you're one clever cookie

hmm, I've too much time on my hands now; I've been searching for the origin of "clever cookie"

Some said it's used in Australian English

Other sites seem to say it is of US origin, adding that it is not as popularly used today compared to in the days of Humphrey Bogart. LOL.

And that the UK has its own version....?

This is the problem when you mix with the exchange students particularly Australians, not like I've many... less than 5 okay? And the trouble is she's an English major. Z just used that expression to describe me. I guess it's a good thing? Right?

it was pretty while it lasted

you know, my ESBFF has been 'liking' my uni-related statuses on ________ (where else? lol)

then, he'd make me smile and think of ALL the memories we had together in uni. 5-6 months of...

I don't know. I thought my statuses are quite neutral, most of the time... but some people just couldn't help it, I guess. Either that, or my statuses must've been pretty impactful. Haha. :)

Every single memory just flashed by. Sorry I cannot help it.

From the shy me in week 2 and your very random intro to your Aussie friends

to how excited we were when we were on _________ :)

to the casual conversation in the cafeteria

to that 'HEY' before lecture that MADE everyone's heads turn and jaws drop

to that one time during group discussion, I thought you didn't enjoy talking to me anymore... but then, you came out of class and took the elevator with me instead and needless  to say, TALK some more.

followed by more and more and more conversations before class, during class... GOSH.

and so much of positive encouragement esp. our oral presentation week

to that day when you randomly asked me what kind of MUSIC I FANCIED.

to that one time we ALMOST planned something

to that day when you suddenly walked to my table before lecture to ask me how to submit our assignments online  (haha, I always thought it should be the other way around because they're actually quite smart - just not in the Asian way.)

to the very last conversation on-campus we had

yes, it was pretty while it lasted

* and yes, I've achieved what I said before about talking to more people. :)

sobsob second-half of 2012 was the best*

W-O-R-D-S

I've come to realize that...

after years of running this blog and other blogs,

after meeting so many different people from different backgrounds,

having a nuclear family  who possess "WORD POWER"

and having graduated with an ARTS degree that needs one to show clarity of expression among other things,


WORDS matter - your choice of words.

Okay, wait...

PHRASING matters.

Most of the time, miscommunication happens.

WHY?



because one did not know how to PHRASE well.


as simple as that.

which is why I almost always take ages to do stuff. because I want to phrase well. If you can't wait, then, there's where the problem starts.

-End of story-

I'll remember

YPIA forever

for publishing my first article ever.

first tries are always scary

but finally I can say: I contributed to something I believe is slightly more meaningful than... the Ed Board or even those glamorous magazines.

think. of. a. proper. thesis.topic.

I hope

that IF my app gets accepted, I won't regret the path I'm taking.

 

Just when I thought I could have a break

I end up stressing about:-

a)Job hunting.
b)Which (potential) unis to do my postgrad... Yes, I'm crazy. This is also another option that I'm considering. Which could also mean that I'm probably meeting my exchange student friends + making NEW non-M'sian friends, depending on whether I have enough guts and where I end up in.
c) Not being able to finish my story books/novels that I bought long time ago.



How I wish there was a 101 guide to all of these.

****
Just now at dinner, dunno why we ended up talking abt my exchange student friends. Dad went:-

Eh, they came over before, right?

Me: THAT one another batch-lah.

Oh! Is it?
Me: Yeah, every sem got different batch-mah.
Oh, so you mean the guy and the girl you were talking abt went back ady?
Me: Yeah. (in my heart) so sad :(
How come they can clique with you-one?
Me: I dunno!

Isn't that the question that I've been asking myself all the time? Ever since the second-half of the year... ah, you get  what I mean.

Daddy, where were you all this time when I was talking abt them?

LOL.


Sigh, I thought I told myself not to talk abt them anymore. I miss them for they have their way with words.

Stop JL. Stop. GIVE yourself a GOOD BREAK.

Wei shenme wo....

I still don't get it: How is it that I enjoyed learning French but NOT Chinese?


Okay, maybe I have the answer: French is more thrilling than Chinese.

No wonder despite my many attempts to learn Chinese, I still fail to string a simple sentence.

Wo bu xihuan _________________ You see? I don't even remember if the pinyin is correct. Don't even know what/how to express.

Limited vocab + horrible pronunciation + pure ignorance of the 4 tones + insanely difficult Chinese characters = I can never get along with the Chinese language.

And to think I can find a JOB that doesn't require me to speak Chinese...Even as copywriters. The only saving grace is that my English is sophisticated - my "communication skills are of the highest order" (Gilmour, 2012). (Yes, university taught me to cite everything).

Macam mana ni?

Shine bright like a diamond

You're beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

For once, I find inspiration thru' Rihanna's song.


Now that my amazing bunch of exchange student friends have gone home for good/still enjoying some last-minute travelling around Asia, I need to remind myself constantly that I am worthy, beautiful, and intelligent.

 I need to have faith. Forget those who refuse to believe in me.

Shine bright like a diamond, indeed.

the last thing I need right now

...

is someone who doubts my abilities.

X: You sure your grammar is THAT good-ah? (He may not have put it so crudely but from his tone, it seems so).



Don't you want to give me a chance?


It's okay. JL, let a new door open. Yes, I learn from Delta Goodrem's songs.

Or rather, in mass comm speak : I produce meaning from Dellta Goodrem's songs. (post-representational approach)

End of rant.

the nicest thing I've ever received

Dear (insert my given name here),

(because some text are best omitted for privacy purposes)


It has been my great delight to have taught such a wonderful student and I wish you every success for the future.
All the best,
C.Gilmour (2012)


Written by a TRUE communicator. SO POWERFUL - I can feel his sincerity through this message. 

I wish I had written a MUCH better reply to this.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Gosh, I did so well I forgot that I need to decide what to do next. LOL.

Unexpected, truly unexpected.

My options:

Work for a while before continuing on to NERD mode
Work and never return to academia ever again (LOL)
Respond to Callum's and Helen's encouragement to do Honours
Jump straight to Masters

Apa mum cakap to me: Scared I (referrring to me)  work work work until sian ZzzzZzzz edit, proofread etc.

Apa dad cakap: I think academia suits you best.


I actually enjoy studying... but I cannot imagine torturing students later on.

Of course I'd enjoy flexi hours if I ever return to academia

but...will I regret??????