MFN Sketchbook

Just returned from one of the most unique, bizarre, thrilling yet tiring journey to the eastern europe. Visiting the

balkans isn't as expensive as the rest of the Euro land, and it doesn't look as crowded as one. Compared paris and istanbul, heck, its like living in two different worlds. But at least I won't be seeing the same barouque architecture along the avenue. It has different cultural value that can hardly be visible in other european countries. Yet, the nightlife is not as cheerful as you may expect (in exception to istanbul). Relatively a safe place, but we did manage to get to know the 'scammers' mentioned in guidebooks and websites. And the food was just nice. Imagine buying a big slice of pizza for less than a euro. But well, we didn't get the chance to buy one. If you enjoy eating out in a budget, the balkan is a good place for you.

What would make you question a friendship?
Submitted by stueykins.

To me, everyone is a friend no matter who they are, and where they are. But friends are not really connected to each other, even if you claim that you have the person's profile on friendster. A may have B and C as her friends, but it doesn't mean that B and C are friends at all. That's when friendship become tricky. So I come up with a list of answers to the questions posed above:

.
10. When they do things without letting me know. Well, I had been through this before. And I think it's the smallest issue that can make me question a friendship. Because I believe that you and your friends don't share the same mind, body and soul. So let them take their personal space. Even though at times the things that they do interest me.

9. When he/she tries to save him/herself by revealing the worst of me. Unless when I am there and I talk about it as well (No biggie if I know what it is). Because I want to save them as well. They are in fact my friends

8. When they ask me for help when eventually they don't really need it. Most of the time I just do everything to help, but in the end it actually worth nothing. But I just bare with it with a smile because at least I am there for them.

7. When they think that they can do things by themselves. I makes me feel inferior when it happen. Really inferior to the point that I want to do the same thing on my own, at my own pace and start a competition with them

6. The way they talk to me is different than other friends (in a manner that's uncomfortable to me). They act too good/bad/simple when they're with me but the other way round with other circles of friends.

5. When he/she thinks I am not capable of doing everything. And it is not because of my self-realization, but it is because they assume so without even trying me out. Sometimes they think they know me better than anyone else when they actually don't.

4. When I have to make a choice between him/her, or them. Sometimes it happens between my friends and my other friends, or my other friends with my other other friends in which at times doesn't relate to my life at all. This is the case when you like all your friends, but it doesn't mean that your friends like each other. When things turns sour, I better not to choose sides, but just be with everyone (with a limited space, not trying to be close to each other) When things reach a boiling point, I'll try my best to avoid these groups. They can sometimes influence my thoughts about other people.

3. When he/she tells my secrets to other people without me knowing it. If I want a person to know my secret, I'd do it personally. I don't want any third parties involved. The same goes to people who wants to know my secrets. But most of the time, I don't like to tell secrets or even keep one because I don't trust people. I just tell them what I think about everything, though at times they hurt.

2. When they take up my personal space. Which means I have to do everything by their own accords, and not by my own free will. And there's no novelty in doing that -so there's no point of having a friendship. Everything I do would be watched and listened. When it is different than others, that's when they give me the look. And I don't really like that.

1. When he/she avoids me. It usually comes in a package - with all the looks and everything. And I guess that's the sickest part of friendship that I don't want to get involved with. And sometimes, people think that you are hitting on them when you're not. And this happens when you become to close to the person. Eventually, it would cause uneasiness to both of us. And I really hate that notion, but not that friend.

Well, I guess I'm a bit sensitive when it comes to secrets and personal space. But for everything else, I'm all open.

What's the hardest part about the role you play in your family?

I used to cook rice for my family back home. But that wouldn't be as hard as cleaning the dishes. It's just that, at one point, if I don't cook the rice, the whole family would starve to death. I hope my brothers (or my dad) are doing well on this task. And the dishes... urgh not until now i realized the importance of cleaning the dishes. Now I'm becoming embarrassed to let people come to my house kitchen for its horrifying state at all time. At least I learn something when I'm here in UK: Be responsible with what you do. Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention to the role I play in my family.

