All cleared!

The final two essays've just been submitted! I feel like I can finally breathe properly now!

Heading down to Suntec in a jifty to meet Tan, can't wait to see the ex-coursemates later!

ps. I do not like the way I'm punctuating the end of every sentence with an exclaimation mark; it makes me look like some overzealous pom-pom girl. But I can't think of any other way to show my excitment, bah!

Why I can't seem to lose those kilos

I guess I know the main reason's cause I can't stop snacking! Anyway, here's the latest snack that I'm guilty of chomping on. 

chocolate + banana can never go wrong, i think

This is another yummy snack from Meiji. The chocolate's not cloyingly sweet and the banana flavour makes it kinda aromatic. Not a bad thing for me to like bananas! I love Meiji and their creations!

A totally pointless and irrelevant post but I just thought I'd share some love.

One final one to go

After much procrastination, I finally got the dreaded Ed Psych essay done. *throws confetti and jumps around in glee*

Now I'll just have to move on to the linguistics one and get something done before I meet up with my 2 assignment partners later!

_

I had a long good talk with Tan earlier on, and I realized how much I miss the girls. We haven't bitched in the longest time ever! I just can't wait to see them this Friday during the alumni gathering (lala i hope you'll make it!)!

In the process of my procrastination, I surfed the net a bit. Checked out prices for air tickets to Bangkok (it's only $170+ including airport tax for a 2-way trip, anyone interested to go shopping?), Guangzhou, Phuket, Sydney, etc etc. Anyway, Jetstar's promotion is on till 3rd November and you've got to travel between 5th January to 30th June 09'. I also looked at the possibility of going for a liveaboard trip to one of the nearby countries, and I'm really excited to work out the details and all, once the essays are submitted.

ps. I didn't sleep a wink last night and now, it's time for breakfast. I'm so going to have rocking eyebags. Sigh...

Twist those fingers!

There was some sort of fair going on at NIE yesterday and I decided to get a Twister set with a twist (what a pun, rolls eyes). Quite a steal at $3, I mean, it will probably provide me with some brainless entertainment in time to come!

Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana

We had a mini KT&OWY gathering last night at Lau Pat Sat. WY said that he can still vividly recall the last time we were at Cafe Iguana; that was bout 2 years back and JM just enlisted (with the shaved head and all) and now. The boys will all be out soon. 

I guess we never realize how quickly time creeps us by, until we pause for a short while and look back at everything that's happened.

School's finally coming to an end, with assignment submissions and this week's lecture marking the last for the semester. Strange, the past couple of months seem to be longer than just a few months. 

I can still recall the first few days of school; where I lost my way around (still do, just that I now know exactly where the lecture theatres in NIE are), how I came to conclusion that I've got really interesting lecturers during the few lectures, and anticipated hall life with much trepidation, not knowing if I'd be used to the toilets, having my own space, etc. And I can still remember the day where I decided to visit the CCA fair with RL; and put my name down for every single activity that was interesting to me.

Admist all the buzz, I guess I finally learnt to get comfortable with life in university. Loaded my room with all sorts of junk food, learnt to do my own laundry, swept my own floor, etc.

I started off the semester with company, but I'll be learning to end it on my own. It feels a little weird, but I guess I'll live. After all, I made the choice.

I know that it's been a really incoherent passage, this entire entry, but my mind's still not functioning well for now, so I guess this'll do for now. I have 2 essays to complete, see you guys again soon?

Don't think it didn't hurt for me.

I don't know what to say now cept for sorry. I'm sorry, a million times over, even though that's not what you want to hear.

Windsurfing Diaries 4 - Port Rounding

South-west wind. 4 square-metres sail.

For the past 2 weeks or so, we trained with a self-made buoy (funky green plastic bag filled with lots of air, attached to a heavy bag of sand at the other end). Thanks to KH for taking the initiative to come up with that idea so that our trainings will have clearer objectives! 

The outline of today's training was a route set for us to do a few successive tacks upwind before we rounded the DIY-buoy on the port side, and bare away till we finally came to a run and gybed. The first part of the route was alright, but I got really unstable when I came round to the buoy and that resulted in many splashes into the water. I swear my nose hurt back then from all that seawater entering my nostrils! I guess that was mainly due to the transition from moving upwind to downwind. More practice. Act, not worry!

Anyway, today I realized the importance of adjusting the boom to the right height. Mine turned out to be a little too tall for me and towards the end of the session, my arms were aching from hanging onto the boom in mid-air. I will never be lazy bout adjusting the height of the boom, never again.

