Entering Crunch-Time Zone
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Mission Objective: Churn out 2 thesis quality papers for submission within 13 days.
Difficulty Level: Bloodbath
Participant's Status: Running on fumes
Aisle bee bach! |
Tick Tock
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
It's official, my bio clock is completely out of whack. I eat my breakfast cereal at 2pm, get to experience about 3-4 hours worth of daylight before it's dark again and now it's 4am but feels like the night only just begun.
Earlier, I brought my camera out with me on the way to class to remember today's evening sky.
It was a different shade of colour compared to yesterday which was of a more purple tone. At that time I was inside the bus on the way to the supermarket. I like shopping for groceries in the evening because it just feels more peaceful. As the bus turned out off the bus loop, I was transfixed by the colours in the horizon. Soft pink, golden yellow, lavender and purple with clouds adding a beautiful accent. I regretted not having anything to record that moment and no matter how long I stared in order to burn that memory into my mind, it was not possible. The sky deepened, its once rich colours all mashed together into a shade of black as daylight disappeared.
Time sure flies quickly.
2 more weeks till semester ends. |
Tip
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Here's one of the million and one ways to waste your money.
Step #1: Buy a $20 IDD call card.
Step #2: Put it in the back pocket of your jeans.
Step #3: Forget about it.
Step #4: Throw jeans inside the washing machine.
Step #5: Salvage whatever is left of that card.
Step #6: Slap your forehead with plenty of angst while muttering something incoherent.
Step #7: Repeat Step #6 until you finally come to terms with your stupidity. |
Joy of Organising Events
Everyone should have a hand in organising something! Start with a simple lunch, dinner or a maybe even a night out at the movies with friends you have not seen in a long while and probably never will again if this is your last semester in a foreign land.
Before you can book those movie tickets, you have to know how many people can make it. Therefore, people have to first be notified of the upcoming event. The more people there are to invite the earlier the invitations should be sent to maximise attendance. If it is a casual meet up, emails usually suffice since in this scenario, you are confident that everyone in my group checks their emails at least once a day.
And now the RSVP process. Since it is a large group and you are also busy with your own school work, you do hope that people will reply their emails with either a simple yes or no. Days passed and you received only two replies out off 15, confirming that most people need to feel important enough for you to personally contact them before they respond. You can either choose to wait a little longer or proceed to make further contact with the remainders. This depends on the urgency of the matter at hand, if the movie is Star Wars Episode III on a Friday night for instance, you should know better than to wait till the last moment.
If you are a stingy/broke student, you will try your best to avoid giving telecom companies more reasons to exploit the common users just for a couple of measly phone calls you wished you didn't have to make in the first place. This is where technology comes through. MSN messenger. You can station yourself online for as long as you want while you pounce on those invitees one by one. When that process is complete. You proceed to shell out your grocery money for the tickets.
Finally the day arrived and you eagerly looked forward to seeing the fruits of your labour, no matter how simple it may look, set in motion. Due to forces beyond your control, and stupid group politics that can put reality shows to shame, one person pulled out at the last minute, the group is one car down, the reservation at a restaurant had to be cancelled, and the majorities are late.
Against all odds, you're relieved that there was time for a quick dinner before joining the queue into the free seating cinema, but you kind of hope that there was more opportunities for interactions.
Here is an advice for all perfectionists, it is natural to feel disappointed with the hiccups that happened during what could otherwise have been a perfect evening. However, as long as the event did happen, you caught up with friends and everyone enjoyed themselves, why should you hold any grudges? Also, hearing a handful of 'thank you's after the event is reassuring.
As for me, I look forward to organising the upcoming annual New Years Eve party. Bring it on! Hiccups and all. |
Sales Tale
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
I was surprised to receive several calls within hours after I posted my household items up for sale on the school's student portal. Guess selling items barely under 2 years of ownership at 1/8 of the original price might have something to do with it. Which is why this affirms that I am better off never to return to the world of business.
