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I kind of realised that my blog is rather boring. (ok, this is waaaayyy belated.) Perhaps this is because I don't lead a very exciting life - I take comfort in security, stability, serenity. I love 'high' points in life - when you snag that goal you're aiming for, the not-so-occasional/occasional social gatherings, the occasional kaching that comes in from tuition etc. (Oprah declared in 2008 that "Liking $ is good. I love $." I agree!)
But at times you think about how life should/could/might have turned out differently, if only one had done so-and-so at some point in life. Coming from a student of History, it might be rather funny, but life needs to be lived and experienced forward, not backward. Getting the direction wrong will only leave more room for regret.
Bad decisions can be costly. But is the cost of not doing anything even greater?-
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Sunday, July 03, 2011
Monday, June 06, 2011
it's the holidays!
Ok this post is rather belated, since this is theoretically the beginning of the 5th week of my holidays. For the past 3 weeks, I have been reliefing back at my alma mata, so I guess waking up at 5.30am isn't exactly holidays! So, for the past week (my 'real' holidays), I've been catching up with my shows (Desperate Housewives; it's important to learn to be conniving. Oops, I mean, discerning) and some random reading.
It's funny how whenever we're studying/working, we look forward to the holidays, but when it does come, we're kind of not sure what to do, or do things that, well, don't really add much value professionally/academically/intellectually. I should start doing something more 'useful', hmmmm.
Speaking of which, the exam results were released earlier last week, and that also provided a fairly clear signal that, yes, i should consider prospects of doing an M.A. more seriously. I'm not decided on any location yet (although the academic discipline to pursue is more than fairly certain), so I'm still opened to ideas/suggestions. I would also like to think that I wouldn't want o return to UBC, Vancouver. I love the college (check out their uber cool campus lip dup), the city, and the Canadians! (Give me marks for my use of alliteration!) As with all things in life, variety is spice. (Rhymes?) I prefer constancy to change, but it's always good to push beyond our comfort zones if we really want to grow. It's painful, difficult, but eventually it will all somehow work out.
In any case, there is still half a year to decide before the first round of paper trailing (application to colleges) are closed - that's when the second round of money-begging begins.
But for now, I need some brainwaves on HT topics. Maybe I should visit the school library to just sieve out past works. Too bad, they don't indicate the marks on the copies there. Who knows whether you're reading a B+ work or A+ masterpiece?
Best Wishes,
It's funny how whenever we're studying/working, we look forward to the holidays, but when it does come, we're kind of not sure what to do, or do things that, well, don't really add much value professionally/academically/intellectually. I should start doing something more 'useful', hmmmm.
Speaking of which, the exam results were released earlier last week, and that also provided a fairly clear signal that, yes, i should consider prospects of doing an M.A. more seriously. I'm not decided on any location yet (although the academic discipline to pursue is more than fairly certain), so I'm still opened to ideas/suggestions. I would also like to think that I wouldn't want o return to UBC, Vancouver. I love the college (check out their uber cool campus lip dup), the city, and the Canadians! (Give me marks for my use of alliteration!) As with all things in life, variety is spice. (Rhymes?) I prefer constancy to change, but it's always good to push beyond our comfort zones if we really want to grow. It's painful, difficult, but eventually it will all somehow work out.
In any case, there is still half a year to decide before the first round of paper trailing (application to colleges) are closed - that's when the second round of money-begging begins.
But for now, I need some brainwaves on HT topics. Maybe I should visit the school library to just sieve out past works. Too bad, they don't indicate the marks on the copies there. Who knows whether you're reading a B+ work or A+ masterpiece?
Best Wishes,
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Exams!
Ok, this being the critical semester that will partly determine whether I do m post-grad, I wonder why I'm still blogging here. Heh.
I'm starting to realise that yes, we should have been doing more reading for Stan's class, not wait until like now. But hey, better late than never, right? lol.
Ok back to revising :)
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I'm starting to realise that yes, we should have been doing more reading for Stan's class, not wait until like now. But hey, better late than never, right? lol.
Ok back to revising :)
*
Monday, April 11, 2011
the charge
Ok, assignments are all finally done. whew. Which also means, time to catch up on all the unread readings, before slacking, sorting out the lecture slides and getting them printed, then commencing my exam revision.
This is the rush. My overseas postgrad will depend on this semester. Woah.
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This is the rush. My overseas postgrad will depend on this semester. Woah.
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Monday, April 04, 2011
April '11 update
Ok, nothing much exciting is really happening nowadays; its just school, tuition, tennis and the usual assignments' rush. But the three-months-holiday is just one month away!
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Monday, December 06, 2010
Exam week(s)!
Just a quick update, since it's exam week(s)!
The school term has just ended, so I'm just rushing out my last paper, which would hopefully/likely be churned out by the end of the day. There are lots of revision to be done etc., but I guess it will all turn out fine eventually!
At the same time, I wished I had the time (and chance) to get to know some people better, although that did not quite happen for whatever reason. In any case, it's still not too late, and I'm glad that people have 'opened' up (or more correctly, we have all 'opened' up)!
My latest obsession is with Blenz Coffee's Belgian Dark Chocolate Cafe Mocha, which is like damn freaking NICE! Unfortunately, I don't think you can find the store, or even the drink, in SG! Will someone PLEASSSSEEE franchise Blenz in SG???
