007. Learning the piano

No, I certainly do not play that sheet. 

I just realized today that its has been about half a year since I started to "play" the piano.

The term play used rather loosely. It has always been sort of a want of mine since I was a little, but I have never had the opportunity to learn it, main reason being I doubt my parents ever thought I would stick to learning it long enough, to be willing to waste tens of thousands of Ringgits. So, I was always stuck playing other `cheaper´ instruments. And as always being from Malaysia, if you do not excel in it, there was almost no point of pursuing it further. Sucks really.

In their defense, I suppose they were right. I have never been musically talented, or have even stuck to actually finish learning anything. I always call it quits within months if I never saw any progress. :) 

I have always loved the sound of the piano! Even Marius agrees, since everytime I link him to a song I think its good, he always says "Piano music again Lisa?", I suppose one could say I am a sucker for it. 

Back to my story, since about half a year ago. I started to learn how to play the piano with I suppose one of the most patient "teacher" yet. One who is relatively supportive, rather patient, but above all, rather fun and have never given any homework! So, my interest grew so much that unknowingly, I realized that sometimes I can even find myself practicing on the Garage Band. :/

So, after about 6 or so month. I can "play" about 2 songs. :P

Yes, mock me. Progress is horribly slow, but I am in it for the fun! And that is all that matter isnt it? I am certainly not going to ever be good enough to for example make a living out of it or anything. So, fun sounds like a good replacement doesn´t it. 

Oh, I just realized how I dont know where this blog post is heading. Basically, its one more thing you now know about me. :)

Next post I am going to bombard you with foreign songs! 

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

*Right, so these are the few mainstream songs that I eventually would love to learn. And yes, I am aware they are not "piano music, music". This are just songs that I can easily find on the widget.The songs are all off the back of my head, and I am not really sure if they are qualified to be classified as piano music, but heck. They sound good anyways.

**One more thing,you know to make sure we are ultimately human, many websites requires us to type a certain word or phrase. But have you ever had the time where sometimes, you wonder, what letters are these?!. This is not the best example, but this was today´s experience.

*** One more, have you read this?

006. Glasvegas

Boy, your not really THAT tall are you?, Your perspective is all wrong Johanne!

I mean I know I am slightly vertically challenged and all, but I am certainly not horizontal!

Lets start by saying I love my lazy days. 

You know, days where all you want to do is curl up in the corner of your bed snuggled in between your newly washed comfy sheets, feeling every thread count on your skin,the perfectly tucked in their corner bedsheets, with a good book (The Zahir), a good cup of hot cocoa, and a fantastic view outside. 

I think right now is one of those moments where time moves much slower, just so I can enjoy the moment a little more.

Now, if only I had an excellent plate of French Toast with sugar and strawberry jam. 

Anyways, lets get back to my title as you can tell, involves Glasvegas.

I can tell you this much, finding this out now really kills the moments of bliss that I was having just 5 minutes before.

Moving along, Glasvegas to me is like an aphrodisiac! They are so yummy when you just need that certain song. 

Just in case you do not know who Glasvegas are, let me fill you in, in 6 points (so I dont blabber too much)

*JSYK: I am not the biggest fan of Glasvegas, there are quite a few others band that I love more, but they certainly have to be quite on top :), and definitely worth catching in concert.

Glasvegas is ;

• Alternative rock band from Glasgow.
• According to Wikipedia, was formed in 2003
• Consist of 4 members, James Allan, Rab Allan, Paul Donoghue, Caroline McKay
• Produces absolutely AWESOME music, though usually I do not understand them completely due to their thick Scottish accent. (You would think I should by now, but really its like an impossible task)
• Has hits such as Geraldine, Its Your Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry, Daddy´s Gone, Be My Baby.
• Coming to Norway, AGAIN!

Yes, you read the last point correctly. AGAIN. They were in Oslo just a few days ago (i think), but then their tickets were sold out just as I got to know that they are playing! Its ridiculous, and totally unfair. 

I would have more than loved to go if I had known earlier.

Anyways, they are playing again in Norway! 2 different places this time around. In Bergen, which tickets have already been sold out, and once more in Trondheim (where tickets are still available). 

Ignore the fact that in my hyped-up-ness, I still need to find out how to get to Trondheim and back again, accommodation and such. And also quite importantly, making sure I dont break all my budgets just by wanting to catch them in concert..

