JYSim for jobless-yokel Sim

15th of May marks the end of the idle era spanning more than 6 months since December. You’d imagine the starting of school to be completely disastrous, fanatically busy and insanely hectic, but besides soaking your brain in chemistry during Mrs. Sim’s chem tuition, it’s no big difference compared to the idle era.
On 15th of May I stayed at home and waited for PosLaju (or rather, PosLayu). While waiting I wrote a 3-page complaint letter to PosLaju, stating how dissatisfied I am with their touch-and-go services and rude postmen. I forgot to put on my name, and so the complaint couldn’t be processed and that’s why Abdullah didn’t appear in the news scolding the PosLaju CEO.
On 16th of May I went to school, in complete uniform, after 6 months, talked non-stop, think how good it is to be back and in contact with friends again.
Several days following I was frequently assulted, haressed (verbally and physically), abused, teased etc about getting JPA (so you see, getting JPA is not so good after all). I started tuning back to schooling-days-mode - hyperactive, animated, talkative, and became completely isolated and quiet at home. I skipped Bio and PA tuition. The first for it’s over-commercialised method of teaching, and the latter for being useless in a-levels.
An uneventful weekend followed. Aside jogging with my iPod, there’s nothing significant you can differentiate between the schooling era and the idle era.
Oh yeah, I booked AirAsia for my travelling down KL on the 18th. RM55.99 excluding taxes. So don’t be fooled next time they advertise RM0.99 fares, only Tony Fernendaz can book them.
After school on Monday I opened Gmail and this super-urgent message popped up. I won’t tell you what’s it about now, for diplomatic reasons, but it requires travelling within the same week. I called up Dad, checked 5 different airline fare (MAS, Cathay, Singapore, China, and Royal Brunei) through Mozilla, and sadly Dad agrees only to China Airlines. For gawd’s sake they use 737s on this route, I want a personal TV screen!
This week people kept threatening to pull off my approved-cabin-baggage tag. Just let me say this - I’m keeping them and keep off! If anyone of you ever laid hands on them again this might probably be your last living day.
Appearantly a good friend thinks getting JPA is such a wonderful affair he decided to belanja (anyone knows the English word for this?) whole of Chung Ling to Gurney, on the day I’ll fly, what a purposely planned coincidence. For those anticipating me to belanja them, please be more thick-faced and proceed to let me know. For your information I’m deadly poor but I’d do my best by selling my pencils, tissue paper, books and working as a driver to pay for your meal. I seriously won’t mind.
Btw, the addition of some number of girls in school…has negligible effects on Chung Ling discipline. People like me continue to be as talkative and kuai-ku as usual, and we just keep finding excuses to be excused from some stupid job (to Seong Ling: I seriously need to complete my JPA form before flying, or else I’d end up being rejected for the sponsership and you’ll pay for my studies in UK).
Yesterday some English-centre freak came and gave us an extremely hard and ambivalent (as in answer A will do, answer B will also do kinda thing) test. Today she came again and exposed to us how bad our English are (she probably didn’t mark and just made up the data herself), then promoted her CESS (Cambridge English and Study Skills). Seriously, good English don’t come from English tutorial centres. Good English comes from daily practise, watching 7 Edition in NTV7, and…airports.
We’ll have an Orientation Night tomorrow evening, I know the food won’t suit my taste, I know the music won’t suit my taste, I know the dress code won’t suit my taste, but I’ll be going.
After this please expect ‘JYSim for jobless-yokel Sim’ to be idle for 11 days. And if i have the mood I’d probably go to school on Monday following the hols, cos we have no mathematics, and we have 4 free periods on Monday.

