Balancing on top of boats

At the risk of sounding very vain, I like this pic very very much, thanks to Yao Long! I didn't even know it was being taken...

Trying to keep from falling off the top of the sampling boat en route to the RV Sonne!

On the topic of farts...

If bacteria can fart...

I've started spreading the bacterial growth in the bottles of broth from SHIVA's pre-sampling on November 16th. IMO, those atmospheric scientists should collect the gasses released from the bacteria culture since each time I open a bottle, it's as though someone farted into my face. *Gags*

I know I'm small, but oversized shirts are *pfft!*

(While sorting out SHIVA shirts)

Me: So...how big are Emma and Fiona?

Aazani: Big. 3XL should be okay for them.

(When Emma and Fiona arrived)

Me: Eh, they're not that big lah~

Yao Long: Yaaa!!

(In the lab)

Me: Erm...I think you guys have to try out the shirts. *Drags out oversized SHIVA shirts*

Fiona: 3XL?!?!

Emma: Are you saying I'm fat?

Lilian and I in a XXXXXL shirt.

"How do we take this shirt off? I NEED TO PEE!!!"

The Road Not Taken

Sometimes, I am amazed at how my path seems to have diverged so much, yet, it feels perfectly alright to be where I am now.

A Cypress forest at Satoyama, Komono Town Mie, Aichi, Japan (where I suspect Hayao Miyazaki got his inspiration from for となりのトトロ (My Neighbour Totoro)).

Happiness is...

Happiness is finding a pencil.

Pizza with sausage.

Telling the time.

Happiness is learning to whistle.

Tying your shoe for the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.

And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream.

Knowing a secret.

Climbing a tree.

Happiness is five different crayons.

Catching a firefly.

Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone every now and then.

And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is morning and evening,

Daytime and night time too.

For happiness is anyone and anything at all

That’s loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister.

Sharing a sandwich.

Getting along.

Happiness is singing together when day is through,

And happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening,

Daytime and nighttime too.

For happiness is anyone and anything at all

That’s loved by you.

- From the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (1967).

There's so much to be thankful for

Seems like tanah tumpahnya darahku loves me! Last month I was awarded a full scholarship under Malaysia's founding father's name, much to everyone's delight. :)

The funny thing about this was that during the same week I got the good news, I also got to know that I didn't make it for another scholarship. I was pretty upset since I thought that I stood a pretty good chance for that one, while for this, I barely got a chance to open my mouth to talk during the group interview. :-/

But hey, miracles happen! I've no idea how I got it, but it's really good, with all sorts of allowances to make postgrad life more comfortable. I can pay back my parents the money they loaned me for the first semester's fees (MyBrain15's funding still hasn't come through. Meh.) and finally get some new stuff that I need. AND there's allocation for research and extra allowance should I choose to do an internship/industrial training during my course of study.

My mom was rubbing the "I told you so!" in my face, but for once, I didn't mind. It's been a tough walk of faith...and I'm glad that my faith didn't fail me.