A Few Days Ago It Was My 19th Birthday

"Give us this day our daily dose of faux affliction," I Constantly Thank God For Esteban by Panic! at the Disco.

And something quite interesting happened.

That Sunday night (26th of July 2009), Amir of Cohort 1 took Bagan, Syazwan, Chris of Cohort 1 and me out for dinner at someplace called "Hammer Bay". Quite near Queensbay, that. I guess it was to kinda rasmi his car that he brought all the way from Perlis. It's just a rusty old Nissan, but it runs, and that's good enough in any un-rich student's book. A 25-year-old version of the "Initial D" car, being in the hands of a student who doesn't even know what a carburettor is, anything is possible, yeah? (Okay, so I didn't ask him if he knew what it was, but he seems clueless about motorcycles..)

We arrived to quite a crowd. There were only a few tables available when we arrived. Quite impressive, I thought to myself. We also ran into Afiq and Jijol of Cohort 1 and Pian and Ridz of Cohort 2 having their dinners too. After treating the boys to RM15 sotong goreng tepung, watching "Jom Heboh" being projected on a big screen and a few other things (Chris, I don't want to mention it here), we headed back. The time was a little over half-past 10 when we arrived. I was content with my modest birthday night dinner.

We were hanging-out in Ulwi of Cohort 1's room when Bagan got a call from Amirul at about 11.15pm, saying that he and Afifi were in front of the library, in a bit of pain. They fell off Bagan's motorcycle while taking the bend which road was sandy. So, like any good-hearted friend, I followed Bagan down to help them out. We spotted them exactly where they told us they would be, half-sitting, half-lying down on the ground, being in a little more than a bit of pain. Seriously, these guys were moaning like they were about to pass-out of sheer pain in a few more minutes.

I tried to help Amirul up, but he said not to touch him, as he was really hurting. I looked over to Afifi. He was moaning and on the brink of crying even, so I decided that trying to help him up would be a futile effort. Amirul said that his stomach lunged into the handle of the motorcycle, so I thought "now that must have been painful". I asked them if they were bleeding in any parts of the body (totally logical question to ask), and was given no answer. All this time Bagan was attending to his motorcycle, checking to see if there were any broken parts or scratches anywhere. I was peeved by this and said "Dude, your friends lagi important, kot.." I mean, seriously, your friends are in an extreme amount of pain, and all you can think about is your friggin' motorcyle?

Then I noticed that the motorcycle was upright. Hm? "Siapa angkat moto?" I asked who took the effort to make the motorcycle stand. Amirul, in between his painful moans, said that it was him that fought the pain and took the liberty of doing it.

"Wow, strong ah Amirul ni.." I thought to myself.

By now I was worried sick. Amirul had been clutching his leg as to signal that he was experiencing pain somewhere in that region of his body, and Afifi was pressing his stomach like there was no tomorrow. What if we had to take them to the hospital? We would have to wake our warden and ask for his good grace to take them. And they would most probably not go to class for a few days, at the very least. What if their injuries were so serious that they would have to postpone their education? They wouldn't have the chance to go off to Australia. There would only be 6 guys left in our cohort, then. That would definitely suck. And the news would go round, and everyone will look at the TESL group even more loathesome-ly, 'coz now they'd have a reason.

All that and more was running through my head, and owing to not wanting to think of even more negative thoughts, I took a look at the sand on the road, which has been there since God knows when. I noticed that there weren't any skidmarks. Hm? I took out my phone and used its light to inspect Bagan's motorcylcle more closely, to see if there were any scratches. Remarkably, there were no signs of trauma on the motorcycle whatsoever. I moved my light to the basket of the bike, and noticed eggs in it. Foolishly, I asked "Eh, why are these eggs stll in good condition?" (Eh, awat teloq ni tak pecah?)

The moment those words came out of my mouth, the truth came to me. Both in my mind and towards my body. "This is why!" (Ni la psepa!)

Eggs and flour flying everywhere, most aimed at me, the birthday boy. The stupid, stupid birthday boy who didn't see it coming. I was so mad with myself in being fooled by the guys that I lashed out and kicked a "Slow down" signboard and kept screaming "Awat teloq ni tak pecah?!?!" for all to hear.

But at the same time, I was so happy! It's not that I like the smell of raw eggs in the middle of the night or anything, but I was so touched by this gesture of the guys. They remembered! And they certainly gave me something to remember 'till my death-bed. They actually took the effort to come up with an elaborate prank to "get" me on my birthday (It ended before the strike of midnight, so it still counted). This is the first time anybody has ever done anything like this for me, and I must congratulate them for a job well done. I was left dumbfounded, and that's the whole point of a prank, am I right boys and girls?

