All the literature texts are mind-boggling. Abstract, and so much symbolism going on that it takes a lot of effort to put everything together. (After quite a few tutorials/lectures/essays, I learnt that I'm not really a big-picture person.)
Just watched Hiroshima Mon Amour, the film text we'll be doing soon, and oh my goodness. Because the characters aren't named (in the textbook they're called 'he' and 'she'), they can represent a lot of stuff... and their actions can represent a lot of stuff too.
This goes for Waiting for the Barbarians.
Anyway, the film got a bit creepy 'cause the characters seemed a bit psychotic after a while, and there was this bit that seemed like a horror movie 'cause it involved the female lead walking around in the hotel hallway alone. Yes, I half-expected some random monster/stalker to pop out. The freaky music didn't help.
Whoever said that works in modern English are supposed to be easier than Shakespearean plays?!
I'm losing my motivation. Bad, bad, bad.
Oh, one new thing I learnt today: peppermint milkshake/milk tea/whatever tastes like colgate, so it's not a good idea to try that. Peppermint overkill. Hahah.
29 October 2008
04 October 2008
[22]
I went swimming/fishing at Changi Beach. In T-shirt and jeans.
It was a very interesting practical, to say the least. My group caught a baby squid. (Its colour-changing was pretty to watch. Hahah.)
Another pretty thing was the rainbow we saw on the way back.
And my mind is really really really really really swamped with a lot of things.
I need order and sanity! Grrr.
It was a very interesting practical, to say the least. My group caught a baby squid. (Its colour-changing was pretty to watch. Hahah.)
Another pretty thing was the rainbow we saw on the way back.
And my mind is really really really really really swamped with a lot of things.
I need order and sanity! Grrr.
25 September 2008
[21]
I was using my laptop one day, with Reiko (the 16-month-old-monster that passes off as a very lovable girl) on my lap, when she pointed at my Jensen Ackles wallpaper and went, "Uncle! Uncle!" Oh my goodness.
That was quite funny, except for the part when I realized he's really rather old. Hahah.
Okay that was purely out of boredom. Time to mug econs.
That was quite funny, except for the part when I realized he's really rather old. Hahah.
Your Autumn Test Results |
 You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find novelty to be the most comforting thing in the world. You love anything that's new or unusual. Your ideal day is spontaneous and surprising. You like to play things by ear, and you always end up doing something interesting. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future. |
You Are a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel |
 You are warm, loving, and genuinely selfless. You enjoy comforting other people, and you easily fall into the roll of caretaker. Of all the types, you're the most likely to be an excellent cook. You tend to have something delicious for breakfast that you've cooked up for everyone. |
Excellent cook? Now that's the biggest joke of the year. I don't even like cooking.
Okay that was purely out of boredom. Time to mug econs.
21 September 2008
[20]
I am very honestly sick of being the one who's constantly around for this activity or that.
It is not that I'm so darn bloody free that I can be present at every outing/meeting/rehearsal; it's just that I make time for it, because I see it as a priority.
So stop taking it for granted that I have nothing better to do than to spend time with you.
In any case, that's it. I'm going to stop making you people a priority.
What's the point of all my sincerity if you're just going to treat it like I owe you that much?
You're stressed, fine. But don't take it out on me 'cause I have my own problems to deal with.
As for all my friends, the real friends I've kinda neglected, I'm sorry for cancelling out on our stuff. It's happened far too many times (legitimate reasons, but still). We'll make up for it okay!
Argh the sweltering weather is driving me nuts.
It's time to reprioritize.
It is not that I'm so darn bloody free that I can be present at every outing/meeting/rehearsal; it's just that I make time for it, because I see it as a priority.
So stop taking it for granted that I have nothing better to do than to spend time with you.
In any case, that's it. I'm going to stop making you people a priority.
What's the point of all my sincerity if you're just going to treat it like I owe you that much?
You're stressed, fine. But don't take it out on me 'cause I have my own problems to deal with.
As for all my friends, the real friends I've kinda neglected, I'm sorry for cancelling out on our stuff. It's happened far too many times (legitimate reasons, but still). We'll make up for it okay!
Argh the sweltering weather is driving me nuts.
It's time to reprioritize.
15 September 2008
[19]
I FINALLY FINISHED MY LIT. ESSAY.
What a relief.
Here goes today's list of things to go AAAHHHHHH about.
1. Aaahhhhh I finished my lit. essay!
2. Aaahhhhh I'm going to get my first lit. test back later today!
3. Aaahhhhh I just watched Les Choristes, and it was really very sweet and heartwarming. Never mind what critics said about it being predictable with nothing new.
4. Aaahhhhh Jean-Baptiste Maunier is cute. He has really nice eyes too. Mmm.
5. Aaahhhhh I have a class in 7 hours' time.
On the brighter side, mid-sem break is in one week. Seven days.
Time to count down again!
What a relief.
Here goes today's list of things to go AAAHHHHHH about.
1. Aaahhhhh I finished my lit. essay!
2. Aaahhhhh I'm going to get my first lit. test back later today!
3. Aaahhhhh I just watched Les Choristes, and it was really very sweet and heartwarming. Never mind what critics said about it being predictable with nothing new.
4. Aaahhhhh Jean-Baptiste Maunier is cute. He has really nice eyes too. Mmm.
5. Aaahhhhh I have a class in 7 hours' time.
On the brighter side, mid-sem break is in one week. Seven days.
Time to count down again!
11 September 2008
[18]
I just spent the past hour staring at this poem not knowing what it was about. And I have a tutorial due tomorrow.
Plus, I have a 700-word essay due on Monday. Joy.
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH I just wasted so much time!
Sometimes it doesn't make a difference whether you do your homework. It's not like one hour of staring helped me to understand the poem.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
(Okay that was really random. I just needed to vent about the lit. tutorial.)
Plus, I have a 700-word essay due on Monday. Joy.
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH I just wasted so much time!
Sometimes it doesn't make a difference whether you do your homework. It's not like one hour of staring helped me to understand the poem.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
(Okay that was really random. I just needed to vent about the lit. tutorial.)
03 September 2008
[17]
How much are friends worth?
I always believe that we shouldn't attach a monetary value to things, because there's just no way one can measure joy, or friendship, or passion in dollars and cents. (Yeah, I disagree with how in economics, we fix an arbitrary value for the benefit a certain action brings us. Why, WHY must the benefit of say, eating a durian puff, be $3.22?! It doesn't make sense, does it.)
Friendship's about giving and taking, and not being calculative about whether you're giving or taking.
It's just that sometimes I do stuff and then end up wondering, 'What am I doing all these for?' (I'm becoming one of those annoying econs students who sprouts econs principles at every turn, but bear with me for once. Those principles just happen to prove my point, hahah.)
You know how the principle of opportunity cost goes: if we choose this action, then we forgo the chance to do something else. I go for outings, participate in all these activities, go for lunch, meet up with people, organize this, arrange that, and when push comes to shove, what do others make of it? Or rather, what do I make of it?
It does feel like I'm wasting time, time that could have been spent on my books and on catching up on my studies. Not that I'm one of those antisocial mugger types; I just want to get the year off to a good start.
Honestly, why do I go for OG outings? Why do I bother to try to coordinate Mugspot? Why did I show up every single day during SOW, and for every OG lunch/outing whenever I could?
Why do I go back to school every so often for alumni rehearsals?
Why did I offer to organize a class outing?
Why am I still continuing my piano lessons?
Why do I tutor my cousin in Secondary 2 English at a rate of $8.33 per hour?
Why do I try as much as possible to go home if I have nothing on, so that I can help out a bit with chores and stuff?
WHAT do I do all these for?
I can easily not do all these, and just focus on my own stuff.
It's really alright if we don't share the same interests, but there's no need to bash me down for doing the stuff I like.
I've even given up trying to bring together the different aspects of my life. Like, I do ask people if they want to go for whatever performance, but I've stopped hoping that people will actually turn up. After a while, all the "We'll see"-s and "I don't know"-s get a bit old.
I always, always ask way in advance, as soon as I know the exact details. But people just we'll-see me and then plan for something on that day.
Disappointing, yes. The disappointment decreases over time but never goes away entirely.
I think in my ten years of being a chorister, I can only remember three supportive non-choir friends. Seriously. THREE.
You see why keeping my various groups of friends separate is inevitable?
Don't criticize me for not giving a damn about certain kinds of people, because you don't know what happened to make me think this way.
Don't blame me for being distant, because you may not have had the same experiences of being let down.
Don't expect me to tell you everything about my life, because I know that you'll judge, and you'll disagree, and disapprove.
Sometimes I don't like how compartmentalized my life is. All these different faces I present to different people are just... well, parts of me. It's not faking, per se. Lying by omission isn't really lying anyway.
