Hangover

It's official. I am currently suffering from an acute case of hangover after last night. No, I didn't drink (and I don't really drink by the way). The hangover I am suffering is not alcohol induced, rather holiday induced. Just last night, I returned to Melbourne after my enjoyable holiday back at PJ. Eat, play and having fun. Yes, what more can I ask after a semester break like that. Well, actually now I feel like asking for an extended semester break.

(PJ = Petaling Jaya)

Less than a full 24 hours in Melbourne, and I want to fly back to PJ already. I am sorry, it might be homesickness, but that's how it is. Like I told my friends, at PJ I can act like a king, simply because I am very comfortable and familiar with things there (not to mention I don't have to do all my house chores like cooking, washing etc). In Melbourne, it's a different story. Melbourne might look familiar to me, but I don't have the feel of being genuinely familiar here, even though I am probably more familiar with the city of Melbourne than the city of Kuala Lumpur (I am a PJ guy after all). I know how to get to Queen Victoria market, but I am not too sure about going to Central Market.

I think now it's time to be nostalgic and try to remember everything I did back at home. These are the notable ones:

1. Attended Shell's scholarship pre-briefing, then the actual interview.

2. Watching most of the World Cup matches, and highlights of every single match.

3. Catching up with my E3 mates, the E3 way!

4. Went back to Taiping to see my grandparents, not to mention to eat too! Seriously, Taiping has great food.

5. Attended two Great Eastern scholarship assessments.

6. Spending quality time with family (in accordance with my belief that family is important -check the post before this).

7. And of course eating!

Anyway, I wanted to upload a picture of my room when I was in the middle of unpacking, but my laptop can't recognize the camera when I plugged in the USB cable. Excellent, after I brought it all the way here from PJ.

So, back to studying and cooking, washing etc. Hello Semester 2.

Alas

Yes, the end of July is near. This signals the end of the month (thank you Captain Obvious), and also means that I have to return to Melbourne soon to resume my academic adventure. But definitely, I have enjoyed my last few weeks in Malaysia, be it with friends, family or food (the 3Fs). I dare not weigh myself, fearing that if I would crush the weighing scale if I were to step onto it. Alas, I overindulged in my consumption of the fine food here.

Anyway, sometimes I wonder how many of us do actually sit down and start to appreciate the many things in life. At least we don't wake up to terrorist attacks in our neighborhood, or war in our country.

We bury ourselves in Facebook, iPads and admire them, but how many of us wake up early enough in the morning and appreciate sunrises?

We might be whining about how difficult it is to study, or how did that lazy idiot get the promotion, but at least we got a roof above our heads. When things take a turn for the worse, at the very least we got a home to take refuge in.

Alas, not many people appreciate the things in life. But perhaps the most under-appreciated 'thing' is family.

More often than not, many people spend very little time with their family. Even having meals together is becoming increasingly scarce. I believe that family is the backbone, the foundation of our lives, and if we have healthy family relationships, we can live life better.

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Frankly, I was quite disappointed with the recent World Cup final between Holland and Spain. I drudged out of bed at 2.30 am to watch the live telecast, but soon wished that I continue sleeping instead and perhaps catch the highlights later. There was a bitter taste in my mouth, the way the Dutch played, the way they pushed, shoved and even karate kicked to disrupt Spain's passing game. (Note: I was supporting the Dutch)

I was hoping to see some eye pleasing football, but got 80,000 fouls instead, wait, sorry, there was the attendance at the Final . If FIFA chooses not to use technology, at the very least they should have a rule that forces teams to play some attractive football. Alas, the World Cup was a let-down, with many teams playing defensively. The problem was that everyone was so afraid of making mistakes. Being a purist, I would definitely want more teams in the future to play more attacking football.

Besides, what happen to fair play? Like when Frank Lampard's shot went over the line and the German keeper saw it but kept quiet. Or when Luis Suarez used his hands to prevent Ghana advancing to the semi-finals. Disappointing.

Now I Know

When I arrived back home from Melbourne a few weeks back, there was something I felt it was different. Refreshingly different. No, it's not the weather, not the food, not the people. Okay, I lied. It's something to do with people, females to be exact. No, it's not that Melbourne chicks are uglier or Malaysian girls are prettier. The truth is

*drumrolls*

*raised curtains*

I see less make-up here. Yes, I honestly think that way too many female homo sapiens at Melbourne wear make-up. I think its way better to see less make-up because (obviously) I don't like girls wearing make-up. I see tonnes of university students wearing make-up, some even really heavy make-up. I mean, why la? Are you modelling in university? Or do you have so much free time in the morning before leaving for classes? So yes, after about 2 weeks of bumming around in Malaysia, I finally realized what was different that was poking at my conscience all this while. Yes, the answer is girls' make-up.

Okay enough of that. Inevitably, I will now talk about the World Cup. Like many football fans out there, I tried my hand in predicting results and to see whether is there a future for me as a football pundit. So, these are my predictions prior to the respective matches.

1. France will fare badly in this World Cup

I was right. What a French farce.

2. England would reach the semi-finals.

I was totally wrong. The English players even had the cheek to say they were bored in between matches.

3. North Korea would at least get a point.

I was wrong. Come on, you gotta pity the North Koreans. Apparently, they have to work in coal mines as a form of punishment. Talk about severe punishment.

4. Portugal will get knock out at the group stages, with Ronaldo failing to score.

Wrong, again. But Ronaldo played as if he was the only Portuguese on the pitch, often ignoring his teammates. Note to Ronaldo, football is a team game.

5. Germany will beat Argentina.

I was right. Maradona is the coach after all.

6. Spain will beat Paraguay 1-0.

Spot-on!! Seriously, I actually predicted Spain will win by that scoreline.

7. Germany will beat Spain.

We all know the real result.

8. Netherlands will be the new world champions.

We shall see.

Not too shabby right? If Prediction #8 is correct, I would get 50% of my predictions right, and that is, well, actually, not too good. Paul the Octopus is a way better football physic than me.