Driving License Procedure 8.0 (qti)

This post covers two driving lessons because I don't have time to write two separate ones as one of them is quite short on its own.

Wednesday afternoon: Went with WQ to practical today. We wore the same bright orange YE shirt. Hahaha. The point is to blind Uncle so that he'll let us drive on our own. LOL but we ended up looking like toddler twins whose mother dressed them in the same clothes.

A normal practice on a Wednesday afternoon. Not many cars so it's very easy to maneuver. I practised all the inside stuff first. Hill was ok, not that accurate. Parking was good. 3-point though was sort of unstable (like I can't get it right every time). Uncle let me drive to A and B roads. I was improving a lot now, no more jerky movements. =)

So Uncle asked me to go again tomorrow, for QTI (Qualifying Test at the Institute). It's sort of like a pre-test. OMG. Can't believe it. >.< Nervous to the max!!!

Car reversing out from the 3point, which is weird.

Thursday morning: Woke at 6 something early in the morning. Tired like shit, not sure how to drive properly later. Uncle picked me up at school, with two others. Once there I started practising the insides. My first 3point was the worst of all time. I hit the front rocks then when reversing I hit the back rocks because I braked with the gas pedal =.= Very not awake. I also met Eileen while going up the hill together. We chatted while waiting for the QTI to start.

After one more round Uncle registered me for the QTI. After signing the forms I was shell-shocked when he told me I'm the first one for today. Oh my God. I was so freaking scared. The guy who tested me was an old Malay man with a scrunched-up, permanently frowning face and white wispy hair. He looked scary. He was reading newspaper in his car (an old silver Kancil number 3). After putting the newspaper down he honked at the counter and the counter gave me my forms.
I shakily went to the car and gave him the forms.

Lots of cars >.<

Me: Selamat pagi tuan.
Him: Selamat pagi.
Me: (omg what am I supposed to say now? Never mind, I'll just start checking the stuff)
I made all the necessary checking. Only checked the side mirrors and not adjusting them because I don't fancy reaching across him to adjust the left one.
Him: Pergi Jalan B har.
Me: Ok. (squeaks) (omg, I thought I'm testing inside first)
Me: Erm...tuan, boleh start jalan?
Him: O..k, boleh jalan.
Me: Ok. (squeaks)

*Clutch in.* OMG. This car has a higher clutch! Meaning I have to step deeper in to engage it. =.= God help me. I am NOT used to this!!! Shit. I am DOOMED. Oh well. Let's go.
*Gas in, lift clutch.* Erhmm..how come the car doesn't move? *lifts a bit more* Ok...moving now. *turns*. Move...move...stop. *clutch in, brake*. Engine DIED. Poor tester jerks to the front. His face stays impassive.

A car doing the 3point turn.

Wtf. What happened??? I just realized a bit later that I probably did not fully engaged the stupid stupid stupid high clutch. I was SO freaked out by then. I haven't even gotten out of the entrance! I was SO afraid I'd already failed. But he didn't say anything. So I freed the gear, turned off the air-conditioner and started the engine again. This time I made sure my foot stepped on clutch fully. Unfortunately this made me sink lower and I couldn't even see much of the road. =.=

Well what to do. I turned out onto the road, went down the hill and stopped at the junction.
Him: Jalan B.
Me: Ok.
So I went the B route. When I reached the first traffic light it was red from a distance away, so I slowed down hoping it would turn green when I reached it. Unfortunately it did not. So I stopped, wondering how to move again. >.< Thank God I did move without causing the engine to die. *sighs in relief*

A LOT of cars in the morning~ traffic jam inside LOL

What the hell, there was another red light waiting for me at the Lip Sin junction. @#$%^&* >.< So I stopped again. Then a car came out from the clinic from a gate and went into the clinic by another gate. It's starting to feel like everyone was against me :"(

I was a bit worried about the changing of 4th gear to 2nd gear near the end of the route, but I managed it. The rest of the way was easier so it's ok. I managed the roundabout clumsily (LOL, I've always hated that thing) and stopped. He got down from the car and told me to go do the inside stuff. So I went to the hill, did it quite nicely, and looked around for the tester.

