Glowworm

I'm a glowworm. Glowworms glow. I am glowing.

A few people have told me that I've started glowing a few weeks since I arrived in Melbourne.

After a couple of 'you look awesome'-s and 'you're definitely in your element'-s, I've finally realised - hey! I AM glowing!

I've always thought it was just a saying when they say a person glow when they are content or happy. Well, it's not.

I feel happy almost all the time.

I've gotten rid of that life-draining gaming addiction.

I'm actually studying something I like - I visited libraries 3 times in 2 weeks just to check out some art books (and bring them home) whereas I've never been to a single library in Malaysia before in the 17.something years of my life that I have been a student there.

I have an amazing boyfriend who sings me to sleep and wakes me up every morning. (Don't laugh, I know you're jealous HAHA)

Contentment doesn't only affect us mentally - I've seen some physical changes already.

I've gained 5 kgs in one month - wow I have some cleavage now! Unheard of!

I don't even get pimples anymore except during PMS - that's pretty much unavoidable - and my skin smooth and all glowy (except when I stay up all night)

My hair is long and shiny! I'm serious! It's all glossy like it used to be a long, long time ago. Viv and Mona can testify. :D

As for other changes - I'm actually looking forward to classes AND I'm doing all my work on time AND I'm getting distinctions and high distinctions for them.

I go shopping for no reason with my friends.

I can answer lecturers in class without feeling awkward.

I don't harbour any intense dislike for any of my lecturers - save one - and I'm ok with almost all of my classmates - save one. That's miraculous in itself seeing how much I've resented almost all my teachers and classmates I've had since I started upper primary.

I no longer shy away from cameras (though I still photograph awfully in some of them)

I don't wanna go home! :D

I feel so good here.

In Malaysia, how often do people you've spoken to once before smile and greet you by your first name and actually engage in friendly conversation?

In Malaysia, how often do school administrators recognize you by your face (not by name - there are too many students) and strike up conversations with you in the lift?

In Malaysia, how many lecturers can you talk to like a friend and yet have all the knowledge that should be found in a good teacher? (Save for one, that BITCHHHHH ROAR)

In Malaysia, how often do you fall asleep in class listening to your iPod with your friend listening to one side of the earphones - and wake up with a non-terrifying guy you barely know (i.e. Sean) replacing your friend and scrolling through your iPod looking for songs he likes?

In Malaysia, how often do librarians put down everything they're doing (and he was pretty darn busy shelving) and actually walk you to the section where your book is found and search the shelves AND get it down for you with a smile and nod? (I think back home they would just vaguely nod in the rough direction of your book.)

In Malaysia, how often do people apologize sincerely when they bump into/step on your leg? (I know I've cursed at plenty a teenager who shoved into you and glared at you like it was your fault.)

In Malaysia, how often do English teachers actually find numerous mistakes in my structure AND grammar and patiently sit down with me (and EVERY student) to tell us how we could improve upon our work and give words of encouragement without being patronizing?

God knows how many English teachers in Msia have just taken my work for granted and gave it a couple of red ticks after just a brief once over?

It was like a revelation when my first essay came back covered in red marks and comments all over the page stating what I had done wrong (and had COMPLETELY missed out after two rounds of proofreading) and what would sound better and still write Well Done Stephanie! at the end?

I felt a bit touched that someone actually bothers to read their students work thoroughly and bother to correct them and address them by their name, instead of treating you like just another random student they have been burderned with to educate.

IN CONCLUSION,

the people here are just so much friendlier and warmer.

I can walk down the streets and smile at a random stranger and instead of them looking away/glaring at you like a maniac, they smile back and ask 'how you going?'

I love it here.

And how ironic is it that boys only take an interest in you AFTER you have a boyfriend - even know they don't know it?

Wa Mona, it's like I have this I'M TAKEN, TRY ME aura that affects people within a 20 feet radius. But don't worry, you're still my only baby. XD SEAN'S GONE PHEW!

A few of you may have known about the terrifying little boy that is known as Sean. After like 1 month of complete STAY AWAY FROM ME vibes, he finally got the message and doesn't talk to me anymore.

Let me give you a brief summary of what Sean is like:

He sucks up to teachers.

He comments on your work without being asked.

He says HE/SHE'S NOT HERE when teacher is marking attendance.

He uses ridiculous slang like "Teacher, may I please be excused for a moment?" with this 100% IRRITATING (and faked) angmoh accent.

He asks stupid questions.

He repeats them.

He gives his opinions in class while teacher is talking.

He tells me all about his opinions on his brother's pythons when I'm watching YouTube and COMPLETELY drowning out the audio.

He follows you around EVERYWHERE and whines about things that have completely nothing to do with you.

