A new start. (I know, I hate cliches too.)

May 8th, 2013

I initially intended for this blog to be more like my diary. I never anticipated anyone would even bother reading it. (I mean, let's face it: my life is pretty unextraordinary. All I talk about these days is UNI in case you haven't realized by now.)

To be honest though I don't think I'm brave enough to let loose my deepest feelings onto the web space. Because it's going to be out there, exposed to the world, and just the mere thought of that makes me cringe!

Anyways, I don't want this blog to fail. Especially since I have noticed that it does get some viewership. Statistics tell me that my most viewed ones are usually the ones not about my life (shocker, I know!) but about useful information I occasionally share. For instance, I think wrote about Nottingham Malaysia and Monash Malaysia as well as a a guide to nose piercing. 

Also, I do have a passion for writing and I am inspired by this blog I came across a few weeks ago: mynameiselizabeth. (Google it if you're interested..I don't remember the web address). So, I have decided, this will be my last post about my boring life and from now on I shall post interesting articles. Or perhaps there still might be the odd article I write just for my own reflection. 

Let's see where this blog takes me! I do remain hopeful that ten years from now, I can look back and connect the dots. 

Will be back soon,

S.

Where have I been ?

January 11, 2013

So, I haven't blogged in a while. The last post being in November. That's basically because I was revising for my mocks. Even though I could have spared a few minutes to blog, I have this tendency to feel guilty when I'm doing anything but revising. In other words, lazing about during my "study breaks" is more acceptable to me than blogging. Wierd, I know. 

Here is the summary of the last two months:

My piano results finally came out. And yes, as I had predicted, I failed. Now I'm going to drop Piano for a while. Perhaps even for good. I mean I have A-Levels to focus on and then I'll be going off to Uni, so it makes sense to just quit altogether. I have achieved a Grade 6, and seeing as I'm not going to make a career out of music, I'm happy with that.

Next, since we went to the UK in October  and I have my mocks during the first week of January, so I have been revising like Cray Cray. Oh, and did I mention so also recieved my first offer from U of Exeter ? So happy! The offer was for 3As so that gave me motivation I needed.

What else ? Other than, I went back to school and did all my exams. Uhm, and Monday is off because of the "Bangkok Shutdown".

Also, I'm anticipating that I'll be removing my braces soon. So that's good. 

That's it for now.

Will be back soon,

S.

I just applied to uni!

December 12th, 2013

The tittle is pretty self explanatory. I applied to the following universities for Poltics/ International Relations like 3 days ago, and now I'm just waiting for the responses. 

1. LSE

2. Warwick 

3. Bath

4. York 

5. Exeter 

Now I just got to wait. And do brilliantly on my mocks and final exams.

Will be back soon,

S.

Trinity Grade 7!

26th November, 2013

I just took my Trinity Grade 7 today! And boy, I am so going to fail. Like I messed up my pieces so bad! I am sure I could have done better because exam pressure always gets the best of me..

I know I always freak out after any exam I take but always end up with a decent mark. This time though, I am sure I did horribly. The best case scenario is that I will get a low pass. But then again, let's be optimistic and say that I have a fair chance at passing because for the other grades I've always got Merits.

Urgh. As you can see...this waiting period of not knowing annoys the hell out of me.  I will know my results in like a week or so.

 But you know wat, assuming I do fail, it is not the end of the world. I haven't been dedicating much time to piano anyways because I have my A Levels to study for as well. It's not like I'm taking music seriously anyways.

I think I should just stop talking/ typing / thinking about piano. I'll just sit outside here at the gazebo (long story...I don't have the house keys and have to wait for my dad to get home). 

Will be back soon, 

S.

The UK, school, exam, uni stuff....BLAH

8th November, 2013 

Yes, I know last time I said I will post an update on Cardiff and ironic enough, this time I am saying I will post an update on my recent trip to the UK ! (I know right ?! I can't believe it actually happened) 

Anyways, there has been ALOT going on right now in terms of school and university. Again, ironic enough this has been the focus of my last post as well. 

