Rebonjour! :)

*ATTENTION : This post contains images that may be disturbing. Viewers discretion advised. Oh, and this post contains LOTS of pictures, grab some chips before continuing.

Again. Another long absence from my blogging world. hahaha It’s time. I’m in blogging mood. Really unsure why this sudden mood came. Oh ok, ignore that. Let’s proceed to what has been happening up, side, down, below, behind, under, north, south, east, west me. Since my last update, I have :

#1. Moved to a new place (1^st September 2008)

Pont de Jacques Gabriel (Jacques Gabriel's Bridge)

After a 3-month-stay in Royan for my language course, I moved to another place called “Blois”, I have never heard of it or have any idea about the existence of this place before I opened Google Map and looked up for it. It’s a small town of almost 50 000 habitants, situated just 2 hours by train from Paris. (Oh yeah~). I’m doing a 1-yr foundation in Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) Blois.

View from IUT Blois

My bed!

When autumn comes..

#2. Been travelling around

• Bordeaux, France
  

Save the cheerleader, save the world!

• La Rochelle, France

Interesting..

• Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame de Paris

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Arc of Triumph

• Vatican City

• Rome, Italy

Fountain of Trevi

Inside Pantheon

Colosseum

Italians have their own way to simplify their lives.

An 11-hour delay was not pleasant AT ALL!

• Orleans, France

• Dublin, Ireland

World's Tallest Sculpture of 120 metres : The Spire

• Glasgow, Scotland

• London, England

Guard at Buckingham Palace.

World's Most Photographed Clock: The Big Ben

The separation between today and tomorrow : The Greenwich Line

Arsenal

Meet Chealsea's new manager.

#3. Received a visit from bro.

Since my brother had been wanting to go to France so much, he decided to come and to spend one of his week-end in France. Then, I bring lah him jalan2 to Paris .

From top of Eiffel. South view.

From top of Eiffel. North view.

Musee du Louvre

Opera House

#4. Experienced skiing!

Watching ski on TV is never the same as when you try it yourself. Skiing is AWESOME! A week on the Alps was just insufficient @ nda puas eh!!

Posing maut atas gunung.

Posing ikan masin.

Here are some of the excitements captured! :

#5. Bought new gear.

Got myself a brand-new Ibanez AEG10. Finally, I can continue what have been my passion: Music

Ibanez AEG10

I adore this strap! :)

#6. Been fascinated by cubes.

I first saw my friend Jo who posted a video of him solving a Rubik’s cube on Youtube. Since I had nothing much to do, I just simply bought 1 Rubik’s cube(3x3x3), learned the basics from Dan Brown (not Da Vinci’s writer though,hahhaha). Time passes by..my solving time started to decrease from 3 days to 1 min. However, with the basic skills, it’s difficult to average under 1 min (nda puas hati!). I decided to learned the advanced technique then : Fridrich’s Methode. Finally, it has successfully cut down my average to 40s. Still improving till now. Ultimate aim is sub-20 average. I picked up 2x2x2 and 4x4x4 too. I like 2x2x2 the most because it's easy and fast to solve.Up till now, here are my personal best:

2x2x2

Single : 2.92s (Super fluke!! was blurred for a while before i realised it was already solved)
Average: 8-11s
Best average of 5 : 6.11s

3x3x3
Single 20.60s (Again a lot of flukes, easy algo during F2L)
Average : 35-45s

4x4x4 (I don't really speedsolve this, still working on with 2x2x2 and 3x3x3)
Best single : 04:56.92

Avg : 6-8++

My collection so far. More are coming. Hahahha

Me. Solving. Lol

That's about it. I'll try to keep you updated! :)

LETTING GO TAKES LOVE

LETTING GO TAKES LOVE

To let go does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off,
it's the realization I can't control another.
To let go is not to enable,
but allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means
the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
it's to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for,
but to care about.
To let go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their destinies.
To let go is not to be protective,
it's to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny,
but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody,
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more
Remember: The time to love is short

Light-heartedness

Does anyone know how it feels like being light-hearted? wow. it's been a while since I was last covered by this kind of joy,it's not just another joy, it's,i don't know, it's different. It just feels good (really good) and feels free as bird. I really do need this after a lot of things that happened these past few months especially the letting go part, but I think I was misunderstood during that time. By the way, it was very relieving to get things, that are stuffed in your chest, out,it's like when you've tahan2 berak for quite a while and it really is coming out,then finally you found the proper place,the toilet. Feels lighter.

