Updates

Not much has happened lately, strange as it may be. Life has been pretty routine, and I think that's what having a job entails. I'm glad though that I'll be able to stop working in my current company soon and move on to a challenging job that has been my interest for years; writing.

I know people are telling me not to count my chickens yet, and I know better than to do that. Unexpected things may happen and you'll never know if you end up frustrated or whatever in the end. But suffice to say, all things considered, I should be starting my job as a writer for a publishing company come week of 17th March. (note, the week not the exact day).

Other things of note, I've joined Denny and his project team of building a web portal and forum for Malaysians. More specifically, our target age group will be 15-25, which means young teens to young working adults (or if you're a hikikomori, that's ok too I suppose).

The other things is today, I spend about RM300+ on my travel expenses, books, and a new wallet. Liking my new wallet so far, beige one from Body Glove. The design is simple, slick, and clean.

Bought 3 books, mostly to improve my vocab and one of them is on Malaysian English's (or popularly known as Manglish) various quirks and idiosyncrasies. Its quite an interesting read really. I forgot the title cause the funny thing is, I tend not to worry about or remember book titles. But what I can tell you is that the author is a experience University level English teacher who teaches in UKM (University Kebangsaan Melayu/Malaysia, can't remember exactly).

The 2nd book introduces interesting ways to learn words, or rather how to remember them and use them properly. Just so you know, the way I used to learn vocab is pretty funny IMO. I started reading fantasy novels like the Riftwar saga, one of my all time favourites. Raymond E. Feist is my favourite author, but unfortunately I read those that my dad bought and never really had the kind of buying power to buy new books all the time. So I guess I missed quite a few of his books. Anyway, I'm digressing. The point is, I used to read books like that and back then my vocab is pretty limited to what they teach in schools. Needless to say I got a bit proud in learning new words, and as novels write them in certain contexts, you tend to think you understand the meaning. (or maybe it's just me)

So I try to use them whenever said context appears in real life. Long story short, my parents will always correct me on usages, and made sure I learn how and where to use what words. Suffice to say, my first real English teachers have always been my parents. In any case, the 2nd book will probably be interesting, though I haven't gone through it yet.

Third book is on basics of Japanese. Not as comprehensive as some of those really good beginner's guide, but at least it isn't that expensive as well. I'm sure many know I've been interested in learning the language for years. Buying a reference book is something I've always wanted to do. Next will be taking actual lessons, but that can wait till I can actually afford to.

Alright then, not much to add. Well there's the fact that I've had some minor sickness lately. A cough that just won't go away, headaches now and then (the usual fare really), and sore throat sometimes (probably due to the blasted lousy air-con in my current company).

Other than that, life is just...well normal?