Wow, getting old at full speed is not something I signed up for but time seems to pass by fast nowdays, right? I guess it’s the 21st centuary thing where everyone is busy chasing their careers and dreams that they don’t spend time enjoying.

I would consider myself lucky to have been born in the center of the year. So what have I achieved for the past 28 years?

- My mum told me that when I was a baby, I used to be so friendly that nearly anyone can carry and talk to me. Normal babies would start crying. I guess till today, I get along with anyone quite easily.

- Studied quite alot. Did o’levels in England, SPM in Malaysia, Diploma and Advance diploma in Malaysia, Degree in Australia. Thanks to my parents who gave the opportunity for all of this.

- Visited England, London, Paris, Australia and Thailand. Many more to go.

- Been through a number of interesting as well as painful relationships that boggles my mind whether or not to end up getting married. Had relationships with different races, strange but true that I’ve yet to have an Indian gf.

- Believe that I have a huge knowledge database in my brains that scares people. Some also think that I seem to know everything, trust me, I don’t. Jack of all trades, master of none.

- Love theme parks especially the roller-coaster. Been to coasters all around the world, including Disneyland in Paris, Alton Towers in London, Dreamworld in Goldcoast Australia, Sunway Lagoon Malaysia, Genting Theme Park Malaysia.

- Been to at least 35% of Malaysia (wish to bring the percentage up by the time I reach 50)

- Tasted all sort of food. Malaysia, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, Western, Eastern, weird food (including frogs, deers, roaches, worms, rabbits), still believe there are much worst food I’ve yet to try.

- Had quite a number of pets. Dogs, cats, fishes, lizards, Scorpions, hamsters, chicken, birds, bugs.

- Speak 3 languages, learning more but seems to take ages. Especially when not using the language that often.

- Experienced getting myself into deep shit of debt, and getting out of it. Thanks to my dad who help me with this. Now I only have 2 credit cards instead of 7.

- Am in control of my dream. I can dream what I want, I used to solve my programming assignments in my dream. Some call this meditation. My personal favourite is dreaming about making out with famous actresses.

- Can perform OOBE. Out of body experience, used to be fluent at this, but now is taking longer to achieve. Astral travelling is fun, expecially when you can walk through walls.

- Have the ability to read music notes and play some instruments. Used to play the Organ, a little rusty now. Self-taught myself to play the piano, but basic level only. Used to be good at Recorder and Flute during primary school. Play the guitar a little, suck at violin. My ultimate dream is to play the Saxaphone.

- Used to have my own secret language that only I could read. But due to lack of practising, have lost touch with most of the words.

- Scored 140/140 for an entry IQ test at Cotham Grammar School, England. The only person of the school history to score a full mark. Second highest was 138/140.

- Falls in love and out of love very fast. Meaning I lose interest in things very fast. Which is also good because I wanna learn more new things everyday.

- Once solved the Rubik Cube within 5 minutes. Still amazed at how I did it.

- Been through extreme hot weather and extreme cold weather. Experienced Snow before.

- Used to play to Yoyo along with Yo-Hans (back then world famous yoyo player), this was 10 years ago

There are alot more experiences that I’ve gone through for the 28 years of my life on earth. Not many I seem to remember right now but I’m surely looking forward to more experiences in life. So it’s happy birthday to me, little old uncle :).

I know many are out there looking for better range cameras, more powerful with higher megapixels. I was once hunting around for a good camera too. But all should realise one thing, it’s not the tool, but how you use the tool that is the utmost importance. You may have the best Canon ranges, but if your photography skills suck, it doesn’t make a difference. I have many friends who are using a cheaper range, namely Sony Alpha and can come up with Amazing photographs. Whether it’s landscape photography, or simple object photography.

Around my house lies the Antique of all Antique, I bet those born in the 90s would not have heard of them at all. It’s called a Polaroid camera. These sort of camera give you instant print of the photographs without needing to wash films and so on. It’s knows as the Viva Polaroid. The films can be quite costly, currently not sure whether they still exist for this model.

