Fresh
Whew. Finally the new template's up. I'm not sure if I'm crazy over it, I wasn't wowed by it when I first saw it assembled. I remember thinking, 'Oh dear. All that hard work for this.' I dunno, I was just too caught up with the coolness of Mondrian art (Google him) that I think I momentarily forgot about blending. I'm not even sure what's the tree for again. Haha. And hmm.. something tells me this new blog is too colorful for my liking. Also, I was thinking of getting rid of the cartoon characters (but I still like you Calvin, Hobbes, Snoopy and Linus of course) for a more mature feel, although I must admit I thoroughly Photoshopped that tree on the right to get rid of Hobbes (You can google for the original image if you wish). Haha, I'm proud of that tree, and hopefully it isn't too noticeable how thoroughly edited it is, the whole of it. Anyway, even if the template wasn't exactly how I expected it, it's still my baby, so I like it a lot.
It grows on you, actually. (Yes, tree included, although that sounds a bit off.) So I like this fresh new look. I was for a while thinking of a fresh new name too, but my sister thought it was so bleah I could very well have named the new blog to something hideous like "Swan Lake". Haha I won't tell what I came up with, although it's infinitely more decent than that.
Anyway, it's Moonstruck Inc. still for the meantime, and maybe for good. I don't really know. Anyway, I fixed the clickables at the left, too. It's less messier than the previous. This isn't final yet, too. Just the soft opening of sorts.
I can't do a decent blog entry now actually, as the main purpose of this Internet Cafe visit was to set this up. Anyway, I'm glad I uploaded the template on June 30th, end of the month, as tomorrow will rightfully be a fresh new start. (Yes my persistence on this whole new-beginning thing is unmistakable)
Goodbye for now, and feel free to comment on the new template.
Not the usual
Not the usual
If you're a frequent stalker/reader of this blog (yes I know frequent can't be too frequent as my posts don't come often enough anyway), you'd know that there are a few things that don't quite come up. Don't bother thinking what they are, I'm gonna bring up one right now, and that's sports.
People who know me know that I am barely sports-minded, and that I'd much rather prefer talking about MTV, or that new song on the radio, or Scrubs or OC or Lost. Well, it's a good time for sports around the world right now, and since I've always rather thought that sports is cool and I just didn't get into it when I had the chance, I decided to catch the World Cup and NBA Finals on TV.
I watched the Sweden-Paraguay soccer match yesterday, and it was quite good. I've always appreciated soccer, from watching Kent Ridge Hall play in the Inter-Hall Games, and found it a pity I didn't know how to play and it's too late to learn. I didn't watch all 90 minutes of the Sweden-Paraguay match, though, as it was not as exciting as soccer fans would have hoped. It was 0-0 for the most part, althought there were a number of noble, although fruitless, attempts to score a goal. It was not until the 89th minute when Djungberg scored the first goal for Sweden, to the disappointment of Paraguay, who were stripped of their chance to win the Cup.
The game turned exciting towards the end, and I think I'm gonna be looking out for more matches on the sports channels on TV. I don't want Brazil to win because I've always liked the underdog. I don't know who exactly to support, but I'm a little biased, so I'm rooting for Czech Republic (because of such amazing memories at that place last year) and I hope Italy loses (because of such horrible memories at their Singapore embassy last year). Haha.
* * *
Just this morning I caught Game 5 of the NBA Finals live on TV. The series was tied 2-2, and with the Miami Heat pulling off an upset by scoring two consecutive wins in the games to catch up with the Dallas Mavericks. This 5th game was Miami's chance to tip the balance in their favor.
I could have caught the game from the First Quarter, but not surprisingly, I only decided to watch the Fourth (Haha) because the good stuff would be in there anyway (pardon to all offended sports fans). Anyway, it was a kick-ass game! Miami, I felt, had everything going for them, what with the homecourt advantage, Shaq, Payton, and the stunning Dwyane Wade on a hot streak. And so I, ever the underdog-supporter, was cheering on for Dallas, and its star players Terry and Nowitski.
Man, I was cheering in the living room by my lonesome, as Dallas seemed to have sealed the game by scoring crucial points in the last few minutes. The lead was down to two as the minutes ticked by, and then Wade would even it out, but Dallas would still inch away with two points. With barely 9 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Dallas had the lead, and the once-roaring Miami crowd was momentarily shut up. And then this Wade does the impossible and scores again, to tumultuous applause, bringing the game to Overtime with a score of 93-93.
The five-minute overtime was just as exciting, as some of Dallas previous tactics worked, and they momentarily were in the lead, but then Miami wisened up and used Wade as a decoy bringing the game to another tie. In the crucial last few seconds, Dallas was up by 1, 100-99, when Wade decided to make his move again. He missed, yes, but (because) he was fouled, so off to the free throw he went, with just about two seconds left. He shot the first free throw, bringing the score to 100-100, and the win now depended on his second free throw. Well, what do you know, he did it again, and the crowd roared. Dallas couldn't pull off a shot across the court in the remaining two seconds, so the game was Miami's.
Darn, it would have been fun to see the prepared confetti NOT go down on the jubilant Miami team and the roaring crowd. Oh well, at least the whole city of Miami is feeling very good about themselves right now. I hope it's Dallas turn to celebrate on Wednesday.
P.S. I didn't plan to devote a full long entry on sports, so I'm gonna post the other stuff next time. Part of it is my Happy Birthday to my brother Schroeder, who would have turned 22 yesterday. Rest in peace, big bro. :)
No dishes left unwashed
No dishes left unwashed
I've just finished my kitchen chores, and let me prouldly announce that there are no dishes left unwashed. I say it with a sort of leave-no-stone-unturned accomplishment, because of all chores, dishwashing hits the top 10 of my dislikes.
In any case, I'm still domesticated for my own good, but it's a good thing I guess. My friends began their classes on Tuesday, and so did my sister. I guess it's Home Alone time for me now, as I guess the time of going out with friends has come to an end as I don't fly to Singapore until mid-July. I'm not complaining much, really, as I pretty much expected nothing else.
For a while my post as editor for the Outspoken Desk of The Ridge has been keeping me busy, gathering and editing articles from my writers, nagging them if they don't submit, asking them and collecting pictures for their articles, and settling writers' matters with my bosses. My deadline's over, though, and after submitting the Outspoken Desk articles to my Executive Ed, I guess that leaves me free. Relatively. I think.
I don't check my emails often (I miss unlimited internet in NUS), and I find that the longer the time before I decide to do so, the longer my break turns out to be.
* * *
It was the 108th year of Philippine Independence on Monday, that's why the first day of class nationwide was moved the next day. I feel a bit bad that I did not especially feel a burning sense of patriotism in me that day, and all I really cared for the previous days were sales at the malls, and the weekend before Independence day turned out to be a good time to pop by the mall for good discounts. I'm sorry, dear mother Philippines, you know I love you anyway. :)
The weekend before that there were midnight sales as well, this time due to an event called "Back-to-school". Next weekend there would be another reasons for malls to issue discounts, Father's Day. Ahh you cheeky cheeky shopowners.. you always find a reason to celebrate.
I'm not complaining though. I got myself a good pair of jeans (button-fly with a bluish-green tinge), Chucks-like shoes from Bench for everyday use in school, Board shorts (as if I do surfing), and boxers! Yiheee. I'm usually a briefs person, for the record.
* * *
I've finally finished reading A Twist in the Tale, a short story collection by Jeffrey Archer. Wow, I feel so proud of myself. I've always loved short stories, because I'm too lazy to finish novels, but the thing with short story collections is that I never get to finish them--until Jeffrey Archer's.