But that doesnt matter now as they "OBVIOUSLY" have to hold their concert days before the final exams!, 30th April to be exact. Conspiracy I tell you. Conspiracy with the IB system.

Why oh why?

Why do Murphy´s Law always applies at the wrong time.

Why cant Belle and Sebastian come to Norway too?

Contemplation and decisions. Oh pfft.

**On another note, another thing I absolutely hate is the fact that I keep losing my contact lenses! Thats 2 contact lenses missing now, in one week! I keep dropping them, and as always you could never find them until the day after. Then of course, its too late. With the whole bacteria and infections part of life. I think the contact lenses needs to start knowing, they are not cheap!, so stop running away!

The bunny!

Meet the culprit who manages to make me horizontal. :) 

005. Seeing double

*As you can see, editing pictures are not my thing either.

Today was the last day of the Mock exams :), Hip hip hurra!

Now only 20 or so more papers to go during the final exams *yet again* , and I am done for good. Hopefully I could start thinking of universities soon.

I thought that I did relatively well for this to be my Norwegian paper. For once I am quite proud of myself, I managed to write about 4 pages filled of pretty much crap with the addition of relatively good grammar. I wrote about mainly our summer trip to the UK and how it could be used as an historical place of interest. Oh well, we could just see how this goes. Again,its over and done with.

You know when people say, they can smell spring in the air. Believe it or not, perhaps we can!

Days are getting brighter,paved roads are starting to emerge once again, the colour green could be spotted along the sidewalks, people´s moods are getting merrier, the smell of fresh air through the window instead of piercing cold winds. Oh, the joy of spring time, and it can only get better!

*Now, I have to wish I do not speak too soon, because for all I know, tomorrow heavy storm falls*

As usual, its soon Russ time again, where students run amok, disregard all rules, act like a fool, be an average teen. I could only remember all the fun times we had. I would never forget how we used a trolley from Kiwi to the McDonalds Drive Through, ate a burger in 2 bites!, sat under tables for an entire hour, you guys ran into random stranger cars, and all that other nonsense. Ahhh, bliss. Good memories really.

*My horrible attempt at eating a burger in 2 bites

*I managed it didnt I :). I do look like I was going to barf, and let me tell you, I thought I was. And yes, blackmail me with that picture all you like.

*McDonalds Drive Through, Russ style

I usually dont speak much about this matter, but perhaps just for today and just so Boy knows that I did not forget afterall, I can proudly say that we have made it in terms of months, to a double digit number. :)

It would be an out right lie to say that everything was smooth all the time, because we have had humps and bumps and roller coaster rides too. Who said it was going to be smooth sailing right?

004. Political Debate

*This turned out to be a really long post. Sorry, you could say I was inspired.

*huff**huff**puff**puff*, oh so unflattering.

Today was Physics Mock Exams. Can you hear the joy in my voice?

Lets just put it like this, the paper was interesting. And not necessarily not in a good way. But thats done and over with for now.

And, I had 2 trips to Burger King. Oh that place is so getting to me.

Only 2 more papers to go, Norwegian!

Skal vi snakke Norsk for i dag? 

Anyways, definitely no way I am going to blog in Norwegian, not just yet.

Today, Me and Marius went to watch Torbjørn in action in his political debate in school. "School and Economic Policies". I love political debates! 

The respond wasn´t all that good, but it was quite fun to say the least. Was really nice to see Torbjørn stand up for what he believes in regardless or not I agree with it. I wish I was more interested in politics though. Although generally I think all politicians are the same. They would say whatever to get your on their side, and above all, as long as your a good speaker. Or as they like calling it, a demogauge, your bound to get supporters. But, its true what they say, even then they are the one with power. Above that, we are the one who is having to put up with their policies, so I say, we should be influential. And we people= power = awesome.

The economic part of this debate wasn´t as heated as the school and Norwegian school policies. Mainly the topic was longer schooling hours, better and more qualified teachers, private and government funded schools, grades, homework, and school ranking and discipline.

Coming and seeing first hand myself the different school systems, I still cannot make up my mind as to which one I agree more too. In Malaysia the schooling system is absolutely different from Norway. Here is my short list of a few things that is different.

School times : In Malaysia our school (at least mine) starts at 7.40, we MUST be in school at about 7.20 so we can carry out our duties of cleaning the classroom, arrange the tables, etc. etc. There is a general assembly in school daily where we sing and recite an oath weekly. I would think this is to raise the sense of patriotism in one self. We end school late. Sometimes almost 7 pm with curricular activities and extra classes. (Minus the fact that we all have got to to tuition afterwards, and that last till about 10-11). This is slightly tiring now and then, but since we are so used to it. When I was there, I did not always feel it.

