The New Things in My Life

Its been so long!!!

Haha....

Yes, i'm at fault. But honestly, i've taken up so much lately, i have absolutely no time to rest, even in my sick days!

Let see, like i've said before, i'm in a relationship. Hence, gotta try to spend time together and iron out minor details. There will be certain road bumps, certain things you have to change for one another, and all this takes time. Plus not to forget, jus simply spending time together at the movies, restaurants, malls, shopping.

Its fun, having someone to hang out with, to do things with, go to the movies with, eat with. Someone that cares for you, and bugs you all the time jus to tell you how much they miss you, haha... I'm so not used to it, but i guess i am getting the hang of it. Nowadays i'm so occupied i don't even have time to chat on the phone.

Why? Recently i got admitted to the hospital for a surgical reason, i've managed to get myself the ever dreaded Fistula, 3 of them. Its was certainly a horrifying experiance. All i went to the hospital for to get a body check, and i came out having a surgery. The surgeon too a look, and decided on the diagnosis, and then the very next day i had to go for he surgery.

It was my 1st, and i was terrified. What if there was a complication? What if there was some allergy that i was unaware off, and the anesthetics cause me into a coma? Thank god i came out of it. Then again, i came out of the deep sleep screaming. Imagine having your flesh cut out, thats the pain i was in, cause i was missing peices of my butt! The anesthetics was to keep me knocked out for 2 hours, but i got up in 1 and a half hour, thanks to the pain. But that was a month ago, and now my flesh has grown back, and the skin is growing too. Still hurts to sit though.

But throughout the last month, after my surgery, while i has so much trouble sitting down with having to go for daily dressing at the hospital, i went on to undertake a very big adventure, something so difficult, i am still amazed i pulled it off while being in the condition i was.

I bought a condo unit, and worked on renovating it.

Oh yea, ArchDyeu now has his own domain, his very own place, his crib!

Descriptions? Yes, its at a place called Desa Impiana, in Puchong Prima.




And more info is available on the net, about the developement. I got myself the mid-rise condo. The duplex units are very costly, the mid-rise units where very nicely prices. Plus it came with clubhouse facilities, which i really would like to have. Other than that, after getting the unit, renovation was the next step, and let me tell you, if you've not yet done one, you have no idea how difficult it is.

Many might take the easy way, get someone else to do it for you. For me, i decided to do it exactly as i'd want to, so i got myself cabinet ppl, contractor to get the house set up, kitchen and bathroom stuffs, lights and ceiling, electronics and furniture. I assure you, it was beyond me how difficult these were, all the effort and travelling you have to put in, the ppl you have to meet, finding the right ppl to do the work, ppl you can trust, the right price & place, everything. And not to mention i was doing all that with the need to get daily dressings, and a butt that hurts so much i cannot sit. I was popping painkillers like a mad man.

But in the end, i've gotten most of the details ironed out. I'll put up renovation pictures tomorrow, when i drop by, i'll be sure to take pictures. Only the minor details are left, hopefully all goes well, and i can meet my deadline of getting the house ready for presentation by mid December, where i can throw my house warming party.

Other than that, there really isnt much taking up my time, but jus with the above, i do not have enough time to take care of things. But everything that i need to do, somehow works itself out, be it the need to be in two places at one, or getting appointments or working and still being able to visit my project site, honestly, no man is able to pull such precise planning and execution. Only the Lord can, and i am ever greatful, i cannot thank him enough.
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ArchDyeu
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I Came, I Saw, I Left, Singapore

I went to Singapore!!

Haha.....

It was a one day trip. Me, Steve & Wati went on it. Steve wanted to go originally cause he wanted to pick something up. As usual, he asked me, so i said "Yeah!". Then i figured "hey, there gonna be alot of walking, this sounds like something Wati would do", so i picked up the phone and called her up. I did expect her to either say no, or say something like i'll think about it, but i didn not expect her to agree that quick! haha....

Anyway, i sorted out the travel. 1st, i picked up coach bus tickets from KL to Singapore. This bus was a double decker bus from AeroLine, complete with electric sockets and comfy chairs with side tables, leg rest and recliner attached. They also served breakfast, and drinks.