All of that boils down to self-protection, I suppose.
I always believe that we shouldn't attach a monetary value to things, because there's just no way one can measure joy, or friendship, or passion in dollars and cents. (Yeah, I disagree with how in economics, we fix an arbitrary value for the benefit a certain action brings us. Why, WHY must the benefit of say, eating a durian puff, be $3.22?! It doesn't make sense, does it.)
Friendship's about giving and taking, and not being calculative about whether you're giving or taking.
It's just that sometimes I do stuff and then end up wondering, 'What am I doing all these for?' (I'm becoming one of those annoying econs students who sprouts econs principles at every turn, but bear with me for once. Those principles just happen to prove my point, hahah.)
You know how the principle of opportunity cost goes: if we choose this action, then we forgo the chance to do something else. I go for outings, participate in all these activities, go for lunch, meet up with people, organize this, arrange that, and when push comes to shove, what do others make of it? Or rather, what do I make of it?
It does feel like I'm wasting time, time that could have been spent on my books and on catching up on my studies. Not that I'm one of those antisocial mugger types; I just want to get the year off to a good start.
Honestly, why do I go for OG outings? Why do I bother to try to coordinate Mugspot? Why did I show up every single day during SOW, and for every OG lunch/outing whenever I could?
Why do I go back to school every so often for alumni rehearsals?
Why did I offer to organize a class outing?
Why am I still continuing my piano lessons?
Why do I tutor my cousin in Secondary 2 English at a rate of $8.33 per hour?
Why do I try as much as possible to go home if I have nothing on, so that I can help out a bit with chores and stuff?
WHAT do I do all these for?
I can easily not do all these, and just focus on my own stuff.
It's really alright if we don't share the same interests, but there's no need to bash me down for doing the stuff I like.
I've even given up trying to bring together the different aspects of my life. Like, I do ask people if they want to go for whatever performance, but I've stopped hoping that people will actually turn up. After a while, all the "We'll see"-s and "I don't know"-s get a bit old.
I always, always ask way in advance, as soon as I know the exact details. But people just we'll-see me and then plan for something on that day.
Disappointing, yes. The disappointment decreases over time but never goes away entirely.
I think in my ten years of being a chorister, I can only remember three supportive non-choir friends. Seriously. THREE.
You see why keeping my various groups of friends separate is inevitable?
Don't criticize me for not giving a damn about certain kinds of people, because you don't know what happened to make me think this way.
Don't blame me for being distant, because you may not have had the same experiences of being let down.
Don't expect me to tell you everything about my life, because I know that you'll judge, and you'll disagree, and disapprove.
Sometimes I don't like how compartmentalized my life is. All these different faces I present to different people are just... well, parts of me. It's not faking, per se. Lying by omission isn't really lying anyway.
All of that boils down to self-protection, I suppose.
30 August 2008
[16]
Give Me Your Hand
Give me your hand, and I will follow
wherever you would have me go.
Give me your sign, and I will go quickly
for your sweet fellowship to know.
As night follows day, as rainbow follows rain,
your love to me is sweet as nectar.
And I to you shall love the same.
Give me your path, and I shall not falter
nor linger when I hear your call.
Give me your love, and give it me always,
and I shall ever love you more.
As night follows day, as rainbow follows rain,
your love to me is sweet as nectar.
And I to you shall love the same.
Such a beautiful song.
Give me your hand, and I will follow
wherever you would have me go.
Give me your sign, and I will go quickly
for your sweet fellowship to know.
As night follows day, as rainbow follows rain,
your love to me is sweet as nectar.
And I to you shall love the same.
Give me your path, and I shall not falter
nor linger when I hear your call.
Give me your love, and give it me always,
and I shall ever love you more.
As night follows day, as rainbow follows rain,
your love to me is sweet as nectar.
And I to you shall love the same.
Such a beautiful song.
24 August 2008
[15]
Shucks, I'm hooked on blogthings!
Quite true. I like this quiz!
This one makes me sound like a scaredy-cat. Can you imagine telling people "I am chicken"?!
| What Your Bed Says About You |
 Outward appearances are very important to you. You do your best to look good and have an attractive home. You are an organized and disciplined person. You do the right thing because you want to, not because people expect you to. You are not very high maintenance in general, but you are high maintenance about a few things. In relationships, you tend to kick back and let the other person be in charge. You tend to be a dreamy, head in the clouds type of person. You think in terms of possibilities. You are a traveler. You are comfortable anywhere, and you rarely feel homesick. |
Quite true. I like this quiz!
| What Your Workspace Says About You |
 You are not organized in the least. Everything in your life pretty much survives of chaos. You are hardworking and driven. You have an excellent work ethic. You enjoy your job and don't feel guilty about how much time you spend working. You have a good balance between work and your personal life. You are still trying to figure out your ideal career. You could quit your current job on any given day. At work, you are an introvert. You don't like people coming around your work space. |
You Will Be a Modern Bride! |
 While you aren't ready to throw away all wedding traditions, you want a wedding with a twist You're more inspired by celebrity weddings on E! than from bridal magazines Whether this means getting married on the beach barefoot or a mariachi band for the reception... Your wedding will be a blend of old and new - white dress cocktail, personalized vows, whatever suits you!!! |
You Are a Classic New York Cheesecake |
 Simple and sweet, you are a smooth operator. You can get along with anyone ... though after a bit of time, you're too much to handle! |
Your Slogan Should Be |
 Jinghui. Stronger than Pain. |
You Are a Grilled Cheese Sandwich |
 You are a traditional person with very simple tastes. In your opinion, the best things in life are free, easy, and fun. You totally go with the flow. And you enjoy every minute of it! Your best friend: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Ham Sandwich |
You Are Chicken |
 Bah! You're hardly meat. But you are quite popular, and people aspire to taste like you. You're probably quite skinny and free of vices. Except letting people eat your eggs. |
This one makes me sound like a scaredy-cat. Can you imagine telling people "I am chicken"?!
What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You |
 You are sweet, mellow, and easily satisfied. You don't like anything too intense and dramatic. Deep down, you're a kid at heart... and you're nostalgic for the past. You are honest and straight forward. You have a distinct personality, and you make your opinions known. And while people like that you keep it real, you can come off as judgmental. You love the feeling of accomplishment. You enjoy doing what's important. You feel lost when you have to do frivolous tasks or hang out with shallow people. |
You Are Artemis! |
 Brave, and a natural born leader. You're willing to fight for what you believe in... And willing to make tough decisions. Don't forget - the people around you have ideas too! |
You Are a Sprinkled Donut |
 Flamboyant and flashy, you're easily distracted by shiny things. You're definitely a snazzy number, and you usually catch everyone's eye in the room. And you've got the goods to back it up your colorful image. (Though too much of you gives people a stomach ache!) |
You Are Fruit Loops |
 You're very fun loving and easily bored. You need everything in your life to be over the top. You are definitely attracted to shiny and colorful objects. If kids love something, you tend to love it as well. You a very short attention span and are easily distracted. You are likely to eat something very random for breakfast... or forget to eat it at all. |
You Are Yogurt |
 Modern and streamlined, you prefer a breakfast that's quick and healthy. You live a fast paced life, and you get breakfast only when you're lucky. And while you are strapped for time, you are still a hardcore foodie. You often eat the best that your money can buy. You figure you're worth it. |
Yikes, yikes. Back to books!
20 August 2008
[14]
I was supposed to be studying econs. In fact, I have my econs textbook in front of me, but I just can't help myself, so here are the latest interesting quizzes I've found.
I had no classes today, which is something to be very happy about ('cause it's probably going to be my last free day for this semester). Anyway, I managed to compile a list of theory dos-and-do-nots, organize my current notes, and practise the piano. Not very productive, but it beats spending 12 hours in school.
I was supposed to start on my stats tutorial and revise econs, though. Too much inertia, and it's honestly very difficult to study with a one-year-old kid who wants to play with you all the time. Not her fault, but still.