Teachers: I honestly believe our teachers were not too bad at all, and the Norwegian kids complain about how the teachers are not qualified enough, but compared to what I had, teachers here are rather excellent. At least the ones who have been teaching me. In Malaysia, teachers teach up to 3 or 4 subjects. They never specialize the way the Norwegian teachers do. This could be due to the fact that our classes were 40-45 students sometimes. And we were made to take 10-12 subjects. 

Private and Government schools: In my family at least, we can easily say that private schools are not any better than the average Government schools. Schools that I have been too, have been quite great. There really was nothing I could ask for more. Except perhaps private schools usually have swimming pools. But, I know other places I could go to swim. Plus many would like to say, private schools in Malaysia were for spoilt brats who cannot be bothered studying hard to get into good government schools. Infact, the best school in Malaysia happen to be Chinese Schools. They are half government subsidized. (I think at least)

Grades: Torbjørn had to take loads of criticism for this one. He wanted that students gets grades starting from a young age. While the other parties don´t. Considering I have been raised in such a way that I believe that grades are the only fuel I run with, its hard for me to argue for any other way. Although lately I have been raised with an issue, for example in Samordna, you need to get about 40 IB points to get into law school. Something I would not be able to do. But that doesnt mean that I will not make a good lawyer in the long term. So... something to ponder about.

Discipline: Dont even get me started. Its so true that the Norwegian school rules are so flexible sometimes its ridiculous. I could never imagine ever calling my teachers by their first name´s. In fact I think it is in the rule books that we are not to do that. Ugh, I cannot even bother writing how things feel in Malaysia and here. But, again. I cannot decide which is better.

School rankings: This one is interesting, how important is it to "segregate schools"?. In Malaysia, schools that have a higher percentage of good scoring students are called "control schools". This is where, you usually have to get good grades in order to attend them. Then within the school community itself you have even more segregation whereby we are all classed into classes based on our yearly grades, we call them "first class", "second class", and so forth. In my school, they even publish your grades for everyone to see. Sounds horrible. Yes. But, this made us work hard. And when I mean, hard. Hard. Its only human to not want to be embarrassed in front of others. So, we work as much as we can. Pushing every possible limits. Is it really that bad?, in Norway, so many students are incredibly smart, but they simply dont work hard enough. Even I have slacked so much since I was here 3 years ago.

None the less, just so I dont make the Norwegian system sounds stupid, there are so many things I have to praise. The best one being the fact that here in Norway, people are encouraged to be critical. Do not bluntly agree to what is said in the books. In fact we are encouraged to contradict and think for ourselves. 

So what if my opinions are so twisted and wrong?

They are still mine. In Malaysia, because we all want to do so well, we forget to think critically, all we do is memorize. I know many people who can literally, quote a book. And even when the paper asks for "your opinion", you give what you read in books.

Other than that, the fact that society doesnt expect you to just be doctors and lawyers, students can choose to do vocational courses or learn Music and Dance. In Malaysia that is almost a No-no. The smarter students are all expected to do Sciences, regardless if they do like it or not. 

Above that, one of my favorite things about Norway is that people dont judge you if you are wrong. In Malaysia I cannot imagine not getting a good grade. The way I would be treated would be miserable. Suicidal if you must. Its almost like Darwinism. Only we are not animals. But due to such a large population, it is partly vital that there would be that much competition.

So, really. How does this work, when you agree to parts of each party´s policies?

Remember what I said about loving to be on the phone :)

My ever so faithful, "Stopper du på Bodung?" station

003. Pictures

Just because the color contra on that picture is fabulous I insist on putting this picture up, though I would suggest you can all ignore the not all that good looking picture of me. What do you expect, it was my after Math look. 

Lately, I have started to take loads of notice towards good quality, good focus photographs. Usually,I think that the quality of pictures doesnt matter as my idea of a picture is to capture the moment. :)

*Psst, I think it has something to do with lately I have been mingling with either people who take good pictures, or people with effing good camera´s, or both* 

I mean, take a look at this pictures. With exception of the picture above, today´s picture are all from Johanne :). Considering Johey gave me literally hundreds of pictures, I would only feature a tiny fraction of them.