Thats Steve on his single chair, then Wati trying to fill out the Alien Card while the bus is moving. The 3 of us, me actually getting a decent shot with one arm holding the camera, and the bus view.

The the guy in the last picture on the right bottom with black shirt and crossed legs in jeans? He get the DumbAss of the Month award for this month. This asshole keeps pushing his chair all the way back. These chairs actually go almost flat, and this idiot intends to do just that. I'm sitting at the back dumbass, can you imagine what you're doin to my legs? He did it twice, gave it to him twice. I was waiting for the third so that i can actually loose it, but he didnt. Lucky him.

Anyway, despite that jackass, everything else way awesome. We went shopping, then to pick Steve's stuffs up. As soon as we landed, not even 30mins have passed, Wati bought 2 shoes. I dont make the stereotypes, i just see them. Then after her shoe purchase, we went on, and then Steve bought a shoe from Sketchers. Wati wanted one, but the one she picked, they didnt have it in her size (thank you god!). Then we took a tazi ride and picked up Steve's stuffs, then taxi to the IT mall, where my shopping began.

I bought a replacement battery for my phone. The one i'm using has reached its usage life span, and it has to be changed. Then i scouted for my bluetooth headset. I bought the Jabra BT2080. It was well priced, and the Jawbone that i actually want was too expensive, unfortunately. but the Jabra's awesome too, and delivery good quality. But I am having some troubles with it though, as much as the voice mic is awesome, and the caller can hear me well, i sometimes cant hear them due to distortion, even with a Bluetooth 2.0, if there are things in the way, i loose the caller. But all and all its good though.

Here are some pictures of the surroundings.

A picture banning Durians from the MRT stations, hillarious. Our lunch, a feild with "cows", and our dinner destination, where they have built status representing traders from the olden days when Singapore was a popular port for traders and merchants.

Here, i also bought 2 shoes, a black office shoes and a casual shoe to go with my casual outfits.

So thats 4 things for me, 2 shoes, my phone battery and a bluetooth headset. Wati bought 3 shoes, Steve bought a huge bag, some DLT tapes, shoe, and several others.

Then, after dinner, we went to the KTM train station to get the night train back. We bought 1st Class, the sleeper beds, with personal cabin. Totally awesome. The money we paid was worth it, as it came with everything you'd need in the cabin, with a clean shared bathroom. The bathroom in the seater coach was beyond disgusting. Wati couldnt bear looking, and it stunk!

Got back at 6.30am, as predicted. My friend picked me and Wati up, to get us to Cyberjaya. Wati had to work, and my friend works nearby, so can drop everyone off and i can get back to my daily life. All and all, it was a very successful day, awesome. Loved how we got things done, shopped, walked and sight see'ed. And i am very thankful for all the things i am albe to buy, thank you.
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ArchDyeu
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Stephen In A Nutshell

Yes, yes, it has been too long since my last post. I'd give my normal excuses (even though its true), but its in the before post. I also dont speak of what i've not yet do or complete, hence i've not mentioned most of my current undertakings. But mainly, its because of this.

Recently, since my return from Japan, i've started to date.

You've read correctly, yes. Its a shock ain't it, Stephen, dating. Haha... But its true. Yes its a girl, and she's 3 years younger. Currently will begin her working career after her studies, active with church activities, and the sweetest thing on earth. We've known each other for a long time, and since my return, we've began dating. I was very unsure at 1st, but after last Sunday, i was convinced, that this is the real deal.

And the reason i'm posting this is to officially say that we're together now. After dating for this 2 months, i was finally sure of her, and am ready to be in a relationship.

So my special someone, as you're reading this, here are some unknown facts about Stephen.

