Extremely loud but unheard

Neverland - Part-time barista / human-definition of bitter / student of the worst kind, Jess Minn, has been spotted spending an excessive amount of time, as well as financial instruments, in several shopping malls in the Land recently.

It is believed that the sudden increase in her shopping activities was due to an unfortunate condition that has befell her, of which in a parallel universe, known as a deep and prolonged recession - depression. It is also for the very same reason that the 18-year-old is back here, once again writing in nonsensical form.

Despite having a purchasing power of even lower than the x-axis, she spends aggressively. She loses her sense whenever she finds herself in a shopping mall, and she blames all producers of pretty creations in the Land for that. The irrational things that she does in order to meet short-term happiness includes but does not limit to purchasing four pairs of similar jeans in just one day. Spreading the love and joy, she had also casually taken over Santa's job and bought plenty of presents for very few of her few favourite people in the Land. She has also spent RM80, equivalent to eight Spicy Chicken McDeluxe Value Meal on a black T-shirt with white and only white inks imprinted on it, which evidently suggests that she has lost her sanity.

She deemed all of the events above necessary in order to minimize her self-diagnosed depression. According to an unknown source, she has successfully removed the practice of 'dinner' from her system. One other crucial evident that supports her theory involves causing damage to something very precious to her - she dyed her hair. Symptoms such as the multiplying occurrence of 'extremely loud but unheard monologues' has also raised concern to nobody but herself.

A paragraph explaining the causes of her condition had been written at this very spot earlier on but the publisher had decided that it is best not to reveal them for now. So much for the effort and time.

A slightly concerned friend had advised her to get out of the box, but she could not seem to find the exit anywhere near her. Knowing that she has to engage herself with unexciting events involving textbooks and a stable state of mind very soon, she is currently searching for a way out desperately. Latest sources said that she had deactivated her Facebook account and once again uninstalled her Twitter application in her phone for the same reason. However, the truth behind these suspicious actions of hers remains unknown.

She is fine.

3 items, 2 cameras, 387 pictures

This is why I do not and cannot have an Instagram account. I love taking pictures, particularly of pretty and lovely things. But everything in life is pretty and lovely, if you choose look at them the right way. Empty boxes were once shelter to something of importance. Rusty fences, once upon a time alive with colours, braved through endless rains and storms - and still stand. Dusts reflect time; how long has a thing been there. How, once, a thing actually meant something.

Here's some of what the many sides of me told myself today:
Usual-me: Exams. Assignments. Work. 4.0. Die.
Positive-me: Exams will be over very, very soon.
Extra-positive-me: Chinese New Year! Food! Home! Family! New clothes! So soon! Yay!

I have to study.

The Perks of being me

HAHAHA who would think that being me rocks? No one, but the present-me. Amen.

Despite all those sheets that I have gone through in life, it's good to be me, at times. Once in a while God would throw a concert in Sunway Lagoon, and with His blessings, I have by far gone for two without having to pay a single cent for the tickets. Both of which I do not fancy thaaaaat much, but hey, who doesn't like free things?

My first experience was two years back then. I was at the beach with my sisters and my mother, when all of a sudden we received a phone call from one of our many lovely aunts, informing us that she had managed to get us three complimentary tickets for the concert (sort of) to be held that very night. You know what's better than three free tickets to a concert? Three free VIP tickets to a concert. And my sister was a big fan of this Korean boyband, Beast. In less an hour after that phone call, we found ourselves on our three-hour-journey to KL.

My second experience was last year. Wanting to be able to say 'I have seen Justin Bieber in real life!' without lying, I got my hopes high in getting complimentary passes to MTV World Stage, thinking that my aunt would be able to help. I'm not a fan of Justin Bieber though; I wanted to know how it feels like to meet someone that famous. A day before the event, my aunt had confirmed that she was able to get me four passes. Oh, finally, I was blessed enough to be able to witness someone very famous perform.

