Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Like Father Like Daughter

I never did believe I was the spitting image of my father until very recently. Whenever my aunts came over for a visit they will never leave without passing a comment how much my dad and I are similar. They say I look, walk, talk, think and do just about everything else like him. Apparently, I even stand like him! Okay, so you get the picture on how alike we are.

Last week, I was playing driver for my mom and a few of my aunts coz of mom's surgery (btw, to those of you who prayed for her, you know who you are, thanks so much! She's doing much better now). So, I've been spending more time with her than I usually do. We got talking about something I don't really remember much about and she asked me what I would do if it happens. I replied. Instantly, she looked right at me and said, "You know Naveena, if your father was here he would have said exactly what you just did!" Then she rolled her eyes and shuddred. My parents are in no way alike and though I know that opposits attract, I really don't know how they ended up together. Nonetheless, I'm eternally grateful that they did =)

And it was then I took a second to pause and think if he really would have said that and ohmygosh, he sooo would! I thought some more and realized that yeah, dad and I have so much in common. It's too bad we don't talk as much though (given the circumstance).

You're probably thinking, "of course you two are alike- you share part of his genes for crying out loud! How can you NOT have similarities?"

But honestly, if you know me and my dad well enough, you'd know that we're like two peas in a pod. I think I only begin to walk, talk, think like him begining these last two years or so becasue as far as I can remember, dad and I use to argue and have a difference in opinion so much that I lost count of the number of times- from mom's cooking to my sister. I still with Daddy and I had a better relationship but I'm glad to say that we're not two total strangers who live under the same roof either. And please do excuse the mushy-ness but I really am missing him. Can't wait for him to come home!

My dad, the Indian cowboy! HAHAHA!!!

Posted by Naveena at 10:04 AM | | Comments

Friday, May 26, 2006

How to Deal?

I was so wrong to think that I could fix everything with just one semester. I wish I had learnt my lesson sooner because frankly, I'm not a good sport when it comes to handling disappointment. I don't accept failure very well. I just can't. How do I deal?

Lord, it 'aint easy. You see when I accept disappointment, it simply means I'm accepting the fact that I've let you down...and I just can't do that! I was never taught to knowingly let you down...

It's very easy for people who look in from the outside to say, "life goes on...take it all in your stride and learn something from it". But really, let me ask you; how do YOU deal with defeat and go on? I bet it's not that simple and in the words of someone else, "easier said than done". Would you really just accpet it and move on that simply? I highly doubt it. So, please, when someone you know is going through a hard time dealing with failure/disappoinment/defeat, don't say "life goes on" and that everything will be alright and take it all in his/her stride coz there's nothing that can be done. Because then, all you're doing is, making it worse. Please don't state the obvious; it doesn't help.

But, you can however, be there for us. Just be there for us...

Posted by Naveena at 11:36 PM | | Comments

Saturday, May 20, 2006

The Power of Retail Therapy


Nothing beats retail therapy after a grueling session of tests the whole day. Yes my friends, I (finally!) do believe in the power of retail therapy. Oh and mom treated sister and I to TGIF so yeah, that was an added bonus for sure! Pigged out till I was stuffed with mud pie and fajita nachos.

So what did I get myself? Well since mom was nice enough to foot my bill, I thought I'd go easy on her wallet; got myself three (girly) tops, shoes (which mom and I will eventually end up sharing), a DVD and I almost got a Nikon digital camera. So close!

Going back to what caused the need for that retail therapy in the first place, I had to endure about 4-5 painful hours of my IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Though this four-part test was do-able, it wasn't all that easy either. I was especially weary of the speaking module. I was afraid I'd get all tongue tied and freeze and not be able to think. But, trully by the steadfast grace of God, It went better than I expected. I was also worried I might speak Malaysian English, you know the one with the la's and the wan's. But as soon as I stepped into the room, it's as if that part of my brain automatically shut down and for about 20 minutes or so, I lost those words. I think it's becoz my examiner was a foreigner. Somehow I think it's a psychological thing, in that whenever I speak not a non-Malaysian, I unconsciously loose the Manglish (Malsysian English) words. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I'm still a little worried about my essays though. But I guess, it's outta my hands now and to paraphrase a quote of a friend, "...only to get into Greater Hands" and "it's in better hands".

And on that trusting note, I think I will leave it in those Greater Hands. After all, He has shown me how real He is, so I hav faith that He'll do it again!

Posted by Naveena at 11:13 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

2006 Asian X Games, Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur

Alright, here they are- as promissed, pictures of the 2006 X Games Asia. I'll explain as I go along. Feast your eyes, poeple!

