A Life Less Ordinary

How does it feels to be the youngest president of a political party in the nation? It must be great. Larry Sg is believed to be the youngest president of a political party in Malaysia at the age of 28 years old when he won the number one post unopposed in Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) yesterday.

To be really honest, I was really glad that the thing is over. At least for now. The never-ending dispute within somehow made me think that how weak and frail can a party be. I just hope that it will be a change for the better. Just put a DOT to whatever have been happening in the past few months or years.

Just would like to pick a few lines from his speech :

” Don’t think for one moment that I will let any member break our house down. They can eat our food, drink our water, sleep in our bed but not kick us out of the house that we built together. No one will let this happen”

” If they want to get rough, we will not stand down without a fight; we will not surrender unless we all agree to surrender. We will exercise our rights, to choose whom we want to stay and to go, and today our members have choosen”

Well, that’s the end for James Jemut Masing for now.

The guy is just 3 years older than me and he’s already a president of a party and he won it unopposed. What more can I say? Of course given that he got a political background that his dad, Datuk Sng Chee Hua was a former deputy? I’m not quite sure of that but definitely somebody big in the party – He might have got the extra edge to be known, well relatively known, but then let’s hope that he’s worth the dime.

On wether he would lead the party as his own man or as his father’s son, he replied :

” I think we should not look at it in that light. Of course I am the son of Datuk Sng Chee Hua wether I like it or not, that’s the fact”

” But I think, when people elected me, they elected me as Larry Sng. I would like to think that I Have an independent mind, but whatever I do I put the interest of the party before me”

Well said, let’s see and hope that he walk the talk.

Source, The Borneo Post, Saturday, March 31, 2007

I got this from my friendster’s buletin board. I’m kinda bored. So I just join in 

You know when your birthday is, but how old should you really be getting
married? (just put an x next to the things that apply to you)

[x] I know how to make a pot of coffee – Duh?
[  ] I keep track of dates using a calendar. – only to know when’s the next payday
[  ] I own more than one credit card – I don’t even have the job!
[  ] I know how to change the oil in a car – I’ll ask my dad
[x] I know how to do my own laundry – Yeah. I love washing machine
[  ] I vote every election – Psssttttt! Don’t tell anyone
[x] I can cook for myself – Cooking made easy with Cibol
[ ] I think politics are exciting – Lame
[ ] I balance my checkbook – What the hell is that?
[ ] My parents have better things to say than my friends – Not my dad
Total: 3

[x] I show up for school/college/work every day early – I’m guai ma
[ ] I always carry a pen in my pocket/purse – For?
[x] I’ve never gotten a detention – Hell yeah!
[ ] I have never smoked a cigarette – Marlboro Mild, I’ve changed.
[x] I have never gotten completely trashed – Once
[x] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once – When I’m not with my family
[x] I like to take walks by myself – All the time
[x] I’ve watched talk shows – Oprah, Conan O’Brien, David Latterman
[x] I know what ‘credibility’ means without looking it up – Hell yeah!
[x ]I drink coffee at least once a week – Everyday!
Total: 8

[x] I know how to do the dishes – Duh?
[x] I can count to 10 in another language – Hana, Deul, Set ….. sak, dua, telok
[x] When I say I’m going to do something I do it – I do. Honestly!
[x] My parents trust me – But they don’t let me drive. I wonder why?
[x] I can mow the lawn – I did that in school
[x] I can make adults laugh without being stupid – sometimes
[ ] I remember to water the plants – Nahhhh!
[x] I study when I have to – Of Course! Why do you think I did my degree in 5 years?
[x] I pay attention at school/college – Same with above
[x] I remember to feed my pets – They nagged me to!
Total: 9

[x] I can spell ‘experience’ without looking it up – Blinfolded more like it
[x] I work out on a regular basis – Look at those abs man!
[x] I clean up my own mess – I wipe my own ass. Does that counts?
[x] The people at Starbucks know me by name – Starhill outlet, yup!
[x] My favorite kind of food is take out – Of Course, when I was in KL
[x] I have gained weight since middle/high school – Macho more like it
[x] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine – Kopi “O” kaw
[] I can go to the store without getting something I don’t need – Nahh
[ ] I understand political jokes the first time they are said – Can you repeat that please?
[x] I can type quickly – Kind of
Total: 8

[] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour – Like I have no life
[] My only friends are from my place of employment – Same as above
[] I have been to a tupperware party – What in the name of God is that?
[x] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job – That’s what my dad has been telling me