Okay, okay. I'm going back to my books.
| You Are Courier New |
 You don't eschew modernity, but you do have a deep reverence for the past. You are very literate. It's likely you enjoy writing and reading. Some people may feel you're a bit cold, but you just have high standards for who you hang out with. |
| You Are Black Tea |
 You have a bold personality. You're not afraid of simply being yourself. You have the courage to speak the truth. You are fearless in your actions. You come off as a bit intimidating and unapproachable. Only confident people are attracted to you. You don't try to scare off anyone. You're just an intense person! |
| What Your Ideal Wedding Dress Says About You |
 Your Personal Style: Classic and elegant. You prefer to make a statement with a few quality pieces. Your Ideal Wedding: Traditional and formal, but not tacky. You think the most beautiful weddings are understated. Your Philosophy on Marriage: It's a serious commitment, and the couple entering it should be ready to work for their relationship. Your Perfect Marriage: Is calm, stable, deep, and meaningful. |
| You Are the Philosopher |
 You love thinking things over and developing theories. Learning is very important to you, and you pursue knowledge relentlessly. You love to talk about the things you know, often in more detail than people would like to hear. And you know a lot! You're always taking on new subjects, interests, and hobbies. You are at your best when you are left alone to ponder your newest ideas and experiments. You tend to withdraw from environments that are loud, contentious, or passionate. |
| People Envy Your Compassion |
 You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them. |
| You See the World Through Blue Colored Glasses |
 You live your life with tranquility. You have faith that things will work themselves out with time. You judge all your interactions through the lens of hope. You try to get all the facts before forming your opinion. You face challenges with wisdom. You know that all bad things pass, and you have the confidence to see problems through. You see love as the utmost expression of trust. Your relationships tend to be peaceful and stable. At your worst, you can be cool, melancholy, and detached. You sometimes have to step back from emotionally charged situations. You are at your happiest when you are able to reflect and relax. |
| Your Heart is Feeling Indifference |
 Your heart is pretty much on hiatus right now. You're not particularly interested in love, and you're cultivating a sort of romantic apathy. Whether you've been burned badly or you're just burned out, your heart is cold to passion. Deep down, your heart is susceptible to: A bit of cold heartedness Your current outlook on love: Detached and stoic - you try to analyze love from a logical perspective Your love life will improve if you: Open up a little. Stepping back can help you find peace with your emotions, but it can also make you repress them. Watch out for: Too much cynicism. Indifference can lead you down a dark path. |
| Your Style is Sassy |
 Occasionally you'll take a fashion risk, and it will pay off You're up for flashing an inch or two of skin But your general rule is to leave most of your bod to the imagination |
| You Are 58% Independent |
 You've got your own cool thing going on, though you sometimes still care too much about what other's think. |
| You Have Many Alpha Tendencies |
 You're not a total alpha female, but you certainly know how to - and like to - get your way. You're forceful without being intimidating. You're confident without being vain. A perfect mix. |
I had no classes today, which is something to be very happy about ('cause it's probably going to be my last free day for this semester). Anyway, I managed to compile a list of theory dos-and-do-nots, organize my current notes, and practise the piano. Not very productive, but it beats spending 12 hours in school.
I was supposed to start on my stats tutorial and revise econs, though. Too much inertia, and it's honestly very difficult to study with a one-year-old kid who wants to play with you all the time. Not her fault, but still.
Okay, okay. I'm going back to my books.
19 August 2008
[13]
I didn't manage to get any free days. In fact, on certain days I have to go to school for just one hour of tutorial.
Oh well. I can always mug in school. That's the first step to becoming a hardcore mugger, isn't it. Hahah.
It's week 2 of school, and I'm still having fun so far. My Mondays are rather killer; 4 hours of lecture, 4 hours' break, another 4 hours of lecture. I start at 0800h and end at 2000h. Not very fun, I can tell you, but at least the company isn't bad. That makes it somewhat bearable.
I'm in a listing mood suddenly, so here goes.
Top Ten Reasons to Love University Life
10. No mandatory uniform. The only compulsory 'uniform' I've heard of so far is the lab coat, goggles, covered shoes and long pants when there's lab.
9. Freedom. Lots and lots and lots of it. It's fun to be so hands-on about my own education, but at the same time there's a lot of hassle too.
8. Getting to know new people.
7. Exploring the school by taking the shuttle bus around (conveniently 'forgetting' to alight at the correct stop).
6. Doing crazy things like the algorithm march anywhere, anytime.
5. Trying out new things, like economics.
4. Field trips! (One excellent reason to take the biodiversity module.)
3. Not slacking around at home and wasting my time.
2. Having all kinds of shops/restaurants/residences/halls in school. It's like a mini-town.
1. Not having to act like a sane soul 'cause I'm not the oldest around anymore.
It's very liberating not to have to be the voice of reason. All the guys are at least two years older than the girls, and it's like gaining a whole bunch of weird elder brothers with drastically different personalities, all at once. The only thing I can't stand about them is how they keep telling me how XXX girl is so hot/cute, 'cause I'm not interested.
New friends are good and dandy, but old friends are the ones who've stuck with you through thick and thin and so deserve even more attention.
If all goes well, Pearl and I are going to crash Germ's lecture next Tuesday. Attending a lecture sure isn't a movie marathon/board games session/kboxing, but any time we can meet up is still better than nothing.
Time to get back to my literature lecture powerpoint slides. One thing I've noticed is that science/math lecturers are organized but they aren't good at using the mikes or their voices, and vice versa for the humanities subjects' lecturers.
I so so so so so need to mug.
Oh well. I can always mug in school. That's the first step to becoming a hardcore mugger, isn't it. Hahah.
It's week 2 of school, and I'm still having fun so far. My Mondays are rather killer; 4 hours of lecture, 4 hours' break, another 4 hours of lecture. I start at 0800h and end at 2000h. Not very fun, I can tell you, but at least the company isn't bad. That makes it somewhat bearable.
I'm in a listing mood suddenly, so here goes.
Top Ten Reasons to Love University Life
10. No mandatory uniform. The only compulsory 'uniform' I've heard of so far is the lab coat, goggles, covered shoes and long pants when there's lab.
9. Freedom. Lots and lots and lots of it. It's fun to be so hands-on about my own education, but at the same time there's a lot of hassle too.
8. Getting to know new people.
7. Exploring the school by taking the shuttle bus around (conveniently 'forgetting' to alight at the correct stop).
6. Doing crazy things like the algorithm march anywhere, anytime.
5. Trying out new things, like economics.
4. Field trips! (One excellent reason to take the biodiversity module.)
3. Not slacking around at home and wasting my time.
2. Having all kinds of shops/restaurants/residences/halls in school. It's like a mini-town.
1. Not having to act like a sane soul 'cause I'm not the oldest around anymore.
It's very liberating not to have to be the voice of reason. All the guys are at least two years older than the girls, and it's like gaining a whole bunch of weird elder brothers with drastically different personalities, all at once. The only thing I can't stand about them is how they keep telling me how XXX girl is so hot/cute, 'cause I'm not interested.
New friends are good and dandy, but old friends are the ones who've stuck with you through thick and thin and so deserve even more attention.
If all goes well, Pearl and I are going to crash Germ's lecture next Tuesday. Attending a lecture sure isn't a movie marathon/board games session/kboxing, but any time we can meet up is still better than nothing.
Time to get back to my literature lecture powerpoint slides. One thing I've noticed is that science/math lecturers are organized but they aren't good at using the mikes or their voices, and vice versa for the humanities subjects' lecturers.
I so so so so so need to mug.
15 August 2008
[12]
Out of utter boredom and complete unwillingness to get on with my theory homework, here I am again! School has been exciting so far; I like the freedom and having to take charge of my own learning. Not that I'm succeeding in my resolution to be a mugger. Maybe I will become one after I get all my textbooks, hahah.
I know I just said that I like being responsible for my stuff, but at the same time I kind of miss how everything is readied for us like in secondary school or JC. There weren't so many decisions to make then. You choose your subjects, and the timetabling committee takes care of the rest. No hard choices like which module to choose, how many points to use to bid for it, which lecture/tutorial session to go for, the list goes on.
My classes have been okay so far, I guess. Early mornings (i.e. lecture at 0800h) aren't much of a problem, though I admit I dozed off for a minute during Organic Chemistry. (Sidetrack: many thanks to Weekeat who woke me up, hahah.) I have more of a problem with the contents of certain subjects, especially the Economics module.
Some divine intervention is definitely needed here.
Sure, there're people I can go to for help, but I don't really want to keep bothering them. It took me one whole day and 3 OG mates to understand what on earth the principle of marginal benefit/cost was about. And that's only the first lecture, second principle. There're about thirteen weeks to go before this semester finishes. Can you imagine how the rest of the term will go?
I'm still not quite used to having two 2-hour lectures back-to-back. Four hours of sitting down and taking notes and listening attentively does help us to expend a lot of energy, mainly through trying to keep awake. Hahah. It reminds me of those days when I was in JC 1 and trying not to fall asleep during choir rehearsals. (Now that I think about it, rehearsals were good training for sitting still/not talking/staying awake for like, 5 hours at a time. Very useful.)
Biodiversity is my favourite module this term. Today we just had a field trip to Kent Ridge, and well, it was fun. (The not-so-fun part came when the field trip ended and we had a test that counts towards our grades. Gosh, it's only the first week of school! Worse still, the test had an essay component.) I do like walking around looking at nature, even if the weather was insanely hot. The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (aiyah, I can't remember the exact name; it's really very long) is a cool place, literally and figuratively. Some of the exhibits are a bit freaky, but it was interesting. Next time there's an outing, we should go there!