First off, the Moto X. These were by far the most intense stunts I've ever seen! Five professional stunt bikers were brought in from Australia to perform these never-to-be-tried-at-home (duh!) stunts. Gosh, they were brilliantly dangerous. Very nicely coreographed. (All pictures courtesy of ESPN. *These were the extras I didn't get to use in my article*)

No, the camera wasn't turned upside down when this picture was shot, neither did the photographer take the picture as per normal and flipped it. It's a backflip.


I'm not sure what this is, but I think it's something like a "superman". I believe the picture is self-explanatory.

This here is a "nothing"- the rider releases both hands and feet from the bike, completely seperating himself from the bike, in mid air mind you!


I think he was trying to do waht they call a double can-can where the rider moves one leg to the other side of the bike and then brings up the other leg to meet it, elevating off the seat.

Speed Climbing and Skateboarding


On the left is the final face off for the men's speed climbing. Competition was neck to neck between these two. Big drama, I tell you! Below is Sandro Dias in action- close up. Will explain more about him in the later pictures (Pictures Credit: ESPN)








In-Line agressinve Skating (Vert)




The first two pictures above are of Eito Yasutoko- only one of the two best in-line skaters in Japan and maybe even in the world! Gosh, that guy is really amazing! He even performed a new trick that he's been working on and apparently, Malaysia was the first place he gave it a go. He calls it "the twister".

The left picture is of Ayumi Kawasaki- the only girl in this particullar competition. And she won fourth place! She was real good too. And lastly, this is Eito's brother, Takeshi Yasutoko- the second fella of the two best in-line skaters. Needless to say, they both bagged the gold and silver medals respectively. Personally, I like his style better and he seems a little more approachable...

(Pictures Credit: ESPN)

Posted by Naveena at 10:55 PM | | Comments

Monday, May 15, 2006

X Games Asia Part Two


Trevor Ward from Australia. This dude is one really good sport. Believe it or not he's a father of two! He must make a very cool dad. I had fun interviewing him becoz he was just so down to earth and well, fatherly- it was more of chat than an interview. And yes, I am incredibly sunburnt. I've yet to go back to looking normal.(Picture Credit: Will)
This is him pretending his skateboard is a guitar. He's rocking to the song "I Was Made For Loving You Baby" (PIcture Credit: Will)

World number in skateboarding Sandro Dias from Brazil giving us the thumbs-up after the interview. Can you believe this guy is 31 years old? Lemme sow you pictures of him in action on the vert. (Picture Credit: Will)

I'm not very sure what is it he did but let me tell you, he did make a smooth landing on both feet. I was amazed at the fact that in his second run, not once did he fall! He won Gold, as anticipated. (PIcture Credit: Will)

The legendary Yasutoko brothers, Eito and Takeshi. Man, you just had to be there to see thier breathtaking stunts! (Picture Credit: Shaz)

...and these are some of the wonderful faces that delight me at my office. Guys, your antics never cease to amaze me! Fromleft to right: Rex, Shaz, Will and well, the shortest of them all is yours truly (Picture Credit: Jack)

Posted by Naveena at 10:28 PM | | Comments

Sunday, May 14, 2006

on Being Between Colleges

You know how the politically correct term for jobless people is "between jobs"? Has anyone coined the term "between colleges"? If no one has, I'd like to 'copyright' this term as my own =)
I thought of this term just today when yet another person (probably for the gazzilionth time) asked me what I am doing currently. Seeing as how I'm technically on a long break from college and only resuming in February next year, I think it's only apt to say that my current status (as far as career/education goes) is "between colleges".

Speaking of jobs, it's been a hectic weekend as I had to work on Friday, Saturday and today. But it wasn't like the getting-into-the-office-and-doing-a-nine-to-five kind of work. Actually, I was at the Asian X Games because I had to do an event coverage on it for the webmag I work for (Xfresh.com). While it was simply amazing to watch breathtaking daredevil stunts performed by all those fantastic (and some hot!) people, I was super tired when I got home. It's exhausting, I tell you!

Anyways, the point I was going to make before the above explanation was that when I got home at about 10.30p.m yesterday, my mom picked up on my tiredness and commented, "I don't know why you're working so hard. It's not like they're paying you a single cent. Why can't you just do the minimum that you have to?" Well it was something along those lines, if I didn't get it all down properly. I was just too tired to bother and defend my actions. Besides, trying to explain it to her would just be nothing short of a futile attempt.

