Sorry for the lack of updates. I mean, if you are still reading this, thank you for checking back. The term has been nothing but hectic. I think I'm studying quite a lot, at least if you compare to college but I can still barely keep up.
Have been sleeping real late and waking up early. Early by my standards that is. About 7am. I am never one that wakes up late anyway. Some tuned biological alarm clock thingey. Even if I try to be a bum and force myself to sleep until 10am, I still find my eyes forcing themselves open at 8. This includes the weekends as well.
Even as am typing this I'm feeling sleepy. Tomorrow is a no-lesson day for me and probably I'll try to wake up later. However, there's always something I'll have to do and not doing it bugs the hell out of me, so probably that's what makes me spring out of bed in the mornings.
I intended to talk about something more heavy and 'serious' but I figured I wasn't in that kinda mood to do anything along those lines. So I'll probably leave it to next time, whenever that is.
Oh. Sorry 2BN I can't turn up for tomorrow's class outing. Got a mini concert coming up and there's rehearsals tomorrow, which kinda reminds me I haven't blogged about my CCA yet. Let's leave it to next time.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
What I have got for my modules
Contary to popular belief, I am not dead like my blog is and while you are still speculating, I'm here again to revive my blog.
The lazy bones in me are dominating my soul and I always find the excuse of the lack of inspiration to blog. Which is partly true because in this 2nd week of university life, I'm still caught up with all the settling in and module bidding that I can't recount anything barely interesting.
Well, it's not right just blogging every 2 weeks or so because I know of a handful of avid readers who seemingly find direction and solace in my ramblings (uh hum..) and it'll be sorry to disappoint them. Let's just say I shall try to blog more often ok?
Module bidding and tutorial balloting are over and the initial modules I got were Economics, English, Calculus, Chinese Studies and Theatre Studies.
You heard the last 2 correct.
Chinese Studies - History of China and Chinese Literature. First lecture was a giant boot to the sleepy face. Nothing short of traumatising, I was left frozen in panic a couple of moments through the lecture. Lecture was in mandarin (ok duh) and presentation was in traditional chinese characters. I was momentarily swarmed by ancient chinese facts regarding history and culture. It was a sudden blow to the senses because I've lost touch with the language.
Theatre Studies - Don't want to go too much into it as I was seriously disturbed by the whole atmosphere when I stepped into the LT. Well..even before that I was already feeling apprehensive. I don't know what it was. Probably the small course intake, probably the lecturer, probably the people I saw in there. It was stifling in all sorts of the word. Luckily the lecture was only an hour. Apparently there is supposed to be a 2 hr practical every week which required you to 'wear loose clothing as you are required to do movements on the floor' and I guess that really scared me away.
Yep. Guess I made the decision to appeal out of the course and tranferred to Political Science. I have decided to stick with Chinese Studies though because heard that it wasn't as scary as it seemed and today's lecture I actually could understand. About 90 percent of it. Great.
Ok, gotta go off now. It'll be good if I can blog again in a couple of days.
The lazy bones in me are dominating my soul and I always find the excuse of the lack of inspiration to blog. Which is partly true because in this 2nd week of university life, I'm still caught up with all the settling in and module bidding that I can't recount anything barely interesting.
Well, it's not right just blogging every 2 weeks or so because I know of a handful of avid readers who seemingly find direction and solace in my ramblings (uh hum..) and it'll be sorry to disappoint them. Let's just say I shall try to blog more often ok?
Module bidding and tutorial balloting are over and the initial modules I got were Economics, English, Calculus, Chinese Studies and Theatre Studies.
You heard the last 2 correct.
Chinese Studies - History of China and Chinese Literature. First lecture was a giant boot to the sleepy face. Nothing short of traumatising, I was left frozen in panic a couple of moments through the lecture. Lecture was in mandarin (ok duh) and presentation was in traditional chinese characters. I was momentarily swarmed by ancient chinese facts regarding history and culture. It was a sudden blow to the senses because I've lost touch with the language.
