Archive for October, 2004
The Datin Cometh
Posted on October 30, 2004, by soph, under It's a Girl's Life.
Last night, I was as famous as I’m probably ever going to be. And I was in a place where people didn’t even know me.Walking out into the arrival hall, I saw Weichern with a massive placard and my name on it. But wait, “Datin Sophia Goh”? What the?
And then I saw Sam, and a whole bunch of other black-suits-and-sunnies, and someone who I quickly realized to be Jon said, “Excuse me Datin”, and took my trolley from me. The others immediately surrounded me and started clearing my path. I reckon they were getting such a huge kick out of saying, “Excuse me, excuse me”, and (gently) pushing aside everyone. Not that anyone was planning to stand in the way of this important-looking but perhaps slightly under-aged VIP.
When we got out of the terminal, even the cars stopped for us. It just goes to show what you can achieve when you’re wearing a black suit and cool sunglasses. And it took me all of 20 seconds to realize firstly that none of them were going to talk to me, and secondly, that I was starting to get a kick out of it myself. Hey, like I said, it was probably as famous as I’m ever going to get.
Guys, it was so cool. Thanks for the best airport experience I’ve ever had. Now isn’t a good thing I didn’t wear a sloppy t-shirt and slippers. Now I know why Yuchun kept asking me what I was wearing for my flight back. Thanks darling.
Apparently, some aunty was overheard excitedly saying, “Datin is here, Datin is here”, in Chinese. But my favourite moment(s) of the night had to be Sam putting up his hand to anyone who so much as looked at him and saying, “Sorry, no comment.”
It was all so, so funny.
Which makes me wonder. Is celebrity a result of who you are, or what you do? Or is it both? Because if you ask me, all it took for me to become one was a massive placard and a bunch of very good-looking men.
That last pic is of the “media team”. You see, I not only had the bodyguards, I had the cameras in my face too. And by the way, Godzilla is seriously gross.
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24:45.38
Posted on October 28, 2004, by soph, under Uncategorized.
I’m done packing. It took me less than 4 hours. I have 3 suitcases of stuff to bring back. To say that I’m very proud of myself for a) packing so quickly, and b) having so little stuff after 4 years in Melbourne, would be an understatement. Though I was rather sad at having to part with my 5 bears and 3 dogs. All I have now is 1 big fat red frog. And a lime green Mogu pillow, which I’m never parting with.
Still, I’m sure my bears and dogs will make 8 kids very happy.
With 24 hours to go, my errands are pretty much down pat. I hope. I have this feeling that I’m going to remember something I forgot to do when I’m flying over Darwin tomorrow. But that’s okay, because I’ll be back in December anyway. For that over-rated and over-priced event called “convocation”, or better known as “graduation”.
Still, it might be my one and only chance at donning that gown so I’m quite excited about it. I just hope I don’t fall when I get up on stage to receive my degree. I think every soon-to-be-graduate fears that, but I have yet to actually see someone do it. And I don’t want to be the first.
I can’t believe I’m going back tomorrow.
Di, I’m missing you by just a few days, and for the second time this year. What the? Maybe you should pack winter clothes, it was 12 degrees yesterday. And we’re still calling it spring. (Ooh, another instance of “positive disillusionment”. I seem to be coming across quite a few of them.) Have fun, can’t wait to see you. In person.
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Lessons from Oprah
Posted on October 25, 2004, by soph, under Movies Music TV.
“Daytime TV is not for housewives and people with nothing better to do. Only Passions is. And Judge Judy.”
Today, I learnt that 62% of American women are overweight compared to only 21% of French women. French women are more likely to smoke, and they drink something like 14 gallons of wine a year. The ratio of men to women in England is 1:4. French people only work 35 hours a week by law, and take compulsory 5 week paid vacations. Mexican women do not exercise because their men like curves (but the presenter was skinny so it’s either genetic or she’s lying). Kuwaiti women do nothing but shop. The Emir of Kuwait gives all Kuwaiti newlyweds a $12,000 dollar wedding present. A vast, vast majority of South Korean women go for plastic surgery because they want Caucasian features. Malaysian women get exotic massages and cheap beauty treatments (again, lying). A Rwandan woman saw all 16 members of her family hacked to death one by one and only survived because the attackers were too tired to kill her. She has a son from rape. She says the only reason she survived all these years is because she gave her life to God. Oprah has arranged for her to go to college for free.
Yes, I watch Oprah. But only when I happen to be home. Some days I also watch ET, Mad About You and when my sister puts a gun to my head, Dr Phil. Kidding. Like I would let her keep the gun if we had one. But Oprah is definitely worth watching most days. I mean, who else would be able to show you stories like the one above, persuade Gwyneth Paltrow to rap, convince Jude Law to break dance, and arrange for a women to meet Tom Cruise because she was a huge fan of his. (Yea, like her and every other woman in the world.) Needless to say, my sister is supremely jealous.
And of course you’ve heard of her giving away cars to every single member of her audience. That woman is arguably the most influential black woman in the world.
