In the recent weeks, mundane goings-on in UTP seemed to have been sugar-coated a little bit. We saw another successful convocation – the mark of achievement and at the same time,  students’ independence.  I shall savour the moment when it’s mine on the 9th convocation, in 2009. By the way, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY MALAYSIA. Yesterday, there was a bunch of guys singing (more like shouting), first the lauding of “Merdeka” after their countdown, followed by 15 minutes free concert of patriotic songs. Usually, I don’t welcome such rempit-like menace, but early in this morning of 31st August, it was all understood and forgiven. Independence still exists  but when I thought of Avril’s concert almost being banned,  I think certain parties in the country are still very old-fashioned and as such, Malaysia still have much to be desired in that sense.  Sorry I digress (again), Let me come back. The convocation was warmed up by UTP’s customary convofair. It heightened UTP’s atmosphere (a little bit) for 3 days, which is considered a rare case in this forest-surrounded university. Somehow though, convocation week is always accompanied by rain; not the moderate shower but the heavy downpour kind. Kudos to the organizer this time to have thought of using the car park as the convosquare instead of the field that would have turned the bazaar into a disastrous warzone when water clogs mixed with sand and mud, topped with horseshit, baked by the unclouded sun heat to give a sort of therapeutic aroma that magically fueled hunger-panged utpians to soak their legs into the ‘rojak’ of yucky muddy sludge and enjoy a plate of chicken rice. What a big improvement this time – not only the place was dry, the stage looked bigger and interesting as well. There was even a 5 minutes fireworks display on the opening night. Applause, applause. It could only get better next year.

Ong’s birthday was a pleasant simple party. It is always nice to mingle with the juniors.

Goodbye to Olympic, and again, well done to China for hosting a perfect Olympic. The closing was also very interesting. It was perfect to me, but somehow, people will always find fault and to complain things like security (too tight apparently), and air pollution. I’d say Beijing is very much improved on the latter – try to look at their efforts. For one, they alternate odd and even numbered cars that is allowed on the road to reduce air pollution.

Friendship, is what I always cherish a lot. The recent trip back to Ipoh have been very gratifying not only because we get to salivate on Ipoh delicious food (as always) but it was more on the sharing among Kelvin, Aaron, Shean Chuan, Chung Ginn and myself. It was poignant particularly for Shean Chuan who got “emotional” but in a good way and I see a side of him apart from his solid exterior. Sharing is indeed caring.

Speaking on health, Xi Yi is obese. Any doctor would interpret the bulging of his tummy as 6 months into pregnancy. Please drop the baby man!

I shall wait for my blood test result. Let it be pink!

Eating loads of ‘rubbish’ and tons of rice doesn’t seem to help in my gaining weight. So I’ve decided to increase my bone density instead in my new effort to be heavier to reduce wind effect on me. The target is to gain 10kg before I graduate. Anlene is the formula!