No sign of him. Zzz. I turned around to look, and there he was, sitting on the bench near the counter looking at my forms. =.= Wtf. I thought he was supposed to stand at the tower testing me???!!! Please don't tell me I've failed the road and there was no point testing the rest! Oh well. So what if I fail. Just treat this round like any other practice rounds.

Queueing for the hill practice.

So I drove down the hill (couldn't find the shudder, so relied on the second feeling), went to a different lot in side parking (testing one was being used), parked my car perfectly, came out, went to the 3-point-turn, miraculously did it quite successfully (that car has a looser steering wheel) and came out, turned to the roundabout then stopped. Next up was Eileen who smiled nervously at me. I smiled nervously back. LOL.

Tester told me to go to the counter to take my stuff, so I went to sign out then took my license back. Asked the counter guy how was the results. He gave me a thumbs-up. Hahaha. Relief swept over me. Thanks so much! Couldn't stop grinning.

So...I practised C road once and twice around the inside track again~ then went home at 12pm. Many people waiting for QTI then. It is really simple to pass. Let's hope the JPJ one will be at least quite easy...>.< But honestly? I'd rather test this a million times over SPM. God I'm still worrying over SPM. :( Let's hope too that I don't have a nervous breakdown on that day. >.< Going with YP! Haha. Thank God I have a friend with me next week, or else I don't know how to survive. Zzz.

Super tired! Yay~ passed one! Good luck on the next!

Jolly Breakfast With Friends

This post will be a little short, but I'm hoping you can feel the warmth from it. :D

The mini breakfast-themed "gathering" was started by a classmate, who posted it on FB and we all who were free that morning agreed to go. To this date the post broke a record with over 400 comments in our group. LOL.
This is what happens when we haven't talked to each other for a long time. We talked through comments.

Anyway, I was free that morning (but not afternoon, I had a car practical) so I agreed to go, but only if someone drove me there. ZG said he could drive me so that's ok. Woke up at 7am sharp and morning called Abel at 7.10. =.= He sounded like he was gonna drop off to sleep again.

ZG drove a few of us to the coffee shop and we were joined by many others. Totalling up to 12 people. Our table was so large it obstructed the way. Lol. Had chicken rice, a few had hokkien mee. I forgot who treated us to the meal (and drinks), I just remember it was the guys, because we have already "give face" by showing up. Thanks anyway =D

The food wasn't important, it was the people there that made the whole breakfast so special. I've literally forgotten how to laugh freely with a group of friends. =.= There was a whole lot of laughter and chatter from us, everyone talking at the same time and laughing even when there was no joke. No sudden silence. The chatter continued from the start till the end. It all felt very warm and happy.

We ate for over an hour because of the endless talking and laughing and making jokes and being crazy. Two of us left early for work, but the rest of us drove to the new Balik Pulau market (for no reason) and ended up at the playground where we could hang out as long as we want without "obstructing the way". Haha.

Super love this picture! <3

We did a lot of catching up and ceaseless talk. They "bullied" the see-saw by having many people sitting on it. Thank God the see-saw is a modern one. If it's old and made of wood or something softer, surely it would be broken by then. By the way I had almost the same phone with another friend. LOL right? His is a black Xperia S though, mine's SL. We also chatted about our driving lessons. Abel was stunned when we told him how Uncle mentioned him during every single lesson. Haha.

Bullying the see-saw

Bullying the slide.

JM across from me

Laughter & Chatter

At the end of the day (well it was only 10.30am) we dispersed and went back. Abel drove me home with ZG's car. And...that's the end! A jolly breakfast, with friends and lots of laughing. =)
Makes me miss high school days in class! =P

Till then,

Driving License Procedure 7.0

I'm driving again! :D Unfortunately the day before I was doing physical activities at Escape, so I woke up aching all over. LOL. But I still insisted on going to lesson because I love driving too much LOL.

This time I'm with WQ and JM. Uncle picked me up at my old house, then headed for Cemerlang. JM started driving first because I was a bit blur. Plus the driving site is TEEMING with cars, cars and more cars. And learning ones at that.

By the way this is my L license! Only saw it today.

Recipe for disaster: Put a lot of learning cars in a small enclosed compound. =.= Can't even move without having to brake every few metres or so. And to use the parking/3 point/hill? Queue up at the end of the line, please.