This brings me to the question: Why is it that just because I'm not getting paid for what I do, must I be a slacker at work?

I'm an intern. At this juncture of one's "career" it's a huge blessing if one gets paid as an intern. I knew that I wasn't gonna get paid here even before I handed in my resume. Which might pose the question, "Why even take the job in the first place?". EXPOSURE and EXPERIENCE. That is all I want and need for now. What I lack in income is more than made up for by the hands on working experience I gain. Nothing is more valuable than that. On the plus side, due to my nature of job, I get good perks. Really, if I get to sit in for interviews with esteemed personalities(this weekend it was stars of the skateboarding and in-line skating arena) and get to do reviews for movies and music, sharpen my writing skills and and work alongside reporters, does it matter that I don't get paid? Also, in the process, I get to meet many new faces. Now, tell me that doesn't make up for the absence of my salary. Tell me!

I think it's good that I gain working experience while I'm still studying and even before I actually put in both my feet into the working world. What say you? So, the next time you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that when it comes to the working world, anyone can get a job. What seperates one good employee from an average one is his/her prior working experience. That is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to climb up the corporate ladder.

*I will post up pictures of the Asian X Games as soon as I get them sorted out. Look out for that*

Posted by Naveena at 9:08 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Three Months and Counting...


Auckland, New Zealand

Posted by Naveena at 11:26 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

We Know It's Bad, Yet...

Who was it that said "never put off till tomorrow that which you can do today"? Benjamin Franklin? Well, he probably didn't go to college. Then again, he's so smart he probably didn't need to go to colloge! I mean, he discovered electricity, for crying out loud!

Anyway, my point (and I do have one =p) is that with everything that's going on in my life as a student, it's imposible not to procrastinate. this about it; we students have unending deadlines to meet, continuous pop quizes, mid terms and finals, just too many presentations, and external commitments (well, some of us anyway). If we're expected to try and live life in between these things, procrastination is, the way I see it, our only way out! Time and again I hear of how procrastination is the evil of all evils and how mom's always telling me to "do the laundry now". Heck, even the poets keep telling us to 'carpe diem' and take opportunities that come our way.

With all the constant reminders that we keep getting, one would think that we'd finally find it in us to actually stop this "inborn" talent of ours. Apparently not. I can say for a fact that this many years of procrastinating has never left me in regret (well, not most of the time anyway). Mom even said that I procrastinated comming out into the world a few hours. Haha! Does this mean I can't ever be redeemed from the pit of hopelesness? I can only wonder...

Why am I talking about this in the first place? Because I thought I'd chip in my two cents worth after listening/reading what other people have to say on this subject matter. No, actually what spurred on this was the fact that I had just very recently indulged in the guilty pleasures of procrastinating the last leg of my assignments. It was due earlier today at 5pm and despite the one full week I had to complete it, I had chosen to put it off till the last posible hour, in view of letting loose after my final paper last Wednesday. So, with about 21 hours left before the deadline, I finally dragged my almost lazy body to my faithful DELL INSPIRON 630m and decided to get to work. After a good 5 hours of gathering research material, I thought I'd shower, thrown on some comfy pj's and let the creative juices aflow! So, almost a pot of atrocious black coffee, a bowl of noodles, a ham sandwich, two hours of napping, plus and hour of procrastination in between and about 10 hours later, I finnished it! Though I wasn't too happy with the outcome, and I'm sure that any chance of me getting an A for that course flew right out the window oh-so-freely the moment I handed in my final exam answer sheet to the invigilator...Nevermore, what's done is done. I'm just gonna have to leave it all in His hands now.

But I gotta tell you; all that stress was so worth going through. Because when I handed in those 8 pages of my night's blood, sweat and tears to my lecturer, words cannot beging to describe the sense of relief I felt at that very moment! After that, I headed straight to the gym and worked out all my blus away, so to speak. Gosh, I hadn't been there in two weeks I almost forgot what a good workout feels like. After two great hours of a full workout, I spent a little while in the steam room and oh, what a difference that made! I felt like...like this one time I felt while doing a particullar warm-up at Drama class. 15 silent minutes of total bliss. Aaahhh........

With any luck, I'm hoping that I'd sleep like a log tonight. God knows I need a peaceful sleep after weeks of sleep depravation.

Oh, on a related note, now that I've handed in my last assignment, I should start that personal challenge of mine to not stare at a screen of any kind for two weeks apart form work. So, see ya'll in two weeks, mates!

Posted by Naveena at 12:17 AM | | Comments

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Mommy and Me

Posted by Naveena at 11:45 PM | | Comments