1. Stephen hates loud noises in the morning, except for music that he puts on. He also hates morning nagging (ask his mum), so pls dont do it.
2. Stephen loves his cars, his computers/games & his phone (you already know that). He's not saying he loves them with everything, its just his favorites.
3. Stephen is not a very verbal person. He prefers to speak with his actions, rather than jus say them out. Due to this, he rarely speaks of his projects that he has not completed, nor does he speaks of any problems that he is facing and is currently solving. However, he will compromise and learn to share, as you are also part of his life from now on. But he does asks you to be patient, and not get angry when he refuses to speak. He does know what he can share, and if he refuses to without a reason, pls understand that the reason is a good enough one to prevent him from sharing.
4. Also, if he doesnt say it, does not mean its not true. Stephen may not always say he misses you, but the truth is that everyday, you're in his mind. He understands that as a girl you'd want verbal affirmation, and will try his best to comply.
5. Stephen hates it when you merajuk (pull a long face) for long periods of time, and when you're silent without talking (for instant, when in his car one time). He's all up for pujuk (making up) you, but hates it when he has to do it for so long, and you're jus nothing but silent. He finds it cute that you merajuk for short periods, and after 3 attempts you're all good, but hates it for long periods.
6. Stephen wants a girl who's independant and dependant at the same time. She's independent and am able to take care of herself and Stephen, at the same time being dependant on Stephen.
7. Stephen wants a girl who's strong willed and minded, but also smart to know when to argue and when to stand her ground.
8. Stephen wants a sweet and kind girl, who understands and supports Stephen in his actions and decisions. Be not affraid, Stephen's matured enough to know where's the limit, and will not abuse your kindness. He knows and has his conciousness to tell him if what he's doing is right or wrong.
9. Stephen loves his freedom, and is free spirited. He also behaves just the way he'd want to be treated, and believes in "Do on to others what you'd want done to you". As such, he'll give you all the space you'd want, and will be very understanding. His car also symbolizes his freedom. If something was to go wrong with his car, he'll feel bounded as he'll be unable to express his freedom. He also does not like to be forced, but will reason, discuss and compromise.
10. Stephen will speak his mind. If he doesnt like or is unhappy with anything, he will voice it. He also fully expects you to tell him when you want something, feel something, like or dislike anything. As Stephen says, ask and you'll get it, as long as he can give it.
11. Stephen like to joke, and be humourous. He can also have a serious conversation, he can speak heart to heart and is very intune to sensitivity as he sees it. It may seem like its a lie, but honestly, Stephen may seem like a bad guy, but ask anyone who really knows him, he's the best you'll ever find.
12. However, if he does something insensitive, he's not doing it on purpose, its just he's in uncharted territory, and he does not know what's the situation. This whole in a relationship is new to him.
13. Stephen has many friends of the opposite sex and the same sex. But his close friends, the few of them, he hopes you'll like them too.
14. Stephen loves to drive and pick you up. He also will love it when you have your own car, drive to come see him and pick him up, and take him out.
15. Stephen's favorite food is chicken, anything with chicken. His favorite desert is chocolate, he's also a big fan of brownies.
16. Stephen will put in every effort to make you happy. This is nothing other than things about Stephen that is unknown, things you'd like to know, Stephen's character, his likes and dislikes, and perhaps if you're unsure of something, hopefully its above. He likes you, and will try his best in this new relationship.

So my dear, thats me in a nutshell. Is it what you're looking for?

Been A While...

Yes, its been a while since my last post, majorly due to the fact i no longer have 100M/sec internet connection at my finger tips!!! I hate this, no internet, arrgghh! And for everytime i need to online, i need to go to either Starbucks or Old Town Cafe to use their wireless connection. And then i have to spend like RM20 there so i can sit for hours surfing.....

Even if i did get my own connection, like Malaysian Internet Service is any match to Japan's.......

Then again, its not all "no internet", i've also spent my last 3 weeks running all over KL, so north to south, and most of the time west.... I've been to places so many times, everyone knows me now, haha. Met a few new friends, caught up with most of my old friends, and just hung out. When i'm not hanging out, i was busy looking for something. Something new, something big for me, something that i've never done.

What is it?

Another post, when its all ready, i'll post up on it. For now, jus be in the dark on this little project of mine.

Anycase, put "no internet", hanging out with friend and new project together, you have the reason for my no recent post in a long time....

