Look up.

I have 422 friends, yet I am lonely.
I speak to all of them everyday, yet none of them really know me.

The problem I have sits in the spaces between,
looking into their eyes, or at a name on a screen.

I took a step back, and opened my eyes,
I looked around, and then realised
that this media we call social, is anything but
when we open our computers, and it’s our doors we shut.

All this technology we have, it’s just an illusion,
of community, companionship, a sense of inclusion
yet when you step away from this device of delusion,
you awaken to see, a world of confusion.

A world where we’re slaves to the technology we mastered,
where our information gets sold by some rich greedy bastard.
A world of self-interest, self-image, self-promotion,
where we share all our best bits, but leave out the emotion.

We are at our most happy with an experience we share,
but is it the same if no one is there.
Be there for you friends, and they’ll be there too,
but no one will be, if a group message will do.

We edit and exaggerate, we crave adulation,
we pretend we don’t notice the social isolation.
We put our words into order, until our lives are glistening,
we don’t even know if anyone is listening.

Being alone isn’t the problem, let me just emphasize,
that if you read a book, paint a picture, or do some exercise,
you are being productive, and present, not reserved or recluse,
you’re being awake and attentive, and putting your time to good use.

So when you’re in public, and you start to feel alone,
put your hands behind your head, and step away from the phone.
You don’t need to stare at your menu, or at your contact list,
just talk to one another, and learn to co-exist.

I can’t stand to hear the silence, of a busy commuter train,
when no one wants to talk through the fear of looking insane.
We’re becoming unsocial, it no longer satisfies
to engage with one another, and look into someone’s eyes.

We’re surrounded by children, who since they were born,
watch us living like robots, and think it’s the norm.
It’s not very likely you will make world’s greatest dad,
if you cant entertain a child without a using an iPad.

When I was a child, I would never be home,
I’d be out with my friends, on our bikes we would roam.
We’d ware holes in our trainers, and graze up our knees;
we’d build our own clubhouse, high up in the trees.

Now the parks are so quiet, it gives me a chill
to see no children outside and the swings hanging still.
There’s no skipping or hopscotch, no church and no steeple,
we’re a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people.

So look up from your phone, shut down that display,
take in your surroundings, and make the most of today.
Just one real connection is all it can take,
to show you the difference that being there can make.

Be there in the moment, when she gives you the look,
that you remember forever, as when love overtook.
The time you first hold her hand, or first kiss her lips,
the time you first disagree, but still love her to bits.

The time you don’t need to tell hundreds, about what you’ve just done,
because you want to share the moment, with just this one.
The time you sell your computer, so you can buy a ring,
for the girl of your dreams, who is now the real thing.

The time you want to start a family, and the moment when,
you first hold your baby girl, and get to fall in love again.
The time she keeps you up at night, and all you want is rest,
and the time you wipe away the tears, as your baby flees the nest.

The time your little girl returns, with a boy for you to hold,
and the day he calls you granddad, and makes you feel real old
The time you take in all you’ve made, just by giving life attention,
and how your glad you didn’t waste it, by looking down at some invention.

The time you hold your wife’s hand, and sit down beside her bed
you tell her that you love her, and lay a kiss upon her head.
She then whispers to you quietly, as her heart gives a final beat,
that she’s lucky she got stopped, by that lost boy in the street.

But none of these times ever happened, you never had any of this,
When you’re too busy looking down, you don’t see the chances you miss.

So look up from your phone, shut down those displays,
we have a finite existence, a set number of days.
Why waste all our time getting caught in the net,
as when the end comes, nothing’s worse than regret.

I am guilty too, of being part of this machine,
this digital world, where we are heard but not seen.
Where we type and don’t talk, where we read as we chat,
where we spend hours together, without making eye contact.

Don’t give in to a life where you follow the hype,
give people your love, don’t give them your like.
Disconnect from the need to be heard and defined
Go out into the world, leave distractions behind.

Look up from your phone, shut down that display,
stop watching this video, live life the real way.

By Gary Turk

There is a first time for everything. Goodbye, 2014!

