A bid to keep to my 2010 new year's resolutions...

The crane at the construction site of the NUS Alumni place thingy fell. I dun exactly know whether it is the boom or the whole thing but looking at pics from the different sources, it looked like part of the boom fell. 3 casualties...2 deaths if i ain't wrong. Condolences to their families and friends.

I have always admired that crane...from the Arts canteen. Tall and towering at 60 metres in height and rotating around so fast at times amidst the strong winds. It looked so solid even though you can see the inevitable sway caused by it's rotation and the elements.

But alas, nothing made by man is infallable even though we try so hard to make it perfect.. it's all under His will. But saying that... it is because of our weaknesses that we should keep our heads down and keep trying to improve.

Anyway... i went for the Guitar making workshop at the UCC just now. Quite an intimate event. Not that many people attended but the surprising thing is, there was quite an equal representation from the ladies' side too.. There were quite a number of ol' timers (in terms of age and experience in trying out guitar making...) Well...it was quite informative. Shit... i WILL make/ assemble one at least in my lifetime!!

And... next week will be a school holiday. I really need to revise and catch up on my school work. I shall not get distracted too easily. (i hope!!) This IS my last sem so i have to...and i WANT to achieve my 3.2... so...

Baby kamie... thank you..

May Allah guide us all..bless us with happiness and health n protect us from the dangers of this world, physically or mentally. Help us become successful people in the world and after...

The Orang Panjang Contemporary MatDictionary

Mat [mat] noun – To the rest of the world, the word simply means a Malay guy. But within the Malay community itself there is a growing disparity in consensus to its actual meaning. Popularly, it's used to denote a guy who converses primarily in Malay, as opposed to the more “English speaking” types. Favourites of the mats include tapered jeans, trucker caps and weepy Malay songs with sickeningly suicidal lyrics.

Matrep [mat-rape] noun – An extreme version of the mat. In addition to the usual mat accessories, a matrep will also come adorned with tattoos and matching body-piercings in weird corners of his body.

Minah [mee-nah] noun – An expression used to denote a Malay female. Derived from the popular Malay name, Aminah, which used to be all some time ago. It was sort of the “in-thing” to name your daughter Aminah back in the 60s and 70s. In fact, legend has it that ifyou go to Geylang Serai market and shout “Hai Minah!” at least aquarter of the makcik population there is going to turn around and smil eat you.

Gua [goo-wah] noun – What some mats and minahs use to call themselves. Similar in using “lu” when referring to others. A legacy that dates back to the times of Mat Rocks back in the early 80s. A common trick that can be played onMats is to ask them to translate the English phrase “Monkey Cave” into Malay. The mat will then say“Gua Monyet” (I'm a monkey).

Picit [pee-chet] adjective – When a mat tells you to “picit” him, it does not mean that he is trying to be cheeky (or gay, if he is talkingto a fellow mat). It simply means that the mat wants you to call him on his mobile. What were you thinking?

Relak suah [ree-lek-soo-wah] adjective –Official slogan and life motto of the mats and minahs.

Sial [see- yal ] noun / adjective – A full stop in every mat's sentence. Eg: “Tadi aku nampak accident sial Rabak sial Aku tak bedek sial Kesian sial” Translation: Just now I saw an accident (full stop) It was bad (full stop) I'm not kidding (full stop) Poor guy (full stop) In its purest form, “sial”means “jinx” but mats have refined the art of using the word to include it at the end of their every sentence. Also comes in the more polite form “siak” and “siul” for those who do not want to sound too crude.

Skank [s-kank] adjective - A favourite weird-looking dance performed by mats and minahs. Usually done at anyof the various gigs that mats and minahs love to congregate at. At times, you do detect evidence of artistry in the dance but most of the time they just look like they've been possessed by the ghost of a restless retard.

Sowie [soh-wee] adjective – An expression of apology used by minahs. Commonly used in SMS and instant messaging. Actually they can just use the word “sorry” like every normal human being but minahs think that it will make them sound extra cute to deliberately talk that way. Example : “I will be late. Sowie!”

Step [se-tep] adjective – To beguile, dissimulate or impersonate something or someone that they are not. Also commonly used to describe a fellow mat or minah who acts in an arrogant manner. E.g.“Kau jangan nak step tak tahu eh?” Translation: Don'tyou dare feign innocence in this matter. Can also be used as a gerund e.g. “stepping”. See next entry.

Step Jambu [se-tep jam-boo] adjective -What minahs do when they are sitting alone in a train and a group of mats walk in. It is a general exercise where the minah “controls”her facial muscles and posture ina way that would make her look her best. This would usually involve looking incessantly at her handphone for no particular reason.

Stoppit [setop-eet] adjective – A general expression of intolerance and dismay. When a minah uses this phrase,be very careful for it signals that she is about to lose her cool or get very violent.