I have vowed that it will be a new life after last semester, and part of the process is to finish off what was left undone in the past. A few days ago, I finished Harry Potter 6 (softcopy downloaded from the Internet hurhur), which I only partially read in December. Now I'm thinking of finishing up my Stephen King short story collections, two of them, which I hesitated to finish some YEARS ago because I didn't want to run out of stories, because each story was just so good (or so I thought then).
A lot to finish and settle and loose ends to tie according to my grand New Life plan, and I'm hell bent on doing everything to make this work.
"Busy"
"Busy"
Another day, another blog. The previous entry I wrapped up and uploaded only today, May 31st, because I was busy once again. With what? Busy with the usual things that have kept me busy the past two weeks I've been back home.. Ridge stuff, and Choir stuff. But actually that doesn't really cut it, 'cos most of the day Jose's doing nothing.
Haha. Nothing but watch TV and lying down and reading more Jeffrey Archer short stories, or watching Lost ofr Prison Break TV shows on his laptop. Haha. Busy with nothing, more like it. Just the way I like it too.
When I came back to the Philippines, what I had in mind was just to de-stress, because God knows it was a bad burnout I got myself into in Singapore. The grades, which I got a few days ago still haunt me, and although the feelind is not the sudden-death I-think-I'll-jump-off-building kind, I think it's even worse, because it's the gnaw-at-your-sanity-bit-by-bit type.
Anyway, aside from that, everything's dandy and well, just all in a day's work. My jobs as editor of the Outspoken desk and as Secretary of NUS Choir are keeping me typing and thinking and typing again, but that's all right.
Maybe I should post photos of the Karaoke and billiards session a good bunch of my high school friends went on last week. Haha but that'll have to wait, cos I have barely 2 minutes left in this internet cafe. Haha ciao!
Another day, another blog. The previous entry I wrapped up and uploaded only today, May 31st, because I was busy once again. With what? Busy with the usual things that have kept me busy the past two weeks I've been back home.. Ridge stuff, and Choir stuff. But actually that doesn't really cut it, 'cos most of the day Jose's doing nothing.
Haha. Nothing but watch TV and lying down and reading more Jeffrey Archer short stories, or watching Lost ofr Prison Break TV shows on his laptop. Haha. Busy with nothing, more like it. Just the way I like it too.
When I came back to the Philippines, what I had in mind was just to de-stress, because God knows it was a bad burnout I got myself into in Singapore. The grades, which I got a few days ago still haunt me, and although the feelind is not the sudden-death I-think-I'll-jump-off-building kind, I think it's even worse, because it's the gnaw-at-your-sanity-bit-by-bit type.
Anyway, aside from that, everything's dandy and well, just all in a day's work. My jobs as editor of the Outspoken desk and as Secretary of NUS Choir are keeping me typing and thinking and typing again, but that's all right.
Maybe I should post photos of the Karaoke and billiards session a good bunch of my high school friends went on last week. Haha but that'll have to wait, cos I have barely 2 minutes left in this internet cafe. Haha ciao!
Overdue
Overdue
Yep, overdue. That's what this entry is. As is the case with everything else overdue, so many things have happened since the supposed due date (whenever that is), and this may be the right time to fill you in (whoever you are).
OK, so let's start with the here and now. I'm home! Here in the beautiful city of Davao, Philippines, and better yet, right in the comfort of our own family home. Jason Mraz's Geek in the Pink is playing for the nth time on the radio (heavy rotation yeah), and I'm sitting here in the living room, having just finished my miscellaneous work for the Ridge and the Choir. My sister's preparing to go to this health and fitness club called Holiday Spa, for which she took a month-long subscription to enjoy unlimited access to the fun fitness services and classes (bellydancing, boxing, pilates, latino dance, etc). Dad's asleep upstairs, Ma's away taking some comprehensive exam for her PhD. Kai, Dad and I will be off soon--Kai to the Spa, Dad to a meeting, and I'll go to the Internet cafe to work on Choir and Ridge stuff again (email people mostly).
* * *
Last time I went online was yesterday, at the mall, right before I went with sister Kai and good buddy Jacques to watch X-Men 3. That's something blogworthy, really. I mean me going online yesterday, not the movie (although for me the movie kicks ass. Kai wanted to watch the movie twice as usual, so I stuck around).
Anyway, being online yesterday was something I looked forward to. Not with enthusiastic anticipation, but with fearful anxiety. Grades were released online yesterday, finally. I wanted the grades issue to be over and done with soonest, because I knew that last semester was the worst ever. A disaster, if you please. I was half-joking to Kai and Ma the night before that I was preparing my toold
I dunno how NUS does it, but every single time during the online release of results, I get stunned. Stunned in a good way, or otherwise, I get taken for a ride. Mmmm.. NUS, all 100 years old of it, and yet still full of surprises. Well, that, or maybe I'm just lousy at estimating my own grades.
I was correct about the general picture though, that last semester was a disaster. And, with utmost conviction, I declare that the next sem will be the beginning of a new life. A new life, ladies and gentlemen, and not just in terms of academics.
After all, truly horrible things always inspire incredible spin-offs.
Yep, overdue. That's what this entry is. As is the case with everything else overdue, so many things have happened since the supposed due date (whenever that is), and this may be the right time to fill you in (whoever you are).
OK, so let's start with the here and now. I'm home! Here in the beautiful city of Davao, Philippines, and better yet, right in the comfort of our own family home. Jason Mraz's Geek in the Pink is playing for the nth time on the radio (heavy rotation yeah), and I'm sitting here in the living room, having just finished my miscellaneous work for the Ridge and the Choir. My sister's preparing to go to this health and fitness club called Holiday Spa, for which she took a month-long subscription to enjoy unlimited access to the fun fitness services and classes (bellydancing, boxing, pilates, latino dance, etc). Dad's asleep upstairs, Ma's away taking some comprehensive exam for her PhD. Kai, Dad and I will be off soon--Kai to the Spa, Dad to a meeting, and I'll go to the Internet cafe to work on Choir and Ridge stuff again (email people mostly).
* * *
Last time I went online was yesterday, at the mall, right before I went with sister Kai and good buddy Jacques to watch X-Men 3. That's something blogworthy, really. I mean me going online yesterday, not the movie (although for me the movie kicks ass. Kai wanted to watch the movie twice as usual, so I stuck around).
Anyway, being online yesterday was something I looked forward to. Not with enthusiastic anticipation, but with fearful anxiety. Grades were released online yesterday, finally. I wanted the grades issue to be over and done with soonest, because I knew that last semester was the worst ever. A disaster, if you please. I was half-joking to Kai and Ma the night before that I was preparing my toold
I dunno how NUS does it, but every single time during the online release of results, I get stunned. Stunned in a good way, or otherwise, I get taken for a ride. Mmmm.. NUS, all 100 years old of it, and yet still full of surprises. Well, that, or maybe I'm just lousy at estimating my own grades.
I was correct about the general picture though, that last semester was a disaster. And, with utmost conviction, I declare that the next sem will be the beginning of a new life. A new life, ladies and gentlemen, and not just in terms of academics.
After all, truly horrible things always inspire incredible spin-offs.
Closing time
Closing time
OK, so this is it. I'm really leaving now. Haha, the previous post wasn't really goodbye Singapore, but this is. I'm leaving tonight for the airport, sleep there, to make it in time for my 7:00AM flight tomorrow for the Philippines. Yes I'm such a cheapskate for not choosing to take a cab tomorrow morning and incur the 50% off-peak surcharge, but another reason is that I'm afraid to miss my flight again (yes that happened before).
