Pregnant pepper

I bought a capsicum yesterday. When I shook it, there was a sound of something moving inside. I initially thought that it was the centre part of the capsicum (where there are the seeds stuck on it) that had broken off and was moving about freely. But when I cut off the end, this is what I saw:


A better view:


These were inside:


And I cut the baby capsicum open just to see what it was like:

on the left you can see the cut surface; on the right, the cut surface is flat on the chopping board

Nah, I didn't eat it. It looked too weird.

Have you seen anything like this before? I definitely haven't!

TOEIC = English overdose

200 questions. Are you crazy?!

I just got back after the test. 100 questions on oral comprehension was bad enough, having to concentrate for 45 minutes, then another 100 written comprehension and grammar questions.

Does anyone remember how many questions there were for the TOEFLI? I don't remember feeling this exhausted after that test.

New sem, new people

How am I going to survive this?

It has been change, change all the time since 6 years ago. After leaving SABS, after five years with the same people, I suddenly find myself in a new place, with hardly anyone I know.

UiTM probably doesn't really count. Less than three months there, but I did meet quite a lot of people. Mainly through ping pong. (besides the French Programme of course) And some do last :)

Then Angoulême. People I had known for barely three months. And they were my only "family" around. Two years spent together, in this "foster family".

Then it breaks up. We part our own ways, and I get to INSA with zero people I know. (in my year of course) Activité théâtre, for icebreaking. It worked though. Better than nothing, at least.

2nd year. Classes change. Got a mix of people I knew and didn't know. No progress.

I am not good with people. Really.

Then, third year. Again, new people. I got my PRDCE group, a blessing (might be too strong a word though) that made me talk to others. It kinda worked, I believe...

4th year. Same people (almost) This time around, there was progress. But only in my class.

I'm still not good with people. I don't get how others manage it.

Next sem. Stage. There will be no one I know. Only people from the company. And what's more, not even students. It's going to be hard.

I'm highly apprehensive about this. How am I going to survive? I shall be coming back home to my computer. That's how. :s

See you guys online.

The bustling town centre

Coming out of the Agora site, we arrived in town.

This is a square called Monastiraki.

see the name of the square? (on the left)

the metro station

we arrived on the square from this street, where there's a flea market

There were a lot of people on the streets, be it shoppers, passers-by, vendors, or even...The Mask! ;P

bright yellow suit distinguishable even from a slight distance (I didn't want it to be too obvious that I was taking his photo)

Then we went to Syntagma Square, where there was a kind of Christmas park.

lots and lots of people

Santa with his pony (I guess reindeers are too hard to find)
There were several Santas, each with one tiny pony (are these Shelties? I remember reading about a kind of small pony called Shelties); they were really cute! (the ponies, not the Santas :P)

Hi... ^_^

the square seen from the other end (there were stairs coming up to where we were standing)

The Parliament was just beside Syntagma Square.


We only had to wait a few minutes for the changing of guards.

the new guards arriving

one of the guards who's about to leave

he leaves

and crosses the other one coming from the other side
(they stop further along the semi-circle, as you will see later)

the new guards preparing to go to their posts

there they go

they stop beside the others

the earlier ones leave

to go towards the one who brought the new ones

they line up

and are led away

the newly-arrived guards take their places

and yet another guard (he was already there when we arrived, taking care that the tourists didn't "ambush" the guards) straightened up their clothing

The guards' boots made a clickety-clackety sound on the ground...we thought that it was to resemble horses' hooves. Videos can supposedly be found on Youtube (I didn't try searching)

You find this fun?

I do not see where is the joy in making others suffer.

I do not understand where is the fun in making fun of others.

I'm all for a little joke. But sometimes people take it too far, it's not funny any more.

There were these jokes/riddles/games that started in Rouen, where there was a bunch of us Malaysians gathered together in Sia Ven and Yilie's place. The first one was the one-two-three joke. We make 3 formations with objects, telling you that the first one is one, and the second one is two, and then the third one is three. Then we make a fourth formation and ask you what it is. You guess wrong, and you simply do not get why the answer is what it is.

