Of Fun Fair and Kite Flying

It's my last 4 weekends here in Miri...

(am counting down, but am feeling sad as the days passed)

Another fun weekend.

Saturday was a blast... started with:

1. trying to find a mechanic store that can help to fix Catherine's car ASAP. had to sit in the 'oven-heated' car from Senadin to Krokop and back to Senadin.

2. photographing for Curtin Sports Nite 2009

3. fun fair

can't post up photos for Curtin Sports Nite. coz the photographs are copyrighted to Student Wall. it was a great event. so many awards were given out and there were so many pictures taken. the best part...a full glass of pure Bicardi (I thought it was mix with 7up, but after taking a big gulp, my eyes were wide open!).

Catherine and I left Imperial for dinner at Pelita before heading home, but we side tracked to the UK Fun Fair which was happening at Boulevard parking area. We paid RM2 each to enter and took a walk around. We decided to come back next time (when the haze is not interfering our sight)...but maybe we'll think twice coz 1 token is RM2! It's expensive!

Sunday was another blast...

Woke up and went for MGC service at 10am and lunch. Amy brought her friends to look-see our house (considering to rent)...yea~ Catherine and I will be moving out from Lot 3946 in a month. *sob sob* Catherine and I then met up with Kai Yie at Pelita to have a short view of the Miri Orchestra team practice. We then took the kite from Kai Yie and went to fix the with tapes and strings and off to Tanjung for kite flying!!! Got my kite up~~~ :) Catherine then bought a smiley face kite from the uncle for RM10. This time, we first want to fix the big kite and make sure it flies and will fly all three at Curtin!

Was trying our luck to enter the Marina Bay Boat Bar and surprisingly the guard let us in without asking questions. Drove into the harbor and it was an awe~. Found the Boat Bar but it was empty... Had dinner at Banana Leaf Restaurant (RM4.50 for 'all-you-can-eat' rice+curry+4 choices of vege+papardem).

Another 3 weekend...and hopefully it will all be a blast~!

The last moments in the Classroom

Final week of classes...

Yea~

I decided to attend all my classes this week. It started on Tueday (2.30-5.30pm) to Wednesday (8.30-10.00am & 2.30-5.30pm) and my last class was on Thursday (11.00-11.30am).

I was supposed to be jumping for joy after submitting all my assignments, but............ I had to request for extension for my MCI 212 Final essay, thanks to JCLA! My lecturer gave me 5 days, so, submission of my last assignment is on Wednesday! Yippie~

Tuesday afternoon was another bomb on me. My Marketing Research lecturer told my group that we will be presenting in the 'Best Research Paper' presentation on Friday at 1.30pm! ...and there are lots of things to amend in the slides for that presentation. 

It was another load of burden added.

There were little sleep (12am-4am) everyday until Friday.

Friday was the last straw.

8am-1pm: JCLA Awareness Campaign

1.30pm-2.00pm: Market Research Presentation

2.00pm-5.00pm: JCLA Poster Presentation

5.00-7.00pm: Evaluation session of JCLA group

That's the whole reason I had to ask for extension for my assignment...........

Anyway, classes are all over and JCLA is over too!

*more updates on the 'A Friday with JCLA and JCLA poster presentation coming up...when I'm free lah~*

What a great weekend~

It started with a dinner...

Saw Kai Yie performing at the Miri Festival. Made plans with Kai Yie for Saturday night with Project Care - Catherine, Johan, Suhas and Gerain. We met up at 'Ala-mak' for a while and after seeing the menu, we decided to go to Banana Leaf Cafe near Tanjung. Met with Angelie (sorry, if I get your name wrong) ...and had a very delicious, fulfilling banana leaf meal~! Been looking for a place to have banana leaf food for such a long time!!!

...Catherine, Angelie, Kai Yie, Gerain, Suhas and me...

(photographed by Johan)

...look at the food~~~...

...Gerain after his enjoyable dinner...

It was indeed a great meal! It was out of a sudden that we decided to go for a movie. Was standing outside the cinema for 10 minutes to decided which movie to watch - Angels and Demons or Night at the Museum 2 - and later, everyone agreed to go for Night at the Museum 2!

We had an hour or so to wait for the movie at 11pm. Headed down to Starbucks and had Hazelnut Hot Chocolate while playing a game Angelie introduced. Got to see Angelie, Catherine and Johan singing in Starbucks...hehehehe.... (videos with Gerain)

...the girls at Starbucks...

...the boys 'see no evil, talk no evil and hear no evil'...

Then it was off for the movie~! Met a lot of Curtin'ians in the cinema too...

It was a great night...a fully chill out night...

The next day, Catherine and I decided to go for a bus ride in town. We were an hour late - supposed to leave house at 7am, but instead we left at about 8am. Had breakfast at 2020 and headed to the bus terminal...the funny thing was...the bus we were supposed to board was waiting there and we missed the bus after taking a short walk around the terminal! Had to wait for another hour for the next bus. Managed to board the bus at 10am for an hour ride around Tanjung, Airport and Siang Siang Garden and back to the terminal.