Theatre Studies - Don't want to go too much into it as I was seriously disturbed by the whole atmosphere when I stepped into the LT. Well..even before that I was already feeling apprehensive. I don't know what it was. Probably the small course intake, probably the lecturer, probably the people I saw in there. It was stifling in all sorts of the word. Luckily the lecture was only an hour. Apparently there is supposed to be a 2 hr practical every week which required you to 'wear loose clothing as you are required to do movements on the floor' and I guess that really scared me away.
Yep. Guess I made the decision to appeal out of the course and tranferred to Political Science. I have decided to stick with Chinese Studies though because heard that it wasn't as scary as it seemed and today's lecture I actually could understand. About 90 percent of it. Great.
Ok, gotta go off now. It'll be good if I can blog again in a couple of days.
Friday, August 8, 2008
off cors and bidding
Past week has been an emotionally stressful one as the bidding for modules progress. The system is called CORS and although it has a nice ring to it, it still fails to hide its facade as one big mind game.
Mind game it is, as behind the seemingly passive looking system, lies the necessity to predict the actions of hundreds of other minds with similar objectives. Any moment of fickle-mindedness and unexpected bids will upset the delicate balance, sending the numbers spiralling.
What adds to the complexity is the fact that no one knows what the other is bidding or where he stands, other than the highest and lowest bid and the number of vacancies left. Personally, I had spent numerous hours on bidding day camping in front of the screen, making appropriate changes while nervously hitting the refresh button every 10 minutes.
Maybe it isn't that necessary, maybe I will not be so tense in the subsequent rounds, which undoubtedly would last throughout the few years or so. However the past few days have been an emotional roller coaster. Afterall, I only got the 5 modules after the third bidding round and they weren't my initial choices.
The next thing on the agenda is the balloting of tutorials and their allocation will determine if my Fridays will be free. The possibility of a 4 day week excites me but any unexpected turn of events will wipe that out.
I seriously need some luck.
Mind game it is, as behind the seemingly passive looking system, lies the necessity to predict the actions of hundreds of other minds with similar objectives. Any moment of fickle-mindedness and unexpected bids will upset the delicate balance, sending the numbers spiralling.
What adds to the complexity is the fact that no one knows what the other is bidding or where he stands, other than the highest and lowest bid and the number of vacancies left. Personally, I had spent numerous hours on bidding day camping in front of the screen, making appropriate changes while nervously hitting the refresh button every 10 minutes.
Maybe it isn't that necessary, maybe I will not be so tense in the subsequent rounds, which undoubtedly would last throughout the few years or so. However the past few days have been an emotional roller coaster. Afterall, I only got the 5 modules after the third bidding round and they weren't my initial choices.
The next thing on the agenda is the balloting of tutorials and their allocation will determine if my Fridays will be free. The possibility of a 4 day week excites me but any unexpected turn of events will wipe that out.
I seriously need some luck.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
One of the best birthdays
Officially 21 years of age today. 21 seems to be the age of transition, the age when society takes you more seriously and the time when cinemas open all their doors to you.
This birthday has been nothing short of special. The surprises had started pouring in on Thursday, when 3DL turned my lesson into a birthday celebration cum farewell. I'll be lying if I said I didn't suspect anything at all. Afterall, it was a lesson after recess and a sizable number of students were missing, very unlike the class. The instructions to clap were audible to me too but the moment when the cake was brought in felt really sweet.
Later in the day, D also surprised me with a box of pleasant things that meant a lot to me. It was a quaint little package done up in over an afternoon. Let's just say a part of it almost moved me to tears. I was taken aback by the ease at how tears welled up as it has never happened before, at least not in the movies. My self proclaimed emotional stability has been seriously undermined. Based on the D's gift solely, it could very well be the best birthday ever.
Friday evening was great too, as I met up with friends from the car forum for dinner and gathering at Tiong Bahru Market. They had a cake for me too and great food and company ruled the night.
Saturday morning was spent plucking wild grass from the front lawn while the later part of the day was spent with D at Kbox. The birthday package granted me a discount and a complimentary cake. Although the texture tasted really cheap and the blueberry was more like jam than anything else, D and I managed to plough through about 1/4 of it and I packed the rest home. Had some mildly filling yet satisfying pasta at Waraku for dinner.