I've been and still enduring to face everything that I see, hear and feel from the moment I woke up in the morning. Somehow, I know it will not and never be easy.
I believe I am stronger than yesterday.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Seven Wonders of The World

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World.

Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:
Egypt's Great Pyramids
Taj Mahal
Hoover Dam
Panama Canal
Empire State Building
St. Peter's Basilica
China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
to touch
to taste
to see
to hear

She hesitated a little, and then added,
to feel
to laugh
and to love

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and "ordinary" are truly wondrous. A gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought nor are they made with human hands.

Salut, tout le monde!

It’s been a while since the last post. A lot has happened.

#1. Moved to a new tempat tinggal

This place is called ‘Lycee Atlantique’ (Lycee means highschool). I have never thought that it would be very wow. Gila eh. Anyway, I’ll be staying there for the next 2 months@until my term in CAREL finishes.

Lycee office from my room

Corridor

My bed! :)

#2. Visited 2 lighthouses

• La Phare de Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

My first time going up to the top of a lighthouse was just awesome! The breeze up there, the scenery from up there, magnifique!

• La Phare de Cordouan

Being in the oldest lighthouse in France brought up the unknown feeling deep inside of you (uinah, deep.. :P) After a 45-minute journey by ship, I stepped on the sandy beach that surrounds the historic contruction. By the way, for those who are captured by the beauty of this lighthouse, you can always come, just prepare 24 euros (or RM120). Hehhhehe.

Mia from Sweden (dia ada kacukan korea) and I

Jessica from Sweden

#3. My French : Upgraded to elementary class (from debutant)

Oh yeah! Naik kelas suda baa~ Dari budak tadika punya level,sekarang budak sekolah rendah (should I be happy or wat? :P) Feeling great! This showed that I have made progresses in my French. “Bonjour!”

Salle 114 : Class pictures :)

#4. New bike

Having to walk all the time was just tiring. I decided to buy a bike then, together with 6 of my other friends. 84 euros was not bad especially for a bike that is equipped with suspensions, 21-speed gear and disc-brakes. : )

#5. Sightseeing

My friends and I felt bored during one of the weekends and we decided to go sightseeing. The interesting part was, we just cycled instinctively hoping that we would end up somewhere interesting.(Bingung2 juga la kadang2) We did! Landed to Saujon, an outskirt village which is out of Royan map and for your information, we only have Royan map. That’s what we called instinct, man! The sunflower farms were awesome!

The sunflower is bigger that my head! Buli tahan eh~

#6. Notre-Dame de Royan

It was Sunday. I attended the church service there with another friend, Eugene. A lot of senior people and there are some young ones too. Very traditional but the pipe organ was AWESOME (I think it’s 10 meters tall)!!! The acoustics in that building are creepy, it’s just indescribable.

The majestic grand piano

#7. Horse Jumping International

I’m not really into horses but hey, I won’t be losing anything if I go anyway because it’s free! :P yeahh, watched all the horses jumping over the fences, bla bla. I took the opportunity to sayang2 the horses and I’m surprised how such a majestic animal can be very tame. But they berak a lot la. *Pinches nose*

#8. My French (again) : Upgraded to next level “Seuil” (from elementaire)

Oh yeah! Naik kelas lagi ba~ I really didn’t expect to be upgraded to a higher level in 2 weeks. Nevertheless, this would be a challenge and it would be the opportunity for me to improve my French. “Je vais trouver la lumière” By the way, seuil means “starting to experience independence in doing something” and in this context, to speak French :)

The two sisters (L:Kristin and R:Malin) who have finished their terms in CAREL

#9. Soiree Internationale 2008 (International Night 2008)

IT WAS AWESOME! I performed! Didn’t really performed but I played some instruments. I was in dilemma whether I should be performing solo or not but it didn’t happen anyway. Instead, at least I contributed my time and effort into some of the performances. :)

Practice session


Wake Me Up When September Ends


Kau Ilhamku

That’s all for now then. Will keep you updated!

Music is Life #2

It's been a while since I wrote these songs but just didn't blog them. So, I hope you will be able to feel the lyrics :) I'll get the songs recorded as soon I get a new guitar :) Enjoy!

All

When you and I first met
I saw the cheeky smile on your face
I said 'Hello'
And you smiled back at me

As we get along by day
The pranks we pulled, the scolding we had
I said "I'm sorry'
And you said "It's okay"

All the memories of yesterdays
All the joy of today
And all the hopes of tomorrow
All the years we've been through
All the ups and downs
You were always there for me
What a great friend I have
Indeed..


