So Vampire Knight ended..

Ugh. That sums up what I feel about this manga. And I had so much hope. Obviously something went wrong somewhere. I, the fickle that I am, has abandoned this like, erm, ages since it turned into something like pandering to the fans. Oh ya, it ended on May 2013 so I was late. Better late than never :)

The ending was, umm, horrible? I have no words. I'm really glad I stopped reading and buying it. Let me be honest, I'm a Zero fan. I like his character, his good looks, no. He has the trappings of every bad thing around him but he grows up fine and wiser. Look, if you read the story from the beginning, a lot of his past was fleshed out meticulously, it's hard not to root for him. Unlike Kaname. I could sense this is the OTP the manga was building. So in the beginning I rooted for Zero-Yuki. I liked Yuki. She was a great character, she had a kind heart and she cared about Zero. Now she's just meh, trapped between two guys. And she could never pick one. Double meh. You know, you don't just build this fantastic relationship and then do a detour. It kills the story and makes the buildings a waste and waste my time.

Owh the ending. Apparently Yuki ends up with Zero only because Kaname died. Really. Argue with me all you want but I think Yuki really loved Kaname to the point she sacrificed herself for him (and if she really loved Zero, she wouldn't have feelings for Kaname) I could sense that the author was torn between the two factions. And I heard in Japan the Kaname faction rules. Yikes. So the author gives us the ending of Yuki having children of both men (don't ask) and Zero gets to spend 1000 years with Yuki. But you know what, Yuki loved Kaname more. And Zero doesn't deserve Yuki. He deserves someone better. I'd like it if Zero ended up with someone else (people don't always end up with people they love you know) and have those adorable twins. Let Yuki end up with Kaname sheesh.

Still the best image ever from VK!

 I don't judge a story by its ending, especially is the journey is great. VK has all that would make a great manga. It has great drawings too. Too bad it becomes sour halfway through. My favourite story arc is the arc of Zero and his twin, Ichiru. I feel so much for both of them, till now. That is what I will best remember VK about. 

 I'm glad it ended early. And one thing for sure I'm not gonna start a manga with ambigous OTP. Sucks.

Malaysia is number 56 in PISA for Reading, Maths and Science

I feel sad. Well, as an educator, I wish the results were better but then again, I am trapped in this education system that emphasizes on exams rather than learning and studying. Msia, apparently reads less than the average number and performs below average too in science and maths. I am not shocked. I am just disappointed. I hope, as a teacher, I am not churning out people who don't like reading but I hope I help in building people with character and sensitivities.

I am extremely jealous of students overseas who read at every chance they get. I do it too. But not my students. Not all of them, I know,  but many of them. I read a lot of books but I think I'm the only one in my immediate surroundings who does it. My siblings don't share my enthusiasm and my parents even more. Not their fault but it's the way the society is constructed. I read Sherlock Holmes and nobody I know reads it. I really am alone. It's a struggle at school. I know many of my colleagues don't read so how am I suppose to inspire the students? And they read thrash like those romance novels. I did too. I was young too but I also read all those fantastic literature on the side. 

Please read. Reading is for your soul like food is for your body.

Benefits of Being A Cat Owner

The war between cat and dog people is vicious and will probably never end. Here’s some ammunition for the next time you're talking to one of those horrible dog lovers.

1. You're Smart!

A study of British pet owners found that people who owned cats tended to be smarter than their dog loving counterparts. Both in terms of IQ score and overall level of education, people who own cats come out on top in the brains department. It’s probably not the cat itself making you smarter, though; the researchers conducting the study said that smarter people tend to work longer hours, and since cats require less attention than dogs they are a better choice for the busy intellectual.

2. It's Better for the Environment!

If you're worried about your carbon footprint, it’s better to own a cat. A 2009 study found that over its lifetime, the resources needed to feed a dog make the same eco-footprint as that of a Hummer. Meanwhile, cats—which eat less in general and are more likely to eat fish than corn or beef flavored products—only have the approximate carbon footprint of a Volkswagen Golf.

3. Helping You Cope!

Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, but one of the best ways of coping is to own a pet. Cats have been shown to help people get over their loss more quickly, and show less physical symptoms of pain, like crying. Despite the fact that they are only animals, cats serve as a social support during difficult times. People in mourning report talking to their pet to work out their feelings, since it is often easier to talk to something that won’t respond and can’t judge than to another human being.

4. Helping You Mate!

If you’re a single guy and you can’t seem to get a date, get a cat! A British poll found that 82 percent of women agreed they are more attracted to men who like animals. And while having a dog will do wonders for your dating life, a whopping 90 percent of single women said that men who own a cat are “nicer” than other guys. It seems women buy into the stereotype that cat owners are more sensitive and thoughtful, so listing that you own a cat on your dating profile could do wonders for the number of responses you get. But remember, a cat is for life, not just until you find a partner.

