I wonder if my nerves are fried. I usually get worried or panicky when it comes to exams, but now I'm just... anything but afraid. A bit uninspired, somewhat bored, a little determined and hopeful. It's all strange. ._.'

Tomorrow's the first day of my finals. I'm not afraid of Monday and Tuesday because I know I'll pass. I wish I can just aim higher, like studying for a distinction or something, but I'm just so unmotivated... and maybe a bit lazy. I'm just should be afraid of Thursday, but I'm not. Because even if all seems hopeless, there's still the tiniest of hope somewhere.

I'm not prepared, but I'm already looking forward to the future. November 16th, when the exam ends. November 20th, when I return to Malaysia. November 22nd, when I leave for Kota A Famosa. End of November, when I leave for Japan.

I wonder... if I'm just trying to escape from fear?

Anyways, this is my exam schedule:

Mon (9/11) - Accounting (Managerial Control)
Tues (10/11) - Accounting (External Reporting)
Thurs (12/11)- Finance (Principles)
Mon (16/11) - Law (Business Organisation)

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Enough of the ramblimgs. For my fellow Malaysians who are currently reading my journal, kindly take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to fill this questionnaire. It's for my friend, 's assignment. So either note your answers to her (preferable option) or place 'em in the comment box (ya lazy bums!). She would also appreciate it if you could spread this along to your friends and family as well. :3 Just make sure you send your answers before Nov 12th!

Here is the questionnaire:

Hello

I am Tham, from Penang, and I am studying Teaching English as Second Language ( TESL ) at Open University Malaysia.

One of the core subjects I am taking is called Sociolinguistics in Language Teaching, which is a study of the relationship between language and society. My fellow classmates and I were given an assignment which requires as many local respondents as we can.

Please allow me to explain to you what assignment am I undergoing and how can you help in giving back a feedback.

The Sociolinguistic assignment I am undergoing right now, requires a case study to the use of Jargon and slang in the Malaysian social context. We need as many respondents as we can to conclude how many of us use Jargon and Slang in our daily conversations between :

-Primary school going children
-Teenagers
-Professional group

Now you may not understand a single word I am saying. So let me help you make it easier to understand, all right?

A Jargon is a word or words that is meant for technical use. People who are in the same group understands what those words mean. For example, if you are a computer user you are familiar with the terms "drag 'n drop" or "copy/paste" and even "control alternate delete". These are Jargon only computer users are familiar with, and much easier to catch on what you mean, than those who rarely uses a computer, or does not own a computer.

A slang is a rather informal use of language when you are talking to someone. Often you hear " cops " which is a general slang for " police officers " and that is an example of slang in general use. " Doc " can meant " doctor ", " Professor " and even a " PhD" holder.

Now that you have a basic idea what Jargon and Slang are, you may now give your feedback. Here is how : You only need to answer the questions below, and reply back to me as soon as possible. Some only requires you to mark an X in the [] space, but there are several others that need much more detailed feedback. The latter is more important to help make the case study more presentable when I need to make a conclusion.

I thank you very much in advance for your kind feedback. Please do not hesitate to send me a Note if you come across assignments that requires public respondents. I shall do my best in return of the favor.

Shall we start? For [] questions mark an [x] to what applies to you.

A . You are..
[]male
[]female
[]Malay
[]Chinese
[]Indian
[]Other ethnic race
[]secondary school student
[]secondary school graduate
[]college/university student
[]college student/university graduate
[]working in [company name here] as a[n] [job profession here]
[]currently job-hunting

B. You have..
[]sibling[s] who is/are in primary school.
[]cousin[s] who is/are in primary school.
[]nephew[s]/niece[s] who is/are in primary school.
[]child/children who is/are in primary school.

C. You...
[]understand what is a Jargon
[]slightly understand what is a Jargon
[]do not understand what is a Jargon
[]understand what is a Slang
[]slightly understand what is a Slang
[]do not understand what is a Slang

D. During a conversation you are most likely ...
[]the one who speaks.
[]the one who listens.
[]the one who interferes a conversation with ideas of your own.
[]few of the above.
[]all of the above.

E-A. When you speak you..
[]use Jargon frequently
[]use Jargon occasionally
[]seldom use a Jargon
[]use Slang frequently
[]use Slang occasionally
[]seldom use a Slang

E-B. When you speak you are very likely to ..
[]add "-lah", "meh", "lo", "kot" etc in your speech ( Apalah, Boleh-kot?, Expensive meh? What-lah you etc )
[]speak in your own language/dialect
[]speak in broken English/Manglish/Chinglish ( "I belanja you makan" , "This one cheap-cheap one buy lah" )
[]speak in proper English. ( "Let's have lunch. My treat." , "Please purchase our product. It's inexpensive and affordable." )
[]few of the above
[]all of the above

The next set of questions require your feedback. Please take your time to look them through before answering. If you stumble upon a question you are unfamiliar with, please put N/A in your answer.

1.1 Do you think Jargon and Slang play a role in our Malaysian social conversation?
[]yes
[]no
[]not sure

1.2 Why ?
[]they help reflect our social status and background
[]they help reflect our behaviour when speaking
[]other opinions, or if your answer was 'no' or 'not sure' : __

2. Would you believe you have used a Jargon and/or Slang in your conversation, even if you do not realise it?
[]Yes. I might have used a Jargon/Slang during a conversation without realising.
[]No. I do not think I have.

3. Let us assume you are using a Jargon/Slang in your daily conversation. Please note the e.g. given is an example so do try improvise/replace with a real experience happening/happened in your life.

3.1 What is most likely the event that leads you to use a Jargon/Slang? (e.g.game of Chess)

3.2 What Jargon would you have used?
(e.g. Check or Check-mate, standard terms heard in a game of Chess)

3.3 What Slang would you have used?
(e.g. Oh my piece is 'eaten'. 'Eaten' in here refers to " defeated " )

3.4 Why would you have used those Jargon and Slang?
(e.g. The chess terms existed to help the game running. The slang is just something I am used to say when playing with a sibling/parent/friend )

4. Do you think we Malaysians can still understand each other without the use of Jargon/Slang? Why?

5. Lastly, would you mind sharing with me some Jargon and Slang you have heard of in your surrounding between your family/neighbourhood/school/workplace ?


Thank you very much.

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And now, for some PIMPIN'!

is having financial difficulties. He's accepting commissions for a pretty low price. He draws great art, so help him out if you can! :3

And while I've advertised her before, but one can never advertise enough. 8D is accepting commissions as well. Check out her wonderful gallery! X3

deserves an honorable mention for her dedication in designing cards. Though her cards are based on her creative works which most of you may not know, please give her some love and support as well.

Of course, if I mentioned Zhaska, I must also mention . He can... create wonders out of Paint, and he's recently joined dA, so give him a warm welcome (and some love!)

*scratches chin* Four is an unlucky number, so I shall end it with my, ahem, 'cousin': , a budding artist/photographer. Give her some love as well! ;3

Gee, pimping is fun. I really should do it again next time. XD