[  ] My friends are older than I am – Not really
[ ] I can say no to staying out all night – I slept at 10:30 pm every night
[x] I use the internet every day – Hell yeah! It’s God
[ ] My wardrobe hasn’t changed in a while – Huh? Dude, I’m in fashion!
[ ] I can read a book and actually finish it – Dream on. I finished “Mari Menghafal Sifir” though
Total: 2

3 + 8 + 9 + 8 + 2 = 30

Add everything up, I got a total of 30. So, according to this game, I’ll be married by the age of 30. That’s like 5 years more. Time is running out. What am I supposed to do? Cheebuy … Life is more than that

I missed my schooling days more than anything. I think it was the best time of my life. I’ve never have been happier. Not to mention I was so fuckin slim that time. I weight around 49-50 kg, my pants size was 29 and despite relatively should be wearing M sized clothing, I was always done in XL sized long sleeves.

Uniform style was a big thing back then. Talk about the most posh school pants that ever exist on this motherfuckin planet earth, Grassmen. Yeah, that’s the brand that every single boy in the school was using. I don’t know wether it is still an in kinda thing now. It was always done in 30-20-20 straight cut. Some goes to the extreme of 24-24, that was crazy “pengyu”.

Mine was 30-20-21, not to the extreme but a little more than ordinary. It was a cool design back then. I wonder if Jason, the owner of Grassmen still rocks and get as much order as it used to. A pair of Grassmen’s pants would cost me at about RM 45 which is pretty much very extravagant for a 17 year old hostel student back then. I own 10 pairs. I will make sure that I have 2 pairs each year. So, you see I spent a hefty amount of RM 450 being in that particular school just for my pants. Oh Ya, during my fifth year, I wore another brand, Apaches Tailor. So I have 3 that year and that means I have 11 altogether. It was cheaper than Grassmen. If I’m not mistaken it was about RM 38.

I don’t come from a filthy fuckin rich family but I surely can survive without money as we were all well fed in school. My parents would give me at about RM 50 per month. I will finish it in one day and the next 29 days with dust in my pocket, I don’t mind. I was well taken care of.

What I like about school was not the studying part, eventhough being in an elite school does give you a little bit of a pressure sometimes, the best part was the bond that we have among student. I know every fuckin students in my batch. Well, it was mainly because a class is not more than 23 students I guess and we only have 4 classes per grade. Our class, used to be 20 till I got to my fourth year it was trimmed down to only 14. So, we were like family. A freakin happy family, very closed knit.

The secret for being famous was to be active in either sports or singing. To be honest, you won’t be that famous if you excel in your studies, eventhough it’s an elite school. It was not really a big thing back then. Being in sports, atheletics or football, you will sure be famous. I am not suggesting that I was famous but to be fair I think I was. I was in atheletics. Ok, I know this sounds crazy but both Bongkersz and me were in long jump and high jump. Don’t believe me ah? Shit .. I wish I have pictures to show you all la. We were fuckin slim back then ehh .. Not that we’re getting fat now la, but a little bit chubby la. Adorable is another word for it. 🙂

Well, I was just thinking about all of those moments that I’ve spent there. It was so wonderful. I was happy and feel blessed to have met the wonderful people in school. Be whoever it is ..

When are we going to have our reunion?
Cheers,

Cibol

I received a somewhat of a morning delighting email few days ago :
Hi Archibald,

Thank you for your resume. We have positions for SPM up to degree holders in various disciplines. We may submit your name for any of those. The lowest salary for SPM Positions would be RM [X] up to RM [X] per month exclusive of Over Time. This scale has been decided by [company X].

If you agree, we will submit you from entry level onward. Please state your current salary which we do not see in your resume.

Thank you.
Human Resource Manager
[company X]

Ask me if I agree? Of course I do agree! I’m grateful!

Well, I have been applying for this particular company God knows for how many times I did and finally they replied to my application. I can’t help it but to feel too happy about the whole thing. Well, at least there’s hope. Nothing is confirm just yet but pray to God that everything will turn out fine.

—————————————————————————————-

You know sometimes I could just rant and rant whole day long about everything and nothing at all. I could just grab a cup of coffee and start writing whatever came up to my mind. I just feel free to express how I feel, how I look at life. In other way it kinda help me to ease a little bit of my agony from the problems that I face daily. Not that I have any but somehow it does works wonders.