Ten days since that last post, a whole lot of things have happened, and I don't know, those past days were rather fun actually, but right now, I'm just feeling fatigue. Most everybody else have (or has? Hmm.) gone home, and since my block D-block isn't the vacation block, I think as of today, I'm the only soul left in the block. I don't mind really, I haven't been hanging in my room all that much, and I'm fortunate to be kept busy all this time.
I'll blog about my adventures soon (not that they're oh-so-interesting anyway), but yep I had fun and I have my friends to thank. :) But for now, Joseph has to do the final-final packing, as he has to leave for the airport by 11pm, and must chuck away the mess in his suitcases now.
It's been a thoroughly challenging 5 months, I'm just glad it's over, and that I'm going home.
Oh, and goodbye Kent Ridge Hall too. I'm not coming back here next semester, as I move to Ridge View Residences. Something tells me I should take photos of me and my empty room and the main entrance and all that, but nah, let's get the packing done first, shall we?
Bye.
OK, so this is it. I'm really leaving now. Haha, the previous post wasn't really goodbye Singapore, but this is. I'm leaving tonight for the airport, sleep there, to make it in time for my 7:00AM flight tomorrow for the Philippines. Yes I'm such a cheapskate for not choosing to take a cab tomorrow morning and incur the 50% off-peak surcharge, but another reason is that I'm afraid to miss my flight again (yes that happened before).
Ten days since that last post, a whole lot of things have happened, and I don't know, those past days were rather fun actually, but right now, I'm just feeling fatigue. Most everybody else have (or has? Hmm.) gone home, and since my block D-block isn't the vacation block, I think as of today, I'm the only soul left in the block. I don't mind really, I haven't been hanging in my room all that much, and I'm fortunate to be kept busy all this time.
I'll blog about my adventures soon (not that they're oh-so-interesting anyway), but yep I had fun and I have my friends to thank. :) But for now, Joseph has to do the final-final packing, as he has to leave for the airport by 11pm, and must chuck away the mess in his suitcases now.
It's been a thoroughly challenging 5 months, I'm just glad it's over, and that I'm going home.
Oh, and goodbye Kent Ridge Hall too. I'm not coming back here next semester, as I move to Ridge View Residences. Something tells me I should take photos of me and my empty room and the main entrance and all that, but nah, let's get the packing done first, shall we?
Gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing Time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
-Closing Time by Semisonic
Bye.
Time to say goodbye
Time to say goodbye
As if on cue, the very 'operatic' Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman plays on my Windows Media Player. Sigh. What a fitting end to the most difficult semester of my life.
I just finished my final exam for this sem, the one for the Actuarial Statistics module that had me tear at my hair over and over for the past months. Sucked. I declare it is humanly impossible to finish the six-question exam (with parts A and B too) in 2 hours. The formulas (or formulae?) were just too many, the constant reference to both my battered double-sided help sheet (or cheat sheet as we all call it) and the Life Table was dizzying, and on top of that, I was in my semi-bulimic mode perhaps because of the sleeplessness and stress.
Anyway, 6 exams down and the semester's over man. Lessons learned: taking 6 modules (2 Level 3000, 2 Level 2000, 2 Level 1000 from Science, Business, and Arts faculties) is insane. Be careful next time Jose. Maybe I should just take a few non-examinable modules so I can distribute the stress throughout the year. And yes, I shall never ever underestimate Level 3000 modules, AND that stupid killer calculus module MA1104 that isn't even part of my core modules but which I'm taking as a prerequisite for Financial Maths).
Ugh. fsdhilsafhuasldgfag'f;lghfsdg;h;. ljrg;hksdgihsdgjfogiouiser;
OK, where was I? Oh yeah, lessons learned. Think twice about taking 7 modules per sem, and whether I really want to fulfill my ambition plan of completing two minors.
Also, dear Jose, try try try to not fall in the same spreading-self-too-thin trap again. You been falling into the same trap for a few years now it's becoming a bit stupid. OK? :)
But if there's anything that's come out of this, it's that I'm more psychologically and mentally and emotionally ready for the biggest hurdle to come, Year 3. It's a big thing because it could determine whether I could qualify for Honours Year, Year 4. It's different here compared to the Philippines, because three years is deemed sufficient for a regular Bachelor's degree, while it's generally four years over there.
The other perk that has resulted from this mugging madness of late is that the Choir fellows are so much tighter now. My God, we studied for long hours every day together. Dunno if that's a good thing, because most of us muggers are in the Choir Commitee (both the executive comm and musico of 2005/06 and 06/07 too) and we've been lately been bashing each other (in a joking way of course), but I have no idea how that will affect our professional working relationships next sem, and in front of the new choir members too. Hmm.. oh well.
OK, exams are over and I don't wanna overthink matters anymore. Maybe next week. Maybe on May 26th (or is it 25th) when the exam results will be out. In the meantime, a few of us from choir's going to the Jurong Bird Park this afternoon, and while I'm not super-ecstatic-woohoo-I'm-so-thrilled, I'm sure it's gonna be fun. My first time there too. But mostly, it's just good to be out of NUS after a long time, to just chill and relax and get the exams and schoolwork off my mind.
P.S. This was saved as a draft for the longest time, as I had originally written this entry on May 4th (unfinished), and I'm only posting it up today, May 14th.
As if on cue, the very 'operatic' Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman plays on my Windows Media Player. Sigh. What a fitting end to the most difficult semester of my life.
I just finished my final exam for this sem, the one for the Actuarial Statistics module that had me tear at my hair over and over for the past months. Sucked. I declare it is humanly impossible to finish the six-question exam (with parts A and B too) in 2 hours. The formulas (or formulae?) were just too many, the constant reference to both my battered double-sided help sheet (or cheat sheet as we all call it) and the Life Table was dizzying, and on top of that, I was in my semi-bulimic mode perhaps because of the sleeplessness and stress.
Anyway, 6 exams down and the semester's over man. Lessons learned: taking 6 modules (2 Level 3000, 2 Level 2000, 2 Level 1000 from Science, Business, and Arts faculties) is insane. Be careful next time Jose. Maybe I should just take a few non-examinable modules so I can distribute the stress throughout the year. And yes, I shall never ever underestimate Level 3000 modules, AND that stupid killer calculus module MA1104 that isn't even part of my core modules but which I'm taking as a prerequisite for Financial Maths).
Ugh. fsdhilsafhuasldgfag'f;lghfsdg;h;. ljrg;hksdgihsdgjfogiouiser;
OK, where was I? Oh yeah, lessons learned. Think twice about taking 7 modules per sem, and whether I really want to fulfill my ambition plan of completing two minors.
Also, dear Jose, try try try to not fall in the same spreading-self-too-thin trap again. You been falling into the same trap for a few years now it's becoming a bit stupid. OK? :)
But if there's anything that's come out of this, it's that I'm more psychologically and mentally and emotionally ready for the biggest hurdle to come, Year 3. It's a big thing because it could determine whether I could qualify for Honours Year, Year 4. It's different here compared to the Philippines, because three years is deemed sufficient for a regular Bachelor's degree, while it's generally four years over there.
The other perk that has resulted from this mugging madness of late is that the Choir fellows are so much tighter now. My God, we studied for long hours every day together. Dunno if that's a good thing, because most of us muggers are in the Choir Commitee (both the executive comm and musico of 2005/06 and 06/07 too) and we've been lately been bashing each other (in a joking way of course), but I have no idea how that will affect our professional working relationships next sem, and in front of the new choir members too. Hmm.. oh well.
OK, exams are over and I don't wanna overthink matters anymore. Maybe next week. Maybe on May 26th (or is it 25th) when the exam results will be out. In the meantime, a few of us from choir's going to the Jurong Bird Park this afternoon, and while I'm not super-ecstatic-woohoo-I'm-so-thrilled, I'm sure it's gonna be fun. My first time there too. But mostly, it's just good to be out of NUS after a long time, to just chill and relax and get the exams and schoolwork off my mind.