I mean really, look at it, even when acting so bimbotic, because of the picture quality, its tolerate-able! 

Oh, yes. I am vain. Like you didnt already know that.

Sadly, valentine is a while ago. And mine was awesometastic :)

Just so you dont think that the only reason as to why I am loving these pictures is the fact that I am on them, I shall tell you, I took that picture!

We were on our way to Oslo. Cannot remember what for though.

Now I remember, it was to meet Oda. :)

Torbjørn, my ever faithful train buddy.

As always the Duu, duu looks good. :)

My Mocha at Garcon, why need Photoshop right.

Oda

Boys will be boys :)

Even little kiddies, after several throws at him, he finally went "Ouuuu". Adorable.

Yes, not all pictures turn out good, there are exceptions.

Oh no!

Simply, boys.

More funny faces.
The rabbit.

Anyways, usually I would be complaining as to how boring life is and such. But lately, believe or not, although we have not been doing that much additional things, it feels so much more spontaneous. I love being random and spontaneous!. Surprise me. :)

For instance, I tried playing floor ball last week, and I thought it was an absolute blast, I will perhaps go again sometime, was nice meeting some new younger generation friends. If anything maybe there was way too much running around in that sport, and if you know me... running is simply not my thing. I mean, I complained enough as it is, walking up flights of stairs.

Other then that, last weekend was the Kaliningrad Flea Market, generally I would have to say, we hosted a so much better flea market. But it was awesome fun none the less, got myself (or should I say Magnar paid for) for a relatively new computer bag for a mere 25NOK! Amazing right. Above that, I cannot seem to find where I put my computer bag, so this is perfect. Life´s little bliss moments I tell you.

The mocks is this week as well, so been slightly busy burning the midnight oil, "occasionally". This is the only structured part of life really.

What else have I been up too, Oh yeah. Boy and I took a trip to Hard Rock Cafe in Oslo last week. 

If you ask my honest opinion, I did not think the food was that impressive, but the whole ambience and atmosphere was a nice change. And like I always say "it really cost about the same as a Burger King meal". Plus, its Hard Rock Cafe, you get the privilege of saying "I have been there, done that".

I am sure there are loads more things that I have been doing last week, I just cannot remember them all. I am starting to get the hang of this whole living by yourself mode of life really. I think I have made it through the withdrawal period, where nights were crazy lonely, and the house felt almost scary. Yes, call me paranoid.

*I have got myself a new idea as to knowing what to write about occasionally, I was going to start another project called "Profile in Focus" whereby I write about some interesting, some inspirational people, some just simply a nobody. I was thinking I could make it part of my Project 52. You dig? :)

**Stop reminding me that I am still using the Blogspot as my host, Geez. I am working on it. :)

002. Pictures.

Photo credits : Magnar.

10th March 2009

I think that just because I have got myself a new domain, I have more urges to blog. :)

So lets milk this urge for what its worth.

Only problem is that, I really dont know what to blog about. I had my Math Mock Exams today, but with that being said, its Mathematics.

I could only remember once when I was little that Mathematics have interest me. But at that time, what I was doing was 1+1=2, 2+2=4, 3+3=7.

Oh I am kidding! I am not that hopeless in Math. I know that 3+3=33. :)

I found this excellent quote about Math from Tenzing´s Facebook profile, and I cannot agree more.

"I didn't go into nuclear technology because people can use it for destructive purposes.

That's why i do pure math; no one can use it for anything" - Wojciech Kosek"

I do not know who this Wojciech Kosek dude is, but I can already tell, he is surely a smart one.

*Picture time!

The one thing I realize I like doing very much is talking on the phone. Hey, I am only a girl right. There is always so much to catch up on. Almost anytime, all the time :)

Although so, I certainly cannot say the same for skiing. Although I must admit that the Norwegian winter is at times absolutely amazing, their winter sport is not always so. And, sometimes I am starting to feel that trying to teach me how to ski is an absolute lost cause.

Can you feel the parallels it has with Math?. Absolute lost cause.

Because, instead of me being able to this,
90% of the time, you see me in this position instead.

Though, if anything, Ice-skating is the one winter activity that I am sort of able to do. :)

The term "able" is used quite loosely here.

Now, random pictures!

I took that picture! Delicious.

And the rest, are pictures of us being bored...