He bragged about slashing his teacher's tyres once. (How childish and retarded.)

He talks about my boyfriend in a very sarcastic tone - "OH I bet your BOYFRIEND has a Lamborghini doesn't he?" (Simultaneously pissing me and say bf off)

He talks to you and asks you random inane questions when you're OBVIOUSLY focusing on something just to indulge his need for attention.

He tells the Design Communication teacher that he thinks his work is the best in the class and therefore should be hung up on the wall.

He giggles like a girl. (So does Mona while he's playing CS but since he's not my boyfriend - GOD FORBID - I don't find it remotely appealing at all and instead thinks it is completely affected and disgusting.)

He tells you random things to appear well-read, but little does he know that I know exactly what he's talking about and he got it all wrong.

Ok. Nevermind.

My summary is becoming an essay.

But you get the picture.

Imagine that I was plagued EVERY SINGLE DAY by this abomination - he fucking grabbed my hand and saying OH IM SO SORRY while pretending to reach for my mouse to CORRECT my work WITHOUT PERMISSION!

ASSHOLE.

Today he leaned into my shoulder against under the pretense of getting a better view of the teacher's demonstration, causing me to jerk backward and give a bitch stare (it's all muscle memory now, had too much practice over the past month.)

Cheebye.

Today, he finally got the backlash he deserved all this while.

He pissed Mika off during class and I really applaud her bluntness in handling the situation.

Sean the Great was babbling to Razan in class today about goodness knows what and refused to shut up until Mika paused while doing her work and went:

"Sean, PLEASE. I have a headache."

That simple sentenced coupled with this wicked sick who-dares-cross-me?bitchstare (I totally admire it O_O) got the attention of the entire class immediately.

Silence fell for a second, then everyone burst into laughter.

Sean snapped back.

"I was talking to RAZAN."

Unfazed, she replied very sarcastically:

"But I can HEAR you."

"But I was..."

"GOD SEAN! You're just SO annoying sometimes!"

I couldn't help it.

I muttered under my breath without pausing in my work.

"ALL the time."

Naturally, everyone heard and burst into another round of laughter.

"Yeah."

You should have seen Sean's face.

Burn baby burn. He totally deserved it. =.=

Irritating little insect.

The girls' show was over the boys started taunting and making sniffing sounds:

"Oh Sean, don't cry? Please don't cry!"

"I'M NOT CRYING!"

He forced a smile and stomped out of the room to get a coffee.

Wow.

Nice lar.

Couldn't have scripted it any better than that.

._.

Anyway, as you could tell, I was in a pretty much bitchy mood today due to my lack of sleep the previous night.

The next class, the BITCH of a lecturer totally pissed me off.

She ws showing us some drawings and she handed them out for everyone to see.

They were beautiful, and naturally everyone started chattering away, making comments and exclaiming over the details.

Two of my friends who were standing next to me were talking excitedly in Chinese when the lecturer went:

"BLOODY ENGLISH PLEASE! GOD! I DON'T HAVE TO REMIND YOU!"

I whipped my head up and automatically gave her the bitchiest stare I've mustered this whole year. Even Sean didn't get it that bad. I think it was PMS that enabled me to do it.

After that I turned my head away back to the drawing and without thinking - it was practically reflex - I spat out quietly:

"You fucking bitch."

My heart almost stopped when I said it.

In the heat of rage, I hadn't realised that silence had fallen since her outburst. My voice that was barely above a whisper sounded painfully loud to me. I didn't look up, hoping that she didn't hear it.

The silence was very, very long.

Finally, she continued speaking, giving no indication as to whether she heard it or not. I think she did. And a small part of me hoped that she did.

My friends told me that their friends who've had her in previous years have also called her a bitch numerous times - she should be used to it by now.

Yeah so, anyway when the girls talk in Chinese while everyone else was talking, she screeches and curses at them.

While the class is in progress and the boys start chattering super loudly in Chinese and drowns everyone out, she says sweetly with this patient smile on her face:

"Do you mind explaining that, Jimmy?"

Sexist, self-insulting bitch.

Nevermind. Let her be.

-_-

Cheeze.

AHA.

Boyfriend was just singing with his headphones on and my sister went WHAT IS THAT? in this confused and amused voice.

LOL.

I'm already immune. I also sing out of tune what. :P

But apparently my sister had yet to witness the singing sensation that my bf is - until today.

HAHAHHAA.

Cannot stop laughing wei.

In defense, he sings really sweetly AND in tune with his headphones off.

You know how difficult it gets to sing nicely with your headphones blaring.

:)

Hor?

Nevermind.

I love you baby. :D

In or out of tune. :P