Other than that, not much going on. I'm alot free now, so i can update more often

Next post, i'll put up some pics of my Coupe. My Coupe has transformed! Haha....
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ArchDyeu
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DisneyLand !!!

Thats right, you read it correctly, i went to Disneyland!!

Well, i didnt quite go in, the company i was with did not wanted to. Plus, i had made plans to go in another time, sometime during next year's winter vacation time, so i rode the sight seeing train, and went to the Disneyland Castle, or in actuality, the official Disneyland hotel, it's gift shop and the Disneyland gift shop.

It was fun ya'll. As soon as you get there, you'll feel just like a kid all over. Even if you dont see Mickey or others right off the bat, the environment itself is enough to bring the kid in you out. Then you can see the train go on top of you, its amazing. Though i must say, the entire land itself is not that big, but i guess if you put together Disneyland & DisneySea, thats a huge area to cover, haha...

So i bought some gifts, took a lot of pictures, and got some really good ideas on what to do for the next time i come. I dont care how much it cost, i'm staying in the castle next time. If there is anything called a vacation, thats it.

So i bought a monster's inc neck strap for me, with a "Men At Work" tag. Very awesome. It also has a place to hang off charms, which is nice. I also bought some postcards, they were nice, and a stitch charm to hang off my monster's inc strap. Well, another monster to add to the monster's team, haha.

Here are some pictures,


The surrounding of Disneyland




The Castle, and the other picture, when you can see the really tall castle, i think thats where the Disney Princesses lives, sharing a castle. Wonder if thats alright with them.... haha....
There is also the famous Wizard Mickey fountain, the one where Mickey gets an entire orchestra to play.
The last 3 pictures were from inside the castle hotel


Monster's Inc merchandise. The second picture, on the right you can see a bunch of neck straps, thats the one i bought, the one with the "Men At Work".


Remember how i said previously the picture of the sunset bridge in Japan is on of my favorite pictures? The one above is the latest addition......

I've now done everything i wanted to do in Japan. When i got in on Wednesday, my boss said i have to clear some leaves, and i decided to take the next day off. My friend calls me up at night and says his friends are going to Disneyland, and do i want to go along. It was so perfect, there is no one else who could have done this except the big guy up above. Slowly but surely, all that i so long for all my life, is coming to reality. My sincere thanks.......
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ArchDyeu
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Asakusa - Japanese Temple, Foreign Visitors

Thats where i went last Sunday (thats yesterday for me when i'm writing this).

Asakusa, a temple, the main gate housing the thunder god Raijin, and the wind god Fujin, as well as others. It is also a good tourist spot, i went there to get souvenirs for my colleagues and friends, since my date of return is about 3 more weeks. Its a nice place to sight see, and alot of things to buy as well. There are a long street of shops selling keychains, masks, traditional dolls, souvenirs, weapon replicas including from the art of Ninja & Samurai, kimono, yukata and toys. Its was like how Thaipusam is in Batu Caves, but all year long....

So the trip was, with my friends. We planned to meet at Okachimachi (a station near to Asakusa) for lunch. I made some plans of my own, before meeting them, i went to Ginza, Japan's most luxurious and posh shopping avenue (kinda like Orchid Street in Singapore, only way more posh). This avenue houses flagship stores for most of the major fashion labels out there, some names include Dunhill, MNG, Zara, Mont Blanc, this and that and everything. If you do a google on Ginza, the one main constant in all the searches would be "bring your wallet/credit cards cause the place is gonna wipe em' clean".

Anycase, why i went there? To get something for someone from somewhere. I did alot of searches on the net, and found something nice to get, and what better place to get it from if not from the flagship store. I had a choice between two, and i hope i made a good choice. Both of my choices were difficult to make too, haha...

Then i headed over to Shimbashi, and rode the Yamanote Line to Okachimachi, met up with Steve and his friends from M'sia and Katsu. Homies!!! Well, they were visiting Steve, and since we were going to a tourist spot anyway, they tagged along. It was fun, we had Ramen for lunch, and then headed off to Asakusa


The street market in Okachimachi. It kinda is like a pasar malam, or pasar borong equivalent. Alot of things for sale, food, groceries, fish, golf equipments, bags, sporting items, shoes, alot more. Its a good shopping place, just no malls.



