Work today was eventful.

I come into the Staff Room with a tub full of pasta salad and a tray covered with bread pizza (garnished with mushrooms, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese), both homemade. Co-workers ask me "Didn't you get the memo?," in return I ask, "What memo?" March's potluck was postponed, unbeknownst to me, because the brain behind this monthly event is feeling under the weather. Which explains the funny faces as I made my way across the store carrying the Italian-themed dishes. My siblings contributed tremendously as I was pressed for time, for which I'm appreciative of. The meal was still recognized as there were many thank yous and only scraps were left by the end of my shift.

After half a year working here (wow, it has been that long eh?), I finally received my 3-months appraisal. My probation lasted from September to November, and I was supposed to get it then. But Christmas came and that was that. A pay raise comes with this review, and I won't be shortchanged since I'm going to get the raise from November onwards converted to a hefty bonus in my next paycheck! Equation: $ = (:

Did you turn off the lights today for Earth Hour? As a partner city, Toronto successfully did. I'm glad everyone had an input in this, even though it does come across as gimmicky, an efficient, energy-saving one at that. Most importantly awareness was raised. Just the conspicuousness of being the only brightly lit home, store or building would pressure anyone to take action. Our store did dim the lights and switched off the glare at aisles slightly before 8pm to 9pm. I was hoping for something more drastic, but we did our best. As we all been told by our mama, it's bad for our eyes to read in the dark.

In the midst of the professor going on about how there's likely no escaping cancer if we have a family history of it, an acquaintance in today's BGYB11 lecture made my day by writing this on a Post-it note.

"If you want to be thin, go to Tokyo. Proven by Gause's principle of self-thinning."

Not exactly the most ecologically accurate since self-thinning may lead to greater growth, but it was a good laugh. Well, Hong Kong works too if Japan isn't your cup of tea.

My first Co-op work term will be with the Ontario Ministry of Environment. I attended an interview on Monday, got an Offer of Employment the same day, and accepted it yesterday after carefully considering the feasibility of other options that might even be inexistent for all I know. Toronto Zoo, I'm pointing at you.

I arrived half an hour early for the 9.30am interview, even before my soon-to-be supervisor, Ms. Lynda Nakamoto. The 4-months position from April 28th to late-August is as the Algal Laboratory Technician. It involves the repetitive task of sampling algae and phytoplankton from lake water and recording data. Although this job is mainly indoors, being linked to the Sport Fish and Biomonitoring Unit means I may get a chance to go to lakes around Ontario.. I don't know, maybe catch a few fish?

The weekly pay is good considering this being my first Co-op job; the hours are flexible as long as I steadily fulfill 37.5 hours per week; and to have the prestige that is the name of the Ministry of Environment gracing my Resume as a student abroad is no less a boost. In addition, I get to continue on in Toronto with my cherished position at Indigo. My summer then would consist of full-time weekday work, and more work part-time on weekends.

Missing out on summer activities (festivals, parades!) and my family's presence during my brother's convocation are sacrifices in line. Another lament is the distance to travel to Etobicoke. Actually in perspective, it takes around the same time to get there as it does to UTSC in the east. This is what I get for living in central Toronto: the best of two ends. But no buses stop at the building's doorstep so a 10-minutes walk along the 401 highway to get there means I get to have the company of the summer heat on my long walk.

Besides having made your point, thanks for this ironic photo moment!

Despite retaining the majority, the Barisan Nasional front suffered its largest lost of Parliamentary seats in the recent Malaysia General Election to only achieve a simple majority while conceding five states to the opposition.

Although I think this is a timely welcome shift, it still is a great shock to me. My brother, particularly as a socialist, is pleasantly surprised. We grew up in a strongly BN-led Malaysia, much of it developing with mega-projects that transformed the skyline of the capital city and my hometown, Kuala Lumpur. I always thought BN has been doing a good job in moving Malaysia forward, despite certain racially-sensitive issues which was one of the tensions that boiled over in this recent election. The incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who I have viewed as a more people's person than his predecessor and doing a decent work in changing gears in Malaysia's economy, was hurt by displeasure over him "sleeping on the job". I was under the impression of an invincible BN-front, but that has now been successfully contested. Did BN fall because they were too complacent?

Maybe similar lessons can be learnt for Singapore's political scene. I'm pro-PAP as I believe it is the right government for the island state. Despite them claiming and trying to keep in touch with time, they still lack on political freedom and self-rights in terms of its stance on free speech, homosexuality, etc., and these will no doubt be points of reconsideration down the road.

Was it time for a change? With the return of Anwar Ibrahim and a stronger opposition front, so much is changing in the political landscape of Malaysia. If the opposition proves to be competent, they will gain major inroads. As long as it isn't led by PAS, the party that wants a radical Islamist state for a country where at least 40% of the population are of a different race. Good luck to the future of Malaysia.

A Fine Frenzy (or Alison Sudol), that's the female indie singer whose songs are played on heavy rotation at my workplace. I greatly recommend her debut album One Cell In The Sea. Song #06 is the one that didn't go away. Enjoy the playlist!