a story in progress

I finally get to say this - I pass my driving test today! Thank god, thank god, thank god, thank god... If I am to find a word to sum up how I felt when I get those papers signed by the JPJ officer stating I successfully passed all 3 parts of the circuit driving today would be just one - relieved! I was and still am relieved over the fact I finally managed to get my P license! It should take just about 2 to 3 days at most to process but including delivery to home I am expecting a week?

Anyhow, for those who have read my previous post, you might remember me flopping my driving exam last month on April 20th. However, I didn't blog about my other failure which took place last week on May 19th. At that point, I was resitting for my road driving and circuit driving again. Somehow, I, Lim Kar-Men at that time managed to fail my hill slope again. Though, I did have a small consolation then with me passing my road driving.

So fast track to the present; today, I went for my third JPJ exam (hence the title). My lucky number for today was 83 (with 43 and 51 for the previous exams). I waited and waited till it was almost 11.30 am for my turn to come. When 83 was yelled through the loudspeaker, I walked mechanically to the car indicated. Once on first gear with the clutch gently being released, the accelerator was pressed on. Thump. The Kancil stopped at the yellow line with the front tyres on the yellow line completely. Thank god for that.

With that task out of the way, soon came the much dreaded task - going downhill. After failing twice at this very task itself, it had left behind a very irrational fear. A phobia of the car sliding backwards when the handbrake is being released was embedded into the mind. But alas, for today, that much dreaded thought did not take place. Instead, when the handbrake was released, the car went forward smoothly as if the whole thing was as effortless as breathing to a person. Thank god for that.

The reverse parking and the 3 point turn that came subsequently was done away without much ado. With the documents signed and confirmed, I have finally graduated from the driving school. I shall be a probational driver for the next two years to come. But I am not complaining.

On the contray, I am thankful. So very thankful for it.

Finally, I get to blog.. Apparently Streamyx decided to cut off my Internet line from last Sunday onwards. Reason? Suspected illegal usage or hijacking of line by third party. (or so they say when Mum gave them a call) Aasjdhlakfyaosdhlsd.

Anyhow, I feel there is a need to blog on the chronicle of events taking place from last week till today. On the 10th of May, was Wesak Day. Therefore, prior to it, on the 8th and 9th of May together with a bunch of friends, we went to the Buddhist Association (conveniently located in Petani Jaya as well) to help out. Mostly, we were there to pack goodies into plastic bags (as welfare aids to the folks out there), cleaning up, setting up of the venue, manual labour and also the packing of scented, blessed flower water. On Wesak Day itself, the bunch of us were in charged with handling of food, effectively putting us in the positions of waiters and waitresses for the VIPs on the third floor.

Overall, though the entire affair was tiring and not to mention all were done in the name of voluntary service; one can't shake off that very immensely satisfying and rewarding feeling. Even the very act of dispensing out the goodies and helping to serve the crowd whole afternoon was really a good lesson in humility. A good reminder of being thankful and sincere too. Now why can't attending all those Moral classes ever instill such stuff?

A mental note to self: Should take part more often in activities of such nature in the future.

Besides that, at the same time managed to go support my fellow family/anak-anak/successors for their District Debate. Taking place in the same school as last year as well - SMK Khir Johari. And glad to say, these people won the title! Seeing them debate and going through all those stuff makes me an extremely proud and nostalgic fellow. Blossoming and gaining confidence as well as picking up the rhythm. This is when I am reminded that participating in such co-curriculum activity is way beyond the usual of gaining the needed marks for co-curriculum or for the value of the certificates for that matter. Being a more confident, poise, open-minded etc. That aside, I can finally get to say this - It's your show to run now guys!

Another matter that was cropping up last week was the JPA scholarship. The results are finally out. The coveted scholarship of the year. The hope and dreams of many to board the first available plane to a foreign land. Phoof. Though, people managed to secure it, there were many who did not as well. But seeing over 8000 over were shortlisted for the interview with only 2000 placing to dish out, one can hardly be surprised by the intensity generated by it. But well, for those out there who hasn't heard the news yet, I didn't managed to secured the offer tho. My status was TIDAK BERJAYA.

To be quite honest, I wasn't that taken aback by it or anything of that sort. Have been gearing myself towards such possibility since ever. I am aware after all that this is a scholarship. And being the nature of a scholarship, JPA doesn't owe me anything. In fact, I am pretty aware too that out there, there are like a ton of more deserving individuals with better grades/family background. But it be a blatant lie too, if I don't feel a tinge of bitterness. But oh heck, me will get over it. In fact, i think I'm literally over it by now.

So it was more like another round of Russian roulette for myself. The last one I took part was last year, when the names for NS were out. Back then had the feeling my name would popped out. And it did. This time had the despondent feeling it won't. And it did once more. Ish. I should start becoming a seer or something of that sort la. Who say female only have their intuition?

Had a steamboat gathering on the night of Wesak Day too. It was meant as a last min gathering before each takes off to their respective route i.e, matric and so forth. Had a blast with only RM9 (excluding rental of place, service tax, govt tax as there weren't there in the first place!) to boot. We are so going economical these days.

On a final note, started attending the Sixth Form in my dear old SMK Ibrahim. Orientation week has just ended today. Thank god for it! Alas, it's that all too familiar feeling again.

Yay! A movie review after such a long long time. Jk jk jk. Not to mention I need a proper post. My previous posts did nothing but to highlight my er jobless-ness to even type anything?

Anyway, watched X Men Origins Wolverine on Labour Day. For those who know me, I am not exactly the kid who grew up reading such graphic novels/comic books on X-Men, Superman, Spawn, Watchmen, Spiderman or any other Marvel/DC comics for that matter. Rather, I grew up reading a bunch of Doraemon comic books. Well, Doraemon is more like a manga actually. Anyway, the point is that this review will be based on a non-fanboy perspective.

First thing first, the movie is like 110 minutes in length. So that is like 6600 seconds of Hugh Jackman for all of you out there. Personally, like I mentioned earlier, I ain't a fan of the original comic books out there (not much of a fan of the other 3 films as well, but I did watch all 3 of them) but after watching this film, I get the feeling that this movie is entirely made for Hugh Jackman, by Hugh Jackman and with Hugh Jackman - not necessarily in that order by the way. Hmm, maybe I miss out on the title - X Men Origins Wolverine. So this film is supposedly all about Hugh Jackman!

The assembled cast of course is at the disposal of its main star. Throw in a couple of cliched elements such as a sappy love story, the revengeful yet jealous brother thingy going on, good-guy-gone-bad saga, some stale jokes involving a buff Hugh Jackman, the hack and slash scenes (more like clawing in this case) and the sudden twist of betrayal by the superior, hey presto! You get this movie.


All in all, if you are free, jobless, bored (such as myself) this movie will be okay-la. I suppose for now at least. It does provide some relief from the above syndrome. Just gotta wait for the other summer blockbusters to be out at the mean time.

A mental note to self, never never use the staircase/fire exit in Central Square! That place just screams murder-by-a-drug-addict-and-never-be-found-till-days-later. Oh, the filth and scum in that place.