But here is the update: 

Nottingham Malaysia is my backup- which is totally fine because it is a more than alright place. The applications haven't opened yet but I will apply as soon as they open.

As for the UK, I am applying to,

1. LSE

2. York (Top choice)

3. Durham

4. Warwick

5. Not sure yet (possibly Exeter)

I need to work my butt off to get all As now because I really want to get the 30% tuition fees reduction at York. 

My mocks are coming up. I have to do like amazing in that. As for personal statement, it's pretty much done and dusted but on Friday Novemeber 15th, I am going to a workshop organized by BritEdu to get it reviewed. Don't know how useful that is going to be but hey there is no harm right ?

I am now currently at the dentist. My appointment has been pending for a while now. But, never the less, I am here. I really hope I get to take my braces out soon though because I am beginning to get really sick of them.

Oh and my piano Grade 7 exams are coming up as well on 26th Novemeber. If I manage to get a good pass, I am going to be so proud of myself because I honesty did not put in the work ! No, but on a serious note from next week onwards I am going to go to piano every day. 

Apart from that, well there is a fair at Mueng Thong Thani where my mum is exhibiting her bedsheets. It is going pretty well and I am confident it can do even better as it has potential. 

Oh well. And there is me. Still waiting for the stupid denist appointment. Anyways, do watch out for my post on my UK trip and Cardiff thingi.

Will be back soon, 

S.

I haven't disapeared! Just checking in!

September 29, 2013

I know its been a while since I last posted, and for that, I apologize. (Not that anybody even reads my posts, but whatever). What is up with me ? Well...A lot. I don't even know where to begin. The last time I checked in, I was preparing to go to Cardiff. And now, its been like a few weeks since I am back. I wanted to blog while I was there but for some reason I ended up not doing so. But, I am determined not to let this blog die that is why I'm posting now even though I have so many things on my mind at the moment.

I will post an update of Cardiff soon enough. Don't worry. (Again, not that anybody even reads my posts). As for right now, all I can think about is my university applications. Oh wait. Did I tell you about my A level grades? I don't think I did. I got an A for History, A for Economics, and uhm..a B for Maths. But I hope to turn the B into an A though. Anyways, I am currently writing my personal statement for UCAS, and when UNMC applications open, I shall apply there as well.

When I say all I can think about is universities, I mean that. Like literally, it sucks not knowing where I am going to end up you know. I am one person that does not know how to 'take it easy' and 'go with the flow'. If something is on my mind, I become obsessed with it. I know that's a bad habit, but what can I do?

The universities I want to go to changes everyday, and I have yet to decide on the 5 choices for UCAS. In the mean time, I have to work my butt of for A2s. My motivation is the uni videos I have been watching lately! Laughs.

Will be back soon,
S.

Letter to my 34 year old self! (Dont read before that)

July 25th, 2013

Hello 34 year old Simran! I hope life is going well for you at this moment. I had great expectations for you, my friend. But, no pressure if you don't live up to your 17 year old self's maybe unrealistic expectations! Its good to have goals and ambitions, ultimately however, that is not how you measure 'happiness'. Let me explain, today I saw this quote:

"When you are in your final days of life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the wallnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garrage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in reading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn't they matter most now?" - Max Lucado.

This quote made me realize something today so let me make sure that you don't forget this. The most important thing in life should be relationships and not material things. (Although all that is an added bonus. Winks.)

Okay, enough of all that philosiphy. Let's,  however, see what your 17 year old self  imagined her 34 year old self to be.

By now I expected you to be married and maybe even have a child. Also, you should have a job or have had a job working in the UN, embassies, or any other kind of NGOs. You should have had travelled. And I mean travelled ALOT. Like go on all sorts of expeditions you've ever wanted to do including a road trip adventure spanning more than a handfull of countries- basically having "lived your life" like there is no tommorow.