Then there is the key joke, where someone drops his keys onto the table and asks you to whom they belong now. That is the dumbest among them all, I think, because it is all up to chance and you might just miss hearing it (this might be cryptic, but it is all I can say without giving the game away)

There was also black magic and white magic...and the weird boy who likes certain things but doesn't like others. Like...he likes Pizza Hut but not Domino's, he likes Maggi but not Cintan, he likes toothpaste but not Colgate, spoons but not forks, etc. And you have to figure out why he likes these stuff and dislikes others.

These jokes were shared one night in Rouen, one after another. We sure had fun. But after that, it didn't die down. Instead, when there were others who didn't know these jokes, it somehow found its way into the conversation. And that's where it stops being funny. Because those who knew the answers refused to tell those who didn't (or to let others tell them). And not only at the beginning, not for a while, but for days, probably weeks...

Worse is when a bunch of people play the joke on a single person. Their "victim" is the only one who doesn't know the trick, and has to puzzle it out on his own while all the others look on knowingly.

The worst, is when that single person, already alone, is submitted to five jokes in a row. Wait, not even in a row. At the same time. Because before discovering the answer to one, he's already pushed into the next.

And don't say that it isn't unkind because you went through that yourself, that you also had to guess. Just because someone did it to you doesn't mean that you have to do it to others. That, to me, is akin to paying it forward...the "it" being revenge.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I have known this quote like forever (but I just found out that it comes from Jesus Christ), and I have always agreed with it. Why not? Another quote I like is from Dalai Lama: Be kind whenever possible...it is always possible. I wouldn't be so idealistic as to completely believe the second part, but I would say that it is more often possible than not.

I am not saying that I would not give others those riddles. I would. But riddles are to be answered, to be shared. In a friendly setting.

Maybe I am asking for a too ideal world. But I know that I am not completely alone in this, since I did not figure it all out on my own, and yet I know the answers. I shall pay it forward and/or back, you only need ask.

But I shall not post the answers here. Why? Because I want to be a sport. Because there is fun in guessing, as there is in making others guess. But there is a limit to everything. One should be able to give up and ask for the answer.

Authentic Cambodian-Thai cuisine...I think!

On Chinese New Year's eve we had a "quick" reunion dinner among Malaysians in Lyon. "Quick" because we simply went to a restaurant, since almost everyone was too busy with exams. We went to Saveur d'Angkor, a Cambodian-Thai restaurant that none of us had been to before.

from left: Goh, Reen, Fadhil, Aidan, and Phoebe

from left: Yi Zhou, Chun Tah, David, Dinie, and Mah

I didn't take photos of all the food but here are some:

prawn fritters (though I'm sure you don't need me telling you that)

something called assortiment charpadeur/chapardeur (can't remember)
This was absolutely good! It's to be wrapped in those leaves to be eaten.

fish fillet with mango salad
This was pretty good as well. (the rice is extra, and they didn't serve it this way, this is just for photographic purposes!)

magret de canard du chef (duck, chef's special)
This was what I ordered, it was quite good but nothing exceptional...and the duck was slightly raw, which made it a bit weird...I would have preferred it thoroughly cooked. This plate is for two people, don't be fooled by the quantity...

lok lak, a speciality with beef
According to the others, it wasn't good...and the beef was a bit raw as well.
By the way I learned that lok lak in Malay is used to describe someone who's a little crazy :P

again, no explanation needed (I don't even know what the dish is called or what sauce it is)

All in all, I found my assortiment appetizer good, but the main dish so-so. And the others didn't find theirs very good...if it weren't for the appetizer I probably wouldn't think of going there again, but as it is, I think I will! One day...so if anyone wants to join me, let me know! ;)

I am 12 years old.

Happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

It is the year of the ox. So I am 12 years old. ;)

Could I pass for a 12-year-old? Probably not. But I think I can pass for 18.

Which means that in 12 more years, I could probably pass for 24. Yay! :P

Between hope and fear

The warm sun feels lovely on my skin
streaming in through the window
as against the wall I lean
But I dare not open the window
for there is a cold wind
that might come in.