I’m so going to miss telly in Australia. And so with 4 days to go in the land-that-does-not-know-spring-is-not-supposed-to-be-16-degrees, this entry is dedicated to my favourite television programs in Australia. Here’s what I can remember of my honour roll: read and watch while you still can.
Friends
Two and a Half Men (season ended)
Frasier
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Sex and the City
The Practice
Everybody Loves Raymond
Becker (season ended)
Will and Grace (season ended)
My Wife and Kids
Survivor
The Apprentice
The Amazing Race
Fear Factor (season ended)
Newlyweds
Good movies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
Notice how Australian Idol is missing. I refuse to name it as a favourite until the contestants start getting interesting and someone votes Marcia Hines out.
I know some of these are showing in Malaysia, but for some reason, I only ever watch TV here.
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2.46am
Posted on October 23, 2004, by soph, under Uncategorized.
Four weeks ago, I said that God would either make me a genius who worked really fast, or multiply my time. With exactly 7 days left, I realize He’s done the latter. I don’t know how I did it, but I have all but 1 essay sitting on my desktop, waiting to be proofread. I want to throw my hands up in the air and go, “It’s a miracle!”
I missed out on last night, but I’m not missing out on today. I hate to sound like I’m from the 17th century, but I have honestly never had an MSN 3-way conversation before. And I am thoroughly fascinated. But that’s not even half the fun. It’s so, so good to talk to you again. And where are you? On second thoughts, maybe I am missing out still.
You would think the presence of another person would stop me from pigging out on junk as much. But my sister and I seem to be encouraging each other to eat all the more. We blame it on stress, PMS, each other, and when all that seems to be getting old, ourselves. She says it’s my fault. But if you ask me, I reckon she eats even more when I’m not at home.
Brain shutting down. Hope I make it for brunch tomorrow. 600 words to go. I am going to be a very happy woman.
In the meantime, all you Singaporeans, check this out. The Malaysians watch and drool.
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Labs-perience
Posted on October 20, 2004, by soph, under Learning Curve.
Another thing I’m going to miss about uni is the computer lab(s). I’ve spent a small but important bit of my uni life in here, if it’s any consolation for the dollars I’ve given for this privilege. That is of course, if the dollars really do go here. Something tells me they do not. But forget it, that’s not what I wanted to write about anyway.
As you might have deduced, I am in the computer lab. Again. And I know it’s a public space and it’s a First Ammendment Right to freedom of speech (even though probably none of us here are even remotely American), but I should think it’s only natural to be just the slightest bit concerned when people start addressing their computer screens. Or should I say, cursing it.
I know what you’re thinking, you do it too. Hey, so do I. But only if the computer makes my life miserable (I mean, after all that technology you think they’d be that little bit more user-friendly and efficient and capable and intelligent…), or if I were doing programming. Which I don’t. But this lady’s computer was working fine. Heck, she was actually typing out what I presume to be her assignment, while cursing.
And so everyone in the computer lab tried their best not to stare at her when she started muttering, “F*** you, F*** you….”, mumble mumble mumble, “F*** you…”, mumble. And everyone tried not to be too disturbed when she progressed to, “I wish you were dead, f*** you, I wish you were dead, I wish you were dead, I wish you were dead…”
I must say even if it was the computer misbehaving, I’ve never heard someone wish their computers were dead before. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, people usually try to curse it to life.
“I wish you were dead…” Getting louder and louder. “F*** you, I wish you were dead.” Mumble, mumble, mumble, and suddenly she started to cry.
The stress of being a student in week 11 of the semester perhaps. Or is this an Aussie cultural phenomenon that I seem to have missed out on in the last 4 years?
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What About Me
Posted on October 18, 2004, by soph, under Movies Music TV.
Well there’s a little boy waiting at the counter of a corner shop
He’s been waiting down there, waiting half the day
They never ever see him from the top
He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground
He gets to his feet and he says
What about me, it isn’t fair
I’ve had enough now i want my share
Can’t you see i wanna live
But you just take more than you give
Well there’s a pretty girl serving at the counter of the corner shop
She’s been waiting back there, waiting for her dreams
Her dreams walk in and out they never stop
Well she’s not too proud to cry out loud
She runs to the street and she screams
So take a step back and see the little people
They may be young but they’re the ones
That make the big people big
So listen, as they whisper
What about me
And now i’m standing on the corner all the world’s gone home
Nobody’s changed, nobody’s been saved
And i’m feeling cold and alone
I guess i’m lucky, i smile a lot
But sometimes i wish for more than i’ve got
What about me, it isn’t fair
I’ve had enough now i want my share
Can’t you see i wanna live
But you just take more than you give
I’ve always liked Shannon Noll for some reason. Maybe it’s the whole country-boy-made-it-big thing, (I usually have this affinity for underdogs), maybe I just like this song, (I’ve never heard any of his other songs), maybe it’s his personality and his inability to dance, though to his credit, he does try.
But have you ever actually listened to the words of this song? It’s so beautiful and sad at the same time. It speaks of hardship, of the downtrodden, and at the same time about rising up in hope and standing up for oneself. How appropriate it is that this is the song that makes Shannon Noll, struggling farmer from Condoblin, the best-selling singer that he is.