Viva Polaroid Camera

Viva Polaroid Camera

Viva Polaroid Camera

Viva Polaroid Camera

Viva Polaroid Camera

Viva Polaroid Camera

The next camera is the Canon EOS 66, one of canon’s old range. This camera uses films as well. I also read that in order to learn photography, one should start with a standard SLR before leading to a DSLR. It comes with a standard 35-80mm zoom. This camera is very basic, you don’t even have a display lcd to show your photos before exposing them to the film. That way I guess we’ll be more careful and taking only good shots. Now to go and get some films and have a go at this camera.

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

Canon EOS 66

I had the opportunity to live in Bristol, UK because of my mum. She was sent there by the Malaysian Government to persue her degree. Her family was also allowed to tag along. My dad however managed to get a 2 year no-paid leave so that he can join us there in United Kingdom. This was in the years of 1997-1998. I will talk more about our experience there on a latter blog, but right now I would want to write about my experience in Cotham Grammar School, which was where I did my O’Levels.

My dad followed us to that School on our first day, along with my sister after finding out from some friend that that would be the best school to sign in to. We didn’t have any transport at that point, so we had to walk from the place we were staying, up a hill called the Marlborough Hill. After that there’s about another 20 minutes walk through houses, a few more hills etc. It’s quite an interesting walk because you get a great view of the gardens.

Upon reaching Cotham Grammar School, we were greeted by the administation people. I still remember being introduced to Mr Warlock, which happens to be my Resistant Material subject lecturer. With him was the headmaster. They requested that we sit for an IQ Test, which all student who goes into this school must sit for. We had to answer 140 questions, and in a very short time of 30 minutes. The question consisted Mathematical of nature. Most of it wanted us to guess what’s the next combination based on the previous. I still remember filling my name in the form as Thristhan A/L Subramaniam and was questioned what A/L was. They started laughing after I explained. Since then I fill my name as Thristhan Subramaniam until today. But bloody Malaysian still have some problem with that, especially when I requested the A/L not to be displayed on my Identity Card.

While sitting for the IQ Test, I managed to finish the entire 140 questions 5 minutes before the time limit. I then went throught the answers, which was all objective questions. And somehow had a feeling that I had made 3 mistake. This is an Instinct that I always get when I’m alone. After glancing through the answers, I managed to find the 3 mistake which I did and changed the answers. We had to wait for another 20 minutes for the Test to be marked. My sister asthonishingly managed to score 127 marks, which was already very good. Any score above 100 will allow entry to the school, if not you’ll have to sit for the IQ Test again. Mr Warlock then stared at me, and this is what he said “In The History Of Cotham Grammar, No One Has Scored A Mark That Is Close To You Thristhan”, I was shocked by that remark. I thought for sure I did better than my sister, but what’s my score. He then Continued, “You Scored 140″. I got a perfect score, I got all answers correct, Including the 3 question that I sensed for a last minute change. I guess when you Believe in yourself, and be one with the power within, you can be capable of any remarkable feat.

I was guaranteed entry to the school, obviously :).

There was an incident in one of my Geography classes. There was this boy named Andrew who was a genius, he used to score the highest score in classes, I was very close behind him. He and the group I was in suddenly asked about this Entry IQ Test. They were bragging that they managed to score, 135. And then asked what did Andrew score, he said he scored 138, which was the highest before I came into the picture. One of them sarcastically asked me, “So Thristhan, what did you score”, followed with a cheeky smile, thinking that I did bad. I just said “140″ and there were utter silence. Packed my bag and left for the next class.

I believe everyone has a great time some point of their life, this was one of the milestone of mine. I was getting used to a new country, learning new things, and achieving results. I did not do great, but I did good enough. For me it’s more of the journey than the destination.

One thing I miss is getting the contact details of my fellow school mates. I wasn’t computer savvy then, so there were no emails etc. I’m still trying to find a few of them online through facebook etc. But it’s not easy. Cotham Grammar School is also known as Cotham School in Bristol. Alot have changed since 1997. They have a website which can be accessed at www.cotham.bristol.sch.uk. Who knows, one day maybe we’ll have a reunion and gather to catch up about what we’ve gone through.

Cotham Grammar School

Just to add more details about this school, it had a Computer Lab which I used to spend My break time at. The library was also huge with a great collection of books. I Was here always during the 1 hour Lunch break. They also had a huge Field where we played sports, with a soft mat track. The canteen always had great food, western mostly. There are more that I can remember, and should probably save it or another blog.