After the storm of flour and eggs passed, we went under a nearby lamp-post to document that night's exploits. Thanks to Ulwi for coming down to record this video [Warning - heavy Northern Malay accent used in this video by me.] [I'm the one in the light blue shirt covered in flour] --->

Again, many thanks to the boys of Cohort 2 present in the video, the guys of Cohort 1 who were involved that night, all the people that gave me the first birthday presents in my short life, all the people who wished me a "Happy Birthday" (it was indeed a happy one), and all the others who feel like I owe them a debt of gratitude.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! May all of you lead an eventful and prosperous life!!!

Take Me For Example No More

"I'm not saying it was your fault," Naive by The Kooks.

Of late, I have begun to realize that my URL (takemeforexample.blogspot.com) sounds a tad too pompous. And I can detect your smile when I say this because it DOES sound pretentious and snobbish. It sounds as if I'm saying "Hey all you lesser humans! Look at me! I'm perfect! I'm the best example for you so you should take me for example! (Insert obnoxious laugh here)".

To clear the air, I'm not THAT arrogant, really. Although I do sometimes think of myself as a self-content human being who is grateful for everything he has, I also realize all my weaknesses and short-comings. Allow me to explain why I chose that phrase for my URL.

"takemeforexample" doesn't hold the same meaning as in the example above. Quite the contrary, really. I chose that phrase because when I write, or tell stories, I always try (note "try" here) relate it to myself and use my own life experiences as my examples. But writing "mylifeexperiencesusedforexamples.blogspot.com" would be too long and inconvenient for not only my readers, but also myself. So that's why I chose what I did.

But I do realize that it's too easy to misunderstand my current URL. So that's why I've made the decision to change my blog's URL to

anakazman.blogspot.com

I choose this URL for obvious reasons, of course. If you don't know what I mean, then have a look at my profile. That should clear things up with you.

This new URL will be used in about a week from now, so you can say your goodbyes to the obnoxious-sounding takemeforexample. 'Till then, ciao!

Sarcastic Tag by Max Potter

"If I go to hell will you come with me?" Do You Know What I'm Seeing by Panic at the Disco.


Objective: Are you mean and sarcastic? Have you ever answered people ‘meanly’ and sarcastically? If yes, show us how mean and sarcastic you are! If no, then you should try at least once in your life with this note.

Rule: Respond to these as sarcastic/mean as you could. (YR stands for Your Response.)
[Note: I’m not this mean in real life (hopefully). This is just my jab on this tag, and I did my best to sound as much like a jerk as possible.] Enjoy!

If an annoying person says:
1) I am cute.
YR: So is my foot.

2) I am the most beautiful/handsome.
YR: Emu?


3) See, everyone likes me because I am rich and famous!
YR: Yeah, everyone has every reason to like you. Humility can’t buy sh*t these days.

4) Unlike you, I am perfectly multi-skilled. I do everything very well from sports to academic thingy.
YR: Yup, and I actually like you for who you are.


5) You don’t know me? I am Bruneian artist; I have albums.
YR: AAAAHHH!!! *Faints* Sigh.. *Walks away*

If an annoying hot woman/man says:
1) I know you like me.
YR: Have you been reading Harian Metro?


2) What are you looking at? I am not interested in you!
YR: Huh? Did you say something? Sorry, I was distracted by the booger hanging from your nose.


3) Sorry, you are nice but seriously not my type!
YR: Sorry, I thought you were human.. Turns out I’m wrong.. Sorry again..


4) UNLESS you are rich, then don’t dream that I will get a ride with you!
YR: Don’t worry, I don’t even have a car, but I do have manners.. Want some?


5) Look, I am pretty/handsome; I can make people hate you!
YR: You can also make people laugh, by wearing something like THAT..

If an annoying extremely ugly woman/man says:
1) I think you and I can make a good couple.
YR: That’s what you think..

2) May I have your cell phone? Please please please?
YR: Mai RM1500, no problem..

3) Hi, wanna hang out? I want you to be with me the whole night.
YR: Tell you what, you go on and hang yourself, eh, hang out by yourself.. Woops~

4) What do you like about me?
YR: I like the eventuality of you dying in the future.

5) I want you to say that I am pretty/handsome and you like me sooooo much!
YR: And, apparently, you also want me to puke..

If your enemy says:
1) Hi bitch!
YR: Hey, which mirror are you talking to?

2) You smell like shit!
YR: Everyone likes the smell of their own “brand”.

3) What an ugly creature you are!
YR: Alhamdulillah.. (Ouch!)

4) I am going to kick your ass in this race for sure!
YR: Sure you are, coz you’re going to be behind me all the way, might as well do something while you’re back there, right?


