Of Tests, Exams and Assignments

It seemed like forever since I last updated my blog so I thought this would be a good opportunity to update since I'm still having my 'holidays'. Tomorrow marks the end of my 2-week long semester break and I'll be starting classes again next Monday.

If you have been wondering why I haven't updated in ages, it's because I had been really busy with tests, exams and assignments. Well, sort of. Actually it's more of the fact that nothing extraordinary has taken place hence the lack of updates. There wasn't much to talk about. My first semester in college was pretty much a mess and it ended on a really low note for me. Time management plays a large role in determining a student's success in his/her studies and I feel that I have failed in this area throughout the past 4 months. I couldn't even manage my time well and add in some procrastination and you get a whole lot of stress coming in.

Sometimes it's frustrating to think of the fact that I'm still doing my foundation year just when I thought that I could at least get exempted for a few subjects if not for the whole foundation year. I don't really see why we should be studying Additional Maths and a subject called 'General Studies' (more on that later). Sure it's understandable if we are required to study English, Management and IT but Additional Maths is really unnecessary if you asked me. I suggested in a class representative meeting some time ago that instead of studying Additional Maths, why not study Business Maths or at least Maths that are relevant to what we would be studying in degree level. Not to say that it's easier but at least we wouldn't be wasting time, effort and money studying for a subject which is rather unnecessary. Too bad my opinion fell on deaf ears and it makes you question whether they really think that tough maths can improve students' analytical skills as they claim or just an attempt to add another unnecessary subject to the foundation programme, make the semester longer and hence the increase of tuition fees. What's 'General Studies' about you ask? Well, the subject covers time management, stress management, achieving goals, taking important notes during lectures, etc. The subject pretty much sums up how to study in college. Now I don't mind studying for that subject for the sake of getting used to college life but to take it as an exam and pay a few hundred extra bucks for it just doesn't really make any sense to me.

Got my results recently and out of the six subjects which I took last semester, I failed two - Management and General Studies. Needless to say, I'm a bit disappointed in myself knowing that I didn't really try my best for the past few months. Procrastination and maybe a bit of overconfidence have taken a toll on my studies. I'm going to ask for a review on my Management paper since I got a C- and there's a possibility that I might have failed by only a mark or two. It's abit disheartening but nevertheless I am looking forward for the new semester to commence next Monday and I will have to push myself harder this time around. For now, the goal is still to finish my foundation programme by the end of this year and Daddy God, I need You to be at the center of my studies, knowing that my self-effort will only get me that far and though I know I'm not the brightest student, I will achieve success by Your grace.

Cry Baby Cry

Credits to Aisha for posting this video on her blog ages ago. Dane's take on crying was pretty spot on and hilarious! You can also check out some of his other videos on YouTube. I dedicate this video to those who are feeling 'emo' and wants to cry :p


"There's those times when you need to cry. I'm talking about a real cry. I'm talking about, you need to open up your soul and have a WEEPATHON!" - Dane Cook

P/S: Happy Birthday, V Shin and Kok Siang! Hope you guys enjoyed yourselves.

25 facts about me

I got tagged by Tan Aisha and fellow rocker, Samuel.

Here are 25 random facts about me:-

1. I'd like to think of myself as being an easygoing person. Though it sounds kinda cheesy when you say that about yourself.

2. Some people might find it hard to believe but I'm actually quite shy and awkward at times. I'm an emotional (not emo) person as well. I'm kinda sensitive in a way that I'll tend to 'cry' especially when watching touching movies which really tug at your heartstrings.

3. I'm a Libran.

4. I was born in North London (near Tottenham) and spent the first 5 years of my life there before coming to Malaysia. I finally had the chance to visit London again in June 2006.

5. I suffer from hyperhidrosis and I sweat excessively most of the time.

6. I do fart a lot too.

7. I'm a mama's boy. I have a really close relationship with my mum and I used to share my problems with her occasionally.

8. I had my first crush on a gal when I was in Standard 5. I tried to impress her by playing some basketball (show-off!) and failed miserably. We went to different high schools after Standard 6 and she used to send me letters until we were in Form 3.

9. I have no idea why but many people especially gals dig my handwriting (P-E-R-A-S-A-N), though I'd like to think otherwise.

10. I got to know most of my close friends back in high school and we definitely shared some great memories back then. I am really lucky in a way that I have been blessed with great friends whom I can share my problems with and vice versa. I am a good listener but I suck when it comes to giving advice.

11. My favourite subjects back in high school were English, Geography and Modern Maths. I hated History with a passion.

12. I have a red belt in Taekwondo. I missed the over the top punishments, vigorous training, insane knuckle push-ups and getting badly beaten up by my close friend, V Shin. I stopped learning just before my SPM examination.

13. I worked as a part-time tuition teacher in a tuition centre last year and I taught Primary 3 and 4 English. I thought the kids were adorable and surprisingly, I found teaching to be quite interesting. Who knows, I could even pick up teaching again.