This blog of mine, I humbly pass on to you, and I do hope you have continued to write. Even though I hope for you to have a better self esteem, confidence, and become slightly more extroverted than myself: I do hope you still find solace in those moments of solitude like I do. Writing is like an outlet for me and I truly wish for it to blossom into something similar for you.

You know, 34 year old Simran, if this letter was written like a couple of years back, it would have been entirely different. It would contain a list of to do things for you to check off after you have achieved it. But my attitude has changed now. There is no check list. Instead, there is a blank space. Fill it in with your imagination, What matters most to you? Go after it. Hold on to it. And remember, cherish every moment of your life.

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Lots of encouragement, support, sympathy, pity, and most of all : love, unconditional love from your bestest friend,

Yourself.

Cloud Storage...

July 29th, 2013

I have finally decided to back up ALL my pictures and store them online; in other words, on cloud. I have been meaning to do it for a really long time but A) I couldn't be bothered to B) Did not feel the need to C) Wasn't quite sure how to do it.

But now that my iPhone is literally going to explode because its so full, I have decided: Now its time.

I'm using Dropbox and Media Share for this process. I've downloaded Dropbox in my iPhone and it automatically uploads the pictures in my camera roll on to cloud. Once in cloud, I can extract it online or on my desktop. Now because Dropbox only gives me 5 GB free space, and since I'm a cheapo and couldnt be bothered to pay extra money for more space, I came up with another solution to this. From my desktop, I can easily drag the pictures onto my Media Share account. And Viola. This works for me because alothough Dropbox is more convinient, Media Share gives up to 50 GB free space.

So yeah. Smart Right? Although its really annoying! Urgh. I should have done this before. Because now I have 3000 + pics and its taking forever. I have to make sure I do it all before I go to Cardiff so that I have enough memory on my phone to take loads and loads of pics.

Will be back soon,
S.

Cardiff....here I come !

July 24th, 2013

If you scroll (is that the appropriate word?) down a couple of posts, you'll find one post tittled 'British Council'. Go ahead and read it if you havent already. Go ahead, I'm not going anywhere!

Okay..So it turns out, the British Council are my new besties! I had seriously lost all hope of getting to go to Cardiff and I had actually already come to terms with that. Then, all of a sudden I got an email from British Council with the confirmed dates and an appointment on Tuesday. So, I went with all the documents I needed. It was really hectic getting everything I needed especially since I got the info of what is needed like literally an hour before the appointment!

Anyways, at the British Council, I had to fill in the Cardiff Summer School application form, the Visa application form (thats a story for another time), as well as recieved all the timetables and pre-arrival guide. Now, on Friday I have to go submit all the documents at the British Embassy. It really hectic because the schedule is so tight. I can't really explain in words but I'll try my best.

I have to now contact my school to get a supporting letter, go get the letter from British Council on the same day I have to go to the British Embassy, book and pay ticket- which by the way is one day early since the tickets are full, co-ordinate with the British Council and let them know of my problem as now I'm arriving one day early and accomadation and aiprort pick up may be an issue, and on top of that all the shopping that needs to be done!

I actually have a list on my laptop which makes me look like a control freak I know, but I cant help it!

Lets just hope this time the British Council wont cancel on me! Laughs. They wont.

Will be back soon,
S.

China Witness

July 14, 2013

I went to Chatujak Market on Saturday and let's just say I am the markets biggest fans! Apart from all the clothes, bag, shoes, and other goody good stuff, there are also second hand books there. 

I bought 2 books, one of them being called China Witness. And do you know what's wierd to me ? The authors name is Xinran (bare in mind that X is pronounced as S). And what makes it even more wierd is that this book is something I could see myself writing in the future. The author basically piles up years of interview of old people in China to record history thought their eyes and more importantly sufferings so that the future generation can understand what had to be sacrificed for them. 

Anyways, I briefly had the idea to write something similar but the topic being about Indians in Thailand. Because there are a few old people I have in mind that have some worth documenting stories. This project  is not like a DIY project (My sis and I have been obbsessed with them) that you can just dive into. It takes a lot of time and dedication. I bet this won't work out. But, maybe something similar in the near future will ? 

