooftop Gardens. I managed to get guest-list for my friends and I for free entry through Mark, the ambassador for Vertigo. He can be contacted via https://www.facebook.com/groups/245474122178777/

It was surprisingly good with the crazy mix of music by the DJs and 3 free drinks for each lady for the night before 12am. The crowd was fun and the lightings were amazing, showing off their fine dance floor in front of the DJs who were spinning at the deck.

Overall, it was a fantastic night where the fun and young crowd danced off to the superb beats until the DJs last song. =)

(Mark, the Vertigo Ambassador is on the right above)

Why do you want to become a Lawyer ?

Does this sum up for us NOT to go forth in pursuing our law career path?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=y05HnXomG88&src_vid=ShliKfsLQo0&annotation_id=annotation_566398

Are we just up for the money or interest in joining this prestigious profession? Every law student sure has this nagging voice of asking why LAW?

Why do we push ourselves through the piles of textbooks, articles, extra reading materials and research to get this degree?
Why do we tell ourselves it is okay to slave ourselves when we are young for the materialistic considerations?
Why do we sacrifice so much of time, energy and dreams just to call ourselves a lawyer?
Why are we willing to not get paid for our OVERTIME or overzealous commitment to sit in the firm and continue working without getting paid enough?

If you say it is for money, even a businessman can earn more than what a lawyer is earning as lawyers attached to a firm will only get the standard monthly salary as opposed to the cut which you will obtain if that is your client in your own firm.

If you say it is for interest, good for you ! I mean, there are some of us who wants to help the poor or the greater good, raise awareness and fight for the rights of those who are defenceless and etc. For passion can take you far on your journey of achieving this dream of yours.

But what if you have a firm which you were expected to shoulder when you finish graduating and successfully being called to the Bar?

What if I do not like to be cooped up in the firm regardless of the fact that I can earn my big RM with the firm. It is akin to handing a golden egg to you, as the firm is already set up and well-established. What more do you want?

What if I do not like to be a lawyer after getting all the necessary qualifications?

The answer is you will never know until you try. Life is not perfect and is full of tribulations, revealing hidden paths that lead to another great adventure. It is a matter of balancing of what you dream of your life and the reality check.

Those who practised law might not like it and change the career path as they wish to be involved something non-related to law! Others might find comfort of the money satisfaction and continue the path of a lawyer.

The thing is you never know that you might actually like becoming a lawyer.

So, my first step- Kill CLP and try how this path turns out for me. A gamble !

Enjoy Life as it is.