P.S. This was saved as a draft for the longest time, as I had originally written this entry on May 4th (unfinished), and I'm only posting it up today, May 14th.
Crunch crunch
Crunch Crunch
OK, this is another of those times when I shouldn't be blogging but I do anyway, and this time it's just to say that I'm still alive, and the reason for my absence is that exam season has begun over here at NUS.
I sat for my first two papers last Friday and Saturday, and it feels good to flush out brain disk space for those two modules Operations Management and yes-yes-it's-finally-over-that-cheem-module Regression Analysis. This week's gonna be loaded with exams too, with my Financial Accounting exam at 5PM later today, my Lord-please-help-me Multivariable Calculus on Wednesday, and viewings-and-readings-loaded Reading Film and Cultural Texts on Friday. The exam that I'm most freaked out over, that for Actuarial Statistics, isn't until May 4th, so I can focus on that after this crazy week.
Needless to say, I've been very busy studying the past days, and although it's been fun at times, right now I'm just feeling jaded more than anything. Exhausted too, but more jaded, really.
Anyway, the results for the projects and essay I did that stressful stressful week I had sometime ago have arrived, and maybe I'll talk about them sometime else, especially about the HORROR that swept over me when I got back my English essay. Hehe. Not so bad, but it was pure horror. Heh.
And hmm.. let me take this time out to say congratulations to my pretty sister for being in the Dean's List at UPLB last semester and honor student or something too the sem before that! Tsk tsk she kept it from me all along that cheeky girl! Haha now the truth is out! Hehe I've never been in the Dean's List in college too! Hehe congrats Kai! Keep doing really well over at Ateneo de Davao ok? Hmm.. lemme see what goodies I can reward you with.
6:18AM, and it's time to get up and face the new day. Good morning world, and Lord please help me with my Accounting exam! :)
OK, this is another of those times when I shouldn't be blogging but I do anyway, and this time it's just to say that I'm still alive, and the reason for my absence is that exam season has begun over here at NUS.
I sat for my first two papers last Friday and Saturday, and it feels good to flush out brain disk space for those two modules Operations Management and yes-yes-it's-finally-over-that-cheem-module Regression Analysis. This week's gonna be loaded with exams too, with my Financial Accounting exam at 5PM later today, my Lord-please-help-me Multivariable Calculus on Wednesday, and viewings-and-readings-loaded Reading Film and Cultural Texts on Friday. The exam that I'm most freaked out over, that for Actuarial Statistics, isn't until May 4th, so I can focus on that after this crazy week.
Needless to say, I've been very busy studying the past days, and although it's been fun at times, right now I'm just feeling jaded more than anything. Exhausted too, but more jaded, really.
Anyway, the results for the projects and essay I did that stressful stressful week I had sometime ago have arrived, and maybe I'll talk about them sometime else, especially about the HORROR that swept over me when I got back my English essay. Hehe. Not so bad, but it was pure horror. Heh.
And hmm.. let me take this time out to say congratulations to my pretty sister for being in the Dean's List at UPLB last semester and honor student or something too the sem before that! Tsk tsk she kept it from me all along that cheeky girl! Haha now the truth is out! Hehe I've never been in the Dean's List in college too! Hehe congrats Kai! Keep doing really well over at Ateneo de Davao ok? Hmm.. lemme see what goodies I can reward you with.
6:18AM, and it's time to get up and face the new day. Good morning world, and Lord please help me with my Accounting exam! :)
Hodgepodge
Hodgepodge
Nope, this isn't because Nestor and Ferron have in some way urged me to update this blog. It's more because, well, it's been a thoroughly disappointing day for mugging, and what the heck, I have a few minutes to spare before I grab my dinner and fly away into the night, engaging Regression Analysis in an intensive batttle of the brains.
That, and, maybe the fact that I miss blogging too, it's just that it's been overly hectic lately. So hectic, in fact, that I didn't (and don't) quite mind that some people think I'm a dorky loser, with no life whatsoever, who spends day and night mugging like there's no tomorrow. It's true I've been working a lot, but only to catch up on my requirements, which are a lot given my 6 modules, but to justify that whatever I do is not advanced mugging work, but the work of a cramming scatter-brained fellow, I don't really have time or energy or concern now. Look at me with pity or what, I don't really care. Tell me I'm ugly, so what? I have bigger concerns which require my energy and time.
OK that's not quite a nice way to start off this entry, but I guess the exam pressure is getting to me. Exams are in a week's time, and I'm still reeling from the madness of the week that jsut passed. Can I just please rest first, I tell Grandpa NUS. No, you dork, nobody rests in my household! Go grab your books because the acid test comes at the end of the week!
OK lo. So hence little Joseph's predicament.
In any case, what should be the attitude really, is thankfulness that the week is over. The weekend preceding it was the most difficult and trying weekend of my life. Actually, the pressure was building up even the week before that, as my group had to submit this incredibly draining Actuarial Statistics project. Here's a chronology:
6th April, Thursday - Actuarial Statistics project due at 11AM
Iris and I spent the whole night at the Central Forum doing this intensive project about Travel Insurance-- she went back at 6AM, I went back at 7AM, took breakfast, then went off to the Medical Library to finish the project up... and still my groupmates and I were a bit late! Printer at Science CBLC had to conk out on us too. We paid $20 for the printing because the printer fellows would not admit that their printer is defective.
10th April, Monday - Financial Accounting Project due at 5PM, Regression Analysis Project due at 5PM
So my groupmates on the FNA project were Arthur and this Malaysian guy Jason from Sheares Hall. OK so Jason is nice, really I mean it, but we our discussions take forever. I was a bit annoyed when he told me to read up the book because he wasn't buying what I was saying, but it was peace from then on (I told you he's a nice guy). Good thing Arthur was there to save the day. Haha. As for the Regression Analysis project. I didn't know why I was spending a lot of time on it, when it only accounts for 5% of the grade. Maybe because I screwed up my midterm tests, and Im totally not confident about the exam. Oh Jesus help.
11th April, Tuesday - Reading Film and Cultural Texts Essay due at 2PM. Tutorial presentation on Postmodernism at 12noon.
Now this is the film module that's hands-down the only fun module I have this semester. The essay is 6 pages long, and we were to discuss any text we wanted for stereotypes, greater cultural or social significance, that kind of thing. I decided to discuss a 1960's ad for Marlboro, and tackle the ideology promoted by the Marlboro Man (and Marlboro Country), and how it battled with government-advocated anti-smoking ideology for hegemony (government won). Anyway, I was so close to banging my head on the wall because I NEVER really cram my essays, because I take pride in doing them, but this time, I did. I did a whole lot of research before this, mind you, taking my time to really think of what to say about the Marlboro man, and my books, online references, library database articles, were already there some two weeks back, and I decided I knew exactly what I was going to say. I had my thesis checked and rechecked and approved by my nice New Zealander tutor Jane, and she liked! I liked! And so I moved on to do my Actuarial Stats and Regression and Accounting projects first. But I realized I sort of neglected this essay, and so it was mad typing and thinking and head-banging for me all night and all morning that Monday. For the same module, my group also had to present during tutorial a powerpoint about Intertextuality and Postmodernism. It was fun! I had good fun doing the slides over the weekend, because I got to talk about fun stuff like Andy Warhol and his Marilyn art, The Scream by Edvard Munch and the Simpson parody, the pastiche and bricolage in Shrek 2, the glaring postmodernism in Romeo+Juliet, the self-reflexivity of America's Sweethearts and The Player, and I even offered how Lost is incredibly pomo as well. Fun stuff, the examples and slides I thought of, with a lot of help from Sociology major Hayati (thanks thanks!), and my main concern was that I didn't rattle off too much, and my lethargy and eyebags from not sleeping much wouldn't show. Presentation went well.. Good team we got Samantha Calvin Harold!