Ended up JM also blur as well, because her first few 3-point-turns were not that good. >.<

Even funnier was she almost hit JiaYi's car when reversing. He honked like hell. I laughed to death at that. Fortunately it wasn't me. LOL.

The back of the license

Mine's just ok, not perfect yet. I couldn't turn the steering fast enough using the method Uncle taught, so I ended up just turning the way I feel best and looking like a drowning dog struggling for life. LOL. Well who cares, as long as I didn't hit the stones or cross the lines.

After a few rounds Uncle took WQ to the B road. JM and I then started taking photos of our L licenses which we only saw today. I also took a photo with my airbrush tattoo, before it fades.

Then it was JM's turn to go A and C road. WQ and I waited in the office because there's air conditioning there and it was much cooler. Then it was my turn. Hmm...I did improve pretty much. At least much better than the last time. LOL the last time was the worst. This time I managed not to almost-accident. Although Uncle did brake for me because I always brake to stop at the last minute, and he always thought I wasn't going to stop. I went B and C roads. Both are easier than A.

See, our L licenses together. :D BFFs forever.

It's a hugely great thing to have lived near the site for 14 years. I've travelled along all three roads for God knows how many times. So it's super easy to remember the routes (no memorizing needed!), the only thing to learn is the technical details, like how to gauge my turn for the lights to go green, and how much to turn the steering to round a corner, etc.

Ahh..why so serious WQ???

After my turn Uncle went to fill up the car (needle points on E totally) and we talked together. I chatted a bit with JiaYi, turns out he already passed his QTI and his test is on Wed. Omg. He's so fast. We had our theory class together, so he's like double my speed! Never mind, I wanna make sure I mastered it all first! This will improve my confidence during the test.

Taken while WQ prepares to go up the hill

I've pretty mastered the hill, and the 3point is ok, so Uncle decided to teach me (and JM) the side parking. It wasn't that difficult, but there are some steps to remember, and the hardest part isn't parking in the car, but rather getting out of the parking lot. >.< My parking is quite perfect, but I kept crossing the other side of the line. Zzz. That means fail.

Taken from inside car! I'm bored, see.

But anyway, I've learnt all the insides and outsides! I'm fit for QTI! But obviously I still need some practice...or else I'll never be confident enough. Next practice scheduled for this Wed afternoon. Super good thing because Wed is a test day, which means that instructors will avoid the day. (Actually the site is available for use in the afternoon, but most instructors don't want the hassle) Means there will be a lot lot lot LESS cars! Which is GREAT, because then we have the whole site to ourselves.  I'm probably testing BEFORE CNY...nervous like shit!

Never mind~ here's a photo of mine taken on that day to cheer myself up >.<

Taken inside car, can you believe it? LOL that's just how I am, taking pics everywhere :P

Photos taken by me and JM. Took some of the photos using JM's phone in the back seat because too terribly bored when it's not my turn. LOL haha. Anyway, good luck to me on the next practice!
Till then,

Escape Theme Park: Learn To Be. Dauntless.

Note: Many pictures posted in this post. You might need faster Internet to see all. 

Accompanied friends to Escape Theme Park, Teluk Bahang, Penang today. It's a new theme park that was officially opened at the end of last year in Penang, a first in the island.

Finally! Now we don't have to travel all the way to Lost World in Perak or Sunway Lagoon in KL to enjoy being at a theme park! Plus, the water version of the park, Waterplay is supposed to be done next year. So it's gonna be a full-fledged park by then!

The part that we went is called Adventureplay, a place I imagined Divergent's Dauntless faction's playground. (It's a novel series) Fyi, the Dauntless members values bravery and courage extremely. So this would be their kind of playground, you know for new members' initiation.

There were eight of us, me, JM, JY, YY, SH, ZG, JY's sister and her friend. Despite news about the potential danger especially the flying fox (some people got hurt), we went anyway. (really dauntless at this). At first I didn't want to go, but in the end I couldn't stand boredom so I went with them.

We rode Rapid 501 to Escape. SH left his motorcycle at my house and accompanied me to wait at the road in front of my house (his house is nearer to mine than the bus terminal). Joined the rest of them at around 9 and talked all the way to Escape. Reached Escape around 9 something (didn't keep track) and started to shoot photos, starting with the entrance.