14. I can also be quite hot-tempered sometimes. Teaching primary students can be quite challenging to be honest. There was this student in my class last time who is extremely playful until one fine day I got so fed up and had to punish him by telling him to stand at the back of the class for one whole hour.

15. I am a music fan and I listen to all types of music but my favourite genre is R-O-C-K. I'm pretty much a rocker. I hate Techno though.

16. My favourite band is U2. I'm a big fan of those guys and I can't wait for their new album to come out soon.

17. I love playing the guitar. I have been playing for 4 years now but I feel that I still haven't got to know my 'wife' well enough.

18. I have even dreamt of busking on the streets of London though I believe most people will actually start throwing oranges and all kinds of stuff at me.

19. Prison Break, Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill are among my favourite TV shows. I love American Idol too.

20. I pretty much suck at Mandarin.

21. I tend to daydream sometimes by just lying on the bed, doing nothing.

22. I love my hometown, 'Ipoh'. Ipoh Mali! We have awesome food there, some say pretty gals as well ;)

23. I can't live without my hair wax.

24. I'd like to think that I'm blessed and favoured even in the midst of adversity and circumstances, knowing that Daddy God is ultimately in control and will love me despite my shortcomings and failures.

25. I am the beloved child of God.

1st One and a Half Months in INTI

Hello again! For those of you guys who haven't know yet, I'm currently taking up a Business course in INTI University College here in Nilai. I know most of my Ipoh friends must be thinking, ''But why?". The bottom line is I didn't want to be tied down with just an accounting qualification. Studying and working are two entirely different things and I long for some flexibility in my future job, though I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of taking ACCA next time. Having a dual degree isn't such a bad thing after all, right?

Initially I felt really homesick during my first few days in college. I missed home, my family, friends and everything back in Ipoh. It's funny how I used to complain about how boring my hometown was until I came to Nilai. Being an Ipoh guy who enjoys awesome food with great price, it is only natural that I will tend to compare the food here with the food back in my hometown. Let's not go into detail about it, shall we? In a nutshell, the food here is expensive yet pretty much a letdown. So much for thinking that the food and everything would be dirt cheap in a small town like Nilai.

I'm taking 6 subjects this semester which comprises Basic Maths (which isn't so basic after all), English, Business Studies I, IT, General Studies and Malaysian Studies. Some classes are getting quite interesting while some are just not up to par. Blame it on the subject or lecturer, I don't know. Learning about Additional Maths and Malaysian Studies can be a drag at times since they have nothing to do whatsoever with Business.

There are over sixty clubs here in INTI and so far I have signed up for Christian Fellowship, Inti Vibes, House of Commerce, UN club (I don't even know what activities they have), and Peer Support Group. I know it's rather ridiculous joining so many clubs that's why I'm seriously considering dropping a club or two soon. So far the most 'happening' club is none other than Christian Fellowship and we have 3 meetings per week and that's excluding Captain Ball that they organize every Monday! Without a doubt, I'm delighted to be having fellowship again with my CF friends. And guess what, I even met a fellow BBC in CF! His name is Eric and we are attending Grace Family Sanctuary in Banting. The church is an hour's drive from my college and I'm part of the worship team now after only attending one service. I couldn't believe it either. I'm playing rhythm guitar.

My first six weeks here in INTI had been quite hectic though it wasn't because I had a lot of homework or assignments. I have been spending much time on club activities and 'hanging out' sessions which in my opinion should be reduced drastically if I were to do well in my upcoming tests.

At the end of the day, it's not about the boring lectures, my pursuit to getting a degree and be sucessful, the little crush I have on a cute gal in my class, my neighbour who has severe OCD issues nor is it about me at all. It is all about You and only Your Grace will prosper me. Daddy God, I want to be a blessing to the people I meet and this cannot be achieved by my self-effort but by your Amazing Grace.

P/S: Sam, if you're reading this, congratulations on getting a Visa to the U.K. Thank you for all the craziness you have brought to Ipoh. God bless! =)

More than Life

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog! It has been ages since I last blogged and recently I have decided to start blogging again and be part of the ever expanding 'blogosphere'. You can check out my old blog here at zhuwhee.blog.friendster.com which has now officially ceased operation. If you are wondering why I stopped blogging for so long, it's simply because I didn't know what to write about and if there's such thing known as 'writer's block', that would be it. As cheesy as it might sound, I found it difficult to express my thoughts in words and after reading friends' blogs which are so much better in quality and substance, I couldn't help but realize how juvenile my blog was back then.

Choosing an appropriate title for a blog can be a daunting task so after wasting hours trying to come out with a blog title, I decided to check my Hillsong playlist and realizing that I couldn't go wrong by naming my blog with a Christian song title, I settled with 'More than Life'. It's not about my faith or my love for God that will see me recieve His overflowing blessings and being favoured, it is all about Jesus who loves me so much that He was willing to pay the price and die at the cross so that I would be blessed, favoured, righteous and redeemed. He paid the debt that I could never pay and because of that, I want to love Him more than life!

Hopefully this blog promises to be more 'mature' but above all, I want to shout His praises and be constantly reminded of His love for me. It's all about the finished work that counts ;)