Now, We Wait.

Finally, after half a year of planning on applying to study in Uni of Melbourne, it's finally done yesterday. Something unexpected happened though. When I was waiting for the university's representative to waive the AUD100 assessment fee, I was told that it cannot be waived because my qualifications actually didn't meet the entry requirements. I was on the verge of throwing a fit because I couldn't believe what I heard. I have been preparing this for so long and I have even visited the IDP office more than twice, consulting the people there, telling them the exact course and only after I have spent so much of money and time getting everything ready, they told me I didn't have the right qualifications. Seriously, what the fuck.

I initially read from the website that the Masters in Music Studies only require a Bachelor's Degree in Art majoring in music, which was why I thought I was only eligible for only that course cos the rest require a Bachelor in Music, which is not what I have. It didn't specify exactly how long my course should have been so I took it that I actually qualify? Later on the representative told me that I actually need an Honors year, which means a 4th year of study to qualify myself for it. My degree was only 3 years. And there's no Honors year for it.

After some debating and some clarification, I decided to do the Postgradue Diploma instead. It's equivalent to an Honors year of study so by taking this, I'll be able to do any other Master studies in the future.

And my audition, thank goodness it didn't come out to be a waste of time and money. An audition CD of 30 minutes, which was what I have already prepared, was required so in the end all I had to do was just changing the course I wrote. And the assessment fee was waived too.

But the bad news is, because the closing date for application's Christmas Eve and IDP's next courier service is next Thursday which IS, Christmas Eve, I had to send my application out myself on that day itself. Went to DHL and paid RM170++ for everything and it's that expensive because there's a freakin' CD, my audition CD. Without it, it's only RM70++. KNN!!!

But yeah, application's finally done and now, I'll have to wait till next January or February to get their reply.

I twittered of not wanting to see IDP anymore. I'm taking that back. I hope I'll get to see them again cos the next time I need to see them, is when I actually get accepted.

My 2X-th Birthday :)

I got back after 2 long, long days and checked my Hotmail and saw " _2 New Messages" and I told Wk,

" Wtf I got _2 new messages! My inbox is always cleared wan! "

And he said,

" Sure kena spammed lo "

-______-

" Stupid, its birthday wishes laaaaaaa "

Anyway, _2 is a number with the first figure not revealed (isn't it obvious...) cos I don't want to sound like I'm bragging so you can guess all you want but seriously, I've never gotten so many messages before! All these while, my phone will keep buzzing or ringing due to incoming messages but no, I've not gotten even _2 SMSes as well. This year my phone only buzzed a few times. I think there's only about 10 birthday SMSes? And I was thinking sadly to myself, the older I get, the more people forget about me. Until I see _2 New Messages! Crazy!

Thank you so much everyone! Whether or not you wished me in advance, on the day itself or belated. I appreciate every wish cos it's always better to be late than never! =) That's why, I replied to each and every one of the wishes cos I honestly, sincerely, truly appreciate it!

Someone asked what I've wished for this year. I almost forgot about wishes that's because I didn't get a cake this year. My parents were out for a formal dinner so we didn't get a cake and sing a birthday song and blow candles. Heck even if there is a cake it's not that we ever make wishes anyway. Btw, this is NOT a hint to anyone to get me a cake ok.

So, usually I don't make wishes unless I celebrate it with friends who get me a cake or something. But if I were to wish, I wish my application will get accepted by Uni of Melbourne.

So far, I've gotten 3 presents and they are all stuffs I've mentioned in my Ee Von's Guide to Getting Gifts for Ee Von (wtf how did I even came up with such a self-obsessed title)! It's so crazy! I'm contemplating whether or not to talk about them presents cos again, I don't want to sound like I'm bragging but I so want to tell the world how great my friends are!! Argh should I or should I not?

Anyway the best present this year has got to be...

MY AUDITION CD IS FINALLY DONE!!!

And a better news is I don't have to spend a diamond on it! I mean, it's not free of course but the amount is so much lesser than what I was expecting so that's a GOOD GOOD GOOD news ok! I am so freaking excited and happy and sleepy at the same time.

Seriously, it got so freaking hectic that I've been having 2 cups of coffee everyday.

And I can't even sleep now until I get all my application stuffs prepared! Will be heading to IDP tomorrow to get it done and over with! And then I'll hang around in some mall with Wk and waste time before I go back home and...

SLEEP AT LEAST 12 FREAKING HOURS I'M SERIOUS.

LCCT Tomorrow!

AAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I can barely contain my excitement now :)

Tomorrow Wk will be back and I'll be picking him up!!!111111

Seriously, damn excited and I kept smiling to myself like a sohai wtf.