12th April - Operations Management Presentation
Oh this was technical stuff.. Not very much to my liking, but it was useful stuff nonetheless that made a lot of sense. Weeks ago we had to submit individual term papers, and now in groups, we had to present one of the papers in our tutorial class. China guy Su Hao's paper was chosen, and he discussed Strategic Operations. It was okay la, I did my part well, although my presentation slides were a bit edited and the animation slides snipped out because well Su Hao wanted a more minimalist approach. OK lo, I didn't mind. I just hope our tutor did not find our presentation too dry in comparison with the fancy shmancy presentations some of the other groups did. It went okay too, and our all-guy group felt good after it was done. :)
13th April - Actuarial Statistics Presentation
OK after the blood-sweat-and-tears-sleepless-nights combo that this project entailed, it was time to present it to class. Collating it was a bitch, as Iris and I have realized during the compiling of the individual parts into a comprehensive report the week earlier, but the powerpoint slides for a 15-minute presentation thankfully didn't take as much effort. Still a lot of effort though. Heh. It was very nice to see Iris, Yilin, Christina, Jermaine and me getting into the group spirit and doing our part and timing ourselves and making sure the slides came on cue and we knew what we had to say. I was particularly anal about this powerpoint thing, where the animationmade by Iris left white lines on the presentation. Haha I ran to the library and did it myself (cos her laptop's language is Chinese haha). Fixed it and tralala it was okay. Thankfully, since this was my third consecutive day of doing presentations, I was most confident now, and right when I needed it, because I have a deep fear of my Actuarial Stats lecturer ever since he, well, made me look not-so-good that one time I presented a tutorial in front of the class. Hehe. But now all is well and things are okay. :) Thanks groupmates. I'll see you around and happy mugging!
* * *
Oh yeah, I went for confession too on Wednesday. It's an exhilarating feeling. People should do it too. I dunno, it's just nice and dandy when you get things off your chest and there's someone to reassure you of things, even if you already quite know those things, but decide to conveniently tuck them at the back of your head. Besides, who's to doubt an old man's wisdom? :) Quite interesting too, that Fr Frans. He's a 66-year-old Belgian priest who speaks English very slowly, but he does the Mandarin mass! Brilliant. Hehe.
Anyway, it's Good Friday today, and I went for this morning's service. Not a mass technically, Fr Richards said. If anything, I should learn to be more prayerful this Holy Week, and the coming exam weeks too. And for the rest of our lives really. Hehe.
If we trust and put our faith in the Lord enough, we will not be shortchanged. God bless us all in the exams! :)
Nope, this isn't because Nestor and Ferron have in some way urged me to update this blog. It's more because, well, it's been a thoroughly disappointing day for mugging, and what the heck, I have a few minutes to spare before I grab my dinner and fly away into the night, engaging Regression Analysis in an intensive batttle of the brains.
That, and, maybe the fact that I miss blogging too, it's just that it's been overly hectic lately. So hectic, in fact, that I didn't (and don't) quite mind that some people think I'm a dorky loser, with no life whatsoever, who spends day and night mugging like there's no tomorrow. It's true I've been working a lot, but only to catch up on my requirements, which are a lot given my 6 modules, but to justify that whatever I do is not advanced mugging work, but the work of a cramming scatter-brained fellow, I don't really have time or energy or concern now. Look at me with pity or what, I don't really care. Tell me I'm ugly, so what? I have bigger concerns which require my energy and time.
OK that's not quite a nice way to start off this entry, but I guess the exam pressure is getting to me. Exams are in a week's time, and I'm still reeling from the madness of the week that jsut passed. Can I just please rest first, I tell Grandpa NUS. No, you dork, nobody rests in my household! Go grab your books because the acid test comes at the end of the week!
OK lo. So hence little Joseph's predicament.
In any case, what should be the attitude really, is thankfulness that the week is over. The weekend preceding it was the most difficult and trying weekend of my life. Actually, the pressure was building up even the week before that, as my group had to submit this incredibly draining Actuarial Statistics project. Here's a chronology:
6th April, Thursday - Actuarial Statistics project due at 11AM
Iris and I spent the whole night at the Central Forum doing this intensive project about Travel Insurance-- she went back at 6AM, I went back at 7AM, took breakfast, then went off to the Medical Library to finish the project up... and still my groupmates and I were a bit late! Printer at Science CBLC had to conk out on us too. We paid $20 for the printing because the printer fellows would not admit that their printer is defective.
10th April, Monday - Financial Accounting Project due at 5PM, Regression Analysis Project due at 5PM
So my groupmates on the FNA project were Arthur and this Malaysian guy Jason from Sheares Hall. OK so Jason is nice, really I mean it, but we our discussions take forever. I was a bit annoyed when he told me to read up the book because he wasn't buying what I was saying, but it was peace from then on (I told you he's a nice guy). Good thing Arthur was there to save the day. Haha. As for the Regression Analysis project. I didn't know why I was spending a lot of time on it, when it only accounts for 5% of the grade. Maybe because I screwed up my midterm tests, and Im totally not confident about the exam. Oh Jesus help.
11th April, Tuesday - Reading Film and Cultural Texts Essay due at 2PM. Tutorial presentation on Postmodernism at 12noon.
Now this is the film module that's hands-down the only fun module I have this semester. The essay is 6 pages long, and we were to discuss any text we wanted for stereotypes, greater cultural or social significance, that kind of thing. I decided to discuss a 1960's ad for Marlboro, and tackle the ideology promoted by the Marlboro Man (and Marlboro Country), and how it battled with government-advocated anti-smoking ideology for hegemony (government won). Anyway, I was so close to banging my head on the wall because I NEVER really cram my essays, because I take pride in doing them, but this time, I did. I did a whole lot of research before this, mind you, taking my time to really think of what to say about the Marlboro man, and my books, online references, library database articles, were already there some two weeks back, and I decided I knew exactly what I was going to say. I had my thesis checked and rechecked and approved by my nice New Zealander tutor Jane, and she liked! I liked! And so I moved on to do my Actuarial Stats and Regression and Accounting projects first. But I realized I sort of neglected this essay, and so it was mad typing and thinking and head-banging for me all night and all morning that Monday. For the same module, my group also had to present during tutorial a powerpoint about Intertextuality and Postmodernism. It was fun! I had good fun doing the slides over the weekend, because I got to talk about fun stuff like Andy Warhol and his Marilyn art, The Scream by Edvard Munch and the Simpson parody, the pastiche and bricolage in Shrek 2, the glaring postmodernism in Romeo+Juliet, the self-reflexivity of America's Sweethearts and The Player, and I even offered how Lost is incredibly pomo as well. Fun stuff, the examples and slides I thought of, with a lot of help from Sociology major Hayati (thanks thanks!), and my main concern was that I didn't rattle off too much, and my lethargy and eyebags from not sleeping much wouldn't show. Presentation went well.. Good team we got Samantha Calvin Harold!