Nevertheless, some buyers who are keen to believe that they are still not getting away with a ridiculously good deal would try to haggle. Some within reason. Some shamelessly. How do you expect to pay $5 for a good quality drawer set that's scratch free and still even has that new wood smell? I may be crazy enough to ask only $30 from what used to be $200 just over a year ago, but $5? That's really pushing it and I don't have that many screws loose darling.
Yesterday, I received an email from to date, the best potential customer, because he single-handedly made me choke on my drink.
(with some minor edits in spelling, and yeah I stated online that I accidentally dropped the item)
hi
I am very interested in your TEAC Radio & CD player, and i want to know if the radio and speaker work normally,because it has been dropped. and could you decrease the price a little, because i just want to use it as a radio. thanks
Yeah okay, then could you reduce the price of that sandwich because I just want the bread? Or can I just pay 99% of the price of that state of the art handphone because I'm only going to use its call function? Smooth, real smooth Einstein. If only Life was this simple huh? |
Blocked D(n)ose
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Blocked dose, nod eduff oxyden. I cand believe id. A bunth to go before I returd to Sindapore for dood and dat means I'll ged to see all by doved ones again! Yed, dark cloubs loob oberhead.
Blocked dose, nod eduff oxyden. Let's for ged about by flu for a while. Apart from de mad datory experience of sleebless bights and heart palpitations danks to assignbents dadlines and exams, dere are still school adbinistration to fidalise, accobodation matters to tie up, garage sales to do and last bud nod leasd packing. Why can't dere be a fast forward button for all dese? Why? WHY?!?!
Blocked dose, nod eduff oxyden. Each day, as I lose more sleep, by grib on sadity slacdens. In my bost recend dream , I was a clown performing a dight rope act to de tune of De Sugar Plum Fairy while wearing a shoebox on each food.
Blocked dose, nod eduff oxyden. Until all dese are overrd, itd weld jusd ged crazier and crazier.
Blocked dose, nod eduff oxyden. Time to go to dat habby place inside by bind.
No, not dis.
Nod dis eider.
Albost dere
Dere we go
Blocked dose, bud feeling bid bedder. |
Sniff those Fats Away
Monday, May 09, 2005
A story on Channel Seven's Today Tonight featured, "What you smell when hungry may affect your appetite and make you stop eating."
I think I see some truth there. If I stand next to someone with an overpowering body odour, I wouldn't be thinking of food would I? But isn't that common sense? So maybe the smell of my pen ink will prevent me from eating that delightfully scrumptious Mars Bars. Or perhaps I should invest in the strongest smelling perfume that I could spray some up my nose in order to skip snacking because I would be too busy convulsing on the floor instead.
Wonder what sort of 'smells' the test subjects were put through. And more importantly, just how much money are we going to get swindled off again?
I admit that I'm vulnerable to infomercials declaring that their products will make you drop those fats like a procrastinator to work. There isn't one commercial that didn't have me fighting an internal battle over whether I should give it a go, because who knows, maybe this will be the real thing after all the previous kooky crappy things. Overtime, I became annoyed whenever I have to resist the temptation to buy.
Diet supplements, fat burning patches/creams/tablets, weird looking exercise machines. What do they all have in common? A promise. It's so unbinding isn't it? Whether or not it will work will depend on your discipline to stick to whatever plan they say you're suppose to. Moreover, we mustn't forget about the teeny weeny lines at some far end corner of the product or screen saying blah blah coupled with regular exercise blah blah blah taken with a sensible diet.
So in the end isn't it the sensible diet and/or the exercise that actually help us lose weight and not those products? Why is it that in our hope for a miracle, we end up throwing our money away every time for the obvious?
The bottom line is that,
Regular exercise (Cardio + Weight Resistance) + Sensible Diet = Shedding Fats
Period.
Back to the revolutionary sniffy sniffs, a lady on television said that she'll have a whiff whenever she sees that nice cake at the window. Yeah sure, might as well ask your friends to lend you their used gym socks. That should work just as well too. So excuse me while I bury my face in unwashed laundry. I feel a chocolate craving coming on. |
Mom's the Word
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Gave mom a call to wish her happy mothers' day. Our conversation went something like this.