MMMMM MY GYU TAN DON ALL THE WAY FROM MELBOURNE :D

Although he'll only be back for about 3 weeks before he leaves again...

There's this joke which Kai Mun (Maggie's boyfriend) came up with when I was at Melbourne. Because I was there and Wk kinda paid for me for most things, I was called a leech and Wk's my host and I'm sucking his blood HAHAHA! I know, it sounds kinda mean but it totally is not. It's a funny joke, just that I totally fail in making it sound funny here that's all.

So I twittered something about how should I tell my parents that I won't be coming home tomorrow night cos I most probably gonna stay over at his place. I used to use "uni" as an excuse last time. You know, I either stayed at campus or at my rented room so I could always say I'm going back there when actually I didn't hahahaa. Ok sorry I really don't want to be a bad role model for lying so much but really, sometimes my parents knew I stayed at his place. I just... find it easier to say "I'm going back to uni" than "I'm staying at my boyfriends house", knowwaddamean?

Anyway. Maggie replied, "Tell them your host is back and u need blood!" AHHAHAAHHAHHAHHAHAAH WTF!!!

Ok end of lame jokes.

YAYYYYYY TOMORROW YAYYYYY!!!!11111111

Ee Von's Guide To Getting Gifts for Ee Von

HAHAHAHA WHAT A STUPID TITLE! But just read on for the heck of knowing what are things that won't be a waste of money when thinking of getting stuffs for me, ok? Let me just warn you it's kinda wordy cos I give very detailed reasons of liking them as gifts.

1. Cosmetics

I won't deny that I personally prefer higher end stuffs than regular drugstore ones cos I'm materialistic like that. My ultimate love is of course for MAC and NARS which I don't own many cos they're not cheap at all. I also do like Stila, Make Up For Ever and Benefit. As for drugstore brands, I'm more into stuffs by Revlon, Rimmel and NYX but I do own a few things from other brands as well cos I initially only wanted to try them out. I'm not saying all, but every cent is worth it when you're getting something from the higher end brands.  Better quality, better colour variety to choose from and better packaging. And that's why I always end up getting more expensive stuffs eventhough Watsons and Guardian do sell things that works just as well. Maybe it's just me, maybe it's just my notion about these things. But seriously, I'll be really happy to receive a makeup product as a gift whether or not it's high end or drugstore. But please bear in mind that makeup products are not things that I can keep cos eventually, they'll expire and I will have to get rid of them. I don't like giving makeup products as gifts only because of this reason but if you think it's ok, I'm more than glad to receive =D

2. Books

Just because I'd love to read something nice and I'd love to not have to lose my grasp on the English language! Lol. I don't speak too much of English cos at home, we don't communicate in English except for sarcastic purposes. When with friends, I usually use Manglish. And since I'm done with studies and haven't been writing and reading in a while, my grammar and everything to do with the language is seriously deteriorating! I don't have a specific genre that I always go for cos what I always do when I want to get a book is google what's bestselling in the world now. Either that, or I take note when people say they like a certain book. I most likely would get it only because I've heard people saying it's good. I do chicklits but sometimes I find chicklits kinda pointless, they're most of the time the same. I'd love to read things that are inspirational, things that are beautiful, things that are not the usual kind. Things that you know, make it so special that they sell like hot cakes. Not so much into fantasy stuffs though. Books are great gifts cos they won't expire, and they are meaningful. You can even leave a handwritten note in it so I will never ever forget that that book was a gift! I don't own many books so don't worry about getting a book that I already have. You can always check out the "Now Reading" column.

3. Fragrance/Body Spray/Body Mist

I'm not so much of a body spray/body mist kinda person but I have always wanted to try. As for the scent I go for when choosing a perfume, it is usually fruity, not overpowering-ly sweet and a subtle floral scent that gives a kind of identity. For example, for fruity/sweet goodness I'd go for my Escada Ocean Lounge (used to be Sunset Heat). It has got the perfect fruit/sweet scent. I hate DKNY's Be Delicious btw. Jennifer Lopez also has a sweet scented one but it smelled kinda cheap so I didn't get it. Britney Spears has one too but its too sickly sweet. And as for a subtle perfume scent which gives a kinda identity, I love Lancome's Miracle Magic, Dior Addict 2 and Gucci Envy Me. I hate strong, musky scents. Honestly, I'm not good at describing perfume scents but I can tell you I don't like CK Eternity. I know some people think that fragrance is something that's kinda personal as a gift but I am personally quite flexible with gifts; as long as it's something for me I'll be glad to accept! But again, like I said, it'd better be something I like other wise it's gonna be a waste of money.