12th April - Operations Management Presentation
Oh this was technical stuff.. Not very much to my liking, but it was useful stuff nonetheless that made a lot of sense. Weeks ago we had to submit individual term papers, and now in groups, we had to present one of the papers in our tutorial class. China guy Su Hao's paper was chosen, and he discussed Strategic Operations. It was okay la, I did my part well, although my presentation slides were a bit edited and the animation slides snipped out because well Su Hao wanted a more minimalist approach. OK lo, I didn't mind. I just hope our tutor did not find our presentation too dry in comparison with the fancy shmancy presentations some of the other groups did. It went okay too, and our all-guy group felt good after it was done. :)
13th April - Actuarial Statistics Presentation
OK after the blood-sweat-and-tears-sleepless-nights combo that this project entailed, it was time to present it to class. Collating it was a bitch, as Iris and I have realized during the compiling of the individual parts into a comprehensive report the week earlier, but the powerpoint slides for a 15-minute presentation thankfully didn't take as much effort. Still a lot of effort though. Heh. It was very nice to see Iris, Yilin, Christina, Jermaine and me getting into the group spirit and doing our part and timing ourselves and making sure the slides came on cue and we knew what we had to say. I was particularly anal about this powerpoint thing, where the animationmade by Iris left white lines on the presentation. Haha I ran to the library and did it myself (cos her laptop's language is Chinese haha). Fixed it and tralala it was okay. Thankfully, since this was my third consecutive day of doing presentations, I was most confident now, and right when I needed it, because I have a deep fear of my Actuarial Stats lecturer ever since he, well, made me look not-so-good that one time I presented a tutorial in front of the class. Hehe. But now all is well and things are okay. :) Thanks groupmates. I'll see you around and happy mugging!
* * *
Oh yeah, I went for confession too on Wednesday. It's an exhilarating feeling. People should do it too. I dunno, it's just nice and dandy when you get things off your chest and there's someone to reassure you of things, even if you already quite know those things, but decide to conveniently tuck them at the back of your head. Besides, who's to doubt an old man's wisdom? :) Quite interesting too, that Fr Frans. He's a 66-year-old Belgian priest who speaks English very slowly, but he does the Mandarin mass! Brilliant. Hehe.
Anyway, it's Good Friday today, and I went for this morning's service. Not a mass technically, Fr Richards said. If anything, I should learn to be more prayerful this Holy Week, and the coming exam weeks too. And for the rest of our lives really. Hehe.
If we trust and put our faith in the Lord enough, we will not be shortchanged. God bless us all in the exams! :)
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Trust me, i'd like to blog about something happy. I could, too, because interspersed amongst my woes are happy memories with friends and family (thanks for the emails and SMSes Ma and Dad). But I dunno, even if I want to talk about bunnies and flowers and chocolate cream puffs, I'm sorry, I'm just, on the whole, a sad person right now.
It's mostly academics, really. I basically screwed up the killer midterm tests I had to sit for the past week. By "screwed up" I mean, messed up in a MAJOR way. I'm disgusted with myself really, and something has to be done regarding my study habits. Seriously, we can never ever mug hard enough. I know I haven't been studying as intensively as I would like, although from the stress level visibls to others, people think I'm doing a pretty good job mugging. Oh nothing could be further from the truth.
The essay for my film and cultural texts module also didn't go so well, and that was a blow to the ego, because if I do bad in my other modules like Statistics, I can say it was never in my list of fortes anyway, and it's really an insane body of knowledge too, so that's that. But for English, no sir, I take things very seriously. And maybe also it's the fact that my hardcore Stats and Maths modules are rather in the danger zone right now, and this film module was one of the few bright lights left, so I'm working my ass off to make sure it doesn't get put out.
Hmm.. what else. Maybe I just should trust God more. I haven't been exactly prayerful and faithful lately, and I think in these very dark days, I should learn to make my way back.
* * *
OK, time to take a break from the depressing stuff a bit. Thanks to Hayati, Aaron, Adyll, and Iris and Joanne for being my constant mugging-mate for the past weeks. Those afternoons and late-nights at the Central Forum, at CFA and YIH one time, at KR, at Bizad faculty both inside and outside Hon Sui Sen Library, yep those were fun. I dunno if we should change strategy now that I didn't really quite do well in my tests, but thanks for the company and keeping me sane.
Ferron, Arthur, Ivy come let's do our all-nighters again like last sem! Haha I think it's high time to get mugging for the exams! Taking six modules a semester is really a pain, I fully realize now.
* * *
I went with some of the NUS Choir folks to watch the Vocal Consort's concert at the Victoria Concert Hall on March 17th. NUS Choir is connected to the Vocal Consort since we have the same conductor, Nelson Kwei, and our key singers Student Conductor Weiwei, incoming Asst. Student Conductor Adyll, outgoing Secretary Hui Yin, and incoming Alto SL Winnie are Consort singers too.
It was enjoyable, being an audience in a choir concert, so I could better understand how people feel when they go for NUS Choir concerts and performances. I liked the Consort's Latin motets, this song the Seekers, and some of their folklore tunes. The Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Choir was their guest choir, and I was impressed about their performance of "Magtanim Ay Di Biro", a Filipino folk song about rice-planting, and it being no joke. The diction was surprisingly very good, and my Laotian friend Vi even commented that the other Thai song they did was also spot-on with the pronunciation (Laotian language is close to Thai).
We crashed the Consort's post-concert snacks afterwards, and then went for a stroll by the Esplanade and Merlion, before heading for a posh coffee shop for some chitchat. This was just the night after, too, btw, of the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade that I couldn't go for initially because of no companion, and later, even if I was willing to go alone or even sponsor a buddy, I couldn't go because the show was sold-out! Anyway, my Ridge Big Boss Nurul got the most expensive tickets and was blown away by the performance. Haha I'm gonna get you Mr. A-Z sometime. I do need some cheering up.
Anyway anyway, I took a lot of photos before we took the night rider bus to Clementi, and a cab back to NUS.
* * *
The NUS Choir also performed for the Hatters' charity gala dinner at the Kent Ridge Guild House the night before (yes this is the Friday night of both the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade and the Rivermaya free show outside). It was fun. Free buffet food and great company! It was nice to get together with the choir folks before we all become muggerfied in preparation for the exams. The prawn with chilli was to die for, because it tasted like it was barbecued or something.. awesome. The fish fillet too.. heaven! It was tender and had this yummy sauce that seemed a combination of butter with a hint of cheese. Woohoo.. Yummy and expensive charity dinner! Funny thing was, four of the 10 or so tables were reserved for the performers! And guess what, the choir occupied three! Haha. I didn't mind giving a small "token of appreciation" because that was a sumptuous meal anyway! Yum yum.
Afterwards, a few of us crashed this cool and happening super senior Huai Zhi's room at Eusoff hall. Joanne, Aaron, Xuefang and I played this PC game Dynasty Warriors in his room, but as it turned out, we all sucked except for HZ and Aaron. Hehe. I just read the X-men comics instead. We hit Fong Seng for supper afterwards, before heading for KR to hang out in Christina's room where some of the KR A cappella folks hung out. We had some chitchat before turning in for the night finally at around 4AM.
* * *
And oh yeah, the past two days were random days. Haha. I felt so bad after learning of my screwed-up effed-up Actuarial Stats test, that I decided to indulge myself. It was the Ridge Writer's Night on Friday, and it was fun! Had a good chitchat with fellow writers, and they're such fun people to talk to! I'm gonna miss Nurul and Kok Weng and immediate boss Asraf! And I should've talked to Selene and Alice more! Too bad they're graduating this sem!
Afterwards, I went with new Lifestyle Editor Yvonne to the Stardust Finals. KR rocks la! Out of 6 vying for top honors in the Group category, 3 of them were from KR A cappella! Two of them made it to the top 3. The runaway soloist winner was Surath from KR too! Cool cool.
