Train-Hopping

Yesterday, I went to school to pick up a few more certificates that were done and also met a few teachers. I met my class and chemistry teacher, Pn Ong, she was happy to see me and even happier I think, to find out that I'd gotten the JPA scholarship to do engineering in Japan(most pobably beacuse she was so sad before that I'd gotten a B for my chemistry and she probably thought I'd end up a loser with no chemistry in my life but turns out she's wrong. Thank God!).

Also, met my Form 3 geography teacher, my Form 2 science teacher, my ustazah, my counsellors and a few juniors. They all asked where I'd be going to further my studies and when I said Japan, there were mixed reactions. Some were happy that a graduate of the school would further their studies abroad but a few were like -

"Oh, Japan. Isn't it dangerous for you to go there alone? Are you sure about this? Better stay in Malaysia lah".

Hmm..interesting.

So basically, I had to say that "Yes, I'm pretty sure about this. I'll even learn some judo or karate or whatver to know self-defense. No, it isn't really 'that' dangerous. This will be good, learning to live on my own and all that shit".

Then I met up with Martha and we went to KLCC to have lunch. We went to Sushi King and both had bento's. Really delicious and everything but OMG there was so much food. We practically had to shove the last few bites into our mouths becasue we just couldn't eat anymore. Ironic thing is, while we ordering, the lady was like "Are you sure you want this? There's not much you know, better get something a lil bigger." Just imagine if we had listened to her?! We'd probably have passed out from all the food!

Then because it was still early and we noticed that there weren't that many people at TGV we decided to catch a movie. We watched Over My Dead Body. It starred Eva Longaria. It wasn't great but wasn't horrible either. Seeing her be a bitch to the other chick (who looks a lot like Gisele Bundchen) is almost as funny as watching her be a bitch to those poeple on Wisteria Lane. LOL.

After that, we parted ways and went home. I then procedeed to sleep like there was no tomorrow.

I Got It

I woke up yesterday feeling like I had something to do but I just couldn't remember it. So, after getting up and brushing my teeth, it finally hit me. Today (18/4/08) was the day that the results for the JPA scholarship for France and Japan would be out! But still kinda groggy from my sleep I kinda hobbled (don't ask!) downstairs. Turned on my comp. Went to the website. Typed in my IC no. Waited patiently for it to process. And had a HEART ATTACK, which lasted for 5 minutes I think (ok, this is an exaggeration on my part but I had to get it across that I was so bloody shocked!).

It basically siad something like " TAHNIAH. Saudara/saudari telah dipilih untuk mengikuti Program Pengajian Luar Negara 2008 yada yada yada...." I think I read it like 4 times before it finally hit me that I'd actually, really, seriously got IT! (don't look at the screen thinking 'how slow could her brain get?').

It said that I had to reply by 19/4/08 so after recovering from my shock and calling up my dad to tell him I'd gotten 'it' and talking it over with my mum, I replied with a 'terima'.

Anyways, the program that I'd gotten was the Engineering in Japan. So, I started looking up for blogs where people described their time, life, experiences and etc. while living in Japan. The cost of living there is really high. Like through the roof high! But based on what I've read, JPA does give you enough to live on (thank God!).

According to the programme's structure, I'll be spending 2 years at UTM to learn the Japanese language and the basics of engineering. Then, I'll be spending 3 years in Japan to do the engineering course and IF I do really well while I'm there, JPA will sponsor me for an extra 2 years to further my studies in Japan. So, all in all, I'll spend 7 years studying, 5 of which would be in Japan. Sounds surreal, doesn't it ?

The JPA website said that the official hardcopy of the offer letter would be arriving soon and a dude on LYN said it'd probably arrive today by pos laju.

So, here I am, at home, waiting patiently for my letter.

To all of you that also succeded in getting the scholarship to Japan and France (the ones who got France will be leaving for France next month, so cool!) I humbly congratulate you and wish you GOOD LUCK !

What I've Been Up To

I haven't written for a while because I've actually forgotten that I even have a blog. (Lame excuse, I know!)

Well, my life is still as boring and uneventful as Greenland but a few things did happen to let me know that I was still alive, at the very least. First, I got the interview for JPA (or PSD = Public Service Department) scholarship. I applied for the engineering course in Japan but then when I actually got there and started talking about the course to all the other applicants there did I oh-so-suddenly realise that I should have applied for Law instead! Its not that I hate engineering or anything but I guess I could relate to Law a lot easier because of its closer connection to languages and history (which I love). Heck, what could I do then? 'Nada' is the answer.

The interview was alright but I kind of stumbled at first (with my words, mind you, not my legs) because the panel told us to introduce ourselves in Malay and my Malay totally sucks when I'm freaked out! So there I was bambling incoherently like a 2nd grader( you should have seen my face, I would have given Ron Weasley a run for his money). After the introductions were done, the panel asked us a few questions about technology and stuff and basically if you've got a half-functional brain AND have read some sort of article relating to technology in the past 2 years you could have answered them but I guess what separates the idiots from the smart-ies was how you presented your facts and stuff. I did alright, IMO. Most of the candidates in my group were probably in the Debate Club because they could speak English well and delivered their points with impressive speed and accuracy. So, of course, a full-on debate was not too far especially when the guy who sat next to me rebuked my point (in my head I was already thinking " I am so gonna get you for that!"). After that I rebuked his point and two other candidate's points too, just for good measure. I'm evil, what can I say?

All in all it was fun and was a good experience for me.

Hmm...what else? Aah, I got my TARC (Tunku Abdul Rahman College) acceptance sms and email yesterday(still waiting for the hardcopy). But I still haven't decided if I still want to go there for real for my A-Levels and the fact that I have to pay the fees and sign up by the end of this month is just putting more pressure on me. Woe is me.

Besides all the above crap I'm still waiting to see if I got accepted into Matriculation, Foundation(at a local University) and I'm also waiting to see if my application to study abroad under the MOE (Ministry of Education) was accepeted. The list of the shortlisted candidates will only be out by the 29th, I think. If I do get that, then I'll be studying English as my major. I'm actually hoping I'll really get this but only God knows if I do, well for now anyways.

Totally off topic but if any of you would like an Australian Adventure, TV3 is organising a recruitment drive in search of seven 'Aussie Ambassadors'. You'll get to travel to Australia and there'll be a camera crew following you around filming what you've been doing and what not. I actually really wanted to sign up but it says that the 'Ambassador' has to be between 20 to 35 years of age and since I'm only 18, it's pretty obvious that my tries will be futile. So, to those out there that actually have a shot at this I wish you 'Good Luck'. You can go to www.tv3.com.my/aussieadventure for more details.