No more presentations!

Yesterday, I bidded my last presentation for the semester goodbye. As always, I can't describe how much I appreciate that sense of relief that washes over me everytime I wave projects goodbye. So right now, all I have left to complete is 2 essays before I can start thinking of what to do for the holidays! 

Oh, wait. I actually forgot there's going to be exams.

ps. 3 more days before Doug's first book-out.

Weekends to me

Weekends to me, are the days of the week that I look forward to most. It means 2 things: 1) I don't have to worry bout getting up on time for morning classes, and 2) windsurf training!

Too bad this one's over, now I'll just have to look forward to the next!

I will not touch Word Challenge tonight

Will not. Must not.

Update: DID NOT. Chang – 1, Word Challenge – 0

Blogging from Microsoft Word 07

Test test.

Update: Okay, so it works. I guess it'll be a lot easier to do stuff like posting pictures and changing font, etc. This is quite cool, go try it too if you have the 07 version of M'soft Word. I think they support quite a number of blog hosts. Have fun!

Anti-Projects

I don't think school's workload is that bad actually. What I really need to do is:

1) Procrastinate less

2) Get Word Challenge out of my sight (even my professor's playing it)

3) Manage my time better

I'm 100% sure that life would be much easier if I stuck to the original study plan I had in mind. Grumbles.......

Okay, whining time's over, loser. Now get your ass back to work.

Poor Tech Support Guy...

Tech Support: What kind of computer do you have?

Female customer: A white one.

—-

Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can’t get my diskette out.

Tech Support: Have you tried pushing the button?

Customer: Yes, sure, it’s really stuck.

Tech Support: That doesn’t so! sound good; I’ll make a note.

Customer: No, wait a minute. I hadn’t inserted it yet.
It’s still on my desk. Sorry.

—-

Tech Support: Click on the ‘my computer’ icon on to the left of the screen. 

Customer: Your left or my left?

—-

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can’t print. Every time I try, it says ‘Can’t find printer’. I’ve even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can’t find it.

—-

Customer: I have problems printing in red.

Tech support: Do you have a color printer?

Customer: Aaaah, thank you.

—-

Tech support: What’s on your monitor now, ma’am?

Customer: A teddy bear my boy friend bought for me in the supermarket.

—-

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.

Tech support: Are you sure it’s plugged into the computer?

Customer: No. I can’t get behind the computer.

Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.

Customer: OK

Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?

Customer: Yes

Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in.
Is there another keyboard?

Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Ah, that one does
work.

—-

Tech support: Your password is the small letter “a” as in “apple”, a capital letter “V” as in “Victor”, the number “7″.

Customer: Is that “7″ in capital letters?

—-

Customer: I can’t get on the Internet.

Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?

Customer: Yes, I’m sure. I saw my colleague do it.

Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?

Customer: Five stars.

—-

Tech support: What antivirus programme do you use?

Customer: Netscape.

Tech support: That’s not an antivirus program.

Customer: Oh, sorry. Internet Explorer.

—-

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

—-

Tech support: How may I help you?

Customer: I’m writing my first e-mail.

Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?

Customer: Well, I have the letter ‘a’ in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

—-

A female customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.

Tech support: Are you running it under windows?

Customer: “No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine .”

—-

And last but not least:

Tech support: “Okay Bob, let’s press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter “P” to bring up the Program Manager.”

Customer: I don’t have a “P”.

Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.

Customer: What do you mean?

Tech support: “P”, on your keyboard, Bob.

Customer: I’M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

Windsurfing Diaries 3: Beginning on a downwind journey

We had 10 knots of wind last Saturday can you believe it!

And when the wind did not hit 10 knots, we were busy playing choo-train by connecting all our boards together.

I still had problems trying to figure out which direction the wind's coming from and all; bared away most of the time.

Tried to go downwind a little bit more this time; getting used to the different standing position seemed like we were learning how to balance on our boards all over again.

Tip of the day (from seniors): Look far ahead at where you're going, not down at your board. Understand how the tip of your board turns when you bare away or point into the wind.

The night summed up

Today, my 9 year old cousin discovered the joy of using his baby sister as a human cushion. They were squealing and giggling with delight on the expressway as my aunt and uncle gave me a lift back to hall 7. I can't help but laugh together with them, because they were just so cute.