5. Heart Health!

Owning any pet is good for your heart. Cats in particular lower your stress level—possibly since they don’t require as much effort as dogs—and lower the amount of anxiety in your life. Petting a cat has a positive calming effect. One study found that over a ten year period cat owners were 30 percent less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than non-cat owners.

6. Companionship!

The stereotype that dogs are more affectionate than cats is just that: a stereotype. In fact, it turns out that cats can be just as good companions as dogs, especially for women. A 2003 Swiss study found that having a cat in the house is the emotional equivalent of having a romantic partner. As well as initiating contact much of the time, studies have shown cats will remember kindness shown to them and return the favor later.
But cats really do have the upper hand in these relationships. After thousands of years of domestication, cats have learned how to make a half purr/half howl noise that sounds remarkably like a human baby’s cry. And since our brains are programmed to respond to our children’s distress, it is almost impossible to ignore what a cat wants when it demands it like that.

7. A Reflection of Your Personality!

Owning a cat tells people a lot about your personality. While dog lovers tend to be the life of the party, cat owners are quieter and more introverted. However, they score very highly when it comes to how trustworthy they are and how much they trust other people. Cat owners are also less manipulative and more modest.

Read the full text here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/51154/8-benefits-being-cat-owner#ixzz2hzNfcdBx
--brought to you by mental_floss!

Reading Classic Literature Makes You A Mind Reader...

I kid thee not.

My Favourite Telepath Other Than Time Lords

Apparently a new research has found that people who read more classic work of literature, well, are better 'reader' of the thoughts and feelings of people around them. Yeah, I use ''Mind Reader'  on the subject and a picture of the yummy Telepath Xavier just to aggravate it but really this is just one of the many benefits of reading.

And soo finally one of the greater mysteries in my life is finally solved-I think I have a higher perception of people's thoughts and feelings. I mean you know what people say when they meet new people? Don't judge a book by it's cover. Yep, doesn't work for me. I am one of those guys who, my first instinct on somebody is always, always true. Sounds ridonkulus rite? But, it's not that. For example, if I met someone for the first time and I hated his guts, most probably my impression on him will get better once I get to know him better. But something, an incident or event will always, always happen to prove that my first impression on him is right. Yeah, I'm telepathic that way... 

But of course, one of the downsides of being a telepath LOL is that people don't like me and I'm aware of that. Seriously. That is still a wall I need to climb.

Oh, do I read classic literature? I do. Lots of them. I am an aficionado.  I live and die for literature.

I'm Mourning...

For the death of The Other Mr Darcy, my intended.

Apparently, Helen Fielding has killed him off in the latest Bridget Jones book, and yes, it is traumatizing. Mark Darcy has always been 'the perfect man' character that most girls fantasize though he's not without shortcomings but by God, he's the best thing since toast bread, really. Especially when he espouses that immortal words that touched the core of every woman in the world.

'just as you are'. Indeed

Thefore, let me be-

sob sob sniff sniff

Harry Potter Series' Wisdoms (2)

If it's not clear, let's read the whole excerpt where this quotation comes from,

"Well, now he's back(Voldemort) it's bound to hurt more often," said Sirius.
"So you don't think it had anything to do with Umbridge touching me when I was in detention with her?" Harry asked.
"I doubt it," said Sirius.  "I know her by reputation and I'm sure she's no Death Eater---"
"She's foul enough to be one," said Harry darkly and Ron and Hermione nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters," said Sirius with a wry smile.  "I know she's a nasty piece of work, though --- you should hear Remus talk about her."

The first time I read this, I was struck because all these time, I had always judged like that-if you're not good, you're evil. It's not, really. Now I know better. I know there are good people, evil people and nasty people. Like Robin Hood; he's bad cuz he steals from rich douchebags people but he does that to help the oppressed . There's always that grey area to consider.

Now I know better.

Harry Potter Series' Wisdoms (1)

 Nothing irks me more than people assigning the Harry Potter series as 'Children's Books' because it is anything but that. I grew up with the book and the book taught me a lot of things in life. I mean A LOT. So I'm gonna start dispensing those advice that taught me a lot to my readers :3

Meaning, to see the true character of someone, if he is kind or nasty or pretentious, look at the way he treats people of a lower station than him, rather than the way that person treats his equals like his colleagues or friends because if he's really worthy, he'll be kind to people who is below him.

This wisdom is not new-in fact we are told to be kind to people but this quote makes it fantastic because it is the truth; most people treat their inferiors like shit terribly when that person really needs not anybody's inconsideration because he already in that unfortunate situation.

Please be kind to others.