4. Art Supplies

I haven't been involved in anything to do with art until recently I got hooked into makeup. And the reason I love makeup is not mainly because I have a lot of flaws or imperfections to hide (although I do have lots of flaws and imperfections to hide) but I simply love the art of makeup and also applying makeup! After all these years, I have never fell out of love with colours. Whenever I walk into an art supply store I always get fascinated and excited. Whenever I walk into a shop full of colours for example the place in Subang Parade which teaches people how to knit, it's full of colourful yarns and threads and whatnot, I get fascinated. Whenever I walk into a professional cosmetics store, I get fascinated with all the different eye shadow colours that's displayed. I have always wanna go back to learning art. I was in an art school for more than 10 years and I've always loved water colour. I have always wanted to learn oil painting too.Arghh there are so many things I want to learn. I just don't wanna lose my touch with art.

5. Fancy Paper Stuffs and Stationery

 

And that includes fancy agendas, diaries, planners, notepads - as long as they're papers. I love stuffs from Smiggles and kikki.K. Those are the only two that I know of. There's one paper shop that sells lots of great stuffs in Chapel Street but I don't know the name. I love crafty and artsy fartsy stuffs but honestly, I'm not crafty and creative at all. I only like to use or keep them cos looking at them just makes me happy.

6. Food

A year before last, Esther bought me a few packets of Pocky along with some other things for my birthday just because a few days ago I mentioned I love Pocky. So yes, I'm in love with food; junk or not. Gyu tan don (which somebody's bringing back mmm!), Japanese snacks, Japanese food, sushi, sashimi, Shanghai food, ribs, seafood, Italian, Mexican, Spanish... and these are only a few of it. Of course, I also love hawker stalls' food like wantan mee, assam laksa, curry laksa etc etc. What I mean is, treating me meals are great ways as a gift too but again, it's not something I can keep la. I'll most likely write a post about it in my blog and that's probably the only way to remind me of it. But rest assure, I love food! OH MY GOD HOW CAN I FORGET DESSERTS! Lol I still remember when I was at Melbourne, no matter how much I have stuffed myself for lunch or dinner (no breakfast cos we always sleep through it wtf), I always always always have a room for dessert! I get super happy and excited when someone suggests to have dessert! Hee hee. They say I have a 'separated stomache only for desserts' ahahaha. Yam Milk Bubble Tea, Max Brenner, Harajuku Crepe...

7. Cash... or gift cards

Apart from non-monetary gifts, I appreciate 'ang pow's too! It's the best gift cos then I get to use the money to get things that I really like. Other than that, gift cards are great gifts too! For those of you who doesn't know what a gift card is, it basically looks like a credit card but instead of a bank's logo, it has logos of a certain retailer, mall or store for example, MAC. I can't remember exactly how it works since I've only seen it once in a post office in Melbourne, which got me really shocked cos I've never seen such thing as a giftcard before. But basically, there's money inside depending on how much the person has gotten/paid for. So you basically can use the card to 'redeem' stuffs using that amount of money credited into the card! Isn't this the best gift ever?? I know, to some people it may seem like a bloody lazy and insensitive and unthoughtful way of giving gifts but I personally find giftcards a great way to give gifts. At least, that's for me. Instead of risking getting things that I won't like, why not give a giftcard so I can buy things I like within the budget? A lot of times I (and I know many people too) face situations of not knowing what to get someone for their birthday cos first there is a budget, second dunno what he/she likes, third if buy something dunno if he/she will like it. A gift card solves the problem. But sadly, I don't think gift cards are available in Malaysia =( But if you're from Australia, you can get me giftcards cos I visit Melbourne at least once a year! =D I think I also saw that a gift card lasts for about a year or so, if I'm not wrong.

And at this point, I got stucked thinking of what else to put so I guess, there're only 7 things. Here are some things that I don't think are suitable as a gift for me and my reasons to it:

1. Shoes, Clothes and Bags - Unless you know my exact size and you know the kind I like.

2. Jewelries and accesories - Just because I am not a fan of it and I don't like to attract thieves as well. I only wear things that mean a lot to me like my gold necklace given to me by my grandma for my 21st b'day and Wk and I's 4th year anniversary ring. Apart from these two, I pretty much don't wear any kind of jewelry As for accesories, again, unless you know the kind I like.

3. Soft toys - Cos my bed is damn small 'nuff said.


The end!

Walao damn long lol! But yeah. Do take note that this is only a guide, not my wishlist. I have a never ending wishlist and some are things that nobody is capable of giving like getting accepted by Uni of Melbourne, getting a better violin etc. I hope this guide is a good one =)

Itchy Belly

These few days I've been absent mindedly scratching my tummy, right underneath my navel cos it has been so freakin' itchy. I've scratched it so often that that a brown patch is formed and I could even feel bumps and it is STILL itchy even now. Moments ago, I finally took a look at what's going on and figured out what was the problem: it's my freakin' navel stud. I've been wearing it for the longest time now sometimes I don't even remember having it there even though it's a dangling one. It has seriously been there for years, I just never bother replacing it with a non-dangling one. Just now, I turned the 'pendant' around and noticed that...

jeng jeng jeng...

it is RUSTED oh my freakin' god!

