Between Valentine and CNY, and Lent begins

"Adrian, do you know that today is Valentine's day?"
"Is it? Oh ya...hehe :D"
So far for me, every 14th of February has just been like any normal day, although i do connect this day with a very special day for people in love :) Besides that, i would also connect this day to St. Valentine, the reason behind this day. One story maintains that he was a priest serving under an emperor who forbade his soldiers to marry. So St. valentine, taking pity on these poor soldiers would secretly continue to perform their marriages. The emperor soon found out, and Valentine was put to death, hence the connection of love with St. Valentine's Day. Anyway, since i'm still single (and enjoying it :P), so i do not have to worry about doing anything 'extraordinary' on this particular day, haha! But this year, i bought a medium chocolate bar each for my sisters (Decided to show my love for them - very rare for Adrian to buy things for his sisters :P and that's the only extraordinary thing i did!) Anyway, on that day too, i fetched Joel from the airport. On the way back, he wanted to buy something from ToysWorld. I spotted this funny sign posted at the teddy bear section:

WHAT??? DO THEY NEED SUCH A NOTICE? YOU MEAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KISSING THE BEARS? LOL! I just couldn't believe my eyes. If the notices stated 'DO NOT CUDDLE/HUG/TOUCH THE BEARS' i could understand, since it's normal for people to look, select, hug, touch the bears. But to kiss the bears.....my gosh. The management must have recorded quite a number of people kissing the bears on the surveillence video camera :P

And time flies.....it was Chinese New Year's eve. People have been starting to play firecrakers and fireworks, and i noticed that some of the fireworks display were awesome! So i decided to fully utilies my digi camera and take a few shots of the 'free' fireworks display. It was quite hard to capture the fireworks in action, because my house is surrounded by other houses, but anyway, thanks to the tripod and whoever played the fire works in that 'particular' spot, i managed to capture quite a colorful and beautiful display (of course it would be much nicer to be there and witness the display live! :D)

I really enjoyed the show which started a bit before 12 midnite and lasted for about 20 minutes or so. My neigbor on the left was also snapping pictures/video (eh yakah Bonus?) and some other neighbors were also playing firecrakers. But soon, i discovered that another group of creatures were also enjoying themselves - in fact having a good, sumptous buffet supper - yes mosquitos feeding on my blood. So i decided to go in my house. Furthermore, the air soon became pretty smoky, as you can see from the picture.

By the way, i'm sure we all know that the playing (and buying and selling too) of fireworks and firecrackers are actually banned in Malaysia. Few years ago, this law wasn't in effect. in only came into being following cases of injuries and fires due to fireworks and crakers. On this issue, i feel that the government should not totally ban it. This practice is part of culture and in fact the playing of fireworks and crakers only adds beauty to the celebration. I just feel that people should be extra careful when playing with them.

Then came Chinese New Year. As usual, the round of visiting friends. On the 2nd day, went out with a group of friends. Visited Gen, then Sharlene, then back to Gen's. At Gen, we had a really good time snapping photos sing Bonus' camera - his cool camera could do all kinds of things, the most famous being the '10-shots' :D Besides that, Larry was asking tips of what to do on a first date and meeting a girl's parents for the first time. We all came out with funny scenarios and answers which kept us laughing all night! :D I hope to get some of the photos soon :) Anyway, here's a picture of us at Sharlene's place:

Driving in town on the 3rd day, i spotted a banner outside CB (Cherrie Berries) by Guiness Stout. It was a Chinese new year greeting, but with some extra message:

I couldn't agree more with those words of wisdom. Personally, i feel that drinking alcohol-based drinks are okay, as long as one knows how to control him/her-self, and they realise heir own limitations, as an elder man once mentioned "i've seen people drinking and drinking, but yet they are in the office tomorrow morning". 'Drinking' has long been associated with merry and joyful occasions. It is sad that many do not know how to control themselves, and end up becoming 'high', drunk, and doing lots of stupid stuffs which makes them look like fools, big fools, which they later regret (this includes figthing, having sex, some even killing, or peeing in their pants, talking nonsense.......yeah, as if i know :P but that's what i've heard and read). So know yourself, know your limits and drink responsibly. Don't blame the drink - blame yourself for not drinking responsibly. If you think that a bit is enough to make you go wild, then don't drink! (ah, easy said than done. Ah well).

