back to december

I don't know his name.

I don't even know him.

My aunt got excited so he put his arm around me and we snapped a picture.

I hope he washed his hands before touching me.

it's alright, you'll find a brighter day

It's December already.

And we all wish we could be with you, sister !

So that we can all be sour puss and not play with the snow because we don't want to be jakuns. Then Mummy will get excited and wonder over and over again why we aren't excited about now because we haven't seen REAL snow before, have we? She'll make us stand outside in the very very very cold weather without out jackets and tell us over and over again how nice it is while you whine about how cold it is. We'll have crazy shopping trips and visit our favourite store for about an hour while Peter stands outside sulks then complains to all our uncles about how nuts we are about La Senza. We'll also go charm all the uncle and aunties because we would refuse to call them by their first name without adding 'uncle' or 'aunty' in front (did you get that?) Then, we'll buy lots of Sidekicks because it's so cheap, we'll drink lot of Iced Caps and have Timmy's subs for breakfast everyday ! We'll buy Mummy's Christmas present, only for her to find out that it was cheaper after Christmas, so we'll play along with her to return the shoes to get them at a cheaper price. We'll be Asians and take a stack of napkins from the restaurant, or a few mints instead of one. We could fake my birthday again to get that very very yummy chocolate whatever with ice-cream, we could eat onion rings until we die or Korean potatoes till we're so fat and happy.

I definitely wish we could all be together for Christmas.

AND GIRLS' CAMP TOO.

I've never been for camp without you.

And and camp's not going to be fun without you ):

I'll be homesick, because you're not staying there with me.

Who's going to come to my luggage, steal my shampoo and not tell me,

then when it's my turn for bath, I can't find it, get hysterical because I don't have shampoo,

and when I find it, I'll be late for bath time and Quarter Mistress will thump my door real hard and make me get out.

What's camp going to be like without the Lim sisters eh?

WHO'S GOING TO TELL LAME JOKES WITH ME?

Who's going to exaggerate about our wonderful school toilet with me?

Loser.

HAHAHAH.

It's quiet and lonely without you.

<3

you roll out of bed and down on your knees, and for a moment you can hardly breathe

I miss ugly.
I miss fighting for grapes.
I miss calling each other names.
I miss him buying me chocolate and cherry tomatoes.
I miss him saying, "I'll buy you a pair of Aldo shoes !"

And Mika.
I miss Mika too (:

hey now, you're an all star

I miss Canada. Why?

Oh, that's simple (:

1. The first has definitely gotta be the homey feeling you get when you're visiting Canada. People smile, say hello and I think in their hearts, they really believe that a smile could cheer up someone. And people say 'How are you' to strangers. I like that.

2. I like winter.

and they say summer's really nice and I believe them because they said winter is nice and it was really really nice.

3. Grocery shopping is so much fun around here. I don't know why, but there's a different feel to it.

this is Stupidstore, the biggest grocery store around.

4. People there are so environmentally friendly. You have to pay for plastic bags at grocery stores and even without that, people actually recycle. (and they put their pads in bio-degradable bags when they sell them, but you don't need to know that (: haha).

5. I like the fact that you can wear hoodies all year long and not feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because it's so hot in Malaysia that you sweat and it isn't that nice to wear anymore. No matter how stylish your hoodie is.

6. They have Tim Horton's.

And they serve like, the best breakfast subs, plus bagels to die for.

You can get a large cup of coffee for probably less than five bucks. They have ice caps that beats everything I have tried in Starbucks. Oh, my uncle works in Tim Horton's, which means I can get family discount every once in awhile too (:

7. What I like about the people is that they brands don't really matter to other people. It may matter to you but to them, it's whatever. But some of their brands are pretty awesome.

8. I can wear lala clothes and it'll be stylish. Stripes aren't being abused in Canada. Tank tops are the best over. Wearing layers doesn't make you look stupid.

I LOVE that.

9. Doggies don't smell a bit here.

And it doesn't bother me a bit when they accompany me in bed. Except if they still my pillow. Dogs are really good during the winter because they're so warm and they feel so good when you hug them.

10. I have a hundred and one awesome relatives in Canada.

I forgot to say that I have an uncle that has a huge camera. Actually, I think a few of them has a DSLR. I like that.