Got back to hall and changed the bedsheets (yay to fresh bedsheets!). Went one round around NTU with Gerald and 2 of his friends from hall. They jogged while I skated (and they could keep up with me when I wasn't struggling with the slopes, fast!), and the up slopes kinda killed me physically. It was so tiring keeping my t-brake position in place towards the end while we were going downslope and my legs gave way finally, thus resulting in a scraped bum (yes, again).

纸包不住火

Haven't been to Pasir Ris Park for ages but I finally did today! David's (windsurf vp) birthday celebration was held at the last pit of the park and I guess the guys had a good time getting dunked and getting wet. I love hanging out with these people because they're all so sporting!

The weather was perfect for a barbecue; cool breeze and no rain!

everyone who attended!

Great people, great food and hearty laughter; the constituents of a great meal.

ps. It's really beyond my understanding why people do the things they do (or not do), sometimes. Maybe I'll talk bout this some other day. 4 a.m. now, I need my sleep!

Spare us all the nitty gritty details please

I can't believe my gesl professor, seriously. He worries about how we'll be taking too much time with our presentation and he never hesitates to cut in and interrupt EVERY SINGLE PART that is being presented. I couldn't be more glad when we were finally dismissed, I'm sure the rest of the class felt the same way too.

Anyway, so glad the weekend's finally here again! Windsurfing tomorrow! *pray for good wind*

ps. first weekend that Doug's away; gotta admit I feel a little weird without him here.

Hey botak!

The long awaited day is finally here. 

After few months of wishing people good luck as they enter a new phase in their life (NS!), it's finally Doug's turn. Last night was spent chomping on Haagen Dazs' Macademia Brittle (it's delicious, I tell you), climbing up the high score ladder in Word Challenge, lazing about, and the highlight of the evening's got to be me shaving his head!

I decided to give him a funny hair-do before the final shave. In the second picture you can see he's probably not too pleased with the bangs and bob-do. I named that the Ah Wang hair-do. Ha! Left a small clump at the forehead before finally shaving that off too. Can't really be seen from the pictures but we used a piece of newspaper for the 'cape' thing, but it didn't turn out to be very useful after all.

At the end of the whole session, I've come to conclude that hairdressing is not easy at all. Sure, there were bouts of giggling when tufts of hair were snipped off, but seriously, I didn't know how it was going to turn out most of the time. And even shaving, the seemingly easiest task, don't seem that easy once you land the shaver on the head. There's still the need to check for even-ness, or there'll probably be lots of uneven patches (lol).

ps. I guess the whole NS thing is alright so far. Dropped me a line earlier on, and things seem to be going okay for him. Might be too early to say though, it's only the first day, but let's hope things'll stay that way. I skipped hockey training to spend more time on the last night together; I hope it's a valid enough reason :x

Windsurfing Diaries 2: A Beginner's Dream

So last Saturday afternoon, we got to experience some light wind (approximately 3-4 knots) coming from the north-eastern direction. The current was really strong, and we were kinda being pushed towards the National Sailing Centre (NSC) most of the time.

In the bay, under the light wind conditions, we tried going upwind to practice our tacks. I was able to achieve a few successive tacks under a particular senior's guidance. It felt good, but I know I'm bound to face some problems should the wind get any stronger. I can probably also increase my speed a little when tacking; usually I'd be too overwhelmed by how the wind fills my sail up and turns my board in the opposite direction, and this retards my reaction time. Reaction time to shuffle my feet around the mast, to dip and drag the sail towards the back of the board. Note to self: stop being so easily overwhelmed! Focus is key!

Going upwind, I played with the sail a little. Pointed, bared away, pointed, bared away. Did this a few times in order to observe the direction where the tip of the board was shifting towards. 

Mast forward=baring away from wind. 

Mast to the rear=pointing towards wind.

Something that was pointed out to the juniors when we bared away was that our hands on the boom were positioned too closely to the mast. This resulted in a rather ineffective angle to bare away (mast forward, but not much) as our wrist joints sort of restrict the hand movement. Tried shifting our hands towards the back of the boom and voila! Greater angle achieved, more effective baring away.

Tried to do a bit of running (wind coming from behind) towards the end of the training session and I conclude that I need more practice in this. Balancing on the board on a run is quite different as from the normal sailing position. Seniors demonstrated a few gybes and we too, attempted to imitate. More practice, less clumsy!

Anyway, I faced some problems in the training prior to this one. The main problem was that the wind-filled sail overpowered me easily whenever I got my hands up on the boom. In case you windsurf too (beginners only!) and face a similar problem, here's a suggestion: try shifting your your hands on the boom closer to the mast instead of towards the centre of the boom. In case you feel overpowered again, let go of the hand further away from the mast (instead of letting go both and allowing the mast to drop), and get back into secure position before you move off again.