Later in the night, i attended a friend's thaksgiving dinner. She recently graduated, and so in thaksgiving to God and all those who helped and supported her along her acadamic years and life, she hosted a Chinese-style dinner in Grand Palace hotel. The food was great, although i didn't eat much (my stomach wasn't very good). Then there was the Karaoke session (my gosh, Mel, her bro and sis can sing so well!), Mel's brother joked that he only sang to Oil Palm trees in the estate, and my friend Gen whispered to me saying that "no wonder the trees so 'subur'" HAHAHA!!!! SO FUNNY LA GEN! :D I decided to represent my table to go and sing. Now, this is the first time i did karaoke (if singing in the bathroom doesn't count), and i was a quite nervous. But for the sake of my friend, and also to try karaoke (otherwise when?), and since the crowd was pretty small (about 40 people), i gathered the courage to go up and sing. I sang "MY WAY" and a Malay song by Ella "GEMILANG" (which i learnt 10 years ago in one of the camps - KEM BINA INSAN 1997). Haha! What a night! Anyway, i'm so proud of my friend Imelda who is now a medical Doctor :) "You're an inspiration!".

Before ending this post, a picture to share. Don't be surprised soon if you find 'Made-in-Curtin' pineapples in DPS or E-mart or in the market (JK) :P Look what's growing in our university's garden (so cute :D i spotted 2 fruits, but they're pretty small though):

p.s. the season of lent has come. I attended Ash wednesday Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Church was packed, and there were many 'outstanding' Catholics :D (i.e. Catholics who stand outside during Mass). Well, couldn't blame them because the church was packed.

My prayer and hope, that we may continue to grow deeply in the Lord and also bring that growth to others - spritually, materially, emotionally.

Comments

[John]

Adrian, i'm happy to be single BUT...BUT...how to continue to be happy if population of good girls (according to my standard) in CSS and Curtin are SO LITTLE!!!! How?? SIGH...FURTHERMORE, the good girls usually have boyfriends already (DAMN!!!)

Advice from the Church seniors (e.g. Uncle John, Aunty Margaret) stated we should have more female friends, HOWEVER, the friendship just stop there AND....

NO ATTRACTION, I CAN'T FORCE MYSELF TO LIKE SOMEONE, thank you. Most girls will look at me and say, "Ewww, CHRISTOFREAK!!!! NERD!!!! NOT COOL!!!!" or their boyfriends and boyfriends' friends look at me and say, "Hey you, don't disturb us/them, don't spoil our/their happiness"

SO HOW TO HAVE MORE FEMALE FRIENDS IF THE POPULATION SO LITTLE AND...
BF + GF = Husband + Wife ????!!!!!

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Girls from OUTSIDE Curtin & CSS? How to know them? i quote Joel, they are so "CLOSE THE DOOR"!!!!! Thank you, Joel, you rock !!!!!

Patience? HOW?? The environment i'm living in causes me to be more impatient, Lord, how to keep my sanity ?????? HUH????

i feel so sick of Curtin's people, i just can't wait to graduate and fly away. Shit!

Sorry Adrian, i'm impatient AGAIN!!! Looks like i still need to improve my patience A LOT!!! i just could not stand the ENVIRONMENT and the PEOPLE around me now. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

Adrian, please pray for me. i'm praying very hard for St. Raphael's intercession (Patron of singles). Sigh...

[John]

Yep, i agree that drinking alcholic drinks for social purposes while practicing self-control is acceptable ;)

LOL, yeah, very funny indeed but i did READ at one article long time ago that singing to plants can actually promote healthy/vibrant growth. Too bad i did not keep the article :P

Adriam, i always admire your undying patriotism. i need to learn from you, no, i must :)

i pray that we shall grow deeply in the Lord too. Amen.

p/s: Should suggest the Bishop to enlarge the Cathedral :P

[Adrian]

John, perhaps you should ask St. Valentine to intercede for you too :P So St. Raphael. Erm, is he suppose to intercede for singles to have the strength to continue to go on being singles or....is he suppose to intercede to help you find a spouse????

Hmmm, i think it's time to look at yourself John. How come you're not having a girlfriend if you have been trying to look for one all this while...Just something to ponder.

Huh? How come you feel sick of Curtin people? I see that as an overgeneralization la...hmmm.

About the plants - yes! I've read that somewhere too :D

"Enlarge the Cathedral" suggests John. I wonder if Our Lordship Bishop reads this blog :P

[John]

i read at http://www.pureloveclub.com/ that singles should pray to St. Raphael as he helped Tobias to find a good spouse. It is more suitable for couples to pray to St. Valentine.

Look at myself? don't get you...hmmm....am i so unworthy? Or, i should look at the mirror?

Overgeneralization, forgive me but i'm referring to some people, i did not specify it in my previous comment.

