After badminton, Me, Jonathan and Felix went to eat at McD's. I'm starting to like McD. It'a a good place to chill and eat. not to mention free refills!
Personal and Random thoughts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Badminton!
This week I went for a badminton game with some of my course mates. It was fun! I haven't had much training and I thought it would be great for me. So after Grammar class, I decided to go even though I was having the flu. To make matters worse, it was raining! I had to play with a runny nose and sneezes! Super fun though! The next day, my body was aching! I may be active in Bboying, but playing badminton really uses muscles I seldom use! Or Maybe its just my flu that made me weak? It was good fun! Some pictures of my friends:
After badminton, Me, Jonathan and Felix went to eat at McD's. I'm starting to like McD. It'a a good place to chill and eat. not to mention free refills!
After badminton, Me, Jonathan and Felix went to eat at McD's. I'm starting to like McD. It'a a good place to chill and eat. not to mention free refills!
Monday, February 27, 2012
My English Accent(s)
I've learnt in Linguistics and Phonology that everyone has an accent. I've recently read a blog entry talking about Malaysians who have a fake English accent and bad pronunciation and Grammar which annoyed the blogger a lot. The only question left unanswered is "Do I have a fake accent?".
I have 2 kinds of dominant accents, my local Sabah English accent which I use to communicate with my family and one I've developed on my own. The accent I developed is somewhat similar to the American accent but not completely alike. I also notice I have developed another accent Bboying specific which comes out when I give workshops. Sorta Ghetto kinda accent.
I would like to make it clear that, I don't fake my accents. In fact, I fake my Malaysian accent. I feel very awkward when I have to speak Manglish (Malaysian English). Unfortunately, I don't use my dominant accents because I don't want people to think I'm a show off. I only use my dominant accents during certain times such as reading, presenting, MC-ing and Public speaking.
How did I come to develop these accents you ask?
My Local Sabah accent, obviously from my parents. The real question is how did I come to obtain the other accent? Here are my Top 3 opinion and justification how I developed my accent:
3. Television, no doubt, is a big factor. But it goes way back than just "I think I'll learn to speak this way because it's cool.", NO those words were not uttered physically or mentally. As a child I began to develop interest in the "Right pronunciation". It was never about how I spoke, more of how I pronounce. I learnt to pronounce each word correctly and since I didn't have a long lasting close relationship with my parents, I learnt everything through Television. I remember as a child, my parents would show me all sorts of cartoons which were in English, and I was watching sitcoms like "Two and half a men", "Friends", "Ally Mcbeal" etc.
2. Reading. "You Read?!"... Yes, I did a lot of reading as a child. The habit however was outgrown when I learnt to read on the PC and video games. The thing is, when I read, I would utter the words and pretend the books were speaking and because I watched a lot of american sitcoms, I used to read the books that way.
1. Mimicking. I used to have fun mimicking the characters on television and when talking to myself (Yes, the habit stayed). I used to do this a lot as a child since I didn't have any friends to talk to in English, I spoke to myself a lot!
These factors are what contributed to my accent(s). I can't remember how many movies I've watched during my childhood days. Somehow I also picked up ghetto accents and British pronunciations along the way and have used them in my daily speech and mimicking. One of my Caucasian friends even thought I studied abroad.
It's worth mentioning I don't believe I speak better than everyone, my accents do not in any way ascend me from any other English speaker. I am not particularly "Proud" of my accent, I just speak this way.
I have 2 kinds of dominant accents, my local Sabah English accent which I use to communicate with my family and one I've developed on my own. The accent I developed is somewhat similar to the American accent but not completely alike. I also notice I have developed another accent Bboying specific which comes out when I give workshops. Sorta Ghetto kinda accent.
I would like to make it clear that, I don't fake my accents. In fact, I fake my Malaysian accent. I feel very awkward when I have to speak Manglish (Malaysian English). Unfortunately, I don't use my dominant accents because I don't want people to think I'm a show off. I only use my dominant accents during certain times such as reading, presenting, MC-ing and Public speaking.
 |
| Cool~ |
How did I come to develop these accents you ask?
My Local Sabah accent, obviously from my parents. The real question is how did I come to obtain the other accent? Here are my Top 3 opinion and justification how I developed my accent:
3. Television, no doubt, is a big factor. But it goes way back than just "I think I'll learn to speak this way because it's cool.", NO those words were not uttered physically or mentally. As a child I began to develop interest in the "Right pronunciation". It was never about how I spoke, more of how I pronounce. I learnt to pronounce each word correctly and since I didn't have a long lasting close relationship with my parents, I learnt everything through Television. I remember as a child, my parents would show me all sorts of cartoons which were in English, and I was watching sitcoms like "Two and half a men", "Friends", "Ally Mcbeal" etc.
2. Reading. "You Read?!"... Yes, I did a lot of reading as a child. The habit however was outgrown when I learnt to read on the PC and video games. The thing is, when I read, I would utter the words and pretend the books were speaking and because I watched a lot of american sitcoms, I used to read the books that way.