My favourite cousin lives in Canada too ! (I meant the dog, not Ivan. pfft).

11. I know exactly where to go for dance classes in Canada. And who is gonna teach me too.

Meet Laura.

12. Schools yearly results are based on assignments more than examinations.

13. Lifestyle is cheap. I could get a bottle of really good drink for a dollar plus GST, which is tax, maybe a dollar and five cents. Hoodies are as cheap as ten dollars.

14. I like the fact that houses doesn't have prison gates like all the houses in Malaysia do.


15. When you're shopping, there's no one to follow you around and breathe down your neck.

16. Pizza's are HUGE. Okay, that's not it. But food there is awesome possum. Especially Boston Pizza.

their drinks comes with pink straws. I like that (:

17. My favourite uncle absolutely loves taking me shopping ! ahaha.


18. Christmas is such a big thing.


Almost everyone decorates their houses, putting up lights and all.



19. And during Christmas, some churches organize Christmas drives to help people that aren't as fortunate. They pack food and gift certificates for the poor. I loved the little experience I got when I did the Christmas drive. It was the most heart-whelming experience, seeing some of the people that are just so thankful.

20. I get my own room !! Since my cousin has moved down to the basement, it leaves one room empty and my aunt refers to it as mine. YAY (:

21. Aldo is SO cheap in Canada I could die.

22. Boxing day shopping is the best. Since it was Christmas, things are 50% off, but during Christmas, it's another 50% off.

23. Their public library books are up to date.

24. My uncle makes the best Mergaritas.



I can't write anymore. It takes too long to load pictures.

I want to go back to Canada.

when you're right here by my side

Dear Mika,

I'm sorry you got farted on.

Love, Serena.

Don't you absolutely love this pic? I absolutely love this pic, plus the camera that was used to take it. Big big awesome DSLR (:

tell me why

Sweetness?

I miss Mika ): Like lots lots and lots. No one comes into the room in the mornings now and cuddles up with me.

And, I dreamed about Mika. It's a stupid dream, she could talk to me, and she understood everything I said. Mika's a good girl, aren't you Mika?

So by now, everyone should know who Mika is. I have her picture on two of my textbooks, and I purposely picked my Math and History textbook to cover up front. Everyone asks me who she is, and tell me how cute she is. She's my cousin, and she's more than cute. She's the best ever.

Notice the extremely red bathrobe and orange monkey slippers.

I reply to this, Ivan :

Hi Serena,

Well, my mum showed me your email and all I can say is good luck. You won't ever find a dance teacher that will take you, you're too obese and fat and if people see you walking into the studio they won't ever want to sign up for that dance class. If you're wondering why your teacher gave you 15/15, it's because your mum bribed her so you would feel happy.

Oh yeah, I'm giving my laptop away to Sarah, she's such a good cousin - the best ever.

LOVE IVAN.


I don't know, maybe you forgot that I had about a million black mail pictures of you. Since I realize that if I were to write back to you, it's not gonna do anything.

Now, I can get the pleasure of hearing my friends tell me you're gay.

Thanks for the Aldo shoes, anyway (:

I'll be there for you

Laura Laura Laura. I really really want to be in you class now, because so far, that's the only Jazz class I can find in this whole wide world. Which makes you the best dance teacher around (:

I found out that that awesome coat fits me and looks good on me on the last day I was there. That was frustrating.

Everyone claims that I bought too much clothes while in Canada. I say not. One can never have too many clothes, or even shoes and bags. And since it's holidays and we've all got nothing to do at home, we decided to take a walk in the malls. Just walking, no buying. It works fine with me, the no buying policy. Thing is, they won't even let me see. They drag me away from my favourite store and they leave the store the second we all go in - just so that I'll be out faster. It's not very fun, doing window shopping with them. It kills me.

My mum keeps asking me if I'm done with my homework. After I answer yes, she asks me if I need to study. Before saying no, I think about it. I know I have to study, the thing is, I don't want to. So, I decide to ignore that question by making unrecognizable sounds. It could mean yes, it could mean no. But yeah, instead of studying things like History and Geography, I'm reading a story book (:

So far, it's pretty good. About a girl, who after a Hollywood star passes away, finds out that that star is her mother and bla bla bla. You can imagine the story.