Every year just gets better, and 2014 was one of the greatest years for me, without a doubt. Countless friends made (okay, I'm obviously exaggerating here, mind you!), fears faced, risks taken, opportunities seized, mistakes made, lessons learnt...it surely wasn't just all rainbows and unicorns, but it was definitely a year to remember. A year with heaps of first time experiences for me.

First time playing the bass.

First time performing for open mic sessions.

First time getting involved in Monash CF.

First time being part of CF camp committee (The games comm, to be precise).

First time receiving a lot of pokemon-related gifts.

First time having a onesie (A PIKACHU onesie, mind you. Thanks, Rojiak Cell :D).

First time sitting in a Myvi with 8 other people...good old Monash days. HAHA.

First time visiting Perth.

First time flying overseas alone (Best flight ever, lololol, no sarcasm intended).

First time emceeing (for CF Camp Skit Night and for OCF Melbourne).

First time leading bible study in OCF.

First time being one of the coffee ministry leaders.

First time talking to so many strangers.

First time actually really missing everyone at home.

First time cooking almost everything I cooked while in Melbourne. *claps for myself HAHA*

First time having a farewell for the second time. Heh heh heh the previous sentence sounded very smart, I must say. #selfpraiseisnopraise #monologue #itsokaykimberly

First time eating durian puffs (I'm not a fan of durians at all but these taste great).

First time getting a fine. In Melbourne Sigh let's not talk about it...

First time going on a banana boat ride.

First time jet skiing.

First time taking a jumpshot at the beach with the sun setting in the background.

First time taking a selfie with mops.

First time sharing a testimony in front of a crowd (I hate public speaking, just so you know).

First time genuinely wanting to read more of God's word.

First time having overly weird friends, whom I came to cherish as friends for life.

First time living apart from the parents.

First time taking risks for someone worth it.

First time being such a driver (in Malaysia) and such a housewife (or maid, whichever you prefer LOL) in Melbourne.

First time using Spotify.

First (and hopefully the last) time failing a uni assignment hahahhaha.

First time going for formal interviews.

First time going on so many road trips in one year.

First time getting double piercings (TWICE. Haha my ears are so sensitive. Sigh).

The list could go on and on, but I'm really thankful that I got to experience everything I experienced in 2014. I wish I could say that I didn't regret a thing, but truth is, there are bound to be things I regret doing/not doing. But life goes on, and I learn from my past. With that being said, here's to a greater 2015! I'm looking forward to this year because I know that greater things are yet to come. Here's to making more new memories with people we love and cherish! May we all grow in our own individual ways, mature spiritually, learn from our past mistakes and make 2015 an unforgettable year. :)

FITTING IN: Transitioning to a new environment

I was reading through my recent posts, and realised that I haven't talked much about my life at all (For the love of carbs, I haven't blogged in forever...haha! But I really do miss blogging.) and sooo, I decided to write this blog post for those who are finding it hard to fit in, whether you're new at school, university or just anywhere in general, really.

Firstly, let me just start off by saying that, I was never really an outspoken person to begin with, and I hardly took the initiative to strike up a conversation with a random person...until I went to Thailand. I don't often tell you life stories, but I shall attempt to type my life out, right here right now lulz.

So at the end of 2010, I moved to Bangkok and attended ISB. It was a completely new environment for me, in terms of the country itself, the language, the culture, the people, the school, the american syllabus, just basically, everything was different. And the school was so massive that it was actually pretty difficult to make friends at first, considering how much of an 'introvert' I was at that point in time. I hardly talked or even laughed when I was at school. The first 3 months was tough, but I obviously made it through my sophomore year! And mind you, I need end up making good friends. :)

After grade 10, I moved to another school to do A levels. SHB. It was definitely a smaller community in SHB, so I think that was a big factor as to why it was easier for me to make friends. And I really did make some really good friends then.

After 2 years, I moved back to Malaysia where I enrolled for Monash's October Intake which was...a pretty small intake, actually. So, this was where my journey really started.