Will be back soon,

S.

Life lesson for me (Yet again.)

July 11, 2013

So there is this girl whom I do work experience with. She is normally a very nice, friendly, and straight forward person. At times though, she goes into these "wierd" moods where she won't talk much and be in a pissed off mood. I've experienced it firsthand today. Like seriously wtf?! 

But you know what, I'm not going to care  about it. I'm going to take this as a learning experience. In life, there are going to be times where I have to face such people. Or worse, be on my own. I have to learn to deal with it. You know what they say: just don't give a damn. 

Will be back soon, 

S.

Sick of being Sick :/

July 9th, 2013

Its a cliche, I know. But frankly right now that sums up exactly how I feel. Just when things at my internship was going better (I moved to another branch in the same soi with more people and more opportunity to help out- still photocopying, but yeah) I had to fall sick.

 It's so annoying because the thing with me is that my reaction is a 1000x more than my actual condition. So even a light fever for me is like hell. I swear that day I was feeling feverish and had to walk all the way from the office to the BTS station. I don't know how I made it that day. At home, I felt I was half dead!

But, thanks to two days of rest (yes, bunking work as my parents odered - which shows how severe my condition seemed), loads of rest, and plenty of herbs at my disposal, I am all better now.

Speaking of herbs, I would never admit it, but I'm thankful my family has the wisdom. I don't remember the last time I've been in a hospital and that's a good thing because eating a lot of modern medicine is bad.

When I go off to university there will be a whole container of herbs that come with me.

Will be back soon,

S.

Super Rich Internship

2 July, 2013

As the tittle suggests, I have now started my internship at Super Rich 1965 Money Exchange as the "Executive Photocopying Co - Assistant and Procastinator". And as my tone suggests, which by the way is sarcastic as hell, I am absolutely hating it here. Don't get me wrong. I am not some stuck up or spoilt daddy's girl who can't stand a day of hardwork. In fact, it's the opposite: there is NO friggin work for me to do and that's why I am bored. 

Let me explain myself a little more clear here. There are three branches of this company; all of which are located in the same soi. The two other fellow class/school mates that are joining this internship are stationed in relatively busy branches. I on the other hand am currently sitting in an empty office listening to random music blaring from the computer beside this lady (okay, she's pretty friendly but that's not the point). Occasionally, when there are customers I still don't get to do anything. Like literally I just sit here with my mobile phone. Urgh. This is my second day so you can't say I haven't tried. The firs day I put a lot more effort but still nothing has changed.

Oh well, I better get back to doing nothing and acting like I care. 

Will be back soon, 

S.

British Council

17 June, 2013

Remember I mentioned about the Inspire Scholarship I won? Okay, I'll just explain briefly now. Last year around August, I submitted an essay to the British Council and ended up winning! Awesome right?! Anyways, my prize was a 2 week scholarship to Cardiff Sixth Form College scheduled in Summer 2013. And as you can see from the date above, it is now Summer 2013. But. But I havent recived a confirmation from the British Council yet. All they have done is reassure me when I call them that, 'Yes, we will get back to you' or 'It will happen sometime in August'. It is annoying as hell because A) I need to plan out my Summer schedule. If this isn't happening I can make other arangments. B) I really want to go.

The main issue however is that I've already told people about it and I'm afraid I will loose face. Immature much?! I know.

So, the point of this post is that I am pissed of at the British Council. What makes matter worse is that since last year, there have been 4 replacements of the person in charge of the Inspire Scholarship. Everytime you talk to a new person, you have to start all over again.

I really hope this happens sometime in August. I shall visualize it. Laughs. No, seriously, I shall.

Will be back soon,
S.

My lip is SWOLEN!

12 June, 2013

Okay. So I woke up early this morning as I'm traveling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia today. I went to the toilet, looked in the mirror, and boom: what do I see ? A SWOLEN LIP. I am not kidding right now. It's literally swollen and I feel like the worlds biggest idiot sitting here at the gate of Bangkok Airways. For memories sake, it's D5. 