If your annoying ex says:
1) I still love you...
YR: Hey! I still love me too! :D

2) I know you still love me!
YR: And I know that pigs can fly.

3) Please, go back with me honey/hubby.
YR: I’d rather go back to Rahmatullah..

4) Please call me...
YR: OK.. Whore!! … Hey, why aren’t you returning my calls?

5) The break up hurt me so much.
YR: Good thing it didn’t hurt me at all. Thanks for bearing all the pain for me yeah?

If an annoying salesperson says:
1) Wow! You are so pretty/handsome!
YR: And?

2) Seriously, I used this product and I've changed!
YR: You can’t be serious!?!? Biaq btoi!?!? Wow!!! Peh!!! Gila bapak ah!!! It’s so unbelievable!!! (Memang tak percaya pon..)

3) We are giving a discount up to 50%!
YR: So? It’s still worthless.. (50% x RM0 = RM0)

4) This one is good sir/madam. Buy sir/madam, buy.
YR: Buy? Buy buy.. (Bye-bye!)

All done!

I tag all the people that have ever commented on my blog!


Haha! Have fun y’all!

Pre-19 Epiphany

“Top marks for not trying,” Brianstorm by Arctic Monkeys.

In the car upon fetching “Me” from the bus station.

Bapak : We’re telling you all this because it won’t be long anymore.

Me : *Grinning idiotically*

Bapak : In just two more days, you’ll be 19. Not long after that, it’ll be time for you to get settled.

Me : *Still grinning and chuckling*

Bapak : It seems just like yesterday we were sending you to the hospital in Penang when you broke your wrist at Taiping. It seems just like yesterday we were sending you off to George Street Normal School where we’d meet Mrs. Probert who’d say “ANWWAARR!!” Hahaha.

Me : Hehe. Yeah.. *Notices mom in the passenger seat through the side view mirror wiping tears off her face* *Holds back own tears* *Stops grinning*

This happened quite recently. Now I understand why my parents want me to come back home as often as possible. While I’m still quite near them (Penang), I should go visit them frequently, because I’m their eldest son, and I’ve lived with them the longest among all my other brothers. Among the 4 children that they have, I’m the one who’s been with them the longest time, so of course they miss me a lot when I’m suddenly not there anymore. That’s why they scold me when I refuse to go back home. That’s why they get upset when I have activities that prevent me from going back home during the weekends.

And all this while I’m still here. When I get to go off to Australia (InsyaAllah), I won’t be seeing them for 2 years straight, unless they decide to go fly over there to come visit me. I can’t imagine how that’d be like for them. And now that I’ve had this epiphany of sorts, I can’t imagine how it’d be like for me either. I think I’d miss ‘em like crazy too.

And when I start working, would I be fortunate enough to be posted near enough to them, so that I could go visit them every other weekend, if not every weekend? Or would I be posted somewhere far away, like in East Malaysia, which would mean me seeing them once every two or three months, at most?

And so, dear readers, please treasure your parents, because to them, even treasures of Midas proportions couldn’t replace your place in their hearts. They have raised you to become the person you are today, and if it were not for them, you wouldn’t be reading this post on your computer screens right now. You might not even be fortunate enough to have a computer screen to look at if it weren’t for them, as in my case.

Was it not them who have fed you your entire life without asking a single cent in return? Wasn’t it them who gave you so many clothes to wear since you were a child without starting a tab for you so that you could pay them back when you’re old enough? And was it not them too who put you through school and paid all your school fees, bought your books, woke you up in the mornings, gave you an earful when you didn’t perform in your studies, and were proud of you when you finally entered Tertiary education?

All these acts of love should be valued to the highest degree, and no matter what we do, and how much we do, we can never fully repay our debt towards them. It’s just too big an ask for mere mortals like us. As the Malays say, “Hutang emas boleh dibayar, hutang budi dibawa mati..” (A debt of gold is repayable, but a debt of deeds is brought into the grave).

(Notice: I’m fighting back tears while writing this.)

Balik Pulau Rugby Tourney

“She’s not bleeding on the ballroom floor just for the attention,” Time to Dance by Panic! at the Disco.

Yeah, so I downloaded “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” by Panic! at the Disco about a week ago at my Streamyx-ready home and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Dude, this album just simply ROCKS! I don’t think one track is worth skipping, except the Introduction and Intermission of course. You may be wondering, who the hell are Panic! at the Disco? Well, for that, I think you should use what your Mama gave ya and go google ‘em. You may also be wondering “Hey, isn’t that album, like, so 2006?” and I say yes. My bud, Shaheir gave me a copy of it when we were still in school and I loved it, but then I gave it back, so 3 years without Panic! later, I rediscovered that album at Mp3 Boo when I was picking an album to download. Upon seeing the name "Panic!", I quickly and happily downloaded it to fill my ears with good music and excellent lyrics.