Mr. Sunny Goh so happends to be my Dad’s student. Mr. Sunny Goh so happends to be one of the sons of the famous (and infamous) Mr. Goh Choon Lye (or some other spellings with same pronunciation). He’s plus-minus 6 feet, and from his outlook you can see he’s rather well-to-do, with BritishIndia linen clothes, TagHeur watches with leather straps, and Camel shoes (Camel is good for draggy-feets like me). He will come in empty-handed, unshaven, just-woken-from-sleep like every Saturday. He’s as old as my Dad, but he looks twice as younger, and he IS twice as younger spiritually. Spotting you with a collared-shirt and jeans, he’ll immediately know you’re bound for Gurney later (ok, i don’t usually wear collared-shirts and jeans in my Dad’s place). He’ll ask you in his broken English (he speaks Hokkien more fluently, but he insists on speaking English) what movie you’ll be watching later. You tell him ‘Poseidon’, and he’ll laugh and tell you which actor(s) and actress(es) got themselves soaked to which degree and they had a flu (and some, pneumonia) after the shoot etc etc. Seeing you burying yourself in Physical Chem MCQs he’ll peer over and exclaim ‘wah, mol and pressure ah? I hate this part particularly.’ (he’s a businessman). Seeing an African American waiting for her kids on the bench he’ll approach her and start chatting (in broken English again) about Chicago and Detriot. While I was planning how to approach her, he was already symphonising about Penang traffic with her.
And speaking about younger than my Dad, he’s a father of 2 kids, one whom is in the same age with me. The strange thing is, you won’t spot any fatherly essence on him. He’s the free-going happy-go-lucky hunk which can easily court a woman he likes. Yet you can’t seriously accuse him of being a playboy (for god’s sake he’s married, just that his wife passed away). Talking with him you’ll note that he’s actually quite innocent, and even though he’s born with a silver spoon up his arse, he does not have the ‘agung’ attitude and treat you as if you’re a cluster lower than him.
You’ll find that he listens more attentively to what you’re saying and will make childish remarks about your studies at times. Nevertheless, he’s still a good person to talk to and won’t keep repeating questions and worrying about things they shouldn’t worry (as in Mum and Dad).
I know this is a lame lame post but somehow or another I made a silent vow to write about him during our conversation this afternoon.

So one says getting JPA is like winning a lottery, just that it’s bonded, and you’ll need to study hard (or at least, pass your exams) to qualify for the coming phases of the lottery.
For those who didn’t secure themselves for a scholarship, please know that I sincerely hope you’ll be successful in your appeal, and when you can’t get finally, please also note that getting JPA is not all oh-so-glamorous and easy. The bond is relatively long, and by the time we finish our bonds we’ll probably be greeting you guys ‘Dato’ and ‘Tan Sri’. My point is: look far into the future.
I’m sincerely thankful for being offered Melaka-Manipal, and India is, ok, fairly reputated for medicine. My pre-U college is in Sepang, and according to Wikipedia, ‘until 2001, Sepang is only known for its tranquil villages and miles of palm oil plantations’. But seeing my love for aircrafts and airlines, I guess Sepang is good cos I can hop on KLIA Transit and visit KLIA quite frequently, though the train fare will be expensive.
Until this point I can hold myself from expressing my sadness towards lots of worthy people out there who unfortunately wasn’t selected. Please appeal and my best of luck to you. Again, if you failed (i think failed is a bad word) ultimately, remind yourself that JPA is like some sort of selling-yourself-for-money agreement and maybe you’d fare better without it.
And speaking about worthy people, comes unworthy people who oh-so-fortunately got a scholarship. If you’re feeling angry and upset like me (I shouldn’t actually), let’s just assume (we’re just assuming ok) that they chose those colder courses that they don’t actually like, and they’re vague about what they’re going to do in life. And eventually they’ll end up studying the things they don’t like, and so end up leading a sad life and commit suicide ultimately (ok, i’m being cruel here, sue me). For those who fits into the category I mentioned above, please re-re-re-re-consider your options and decide wisely about your future. Someone out there is always in need of your place and they’ll be more than glad to accept it.
Now comes the ‘why this country?’ group. Seriously, I myself is sulking a little (maybe some, all right, quite a lot) over India. I mean…if they give me Ireland or Aussie, I’ll become a happier Sim Jun Yi right now. But again, happiness and greed is never very satisfied. Reading ReCom i found this guy (or girl) who’s sulking monstrously over India, but luckily thanks to the many ReComers who counselled (and some, lambasted) him / her, he / she is happy over it at last. I’m glad I have someone who shares the same thoughts as me, and seriously hopes that Malaysia will eventually become a more intellectually matured country (’this doctor is from England, sure boleh’ ; ‘aiyo, indonesia? let’s go quickly!!’) Seriously, Malaysians, good doctors are judged based on their hands-on experience and attitude towards their job, not where they graduated. If you’re judging the latter way let’s just say you’re an apartheid yourself.
Finally to two (2) girls who called me up always and expects me to solve their each and every problem just because they so fortunately bumped into me in Popular 2 months ago and laid hands on my phone number: please learn up how to use MSN and nurture some problem-solving skills. You can’t call Sim Jun Yi in Manipal and ask him whether to fill up your form using black ink or blue soon. For those interested, these 2 are from Union, no personal offence.
My best wishes to all my friends, and hoping I have the opportunity to greet you by ‘Dato’s and ‘Tan Sri’s when I’m 34.

