On the Eve of Merdeka day

Waiting in the HR room early in the morning

After much difficulty in preparing for yesterday's interview with the Star, I managed to secure the job after a grueling 3 hour test in the morning and a short interview session in the afternoon. The wait was long and I grew more nervous with each passing minute. The psychology game to break me before the interview was certainly working, fortunately I managed to keep myself sane before the day was over.

By 10.20 in the morning I was already working on my test paper. Was a tough as nails test. Have never encountered so many words that I did not know. I was even stuck when it came to the essay section, what a time to have a writter's block. I handed in my paper by lunch time and had a simple lunch at one of the small restaurants in the office area.

Later in the afternoon, I sat in for the interview and was surprisingly calm throughout the entire session. I guess, things do work out better when you are actually doing something you anticipate for. In anycase, by the end of it, I was set up to take the job. All that is left is to hand in my certs and go for a medical check up. Whew, pretty normal despite the big changes this will bring about.

Will be seeing this more often...as well as....

this... and

..building in the coming months and years...

Just interested to note that I noticed this plastic surgery clinic around the office area. I wonder who are the target clients? Office ladies with a need to impress the guys possibly?

The plastic surgery clinic. Odd place to find it in a middle of an office area

A Wet and Messy Street Party

The air was filled with anticipation as a small number of party goers invaded the Sunway Monash park lot area. Two large tents housed the stalls set up by the various clubs and societies of Monash University. The tents came in handy as the evening proved to be wetter (not better) than expected. Most of the people miggling around the stalls were either members of the clubs doing some last minute preperations with the stall or curious on lookers (like yours truly).

There's Basil on the left making an important call. Behind him is the enormous sound system deck that was used to control the equipment on stage.

Well, whats a party without some performances to spice things up. Some of our brave Monashian talents were up early on the stage rehearsing their acts for the night. Those of us around the stalls, got a taste of what was to come as rock bands, rappers and the occasional solo performer belted out their songs for all to hear.

The Monash Business Club (MBC) booth was alive with activity as members worked to make the store presentable to potential customers. The business club people had their work cut out for them, having to manage three stalls (Burgers, Cincau and Ice Cream) at once.

The Ramly Burger stall proved to be one of the most popular stalls during the party. Our man in black here, was frying burgers for 4 hours straight. No rest for him at all.

Members of the Christian Fellowship going over last minute checks on their equipment before the performances began.

Things took a turn for the worse when it started raining. I was trapt at the MBC booth having nowhere to go and not possessing an umbrella at the time.

The first drops of rain sent panic througout the clubs and societies as people rushed to protect their wares from the elements

Another customer waits to be served.

The message board was merciessly destroyed by the rain.

People were crowding around the tents like sheep huddled together as the rain came down upon us.

While the rain wasn't doing any good for business, people were still eager to buy burgers from our stall.

Just look at the number of burgers churned out. There's enough to feed an army!

Lucky for us, the rain wasn't about to last through the entire night. Things started looking up after 8.30 when people started to walk out to the area infront of the stage to watch the starting of the performances.

People finally moving out into the open.

One of the many dance routines that were performed that night. This is one is done by a dance troupe from Sunway College. If you're looking for numbers, you'd best start looking there.

Next up, we had the dreaded Noodle Eating Competition. Each contestant had to finish an entire cup of Maggi cup noodles.

At last, the victor emerges after having truimphantly devoured all the noodles in the cup.

Well, it wasn't all fun and food at the party. The audience was also treated to other activities like free T-shirt giveaways and live band performances. The following act saw the Indonesian band Lightcraft performing their songs. Oddly enough some of their songs (sung in English) were reminiscent of the Brit band Coldplay.

Lightcraft entertaining the audience with their mesmerizing tunes.

Another shot of Lightcraft's guitarist jamming some tunes.

To my surprise, the student council organized yet another food eating competition. This time it was a burger eating competition. With the help of the MBC's burger man, all the contestants were ready to chomp on their burgers as fast as possible.

Surprisingly there was one lone female contestant willing to stand up to the challenge of taking on the big boned guys of Monash. That's Jacqueline at the side (she was picked to be judge for the event)

Contestants were in a heated battle against the clock and their stomachs. MUSA kindly provided some drinks in the event that somebody chokes on his/her burger.

The guy in black emerged as the winner.