Karen SMSed later to invite me to Blooie's, this sort of pub near PGP, to have a drink with some of the Pinoys. Why not? Yep yep treated myself to a BIG glass of Hoegaarden and was a bit tipsy afterwards. Good stuff though. Although a sip doesn't have much of a kick like Tiger, the quantity (500 mL in that glass) was enough to compensate. Oh and I learned something new too that night.
Yesterday, Saturday was another random day. Haha. I was out at Clementi to settle my ATM and debit cards, and then was suddenly off to Orchard looking around for shirts and bags and stuff (but bought nothing), and then decided to have a haircut, and later was off to faraway East Coast Park to go rollerblading. Haha didn't plan it at all. Was back at NUS in time for dinner. I needed the break too, so yep that was okay.
* * *
Hmm.. what else to say ah? Haha nothing much, I guess. My mind's a blur. Yeah, I should think of happy memories when life gives me sucky experiences.
EDIT@28/3/06, 4:03AM:
Apparently the record-lows I recently hit aren't rock-bottom enough. My lousy results and the truckload of proejcts to do are threatening to break my spirit, but nope, I shall grit my teeth and hang on until this is all over and I can go home and rest.
Thank you to all those who comprise my life-support system. I hope you know who you are. Hehe.
P.S.
Ahh I love long blog entries. Yes I've said it before, but I must say it again! They drive the indifferent blog lurker away, and leave only those genuinely concerned and interested to finish reading (because really, going through it all is a chore). If nobody bothers to read, then all the personal this blog gets. Brilliant, these long blog entries.
Trust me, i'd like to blog about something happy. I could, too, because interspersed amongst my woes are happy memories with friends and family (thanks for the emails and SMSes Ma and Dad). But I dunno, even if I want to talk about bunnies and flowers and chocolate cream puffs, I'm sorry, I'm just, on the whole, a sad person right now.
It's mostly academics, really. I basically screwed up the killer midterm tests I had to sit for the past week. By "screwed up" I mean, messed up in a MAJOR way. I'm disgusted with myself really, and something has to be done regarding my study habits. Seriously, we can never ever mug hard enough. I know I haven't been studying as intensively as I would like, although from the stress level visibls to others, people think I'm doing a pretty good job mugging. Oh nothing could be further from the truth.
The essay for my film and cultural texts module also didn't go so well, and that was a blow to the ego, because if I do bad in my other modules like Statistics, I can say it was never in my list of fortes anyway, and it's really an insane body of knowledge too, so that's that. But for English, no sir, I take things very seriously. And maybe also it's the fact that my hardcore Stats and Maths modules are rather in the danger zone right now, and this film module was one of the few bright lights left, so I'm working my ass off to make sure it doesn't get put out.
Hmm.. what else. Maybe I just should trust God more. I haven't been exactly prayerful and faithful lately, and I think in these very dark days, I should learn to make my way back.
* * *
OK, time to take a break from the depressing stuff a bit. Thanks to Hayati, Aaron, Adyll, and Iris and Joanne for being my constant mugging-mate for the past weeks. Those afternoons and late-nights at the Central Forum, at CFA and YIH one time, at KR, at Bizad faculty both inside and outside Hon Sui Sen Library, yep those were fun. I dunno if we should change strategy now that I didn't really quite do well in my tests, but thanks for the company and keeping me sane.
Ferron, Arthur, Ivy come let's do our all-nighters again like last sem! Haha I think it's high time to get mugging for the exams! Taking six modules a semester is really a pain, I fully realize now.
* * *
I went with some of the NUS Choir folks to watch the Vocal Consort's concert at the Victoria Concert Hall on March 17th. NUS Choir is connected to the Vocal Consort since we have the same conductor, Nelson Kwei, and our key singers Student Conductor Weiwei, incoming Asst. Student Conductor Adyll, outgoing Secretary Hui Yin, and incoming Alto SL Winnie are Consort singers too.
It was enjoyable, being an audience in a choir concert, so I could better understand how people feel when they go for NUS Choir concerts and performances. I liked the Consort's Latin motets, this song the Seekers, and some of their folklore tunes. The Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Choir was their guest choir, and I was impressed about their performance of "Magtanim Ay Di Biro", a Filipino folk song about rice-planting, and it being no joke. The diction was surprisingly very good, and my Laotian friend Vi even commented that the other Thai song they did was also spot-on with the pronunciation (Laotian language is close to Thai).
We crashed the Consort's post-concert snacks afterwards, and then went for a stroll by the Esplanade and Merlion, before heading for a posh coffee shop for some chitchat. This was just the night after, too, btw, of the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade that I couldn't go for initially because of no companion, and later, even if I was willing to go alone or even sponsor a buddy, I couldn't go because the show was sold-out! Anyway, my Ridge Big Boss Nurul got the most expensive tickets and was blown away by the performance. Haha I'm gonna get you Mr. A-Z sometime. I do need some cheering up.
Anyway anyway, I took a lot of photos before we took the night rider bus to Clementi, and a cab back to NUS.
* * *
The NUS Choir also performed for the Hatters' charity gala dinner at the Kent Ridge Guild House the night before (yes this is the Friday night of both the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade and the Rivermaya free show outside). It was fun. Free buffet food and great company! It was nice to get together with the choir folks before we all become muggerfied in preparation for the exams. The prawn with chilli was to die for, because it tasted like it was barbecued or something.. awesome. The fish fillet too.. heaven! It was tender and had this yummy sauce that seemed a combination of butter with a hint of cheese. Woohoo.. Yummy and expensive charity dinner! Funny thing was, four of the 10 or so tables were reserved for the performers! And guess what, the choir occupied three! Haha. I didn't mind giving a small "token of appreciation" because that was a sumptuous meal anyway! Yum yum.
Afterwards, a few of us crashed this cool and happening super senior Huai Zhi's room at Eusoff hall. Joanne, Aaron, Xuefang and I played this PC game Dynasty Warriors in his room, but as it turned out, we all sucked except for HZ and Aaron. Hehe. I just read the X-men comics instead. We hit Fong Seng for supper afterwards, before heading for KR to hang out in Christina's room where some of the KR A cappella folks hung out. We had some chitchat before turning in for the night finally at around 4AM.
* * *
And oh yeah, the past two days were random days. Haha. I felt so bad after learning of my screwed-up effed-up Actuarial Stats test, that I decided to indulge myself. It was the Ridge Writer's Night on Friday, and it was fun! Had a good chitchat with fellow writers, and they're such fun people to talk to! I'm gonna miss Nurul and Kok Weng and immediate boss Asraf! And I should've talked to Selene and Alice more! Too bad they're graduating this sem!
Afterwards, I went with new Lifestyle Editor Yvonne to the Stardust Finals. KR rocks la! Out of 6 vying for top honors in the Group category, 3 of them were from KR A cappella! Two of them made it to the top 3. The runaway soloist winner was Surath from KR too! Cool cool.
Karen SMSed later to invite me to Blooie's, this sort of pub near PGP, to have a drink with some of the Pinoys. Why not? Yep yep treated myself to a BIG glass of Hoegaarden and was a bit tipsy afterwards. Good stuff though. Although a sip doesn't have much of a kick like Tiger, the quantity (500 mL in that glass) was enough to compensate. Oh and I learned something new too that night.
Yesterday, Saturday was another random day. Haha. I was out at Clementi to settle my ATM and debit cards, and then was suddenly off to Orchard looking around for shirts and bags and stuff (but bought nothing), and then decided to have a haircut, and later was off to faraway East Coast Park to go rollerblading. Haha didn't plan it at all. Was back at NUS in time for dinner. I needed the break too, so yep that was okay.
* * *
Hmm.. what else to say ah? Haha nothing much, I guess. My mind's a blur. Yeah, I should think of happy memories when life gives me sucky experiences.
