I'm utterly disgusted by myself for having put off updating this blog, therefore I feel compelled to finally break my self-loathe and post something!!! That being said, I have totally no idea where to start. Or an even more important question is should I be posting for the reading pleasure of you people or would this just be me hearing my own thoughts and feelings...I reckon I'll just go wherever my fingers take me and let you readers be the judge of it.

The 1st big thing is that I have finally graduated from NTU...3.5 years there is no JOKE and honestly I can't wait to get out of there and into a new chapter in life. Problem is...as most of you that know me, I've been occasionally riding my luck with regards to passing my exams. Mind you...I was never doing well to begin with, playing catchup since the 1st semester. The hardest thing is recovering from a bad start. Cutting the long story short, post exam jitters are getting to me and even more intense this time round as the pressure of graduating looms over me like flies to shit! Worse exam period ever! Losing sleep, nightmares, totally unmotivated to study and to top it all off, 3 out of 4 papers I sat for are potential death sentences condemning me to another 6 months of study...luckily I drank myself silly after my last paper and puked my guts out in the wee hours of this morning and I'm feeling much better :D

2nd big thing that stems from the above big thing...resuming NSF liabilities! I really want to resume and ORD asap...having this incomplete chapter in life is bugging the hell out of me, just like studying in NTU. I just want out of these commitments. Is it just me running away from commitments or the desire to begin something new? I really don't know at this moment in time. This is problematic, should I resume before getting my results (29th Dec) and learning that NTU has welcomed me back with open arms will be the shittiest thing ever! I will have to finish up army (5 months) before going back to NTU. This worse case scenario will prolong my need to be freed for another year. I will have to think on this...how to come out the winner of this compromise.

Honestly my mind is in a blank right now with sporadic memories from the last couple of months. I won't be thinking of anything from the past unless someone brings it up...probably a good thing from how this year has played itself out. So pardon the blackouts in continuity littered throughout the 100 posts! YEAH this is my century post. The BIG 100! FYI C.Ronaldo hammered in his 100th and 101st career goal last weekend helping MAN UTD to a 5-0 win over STOKE CITY.

Next up...FYP presentation on 1st Dec and then I will truly wash my hands of studying (GOD PLS HELP ME PULL THROUGH THIS ONE LAST TIME...AMEN)!

The Return

WOW! Hahaha I know I know anyway as the title suggest, this marks the return but I foresee myself going MIA pretty soon. That why I shall post this video for all of you to enjoy...if there are anymore of you left.

Well stay tuned for future updates...

WARNING!!!

I am super duper peeved with this...but let this be a lesson for those that got involved in this and a warning for those that haven't. 3 weeks ago while I was "busy" browsing blogs, this pop-up came up on my screen (makes you wonder if IE's pop-up blocker actually works). Anyway it caught my attention as you can see why.

Evil pop-up window (click to enlarge)

And yes, being a Singaporean, I lived up to it. Its amazing how we all take part in something knowing that it winning has a lower chance compared to getting stricken down with a live threatening illness. I'm not calling this a "scam" but I have my reservations when i'm typing this post. I'll leave it to my dear readers to interpret this on your own.

So I followed the own screen instructions...simple enough. Choose the correct answer and click submit with your mobile phone number. Harmless...no need for personal details and you can choose to ignore sms adverts or unknown callers if your mobile number ever gets sold to some marketing company.

Mistake 1: Never read Terms & Conditions (Typical of me...maybe most people in this situation).

Mistake 2: Trusting a pop-up, especially when your IP address is used (Notice the SG flag on the page).

Shortly after I submitted my answer I recieved an SMS with another no-brainer question stating that I will be charged $4.00 per SMS...so I assumed that meant if I replied to that SMS with my answer I will be charged $4.00. CRAZY!!! Of course I ignored the SMS and happily lead my life. But noooo...few days later I recieved another SMS question and ignored it and after recieving the 3rd SMS, I scrolled down and followed the unsubscribe instruction...it was getting irritating. Imagine my shock when I recieved my SingTel bill and was charged $12.00 for the 3 SMS!!! At first I was wondering what was this "Sybase 365" charge and after googling, I realised I wasn't alone in this. Other people have also fallen pray to this and apparently SingTel has been alerted to it but they claim there isn't much they can do about it. I'm not so sure about M1 or Starhub. But according to my sources within SingTel, this particular company rented an SMS pipeline from them therefore the sender's number 72288. I personally called up SingTel's billing department and they promised to get Sybase 365 to contact me back regarding this but it has been 3 days and I haven't heard anything.