Literature is the other module that I'm slightly worried about, 'cause I'm really out-of-touch with all the Lit. stuff. The last time I had any formal encounter with Lit. was in secondary school, and I got C6 for my combined humanities. Not very promising huh.
The good thing is, the lecturers said that there's no need to have prior knowledge, and that people might even have to unlearn some of the things they picked up in secondary school/JC. So hopefully everything will turn out fine even though I'm not essay-inclined.
At least the texts seem rather exciting. I can't wait to study Shakespeare's The Tempest. We're even going to do a film text, which is all new and fine and dandy.
The other thing I like about this module is that the lecturers all sound like angels. Sitting in the LT, it felt like we were listening to music. It was such a pleasure to hear them talk, hahah.
More than once in a while, we get lecturers who don't speak coherently/don't know how to use the microphone properly/mumble their way through, and then following the lecture gets kind of tough. Listening is already difficult enough without having to deal with these problems. (Yeah, my audio skills are poor. Enough said.)
My only conclusion: it's a time for new challenges.
I won't say that I've been stepping out of my comfort zone, 'cause to do so would be like... joining a sports CCA. I know my limitations, okay. Trying new things has been fun, and the company has been great. (The only bad things are finding out certain things that I never wanted to know, for example, that in secondary school, senior guys actually ogle at cute junior girls. Like, eew much?) To a certain extent, it's better than my JC days, when it felt like I didn't particularly fit in. Or maybe it just stems from being more comfortable in my own skin.
Whatever it is, I'm happy.
And I'll be happier if all my tutorial/laboratory slots go through and I have Wednesdays free!
I know I just said that I like being responsible for my stuff, but at the same time I kind of miss how everything is readied for us like in secondary school or JC. There weren't so many decisions to make then. You choose your subjects, and the timetabling committee takes care of the rest. No hard choices like which module to choose, how many points to use to bid for it, which lecture/tutorial session to go for, the list goes on.
My classes have been okay so far, I guess. Early mornings (i.e. lecture at 0800h) aren't much of a problem, though I admit I dozed off for a minute during Organic Chemistry. (Sidetrack: many thanks to Weekeat who woke me up, hahah.) I have more of a problem with the contents of certain subjects, especially the Economics module.
Some divine intervention is definitely needed here.
Sure, there're people I can go to for help, but I don't really want to keep bothering them. It took me one whole day and 3 OG mates to understand what on earth the principle of marginal benefit/cost was about. And that's only the first lecture, second principle. There're about thirteen weeks to go before this semester finishes. Can you imagine how the rest of the term will go?
I'm still not quite used to having two 2-hour lectures back-to-back. Four hours of sitting down and taking notes and listening attentively does help us to expend a lot of energy, mainly through trying to keep awake. Hahah. It reminds me of those days when I was in JC 1 and trying not to fall asleep during choir rehearsals. (Now that I think about it, rehearsals were good training for sitting still/not talking/staying awake for like, 5 hours at a time. Very useful.)
Biodiversity is my favourite module this term. Today we just had a field trip to Kent Ridge, and well, it was fun. (The not-so-fun part came when the field trip ended and we had a test that counts towards our grades. Gosh, it's only the first week of school! Worse still, the test had an essay component.) I do like walking around looking at nature, even if the weather was insanely hot. The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (aiyah, I can't remember the exact name; it's really very long) is a cool place, literally and figuratively. Some of the exhibits are a bit freaky, but it was interesting. Next time there's an outing, we should go there!
Literature is the other module that I'm slightly worried about, 'cause I'm really out-of-touch with all the Lit. stuff. The last time I had any formal encounter with Lit. was in secondary school, and I got C6 for my combined humanities. Not very promising huh.
The good thing is, the lecturers said that there's no need to have prior knowledge, and that people might even have to unlearn some of the things they picked up in secondary school/JC. So hopefully everything will turn out fine even though I'm not essay-inclined.
At least the texts seem rather exciting. I can't wait to study Shakespeare's The Tempest. We're even going to do a film text, which is all new and fine and dandy.
The other thing I like about this module is that the lecturers all sound like angels. Sitting in the LT, it felt like we were listening to music. It was such a pleasure to hear them talk, hahah.
More than once in a while, we get lecturers who don't speak coherently/don't know how to use the microphone properly/mumble their way through, and then following the lecture gets kind of tough. Listening is already difficult enough without having to deal with these problems. (Yeah, my audio skills are poor. Enough said.)
My only conclusion: it's a time for new challenges.
I won't say that I've been stepping out of my comfort zone, 'cause to do so would be like... joining a sports CCA. I know my limitations, okay. Trying new things has been fun, and the company has been great. (The only bad things are finding out certain things that I never wanted to know, for example, that in secondary school, senior guys actually ogle at cute junior girls. Like, eew much?) To a certain extent, it's better than my JC days, when it felt like I didn't particularly fit in. Or maybe it just stems from being more comfortable in my own skin.
Whatever it is, I'm happy.
And I'll be happier if all my tutorial/laboratory slots go through and I have Wednesdays free!
10 August 2008
[11]
Alrighty, I'm back from camp. SOW 2008 was one blast of an experience, and I sure don't regret going. Johnny English (i.e. the OG I was in) has a lot of quirky people; just look at all those photos on Facebook.
Good times and good memories are too hard to put into words, so I won't even attempt to do so.
The use-three-adjectives-to-describe-XXX game can be pretty interesting. Good fodder for conversations on the way home.
Occasionally it does freak me out how easily others read me. Or maybe it's just that others are good at analyzing people and I suck at it.
Running around all week with an average of three hours of sleep per night does tend to make people a little nutty. All the um, unusual tendencies start emerging. Scary. (Half the guys in my OG can testify to that. Heh.)
Sometimes I fear that I don't know who exactly I am any more, 'cause of all the vastly different backgrounds I've been in. (Yes, people still find it weird that an RV girl chose to go to AC.)
It's like I have different personae for dealing with different groups of people, and I don't know if that's a good thing. (Multiple personality disorder huh.) Somehow first impressions do count a lot, and people's expectations just don't allow you to be any other way besides the way they first saw you.
"People are layered, like onions. Friends peel off layers for each other, letting you in deeper and deeper - even if tears are part of the deal."
So. Who's a real friend, and who isn't?
Good times and good memories are too hard to put into words, so I won't even attempt to do so.
The use-three-adjectives-to-describe-XXX game can be pretty interesting. Good fodder for conversations on the way home.
Occasionally it does freak me out how easily others read me. Or maybe it's just that others are good at analyzing people and I suck at it.
Running around all week with an average of three hours of sleep per night does tend to make people a little nutty. All the um, unusual tendencies start emerging. Scary. (Half the guys in my OG can testify to that. Heh.)
Sometimes I fear that I don't know who exactly I am any more, 'cause of all the vastly different backgrounds I've been in. (Yes, people still find it weird that an RV girl chose to go to AC.)
It's like I have different personae for dealing with different groups of people, and I don't know if that's a good thing. (Multiple personality disorder huh.) Somehow first impressions do count a lot, and people's expectations just don't allow you to be any other way besides the way they first saw you.
"People are layered, like onions. Friends peel off layers for each other, letting you in deeper and deeper - even if tears are part of the deal."
So. Who's a real friend, and who isn't?
28 July 2008
[10]
More random things, before I go off to camp!
| You Are an "A-OK" |
 Your greatest wish is to live each day a little better than the next. You are naturally calm and stable. Some people would call you a rock. You feel one with the world. You are a spiritual person, though no one who knows you would guess it. |
What Your Sunglasses Say About You |
 You are down to earth, stable, and practical. You see the world as it is. You accept facts easily. You need to be shaded from overly dramatic and problem prone people. You feel sunniest when things are calm and peaceful |
You are White Chocolate |
 You are White Chocolate You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent. Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you. You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated! |
You Are a Fork |
 You are truthful, direct, and straight forward. People find your honesty to be a bit piercing at times. You are driven and wildly ambitious. You know what you want, and you take the most direct path to getting it. |
| Your Personality Is Like Acid |
 A bit wacky, you're very difficult to predict. One moment you're in your own little happy universe... And the next, you're on a bad trip to your own personal hell! At your best: You understand the world completely, and every ordinary experience is sublime. What people like about being around you: You say and do the craziest things. You're very entertaining. What people dislike about being around you: You're unpredictable. Your mood swings are quite intense. How addicted people get to you: They pretty much don't get addicted to you. |
You Are a Comma |
 You are open minded and extremely optimistic. You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything. You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests. You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time. Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to. (But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.) You excel in: Inspiring people You get along best with: The Question Mark |
23 July 2008
[09]
I screwed up my piano practical exam. 'Nuff said.
