Back To School Blues

A super-short post, I mean, a mini post, because I'm researching about MMU at the same time! I'll be in an interview camp tomorrow! Wish me luck!

超简短的更新，哦，不，而是迷你式的帖子，因为我也同时查询多媒体大学的资料啊！明天我将会参加面试营哦。保佑我幸运过关吧！

Okay, If you guys have read my previous post, you will know that I'll be once again bound with those endless school rules, tighter-than-ever timetables and stuffy school uniforms! (Stuffy for me, because I'm fat! Almost 80 kg. I was always left bewildered when people told me how lean do I look. Ha ha!)

好吧，少罗嗦了。假如你们有阅读我上回的帖子，就知道我又得遵守种种校规、排得满满的时间表、令人喘不过气的校服。（当然咯，因为我是肥婆一族嘛，体重几乎80公斤叻！谁说我瘦，我就会杏眼圆瞪，满满好奇地望着他。哈哈！）

going to form Six. Okay. A friend of mine told me that I have to wear my school uniform in high school during the orientation. When I tried onto the pinafore that very night......

上高三？好，没问题。我有个朋友通知我，在开学期时，要穿上中学校服。当晚，我拖出那个早已发出怪味的校服来试穿······

The pinafore draped around me quite smoothly until when I make a hideous and disgusting discovery:

Oh My GOSH!!! TIRES STICKING OUT AT THE ZIPPER!

校裙穿下去，几乎完美无暇，直到我做了一个骇人的发现：

轮胎挂在拉链四周！天啊！！！

My goodness. To think that I can still fit into my old clothes well and NOT in my pinafore? That's what I hate in a typical Malaysian school uniform. White Hawaii shirt ironed crisply, with a blue pinafore which has actually reminded me of MAIDS! The benefit: encourages me to Diet. LOL.

(Hey, stop trashing or bashing me up for this! :'( )

Sometimes I wished the school uniform was less stuffing, less maid-like and more trendy! We students are young, right? We are young and we're supposed to be free! :P

天啊，我其他旧衣裳都穿得上了为何校服却不行？就因这样，我对大马校服，可说是厌恶到极点，多年来穿着它长大，可是心里一直不停地翻白眼。白衣蓝围裙，让我联想到女仆。好处：鼓励我减肥。（被打）

有时候，我真希望校服不要这样令人窒息，设计要时尚一点，不要做到太像佣人！我们学生还很年轻，我们要自由自在！

A uniform like this will be lovely! Minus the coat, of course.

Putting up a staggering amount of almost 20 pounds during the four-month holidays is by every means, AWFUL! Eating only two spoons of rice each meal and exercise daily, I am still wondering how on earth did I manage to put on so much of weight! Chocolates and fried goodies,too much computer time and lack of stress I think. (Yes, homework actually help kept my weight down because I will lose appetite. Weird am I, right? And I listen to nasty music to speed up my work.)

I can manage to lose a couple of pounds in three days, but not soon after, the nasty pounds came back again-and even more! Well, the much dreaded yo-yo diet, that is.

How can I lose 3kg in 2 weeks? Can I? Someone please help! I need to fit into my pinafore without looking like a dumpling! HELP ME!!!

在仅仅四个月假期内，体重飚升了二十磅，简直糟透了。一餐只吃两大匙饭，天天也不忘了运动，就是很不了解为何一下子变得比猪还要胖。也许是因为巧克力、炸食和电脑瘾若的祸！（你给我很多很多功课，我反而会更瘦，因为胃口尽失。还有，我会听些我讨厌的歌曲来加速我做功课的效率。很奇怪是不是？！）

By the way, these are some pics of me prior to my hair cut just now for the TM Interview. Even after four months, my hair is nowhere long. DUH!

还有，这些是我长发时的照片，是我狠狠地在我的头发上下刀前的。明天要面试啊！四个月后，我的头发并没有长到哪里。哎呀！

超级超级noob的，对不对？

Silly-looking pictures, aren't they?

又要穿校服了······ School Uniform, AGAIN! DUH!