It’s like every single post I made, I’ll be happy with it and I’ll be a lot happier when I can finally share it with people around me, be it with family members or maybe someone I do not know personally such as my fellow bloggers and those who read my blog.

At this particular moment I am craving for a nice cup of decaf capuccino which I really miss. Back in KL I would just have this everyday. Well, not really but almost. I could just sit there for hours. The thing about Starbucks is that, it’s a place where actually for people who don’t really know how to make a decision, have to make decision fast be it decaf cappuccino, expresso, mochacino or choco latte or whatever it could be. Within that split second, you must make your decision. For a non-regular, you’ll be standing at the back reading what’s in for order and it’s very easy to know wether you’re a regular or not a regular.

Isn’t that more or less like life?

I don’t actually really know of what to write, so I guess I must be like one of those who are standing at the back of the line waiting for there’ll be nobody else at the counter so that they can order their drinks with their own sweet time without being exposed to the danger of being laughed at because they don’t really know what to order. Sometimes, things happened truly because it’s provoked and even deserved.

It’s amazing what does things happening and that are revolving around us can serve us. A daily digest perhaps that will help me or you to create and look for chances in the future, we never know. We can’t always depends on luck to get things done. Knowledge itself is not enough. You need to “Go To The Mattresses”, means go to war.

 I’m moving on

Cheers,

Cibol

“You know what? I think you’re a true romantic knight trapped in a modern body. 🙂 “

What a remark.

I decided to take this personality test Raph mentioned in on his latest post. To my surprise, some of you know me better.  

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties. – Well, I think some parts of it. I don’t want to be prejudice towards anybody so I will always listen to stories from both sides. I do agree that I am a very down-to-earth person which I believe Raph is also one of them. About that efficient problem solver, let me think of it first but I do think I’m a good listener. 

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true. – That’s what people has been telling me all these while. I don’t know but maybe I am. 

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person. – I don’t see that I have a peroblem with this. Spot on.

The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates. – Plenty of dates? Well I do .. I think so.

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can. – Doesn’t really sounds right. But I’ll just agree then

The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don’t focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success. – Spot on.

How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying. – I am

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don’t ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you. – I thought everyone does

Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long. – Spot on.

Bow I’m done here .. pretty much. I want to tagg somebody .. (Bongkersz, Lynnx01, Charyelle and Lola)

Just want to know a little bit more about you guys. I should have tagg more but then, some of them doesn’t really blog often. I just don’t want to spoil the fun.

I’ve always been a big fan of touchy movies, shows. Well, maybe not those sappy sad movies like Winter Sonata or Autumn In My Heart. I find myself rather amuse by stories of single parents especially single fathers. I’m not being bias here okay but really. I never missed a single episode of Kevin Hill, only when I woke up late, the show starts at 10 am.

I watched Sleepless In Seattle a couple of times. It was not because it’s a Tom Hanks’ movie – I’m a big fan. It was because I was rather amazed by how Tom potrayed the image of a single father to me. It was rather the bond between a father and a son that got me into the whole thinking of being a single father. I mean imagining that I am one. It’s not that I lost hope in getting involved in a relationship or something like that but it’s interesting and to take such responsibility is .. I just don’t know the exact word to describe.

I mean instead of the normal routine of we get up, get to work, you make meals, have sex – that normally married couple applies in their daily life, it’s something more than that.

I was hooked up with Big daddy when it first came out. I think it was back in my schooling days. Everytime i watch that particular movie I told myself, I can be like him. I can be a cool dad. I can rock the party hard with my kid. I can do that. I’m sure I can. What Sonny can give Frankenstein, I can give the same effort and whatever he can give too. Isn’t it wonderful? It’s a wonder.

It actually reminds me of this song from Boyzone “Isn’t It A Wonder”.

Now, another movie that I’m dying to watch. “The Pursuit of Happyness”. That’s how they spell it. I’m not doing any typo error here.

Well, to be honest there’s not many movies that Hollywood made that is this good. Well, to name a few like Forrest Gump. It’s so touching in a way. I’m not being bias because I like Tom Hank but I do find that was worth every dime I paid for my astro. I got a copy of the DVD which I bought 2 years ago. It was still expensive back then.

The Pursuit Of Happyness, what can I say. It can make you cry, laugh and be thrilled at the same time. Will and Jaden are just perfect, a couple made in heaven. Of course it’s a lot easier to show real passion and love when acting with your own blood. I give it two thumbs up. I never really like watching movies which settings took place in the disco era. You know afros and fuckin colourful balls grabbing tight outfit. This one, forget about the dress, forget about the settings just enjoy the emotion sickening moments.