It's not as bad as how I exaggerated lah, it's the early stage of the rusting process. There are only brown fine dots. It's not like the whole thing turning into a completely brown thing! That's crazy ok. So anyway, I've decided to take it off and replace with a non-dangling one. Feels kinda weird now, cos now it feels like there's nothing there anymore.

Ok. Just something really random I feel like typing down.

Regarding the recording of my audition CD, it's still not done =(

I was so naive and stupid to have thought that it could be done within 2 hours. Well, it COULD have been if I could play better, or just accept things easily and stop being unsatisfied all the time. Next session is scheduled to next Tuesday, which is the same day Wei Kiat's coming back. And hopefully, that'll be the last session before it gets edited and be ready for my application. Having my accompanist come for so many days to do so many takes of fail recording, I seriously cannot imagine how much he is going to charge me. Seriously hope he can 手下留情 (sau har lau cheng)...

On another note, 3 more days!!! And hopefully, I don't have to do stupid countdowns anymore next year...

Btw, somebody asked me where's my wishlist lol! You know who you are nyehehe. Ok, I'll try to do it soon but it's really hard cos most stuffs that I really really want at the moment are not easy on anyone's wallet hahah and I don't want to sound like I'm expecting things as well! I admit I am a very materialistic person, this is a material world what do you expect? Of course I'll be glad to receive but... I don't want to be seen like I'm such a thick skinned person who expects people to buy me things, you know what I mean? Hrm... I don't know exactly how to describe but yeah, I'll do it really soon. Maybe I won't call it a wishlist but more like a... "Ee Von's Guide to Getting Presents for Ee Von" HAHAAHHAHHA omg it sounds completely self-obsessed! But yeah I figured a 'guide' sounds so much better than a wishlist cos I have so many ridiculous wishes.

Time to sleep now.

"I'm Yours" - Ukulele

Please watch this! It'll definitely make you smile!!! =)



This is probably the only time I find kids adorable. Lol!

Economical & Just Nice VS Expensive & Perfect

Ok. It's finally decided.

My very kind lecturer agreed to let me use his sound recording devices/softwares so I'm saving money on recording my audition. If any of you have been following my twitter, I mentioned,

"should i choose something 'economical & just nice' or something 'expensive & perfect'?"

I was actually talking about recording my audition. I have been really worried and stressed out with deciding the right way to record my audition. Initially, I thought of using the regular sound recorder and go to one of the practice studios in uni and get it done. Then I realised that the sound quality may not be the best. In fact, it may even turn out to be bad. Then I consulted one of the music major in Uni of Melbounre who happens to found my blog and know my situation, and who very kindly dropped me a message too. She told me it's best to record it in a recording studio. Which at first, seemed like a good option but not until I realised I actually need a recording studio which has a piano.

Being an instrumentalist is not something everyone should be envious of. Do you know how much I had to spend just for this audition? I had to attend violin lessons. Approximately RM 100-120 per lesson. I had to rehearse with my accompanist. RM 100 per hour of rehearsal. And renting a recording studio, I'm not sure of the rates but I heard it can be from RM 100 - 500 (or more?) per hour depending on which studio I go to. And it gets more expensive when I'm using a studio which provides a piano. I need not just "a piano". I actually need "a grand piano", or anything that's equivalent to decent. That again marks up the price.

Sorry I digressed. So, a few days ago I went back to uni to just catch up with Cat and a lecturer and I told him about my situation and he suggested I do it in uni cos there's a recording studio in uni, and it's more 'economical' lol. I didn't think of uni at first even when I knew there is a recording studio with sufficient recording devices/softwares cos the studio is a very small one and there isn't any proper piano in it. The only way to do the recording in uni, is to shift all the devices to one of the studios which has a decent grand piano. And the good news is, he agreed to do so.

=)

So I've chosen the 'economical and just nice' option simply because I think it'll most likely be the same anyway just that I'm paying so much more for a more established and well-facilitated studio. The sound quality probably will be better but seriously, this is only an audition. It's not like I'm producing an album or anything like that.

The schedule is I'll be at uni for the whole day to record this and if all goes well, I'll be applying on Thursday!

Oh before I go, just wanna say I've watched New Moon. Hop on to Esther's blog to read about what I think cos we both share the same thoughts on it. Except that I'm with Team Jacob lol!