Thoughtful Daughter (TD): Hi mummy!
Surprised Mother (SM): Hello! It's you! Yes, why did you call?
TD: Thought I'll wish you happy mothers' day!
SM: Ohhhhh...... oh really? So is that the only reason why you called? *I think under the nonchalant tone, she's quite happy*
TD: Yup, that's all I want to do.
SM: Isn't it suppose to be very late now? Why aren't you sleeping?
TD: I still have some school work that I need to do.
SM: What time is it over there?
TD: It's almost 1 am.
SM: Oh dear, You should be sleeping now.
TD: But mummy.... I haven't finished my work yet.
SM: Well, sleep as soon as you can then.
TD: Yeah okay.
SM: What did you have for lunch and dinner today? Have you been cooking proper meals?
TD: Yes...
SM: Don't eat too much of those instant noodles okay? We may have bought 2 boxes for you but you need not finish them all.
TD: Yes, I know... don't worry about it.
SM: Did you try the chicken rice recipe I told you about?
TD: Yes I did.
SM: Don't try to go on all those strange diets of yours. It's better to eat well.
TD: Yes, I know. I've been eating more vegetables than ever.
SM: That's good to know. Oh anyway, you've better go now. Calling overseas is expensive isn't it? Finish your work quickly and get some rest.
TD: Okay.
It may be 7 degrees celsius and I may be away from home, but during that brief exchange I felt as if I'd never left the place.
Mothers, where will you be without their staple naggings and their Love.
Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms out there! |
Dating Personality Profile
This is not the first time I've seen one of this but what the heck, I gave it a go. Sense of humour ranks top for me but I disagree with Ambition being lumped together with Wealthy. Some ambition is good as it is the catalyst that drives one forward to achieve any goal in life. The person need not be rich, but I also don't want a social loafer... because that's suppose my job!
| Your dating personality profile: Funny - You laugh often. People never accuse you of lacking a sense of humor. You don't take yourself too seriously. Athletic - Physical fitness is one of your priorities. You find the time to work athletic pursuits into your schedule. You enjoy being active. Big-Hearted - You are a kind and caring person. Your warmth is inviting, and your heart is a wellspring of love. | Your date match profile: Funny - You consider a good sense of humor a major necessity in a date. If his jokes make you laugh, he has won your heart. Adventurous - You are looking for someone who is willing to try new things and experience life to its fullest. You need a companion who encourages you to take risks and do exciting things. Athletic - You aren't looking for a couch potato. You seek someone who is active and who keeps his body in top shape. |
Your Top Ten Traits 1. Funny 2. Athletic 3. Big-Hearted 4. Liberal 5. Adventurous 6. Sensual 7. Traditional 8. Shy 9. Practical 10. Wealthy/Ambitious | Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Funny 2. Adventurous 3. Athletic 4. Sensual 5. Practical 6. Outgoing 7. Big-Hearted 8. Traditional 9. Conservative 10. Wealthy/Ambitious |
Take the Online Dating Profile Quiz at Dating Diversions
|
Sush! for Sushi
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Was at a friend's place preparing sushi for a birthday party. The toughest part is making sure the sushi do not fall apart during its journey from the plate to the mouth. I was glad that I arrived earlier to help as I had the honour of eating all the defects. These, obviously were made by my friend while all evidence of my blotched efforts are now in a much better place.
*burp* |
Dreamscape
Friday, May 06, 2005
I have been running in my dreams for the last 2 nights. Both times are towards something with obstacles along the way. I loved the feeling of covering vast distances without feeling tired, kind of like being able to breathe underwater. But geez, it feels as if I'd never slept. |
Persona
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Yet another self-reflection class activity after a lengthy discussion on affective learning and character education. I don't recall doing as much self reflective stuff during my undergrad days compared to now. Then again, I am in an entirely different field of study when I moved from Commerce to Education so the pedagogy's obviously different as well.