These are jus some of the pictures i took of the temple, the surrounding shops, the items for sale and such. One thing i forgot to take pictures of would be the kimono/yukata display, those were really beautiful.

We had a good trip sight seeing, i was busy looking at keychains as souvenirs, got some really cool looking ones for my friends and colleagues. Man, souvenirs in this country is not cheap, i think i spent about 15,000yen on just souvenirs. Well, i guess its still something to get for those i work with. I'd post pictures of those, maybe next time.

There was also fortune telling posts, where you shake the can of chopsticks, and take a sheet of the one that falls out. These were quite generically produced fortunes, as when i compare mine to my friends, all it has is good, bad and neutral with similar categories. Nothing specific. I guess thats how it goes,


The english translation goes as such, as you can read. The 2nd paragraph however was quite spot on, "A female who is not trained in the water, stand among the stream meet a severe danger. Just like feeling envious looking at other people in comfort, while you feel yourself helpless". Recently someone close to me got hospitalized for dengue fever, all ended well though, but from my point of view, i really felt helpless. If someone's reading this, how spot on is that?? haha...

A part of paragraph 3 caught my eye "The patients is hopeless, the person you wait for will not come" If the above is so spot on, i wonder about this little section right here, haha....

Then again, this is just fortune telling, according to Buddhist believe, bad fortune telling means that this is bad fortune you are going through currently, and following the ying & yang concept, after the bad, the good will come. And i also had to tie the slip onto a metal rod, kinda like a good luck tree kinda, and this will avert the bad fortune telling. Haha.... Well, these are some of the things you can expect at the temple.

After the trip, we went for a boat ride along the river. This is what we took,

The SS Himiko!!
(okay, its just called the Himiko, i added the SS part, haha)

Its a boat tour of the sides of tokyo, they take you by the river side, to see all the buildings, tokyo tower, some islands, and end up at a Odaiba, an awesome shopping and entertainment mall, right by the man made beach. Here's some of the views i took,


Inside and sides of the Himiko,



Some of the views, as well as the cockpit of the Himiko. It was a nice trip, to sight see. This is one of my recommendations for those who visit Japan, for the experience of it.

And this is definitely going into my favorite picture to date,

Haha, i shot that, might be amateur quality, and amateur camera, but that is a awesome view...

All and all, awesome trip. We had lots of fun, walking, talking, joking, eating, it was fun. I am so very grateful.
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ArchDyeu
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Goodbye, My Friend......

Dont sound so sad, its not "Goodbye Forever", just for the next month, and till i get back from holiday, haha....

My colleague is going back to M'sia. She's the 1st one to complete her assignment, and return home. I'm next, but not for another month. My last post i mentioned we had a farewell party for her and me, mine being an early one.

Last week, i remembered that today, is her birthday. Before that, my boss has asked me to come in today to have a day of overlap with her so that both of us are together when her last day came. Today's her last day. To many coincidences, and when i realized today was her birthday, i mentioned it to my admin and my colleague, and we decided to have a surprise birthday party/surprise farewell party for her.

We had pizza, 6 different kinds of pizza, nuggets and pop corn chickens, and cake. It was a festival when everyone gathered to eat and wish her goodbye


Cake, and pizzas halfway eaten, these guys are raptors......


The raptors caught in the act

One thing about the party though, as much as we planned it to be a surprise birthday/surprise farewell, all it turned out in the beginning was surprise farewell. I mean, my organizing colleagues totally forgot about her birthday till the very last minute when i stopped waiting and whispered "hey dude, its her birthday today, thats why we planned this remember?". Haha.... Then they all went "Oh yea!!!"

But we both got some gifts, since i'm gonna leave soon too. I didnt take the pictures of what my friend got, but i got these,


A decorative traditional made in japan fan of Fujin - God of the Wind and Raijin - God of Thunder. My admin when she went to a city in Yokohama called Kanazawa, she got it for me.