Meeting Ryan Higa required a huge lump sum of money, but it was all worth it. This part of the post does not belong here, but I just wanted to announce that I have met the sweetest human in the world. For RM188+.

My third experience of enjoying a concert for free? That would be tomorrow. I never thought that this could happen... Thank God for answering my prayer. Thank God for my aunt, thank God for all His blessings. After experiencing 'Calling' - LIVE - tomorrow, I would be able to die with lesser regrets.

Oh my God I'm so excited right now. I hope I will be able to sleep later, because I would really need it.

Into the streets, we're coming down, Swedish House Mafia.

Starbucks Update

I rarely write about Starbucks. I also rarely write about informational things. So please bare with me as I write something informational about Starbucks today. I figured that no harm would be done by sharing good stuffs. After all, what I am about to write is what every Starbucks fan would want to know, if they do not know about it yet. If this costs me my job, well, my luck. 

Here are some of the recently launched promotion and great stuffs that Starbucks Malaysia has to offer as of January, 2013:

1. 1st Special

Taken from Starbucks Malaysia's Facebook

1st Special is newly launched this year and will be implemented for the rest of the year. Bring your parents to Starbucks on the 1st of the month, and enjoy a 50% off for your second handcrafted* beverage. If you only just found out about this and have missed it this month, it's okay - there are 11 more months to come. Set a reminder for every 1st of the month in your phone, maybe?

*Handcrafted beverage here includes all hot and iced beverages and Frappucinos, and EXCLUDES bottled juices and teas. (Anyway, how many of you would go to Starbucks for bottled beverages?) 

2. New Starbucks Cards

The Starbucks New Year Card and Starbucks Valentine's Card on the left, and the Starbucks Birthday Card on the right. The minimum activation amount for the New Year and the Valentine's card is RM50 each as they are both limited editions, whereas as per usual, it's RM20 for the Birthday card. I personally like the Birthday card a lot because I find it very colourful and cheerful - the many floating balloons, the candle, the colourful sprinkles. It's pretty and perfect for a birthday gift. Or a secondary birthday gift. Heh.

3. New Starbucks Card rewards

From this year on, apart from the usual beverage, cake, tumbler and more rewards, there are TWO additional rewards that all Starbucks Card users will be able to enjoy: the Food Reward and the Coffee Press Reward. With every 7 food items purchased using your Starbucks Card (may be accumulated, just like the beverage reward), you will get to enjoy a complimentary Classic Doughnut - one of the bestsellers in Starbucks. On the other hand, purchasing a coffee press from Starbucks using your Starbucks card will reward you with a complimentary packet of 250g whole bean.

4. Winter Promotion

Taken from Starbucks Malaysia's Facebook

New beverages, new food, new coffee, new merchandises. The beverages introduced this time round are Hojicha Tea Latte and Soy Green Tea Frappuccino blended beverage. Just like Green Tea Latte, Hojicha Tea Latte comes in hot and iced. For those who do not know, Hojicha is a type of Japanese roasted green tea. I have tried it, and I personally think that it tasted rich and good. There are also new food items such cakes, desserts and some snacks. The mugs and tumblers come in a huge variety, with most of them New Year/Snake-themed and Valentine-themed. The photos in the picture above consist of only part of the many new promotional items, so do visit your closest Starbucks outlet to check out the rest of them.

By the way, do you know that you could get 10% off your total bill if you use your AmBank credit card in all Starbucks outlets in Malaysia? I hope this post helps. Good night. I want Swedish House Mafia tickets.

Things We Said Today

Aunt: I thought you're working today?

Me: Oh my God. Sheet.

*****

Heidi: You still want?
Me: Yeah. I must eat a lot for breakfast.

*****

Denise: It's a wish necklace. You're suppose to make a wish when you wear it and the wish will come true when it breaks.

Me: Oh. It's so pretty.

*****

Customer #1: You look like a doctor.
Me: HAHAHA REALLY?