Best of all, if you are a thinker, this movie will challenge your visions of family, business and society. On one hand, the film reinforces the great American myth of the self-made man and equal opportunity. Myths are not necessarily false simply for being myths, we can make some of them true by choice, and our belief in this myth still helps make our country great. 

Isn’t that inspiring? Well, hopefully by watching it, it’ll make me to be inspired more and more each day and on going for years to come instead of just a few hours after the movie. That’s the driving force that I really need.

And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through, this I promise you ..

Sounds sweet eh? Talking about promises, a phrase that immidiately came to my mind was “Promises were meant to be broken”. It is so commonly use and being practic.It kinda remind me of my schooling days. Yeah, those lovey dovey days whereby where you had your first kiss, first date, first love, first crush, first whatever first that you can think of. I think I already did blogged about my first kiss. Crazy old time stories.

The idea to blog about this came after my sms chat with Bongkersz :

“He called just now. He’s working here at the moment. Got kids already la”

“Wah, what happen to the janji?”

“Janji? What janji? Eh .. tell me la. I forgot liaw la”

“I thought you know better ma. Eh .. that janji of what ah .. 27 years ka something like that. Get married at 27 or 2007 something like that. Scary hor .. Luckily I was never involved in this janji-janji stuffs”

It sounded like the 9th Malaysian Plan to me ..

“Fark .. It does rang a bell but I can’t fuckin remember what the fuck that was. Damn, this will be one hell of a thing that I will talk about when I meet both of them”

SNAP .. Now I remember

This is a story of Tommy and Gina (Real name would not be reveal to avoid being circumsized for the second time in my life if they find out that I blog about this)

Gina is about the same age as me. Well, actually we were from the same batch. She’s a funny, easy going and sometimes a moody kinda person. It’s kinda fun to hang out with her actually except for the part that she always seems to have this unpredictable and never ending PMS behaviour that sometimes I really really can’t stand. Apart from that, she’s just awesome. A very good friend of mine.

Tommy on the other hand is 2 years my senior. I used to hate him a lot. You know la seniors. They can really be an ass hole sometimes. Make you do a lot of stuffs. He’s a very bossy type of person. A Man United fan. Sum it up, a moron. Still, I keep in touch with him. Like a brother, a moron brother of mine. He’s not that bad anyway.

Whenever they go out on a date or something I will always be there. I hang out with Gina a lot. That’s why Tommy can’t butt me out. I’m adorable bah .. 🙂 So, I pretty much know about what’s going on between them. It’s not that I’m being kay poh or what just that they will tell me stories. Like Tommy, he will be telling me bedtime stories that I don’t think I really need to hear but have to “jaga perasaan” I will pretend that I’m listening la.

Tommy kinda treated me real good actually. Too good until he try to match make me with a date partner. You know, while they go out on a date, they want to make sure that there will be somebody to occupy my lonely soul so that I won’t be fucking bored which actually happens everytime. I do feel like pelakon tambahan  sometimes .. of course.

They got me a farking big ass bitch. She suck big time. Not that I’m into looks and stuffs ( I actually do mind though) but this girl is just so out of this world. She have this big ass mouth and could not stop yelling at you with her high pitched, opera liked tone. She actually sounded like Alvin as in the cartoon Alvin and the Chipmunks. It irritates me. She always try to be cute and believe me it’s not funny when she told the whole school that I’m her boyfriend and to every single ladies in the school “Please keep your eyes off Cibol, he’s mine”. 

Ok, enough about that. This is supposed to be about Tommy and Gina and not about me. Well, you see .. Tommy and Gina have this passionate relationship whereby you can see them everywhere together. Whenever you see Tommy, there Gina will be and same goes the other way around. They just can’t a single minute apart from each other. Be it to the church on Sunday, bus ride and even when Tommy is playing football Gina will be by the side on the bench watching and munching. (That’s why she’s freaking fat chubby)

There’s this thing about Tommy and Gina that sometimes I just really can’t tolerate with. They have this obsession of teasing each other so badly until everytime they crack up a joke on each other I will be in the middle of it. It’s like everything also have to say “Kan Cibol kan?” or “True or not Cibol?”. Well to be honest, it’s like watching “When Harry met Sally”. They were the Romeo & Juliet or Bonnie & Clyde of the school. (I made that up – not really).