Went home and had a long afternoon nap until 4pm before going for Madagascar 2~ *laughs* 

Spent the whole Saturday and Sunday chilling off...and guess what...I have an assignment due this Friday and a presentation this Thursday!!!

It's ok...it's a great weekend!!!

A Friday with JCLA!

There will be 'A Friday with JCLA' organized by the John Curtin Leadership Academy participants on:

This campaign - a joint event by all 22 participants aims to create awareness among Curtin'ians on the community service projects and research for non-governmental organizations such as Sarawak Society for the Blind, Sarawak Children's Cancer Society, Peryatim and the self-initiated groups such as Project Care, Fortissimo and MWWT.

Here are the program details for the event:

The JCLA Telematch is a combination of 5 games, where four of which will be done 'BLINDFOLDED'! (Walking with a cane, Dressing Up, Pour the Tea and Football).

Great prizes awaits!

Hope to see you there!!!

Movies and Festival

Riding through the last few weeks here in Miri is not exactly nice...yet...coz there's just too much work but so little time to finish them.

In between juggling for completion of assignments and JCLA projects, I managed to sneak away for a couple of hours for some 'out-of-work' activities.

Angels and Demons is now in the big screen. 

Had been waiting for a very long time for this film -2nd Dan Brown film - well, I haven't read any of his books (Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons...coz planning to get both the books in KL once I'm there for work.

The sound and visual system in the cinema was disappointing lah~ Visually was so dark and audio'lly (if there is such word) is not clear. Cannot really differentiate between them talking in English or otherwise. Storyline was.............erm.............erm..............okla. Not good review from Catherine coz she read the book already. It was not as intriguing as the first sequel and not as suspense too. 

...Miri City Fan...

Miri Festival (not sure what it was called)

It was held on the 20th May at Miri City Fan. Catherine and I went for a little look-see and found ourselves right in front of the stage where, I think, only reporters and photographers are allowed in there. We waltz right in with the SLR and sat there for the performances.

...performances by the ethnic group...

...Digi's Yellow Man dancing 'I will follow you'...

...crowds...

There were four performances and then it was another wait for the VIP (abbreviation for 'very-idiotic-people) to come. So Cath and I decided to leave and...for once, we actually saw this monument lit up at night!

Miri City is 4 years old now...and hopefully, by the time the city turns 5 next year, Bintang Megamall will be completed, Curtin University will be expended, more tall buildings, etc.

Shot but not Dead!

Week 11 is one hell of a week!

why?

2 reports due on Wednesday and one presentation on Thursday. the presentation was one crazy assignment as we were only given the guidelines like...say...WEDNESDAY morning! -.-" 

lucky me that I had my other two reports sorted out on Tuesday and happily handed the reports on Wednesday, with no sweats~ then it was off to 'pia' for the presentation.

1. found out on Tuesday night that the data input in SPSS was partially MISSING since last week. all analysis are no longer valid!

2. did the report and presentation slides at the same time within less than 24 hours

3. on the day of the presentation, half an hour before presentation, the graphs and tables in the slides were MISSING!

..............lost of words~

Was the first group to present in class and had good feedbacks, only some minor changes to work on and off we submit the proposal on Monday! I'm now off to sleep for an hour or two to restart my sleepy brain and then 'pia' to compile the whole report hopefully by tonight!

Then it was 'THE TIME' (ppl normally say 'THE DAY!') where verdict will be decided. Was not so worried until seeing the look on Haslina's face O.O! BAD NEWS! ...yes, it was a bad news, and I mean, really bad news! our sponsor pulled out from giving us the RM30,000 fund for the community project. They were good feedbacks from the sponsors on Project Care but the money just flew away~

so it's time to execute the 'PROJECT CARE CONTINGENCY PLAN'!

an emergency meeting was called for tonight to plan to plans to get another RM8,000 to complete the project. anyone who wishes to contribute to this community service project, please contact me! We need funds to help give free electricity to the people of Long Makabar!

overall...

I was shot 4 times this week and yet I'm still alive! :)

It's time to heal the wounds (sleepiness and tiredness and stress'ness and headache'ness)

oh oh.!

went to City Fan yesterday for the Miri May Festival event. will have the updates up soon...when I'm free!

Curtin Karate Challenge 2009

Curtin Karate Club organized the Curtin Karate Challenge 2009 - 16th May 2009. I was the only non-Karate-ka (no belt) in the event, participating in Hiza Kumite and Mawashigeri, against 3 other competitors of brown, red and purple belt.

...and guess what...

I won both categories!

Champion for Hiza Kumite and Mawashigeri for Female 14 years & above! 

Brought home two gold medals and certificates. 

*didn't expect to win at all, but paid RM20 for this competition and I brought home victory, more importantly, it was an unforgettable experience. Thanks Cath, for persuading me to join this challenge!*

Chilling through my last one month in Miri

2 weeks to go for submissions of all assignments!

to date: 3 reports, 2 presentations, 1 essay to go...