I had another surprise as I reached home. Realised mum had walked all the way to Parkway to get a Black Forest cake for me. We waited for dad to return before celebrating. Especially meaningful it was, as I vaguely recall the last time my parents and I got together for cake cutting was like 10 years ago. It was never a habit so it felt strange at first. But in the end it still felt really meaningful. Mum claims 21 is a milestone and it is in a way, symbolic to celebrate it in the new house.
Going to have a look at Ice the Golden Retriever with my parents tomorrow. Hopefully will be able to get it. It'll truly be a nice addition to the family.
This birthday has been nothing short of special. The surprises had started pouring in on Thursday, when 3DL turned my lesson into a birthday celebration cum farewell. I'll be lying if I said I didn't suspect anything at all. Afterall, it was a lesson after recess and a sizable number of students were missing, very unlike the class. The instructions to clap were audible to me too but the moment when the cake was brought in felt really sweet.
Later in the day, D also surprised me with a box of pleasant things that meant a lot to me. It was a quaint little package done up in over an afternoon. Let's just say a part of it almost moved me to tears. I was taken aback by the ease at how tears welled up as it has never happened before, at least not in the movies. My self proclaimed emotional stability has been seriously undermined. Based on the D's gift solely, it could very well be the best birthday ever.
Friday evening was great too, as I met up with friends from the car forum for dinner and gathering at Tiong Bahru Market. They had a cake for me too and great food and company ruled the night.
Saturday morning was spent plucking wild grass from the front lawn while the later part of the day was spent with D at Kbox. The birthday package granted me a discount and a complimentary cake. Although the texture tasted really cheap and the blueberry was more like jam than anything else, D and I managed to plough through about 1/4 of it and I packed the rest home. Had some mildly filling yet satisfying pasta at Waraku for dinner.
I had another surprise as I reached home. Realised mum had walked all the way to Parkway to get a Black Forest cake for me. We waited for dad to return before celebrating. Especially meaningful it was, as I vaguely recall the last time my parents and I got together for cake cutting was like 10 years ago. It was never a habit so it felt strange at first. But in the end it still felt really meaningful. Mum claims 21 is a milestone and it is in a way, symbolic to celebrate it in the new house.
Going to have a look at Ice the Golden Retriever with my parents tomorrow. Hopefully will be able to get it. It'll truly be a nice addition to the family.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
a cheem-by-my-standards post about 'change'
The secondary 3s had to write a one word essay about 'Change' during their June holidays. Probably the setter of the question wanted them to speak about their views of the ever changing world, or maybe recall the last transformation in their lives that has impacted them significantly whatsoever. It could also be highly likely he was looking for reflection over the past 6 months or his entire life.
Ploughing throught 30 plus essays on 'change' was more boring than expected. Most were mundane, some were brinking on the edge of the unbelievable, while others lacked logic in parts. Surprises came in the form of 'change' being something you receive from the shopkeeper after using the big note. Not a pleasant surprise I must say, because as realisation of the irrelevant plot sank in, my heart did the same.
On a personal basis, life has also been on the edge of significant change especially this couple of weeks. The rollercoaster of emotions has been taking me for a ride during this period, when the days leading to varsity entry looms up on me inevitably. My feelings are hardly justifiable, especially since a year back, I was more than geared up for it. Now, it just seems that I am dreading the day I step in that is matriculation, and my confidence seems to be wearing away.
7 months outside and gradually slipping into the comfort zone I suppose. Yet, I can do nothing to stop myself from feeling apprehensive despite being fully aware. Feeling much better now though, as I'm convinced this is just anxiety and the impending fear of the big unknown playing the devil.
I'll probably get into the flow of things in less than a week. Hopefully.
Another big change will probably be the fact that I'm moving house. In fact, at the point of writing, I can say that I'm moving this afternoon, officially. The new house is a big one, something to look forward to everyday. Possibilities are endless. Yet the current one harbours the memories of the past 2 decades, and probably slightly more for my parents. It's been a difficult decision but we all hope the new environment brings with it a whole new world of living and creating fresh memories.
Now as I'm sitting in my spartan room typing this post, I notice the echo resounding off the hollow walls and floor everytime I ponder aloud. Cupboards and shelves are presently empty. Once the untidy abode has become a hollow shell for the next occupants to fill in. I sound emo but I'm not. I'm just expressing myself.
