1

Haven’t been writing here regularly now. Had a bad day today. An argument with a lecturer…in email…I can’t believe it happened. But I’m not going to be a good obedient student and keep quiet even when I think I’m right (typical Malay style) anymore. And due to misunderstanding, the head of school gave me a warning in email. What? It is not my fault. The supervisor said it was okay to start emailing participants. Anyway, the misunderstanding had been resolved and hope that everything goes smoothly from now on.

On a happier note, I had another chance to make an installation. This time it is for my Multimedia authoring minor project. In the installation, the participant stands up in front of the computer screen and sees his/her own streaming video image on the screen. ‘Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?’ is written on the screen. When the participant wave a ‘magic wand’ in front of the computer screen, the computer will respond by showing the name of the most searched celebrity on Yahoo. The second time the participant wave the wand the computer will give the top ten lists.

While working on this installation, I noticed the name ‘Deborah Gibson’ on the list. Hey I thought Debbie Gibson what is she doing now. I started asking around if anybody knew her. No one does. During the presentation of the project, I noticed ‘Deborah Gibson’ appeared again on the list. So I asked my classmates:

Do you guys know Debbie Gibson?

No

She’s like Britney Spears in the 80’s…

No

I know that I’m getting older and surrounded by much younger people…

Okay it’s been a long while since I last wrote.

I’ve been homesick lately. Really, really homesick. I don’t know why. Out of a sudden I feel like I just want to go home, even if for a week.

Earlier this month, I planned to go to the River Festival and see the fireworks with some of my Malaysian acquaintances. It was on a Saturday. The fireworks started at 6 PM. On the same day, the Malay Organization of Queensland had organized a National Day gathering with lunch and day long activities. I couldn’t go to the National Day gathering because I need to do some shopping for my project, but of course after 6 I would be free and could spend some time to see the firework.

I met a group of Malaysian students in the shopping mall. They asked me whether I’m going to the gathering and see the fireworks afterwards. I told them my plan. A reaction I got from one of them:

“Ooo firework nak pegi, tapi celebrate hari merdeka tak nak!”

Whatever. I couldn’t care to explain. Who would believe me if I say that I’m shopping for a floral tea set for my project? What? A tea set? And what program are you doing again? Interaction Design. Yes, the longer I am in the program, the more likely I will become a crazy hybrid of artist-designer-software engineer.

I live in a remote place. And I need to spend the whole day if I want to shop in Brissy. I can’t just go shopping in between classes like them. But who cares right?

I’d seen the river fire last year with my classmates - international students. But I decided to go this year because I want to take some photos with Malaysians. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet me that night. So there I was, waiting for them in the crowd, only to spend the evening alone. It was not that bad. Well, actually I didn’t feel that bad after I stuffed myself with fish and chips. And ice cream. And more ice cream. And afterward with strawberries at B’s place.

Anyway, as my classmate put it, “Such is life…”