[John]

Adrian, thanks for calling me :)

A true friend is indeed a treasure as the Book of Sirach in the Bible said (forgot which verse :P)

Yep you are right, i need to reflect on myself and improve myself. Especially, my "too sensitive" attitude.

i'll write comments more carefully next time too. Should have use "some people" not "Curtin people" hehe :P

[Adrian]

Hey John! Thank you for the info about St. Raphael helping Tobias find a spouse. I really for got about that. Is it in the book of Tobit?I've got to read the bible more.

Just remember - we help one another :D Take care +

[John]

Adrian, ya it's in the Book of Tobit. However the Catholic Youth Bible claimed that the Book of Tobit is a fictional story...hmmmm....

Well said. i'll bear that in mind.

p/s: i need to read the Bible more as well (>.<)

[Jason]

didnt know our university had a garden!!! when did the management start to go green?

[Jane]

hey adrian, your fireworks pics look exceptionally good! much better than mine :P good camera! anyways.. was reading the first comment rgding st valentine. a friend of mine sent me this, which i find good. enjoy.

"For all the hype surrounding Feb 14, I find this saint
more relevant than the martyred St Valentinus...her
feast day falls on 25th Jan, though

St. Dwynwen (also known as Dwyn, Donwen, Donwenna,
Dunwen) lived in the 5th century.

St. Dwynwen was one of 24 daughters of a 5th century
Welsh Saint and king, Brychan Brycheiniog, of Brechon. The beautiful and virtuous St. Dwynwen fell in love with a Welsh prince, Maelon Dafodrill, who intended to
wed her, but their marriage was not to be. Various
reasons have been given for this.

Some say that Brychan had already promised her to
another prince. Others say that she realized she
wished to live a religious life dedicated to God.
As St. Dwynwen distanced herself from Maelon, his
bitterness toward her became increasingly unbearable.
Upon seeing his desperation, St. Dwynwen fled to the
woods and prayed fervently to God to help her end this
misery.

She fell asleep and dreamt that she was administered a
sweet drink which immediately saved her from Maelon's
attentions and released her from her heartache. The
same drink, when given to Maelon, however, turned him
into a statue of ice. Again she prayed to God, and
was given three wishes: the first was that Maelon be
unfrozen; the second was that she should never wish to
marry again; and the third was that God should answer
all requests made by her on behalf of lovers, so that
they succeed in finding happiness through the
fulfillment of their love or being cured of their
passion.

One of her sayings was, "Nothing wins hearts like
cheerfulness."

God granted all her wishes. She committed her life to
Him and founded a convent on what is now Llanddwyn
island, just off the Isle of Anglesey (Yns Mon).

Her holy well, a fresh-water spring called Ffynnon
Dwynwen, became a place of pilgrimage. Over time she
was also invoked to heal sick and distressed animals,
a tradition which has survived to the present day.
The ruins of Llanddwyn chapel, a 16th century Tudor
church built at the site of priory can still be seen,
and there is also a Latin cross dedicated to St.
Dwynwen, in Llanddwyn. Moreover, her name lives on in
the town Porthddwyn and a church dedicated to her can
be found in Cornwall.

St Dwynwen is Wales' patron saint of friendship and
love. "

[Adrian]

to John:Book of Tobit fictional? I guess even though it's fictional, the contents are still inspired by God and also many times fictional stories do help in the transmitting of a message :)

to Jason: it was always there, just that it's bearing fruits now :P

to Jane: Thank you for sharing the story :)

TO THE 3 OF YOU! It seems that ALL THE "Js" are commenting here :D

[- K E N I N -]

errrr every1 wrote so long...lolx..juz 1 2 say Hi Adrian..i tagged u oledi Hehe

[edetha]

i read your blogs, and i like
it. it was so nice,
hhhmmmmpp..

[Benet]

Just wanna say... really nice fireworks pix you took! So cool... if only CNY was that happenning in PJ. Hahaha... :) Cheers~!

[Adrian]

Edetha, thank you for reading :)

Benet, the fireworks display this year was awesome! Haven't seen such nice ones for a long time. Just watching it light the night sky was breathtaking indeed :D

[Imelda]

Hmm.. I inspire you? WoW.. thanks Eddie.. Yeah.. whole family love singing. You did well-Hadrian's mum impressed cos My Way is Hadrian's Dad's song. Haha.. she asked about u. Anyway.. glad my studies is finally over but this also mark the beginning of yet another interesting journey-working life. More stress but u get paid. (The only difference and u cant skip work!) See u SOON!

[Adrian]

Hey Imelda! Aduh, i haven't been updatng my blog. And reading from the comments, they all dtae wayyy back :P Yeah, you are an inspiration. You know the times you complained or rather sighed about the difficulties in studies, but you made it :D
Haha! Singing family :D That's really so cool! Aduh, nampaknya aku curi lagu org tat nite :P hehe...