It looks like I'll have to retake it next year. (What's new?!) Besides, it ain't a big deal, except for the money. Bleagh.
It looks like I'll have to retake it next year. (What's new?!) Besides, it ain't a big deal, except for the money. Bleagh.
Here's us (just missing Kerryn and Germaine) on 6th July 2008.
Blogging about AEWF now seems rather pointless 'cause about a fortnight has passed, but oh well. Such a big event is worth a mention.
It was an amazing night, and it was great to see many friends whom I've not met in ages and ages.
I thought the college choir was awesome. Going back regularly means that I see/hear them almost every week, and going on tour with them means that I see/hear them even more, and honestly? It was heartening to see what they've become. It's only been half a year, but the change is astounding. I am so, so proud of my juniors.
Though more events are coming up soon, we have a break for now.
Thank goodness.
Going back to school does get tiring after a while, despite all the I-love-singing thoughts in my head. I'm enjoying the free time I have on my hands right now, mainly by sleeping. (Such a pig. Yesterday, I slept the entire day and woke up only for meals. It didn't help that the weather was lovely and cool, totally conducive for sleeping. Such weather only comes by once in a long while, especially since the whole global warming thing started.)
I restarted my theory lessons. Strange how the mathematicality of music slipped my mind in the absence of theory lessons. When I do my homework, I have to count and count and count. On the bright side, it's not calculus.
Negativity annoys me a lot. Don't you just hate it when people say "Oh, that's so difficult! I think you should just give up. Look for an easier alternative."?
Why can't people be more supportive of others?
It makes me wonder, because some words can be very demoralising, especially when they come from someone who's greatly respected or someone in a position to influence others. (I.e. teachers/parents/mentors etc.) And trust me, I've met my fair share of people who tried to discourage me from doing something just because they didn't think I could do it. Quite a few of them are educators, too.
There're realistic suggestions, and then there're discouragements. The former is supportive; the latter is just plain depressing. An educator has a lot of power to influence students. Whatever he does, he just shouldn't cut students down before they even have a chance to realize their potential.
What makes me marvel all the more is that teachers are discouraging me from going into the same profession. (Nah, I don't think it's about the snatching-their-rice-bowls issue.)
There's a difference between "You want to be a teacher? That's crazy, but go ahead. Why not?" and "Teaching is very stressful, especially in schools. I think you shouldn't be one. There're many more lucrative paths to choose, why be a teacher?".
It's not blind optimism I'm advocating. Idealism won't buy you bread, it's true, but a little positivity won't hurt. Besides, it'd make people happier.
It was an amazing night, and it was great to see many friends whom I've not met in ages and ages.
I thought the college choir was awesome. Going back regularly means that I see/hear them almost every week, and going on tour with them means that I see/hear them even more, and honestly? It was heartening to see what they've become. It's only been half a year, but the change is astounding. I am so, so proud of my juniors.
Though more events are coming up soon, we have a break for now.
Thank goodness.
Going back to school does get tiring after a while, despite all the I-love-singing thoughts in my head. I'm enjoying the free time I have on my hands right now, mainly by sleeping. (Such a pig. Yesterday, I slept the entire day and woke up only for meals. It didn't help that the weather was lovely and cool, totally conducive for sleeping. Such weather only comes by once in a long while, especially since the whole global warming thing started.)
I restarted my theory lessons. Strange how the mathematicality of music slipped my mind in the absence of theory lessons. When I do my homework, I have to count and count and count. On the bright side, it's not calculus.
Negativity annoys me a lot. Don't you just hate it when people say "Oh, that's so difficult! I think you should just give up. Look for an easier alternative."?
Why can't people be more supportive of others?
It makes me wonder, because some words can be very demoralising, especially when they come from someone who's greatly respected or someone in a position to influence others. (I.e. teachers/parents/mentors etc.) And trust me, I've met my fair share of people who tried to discourage me from doing something just because they didn't think I could do it. Quite a few of them are educators, too.
There're realistic suggestions, and then there're discouragements. The former is supportive; the latter is just plain depressing. An educator has a lot of power to influence students. Whatever he does, he just shouldn't cut students down before they even have a chance to realize their potential.
What makes me marvel all the more is that teachers are discouraging me from going into the same profession. (Nah, I don't think it's about the snatching-their-rice-bowls issue.)
There's a difference between "You want to be a teacher? That's crazy, but go ahead. Why not?" and "Teaching is very stressful, especially in schools. I think you shouldn't be one. There're many more lucrative paths to choose, why be a teacher?".
It's not blind optimism I'm advocating. Idealism won't buy you bread, it's true, but a little positivity won't hurt. Besides, it'd make people happier.
11 July 2008
[08]
More quizzes, just for fun!
People, please check this quiz out and tell me whether you're a hot sauce or not. This should prove rather interesting. Hahah.
That was harp, mayonnaise, classical music, and no swimsuit respectively. Ah well, just a bit of randomness to enliven the day.
Then came Muesli and winter. And yeah, I'd also like to figure out what's preventing me from being totally happy too.
| You Should Play the Harp |
 You definitely have what it takes to make beautiful music, but most instruments are too harsh for you. You are subtle, shy, and even a bit spoiled. You're very picky about most aspects of your life. It's just your style to play an eccentric, hard to transport instrument like the harp that few people consider. Overall, you have the relaxed demeanor of a leisurely upper class person, and your music would reflect that. Your calm yet soulful harp playing would be sure to help people forget their troubles for a while. Your dominant personality characteristic: your zen-ness Your secondary personality characteristic: your quiet independence |
| You Are Mayonnaise |
 You're happy to sit back and let stronger personalities shine. You value loyalty and harmony. You try to bring people together. Your taste in food leans toward simple comfort foods. You love holiday meals as well as old school favorites like mac and cheese. You get along with mustard and ketchup personalities. You have an unlikely alliance with hot sauce personalities. |
People, please check this quiz out and tell me whether you're a hot sauce or not. This should prove rather interesting. Hahah.
| You Are Classical Music |
 Art of all kinds interests you, and a good piece of art can really effect you emotionally. You are inspired by human achievement, and you appreciate work that takes years to accomplish. For you, the finer things in life are not about snobbery - they're about quality. |
| You Are No Swimsuit |
 And you're not judgmental about other people's bodies either. You are connected to nature. You feel best when you are outdoors. You are a serene and peaceful person. You focus on what's truly important... not material possessions. |
| The Road Trip of Your Life |
 You live life at a fairly leisurely pace. You take time to enjoy the sweeter parts of life, even when you're busy. You are all about risk and randomness in your life. You travel off the beaten path... in fact, you're often the one carving the way! You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out. In another life, you could have been a great artist. You trust your creative instincts enough to let them lead you. |
| What Your These Fireworks Say About You |
 However, you do have a few topics that truly excite you. When you become impassioned, it's a surprise to everyone around you. But if they blink, they'll miss it, because you get back to being calm very quickly. |
That was harp, mayonnaise, classical music, and no swimsuit respectively. Ah well, just a bit of randomness to enliven the day.
| You Are Muesli |
 Your tastes are varied and numerous. You like many types of things. You definitely aren't picky. The only thing you can't stand is being bored. You're the kind of person who can't have the same breakfast often. Your breakfast is unpredictable, unique, and very varies. |
| What Your Shamrock Says About You |
 At times, you get too involved with what's going on in other people's lives. It's hard to remove yourself. You consider yourself a lucky person. Luck always seems to be on your side. You are stylish, in a classic sort of way. You are particular about how you like things. |
| You Are Winter! |
 Serious Cozy Calm Shy |
| You Are Pretty Happy |
 But things could be a little better, and deep down, you know it. Maybe you need more supportive friends or a more challenging career. Something is preventing you from being totally happy. You just need to figure out what it is! |
Then came Muesli and winter. And yeah, I'd also like to figure out what's preventing me from being totally happy too.
Okay crap, I'd better sleep before I launch into more insanity.
I'd intended to blog about AEWF and Taepistris, but judging by the time, it would be better to save it for the next post.
See. I'm rambling incessantly now.
03 July 2008
[07]
Ocean's Eleven will be shown on channel 5 on Friday night. Yay!
I think I just miss watching TV on Friday night. Or maybe it should be "miss watching TV programmes featuring hot guys on Friday night". Hahah.
Here're just some random stuff I thought would be fun. Heh.
1. Do you have many friends?
Uh, HAHAH. No. It takes more than knowing each other's names to be friends. I have quite a few acquaintances though.