You see, Tommy and Gina had this pact that they made to each other. Because the loved each other so much they decided that, “Hey that’s it. I’m the one for you and you’re the one for me and we’re gonna make this real yo”. You know what I’m sayin? The pact includes, they planned to get married in the next 10 years from that day itself. I remember that was the year that I was sitting for my PMR, so it was 1997. If I’m not drunk I might got this calculation right. Yeah, that’s 2007 for you baby! Bang .. This is the year where my dad turns 50. If wasn’t for Bongkersz, I wouldn’t have remembered this ya.

And now, 2007 .. Welcome to the real world .. Tommy and Gina now are both happily married the only different was not to each other but with somebody else. Man .. I would have sure that I will remember this forever. See, I told you, promises were meant to be broken ..

Set it off

Cibol

So Just To Let You Know
words by bernard archibald
music by hezron g.koro / bernard archibald

Verse 1:

i’d like to close my eyes and feel the warmth of your hands
i’d like to be endured in this never-ending dream
the thought of you made it possible
the longing is so incureable
and I .. believe

chorus :

it’s like a tattoo in my heart
I can never let it go
So hard to be apart
so just to let you know
I can’t live without you by my side
won’t ever think of letting go
so just to let you know
I love you so …

verse 2 :

riding through the crossroads of my life
i find myself just lost inside this misery
then came along a ray of wonderous sillhouette
you shine upon my life and now I’m freed
and I … believe

Bridge :

and I can think of a million lies
when it comes to loving you
but i can’t stand to fool myself anymore
cause you’re the one i want
i can never let you go …

It’s something that I thought would be an ideal Valentine’s Day gift. Too bad it can’t be completed in time. There’s always next year and Hey, like they say .. Everyday is Valentine.

P/S : This has nothing to do with Jesse McCartney’s “Just So You Know” eventhough it has more or less the same title.

The past few months after I turned 25, most of the topics that mom  and dad frequently talked about is marriage. Everything related to the holy matrimony. It’s like giving me a hint that I should be thinking about it now. Indirectly that is. You know when they start to ask you stuffs like :

“Where you think you would like to buy a house?”

That will lead to :

“Make sure it’s spacious, enough for all of your children”

The other day,

“How is Killin? Have you spoken to her lately?”

“Yea. Doing well. Pretty busy with work I guess”

“How is the BF?”

“I don’t know, I’m not his baby sitter”

“Any plan on getting married?”

“Yea, she did mention that there is but there’s still so much to settle”

“Good. The mom should be very pleased. You know, we parents hope that we can have grand children as soon as possible”

“Are you telling me something?”

She gave me a smirk ..

Wen sms me a few days ago asking about the Sarawak Forestry Intersnship program. I told her to check out my blog. Every single information is there.

“Wey .. Aren’t you planning to settle down earlier?”

“I’m still 25. So?”

“Stop your shopping spree. Get one and live with it la. Your not getting any younger eh ..”

“Shopping spree?”

“Ya .. Your shopping spree. Take one enough la. Don’t have to change change so many times la. Waste money and time you know”

“Yeah .. Easy for you to say. I’m waiting for your children to call me uncle”

“Ha ha .. Wey, she’s cute what. Don’t let it go”

“I’ve yet to figure out what does that mean but when I finally know I’ll let you know kay? Let’s put a dot to what we’re talking about now”

I sms chat Bongkersz the other day on this matter :

“When are you getting married?”

I was actually expecting answers like

“Why the hell you asked me that?”
“What’s wrong with you?”

To my surprise he answered me with a somewhat I say serious answer

“Anytime I settle my debt, get a house, get a car (you already have a car la farker) 🙂 Then I will get married for sure. The faster I can get there, the faster I will kahwin. I’m a believer in  kahwin awal. He he .. Reason? I don’t want to be an old balding man when holding my child’s hand. I want to be a young dad, strong, can enjoy playing with them, enjoy time. Ha ha .. Can’t imagine being tua bangka, no stamina, banyak penyakit when your kids are just 4-5 years old. Blog this dude. Ha ha ..” (I already did)

Spot on. I was thinking about the same thing. For sure I don’t want to wait till I have some loose and ugly balls and then only thinking about that. Of course the first step is get myself a job. That’s the priority at this moment. That thing comes next ..

Charyelle blog about it and friends & family also talked about it, that’s why I’m blogging it.

“It’s really good to hear your voice saying my name and it sounds so sweet. Coming from the lips of an angel, hearing those words just make me weak”

Cheers,

Cibol