All in all, it's been a rather fruitful training in going through all the basic techniques, at least for me. I just have to keep in mind to tuck my fat ass in, and not to overlean when upright. 

Till the next entry!

Jodie and Mary

Jodie and Mary were born on 8 August 2000 at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, joined together at the lower abdomen. They each had their own head, arms, legs, brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. The only shared organ was a bladder. There were severe ano-urogenital abnormalities and serious problems arising from the fusion of pelvic bones and the tips of their spines. Jodie seemed to have normal brain development, and her main organs were all working well. Mary had primitive brain function, her heart barely functioned, and her lungs did not function at all. She was surviving only as a result of Jodie's heart pumping blood around her body. This effort was expected to weaken Jodie quite quickly and lead to her death, and thus that of Mary too, in about three to six months.

When the parents came to Britain seeking medical aid, doctors at St Mary's Hospital proposed an operation to separate the twins. The operation would cause Mary's immediate death, but Jodie was expected to have a good chance of surviving, and a reasonable chance, after further operations, of a full, healthy life with the ability to walk, control her bladder and bowels and have normal sexual function. The worst case scenario was that she might be wheelchair-bound with continence and sexual function problems. source

What decision would you have made if you were the girls' parents?

This was one of the questions that was posed to us during Ed Psyc class today. I guess many of us will probably come to the decision (after much debate on your conscience) of going ahead with the operation to save Jodie. Why? One die better than two die, is it? While some of you may agree with this decision, there will be several other who will jump out and rebuff with the question, "What makes you think you have the right to take away Mary's life like that?"

Some girl in class did just that, and it was rather annoying. Sure, I might have made the decision of saving one and losing another, but do you think it was that easy coming to this decision? Am I not hoping for some miracle to happen so that both of them will be fine? It's always so easy to judge people when you're not in their shoes.

"They're wrong, it can't be!"

"How can you do something like that?"

"How selfish can they get? These people have no conscience!"

But how sure are you that you won't make the same decision when the same thing happens to you?

Anyway, the parents decided not to let the girls undergo the operation and just let nature take its course (ultimately leading to their deaths) due to religious beliefs (don't judge, cause it must have probably caused them much heartache too). There was legal intervention when the parents made this decision and the court gave the go-ahead sign for the operation to take place. Mary, as predicted, died immediately during the operation. What ensues? A helluva controversy, what else.

The point of the this discussion was probably for us to come to conclusion that we need to be less judgemental when we look at things from an outsider's perspective. This is definitely a habit I need to break; I tend to stereotype people (but sometimes they just prove that I'm right!) a lot. Just because they don't dress the way I expect them to, eat the same kind of food that I think is tasty, or enjoy listening to the same genre of music as me doesn't make them scary or weird.

ps. If there really is someone almighty up there who exists, I have a big WHY to ask. Why did the parents have to go through that? Why were they brought out to the world to suffer? Why?

You think?

You click best with this particular friend,

the distance between the 2 of you gets closer and closer.

You think you've found a really good friend 

who understands you like no one else,

who seems to be there for you all the time,

who made you look at the world with a more open heart.

And before you know,

the 2 of you fall deeply, 

madly in love.

Things get a little dreamy,

everything seems perfect the way they are.

But once both of you reach a bump,

things get more shaky than you can ever imagine.

Mindless arguments over the tiniest detail,

voices raised unnecessarily.

When no one is to take anymore of it,

and no one bothers any longer,

the relationship plunges to its death.

And there, my friend,

you've lost the best friend you once thought you had.

Do you think you still want to risk losing a good friend now?

I am always skeptical when people say they are able to remain good friends with their ex(es). Why? There's always bound to be some form of betrayal or disappointment to be found in failed relationships. I cannot see myself forgiving someone who has probably hurt me emotionally, much less remain as good friends with this same person. With whatever good impression you might have for him/her gone, how will you learn to trust this person who's just broken your heart again?

I wish I'll give more thought on whether I want to risk ruining a friendship and jumping into a relationship so hastily, if I ever have the chance to start from the top again.

Did you know...

God prefers Atheists, really!

via

i hate to say this but..

hey bitches (who share the same toilet in blk 38)!

do you actually need some serious lesson to learn to flush properly? what the fuck is wrong with you girls? looking at the remnants of your last meal is probably what i look forward to least when i need to take a piss.