Pushy African

A student who missed two Mid Term tests held TWO weeks ago, despite the dates of the tests being announced in advance and then reminded over and over again, insists that I allow him to take the tests now. The said student as well as his classmates were also told that if they were absent from either tests there would be NO taking the tests at a later date.

This student (he's African, by the way) has been harassing me for the past two days to allow him to take the test when he discovered that both missed tests amounted to 50% of the final grade (also something that I made clear to the class in the first week of class). He rarely comes to class and most probably wasn't aware of the marks breakdown which I explicitly explained in class --- ha, what a surprise!

His excuse for missing both Mid Term tests? He had to visit a friend in the Kajang Prison (can't help wondering what was going on that he just HAD TO visit his pal in prison on the day of the test...hmmm... someone suggested to me that perhaps it wasn't a friend he was visiting in prison but rather, he himself was locked up!).  He also told me that he was in hospital on the day of the test and produced a receipt from a hospital dated January 9 for a test that was held on January 19 --- hmmm... it seems like he has a problem comprehending numbers now....! The education system in the country which he comes from (Republic of Guinea) can't really be that bad, can it (I mean, to the extent of producing people who don't know the difference between January 9 and January 19 --- that's a difference of 10 DAYS!!!)?

Crimson China by Betsy Tobin

A story about an illegal immigrant from China and a woman who was about to commit suicide when she saved the immigrant from drowning and how their lives are intertwined.

Bookends by Jane Green

I love Jane Green's novels.

This one's about a girl, her best friend (a boy) and once upon a time close friend who suddenly makes an appearance in their lives after many years.

The Bone Setter's Daughter by Amy Tan

Ruth, an American born Chinese, fears that she is losing her mother, LuLing, to dementia. Ever since she was young, Ruth's mother seemed to believe that she had the ability to communicate with the spirit world and with Precious Auntie's spirit.

LuLing was raised by a nursemaid, Precious Auntie, who was mute and burnt. LuLing's mother did not show much love towards her and seemed to prefer her younger sister Goa Ling. Precious Auntie, however, was devoted to caring for LuLing.

LuLing later learns, after Precious Auntie's death, that she is actually Precious Auntie's daughter and that the woman who she thought was her mother all along was actually her father's sister.

Luling is sent away to a Christian orphanage after Precious Auntie's death and later becomes a teacher. She and her sister, Goa Ling, later immigrate to the US and marry brothers.

This story is about Ruth's learning of her mother's past and gaining an understanding into her mother's behaviour.

Bookcrossing

I went by to 1-Utama two days ago thinking that I was going to drop off some book crossing books and maybe see what might be available to be picked up. The little white book cabinet wasn't in its normal spot. Hmmm.....strange, I thought. Thinking that the 1-Utama management had relocated it to another part of the mall (as they had done in the past), I found myself walking to the other end of the mall looking for the Book Crossing Zone. Upon not finding the little white book cabinet there as well, I finally resorted to asking the staff at the Information Counter only to be told that the 1-Utama management have discontinued providing the service! :( The Book Crossing Zone in 1-Utama is GONE!!! :( :( :(

Sigh... and here I was thinking that 1-Utama is a great mall that is involved in community service... I guess I thought wrong. Now, what do I do with my Book Crossing books???

Starbucks 2012 Planner

At 23:00 tonight, I finally redeemed my free Starbucks 2012 planner from the Mid Valley outlet :) It comes tissue wrapped and presented in a nice black box.

Duduk Cafe @ Publika

I went down to Duduk Cafe in Publika two nights ago after reading numerous positive reviews on it. We ordered the Spaghetti Meatballls and Beef Burger.

The service was slow. The Spaghetti Meatballs was over done and the meatballs were burnt. The quality of  ground beef used for the meatballs was poor.  The Beef Burger was also overdone and dry. The chips that came with the Beef Burger was good though.

This is certainly one restaurant that I won't be going back to and I certainly won't be recommending to others :(