Okay, SAMMY - where are you? I've been waiting all morning since you didn't tell me what time you were coming. I was up so early ! And you're not here yet? Ohmygosh, hurry up.

for you, I will

Ciarra (: She asked her mother where May jie jie and Serena jie jie was. The mum told her that we've gone far away, nearer to her grandmother. She asked her mother to call us through the computer (:

School has been a total drag for me. I've been mounted with this load of homework, most of them from the week I missed out. It's awful, and plus, I'm going through jet-lag, it wakes me up at 4.30 am every morning. I'm drained out by the weekend and I'm looking forward for a little rest when I find out there's replacement classes. I didn't want to go, really. But my mum made a point when she told me that I've already missed a week of school. So, another early morning. And another early morning for church.

Even now, I'm starting my second week of school and I have to catch up on so much. I'm pretty much left behind. My teachers are bugging me for homework from the week before. I wish I was there on the first day of school, so that I wouldn't be left behind.

Then again, I didn't mind being in Canada (:

So while I'm trying to do all these work, I'm thinking about how laid back school is in Canada. How passing up assignments a week late doesn't affect anything. That's so mellow.

And I have to take a big big test. Whoopy. Everyone is coming up to me, asking my age and when they find out it's big exam year, they get so excited and remind me. Like I don't know I'm sitting for PMR this year. One day, I want to answer someone like this,

" I'm taking PMR? Ohmygsh, I didn't know that ! "

I went shopping again ! YAY ! But but, it wasn't shopping for things I want - instead things I need. That doesn't sound interesting anymore, does it? Well, it doesn't to me.

I've officially fallen head over heels for tea (:

My god mum asked me today what I wanted to do after high school. I told her I had at least a year before thinking about all that. Her answer was simple. Time goes by fast. Which got me thinking about what I really wanted to do. All my life, I've always dreamed big about what I wanted to be, just in the end failing to master it all. Everyone knows that I love writing. And some people knows I want to be a writer too. But, maybe there's something else for me, something else that is meant for me, instead of writing. Who knows? I can't decide too fast either.

It's hard, not to have my biggest supporter in life to help me out now.

the little things

I thought being in a top class would be everything - good teachers and good company. Was I wrong? Yes I was.

If the last class now has the better teachers, like teachers that can actually say a word of English and teaches Math or Science, I want a transfer.

So, I may not have much friends around my class, and to a certain point, I don't really mind. It helps me focus a little bit more. But, sometimes, when you need help, when you need a little perking up, feeling awkward doesn't really help.

But maybe there's a little bit to rejoice for. I got the toughest teacher for my Bahasa Melayu subject. No, of course we won't get sneak peeks in her massively hard papers, but hey - she could be a lot of help. Who knows?

Because of jet-lag, I've been pretty much sleepy all day in school. I brought tea, to see if it'll wake me up. I think it helped a tiny bit, but not really. Then again, who cares?

I felt really left behind in class. We're on second topic for Math, my oh-so-favourite subject. Something tells me that my Math teacher isn't the best and isn't gonna help me at any rate. Yay her. Other than all that, I've got lots of catching up to do.

And since it's the new year, I'm looking around for different activities to take part in all year long. Oh yeah, so it is PMR year, yada yada yada. I don't expect myself to study every single day for this thing. Out of 6 days of studies, I think it's no biggie to give myself 2 days of something different.

Anyway, back to the topic of school. Let's say it was the worse first day of school ever. I took back my results from last year's finals and I found out I dropped tremendously from my mid-year. But I still made it to a better class. Still, I'm not happy with the results ):

So, since I was entirely lost in my class, guess what I was dreaming about?
Canada, together with all my cousins and relatives. Including this favourite cousin of mine (:

Also my very warm friend that accompanies me in bed every morning. And every other day when I'm home alone. I miss Mika ):

Madison and Jadyn, the second generation cousins that I've never ever met before. They're the sweetest ever.

My dance mates - I want to dance in the noisiest class again. I never got to say goodbye to you Joanne ): So here's to you (: We'll watch the whole of Sweeny Todd again one day :D

I've become a massive fan of Canada. Now, isn't that bad since I'm a citizen of Malaysia?