Back to this post. Today, I played rugby after what seemed like forever not tackling anybody. I’ve got a sore left quadricep, sore right gluteus maximus, sore right bicep and a chipped tooth (very small chip) as souvenirs, but I also got these:

Read ‘em and weep.

Thanks to the Penang Blues team for inviting me over to play with them and rekindle the passion that I once had for rugby. Without them, all my suppressed aggression would have been vented somewhere else, somewhere inappropriate.

Thank you guys again!

Sigh. Lately, I’ve not been in the mood for writing. I wonder why.

Whatever it is, I hope it’ll resolve soon, because I really do like expressing stuff on paper (or computer screen, whatever).

‘Till next time kids!

Tag From ButirStar

“I don’t blame you for being you,” A Little Less Sixteen Candles by Fall Out Boy.

Yo, so check it. I haven’t posted anything for an eternity, it seems. I’ve just been so effin’ busy lately, what with classes, discussions, presentations (skits and powerpoints), the Fund-Raising for our Educational Project stuffs, and a host of other significantly time-consuming activities. So here’s a tag from ButirStar. Enjoy invading my personal space! (joking..)

You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the ABC's of YOU.

A - Age: Turning 19 (approaching the big 2 fast…) >___<”

B - Bed Size: I sleep on the floor.

C - Chore you hate: Hand-washing, folding and arranging clothes in my locker.

D - Dad's name: Noor Azman

E - Essential start your day item: Air.

F - Favorite colours: Black, White and Red.

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 177cm (the start of the year).

I - Instruments you play(ed): Guitar

J- Job title: Future English Teacher

K - Kid(s): Love ‘em when they’re not rude.

L - Living arrangements: Room 112, Amra Block, IPGM Pulau Pinang Campus.

M - Mom's name: Nor’ain

N - Nicknames: Anak Pak Man, Abang, Man Junior, Pisang Junior,Brader Bajet Gila (self-proclaimed).

O - Overnight hospital stay: Once, when I was in standard three, broke my arm. Also stayed overnight when I was 13 (or was it 14?) staying with my brother, Boy, who got a knock on the head caused by an accident on our way down from a family vacation Cameron Highlands.

P - Pet Peeve: Yes, I am peeved by pets.

Q - Quote from a movie: “Fate seldom comes at the moment of our choosing..”- Optimus Prime (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)

R - Right or left hand: Left hand to wash my excrements.

S - Siblings: Three younger brothers. Boy (17), Aiman (13), Ainul (11).

T - Time you wake up: Whenever the fish I feel like waking up.

U - Underwear: Overwear too.

V - Vegetable you dislike: Tempe. (Does that count as a vegetable?)

W - Ways you run late: One foot after another, only slower than usual.

X - X-rays you've had: Twice. Left wrist (standard 3, hairline fracture) and chest (Compulsory medical check-up).

Y - Yummy food you make: You can actually MAKE food???

Z - Zoo favourite: The exit.

The tag victims are the willing ones. If you have nothing better to do, then buat la tag neh..

Just Another Poem

"A whisper from the wind and I can't help but listen", Johnny Sniper by Enter Shikari.

Another day another chance to rescue~

Sorry, got a little carried away there. Enter Shikari is good-lah, I have to say. Anyway, back this post. A lot has happened this week. I watched Transformers 2 (who hasn't?) with the guys of Cohort 2, I went for Biro Tata Negara Camp, and I went to pick some fresh fruits from Azie's Tok's orchard in Kulim, just to name a few. But I won't be posting about all that stuff. I'll be posting a poem that I wrote while in the ferry trip to Butterworth on my way to the orchard. Again, it is just a short one, and one of my deeper ones (which isn't that deep, really..). It's open to interpretations. I'll post about all the other stuff when I regain my mood for blogging. Oh, and I have a tag from ButirStar that is still pending. I'll get to that soon (very general "soon" here). Here it is (the poem).

Human Innocence

Sunlight reflects off the water,
I try to stare but my eyes falter,
Beautiful as they may seem,
It's all just a poisonous gleam.

I squint my eyes and try to see you,
But the spark is too bright reflected off the blue,
As if enhanced in light ray frequency,
But it is I who is weak, that's reality.

The sea with all its majesty,
Can be treacherously dangerous,
Don't blame us, humans innocent,
We just take up its space to build a new renaissance.

This metaphor I give you,
I hope you understand,
That when everything is over,
You can still hold His hand.


Cheers~