Anyways, this isn't the first time this has happened. I remember a few years back, I think 5, my lips were swollen overnight in Chiangmai. It was because I was bitten by some insect and subsided in a while.The one I have now isn't as bad but I'm still upset about it.

I've tried ice, balm, and what not but nothing seems to work. I plan on taking an anti-allergy pill as soon as I have drinking water. And you know what they say: time heals all.

Let's hope that it gets better during the 1 hour ish flight though because :

A) I want to look nice in photos 

B) I don't want to meet my moms customers/clients/colleagues/ who-ever-the-hell-she-meets like this

C) I want to look like a sane person and I'm afraid that's not possible with retarded lips

Please universe. 

Will be back soon, 

S.

Don't be too quick to judge!

June 2nd, 2013

Hello guys. So today I was with my family at this outdoor community mall kind of thing, and guess what? I met a long lost friend of mine! Laughs. Okay, maybe that's just an exaggeration. But it has been a year, exactly a year, since I met her. It wasn't planned as we just kind of bumped into each other.

Anyways, the point of this post will soon be clear. At first, I honestly thought she had changed and no longer wanted to associate with me- or something along those lines. When I met her though, she talked nicely to me and it was so great to catch up. This made me realize that sometimes we are too soon to judge people when the truth is they are not at all the way they seem.

Will be back soon,
S.

Phnom Penh!

May 31, 2013

Okay. Relax. I currently have really bad period pains but that's not what I'm here to talk about.

I'm going to Cambodia! I'm not sure if I mentioned this yet but my mom has to go to Phnom Penh for work to attend some jewelry fair and I'm just going to tag along. I'm pretty excited to go there because it's always exciting to go to new countries.

With this trip, I'm going to take advantage of the new blog I set up called "Your Travel Guru". I'll be providing reviews of the places I go to there and general comments about the experience. I know this blog of mine is pretty mundane and boring but hopefully the other one will attract more readers.

Anyways, the trip is on 12-15 June. Still a long time but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

Will be back soon,
S.

Nothingness....blah!

28 May, 2013

You know that feeling after a stressful day/week/month where all you want to do is nothing ? And then you do get to do nothing and it feels wonderful. And then you to back to whatever you were doing previously and start to miss doing nothing ? Well, let's just say that's how it's supposed to be. Because I, my friend, have had the privilege (or fate) to have to experience a staggering 5 days of nothingness and a further 90 days or so of potential nothingness. Do you even get what my point is here? I've had enough. This waking up at noon, not showering, going on YouTube binges, eating spree, DIY projects maniac, and so on, is no longer my idea of fun.

Anyways I'm not going to complain no more because that's something losers do. I'm going to take matters into my own hand. Starting from June onwards, I'm going to practice piano since my exam is in October. I'm also going to restart mandarin classes and hopefully prepare for HSK Level 4 as soon as I'm ready for it. I plan to schedule and IELTS exam soon and do practice papers before hand because I might need them when I'm applying to universities this September. Moreover, I can prepare for AS English Language which I planned to take during the October/November session as well as work on my personal statement. Oh Wow. That's impressive. See, you can always be productive if you want to ? Now the question is, can I actually accomplish this?

Whatever. There is also the Cardiff Sixth Form College scholarship thing that I won! Hopefully it will actually take place in August like British Council said it would. I'm really excited for this because it's the first time I'll be traveling outside of Asia (that is if you count Australia as Asia). But more importantly, I'll be traveling alone. Like alone alone. I would learn so much from this experience, create memories that will last a life time, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Besides this, in July my family and I are planning a trip to Phuket. How can it feel like Summer if you don't get to go the the beach right? That should be fun. Beach! Sun!

Ah, plus I found out today that my cousin, more precisely uncle who is my age, is coming from India soon. And maybe also another cousin from Malaysia. So yeah.