I'll be the princess

Can you believe how time flies? School started today and well, it felt like it was only a week ago that school ended. So rise and shine early in the morning for school now. It was a long day today. I'm exhausted now, really. But it was nothing from school, really.

Because, I wasn't in school.

Not that I'm trying to rub it in or anything. But, yeah. I'm still on holiday.

Actually, I kinda wished I could be there on the first day of school. So many many nice things happened. Like Jonathan Chee with a luggage bag. You don't see that everyday. Now THAT, should go into the yearbook.

It's really not that I want to leave Canada so fast, but I still wished I was there on the first day. Make that the first week.

But I love Canada. And the family here.

My sister and I thought this cousin, Jonathan - the oldest cousin, the lala. From 1 until 10. I personally like the 10 (:

What can I say? It's not just being with the family that lives in Canada, it's being with the family I've been with for 14 years (:

And really, I've been fighting with my sister so much lately. But hey, all siblings does that. Though I think we're old enough to stop all these. We haven't fought in awhile. And I still love her (:

Basically, I love the whole family. They're awesome.

always inside of me

Oh, guess what guess what? I had a birthday here, in Canada. How nice (: It was my 14th birthday, to be exact.

Nyeh. This is the cake. It was free (: With a scoop of ice-cream ! I love.

And well, now everyone is thinking how come I celebrated my birthday 2 months after my real birthday. Well, you are right, to think that my birthday was on the 15th of September.

So, my cousin takes us out to dinner at this place called Red Lobster and they offer free birthday cake on your birthday. After food, my brother shouts out 'Happy Birthday' to me and starts asking me how I enjoyed my birthday dinner in a loud voice, so the waiter can hear.

Then comes along our waitress and my uncle tells them it's my birthday. Minutes later, waiters are singing 'Happy Birthday' to the actually-not birthday girl. YAY.

It was stupid, and my family dared to snap a picture with me and the singers. It was so embarrassing. One of the waiters asked to send him the picture and another apologized to me because they did not get me a present. That was downright embarrassing. I think I became red, and as soon as we left the restaurant, I shouted at everyone.

The cake was good, by the way (:

It was a stupid thing to do, but hey, why not? Free, take the chance !

broken strings

Yay yay, I finally am getting pictures up (:

Here comes my favourite cousin, on Christmas day, with a pot lid in one hand and a woden spatula in another. That pink thing, it's me.

And here's my bully, that thought the pot lid hitting thing was fun so here he goes, hitting the lid in my ear and me, forced out of bed.

Like the pan was not enough, my blanket got stolen together with my pillow. The pillow next lands on my head, and I shout for everyone to not bug me. Too bad it did not work because they only left me when I got up and headed for the toilet. Ah, Christmas morning was a little different.

Here's over in Lake Louise, with my lovely siblings. I love the view, it's so awesome.

Mind not the fact that my sister and me looks fat, we wanted to keep warm on the mountains (:

Can I say my favourite uncle? He is my mum's cousin and owns the biggest DSLR ever. Well, DSLR's are same sizes but he has huge lens for the camera. SO aweome (:

I used it once, my pictures turned out great (: It was the second time I saw him and I already knew he had a DSLR then. Actually, I already planned to steal it from him that day. The camera is why he's my favourite uncle !
HUGE, I know (:

And yeah, here's the pictures (:

broken clouds

Whoops, I know I have not been updating. I have been packed with activities and well, too much, I must say. My bedtime is now at 11 pm, instead of early mornings 3 am. In payment for that, I get waken up at 9.30 am.

So, there was Christmas day. Yay yay. My aunt had a party on the eve of Christmas and it lasted until Christmas about 1 am. I slept at 2 am, and well, my cousin had a fabulous idea, that is, to wake me up at 9 am. Too bad he only got up at 9.15 am. It did not stop him though. He came to my room, 9.30 am, bringing in a pot lid and a wooden spoon. You must have guessed what he did by now. He hit on the pot lid to wake me up. Why? So that he can open presents. If he were 12, maybe I would get it. No kidding, he's 20. UGH, hate him, but he's my favourite cousin because he bought me a pair of Aldo shoes :D