EDIT@28/3/06, 4:03AM:
Apparently the record-lows I recently hit aren't rock-bottom enough. My lousy results and the truckload of proejcts to do are threatening to break my spirit, but nope, I shall grit my teeth and hang on until this is all over and I can go home and rest.
Thank you to all those who comprise my life-support system. I hope you know who you are. Hehe.
P.S.
Ahh I love long blog entries. Yes I've said it before, but I must say it again! They drive the indifferent blog lurker away, and leave only those genuinely concerned and interested to finish reading (because really, going through it all is a chore). If nobody bothers to read, then all the personal this blog gets. Brilliant, these long blog entries.
All in a day's work
All in a day's work
Woohoo. This has got to be the worst day of my life. And yes sir, I know full well that the last thing I should do is blog, but nah, I give myself permission to write this short short post.
Welcome to the pits, I tell myself. And seriously, it's true! I realized that it's been about one and a half months now that I've been constantly caught in high-pressure situations. And nope, the stress level hasn't peaked yet. Haha if March had one extra day secretly tucked in there somewhere that wouldn't count at all among the 31 days, I'd absolutely sleep. all. day. Or someone please invent some magic pill that will instantly feed my longing for a good 8 hours of glorious sleep.
Anyway, tomorrow's the deadline of the Operations Management term paper I've been typing and researching for for the longest time, and on Thursday is the killer Actuarial test. Oh, if it matters, I think I may have just lost some valuables yet again (which I just learned are hopefully found again haha), and I failed my Regression Analysis test! Sigh. What's wrong with you Joseph?
I want my "me" time too. And apparently that's harder to accomplish than it sounds.
But hey I'm giddy and hyper right now, and that's supposed to be a good thing, considering I've just had the worst day of my life. Nah, I'll spare you the details (partly because the specifics aren't too exciting anyway) but yep yep, I'm all pumped up right now to finish this term paper and get mugging for the Actuarial Stats test.
Oooh take me away people. Take me somewhere nice and warm and give me a great big hug.
Woohoo. This has got to be the worst day of my life. And yes sir, I know full well that the last thing I should do is blog, but nah, I give myself permission to write this short short post.
Welcome to the pits, I tell myself. And seriously, it's true! I realized that it's been about one and a half months now that I've been constantly caught in high-pressure situations. And nope, the stress level hasn't peaked yet. Haha if March had one extra day secretly tucked in there somewhere that wouldn't count at all among the 31 days, I'd absolutely sleep. all. day. Or someone please invent some magic pill that will instantly feed my longing for a good 8 hours of glorious sleep.
Anyway, tomorrow's the deadline of the Operations Management term paper I've been typing and researching for for the longest time, and on Thursday is the killer Actuarial test. Oh, if it matters, I think I may have just lost some valuables yet again (which I just learned are hopefully found again haha), and I failed my Regression Analysis test! Sigh. What's wrong with you Joseph?
I want my "me" time too. And apparently that's harder to accomplish than it sounds.
But hey I'm giddy and hyper right now, and that's supposed to be a good thing, considering I've just had the worst day of my life. Nah, I'll spare you the details (partly because the specifics aren't too exciting anyway) but yep yep, I'm all pumped up right now to finish this term paper and get mugging for the Actuarial Stats test.
Oooh take me away people. Take me somewhere nice and warm and give me a great big hug.
Busy Busy
Busy Busy
Yeah, can't you tell? If the absence of a blog entry here means something, it's that.
After the choir concert last Saturday, I've been taking the plunge into the deep dark world of academics, of deadlines and essays and midterm tests.
There was a Hall Bulletin Board article I rushed because I was gonna be too busy this week. Turned out, well, early, so no problem with that. Essay One for my EN2113 Reading Film and Cultural Texts module due on Tuesday. One week earlier I had written a draft that was checked by my choirmate and class seatmate Irene, but lo and behold it needed major reconstruction and fixing. I did an analysis on this stunning Honda Civic ad, whose strategy was to humanized the car by mimicking the sounds of the car's adventures by means of a 60-member choir. Superb ad I must say. Anyway, my brain was able to churn out four pages of ideas, so that should be okay. Although on Monday night as I was doing the paper I was a bit distracted by the (almost) final meet-up of the NUS Choir/post-VV party/election of new comm. But nah, it's all good, and I still love NUS Choir baby.
Thankfully my editor Asraf granted my request for an extension of the deadline for my article for the April issue of the Ridge. I would've gone berserk if I had to do it this week too.
And then It's been mad after that. Three midterm tests in four days. One on Multivariable Calculus on Friday, one on Financial Accounting today, and another one on Regression Analysis on Monday. So yep, I've been mugging like crazy the past few days at the Central Forum, at PGP, at HSS Library basement, till late night even, hoping to score well in these killer tests. Calculus was relatively okay since it was open-book and I flagged my notes and book well. The just-finished Accounting test was, I dunno. I just wanted it over with because what I'm really freaked out about is the Regression test on Monday. Although from my post-midterm discussion with Arthur on a few questions about the accounting test, I think I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped.
But no, we mustn't get disheartened Jose! We just have to hang on a little bit longer, and ace this coming regression test. Yeah yeah I've already mentioned how my sanity's now questionable and my sleeping pattern has gone haywire, so I won't say them anymore. Although yeah... let's just say after Monday's test and my submission of the Ridge article, I'm gonna get myself a good night's rest.
I'm not as gloomy as you think, though. It just comes out that way. Sigh. You're gonna do well Joseph, don't worry.
Yeah, can't you tell? If the absence of a blog entry here means something, it's that.
After the choir concert last Saturday, I've been taking the plunge into the deep dark world of academics, of deadlines and essays and midterm tests.
There was a Hall Bulletin Board article I rushed because I was gonna be too busy this week. Turned out, well, early, so no problem with that. Essay One for my EN2113 Reading Film and Cultural Texts module due on Tuesday. One week earlier I had written a draft that was checked by my choirmate and class seatmate Irene, but lo and behold it needed major reconstruction and fixing. I did an analysis on this stunning Honda Civic ad, whose strategy was to humanized the car by mimicking the sounds of the car's adventures by means of a 60-member choir. Superb ad I must say. Anyway, my brain was able to churn out four pages of ideas, so that should be okay. Although on Monday night as I was doing the paper I was a bit distracted by the (almost) final meet-up of the NUS Choir/post-VV party/election of new comm. But nah, it's all good, and I still love NUS Choir baby.
Thankfully my editor Asraf granted my request for an extension of the deadline for my article for the April issue of the Ridge. I would've gone berserk if I had to do it this week too.
And then It's been mad after that. Three midterm tests in four days. One on Multivariable Calculus on Friday, one on Financial Accounting today, and another one on Regression Analysis on Monday. So yep, I've been mugging like crazy the past few days at the Central Forum, at PGP, at HSS Library basement, till late night even, hoping to score well in these killer tests. Calculus was relatively okay since it was open-book and I flagged my notes and book well. The just-finished Accounting test was, I dunno. I just wanted it over with because what I'm really freaked out about is the Regression test on Monday. Although from my post-midterm discussion with Arthur on a few questions about the accounting test, I think I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped.
But no, we mustn't get disheartened Jose! We just have to hang on a little bit longer, and ace this coming regression test. Yeah yeah I've already mentioned how my sanity's now questionable and my sleeping pattern has gone haywire, so I won't say them anymore. Although yeah... let's just say after Monday's test and my submission of the Ridge article, I'm gonna get myself a good night's rest.
I'm not as gloomy as you think, though. It just comes out that way. Sigh. You're gonna do well Joseph, don't worry.