They’re disunited, that’s what made them special.
5SA1…
1. is the inventor of ‘throw-paper-aeroplanes-up-the-fan’ game as well as manufacturers of a dozen of Clipper JYSim, best paper-based flying object ever produced (just kidding).
2. and for that matter, was requested to write a self-confession on why you like to throw paper aeroplanes so much by Choong Sim.
3. is situated the nearest to the level-3 bathrooms, and therefore,
4. locked someone up (from another class) in the bathroom before.
5. and for that matter, no action was taken.
6. had a beh (horse), a bola (ball) and batu (stone).
7. almost always perform better in Biology (for having Ms. Tan Hsiu Hua for Bio.).
8. but in return did badly in EST (Ms. Poon).
9. is so fortunate to have PM as the last session on Wednesdays, so they can munch french fries while Jahira Banu ain’t watching (btw, Jahira Banu may be BAD in teaching, but she’s GOOD at observing mouth movements).
10. for the first time in history, Jun Yi is made to present his Sastera papers from BEHIND of the class, by Choong Sim of course (which teacher on Earth purposely ask students to stand at the back of the class and present while his papers are in front? Well, maybe my handwriting was a leetle bit too small, but this ain’t fair!)
11. had Mdm. Hor for chemistry, and that’s the only period you see majority of the guys being wide awake.
12. had never been demerited before, as far as i remember. Those who got B for kelakuan (conduct) are due to poor attendance.

Live the spirit of 5SA1 / 2005!

I know some people are really tired of my unfortunate adventure looking for an iPod Shuffle 1G, but this will be the last account about it, if nothing exceptional happends to it for the time being.
So, after combing through Low Yatt, which is literally the equility of all Electronic Gadgets in KL, I found no iPod Shuffle, not even the 512 model.
Coincidentally, 3 of my friends will be visiting Singapore this weekend (pray hard they won’t get robbed, hijacked, kidnapped or die in any kind of freak accident along PLUS). But considering their packed schedule, it’s just not right to ask them to comb through Singapore in search of my iPod again right? Coincidentally, in Singapore they have an Apple Online Store (which provides free shipments within Singapore only). So I got this spectacular idea of purchasing my iPod online and have it shipped to my friends’ temporary address. I was delighted and even fascinated by the idea.
3 days prior to their departure, I re-re-checked the website just to confirm my fantasy. I even debated with one of my friend about asking them to bring the iPod through customs. By the by, how can you declare someone as ‘friend’ when he threatens to throw your laboriously-saught, fantastically-purchased iPod into the Straits of Malacca? I questioned his friendliness and found out then why his Mum wouldn’t allow him to drive her car (not that they’re both related).
To my horror, Apple is another sleek company like AirAisa. They have 2 seperate ’shipment’ times. Shipping time is the time used for processing your order (which is so fabulously-advertised as within 24 hours), while Delivery time is the time used for FedEx, UPS, DHL, Poslaju or PosMalaysia to reach your home (written in font size 6: 3 business days or more).
AND, for the kiasu Singaporeans’ safety, they do not accept non-Singaporean credit cards. What a perfect scenario.
I cried, sort of.
Just when things looked like ending the Nicholas Sparks way, this idea popped up - you’re just using the iPod for listening to MP3s and perhaps a little document storage, what’s the use of getting the 1G model if you can’t even sit down still and listen to 2 hours of continuous music? Well, for the time being you might only want something to listen to while communing on bus, studying or during ‘cold war’ era with your future girlfriend. If you found yourself unseperatable with iPods later, you still have plenty of time to earn money and buy yourself the genuine iPod (and maybe with the speakers alongside) in US (if i ever get there, iPods are much cheaper in Bush-land).
So today, despite level-3 flu (3 out of 6, as with the storms and hurricanes), I banged myself into Gurney. Without knowing where I’m going, I hung around until I saw a movie I wanted to watch will be up in 5 minutes time. Forgotting my initial plan there, I popped into GSC and spent a thirsty 1.5 hours in Cinema 10. ‘Failure to Launch’ was great, considering it a romantic comedy. Romantic comedies are never down-to-earth and logical in any sense.
Later on my way to the notorious AppleCentre Gurney Plaza, I glimpsed the Shuffle typical green box on display in this mobile-phone outlet several stores away from AppleCentre. With the strong intention of avoiding AppleCentre(s) (see previous blogs for the reasons), I went in to find the price RM11 lower than those of AppleCentre (I can buy a dozen of Mother’s Day Cards with RM11, or maybe a brownie).
I questioned the salesgirl and get to know this is the last shuffle unit, 512. When things appear cheaper and the service attitude is better do you buy straightaway? No, you questioned whether this unit is faulty (Who on earth will order 1 Shuffle and sell only that 1 unit? Or maybe they ordered years ago and this is the last of kin from year 1999?) I make them promise to replace me a unit if it is faulty (thinking back, sales people are not to be trusted, ever).
I went to a Lee Choo Hock-style Biology tuition, with the exception that guy showed us the MI3 trailer on his laptop, twice, during the 1.5 hour tutorial.
I came home, watched how unlucky Malaysia had been with the Danes in badminton, and silently hoped the Danes will be flattened by the Chinese later on the finals.
I installed iTunes and iPod. Windows (or Mac) made me restart several times, and I begged my iPod not to cannibalise my computer. I told JYSim (name of the new iPod) how much labour and hardships I’ve went through in acquiring him (ok, he’s masculine).
Now JYSim is obediently charging on the USB. Windows identified him as a pen-drive, I just hope he is much more better than that.
By the way, JYSim (as in the iPod, not the guy) costs RM300, RM39 less than those found in conventional AppleCentres. I just hope it won’t break down, ever, or else I’ll have to go through another Apple adventure again.