My take on this whole episode? Be very careful when providing personal information and READ THE BLOODY TERMS AND CONDITIONS!!! Even if you don't know what those funky terms are, you should check what they mean (Singapore Code of Practice for SMS service??? WTF). Quite disappointed that any Tom, Dick and Harry can abuse the above mentioned. They don't do background checks like they used too...the thing I'm most pissed about is that anyone can just enter a mobile number and the person recieving the SMSes have totally not idea what is happening.

Another bullshit advert from the same company (click to enlarge)

Stumbled upon another version of the "contest" while I was trying to track down the pop-up window by browsing blogs again. Another advice is to remove adsense from your websites...you never know what kind of advertisement you are harbouring on your sites.

Those of you who plays Viwawa especially Wahjong, BITE THIS B*TCHES! Hahaha @ me, my nick is matt2466.

Damn it! My Euro 2008 campaigne might come to a premature end...my initial "winning" can't sustain my recent run-in with bad bets! Hope tonight will give me some hope...*fingers and toes crossed*

Langkawi Travelog

Hi everyone! I'm finally back from my getaway trip to Langkawi with Marcus, Milo and freeuns and as promised here is a slide show of pictures from my trip. Hope you guys enjoy!

Day 1

We departed from Changi Airport T2 at 6.40pm and arrived at Langkawi Airport just before 8pm. We were quite surprised we had to make our way from the runway to the airport on foot. Pretty neat experience and although the airport is small in size its pretty clean. Zackry's Guest House has arranged an airport pick up for us and by the time we got out, the driver was already waiting with my name on a placard. Our accommodation is about a 15min drive from the airport and Steward, an English man was on hand to receive us and process our check-in. We were given a short personal tour of the guest house and its facilities before we retired to our room. 4 to a room, 1 queen size bed and 2 single beds...pretty neat! After unpacking, we decided to check out a convenient store around the corner that rents cars and we needed to stock up on our booze and necessities! Dumped our purchases back at the loft and continued to explore our surroundings and found ourselves having drinks over at SUNBA. The night was still young and we were the only patrons. Tiredness and hunger fell over us and we heard each other's belly growling. Restoran Mangga! Had Nasi Goreng Ayam myself...probably the best tasting Nasi Goreng I ever tasted.

Day 2

Woke up to an extremely blazing morning...as weather reports suggest, this is rare. Decided to swap Day 3's itinerary to today to enjoy the beach. Before that we had to get our car! Rented a Kancil for RM60/day with no petrol included...our 1st full tank pump cost us RM30. Heaven...drove down to the beach to have brunch at this resort...nothing too fantastic but prices were still relatively cheaper compared to Singapore. Tanned and swam in the sea for about 3hrs before we couldn't take the heat, skin was beginning to burn. Drove back to the loft to shower...and enjoyed a cold bud! Heaven again...headed down to the Go Kart track for a race with the guys. I came in last but otherwise I has a great time. Almost collided into the daredevil Milo who eventually won but freeuns backed out and volunteered to take pictures of us instead. Next stop Oriental Village and the Cable Car! Milo and freeuns started getting cold feet the moment they saw the cable car take off from the base station. Haha but it was an experience. The view up there at 700m+ after sea level was breathtaking. Could see the entire stretch of Langkawi from up there. They even had this suspension walkway that linked 2 of the lower peaks together and the entire walkway was supported by just a fragile looking structure. Milo and freeunds almost pissed their berms there...fun! Wanted to check out the famed Seven Wells but it was too late but at least we caught a glimpse of it during the cable car ride. Drove back to Pantai Tengah where our loft was located and had dinner at Restoran Mangga again.

Day 3

Today we decided to take it easy after a night of heavy drinking. We were gonna go on a road trip instead to explore the island. Had breakfast at Cactus...highly recommended for reasonably priced good food. Very chill out place to have breakfast. Drove down to another waterfall and we sorta got lost a few times by missing turns but eventually we found our way. We were all still recovering from the sun burn from the previous day and when we saw the ice cool fresh waterfall forming extremely tempting dipping pools, we regretted not bringing our swimming gear. Its so beautiful and to be honest it looks like something straight out of some paradise. Definitely going back there for a dip the next time I'm there. Took many pictures there and was just absorbing the sight. Once we hit the road, a heavy storm caught us by surprise...couldn't go to places with no shelter so we just had to drive on and on...passed by the Hot Springs village and decided to go take a look as it was sheltered but there was nothing much so we left. Fortunately, the rain stopped as we reached the Wildlife park. Stopped there for lunch but did not go in. Decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Kuah Town...the main town in Langkawi. It reminds us a little of JB, very congested with buildings and traffic. Capped off our time in Kuah by visiting Eagle Square, were the icon of Langkawi a giant statue of an eagle is erected on the tip of the bay overlooking the sea. Headed to Fat Mum's...absolutely delightful seafood dinner, cheap and nice...except for the black pepper beef which was tough. Wrapped up the day by checking out the nightlife! Based on the recommendations from the guy who served us at Fat Mum's, we checked out Aseania Hotel's disco, famed as the most happening place in Langkawi...we went in while the live band was performing...all I can say is I've heard better and was quite disappointing, only during the break did the music pick up when the DJ took over. Left shortly as the crowd was getting undesirable. Last stop was back at SUNBA, it was already full swing when we reached there but the music sucked so bad it seems it's catered for only 1 group...Reggae! The crowd was much better though!...freeuns was already talking nonsense and loudly at this time...he acts like that when he drinks. Headed back to crash for the day.