话说本小姐进不到预科班，只好乖乖读Form 6。为什么？？！！本小姐拿全A的叻。有人才一、两个A就进预科班了。还有，本小姐的班上，没有一个华人被录取进预科班。华人难道有这么差劲么？还是有人妒忌我们华人太厉害，全国Top 50有26人是华人？唉！

Form 6就Form 6吧。不过，我还是要申请预科班，跟有关当局争到底！真的很不服气，我们华人难道不是人？！为什么他们能这么容易进预科班？哦，这就是Satu Malaysia！现在才知道。:'(

Form 6，已经换了全新的评估方式。以往的一个STPM定江山，已被分成了三个学期。此外，Form 6毕业生也能有更多的科系选择，并能自由选择国内外大学。不过，STPM是众人眼中最难应付的考试。而且，还要像普通学生般穿闷热的校服。上国立大学，以预科班者为优先。怎么办？

祝我成功要求预科班吧。不然，Form 6就Form 6咯！就多下些苦功，守得云开见月明，对不对？祝我加油咯！

也许，我能成为一时的“电视主角”叻。哈哈！（你们应该懂吧？）

I failed to enter the Matriculation class, to my utter dismay. Why oh WHY??!! Hello, I score straight A's! Some succeed with merely a couple of A's. To make matters worse, none of the Chinese in my class has successfully entered matriculation. Are Chinese way below par compared to their counterparts? Otherwise, is it jealousy that has it all? (26 people from the 50 top scorers in Malaysia are Chinese.)

Okay, I'll go for Form 6 then. However, my zeal  and passion to enter matriculation is yet to die. Fight till the end with the authorities! Ha ha. It beats me by the fact that some are able to enter Matriculation without much hassle, while the rest are kept aside even with impressive performance in any field? We Chinese aren't human is it? Oh, now I have fully comprehended what 1 Malaysia stands for. Sigh.

A brand new assessment system will be imposed on Form Six students this year, (my batch is the pioneer), in which Form 6 will have 3 semesters instead of just STPM to assess everything that we've learnt. Hey, that will make learning easier and less stressful! Besides, Form 6 students have a larger choice of courses, and they are free to choose to study at any institutions locally or abroad. 

Nevertheless, it is undeniable that STPM is among the most trivial examinations in the world. Besides, we have to wear stuffy school uniforms just as those students of primary and secondary school  did. When it comes to studying locally, students from Matriculation are given the priority.

How should I choose now? What should I settle on?

Pray that I will succeed for Matriculation! Otherwise, all needed is a little more effort in Form 6. I'm confident that I will manage to slash out a bright pathway heading to the rainbow from jungles of thorns.

And, I am ready to put up a fight! :P

Who knows, I will be the next celeb on television? Ha ha! (You'll get what I mean.)

Touring the Teluk Intan Inclined tower and Adventure at Gua Tempurung

Next stop: Teluk Intan!

下一站：安顺！

To be frank, we went there just to witness the spectacle of the renowned Anson Tower!

说真的，我们去那儿，纯粹是为了亲眼目睹安顺斜塔壮观！

It was a journey for slightly more than an hour before we arrived at Gua Tempurung, a well-known natural hub in Malaysia featuring its natural caves with stalactites and stalagmites. As time is limited, daddy, sister and I just bought the tickets for the "Golden Flow", which is the easiest journey out of the four adventures available. Priced at RM6 per person, it is definitely a journey perfect for those who wish to indulge in the beauty of nature in a less taxing manner. 

However, I would like to give the second type a try if possible! (Top of the World tour, intermediate level) 

It was burning hot at the entrance. Magically, as you reached the cave, chilly, cold wind were flowing around the atmosphere! Surrounded by greenery, it is indeed an ideal welcome gift for tourists.

The scenery in the cave is more than just a breathtaking spectacle. The further you explore into the cave, the darker and the more mysterious it becomes!

入口处简直酷热至极。奇妙的是，当你抵达山洞洞口时，阵阵凉风就会吻上你的脸蛋，四周感觉清爽无比！四周绿茵幽幽，散发着一种神秘的诱惑，吸引游客到来。

洞内的景色又是另一番视觉享受。探索越多，就越阴森，越神秘哦！

For the curious adventurer. 献给好奇心强的探险发烧友。

Illumination??!!幻觉？

The rocks where crystal is extracted from.