What do you do when…
Dad (repeat: Dad) received a letter supposedly for you (repeat: you) at his place (i never wrote my Dad’s address in any applications as far as i know), and it’s the long-awaited call-for-selection-test by the Japanese Government?
You answer Dad’s call, said ‘ok, take it back and we’ll see later,’ hung up, and went back for your disconnected nap.
You get to know your selection test will be held in KL?
Curse 67 times, later surf airasia.com to see if they have any 0.99 or 9.99 tickets left.
Test date: 30 April 2006?
1st of May is a public holiday, so Tony Fernendez will not be so stupid as to offer 0.99 tickets. Curse 67 times more.
Coincidentally, your aunt from KL will do a trip up north on the 30th April weekend? (that means no free transport anymore. Your uncle is busier than Abdullah himself and you gotta be more VVIP than Bush to ask him to fetch you from the airport).
Casually ask Dad and family if they’re going (or thinking of going) to KL this weekend.
Dad can’t make up his mind by 27th and AirAsia ticket prices are mounting day by day. Express buses aren’t a good choice as 1. it’s long weekend, and 2. chances of ‘resting in pieces’ on PLUS is actually higher than doing a bungee jump?
Call up your aunt and ask her whether there’re any HUGE discount sales in KL recently.
Your aunt told you they have this super cheap sale in Sogo, and your family is very excited about it?
Say 135 prayers (67 + 67 = 134, 1 extra for sincerity). You will have free rides!
Dad told you he can only start driving on 29th April, 3pm?
Make a rule stating if anyone are to request for piss-call, the price will be RM300 for the first 3 minutes and RM200 extra for each subsequent minute.
You arrived at KL safely, 7.30 pm, and your cousin (female) already whipped up plans to burn off the night intending to doze you off at the exam hall tomorrow?
Ask for beer(s) from your uncle, wallup all of them and glue yourself on the bed before she’s in for another session of mahjong. (Disclaimer: my cousin and us (+ my sister) are actually very close-knit, just that I need sleep to at least know how to write my name during the exam tomorrow).
Woke up the next day, arrived at the specified venue to discover there’re 500+ applicants?
Mentally prepare yourself to receive a letter starting with ‘dukacita’ the next month.
Found the exam hall is damn cold and you’re like the only one without a cardigan / sweater?
Wrap yourself with the curtains! (just kidding).
Found yourself sitting for Japanese Language exam even though your Japanese is currently Greek to you?
Write my name, nationality, index number, and stare at the 3 booklets completely filled with Mars language. Dechiper a few enough to make a guess, ignore the rest, raise your hand and leave.
The beautiful lady examiner asked you how was ‘it’ before collecting your paper?
Lightly snorted, shook my head, sayonara.
Meet your parents later at Sogo?
Pretend to cry (guys who still know how to cry are sensitive guys).
Your uncle, seeing you in such devastated state, suggested we make a trip to Low Yatt to look for your iPod Shuffle?
Smile.
Your uncle, definitely underestimating your budget, asked the shopkeeper (his friend) to show you ‘iPods’ worth more than RM1000 at the very least?
Repeatedly state that these ‘iPods’ are too fancy for my taste and suggested other options. Sadly, even after we combed Low Yatt, we couldn’t find a single iPod Shuffle, not even the 512 model.
You find your uncle actually need more time to screen mp3 players than buying a house, considering he’s a CEO, making choices should be swift, effective and fruitful?
Questioned whether your uncle is a CEO, later realising that he usually comes home at around 10, so he IS a CEO as the extra 5 hours is used for making choices.
After much agony and round-the-world questioning, you can’t find anything comparable to Shuffle?
Go for dinner.
The next day, before leaving, your uncle gave you a huge bag containing neckties, stating you might not need it in the near future yet, but it make a good collection?
Silently laugh at both of us (during his last visit I was in terrible condition finding a suitable tie for JPA interview). Thanking him of course.
Reached Penang, open up the bag and found that 8 upon 10 of the ties are too senior for your age?
Still thanked him, because I won’t have to buy birthday presents for 8 male birthdays to come. And the other 2 are real cute if they have more Mickey Mouse on them.