Purchased tickets! Tickets are priced at RM48 per adult (13-60 years old) for Malaysian citizens. It is expensive. But it's a theme park, and theme parks are never cheap. So~ that's that.

But the thing that makes us frustrated was the fact that we have to put all our foods and drinks in a large box at the entrance. Not allowed to bring outside food and drinks, including mineral water. If they allow, we would never have bought any food from the park. They charged their food and drinks at exorbitant prices.

I'm not really bravery material (so I would never be able to choose Dauntless as my faction), so it was a bit of a difficult task to brave the activities I saw on my way in. >.< Here's how it looks like after the entrance.

I just noticed that except for JM, we all wear white without planning! Haha~ LOL.

This is how it looks like...

A little bit worrying how am I going to survive through this. LOL. I am not a fan of extreme sports and activities. But I've entered the park. No way I can back out right?
We rented two lockers to stuff our bags in. A locker costs RM5 but we have to pay RM15, RM10 as deposit until we return the locker key.

Okay...deep breath. We tried the Monkey Business first, since it's closest to us. It's sort of an obstacle course but above the ground. You can see all its obstacles in the above photos. The first level is not that high. Second level is higher and third is the highest. Third would also be the scariest.

We tried Level 1 first. There were no one there yet, so we didn't have to queue at all. (Later in the day, the queue for it is crazy long!) I don't remember all of the obstacles. It's a short course. The first obstacle consists of three thin ropes, one for each hand to grip and the third one for feet. It's like walking along a tightrope, only with two other ropes for holding on. It was sort of scary looking, but interesting really. Wasn't that scared because I could hold on, but hated it when it started to swing a bit in the middle. =.=

I gave up on the Monkey Business after completing the last obstacle. It's like a lot of separate U-shaped ropes tied in a line, with two other ropes for holding on. You have to cross to the other side by putting a foot on each U shaped rope. I wasn't that worried....until I tried and realized I couldn't reach the second U rope. Zzz. The feeling was horrible. I had to jump back with the help of friends and try again. It was the hardest among all the obstacles. >.< Was worried enough not to go on to Level 2. I know, I know. I'm a coward. =.= But I rather be a coward on the ground than a coward hanging at an obstacle. That would be worse, everyone would have seen it =.=

All of them wanted to go on to Level 2 and no one wanted to try the second Level 1 route, so I left to find a camera and took photos of them. Heh, lucky them. If everyone continued, there would be no photos. So I think I'm still really useful. :P Here are some photos of them, all on Level 2. I couldn't find good photos of JY because she's moving TOO FAST! The monkey leader is too much in her own monkey heaven! She's the most excited of us all on this trip.

See the white shirts people on the right platform? Left: ZG, Right: YY. And the white shirt guy on the left platform is SH.

SH being monkey! =D

ZG is a monkey~ :P

YY is another monkey! =)

Monkey friends conquering THE NET.

YY monkeying with the obstacle!

SH the monkey trying to overcome this obstacle.

SK and YY on a platform waiting for their turn.

JM and SH before going on Level 2.

JM the monkey posing a sexy strong pose wahaha. The obstacle looks tough!

SK the pink monkey grinning at the camera from two storeys high up

ZG grinning at the camera as well...

I waited for them at the Tattoo stall. The woman there was quite kind enough to let me took shelter there. As Level 2 is a longer route, I ended up having an airbrush temporary tattoo. Costs RM5. It's just a chinese word, 爱, in the traditional chinese writing. Meaning "Love", and is also the last chinese character in my name. Chose it because I wanted to have something meaningful, and it has a double role, as my name and as "love" on its own. Had it on my inner wrist because there is a pulse there and it feels closer to heart. =)

JY's sister, SK came to find me for water after she finished Level 2. The rest of them still wanted to go on to the next Level 2 route (three of them in all). A big bottle of mineral water and a small can of 100 Plus both cost RM4. Of course, I bought the big bottle of water because then can share with everyone. (We ended up buying three big bottles of water)

There are even chickens walking freely there!

Discovery Dig place. Why do I look weird?