From everyone in the office, they bought me this T-shirt. In the red kanji, it says "Su", as in the 1st syllable of my name being pronounced in a very Japanese manner. The white kanji reads "Teppeki", direct translates as "Iron Cliff". A more literal meaning of "Teppeki" is secure, strong, unassailable or unattackable, or a dictionary meaning would be "strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable".

They really know me well, they got it in my favorite colour, and the meaning is really a spirit lifter. I'm gonna make the fan a decorative.

I'm gonna miss these guys when i leave, as much as i'm looking forward to coming back, a part of me does not want to leave. Colleagues like these, i used to have when i was working in KL, when the office was small, and everyone knew each other well. But back home now when everything is so big and the number of employees is bigger, it has become just another work place. I guess this is the part i dont want to separate from, the sense of belonging to a group of people that knows you, the part of people that you can be comfortable around. It is not easy to have colleagues who are also friends.

Well, all well ends well. Going back would be fun too. But in the mean time, i have another month to finish. This should be fun.

Thanks guys for all the gifts...!! And Thank You...!
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ArchDyeu
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Thinkin' of a Title

Most of my posts have always been accompanied by pictures, be it something i bought, somewhere i went, or what i saw. Maybe its because recently i've not been buying much, or i've not been going out much, or maybe sometimes i do go, but i'm too lazy to take pictures, but this is my second post without picture....

Haha......

Well, its not like its a bad thing, it just makes the post seem dull. I mean, come on, who wants to read a page full of words. Some pictures jus lighten the mood, and makes a point alot more easier to make. It can also make it easier to skip through for those fast readers who dont really bother about the specifics, jus the core of the matter of what is going on.

It does have its bad points. Not everyone wants to see pictures. Pictures, especially in my posts have always been about good things. I guess not everyone wants to read good stuffs all the time. Some have even said not to put up too many good things. But seriously, how low can one be to be unhappy when something good happens to others?

Well, couldn't care less. So with that in mind, let see what happened along last week and this week. There was my early farewell party last week. Basically, it was organized under the impression that i'll be leaving end of this month. But by the time the decision to retain me for another month was made, it was too late to make the party all about my colleague who is also leaving. Again, i forgot to take pictures. I mean, i felt really silly half way through the party and realizing i've not taken a single picture even though i brought my camera. But there was good food, really good food, and oh have i mentioned, the food was good? Haha, there was wine, prawns, lamb stew, and chicken, and others.....

Party was fun, everyone chatted, we ate, laughed, i got some gifts, all and all, really fun. Makes me sad i'm leaving soon.

Then i went shopping with Steve, we drove down to Chiba, where i got alot of gifts for my friends and their family. Like i mentioned before, i've packed the gifts and soon they will be picked up and shipped back, along with these two that i bought for myself




Haha, nice ain't it. They went expensive, infact, they were just basic models. Plus i got them used, so they were really cheap. I'm not a professional guitar player, i'm not even a beginner when it comes to electric guitars, only a beginner in bass. So i dont need expensive guitars, just something basic so i can start learning. Plus, if i bought something really expensive and not be able to play it, that would really suck....

I've always wanted a bass, but the electric guitar was priced for a steal, so i got it as well. The electric guitar is a basic model from Ibanez, and the bass is a Percision & Jazz bass from Fender. The bass needs a little work on its pickups, which i'll work on ones i get back, but the electric guitar's beautiful. I went the next day to a music district and got new strings for both of those, a new case for the bass, guitar stands, electric tuner and a pair of these,



Thats 2 of Vox's 5 new portable amps, they all look like that, but with different purpose. The 5 would be AC'30, Classic Rock, Metal, Lead & Bass. I got the Classic Rock and Bass. They hook up to a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is perfect for my pair of Audio Technica headphones. They then plug directly into the guitars, no dangling wires, jus plug and play. Cant get any easier.