Camp down there anyone? :P
有谁要在下面露营吗？ :P

Perfect scene for movies! (If the authorities gave movie makers the green light for it. :P)

#Sorry for the bad photos though.

It is basically perfect except for the lack of personnel surveillance around the cave. Water is dripping all over your heads too! And, do I mention the special "aroma" of bat's poop all about in it?

By the time I came out of the cave, I'm sweating like a pig! 

#Lesson: Wear Sports attire during your visit!

And oh, this is a place NOT TO BE MISSED!

如果椰壳洞管理当局允许的话，这可是排戏的完美景点啊！

（对不起，我拍照拍得不美）

景点的管理很疏松，要不然它就很完美了。水也会时不时的滴在你头上。还有，恶心的蝙蝠粪味道四处飘扬呢······

从山洞走出时，我已经汗流浃背了。奉劝你们，去椰壳洞时，记得要穿运动装！

不过，此地不去不行！值得推荐！

Sitiawan, Here I come~!!!

Happy Merry Thursday! It was a school holiday, so my family took a day off to tour around my hometown state-Perak. It was my first time driving outstation. When my parents asked me if I want to drive to Sitiawan, I agreed without any hesitation, thinking that it would be the same as on the streets. However, my initial ego proved to backfire. Driving in the dark and for 1 hour to Sitiawan was no easy feat at all, especially when I had got my probationary driving licence for barely a month!

星期四快乐！适逢假期，所以我们齐家趁机在整个霹雳州游山玩水。这可是本小姐第一次驾车出坡哦。我毫不犹豫地答应父母要我驾远途的要求，反正只是驾车，在街上和高速大道都一样的啦！结果，事与愿违，我大错特错了！在黑暗的情况下驱车去Sitiawan一点也不容易！

Sitiawan is a quaint little city which is located in the middle of the state Perak and is renowned for its scrumptious and wide spread of Foochow delicacies. (Sorry I don't know much about Sitiawan yeah. )

Sitiawan是个在中霹雳内宁静的小镇，以道地福州美食鼎鼎有名。（对不起，我对Sitiawan认识不多！）

***

At the break of dawn, well seated in a blue Perodua Alza with my family members and loads of food and water, I cut across the immense darkness to get to Sitiawan. Mind you, it was my first time driving at a speed exceeding 80 km/h just to reach the quiet little town! It was indeed a brand-new experience which was thrilling for the adventurous but blood-curdling for those who are not into challenges. It began when the car began accelerating at the stretch along Changkat Jering, and as the speedometer hit 80 km/h, daddy ordered me to switch to Gear Five.

WHAT?! I was stupefied. never in my life did I drove THIS FAST before! Will I end up driving straight into the nearest valley or will I head there safe? I was perplexed and afraid at the same time. I AM A NEWBIE!

Fortunately, the entire road was literally mine since it was still early in the morning. What luck!


Upon arrival at Sitiawan, we had breakfast at a nearby hawker stall before proceeding to the Tua Pek Kong Temple, at Jalan Pasir Panjang, which was facing to the ocean. It was breezy, with the mild aroma of incense floating around the atmosphere. Yes, we are on a BEACH! It is just that there are nobody picnicking there.

(Sorry for the absence of the picture of the main entrance, though.)

***

It was the invasion of wild boars in Kamunting which stirred up a lottery frenzy in Kamunting a few years back; now, the temple has took is place as the Star. (Although I'm not sure if that is for lottery again!) Anyway, we do not come for striking a lottery, we merely came to visit this renowned grand temple, pay our respects to the deities, and of course, great food!

野猪侵袭甘文丁，迎来了一阵摸野猪求中横财的热潮。那已是早几年的事了。现在，大伯公庙已取代了野猪的地位和热潮。（虽然我不确定是不是因为万字搞鬼）虽然如此，我们可不是为了求万字而来的哦。我们纯粹想来此地参观、拜佛、享用道地美食哦！

Look at the grand white statues of the deities!
一尊尊雪白‘、雕刻细腻的佛像，不失庄严。

吼！Roar!

Deities representing the virtues to be practised.
象征着种种美德的雕像。（不懂要怎样叫它们啊！）

你挑着担，我牵着马，迎来日出，送走晚霞······

这就是《西游记》的主角啦！（别告诉我你们不知道他们是谁。）
These are the main characters from the famous Chinese novel, "Journey To The West"! Mind you, you must have known the characters, RIGHT???!!!