Boxing day. It's nothing back in Malaysia, not as big as Canada. Everyone is out to shop on boxing day. Prices are slashed half price from normal, some, more than half. I really was not up to it that day. My feet chose that day to hurt, and my knee gave me a wee bit problem for awhile too. Next, I was still cranky from waking up at 9.30 am again. So, I walked passed this shop called Lululemon. It's a shop that specializes in sports attire - sweat pants, sports bra's and hoodies on the go. I must say, the sweat pants feels so comfortable. A lot of people wears them, it's a big brand. Lots of people uses the hoodies too. But, it cost up to $ 90 + for a pair of sweat pants. It's worth it, if I were to live in Canada, I guess. But if I have to multiply three to that price, it's totally overpriced. So, out of curiosity, I wanted to check out how much sweat pants were during boxing day. There was a long line, queuing up to get into the store right by the door. I walked off, obviously.

And, there was another brand name shop called Aritzia. Pretty hoodies, they specialize in hoodies. Also wanting to check out the prices, I walked over to the store. The line outside the store blocked up two other stores. Guess what I did?

That was boxing day. We spent the whole day shopping, how fun ! (:

Then, today, well, yesterday, technically. It's Li Hui's birthday ! I'll put up a nicer post tomorrow or something. Anyway. I went up to the mountains. To this place called Lake Louise. I got woken up at about 9.30 am, again, by the way. It was a long ride, I can say, and my plan was to sleep in the car. I got put to my so-called Canadian God-father's car with my siblings. He's probably 50 + at age and he listens to our music. What I mean is, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Plain White T's and Daughtry. Well, everything else on the radio. He blasted the radio all the way up, making it hard to sleep. I was, liking the music anyway. We heard a few songs up to three times. So, Lake Louise was beautiful. No pictures today, folks. Soon, though. But the mountains, all I can say is, it's something you see on postcards. Really really an awesome view. Next, we drove up a little to Banff, a little town. We had lunch and visited a few small shops until we were too cold. Awesome, we headed down back home after that.

So far, let's just say I'm having fun.

I have gotten news that I've been put into the first class in school next year. Excited? Not really. Scared? Not at all. What then? I wonder too. It feels really weird, that's all. Not that I do not want to be there, I do. It just somehow feels odd.

There, this is to make my blog look alive a little. I haven't much time to update these past days. But I will soon, really !

give me one more chance to make it right

Do you like Marble Cake? I don't. Well, I don't fancy it, and I HATE baking it.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE baking. But this, this cake, is something I can never bake.

I don't know why, honestly. It's stupid. Every single time I attempt to make this cake, it will be a disaster. Like, seriously.

This time, my aunt bought the cake mix. Where all you got to do is throw in the flour and mix everything. Right now, the cake is in the oven sitting there. I so do not know what to do with it. It's partially cooked and has raised a million times than I think it's supposed to. Plus, the center of the cake consists of batter. Just the batter, it does not seem to be cooking. What am I going to do? I don't want to take it out again ):

Marble cake is by far, my biggest failure.

everything that's happening for me

I would not say Four Christmases is the movie that is oh-my-gosh-must-see-so-awesome-possum-best-movie-of-the-year-best-movie-ever. It was pretty good but not good enough to be watched a hundred and one times. It is just your ordinary movie, the kind that you already know what would happen.

This movie is about a couple. They're not married and they do not intend to, even though they have been together for three years. For those three years, this couple has lied to their family just to go off on a holiday together, each time during the Christmas season. Their flight got canceled in the show and they were stuck visiting their parents. On both sides of the family, the parents are divorced. After this they get to the I-do-not-want-to-talk-to-you part and then the I-love-you-again-and-want-you-back part. A typical love story.

But let's talk about the theater. It's different, so different. You are considered a child at age thirteen. My aunt bought me a child ticket, you know, just to get it cheaper. The cashier did not bother to ask. So I got in cheaper. Yay. Also, in the theater itself, there's no fixed seats for anyone. You could sit wherever you like. Not like Malaysian cinemas, row G, seat 12.

That is just part of it. If you get bored of the show, you could actually exit and go to another cinema to catch another movie. I like this policy. The entrance here, is the exit too. I did not do that, but yeah. I was told you can.