SK and me decided to ride the Tubby Racer after waiting forever for them. In this activity we have to lug the tub all the way up a hill to ride it down. Super tiring because the hill is quite steep! We tied our tubs together and rode down the straight route. And screamed all the way. Funny thing is when we stopped, we realized it was fun and not scary and there was no reason to scream at all. Haha.

Met up with the rest of them near the food court, and had a rest. We refused to buy any food because it was too expensive and we already have bags of food at the entrance anyway. So we just bought bottles of water to share with each other and took lots of photos.

First photo!

Second one!

Third one! Still cannot fit everyone in. Give up!!!

Money Card for Escape! Used this to pay for anything in the park. It should feature monkeys instead. LOL

I'm tired! :P

Soooooo tired! >.<

On the swing!

Like this pic! Including the background! With JY the monkey leader. :P

Afterward we went to play Tubby Racer again. First time we took the curve route, which was super super bumpy and made me worried I would be thrown out of the tub. Being in a single tub also means the tub twisted and rotated at its own free will. Zzz. I was too busy making sure I didn't fall out to scream. The second time (third for me and last! Too tiring to lug the tub all the way up!) we took the straight way down. I went with JM. It was fun and we screamed for fun too. Hahaha.
But it's not really worth it to play too many times because we had to lug it up for 10 minutes and rode it down in 10 seconds. Zzz.

The tracks!

We take group photos at every possible moment LOL.

Later we had an ice-cream so that having some sugar in the blood would be better. Then we went to the Go Ape activity to witness JY be a monkey (or an ape). She is really like one LOL. I took the photos for her. She managed to climb all the way up the first tree, and halfway up the second tree.

Look at the monkey! :P

Admittedly she's good at climbing stuff..LOL

I've never laid inside a hammock before! It super super super rocks! I feel like a baby again! I could've dozed off if only this hammock is at my house. *sighs* I think I want a hammock instead of bed for sleeping. LOL it's really comfortable and environmentally friendly, only a piece of fabric needed, no plastic or wood whatsoever.

Look how sleepy my expression is.

The rest of them were too tired and rested at the children's playground LOL. On my way to find them I had a few photos taken of myself and the green, green surroundings.

JM and I! BFFs ya~ =) We look so nice unedited. :P

Mermaid? LOL like this pic <3 ^.^

I wanted to play Tarzan (the swing thing) but there were too many people queueing. >.< So we went to the Gecko Tower for a last activity before going to wait for the bus. It's a tall square building made to look like a house with four sides of different scenes to climb up to the top. Each side has two ways up. So a person could climb eight times up if they want. It was different from rock climbing and really more fun, because we could actually climb up by using window bars, air-conditioner units, pipes, nets, wooden bars and so on. It's very interesting. We can also record the time spent to climb to the top with a timer.

Putting helmets on~

Waiting in line!

Our last stop is the Gift Shop, where we browsed through the horribly expensive things and redeemed our money that was left in the Money Card. Took a photo with JY and the hats! :P I don't think it's allowed though.

We waited for the bus for more than an hour..>.< but we had a good time catching up and talking as well as eating our food on a grassy patch by the roadside. :D Was super tired and surprisingly extremely dizzy on the way back. I'm not dizzy along hill roads, am used to them already for many years. I guessed I must be too tired. Kept praying for the bus to be faster. SH and I alighted near my house. Finally!

Very, very tiring, but quite fun really. Best part was being able to spend the day with friends. =) Best for thrill-seekers and fans of extreme physical activities. There is also a bungee jump but extra payment of RM20 needed, so we didn't go. If you decide to go, here are some tips for you:

• Bring gloves! Especially if you're planning to conquer all levels of Monkey Business. Gloves are for sale at RM5 at Escape.
• Bring lots of food and water, then put half into the box at the entrance. If the guard sees you have already put something in, chances are he won't check your bag. Then you can save on the food and especially water.
• Go early in the day. Best to go a little after 9am, just after it's opened. Then you can play a few of the activities without needing to queue like crazy and waste time. 
• You pay for extras in the park with a Money Card, which can be topped up at RM30, 50 or 100. So bring more than RM48 of entrance ticket!
• Oh and by the way, bring your stamina!

More information on the theme park HERE.

And here's a last photo to wrap up this post. I absolutely love the significance of this photo. It was taken before we exited Escape. Friends forever, guys!

Happy playing! 

Till then,