October 2013, I went for orientation--alone--not knowing who I'd be meeting there. I was already a pretty different person by then, I told myself that I was going to talk to people and make new friends, and that was just what I did. Whenever there was a chance to talk someone, I'd just grab that opportunity to have small talk and who knows, they might just end up being my BFF lol (or not). I bumped into many old friends whom I've not met for years, and it was great, but I didn't hang around them forever lol. On Day 3 of orientation, I already found myself hanging out with a group of girls who I hardly knew, but they were so fun to be with and I felt like I'd known them for weeks already. But the funniest thing I remember was, one of them, K, said that her first impression of me was that i was "damn scary and intimidating", because I spoke with an 'accent' and she also told me that she thought I was the "I'm so pretty I'm so smart ha ha ha *flips hair*" type of girl. That totally cracked me up HAHAHA I died. To cut the long story short, I'm super glad that I took the initiative to talk to so many people, or I would never have met such an amazing bunch of people. Really. I met the greatest of friends back in Monash.

And thennn, after about 9 months...I left for Melbourne in July 2014. I was really sad to leave this amazing bunch of people that I've grown love, but oh well, LIFE GOES ON ya feel me? Transitioning to Melbourne wasn't hard to be honest, I was already used to moving schools/countries etc., and I knew quite a number of people here already. However, I still found it difficult to find close friends that I could hang out with and stuff. There were times where I felt pretty lonely, but I think it's really important that you don't let the loneliness get to you, if you know what I mean. I love making new friends, so even though I didn't have a close group of friends that I could talk to whenever I wanted to, I still took the initiative to get to know people. I won't lie, there's bound to be times where I just don't feel like doing anything, but I think I'm doing myself a huge favour by taking the initiative to talk to people, even if you're "the new kid on the block" and you think they should be the one to come up and talk to you first. Just because I'm the new one, it doesn't mean that I have to wait for people to come and talk to me, because sometimes, things just don't go our way and we end up getting disappointed. So if you can help yourself, why not?

I have to be honest though. There are times where no matter how hard you try to get to know some people, you guys are just never gonna get along well or be able to click. But it doesn't matter, if you think you've tried, then so be it. Maybe you'll be better off with a different group of friends!

Right now, I'm still hoping and praying that God will send me good friends--friends that I can hang out with, talk to about anything, build me up as a person and just..I don't know, be a good friend. :) But I believe that I'm going to have an even greater semester next year, and that I'll make those friends. On a side note, I've met sooo many people here that have been such a blessing to me, and have made an impact on my life here; whether big or small, whether they know it or not. Especially those from OCF. I'm really thankful that I went for the OCF orientation alone before classes even started. Haha, these are the people that build me up spiritually while I'm here in Melbourne, and I'm grateful for them.

So to you guys out there who are finding it hard to fit in....don't give up! Gather up the courage to talk to people, and you might soon grow to love people! I assure you, you'll never regret it, and you'll meet sooo many great people. :)

10 common cliches that speak truth

1. Actions speak louder than words.
I can't agree more with this statement. And I can't emphasize more on how disappointing it is when people don't keep to their word. If you say something and don't do it, fine, that's forgivable, but when you promise to do something and don't do it, you're just a (wo)man of empty words.

And don't you dare tell him/her that you love him/her and are willing to do anything for that person when you don't even show it. Because it is by doing those little things that ultimately show him/her that you do love her and appreciate him/her as a person.

2. Love is blind.
...figuratively. Think about it, why do people even break up in the first place?

Mhmmm, uh-huh.

3. You never know what you have till it's gone.
This is probably the truest of all cliches. I think a person wouldn't know how to truly appreciate something or someone until they've really lost it/that person--sometimes, forever.

4. Don't judge a book by its cover.
I've been there. Everyone has. Judging someone based on their outward appearances. But throughout the years, I've learnt to get to know the person first, rather than judging that person based on first impressions because I'm often wrong in a sense that, I later come to realise that there is so much more to that person than I'd imagined.

Of course, it works both ways. You may think someone is 'good' when you first get to know them, but...don't be surprised if (s)he doesn't meet your expectations and turns out to be different than the person you thought (s)he was.

5. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What may seem ugly to you may be beautiful in someone else's eyes. For example, Justin Bieber JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING he's not ugly at all in fact he's far from ugly but yeah he's just not my type. At all.