Anyway, the lecturer posed 3 questions to us.
- Who do you most dislike?
- Who is s your ideal role model?
- What are the characteristics and traits does this person have
Who do you most dislike?
As a whole, it is hard for me to hate people to the point of wanting to terminate them with extreme prejudice. Sure, I get irritated from time to time, but most of the time I will forget. However, once a person does something that surpassed my normal threshold, I will neither forgive nor forget. Over the last 10 years, there are 3 people whose names are etched on my blacklist. One day they will get their just desserts, or I can facilitate that process whenever the right opportunity presents itself. It is thanks for these people that I got to understand what traits can make me bristle with rage: back stabbing (openly nice but happily spreads false rumours about you) and two-faced (horrid to underlings but affectionate to superiors). Just these two traits are in the black and white while the rest remains in the grey.
Who is your ideal role model and what are the characteristics and traits does this person have?
I don't think I have a perfect candidate for a role model actually. Looking at my parents, mom's tenacity and courage indeed pulled her out from her very humble family background. And while she is still very attractive, she has the ability to scare the living daylights out off anyone who comes within a metre radius of her. Definitely a force to be reckoned with. My dad on the other hand is the nicest and most devoted person I know. He'll always be there with the word of wisdom or two for his children and anyone else for that matter. However, he can get a tad cranky at times. Anyway, I'm more inclined to have a woman as a role model.
My ideal role model is someone I have yet to know. She would be someone who is confident, courageous and able to fend for herself figuratively and literally. Not only should she be independent, she should also know how to kick butt. *do I hear grrrrrl power?* At the same time, she should be down to earth, refined, humble, receptive to other people's feelings, and have a compassionate heart.
In other words, I'm looking for a cross between Xena, Audrey Hepburn and Mother Teresa. Now you know why I doubt that person exists? sigh... |
Music Box II - Test Drive
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
To anyone who comes by here. If time permits, could you test the media player on the navigation column (to the left) and let me know whether you can/can't hear any music?
Much appreciated! Thanks! |
Music Box
Urgh, spent 3 freakin' hours just to put up a trial music player and there is no guarantee that it's going to remain. For those who are html retarded like yours truely, this idiot proof tutorial site is quite useful. |
Chilli Kick
Monday, May 02, 2005
My love affair with chillies began with the chilli dip that accompanied my favourite dish of all time, Hainanese Chicken Rice. When I was younger, soup sprinkled with black pepper was already sheer torture. But I've always loved chicken rice. I even dream that one day my wedding dinner will have nothing but the best chicken rice from all around Singapore.
Having spent 10 over years eating plain chicken rice, I thought it is finally time to step up and embrace the accompanying chilli dip. After much tears and many tissue papers later, it has come to a stage where the rice on my plate can resemble the surface of Mars.
Over the course of my stay in Australia, I started to have spicy food withdrawals. I despaired at not being able to find prik kee noo (chilli padi) at several Asian groceries (or I probably didn't look at the right places), so I settled for the fresh chillies at supermarkets. There are labels on different types of chillies that rate the level of spiciness. I tried the Serano Chilli, rated 7 out of 10 on the meter and it adds a credible kick in dishes.
Earlier this week, I chanced across the Habanero.
Habanero: Rated 10 out of 10 on the HOT meter
A fiery HOT chilli which has a wonderful fruity flavour. Habanero chillies are ideal in curries, salsas, marinades and chutneys. These chillies are not for the faint-hearted.
Feeling arrogant, I snorted at the warning and wondered just how bad can it be compared to my staple of chilli padi? So in it went into my cooking. Just one chopped Habanero and it sparked an equation:
I was knocked out for the next 12 hours. In between toilet visits, I did some research and was humbled to have eaten the famed chilli. The hottest in the world. The kind of stuff that dares and intestinal suicides are made of.
Next time, I'm just putting half of it and leaving out the seeds. |