I still want to catch Twilight, and I want to watch it here, not back home. Because, it will be out of the movies by the time I get back anyway. Also, I heard the kissing scene was cut out ! I'm pretty sure it did not get cut here. But, because I know my cousin is SO against Twilight, I will not ask him to take me.

Confessions of A Shopaholic is coming out too ! You know, it's that book by Sophie Kinsella that was so popular at one time. She is just one of the best chick lit. author. I just hope the movie is just as good. It stars Isla Fisher as Becky Bloomwood, the main character. I do not even know who she is. Anyway. Yeah. That's it. HAHA.

AZFARAZWAN ! I'm waiting for my pizza !

you kiss her but her eyes don't close

If I were to live in Canada all my life, the first thing I'll buy is a pair of fringed boots. Because, what use is a pair of boots in Malaysia? It's so hot and boots are not it. I don't know why some crazy people still wear them. Fashion statement, yeah, but hey, it's a little too hot, is it not? You have to be comfy too.

The second thing of the shelf will be a trench coat. Because again, I do not have a use for it in Malaysia. Too hot, honey.

Then, I'll grab those hoodies that I have fallen in love with throughout my stay here. The hoodies are irresistible, but sadly, I have to resist. They're thick, warm enough for a negative one day. I do not see the use as the air conditions can only go down to 16 degrees. That is pretty warm, now that I get negative ten here.

I also want those excessively cute flannel pajamas. I have a pair, but only because I was staying here for two months. They have monkey pajamas and little snowflakes. How cute is that?

Seeing that sweat pants or track pants fits me so perfectly well here, I'll have to buy some too. Not that I have not gone overboard with it, but yeah. It comes in handy. I especially want those three quarter pajamas that looks so comfy (:

Next, I'll run by the shops where teenagers shop, like Urban Planet to buy as many tank tops. Because they are so cute. And because stripes here has not been abused and classified as lala. I think, I'll actually buy those tank tops before heading home. They come in pretty handy !

Still, I'm not done yet. I want to buy a dress. A summer dress and a formal dress. Not that I don't have a formal dress, but yeah. Since I could not find my size in three lovely dresses today, living here would be an advantage.

I want a pair of Lulu Lemon's. They're sweat pants that are the most comfy thing ever. At least they feel comfy. But they cost $100 + each pair. So if I happen to think they are not comfy, no use throwing away money.

Pullover sweat shirts are a MUST.

To make my socks collection look like it's having some business, I should go out and buy more cute socks. Some are so irresistible, I already bought them.

You cannot forget how cheap ALDO shoes are here. So, I want to get a pair of heels. White ones and black ones. I've got red heels already. Everybody knows that.

Sunglasses are a MUST here. In Malaysia, sun is hot but it's not bright during the afternoon. You only get bright sun in the mornings. Here, the afternoon sun is unbearable for the eyes.

Lastly, handbags of course. They have really nice ones those won't do for Malaysia. So I left them at the store.

I will continue dance class here. I definitely will.

All this, I'm gonna dream about them tonight. It was fun posting this up.

tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

I look fat and all, but it is not because I put on weight, because I did not, I was not ready for the picture.

So here you go, it's Canada. Not really, it's my brother and me (: We were both heading off to different parties, Peter's a more formal one than mine. That's the reason for his dressing.

And it snowed a whole lot on Sunday, Monday, Malaysian time. There were many accidents that I did not witness as I stayed in my room the whole day. All I had was a window that looks out to the road, but I only looked out twice. In other words, my cousin called me emo that day. I only stepped downstairs three times. I'm not proud of it or anything. I'm not ashamed of it either. hehe.

Meet Abu, the youngest among us cousins. Well cousins in the first generation, that is. It was obviously cold and don't ask me what he is holding or doing outside the house because I don't know. I was not there and I did not take this picture. ngehhh (:

His real name is Micheal, by the way.

Canada has not have a white Christmas for years and well, this pile of snow has been estimated to melt in the next seven days or something. It usually takes two to three days. Sometimes, it snows and the next day you wake up, you only see small spots. Yeah, the snow melts fast and while you may think that winter is cold cold cold and snow means freezing time, it does not naturally mean that. The sun comes out sometimes and it gets pretty warm. One day, you who haven't see snow, should go see snow. It's winter wonderland now (: