Sometimes, luxury can get tiresome. It is a refreshing change to go back to the good old days, when things were simpler and more innocent. In the name of preserving the environment, and to avoid rising petrol costs, I forsook driving to school today and took public transport, namely the MRT and bus. Singapore's transport infrastructure is admirable. Public transport is efficient and price effective. But the only grouse I have is that people think that public transport is their private transport. Come on people, let's be gracious! Stop farting, digging your nose, sneezing without covering your mouth, pushing and shoving and participating in other assorted disgusting and rude actions on the bus or train as if you were the only person there!
Anyway, what really irked me today is my 'dear' COM 217 lecturer. She claims to be from a low power structure culture such as the States, and is teaching in the American system where students have as much to offer to the lecturer as the other way around (or so all the lecturers claim) and yet she is a stubborn mule. She claims to be a communications scholar and yet she is not open to suggestions and goes against everything she claims to 'teach'. I for one do not assume that I am greater than my lecturers and that I don't tell them what to do. But at least hear me out when I have suggestions. And since when has asking for a change in circumstances became a crime? If Martin Luther King Jr. did not ask for a change in the racist environment, would things have progressed to the stage it is at right now? I am no Martin Luther King Jr. but at least I dared to speak out. So what if others did not make the same request? Does that mean that they are happy? Certainly not! They are just resigned to the fact that nothing can be done to change the circumstances! Would America be where she is at if the people accepted their situations? Certainly not! The fourth of July reminds remind her that there are things worth fighting for, worth speaking out for! America, the land of opportunity, the land of the free! Resist the oppressive tyrant! Down with Dolores Umbridge!! Lah lei lor meh har!!! (a little inside joke)
Oh well, que sara sara, what will be will be.. Pardon my ranting.. I have got to chill and take things in my stride. She is not that bad once you get past all her bad points.. :P And I have a feeling that I am being marked by her.. We shall see.. Oh well, que sara sara..

Everyone needs a bit of uncertainty in their lives; a little bit of mystery and suspense. With uncertainty comes doubt, and yet one can stay sheltered within uncertainty; with uncertainty also comes a faint hope. Illusion and uncertainty are bedfellows. Although reality is what you think of it, but when the truth stares you in the face, you have no choice but to abandon uncertainty, to abandon the illusion that you have held on to. But once the spell that uncertainty casts breaks, clarity of mind enters through the gaps. The heart is fragmented glass but the mind is crystal. I know now, that the look in your eyes told me that it is over before it even began. It's been a trip but right now, the heart bleeds but the mind acknowledges and is moving on. Cheers. Here's to life.

New week

Well, it has been almost a week into my new semester and I have met all my teachers.. I am taking four modules so that means.. da da dum!!! four teachers! Hahaha.. Maths is important kids.. :P All the teachers seems nice, or at least harmless except for one.. The PSY 207 teacher is alright, although the subject she teaches, Statistics is inherently dry.. I wonder if she could work magic with numbers and capture our fickle attentions in class.. I doubt so.. Just have to trudge through the lessons. But still am going to work hard nevertheless. The COM 225 and UGC 112 teachers are very nice people, with an evident passion and enthusiasm for their work. They need no help in making me feel interested in what they have to offer. I look forward to their classes.
Finally, the last teacher to mention, our COM 217 lecturer. Where do I even begin? She reminds Fluddy and me of Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter. Although she does not seem as scary due to the lack of potentially harmful magic. On second thought, she may be capable of more as she holds the grades in her hands. She does not give us notes and expects us to copy our own notes, she goes on endlessly about various inane things and she hardly touches on the subject matter.
I don't know how I am going to do for this semester. The subjects seem tougher. I guess what I said before starting school, about relying on God's grace, is a necessity and nothing less. :) Good grades this semester! I have to start working consistently revising my work starting from tomorrow. :P Tonight, I will sleep well! Hahaha..

Start of something new

I am at the cusp of the new semester and I feel that this is the right time to list down some stuff for the new semester and for the year ahead. Some aims for the new year and habits that I hope to form.. And hopefully these habits will last for many many years to come too.. First of all, I want to wake up at 0730 everyday regardless of whether it is a weekend or weekday or I have early or late classes.. I realised that sleeping too few hours can make one feel tired but sleeping too much can do the same too!! So I aim for 6-7 hours a day so getting up at 0730 seems good.. This also gives me the time to do stuff like squeeze in some exercise time to lead my charge against my horrendous fatty nemesis.. :P So the plan is that I will wake up every day at 0730 and get some resistance training or cardio by means of skipping or running done.. I have been slacking off so much this break that I am so fat now.. :( My masterplan from my previous post has not been put into action as of yet.. But all these starts tomorrow!!!
Also, for my studies, I want to revise my work for 1-2 hours a day.. After every bit of new material, I want to review and digest it so that when quizzes or exams come along, I will not be so stressed up and mug like crazy.. A lofty goal but having a goal gives direction.. So I will continue to give my best in my studies and strive for good grades.. No complacency nor slackening off.. And also, I will strive to do any project work or long term homework consistently so that it does not snowball.. Well, that's my goal for the new semester.. So, take baby steps first and I am sure that this semester will be enjoyable!
And also, I want to work out a plan to reduce my carbon footprint.. I want to drive less to school.. Petrol consumption is contributing to the pollution that our poor Earth is facing but more than that, petrol prices are at an all time high!!! So I will try to get a feel for my schedule and try to fit in non-driving days.. :) At least my heart is in the right place..