2. If you're in trouble, will your friends fly over to help you immediately?
I guess it depends on what kind of trouble and which friend we're talking about here. Oh, and also whether the friends in question know about the trouble. But I know there are people who'll drop everything to help.
3. Will you sacrifice your most precious thing for your friends?
Tangible stuff, yes. Stuff like family, freedom, sentience etc., no.
4. Do you believe in best friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or do you think everyone's equal?
I assume that "everyone's equal" means that everyone is of equal importance to me.
I don't believe in best friends, but there're people whom I'm closer to than others. Does that mean that they're my best friends? I don't know, but when you treasure the friendship you share with someone, it doesn't matter whether they're labelled "best friends" or not.
I'm not going to touch on the boyfriends/girlfriends part.
5. Do you think that the friendship between a guy and a girl can be purely platonic?
Definitely. I have many guy friends, and those friendships are platonic.
6. Do you have a female friend that you can trust with almost everything?
Oh, hahah. Here's where the question-analysis-MUST-look-at-keywords skill comes in. "Almost everything", huh. I have friends whom I can trust with most things, and I'm not stupid enough to trust one person with practically anything. That's too much ammunition for one person to have against me. Very dangerous. (Ooh, that's material for another blog post.)
7. Do you think that friends should tell each other everything?
No, duh. See above answer for elaboration.
8. If your friends are in trouble, what'll you do?
Help them. Like you said, they're my friends. Of course I'll help.
9. In the future, if your friends get married and ask you to be their best man/bridesmaid, will you agree?
It depends on which friend. Heh. Why don't you ask me, and I'll tell you whether I'll be your bridesmaid.
10. What if your enemy calls you one day to make peace?
Ah. Forgive, but not forget. Letting one's guard down equates to raising the potential of getting hurt, and who'd be stupid enough to allow himself/herself to get hurt?
11. What'll you do to a trusted friend who betrays you?
If the issue is really serious, then poof, there goes the friendship. Someone who can betray a friend isn't worth calling a friend at all.
12. If your friend snatches your girlfriend/boyfriend away from you, will you still be his/her friend, or will you hate him/her completely?
See above answer. What kind of friend is that?!
13. If a boy/girl, who has liked your friend for quite some time, asked for your help to win your friend's heart, will you help him/her?
If my friend hates that guy's/girl's guts, I won't help.
Actually, I thought the question was going to be the you-like-guy/girl-guy/girl-likes-friend love triangle scenario. Hahah.
14. Do your parents think that your friends are a bad influence?
No, 'cause they know I'm not that easily influenced.
15. What'll you tell your parents if they asked you to transfer to another school, which means losing all your closest friends?
I'll be fine with it. C'mon, it's the age of technology! What're MSN, blogs, Facebook, email etc. for?!
16. If your friend organized a once-in-a-lifetime party, but your family doesn't allow you to go? Will you sulk/throw a temper/sneak out/not go?
If it clashes with a family gathering, I'll go for the family thing. If I'm free on that day, my family won't stop me from going. (Trust, trust!)
17. Describe your friendship with your friends.
Which friend?
18. Define friendship.
This is so fodder for another entry. Really. Come back and read my answer to this question another time.
19. Name 20 people whom you can think of right now. Don't read the questions till you've named the 20 people! At the end, choose 5 persons to do this quiz.
1. Pearlyn
2. Germaine Foong
3. Jessie
4. Hilmi
5. Kerryn
6. Donald
7. Andrea Quah
8. Huixian
9. Melissa Lin
10. Alvin
11. Weili
12. Sidney
13. Chorkiat
14. Jerome Ng
15. Jessica Fong
16. Muriel
17. Julia
18. Germaine Quek
19. Leheng
20. Yang Yanling
How did you meet no. 4?
Hilmi and I were classmates in JC. Now he's the friend I look for when I need to discuss CSI with someone. Hahah.
What will you do if you never met no. 1?
Life would be very boring, plus I wouldn't have a biaomei. There wouldn't be crazy stuff like poring over a book on baby names, or 4-hour phone calls planning a fanfic up to chapter 20 plus its sequel when we were only at chapter 6, or doing wacky stuff at a journalism camp, or fun delusions. Especially the fun delusions!
Oh, we have more crazy stuff planned. Pearl you'd better not forget!
What if no. 9 and no. 20 dated?
Mel Lin and Yan? Not possible. They're both girls, for one. And I know for a fact that both of them like guys.
Will no. 6 and no. 17 date?
Donald is taken. Julia is... I don't know her relationship status. I don't think they'll date. They're not each other's type.
Speaking of "Donald is taken", DONALD TSANG! Please reply your messages/emails/wall messages on facebook! Or return your calls! We're speculating on where you've gone and dreaming up evil plots to bring you back to earth!
Describe no. 3.
Ummmm. Jessie. She's very smart, and she does read people pretty well. Sometimes a tad too straightforward, but I love her anyway. Oh, and she was an excellent class rep! She really gets things done quickly. Very efficient, which is why Mr. Tan loved her so much. With Jess in the class, he doesn't have to do much administrative work.
Describe no. 7.
Andrea's a sweet and caring girl, and uh... it'll be very strange not standing beside her in choir. Hahah. Fondest memories include counting like crazy in the last row while singing Pok Pok Alimpako in J1. Ah, those were the days.
Do you know any of no. 12's family?
Sid Loo? Unfortunately, no. His house is too far away to be the unofficial clubhouse.
What'll you do if no. 18 confess to you that he/she likes you?
Ahem. I won't do anything. I know Germ Quek likes me. (What's not to like? Hahah.)
What languages does no. 15 speak?
English. As for Chinese... not much. (Heh. Am I right, Jess?) I don't know about any other languages though.
How old is no. 16?
Muriel's 18 this year.
When's the last time you spoke to no. 13?
Last Saturday, during rehearsal. I see Chorks practically every week!
Who's no. 2's favourite band or singer?
Oh my, oh my! I know the answer to this one! Germ loves Milk/Niu nai/Ye Naiwen! (It's plastered all over her blog. So obvious. Hahah.) Umm she likes Qiu Shengyi too. And I think there're more but I can't remember offhand.
Would you ever date no. 4?
I'm sorry, no. (This is where the girls-and-guys-can-be-platonic-friends come in.)
Would you ever date no. 1?
Come on. She's my biaomei. Besides, we both like guys. Hah.
Is no. 19 single?
I don't know! Leheng's been on holiday to Korea/Hong Kong. She may have picked up some cute guy there.
Will you ever be in a relationship with no. 11?
I doubt it. (Age gap! Or maybe it should be generation gap. Oops.)
No. 3's school is...?
Was ACJC; Will be NUS. Oh and we're going to be faculty mates. Yay.
Where does no. 6 live?
Last I heard, he lived in Jurong, but he's disappeared off the face of the earth since then.
Have you seen no. 2 naked?
No. I don't want to either.
What is no. 8's nickname?
The only one I use is HH. The others are too mean to mention. Hahah.
I'm not going to make other people do this quiz too.
But oh, was it fun! It's been ages since I last did something like this.
Here's something else to share: these x-ray photos are really cool.
I think I just miss watching TV on Friday night. Or maybe it should be "miss watching TV programmes featuring hot guys on Friday night". Hahah.
Here're just some random stuff I thought would be fun. Heh.
1. Do you have many friends?
Uh, HAHAH. No. It takes more than knowing each other's names to be friends. I have quite a few acquaintances though.
2. If you're in trouble, will your friends fly over to help you immediately?
I guess it depends on what kind of trouble and which friend we're talking about here. Oh, and also whether the friends in question know about the trouble. But I know there are people who'll drop everything to help.
3. Will you sacrifice your most precious thing for your friends?
Tangible stuff, yes. Stuff like family, freedom, sentience etc., no.
4. Do you believe in best friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or do you think everyone's equal?
I assume that "everyone's equal" means that everyone is of equal importance to me.
I don't believe in best friends, but there're people whom I'm closer to than others. Does that mean that they're my best friends? I don't know, but when you treasure the friendship you share with someone, it doesn't matter whether they're labelled "best friends" or not.
I'm not going to touch on the boyfriends/girlfriends part.
5. Do you think that the friendship between a guy and a girl can be purely platonic?
Definitely. I have many guy friends, and those friendships are platonic.
6. Do you have a female friend that you can trust with almost everything?
Oh, hahah. Here's where the question-analysis-MUST-look-at-keywords skill comes in. "Almost everything", huh. I have friends whom I can trust with most things, and I'm not stupid enough to trust one person with practically anything. That's too much ammunition for one person to have against me. Very dangerous. (Ooh, that's material for another blog post.)
7. Do you think that friends should tell each other everything?
No, duh. See above answer for elaboration.