1. Mimicking. I used to have fun mimicking the characters on television and when talking to myself (Yes, the habit stayed). I used to do this a lot as a child since I didn't have any friends to talk to in English, I spoke to myself a lot!
These factors are what contributed to my accent(s). I can't remember how many movies I've watched during my childhood days. Somehow I also picked up ghetto accents and British pronunciations along the way and have used them in my daily speech and mimicking. One of my Caucasian friends even thought I studied abroad.
It's worth mentioning I don't believe I speak better than everyone, my accents do not in any way ascend me from any other English speaker. I am not particularly "Proud" of my accent, I just speak this way.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Passing of a great inspiration
I lived in my village for quite a sum of my childhood years. During my stay, I have always been with my grandparents. I remember when my grandfather used to pick me up from school, cook and tend for me when I was ill and drive me to places. Yesterday, he passed away. Unfortunately, I was unable to be beside him because I am far away pursuing my education. Before coming to back to campus, I spent my whole holidays in my village because I wanted to be with my grandparents. I really couldn't do much for them because they are quite capable. I did however have time to speak with my grandmother. My grandfather was always out doing errands. I always saw him as a strong and faithful man. he took care of me and my brother when we were young and I am grateful for it. I can't find any digital pictures of him but if I do, i will post it up.
For what it's worth, I know he is in a better place and I shall set aside my grief to rejoice in his days with the Lord. Amen.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
My semester 2 is almost over and there's been a lot of things I've done in about 6weeks of my short semester. I've gone through cycling in the hot sun to town twice just to pay my bills, I've called Ptptn a whole lot of times because I wrongly gave them my account number, celebrated my house mate's birthday last night but the most interesting thing I've done this semester would probably be the Musical drama I joined "When you dare to dream". The Musical took hours and sleepless nights of practice and repetitions. I had to choreograph, act and then dance. My role was a special case because if not for me, the role would be cancelled because it fit my personality (according to my director) which is both flattering and not because the role had to kiss a guy in the end. Well, to put it short the drama was a success and we fed a lot of hungry kids after raising 6k. 150% more than expected :)
The experience was awesome. I doubt I will join anymore after this, but who knows I might change my mind. I have to prepare myself as finals are around the corner and I failed a subject last semester and I really don't wanna fail this semester. Well, life is full of failures. I just have to learn to mend them step by step. I can't and won't give up anytime soon.
God Bless you all!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Life Goals!
Well, I've been thinking of things I want to accomplish before I die, and I came out with a rough list. I'm gonna make a much more better list but for now there are 12 things I want to do. These things aren't really sorted out chronologically or in priority, but they'll have to do for now.
Things I
would like to do before I die:
Do
something for God (Build a church, foundation etc.)
Help
my homeland and my people
Finish my Degree
Win
a large Bboy Event
Meet
Bboying’s O.Gs
Release
a series of awesome comic compilations
Publish
a movie
Create
a 3D game
Learn
how to use Photoshop
Get
my Airflares
Visit
Iceland and The Bronx
Get
married
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Going through Finals!
After a hard 14 weeks of Studying, I am doing my finals! So far, It has been very challenging. Even though I've studied my best. It scares me that I might have to repeat the subject. But, even so, I must do my best and trust God with all I have. I have always believed things happen for a reason. So, I must learn to accept those reasons and follow through God's plan. Life is full of hardship and I should go through it with Love, Passion and Acceptance. I've never regretted trusting God and I doubt I will ever regret.
After the Finals, I'm going back to my hometown and meet my friends and eat local food! I miss everyone! Time to study again!
 |
| Looking at the lake... |
Thursday, August 4, 2011
UTAR Dance Club!
I've been searching UTAR for Bboys for a while now and I finally found them! Looks like there are lots of people interested in learning Bboying. Well, there was a large amount of Bboys present at the time. I'm happy to help these boys grow in Bboying.
I hope they retain their passion and keep on bboying. One thing I notice when I teach Bboying, especially in English, I have an accent. I have no idea where I got this accent! Movies? Maybe I picked it up during my childhood. I mean, I seriously watch a lot of American Movies and the black speech caught up to me. haha! Though my speech is a mix of Queens English and American, I guess it won't matter much since it's my flava to have! Well, I've decided to teach the mentality of Bboying instead of the moves 1st. Because, then, Bboying can be more appreciated as an artform and a lifestyle. People will appreciate the dance more! So, my quest begins!
I hope they retain their passion and keep on bboying. One thing I notice when I teach Bboying, especially in English, I have an accent. I have no idea where I got this accent! Movies? Maybe I picked it up during my childhood. I mean, I seriously watch a lot of American Movies and the black speech caught up to me. haha! Though my speech is a mix of Queens English and American, I guess it won't matter much since it's my flava to have! Well, I've decided to teach the mentality of Bboying instead of the moves 1st. Because, then, Bboying can be more appreciated as an artform and a lifestyle. People will appreciate the dance more! So, my quest begins!
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