Monkey Garden! Alas, it is not as poetic as hat described in the novel: a forest terrain on a hill with an abundance of peaches and LOTS of monkeys jumping around.

花果山。可惜，Sitiawan版的花果山并不像《西游记》所形容般诗情画意。没有桃花林，也没有一大群猴子在里头嬉戏。我觉得有点遗憾。

The Monkey Garden of Sitiawan Version is, in fact, a mangrove swamp. The salty flavour of the ocean is all around in this "Monkey Garden". It did not let us down as it is really scenic; strategically located facing the ocean (as mentioned earlier) forms a picturesque.

Sitiawan般的花果山既是一个背像海洋的红树林。幸好它不负我们众望；榕树林搭上海景，美不胜收，养眼得很。

Can you see it? A tiny crab! Creatures such as mudskippers and tiny  crabs are abundant in mangrove swamps.
看到吗？红树林中有很多小螃蟹、弹涂鱼等沼泽生物哦。

See the monkey?
看到老孙吗？

It was indeed a feast for the eyes for nature lovers! Of course, you can pay a visit to my previous High School or Taiping Lakegarden for MORE such agile friends. :P

Whilst mom was busy praying, Daddy, sister and me went to visit a scenic garden, names "Pin Xian Yuan" which meant "The Garden of Deities" (If I am not mistaken). The place was true to its name!

妈妈正忙这烧香拜佛时，爸爸、妹妹和我到风景怡人的“品仙园”参观。“品仙园”的美名，果然名副其实。

The intricately carved stone statues of the Eighteen Rohans and the scenic park draped with willows which dance gently to the wind has beckoned the devotees and visitors to stop over and feel a sense of peace and serenity.

踏进品仙园，映入眼帘的，尽是雕刻精细的十八罗汉石雕，伴随一棵棵柳树点缀，显露出恬静平和的画面。第一尊即是布袋罗汉，展露圆滚滚的肚皮，对着到来的游客、善信们嘿嘿笑。

Three man-made caves follow the path and act as "tunnels" along the way. There, devotees can pray and donate to the temple.

紧接而来的是三座人造山洞。善心们能在里头上香祈福，并捐款给庙宇。

The scenes inside the Release Pond. Isn't it cute watching them snatching for food?

放声池的内幕。看看象征长寿的乌龟，在一起争食，可爱吧？

Happy Year of Dragon!
龙年行大运！^^

撒尿小童

After absorbing oneself into the picturesque, food is another thing to be taken seriously.

欣赏了美景，琳琅满目的美食岂可放过？

The honey Tofu fah. You have to stir the entire dessert for the optimum taste. It is velvety smooth and not too sweet. Priced at only RM3 per bowl, this is another must-try dessert! Yum!
蜜糖豆腐花。你一定要搅完整道甜品。起口感绵滑细腻，甜度适中。每碗要价RM3，一定要尝尝！

The infamous Foochow Red Wine Noodles. Kampong Chicken is used and its flesh is firm. The noodle has a special springy texture and is well infused with the tantalising aroma of red wine.
远近驰名的福州红酒面线。鸡只是甘榜鸡，口感结实。面线QQ的，可不是普通的面线哦！面条里散发出红酒的特殊口味。

Of course, we bought the local snacks from there!
I highly recommend the Durian Heong Peah and Charcoal Tambun biscuits. The former has authentic durian filling, and is freshly baked. A revolutionary combination! As for the latter, the flavour of charcoal powder blends well with the original flavour of the Tambun biscuit. It is soft, so handle with care or you will end up with an entire table of crumbs!

临走前，当然不可少了土产！

诚意推荐：榴莲香饼：浓厚香醇的榴莲馅搭配传统香饼，算是一项大胆又成功的尝试，而且是现做现卖的哦。
竹炭淡汶饼：竹炭粉搭配淡汶饼，增添原有风味。可是，饼儿外脆内软，小心吃得满桌碎屑！

Will be sharing with you guys my adventures in Gua Tempurung and Teluk Intan soon!

下回，我将和大家分享我在椰壳洞和安顺的路程哦。