Favourite authors

Well, I was just finishing up a book by one of my favourite authors when I realised that I should note down my favourite authors lest I forget their names.. Hahaha.. Well, if you like to read like I do, here are some authors for different genres that I recommend strongly..
For spy stories, with cloak-and-dagger, action packed scenes galore, one can never go wrong with Barry Eisler's series of books about an assassin, John Rain. Corny name aside, the books have the coolest and grittiest scenes. Barry Eisler had experience with the CIA in covert operations for three years so it is safe to say that he may know how things work so there is a sense of realism in his stories.
Another master at spy stories which may be not unfamiliar to readers of the genre is Robert Ludlum. He is, among many other books, the writer of the Borne series, which by the way translated to the big screen quite nicely in my humble opinion.
For action packed, gritty books that place you right in the middle of the action, check out Andy MacNab's books.. Andy also has first hand experience in what he writes about so DO NOT cross this guy.. :P
One more author who writes engaging spy stories is Daniel Silva.. Gabriel Allon, his main character in majority of his books, is as engaging as Barry Eisler's John Rain and similar in their flawed characters but they are not without their redeeming qualities..
For light fantasy, Dean Koontz is my favourite author.. A prolific writer, he is one of the rare breeds of authors that can manage varied genres and still impose his distinct style into his stories.. His books often leave me with a feeling of common grace.. And he loves dogs and incorporates them into many of his stories! How can you go wrong with him? :)
Also in the same genre is an author I discovered recently, Christopher Golden. His books are interesting enough to warrant a mention. Check out his series about the Menagerie..
Well, thanks to my not-so-perfect memory, I can only list these authors off hand.. More authors to come as I devour more books.. Bookworms rule!!! Hahaha..

Something new

Finally, after so long, I cut my hair short!!! Hahaha.. Feels a bit weird.. Cooling though.. :P A new colour too!!! A cool shade of red.. Don't know how long the colour will last though.. Oh well.. Anyway, school's starting soon!! I am feeling excited and looking forward to starting school.. :) I get to see my friends again and I have something to aim for, to strive towards.. Oh.. And I just made payment for something that will take me one step further in fulfilling one of my new year's resolution.. Looking forward to receiving it maybe next week.. :) Let 2008 be the best year yet!!!

2008

Well, the old has been cast off, the new is being welcomed with open arms.. At least it seems to be the case seeing the excitement of people when ushering in the new year.. I spent my countdown to the new year at East Coast Park and it was.. interesting.. First, I walked 45 minutes from my car to the most convenient meeting place, MacDonald's.. We had a nice and quiet time praying and contemplating what the new year has in store for each and every one of us and of course not forgetting our dreams and visions for the new year.. Then we played card games and later, we headed to Marine Parade to chill out at the MacDonald's.. It's a nice place to chill out, literally as it was super windy.. Throughout this whole night, I had loads of time to sort out my thoughts..
I just feel a sense of melancholy hanging over me these past few days.. It's an inexplicable feeling, a weird sense of loss and longing that I can't fully describe.. I can't quite place my finger on what I am feeling but perhaps it is because of such a major chance as multiplication.. After more than 3 years, things finally changed.. It's a bittersweet feeling and to me, perhaps more bitter than sweet.. Change is the only constant in life and we have to learn to go with the flow and be adaptable.. But sometimes I just feel that since everything is so transient in life, what's the point? But still, life goes on and these feelings will pass.. I know that for a fact..
Well, in this new year, I have a few goals that I really hope to achieve.. It's a three part list; spirit, soul and body.. First of all, for my spiritual life, I hope to grow closer to God in this new year.. Beside change, God is also constant in our lives.. So I have to build up a life based on prayer and fasting and bible reading.. Next, for my soul, I want to be less impatient, less cynical and less judgemental.. Finally for my body, as I have already listed below, healthier body! Hahaha.. That covers all bases I guess.. Well, for those who are perpetually concerned for my love life although I am still quite young (you guys know who you are :P), I hope that this year would be the year as well.. Hahaha.. There is a timing for everything under the sun yeah? :)
All in all, I am hopeful that 2008 will be a good year for everyone; there will be laughter and there will be tears.. I hope that although circumstances have changed and all, the bonds that had been built in the past year will not go to waste.. Stay in touch!!