I've never actually enjoyed my assignments, presentations, essay writing sessions all throughout my studies coz every time when the season of 'Assignmenting' comes by, I'll be working stressfully, eating a lot, not getting enough sleep just to complete all the tasks for the semester. Then I realize that I have another 2 weeks to have this 'Assignmenting' experience before completing my Degree this June. It will be another year or so for me to continue my studies, so it's better late than never to enjoy and chill through my studies.

Some of my friends were wondering, "Karen, you look so free ah...no more assignments ha?" I walked around campus with my backpack (books, Mac, mp3, money for coffee...). I do sat myself in the cafeteria when it comes to doing my last minute work but still, I went around campus looking as if I don't have anymore assignments... *only when sometimes really stress until dunno wad to do then I'll have the 'DO NOT DISTURB ME' face lah~*

Well, yeah~ gotta chill and enjoy the Uni Life before officially retire from being a student. It scares me, though, that I will have to start all over again - work, new place, new home, new people, new environment - but I'll sure miss being a student here in Curtin. Lots of memories...

As for now, I want to spend my last one month here with lots of fun and laughter, assignments, presentations, projects, outdoor activities, good-for-nothing laziness, etc... -the list is just too long-

*sitting on the beach, watching the sun sets*

It's just beautiful~~~

MIJF 2009

As mentioned in the previous post, here is the updates for Miri International Jazz Festival 2009! This time, I was Schlepper'ing...Backstage~!

We had a briefing the night before and off we went for the dinner at Al Fresco...buffet and free flow of Heineken Beer! There were two previews - Bombay Baja Brass Band and Dites 34.

...that's our volunteers' tag. the orange sticker is our ticket to backstage...

The next day started early. Was there at Park Everly at 8am to start work. Well, we carried the barricades to the Pavillion and arranged them while waiting for the first band for sound check. Lunch and dinner was provided.

...sound checks...

...SMK Chung Hua Miri performing with the Bombay Baja Brass Band...

...the stage at night...

...Catherine and I, taken before the show starts...

...I find this picture interesting...

Day 1 performances: 

Double Take (Malaysia)

Bombay Baja Brass Band (UK)

John Kaizan Neptune's Steps in Time (Japan)

Alamode (Australia)

The night ended late and we were to tired to go for supper. We drove home and took a very short night sleep to wake up early again the next day.

The next day started slightly later a bit. It was off for the same routine - sound check, taking photos, lunch, sound check, break (went to MaBaker for some buns coz was too hungry), show time!

...an Australian and a French...

...I like this shot. the saxophone is GOLD PLATED!...

...taken before Day 2 concert starts...

Day 2 performances:

Dites 34 (France)

Jeff Maluleke (South Africa)

Rumba Calzada (Canada)

Thompson Big Band (Singapore)

This time, we get to carry instrument up and down the stage! yea~ and the after concert was even better with cool music from the lady DJ from Australia. We (the CV!s volunteers) gathered for dance sessions and photo takings.

...pictures with the band...

Was too hungry so headed for supper before heading home with a big smile....why??? I took photo with Guy! ...the guy in Dites 34 who plays Accordion! He's so 'leng cai'~

...me and the guys from Dites 34. the guy on my left is Guy the 'leng cai'...

It was fun! 

Got to meet up with the RWMF bosses, got to be backstage, got to enjoy the music...

-for more pictures, do check out my Facebook-

Happy Mother's Day

"M" is for the million things she gave me,

"O" means only that she is growing old,

"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,

"H" is her her heart of purest gold,

"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

"R" means right, and right she'll always be.

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER",

A word that means the world to me.

~I love you, Mum~

Miri International Jazz Festival 2009

...it was a blast...

-uploads on the festival up soon!-

(was schlepper'ing)

Piles of Assignments

It'll be motivating if someone actually say 'Karen, I admire your determination to make this plan work'...but heck, no one is going to say that to me, not at this moment...

4 weeks to the end of miserable assignments, tests, reports life~

I'm not exactly celebrating at this moment but counting down the days when everything that I complain especially on my studies will be over, drives me to finish all my work as soon as possible.

1 progressive test, 3 academic reports (International Marketing Feasibility Study, Marketing of Services Report, Market Research Report + Presentation), 1 3000 words academic essay, 1 JCLA Market Research Report, 1 JCLA poster, 1 VISION event and 1 Project Care implementation and 3 final exams to go...

I'm at least getting 3 out of all in the list done by this week and will be having a 3 days break this weekend at Miri Jazz Festival...not paying tickets to attend, but to volunteer. Will *shoo shoo* all the stress and pressure away for the weekend!

Facts about Influenza H1N1

*Swine flu is now known as Influenza H1N1 virus.

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

 Is this swine flu virus contagious? 

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people? 

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread? 

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu? 

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick? If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix , New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.