I told my students once it's always meaningful to be able to write about a real personal recount in an essay, but avoid if it may turn out boring for exam purposes. If anyone took this part of what is happening to my life now and turn it into an essay, it would probably need a hell lot of good vocab and vivid reflections to transform it into a winning one. Anything less even I will fail it.
It is always good to note that behind every seemingly normal and mundane transition will carry with it a inevitable tangle of emotions that lives with your subconscious.
Ploughing throught 30 plus essays on 'change' was more boring than expected. Most were mundane, some were brinking on the edge of the unbelievable, while others lacked logic in parts. Surprises came in the form of 'change' being something you receive from the shopkeeper after using the big note. Not a pleasant surprise I must say, because as realisation of the irrelevant plot sank in, my heart did the same.
On a personal basis, life has also been on the edge of significant change especially this couple of weeks. The rollercoaster of emotions has been taking me for a ride during this period, when the days leading to varsity entry looms up on me inevitably. My feelings are hardly justifiable, especially since a year back, I was more than geared up for it. Now, it just seems that I am dreading the day I step in that is matriculation, and my confidence seems to be wearing away.
7 months outside and gradually slipping into the comfort zone I suppose. Yet, I can do nothing to stop myself from feeling apprehensive despite being fully aware. Feeling much better now though, as I'm convinced this is just anxiety and the impending fear of the big unknown playing the devil.
I'll probably get into the flow of things in less than a week. Hopefully.
Another big change will probably be the fact that I'm moving house. In fact, at the point of writing, I can say that I'm moving this afternoon, officially. The new house is a big one, something to look forward to everyday. Possibilities are endless. Yet the current one harbours the memories of the past 2 decades, and probably slightly more for my parents. It's been a difficult decision but we all hope the new environment brings with it a whole new world of living and creating fresh memories.
Now as I'm sitting in my spartan room typing this post, I notice the echo resounding off the hollow walls and floor everytime I ponder aloud. Cupboards and shelves are presently empty. Once the untidy abode has become a hollow shell for the next occupants to fill in. I sound emo but I'm not. I'm just expressing myself.
I told my students once it's always meaningful to be able to write about a real personal recount in an essay, but avoid if it may turn out boring for exam purposes. If anyone took this part of what is happening to my life now and turn it into an essay, it would probably need a hell lot of good vocab and vivid reflections to transform it into a winning one. Anything less even I will fail it.
It is always good to note that behind every seemingly normal and mundane transition will carry with it a inevitable tangle of emotions that lives with your subconscious.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Leaving certain things behind
Haven't blogged in ages. And it somehow looks like that sentence has been thrown around quite a bit in this blog.
Quite a bit has happened since the last entry. It has been back to school for me, kind of because the previous teacher couldn't stay for long so it was decided that getting me back would be a convenient choice. Well, until the trained teacher arrives.
Already been teaching for a week and at this point of time, I guess I have about 1 more week to go before actually ending my stint as a teacher. This job has been an interesting and refreshing experience, one that has made me feel beyond my years many a time. I've learnt a lot I must say and it's about time to move on.
Speaking of moving on, my family has decided to move to the new house. This is after much discussion, some indecisiveness and a whole lot of serious consideration. 20 years in the present one, probably time to move on to a bigger, better place, but I'll probably miss this place dearly.
It's getting late and I'm sleepy. Late nights and early mornings have taken a huge toll on me. Stubborn and noisy students usually make things worse. Thank goodness it's already Saturday, and it's time to rest.
Quite a bit has happened since the last entry. It has been back to school for me, kind of because the previous teacher couldn't stay for long so it was decided that getting me back would be a convenient choice. Well, until the trained teacher arrives.
Already been teaching for a week and at this point of time, I guess I have about 1 more week to go before actually ending my stint as a teacher. This job has been an interesting and refreshing experience, one that has made me feel beyond my years many a time. I've learnt a lot I must say and it's about time to move on.
Speaking of moving on, my family has decided to move to the new house. This is after much discussion, some indecisiveness and a whole lot of serious consideration. 20 years in the present one, probably time to move on to a bigger, better place, but I'll probably miss this place dearly.