Our two motor-mouthed MCs urging the crowd to come closer to the stage before the performance by rock/heavy metal group Red Dragon. Free T-Shirt throwing commenced shortly after this picture.

The band was still busy doing last minute preperations. The lead singer was stalling for time by telling us loads of bad jokes.
E.g.: You all should let your hair down, cause I certainly can't (He's bald btw).

Interestingly enough, Red Dragon is one of the few bands that has a female bassist.

The action was heart pounding and intense. These guys are really full of energy. Jumping and stomping at every move, all done without missing a single beat of the music.

Another shot of the two lead vocalists on stage.

I really like this shot cause of the smoke and the shadows in the pic.

An emotional shot as one of the vocalists reaches for the stars.

Half of K-Town Klan (another local group) turned up on stage to do a collaborated performance with Red Dragon.

Here, we see all three vocalists striking a pose before ending the song.

The brave people at Monash weren't left out when it came for their turn to shine during the night's program of performances. Though, some groups did sound better than others (which I would have to decline naming).

Here's a group mostly consisting of Sri Lankans singing some ol' pop songs.

There was a large crowd gathering around the stage during the performance.

The lead vocalist was calling out for the crowd to sing with him (ala Robbie Williams style). He didn't succeed in getting shy Monashians to strech their vocal cords.

Next up was the performance of the night done by the CF (Christian Fellowship) Band

The guys were mostly singing out Hillsongs during their act.

Even the guitarists needed to lend their voice to the mix.

The CF group succeed in getting the crowd pumped up and jumping.

It was time to pack and head home as the night drew to a close.

The very last shot I took at the Street Party. This is some kinda weird choclate fountain that people use to dip fruit and marshmellow into.

Bday Day = Getting older Day

Another day goes by. Another year has past. Another year to get older. Yup, I am now 22 years old. 21 just passed me by and before I knew it, 22 comes along. Well, looking back on 21. I know I will miss it. Was one of the best years I've had. Nothing seemed to have gone right at 20, but 21 was a good year as I recall it to be.



Woke up today with the feeling that it was going to be a long day. The Sun was glowing dull red today, a sign that the haze is still around us. Damn, open burning. Followed bro to uni to while my time away, better than sitting at home all day long.

Uni still looks the same. Same posters have been up since last year.

Later, decided to head over to Pyramid to have lunch with Kat. A lil' change from the normal everyday food that we get outside the campus. Wow, parking at that place is worse than ever. Not only is half the mall in a mess, but the parking situation has worsened. They've closed off level 6 and above, leaving people to search for parking spaces at the new section (which wasn't any better since we had to walk a distance back to the old entrance).

Decided to have Sushi King for lunch. Yuumm....Sushi...

Oh, little conveyor belt, how slowly you move. What you bring next I never know.

Plenty of people in the ice skating rink. It is the school holidays after all.

An aerial view of the action down below. Look at all the lil' people go!

Went back to uni to bum around some more and wait for my brother to finish his class. The Monash Ball booth is right infront of the staircase. Not going for it this year.

Kat's been pretty busy with MBC stuff. The ice cream sale is back though this time it is more of a fund raiser than a charity sorta thing.

Kat packing stuff up

Went back home for a short while before heading over to The Curve for dinner at Marche. Was pretty ok considering that there was a large variety of things to choose from. Really like the pasta (its even better than the stuff I got in the States). The set up of the place is pretty unique too. Almost every corner of the restaurant carries its own theme. One part may look like a table under a tree, the next would be like the interior of a cosy Italian restaurant.

A unique set surprises visitors to this Swiss restaurant.

The restaurants various stalls are open for all to see. Watch cooks as their prepare your meal. Just remember, if you have anything nasty to say, please remember to do so after you've been handed your dish.

Here's a Salmon topped Pizza. You sure don't get that at Pizza Hutt.

The juice bar is the first stall that greets customers.

Cineleisure in the evening.

A view of the same place from a different angle.

The Street lighted up at night. Minus the weekend Bazaar

A water fountain

The Curve is full of places with nice water features. Here's one of them.

A random shot from the grounds of the Asian section of the Curve.

So ends my days as a 21 yearer and so begins my year as a 22 year old. I pray to God that I do not screw up in my up coming job interviews. Hopefully I will be able to land a job that I like to do or possibly something that has good career prospects. Here's to the new year ahead of me!