*Back to writing, then mugging!*
The school term has just ended, so I'm just rushing out my last paper, which would hopefully/likely be churned out by the end of the day. There are lots of revision to be done etc., but I guess it will all turn out fine eventually!
At the same time, I wished I had the time (and chance) to get to know some people better, although that did not quite happen for whatever reason. In any case, it's still not too late, and I'm glad that people have 'opened' up (or more correctly, we have all 'opened' up)!
My latest obsession is with Blenz Coffee's Belgian Dark Chocolate Cafe Mocha, which is like damn freaking NICE! Unfortunately, I don't think you can find the store, or even the drink, in SG! Will someone PLEASSSSEEE franchise Blenz in SG???
*Back to writing, then mugging!*
Monday, November 01, 2010
mid-point
It's been exactly 2 months since I arrived here in Vancouver; another 2 months for me before reaching Singapore again (touch-down 11.57pm @ T3 on 30 Dec; effectively 31 Dec) - time for an update!
Shall not blabber on and on about what I've done in the past 9 weeks etc. - that can easily be gleaned from in my FB albums, at least the fun parts, that is. Finances are still ok, though on the low side, but I'll manage! At least all the expenditure for the next two months are kind of mapped out, so hopefully no unpleasant surprises.
Academic-wise, hmmm, so far I'm doing pretty ok/well for two of the modules, though that's within expectations. I don't have any indication for the other three more challenging and intensive modules whatsoever, but I guess the safety net of just-have-to-pass is very reassuring. Coursework has been heavy, but I guess it will all ultimately be rewarding (though the 'rewards' are by no means visible at this stage). In the short term, I've often been tempted to just 'give up' and not bother with the assignments and readings and all that. But hey, if I wanted to do that I would have opted to go to XYZ university, and not an institution with a comparable, even better, ranking.
That thought does keep me going for a while. At the same time, I know that I'm working hard - albeit indirectly - towards the bigger goal of thesis-writing and Honours Year. I know I'll have to start formulating something during the upcoming May/June period through Aug, so that I don't get a panic for my proposal and sources etc. come Nov/Dec '11. Coursework-wise, I'll have to start with HY4000s come next semester, so I need to keep my mind agile and sharp, too. And all of this works towards the even larger and distant goal of eventually doing a Masters - definitely not locally, but overseas, maybe Canada! I love Vancouver, but maybe I should try out the East Coast, though I'll need even deeper pockets for that. And that requires a good Honours graduation. Hmmmm. A friend is doing a local Masters, which I never would do nor agree with, because an overseas experience opens up more than just one's mind. But everyone has different circumstances, so -
As I type away, the beautiful downtown scenery and the rolling mountains beyond beckon - it's good weather, something in terribly short supply of late. I shall enjoy it as long as it lasts, as does my SEP. SEP brings with it a fair share of frustrations, emoness, pain, hardship, whatever - but I think I will look back on this phase most fondly and with a general sense of nostalgia.
For now, let me get back to my art history essay, which I have no idea how to structure. Inspiration will come eventually; let me just overcome procrastination and let the metaphorical ink flow!
Until the next time,
*
Shall not blabber on and on about what I've done in the past 9 weeks etc. - that can easily be gleaned from in my FB albums, at least the fun parts, that is. Finances are still ok, though on the low side, but I'll manage! At least all the expenditure for the next two months are kind of mapped out, so hopefully no unpleasant surprises.
Academic-wise, hmmm, so far I'm doing pretty ok/well for two of the modules, though that's within expectations. I don't have any indication for the other three more challenging and intensive modules whatsoever, but I guess the safety net of just-have-to-pass is very reassuring. Coursework has been heavy, but I guess it will all ultimately be rewarding (though the 'rewards' are by no means visible at this stage). In the short term, I've often been tempted to just 'give up' and not bother with the assignments and readings and all that. But hey, if I wanted to do that I would have opted to go to XYZ university, and not an institution with a comparable, even better, ranking.
That thought does keep me going for a while. At the same time, I know that I'm working hard - albeit indirectly - towards the bigger goal of thesis-writing and Honours Year. I know I'll have to start formulating something during the upcoming May/June period through Aug, so that I don't get a panic for my proposal and sources etc. come Nov/Dec '11. Coursework-wise, I'll have to start with HY4000s come next semester, so I need to keep my mind agile and sharp, too. And all of this works towards the even larger and distant goal of eventually doing a Masters - definitely not locally, but overseas, maybe Canada! I love Vancouver, but maybe I should try out the East Coast, though I'll need even deeper pockets for that. And that requires a good Honours graduation. Hmmmm. A friend is doing a local Masters, which I never would do nor agree with, because an overseas experience opens up more than just one's mind. But everyone has different circumstances, so -
As I type away, the beautiful downtown scenery and the rolling mountains beyond beckon - it's good weather, something in terribly short supply of late. I shall enjoy it as long as it lasts, as does my SEP. SEP brings with it a fair share of frustrations, emoness, pain, hardship, whatever - but I think I will look back on this phase most fondly and with a general sense of nostalgia.
For now, let me get back to my art history essay, which I have no idea how to structure. Inspiration will come eventually; let me just overcome procrastination and let the metaphorical ink flow!
Until the next time,
*
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