*All pictures are from Magnar´s Mac

001. Project 52. Pilot

*Although I know this is not exactly where my domain lies, this would have to do for now, while I try and figure things out with the whole owning and "attempting" to run my own domain, I will have to stick to some well established hosting agents. And believe me when I say, its not as easy as I thought it would be, so it might be a while before I figure any of this out. Just bear with me for a while now. I´ll try to make www.lisacheah.com work as soon as I can :D

I have always found a profound interest in the blogging world. Call me Asian if you must, which I am proud to be anyways. But just like other people, who runs on their daily dosage of caffeine, I do a regular run on blog reading, I am so hooked onto so many different blogs, it takes sometimes hours to run through all of them. Sometimes it does get to the point where its almost stalker-ish. Oh well, what can I girl do right. I have gained many new acquaintances from my "on-line world" and I am quite contented with that.

Therefore, since Magnar-boy has been nice enough to unknowingly tempt me into getting my own domain, I have decided that perhaps I should get one. And hey, I bought my domain name for a mere 10 USD. What is there to harp about?.
I can  sacrifice one my weekly dosages of fast food and that would equal to my one year supply of domain license. It really isnt all too bad. Moreover, this is the perfect reason to try out the whole web design part of life. Who knows maybe there is some passion there. Something to pursue further?

So, welcome to www.lisacheah.com , a place where I record an on-line dairy of my not all that ordinary life. A place where I speak about almost everything random. Know that, the grammar of my language is usually questionable, and I would presume there would be posts where I write in Malay or Norwegian, due to various reasons. Usually, privacy and at most times, "just because I want too"

I started out blogging many years ago, starting from a Blogspot blog (which I cannot remember the name of), to my Friendster blog, then moving forward to my still active my.opera.com/orlyandsa/blog, blog to another Blogspot and now hosting www.lisacheah.com on Wordpress. (or for now, back to Blogger), oh phew, that was quite a mouthful if you ask me.

Currently, all my templates are things I have stole out of the World Wide Web, but eventually with enough guidance and experience, I do hope that I would be able to create my own templates and make my own CSS sheets. But right now, that is wishful thinking, as for one, it is utterly time consuming and that right now is not something I have. Time.
Secondly, learning all this might actually require a lot from my part, and I if anything have to be one of the worlds biggest procrastinator. I procrastinate in ALMOST everything. 

Easiest example, right now.
Tomorrow is my Math Mock Exams, but what am I doing?
Basically, nothing. I know Ill work later today and burn the midnight oil, but capital PROCRASTINATION if you ask me.

Thirdly, this "passion", "desire", "callitwhateveryouwant" might actually start to die out in the not so far future, but lets just stay positive and say it is will not be like that, at least not for about 6 months. :)
Anyways, considering I do not know if this method of hosting would even work out for me, I should stop now, just in case I am wasting even more time working on something utterly useless.

Till next time, toodlely-doo.


*Oh and if you have been a frequent reader of my blogs, you would know that I like to bombard my blog with a kazillion pictures of me. Usually, they are of no value whatsoever. :) Ill show you an example. I simply just adore this picture, I think I look pretty cool, literally.




And then there is, this which somehow reminds me so much of Narnia, the snowy snowy weather, the lamp post and simply the colour. I could only wish it was slightly clearer. :)




Oh, and then there is just pictures of me vain-ing all the time, and my so-called-attempts at being slightly more "artistic", well as I cant Photoshop, I got to find my way around right :), black and white, sephia, colour art, everything possible. And the occasional Photofunia :)




And I always wish that I could produce a more sexy picture without coming out as a hooch. But as you might be able to tell, being sexy is generally, not my thang. I think, I am better off...




Doing this, FUNNY FACES! Well the reason for the funny faces are usually simple. You dont have to look good. I mean, your making a face, what do you expect right?, and if I could pull off a funny face while still looking fantastic, I wouldn´t be doing the IB, I would be modeling and making tones. Oh, if only life was that simple.




Then, there is the problem where, I look horrible, but everyone around me look amazing, and the picture is effing fantastic. I do have got friends who can actually take stunning photographs (you know those who know their angles and have those super cool, huge, heavy, usually black, comes with more lenses than a normal person could ever imagine using sort of camera´s which I really could never imagine having myself). I would also bombard you with those. *if only I could lay my hands on them...*




I mean really, look at that focus! :) (Photo credits : Johanne)


Now, if only I could lay my hands on Magnar´s pictures. I know there are some stalker pictures of me that I absolutely love. Yes, I am self absorbed like that.