8. If your friends are in trouble, what'll you do?
Help them. Like you said, they're my friends. Of course I'll help.
9. In the future, if your friends get married and ask you to be their best man/bridesmaid, will you agree?
It depends on which friend. Heh. Why don't you ask me, and I'll tell you whether I'll be your bridesmaid.
10. What if your enemy calls you one day to make peace?
Ah. Forgive, but not forget. Letting one's guard down equates to raising the potential of getting hurt, and who'd be stupid enough to allow himself/herself to get hurt?
11. What'll you do to a trusted friend who betrays you?
If the issue is really serious, then poof, there goes the friendship. Someone who can betray a friend isn't worth calling a friend at all.
12. If your friend snatches your girlfriend/boyfriend away from you, will you still be his/her friend, or will you hate him/her completely?
See above answer. What kind of friend is that?!
13. If a boy/girl, who has liked your friend for quite some time, asked for your help to win your friend's heart, will you help him/her?
If my friend hates that guy's/girl's guts, I won't help.
Actually, I thought the question was going to be the you-like-guy/girl-guy/girl-likes-friend love triangle scenario. Hahah.
14. Do your parents think that your friends are a bad influence?
No, 'cause they know I'm not that easily influenced.
15. What'll you tell your parents if they asked you to transfer to another school, which means losing all your closest friends?
I'll be fine with it. C'mon, it's the age of technology! What're MSN, blogs, Facebook, email etc. for?!
16. If your friend organized a once-in-a-lifetime party, but your family doesn't allow you to go? Will you sulk/throw a temper/sneak out/not go?
If it clashes with a family gathering, I'll go for the family thing. If I'm free on that day, my family won't stop me from going. (Trust, trust!)
17. Describe your friendship with your friends.
Which friend?
18. Define friendship.
This is so fodder for another entry. Really. Come back and read my answer to this question another time.
19. Name 20 people whom you can think of right now. Don't read the questions till you've named the 20 people! At the end, choose 5 persons to do this quiz.
1. Pearlyn
2. Germaine Foong
3. Jessie
4. Hilmi
5. Kerryn
6. Donald
7. Andrea Quah
8. Huixian
9. Melissa Lin
10. Alvin
11. Weili
12. Sidney
13. Chorkiat
14. Jerome Ng
15. Jessica Fong
16. Muriel
17. Julia
18. Germaine Quek
19. Leheng
20. Yang Yanling
How did you meet no. 4?
Hilmi and I were classmates in JC. Now he's the friend I look for when I need to discuss CSI with someone. Hahah.
What will you do if you never met no. 1?
Life would be very boring, plus I wouldn't have a biaomei. There wouldn't be crazy stuff like poring over a book on baby names, or 4-hour phone calls planning a fanfic up to chapter 20 plus its sequel when we were only at chapter 6, or doing wacky stuff at a journalism camp, or fun delusions. Especially the fun delusions!
Oh, we have more crazy stuff planned. Pearl you'd better not forget!
What if no. 9 and no. 20 dated?
Mel Lin and Yan? Not possible. They're both girls, for one. And I know for a fact that both of them like guys.
Will no. 6 and no. 17 date?
Donald is taken. Julia is... I don't know her relationship status. I don't think they'll date. They're not each other's type.
Speaking of "Donald is taken", DONALD TSANG! Please reply your messages/emails/wall messages on facebook! Or return your calls! We're speculating on where you've gone and dreaming up evil plots to bring you back to earth!
Describe no. 3.
Ummmm. Jessie. She's very smart, and she does read people pretty well. Sometimes a tad too straightforward, but I love her anyway. Oh, and she was an excellent class rep! She really gets things done quickly. Very efficient, which is why Mr. Tan loved her so much. With Jess in the class, he doesn't have to do much administrative work.
Describe no. 7.
Andrea's a sweet and caring girl, and uh... it'll be very strange not standing beside her in choir. Hahah. Fondest memories include counting like crazy in the last row while singing Pok Pok Alimpako in J1. Ah, those were the days.
Do you know any of no. 12's family?
Sid Loo? Unfortunately, no. His house is too far away to be the unofficial clubhouse.
What'll you do if no. 18 confess to you that he/she likes you?
Ahem. I won't do anything. I know Germ Quek likes me. (What's not to like? Hahah.)
What languages does no. 15 speak?
English. As for Chinese... not much. (Heh. Am I right, Jess?) I don't know about any other languages though.
How old is no. 16?
Muriel's 18 this year.
When's the last time you spoke to no. 13?
Last Saturday, during rehearsal. I see Chorks practically every week!
Who's no. 2's favourite band or singer?
Oh my, oh my! I know the answer to this one! Germ loves Milk/Niu nai/Ye Naiwen! (It's plastered all over her blog. So obvious. Hahah.) Umm she likes Qiu Shengyi too. And I think there're more but I can't remember offhand.
Would you ever date no. 4?
I'm sorry, no. (This is where the girls-and-guys-can-be-platonic-friends come in.)
Would you ever date no. 1?
Come on. She's my biaomei. Besides, we both like guys. Hah.
Is no. 19 single?
I don't know! Leheng's been on holiday to Korea/Hong Kong. She may have picked up some cute guy there.
Will you ever be in a relationship with no. 11?
I doubt it. (Age gap! Or maybe it should be generation gap. Oops.)
No. 3's school is...?
Was ACJC; Will be NUS. Oh and we're going to be faculty mates. Yay.
Where does no. 6 live?
Last I heard, he lived in Jurong, but he's disappeared off the face of the earth since then.
Have you seen no. 2 naked?
No. I don't want to either.
What is no. 8's nickname?
The only one I use is HH. The others are too mean to mention. Hahah.
I'm not going to make other people do this quiz too.
But oh, was it fun! It's been ages since I last did something like this.
Here's something else to share: these x-ray photos are really cool.
30 June 2008
[06]
I don't like medical examinations. They feel rather freaky, though I have to admit that the doctor was nice. The psychological testing part was fascinating, hahah. It was mentioned in the form but not explicitly stated so when the doctor started asking me various questions related to what I want to do with my life and etc., I kept thinking "OH so this is the part where he determines whether I'm a psychotic nutcase".
We had this discussion on ethical issues ('cause I said that I'll probably be doing life sciences and that I want to teach eventually), and this idea he mentioned was good food-for-thought. The gist of what he mentioned goes something like this: In real life, we're always valuing things and using people, but there's always a struggle in our hearts because we should value people and use things.
The whole thing started with cloning. Then we moved on to embryonic stem cell research (Ah, the last chapter of JC bio.), which led to the ethical issues part. One thing I learnt was that the authorities (Bioethics Committee, I think) determines day 14 as the start of life.
So what are we from days 1 to 13? Non-living?
If this law is laid down just so embryos can be harvested for stem cell research, I think it's majorly wrong.
But it's also true that money makes the world go round, and a lot of things that people do are done for their own selfish gains.
Of course there're people who care for others and give selflessly. The unfortunate thing is that they're the minority. I'm not saying I'm a saint; it's just that... don't you ever wonder why the world is so screwed up sometimes?
Also, since the screwed-up-ness of the world is caused by man, how does that reflect on our inherent nature?
Mmm. Just wondering.
We had this discussion on ethical issues ('cause I said that I'll probably be doing life sciences and that I want to teach eventually), and this idea he mentioned was good food-for-thought. The gist of what he mentioned goes something like this: In real life, we're always valuing things and using people, but there's always a struggle in our hearts because we should value people and use things.
The whole thing started with cloning. Then we moved on to embryonic stem cell research (Ah, the last chapter of JC bio.), which led to the ethical issues part. One thing I learnt was that the authorities (Bioethics Committee, I think) determines day 14 as the start of life.
So what are we from days 1 to 13? Non-living?
If this law is laid down just so embryos can be harvested for stem cell research, I think it's majorly wrong.
But it's also true that money makes the world go round, and a lot of things that people do are done for their own selfish gains.
Of course there're people who care for others and give selflessly. The unfortunate thing is that they're the minority. I'm not saying I'm a saint; it's just that... don't you ever wonder why the world is so screwed up sometimes?
Also, since the screwed-up-ness of the world is caused by man, how does that reflect on our inherent nature?
Mmm. Just wondering.
25 June 2008
[05]
Pearl's comment on science fiction/fantasy inspired this entry, hahah. Happy reading!
(Do note that all research was done on wikipedia, so take what I say with a pinch of salt.)
Fantasy, science fiction and horror fiction are all classified under speculative fiction, which generally deals with events or entities that are unproven or have yet to occur. (Thus speculative fiction, duh.)