I also got a few kinds of strings, flatwounds for both, and another extra for keeps. I also got some picks, which i inserted into the "PickBoy" that you see attached to the electric guitar. All and all, it was great fun shopping for these, and it was even more educational to find out about guitars, the types of strings, how to adjust the bridge and pickup heights, the effects and others. I also need a new tremelo bar which i forgot to get the last time, probably some other time i will. Well, even though i have alot to do, i'm happy i got these, once i get back i can start learning. Thanks to one up there, creating so many opportunities for me to grow and keep bettering myself, how grateful i am......
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ArchDyeu
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The Gifts & Recipients

Time to go back home is coming near. I have been asked to stay behind for a month more, to give a longer handover period, and help out where ever i'm needed. My colleague will be going back next of this month, as per planned, and i'll join next month. For me, it'll definitely be a little weird, moving back to KL.

For the past 1 year and soon to be 4 months, this country has been my home. I walk most of the time to get to places, i take public transport to travel to further places, i eat different types of food and when i get bored, i cook, i eat packed food almost half of the time from a convenient store, i've really adapted myself here. Somehow, its like i'm leaving home to a new place, even though the place i'm moving to is home.

Its a weird feeling, part of me doesnt want to return, i've adapted to the life style. Another part of me is just screaming to go back, to go back to my social life i left behind, an empty apartment i left behind, my friend and family, jus screaming to go back to the stability i left behind. I think the part of me that wants to return grows everyday, but it never overcomes the part of me that deals with responsibility, work and my commitment. I have a job to take care of, and i'll return once its finishes.

As much as i am sad to leave, i'm excited to return as well. Ofcourse, i'll be sick of home in a matter of months of my return, but i guess its as they say, "home sweet home". So in preparation for my return next month, i've began shopping around for souvenirs, for my friends & family. I've knocked out a bunch of gifts for some of my friends, but i still have half a way more to go down my list. And for my colleagues as well, i guess i should get something, as much as alot of people say why, i always remind them that when my colleagues go places, they always bring back a keychain for everyone. Do on to other what you want others do on to you, and it is only right that i return the favour. I was thinking of going to a place about an hour away form here this weekend, to shop around.

I've also started finishing up some of the things i've put off, like packing up some of the stuffs i have laying around. I've also put away my already prepared gifts, and packed away other non-essentials. But i'm really not packing until i'm going home, haha....

Sad thing though, i might not be able to meet some of my friends who will be in town only next month, since i'll be spending it here. I've havent told anyone of them too, the time i need them to be online, they are not. Plus i have to break the news to my parent tomorrow, that i'll be a month late. I'm sure they'll complain, but i dont see any problems there. Guess i have to get them some more gifts, haha....

I must say, this has been a wonderful trip. I had fun, i made friends, i visited places, i grew up. I faced challenges, i met with expectations, exceed them, i proved myself, i changed point of views, i achieved alot that i can be proud of. I really have been blessed, and i couldn't be more grateful, there is much to be thankful for. Everyday is a learning experience, and i have alot more to achieve. Little by little, i'll get there.....
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ArchDyeu
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My New Vaio

I havent posted in a long time, very long time. Part of the reason is that i have been very very busy. A part of that is because of work, the other part is because i've been busy reading forums, posts and blogs about Sony Vaio, regardless of the series. I've also been busy collecting drivers and programs for Sony Vaio, to ensure all parts of a Vaio works. Plus work has been hectic, its nearing return time, hence i have a lot to prepare, and a lot to hand over to my local replacements.

Part of the preparation is getting myself my very 1st laptop, my 1st and probably my only for a long time. I've always wanted one, and was never able to, it was too expensive, the cheap ones were not capable enough, and i had more important things to take care off instead. But i finally reached into my wallet and brought out the cash, i've been waiting long enough, as i realize my dreams and goals, lets bring another one to life. Introducing, my very own, 1st, Sony Vaio VGN-CS92XS




Aint it a beauty. Might i add, this is a Japan specific model, exact model not available in other countries. Sure, the "C" series is available everywhere, but a 92XS? Haha.... Alright, alright.....