One can hope
possibly it is true
that the air is warm
But what if
waiting just beyond
is a storm?

Between hope
and a fear of deception
one hesitates
to step into action.

I knew it!

[Note: slightly disorganized post]

Guys just don't want to play badminton with girls.

I tell you that it's true. I often have difficulty finding someone to play with when I go to the badminton club in INSA. The problem is that I go alone, and most people go with a few friends and they play with their friends.

But even when they look for someone to play with, or a fourth person to complete a doubles game, even if I'm not playing they won't ask me. Not unless if they've played with me before. (and sometimes not even then) Why? 'Cos I'm a girl. I can see no other reason.

Want proof?

Today I played with a Chinese guy, and right after the first few strokes (one service) he said that I played well for a girl. Duh, I know that (I risk sounding arrogant, but whatever)

Want more proof?

I did badminton in EPS (sports class) this semester, and one thing that struck me was when the prof divided the class into two groups, one with the better players and the other with the rest. (I was in the better group) The less good (is that how we say it? sounds wrong...) players were to choose their partners among the better ones. And oh-SO-clearly, all the guys chose the guys first. (even the girls did that, but okay, that's fine 'cos they definitely need the extra energy)

Conclusion: no one wants to play with the girls :s

And it wasn't even because it was the first session, and that no one knew how the girls played. There was another girl there who plays really well, and she could beat like almost all of the guys there (that girl's definitely not me :P) But none of the guys chose her either...

The worst thing is that sometimes when I play with these guys who were "preferred" by better players to play with, they aren't even that good :/

So what can I do? What I need is to get a guy to go and play with me, to play several good strong strokes to prove to the other players that I can play.

But you know, it also comes from so many girls playing badly :/ So girls who don't even dare to give the shuttlecock a resounding whack, par peur de lui faire crier "aïe, ça fait mal!" ("because they're afraid that it will cry out in pain", the French expression just sounds better), just DON'T PLAY! Stop giving girls such a bad name!

Okay, I don't really mean that. That's unkind.

It's the guys who should stop categorizing girls as lousy players, without even having seen them play. Hey, give us a chance. There are also guys who play really badly, ya know. I've played with several before. So since there are guys who play well as well, the same goes for girls!

Bottom line: Don't make assumptions. Ça m'énerve!

Disclaimer: Okay, I do have to say that not all guys are like that, there are exceptions! Like Thierry and Xavier who immediately thought that I played really well when I said that I played "okay" :P (haha, I found that really funny, actually - oui, si jamais tu viens lire ceci, ça m'a bien fait rigoler) And my trusty partner Yu Hang. But then again, that might be just because they already knew me...I'm not sure they would go and play with a girl if they went to the club! (except maybe Xavier :P ) Okay I think I should shut up now. :P


Oh yeah, and besides...I wanted to mention this (the bottom line is definitely not the bottom line now! lol): at today's badminton session, I met several exchange students from Singapore. One was the Chinese I played with...I heard him speak English to another guy, and I thought it sounded Malaysian/Singaporean. So I asked him where he was from (I was pretty sure that he was Singaporean) and he said that he was from China, but was from NUS (National University of Singapore, if I'm not mistaken) He even pointed out several Singaporeans and a Malaysian who were doing a semester of exchange in INSA. He and the Malaysian will be in GE during the second sem...I wonder about the others. The Singaporeans were from either NUS or NTU (Nanyang Tech)

I never learn.

Note: This is a rant. Read at your own risk.

I organise something, I get all worked up and annoyed 'cos no one replies, and I swear (to myself at least) that I will never go through all this again because it's just not worth it.

But soon I start all over again, and the EXACT SAME THING repeats itself. I am sick of this. I am oh so sick of it, I really don't want to even TRY to do it again.

BUT. I'm sure I will do it again. I just never learn.

Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid me. Really. Idiotic. If there were a death penalty for first-degree idiocy I'd have been executed by now.