Day 4

Our last full day in Langkawi and we decided to go for island hopping, engaged the boat operator to take us to Pulau Dayang Bunting aka Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, Eagle feeding and lastly to coral island. We didn't have breakfast that day as we did not want to feel sick during the boat ride...based on my experience in Tioman but the boat was a speed boat so you don't feel the choppy seas. We were famished by the time we reached Dayang Bunting. Lots of monkeys and I caught a glimpse of a dolphin or whale...can't tell only saw the tail followed by the sea spray from the nozzle. Nice...its suppose to be good luck. Nothing much at Dayang Bunting except the massive amounts of steps that need to be climbed to reach the lake. Some small kid almost drowned...irresponsible parents. Eagle feeding was probably an eye opener, the boat man will throw some pieces of meat into the sea and slash water around that area to attract the eagles. A few seconds later you'll see dozens of these majestic birds swooping down from the skies using their talons to catch the meat. And our last stop coral island...nothing much except the beach is slightly nicer than Pulau Langkawi's. Tanned and swam again...haha! Reached the loft to have a quick shower before finding food. Had lunch at Gecko's and the Nasi Goreng there is nicer in my opinion but the Tom Yam soup is killer...almost cried. Headed down to Underwater World...its abit different compared to Sentosa's because its more of an Underwater zoo not bad but the 3D show could have been longer. Everyone feeling tired, we went back to sleep till dinner time. Wanted to have Stingray and Satay for dinner and we drove all over the place to find. Finally we got re-directed at Lucky Restoran to May Hiang Restoran. Pretty good food there and cheap too. End of the day.

Day 5

Breakfast again at Cactus before we returned the Kancil. Settled our laundry and internet charges at the guest house before flagging a cab to the airport. Departed close to 11am and arrived back at 12.15pm. Home sweet home!

To summarise the trip...GREAT. I would highly recommend Langkawi as a short and relatively cheap destination. Langkawi is made up of 99 islands and the main island is called Pulau Langkawi...thats the mac-daddy of islands there. I think at low tide there might be a few more islands to add to the 99. Langkawi is a duty free island just like my Tioman trip last year but with much more to do and roads making the island more accessible for exploration. Food is cheap, locals are relatively friendly and willing to spare some tips to tourists in almost perfect english (except in Kuah - Main town). Booze prices are a dream come true as well as faqs and cigars. Avoid booking tours to Langkawi as it is usually overpriced. It is relatively easy to self plan the trip there as most almost everyone that can provide you what you need can speak english. Research well to get a rough idea what is the tour about and how much it would cost. If any of you need my help just contact me. I can provide you my research materials and lowest cost estimates for activities.

Well well well its been ages since the last post and I totally have no excuse for it. Yes i've been busy with a few things but not that busy to leave this blog forsaken. I don't really have much to say except that its only going to get more busy if i'm unlucky. Why? Well for the next 2 months, I will be working on my FYP fulltime, I really need to get into the swing of things and I reckon this 2 months will create just the right amount of momentum. My goal is to be able to start on my FYP report once school reopens after National Day. So i've just ended my summer class and I sould have more time dedicated to my FYP.

I've managed to squeeze out alot from the school holiday thus far. I'll be flying off to Langkawi tommorow and will only be back on the 7th. Hope the trip will rock! Incidentally Langkawi is my 2nd holiday trip, went to KL over the Vesak day long weekend about 2 weeks ago. Other than the 2 trips, watched a couple of movies:

1. Iron Man - 4.5/5
2. Harold and Kumar (Escape from Guantanamo Bay) - 4/5
3. Forbidden Kingdom - 3/5
4. Indianna Jones (Crystal Skull) - 3/5
5. The Chronicals of Narnia (Prince Caspian) - 3.5/5

and of course the long awaited jam out session at freeun's place on ps3's Rock Band yesterday. Really tiring but fun...right thigh aches from the drum paddle.

A special tribute to the Red Devils for winning both the EPL and the UCL. No regrets losing sleep watching both matches...

No pictures this this entry...will post the Langkawi pics when I return...signing out!

This song is just for you...