The main purpose of horror fiction is to scare/freak out the audience. In my opinion, it's pointless. I've never really understood why people would want to scare themselves; there're many more worthwhile ways to get the adrenaline flowing.
There isn't much to horror fiction anyway, so I'm not going to elaborate. We see enough examples in the cinema as it is, don't we?
Fantasy is a genre that involves magic and other elements of the supernatural, and is usually associated with themes of the European Middle Ages. Technological and morbid themes are avoided in fantasy, unlike the other two subgenres mentioned.
In fantasy stories, fantastic elements usually appear in an internally consistent setting, and restrictions are placed on the characters' powers to ensure structure in the story.
Science fiction, on the other hand, involves speculations based on current or future science and technology. The difference between sci-fi and fantasy lies in how most of the imaginary elements are scientifically possible, i.e. not "magic".
Most works of science fiction are meant to entertain, though at the same time, they are also written with a certain amount of um, intelligent postulations (I couldn't find any better word) about alternate possibilities. Settings in science fiction usually contradict known reality; the characters can be placed anywhere/anytime from the past to the future, from earth to outer space to other worlds (that's where aliens come in). Some stories involve technology or scientific that are complete opposite from the laws of nature that have been discovered as of now, while others involve the discovery or application of new scientific principles or of new and different political/social systems.
I know "new and different political/social systems" doesn't seem related to science fiction, but I guess when science comes into play, like genetic engineering/eugenics/social "brainwashing" etc., the new technology changes society and so connecting science to the alteration of political/social systems. Aldous Huxley's Brave New World is a great example. So are most books of Scott Westerfeld's, but I won't harp on that. Heh.
Science fiction is thus also a "literature of ideas", as it explores the consequences of such changes implemented in society.
Oh this is something that I didn't know: Science fiction is divided into hard and soft sci-fi.
Hard sci-fi novels includes a lot of accurate details from the quantitative sciences (especially physics, astrophysics and chemistry). E.g. 2001: A Space Odyssey (and subsequent sequels) by Arthur C. Clarke.
Soft science fiction/social sci-fi are mostly based on the social sciences, i.e. psychology, economics, political science, sociology and anthropology. (I remember this huge debate in my GP class about whether social sciences are true sciences or not, but let's just assume that they are, even if they're not traditional sciences. Man has progressed, so let's not get stuck in old mindsets, yes?)
It's not that I don't like fantasy; I love the entire The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. What I dislike are stories that aren't thought-provoking, that are written for the sake of producing something. Everything is so commercialized nowadays that a lot of stuff exist just to make money, and where's the point in that?
I think every piece of work has to serve its purpose. Pure entertainment is a valid enough reason to produce something, but it can entertain and educate (or at least, induce some brain activity) at the same time.
This, is why I don't like senseless horror flicks.
Interestingly, the site also included a section on fanfiction, of which there're five different types: chaptered fic, drabble (commonly known as one-shot), songfic and alternative universe.
A chaptered fic is the traditional kind, kind of like a novel.
Drabbles/One-shots (or two-shots or many-shots depending on how many the author writes, hahah) reflect a moment in time and is usually about the thoughts of the character(s).
Songfics are based on songs, with the writer getting inspiration from the song(s)' lyrics.
Authors of alternative universe fanfics change the settings but keep the same characters, creating potential what-if situations.
Just thought I should include fanfic simply for interest's sake. Hahah.
Alright, the entry was rather dry, but I had fun with it, so much that it doesn't really matter if people hated reading it. Hahah.
Tata till the next entry!
(Do note that all research was done on wikipedia, so take what I say with a pinch of salt.)
Fantasy, science fiction and horror fiction are all classified under speculative fiction, which generally deals with events or entities that are unproven or have yet to occur. (Thus speculative fiction, duh.)
The main purpose of horror fiction is to scare/freak out the audience. In my opinion, it's pointless. I've never really understood why people would want to scare themselves; there're many more worthwhile ways to get the adrenaline flowing.
There isn't much to horror fiction anyway, so I'm not going to elaborate. We see enough examples in the cinema as it is, don't we?
Fantasy is a genre that involves magic and other elements of the supernatural, and is usually associated with themes of the European Middle Ages. Technological and morbid themes are avoided in fantasy, unlike the other two subgenres mentioned.
In fantasy stories, fantastic elements usually appear in an internally consistent setting, and restrictions are placed on the characters' powers to ensure structure in the story.
Science fiction, on the other hand, involves speculations based on current or future science and technology. The difference between sci-fi and fantasy lies in how most of the imaginary elements are scientifically possible, i.e. not "magic".
Most works of science fiction are meant to entertain, though at the same time, they are also written with a certain amount of um, intelligent postulations (I couldn't find any better word) about alternate possibilities. Settings in science fiction usually contradict known reality; the characters can be placed anywhere/anytime from the past to the future, from earth to outer space to other worlds (that's where aliens come in). Some stories involve technology or scientific that are complete opposite from the laws of nature that have been discovered as of now, while others involve the discovery or application of new scientific principles or of new and different political/social systems.
I know "new and different political/social systems" doesn't seem related to science fiction, but I guess when science comes into play, like genetic engineering/eugenics/social "brainwashing" etc., the new technology changes society and so connecting science to the alteration of political/social systems. Aldous Huxley's Brave New World is a great example. So are most books of Scott Westerfeld's, but I won't harp on that. Heh.
Science fiction is thus also a "literature of ideas", as it explores the consequences of such changes implemented in society.
Oh this is something that I didn't know: Science fiction is divided into hard and soft sci-fi.
Hard sci-fi novels includes a lot of accurate details from the quantitative sciences (especially physics, astrophysics and chemistry). E.g. 2001: A Space Odyssey (and subsequent sequels) by Arthur C. Clarke.
Soft science fiction/social sci-fi are mostly based on the social sciences, i.e. psychology, economics, political science, sociology and anthropology. (I remember this huge debate in my GP class about whether social sciences are true sciences or not, but let's just assume that they are, even if they're not traditional sciences. Man has progressed, so let's not get stuck in old mindsets, yes?)
It's not that I don't like fantasy; I love the entire The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. What I dislike are stories that aren't thought-provoking, that are written for the sake of producing something. Everything is so commercialized nowadays that a lot of stuff exist just to make money, and where's the point in that?
I think every piece of work has to serve its purpose. Pure entertainment is a valid enough reason to produce something, but it can entertain and educate (or at least, induce some brain activity) at the same time.
This, is why I don't like senseless horror flicks.
Interestingly, the site also included a section on fanfiction, of which there're five different types: chaptered fic, drabble (commonly known as one-shot), songfic and alternative universe.
A chaptered fic is the traditional kind, kind of like a novel.
Drabbles/One-shots (or two-shots or many-shots depending on how many the author writes, hahah) reflect a moment in time and is usually about the thoughts of the character(s).
Songfics are based on songs, with the writer getting inspiration from the song(s)' lyrics.
Authors of alternative universe fanfics change the settings but keep the same characters, creating potential what-if situations.
Just thought I should include fanfic simply for interest's sake. Hahah.
Alright, the entry was rather dry, but I had fun with it, so much that it doesn't really matter if people hated reading it. Hahah.
Tata till the next entry!
23 June 2008
[04]
I saw the fourth book of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies/Pretties/Specials trilogy, Extras. (Don't ask me about the fourth-book-in-the-trilogy thing; I have no idea why, but it is kind of cute.)
Pushing Daisies is pretty much the only serial I'm watching nowadays, ever since season 2 of Supernatural ended. Science fiction again. Hahah.
It reminds me a lot of Amelie 'cause of the whimsical details but Pushing Daisies is easier to watch. The reasons for filming/writing it a certain way are less... obscure. Not that it really matters; I never really got the "so-and-so, 9 years 3 months 4 days 38 minutes and 49 seconds old, is..." thing. Just get to the point, please.
I've been slacking my ass off and enjoying it. Work may be coming in soon; the first assignment I got from the tuition agency was... Yep, you guessed it. Math. It's not confirmed yet, so I'm going to recharge while I can.
Time to drag out all those math textbooks too. Whee.
Pushing Daisies is pretty much the only serial I'm watching nowadays, ever since season 2 of Supernatural ended. Science fiction again. Hahah.
It reminds me a lot of Amelie 'cause of the whimsical details but Pushing Daisies is easier to watch. The reasons for filming/writing it a certain way are less... obscure. Not that it really matters; I never really got the "so-and-so, 9 years 3 months 4 days 38 minutes and 49 seconds old, is..." thing. Just get to the point, please.
I've been slacking my ass off and enjoying it. Work may be coming in soon; the first assignment I got from the tuition agency was... Yep, you guessed it. Math. It's not confirmed yet, so I'm going to recharge while I can.
Time to drag out all those math textbooks too. Whee.
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