*****

Customer #2: It's filtered water, right?

Me: You don't say...

*****

Me: I'm going now. Byeeee!
Wait no, I didn't say that.

*****

Me: Blessed are those who dwell in Your house ~
Me: They are ever praising You ~
Me: Blessed are those who strength is in You ~
Me: Whose hearts are set on our God ~

*****

Samantha: You are on the winning side.

Me: You are on the winning side.

So far, so good

Four full satisfying weeks of holidays and I am back to college and work, again. All is well thus far; everything seemed to just fall right into place. Having four unfamiliar subjects to cope with during this short semester (which consist of only seven weeks of classes), I guess I won't be working as often once I have fulfilled the monthly minimum hours. Nonetheless, I will try my best to manage my time well and keep this blog updated with more useful stuffs.

Over a phone conversation with my little sister yesterday, she told me that all that had been occupying her mind during class for the past few days was the imminent Chinese New Year celebration. It was only then that I was reminded of how soon it's happening. The scenes started flowing into my head: the biscuits, the gathering, the Wallie. And that's about it. I dared not picture much, for I know some things are never going to be the same again. But anyway, she got me a little excited about it as well, being reminded that my lovely new clothes laying at the bottom of my closet back home can't wait to be worn, as much as I cannot wait to put them on me. The feeling is mutual, which is a good thing.

Another good thing that I would like to share involves me making the right decision. Today, I braved myself to join the college's debate club, despite knowing absolutely nothing about debating. A few hours prior to it, I had discovered that the Uniqlo's current limited offer ends today, and I wanted to get the jacket so badly. But I had only the time to attend to one place. After a long and tiresome mental battle, I finally did the right thing. I got to witness some great international debaters debate, and it was definitely something new to me, something that I can learn and gain much from.

I just I love how God put things in place in His own way.

New Year Resolutions?

Truth be told, I do not believe in resolutions anymore. They are superficial; unless you put in some effort to make them happen, it would be but a mere list of unrealized goals in life. Yes, we all have goals, we all want to improve ourselves. But too often, I talk (or, write) them out rather than carry them out. That nature of mine combined with my all-time laziness and carelessness - nothing gets done. This has been going on for years.

Every beginning of the year we all get excited about the year itself, and we are driven with great energy and enthusiasm. But they fade off eventually. Back in high school, this is what I told myself every beginning of the year: I must finish and pass up all homework.

Never happens.

That very day you break a practice, the whole thing is gone. All the effort and time and patience would be in vain, just because you decided that you were a little bit more tired than usual, or because you're too moody to move and get things done, or because a few hours of your day mysteriously disappeared. Those are the types of lies that I would quietly tell myself and, of course, be deceived by. And I'm just so tired of all that. That's the story of how 'resolutions' loses its meaning.

So this year, instead of taking days to think about and list down my resolutions, here is what I know I want future-me to do:

Read more. Write more. Listen more. Find out more. Know more. Understand more. Grow more. Love more. Give more. Pray more. Participate more. Exercise more. Eat moderately. Sleep moderately. Think positively. Complain less. Be thankful. Be bold. Be smart. Be happy.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Have a little faith

I am thankful and relieved that 2012 is finally over. I know the end of it does not guarantee better days ahead, but sometimes... sometimes we just need to let ourselves believe that there is a starting point to everything good. Sometimes we just need to gather that little bit of courage in us to allow ourselves to believe that good things will happen, again, because hope is all that is left to be hanged on to.

2012 mainly consisted of bad decisions, but those are all in the past. I hated almost every part of it, but I have learned that hating where I am would not bring me anywhere better. Negativity would only lead things from bad to worse. This year, I will still be pursuing accountancy, I will still be away from home, and I will still have zero chance of becoming either a surgeon or a pilot, but I will make the best out of everything. I believe that things can, and will be better. 

Happy new year folks, and in everything you do, I wish you all the best and all the positivity in the world.

Love,

Jess Minn