6. Time will tell.
Need I say more?

7. Laughter is the best medicine.
This is sooooo true omgosh haha. Even if laughing may be the cause of your death, at least you die happy, you know? Hahaha okay choi choi touch wood. But still.

8. Old habits die hard.
Indeed. Killing old habits take more than just doing it you know? It takes determination, patience, perseverance, self control, discipline--well basically, just a really positive mindset.

9. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Don't you think? :) Bahahahaha. Jealousy iz in the airzzz, gurl.

10. Last but not least, everything happens for a reason.
I really do believe that everything does happen for a reason, whether we realise it or not. Sometimes we make mistakes so we can learn from them. Sometimes we succeed so we know that there is hope. Sometimes we fall so we can learn how to get back up again. And sometimes we lose people so we know how to appreciate those around us even more.

More than blessed

I was sitting through my Contemporary Worlds lecture last week and we were talking about how these foreign workers are the people who take on the jobs which, in the eyes of Malaysians, are kind of...degrading? So I was just thinking about it the other day and a thought came to mind.

These people take on jobs such as janitors, rubbish collectors, etc and some people might be thinking, "Why would they take on such jobs?" 

And then there's us. Whether we are 'rich' or'average', most of us are still pretty much complacent with life. But these people, maybe they take on such jobs cause..well, they have nothing to lose in the first place. Earning something is better than not earning anything.

On the other hand, we already have everything we need; and for us, doing such things would just be too much to lose.

I guess all I'm trying to say is, be thankful for what you already have. 

How to lose friends and make enemies (Not a social experiment.)

Inspired by "Dustyhawk". (Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with him, nor does it relate to any of his 'doings'. I just thought I might write another 'How-To' post :D)


First of all, remember that you made friends with those people at one point in time. I mean, one can't really lose friends when in the first place he or she never had any friends to begin with, right? Losing friends and eventually, making enemies, is a gradual process. It takes time, but not too long; that you can bet on. :p

STEP 1
'Accidentally' call them by someone else's name

STEP 2
Stop replying their messages. If you feel bad for a start, take it slow. Just keep replying with one of these:
k
haha
lol
cool
really
oh i see
gtg, bye

STEP 3
Make them pay for your meals and don't pay them back later on

STEP 4
Tell on them whenever they miss classes or lectures

STEP 5
Gossip about them right in front of them

STEP 6
Don't give them a chance to speak. Or in other words, just keep interrupting their every sentence

STEP 7
Insult their partners

STEP 8
But hang out with them (their partners)

STEP 9
Make promises, and break them

STEP 10
Just pretend they don't exist

And that's how you "Lose Friends and Make Enemies"! ^__^ Simple, right?

By the way, there is a reason why I wrote this post. I just wanted to remind people (including myself) that, these things do hurt your 'friends', and if you continue doing any of these things, you might just lose a friend.

Also, check out my post on 'How to procrastinate like a boss' if you haven't already! Here's the link: http://kimbleeboey.blogspot.com/search/label/how-to%27s

Have a great month ahead! And Merry Christmas in advance! :)

MASA TERBANG BEGITU LAJU WEIH.

Wow, how time flies. I remember feeling all pumped up about first day of orientation and now, we're already almost 4 weeks in. Oh, and just in case you guys are wondering...I'm having a great time in uni right now. I love hanging around with my bunch of not-so-sane girls and catching up with other friends in uni. Other than the fact that my Arts course has a crapload of reading, and I really do mean it, I think the content is all pretty interesting. :) I also started attending CF since week one, and I have no regrets whatsoever (despite the fact that I have to stay back after uni and wait forever 3.5-4 hours for CF to start). I love making new friends every week and I love how spiritually nourishing CF is, for me.

I've been managing my time considerably well (so far) but I hope I won't start to slack because...well this is only the beginning (HAHA.) and assignments are starting to pile uppp! Oh well. :(

On a brighter note. I finally got my driving license, haha. Partayyy! I hated driving lessons man.

Till next time, guys. I kinda miss blogging but I haven't really had the time to do so these past few weeks. Stay good, peepo! :D And remember to count your blessings!