And my hardest role at the moment: To take my family to UK. And I pray hard to God that I'm able to meet them here.

What are your first thoughts upon waking?
Submitted by Cher Cabula.

You?

:D

Let me be your sound of summer

Playing the same beat that varies the tune
Sing the song of summer with me walk with me
Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride
Forget those notes forget those miseries
Forget those rains that are bringing down these memories
There’s a life to fill and we’re here to chill
Hold on tight enjoy the ride
In this country familiar to none’s eyes

Let me be your sound of summer
Playing the same beat that feeds the lyrics
Play it in the morning or in class or at night
Play it while your ym’s still on the line
Off that friendster survey and sing to the beat
Let’s heat this summer with our voice
If the rain comes, well that’s just life
Keep on listening to the tune that brings us joy
Keep on dancing to the rhythm of the B-boy

If you’re reading then you’re thrillin’
But if you’re dancing then you’re flickin’
Sing to the tune of my life
Sing to the tune of my life in Summer
Sing to the sound of a Plymouthian dream
Sing to the sound of the melting ice cream

Let’s wrap this up y'all .

What do you do when you get a crush on someone?
Submitted by Desi.

I'd stare at her, follow her and become a part-time stalker. at least not too excessive. hahaha. (n of course keep the story to myself XD )

Something that I received from my lecturer...

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to all teachers.....

How much do teachers make? Tribute to all teachers.....

*WHAT TEACHERS MAKE*

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?'

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.

I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.
Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in maths.

They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything; I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they  are ignorant...

You want to know what I make?

*I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.*  What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW.

Even all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters,grandparents, and your spiritual leaders/teachers

^_^

Hey people,
I don't really have anything to post at this moment. By the way, don't forget to wish your mom a happy mother's day! I'm selling some cards too! You might want to check them out:

http://www.zazzle.com/mother_s_day_card_1-137431367174838247

There are 3 unique designs inside the card. Just have a look and drop a comment or buy if you wish. Have a great day!

I wish I could be there to participate. Heard that they also did it in few other places like Sunway Piramid etc. Maybe we should do one in Plymouth?

Lucky for me to be in Paris at 1st of April. Much of things had been taken into our advantage, including getting discounts for disneyland! 6 of us went to the city of romance without any knowledge of what was coming (I was really hoping to find a parisian deviant but my hope was shattered). Went to stay in epinay, a place even some parisians didn't even know it exists.

The hardest part of the journey was language barrier. All of us could not speak french, yet we couldn't interact with them in English. Even the public transport service refuse to speak in English with us (Except for the batoboat and some others). Like my lecturer said, they don't like English. So we decided to speak in Malay. Fair enough, huh?

Although we felt that we received 'misunderstood' treatment from some of the public transport service people, we are very grateful to the people on the streets. They are very helpful. They gave us directions to places, talking to the RER people for us, and even help to take pictures with us!

And on our first day of walking around in Paris, we saw a red bull car (with a big red bull can placed on its boot). There

were two girls offering people around Red Bulls. But the weird thing was that people were moving away from them. Maybe because the girls don't speak english?

We approached the girl and said something like 'bonjour'. Suddenly they said they don't speak french! Then, my friend asked where they are from. They said they were from Italy. Well, that was something.

So, we went on walking around in Paris and Disneyland for 5 strict-days. And each day we saw the same cars pass by and took free drinks. My friend said they would be here for a week. We also managed to see the Mona Lisa (but it was metres away, so we couldn't have a closer look). And we managed to ride a batoboat too, with children's price!(due to flooding and some routes were closed). We reached home in Plymouth via london by train.

At the end of the day, I checked through the web and found out that the French people actually banned the Red Bull, not until the April fool's day. What actually happened was that hundreds of red bull cars with sampling girls were sent to invade Paris. And what happened to the sampling girls in the end was that they were all said to be arrested.

All in all, despite all the complications we encountered around the city, Paris rocks! j'adore! ^_^