Deep

I could see the future
Everything that it holds
It brings unending torture
When all secrets unfold

Walk along the coastline
Watch the flocks of birds
Wish I could be as free
But I can only imagine

You and I
Be the shining stars
In the darkness of the night
Cause it's you
Who paints the lives of others
And make their world go round, it's you
In some way
You stir in me
The way it's never been before
So deep...


That's When

I couldn't see anymore
The real nature itself
I couldn't feel anymore
Numbness of my senses has become real

I wonder how
How does it really feel?
The feeling of losing what you cherish the most

Everyday
Dark clouds hover over me
Every night
There seems endless loneliness
Everyone
Walk by with their forlorn steps
Every moment
Painted black and white
That's when
That's when
You go away...

Bonjour!

New chapter has begun..

Lunch : Kebab

Well, well, well. Finally, I’m in France!! It was a great 20-hour (12 hours was on the plane to Paris and 8 hours was in the bus to Royan) journey to the place I’m at now, the village of Royan.

The statue is called Macadam Kid

As soon as we arrived at the airport on the 2^nd of June, we were greeted by some officers and some of our seniors (bikin panas eh, terer suda diorang cakap french). However, we were told by the officers that 20 of us will be going to Royan and other 9 will be going to Colmar. That was a bombshell, shock, surprise, bolt from the blue, blow for us because all this while we were told by our coordinator in Malaysia that all of us will be going to Royan only. What to do? C’est la vie~ (That’s life~) Unpredictable aye?

First dinner ramai2 with Bruno

As for my first impression of France or to be specific, the place I’ll be staying for the next 3 months, Royan, I would say that it is a very beautiful and clean village. It is located near the beach!! How awesome is that?! The people here are great too! They are very friendly because whenever I went to any shop; it is like they know everybody. Very friendly lah.

In terms of the weather, it is totally different (duh) from Malaysia. It changes quite fast here, tidak tentu-tentu ba (irregular). It will be summer at the end of this month and the average temperature is somewhere around 15-18 ºC. So far, I think the hottest was around 25 ºC. Soooo, I am like a “milo panas yang kena kasi masuk fridge secara tiba-tiba” when I first arrived here, would take a while for me to adapt to everything.

Middle : Samuel (Housemate for 2 weeks)

For the first month, I’ll be staying with my foster family (Actually, the family consists of only 1 person) His name is Bruno Harutto, a retiree, his family lives in Paris but he’ll be staying in Royan alone during summer. He’s cool! Luckily,he mulau-mulau juga skit, not that serious and kadang2 bikin panas.Hehhhehe. There is also another Malaysian and Swiss student living in the same house. However, the Swiss student has finished his term in CAREL and left for Marseille(I think) to work. And another student from Sweden; a girl, a year younger,has just arrived in Royan and she’ll be staying in Bruno’s house for the next 2 weeks.

Presenting..BRUNO and his boat

Fete de L'avion (Aviation Festival)

About the language, I’ll be learning French for 3 months in C.A.R.E.L (Centre Audiovisuel De Royan Pour L’etude Des Langues).After that, I’ll be going to IUT Blois to do my foundation there for 11 months. On the first day of class, I just experienced the blurriest moment in my life. Imagine going to a lecture without understanding 99% of what the teacher said (seriously); just imagine how my face would look like at the end of the class. However, I do realize that it will always be like that at the early stage of any learning process especially when learning a whole new language. Haihh, u can do it Alvin! SS suda ni. I have made a lot of progress for the past 2 weeks and it feels great when you finally understand what the French are talking about, tidak la u just ‘Oui, oui’(Yes, yes) or ‘Non, non’ (No, no).

Will stare this every morning

About the food, I must tell you this, everyday cheese, butter, milk and hard-rock bun (Yang pakai gigi palsu tu, be careful la ah :P ). I can foresee how I would look like after 7 years (would be very cute) Hehehhehe. The food here is very filling but it won’t last long till you get hungry again. Bon appetite!

I went to the so-called famous Le Phare de Coudouan. IT WAS AWESOME but I got darker :( The weather was just perfect. Will blog about the visit in the next post. Some information about the lighthouse from Wikipedia:

" Cordouan is a lighthouse located 7 km at sea, geographically located near the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France.

The oldest lighthouse in France, it is very large and very ornate, and was made a historical monument in 1862, at the same time as Notre-Dame de Paris. "

Anyway, I have been exploring Royan village ever since I came here and there is still a
lot more to come! I’ll keep you updated through this blog aites.

Notre-Dame de Royan