Hi-tech Agora

After Acropolis, we went to Agora, just beside it. Like was the case for Acropolis, I know nothing about the history, so I shall content myself with putting a few names of the buildings (or ruins).

the Stoa of Attalos

On the other side of the pillars. On the right is the Agora museum, we went in to take a quick look.
And I saw an ancient coin with the same owl motif that is on the current Greek one-euro coins.

Temple of Hephestus (Thesion)

a closer look (too close for comfort, I can't get the whole thing in the photo!)

and from Agora, we can see Acropolis...

Now there is something else we saw at Agora that I have to show you.

As you can see, it's very interesting.
(all twelve of them are there!)

this is what's so interesting

What do you think it is? Would you believe me if I told you it was a hi-tech dustbin, and that when you throw something inside it automatically sorts the trash for you?

You'd be right not to believe it. ;)

It's an information point. (did you notice the i on it?)

complete with a touchscreen!

Le démineur sur son CV?

Sur le forum de planète-démineur on a discuté du fait de mettre le démineur sur son CV. Malheureusement ce forum a été hacké et je retrouve plus la discussion. Donc je mettrai ici ce que je voulais y dire...

Pour ma recherche de stage de 4ème année j'ai mis le démineur sur mon CV. J'ai hésité...mais finalement je me suis dit qu'il valait mieux le mettre maintenant que plus tard, quand je chercherai un poste permanent.

Et donc j'ai essayé. Et franchement ça a pas fait de mal... Je saurai pas si ça a mis de l'avantage, mais vu que j'ai été reçue en entretien pour les 4 offres de stage auxquelles j'ai postulés, le démineur a certainement pas fait aux recruteurs de jeter mon CV à la poubelle! :D

Par contre pour les candidatures spontanées ça leur a pas fait penser qu'il fallait absolument me voir... :P

Pour la prochaine fois je me demande si je vais garder le démineur sur mon CV...

Visiting Athens

Our first stop was Acropolis.

Acropolis by night, taken the first night when we were looking for a restaurant.

We didn't go there until the next day.

waiting for the metro

The entrance to the historical sites is free for students, or else it's 12 euros for an Acropolis pass (that allows you into a few other sites besides Acropolis)

The sky was rather cloudy, but with breaks allowing the sun to shine through (see the patch of light?)

We slowly climbed up...


...taking photos along the way. :)

I have no idea what we were talking about...

In small groups...

with some of the guys

with some of the girls

...and in big groups.

that's all 13 of us

We didn't always have someone to take a photo for us, so sometimes we had to rely on ourselves. (or on Alex :P)

Our photographer setting up the camera to take the first group photo that you saw in my first Greece post.

We walked on...

Odeon of Herodes Atticus (a theatre)
this is Kai Lun's: I can't get the whole view in one picture with my camera!

I wasn't the only one who wanted a photo ;)
(Kai Lun's the one who took this)

trying to get a better view

As you can see, I can only get half the view (but it's with me, so it's unique ;P )

Propylaea (the gateway to the top of Acropolis)
It was so windy here!

on the steps

arriving at the summit; that's Parthenon in the background

And of course, we had to take photos beside it.


And why not away from it?

Oops, we kinda blocked the view. :P

So here you can see it ;)

And not forgetting a photo with Parthenon whole.

the seven guys

the six girls

As it got rather sunny, we decided to take some "summer" photos.

Athens in summer!
(it wasn't that cold, unless if the wind started blowing!)

After some cajoling, Pei Xin decided to join us.

Okay, to be honest, I can't remember whether she needed to be persuaded :P

This is what was behind us (with some of the others already there)

We proceeded to join them and take photos facing the other way.

with Kai Lun and Mah

with Priya, Shobana, Pei Xin, and again Mah

And took some more summery photos.

from left: Alex, Pei Xin, Shobana, me and Kai Lun
(hehe, I just noticed that we have 3 girls encadrées (framed, in a way) by the guys, very symmetrical)

On the way out of the site.

I don't believe I knew Sia Ven was there :P

That's all for Acropolis, till the next post! ;)

[Thanks to everyone for the photos, especially those whose photos I used/am going to use in my posts! I can't give credit for each and every photo, so thank you in advance! ^_^ ]