So, why this model? I've always fancied the 15.4" inch laptops. In fact, i've once argued with my friend that when i buy my laptop, it will be that size. But the "C" series is 14.1" inch, what happened? Well, when i came to Japan, i was given a company issued 15.4" inch HP laptop, which i might add have served me very well, took a lot of abuse, yet stuck with me. Its true what they say, the older you get, the wiser you get, you change. As i use it, i began to realize, that it is a big size, and it will be a little heavy, and laptops generally should not be as such, they should be small and compact. But a 13.3" inch, is too small for me, i didnt quite want that, hence Sony had me hooked with a compromise 14.1" inch.

Secondly, look at it, its gorgeous. The "C" series are the really trendy looking ones, with range of colours, compact enough and still pack a punch. Initially they had very few colours, then it grew, and they introduced the colour i picked, Noble Brown. Then i waited a while, and the series grew, to the current 92XS model. And its "Owner Made", i had this made specially for me, with my customized specs. I didnt go to wild, just maxed out the essentials, took a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo (maxed), 4 GB DDR 2 Ram (2nd best, 8GB was just too much, plus too expensive) and 256MB DDR-3 NVIDIA GeFroce 9300M GS (pre-maxed). Everything else was out of the factory specs, so its common and available on the net. But i also had the keyboard changed to English (US) keyboard, and my nick engraved into the top left hand side of the monitor. Total awesomeness.

What about the OS? Came with Window's Vista Home Basic Japanese version. Hence, my second dilemma, the OS. The laptop was supped up, but without an OS i can understand, whats the point? I took a risk, i gambled that when i get it, i can change the OS to English, reformat the whole thing and shove in a Window's XP. Hence i spent a lot of time, researching through my options, gathering information, and forming a game plan. When i got my laptop, i made a recovery DVD 1st, then had snapshots off all the drivers in Control Panel, and went to so many sites to get all the English versions of all the drivers, somewhat successfully. I also made copies of Sony's drives that were installed, just in case. Then i plunged.

As evident by my post, you can be sure that i was successful. But not after many tries and errors. Right off the bat, i was stumped when my XP Installation disc error out with a blue screen. Both my CDs. Then i realized that my new bleeding edge laptop was in a 64 bit architecture, and normal XP wont cut it. I then installed a 64 bit XP, but i was not happy with the installation, it was slow. I'm sorry, it was not slow, it was beyond slow that we need a new word to describe how slow my laptop was after the installation. I thought it needed drivers, but that did not help one bit. I was so bummed out, really sad, doubted myself for a moment.

But i didnt give up, i took the next approach, since this is bleeding edge, lets let go of the XP mentality, and move on to Vista, so i installed a English version of the original OS, Home Basic. I tell you, it was back to its native speed when i got initially, i was really happy. But my OS was not activated, even though i gave the right key from the back of my laptop. Thats Sony + Windows for ya, the activation key was actually inside the original installation, the Japanese OS. Oh boy, but thank god i made a recovery disc, i had some help from my colleagues, and got the laptop back to factory specs, extracted the key, and re-installed. During this ordeal, i found out something. The recovery disc, is also an installation disc. Guess what is installs, drivers & programs. Thats right, i could have saved a lot of time if i didnt go hunting for all those drives and Sony Vaio custom programs. But all's well end's well, i made a clean install, activated my Windows, installed my drivers, and finally got this kick ass machine working beautifully.

I was watching a show, and it was said, that if you didnt work on something with your own two hands, then it is not yours. How true that statement is, cause there is no measurement for the amount of pride, happiness & excitement i'm feeling right now. I tweaked and fixed this and made it work just how i want it to, beautifully, and i spent time and effort, and energy to perfecting it. It finally is, and according to Vista, my laptop's performance score a 4.3 out of a 5. Oh yea.....

Oh and Chun Hao, if you're reading this, i'm sorry man, i know i was thinking of between this and the Mac Pro, but i settled with this. My next laptop perhaps, i'll go with the Mac Pro, aight?

Little by little, but surely, it is all coming true. Sometimes i look back to a few years back, and think about how i was, and look at me now. How i've changed, how i've grown. Trully, god is real, and everyday i'm reminded how he works, and how he has blessed me. Amazing, I cannot say enough thanks, but i can try. Thank you.
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ArchDyeu
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