This is going to be playing in my head for a while. For some reason, I’m just totally captivated by the word pictures of the little boy and the girl behind the counter. It makes me want to help the little boy up, and bring the girl behind the counter out.
Uhoh, laptop running out of battery.
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Account surprise.
Posted on October 17, 2004, by soph, under Web Stuff.
I was pleasantly surprised yesterday, to find that my Hotmail account’s capacity had increased to 250MB literally overnight. No, silly, I didn’t pay anything. It’s all thanks to Google and their 1GB gmail. Peer pressure at its most beneficial. From the pathetic 2MB of space I had before, I suddenly have no idea what I’m going to do with an additional 248MB. But don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll work something out.
2 essays to go.
12 days left.
I am counting down.
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Mental.
Posted on October 14, 2004, by soph, under Psychobabble.
I am crazy.
Anxiety
My assignment count is down to 3 from 5. Good job, you think? No, because I realize I have exactly 2 weeks and 1 day left. I guess technically you could consider it 2.5 though, because one of them has actually been written, but needs a little revamping. And one of them has not been proof-read. Oops, that makes it 2.5 + 0.5 = 3. Watch the Arts student attempting to do Math.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Right, so like I was saying, I am crazy. Why? Because I have a heap of journal articles to read for the 2 essays I’m trying to juggle simultaneously - I can’t decide which one I should concentrate on and so I seem to be doing both at the same time (what the? like I said, crazy), and I’m surfing blogs. What the? Like I said, crazy.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
All you people who think I don’t read your blogs, well, I do. And I just did. And I shouldn’t have, because it is now 11.21am and I should be doing work. And all I can think about is: I have so much to blog. You would think after a year I would be a little more self-controlled about blogging.
Bipolar Disorder
It’s a wonderful day. No, not because of the atrocious weather (is it supposed to be hot or cold today? I thought it was supposed to be cold, but it was so hot just now when I woke up), but because something amazing has happened. A miracle, the greatest one of all. And I am totally exhilarated, in awe, overjoyed…
Depression
I’m reading Prozac Nation now, and it is such amazing insight into people who are depressed. (Yes, I still have time to read). It is frustrating and heartstring-tugging at the same time, because I understand how clinically depressed people think and feel, while at the same time I don’t understand because I am not in their position. It is a happy book because the author recovers, but it is sad because so, so many people suffer from depression, hence Prozac Nation. She’s American, but Australians aren’t doing too well themselves either. 1 in every 5 Australians will suffer from some form of mental disorder in their lifetime. The most common one is of course, depression. Highly recommended for people who want to understand depression. Not recommended for people who are already depressed, unless you read only the last 100 pages or so.
Paranoia
I think my tutor hates me. I’m sure it’s going to rain as soon as I step out of the house. Godzilla is going to somehow escape from its aquarium and come near my person. I’m crazy.
It’s Mental Health Week in uni. They’re showing Harvie Krumpet tomorrow at Union House Theatre 1-2pm for free. It’s supposed to be some happy film, but I just want to watch it because it won the Oscar for best Clay Animation or some such. I can’t believe people actually make movies with clay animation. Well, even if it is (understandably) only 20 minutes long.
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Life yesterday. LifeYesterday.
Posted on October 10, 2004, by soph, under Politics.
Hearing other people’s election day experiences have made me realise just how lucky David and I were. So what if people chanted and danced and sniffed and burned our how-to-vote cards? At least we didn’t have people pick a fight with us, throw lighted matches at us, or scrunch up the how-to-vote card, throw it to the ground and pee on it. It takes a pretty secure man to do that in public, but that’s besides the point. At least we didn’t have to take up positions on opposite ends of the polling centre like some people had to.
No wonder some people said it was a terrible experience. I wonder, would I have felt the same way if I were there? Or would I take it all as part of the adventure and enjoy it? It’s hard to tell, but I would have to be one crazy girl to find people throwing lighted matches at me funny. I do know however, that if someone had spat on me, I would have gotten really mad. More than the matches. Not so much because of its humiliating connotations, but just because it would have been super gross.
Okay, enough about the elections. Howard won, Family First is set to win a Senate Seat, the Labor party is doing some soul-searching, what more is there to say? Unless his party deems him unfit, chances are Mark Latham will be back for Prime Minister 3 years hence. Or was it 4? And now the world turns its eyes towards Bush and Kerry, who get their turn in just over 3 weeks.
Shucks, it’s 5.32pm. Now that we know Jac is the Malaysian Idol, I wonder who the Australian one will be. Speaking of Malaysian Idol, check this out and be supremely jealous. I was, and still am.
And while you’re at it, pay Christian band LifeYesterday a visit too. They’re really not too bad at all.
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Oh, so ugly.
Posted on October 10, 2004, by soph, under Creatures.
Tell me this isn’t the ugliest, grossest, most hair-rising creature you’ve ever seen. Look at the feet, claws, whatever they’re called. Look at the fat belly. Look at the tail. It’s even striped, for crying out loud. This thing is humongous. I can’t believe people pay to own this thing. I’m going to be sick.
Will someone please tell Yuchun to get rid of it? Pretty pretty please…