That's it for now. I've for more important things to be doing now. Yeah, like procrastinate in school.

Will be back soon,
S.

Hello Again.

26 May, 2013

Hello again people. It's been forever. I'm aware of that. Frankly, I haven't had the time for it with all the exams and everything. Well actually it's more like this, I feel guilty blogging during exam times even though I ain't studying. Anyways enough with the exam talks, I'm sick of them!

So, what else has been going on ? I've been helping my sister start her YouTube Vlogs. After persuading her for like months she finally agreed to it. Isn't hat awesome ? Except our camera (basically the IMAC) and sound system sucks real bad. And I guess that puts off most potential viewers. Nevertheless, it's a start. I'm the Blogger and she's the Vlogger. Happy family. Laughs.

Oh and I've also tidied my room, closet, and make-up/jewelry area. I've been neglecting it lately so it feels kind of good to be organized again. This is what I usually do, make it super neat and the. after a while it becomes a mess again. The cycle then continues.

This year, I've also made a decision not to go to Prom. Because frankly prom is overrated and I can't be bothered to get all dressed up and pay a 1000-ish bucks (that's in baht by the way which is like 30-ish dollars). So, no Prom for me this year. I'll go next year though because it's senior year. Oh my god. SENIOR YEAR! I just had like a mini heart attack over here. Okay so my high school life was not like how it is in the movies, but still, it still feels kind of good I guess.

What else ? Hmm. There is this community service trip to Khao Yai coming along. The prefect team organized it. We're going to be visiting a local school/orphanage to donate some stuff and teach them English. So yeah, tht should be a fun experience.

Anyways enough for today. I'll probably be blogging a lot now because I have around 3 months holiday before school starts.

Will be back soon,
S.

Nottingham vs Monash

April 19, 2013

Oh hello people! It's been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long since I last blogged. I know. I'm sorry. Its not like I've been busy or anything.Its just that I've been supposed to study for my exams which are like in 2 weeks and so writing a blog seems like procastination to me. Wierd, I know. Anyways, there are like so many things I want to blog about that I just dont know where to begin.

I guess I shall begin with my trip to Malaysia- specifically Universities. I went on the 6th of April with my family (and cousin, but she's like family too) to see University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.I also went to see Monash Sunway Campus. There are like so many international univerisities in Malaysia because the government wants to establish the country as an educational hub. For me, however, unfortunately only these two mentioned above have courses in Social Science, namely, International Relations. Yups, I changed my mind again on my major. I'll talk about that later though.

So basically, I'm going to compare these two universities so that prospective students will have a better idea from a third party and non biased source.

Firstly, Nottingham is a UK university and Monash is an Australian based one. I don't know which system is better. I think it depends on the individual as a person. For me though, I think a UK university is better since I've been in a Britished Pattern school since childhood.

Secondly, Nottingham is located in Seminyih. Its a tiny village in the middle of nowhere.You've got to take a train from KL Central to Kajang which takes around 30 minutes. Then there is a shuttle bus to the university which takes around 10 minutes as its located 9 km from the station on top of a hill. When I say this, I dont mean its a bad thing though. There are plenty of trees and the campus is beautiful. If it was a bit cooler, it would seem like you're in the UK. Monash, on the other hand, is located in Sunway right next to a shopping mall and theme park. Its right in the heart of the city, there are lots of things to do and you'll never get bored. Again, it depends on the individual but I prefer being away from the city. Its much more laid back you know. Students in Nottingham walking around in shorts and flipflops while in Monash they're all dressed up- these kinds of stuff.

Lastly, standards. Judgding from the entry requirements I can say that Nottingham has a higher standard than Monash. To do the same course, which is Social Science, I would need ABB for Nottigham but only CCC for Monash.

I guess you can probably guess that I would rather go to Nottingham. The next option for me is Monash though. Oh wait, I forgot to mention. If I get AAA I would get a 25% scholarship worth about 100,000 baht automatically at both the universities. Awesome right? I'm going to try my best.

Will be back soon,
S.