It's getting late and I'm sleepy. Late nights and early mornings have taken a huge toll on me. Stubborn and noisy students usually make things worse. Thank goodness it's already Saturday, and it's time to rest.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
overdue post on 1 day relief
Casual relief for today. Then it’s a couple more weeks of slack before I come back here again for a week for actual lessons. I’m in class now for the 1st period of things and so far, things seemed to have returned to what it was like for the first half of the year.
Of course, it’s pretty obvious it’s not going to stay this way as things are going to change a mighty much in August. Change..something that I’ve always thought twice before venturing into. Most times I don’t have choice and get shoved rudely into. The current apprehension about university must be really normal. It must be, yet I sometimes just wish I can remain status quo. It’s really strange, for there’s really isn’t much reason that is holding me back.
Anyway, back to the morning, it felt pretty good seeing old faces I’ve conversed, laughed, hung out and cried with, although the last part about crying is not true and just there to make the sentence flow smooth. Heh.
And there were plenty of new faces too. So many new teachers, permanent or temporary, which really says a lot about the possible manpower crisis MOE is facing..These will be the new faces that will be taking the students for the next couple of months, or more I hope, for change isn’t exactly the best thing for students taking their finals in a couple of months.
I was a new face in the school once, worked a semester and when things were just really getting started and I started settling in, I was out of it. Well, technically 5 days more in July and then I’ll be out. And who knows when I’ll be back again. It’s really cruel when I think of it sometimes. Well, at least it feels this way but circumstances obviously doesn’t allow and people always have to move on.
I always wonder to myself sometimes how many of the people I’ve known over the course of the last 6 months in this assignment will still remain contactable for say, until the mid of next year. A quick glance back at personal history shows that I’m not really adept at keeping old friends, especially those that I’ve merely bonded with in a short time. 6 months isn’t exactly short, but it didn’t really feel sufficient either. I just hope that good memories aren’t the only thing I take away from this place.
Lesson’s ending soon and it feels good to be able to churn out this moderately emo post of this word length in this slightly less than an hour timeframe. Usually it’ll take more. Anyways, this post will only be uploaded later in the night because there’s no internet here and I’m using MSword. So I’m not having lessons at night.
*Meant to be posted on Monday night but posted only now because I'm lazy.
Of course, it’s pretty obvious it’s not going to stay this way as things are going to change a mighty much in August. Change..something that I’ve always thought twice before venturing into. Most times I don’t have choice and get shoved rudely into. The current apprehension about university must be really normal. It must be, yet I sometimes just wish I can remain status quo. It’s really strange, for there’s really isn’t much reason that is holding me back.
Anyway, back to the morning, it felt pretty good seeing old faces I’ve conversed, laughed, hung out and cried with, although the last part about crying is not true and just there to make the sentence flow smooth. Heh.
And there were plenty of new faces too. So many new teachers, permanent or temporary, which really says a lot about the possible manpower crisis MOE is facing..These will be the new faces that will be taking the students for the next couple of months, or more I hope, for change isn’t exactly the best thing for students taking their finals in a couple of months.
I was a new face in the school once, worked a semester and when things were just really getting started and I started settling in, I was out of it. Well, technically 5 days more in July and then I’ll be out. And who knows when I’ll be back again. It’s really cruel when I think of it sometimes. Well, at least it feels this way but circumstances obviously doesn’t allow and people always have to move on.
I always wonder to myself sometimes how many of the people I’ve known over the course of the last 6 months in this assignment will still remain contactable for say, until the mid of next year. A quick glance back at personal history shows that I’m not really adept at keeping old friends, especially those that I’ve merely bonded with in a short time. 6 months isn’t exactly short, but it didn’t really feel sufficient either. I just hope that good memories aren’t the only thing I take away from this place.
Lesson’s ending soon and it feels good to be able to churn out this moderately emo post of this word length in this slightly less than an hour timeframe. Usually it’ll take more. Anyways, this post will only be uploaded later in the night because there’s no internet here and I’m using MSword. So I’m not having lessons at night.
*Meant to be posted on Monday night but posted only now because I'm lazy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
